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The accused used to open the locks of vehicles with master keys. They had committed many crimes in different police stations of Bhopal city. Police said that two suspicious persons were found on a Yamaha FZ motorcycle at Vijay Nagar intersection. On seeking information about the vehicle, they said that they did not have the documents of the said motorcycle. On checking information about the said vehicle from MP Transport, it was found that the vehicle was in the name of some other person. Later during interrogation, they told their names as Rakesh Singh Chauhan and Kamlesh Vishwakarma and the Yamaha FZ motorcycle with them was stolen from Indra Vihar Colony Kohefiza on April 4 this year. During investigation, the accused confessed stealing a total of 8 vehicles stolen from Kohefiza Police Station, Shahjahanabad Police Station, Chhola Mandir Police Station and Govindpura Police Station, worth about Rs. 12 lakhs which were recovered from the above accused. The accused are being questioned in relation to other thefts. The recovered vehicles are Yamaha FZ vehicle registration number MP04-QM-6370, Rs. 175000, TVS Apache vehicle registration number MP04QU0764,Rs. 155000, Bajaj Pulsar vehicle registration number MP 04 QU 7763, Rs. 140000, TVS Radiator vehicle registration number MP04QQ9120, Cost Rs. 90000, Bajaj CT-100 vehicle registration number MP04-QA-1147, Cost Rs. 80000, TVS Apache vehicle registration number MP04VC6616, Cost Rs. 160000, R-1-5 vehicle registration number MP04-ZA-6007, Rs. 200000 Enfield bike vehicle registration number MP04-ZH--7185 worth Rs. 200000. A day after the final phase of voting in the Lok Sabha elections, while many politicians were likely engrossed in analysing the electoral mathematics, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths Sunday morning was dedicated to his usual routine of offering prayers, guru darshan and serving cows. The morning drizzle added to the joyous and affectionate atmosphere as Chief Minister Yogi spent time among the cattle and children. Notably, despite his busy schedule due to the two-month-long Lok Sabha elections, Chief Minister Yogi frequently visited the Gorakhnath temple, offering prayers, performing gauseva and interacting with children. Chief Minister and Gorakshpeethadhishwar Yogi has been staying at Gorakhnath temple since Friday evening. His Sunday routine was traditional. After offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Guru Gorakhnath, he visited the statue of Mahant Avaidyanath to seek his blessings. Afterwards, as usual, he went on a tour of the temple premises. While walking around, he noticed children who had come with their families. Chief Minister Yogi affectionately patted them and showered blessings. The children seemed very cheerful, enjoying the company of the chief minister amidst the drizzle. Chief Minister Yogi also visited the cowshed (gaushala) to perform gauseva. He called the cows by their names, such as Shyama, Gauri, Nandi and Bhola and affectionately fed them jaggery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday congratulated Sikkim Krantikari Morcha chief Prem Singh Tamang for his party's victory in the assembly polls and said he looks forward to working with the state government to further Sikkim's progress. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Sunday returned to power by sweeping the assembly polls in the Himalayan state, winning 31 of the 32 seats, according to the Election Commission. The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front won only one seat. "I thank all those who voted for @BJP4Sikkim in the Assembly Elections. I also appreciate the efforts put in by our Karyakartas," Modi said in a post on X. "Our Party will always be at the forefront of working towards Sikkim's development and fulfilling people's aspirations," he said. Congratulating SKM chief and Chief Minister Prem Singh Taamang (Golay), Modi said, "I look forward to working with the state government to further the progress of Sikkim in the coming times." Uttar Pradesh recorded 56.92 per cent voting in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, two percentage points less than the 2019 turnout, a senior election official said on Sunday. The turnout was 59.11 per cent in 2019 for the state, which sends 80 members to the Lower House of Parliament, the highest in the country. Out of the 15,41,03,670 electors in the state, where polling was held in all seven-phases of this general elections, 8,77,23,028 exercised their franchise, according to Election Commission (EC) data. The data stated that of those who voted, 4,64,84,215 were men and 4,12,38,003 women. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said the total polling percentage for the state was 56.92 per cent, 2.19 percentage points less than that of 59.11 per cent in 2019. The polling percentage for men (56.65) saw a drop by 2.08 percentage points in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as compared to that in 2019 (58.73), according to data shared by election officials. The data showed that the polling percentage for women (57.24) saw a decline of 2.73 percentage points this year as compared to 2019 (59.97). The officials said the polling percentage for persons of the third gender saw a "significant" increase of more than seven percentage points. The polling percentage of persons of the third gender was 12.22 as compared to 4.46 per cent in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, according to them. In this election, 810 persons of the third gender persons cast their votes in the state, compared to 347 in 2019. The officials also highlighted that the number of women who voted in this Lok Sabha elections was 12.97 lakh more than that of 2019 and for men it was more than 2.04 lakh. Like the 2024 polls, the 2019 elections were also held in seven phases. In the first phase in 2024 on April 19, Uttar Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 61.11 per cent, in the second phase (April 26) it was 55.19 per cent, in the third phase (May 7) it was 57.55 per cent, in the fourth phase (May 13) it was 58.22 per cent, in the fifth phase (May 20) it was 58.02 per cent, in the sixth phase (May 25) it was 54.04 per cent and in the seventh phase (June 1) it was 55.62 per cent. The last phase saw voting in the Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third term in the House. Votes will be counted on June 4 for the 543 parliamentary constituencies in the country. In 2019, the voter turnout in the first phase was 63.93 per cent, it was 62.44 per cent in the second phase, 61.44 per cent in the third phase, 59.09 per cent in the fourth phase, 58.12 per cent in the fifth phase, 54.49 per cent in the sixth phase and 58.37 per cent in the seventh phase. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won 62 seats and its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) two seats, brushing aside the challenge of the SP-BSP alliance. The biggest gainer of the alliance was the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) that won 10 seats. The Samajwadi Party (SP) got five. The Congress, which this time fought the polls in an alliance with its INDIA bloc partner SP, had won just the Rae Bareli seat in 2019. In 2024, the BJP, besides its existing allies Apna Dal (Sonelal) and NISHAD Party, fought the polls along with new partners of the NDA -- Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and Om Prakash Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Attendees of ARC Connect will have the opportunity to not only participate in a series of workshops and presentations that will highlight ARCs many employee focused wellness services, but they will also have the opportunity to hear from a variety of industry experts and successful business leaders on their experiences and insight from within their chosen fields. It will also serve as a valuable networking opportunity which will allow attendees to connect with fellow business peers and industry leaders, fostering collaboration and new partnerships. Talking about the upcoming event, Founder and Programme Director of ARC Fitness, Gary Rutherford, said: Here at ARC we are always looking for new ways to connect with our local community and that is exactly what the thinking is behind ARC Connect. "We have designed it to not only address the growing demand for integrated business support services that focus on both financial and operational growth, but to also address employee wellbeing and satisfaction. "By hosting ARC Connect we are reaffirming our commitment to fostering a thriving business community. Join us on 6th June to discover how integrating wellness and professional development can lead to sustainable business success." Gary continued: "We believe that as a society, the best approach to a brighter future is a collaborative one and through this event we are reaffirming our commitment to fostering a thriving business community. "With this in mind we look forward to engaging with the business community of our city and seeing what ways we can better serve them and help them to thrive in their respective sectors. If you or someone you know is a business owner, please consider signing up and attending ARC Connect. Wed love to see you there. For anyone wanting to attend, they can register through Eventbrite using this link. There has been a call for greater co-operation amongst republicans not aligned with Sinn Fein at an event in Derry today. The call was made at the annual George McBrearty commemoration this afternoon. George McBrearty (24), along with fellow IRA volunteer Charles 'Pop' Maguire (21), were shot dead by British soldiers shortly before 1.00pm on May 28, 1981. They were killed at the height of the 1981 hunger strike. A third man, Eamonn (Peggy) McCourt was arrested after he was shot and seriously wounded, while a fourth escaped uninjured. They had been 'on patrol' in Creggan when they noticed a car acting suspiciously. After chasing the vehicle, they were ambushed by the SAS at the Southway - Lone Moor Road junction. Reports at the time said gunfire was exchanged between the IRA men and the SAS soldiers before the car containing wounded IRA men drove back into the Creggan area where it was later found burned out. The commemoration was held at the George McBrearty mural and Crann na Poblachta (Tree of the Republic) monument at Rinmore Drive. It was chaired by former Blanketman, Gary McCool. The Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read out by veteran Derry republican Hugh Brady. The roll of honour was read out by Tommy McGlinchey before a list of local republicans who have died in recent years also read out to the crowd in attendance. Wreaths were laid at Crann na Poblachta monument from family members, friends and republican organisations including the Irish Republican Socialist Movement, Cogus, Republican Sinn Fein and the 32 County Sovereignty Movement. Main speaker at the commemoration was Tyrone republican, Frankie Quinn. He paid tribute to George McBrearty and Charles Maguire as well as other who played a role during the Troubles. Mr Quinn also called for greater co-operation between republican groups to build an alternative to 'constitutional nationalists'. A process he stated which is underway. The former republican prisoner said: We must never forget but more importantly we must set about the creation of the dream for which these volunteers paid the ultimate sacrifice. We must build an alternative to the constitutional nationalists that have betrayed these comrades and every other person who stood for freedom, independence and that said republic. We must build, organise, agitate and create that movement to bring our struggle forward. To achieve that for which comrades gave their lives and to do that, comrades we must respect each other, we must trust each other to come together and get back the pride and respect for the republican movement. If we are to achieve our 32 county socialist republic then it's time comrades to get involved and get out there and demand change. The establishment is only too happy to have counter revolutionaries implementing British rule, they will do it even better than the unionists ever could.So if we stand back and allow this to happen well have no one to blame but ourselves. Join the republican movement. Get involved. Dont allow the enemy to dictate the struggle as they do in Derry today. They manipulate people and organisations. They raid houses. They arrest people without charge. They intern people. The behaviour of the RUC/PSNI in this city is disgraceful and anti-community. Their heavy handed approach will only create anger and resentment but they know this. At this stage comrades we need critical thinking and a strategic approach which puts them back where they belong, on the back foot. Tactics comrades and at the moment the tactic is feet on the streets. Co-operation. Joined up thinking and helping to build a strong dependable republican movement. This process is underway as we speak. So I say to you, get involved. Join the republican movement. Make your voice heard. Stand up for the rights of the people of this city and every other city, town and countryside in Ireland and demand freedom. CM Kejriwal to surrender at Tihar jail around 3 pm Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said that he would surrender at Tihar prison around 3 p.m. Before surrendering, the CM will go to Rajghat and Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place. I came out for election campaign for 21 days on the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. I am very grateful to the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Today I will surrender by going to Tihar. I will leave home at 3 pm. First I will go to Rajghat and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. From there, I will go to the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place to seek the blessings of Hanuman ji. And from there, I will go to the party office and meet all the workers and party leaders. From there, I will again leave for Tihar, he wrote on X in Hindi on Sunday. All of you take care of yourselves. I will take care of you all in jail. If you are happy, then your Kejriwal will also be happy in jail, the CM further said in the tweet. Earlier, a Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order on the interim bail plea of Kejriwal, who is seeking seven days' bail on medical grounds in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court reserved the verdict, set to be announced on June 5. Kejriwals counsel cited medical reasons for the bail request. Sausalito is one of the handful of California communities of at least 5,000 people where less than 1 in 10 residents is a child. The citys hills make transportation services necessary for older people and make it hard for parents to push around a baby stroller. Brant Ward/The Chronicle Sausalito isnt getting any younger. Roughly 9% of the citys residents were under age 18 in 2020, according to decennial census data. That makes Sausalito one of the handful of communities in California with at least 5,000 people where less than 1 in 10 residents is a child. Compare that with Marin City, Sausalitos unincorporated neighbor, where roughly 21% of residents were younger than 18 in 2020. The two communities share a school district, which recently voted to largely consolidate its two campuses into a new complex in Sausalito. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Partially because of the low child population, Sausalitos residents tend to be older than in the rest of the country. Sausalitos median age from 2018 to 2022 was about 54, higher than the national figure of 39, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureaus American Community Survey. In 1980, the citys median age was just 35, while the U.S. median age was 30. Sausalitos aging population presents a challenge for city officials and nonprofit leaders trying to address the needs of older residents and newer arrivals in a community that often ardently opposes new housing. Sausalito had about 4,400 homes in 2024, according to data from the California Department of Finance, a marginally higher figure than the 4,380 in 1990 and lower than the 4,520 in 2010. Like in the rest of Marin County, the lack of new housing coupled with an older population has contributed to a slight population decline from about 7,200 people in 1990 to 6,900 in 2024. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Not all nearby cities are seeing the same trend. In Corte Madera, a 6-mile drive from Sausalito, the housing stock has grown, with about 500 more homes since 1990 and a population that rose from 8,300 to 9,900 over the same period. Sausalito heavily restricts development in much of its commercial and industrial areas due to a 1985 voter-approved law. Some residents strongly oppose even considering parts of the city for housing development, a process required by the state, often arguing that more homes would worsen traffic, block views and overwhelm infrastructure. That opposition has also affected some affordable housing proposals for older residents. The citys Rotary Club built a senior housing project in 2004, but had to overcome objections from neighbors worried it would impact their property values. More recently, a local developer expressed interest in turning two mostly vacant office buildings on Sausalitos waterfront into affordable housing for older people. But residents have generally opposed new development at the waterfront, saying construction could compromise its arts and manufacturing presence, and expressing concern about environmental hazards. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Still, many residents acknowledge the need for more housing. When city officials held a virtual town hall in 2022, many agreed that Sausalitos housing options didnt meet the needs of the community. Residents said they were especially worried about the cost of housing and the lack of assisted living facilities. But there was strong disagreement regarding where housing should be built, with many responses supporting or opposing housing on the waterfront and Martin Luther King Jr. Park. One respondent suggested Tiburon. Ian Sobieski, Sausalitos mayor and chairman of an angel investor group, said he believes the city can balance having more housing and preserving its character. But he also acknowledged that some developers have proposed housing projects that are agitating and angering the community because they feel out of place. Building units doesnt have to be that way, if we would actually engage in a serious process of urban planning and design, Sobieski added. In the general absence of housing for older residents, nonprofits including Sausalito Village have stepped up to provide key services. The group provides transportation and runs errands for members, who pay an annual fee, and organizes regular social events. Age Friendly Sausalito hosts nature walks and advocates for more resources for older people. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is a great place to age because of the services, and not just ours, but the connections to some of the county services, said Tricia Smith, president of Sausalito Village. The city doesnt have many younger families, Smith added. Parents probably look elsewhere for quality schools, she said, and the Sausalito hills that make transportation services necessary for older people also make it hard to push around a baby stroller. Sybil Boutilier, the chair of Age Friendly Sausalito, said the city needs affordable housing to allow older adults to downsize which would also free up space for newcomers. A lot of people feel we need more families in Sausalito, she added. Thats one good way of attracting them. The high cost of housing has often made that difficult. Real estate brokerage site Zillow values the typical Sausalito home at $1.5 million and estimates the typical rent at $3,900 a month. Nearly half of Sausalito residents are renters, according to Census Bureau data. Advertisement Article continues below this ad And for renters like Scott Thornburg, who moved to Sausalito from San Francisco with his now-husband six years ago, becoming a homeowner feels like a waiting game for a for-sale sign and to have enough money to buy. The 36-year-old Thornburg, who sits on the citys economic development committee and co-founded Sausalito Pride, added that its still somewhat rare to encounter someone his age there. Part of the issue is that many of Sausalitos longtime residents tend to resist new programs and housing, he added. But he believes new housing would help both incoming residents and longtime homeowners concerned about their own rising costs of living. While the European elections are getting closer, the European Parliament has re-launched a multi-lingual interactive website to illustrate concretely what difference the EU is making in peoples locality and to peoples lives. The website What Europe Does for Me?, put together by the European Parliamentary Research Service, presents hundreds of easy-to-read, one-page notes giving examples of the positive difference that the EU makes to people's lives. Users can easily find specific information about what Europe does for their region, their profession or their favourite pastime. The European Parliamentary Research Service encourages citizens to explore their local region. It has highlighted below three of the many projects featured in County Louth. Fionnuala Croker, Head of the European Parliaments Liaison Office in Ireland said: This website gives insight into how EU funds are put to work in County Louth. "We believe this is an important tool that fosters a sense of unity, understanding and appreciation for the EUs work. By increasing awareness of how the EU supports local communities, we hope to empower people to make more informed decisions and to become more involved in the democratic process Projects and initiatives supported by the EU in Louth: Carlingford Greenway: The Carlingford Greenway's completion is among three significant initiatives in Louth aimed at boosting the tourism and connectivity of the area. The Shared Island Fund will contribute 1.5m to finalize a part of the cross-border Carlingford Greenway, which includes a 1.6km boardwalk structure near Newry. The INTERREG VA programme, a European Union scheme promoting strategic cross-border collaboration for a wealthier and more sustainable region, is also involved by backing other parts of the Greenway. The SWELL Project: The Shared Waters Enhancement & Loughs Legacy (SWELL) plan is the beneficiary of a 35m investment provided by EUs INTERREG VA Programme. This project will oversee the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility and adjustments to the sewerage systems on both sides of the border, aiming to minimize wastewater pollution in Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle, over a span of four years. These upgrades in wastewater assets are expected to increase the current moderate status of the EU Water Framework Directive to good. For further details, visit this website: https://swellproject.com/ Social Housing Project: The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing multi-million euro financing for Irelands first social housing Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The project aims to build hundreds of new homes in Dublin, Louth, Wicklow, and Kildare. Comhar Housing, part of the Comhar consortium, will construct 534 homes in the initial phase, managed by Choice Housing under a 25-year financing agreement. This innovative initiative addresses Irelands social housing shortage and improves the lives of low-income households. Film enthusiasts and industry professionals, mark your calendars! The Louth International Film Festival (LIFF) is set to return for its fifth year on September 27, 28, and 29, 2024. The festival, in partnership with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Louth Filmmakers Society, will take place at An Tain Arts Centre and IMC Cinema Dundalk. This year's festival promises a rich array of curated features, exceptional shorts, and insightful industry panels, offering a truly enriching experience for the local community, filmmakers, and cinephiles alike. Local filmmakers are invited to submit their films here: https://filmfreeway.com/LouthInternationalFilmFestival On September 27, all students on the DkIT Film and Television Course will attend the IMC Cinema for a shorts showcase and industry panel. The opening feature will also take place at the IMC. On September 28 and 29, features and shorts programs will take place at An Tain Arts Centre. This year, a greater emphasis will be placed on features and networking events throughout the town. New Award: John Moore Award for Best in Louth Adding to the excitement, LIFF says it is proud to introduce the "Best in Louth" award, presented by the festivals esteemed patron, John Moore. A native of Dundalk, Moore is celebrated for his directorial work on films such as Behind Enemy Lines, The Omen, Max Payne, and A Good Day to Die Hard. John Moore shared his enthusiasm: "Everyone is from somewhere, but we like to reach out to everywhere. Louth is a small county with a huge sense of magic, story, and history. This award will acknowledge outstanding filmmaking in the region, and I am delighted to be part of this world-class festival." The John Moore Award for Best in Louth will recognize outstanding short films either shot in Louth or featuring significant contributions from Louth-based cast or crew. New Award: The Fred Dekker Award for Best Student Film LIFF says it is equally excited to announce the introduction of the Fred Dekker Award for Best Student Film, presented by the renowned writer, director, and producer Fred Dekker. Known for his work on The Predator, The Monster Squad, and Night of the Creeps, Dekker is eager to support emerging talent through this new accolade. Fred Dekker expressed his enthusiasm: "I'm tremendously honored to be part of this festival. I've never been to Ireland and would love to change that! I'm excited to see the emerging talent and look forward to presenting this award." Fred Dekker is an acclaimed American film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is best known for his cult classics The Monster Squad (1987) and Night of the Creeps (1986), as well as RoboCop 3 (1993). Dekker's work is characterized by a blend of horror, science fiction, and dark humor, which has earned him a dedicated fan base. Additionally, he has contributed to various television projects, including writing for the series Star Trek: Enterprise. This award will celebrate the best student short film of any genre, encouraging young filmmakers to showcase their creativity and vision. Welcoming New Junior Programmers As LIFF continues to grow, the festival says it is thrilled to announce the addition of Shona Kelly and William O'Keeffe as Junior Programmers. Their film Pull Back the Curtain won Best Student Short last year, and both graduated with First Class Honors from the DkIT Film and Television Production course. Their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are anticipated to bring exciting new dimensions to the festivals programming. Awards & Prizes: Plans are underway in north Louth for the construction of a support base, on a site of c.4.88 hectares, for future offshore wind arrays in the Irish Sea. Greenore Port Unlimited Company has applied to Louth County Council for planning permission for a 10-year permission development at Greenore Port and the site of a dwelling house on the Shore Road, Greenore. The proposed development, comprises Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Facilities that would serve as the support base for future offshore wind arrays in the Irish Sea. The applicant is seeking planning for, three standalone buildings, comprising warehouse space; office space; and plant, welfare, storage, ancillary and circulation space. The height of each unit ranges from 7.2m for the warehouse to 13.5m max for an office three-storey element. 76 car parking spaces are planned, including six disabled parking spaces and 15 electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces. Each building includes an internal bike storage room, with 20 spaces per building. Each building includes rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. The application also provides for nearshore works including the dredging of harbour sediments to -4m Chart Datum to provide navigable water depths, a new quay wall (70m), a 40m anti-slip access ramp, and floating pontoon for berthing crew transfer vessels. Nine berths are proposed, with an additional two layby berths and a push-on / service berth adjacent to the new quay wall. Improvement works to the quay deck are planned, including installation of a new reinforced concrete deck with surface water management system incorporating silt traps and hydrocarbon interceptors, and berth infrastructure including bollards, fenders, ladders, lifesaving equipment, power outlets and fire hydrants. There are plans for a surface car park at the residential site on Shore Road comprising 135 car parking spaces, including ducting for 30 EV charging spaces, relocation of the existing entrance on Shore Road by c.6m to the east, a new boundary wall to Shore Road and a pedestrian access route from the car park through port lands to the O&M Units crossing improved public realm at top of Euston Street. The applicant is seeking the go ahead for the re-instatement of the former Open Hydro carpark, with 62 spaces, until the surface car park on Shore Road is operational. There are plans for an to upgrade to the public/private realm in the foreground of the existing Greenore Port Office building, including the upgrade of the existing entrance to the former open hydro carpark; a new pedestrian gate; new feature wall entrance; removal of six port car parking spaces; a link to new pedestrian route from surface carpark including new opening in port boundary wall; and hard and soft landscaping. The planning application also provides for the replacement of an existing 25m mast with a new 40m mast to facilitate communications with CTVs while offshore; demolition works at a number of buildings to facilitate the development; and all associated site and development works. The applicant says that the proposed works are partially located within the Greenore Architectural Conservation Area (ACA), and also adds that there are no Protected Structures within the proposed development site. A decision is due on the application by 22 July, with submissions due by 1 July 2024. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. People listen during a community news conference hosted by the Oakland NAACP in January 2023 regarding Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong being put on administrative leave. Armstrong was fired a few weeks later. Last month, he announced he would be running for a seat on the Oakland City Council. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle 2023 Of all the elections in Oakland this November, the at-large city council race could reveal the most about the citys political future. A victory by LeRonne Armstrong, the former police chief who was fired last year and is suing the city for wrongful termination, would confirm the substantial influence that moderate Black Oaklanders have gained and prove a citywide desire to move away from bold progressivism and toward moderate and conservative policies that have gained popularity since the pandemic. The current officeholder, longtime progressive Council Member Rebecca Kaplan, has not said if she will run for reelection. Armstrong will face at least eight other candidates in November, including two with progressive ties: Tonya Love, who is chief of staff to Council Member Carroll Fife, and Rowena Brown, who is district director for Assembly Member Mia Bonta. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At a May 22, news conference, Armstrong did not say he was running to make the city less progressive. He said he entered the race because so many people from different areas of the city asked him to. Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong speaks to the media on May 22, prior to filling out paperwork at City Hall to run for a seat on the city council. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle But is the ex-chief the right person to tackle the intricate problems Oakland faces, or is he merely the latest instrument of a local anti-progressive movement clawing its way into power? After all, his only political experience is managing the historically underperforming Oakland Police Department and defending its bloated $300 million budget from cuts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Armstrong has not revealed much about his positions on issues other than public safety, so voters cant yet say how he would govern. Until they hear more, voters should watch who Armstrong brings into his private circle of advisers. So far, his most powerful allies are the leaders of the Oakland NAACP chapter. The group has been advocating for public safety policies that historically have harmed Black and brown folks, without making Oakland safer. Armstrongs sparse campaign website repeats some of the Oakland NAACPs flawed arguments like how status-quo politicians are why Oakland is spiraling downward. President of the NAACP Oakland, Cynthia Adams, speaks to members of the media and supporters of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong in a conference at Acts Full Gospel Church in February 2023. Armstrong recently announced he would run for a seat on the city council, and among his allies is the Oakland NAACP. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle The branchs behavior was so erratic last year, that by September, a group of prominent Black community leaders had sent a letter to the national NAACP demanding the branch be decertified, have its leadership changed or show a significant shift in its thinking none of which happened. When Armstrong was placed on paid leave in January 2023, the Oakland NAACP organized rallies demanding he be reinstated. When he was fired in February 2023, the organization demanded he be rehired. When crime began to spike later that year, they claimed it was because Armstrong was not in office. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The branch began echoing right-wing talking points about how progressives are soft on crime and how anti-police rhetoric created a heyday for criminals. In an open letter condemning crime in the city, leaders of the Oakland NAACP and some local faith and community groups claimed failed leadership from progressives was ruining the city. Its not hard to see why the Oakland NAACP needs Armstrong. The group has always valued political influence, and with Armstrong on the city council, they would have it. Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong fills out paperwork on May 22, at City Hall to run for a seat on the Oakland City Council. Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle But Oakland voters also need to understand that Armstrongs rocky tenure as police chief, which is his only politics-related experience, deserves more criticism than praise. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Armstrong was appointed police chief in 2021 by former Mayor Libby Schaaf. By 2022, Armstrong had OPD on the cusp of exiting court-mandated federal oversight that had lasted two decades and cost the city millions of dollars. But crime skyrocketed during Armstrongs tenure, and his creation of a violent-crime operations center was mostly ineffective, according to a city audit. Under Armstrong, there remained jarring racial disparities in whom OPD officers stopped, searched and arrested in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, a San Francisco law firm found systemic deficiencies in OPDs handling of internal investigations under Armstrong. The firms report said he mishandled police misconduct cases. Armstrong was placed on paid leave in January, immediately went on a press tour with the Oakland NAACP by his side, where he demanded his job back and refused to admit to the departments problems. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao fired Armstrong in February. A few months later, an independent arbitrator cleared Armstrong of any wrongdoing in the misconduct cases. Armstrong claims his sudden foray into local politics isnt motivated by vengeance against the mayor, despite him having filed a lawsuit against the city and Thao that claims he was illegally fired. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At his May 22, news conference, Armstrong said he doesnt know what the future holds for him politically. When asked why he wasnt running for mayor, he said Oakland already has a mayor in place, but he stopped short of explicitly saying he was not interested in the role. It was a savvy answer, because if Armstrongs allies have their way, Thao will be recalled, and the role will be open soon. AN unannounced inspection of Blarney Nursing and Retirement Home identified issues relating to residents' rights. A recently published HIQA report found that there was insufficient staffing to meet the social care needs of the residents, and residents were not provided with opportunities to participate in activities in accordance with their interests and abilities. The inspector also noted that residents were not offered choice in where they would like to sit, as chairs in the communal sitting room were labelled with their names, which is considered a restrictive practice. The report states, Residents reported that the days were long and there were limited things to do except watch television in the day room. The inspectors observed that there were lengthy periods of time where residents were observed sitting in communal areas, in their assigned seat with little to occupy them. The residents were also not given sufficient input into the centre, as the last residents meeting that had taken place was eleven months prior to this inspection, though the centres statement of purpose indicated that meetings would take place every four months. The report also noted that the system in place for serving residents meals in their bedrooms did not ensure that the main meal was always served at an appropriate temperature. All three courses were served together. Therefore the main meal or desert could be cold by the time the resident came to eat it. There was also issues with fire safety, with the inspector noting assurances were not available that all residents could be evacuated in a timely manner to a place of relative safety at night times when staffing was lowest. Several fire doors required attention, and one escape route was not suitable for evacuation aids or for residents who experienced mobility impairments as it contained uneven concrete and included crossing a stone chipped route. There were also issues with the premises itself, with inappropriate storage of equipment in the sluice room posing a risk of cross-contamination, some arm chairs in use by residents noted to be visibly stained and grab rails in a communal bathroom visibly rusted, so could not be cleaned effectively. The inspector noted, There were areas in the interior of the building that were not kept in a good state of repair and did not meet the requirements under Schedule 6 of the regulations, adding that doors, skirting and frames of some bedrooms and communal bathrooms were visibly chipped and damaged. The provider assured that these premises issues had been fixed, fire drills have been completed and that a comprehensive fire and safety check by DL Engineering had been arranged. They added, that despite challenges posed by recent events including an outbreak of illness, they have resumed activities with external facilitators, including music sessions, art therapy, and yoga/ exercises sessions, and the assigned seating procedure has ceased. IT might have been the glorious bank holiday weekend sunshine, or it might just have been that Micheal was canvassing in the heart of Martin Country, but there was an almost universal welcome for the Tanaiste and his European and local candidates in Douglas on Saturday morning. Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin was on the campaign trail with Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher and local candidates Mary Rose Desmond and David Boyle, and even though politicians like to bring journalists along on canvasses that are likely be positive experiences, this was a particularly sunny affair with few unhappy interactions. They were clearly on home ground - next year marks Mr Martin's 40th anniversary as a public representative here - with the four politicians between them seeming to know everyone they met, and everyone appeared to be in good humour and happy to see them. It may have had something to do with the venue, but the hot-button issue of immigration never came up, although housing did. Starting in the Douglas Village shopping centre just after 11am, the first stop was the Boston Barbers, where Mr Martin gamely hopped into the barbers chair to pretend have his hair cut, while Mary Hayes, who works there, pretended to throttle him. Maybe youd have had to have been there. Mary Hayes from Boston Barbers wrings Tanaiste Micheal Martins neck over housing while he canvassed with Billy Kelleher, Mary Rose Desmond and David Boyle in Douglas Village shopping centre on Saturday. Picture Chani Anderson The conversation turned more serious, though, when Ms Hayes, a council tenant in Knocknaheeny, told the Tanaiste she has been on the transfer list for two decades and is desperate to move. I never met the man before, but he immediately promised to help me, and he seems alright, she told The Echo afterward. Sure Ill take him at his word until he lets me down. Ill let ye know how I get on. Further up the shopping centre, Micheal and Billy posed for a selfie with Nora McSweeney and Alicia Moore, who are both 12. First thing they said to me was Were Douglas and not Nemo, an amused or possibly affronted - Tanaiste confided. In Quigleys Cafe, Phil Goodman, who founded the charity Young At Heart Douglas, was having a cuppa with her friend Kay. I know them years. Micheal and Billy are very nice men, theyre nice human beings, Ms Goodman said. Tanaiste Micheal Martin and Billy Kelleher take a walk down the Tescos cheese aisle while canvassing in Douglas Village shopping centre on Saturday. Picture Chani Anderson Over in the Douglas Court shopping centre, one man politely told Mr Kelleher he wouldnt be voting for him. When the candidate asked why not, he was told You have your answer, and well leave it at that. It was all very civilised. Another man, an older Fine Gael voter, said Mr Kelleher was getting a solid Number Three and thats it. John Mullins is getting the Number One, then Sean (Kelly) and then Billy. A vote is a vote, even if its a third preference, and few politicians would turn that down. Billy Kelleher was first elected to Europe last time out and is at 18%, according to an Irish Times/Ipsos B&A poll in mid-May, but he said hes taking nothing for granted. Look, Ill keep canvassing right until the close of polls, thats what Ive always done as a public representative since 1992; you have to ask for the vote if you expect to get it, and thats what were doing. Mr Martin said he was happy with the mornings canvass, adding that its usually a good sign if people want to engage with candidates. The key will be on polling day, that people come out to vote, and that we harness that vote. Early in campaigns, the awareness isnt as strong but its in the last four days in recent elections that there can be a change, an intensity comes into it. With Sinn Fein support slumping in recent opinion polls, and independents surging ahead of the three larger parties, Fianna Fail still remains becalmed in the high teens, behind its two rivals. For all of that, Mary Rose Desmond, councillor in Cork City South Central, said she had been finding the experience on the doors to be very positive. Ive enjoyed it, and to be fair, people are very engaged on the local issues, and I think they can see the work we have done, and I have done, on the ground. Mary Rose Desmond and Tanaiste Micheal Martin pictured speaking with Susan Murphy and Grace Brophy in the Douglas Village shopping centre where they canvassed together on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson For much of the morning, the Tanaiste appeared concerned that his Ireland South candidate was lagging behind, asking Wheres Billy? as Mr Kelleher repeatedly got held up chatting to people, but that was reversed at one point when it was Billys turn to look for his boss. He soon found him, standing transfixed in the confectionary aisle in Dunnes Stores. Look at all the cakes, marvelled Micheal. I thought you dont eat cakes, Billy said to his famously abstemious party leader. The reply was very Cork: I can look, cant I? Baby Rory OCallaghan points an accusing finger at Tanaiste Micheal Martin while he canvassed with Billy Kelleher, Mary Rose Desmond and David Boyle in the Douglas Village shopping centre on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson It was obvious throughout the morning that Mr Kelleher is very comfortable on the campaign trail, meeting and greeting voters and staying for a chat, but if Billy likes canvassing, his boss absolutely loves it, clearly thriving on the interaction. I do, I love it, yeah, Mr Martin told The Echo with a laugh. Look, politics is about engagement with people, and you have to listen as well. Finishing their canvass, it was on to the match in Pairc Ui Rinn, where Cork would later beat Donegal 3-9 to 16 points. No doubt the Tanaiste would consider it a good days work all around. A full list of Ireland's MEP candidates can be found at https://www.europeanmovement.ie/european-elections-2024/. IRISH voters will this week head to the polls to elect their chosen representatives in both local and European elections. Over 400 million people are eligible to vote across the European Union in the European Parliament elections, making it the worlds biggest cross-border election. Nominations in Ireland closed over two weeks ago and a total of 73 candidates have declared their intention to run to become a member of the European Parliament (MEP). Irish voters will elect 14 MEPs across three constituencies. There are 23 candidates contesting in the South constituency, 23 in Dublin, and 27 in the Midlands-North-West. Altogether, there will be 720 MEPs elected across all EU countries and these chosen candidates will have a mandate of five years. Over the last few decades, the legislative power of the European Parliament has evolved. In the 1950s the Parliament was a consultative body; one with symbolic functions but with no real influence on the policy-making process. However, under the Lisbon Treaty, which came into effect in late 2009, the Parliaments powers significantly increased. But amongst the hustle and bustle of canvassing season, many of you may be rightly asking the fundamental question: What can an MEP do for me? To cut right to the chase - MEPs represent their constituents at the EU level. MEPs debate, amend and pass European legislation on behalf of EU citizens regarding issues that are central to their daily lives. Your MEPs also represent you during interinstitutional negotiations with national ministers who sit on the Council of the EU and the European Commission during so-called trilogues. For example, over the last five years MEPs have negotiated new laws in a variety of different sectors, including, the European Climate Law and the EU Digital COVID Certificate regulations, as well as rules to prevent gender-based violence, rules to tackle the challenges associated with migration and rules on Artificial Intelligence. MEPs can be members of national political parties or can be independent. While in the European Parliament, MEPs sit in EU-wide political groups or are Non-Inscrits (Non-attached). Parliamentary political groups are not organised by nationality but rather by political affiliation. There are currently seven political groups within the European Parliament, spanning from the political extreme right to the political extreme left. Some of the current Irish candidates have already disclosed which group they would sit in, should they be successfully elected, but not all have confirmed. BRUSSELS AND STRASBOURG MEPs divide their time between their constituencies and two different cities: Strasbourg and Brussels. Every six weeks, MEPs spend one week carrying out external parliamentary activities. This could involve work back in their home country constituencies, or to do investigative work abroad with committees. During these weeks, Irish MEPs can also attend any Dail committee if there is an issue that they would like to have a say on. In Strasbourg, MEPs debate and vote on new laws during what is called a plenary session. Plenary sessions last four days and take place once a month. While in Brussels, MEPs take part in meetings with their political groupings and within parliamentary committees. Committees are organised around different EU competencies. For example, Irish MEPs sit on committees concerning the environment, economic affairs, civil rights, transport, and agriculture. These committees are similar to the Oireachtas committees and MEPs that sit in them examine proposed legislation, organise hearings with experts and have the opportunity to examine policy issues more closely. As well as carrying out legislative tasks, MEPs also do the important job of electing the president of the European Commission. Additionally, the European Parliament has budgetary power, and as such MEPs also sign off on the EU budget, along with the Council, ultimately having a considerable input as to how the EUs money is spent. There are several important aspects to consider as we approach the June elections. With the rise of disinformation, and political and social fragmentation, there are increasing levels of mistrust in institutions amongst citizens. In a 2024 poll commissioned by EMI, 49% of survey respondents in Ireland believe that the EU is moving in the right direction. This represents an 11% decrease since 2023; a dip which conveys an element of nervousness or dissatisfaction among citizens regarding the EUs future trajectory. However, support for democratic principles such as voting remains strong among Irish citizens. In the same 2024 EMI poll, 88% of respondents believed that it was important to vote in the European elections. In the same way, support for Irelands membership of the EU also remains high, with 84% of those surveyed believing Ireland should remain a member. ABSTENTION RATES Lastly, it is important to note that the reality painted in the official turnout and abstention figures tells a different story. Abstention rates for Irish voters was higher than the EU average during the previous European elections. In 2019, 50% of eligible Irish voters did not cast their vote. The 2024 European elections are taking place during a time when Ukraine is fighting a war for freedom and democracy and hundreds of thousands of people in Georgia have taken to the streets to protest for a more democratic future. For countries such as Ireland, already an EU Member State and a functioning democracy, it is important to remember that it is a hard-won privilege to be able to vote in democratic elections. A close contest awaits candidates in Ireland over the next two weeks. Whether you believe that the EU is going in the right direction or not, it is important to remember that the function of MEPs is first and foremost to represent you. With this in mind, be sure to engage with the candidates who are seeking election; ask them about the issues most important to you, visit their websites, send them an email, follow their social media, read their manifestos, listen to their speaking points stay informed! Of course, engagement should not end in June once our Irish MEPs are elected. It is essential to engage on an ongoing basis while MEPs are carrying out their mandate. As mentioned above, MEPs now wield considerable influence in the EUs policy-making process, so be sure to keep making your opinion and concerns heard long after June 2024. Irish citizens, from first-time voters to seasoned veterans, have the opportunity to make sure that they will be represented in Europe for the next five years. Take ownership of your representation, cast your ballot, and use your voice. Check out EMIs EU Elections Information Hub at https://www.europeanmovement.ie/european-elections-2024/. ONE of the most sought-after placements for medical students in my time in Cork, was as an elective in the Accident Room at the North Infirmary. Apart from free digs for at least a week, there was the opportunity to see first-hand the emergency cases presenting, and you got to hang with the resident house surgeons, recruited from the cream of the recent graduates, and always willing to teach. An additional bonus was getting to work with the ultra-competent and beautiful Sister Marie of the French Sisters of Charity, who glided about like a stately galleon in the stunning garb of the order. She broke many a heart, but gently rebuffed any tentative hints by the smitten that she jump over the wall. Cases showing up by ambulance or at the door varied: the most challenging were the acute abdomens. Differential diagnosis of these was the sought-after skill to be learned in the front-line, and the satisfaction of being proved right, and assisting at subsequent emergency surgery if needed, provided the ultimate in bragging rights. But there were cases which no amount of prior clinical instruction prepared us for... In the autumn of 1956, Seamus ODonoghue, later to become one of Corks leading paediatricians, and myself were sharing the elective. A young man arrived and asked to see a male doctor. This request usually involved a case of what was unofficially known as the clap. An aerial view of Cork city showing Shandon, North Cathedral and the North Infirmary hospital in September, 1967 We welcomed such patients as there was an unofficial private practice among us students in treating those too shy to be followed up at the Public Health VD Clinic; anonymity was often paramount and could be assured by being treated privately. A modest fee of ten shillings and a course of penicillin administered in confidence did the trick. But the case that day in 1956 was different. Initial examination revealed a markedly swollen distal penis, constricted halfway up by a fair-sized metal washer. It transpired that the patient had a job in a local metal works, and he and his colleagues were discussing the ever-fascinating topic (among men) of the size of the male organ. Boasting was the order of the day, and the young bucks decided to adopt a scientific method to determine a winner. They would arrive at an objective, accurate measurement by putting metal washers, readily available in their place of work of differing diameters, on their manhood. Alas, the washer on this patient had got stuck, and the penis had swollen to impressive proportions. Panic-stricken, the man had rushed up to the consulting rooms of surgeon Mr Frank Whelton in nearby Patricks Place. Frank recalled: When I saw his predicament, I told the man I would cut it off. He nearly fainted, as he thought I was referring to the subject member, not the washer... Frank advised him to go back to the Accident Room, but to divert en route to The Cork Iron and Hardware Store, just across Patricks Bridge, and buy two hacksaw blades. The young man had been clutching a brown paper bag, and now opened it to show us the blades and a receipt for them. Frank duly joined Seamus and I at the North Infirmary and we all went to the operating theatre. The patient was put under by the lady consultant anaesthetist, who didnt blink at, or comment on, the assuredly unusual presenting complaint. Frank opened his doctors bag and produced a hacksaw frame and two pairs of pliers. The operative area was prepared; Seamus and I stood on either side of the table and each firmly grasped the washer with one of the pliers. Frank put a patient-purchased blade in the hacksaw frame and sawed away. He astonished us all as he did this by keeping up a running commentary on the many perverts he had encountered in his practice over the years. Seamus and I never knew Cork was such an interesting place. The offending washer was finally removed, the injured area dressed, and the patient kept under observation until he was ready to be sent home. Mission completed, Frank put his cleaned-up hacksaw and pliers in his bag, and bade us goodbye. Seamus and I went off to report this most interesting case to our suitably impressed classmates. David Adeh throws water on the blaze at the corner of Bernard and Stearman roads in Tracy as the Corral Fire burns. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle A structure burns Saturday night at Bernard and Stearman roads during the Corral Fire near Tracy. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle A car is burns at Bernard and Stearman roads Saturday night during the Corral Fire near Tracy. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The Corral Fire, as seen from Interstate 580, forced the closure of the interstate near Tracy in both directions. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The Corral Fire, as seen from Interstate 580 and Chrisman Road, forced the closure of the interstate near Tracy in both directions. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle A bus burned when it became stuck on a median after the Corral Fire crossed Interstate 580 near Tracy. Firefighters broke the window to extinguish flames inside. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The Corral Fire forced evacuations and consumed vegetation near Tracy on Saturday night. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The Corral Fire forced the evacuation of Tracy residents near Interstate 580 on Saturday evening. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The Corral Fire near Tracy grew rapidly Saturday afternoon. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. The Corral Fire forced the closure of both directions of Interstate 580 in San Joaquin County on Saturday. An evacuation warning for portions of Tracy expanded Saturday evening as firefighters battled a blaze that jumped Interstate 580 and burned 11,000 acres, according to Cal Fire. Cal Fire and the Alameda County Fire Department reduced containment from 40% to 13% for the growing Corral Fire, which began Saturday afternoon and rapidly expanded by late evening. Two fire workers have been injured, said Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter. Around 6:30 p.m., the San Joaquin County of Emergency Services told residents in the area east of I-580 between Corral Hollow Road and South Tracy Boulevard that they should leave immediately. Residents south of Tracy Boulevard should be ready to leave, they said. The temporary evacuation site was at Larch Clover Community Center at 11157 W. Larch Road in Tracy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Corral Fire, as seen from Interstate 580 and Chrisman Road, forced the closure of the interstate near Tracy in both directions Saturday night. Noah Berger, Special to the Chronicle The evacuation order later included areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west toward Alameda County, and south toward Stanislaus County. I-580 was closed in both directions from Corral Hollow Road to Interstate 5 due to the fire, smoke and lack of visibility, according to Caltrans. The closure was in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday, the California Highway Patrol said Saturday evening. The fire scorched at least one building and a vehicle, at the corner of Bernard and Stearman roads. Pacific Gas and Electric Co. reported two outages in Tracy related to the fire, both beginning around 7 p.m. Saturday. The first was due to Cal Fires request to deenergize the lines so crews could safely fight the blaze; that outage affected 1,595 customers, and as of late Saturday power was restored to all but 61 of them. The second was caused by fire damage to PG&Es equipment and affected 2,341 customers, and as of late Saturday service was restore to all but 131 of them. The estimated time for power to return to the remaining customers was unknown, the spokesperson said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A dry westerly wind quickly pushed the fire eastward from its starting location at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300 on the border of San Joaquin and Alameda counties. Gusts up to 43 mph were measured along I-580 near the fire, temperatures were in the upper 70s and the relative humidity was around 30% at 7 p.m. Strong gusts were expected to continue over the Corral Fire overnight with speeds up to 40mph, according to National Weather Service Sacramento. The Corral Fire, as seen from Interstate 580 and Chrisman Road, consumed more than 8,800 acres Saturday night. Noah Berger, Special to The Chronicle The Alameda County Fire Department was scheduled to perform an annual prescribed burn at the Lawrence Livermore lab site starting May 28, pending suitable conditions, but no controlled burns were conducted Saturday, spokesperson Cheryl Hurd said. PurpleAir sensors deemed air quality in parts of Patterson, south of Tracy, as hazardous by Saturday evening, but dropped levels to very unhealthy. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Advertisement Article continues below this ad After yesterdays launch of the first crewed Starliner mission was scrubbed, NASA, Boeing and ULA made the decision to wait a few days before making another attempt. Starliner was scheduled to finally lift off on Saturday afternoon after a series of delays, but this attempt was aborted due to a last-minute issue with a ground computer system that plays a key role in launching the rocket. While NASA and partners discussed possibly flying today following their assessment of the issue, theyve decided to hold off until the next opportunities, either on June 5 or 6. Saturdays launch wasnt scrubbed due to a problem with the Starliner craft itself, but because an automatic hold was issued by the ground launch sequencer for a then-unknown reason. In a press conference later on Saturday, Tory Bruno, president and CEO of ULA explained that it came down to a problem in verifying the launch sequencers redundancy. There are three large computers in this system, all of which are the same so its triple redundant, Bruno said. During the system health check in the minutes before launch, one of the computers came up slow, triggering an automatic hold. NASA said the decision to forgo todays launch attempt was made in order to give the team additional time to assess a ground support equipment issue. The launch window opens again on June 5, but no target liftoff time has been announced just yet. If Starliner doesnt fly by June 6, itll be set back by at least another 10 days, ArsTechnica reports, as the ULA team will need to swap out the Atlas V rockets batteries. The wind-driven Corral Fire burns near Tracy on Sunday, when firefighters made progress on the blaze and evacuation orders were downgraded. Cal Fire An emergency vehicle drives south on a closed portion of Interstate 580 as the Corral Fire burns near Tracy on Saturday night. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle Crews battle the fast-moving Corral Fire near Tracy on Saturday night. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The wind-fueled Corral Fire near Tracy was 75% contained Monday morning, another sign of progress as evacuation orders were downgraded and Interstate 580 reopened. The fire, which grew to more than 14,000 acres, destroyed a home near the Tracy Golf and Country Club, Cal Fire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira said Sunday as crews continued to assess the extent of the wildfires damage. About 200 homes remained threatened as firefighters took advantage of more favorable weather conditions to douse hot spots and dig containment lines while an air tanker dropped retardant and a helicopter made water drops, Silveira said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At 6 p.m. Sunday, the evacuation order was downgraded to a warning, meaning the threat to life was reduced from immediate to potential. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and prepared for potential changes, Cal Fire said in a statement. Embers fly from a tree and a car burns on Bernard Road near Tracy as the Corral Fire burns Saturday night. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The fire started at 2:39 p.m. Saturday at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300, an experimental test site for explosives, on the border of Alameda and San Joaquin counties, according to Cal Fire. Strong winds quickly pushed the fire east toward I-580, where it jumped the freeway twice. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Strong winds and dry grass have made (the fire) difficult to contain, Cal Fire Santa Clara unit said in a post on X on Sunday morning. Kelsey Alvarez, 34, said she came upon the fire as she drove west on I-580. The fire had jumped the freeway. Grass on both sides was ablaze, and smoke blanketed the sky. Traffic slowed to a halt. At times there was low visibility, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad She was caught up in the traffic for about a half-hour as firefighters attacked the blaze and helicopters dropped water on the flames, she said. Alvarez, who lives in Florida and was on a road trip in a rented minivan along with her two Belgian Malinois dogs, Mason and Esme, said she is far from accustomed to fires. The longer we stayed at a standstill, the more I worried about what was ahead, Alvarez said. The experience went from novel to OK, time to get out of here pretty quickly. The westbound and eastbound lanes of I-580 reopened Sunday between the Alameda County and Stanislaus County line, Caltrans said. Highway 132 also reopened from Interstate 5 to I-580. The evacuation order for the wildfire remained in place west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to the Alameda County line and south to the Stanislaus County line. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services released an evacuation map. A temporary evacuation center was set up at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy, and a large animal shelter was established on Louise Avenue in Manteca. About 25 evacuees stopped by the community center Saturday, but no one stayed overnight, said Tiffany Cacho, deputy director of the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services. Four evacuees were at the center Sunday afternoon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A bulldozer works to battle the Corral Fire near Tracy on Sunday. Cal Fire Gusts up to 37 mph continued overnight near the fire, but dropped to 15 to 25 mph after sunrise. The temperature at 7:40 a.m. Sunday was 63 degrees with a relative humidity of 56%, more favorable for firefighting conditions compared with Saturday afternoons temperatures near 80 degrees and relative humidity around 30%. Normally its windy here, but yesterdays winds were much worse, Silveira said Sunday. Temperatures were expected to reach the low 80s near the fire Sunday afternoon, with relative humidity dropping to around 30%. Another round of gusty winds was possible Sunday afternoon and evening, up to 35 mph, but gusts were not expected to be as strong as Saturday. Sundays conditions were expected to help firefighters build containment lines around the fire, which charred grass as tall as 4 feet some of it on hills and steep terrain, Silveira said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Fires in the area are not uncommon because of the wind and dry grass, he said. David Adeh carries water while putting out hot spots at the corner of Bernard and Stearman roads as the Corral Fire burns Saturday night near Tracy. Adehs brother lives in the neighborhood. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle The fire did not threaten Lawrence Livermore National Laboratorys facilities and operations or lead to off-site contamination, said Breanna Bishop, senior director of strategic communications. The lab recently completed a series of controlled burns to get rid of dry grass and provide buffer zones around Site 300, a 7,000-acre facility about 15 miles east of the main lab, Bishop said, adding that the Corral Fire is not related to the controlled burns. Cal Fire said 400 personnel were assigned to the fire, and numerous air tankers were flying suppression missions when conditions were favorable. Two firefighters suffered minor to moderate burn injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment Saturday. They were expected to recover, Silveira said. No civilians have been injured, according to Cal Fire. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The California Governors Office of Emergency Services has deployed three fire engines to assist in battling the blaze and said on X that it stands ready to send additional resources if needed. A Pacific Gas and Electric Co. spokesperson said 171 customers were without power in the Tracy area Sunday morning at the request of Cal Fire to aid in fighting the blaze. The countys Public Works Department advised residents left without power to use boiled or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes as a safety precaution. The hit series "The Sex Lives of College Girls" has added Michael Hsu Rosen to its cast. "The Sex Lives of College Girls" is an HBO show brought to audiences by the comedic minds of Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble. The main cast of the series includes stars such as Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Midori Francis and Alyah Chanelle Scott. Interestingly, Rosen has joined the show for Season 3. The actor was previously seen on screen in various productions, including '"Glamorous," "Daughter of the Bride," "Pretty Smart" and "The Good Doctor." He will be taking on the role of Brian, another student at Essex College. Rosen joining the cast is not the only change that fans can expect to see this upcoming season. Renee Rapp will no longer be a series regular, so she will only appear in a few episodes. "The Sex Lives of College Girls" is a show that aims to capture the energy and excitement of college days from a unique angle. Kaling, who serves as producer, creator and showrunner, shared in an interview with AV Club her interest in dissecting this experience. "What I love about the college experience is that there's no other time in your life when you're randomly assigned to live with people you did not choose. You're away from home for the first time. There's so much expectation and so many aspirations. People go to college and want to reinvent themselves," she said. "I went to Dartmouth, and I hadn't seen this very specific, New England or East Coast college setting on TV yet. My co-creator, Justin Noble, went to Yale. We both loved our time in college. It felt like a great setting. It reminds me of Hogwarts in that there's so much wish fulfillment and feelings of 'We wish we could go back there.' We knew it was for HBO Max, so wanted the production value to be incredible. That was a big draw, too." "The Sex Lives of College Girls" Season 3 will be released later this year. King Charles III allegedly has warned Prince Andrew of serious consequences if he does not move out of Royal Lodge and into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's former U.K. home, according to a new report. It's been over a year since reports first surfaced that the British monarch wants to evict his disgraced younger brother from the 30-room, $37 million residence where he has lived since 2004, but the Duke of York continues to stay put. Prince Andrew's refusal to leave the property and move into Frogmore Cottage has left King Charles so frustrated that he's allegedly threatened to cut ties completely with him, The Times U.K. reported, citing an unnamed "friend" of the monarch. King Charles could restrict funds from Prince Andrew -- who is no longer a working royal and appears to have no source of income -- if he continues to refuse to budge, the source suggested. "Unfortunately, if Andrew refuses to leave within a reasonable time frame, then the King may be forced to reassess the whole package of support he provides, and the duke would be required to fund the lion's share of his security, accommodation, and lifestyle costs all on his own -- which, given the sums involved, is highly unlikely to be possible in the long term," the royal insider told the outlet. The source added that while King Charles is "mindful" of his brother's "well-being," there are "limits" to his "patience and tolerance." "As things stand, life at Royal Lodge is set to become increasingly cold and uncomfortable for the duke," the so-called friend claimed. Prince Andrew reportedly signed a 75-year lease agreement for Royal Lodge in 2003, and the deal included him paying for the upkeep of the property. He reportedly spent millions renovating Royal Lodge before stepping back from royal duties in 2019 over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Following the scandal, however, the Duke of York reportedly stopped receiving his annual allowance of around 250,000 ($314,000), Us Weekly reported. According to the outlet, Prince Andrew allegedly has been unable to keep up with payments to maintain the 19th century, Grade II listed mansion, which requires around $500,000 per year in upkeep. Photos recently obtained by the Daily Mail of Royal Lodge showed paint peeling and cracks forming in the walls, among other signs of disrepair. King Charles is said to have offered Prince Andrew Frogmore Cottage, Prince Harry and Markle's former home, but the Duke of York reportedly thought it would be too big of a downgrade, according to Us Weekly. Royal biographer Christopher Andersen alleged to Fox News Digital that Charles had wanted Prince Andrew to leave Royal Lodge even before their mother Queen Elizabeth II's death in 2022. "After he became king, Charles began pressuring Andrew to move into more modest quarters at Windsor, but Andrew dug in," the "King" author said, noting that "no one" among the Duke of York's many wealthy friends and associates has "stepped up" to help him. Andersen added, "Now that he's battling cancer, the king doesn't have the stomach for another skirmish with his brother. It seems inevitable, however, that Andrew will eventually be tossed out on his ear." Saturday, June 1, 2024 Dram Shop laws serve as a critical legal framework designed to promote responsible alcohol service by holding establishments accountable for the sale of alcoholic beverages. Originating from a historical term, dram refers to a small unit of liquid, highlighting the laws focus on the regulation of alcohol distribution. These statutes are fundamental in addressing the consequences of serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors, aiming to mitigate alcohol-related harm and accidents. Introduction To Dram Shop Laws: Understanding The Basics By imposing liability on bars for negligence in overser serving, Dram Shop laws underscore the importance of vigilant service practices. Understanding these laws is essential for both businesses and patrons, emphasizing a shared responsibility in fostering safer drinking environments. The Role Of Responsible Alcohol Service In Preventing Intoxication The role of responsible alcohol service in mitigating alcohol-related incidents is pivotal. Especially within the framework of dram shop laws that hold establishments accountable for serving intoxicated patrons. By implementing bartender and intoxication identification training. bars can significantly reduce the risk of incidents stemming from excessive alcohol consumption. This proactive approach protects establishments from legal repercussions and financial liabilities associated with violating dram shop laws. Therefore, responsible alcohol service acts as a crucial barrier against the negative consequences of alcohol abuse. Legal Implications Of Dram Shop Laws The implications of dram shop laws for establishments that serve alcohol are profound. These laws hold bars, accountable if they serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors. Consequently, businesses face potential lawsuits, significant financial penalties, and even the loss of their liquor licenses for non-compliance. To mitigate these risks, establishments must adopt training programs for responsible service practices and implement policies to identify intoxicated customers. Compliance not only reduces legal vulnerabilities but also promotes community safety by discouraging overconsumption and underage drinking. Bartender Training And Alcohol Education: Key To Responsible Service Bartender Training and education stand as pivotal components in the realm of responsible alcohol service, serving as the foundation upon which establishments can foster a culture of safety and compliance. Through comprehensive training programs, staff members are equipped with the necessary knowledge to identify signs of intoxication, understand legal responsibilities, and implement effective strategies to prevent over-service. Education extends beyond mere protocol, instilling a sense of accountability and ethical practice in handling alcohol service. integrating these key elements into their operations, establishments not only adhere to dram shop laws but also contribute to a safer community environment by mitigating the risks associated with excessive alcohol consumption. This holistic approach underscores the importance of proactive measures in promoting responsible alcohol service. Examining The Impact Of Dram Shop Laws On Liquor Liability The intricacies of dram shop laws, which hold establishments liable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons or minors who then cause harm, have profound implications for both businesses and victims. Through examining case studies, one observes a dual impact. For businesses, these laws underscore the necessity of stringent training programs and policies to prevent over-service. A notable case involved a bar in Texas facing significant financial penalties after a patron caused a fatal accident. Conversely, for victims and their families, these laws offer a recourse for justice and compensation. In Pennsylvania, a family received substantial damages after proving an establishments negligence contributed to their loss. These cases highlight the delicate balance between responsibility and accountability within the realm of alcohol service. Liability And Enforcement: Navigating Dram Shop Laws Navigating the intricate landscape of legal responsibilities under dram shop laws requires a diligent understanding of liability and enforcement mechanisms. These statutes hold establishments like bars, restaurants, and liquor stores accountable for irresponsibly serving alcohol to patrons who subsequently cause harm or damage. The liability extends to incidents involving intoxicated patrons causing accidents, injuries, or fatalities. Enforcement of these laws underscores the importance of rigorous training for staff in responsible service practices and the implementation of policies to prevent over-service. Compliance is critical; failure to adhere can result in severe financial penalties, legal consequences, and damage to reputation. Thus, navigating these legal responsibilities demands a proactive approach to ensure both public safety and the protection of the establishments interests. Im conclusion, the symbiosis between responsible alcohol service and adherence to dram shop laws plays a pivotal role in fortifying community safety. Establishments that prioritize responsible service not only protect their patrons from harm but also shield themselves from potential legal repercussions. By fostering an environment where alcohol is served judiciously, businesses contribute significantly to preventing alcohol-related incidents and liabilities. Compliance with dram shop laws further underscores this commitment by holding establishments accountable for their role in safeguarding public health and safety. Establishments that serve alcohol have a pivotal role in promoting responsible consumption among their patrons. These laws hold establishments accountable for serving alcohol to visibly intoxicated persons or minors. By implementing training programs, staff can better recognize signs of intoxication and understand the importance of refusing service when necessary. can further embed responsible drinking practices within the community. Such measures not only align with legal obligations but also foster a safer, more enjoyable atmosphere for all. Your Path to Success Begins By Retaining The Dram Shop Experts. Navigating the intricate world of Dram Shop laws in Missouri can be a daunting task. However, with the right legal guidance and support, victims of drunk driving accidents can seek justice and compensation. Our team of dedicated dram shop experts are committed to your success. Contact The Dram Shop Experts or call Preston Rideout (662) 466-6045 today for a free consultation and learn how we can help you navigate the complexities of your Dram Shop litigation Disclaimer:This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The Dram Shop Experts Preston Rideout, Silver Gordon and Kim Schioldan are not attorneys and do not provide legal advice.Preston Rideout, Silver Gordon and Kim Schioldan are hospitality consultants socializing in dram shop expert witness testimony. Please consult with an experienced attorney regarding your specific legal situation. Contact our team today and retain The Dram Shop Experts. We will provide powerful insight into responsible alcohol service, industry-standard bar operations, and intoxication identification. We will fight, by your side, to prosecute or defend your dram shop claim. Call Preston Rideout (662) 466-6045 for information about our Dram Shop Expert Witness Testimony services. Sunday, June 2, 2024 Texas dram shop law safe harbor legislation is designed to protect businesses that serve alcohol responsibly. By understanding responsible alcohol service and how it relates to dram shop safe harbor litigation, businesses can protect themselves. The Texas dram shop safe harbor legislation provides a level of protection for businesses that serve alcohol responsibly. Legislation states; if a business has trained its employees in responsible alcohol service, maintained and followed all state laws regarding alcohol service, they may be protected from liability However, it is important for businesses to understand that this safe harbor protection is not absolute. There are exceptions to the law, such as cases of gross negligence or serving alcohol to minors, where businesses may still be held liable for damages. Therefore, it is crucial for businesses to not only train their employees in responsible alcohol service but also to enforce strict policies and procedures to ensure compliance with state laws. In order to navigate the legal landscape of alcohol service in Texas, businesses should consider implementing the following practices: 1. Provide thorough training for all employees involved in alcohol service, including recognizing signs of intoxication, proper ID checking, and refusing service to individuals who are visibly intoxicated. 2. Keep detailed records of all employee training and certifications to demonstrate compliance with state laws. 3. Implement strict policies and procedures for alcohol service, such as limiting the number of drinks served to a single patron and conducting regular audits to ensure compliance. By following these best practices, businesses can protect themselves from legal liabilities and promote a safer drinking environment for patrons. Responsible alcohol service is not only good for business but also essential for the well-being of communities in Texas. Businesses that prioritize responsible alcohol service will not only avoid legal troubles but also contribute to a safer and more enjoyable drinking experience for their customers. Texas Dram Shop Law And Responsible Alcohol Service Responsible alcohol service is not just a legal requirement but also a moral duty for businesses serving alcohol in Texas. It involves implementing strategies to prevent overconsumption, underage drinking, and ensuring the safety of patrons and the community. Training staff on how to identify intoxicated individuals, checking IDs, and refusing service when necessary are key components. By prioritizing responsible alcohol service, businesses not only comply with the law but also contribute to a safer and healthier drinking culture. In the next section, we will explore specific guidelines and best practices for businesses to uphold responsible alcohol service standards effectively. Responsible alcohol service is essential to ensuring the safety of patrons and the community. Businesses serving alcohol in Texas have a legal obligation to prevent overconsumption and underage drinking, as well as to protect their customers from harm. Implementing strategies such as training staff to identify intoxicated individuals, checking IDs, and refusing service when necessary is crucial for promoting responsible alcohol service. By prioritizing responsible alcohol service, businesses not only comply with the law but also contribute to a safer and healthier drinking culture in Texas. In the following section, we will discuss specific guidelines and best practices for businesses to uphold responsible alcohol service standards effectively. Texas Dram Shop Law And Negligent Alcohol Service Negligent alcohol service can have severe consequences for businesses in Texas, potentially leading to dram shop liability lawsuits. When a business serves alcohol irresponsibly, such as over-serving an already intoxicated individual, they may be held accountable for any damages or injuries caused by that individual. Understanding the connection between negligent alcohol service and dram shop liability is crucial for businesses to mitigate risk and protect their reputation. In the following section, we will dlve into real-life examples of dram shop cases in Texas and provide insights on how businesses can avoid such legal repercussions through responsible alcohol service practices. Stay tuned for valuable insights and recommendations. Businesses serving alcohol in Texas must be aware of dram shop liability laws, which hold them accountable for injuries or damages caused by individuals who were served alcohol on their premises. To illustrate the seriousness of dram shop liability, consider the case of a Texas bar that was sued for over-serving a customer who later caused a car accident resulting in serious injuries. The bar was found negligent in their alcohol service practices and held liable for the damages caused by their intoxicated patron. To avoid finding themselves on the wrong side of a dram shop lawsuit, businesses must train their staff to recognize signs of intoxication, implement policies for monitoring alcohol consumption, and refuse service to individuals who are already drunk. By prioritizing responsible alcohol service practices, businesses can protect themselves from legal liabilities and show their commitment to customer safety. Understanding the risks of negligent alcohol service and taking proactive measures to prevent them is vital for businesses in the hospitality industry in Texas. Texas Dram Shop Law And Safe Harbor In Texas, businesses that serve alcohol have the opportunity to invoke the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision as a defense in dram shop liability cases. This provision offers protection to establishments that have implemented specific responsible alcohol service practices. By adhering to guidelines such as employee training programs, checking for valid identification, and monitoring alcohol consumption, businesses can potentially shield themselves from legal repercussions in the event of an alcohol-related incident. Understanding the nuances of the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision is essential for businesses looking to safeguard themselves against costly litigation and reputational damage. Stay tuned for an in-depth exploration of how businesses can leverage this provision to enhance their alcohol service practices in compliance with Texas law. The Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision is a valuable tool for businesses in Texas that serve alcohol, as it provides a level of protection against liability in certain situations. By implementing responsible alcohol service practices, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to serving alcohol safely and responsibly, which can help to mitigate potential risks and legal consequences. One key aspect of the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision is employee training. By ensuring that all staff members are properly trained in alcohol service laws and responsible serving practices, businesses can reduce the likelihood of serving alcohol to intoxicated individuals or minors. Additionally, businesses should have policies in place for checking identification and monitoring the consumption of alcohol by patrons. In the event of an alcohol-related incident, businesses that have followed these guidelines may be able to invoke the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision as a defense. This can help to demonstrate that the business took reasonable precautions to prevent the incident and should not be held fully responsible for any damages or injuries that occurred. Overall, understanding and implementing the guidelines of the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision is essential for businesses that serve alcohol in Texas. By prioritizing responsible alcohol service practices, businesses can protect themselves from potential legal liabilities and ensure the safety of their patrons. How Responsible Alcohol Service Can Mitigate Risk Implementing responsible alcohol service practices not only fosters a safe environment but also acts as a shield against legal liabilities. By training employees to recognize signs of intoxication, checking IDs rigorously, and monitoring alcohol consumption, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of facing dram shop liability lawsuits. In Texas, abiding by these practices can bolster your defense under the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision, potentially saving your business from costly litigation and safeguarding its reputation. Investing in responsible alcohol service is not just a legal requirement but a strategic move to protect your establishment and its patrons. Stay informed on how you can fortify your business through responsible alcohol service practices to navigate the complexities of Texas dram shop laws. Implementing responsible alcohol service practices is essential for maintaining a safe environment and reducing legal liabilities. Training employees to recognize signs of intoxication, checking IDs rigorously, and monitoring alcohol consumption can help businesses prevent issues related to over-serving alcohol. In Texas, following these practices can provide protection under the Dram Shop Safe Harbor provision, potentially saving businesses from costly lawsuits. By investing in responsible alcohol service, businesses can protect both their reputation and patrons. Staying informed on Texas dram shop laws and taking proactive steps to adhere to them will not only keep your establishment safe but also help you navigate any legal challenges that may arise. Remember, responsible alcohol service is not just a legal requirement but a strategic decision to safeguard your business in the long run. Responsible Alcohol Service And Risk Management To further strengthen your establishments defense against dram shop liability in Texas, it is crucial to implement comprehensive best practices for alcohol service and risk management. Consider establishing clear policies for responsible alcohol service, such as limiting serving sizes, offering non-alcoholic beverage options, and ensuring staff are well-trained in handling difficult situations. Additionally, maintain thorough documentation of staff training, incident reports, and compliance with state regulations. By proactively addressing potential risks associated with alcohol service, you can enhance safety for patrons and protect your business from legal liabilities. Consistent adherence to these best practices will not only mitigate risks but also demonstrate your commitment to responsible alcohol service in Texas. Furthermore, consider implementing procedures for monitoring customer behavior, such as refusing service to intoxicated individuals and checking identification to verify legal drinking age. It is essential to have a system in place for tracking alcohol sales and consumption, as well as training staff to recognize signs of intoxication and intervene accordingly. Regularly review and update your alcohol service policies to ensure they reflect current laws and best practices. In addition, obtaining liquor liability insurance is another important step in protecting your business from dram shop liability. This type of insurance can provide coverage for legal expenses and damages in the event of an alcohol-related incident on your premises. By taking proactive measures to promote responsible alcohol service and risk management, you can reduce the likelihood of a dram shop liability claim against your establishment in Texas. Prioritizing safety and compliance with state regulations will not only safeguard your business but also contribute to a positive reputation among customers and the community. The Importance of Responsible Alcohol Service in Texas In conclusion, prioritizing responsible alcohol service is not only essential for the safety of patrons but also plays a vital role in mitigating legal risks, particularly in Texas where dram shop safe harbor litigation can potentially impact businesses. By implementing thorough best practices for alcohol service and risk management, establishments can demonstrate their commitment to responsible practices and significantly reduce the likelihood of facing liabilities related to alcohol service. Proactive measures, such as staff training, clear policies, and compliance documentation, are crucial in safeguarding businesses against potential legal consequences. Embracing a culture of responsible alcohol service not only protects patrons but also ensures the long-term success and reputation of establishments in the competitive hospitality industry in Texas. Overall, it is essential for businesses in the hospitality industry to prioritize responsible alcohol service to ensure the safety of patrons and mitigate legal risks, especially in Texas where dram shop safe harbor laws can have significant implications. By implementing thorough best practices in alcohol service and risk management, establishments can demonstrate their commitment to responsibility and reduce potential liabilities. Proactive measures, such as staff training, policy enforcement, and compliance documentation, are crucial for protecting businesses from legal repercussions. Cultivating a culture of responsible alcohol service not only safeguards patrons but also contributes to the overall success and reputation of establishments in the competitive Texas hospitality industry. Contact our team to retain The Dram Shop Experts. We will provide powerful insight into every aspect of responsible alcohol service, industry-standard bar operations, and intoxication identification. We will fight, by your side, to prosecute or defend your dram shop claim. Call Preston Rideout (662) 466-6045 to discuss Dram Shop Expert Witness Testimony. Red Tractor has appointed Alistair Mackintosh as its new interim chairman after Christine Tacon resigned from the role. Mr Mackintosh, who is presently vice-chairman of the farm assurance scheme membership, will become chairman until January 2025. The six owners of Red Tractor AHDB, the NFU, NFU Scotland, the Ulster Farmers Union, Dairy UK, the British Retail Consortium - made the announcement. A statement by the groups said that Mr Mackintosh will start in the post on 1 July 2024, the agreed date Ms Tacon will step down. He will continue in post until at least January 2025 by which time the interim findings of the independent review into farm assurance should be known," they said. Red Tractor chairwoman Christine Tacon announced last month that she was stepping down from the role following her appointment to the Co-op board. Ms Tacon was appointed chairwoman of Assured Food Standards, which oversees the Red Tractor assurance scheme, in 2021. Before this, she was the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA), and from 2000 to 2012, she oversaw the Co-operative Groups farming operations. The groups' statement continued: We would like to thank Christine for her work as Chair of Red Tractor. Her diligence and strong leadership has helped steer the organisation through an extremely challenging period for food and farming. As the longstanding vice-chair of Red Tractor, we believe that Alistair can build on the strong foundations left by Christine, provide stability for the organisation and face into the concerns of Red Tractor members. We will begin the process of recruiting a new permanent chair of Red Tractor this autumn. Alistair Macintosh said he was 'honoured' to be asked to act as interim chair, adding "Christine has made a huge contribution to Red Tractor and I look forward to continuing her work." As a farmer, Ive seen the huge benefits that Red Tractor has delivered since its establishment in 2000," he said. "Im totally committed to rebuilding farmers trust in Red Tractor, fully engaging with the review into farm assurance and working to demonstrate the value that Red Tractor brings to farmers like myself. TEMECULA, Riverside County Pastor Tim Thompson took the stage at the Temecula Stampede in a black cowboy hat and an embroidered black suit jacket, the master of ceremonies of a fundraiser for a political action group formed explicitly to elect conservative Christians to local school boards. On hand were Eric Trump, the son of the former president and presumptive Republican nominee, and a roster of other national right-wing headliners. All came with the same message, one they expect will resonate with Republican voters in November: Parental rights are under attack in this country, threatened by liberal ideologies that have taken over public schools. But the event had a more immediate purpose one that could be an early indicator of voters appetite for such issues: Thompson and Trump were rallying support for one of Thompsons handpicked school officials, Temecula Valley Unified School District board President Joseph Komrosky, who faces a recall on Tuesday. Temecula City Council Member Jessica Alexander, left, and Temecula Valley Unified School District board President Joseph Komrosky, second from right, speak to attendees at a fundraising event held by the Inland Empire Family PAC at the Temecula Stampede in May. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle His supporters hail Komrosky as a warrior in their battle, whos proved his mettle by approving policies that target the LGBTQ community in particular. Parents and teachers who want him recalled, however, say Komrosky presents a very real and dangerous threat to local governance posed by political and religious extremist views. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Thompsons Inland Empire Family PAC endorsed a slate of candidates in the 2022 elections, winning five of seven seats and taking control of two Riverside County school boards. And they did everything they campaigned on, Thompson told the crowd at the Stampede, a line-dancing bar a block from Temeculas City Hall, to roars of support. Trustees supported by Thompson banned critical race theory and installed conservative superintendents and legal counsel in their districts, he said. They outlawed all flags except the American flag a move widely seen as a ban on Pride flags. They put in place policies that require administrators to notify parents if their children identify as transgender at school. We need to keep men like Dr. Komrosky in office, Thompson said. And not only that, we need other strong Christian conservatives on school boards. Teacher Jennee Scharf, center, and others supporting the recall of Joseph Komrosky from the Temecula Valley school board demonstrate in Temecula. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle The fight over parental rights has been building steam since the pandemic, when conservative parents fought mask requirements and school closures, then picked up speed across the country and the state this past academic year, honing in on the rights of LGBTQ youth. In California, at least a dozen school districts have passed forced outing policies that would require schools to inform parents if students ask to change their pronouns or use a different bathroom. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those policies appear to be pushing the limits of what constituents will stomach, though. Three California school board trustees are facing recalls at least in part over introducing anti-LGBTQ policies Komrosky, plus two board members who voted for a flag ban in the Sunol Glen district in the East Bay. Two Orange County school trustees and one in Yolo County were recalled in March over similar politics. The Inland Empire has been the front line of Californias battle over parental rights in education partly due to to the concerted efforts of Thompson, pastor of 412 Church, and the involvement of other Christian leaders in the region, and partly because its one of the most politically purple areas in the state. The Inland Empire, which includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties, is fairly evenly split between registered Democrats and Republicans. Even a lot of Republicans are supporting the recall, said Nancy Young, who sits on the neighboring Murrieta Valley school board and is one of two trustees who have spoken against the policies put in place there. The goal of the right-wing efforts in schools is to dismantle our whole public education system, Young said. They want to take over society from the ground up. A conservative takeover Pastor Tim, as hes frequently referred to in public gatherings and by his supporters, declined to comment for this story. At the Trump rally last month, he told the Chronicle that he is no longer speaking with reporters. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But hes active on social media, both through his church and his ministry, Our Watch. He regularly posts parent testimonials and interviews with conservative leaders. In March 2022, when he revealed the candidates his Inland Empire Family PAC was running for school boards, he announced them at his church, in an NFL-style draft event. He started getting attention during the pandemic, when he protested COVID protocols at schools and his church. He began attending local school board meetings, and after the pandemic, his focus shifted to teachings on race, gender and sexuality. According to teachers and staff, he would show up at schools demanding certain books be removed for having LGBTQ characters and accused teachers of grooming students by starting queer clubs. LEFT: Eric Trump, center, cheers with other attendees at an Inland Empire Family PAC fundraiser in Temecula on May 22. RIGHT: Supporters wave flags during Eric Trumps speech. Photos by Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle TOP: Eric Trump, center, cheers with other attendees at an Inland Empire Family PAC fundraiser in Temecula on May 22. ABOVE: Supporters wave flags during Eric Trumps speech. Photos by Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle But it wasnt until candidates he supported won key seats on the Murrieta and Temecula school boards that Thompson, and the policies he backed in local schools, garnered broad attention. Conservative trustees held a majority on the Temecula school board until last December, when one of Thompsons picks resigned abruptly. The community is starting to become aware of whats happening, said teacher Karen Poznanski, who with a colleague filed a complaint with the state against the parental notification policy put in place in Murrieta. Its this conservative Christian agenda thats being pushed, and theres a reason we have separation of church and state. We dont need strong Christian values in our schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Demonstrators protest outside an Inland Empire Family PAC event at the Temecula Stampede. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle Almost immediately after the conservative board was installed in Temecula, in December 2022, the board voted to ban critical race theory. Teachers said it was unclear what that meant, exactly, or what lessons they previously taught might now be forbidden. The following spring, the board rejected a history textbook over a reference to gay icon Harvey Milk; the district eventually accepted the book after Gov. Gavin Newsom intervened. In August and September, several school boards across the state put in place parental notification policies, though all have been challenged and none are being enforced. Three of those policies were in Inland Empire districts. The attorney general filed a lawsuit against the policy in Chino Valley, and a group of teachers and students sued over the Temecula Valley policy. Conservative parents and school trustees say they are responding to a culture war that they didnt start. The Inland Empire, they say, was a community of conservative family values, and theyll fight to retain that culture. A May event raises money for the Inland Empire Family PAC at a bar in Riverside County, the Temecula Stampede. The political action committee was formed by Tim Thompson, a local pastor, to elect conservative Christians to local school boards. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle In our district, theres been a lack of transparency and trust, probably developing from COVID, and then it carried over, said Nick Pardue, a Murrieta trustee who voted in favor of the parental notification policy. I just thought it really shouldnt be that big of a deal. Its a good way of showing the community that we want to be transparent with parents. Its important for people to understand that parents are nervous about what educators do. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trans students, allies fear for their safety When Temecula Valley banned the display of Pride flags on campus, teacher Jennee Scharf bought a weeks worth of rainbow-colored outfits for school. And when the parental notification policy passed, she told her students she wouldnt comply with it. Im not telling anybody anything, she recalled telling them. Scharf and dozens of other teachers in the area have been leading the recall effort, including canvassing neighborhoods and attending rallies, though she said that aside from assuring her students she wouldnt abide by the outing policy, she doesnt talk about local politics in the classroom. Demonstrators in favor of recalling school board President Joseph Komrosky display signs along Rancho California Road in Temecula in May. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle The recall has been brutal, people on both sides of the issue said. School board meetings almost always erupt into chaos, with people yelling at one another across the aisle. Trustees say they often have to be escorted to their cars by police. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Last month, as Scharf was leaving a board meeting, someone confronted her, calling her names and telling her she should be ashamed of herself as a teacher. Scharf yelled back, including a few expletives. Her response was recorded and posted online, and she was placed on leave from school for a few days. Professional misconduct, Scharf said with a sigh. The way were being challenged now is just disheartening, she said of the attacks leveled at teachers. If you consider acceptance and empathy to be indoctrination and grooming, I dont know how to help you. Because thats the space Im going to create for your kids. Though none of the notification policies are being enforced while the legal challenges play out, their passage has distressed many LGBTQ students and staff. At least one lesbian teacher has reported being harassed. Attendees mingle at an Inland Empire Family PAC event at the Temecula Stampede last month. The Inland Empire, some parents and school trustees say, is a community of conservative family values. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle In Temecula, parent Melanie Beaussart told trustees at a recent school board meeting that the policy was being informally used to pressure students to keep their sexual or gender identity hidden. She said district Superintendent Gary Woods told her that transgender and nonbinary youth seeking teacher support asking for a change in pronouns, for example are instead sent to the principals office, where theyre read the parental notification policy and told they have three days to retract their request or their parents will be called. Woods did not return requests for comment. As if a student asserting their gender identity is now misbehaving, Beaussart said. My heart breaks for the students who were forced to reverse their truth or be outed. Beaussart said in an interview that she put five kids through the Temecula Valley district, including one who is transgender. And I never went to a single school board meeting before this. I never called the old superintendent. I never even wrote her an email, she said. My kid came out in high school, and still we had no problems. Theyre creating problems for the LGBTQ kids that they never had before here. Indeed, Murrieta school board trustee Linda Lunn said that in her district of 22,000 students, 21 kids had asked to change their gender identity new pronouns or a name, for example over the past two years; all but one of them made the request in person with their parents or caregivers. Thats one student in two years who asked to change their pronouns without a parent, Lunn said. Our staff worked with that student, they said it was really important to get their parents involved. And after a few weeks, we were able to call the parents in, and the student was able to have an effective conversation with them. So thats the trans problem in Murrieta Valley Unified, Lunn said with a humorless laugh. Protesters demonstrate outside an Inland Empire Family PAC event in Temecula last month. Sandy Huffaker/Special to the Chronicle While parents and teachers have mostly led the recall effort, students have staged walkouts and protests in response to both the critical race theory ban and the parental notification policy. Moxxie Childs, a junior at Great Oak High School in Temecula, said the recall is something that needs to happen to prevent outlandish bills from being put in place. The notification policy is of particular concern: He said it could put some of his friends in danger of physical or emotional abuse from their parents or caregivers. And beyond that, it should be up to young people to decide when and how they come out to their parents, Childs said. His own experience coming out as transgender was stressful, he said. His parents werent accepting at first, and there was a lot of yelling. It took a long time to get them to come around, and they still dont always use the name I prefer and the pronouns I prefer. And thats with somewhat supportive parents, Childs said. Some of his friends cried when they learned of the notification policy tears of fear because they were so scared of their family finding out, Childs said. They know they would be in physical danger. Its not just fear a lot of them know whats going to happen, because of how vocal their parents are. Childs said discussion of the notification policy, especially in the context of widespread attacks on LGBTQ rights across the state and country, is alienating and stressful. He said some of his transphobic classmates have been emboldened by the controversies and bullying has gotten worse. There are a lot of hateful people here, and hateful people tend to raise hateful kids, Childs said. Im very much a target. Turkiye's apparel exports experienced an 11.12 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in the first four months of 2024, according to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and the country's Ministry of Trade. During this period, exports totalled $5.638 billion, a decrease from $6.344 billion in the corresponding period of 2023. The countrys exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories (HS Chapter 61) reached $3,098.316 million in January-April 2024, marking an 8.9 per cent decrease from $3,400.237 million in the same period of the previous year. Meanwhile, non-knitted apparel and accessories (HS Chapter 62) amounted to $2,540.350 million, representing a 13.7 per cent drop compared to $2,944.030 million in January-April 2023, as per the trade report of the top twenty chapters. Turkiye's apparel exports declined by 11.12 per cent YoY in Jan-Apr 2024, totalling $5.638 billion. Knitted and crocheted clothing exports fell by 8.9 per cent, while non-knitted apparel exports dropped by 13.7 per cent. In April 2024, overall apparel exports decreased by 16.08 per cent. Imports of cotton and related products also saw a decline. In April 2024, Turkiyes exports saw a drop, falling 16.08 per cent to $1,200.974 million. Exports of knitted and crocheted clothing and accessories fell by 11.2 per cent, totalling $689.624 million in April 2024, compared to $776.663 million in April 2023. Shipments of non-knitted apparel and accessories also declined, dropping by 21.8 per cent from $654.030 million in April 2023 to $511.350 million in the same month of 2024. The imports of cotton, cotton yarn and cotton textiles (HS Chapter 65) by Turkiye also dipped 14.4 per cent to $813.214 million in January-April 2024 from $950.032 million in the same period of last year. Its imports increased by 5.5 per cent to $267.495 million in April 2024 from $253.446 million in the same period of last year. It is the only textile product featured in Turkiye's top 20 chapters in its imports in April 2024. In 2023, the countrys apparel exports eased by 5.86 per cent to $18.321 billion from $19.463 billion in 2022. Turkiye's apparel exports were recorded at $18.294 billion in 2021. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The HEAD registry, with nearly 800 patients, serves to evaluate the economic and social impact of allergies at a European level VALENCIA, Spain, June 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allergic diseases cost between 1,823 and 6,656 per patient per year if we only consider the direct costs derived from healthcare, according to a study of the data collected through the European HEAD registry promoted by the EAACI, which is holding its congress at the Feria de Valencia until Monday, June 3. "Allergic diseases and asthma are among the most common chronic diseases worldwide and account for a considerable global health burden. However, their real impact is difficult to estimate due to the lack of representativeness and incompleteness of the available data," explain Dr. Ioana Agache, who chairs EAACI's Research and Outreach Committee (ROC). The HEAD registry was launched to describe patterns of care for allergic diseases and asthma and to assess their impact on costs, both financial and personal. On average, adult patients lost between 2.68 and 5.33 days of work, children between 14.88 and 24.09 days of school and their families between 3.99 and 23.35 days. "The significant burden of allergic diseases, according to this research, calls for immediate action to improve their management," says Dr. Agache. "Treatments advised by EAACI guidelines can improve outcomes, but global clean air measures are needed to make a significant impact," she points out. The Congress also discusses how to facilitate the translation of trial and research results into routine clinical practice. "There are some experimental approaches with greater potential to be translated to the clinic, such as flow cytometry for basophil activation tests or ELISA to measure periostin levels," explains Maria Escribese Alonso, Vice-Dean of Research at the Faculty of Medicine of the CEU San Pablo University and director of the Institute of Applied Molecular Medicine-Nemesio Diez. She also stresses that Spain is a great country for translational research in allergy "promoting networks where clinicians and researchers have the opportunity to collaborate with a common goal." Press Contact EAACI +41 44 205 55 33 communications@eaaci.org A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/10adb810-ecda-4f52-aa8c-445a31170caa The actress carried a watermelon clutch at the festival expressing her support and solidarity to Palestine and was trolled by few people on social media read more The 77th edition of Cannes Film Festival was iconic in many ways. It was a game-changing and historic year for India, and many celebrities across the globe extended their support to Palestine with their dresses or accessories on the red carpet. Indian actress Kani Kusruti made a powerful gesture of solidarity with Palestine by wearing a watermelon-shaped clutch. Her film All We Imagine as Light, directed by Payal Kapadia, won the prestigious Grand Prix award and made history. Advertisement Speaking to Hindustan Times, she spoke about being trolled by few people on social media for her support to Palestine. I found this clutch while we were still figuring out if we could embroider something on the outfit, put on a brooch, or paint the Gaza map. And since we were all wearing solid on that particular day, I picked up a white dress that added to the colour of the Palestine map. The actress added, Honestly, this hasnt happened for the first time. I am used to it. Sometimes, I also wonder why actors even get so much attention, even for a film. We are all just doing our work. As for this time, some people said I supported Gaza and why didnt I talk about Israel, or the war in Ukraine? The whataboutery goes on but I am just not bothered. Its everyones right to question, so its okay. We all have our individual beliefs. And speaking to Manorama News in an interview, the actress said she wouldnt do films if the narrative didnt align with her own politics. Kani also spoke about her 2020 film Biriyaani which won her a state award but also came under criticism and scrutiny for allegedly being Islamophobic. The actress said, I had told Sajin that neither my politics nor aesthetics were aligned with the script. Sajin comes from a backward Muslim community and speaks his politics, which is correct in its own right. But that is not my politics. One of the producers who has accused the Gadar 2 star is Suneel Darshan, who even filed a case against the actor in court read more Sunny has found a new kind of stardom post the blockbuster success of Anil Sharmas Gadar 2. However, he has landed in trouble. Multiple producers have accused the actor of cheating extortion, taking money, and not returning it. Recently, they held a press conference and revealed everything they had to go through while trying to sign Sunny for their projects. One of them was builder Sorav Gupta, who turned producer with a film he wanted to make with Deol. He told Hindustan Times, We gave him 1cr in advance but instead of starting my film, he opted to shoot for Poster Boys (2017) instead. He kept asking me for more money and by now my 2.55cr is in Sunny jis account. He also made me give money to another director, book Filmistaan studio and get an executive producer. Advertisement Suneel Darshan Sunny Deol acquired rights from my movie Ajay (1996) for overseas distribution and only made a partial payment. The balance payment never came through, says Darshan, adding, Later, Sunny requested me to work on a project with him, saying, Have faith in me, help me out, and got me to pay him again. An industry source told HT City, He is a known troublemaker for years. Sunny had given a bound script of a film called Ram Janmbhumi to a producer who created a huge set in Mumbai. Sunny signed the film for 5cr. But later, he refused to come to the sets and demanded a fees of 25cr because he had delivered a blockbuster (Gadar 2, 2023). Sunny Deol on his low career phase On Koffee With Karan, Sunny Deol said, After my first Gadar was released, it became a phenomenal hit. My struggle started after that. Before that I didnt know that it would be so difficult. I was doing films left right and centre. But things started becoming more difficult after that. Struggling in a way means I could not work with directors I wanted, I was not getting scripts that I wanted." He added, That time everybody was saying, no you shouldnt work with senior directors, you should work with younger directors. Everyone was advising because, initially we were ourselves who would take decisions. Now there are such a big entourage of people who are trying to tell you yeh nahi karna, woh karna. This is good for you and that is bad for you. Donald Trump made history this past week by becoming the first former US president to be convicted of a crime. A deadly strike on Rafah that killed 45 including women and children seemed to shake up many across the world and led to social media being flooded with All Eyes on Rafah. All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers read more The jury deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days to find former president Donald Trump guilty. AP In terms of news, this past week was a massive one. Donald Trump made history by becoming the first former president to be convicted of a crime. In a truly stunning development, Trump was found guilty by a New York jury on all 34 counts in his hush-money case. The Israel-Hamas war continues. A deadly strike on Rafah that killed 45 including women and children seemed to shake up many across the world and led to social media being flooded with an All Eyes on Rafah image. Days later, US president Joe Biden unveiled a Gaza ceasefire plan. Advertisement Across the border, former Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif admitted what many already knew that Pakistan violated the Lahore declaration. Meanwhile, turbulence continues to rack up victims. A week after one person was killed and many seriously injured on a Singapore Airlines aircraft, 12 were left injured including six crew on a Qatar Airways flight. All this and more in our weekly roundup of explainers from the world: 1. It happened. It really happened. Donald Trump has had a Teflon reputation since entering politics in 2016. From the release of the Access Hollywood tape when he was running for president to his two impeachments, nothing seemed to make the slightest dent on the former president or lead to any real consequences. But reality hit home on Friday after Trump was held guilty of felony charges on all 34 counts in the hush money trial case. The New York jury took just two days to render the historic verdict of finding a former president guilty. But what happens next? Will Trump go to prison? Can he still run for high office and more importantly, serve as president? 2. Turbulence is among the many things that climate change is making worse. The past two weeks have seen two different incidents of turbulence leave at least one person dead and several injured. Advertisement Singapore Airlines, whose aircraft was affected, has announced that it will take a more cautious approach to managing turbulence and has tightened its seatbelt rules. The interior of Singapore Airlines flight SQ321 is pictured after an emergency landing at Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Thailand, on 21 May 2024. File Image/Reuters In addition to the suspension of hot beverage service when the seatbelt sign is on, the meal service will also be suspended, the carrier said. SIA will continue to review our processes as the safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance. But what do we know about seat belts? Who invented them and why did they gain favour with the authorities? And can wearing a seat belt really keep a passenger safe from turbulence? Advertisement 3. This may finally be the week when the world said enough. Israel last week killed 45 people including women and children in an airstrike that even Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a tragic mistake. The camp bore witness to chaotic scenes, charred remains and a thick smoke after the strike. Eyewitnesses recounted witnessing dismembered bodies and loud cries. Despite the many calls on Israel to halt its operations in Gaza, tanks have reached the centre of Rafah. In the meantime, popular social media apps such as X, Instagram and TikTok have been flooded with All Eyes on Rafah. The message has been posted by Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Rashmika Mandanna, Sonakshi Sinha, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Triptii Dimri, Dia Mirza and Richa Chadha. Advertisement But where does the slogan come from? And what does it mean? 4. Nawaz Sharif raised many eyebrows in his own country this past week. The former Pakistani premier admitted that Islamabad had violated an agreement with India signed by him and ex-prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1999. On May 28, 1998, Pakistan carried out five nuclear tests. After that Vajpayee Saheb came here and made an agreement with us. But we violated that agreementit was our fault, Sharif, addressing a meeting of the PML-N general council, said. Sharif made the remarks on the day when Pakistan marked the 26th anniversary of its first nuclear tests. Advertisement But what is the Lahore declaration? What was the agreement between Vajpayee and Sharif? How did Pakistan violate it? 5. Everest continues to exact a deadly price on those who dare to climb it. An Indian climber who attempted to climb the worlds tallest mountain died at a hospital in Nepal. Banshi Lal, 46, was rescued from Everest last week. He was being treated at the hospital, but he passed away. Lal was the eight person to have died while trying to scale Everest, which thousands of people do every year. Mount Everest, 8,849 metres, above sea level is a challenge even for experienced climbers. Reuters In 2023, 18 people died while climbing Everest the highest toll since records began being kept in 1922. But why do so many people perish in the attempt? How bad is it up there? Does it have anything to do with overcrowding? And what precautions do experts suggest climbers take? 6. The meaning of life is that it ends. Thats what a great writer once said. But some people beg to disagree. Like those dedicated to the field of cryogenics, who posit that people can be given a second lease on life by being frozen after death. An Australian cryonics company sparked a huge debate after freezing their first client this past week The man, in his 80s, passed away in a Sydney hospital before being transported to Southern Cryonics facility in New South Wales. His body has since cryogenically preserved at -196C in the hopes that he may be brought back to life one day thanks to future medical advancements. But how does the science work? Is it ethical? And does cryogenics really have a future? You are all caught up on world affairs for this week. If you want to read and support more of our work, you can bookmark this page. More than 39,000 displaced people were taking shelter in 193 relief camps in Assam as the state deals with flooding read more The death toll in Assam from flood rose to 18 on Sunday as three more deaths were reported in the state, according to PTI. A total of 5,35,246 people remained affected by the flooding in 13 districts in the state, according to data from Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) carried by the news agency. While the number of people affected was down from the 6,01,642 on Saturday, the number of affected districts rose to 13 from 10 districts on Saturday. Advertisement Of the three new deaths, two were reported in Cachar and one in Nagaon, as per the ASDMA bulletin. The bulletin said the three major rivers of Kopili, Barak, and Kushiyara continued to flow above the danger level. Of the 13 districts of Assam affected by the flood, Nagaon was the worst-hit where 3,03,567 people remained affected. It was followed by Cachar (1,09,798) and Hojai (86,382), as per the bulletin. More than 39,000 displaced people were taking shelter in 193 relief camps across Assam, as per the bulletin, which added that 82 relief distribution centres were also operational in the state. Various agencies such as the NDRF, SDRF, and local administration are engaged in rescue in relief operations in the state. Medical teams have also been deployed across the state in affected areas. Assam has received incessant rainfall in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal. It has contributed to flooding and the disruption of road and rail communication in the state. According to a report of a security review of BrahMos seen by Firstpost, a rocket launcher, a highly-sensitive influence mine, and a light machine gun were among the weapons and ammunition found inside the organisations headquarters. However, what probably is more concerning is the way the issue was handled. Heres why read more This picture of unaccounted rocket launcher, an INSAS light machine gun (LMG), and an INSAS rifle found in BrahMos premises was a part of the security review documents accessed by FirstPost. A rocket launcher, a highly-sensitive influence mine, and a light machine gun these were among the many weapons and ammunition found inside the BrahMos Aerospace headquarters located in the heart of Delhi. What is of great importance about their discovery in an extremely sensitive facility of national importance is this: they were all unaccounted for. According to a report of a security review of BrahMos from 2022 seen by Firstpost, the following items were found inside the missile-manufacturing companys premises: Advertisement One 81mm Rocket Launcher One 5.56mm INSAS Light Machine Gun (LMG) One 5.56mm INSAS Rifle Three 51mm Mortar ammunition (high-explosive) One Influence Mine Two fuzes for AGS/Pinaka One 120mm Mortar ammunition (high-explosive) The documents also contain an image of a 51mm mortar round, classified as a high-explosive. It has a range of 900 metres. It is interesting to note that findings such as these, and sometimes less significant than these weapons, are referred to as war-like stores quite often in media reports. How these unaccounted weapons were found According to the documents accessed by Firstpost, BrahMos had initiated a probe into a potential security breach in its premises in late 2021. That probe was sparked off after it was suspected that Dr Sudhir Mishra, former Chief Executive Officer of BrahMos, had taken out multiple confidential documents, including Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) files of three nations, from the companys premises. Firstpost has covered this extensively in this story. Following that probe, another security review of the entire premises was conducted. It was during this investigation that the unaccounted weapons were found in two places: a store where personal items belonging to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam were kept, and at a store near the companys reception. The same investigation also found that the CCTV system was manipulated to ensure required data was not saved. However, what probably is more concerning is the way the issue was handled. How did BrahMos, DRDO handle the issue? The committee reported what it had found to the top brass at BrahMos. BrahMos, in turn, informed the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of the security lapses and the discovery of the unaccounted weapons, according to a highly-placed source at the organisation who is privy to developments related to this matter. Note that BrahMos is a joint venture between Indias DRDO and Russias NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The former is the majority stakeholder in BrahMos, owning 51 per cent of the company. In simple words, DRDO was the next level in the command chain. Advertisement It is on October 6, 2022, that the unaccounted weapons and ammunition were sent to Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune. ARDE is the main DRDO lab involved in the development of conventional weapons. This document accessed exclusively by Firstpost shows the list of unaccounted weapons and ammunition that were found at BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) and handed over to ARDE, Pune. The handling of the case This is where several key questions all of great importance to national security and defence apparatus arise. While DRDO does develop weapons, it is primarily composed of scientists whose jobs revolve around research. It is by no means an agency comprising professional investigators or law enforcers who may be equipped to handle findings as significant as the armaments that were discovered. Did DRDO instruct BrahMos to hand over these weapons to ARDE, Pune? Why were they handed over to a DRDO lab all the way in Pune, and not to police, or some other central government agency located in the national capital, where both DRDO and BrahMos are headquartered? Advertisement It is imperative to note here that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) can investigate offences related to the manufacture or sale of prohibited arms. The discovery of unaccounted weapons and ammunition, including a rocket launcher, a light machine gun, and an influence mine, falls under this category of offences. Additionally, cases coming under the Explosive Substances Act, 1908, also fall under the scheduled offences that the NIA is authorised to investigate. Since the items found at BrahMos HQ did include explosive substances as defined in the said Act, the investigation could come under the NIAs jurisdiction under that umbrella, too. Serious questions remain Advertisement What happened to the weapons and ammunition at ARDE? Were they able to trace the origins of the weapons? Was it a mistake? Was it negligence? Or was it a larger plot that could have potentially threatened the security of one of Indias foremost defence establishments? Were these lethal items later handed over to the police or any other investigation agency? Did DRDO ever investigate the source of these unaccounted weapons, or is the BrahMos report the only one on the incident? These and several other questions are still unanswered, as are Firstposts requests to comment to DRDO and BrahMos. Their response will be added in the article as and when received. Advertisement Read Firstposts entire coverage on the BrahMos HQ Security Breach here: Hamdi Ulukaya, founder, CEO, and Chairman of Chobani, made his billions on yogurt. Now hes betting on San Franciscos iconic Anchor Brewing company. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty images Twenty years ago, Hamdi Ulukaya made an audacious bet based on personal experience America needed better yogurt. The Turkish immigrant invested $700,000 in a decrepit dairy plant in upstate New York, and started producing the thicker, tarter yogurt he had grown up eating in the eastern mountains of his homeland. His gamble was risky Greek yogurt made up just 1% of Americas yogurt market but, as anyone who has shopped in a grocerys yogurt aisle can attest, it paid off. His company, Chobani Inc., grew into a multibillion-dollar economic titan and Americas largest manufacturer of Greek yogurt, bucking early naysayers and later earning the wrath of the alt-right conspiracy machine that fueled the political surge of Donald Trump. Now, Ulukaya is making another intrepid bet: that he can work the same magic he conjured in upstate New York by revitalizing San Franciscos Anchor Brewing Co. Last week, Ulukaya stunned sectors of the city when he announced he had purchased the shuttered brewery and planned to resume operations with the iconic brand whose roots date to the Gold Rush. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Lets get back to work, Ulukaya told the Chronicle. Lets bring it back to life. Ulukaya, 51, is no stranger to the improbable, with a lifes journey fit for a glossy covered book. Born in the mountains of eastern Turkey to a family of nomadic shepherds who produced cheese and other dairy products, Ulukaya said working the family business informed his knowledge and passion for food production. Its Colorado weather snow, mountains and then a beautiful spring, he told the New York Times. I grew up with shepherds. We were nomads. We would go up in the mountains with herds of sheep and goats and cows, and make yogurt and cheese, and then come back in the winter to the village. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In his late teens and early twenties, Ulukaya became an activist, advocating for the rights of the Kurds, the ethnic group to which he belonged. That led to at least one clash with police, and a fateful decision. I had to get out, he said, during an interview at the Stanford University School of Business. He immigrated to the United States in 1994, with $3,000 in his pocket and ambitions to learn English. While studying, Ulukaya took a job on a farm in upstate New York, moved there and enrolled at SUNY Albany. While visiting New York, Ulukayas father grimaced at American feta cheese and suggested that his son start producing his own. Why would I do that, Ulukaya recalled, in an interview with a New York Times reporter in 2018. I didnt come from 2,000 miles away to make exactly what we were making back home. Still, the idea took root and he opened his feta cheese company, Euphrates, in 2002. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Then it was two years of struggle, he said in the Times interview. How am I going to pay for these people? How am I going to pay for the milk? He made it work. By 2004, Ulukaya was turning a modest profit, with $10 million in annual sales en route to becoming one of the leading producers of feta cheese on the East Coast. Then, he saw an ad for a decommissioned yogurt plant that Kraft Foods wanted to sell. His lawyer warned him against the investment, he told the Times. If the yogurt business was good, Kraft wouldnt be getting out of it. Theyre looking for an idiot to unload this on, he recalled the lawyer telling him. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ulukaya bought the plant anyway. He used a loan from the Small Business Administration and, by late 2005, had the keys to the factory. He didnt like American yogurt, which was more sugary and watery than what he had eaten back home. So he hired four employees and started working on his own recipe. Chobani yogurt sits on a New York City grocery store shelf in 2021. Spencer Platt/Getty Images I have one shot at this, he recalled thinking, according to an interview with the Harvard Business Review in 2022. He named the company Chobani a reference to the Turkish word for shepherd. After two years spent perfecting his recipe, Ulukaya formally launched the company in 2007, shipping his first cases of yogurt to a grocer on Long Island. He scrambled to build his business, paying stores with his product, instead of cash, and reaching out to social media influencers to try to get more people to taste his yogurt. His grassroots strategy worked. Sales skyrocketed and, by 2012, his New York factory was shipping 1.5 million cases of the yogurt a week with more than $1 billion in sales a year. That same year, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer pushed to add Greek yogurt to school lunch programs, and Ulukaya opened a yogurt bar in New York City, telling one journalist that America was underdeveloped when it came to yogurt. His company grew from five employees to 1,200 across the country, and he opened a second dairy plant, in Twin Falls, Idaho, to keep pace with demand. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ulukayas success had made him a billionaire, according to Bloomberg News. During that time, however, his ex-wife sued him, claiming that she owned a significant portion of the company, after having loaned Ulukaya the money he had used to start the company. More damning, perhaps, was that the lawsuit by Ulukayas ex-wife accused him of stealing his signature yogurt recipe from FAGE, a competitor, by bribing one of the companys former employees. Ulukayas attorneys derided the allegations as false, completely baseless and without merit, and the company ultimately settled the case in 2015. Over the years, Chobani has also faced legal claims from customers alleging the company made deceptive statements about flavoring and sugar content, plus a class-action lawsuit alleging that the product sickened customers. Chobani settled all of the lawsuits. The yogurt mogul made different types of headlines a year later when he gave Chobani employees a 10% ownership stake in the company, a move leading to glowing press coverage wondering if the company would change Americas corporate culture. I cannot think of Chobani being built without all these people, Ulukaya said in a New York Times story on the development. Now theyll be working to build the company even more and building their future at the same time. By that point, Chobani was the leading yogurt brand in the world. But, his food portfolio soon deepened with his investment in Philadelphia-based La Colombe Coffee Roasters, as he purchased the company for $900 million after sharing a booth with the company during a food expo. Soon, his employees earned higher wages, and accrued other company benefits including paid time off for new parents, and for philanthropic work. More acclaim for business practices followed. But, as the countrys socio-political landscape shifted, his efforts to employ hundreds of refugees at his plants in New York and Idaho drew a different type of attention. While Ulukayas food ventures were growing, another businessman was reaping attention for his turn to politics. As Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign gained steam by planting seeds of discontent around immigrants entering and working in the United States, nativist critics began blasting Ulukaya for hiring immigrants and called for boycotts on his products. According to a 2017 news story, Ulukaya responded by sending a letter to employees telling them the company will assist any affected employees and family members and have their backs every day and every step of the way. That same year, Ulukaya fought back against the false rhetoric, suing Alex Jones for defamation and for alleging that Chobani was importing migrant rapists, so customers would boycott the company. Jones retracted the claims to resolve the lawsuit. But other alt-right publications, such as Breitbart News, also targeted Chobani, falsely suggesting his hiring of refugees led to rapes in Idaho and the spread of tuberculosis in the state. Despite the controversies, Chobani kept growing. We hear things here and there, and we raise our voice only when we believe strongly in things, Ulukaya said, in an interview in 2018. But its not political; we just share what weve been experiencing and what this country stands for. Ulukaya went further against the pressure of far right conspiracists by creating Tent Partnership for Refugees, a nonprofit that connects businesses and refugees. Last year, the nonprofit announced companies including Amazon, Marriott and Hilton had pledged to hire more than 13,000 refugees. Now, Ulukayas focus has shifted further west, onto San Francisco and its beloved but shuttered Anchor Brewing Co. The purchase puzzled many. Ulukaya isnt from San Francisco. He doesnt have any Bay Area connections. And, of course, his specialty is yogurt, not beer. New owner Hamdi Ulukaya would like the historic Anchor Brewing building (background) and taproom (foreground) to be activated this year. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle Besides, Anchor Brewing, while adored across San Francisco, has never had the titanic trajectory that Chobani achieved. The dairy producer told the Chronicle he had been an admirer of San Francisco but had few connections in the city and didnt know Anchor existed until last August when he read an article in Forbes about its demise. The story reminded him of his early days getting Chobani going, he said, including buying that first factory and getting it up and running. What if we can bring it back? he said. And that excited me because Ive been part of bringing back a factory in upstate New York and building a brand. Ulukaya told the Chronicle he would like to get the brewery up and running as soon as he gets permission from the city and the people who worked there a long time. Local brewers sound hopeful. Maybe wed feel better if it was someone born and raised in the city, said Jim Woods, owner of San Francisco-based Woods Beer & Wine Co. But he sees the magic that we have here and he wants to be a part of it, to invest in the rich culture and traditions here. City officials also say theyre fully committed to working with Ulukaya as he reopens the brewery. This is a great moment for an iconic San Francisco brand, city spokesperson Parisa Safarzadeh said Saturday, in an emailed statement, and we are thrilled to welcome a new partnership. Ulukaya sounds like hes hoping to move fast. I dont want to sit around, he said, wearing an Anchor Brewing ball cap. Wouldnt it be amazing to get it going in time to make the Christmas ale this year? That would be awesome. Exit polls are not exact polls but they do give some idea of what to expect when the Election Commission declares final results on Tuesday. Exit polls have gone wrong in the past and proven right as well. How should one read exit polls? Heres a clue from the past election results read more Exit polls began in 1957 during the second Lok Sabha election when the Delhi-based Indian Institute of Public Opinion conducted a survey. Predicting elections in immediate decades of Independence was not a tough job. Everybody knew Jawaharlal Nehru would come back to lead the government. The exit poll surveys started drawing intense public interest during the 1980s and the 1990s. But those were days when a few thousand views would be used to predict the national election in India whose population jumped from 71 crore in 1981 to 108 crore in 2001. This explained why exit polls, in general, grossly misjudged the outcome of the 2004 Lok Sabha election. Advertisement When exit polls got a shock An interesting aspect of the 2004 exit polls was that it was in sync with a number of opinion polls that were conducted by different agencies in the 18 months prior to the Lok Sabha election. They all predicted the return of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. The final opinion poll conducted in January 2004 gave 335 seats to the BJP-led government. Opinion polls NDA UPA Others August 2002 250 195 100 February 2003 315 115 115 August 2003 247 180 115 January 2004 335 110 100 Exit polls conducted through the four phases of the voting during the 2004 Lok Sabha election gave 230 to 278 seats to the BJP-led ruling coalition and 174 to 205 seats to the Congress-led coalition in the 543-member House. When results were declared in May 2004, the BJP-led alliance lost power, securing only 181 seats. The Congresss alliance won 2018 seats, with others getting 143 seats. The Left Front was to play the kingmaker and decided to back the Manmohan Singh-headed government at the Centre. Pollsters NDA UPA Others NDTV-AC Nielsen 230-250 190-205 100-120 Star News-C voter 263-275 174-184 86-98 Aaj Tak-MARG 248 190 105 Sahara DRS 278 181 102 Zee News-Taleem 249 176 117 Actual result 181 218 143 Have exit polls become more credible now? Post 2004 goof-up, the exit pollsters have changed their strategies, expanding their sample size vastly. Now, some of the pollsters seek to know the voting preferences of over a million electors who actually went to the polling stations. Those gathering the data of voters in the thousands are considered smaller exit poll agencies. More staggered elections have also helped the pollsters. In both the 2014 and 2019, the Lok Sabha elections were held in seven phases each. In the 2009 Lok Sabha election, held in five phases, the exit polls were still off the mark but they got the direction right. Pollsters UPA NDA Others CNN-IBN - Dainik Bhaskar 185-205 165-185 153-193 India TV-CVoter 189-201 183-195 147-171 Star-Nielsen 199 196 148 Headlines Today 191 180 172 Actual results 262 159 122 In 2014, pollsters had a festive time. Most of them got the winner right even though they overestimated the performance of the losing coalition. The poll of polls predicted a majority for the BJP-led alliance. The Modi wave ensured that the BJP became the first party in 30 years to secure a majority in the Lok Sabha on its own. The Congress recorded its lowest performance, failing to secure the position of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha in 2014. Pollsters NDA UPA Others CNN-IBN-Lokniti-CSDS 270282(BJP 230242) 92102(INC 7282) 125171 India Today Cicero 261283 110120 150162 News 24-Todays Chanakya 326354(BJP 277305) 6179(INC 4866) 122144 NDTV-Hansa 258-300 91-115 149-173 Poll of Polls 283 105 149 Actual results 336 (BJP 282) 60 (INC 44) 147 The exit polls in 2019 followed almost the same template as 2014, predicting the return of the Modi government. A majority of them, however, failed to gather that the Modi wave had become stronger, beating the anti-incumbency speculation. Pollsters NDA UPA Others India Today-Axis 352 93 82 News24-Todays Chanakya 350 95 97 News18-IPSOS 336 82 124 Times Now-VMR 306 132 104 CVoter 287 128 127 ABP-CSDS 277 130 135 Poll of polls 319 111 113 Actual 353 91 99 The exit, despite their shortcomings, have shown the ability to pick the direction of the election waves correctly in recent years at the national level. A look at the performances of the top seat-catchers in the 2019 Lok Sabha over the past five parliamentary election cycles show that the BJP has taken the pole position in Indian politics, the Congress has lost its mass connect and the regionals parties are finding it hard to go beyond their state boundaries in a manner to impact the outcome of the national elections. What exit polls say about the 2024 Lok Sabha election? The exit polls predict a bigger victory for the BJP than the party and its alliance had in 2019. It predicts a pro-incumbency mood in support of the Modi government, which has been in power for 10 years. Almost all exit polls gave the BJP an opening in the difficult South Indian states Kerala and Tamil Nadu, where it was ridiculed as a NOTA party. In both the states, News18 Poll Hub exit polls say, the BJP-led NDA may win 1-3 Lok Sabha seats. Advertisement The BJP is predicted to be sweeping states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and also Chhattisgarh, while maintaining an overwhelming lead in Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and several other states. The exit polls make two surprising outcomes for the BJP, which is predicted to emerge as the single-largest party in the Trinamool Congress-ruled West Bengal and the Congress-ruled Telangana. The all-India picture in exit polls by News18 Poll Hub, the BJP is expected to win 305-315 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha, with 40% vote share. The NDA is likely to win 355-370 seats, with 47% vote share. The Congress, on the other hand, is expected to improve its performance compared to its 2019 show, winning 62-72 seats with 20% vote share. The Congress-led INDIA is predicted to win 125-140 seats with 33% vote share. Advertisement The poll of polls average figure for the NDA comes to 361 seats in the Lok Sabha while the INDIA bloc is likely to win 149 seats. Pollsters NDA INDIA Others News18 Poll Hub 355-370 (363) 125-140 (133) 42-52 (46) Republic TV-P MARQ 359 154 30 Jan Ki Baat 362-392 (377) 153-169 (161) 10-20 (15) India TV-CNX 371-401 (386) 109-139 (124) 28-38 (33) Dainik Bhaskar 281-350 (316) 145-201 (173) 33-49 (41) Poll of polls 361 149 33 If exit poll figures hold when the Election Commission counts the actual votes, India has given Modi 3.0 an emphatic mandate to take what PM Modi described as tough decisions during the election campaign. SKM president and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, however, won from two seats, and the party bagged 58.38 per cent of the votes polled. The SKM had won 17 seats in the 2019 assembly polls. Elections to the assembly were held simultaneously with the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 19 read more The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Sunday returned to power in the Himalayan state for the second consecutive term by a landslide victory, winning 31 seats in the 32-member assembly. The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which ruled the state for 25 years in a row till 2019, could manage only one seat, though its president Pawan Kumar Chamling lost in the two constituencies he contested. SKM president and Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, however, won from two seats, and the party bagged 58.38 per cent of the votes polled. The SKM had won 17 seats in the 2019 assembly polls. Advertisement Elections to the assembly were held simultaneously with the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls on April 19. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Tamang and the SKM for the victory. Congratulations to SKM and CM @PSTamangGolay for their victory in the Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024. I look forward to working with the State Government to further the progress of Sikkim in the coming times, Modi said in a post on X. Responding to the Prime Ministers post, Tamang thanked him. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim. We look forward to collaborating with you to achieve our shared goals for the betterment of our state. Your unwavering support has been a driving force for us, and we look forward to your continued guidance and blessings, Tamang said in an X. Modi also thanked all who voted for the BJP in the Sikkim assembly elections. The saffron party contested in 31 seats but failed to win any of them. The party bagged 5.18 per cent of the total votes polled. Sikkim BJP president Dilli Ram Thapa, a sitting MLA, also lost to SKM nominee Kala Rai in the Upper Burtuk constituency by a margin of 2,968 votes. I also appreciate the efforts put in by our Karyakartas. Our Party will always be at the forefront of working towards Sikkims development and fulfilling peoples aspirations, Modi said in a post. Advertisement After the landslide win, Tamang congratulated the party workers and the voters of Sikkim. It is because of the love and trust of the people which we have managed to secure in the past five years in government. Besides, party cadres worked very hard. Now we have the next five years to give our 100 per cent for the people of Sikkim, he said at a gathering in Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. Tamang won by over 7,000 votes in both Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung constituencies. I also want to thank the opposition as it is because of them that our party became stronger and more organised, said the president of the SKM which had won 17 seats in 2019. Advertisement Like the BJP, the Congress also failed to open its account and secured a paltry vote share of 0.32 per cent which is even less than that of NOTA (0.99 per cent). Tamang asked the party workers to maintain calm in the aftermath of the landslide victory. India will have many suitors as long as it leverages multi-aligned foreign policy to build its strength, and Russia is a key cornerstone of that read more In mid-May, Russian President Vladimir Putin paid a two-day visit to China, his first visit abroad since winning elections in March. The visit was closely watched by the West for two obvious reasons. First, with a cautionary stance that China doesnt make any more commitments to support the Russian war machinery, and second, with the hope that Xi Jinping will be able to convince Putin to end his war in Ukraine. Advertisement There was a reasonable amount of coverage of this visit by the Indian media as well, but what utterly shocked me was the propensity of the Indian media to toe the western line. A copy of a Reuters article syndicated to Indian publications was circulating all over, screaming, Putins visit has defied the West. It took an almost comical proportion when even the state media, such as Doordarshans official website, was found carrying the same piece with the same headline. As someone who has worked in the media previously, I know these agency copies can be actually edited and not copy-pasted directly, but thats another thing. What was really problematic were the opinion and analysis pieces on Putins visit that were penned by even the Indian authors. The whole effort was spent assessing the visit from a Western prism of how two rogue states are inching closer to challenging the West-led current world order. To be fair, there were a few commentaries that did analyse how the Russia-China bonhomie would play out for Indian interests, but even there, the Western caricature of Russia as an aggressor in Ukraine or an economically spent force was borrowed heavily from the Wests propaganda against Putin. A similar absurdity was on display in March this year, after Putin had won his presidential election. Editorials and pieces in national newspapers were giving tough competition to the Western press in demonising Putin. A headline accused Putin of orchestrating his election, while another piece accused him of suppressing opposition and voices critical of his war in Ukraine. Again, the tragic dependence of Indian media on Western agencies such as the Associated Press, AFP or Reuters aside, even the independent pieces by Indian analysts targeted Putin for stage-managing the election. Advertisement An Indian news agency literally syndicated a piece accusing Putin of stifling counter-voices and gagging the media. A national daily assessed whether Russians were any better off after Putins victory. As per the editorial, he was an expansionist whose idea of a Russian zone of influence resembles the Czarist notion of empire. The complete surrender to Western narrative was unmissable in this piece, as it pitied Russia for alienating its well-wishers in Europe! Now, a genuine criticism of Putin for not following democratic ways is one thing, but here, this was definitely not the case. There are hundreds of other countries in the world, including the likes of Pakistan and China, but the same proselytising spirit of giving them lectures on democracy has been curiously missing. Then why, in the case of Putin, the most used frame of reference is his record on press freedom and democracy when, unlike the West, democracy promotion is not even a foreign policy goal for India? Advertisement Actually, the tendency of Indian commentariats to toe the Western narrative on Russia is hardly unusual. A similar naivety, or, one may say, strategic blunder, was on display when Russia attacked Ukraine. At that time, Putin was also demonised as a warmonger, with Indias own voices pressing on the need to isolate Russia. Although a much better sense prevailed among the Indian policymakers who continued to buy Russian oil despite the attempts to shame India, later it turned out that the same West had been silently buying Russian oil from India. At that time, India could confidently pursue an independent foreign policy focused on its own self-interest, but now that window is fast disappearing. The visuals of warmth between Putin and Jinping have given a massive opportunity to a particular section of India, which cant help but push the Wests narrative here. The reason may be peer pressure from their western counterparts or a genuine fear of Russia-China closeness undercutting Indian interests, but whatever the case, toeing the Western line on Russia will do more damage to India than otherwise. Advertisement Firstly, the Wests problems with Russia arent Indias problems. Minus the global narrative machine churning European position on a daily basis, the Russia-Ukraine conflict is as local as Indias problems with Pakistan. It is a continental headache for Europe, in which even its partner across the Atlantic, the United States, has a section asking for reconsideration of its over-participation. Also, Russia being expansionist is such a silly argument by Indians because, unlike the European countries, which may actually have a threat from their territorial expansionism, India isnt even anywhere in the vicinity. Russia is an immediate neighbour of China, with which India shares an unsettled land border. Hence, by Kautilyan logic, Russia is a Mitra or friend. At some point, if Russias expansionism towards the Siberian side starts irking the Chinese, it will be a great win for Indian interests vis-a-vis China. Advertisement Thus, the attempts to criticise Russia by the Indian strategic community sound more amusing than befitting. The Wests long-term beef with Russia is its independent streak and self-confidence in an otherwise Yes Sir alliance system that dominates the West. India is neither a participant in that system nor is it even a fence-watcher. A growing Indian economy and a rising desire to shape world affairs will meet an equally disinterested and even hard-blocking West. What can be funnier than an Indian analyst bashing Putins dictatorial ways on the Wests cue when the same West is calling Indian democracy backsliding? The line may eventually get too blurry, and even the most objective voices in India may tomorrow join the Wests chorus in shaming their own country. Russia, under Putin, has proved to be one of the key partners for India. Of all the great powers, if there is one country that would have concerns for Indias interests in its strategic backyard in the subcontinent, it is most likely to be Russia. Putins personal depth of understanding with respect to this is advantageous for India. Our defence partnership aside, Russia is also very emphatic about Indias rise, with regular reaffirmations from Moscow recognising Indias potential as a great power. It also walks the talk by backing Indias forays in Central Asia, Russias strategic backyard for resources, and its connectivity initiatives, including the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime link. Why would we jeopardise a stable relationship by borrowing Western-tinted glasses? As for the fears of a dragon-bear bonhomie, India should naturally worry and must also watch the dynamics closely, but by following the Wests narrative in criticising Russia or its leaders, India may commit a grave mistake by alienating Russia, which may further push Moscow into Beijings arms. Such tactics would do more harm than bring any advantage to India. For too long, even the Soviet Union had seen independent India as an extension of the British Raj. Why are we trying to be seen as puppets of the West today? Anyway, pragmatically, it doesnt make sense to assume that Moscows closeness to Beijing means an end to the Moscow-Delhi partnership. This definitely has assumed a new form of cooperation, but it has more to do with convenience, which may change later. Dont forget that Russia and China still have boundary issues. In 2023, their no limits partnership was tested when China appropriated the entire Bolshoi Ussuriyski Island in the standard map published by the country. In 1969, the conflict on an island in the Ussuri River following the Sino-Soviet split paved the way for India-Soviet Union friendship. Hence, to think the China-Russia friendship is cast in stone would be a great strategic error. Russia values Indias friendship and is sympathetic to Indian interests. The urge to signal loyalty to the West by using any opportunity to distance itself from Russia may sound like a beneficial strategy to a section today. But remember, global chess is all about pulling off as many moves as possible, and by giving up on Russia, we are turning away from our own interests. There is a precedent for the West and China mending their bridges during the Cold War. Such a development today can again make New Delhi anxious. Indias current foreign policy is on the right track, as summed up by PM Modi in an election rally last weekeach diplomat is expected to bring technology, tourism, and trade to India, and thats their precise brief. This is not the right moment to judge which partner to keep and which to junk. The end goal, after all, is to be an independent pole in world politics. India will have many suitors as long as we leverage multi-aligned foreign policy to build our strength, and Russia is a key cornerstone of that. The author is a New Delhi-based commentator on geopolitics and foreign policy. She holds a PhD from the Department of International Relations, South Asian University. You may follow her on X: @TrulyMonica. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. In a political saga filled with twists and turns, Donald Trumps conviction stands out as a pivotal moment. Whether it marks the beginning of the end of his political career or serves as a catalyst for a resurgence remains to be seen read more Thursday, May 30. In a twist that feels ripped straight from the pages of history, the legal troubles surrounding former US President Donald J Trump reached a boiling point. The situation prompted analysts and observers across the spectrum to ask: will Trumps conviction serve as his political Waterloo or transform into a surprising campaign booster as we edge closer to another photo-finish presidential election. As the nation watched in stunned disbelief, Trump was pronounced guilty on 34 counts of felony for falsifying financial records. The highly publicised month-long trial in a Manhattan courtroom, not too far from the famed Trump Towers in New York city, held him guilty for trying to cover up money paid to porn performer Stormy Daniels. To buy her silence on his alleged one-night sexual stand with her, which the former president has consistently denied. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Advertisement The 13-member jury, consisting of five women and seven men, supposed to represent average or ordinary citizens, found him guilty on all counts. The word guilty was pronounced 34 times by the foreman. After the initial shock waves that rippled across the courtroom and the country the question on everyones minds was whether Trump can still hope to come back as the president of the United States? Or was this his Waterloo moment, the end of the road of the political maverick? According to reports, Trump looked visibly rattled, as he grimaced and slumped somewhat. But on his way out, his habitual swag and defiance, as televised globally, were back. He pumped his fists as he denounced the verdict: This was a rigged, disgraceful trial. The real verdict is going to be November 5th by the people. Outside, in front of the waiting television cameras, media persons, and the clearly divided public, the reactions were equally contrary. Some shouted Justice served or Lock him up. Others, raising pro-Trump slogans, claimed that the verdict was a foregone conclusion given how hated Trump was in New York city, for long a Democratic bastion. Justice Juan Merchan, the presiding judge, himself a Democrat, who is known to have made contributions to the party, has scheduled sentencing for July 11. On the eve of the Republican National Convention. Going by the book, fudging records is what is termed a low-level felony. It carries no compulsory imprisonment. Trump has no prior criminal record, and this conviction is not for a violent crime. Advertisement Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L Bragg, Jr, who led the prosecution against Trump on behalf of the State of New York, announced the verdict as follows: Donald Trump is guilty of repeatedly and fraudulently falsifying business records in a scheme to conceal damaging information from American voters during the 2016 presidential election. Over the course of the past several weeks, a jury of 12 every day New Yorkers was presented with overwhelming evidence including invoices, checks, bank statements, audio recordings, phone logs, text messages, and direct testimony from 22 witnesses that proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr Trump illegally falsified 34 New York business records. Advertisement The statement is quite blunt, mincing no words : Mr Trump went to illegal lengths to lie repeatedly in order to protect himself and his campaign. In Manhattan, we follow the facts without fear or favor and have a solemn responsibility to ensure equal justice under the law regardless of the background, wealth or power of the accused. The integrity of our judicial system depends on upholding that principle. I have quoted from it at length because the rest of it reads like a detailed scandal sheet on the former presidents other alleged, often sexual, misdemeanours. Given the probable reaction against too severe a punishment, Judge Merchan will have to weigh his options carefully. Will he impose a fine, community service, or probation, or actually put the former president in jail or house arrest? But regardless of how severe the sentence handed down to him, Trump is sure to appeal. The case may drag on for months, even years. In the meanwhile, the US presidential elections will already be upon us. Advertisement Trump supporters rallied behind their beleaguered mascot. Apparently, his official website crashed. On account of the volume of traffic in Trumps support, a good deal of it financial, that flowed into his campaign kitty. Trump has used the victim card to his advantage in the past. But an actual conviction? It is believed that it might sway a small section of Republicans actually to turn away from Trump. Enough for him to lose his re-election bid? That no one is willing to stick their neck out on. In the past, high-profile indictments the world over have led to varying political outcomes. The notion of a legal battle serving as a political noose or a rallying cry is not new, but Trumps case is unprecedented in the American context due to his still sizeable base and polarised political climate. Trumps unique brand and his unparalleled grip on the Republican party set him apart. This situation raises the question: does the indictment represent an insurmountable obstacle or a peculiar form of political ammunition? Advertisement The commentariat is also divided on the impact of the verdict. Some suggest that it will galvanise Trumps supporters, who see him as a martyr unjustly persecuted by a politically motivated and tainted legal system. Trumps own statements have promoted such a narrative and are amplified by like-minded media outlets, where the trials are often portrayed as an attack on Trump by a biased establishment. Conversely, other outlets have leaned on the gravity of the legal accusations, emphasising the potential of this conviction permanently to damage Trumps political ambitions. Leading newspapers have published both perspectives, with individual columnists weighing in on whether this is the beginning of the end for Trump or only a rallying point for his fervent and fervid supporters. Clearly, Trump has divided the nation as no former president before him, with the exception of Abraham Lincoln. But on causes that seem to be far less portentous than slavery or civil rights. Americas bifurcated response to Trumps trials will only be resolved after November 4th presidential elections are done and dusted. In a political saga filled with twists and turns, Donald Trumps indictment stands out as a pivotal moment. Whether it marks the beginning of the end of his political career or serves as a catalyst for a resurgence remains to be seen. Whatever the outcome, this will be a chapter remembered in American political history, dissected by pundits, scholars, and citizens for generations to come. But one thing is certain: the verdict of the people will be far more telling than that of the New York Supreme Court. Trump knows this only too well and has said as much already. Instead of resorting to mandating voting to achieve the objective of boosting voter turnout, it is more pragmatic to identify the underlying causes of lower voter participation and devise practical solutions to address them read more The tepid voter participation observed in the initial two phases of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has reignited the discourse surrounding the proposition of compulsory voting. Nonetheless, the anxieties stemming from this have been somewhat assuaged by the release of the final voter turnout statistics for these phases by the Election Commission, as well as the subsequent phases. Presently, there is no notable deviation in the voter turnout metrics between the ongoing elections and the Lok Sabha elections of 2019 and 2014. Advertisement The concerted endeavours undertaken by the Election Commission of India to bolster voter engagement post-initial phases, the reiterated calls to voting by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the multifaceted initiatives spearheaded by both governmental and non-governmental entities such as the National Service Scheme and the National Cadet Corps, alongside various student organisations and aware segments of society, have all played pivotal roles in fostering heightened civic awareness. Nevertheless, achieving a mere 65 per cent voter turnout falls short of any remarkable milestone. Aiming for a turnout of 9095 per cent is indispensable for upholding the vitality, robustness, and vibrancy of democracy. India must diligently strive towards this ambitious objective. The active and assured engagement of the widest spectrum of the populace forms the bedrock for realising democracys overarching objectives. Such participation fortifies the very foundations of democracy, expanding its horizons and depth. We are cognisant of the precarious state of democracy in neighbouring nations like China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Nepal. The erosion of democracy therein stems from its inadequacies, limitations, and the disillusionment of the populace towards it. Fortunately, India has thus far managed to avert such pitfalls. However, to fortify its democratic fabric, augmenting the voter turnout from approximately 65 per cent to 9095 per cent is imperative. Drawing inspiration from certain Western think tanks, the suggestion to mandate voting for achieving this objective is often put forth. However, the proposition of compulsory voting, as advocated by them, runs counter to the foundational principles of democracy. It would encroach on the fundamental rights to freedom enshrined in Indias constitution. Instead, it could be introduced as a fundamental civic duty for citizens. Advertisement Instead of resorting to mandating voting to achieve the objective of boosting voter turnout, it is more pragmatic to identify the underlying causes of low voter turnout and devise practical solutions to address them. Among the myriad factors impacting voter turnout, one prominent cause is the migration of voters domestically or internationally. This migration encompasses a substantial number of individuals across diverse regions of the country and is spurred by opportunities in government and non-government jobs, education, and employment prospects. Post-liberalisation, this trend has seen a significant surge. In India, there has been a significant influx of individuals temporarily residing in distant cities in search of employment opportunities, a trend that we saw during the Covid-19 era of reverse migration. Advertisement Similarly, millions of students pursuing education in Europe and America, along with a substantial contingent of expatriate workers in Gulf countries and Western nations, encounter logistical challenges in returning to their hometowns to cast their votes. Their absence inevitably impacts voter turnout. To address this issue, provisions akin to those extended to military and paramilitary personnel for on duty voting should be instituted for these migrant voters. Such provision would greatly benefit the millions of Indian workers stationed at their respective workplaces who are unable to undertake the arduous journey back to their villages for voting, which entails days of travel and financial expenditure. Advertisement A sizable segment of the populace in India remains oblivious to the significance of voting, harbouring the misconception that their ballot holds no sway. Additionally, a growing faction has adopted a cynical or indifferent stance towards the political apparatus. They perceive all political parties and leaders as either corrupt or cut from the same cloth, leading them to dismiss the possibility of any meaningful change through electoral outcomes. This disillusionment has bred disinterest in voting among them. Such a mindset is detrimental, for not all political entities can be painted with the same brush. However, it behoves all political parties and leaders to look through this prism. Presently, democracy grapples with the spectre of criminal influence, corruption, and the hegemony of monetary power. Parties prioritise candidates winnability over their qualifications, conduct, character, and socio-political commitment, fostering a culture of turncoats. The pervasive trend of party-switching during elections has engendered disillusionment among discerning voters. Advertisement Moreover, there has been a discernible decline in the decorum and substance of political discourse and electoral campaigns. Personal accusations, counter-accusations, and vacuous promises have left voters disenchanted with the electoral process. While such theatrics may be entertaining, they run counter to democratic decorum. All political parties should convene and establish boundaries for constructive dialogue and electoral discourse, serving as a testament to the maturity of democracy and ensuring the preservation of its values. In addressing the concerns of such constituents, the provision of NOTA (None of the Above) has been instituted. However, its efficacy remains lacking. It warrants enhancement whereby, if NOTA garners the majority of votes, all candidates vying for office within the respective electoral constituency should be disqualified from contesting elections for the ensuing five years. Moreover, affiliated political parties should be precluded from fielding candidates from said constituency for the same duration. Weather conditions also exert a palpable influence on voter turnout, as evidenced by the tepid participation witnessed during the scorching heat of May and June. Given Indias terrain and climatic diversity, identifying a universally conducive season proves challenging. Nonetheless, the period surrounding Diwali holds promise, as it witnesses a mass exodus of migrants returning to their native abodes. Scheduling a significant tranche of voting immediately before and after Diwali could potentially augment voter participation. Furthermore, it is imperative for governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses, industrial units, corporations, and other entities to extend various benefits, discounts, and facilities to encourage conscientious citizens to vote. Undoubtedly, such initiatives will serve to galvanise and inspire citizens to participate in the electoral process. Mandating leave for government employees on voting days constitutes a commendable step, one that should be replicated across non-governmental institutions and organizations. Likewise, offering percentage discounts at malls, shopping centres, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, etc., on voting days could serve as a further enticement for voter engagement. Celebrities wielding substantial social influence, social media influencers, voluntary organisations, and educational institutions should also be enlisted to inspire citizens to vote, underscoring the significance of electoral participation. To ensure their active involvement and collaboration, the Election Commission should craft comprehensive strategies involving all these stakeholders. Recently, the central government has embarked on a pivotal initiative aimed at electoral reform. The government has undertaken significant measures, including linking the voter identification card with the Aadhaar card and consolidating the voter lists for local body elections as well as legislative assembly and parliamentary elections. Integrating voter rolls with Aadhaar cards has streamlined the process of identifying and eliminating fraudulent voters. Across India, numerous individuals unwittingly find themselves listed as voters in multiple locales. This not only contravenes the constitutional principle of one person, one vote but also subverts the authenticity of electoral outcomes. When an individuals name recurs in multiple voter rolls, it dilutes the voter turnout percentage. By aligning the voter identification process with Aadhaar cards, the detection and removal of spurious voters can be effectively facilitated. To thwart the replication of voter names and voter lists, steps akin to those deployed to counteract electoral duplicity should be taken to hinder redundancy in the electoral procedure. One nation, one election emerges as a viable remedy for this duplication. Synchronising Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections can yield substantial savings in labour, time, and resources. Conducting elections once every five years, as opposed to frequent electoral cycles, can serve as a catalyst for heightened voter engagement. Prioritising endeavours geared towards amplifying voter participation is indispensable. Voting stands as the bedrock of democratic mechanisms, epitomising citizens resolute conviction and steadfast allegiance to the democratic ethos. Without this fervent sentiment, democracy remains vulnerable and fails to attain its pinnacle of maturity and advancement. Essentially, democracy strives to ensure the widest representation of its citizenry, a goal actualized through electoral triumphs. Lacklustre voter turnout casts doubt on this quintessential democratic ideal. The author is a Professor at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Beijing has not called Dalai Lama a separatist leader; instead, it has shown interest in discussing his personal future read more (File) Tibetan spiritual guru the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, arrives to impart Buddhist religious teachings to around 30,000 devotees at Palzor Stadium, in Gangtok on December 12, 2023. PTI On May 24, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public meeting in Mandi to support Bollywood actress and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut. In the course of his speech, he mentioned Tibet, something he rarely does. According to a press release from the PMO, Modi asserted: The Congress government was so timid that it was afraid to even mention the name of Dalai Lama Ji. I frequently engage in discussions with Dalai Lama Ji. He is a stalwart of our rich heritage. India is the land of Buddha, and the Modi government has been actively promoting this heritage. Advertisement The frequent discussions are not in the public domain; we only know that from time to time, a phone call is made from Delhi to Dharamsala on the Dalai Lamas birthday. This statement, however, raises the issue of Tibet, which seems to have been dormant for years. The political head of Tibets government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, recently visited the United States and Canada. Everywhere, the Sikyong conveyed the urgent situation in Tibet highlighting Chinas efforts to eradicate Tibets distinct culture and identity and assimilate the Tibetan people. During an encounter with the Tibetan Diaspora, Penpa Tsering noted that the priorities and policies of his government were to enhance the stability and efficiency of departments within the Central Tibetan Administration and implement the Dalai Lamas Middle Way policy. He admitted that he was in contact with Beijing; according to Firstpost, the Sikyong stated: We have had back-channel engagement since last year. But we have no immediate expectations from it. It has to be a long-term one. Penpa Tsering, however, insisted that the talks were very informal. PTI quoted him, saying, I have my interlocutor who deals with people in Beijing. Then there are other elements also trying to reach out to us. Beijing was quick to retort: [We] will talk only with the representatives of the Dalai Lama and not the officials of the Tibetan government-in-exile. The positive side was that Beijing did not call the Dalai Lama a separatist and instead said it was ready to discuss his personal future. Advertisement This has been Beijings position for the past four decades: the discussions can only be about the Dalai Lamas future. The Future This, however, raises the issue of the future of Tibet and the Tibetan people. In the early 1980s, the Dalai Lama envisaged a Middle Path approach, probably based on the One Country, Two Systems slogan coined by Deng Xiaoping at the end of the 1970s. The Tibetan leader elaborated his vision for the future in two documents, a Five-Point Peace Plan in 1987 in Washington, DC, and his Strasbourg Proposal in 1988. The first of the five points was transformation of the whole of Tibet into a zone of peace, a concept certainly appealing for India; another point was respect for the Tibetan peoples fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms. Advertisement The Zone of Peace would soon be dropped, and the riots in Lhasa in 1989 and the subsequent imposition of martial law demonstrated the limits of the second. In his Strasbourg Proposal, the Dalai Lama spoke of the whole of Tibet known as Cholka-Sum (U-Tsang, Kham and Amdo) should become a self-governing democratic political entity founded on law by agreement of the people for the common good and the protection of themselves and their environment, in association with the Peoples Republic of China. This was before the events of Tiananmen Square; before June 1989, there were probably chances that China could join the concert of democratic nations and be a normal state. Advertisement Ten rounds of negotiations took place between the Dalai Lamas representatives (the CTAs representatives have always been banned in Beijing) between 2002 and 2010. This led nowhere. China, a Great Power Things have changed since then; China has become the second most important economic player in the world, while the situation within the Middle Kingdom has grimly deteriorated since 2012, at least in terms of individual liberty. Today, after the recent events in Hong Kong and the military threats against the renegade island (Taiwan), One Country, Two Systems cannot be envisioned anymore. This makes the situation in Tibet (and in Xinjiang, the other Chinese colony) more precarious than ever. Advertisement Taiwan In February, a Chinese writer living in exile, Yuan Hongbing, revealed that China planned to use the Kuomintangs (KMTs) influence in Taiwans legislature to boost its United Front strategy. Yuan said that the information came from a princeling (son of a Chinese revolutionary leader) whom Xi Jinping does not dare to challenge. According to Chinascope, a US website carrying information on the Mainland, the CCP is not just using military intimidation to destabilise Taiwan; it is also using propaganda, the deployment of agents, and the expansion of the KMTs legislative power to override the Taiwanese administration. Last week, Chinese military spokesperson senior Colonel Wu Qian told a press conference that Chinas reunification is an irreversible trend in history and that the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) is ready to take resolute actions to counter any Taiwan independence. Soon after Lai Ching-te took charge as Taiwans president on May 20, the Chinese military warned Taiwan that independence would mean war and Beijing would thwart any foreign interference in support of separatist activities in the democratic-ruled island. The recent military drills that followed were more to scare the chicken than a rehearsal, as an influence takeover will certainly be less costly and risky for Beijing. Yuan added that the CCPs Taiwan policy has shifted from coercion and enticement to psychological warfare, aiming to demoralise Taiwanese. Deterioration in Hong Kong Around the same time, the BBC reported that a court in Hong Kong found 14 pro-democracy activists guilty of subversion in the largest use yet of a China-imposed National Security Law. They included former lawmakers Leung Kwok-hung and Helena Wong, journalist-turned-campaigner Gwyneth Ho, and ordinary Hong Kongers who joined the mass protests of 2019, such as nurse Winnie Yu. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee took Beijings side and declared that his government will do its utmost to prevent, suppress, and impose punishment for any activities endangering national security. Situation in Tibet In Tibet, the situation is also rapidly deteriorating. A report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) noted, Since 2016, the Chinese government has dramatically accelerated the relocation of rural villagers and herders in Tibet. The government says that these relocationsoften to areas hundreds of kilometres awayare voluntary. The Chinese rationale was to improve peoples livelihoods and protect the ecological environment. Using over 1,000 official Chinese media articles between 2016 and 2023, as well as government publications and academic field studies, HRW said that Chinas own media reports showed that participation in whole-village relocation programmes in Tibet is in fact compulsory. In one case, 200 households out of 262 in the village did not initially want to relocate to a new location, which was nearly 1,000 kilometres away. In another village scheduled for relocation, all the residents except for a Chinese Communist Party activist initially disagreed with the plan to move the village, said the report. HRW could not find a single case where a village scheduled for relocation was able to avoid being moved. What is left of the genuine autonomy the Dalai Lama was dreaming of in the 1980s? Probably not much today. Another Report The Washington-based International Campaign for Tibet reported in May that the Buddhist Association of China (BAC), a non-political organisation, is becoming a key instrument in the Chinese Communist Partys strategy to assimilate and transform Tibetan Buddhism, particularly in relation to the search for and recognition of reincarnate lamas. When it speaks of the sinification of Buddhism, Beijing is obviously thinking of the succession of the Dalai Lama. Since President Xi Jinpings announcement of his intent to sinify all the religions in China, the BAC has been mandated as the tool to implement campaigns that will contribute to its fruition, particularly in connection with Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1953, the BACs charter was amended in 2020 to include Sinification of Buddhism in China, one of its objectives in order to support the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system, study and implement Xi Jinpings Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and adhere to the direction of the Sinification of Buddhism in China. During the recent Two Sessions held in Beijing in March 2024, Wang Huning, the Partys chief ideologue, mentioned that the BAC carried out 10 research and inspections in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Tibet-related counties in Sichuan Province on promoting the sinification of Tibetan Buddhism. In the present circumstances, hopes for a better tomorrow are presently limited. One can only hope that when the Indian prime minister calls the Dalai Lama on July 6 to wish him on his 89th birthday, the Tibetan leader will be able to convince PM Modi that the fates of Tibet and India are intimately linked, in particular as far as the boundary between them is concerned. The writer is Distinguished Fellow, Centre of Excellence for Himalayan Studies, Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence (Delhi). Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The 54-year-old denies three felony counts stemming from his purchase of a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 when, by his own admission, he was heavily addicted to drugs. The Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist-turned-artist has been plagued by legal troubles and controversies that have been a drag on his fathers campaign, mostly connected to alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction read more Joe Bidens son Hunter goes on trial Monday on gun charges, the first prosecution in US history for the child of a sitting president just as the Democratic leader is seeking to accelerate his campaign for reelection. The 54-year-old denies three felony counts stemming from his purchase of a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 when, by his own admission, he was heavily addicted to drugs. The Yale-trained lawyer and lobbyist-turned-artist has been plagued by legal troubles and controversies that have been a drag on his fathers campaign, mostly connected to alcoholism and crack cocaine addiction. Advertisement In the latest chapter in his troubled life, Hunter Biden will be tried in the familys hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, on two counts of making false statements on paperwork for the gun purchase that he was not using drugs illegally. He faces a third charge that he illegally possessed the gun which he had for only 11 days in October 2018. The prosecution is a public relations test for the Democrats, coming just days after another historic event Republican White House nominee Donald Trump becoming the first former US president to be criminally convicted. - Smoking crack - Biden campaign aides face the challenge of ensuring that daily responses to journalists questions about the trial do not force Trumps own legal battles out of the headlines. If found guilty, Hunter Biden could in theory face 25 years in prison, though in practice such offenses, if not accompanied by other charges, are seldom punished by jail time. Jurors will hear about the defendants excessive drug use as prosecutors run through the series of events that led to him buying the firearm in Delaware before it was thrown into a grocery store trash can by his girlfriend. The younger Biden, who says he has been sober since 2019, chronicled his longtime struggles with drug addiction in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things writing in one eye-watering extract that he was smoking crack every 15 minutes. Advertisement The book is almost certain to be brought up at trial, with prosecutors expected to lean in on sections in which Biden describes being an addict for four years up to March 2019. The defense team has pushed for narrow definitions of the terms addict and user and requested instructions requiring an acquittal if the jury determines that the defendant did not consider himself to fit those definitions. - Rehabilitation - The terms user or addict are not defined on the form and were not explained to him, his lawyer Abbe Lowell wrote in court documents. Someone, like Mr. Biden who had just completed an 11-day rehabilitation program and lived with a sober companion after that, could surely believe he was not a present tense user or addict. Advertisement The case comes with Republicans pursuing an impeachment inquiry in Congress into what they claim is a Biden family criminal conspiracy, although they have provided no evidence that the president did anything wrong. Republican politicians have accused Hunter Biden of engaging in corrupt business practices in China and Ukraine but he has not been charged with any crimes related to his foreign business dealings. The president has repeatedly said he stands by his son and loves him for his attempts to recover from drug addiction, while the White House has not commented on the investigation itself. Prosecutors have said they expect to take three days to present their case, and the entire trial will likely last about two weeks. Advertisement Hunter Biden faces separate tax evasion charges in his home state of California, in a case set to go to trial later in the year. The Israeli far-right minister also expressed his gratitude for the support the United States provided to the conflict-stricken Jewish nation read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Yoav Galant, and War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz hold a joint press conference at the Ministry of Defense, in Tel Aviv As the Israel-Hamas war continues to escalate, the Jewish nations war cabinet member Benny Gantz said that the Israeli government is supporting the hostage deal formulated by the countrys coalition government. He mentioned that the deal was formed by the negotiating team and was unanimously approved by the war cabinet. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Gantz said that the deal is part of the wider effort to achieve all of the wars objectives". He mentioned that the War Cabinet must be convened as soon as possible together with the negotiating team to formulate the next steps. Advertisement The Israeli far-right minister also expressed his gratitude for the support the United States provided to the conflict-stricken Jewish nation. Gantz thanks the US for the support He went on to laud US President Joe Bidens leadership during the difficult time. The United States has proven over time consistently, exactly like it has since the wars beginning under the leadership of President Biden, its commitment to Israels security and the efforts to return the hostages. We are deeply grateful to the president and all our American friends for their support, said Gantz. On Friday, Biden mentioned that Israel has presented a three-phase hostage deal to the representatives of the Palestinian resistance group and Hamas. He emphasised that the deal will not only secure the release of the hostages but would also end hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip After giving the details of the deal, the American Commander-in-Chief appealed to Hamas to accept the deal. He also urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resist the pressure from the members of the governing coalition who are opposing the plan. Meanwhile, Netanyahus office reiterated that Israel will continue with its offensive in Gaza to achieve its greater goals. Hamas on the other hand, said that it would respond positively to any proposal that includes a permanent cease-fire, a full withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, reconstruction efforts, the return of the displaced, and the completion of a comprehensive hostage exchange deal. Ever since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas war which was triggered by the October 7 attack by the Palestinian terrorist group, over 36,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza. Advertisement Not only this, Israel has also been accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) which later ruled and ordered Tel Aviv to immediately halt its ground operation in Rafah. However, Israel has yet to abide by the judgement. This years Shangri-La Dialogue comes a week after China held military drills around self-ruled Taiwan and warned of war over the US-backed island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has described as a dangerous separatist read more Police officers guard near the entrance of the Shangri-La Hotel, the venue for the 21th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual defence and security forum, in Singapore. AP Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun warned Sunday his military is ready to forcefully stop Taiwan independence but called for greater exchanges with the United States. The remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore followed the first substantive face-to-face talks in 18 months between the two countries defence chiefs. We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet each other halfway, Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue where he met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday. Advertisement We believe that we need more exchanges precisely because there are differences between our two militaries. Dong and Austin met for over an hour at the luxury hotel hosting the forum, which is attended by defence officials from around the world and in recent years has been seen as a barometer of US-China relations. After the meeting, Austin said that telephone conversations between US and Chinese military commanders would resume in the coming months, while Beijing hailed the stabilising security relations between the countries. This years Shangri-La Dialogue comes a week after China held military drills around self-ruled Taiwan and warned of war over the US-backed island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has described as a dangerous separatist. The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defence of the unification of the motherland, and it will act resolutely and forcefully at all times to curb the independence of Taiwan and to ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts, Dong told the forum on Sunday. Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer his own destruction. On the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely and where it has been involved in confrontations with Philippine vessels, Dong warned of limits to Beijings restraint. China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this, Dong said. Advertisement Flashpoint disputes President Joe Bidens administration and China have been stepping up communication to ease friction between the nuclear-armed rivals, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting Beijing and Shanghai last month. A key focus has been the resumption of military-to-military dialogue, which is seen as critical to preventing flashpoint disputes from spinning out of control. China scrapped military communications with the United States in 2022 in response to then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan. Tensions between Washington and Beijing were further stoked by issues including an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over US airspace, a meeting between Taiwans then-president Tsai Ing-wen and Pelosis successor Kevin McCarthy and American military aid for Taipei. Advertisement China is also furious over the United States deepening defence ties in the Asia-Pacific, particularly with the Philippines, and its regular deployment of warships and fighter jets in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Beijing views this as part of a decades-long US effort to contain it. The two sides agreed after a summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Biden last November to restart high-level military talks, including over military operations near Taiwan, Japan and in the South China Sea. Former Revolutionary Guards commander Vahid Haghanian, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told reporters after registering that his qualifications were based on experience from serving 45 years in the presidency and the leaders office. The U.S. Treasury designated Haghanian in 2019 among nine individuals in Khameneis inner circle responsible for advancing domestic and foreign oppression read more U.S.-sanctioned former Revolutionary Guards commander Vahid Haghanian showing his id to media during a press briefing ahead of his announcement of presidential candidacy. AP U.S.-sanctioned former Revolutionary Guards commander Vahid Haghanian was among candidates who registered on Saturday to run for election as Irans president after Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash, state media reported. Haghanian, a close aide to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, told reporters after registering that his qualifications were based on experience from serving 45 years in the presidency and the leaders office'. The U.S. Treasury designated Haghanian in 2019 among nine individuals in Khameneis inner circle responsible for advancing domestic and foreign oppression. Advertisement Iran says most U.S. sanctions are prompted by baseless accusations. Former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, a prominent conservative, was among candidates who registered on Friday, as was Abdolnaser Hemmati, a former central bank governor. An election official told reporters on Saturday that 17 hopefuls had signed up since registration for the June 28 election opened on Thursday. The Guardian Council, a cleric-led body that vets candidates, will publish the list of qualified candidates on June 11. In the latest challenge to a ban on women running for president, conservative former lawmaker Zohreh Elahian registered on Saturday, telling reporters her motto would be A healthy government, a healthy economy and a healthy society. The Guardian Council has ruled in earlier elections that Irans Islamic laws prevent a woman becoming president. The death of Raisi once seen as a possible successor to 85-year-old Khamenei, with whom power ultimately rests has triggered a race among hardliners to influence the selection of Khameneis successor. Moderate politicians have accused the 12-member Guardian Council of disqualifying candidates other than hardliners, who are expected to dominate the race. However, a lack of choice on the ballot, combined with rising discontent over an array of political, social and economic crises, could reduce turnout and thus the legitimacy of Irans theocratic system of government. Within Irans complex mix of clerical rulers and elected officials, Khamenei has the final say on all state matters such as nuclear and foreign policies. But the elected president will be in charge of tackling worsening economic hardship. Advertisement Saeed Jalili, a former chief nuclear negotiator who two decades ago ran Khameneis office for four years, was the first heavyweight hardliner to register for the election on Thursday. Interim President Mohammad Mokhber has also been mentioned in Iranian media as a possible candidate. Several lower-key moderates are also likely to enter the race. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, another former Revolutionary Guards commander who had been touted as a potential candidate, was re-elected on Tuesday as speaker of parliament, making it less likely that he might stand. The hottest weather so far this year is expected across inland California this week, prompting the National Weather Service to issue an excessive heat warning in the Central Valley. A heat advisory is in effect for the interior portions of the Bay Area. Baron/Lynx UPDATE: When new round of California heat warnings and advisories goes into effect Widespread triple-digit temperatures are expected throughout California this week from a three-day heat wave, the first of 2024. Ahead of the heat, the National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for the Central Valley and Solano County from Tuesday through Thursday, and a heat advisory for the inland portions of the Bay Area. The heat advisory will go into effect at 8 a.m. Tuesday in Napa County, inland Sonama County, eastern Marin County and the East Bay interior valleys and hills. At 8 a.m. Wednesday, the advisory will extend to the Santa Clara Valley. The heat advisories will continue through Thursday and expire at the end of Thursday. High temperatures are expected to be in the 90s to near 100, with lows in the 60s to low 70s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In the Central Valley, several days of triple-digit temperatures are forecast. An excessive heat warning will be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday through 8 p.m. Thursday for the entire valley, including Solano County. Highs of 95 to 108 degrees are forecast from Tuesday through Thursday, with lows in the 60s to mid-70s. Wednesday is expected to be the hottest day. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We could see locally high fire weather conditions Tuesday, primarily in the Sacramento Valley, said Idamis Shoemaker, a meteorologist at the weather service in Sacramento. Shoemaker said dry, gusty winds are expected, in addition to the heat. Increasing fire weather danger will impact the ongoing Corral Fire near Tracy, an unusually large early-season blaze. Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 90s to low 100s near the fire, with relative humidity as low as 20% Tuesday and Wednesday. Northwest winds up to 30 mph are possible in Tracy on Tuesday. The weather service forecasts a major risk of heat-related impacts in much of the Central Valley on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Major heat risk affects anyone without effective cooling or adequate hydration. The weather service reminds people entering waterways to wear a life jacket, as rivers are running fast and cold due to snowmelt. Cold water is dangerous for even the most experienced swimmers. A high-pressure system over the eastern Pacific Ocean is expected to quickly strengthen over California on Tuesday, and temperatures likely will be as much as 20 degrees higher than Monday. While inland areas are expected to warm up significantly, San Francisco and the Pacific beaches will probably remain in the 60s and 70s under the influence of the marine layer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Were still refining our forecast for the coastal regions, said Dial Hoang, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Monterey. It will be warmer than normal, but how much warmer is still a little bit of a question. Temperatures are expected to moderate in the Bay Area on Friday and the Central Valley on Saturday, temporarily ending the hottest weather. But long-range forecasts from the Climate Prediction Center favor above-normal temperatures to continue across California through mid-June. Well start to cool down Friday and a little bit into the weekend, Hoang said. However, were not expecting a full cooldown, just to the mid-80s to lower 90s inland. The agreement also covers the first review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, the IMFs long-term financing tool to address risks and challenges linked to climate change, allowing the disbursement of another $45.3 million read more The International Monetary Fund said Saturday it had reached a preliminary agreement with Niger on periodic reviews of several aid programs underway in the Sahel country, opening the door to more than $70 million in funding. The agreement will require approval by the Funds board of directors, which is set to meet in July, the IMF said in a statement. This was the fourth and fifth review of the aid program to Niger, allowing for the disbursement of $26.1 million to cover external financing needs. Advertisement The agreement also covers the first review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, the IMFs long-term financing tool to address risks and challenges linked to climate change, allowing the disbursement of another $45.3 million. The IMF noted Nigers ongoing efforts to simplify the tax system, promote the digitalization of revenue administration, and adopt an oil revenue management strategy aiming at insulating the budget from fluctuations in international oil prices. The Fund is one of the few institutions continuing to provide aid to Niger, whose elected president Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in 2023 in a military coup. The United States, EU, France and Germany have suspended a number of aid programs to Niger, one of the worlds poorest countries. The World Bank announced in mid-May the resumption of several projects in the country. Sanctions and difficulties in the agricultural sector led to a slowdown in growth in 2023, to 2.4 percent, a particularly low level for a country with an average annual population growth of 3.7 percent. But the Nigerien economy was expected to grow 10.6 percent this year, thanks to the lifting of sanctions and strength in the oil sector. In their letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the US Congressional leaders said the invitation was intended to serve as a moment to highlight Americas solidarity with Israel read more Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the invitation to address a joint session of the US Congress. The top four leaders of the US Congress sent the formal invitation to Netanyahu on Friday after weeks of deliberations and debates over the Israeli war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip that has been slammed widely for the high toll on the Palestinians. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Netanyahu said he was thrilled to accept the invitation to make Israels case. Advertisement I am thrilled by the privilege to represent Israel before both houses of Congress and to present the truth about our just war against those seeking our lives to the representatives of the American people and the entire world, said Netanyahu on X in a post in Hebrew. . pic.twitter.com/biMO3bcOXo Benjamin Netanyahu - (@netanyahu) June 1, 2024 The bipartisan invitation to Netanyahu, which he shared on Twitter, has been signed by the top Democrat and Republican leaders of the US Congress: Representative of House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (Democrat), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (Democrat), and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Republican). Whenever Netanyahu would address the US Congress, he would become the only world leader to address the houses for the fourth time, according to The Times of Israel. To highlight Americas solidarity with Israel In their letter to Netanyahu, the US Congressional leaders said the invitation to address both the chambers was intended to serve as a moment to highlight Americas solidarity with Israel. They said that they were extending the invitation to Netanyahu at a time when they were facing an existential threat. Advertisement The existential challenges we face, including the growing partnership between Iran, Russia, and China, threaten the security, peace, and prosperity of our countries and of free people around the world. To build on our enduring relationship and to highlight Americas solidarity with Israel, we invite you to share the Israeli governments vision for defending democracy, combatting terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region, read the invitation. The US Congressional leaders further acknowledged that that the October 7 attack of Hamas shocked the world and forced Israel into a fight for its very existence. We join the State of Israel in your struggle against terror, especially as Hamas continues to hold American and Israeli citizens captive and its leaders jeopardize regional stability. For this reason, on behalf of the bipartisan leadership of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, we would like to invite you to address a Joint Meeting of Congress, read the invitation. Advertisement Reactions among Democrats over invitation to Netanyahu There are deep political divisions within the United States over the Israeli war with Hamas in Gaza. Months of fighting have devastated large swathes of the Palestinian enclave and have killed several thousands of Palestinian civilians, as per Netanyahus own admission. Schumer, the Democratic Majority Leader of the Senate, earlier this year called upon Netanyahu to step down and call fresh elections. While Netanyahu addressed the House Republicans in a closed-door session earlier this year, Schumer denied a similar address to Senate Democrats. The divisions over the invitations were visible in the reaction of Democrats and the Left of the US Congress. Socialist Senator Bernie Sanders said that he would boycott the speech and the progressives said they would also register their protest. The AAG argued that the PoK is a foreign territory with its own constitution and its own court. He reasoned that the judgements of Pakistani courts in PoK appear as judgements of foreign courts read more In a rare move that stirred headlines in Pakistan, the countrys government admitted that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a foreign territory. The proclamation from the Pakistani government was made before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) while the latter was hearing the kidnapping case of Kashmiri poet and journalist Ahmed Farhad Shah. On Friday, Pakistans Additional Attorney General argued Shah was in police custody in PoK and hence, could not be produced before the Islamabad High Court, Aaj News reported. The comments came after the Additional Attorney General was asked by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of IHC why Shah could not be presented to the court. Advertisement The AAG argued that the PoK is a foreign territory with its own constitution and its own court. He reasoned that the judgements of Pakistani courts in PoK appear as judgements of foreign courts. After hearing the argument, Justice Kayani asked AAG that if PoK was a foreign territory, then how did the Pakistani military and Pakistani Rangers enter the land. The court went on to slam the Pakistani intelligence agencies for indulging in forceful abduction of people. Shah is known for his defiant prose and was allegedly abducted from his house on May 14. A day after his alleged abduction, the Kashmiri poets wife Urooj Zainab filed a petition and sought her husbands recovery. She moved court requesting it to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for his disappearance. What Pakistans Constitution says on the matter? Article one, clause two of the constitution of Pakistan states that the territory of Pakistan shall consist of the provinces of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh, and the federal capital. While it mentions that any state or region included in the territory through accession or any other means, shall also be part of Pakistan, it makes no explicit mention of PoK or what they call it the Azaad Kashmir. Pakistan mentions Kashmir only in Article 257 of its constitution. In the aforementioned part, the constitution notes that PoK will only be part of Pakistan when its people decide to join the country. Advertisement Provision relating to the State of Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). When the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship between Pakistan and the State shall be determined in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State, the article reads. However, theres still no formal answer to the question of whether the people of PoK wants to join the country or not. Hence, PoK, technically remains a foreign land for Pakistan. Moreover, the so-called AJK Government Bill 1974, gives the region its right to have its own President and Prime Minister. It also has its own judicial system and separate police force. Hence, the region is out of reach from the Pakistani courts jurisdiction. Advertisement Whats Indias stance on the matter? It is pertinent to note that New Delhi still considers PoK as an integral part of India. External Affairs Minster Dr S. Jaishankar reiterated the stance last month. It (POK) has always been with India and it will always be India. Till Article 370 was invoked, there wasnt much discussion about POK, the EAM said while speaking at an event in Kolkata. He was reacting to the recent unrest that has jolted the region. Today, there are certain ferments happening in POK. The analysis of it is very complex but definitely I have no doubt in my own mind that someone living in POK is comparing their situation with someone living in Jammu and Kashmir and seeing how people there are progressing nowadays, the Indian diplomat averred. Advertisement They know the sense of being under occupation or being discriminated or treated badly, he added. Before this, EAM has maintained that every Indian political party has been committed to ensuring that PoK returns to India. In South Africas 400-member National Assembly (NA), the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has won just 159 seats read more The African National Congress (ANC) has lost the majority for the first time in South Africa since 1994 (Photo: Reuters) South Africas ruling African National Congress (ANC) has said that it is exploring options about the formation of a new coalition government. In the South Africas parliamentary elections held earlier this week, the ANC lost the majority for the first time since the apartheid ended in the country in 1994. Even as signs of unrest have emerged as MK party leader Jacob Zuma has rejected the results, President Cyril Ramaphosa of ANC has urged the country to stay united and has asked everyone to accept the results. Advertisement ANC loses majority for 1st time For the first time in 30 years, the ANCs share of seats has fallen under 50 per cent. In the 400-member National Assembly (NA), the ANC won just 159 seats, as per AFP news agency. The ANC was followed by the centre-right opposition party Democratic Alliance (DA) with 87, MK with 58, and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of with 39, according to the news agency. While the ANC garnered 57 per cent vote share in 2019, it received just under 40 per cent this time, as per the agency, Is ANC seeking a coalition government? There are signs that the ANC may be seeking to build a coalition government. ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula told AFP that the party was having exploratory discussions at the moment regarding a coalition. We talk to everybody, said Mbalula. Mbalula said the ANC hoped to achieve a deal as fast as we can. The NA is scheduled to meet within two weeks and the first task the parliament will have is to elect a new president. With no outright winner and the ANC losing the majority but emerging as the single-largest party, it will have to seek outside support to form a coalition government if it has to retain power. On his part, DA leader John Steenhuisen has said he is willing to work with the ANC. He said he is willing to work even if it means he would be part of a Doomsday Coalition between ANC, MK, and the EFF, as per AFP. Advertisement Steenhuisen was said to have described MK and EFF manifesto promises to nationalise privately owned land and undermine judicial independence as an all-out assault on the constitution of our country, as per the agency. We urge all others who love our constitution and all it represents to set aside petty politics and narrow sectarian interests and join hands now, Steenhuisen was quoted as saying. Trump made his first post on Saturday which was a 13-second video, that appeared to be filmed at the UFC event in New Jersey read more Former US President Donald Trump made a surprising comeback on TikTok after he and his party called for its ban due to the social media platforms association with China. Trump made his first post on Saturday which was a 13-second video, that appeared to be filmed at the UFC event, he attended in New Jersey. In the first shot the former president was seen joined by UFC President Dana White, who went on to announce that the president is now on TikTok, NBC News reported. Advertisement Its my honor, Trump said in response which was eventually cut to a montage of the business-mogul-turned-politician greeting his fans at the arena. That was a good walk-on, right? Trump said in the closing moment of the clip. Trumps campaign has yet to respond to the matter. Trumps position on TikTok Trumps comeback on the social media video-sharing platform, was contradictory to the stance he maintained in the past. Just a few years ago, he issued an executive order to ban TikTok in the United States. However, the court halted the order. The United States must take aggressive action against the owners of TikTok to protect our national security, said the executive order which was signed by the former president back in 2020. However, in March this year, Trump changed his tunes and opposed the ban on TikTok. He insisted that banning TikTok would improve business for competing social media apps hes previously criticized, such as Facebook. However, he still maintained that he views the app as a national security threat. Meanwhile, Republicans have been rallying around for months to ensure that the Chinese parent company ByteDance divest from the app so that it can stay operational in the United States. Regarding this President Joe Biden signed a bill into law in April this year, that would ban TikTok, though not immediately. The legislation started the nine-month clock for ByteDance to sell the app or face a TikTok ban in the U.S. Advertisement Interestingly, Bidens own campaign has a TikTok account and regularly posts content on the platform. Zelensky made the remarks at a security forum in Singapore as he sought to rally support for the conference and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine, which has been ceding ground to Russian troops. China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit, read more Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on June 2, 2024. AFP Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China on Sunday of working hard to stop countries from going to a peace summit, which Beijing has publicly criticised because Russia is not invited. Zelensky made the remarks at a security forum in Singapore as he sought to rally support for the conference and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine, which has been ceding ground to Russian troops. China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit, Zelensky told reporters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, which draws defence officials from around the world. Advertisement Beijing believes the conference should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference on Friday. Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace, she said. Zelensky also expressed disappointment that some world leaders had not signed up to the conference, with China signalling Xi Jinping will not attend while US President Joe Biden is yet to commit. China said it would be difficult for it to attend if Russia did not participate, which Ukraine has rejected. Through the peace summit, Kyiv hopes to win broad international backing for its vision of the terms needed to end Russias war. Zelensky said on Sunday that more than 100 countries and organisations had signed up to the conference, and he urged Asia-Pacific nations to join. The peace summit threatens to be overshadowed if key Ukraine backer Biden who is locked in an election campaign against Donald Trump and has given no sign he would participate ultimately stays away. Zelensky said China was a tool in Putins hands and accused Russia of using Chinese influence and diplomats to do everything to disrupt the peace summit. Advertisement While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticised for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive. - Unwavering US support - Zelensky also met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday on the sidelines of the Singapore security forum. Zelensky told reporters they had a very good meeting. In a post on X, Zelensky said the pair discussed the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraines air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement. In a readout of the talks, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said Austin reiterated unwavering US support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Advertisement Austin also reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining the strong support of a coalition of over fifty countries to help Ukraine defend its freedom, Ryder said. The meeting came after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on using US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia, which Zelensky has hailed as a step forward. Zelensky and Austin last met face-to-face in December in Washington, where Zelensky made a last-ditch plea for US aid before it ran out. The US Congress approved in April a $61-billion aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling, unlocking much-needed arms for the countrys outgunned troops. Chinese defence spokesman Wu Qian told AFP he was not aware of any plans for Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun to meet with Zelensky in Singapore. Advertisement Ukraine is struggling to hold back a Russian ground offensive in the Kharkiv region, where Moscow recently made its largest territorial gains in 18 months. Zelensky has been touring European nations in recent days seeking more military aid for Ukrainian troops, and warning partners of the risks if they show any signs of fatigue over the war. It is very important for Ukrainians that the world does not get tired that the world understands that it cannot get tired of the war launched by the aggressor, Zelensky said in Portugal on Tuesday. Donald Trump is the first President of the United States, sitting or former, to be a convicted felon read more Donald Trump has been convicted of falsifying business records to buy the silence of porn star Daniels about a 2006 sexual encounter between them that could have damaged his 2016 presidential bid. Amid concerns of political violence over his guilty verdict, former US President Donald Trump has said a prison term could be a breaking point for his supporters. Trump was on Thursday convicted in the hush money case on all 34 counts. He is the President of the United States, sitting or former, to be a convicted felon. While experts have said that Trump may escape a prison term, he potentially faces four years in jail for each of the counts he has been convicted for. On his part, Trump has denounced the verdict and has slammed the judge as corrupt and has phrased the trial as part of a grand conspiracy against him. Advertisement Following the verdict, the fiery rhetoric by Trumps allies and supporters have sparked concerns that there could be political violence in the run up to US presidential election in November. Trump warns of public anger over prison term Trump has said that he cannot say how the public would react if he is imprisoned. In an interview with Fox News, Trump said, Im ok with it, not sure the public would stand for it. Trump further said, I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know at a certain point theres a breaking point. Trump went on to term the trial against him as a scam and that his opponents had weaponised the justice system to keep him away from the White House. Fears of political violence over Trumps guilty verdict Supporters of Trump have posted calls for riots, revolution, and violent retribution on websites supportive of him since the verdict, according to Reuters. Such statements have been posted on Truth Social platform, Patriots.Win, and the Gateway Pundit, according to a report. The report said that some Trump supporters called for jurors, the execution of the judge, and even an outright civil war or armed insurrection. On their parts, lawmakers from both the parties have also raised the fears of political violence, according to Axios. Representative Steve Cohen of the Democratic Party told Axios that Trumps comments against the verdict could incite violence and he urged his supporters to not allow his disgraceful comments to move them to disgraceful conduct. Advertisement In a rare statement from a Republican, Larry Hogan, the Republican Senate candidate for Maryland, urged all Americans to respect the verdict. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders regardless of party must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship, said Hogan. Last month, the Biden administration gave permission for Ukraine to use American missiles like Himars to fire across the border north of Kharkiv, where Russian forces are massing read more As the Russia-Ukraine war continues to escalate, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticised Joe Biden for not doing enough when it comes to allowing US weapons to be fired into the Russian territory. While speaking at the 21st edition of the Shangri-La Dialogue summit, the Ukrainian president thanked his American counterpart for giving Kyiv permission to use American weapons to strike inside the Russian territory. However, he said that the restrictions including the use of long-range Atacms should also be dropped, The Telegraph reported. Advertisement Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions," Zelenskyy said on Bidens decision in regards to the use of American weapons. Ukraine wants more Last month, the Biden administration gave permission for Ukraine to use American missiles like Himars to fire across the border north of Kharkiv, where Russian forces are massing. However, he blocked the conflict-stricken country from using the more advanced Atacms systems. During his address at the summit, the Ukrainian leader noted that Russia continued to use artillery, long-range fire, and some 300 weapons systems carrying tens of thousands of missiles on its side of the border and has managed to target a huge Ukrainian population. So they have these weapons there and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us, he said. Zelenskyy slams China The Ukrainian president went on to accuse China of working hard to stop countries from going to the upcoming peace summit. The comments from Zelenskyy came after China slammed the summit for not inviting Russia for peace negotiations. China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit, Zelensky told reporters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. Last month, Beijing maintained that the conference should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference on Friday. Advertisement Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace, she furthered. While China stated that it would be difficult for it to attend if Russia did not participate, a proposal that Ukraine has rejected, Biden is yet to commit to the summit as well. With inputs from agencies. June 1, 2024: Out of 4,500 22-ton F-16 jet fighters built during the last fifty years, about 2,100 are still in service in 25 countries. About a third of these F-16s are in the U.S. Air Force. All these F-16s are not being replaced by the new F-35, which is a 31-ton single engine, single-seat aircraft that entered service in different versions between 2015 and 2019. The two aircraft are similar in size but the F-35 is much heavier and can carry eight tons of weapons compared to seven tons on the F-16. The F-35 also carries three times as much fuel but the lighter F-16 can travel 4,200 kilometers on internal fuel while the heavier F-35 can only go 2,700 kilometers. Both are single engine, single seat aircraft but the F-35 engine generates 48 percent more power than the one on the F-16. Despite this, the F-16 can carry seven tons of weapons compared to eight tons on the F-35. The F-16 can obtain most of the fire control system advantages of the F-35 by carrying a 241 kg targeting pod and a 207 kg navigation pod. That means nearly half a ton less for weapons on the F-16. Many F-16 users find that the targeting and navigation pods do what is needed as well as the built-in targeting capabilities of the F-16. This is why many current users of F-16s are keeping their aircraft. Price is a major factor. The average cost of an F-16 is about $33 million while an F-35 costs $83 million. Another major difference is operational costs per flight hour. It is $19,000-$25,000 for the F-16 but $44,000 or more for the F-35. The first F-35s were built in 2006 for development purposes. The aircraft has stealth characteristics and is equipped with all the most modern avionics (aircraft electronics), sensors and capabilities. The F-35 has a max range of 2,800 kilometers for repositioning missions to a different country. For destinations more than 2,500 kilometers distant, the F-35 must land for refueling along the way. Combat range for ground attack missions is 1,200 kilometers while carrying eight tons of missiles and bombs. Combat range for combat with other aircraft is 1,400 kilometers. The F-35 can carry 2,600 kg of weapons internally and 6,800 kg externally. Max speed is Mach 1.6 and max altitude is 15,000 meters. The F-35B is a STOVAL (short takeoff and landing) version that carries a third less fuel because of the STOVAL modifications. There is an F-35C aircraft carrier version that is like the F-35A but equipped with a tail hook and more rugged landing gear. The wings have larger control surfaces, and the outer portions of the wing can be folded so the aircraft takes up less space on the hanger deck. Missiles and bombs that the F-35 is equipped to carry include all current American air-to-air missiles as well as all air-to-surface missiles. Pilots benefit from several features that make their job easier and much more effective. The cockpit where the pilot sits features a bubble canopy providing excellent views of what is outside the aircraft. Cockpit controls have been reduced and made easier to see and use. This is done by using a 50 by 20 cm touch display that shows flight instruments, stores management, CNI (Communications, Navigation, and Identification) information, and integrated caution and warnings. Pilots can customize the arrangement of the information. Below the main display is a smaller stand-by display. Pilots also have a helmet-mounted visor, a display that enables the pilot to look at an enemy aircraft and fire a missile at it. This point and shoot capability is an enormous advantage in air-to-air combat. The F-35 electronics also provide a better view of ground targets and the ability to quickly select the most suitable ground attack weapon carried and use it. The cockpit has a speech-recognition system but does not have a heads-up display. Instead, flight and combat information is displayed on the visor of the pilots helmet using a helmet-mounted display system. The one-piece tinted canopy is hinged at the front and has an internal frame for structural strength. The Martin-Baker ejection seat is launched by a twin-catapult system housed on side rails. There is a right-hand side hands-on throttle-and-stick system. For life support, an OBOGS, or onboard oxygen-generation system is fitted and powered by the Integrated Power Package, with an auxiliary oxygen bottle and backup oxygen system for emergencies. The radars and electronic countermeasures provide the pilot with an integrated view of the surrounding air space. This degree of situational awareness gives the pilot an enormous advantage in combat because the F-35 pilot can see, either with his eyes or via his sensors, more about what is in the area and in much greater detail than any enemy pilot. About 1,200 F-35s have been built so far and eventually, by 2044, at least 2,456 will be built. Production numbers will increase as more export customers order aircraft. So far F-35s have been exported to Britain, Australia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Norway, and the Netherlands. In 2023 Israel ordered another 25 F-35s. Israel already has fifty, organized into two squadrons. With the new aircraft there will be three squadrons. Israel was the first export customer to receive F-35s because it was the only export customer that was regularly involved in combat, including airstrikes. Israel was also the only export customer allowed to modify and upgrade their F-35s. For this reason, the Israeli aircraft is known as the F-35I. The United States initially opposed Israeli requests to carry out modifications and upgrades, but the Israelis had a record of doing this with F-16s and F-15s obtained from the United States, so F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin agreed to cooperate by making some modifications to the F-35Is before Israel received them. These included changes in command, control, and communications systems, including computers, and the thorough integration of intelligence collection, electronic warfare, and weapons systems. Israel agreed to not change anything inside the aircraft but was free to add capabilities on top of the existing infrastructure. Israel Aerospace Industries, for example, was already working on such systems for the F-35I. The F-35I was designed to allow software updates to electronic warfare and weapons systems. F-35I power and cooling systems were modified to allow incorporation of Israeli developed weapons. Israel has developed its own air-to-air missiles and GPS guided bombs. Since 2021 there have been a lot more joint exercises involving Israeli and foreign F-35s. Details of these exercises have not been publicized but it apparently involves testing current and new F-35 capabilities and sharing that knowledge with other F-35 users. After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 a lot of European nations sought to obtain F-35s while canceling plans to buy older models of American and European combat aircraft. F-35s are meant to eventually replace all F-16, F-15s (currently 450), and F-18 (600) aircraft. Russia and China have not yet produced a stealth aircraft as capable as the F-35, and now NATO nations with F-35s realize they have a substantial edge and have shared that knowledge with other NATO countries. Israel demonstrated what the F-35 was capable of in when their F-35I fighters and some had been operational for over a year. These F-35Is flew training missions near the Syrian border and then operational missions over Lebanon and Syria. This came after years of overcoming opposition from the United States to allowing Israel to modify the F-35A to use Israeli electronic warfare equipment and software, and also to handle Israeli-made missiles and smart bombs as well as a smart helmet, which was something Israel pioneered. This led to the Israeli aircraft being designated the F-35I, which have been in the air since 2018, often armed and within range of hostile radars and anti-aircraft missiles as well as the latest Russian electronic warfare equipment. Israeli engineers also confirmed fears that the F-35 is eminently hackable. Other foreign users who have received their first F-35s agree that the heart of the F-35s superior capabilities are its software and digital communications with other aircraft and troops on the ground. Users are pointing out all manner of potential network vulnerabilities, and all are actively seeking which of these vulnerabilities are actual and fixable rather than potential and unlikely. F-35 software was designed over a decade ago when much less was known about how combat aircraft software could be hacked, and already some basic changes in F-35 software architecture are underway to deal with that. The F-35 software is more complex and omnipresent throughout the aircraft than in any previous warplane. Its a major effort to carry out and test any changes. Some major upgrades are needed in how F-35 software changes are made and how quickly. In wartime this would be essential, as otherwise vulnerable aircraft would be grounded when needed most. Foreign users have also provided useful advice on penetration or red team testing and this has become another major effort that was not anticipated. The U.S. and other foreign users of the F-35 noted Israels F-35I experience, and the Israelis have increasingly been sharing it with allies. Israel got priority on deliveries because they are literally a combat zone. Initial reactions of Israeli F-35I pilots and air force commanders were positive. What the Israeli pilots and all others who have flown the F-35 agree on is that its software and degree of automation is spectacular, easy to use and very effective. The F-35 has a large number of sensors, as in receivers for electronic signals, as well as six cameras and a very capable radar. The fusion of all that data and presentation to the pilot based on the current situation is impressive and makes the F-35 much easier to fly than any other fighter, despite all the additional capabilities it has. Israel has become something of an unofficial member of NATO and is sharing a lot of its F-35I knowledge with NATO nations. Israel not only has to deal with Russian aircraft and electronic systems in Syria, but an even more dangerous threat from Iran. Israel has established diplomatic and defense relationships with Arab countries who are also threatened by Iran. That made it possible for Israel to establish diplomatic relations with some Arab Gulf States and that led to American willingness to sell F-35s to the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The U.S. Air Force had to refurbish several hundred of its 22-ton F-16 fighters, because their replacement, the 31-ton F-35, did not arrive on time. Most existing F-16s are old, and by 2016, many were too old to operate. Back then the average age of F-16s was over 20 years, and the average aircraft has over 5,000 flight hours on it. In 2009 the first Block 40 F-16 passed 7,000 hours. In 2008 the first of the earliest models, Block 25 F-16s, passed 7,000 hours. While older F-16s are being retired for their age, they tend to have at least twice as many flight hours as their Russian counterparts. Because of greater durability and ease of maintenance, the seemingly more expensive Western fighters are actually cheaper in the lifetime of an aircraft because they last longer and are easier to maintain than equivalent Russian designs. The F-16V was introduced in 2012 as the last model of the F-16 but production of the F-16 did not end as planned in 2016 because further sales of the F-16V were certain and it was possible to upgrade some or all of the older F-16s to the Block 7o standard. These Block 7o upgrades are not always possible, or practical, for the oldest models of the F-16. These upgrades include replacing many structural elements as well as installing more powerful engines and the most modern electronics and fire control systems available. F-16s continue to be upgraded and refurbished. Production of the new F-16V continues because of buyer demand. The changes in the V model are considerable. The airframe is upgraded and strengthened to enable 12,000 flight hours per aircraft. The electronics undergo an even more extensive upgrade which involves replacing the mechanical radar with an AESA phased array radar, an upgraded cockpit, a Sniper targeting pod, a Link 16 digital data link and upgraded navigation gear. The newly redesigned cockpit is all digital and flat screen touch displays that replace dozens of gauges and switches and make it much easier to fly. AESA and the new fire control system make it possible to track multiple aircraft at once as well as track vehicles on land or vessels at sea. The targeting pod enables the pilot to confirm visually what is on the surface and promptly attack it with smart bombs or missiles. Manufacturer LockMart (Lockheed Martin) initially expected to get orders for at least 700 newly built F-16V or less expensive upgrades. An upgrade brings in as little as $10 million per aircraft while five or ten of these upgrades equals the price of one new F-16V. But when you have orders for hundreds of F-16V upgrades you have a lot of F-16 work. The F-16 thus follows the path of previous best selling fighters. During the 1947-1991 Cold War Russia built over 10,000 MiG-21s and the U.S over 5,000 F-4s. After 1991 warplane manufacturing plummeted about 90 percent. However, the F-16 has been popular enough to keep the production lines going strong into the 2020s. The U.S. still has about 1,200 F-16s in service, with about half with reserve units. F-16s built so far went to 27 countries before Ukraine requested them. America has hundreds in storage, available for sale on the used airplane market. The end of the Cold War led to a sharp cut in U.S. Air Force fighter squadrons. Moreover, the new F-35 is on its way to replacing all U.S. F-16s by the late 2020s. The U.S. has plenty of little-used F-16s sitting around, while many allies need low cost jet fighters. Many current F-16 users planned to replace the F-16 with the F-35 but that aircraft costs more than twice as much as a new F-16V so air forces are seeking to operate a mixed force of F-35s and late model F-16s. A current example of this is Poland, which is sending its older MiG-29s to Ukraine. These have a few good years left, which is all Ukraine needs. Since the 1990s most F-16s produced were for export and some cost as much as $70 million each, like the F-16I for Israel. Some nations, like South Korea, built over a hundred F-16s under license. The 16 ton F-16 also has an admirable combat record and is very popular with pilots. It has been successful at ground support as well. When equipped with 4-6 smart bombs, it is an effective bomber. Since first entering service some 4,600 F-16s have flown over 12 million hours. Despite fears that a single engine fighter would be less safe, F-16s have, in the 21st century, suffered an accident rate, which is loss or major damage, of 2.4 per 100,000 flight hours. The F-16 is one of the most modified jet fighters in service. While most are still called the F-16C, there are actually seven major mods, identified by block number like 32, 40, 42, 50, 52, 60, 70 and 72, plus the Israeli F-16I, which is a major modification of the Block 52. The F-16D is a two seat trainer version of F-16Cs. The various block mods included a large variety of new components and can choose from five different engines, four sets of avionics, five generations of electronic warfare gear, five radars and many other mechanical, software, cockpit, and electrical mods. Until Block 70 came along the most advanced F-16 was the F-16 Block 60. The best example of this is a special version of the Block 60 developed for the UAE (United Arab Emirates). The UAE bought 80 Desert Falcons, the F-16Es which are optimized for air combat. It is a 22 ton aircraft based on the Block 52 model, which the KF-16 was originally, but with an AESA radar and lots of other additional useful accessories. Block 70 goes beyond Block 60, especially in terms of electronics and airframe enhancement to extend flight life. The most successful F-16 user is Israel which set a number of combat records with its F-16s. Israel plans to keep some of its late model F-16s flying until 2030 as it retires the oldest ones. At the end of 2016, Israel retired the last of its 125 F-16A fighters. The first 70 were acquired in 1980 and 1981 and included 8 two-seater F-16B trainers. One of the F-16As achieved a record by being the single F-16 with the most air-to-air kills, 6.5, all achieved in 1982 using three different pilots. Israel received 50 used F-16As in 1994 including 14 B models and used these mainly as trainers. June 1, 2024: In the United States, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has developed a UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vessel) called Manta Ray. The Manta Ray is a species of fish related to sharks that weigh over a ton and can live up to fifty years in the wild. Manta Rays are considered one of the most intelligent species of fish. The DARPA Manta Ray is also smart and programmed to operate autonomously. These Manta Rays weigh up to 30 tons when carrying their maximum load of ten tons of cargo. Manta Ray is 18 meters long, six meters wide and three meters high. Power is supplied by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries which on a full charge enable the Manta Ray to travel 3,000 kilometers, at a speed of 18 kilometers an hour, while submerged. Thats nearly six weeks at sea. Manta Ray uses sonar, radar, a video camera, and other sensors for navigation. Manta Ray periodically comes to the surface to report its position, time of arrival, and receive any new orders from its human controllers. Manta Ray operates like a fish as it has enough air inside it to achieve neutral buoyancy underwater and travel accurately and in a timely manner to its destination. That could be from the west coast of the United States to someplace in the western Pacific. A new American military strategy is based on having small military detachments on many islands. These detachments are often trying to remain hidden and supplies must arrive without being detected. Manta Ray can do that. A Manta Ray UUV can be disassembled and the components will fit into standard shipping containers that can be transported by air, ship, railway, or truck to wherever it is needed. DARPA is trying to develop a sufficiently flexible onboard navigation and decision making system to enable Manta Ray to operate autonomously for long periods. Since Manta Ray is difficult for current ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) equipment to detect, UUV can deliver supplies to briefly surfaced submarines, ships, or bases in contested waters. DARPA wants to get some of these new UUVs operational and see what the army, navy, air force or marines can do with them. China has also developed UUVs it uses to monitor surface and subsurface operations in the South China Sea. The new army strategy in the south, which has been underway for over a year, has paid off. The new approach relies less on an armed presence (fewer patrols and checkpoints) and more on surveillance technology and a network of local informants that has been built over the last few years. Most of the informants are local Moslems who have grown tired of more than a decade of separatist and Islamic terrorist violence. Over the last decade cell phone use has become universal in the south and that makes it easier and safer to be an informant. This new approach not only means fewer terror attacks, especially the bombs, but also fewer police and army raids. There are fewer active terrorists and supporters. The covid19 lockdown meant even fewer opportunities to carry out attacks or the need for raids on terrorist hideouts. There has been only one violent (guns fired) raid in the last three months and that took place in late April because the surrounded terrorists fired on the police. This reaction has become standard with most raids ending with no violence, and no bullets flying around the neighborhood threatening civilians. Nearly all the terrorists, even the separatists, are generally seen as public enemies. The separatist groups negotiating with the Thai government (in Malaysia) admit that they have violent factions that insist on continuing the violence. These factions would have to be disowned as part of any political settlement but the radicals are steadfast in their violent beliefs. At the same time, the exiled (mainly in Malaysia) separatist leaders are dismayed with reports that most of their fellow Moslems in the three Moslem majority provinces are more interested in peace and prosperity than autonomy. In other words, give peace a chance. During the last few months, soldiers and police have spent most of their time enforcing the quarantine. That included highway checkpoints that force a lot of criminal activity to go cross-country instead. The rural population still has their cell phone service and fear of covid19 infection. This combination led to more tips about where criminals were and that soon led to the bad guys spending most of their time seeking to remain undetected and uninfected. There has been less terrorist violence in the south while drug smugglers, who are often armed, became more of a problem. The military was also forced to cut its budget by half a billion dollars for 2020 because of the nationwide economic crises. This means delaying some arms purchases like Stryker wheeled armored vehicles that were to arrive this year. That will be delayed a year or more. The navy has cut its 2020 spending by a third. That has led to eliminating a lot of its 2020 ship modernization work and delaying the arrival of two Chinese built submarines. Other major procurement projects are expected to be delayed as well. These budget cuts also helped persuade the military to permanently downsize. This has been a popular idea for decades. Virus Victory Thailand has come through the covid19 epidemic better than most other nations, both regionally and worldwide. Thailand so far has 45 confirmed cases of covid19 (coronavirus) per million population and 0.8 deaths per million. Those numbers hardly changed over the last month. Such was not the case with other nations in the region. Neighbor Malaysia had 261 cases per million confirmed cases and four deaths per million. The stark difference here was because Thailand had a public health system that extended to the lowest levels (villages and city neighbors) with volunteers making up most of the staff and obtaining directions and medical supplies from the government. That meant a strict quarantine was not necessary and compliance was monitored and enforced by locals. In Malaysia, some Moslem clerics defied quarantine rules and continued holding prayer services in crowded mosques. Because more people in Malaysia were infected, some Thai Moslems working in Malaysia tried to return home infected with covid19. A screening and approval process was set up to catch most of these virus carriers before they got home and infected others. Another potential source of infections was the large number of Chinese tourists and commercial visitors that are normally in the country. Foreigners were sent home as soon as possible. While still in Thailand, foreigners were forced to self-quarantine for two weeks before they could move freely. Even then they were avoided by most Thais. Thailand did not undertake widespread testing for covid19 but does know that few Chinese visitors were infected. While covid19 first appeared in Wuhan China in late 2019 the Chinese government tried to suppress the news but word-of-mouth did the job in Wuhan and a lot of tourists and business travelers canceled their trips. Some infected travelers did get out of Wuhan but Thailand was one of the earliest nations to quarantine and then ban foreign visitors in general. This ban is just now beginning to lift. Elsewhere in the region, Bangladesh has 532 covid19 cases per million and seven dead per million. In Burma, its five cases per million people and 0.1 deaths. India has 241 cases per million and seven dead per million while Pakistan has 665 cases per million and 12 deaths per million people. China, where the virus began, stopped releasing covid19 cases and deaths data as part of a government program to try and blame the U.S. for the virus. Few (Chinese or foreigners) believe that and it is taken for granted by neighbors of China that the Wuhan Virus, as it was first known, indeed came from China. By now it has also become known that covid19 is not much more dangerous than one of the deadlier annual influenza epidemics. The flu is taken for granted and it is unclear if covid19, which is genetically almost identical to the 2013 SARS virus, another Chinese corona (trans-species) virus, will be an annual event or disappear like SARS and similar diseases. Covid19 is unique in that it attacks the lungs and is often mistaken for pneumonia. As such it is particularly dangerous to the elderly or anyone with a weakened immune system or other illnesses. Most healthy adults and children do not notice covid19 at all even if exposed to it. Economic Defeats Thailand has suffered heavy economic losses so far, including the temporary loss of many jobs. Much of the damage was in the tourism sector. Chinese tourists stopped coming and soon after that most other tourists did likewise. Tourism is about 20 percent of the Thai economy and for 2020 tourism activity is expected to be down by at least a quarter and possibly a third or more. That added to other economic woes has got most Thais anxious about their financial futures. The government sees the unemployment rate peaking at over 20 percent and fears how long that will last. In late 2019 it was estimated that the economy (GDP) would grow nearly three percent in 2020. Now the prediction of for the GDP to lose nearly six percent in 2020, and possibly more depending on how long it takes to get the tourists back. Exports of manufactured goods is already booming but that cannot make up for the tourism losses. All this is catastrophic for a country that has long had an unemployment rate of one percent or less. Particularly hard hit is the south, which depends a lot on tourism and where the less educated majority Moslem population always had a higher unemployment rate. The government will release comprehensive statistics at the end of June as Thailand lifts most economic restrictions and people get back to work. June 14, 2020: The army has agreed to permanently reduce its personnel strength and annual spending over the next few years. The army is still very unpopular for its decade of direct interference in politics. This began in 2010 when the military intervened on the side of royalists in an ongoing dispute between royalists and democrats. In 2014 the military staged another coup. Public pressure led to the March 2019 elections that returned democratic government. That new government now has to deal with a growing list of economic and political problems. The military changed the constitution before allowing elections so the newly elected government is basically a military government pretending to be a democratic one. Because of that in March, just before the covid19 lockdown and for the first time since 2014, there was a pro-democracy demonstration in the capital. In late 2015 pro-democracy leader (and former prime minister) Thaksin Shinawatra called on his followers (the red shirts) to play dead for the moment and wait for the military government to allow elections. At the time the military was looking for an excuse to crack down hard on any opposition, especially when it involved public demonstrations in the capital. Not surprisingly the red shirts, now wearing black, are back. The economy is a mess, censorship is rampant and the Islamic and separatist violence is still around down south. The new, pro-military king is, as expected corrupt and unstable. Not much to cheer about after six years of military rule. Resuming public protests seemed appropriate, even though that sort of thing is now illegal. Then again, the military is much more disliked than feared compared to 2014. A major goal of the democrats is a return of local elections. These have not been held since the 2014 coup and resuming the local elections is one thing nearly all Thais can agree on. Those elections were supposed to be held in 2020 but the military-dominated government is trying to use covid19 to push the vote into 2021. The military knows that the local elections will simply spotlight how unpopular the military has become. That ill repute is not fading away. Local elections would also remove the many replacement local officials appointed while the military was in charge. June 11, 2020: Long-distance railroad travel was resumed. Long-distance bus service resumed two days ago. With hardly any covid19 cases recently there is nothing to spread vis long-distance travel inside the country. The three Moslem southern provinces were isolated at the end of March because that was where there were the most infected people (tourists and Thai Moslems returning lost jobs in Malaysia). Masks are still required on trains and busses and passengers will have their temperatures checked before boarding. Operation Iron Swords - Day 240 - 02 June 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) The military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, questioned the numbers announced by the occupation army regarding the losses it suffers at the hands of the Palestinian resistance. Al-Duwairi said, in an analysis of the military scene in Gaza, that the number provided by the occupation army is modest and does not represent reality compared to the videos shown by the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades , the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), and the Al-Quds Brigades , the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement , of the destruction Occupation mechanisms, ambushes for its soldiers, and other means. The military and strategic expert cited the occupation army's refusal to announce the dead man, which the Al-Qassam Brigades showed yesterday in a video. The Al-Qassam Brigades published a photo of an Israeli soldier who was killed during the operation it carried out in the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip on May 25, and Al-Qassam Brigades sent a message to the occupation army in which it said, You know his identity well... Why do you lie to your audience? Al-Duwairi pointed out, in the same context, that there are five types of fighters in the Israeli army, and only one type is announced. The dual nationality who lives outside Israel is not announced, as are the Bedouins, Druze, and mercenaries. In evidence that the occupation army does not announce the true numbers of its losses, what the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper announced is that the number of wounded among the armys ranks is 20,000, including 8,300 whose wounds are serious. Al-Duwairi says that for every 3 wounded there is a dead person, which means that There are 7,500 dead in the ranks of the occupation army. Regarding the reason for the occupation hiding its losses, Al-Duwairi said that the United States of America did not announce its real losses during its war on Iraq, nor did Russia in Ukraine, highlighting that announcing the real numbers of the dead, wounded and disabled reflects on the morale of the soldiers, which is what the occupation army does not want. With the same idea, Al-Duwairi recalled what Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper published earlier, that an internal poll in the Israeli army showed that only 42% of officers in permanent military service want to continue serving after the end of the war on the Gaza Strip. According to an Israeli intelligence source who spoke to the British Telegraph, there was an attempt to convince the Dormosh family to take over the leadership in the Strip, but after the terrorist organization's response, all the clans announced their support for Hamas. A secret Israeli plan to convince a Gazan clan to take control of the Gaza Strip failed after Hamas executed its head. This is what the British Telegraph reported yesterday (Saturday), from an informed source Isharel Yeodev. According to the same source, an Israeli attempt was made about two months ago to encourage the Dormosh clan to take over leadership from Hamas, but the terrorist organization entered the clan's compound, beheaded its leader, and the next day all the clans together announced their support for the terrorist organization. War Termination A report by the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation " Makan " revealed new details related to the ceasefire proposal in Gaza, which was announced by US President Joe Biden, on Friday, pointing to "pressure" exerted by officials in the US administration, in an attempt to make the proposal a success. The authority stated that senior officials in the US administration are exerting pressure on officials in the Middle East and the region to persuade Hamas to agree to the latest ceasefire proposal. According to the authority, US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, are holding talks with senior officials in Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. An additional message was sent to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and another was transmitted to Qatar. On Friday, Biden announced a three-stage Israeli proposal to end the war in Gaza, calling on all parties not to miss the opportunity to reach a deal that ends the conflict that has been ongoing for more than 8 months. In a speech he gave at the White House regarding the situation in the Middle East, he said that Israel presented a proposal for a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages in 3 stages, and it was sent to Hamas via Qatar. The British newspaper "The Times" quoted a senior advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as saying that there are "many details that must be reached" regarding the proposal presented on Friday by US President Joe Biden regarding the release of hostages and reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. According to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, the proposal presented by Biden was an Israeli document that was passed to the mediators on Monday, and Qatar presented it to Hamas on Thursday. She added, "The document is based on improving the recent Israeli proposal presented to the mediators at the end of April, which Hamas rejected." The commission stated that "Israel has almost completely agreed, according to the document, to the broad outlines for the release of the hostages that Hamas specified in its proposal since the beginning of last May." The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation revealed the "drama" that took place behind the scenes to approve the Israeli document, noting "the belief of senior Israeli officials that this is the appropriate time to move towards the deal." The authority said, At the war cabinet meeting, members of the security apparatus all objected to Netanyahus refusal to approve the proposal initially presented by the Israeli negotiating team. She added: The entire security apparatus stood before Netanyahu, from the Chief of Staff, the head of the Shin Bet, as well as Ministers Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, so the Prime Minister was forced to accept the proposal of the negotiating team, as the same document was approved in the Council of Ministers that included the Israeli proposal that was presented to "Intermediaries." The "Israeli proposal", according to what the US President announced, in its first phase, which will last for 6 weeks, includes a complete ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas in Gaza, and the release of a number of Israeli hostages, including women, the elderly and the wounded, In exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation said that, according to the available details, in the first stage, the abductees will be released - dead or alive - under what is known as humanitarian release. She added: "Israel demands that civilian women be released alive first after implementing the agreement, and then the release of more kidnapped women every week, in exchange for the release of Palestinian security prisoners and the partial withdrawal of the Israeli army from the corridor that divides the Gaza Strip into two parts." After that, the female soldiers held hostage by Hamas will be released in exchange for a larger number of security prisoners, according to the commission. During the first phase, Hamas and Israel will negotiate the necessary measures to implement the second phase, which includes a road map for a permanent end to hostilities, and the exchange and release of all remaining hostages, even male soldiers. It will also include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel says it will continue its war on Gaza until it eliminates Hamas. A joint press statement said that the United States, Qatar and Egypt urged Israel and Hamas on Saturday to conclude an agreement that embodies the principles set by US President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024 to end the war in Gaza. According to the Commission, the other important point in Israeli flexibility relates to continuing communications between the two parties to implement the next steps in the agreement. She said: "For the first time, Israel has agreed to extend the ceasefire beyond the first six weeks, as long as negotiations regarding the implementation of the second phase, which includes the release of male hostages, including soldiers, continue." The third phase includes a major reconstruction plan for Gaza, and the return of the remains of the hostages who were killed to their families. However, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority revealed that Israel has so far refused a ceasefire during the ongoing negotiations regarding the agreement, in return, Hamas demands that the ceasefire continue until an agreement is reached. On Saturday, the United States, Qatar and Egypt called on Israel and Hamas in a joint statement to conclude an agreement that embodies the principles set by the US President on May 31, 2024 to end the war in Gaza. The statement published by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its website and its account on the X platform stated that Qatar, Egypt and the United States collectively, as mediators in the ongoing discussions to ensure a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages and detainees, call on both Hamas and Israel to conclude... An agreement that embodies the principles outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024. Hours ago, thousands of Israelis demonstrated in Tel Aviv to demand moving forward with the proposal announced by the US President, with many fearing that Netanyahu would disavow the proposal, according to Agence France-Presse. On Friday, US President Joe Biden reviewed an "Israeli" proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, reaching a permanent truce, and returning those kidnapped by Hamas, in a move that some considered a "last chance" in light of the pressure exerted by Washington on both sides of the conflict that has been going on for more than eight years. Months. On Saturday, Netanyahu confirmed Israel's commitment to "eliminating" Hamas before any permanent ceasefire, noting that this condition is included in Israel's proposal announced by the US President. He said in a statement, Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: eliminating Hamas military and governance capabilities, freeing all hostages, and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. The Emirati Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, said on Sunday that the proposals announced by US President Joe Biden regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip are realistic and workable, considering it a good opportunity to stop the war. In a post on the X platform, he called on both sides (Israel and Hamas) to seize (the proposals), as they are an opportunity to stop the war, prevent further loss of life, stop the escalation, release prisoners and hostages, and alleviate the catastrophic and dangerous situation that civilians are experiencing. in Gaza". The War Cabinet met tonight for the first time since the speech of the President of the United States, Joe Biden. At the meeting, the negotiation team for the deal to release the hostages was also present. This evening (Sunday) 11 new details from Israel's proposal, which was forwarded to the terrorist organization Hamas by Qatar, were published in the evening news. In Israel, they agree to most of the outline for the release of hostages drawn up by Hamas. The women will be released first, the civilians and then the soldiers - and then three hostages will be released every week. The release of the abductees who are not alive - only after all the humanitarian abductees are released. The negotiation section talks about the "restoration of lasting peace" (permanent cessation of hostilities). Israel's proposal: in phase B only, the names of the 100 security prisoners to be released will be decided. An Egyptian official privy to the details told "Khan Haudas" that the impression in Cairo, even after Biden's speech, is that the government in Israel is not serious about the deal, because of political matters within Israel. In the evening news at Khan 11 it was announced that according to the same source, Cairo is not particularly optimistic about the chances of reaching a deal. Egypt estimates that the American government's means of pressure on Israel in the context of the deal are limited, and that the "hawkish" elements in the Israeli government will thwart any move that would promote a deal. The Egyptian source also warned that if Israel does not take advantage of the opportunity to reach a deal now, the situation will deteriorate even more both in relation to it and in relation to the entire region. In the eyes of the Egyptians, the ball is currently mostly in Israel's court. A source in the Gaza Strip told "Khan Haudas" that Hamas would have a hard time refusing the outline presented by Biden. The terrorist organization will agree to any deal that will bring the war to an end, but the most important thing now for it is a deal that will ensure the survival of its rule in the Strip. According to the source, if Hamas receives such a guarantee - it is expected to soften its demands regarding the number of terrorists to be released and regarding the identity of some of them. The outline is positive as far as Hamas is concerned, but in order not to show too much enthusiasm - they may present some reservations. Operational Update Egyptian and Israeli officials discussed in Cairo the issue of managing the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side, according to an Egyptian journalist source who spoke to Al-Hurra website, after Egyptian sources reported that Cairo is inclined to accept the presence of a European mission to participate in operating the Rafah crossing, while Israel appears to have reservations. On this presence. Egyptian media reported the conclusion of a tripartite meeting in Cairo, on Sunday, between Egypt, the United States, and Israel regarding the crossing. Some media sources indicated that during the meeting, Cairo adhered to its position on the necessity of Israeli withdrawal from the Palestinian side of the crossing so that its operation could resume again. Al Hurra's correspondent in Cairo quoted an informed source earlier on Sunday, saying that Israel "proposes the presence of a UN mission to participate in operating the Rafah crossing with the participation of a Palestinian party acceptable to it, while Egypt tends to accept the presence of a European mission." The Egyptian position comes after Israel effectively took control of the crossing from the Palestinian side on May 8, which exacerbated the already strained relations against the backdrop of the war in the Gaza Strip between the two countries. The killing of 45 people in an air strike last Sunday sparked strong criticism of Israel, whether from Egypt, the United States, or its European allies, which increased pressure on it regarding the management of the crossing. An informed Egyptian source told Al-Hurra that the meetings on Sunday in Cairo will continue over the course of Sunday and Monday and will focus on discussing the mechanism for operating the Rafah crossing from the Palestinian side after the Israeli forces withdraw from it, according to what Al-Hurras correspondent reported. In statements to Al-Hurra website, the editor-in-chief of the government newspaper Al-Ahram, Ashraf Al-Ashry, said that the Egyptian effort is focused on the necessity of Israels withdrawal from the Palestinian side and for the Palestinian Authority or any side affiliated with the Palestinians, without Hamas, to assume responsibility so that there is the possibility of operating the crossing. Al-Ashry explained that this proposal was presented by Egypt during the tripartite meeting. He added that Egypt does not demand a specific party to manage the crossing, whether the United States or Europe, and what is important for it is the presence of another party to manage the crossing from the Palestinian side, whether Palestinian under international or European sponsorship, in order to operate the crossing and allow the entry of aid, which is the issue that was discussed in Tripartite meeting. The Rafah crossing is the main point for entering aid from Egypt, and it has been closed since Israeli forces took control of it from the Palestinian side about three weeks ago. Cairo News Channel, quoting a high-ranking source, reported after the end of the tripartite meeting that the Egyptian security delegation affirmed Israels full responsibility for the non-entry of relief materials and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The source also confirmed, "The Egyptian delegation adheres to the necessity of immediate action to bring at least 350 aid trucks into the sector daily, including all necessary materials, whether food, medical, or fuel." According to the United Nations, at least 500 humanitarian aid trucks need to enter the Gaza Strip every day. Previous reports indicated that the amount of aid entering the Gaza Strip in May had decreased significantly, to the point that humanitarian relief officials say that their operations are at risk of stopping, and that the risk of famine has become more acute than ever, according to the New York Times. The amount of aid entering the Gaza Strip in May has shrunk so dramatically that humanitarian officials say their operations are at risk of halting, and the risk of famine is more acute than ever, according to the New York Times. The European Union's foreign policy official, Josep Borrell, said last week that the bloc is seeking to agree in principle to move forward with the relaunch of its border assistance mission in the city of Rafah, but he added that all parties must agree to this step. The European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM) has been inactive since 2007, when Hamas took complete control of Gaza. The European Union Council launched the mission, in November 2005, to serve as a "third party" presence for the European Union at the joint crossing point on the border between Gaza and Egypt, in accordance with the 2005 Movement and Access Agreement between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The mission's status remained in place for two years as a "third party" aimed at building confidence between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. After suspending its operations at the Rafah crossing in June 2007, the Rafah border crossing became subject to the management of Hamas authorities from the Gaza side, before Israel took control of it again this May. In addition to border assistance in Rafah, the EU delegation trained Palestinian Authority officials in border control management, and is still officially there, with 10 international staff and eight local staff. Borrell told reporters after a meeting, a few days ago, which was also attended by Arab ministers last week: Give me approval, the green light politically, to reactivate (EUBAM), our mission in Rafah. This may play a useful role in supporting the entry of people into and out of Gaza. . e added: "But this must be implemented in agreement with the Palestinian Authority, the Egyptians, and of course Israel... We will not do this alone. We will not be assigned to carry out the security mission on the border. We are not a security company." He added that the Union is currently preparing technical plans. The civilian mission will need unanimous approval from the 27 EU member states. It is not clear what role it will play in light of the existing risks. Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said any decision on the mission would take some time. Diplomats told Reuters that the mission was unlikely to be deployed before combat operations in Rafah stopped. Analyst Ashraf Al-Ashry believes in his statements to Al-Hurra website that Cairo believes that there could be an acceptable Palestinian party to manage the crossing, even if it is not officially affiliated with the authority, but it is enough for it to gain acceptance, and Cairo also rejects the presence of Hamas at the crossing until it blocks the road to Israel. At the same time, Cairo wants a United Nations delegation to be present to supervise the crossing so that aid can enter. Al-Ashri believes that an agreement was reached in Sundays meeting regarding the crossing, and he expects that the other side will focus on starting the operation of the crossing and then starting negotiations in Doha and Cairo for a ceasefire. The latter matter is considered the second part of the Cairo discussions that are being held in light of what the American President announced. Joe Biden, in his speech last Friday, was keen on the success of the Egyptian negotiations being conducted on more than one level for this purpose. An Israeli official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity, that Israel "has not yet drawn up a unified plan for the 'day after' (the war) in Gaza, and therefore there is no position on the issue of managing the crossing." The official added, "But it is worth noting that the (Israeli) Defense Minister referred in the proposal he presented on January 4 to a multinational force that would be one of four axes to administer Gaza once Hamas is defeated. It is possible that the European Union mission in Rafah will align with these axes." Cheryl Levy, spokeswoman for the Israeli embassy to the European Union, said in statements to thenationalnews website : Such missions (the European mission) tend to be guidance and training missions. Lets see what they can provide. Any assistance that can help the situation will be better. We dont want the same people who were already there to continue doing the same thing because it clearly hasnt been successful, Levy added. We realize that the European Union wants to play a more involved role in the region and in this particular conflict, so this is one way to "For them to work with the tools that already exist." The Israeli security analysts, Avi Melamed and Amir Oren, who spoke to Al-Hurra website, see Israeli rejection of the presence of a European mission in light of previous experience. Melamed points out that when Israel withdrew from Gaza, in 2005, there was an agreement under European-Egyptian sponsorship regarding the Rafah crossing, and there was a delegation residing there, but it was idle. Melamed added: The crossing was not really under real supervision. When Hamas took over the crossing, the mission was of no use. Oren believes that the mission "was not effective and successful at all and was just a cover... They were not looking for weapons or smuggled goods. They were only there for show." Oren also believes that the Israeli government will not accept an administration that is "anti-Israel, like Joseph Borrell. They are anti-Israel. They are always against Israel," so "they will not give it any foothold in Gaza and reward it for anti-Israel policy." Borrell also said in his statements that the Union agreed for the first time to hold a meeting of the Council of the Union and Israel, which is the body that coordinates trade between the two sides, to discuss the situation in Gaza, respect for human rights, and the impact of the International Court of Justices decision on the Association Agreement. Borrell criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for describing the decision of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, to request the issuance of two arrest warrants against him and Defense Minister Yoav Galant, as evidence of "new anti-Semitism." Borrell described Netanyahu's statements as intimidation, and said that accusations of anti-Semitism are made every time anyone does "something that Netanyahu does not like." Melamed considered that Israel is taking a cautious stance in terms of security arrangements at the crossing, especially with the entry of huge quantities of weapons from Egypt over and under the Rafah crossing over the past two decades. He believes that the best solution should be "radical and strict... There must be a double crossing under international security supervision with combat powers, with effective Israeli monitoring of everything entering and leaving Gaza from Egypt." Operational Update - Gaza Locating munitions and launchers near the Philadelphia axis: this is how the Givati SDF are fighting in Rafah. The combat team of the Givati Brigade has been operating under Division 162 for the past few days in the area of the 'Yavna' neighborhood in Rafah, the forces are eliminating terrorists and destroying terrorist infrastructure. As part of the fighters' activity in the area, many weapons were located, including an anti-aircraft machine gun, vests, cartridges, clutches and a system for remotely activating charges. In addition, 9th Battalion fighters located launch pits near the Philadelphia axis. The brigade fire complex directing the forces in the field identified 4 terrorists who fired at the forces and eliminated the terrorists. The forces of Division 162 continue fighting in the Rafah area, during which the fighters located many weapons and eliminated armed terrorists in the area. In closing a circle, the forces of the Nahal Brigade, in cooperation with the Air Force, destroyed a launch site a few minutes after launches were detected from it towards the forces. There were no casualties to Israeli forces in the incident. The forces of the 99th Division continue to operate in the center of the Gaza Strip, during the last day the fighters of the 2nd Brigade in cooperation with the Air Force attacked terrorists who posed a threat to the forces, and in the multi-dimensional activity of the fighters of the unit, the forces in cooperation with the Air Force attacked a squad of terrorists who were in a military structure and threatened the maneuvering forces in the area. Over the past day, Air Force fighter jets attacked over 30 terrorist targets, including military infrastructure, IDF warehouses and armed terrorist squads that posed a threat to forces in the field. The military and strategic expert, Colonel Hatem Karim Al-Falahi, attributed the occupations lack of complete control over Rafah to its fear of not finding the prisoners and leaders of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), and its failure to destroy the resistances infrastructure, which means - according to his opinion - the failure of the absolute victory statement and the lack of Achieving the goals of the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip. He added, in an analysis of the military scene in Gaza, that this situation put the Israeli army and political leaders in front of a major dilemma from which even the American leadership was not spared, which found itself stuck with Israel in this war, and wanted to end it so that it could devote itself to other files. Al-Falahi believes that Israel considers the incursion into Rafah a strategic mission as it aims to control the border strip with Egypt, and is searching for tunnels that could connect the Gaza Strip to Egypt, based on the statements of a number of Israeli officials about using tunnels to smuggle weapons from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. However, the military expert believes that the incursion into the city of Rafah is still limited to certain areas, which the occupation entered some time ago and is still stationed in, such as the Yabna area. Regarding the occupation armys talk about discovering and destroying tunnels, Al-Falahi explained that these allegations do not mean much. He said that there were leaks that indicated the presence of 725 kilometers of tunnels distributed throughout the Strip, which means that the occupation only destroyed approximately a third of these tunnels. Al-Falahi attributed the movement of sectors of the occupation army 3 kilometers north of the Netzarim axis towards Sabra to the increased risk of resistance strikes. He added that this expansion makes the moving sectors of the occupation more vulnerable to being targeted by the resistance. Regarding Israeli reports about the occupation army approaching military control over Hamas, Colonel Al-Falahi denied the matter and said that this is not true, explaining that Israel was not able to control Hamas when it was fighting with 5 military divisions, ruling out that it would be able to achieve that while it was fighting. Now there is one military division in the Netzarim axis, and it is subjected to bombing and sniping day and night. Regarding the situation in the Rafah axis, military and strategic expert, Major General Fayez Al-Duwairi, said that the field confrontations were calm during the day, but included Israeli bombing operations with missiles and aircraft, and the resistance met them with specific operations and targeting of Israeli engineering sectors active near the Egyptian border searching for tunnel openings and carrying out sabotage operations in the process. Al-Duwairi had said in a previous military analysis on Al-Jazeera - commenting on images of a booby-trapping, a tunnel explosion, and the elimination of an Israeli force - broadcast by the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) - that this operation is complex, complex, and very precise, and was based on reading and appreciating a field situation, and it was The planner has the foreseeing ability to implement a precise process consisting of a number of successive steps. The military expert noted that Al-Qassam fighters think outside the box and implement their plans with high technology despite the simplicity of the tools in their hands, and they employ them successfully to implement their goals. The Al-Quds Brigades , the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement, said that its fighters are engaged in fierce clashes with occupation soldiers and vehicles in the advance axes in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, while Haaretz, citing the Israeli army, reported that 46 soldiers were injured in the battles in the Gaza Strip since Thursday, noting that 4 of them were in critical condition. The Al-Quds Brigades added that they bombed with mortar shells a position of occupation soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Abd Jabr area in the Yabna camp, south of the city of Rafah. They also targeted an Israeli Merkava tank with two RPG shells south of Khawla School in Rafah, confirming that the tank caught fire. The Al-Quds Brigades also announced that they bombarded with mortar shells the occupation soldiers and vehicles penetrating the Brahma area, west of the Yabna camp in the city of Rafah, amid continuing clashes in the area. The Al-Quds Brigades - the military wing of the Islamic Jihad Movement - revealed the overall operations of its fighters against the Israeli occupation during its incursion into the Jabalia camp in the northern Gaza Strip , before its withdrawal two days ago. Al-Saraya said in a video broadcast on its account on the Telegram platform, that its fighters carried out 21 targeting operations with Tandom, RPG, and TPG shells against the position of occupation vehicles and Israeli forces in the Jabalia camp. Saraya fighters also carried out 6 sniper operations against occupation soldiers stationed in buildings and gatherings in Jabalia, in addition to 13 zero-range clashes in the alleys of Jabalia refugee camp. Members of the military wing of Islamic Jihad launched 9 missile salvos targeting cities and settlements around the Gaza Strip from the front lines of advance in the northern Gaza Strip, in addition to 35 targeting operations with mortar shells of different calibres to target the occupation and its vehicles in the various fronts of the incursion. Al-Saraya fighters also carried out 10 targeting operations with anti-tank and anti-personnel devices, Saqib 40 guerrilla action devices, and Ababil projectile devices against Israeli vehicles and forces. The Al-Quds Brigades shot down the Mavic Pro Quadcopter drone and said it was loaded with bombs, but they were able to control it and the information it contained in the Jabalia camp, according to the video. The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ), announced that it had bombed the Israeli army headquarters in the Netzarim axis with a 114 mm short-range rocket system, confirming that it had targeted an Israeli Merkava tank with an Al-Yassin 105 shell in the vicinity of the university college, south of the Al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City. Al-Qassam added that its fighters targeted two D-9 military bulldozers with two Tandom shells on Salah al-Din Gate Street in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, and another military bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell near the Al-Amal Association in the Yabna camp in the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip. Operational Update - Judea-Samaria IDF Shin Bet and Special Forces arrested six wanted persons throughout Judea and Samaria. In the Menashe Brigade, another company of fighters reinforced the area of the seam and soldiers of the Haruv patrol arrested two wanted persons in an activity in Kfar Jeva during the night. Two terrorists threw a Molotov cocktail at a military vehicle in the Etzion Brigade area during the night and in a quick closing of the circle the forces arrested the suspects. In Dahariya in the Yehuda Brigade and in Madama in Samaria, the fighters arrested two wanted men who had incited terrorist acts. The wanted persons who were arrested and the means of warfare that were confiscated were transferred to the security forces for further treatment, there are no casualties to Israeli forces. The Israeli occupation forces demolished two Palestinian homes in the village of Al-Walaja, southwest of occupied Jerusalem. The Jerusalem Governorate, which is the highest official local representation of the city, said in a press statement that the occupation bulldozers demolished two houses in Ain Al-Juwaiza in the village of Al-Walaja, southwest of occupied Jerusalem, belonging to Jerusalemites Ghassan Al-Atrash and Suad Radwan. She stated that 15 Palestinian homes in the village had been demolished since the start of the war on Gaza on October 7, noting that "the demolition threatens dozens of other homes." In a monthly report, the governorate monitored 30 demolition and bulldozing operations in Jerusalem neighborhoods and towns last May. It indicated that 9 of the demolitions were self-forced to avoid paying exorbitant sums if the occupation forces carried out the demolition, and 20 other demolitions were carried out by occupation mechanisms. It also indicated that the occupation authorities handed over a number of demolition decisions during the past month, in different areas of the governorate, and "notified the demolition of dozens of commercial shops along the road linking the Jaba and Qalandiya military checkpoints north of occupied Jerusalem." With rifles and crossing points, it has become possible to completely differentiate between new and old residents of extended areas in the West Bank, after armed Israeli settlers began seizing lands that had been used by Palestinians for many years, according to a report by the American newspaper The New York Times . The newspaper highlights the mayor of the Palestinian municipality of Tuqu in the Bethlehem Governorate, Musa Al-Shaer, who watched the areas extending to the Dead Sea, where Palestinians have been farming and herding livestock for a long time, pointing out a number of differences that have become evident in the region. New guard posts for Israeli soldiers appeared, roads guarded by settlers, and metal gates blocking the only road used by the people of his town to those areas, which the Israeli army installed to keep the Palestinians away, according to the newspaper. Anyone who reaches the gates is arrested or killed, Al-Shaer told the New York Times. Canada on Thursday imposed its first ever sanctions on what the Foreign Ministry described as "extremist" Israeli settlers in the West Bank, and said Ottawa was considering taking other measures to deter settler violence against Palestinians. On the other side, one of the new residents in the area, an Israeli settler named Abeer Israeli, stood and told the newspaper: We will stay here, with Gods help, for a long time. The newspaper pointed out that the case of the two people on both sides of the gates is a clear example of what is happening throughout the West Bank, where human rights groups say that with most of the worlds focus on the war in Gaza, the settlers have increased the pace of their seizure of lands that were used by the Palestinians at the time. former". Dror Etkes, a researcher at the Israeli organization Kerem Navot, which monitors Israeli policies in the West Bank, said that since the October 7 attack, settlers have seized more than 37,000 acres of land from Palestinians in the West Bank. He added: "More than 550 acres of these lands are located near the town of Tekoa, which makes us face the largest expansion of its kind for a single Israeli settlement." Since the iron gates were installed in October, they have served as a divider between the Palestinian residents of Tekoa and the Israelis in the newly expanded settlement of the same name, pronounced in Hebrew as tekoa. Etkes said that the biggest motivation behind these seizures was the October 7 attack, which caused an increase in Israeli security measures in the West Bank, making it easier for settlers to control the lands. Belgian Foreign Minister Hojjah Lahbib said on Monday that the new sanctions that the European Union will impose on Tehran due to its recent attack on Israel should include the Revolutionary Guard. On January 29, the Israeli army said in a statement that a Palestinian (Rani Al-Shaer, 19 years old) from the town of Tuqu tried to stab an Israeli soldier, and the soldiers responded and shot him dead. While his brother Nizar said, The army kept his brothers body and the family did not recover it. The Israeli army did not respond to requests for comment from the New York Times about the changes taking place around the town of Tekoa. The United Nations said that the year 2023 was the bloodiest year for Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 2005. Violence escalated dramatically from October 7 to May 22, when 489 Palestinians and 10 Israelis were killed, including 4 civilians. The newspaper stated that recently, the newspaper's correspondents followed "new roads in the foothills of the mountains, 4 new security sites, and 3 plots of land that the settlers plowed or planted, and former settler tents were transformed into 10 houses equipped and equipped with electricity, paved roads, and street lighting poles." Israel occupied the West Bank in the 1967 war, and the area has been under military occupation since then, and Israeli settlements are constantly expanding. The right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu encouraged settlement building, causing tensions with Washington, according to Reuters. Last February, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that Washington considers the West Bank settlements inconsistent with international law, in a return to the American position that the administration of former President Donald Trump retreated from. Most international powers consider the settlements illegal. Israel rejects this, based on claims of a historical right to the West Bank. The Palestinians aspire for the West Bank to be part of an independent state in the future, which also includes Gaza and East Jerusalem. Operational Update - Lebanon This week, the IDF held a military headquarters exercise as part of the IDF's readiness for the campaign in the northern arena. In the exercise, regular and reservists at the headquarters of the Northern Command, including the arms and wings, participated in the exercise, and practiced many scenarios simulating the expansion of the war in the northern arena and multi-arena war scenarios. Following the alerts that were activated in the Western Galilee region about the infiltration of hostile aircraft and the firing of rockets and missiles, unsuccessful interception attempts were made against the aircraft. A fire broke out in the area, fire and rescue forces are now working to extinguish the fire. There are no Israeli casualties. Fighter jets attacked a military structure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the area of Eyta al-Sha'ab, and a terrorist infrastructure of the organization in the area of ??Tir Harfa in southern Lebanon. In addition, the IDF forces fired to remove a threat in the Rashia El Fohr area in southern Lebanon. Following the warning about the infiltration of a hostile aircraft that was activated a short time ago in the Nahariya area, this is a false identification. The fire brigade of the 91st Division in cooperation with the Air Force detected today (Sunday) by means of an aircraft a terrorist entering the weapons warehouse of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the area of Mis al Jabal in southern Lebanon. After that, fighter jets attacked the military warehouse where the terrorist was staying. After the attack, secondary explosions were detected indicating the presence of many weapons in the warehouse. A number of launches were detected that crossed from Lebanese territory to the Margaliot area, the air defense fighters successfully intercepted all of the launches. In closing a circle, warplanes attacked a Hezbollah military structure in the area of the village of Hula from where the launches were made to Margaliot. Following the alerts that were activated in the north of the country about the infiltration of hostile aircraft and the firing of rockets and missiles, an interceptor was fired at a target that was suspected to be a suspicious aerial target, the incident has ended and is under investigation. Alerts for rocket and missile fire in Nahariya were activated as a result of the launch of the interceptor and fear of interception fragments falling. Also, about fifteen missiles were identified towards the Katzrin area that fell in open areas, there are no Israeli casualties. Fires broke out in several locations in the area, fire and rescue forces are now working to put out the fires. In response to the shooting down of an IDF drone operating in the skies of Lebanon by a Hezbollah air-to-surface missile, Air Force fighter jets attacked a military compound used by Hezbollah in the Bekaa area. In addition, warplanes attacked another military structure of the organization in the Bint Jebel area in southern Lebanon, alongside the organization's headquarters in the Kana and Rashit areas in southern Lebanon. The South Lebanese front has once again regained political and security attention, as the pace of mutual military operations between Hezbollah and Israel has escalated along the border, which indicates many implications, especially with the increase in Hezbollahs influence and the development of its military operations inside Israel, while Israeli strikes have expanded in Lebanon. The former Lebanese government coordinator for the International Emergency Forces, Brigadier General Mounir Shehadeh, points out to Al Jazeera Net that the military escalation aims to deter and support Gaza and put pressure on Israel with the start of the Rafah operation , but the worrying message today to Israel, with the increase in the pace of escalation, is that the resistance is ready to return to the period a year ago. 2000, i.e. the start of incursions into Israeli military centers. He proves his statement by the operations carried out on the border in the centers of Ramia, Al-Malikiyah, and others, according to the video clips that were published, in which the resistance fighters appear to be using conventional weapons, such as anti-tank missiles, B7, 81 mm mortar shells, and a PKC machine gun. "Kalashnikov", while no precise weapons such as "diamond missiles" appear, which indicates that these operations were offensive and not to strike centers, according to the Brigadier General. Brigadier General Shehadeh says that with the presence of many Israeli centers spread in the border areas from Naqoura to the Shebaa Farms , the resistance can easily carry out operations, as security information indicates that there are no more than a thousand soldiers at the front edge of the border, due to their fear of a military attack by Resistance. With the Lebanese resistance being able to shoot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone, this confirms - according to Shehadeh - its ability to possess anti-aircraft missiles capable of targeting Israeli F-35, F-16 and F-15 warplanes. Brigadier General Shehadeh considers that shooting down the plane is a military action with strategic objectives, as it includes firstly shooting down a spy plane, and secondly sending a clear message to Israel that the resistance has the ability to target warplanes, which puts every Israeli air force in a dangerous situation. The former Lebanese government coordinator for the International Emergency Forces believes that these operations carry double-edged messages to Israel: The first is that the resistance appeared meters away from the Israeli soldiers, despite Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galants repeated talk about keeping it away from the border. The second is that the resistance next time is capable of repeating the period before 2000 by carrying out storming operations into Israeli centers, and that it is ready to return to that period. Shehadeh points out that the resistance bombed the Burnet base with destructive Burkan missiles, and showed scenes showing the extent of the massive destruction it caused. He added that the most important thing about the matter was the bombing of the 769th Brigade command base, where Israel showed a video clip showing the extent of the damage it sustained, as well as The resistances success in bombing a military factory in Akka on Mount Meron using Katyusha rockets in large numbers shows its willingness and ability to respond forcefully. For his part, Israeli affairs expert Ali Haider told Al Jazeera Net that Hezbollah's operational performance, including the escalation on the Lebanon front, is governed in the general framework by two main headings: developments on the Gaza front, and Israeli attacks on the Lebanese arena. He points out that Hezbollahs escalation came to serve both of these trends, as the level of field pressures was raised to form a support for the main front in the Gaza Strip, and it also came in response to the attacks carried out by the Israeli side in several Lebanese towns, and although they are still in line with the rules of engagement, However, it is clear that it is moving at a certain rate. The Israeli affairs expert believed that one of the most prominent messages contained in Hezbollahs specific and intense strikes is its presence as an influential factor in the calculations of the Israeli political and security decision regarding its assessment of the cost of continuing the war option on Gaza, and making clear to the Israeli leaders that the escalation on the Lebanon front will increase its pace exponentially as it is a support front. . According to Haider, the escalation of operations carried out by Hezbollah in response to the escalating Israeli threats also constitutes a strengthening of the partys position in the rules of engagement that govern the movement of the field, as well as with the aim of making the Israeli side understand that its escalation of attacks on Lebanon will be met by the Lebanese resistance with an escalating course of operations. Accordingly, the expert says that the Israeli side will have to put itself before two options: either adapt to the pace and ceiling of action imposed by the resistance on the Lebanon front with the support of Gaza, which has risen to new levels, or move towards a broader confrontation that may be characterized by more dangerous dimensions to the Israeli depth. Brigadier General Shehadeh believes that the visit made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the northern front came to reassure the settlers that the situation was safe and stable, but accurate information shows that when he arrived at the northern front, he was escorted by 16 F-15 and F-15 aircraft. -16, in addition to Hermes 900 reconnaissance aircraft, and battleships were stationed at sea to monitor the situation, for fear of a reaction from the resistance. It was very striking - according to Shehadeh - that the mayor of the Margaliot settlement publicly asked the Israeli army to withdraw, after they had been targeted by the Lebanese resistance. He also called on a group of mayors of settlements in the north to separate from Israel and establish the state of Upper Galilee. He considered that this step, although theoretical and media, shows the extent of the major crisis that the settlers in the north are suffering from, and they warn Netanyahu of his lack of interest in their affairs, and this is the reason that prompted Netanyahu to visit this front. Operational Update - Syria / Iraq Operational Update - Yemen The US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed on Saturday that its forces were able to destroy a drone and two anti-ship ballistic missiles that targeted the US forces ship "Gravely" (DDG 107) without recording damage or losses. Centcom said in a statement via X : Between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Sanaa time) on June 1, USCENTCOM forces destroyed an unmanned aerial system (drone) supported by Iran in the southern Red Sea. She added, "US Central Command forces also observed two other drones crashing in the Red Sea. No injuries or damage were reported by American, coalition, or commercial ships." It confirmed that "between 7 and 11:30 p.m., US Central Command forces succeeded in engaging two Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM) in the southern Red Sea." It noted that the two missiles were fired "in the direction of the ship USS Gravely and it was destroyed in self-defense, without any damage or injuries reported by American, coalition, or commercial ships." It stressed that it has been determined that these drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles pose an imminent threat to the United States, coalition forces, and commercial ships in the region, adding that its forces are taking measures to protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer for the United States, coalition forces, and commercial ships. 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 Axis of Resistance Allied for Democracy A Kana News survey shows that 40% of the public supports the deal that US President Joe Biden revealed on Friday, this was revealed this evening (Sunday) on the Kana News. 27% answered that they oppose the deal. It also emerged that 40% of the respondents believe that the deal will finally end the war in the Gaza Strip; 34% think that even if the agreement is signed, Israel will return to fighting. Some 50% of coalition voters opposed the deal and 45% of them think that it will end the war definitively. In contrast, 63% of the opposition voters support the deal and 37% think that the war will continue even after signing an agreement. According to the survey, 55% of Israelis (72% of coalition voters; 45% of opposition voters) think that it is necessary to expand the attack on Hezbollah on the northern border. About 42% of respondents (37% of coalition voters; 47% of opposition voters) believe that Israel does not have the ability to dismantle the capabilities of Hamas and that it will continue to rule the Strip. 32% of respondents (44% of coalition voters; 25% of opposition voters) believe that Israel will succeed in ending the reign of the terrorist organization. According to the mandates survey conducted by the Kanter Institute headed by Dodi Hasid, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu narrows the gap with Minister Benny Gantz, in the question "Who is more suitable to serve as Prime Minister of Israel?" Netanyahu won the support of 30% of the respondents, compared to 25% in a similar survey conducted in January . Gantz receives the support of 38%, compared to 46% in the previous poll. The mandates forecast shows that if elections were held today, the state camp would receive 27 mandates, the Likud 21, Yesh Atid 14, Israel Beitenu 12, Shas 10, Otzma Yehudit 9, Torah Judaism 7, the Labor Party 6, Ream 5, Had Q-Ta'al 5; and religious Zionism 4. Meretz, Balad and New Hope do not pass the blocking percentage. Political analysts agreed that the options before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , after US President Joe Biden's initiative regarding Gaza, are very limited, but they revealed alternatives that the Likud leader may resort to to maneuver and escape forward. During his speech on the Al Jazeera program Gaza... Whats next?, the researcher specializing in Israeli affairs, Adel Shadid, confirmed that Netanyahu has not gone through a crisis in his history like the current one, pointing out that Bidens announcement put Netanyahu in front of difficult choices, as he has no way out and does not have a large margin for rejection. . Shadid explains that Netanyahu has two options: the first is to enter into a confrontation with the Likud Party and the extremist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich and the collapse of the government, and the second is to enter into a confrontation with the American administration, the War Council, and a wide segment of Israeli society. Regarding the alternatives that he may resort to, the expert on Israeli affairs explains that Netanyahu is betting on escalation by escaping towards creating a crisis somewhere or entering into negotiations on the deal and blowing it up later, such as adding some conditions such as the return of settlers to the Gaza envelope , or the identity of the authority that will rule Gaza after the war. In a related context, political and strategic affairs researcher Saeed Ziad pointed out that Netanyahu has two options: either a clash with Washington, the exit of war council members Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, and pressure from the Israeli street, or going for the deal, losing Ben Gvir and Smotrich, and the collapse of his government. He noted that Netanyahu may evade by saying that he is ready to go to negotiations and conclude a deal while adhering to achieving the goals of the war, at a time when he ruled out that the Islamic Resistance Movement ( Hamas ) would agree to any formula that does not include a permanent ceasefire, the complete return of the displaced, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a formula What about lifting the siege and reconstruction? Shadid acknowledged that there has been a radical shift in the American position, but he does not rise to pressure Netanyahu because Biden knows the nature of the Israeli government, and he has no interest in its collapse because then the deal to return the prisoners detained in Gaza will be postponed. Netanyahu's problems are not limited to the far-right base that rejects the ceasefire - according to Shadid - who said that the formation of an investigation committee into the attack of last October 7 poses a serious threat to the current prime minister, in addition to the issue of Haredi recruitment. He added that there have been developments that may lead to increased pressure on Netanyahu and all government components, such as hundreds of large economic companies demanding that the government deal positively with the Biden initiative, and raising two petitions demanding withdrawal from Gaza or refusal to return to fighting there. In turn, Ziad believes that the United States is interested in a state of calm in the region, before the next elections in the country, and is seeking to enter into them through an agreement with Saudi Arabia that is presented as a card to voters. He stated that the Biden administration did not imagine that Hamas would play so cleverly, noting that the movements behavior surprised the US administration with its repeated positive response, as if it was seeking to defuse sensitivity and present itself as not the obstructing party. He explains that America believes that the military solution in Gaza has failed, as well as the Israeli street, in addition to former reserve generals in the Israeli army, with the exception of Netanyahu and his extremist government. Ziad expected that the next round of negotiations on stopping the war and exchanging prisoners would be the most difficult, suggesting a heated clash in light of the presence of many details that might sabotage the deal. For his part, Executive Vice President of the Center for International Policy, Matthew Doss, confirms that Biden and Hamas want to end the war, unlike Netanyahu, indicating that the way the US President announced the proposal aims to put pressure on Netanyahu and his partners on the extreme right. But Doss added, "It is not known what Biden will do if Israel refuses," adding, "Biden must explain publicly or secretly that there will be consequences for Israel if it does not accept the deal, such as stopping arming." He pointed out that Biden's proposal does not answer questions about who will rule Gaza after the war, but the White House stressed that Hamas will no longer be able to launch similar attacks like the October 7 attack. He concluded that "Hamas will continue its presence in Gaza and will have a say in who rules Gaza even if it does not rule the Strip," stressing that this is the reality and it is difficult for Netanyahu and his allies. Haaretz newspaper said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to withdraw from the President of the Supreme Court the powers to appoint members of the investigation committee into the October 7 attack. The newspaper added that Netanyahu does not want a judge to head the investigation committee into the attack, in reference to the flood of Al-Aqsa . Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth quoted the head of the National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, as saying, during a meeting held a few days ago with political figures in the Likud Party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that the mission of the government investigation committee into the events of October 7 is to eliminate the government. Right-wingers, don't be fooled." While an official in Netanyahu's office, whom the newspaper did not name, said, "Netanyahu does not trust the judges, fears that they will retaliate against him because of legal reform, and is concerned about the growing calls within Likud to form a government investigation committee." On April 26, Minister of the Israeli War Council Benny Gantz submitted a proposal to the Israeli government to form an official investigation committee regarding the events of October 7. Netanyahu is being subjected to severe criticism in Israeli circles, due to the failure to predict in advance the attack on the settlements adjacent to the Gaza Strip about 8 months ago, and the way he dealt with the issue of Israeli detainees in Gaza. Since the beginning of its war in Gaza, Israel has pledged to investigate a series of violations suspected of being committed by members of its military forces during the fighting. This commitment came in the face of increasing accusations, whether from human rights organizations or the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, who suspects Israeli leaders of committing war crimes in Gaza. The most prominent of these cases was the attack on the convoy of the charitable organization Central World Kitchen, which resulted in the deaths of five foreign aid workers. The Israeli army quickly published the results of the investigation, acknowledging the misconduct of its forces and dismissing two soldiers as a result, but there are other investigations open, in which admitting guilt may be far-fetched, according to the Associated Press. Israel's military prosecutor, Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, said this week that the army was investigating about 70 cases of alleged misconduct. But she provided few details. The Army declined to release the full list of investigations and told the Associated Press that it could only respond to inquiries about specific investigations. Attack on a camp in Rafah Last Tuesday, Israel revealed the preliminary results of the investigation it initiated following the attack on a refugee camp in Rafah, which left 45 people dead, all of them women and children, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza. Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari said that the preliminary investigation found that the Israeli ammunition used that day in an attempt to eliminate two Hamas fighters was too small to be the source of the fire that broke out and claimed the lives of civilians. Hagari said the destruction may have been caused by secondary explosions, perhaps from the weapons of Palestinian fighters in the area. Hamas did not respond to this justification, but a member of its political bureau commented on Tuesday, saying that Israel believes that it is deceiving the world with its false claim that it did not intend to kill and burn children and women, and its claim to investigate its crimes. The IDF said in a statement that the investigation has been transferred to a fact-finding group that operates independently outside the military chain of command. The military says these findings will then be handed over to the military prosecutor, who will decide whether disciplinary action should be taken. It is not clear how long the investigation will take. Meanwhile, four weapons experts said that the Israeli army used an American-made precision bomb in that raid, after reviewing visual evidence, according to the Washington Post. Fragments of the SDB GBU-39, a 250-pound small diameter precision munition, were found near the site of the raid on the camp in Rafah. Dozens of civilians were killed around the humanitarian convoy Last February, eyewitnesses said that Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd of Palestinians waiting for help in Gaza City. During that incident, at least 104 civilians were killed and 760 others were injured, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, which described it as a massacre. Israeli military officials initially said that dozens of Palestinians were killed in a stampede when huge crowds tried to snatch supplies from a convoy of 30 military trucks carrying flour towards northern Gaza. But the army's initial investigation, released a week later, backed away from that, saying only that the stampede caused "events that caused significant harm to civilians." The investigation found that the soldiers did open fire, but said that the soldiers fired at some who approached them and "posed a threat to them" and that a tank also fired warning shots to disperse the "suspects." According to a previous report on the Viral News website. The army also said that the case was being investigated by a fact-finding group. Al-Ahly Hospital explosion In October 2023, an explosion in the courtyard of Al-Ahli Hospital , where thousands of Palestinians had sought shelter or medical treatment, ignited a fire that killed civilians, including men, women, and children. There are still conflicting claims about what happened. Gaza officials said an Israeli airstrike hit the hospital, killing at least 500 people. Images of the incident sparked protests across the region. In contrast, Israeli officials said they conducted an investigation and concluded that their army was not involved. They published videos that they said showed that the explosion was caused by a missile that missed its target, launched by the Islamic Jihad movement, another Palestinian armed group. The Islamic Jihad movement denied responsibility. An Associated Press investigation , along with American and French intelligence assessments, concluded that a missile that missed its target was most likely the cause of the explosion. A Palestinian man was shot while walking In January 2024, the Israeli government announced that it was investigating the killing of a Palestinian man who was shot while walking with four others. Video footage showed one of the men holding a white flag - the international symbol of peace - and others behind him raising their hands in the air. They then step back while several shots are heard. In a second clip, one of the men is shown lying on the ground. While the shooter did not appear in the video. Ahmed Hegazy, a citizen-journalist who filmed the incident, told the Associated Press that an Israeli tank fired on the group. The army said it conducted an in-depth investigation and found that the tank did not fire. It also said it "cannot determine with certainty" whether the man was killed by Israeli fire or not. Four Palestinians were killed on a dirt road Last March 22, the Israeli army launched an investigation after footage emerged showing the bombing of five Palestinians near the southern city of Khan Yunis in Gaza. Aerial footage circulated on social media showed four men walking on a dirt road before they were targeted. A man tried to escape before he was injured and killed. Commenting on this, the army said that the investigation had been transferred to an independent fact-finding group. A Gaza surgeon dies in an Israeli prison Renowned Gaza surgeon Adnan Al-Barash died in an Israeli prison after he was arrested in a raid on Al-Awda Hospital in mid-April, according to the United Nations. Al-Barash was the head of the orthopedic department at Al-Shifa Hospital, at the time of his arrest in December, and was in good health and performing operations on patients, according to the United Nations. But those who saw Al-Barsh in detention reported that he appeared exhausted and showed signs of violence, according to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel. Israeli forces and police did not respond to requests for comment sent by The Associated Press. It is noteworthy that Al-Barsh's wife submitted a request to a court in Jerusalem to appoint a judge to investigate her husband's death, according to the Israeli newspaper " Haaretz ." Palestinian detainees who returned from Israeli detention reported being subjected to beatings, harsh interrogations, and neglect during their detention. Israel denied these reports, while Al-Barsh was transferred to Ofer military prison in the West Bank, where he died. The Israeli police said that it would conduct an autopsy on Al-Barshs body in the presence of a doctor from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, noting that it had submitted a petition on behalf of Al-Barshs family. It is not clear when the autopsy will be performed. The authorities have not yet released any information about the cause of death, and it is not clear who is conducting the investigation. Operation Iron Swords - By the Numbers According to the latest estimate by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, preliminary numbers indicate that more than 10,000 people are missing under the rubble in Gaza. The office quoted the Palestinian Civil Defense in Gaza as saying that they face enormous challenges in recovering bodies, in light of the lack of equipment, heavy machinery, and personnel. Civil Defense also warned that operations to search for missing persons and recover bodies may take up to 3 years using the primitive tools available to them. 1,900,000 IDPs in Gaza 82,627 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 36,439 Gazans martyred 33,000 Gaza targets attacked 20,528 Palestinians in Israeli prisons [Haaretz, 20 Mar 2024] 16,093 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 8,890 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] 5,000 West Bank Palestinians wounded 4,700 sites targetted in Lebanon 3,850 wanted persons arrested throughout Judea and Samaria 3,600 administrative detainees 3,657 IDF wounded [IDF] 2,100 Gazan women are missing 1,843 IDF wounded in Gaza [IDF] 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 635 Israeli officers and soldiers killed since the start of the war 518 West Bank Palestinians martyred 446 people [including fighters] killed in Lebanon 287 Israeli officers and soldiers killed in Gaza 289 Hezbollah fighters killed in Lebanon 126 people recovered, including 91 Israelis, 11 bodies, and 24 foreign workers 86 living hostages in Palestinian custody 70 civilians killed in Lebanon 39 dead hostages in Palestinian custody 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 02 June 2024 - Day 830 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that on 21 May 2024, Russian media reported that General-Major Ivan Popov, former commander of the Russian 58th Combined Arms Army (CAA), had been arrested on charges of fraud and corruption related to the sale of military construction materials. Popov was dismissed from his post as commander of the 58th CAA (deployed to the Zaporizhzhia sector in Ukraine) in July 2023 after his private criticism about the competence of Russian defence leadership's decisions relating to the conduct of the war were publicised. Popov subsequently criticised the decision to remove him publicly, describing it as "our senior commander hitting us from the rear, treacherously and vilely beheading the army at the most difficult and tense moment." In a system where corruption itself is endemic, its punishment is more often a political tool than an attempt to enforce good governance. There is a long history of the Russian regime using corruption charges, real or invented, to remove or punish internal critics or those who have angered more powerful elite figures. It is likely Popov's arrest is a demonstrative punishment for his perceived disloyalty to his superiors. As an army commander, Popov was generally regarded as highly competent and, according to Russian military commentators, was popular among Russian troops. His arrest is likely to further dismay Russian military personnel and reinforce to his peers in senior command positions that loyalty and obedience to the regime and one's superiors is valued more highly than competence and charisma. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that So far, 60 combat clashes have taken place. During the day, Russian invaders launched four missiles on the territory of Ukraine with the use of two missiles and 33 aviation strikes with the use of 46 KABs, used 351 kamikaze drones. The Russian invaders carried out almost 2,500 shelling on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons. In the Kharkiv direction from the beginning of the day, there were two combat clashes. The Russian attacks in the areas of the villages of Liptsi and Staricya were repelled. The situation is under control, Ukrainian warriors are actively acting, causing the enemy casualties. In the Kupians .komu direction there were six battles. All attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv were repelled in the areas of the settlements of Druzelubivka and Nevske. In the Lyman direction, Russian forces tried four times to advance in the direction of the settlement of Tern and in the Serebryans komu forest. Three attacks were repelled, another combat is ongoing near the village of Terni. The Russian opponent does not succeed, the loss of Ukrainian positions is not allowed. In the Sivers komu direction throughout the day, Ukrainian defenders repelled seven Russian assault actions in the areas of Viimka and Rozdolivka. Near the last setting remains tense - the battle is ongoing. In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped seven attempts of the opponent to infiltrate Ukrainian defense near Kalinivka, Klishchyivka and Andriyivka. Loss of positions and territories is not allowed. In the Pokrovsky direction, the units of Ukrainian grouping repelled 17 attacks of the enemy. Ukrainian defenders repel attempts of Russian occupiers to break through. Russian activity concentrated in the areas of novooleksandrivka and sokola. Near the last fighting is still going on. Defense forces are taking active measures to prevent Russian forces from advancing. Six combat clashes took place in the Kurakhiv direction, five of which were successfully fought by Ukrainian soldiers. The fight is ongoing in the area of Krasnogorivka. In the Vremivs komu direction Ukrainian defenders held three attacks of the invaders towards Staromayorsky. The situation is under control. In the orihiv direction Russian zagarbniki unsuccessfully tried to advance to the small tokmacka. In the pridniprovsky direction, on placzdarmah on the left bank of the dnieper, Ukrainian soldiers five times gave a hard detachment to the Russian zagarbnikam in the area of krynok. In the rest of the directions, there were no significant changes in the environment. Ukrainian Air Force and Missile and Artillery units have since earlier this day targeted 18 personnel focus areas, two control points, three artillery systems, two PPOs and an occupant radio-electronic combat station. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that units of the Sever Group of Forces continue advancing to the depth of the enemy's defences. Losses were inflicted on manpower and hardware of the AFU 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 92nd Assault Brigade, 36th Marines Brigade, 125th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 13th National Guard brigade near Maliye Prokhodi, Gatischche, Liptsy, and Neskuchnoye (Kharkov region). Seven counter-attacks launched by units of the AFU 42nd Mechanised Brigade, 71st Jaeger Brigade, 82nd Assault Brigade were repelled near Glubokoye, Liptsy, and Volchansk (Kharkov region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 190 Ukrainian troops, two armoured personnel carriers, including one U.S.-made Stryker armoured personnel carriers, three motor vehicles, and one Buk SAM. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system, and one 152-mm D-20 howitzer were neutralised. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and inflicted losses on formations of the AFU 14th, 116th mechanised brigades, 77th Airmobile Brigade, and 40th National Guard Brigade near Sinkovka (Kharkov region), Stelmakhovka (Lugansk People's Republic), and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 63rd Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Chervonaya Dibrova (Lugansk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to 465 Ukrainian troops, one tank, three armoured fighting vehicles, and five pick-up trucks. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one UK-made 155-mm AS-90 Braveheart self-propelled artillery system, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, and one Grad MLRS combat vehicle were neutralised. Units of the Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation along the front lines and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 28th, 30th, 93rd mechanised brigades, and 104th Territorial Defence Brigade near Kalinin, Orekhovo-Vasiliyevka, Konstantinovka, Zalizhnyanskoye, and Pershe Travnya (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by formations of the AFU 10th Mountain Assault Brigade was repelled near Razdolovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 290 Ukrainian troops, two armored fighting vehicles, and two motor vehicles. In the course of counter-battery warfare, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, one UK-made 155-mm FH-70 towed howitzer, and three 122-mm D-30 howitzers were neutralised. Three AFU field ammunition depots were destroyed. As a result of successful actions, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces liberated Umanskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Losses were inflicted on formations of the AFU 23rd, 24th mechanised brigades, 109th Territorial Defence Brigade near Novgorodskoye, Yevgenovka, Rozovka, and Novosyolovka Pervaya (Donetsk People's Republic). Five counter-attacks launched by assault detachments of the AFU 47th, 110th mechanised brigades, and 68th Jaeger Brigade were repelled near Novoaleksandrovka, Solovyovo, Sokol, and Novopokrovskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to more than 360 Ukrainian troops, two motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, three 122-mm D-30 howitzers, and two MT-12 Rapira anti-tank guns. ??Units of the Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, as well as inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 58th Motorised Infantry Brigade, 128th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 23rd Separate Mechanised Brigade were repelled near Urozhaynoye, Staromayorskoye, and Vodyanoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 125 Ukrainian troops, one tank, six motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, and one Polish-made 155-mm Krab self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of the AFU 65th Mechanised Brigade, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, 15th National Guard Brigade, and 38th Marines Brigade north of Rabotino, Zherebyanki, Novopokrovka (Zaporozhye region), and Antonovka (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to up to 70 Ukrainian troops, six motor vehicles, one U.S.-made 155-mm M777 howitzer, one 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, one 152-mm Akatsiya self-propelled artillery system, one 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and one U.S.-made 105-mm M109 howitzer. Operational-Tactical Aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged one P-18 aerial target detection and tracking radar station, as well as enemy manpower and military hardware clusters in 103 areas. Air defence units shot down two MiG-29 aircraft of Ukrainian Air Force. Air defence units shot down 50 unmanned aerial vehicles, 23 U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectiles, two Touchka-U operational-tactical missiles, three French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, and one Neptune anti-ship missile. In total, 609 airplanes and 274 helicopters, 25,014 unmanned aerial vehicles, 526 air defence missile systems, 16,228 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,327 combat vehicles equipped with MLRS, 10,024 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 22,212 units of special military equipment have been destroyed during the special military operation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The government is bracing itself for a major pro-democracy demonstration scheduled for October 14th . In Thailand one thing you dont have to worry about a demonstration turning violent. That behavior is usually employed by the police to disperse such demonstrations. The government feels more compelled to use that violence because the opinion polls show most Thais are unhappy with the current government, seeing it as corrupt, incompetent and under the control of the military. The demonstrators heed polls showing that while most Thais agree with the pro-democracy/anti-corruption and fair-elections demonstrators, there is general opposition to violent demonstrations. This attitude is not unique to Thais but it is more intense in Thailand. Military takeovers, like the last one in 2014, are not seen as a public service but rather the military backing the faction that is most likely to be generous with the military. The great majority of Thais back the effort to reform the constitution and remove the changes made while the last military government was in charge. The royalists and military leaders are concerned about all this because the pro-democracy movement has the support of a growing majority of voters. The pro-democracy movement is also seeking to take away powers and privileges the king does retain or recently revived. That is opposed by many Thais, but so is the misbehavior of the new king, who has openly collaborated with the military, even when the military has taken control of the government. To make matters worse the king has been living in the German Alps for most of 2020. The royal entourage took over a hotel for the king and about a hundred staff and family members. This began after covid19 became a crisis last April. The queen is now living in Switzerland, in her own villa with a smaller entourage. The king is accompanied by his official consort (concubine) who also commands a unit of twenty young and attractive Thai women whose main job is to keep the king company. The king also has a nearby villa, where he often spends some time with his female companions. All this has not gone over well back in Thailand, where covid19 has caused high unemployment and economic stagnation. The king made one quick (24 hour) trip back to Thailand in April to take care of some royal business but has otherwise been ruling the country from afar. Germans and Thais have protested this arrangement but the king has ignored any criticism of his self-imposed exile. The king has not escaped the demonstrations as a small number of Thais in Europe have travelled to his villa and demonstrated. Army Assurances General Jitkaewtae, the new army commander-in chief, and senior commander for the entire military, said there would not be another coup during his three-year term of office. But the new army commander pledged unquestioning support for the monarchy. Jitkaewtae alone would not make the decision for the military to again take control of the government. There are several senior commanders who must agree, some of them more senior than Jitkaewtae. Civil war is less likely than sustained civil disorder if the military seeks to again protect itself by taking control of the government. Currently there is a major reason why the military does not want to take over; the covid19 economic recession and damage it has done to the economy. Historically the economy always underperforms when the military is running the government. The current covid19 recession is shrinking the economy by 8-10 percent in 2020 and may take a while to recover after that because tourism is about 20 percent of the Thai economy and will take longer to recover from the virus panic. The government sees the unemployment rate peaking at over 25 percent and fears how long that will last. In late 2019 it was estimated that the economy (GDP) would grow nearly three percent in 2020. Now the prediction is for the GDP to lose as much as ten percent in 2020, and possibly more depending on how long it takes to get the tourists back. Exports of manufactured goods are already booming but that cannot make up for the tourism losses. All this is catastrophic for a country that has long had an unemployment rate of one percent or less. Particularly hard hit is the south, which depends a lot on tourism and where the less educated majority Moslem population always had a higher unemployment rate. The government has begun to ease economic restrictions and let people get back to work. Southern Heat After a relatively quiet year, Islamic terrorist and separatist violence is increasing. Despite that 2020 will continue the trend of violence in the south declining. There have been exceptions, the most notable one was in 2016. While 2015 was less violent than in any year since the unrest turned nasty in 2004 that changed in 2016 as violence returned to 2014 levels with about 20 percent more terrorism and southern separatist-related deaths. That was an exception as the average annual deaths down there since 2004 fell to less than 500. The decline has been the trend for several years as there were 456 deaths in 2013. Opinions differ about why there is less violence down there. The government credits the efforts of 70,000 soldiers and police in the south plus additional economic aid to an area that needs it badly. But ask the locals and you will hear that the local gangsters who carry out most of the separatist violence have finally realized that the locals were getting so angry about the years of separatist activity, especially the number of attacks on pro-government Moslems, that it was simply good business to back off on the bombs and gunfire. Instead the gangs are concentrating on the business of smuggling, extortion and making money. They are encouraged by the new government policy of replacing some of the army units with troops recruited locally. These are easier to bribe or intimidate and more likely to leave the gangs alone. Currently nearly all attacks are on security forces or teachers. The majority of southerners (over 70 percent) continue to believe the peace negotiations will succeed even though they have been stalled since 2014. The government has persuaded most of the separatist groups in the south to resume peace talks but no significant negotiations have taken place yet. The southern separatist leaders (of six groups, which claim to have a total of 7,000 armed members, most of them inactive) were reluctant to negotiate with the military government because they believed that government would soon be replaced by an elected one that may well refuse to honor a peace deal negotiated by the military. That did not happen until 2019 and many of the separatist groups sensed that and agreed to resume negotiations several years ago. The separatists seem to realize that there wont be a civil war over the reluctance of the military to allow elections sooner rather than later and that the military government is not as weak as some of them believed. The negotiations are needed to try and settle problems in the south that have been going on sporadically ever since Thailand gained control of the area centuries ago. For most of that time the Malays down there were independent or allied with (and paid tribute to) Thailand. But in 1909 Britain, which had conquered most of the Malay Peninsula to the south, signed a treaty with Thailand that left the Thais owning what became the current three southern Moslem provinces. At the time, the Malays there considered this preferable to being ruled by the British. During World War II (1939-45) the Japanese took control of Malaysia and a rebel movement saw the resulting chaos as an opportunity to create an independent Malay state, incorporating the three Thai Moslem provinces as well. This did not happen, and the British regained control of Malay in 1945 and granted the area independence (as Malaysia) in 1957. Unrest continued in the three Malay provinces, but was usually low key and considered a police matter. What made the current violence so much worse was the addition of Islamic radicalism. The basic problem is that the Buddhist ethnic Thais often have a hard time getting along with the Moslem ethnic Malays (and vice versa). But until the Islamic radicals came along, urging the use of terrorism, the independence movement was not all that violent and the south was pretty quiet. That changed on January 4th 2004 when Islamic terrorists raided a military warehouse to steal ammo and weapons. This set off a widespread (in the south) campaign of Islamic terrorism and frequently violent military responses. Since then there have been nearly 7,000 killed down there along with over 12,000 wounded. There have been over 17,000 violent incidents, most of them involving property damage or non-fatal assaults. Since 2004 Islamic terrorists in the south have killed more than 200 teachers and burned or blown up over 300 schools. The Islamic terrorists oppose secular education and especially non-Moslem teachers. Low educational levels in the south meant most of the teachers are Buddhists recruited from the wealthier and better educated north. The "terrorists" are a combination of Islamic radicals (most of the two million people in the three southern provinces are Moslem), Malay nationalists (nearly all the Moslems are ethnic Malay, not Thai) and gangsters (smuggling has long been a big business down there). The ethnic Thai majority refused (as they usually do) to back down in the face of Malay Moslem violence. After years of futile violence, the Moslem minority became increasingly hostile to the Islamic terrorists, and more frequently cooperating with the police. This happened gradually as it became obvious that the Thai government was never going to give in. As a result of this, the militants turned on the Moslem civilians, which was a downward spiral that is gradually destroying the remaining popular support they have. That led to the current decline in violence. The national government has also sent more economic aid to the south and improved the educational system. The army claims that the number of Islamic militants in the south has been reduced more than half, to a few thousand with only a few of them regularly carrying out fatal attacks. The overall violence has also declined but all this is mainly because more and more southerners are fed up with years of violence. Despite all that there are still diehard separatists down there and many are organized. October 3, 2020: In the Moslem south the security forces have been ordered to increase patrols and surveillance because of a sudden increase in bombing attacks. For most of 2020 the covid19 panic reduced Islamic terrorist and separatist violence in the south but that is changing. October 2, 2020: In the south (Narathiwat province) two bombs went off in a rural village. The first one was used against an army vehicle but only damaged it. A second bomb went off nearby 40 minutes late. There were no injuries. October 1, 2020 : In the south (Songkhla province, just north of the three Moslem provinces and also bordering Malaysia) a roadside bomb was used against a passing army vehicle, killing one soldier and wounding six others. September 30, 2020: In the capital there was a large anti-government demonstration that featured a replacement of a memorial plaque commemorating the 1932 introduction of democracy in Thailand, with the king as ceremonial head-of-state. The original plaque mysteriously disappeared in 2017, along with several similar items, and the army was suspected. This time a new plaque was set in freshly poured cement. The plaque was inscribed with a message commemorating the 1932 introduction of democracy. There was an additional inscription, This country belongs to the people and is not the property of the monarch. As expected, the police removed the new plaque and went to arrest those responsible. This demonstration is a continuation of public protests that began four months ago and have gotten larger each month September 15, 2020: The government extended the state of emergency in the Moslem south for another three months. The government has been doing this since 2005. This gives the police and army additional powers of search and arrest. The south has been quiet this year, partly because of the economic and social changes imposed by the covid19 panic. Separatist groups in the south are reconsidering their options while the small number of Islamic terrorists find that they have little local support and are hunted by a large and expert military force. September 6, 2020: In the south (Songkhla province) a tip from locals sent police after a group of four Islamic terrorists travelling around on two motorcycles. When police caught up with the group the Islamic terrorists sped off in two directions. The police went after them and in several brief gun battles two of the Islamic terrorists were killed while the other two escaped. September 3, 2020: The government has rejected the Chinese proposal to fund the construction of the 135-kilometer Kra Canal that would cost $30 billion and connect the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The canal through the narrowest part of Thailand has been proposed for centuries but the expense and lack of sufficient economic incentive thwarted all earlier efforts. The emergence of major economies in East Asia (China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan) have changed that calculation. A canal that would shorten voyages between East Asia and point west by 2,200 kilometers (two days at sea) compared to going through the Malacca Strait makes it worthwhile for about 30 percent of the current Malacca traffic (especially large tankers or container ships) to pay a large canal transit fee (over $100,000 for a large vessel). It works for the Panama and Suez canals, although those two save ships much larger amounts of time (to go around the southern tips of South America or Africa). But the Malacca Strait handles a much larger percentage (about half and two-thirds of all tanker traffic) of world sea transport traffic. China is especially eager to incorporate the Kra Canal into its BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) project that has China financing and building roads, railroads, pipelines, ports and canals and ease travel via Eurasia and adjacent waterways. Nations who benefit by being next to the Malacca Strait always opposed the Kra Canal but now Malacca is becoming crowded to the point to overload. The canal would greatly reduce the roads connecting the four southernmost provinces with the rest of the country. Bridges over the canal are expensive as they must be high enough to let the largest ships pass, so there would be few of them. Panama only has three bridges and Suez also has two (one for rail traffic) and a tunnel. With the Chinese bridge construction would probably be part of the canal project. A Chinese firm built the third Panama Canal bridge that opened in 2019. Thailand needs the bridges because most of the very lucrative tourist resorts are on those four southern provinces. The people in those southern provinces opposed the loss of so many land connections to the rest of the country and did not want to just rely on a few bridges. There is also growing uncertainty over the massive BRI projects China is offering throughout the region. It wasnt widely known that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence until a quarter century later when he stood for the presidency of the United States. At the time when the 33-year-old Virginian sat down to write Americas birth certificate at his portable writing desk in a boarding house on Seventh and Market streets in Philadelphia in the third week of June 1776, he was a relatively unknown figure in national circles.He had a reputation for being a hard reader, a brilliant scholar, and a lucid crafter of English prose, but he did not take part in the sometimes-heated debates that were propelling the 13 American colonies toward independence. John Adams later reported that during the whole Time I sat with him in Congress, I never heard him utter three Sentences together.Jefferson was a shy man and a homebody, who had lingered so long at Monticello in the spring of 1776 that he nearly missed the opportunity to write the document that secured his immortality. He did not finally leave Virginia until early May. His wife Martha was never in robust health. She would die in 1782 at the age of 33. His mother Jane had died on the last day of March suddenly, of a stroke. He lingered at home for five weeks following her death, suffering from what he called his periodical headache, some sort of severe tension headache (possibly migraine) that forced him to sit alone in a darkened room for days, even weeks, at a time.By the time he reached Philadelphia in mid-May, the American Revolution was picking up speed. On May 15, the Congress passed a resolution the work of John Adams urging each colony to establish its own post-colonial government. On June 9, a committee of five was appointed to draw up a statement justifying American independence. Two members dropped away immediately. That left Jefferson, Dr. Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. Franklin preferred not to undertake the assignment. Adams prevailed on Jefferson to write the first draft, citing three reasons. First, Adams believed that a Virginian should take the lead. Second, Adams acknowledged that many delegates to the Continental Congress found him obnoxious. Third, Adams said Jefferson wrote 10 times better than he did.Jefferson accepted the assignment reluctantly, but he brought genius to the project. As he later recalled, he consulted neither book nor pamphlet in writing it. His goal was to place before mankind the common sense of the subject in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent. Franklin and Adams enthusiastically endorsed Jeffersons draft and offered up a few minor suggestions. The committee submitted the finished document to the Congress on June 28. Congress debated and amended the Declaration on July 2nd, 3rd, and part of the 4th of July before unanimously voting to adopt it.Jefferson had a hard time concentrating on his work in Philadelphia because he was so concerned about the health of his wife Martha back in Virginia. He was desperate for any report of her condition from her own hand or that of a relative or friend. He found the silence terrifying and debilitating. Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson was a physically fragile woman whose many pregnancies (including miscarriages) broke her health and led to her death at 33 (Jefferson was just 39). Four of their six children died in early childhood. Jefferson would later write, I am born to lose everything I love.Today, he would of course have instantaneous contact with his wife, by phone, text, email and FaceTime. Today, Martha Jefferson would have excellent medical care. In fact, she would almost certainly survive the maladies that killed her in her early adulthood, and it is quite likely that all six of their children would have lived full lives in an age of antibiotics. Such are the profound advances of medicine between Jeffersons time and ours.We regard the 4th of July as the most important day on the secular American calendar. In 1776, July 4 (a Thursday) was a relatively undramatic day in Philadelphia. The Second Continental Congress had voted independence two days previously (July 2), after months of debate, dithering, diffidence, and hesitation. That was the critical moment. Its not that the delegates regarded the Declaration of Independence as unimportant. They debated every concept, every phrase, even points of punctuation for two and a half days before finally adopting a chastened version of Jeffersons draft.But they considered the fateful July 2 vote to break allegiance with the most powerful nation on earth as greatly more important than the document that would be promulgated to justify their action to the candid world. The delegates did not even sign the soon-to-be-famous document on the 4th of July. They sent it to a local printer so that it could be disseminated widely in the colonies (suddenly, states) as soon as possible. In fact, there never was a solemn signing ceremony of the sort we like to imagine in American mythology. The copy of the Declaration we revere as sacred (now in the National Archives) was not signed until August 1776 and then in a relatively casual ad hoc fashion, different delegates attaching their names at different moments as they came and went in what is now known as Independence Hall.The sense one gets from examining the available documents is that Thomas Jefferson lived through July 4, 1776, without fanfare. He was undoubtedly relieved that the Congressional deliberation over his Declaration was over. We know that he was a thin-skinned and sensitive man who did not enjoy being the focus of heated debate dominated by men of inflated egos who loved to quibble and nitpick and hear themselves talk. Such men (lawyers), he would later quip, are paid to talk by the hour.He probably brooded his way through the afternoon and evening of the 4th, because he felt strongly that Congress had mangled his document by toning down some of his language and removing a long paragraph denouncing George III and the British Parliament for perpetuating the slave trade. He almost certainly returned to his boarding house when Congress recessed, ate a light late afternoon dinner, tidied up his personal effects, made jottings in his diaries and account books, and perhaps played the violin as he relived the debate and attempted to evaluate the historical importance of what he and his compatriots had just accomplished.We have no evidence that Jefferson and other founders celebrated the revolutionary moment at a Philadelphia tavern. Jefferson was not the kind of man who spent much time in pubs. He was an exceedingly private person. His mind was already back in Virginia, where he believed the real work of the revolution was being undertaken.Jefferson was an obsessive keeper of records. His account book (i.e., financial log) for July 4, 1776, reports that he purchased an expensive thermometer that day, bought seven pair of womens gloves, and gave a small amount of money to charity (unspecified). In his usual meticulous way, Jefferson recorded the temperature at 6 a.m. as 68 degrees, skies clear, a light north wind; and again at 1 p.m., 76 degrees with increasing clouds. Jeffersons diaries and letters are sometimes maddening to historians. He seldom recorded his emotions or even impressions of the dramatic moments through which he lived. He belongs to the just the facts, maam school of recordkeeping.John Adams, as always, was more effusive. On July 3, 1776, well aware of the magnitude of the events unfolding in Philadelphia, he wrote a wonderfully prescient letter to his wife Abigail:Illuminations are fireworks. Adams was right about the American way of celebrating Independence Day, but wrong about the date. He had done more to bring about that fateful vote than any other of the 50-some delegates of the Continental Congress. He rightly believed that the vote to secede from the British empire was more important than the news release that announced that decision. This was a view that Adams held for the rest of his long life. He later asked his friend Benjamin Rush Was there ever a Coup de Theatre, that had So great an Effect as Jeffersons Penmanship of the Declaration of Independence? Penmanship? This is the very definition of sour grapes.And yet the proud, envious, insecure and irascible Adams died 50 years later, not on the day the resolution of independence passed, but on the anniversary of Jeffersons immortal Declaration. Jefferson and Adams died within a few hours of each other, 563 miles apart, on July 4, 1826. They had not seen each other since the first days of March 1801, but, beginning in 1812, they exchanged some of the finest letters in American history. Jeffersons last words in his bed at his beloved Monticello on the 4th of July 1826 were, Is it the fourth? He was trying to hang on to that anniversary moment of the greatest of his many great achievements. Adams last words in his bed in Quincy, Mass. a few hours later, were Thomas Jefferson still survives.There is a paradox in Jeffersons authorship of the Declaration of Independence. If the other founding fathers had known that the Declaration was going to become the most famous document in American history, Jefferson would not have gotten the assignment to draft it. That honor might have been appropriated by the president of the Continental Congress John Hancock or by John Adams or even the aging Benjamin Franklin, who in fact suggested that young Jefferson use the word self-evident rather than his draft formulation, we hold these truths to be sacred and undeniable.But if any one of those men great men, able with the pen had written the Declaration of Independence, it would almost certainly not be the most famous document in American history. Nobody else had Jeffersons magical capacity with the pen lucidity, a perfect balance of passion, reason and control, the delicate mingling of poetry and prose, idealism and hard data and Jeffersons magnificent cadence of confidence in articulating the cause of humankind. Many others could have written the memo, but only Jefferson had the genius to find the words to embody the universal aspiration of humanity to govern him- or herself. It was as if he had been preparing all of his life for this moment. And he was still only 33 years old.In the famous preamble, which at the time was regarded as mere preface (almost Enlightenment boilerplate) before the real business of the Declaration of Independence got underway, namely the long list of crimes and oppressions committed by King George III, his ministers, and the British parliament, Jefferson wrote the 35 most important words in the English language:Nobody in the Second Continental Congress could possibly have known how potent that sentence was going to be in the course of human events, from 1776 to today. And even if Jefferson himself is now regarded by many as a toxic historical figure, his words are as much a foundation of the Black Lives Matter movement as I cant breathe. Not even Jefferson could have known as he puttered about his boarding rooms on the evening of July 4, 1776, that he had written the one sentence that humankind can never live without.We can live without To be or not to be, that is the question, and It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife, or even, if absolutely necessary, the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice, but we cannot live without We hold these truths to be self-evident. As Abraham Lincoln put it, Jefferson offered the world an abstract truth, applicable to all men and all times, and so to embalm it there, that to-day, and in all coming days, it shall be a rebuke and a stumbling-block to the very harbingers of re-appearing tyranny and oppression.The preamble of the Declaration of Independence is the gold standard of human aspiration against which all governments and all social structures must be evaluated. Its amazing how so simple a principle that every human being has equal validity, equal rights, equal dignity is so very difficult to realize.As Lincoln rightly understood, the preamble of the Declaration of Independence no longer belongs to Thomas Jefferson, who was a complicated and perplexing man, a liberty-loving slave holder, a man who decried the mingling of black and white blood (miscegenation) but mingled for more than 30 years with his household slave Sally Hemings, a natural philosopher who celebrated the dignity and independence of Native Americans while doing all he could to dispossess them of their sovereign lands, a revolutionary who believed that men should govern themselves, but women should be content to preside over the nursery, a masterful record keeper who was publicly frugal and privately bankrupt and on and on.The words of the Declaration of Independence have long ceased to belong to Jefferson, who in some ways was a man far ahead of his time and in other ways well behind the most enlightened thinking of his era. They belong to humankind. The preamble does not lose any of its universal revolutionary validity just because the man who wrote it was highly imperfect. In fact, the great sentence, more than anything else in Jeffersons long and productive life, is the chief indictment against him. June 2, 2024: The war in Ukraine gave the United States an opportunity to use its older, near their expiration date, ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile Systems) rockets rather than spending a lot of money safely disposing of them. Ukrainian weapons experts knew the risks of firing these older rockets was low for the users and Ukraine needed all the long range firepower they could get. In late 2023 Ukraine received dozens of the ATACMS missiles and in early 2024 received some of the updated ATACMS missiles with longer range. By 2024 the replacement for ATACMS called Deepstrike was ready to enter service. The war in Ukraine led to a few Deepstrike missiles being sent to Ukraine to see how the new missile would perform in combat. Deepstrike is a thinner rocket so that two can be fit into a MLRS container that currently holds one ATACMS. Deepstrike has a longer 500 kilometer range and a more capable guidance system. Meanwhile the Americans were already upgrading their ATACMS rockets before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In mid-2018 the U.S. Army increased its spending on SLEP (service-life-extension program) work on its older MGM140 ATACMS artillery rockets. Nearly 4,000 ATACMS had been built since the missile entered service in the late 1980s. In the late 1990s a longer range, GPS guided version was introduced but by then most of the current ATACMS missiles were built and production slowed to very little by 2007. The SLEP program refurbished and upgraded the older, shorter range, 165 kilometer unguided ATACMS so they have features of the latest models. The SLEP will produce a like-new guided missile with a ten year shelf life and a 250-300 kilometer range, depending on the weight of the warhead. Older ATACMS underwent SLEP at the rate of 300-500 a year until all of the ATACMS stockpile was refurbished. That meant several thousand SLEPed ATACMS that could accept new warheads with new features like ground penetration to destroy underground facilities and more capable guidance systems. The ATACMS is a 610mm ballistic missile that fits in the same size container that normally holds six 227mm MLRS rockets on a HIMARS truck. The latest upgrades have been to the guidance system. In 2017 ATACMS was given the ability to hit moving targets, specifically ships at sea. ATACMS has sufficient range for that and the U.S. pioneered the development of terminal guidance systems for ballistic missiles in the 1970s the Pershing mobile missile. Since then the U.S. has developed similar guidance systems so that high-speed missiles can hit moving targets. So it was not a difficult feat to develop a terminal guidance system for ATACMS that searches for a certain size ship and heads for it while moving at more than a thousand meters a second, which is faster than a very speedy bullet. The ATACMS guidance system has also received a proximity detonation capability so that it can be programmed to explode in the air above a target. All the current ATACMS needs is the GPS coordinates of the moving target on land or sea. Since max flight time at max range is only a few minutes it is easy to predict where the moving target will be based on aerial, satellite, or sonar detection. It takes less than a minute to update the guidance system and launch. If nothing else this will give potential naval foes something more to worry about and be a popular export item as well. Most current ATACMS are armed with a 227 kg (500 pound) high explosive warhead. The U.S. used over 700 ATACMS, most of them in Iraq and Afghanistan combat operations and their performance was excellent, especially the guided ones. Nearly 4,000 ATACMS have been built since the mid-1980s and about 70 percent are still available for another upgrade. In addition to those used in combat about three percent were fired for training or testing. ATACMS currently use GPS guidance to hit targets up to 300 kilometers away. When the U.S. Army first introduced ATACMS in the late 1980s it designed cluster bomb warheads that distributed lots of smaller bomblets because the first ATACMS were unguided. While these worked, there was always a problem with some of the bomblets not self-destructing and later going off when civilians, or American troops, came along. As a result cluster bomb warheads were not popular. Then, when a version with GPS guidance and a single 227 kg high explosive warhead was introduced, it proved very popular. ATACMS currently cost about $1.3 million dollars each. A 227 kg JDAM dumb bomb with a GPS guidance kit attached costs about $40,000, although you can at least double that to cover the expense of operating the jet fighter or bomber that delivered it. This makes ATACMS sort of like the popular 227 kg JDAM smart bomb used by the air force but not requiring an aircraft to deliver it. ATACMS can be used in any weather conditions at any time and on short notice. It also travels a lot faster than any aircraft. Despite the growing use of inexpensive UAVS to deliver smaller JDAMS or even smaller 49 kg Hellfire missiles or 120 kg (280 pound) SDB (small diameter bombs) the ATACMS is always available to get something on the target right away. Another advantage of ATACMS is the ability to quickly move it and its launcher by air to anywhere in the world. This is because of HIMARS. Only costing about $3 million each, these smaller, truck mounted MLRS (HIMARS) rocket launcher systems carry only one, six rocket (or one ATACMS) container. The 12 ton HIMARS truck can fit into a C-130 transport, unlike the 22 ton tracked MLRS that carried twelve missiles in two pods. HIMARS was much cheaper to operate. The first HIMARS entered service in 2005, about a year after GPS guided rockets did. HIMARS proved more effective and popular than expected. HIMARS can carry one ATACMS but most of the time carries more and sometimes does. Now it can also carry two of the thinner Deepstrike missiles that are replacing ATACMS. Class of 2027 honor students from Simon Sanchez High School add final touches to a mural on a wall along Marine Corps Drive in Yigo on March 16, 2024. Since Typhoon Mawar rendered the Yigo campus unsafe for use, Simon Sanchez High School students have been attending double-session classes at John F. Kennedy High School in Tamuning. OUR VIEW: What does the flight test for Guam missile defense entail? Public sessions needed to make sense of 378-page assessment Haiti - Politic : The CPT chaired a meeting to launch a major impact study Friday May 31, 2024, the CPT chaired the launch meeting of the "Impact study of the political, security and humanitarian crisis". This meeting was held in the presence of Michel Patrick Boivert, resigning Minister of Economy and Finance and outgoing Prime Minister a.i. and the Operations Manager of the World Bank in Haiti. Member institutions of the Tripartite Partnership, notably the United Nations System, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the European Union were also represented. Discussions focused on current challenges and potential solutions to improve the political, security and humanitarian situation in Haiti. CPT members shared their understanding while presenting perspectives on this crucial study. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Garry Conille back in Haiti Saturday June 1st, 2024, Garry Conille, Prime Minister unanimously elected by the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) while he was abroad, returned to Haiti. He took off from Miami International Airport on a Sunrise Airways flight around 10:30 a.m. The outgoing Prime Minister, Michel Patrick Boisvert, welcomed him to the Diplomatic Salon. The two men had a first one-on-one meeting as a prelude to future working sessions to facilitate the transition. Flights between the DR and Haiti still suspended Dominican Airports Siglo XXI (Aerodom), which manages and operates 6 international airports in the Dominican Republic, informs that commercial flights between the Dominican Republic and Haiti remain suspended despite the fact that certain airlines had announced the reopening of flight operations. The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) is committed to restoring security to the Port-au-Prince airport, so that flight operations can return to normal. For the moment from the Dominican Republic to Haiti, there are neither passenger flights nor cargo flights to transport goods purchased in the country by Haitian nationals Education support for children of deceased police officers Launch Thursday, May 30 by the National Union of Haitian Police Officers (SYNAPOHA) of the program "School Support Initiative for Children of Deceased Police Officers". CEP : Project election results faster Max Delice, the Executive Director of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), informs that discussions are underway on the development of an electoral decree aimed at creating a platform to allow the publication of election results much more quickly. Only 20% of health centers are fully operational In Haiti, violence continues to affect the health sector, further limiting people's access to life-saving care in and around Port-au-Prince. Due to attacks and looting by armed groups, only 20% of the capital's health facilities are fully operational according to health partners. PM : Congratulations from the Canadian Ambassador "Our congratulations to the Prime Minister-designate ! A crucial step for the organization of free and fair elections, good governance and the restoration of national security necessary to facilitate aid to the Haitian people, who continue to suffer," declared Andre Francois Giroux, Ambassador of Canada to Haiti HL/ HaitiLibre June 2, 2024: The tools and techniques of warfare have been changing at a rapid rate since the late 1990s. It has become easier to find and kill or injure soldiers out in the open. Those casualties are avoided by putting soldiers in vehicles equipped with RWS (Remote Weapon Stations). This is the ubiquitous remote control weapon, usually a machine-gun, seen on trucks like the Humvee and MRAP as well as and tanks. The pioneer of this technology was the Norwegian firm Kongsberg, which has sold over 25,000 of its Protec Remote Weapon Stations so far. Most have been purchased by the U.S. Army, at a cost of several billion dollars. Widespread and successful initial use on Stryker, M-1 and hummer vehicles has led the U.S. Army to adopt the Kongsberg system as standard. The initial order, in 2007, was for 6,500. But the success of the system increased demand. The remote control gun turret has now become a standard system on American combat vehicles. Kongsberg has several models of the Protec, to support small, medium, and large sized weapons. Soon there were a lot of competitors, if only because Kongsberg couldnt keep up with the demand. Many of the new competitors are trying to grab niche markets. The more obvious ones are those demanding RWS that can handle larger weapons, like 25mm or 30mm autocannon. But the most interesting development is the portable RWS. It can be mounted on a hummer, but quickly removed, and carried by two men, and set up anywhere using a tripod. The operator can stay behind cover, while the light machine-gun, exposed to hostile fire, unflinchingly takes on the enemy. There are lots of combat situations that could make use of this lightweight RWS. The Protec RWS is the key component of the U.S. Army CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station). This idea of a remote control turret has been around since World War II, but years of tinkering, and better technology, eventually made the remote control gun turret work effectively, dependably, and affordably. This has made the RWS practical for widespread combat use. While some troops miss the greater feeling of situational awareness, especially being able to hear and smell the surroundings you got as an old-school turret gunner, most military personnel have adapted and accepted the new system. What it lacks in the smelling and hearing department, it makes up in terms of night vision and zoom. And its a lot safer. CROWS is a real lifesaver, not to mention anxiety reducer, for troops who drive through hostile territory a lot, and man the turret gun. Youre a target up there, and too often, enemy fire gets you. That no longer happens when using CROWS. The gunner is inside the vehicle, checking out the surroundings with night vision, zoom and telephoto capabilities. CROWS also has a laser rangefinder built in, as well as a stabilizer mechanism to allow more accurate fire while the vehicle is moving. The CROWS system including RWS, weapon and installation cost about $300,000 each, and can mount a variety of weapons like the 12.7mm machine-gun, MK19 40-mm automatic grenade launcher, M240B 7.62mm machine-gun and M249 5.56mm machine-gun). CROWS comes in several different configurations, based on weapon mounted and armor installed; light, at 74 kg, standard, at 136 kg pounds and CROWS II, at 172 kg. The heaviest version is usually used in MRAP armored trucks and has a better user interface, a thermal imager and sniper detection system. By the end of 2006, there were about a thousand CROWS in service. There are now over 20,000. Many of the enemy fighters have seen Western or Japanese films featuring killer robots, and often think thats what they are facing. The fear factor is real, and it helps. The accuracy of the fire, and uncanny speed with which the CROWS gun moves so quickly and deliberately, is due to something few officers expected. The soldiers operating these systems grew up playing video games. They developed skills in operating computer system video games very similar to the CROWS controls. This was important because viewing the world around the vehicle via a vidcam is not as enlightening, although a lot safer, than having your head and chest exposed to the elements and enemy firepower. Experienced video gamers were skilled at whipping that screen view around and picking up any signs of danger. Since many troops have years of experience with video games, they take to CROWS quickly, and very effectively. This has further frightened hostile gunmen, who are quick to attribute magical qualities to American equipment. However, many CROWS users have mixed feelings about the system, because they know that you have more awareness of your surroundings if you are actually standing with your head and shoulders outside the vehicle, manning a machine-gun. For this reason, RWS manufacturers are investigating adding more sensors for things like sound, smell, and wind direction. But the biggest improvements have been more reliability, ease-of-use, more sensors, and lower costs. Roadside bombs were minimized by the use of MRAP (Mine Resistant Armor Protected) trucks that included shock absorbing seats for the troops inside and firing ports behind bulletproof blocks of glass that enabled the troops to fire back. Adding a RWS with a sniper detection system made it lethal for anyone to fire on MRAPs or any other vehicle equipped with a RWS. Most of these sniper detection systems incorporate acoustic and heat sensors as well as video cameras that are used in real time and a RWS turret that is linked to the sensors and uses special software to quickly locate the source of the rifle, machine-gun, mortar, or rocket fire the video camera and 7.62mm or 12.7mm RWS weapon at the location of the shooter, enabling the human operator to immediately open fire before the enemy, especially a sniper, can get away. The software also captures video and other data for every instance that the system is alerted by what seems to be an attack. All such events, whether they led to return fire or not, can be studied and analyzed. The acoustic detection system is sometimes used separately. Acoustic gunfire detectors have been in the field for over two decades and have gotten better each year. By 2010 over 60,000 sniper detectors had been shipped to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, where they were increasingly useful and generated a continuous flow of user suggestions for improvements. These were addressed and that resulted in new and improved models appearing regularly to the present. Another form of automated security came in 2022 when the U.S. Air Force began using a security robot, one that moves about on four legs, to patrol its air bases and other sensitive sites. The new security system was called Vision Sixty. This was a 43 kg Q-UGVs (Quadrupedal Unmanned Ground Vehicles) that is battery operated and drains their battery after traveling about twelve kilometers before returning to a charging station to get its batteries replenished. The charging location can be remembered, even if moved and Vision Sixty can be programmed to return whenever the charge is low and there is only enough power left to get back to a charging station. Vision Sixty can move at speeds of over two meters a second and cover a hundred meters in about 40 seconds. They can wade through water, move through weeds or a tunnel and if they fall over, they can get themselves back up. Climbing up or down steps is no problem and can explore caves or unlit mineshafts. Their primary sensor is a day/night vidcam which transmits live video at 4G LTE speeds. Operators use either a cell-type device to control one nearby or a remote operator can handle several of them via that same link. If Vision Sixty is working with a person, they can be given a follow me command and Vision Sixty will remember their handler and automatically follow that handler. Air Force security personnel using Vision Sixty quickly came to call them dogs and use them as such during perimeter patrols. Like dogs, if intruders are spotted the handler can assign Vision Sixty to pursue one of them while the air force handler pursues another and calls for backup. The air force is using Vision Sixty droids at several air bases at home and abroad while the United States is also using them on the southern border. At least 25 customers in the United States and overseas have ordered about 500 Vision Sixty systems so far. Vision Sixty units cost from $100,000 to $250,00 each depending on options and capabilities required. Vision Sixty can handle extreme heat and cold and move through mud and snow a real dog can handle. Vision Sixty cant swim but is waterproof and is easy to repair if damaged. An unexpected development of the current war in Ukraine is the extensive use of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), or drones. In Ukraine, Ukrainian UAV tactics are a major cause of Russian casualties. The UAVs not only attack targets but also find targets, even ones that are carefully hidden in wooded areas, underground or with camouflage nets. Russia believes that these UAVs have a weakness which can be exploited; the UAV operators must be within several kilometers of where these large quad-copter types are, using FPV (First Person View) headsets to guide the UAVs in the search for targets, so that another UAV can attack the target, or more frequently, drop an explosive on the target. After an attack the UAVs return to an area near their operators where the UAVs can receive fully charged batteries and more explosives to be dropped. The Ukrainian UAVs operate in pairs, with a smaller UAV finding a target and a larger UAV dropping the explosive device which has an effect similar to that of an 82mm or 120mm mortar shell depending on how much weight the UAV can carry. Since the Ukrainian UAVs operate on batteries, they are very quiet and usually operate at night, using night-vision video cameras to seek out targets. The Russians also use heat sensing night vision video cameras around positions they want to defend to detect the incoming Ukrainian UAVs, and then try to track the electronic signals coming from the Ukrainian operators to the UAVs so the UAV operators can be located and attacked by Russian UAVs or with artillery/mortar fire. This retaliation technique was not as successful as the Russians hoped. Meanwhile armed UAVs cause more casualties in Ukraine than mortar, artillery, or missile attacks. The main reason for this is the accuracy of UAV attacks and that is because of the FPV UAV operators locating targets that are promptly attacked before they can move to another location. This is why Russia is seeking to develop ways to find and kill the UAV operators. Ukrainian UAV operators know they are targets for Russian attacks and move around a lot because to stay in one location too long means increased vulnerability to being found and attacked. This is similar to sniper tactics, where the sniper team consisting of a shooter and a spotter find several locations to shoot from and then slither away from one position to another to avoid detection and attack. Snipers are still used but they operate from ground level or from inside a multistory building. The UAVs can pop up to an altitude of several hundred meters to spot a target then dive down to ground level to avoid detection and attack. UAVs have advantages over snipers that make them more flexible and lethal. Street photography has become increasingly popular lately, as it allows photographers to capture authentic everyday situations. Many of our gallery photographers also use the genre to capture special moments or to visualize their view of the world. In this week's pictures, we would like to show you some of the most beautiful images. Anzeige Ruhrort (Image: Gernot Schwarz) Gernot Schwarz took this snapshot called Ruhrort with his iPhone. Two little girls are walking down the sidewalk, arm in arm. The picture tells a wonderful story that completes itself in the mind of the viewer. The childlike lightness of a free afternoon, the umbrella above their heads and the chalk images on the paving slabs suitably underline the scene and offer plenty of scope for interpretation. Talking II (Image: K P K) "The photo Talking II was taken during a photographers' meeting I organized with around 40 participants from various European countries. The pedestrian bridge between two government buildings is one of the motifs I like to revisit every time I visit Berlin. The strict geometric structures of the bridge are broken up here by the two people talking to each other. The cloudless sky supports the minimalist impression of the picture," says Klaus-Peter Kubik (K P K) about his minimalist shot. The man comes around (Image: offramp) The man comes around byofframpshows very nicely how you can create a successful composition with hard contrasts between light and shadow. The urban scene appears to have been taken in an underground parking garage or underpass. Bicycles lean against a railing that leads the eye through the picture to the right. There, the viewer discovers the silhouette of a person walking. It lends the shot dynamism and a human element. The use of black and white is a classic for the harsh contrasts that often arise in bright daylight. The reflection of the light in the ceiling beams gives structure to the surface of the ceiling, which sinks into black. Town musician (Image: Reiner von der Schlei) "In 1968 [...] I had discovered photography for myself and oriented myself towards the photographer group 'fotoform', got to know one of the members, Peter Keetman, and from then on threw myself into the urban events of Munich, was constantly on the lookout for the hustle and bustle and its protagonists. I got down on my knees to portray the scene at eye level with the musician. While passers-by pushed between us and hurried past, I captured this moment with a clear view of the banjo player. The moment itself was nothing special at the time, but the way it was portrayed was. Many people took pictures from above, but I found this perspective much more interesting," says Reiner Weber (Reiner von der Schlei) about his photo of the Town Musician. Anzeige Stonehenge spring 2013 (Image: Booorn) The picture Stonehenge Spring 2013 by Bjorn Fey (Booorn) was included in this week's selection by chance. Since the creator of the actually selected picture deleted it shortly before publication, the system selected a random photo from the gallery. Although Bjorn Fey last uploaded a picture to the c't photo gallery in 2014 and despite the long time between upload and selection, the photographer wrote us an email and recalled how the picture was taken back then: "That was a very long time ago. Back then, I was looking for a way to show Stonehenge in a nice light. As the sun was setting relatively well behind Stonehenge in March 2013 and the weather was also clear, I went to a hill about 50 meters away and unpacked the 70-200. The position at the top of the hill makes it look like you're at eye level with the stones, which are themselves standing on a hill." Checkmate, bottle empty (Image: Joachim Kopatzki) Checkmate, empty bottle by Joachim Kopatzki is a snapshot of a scene he discovered in a small mountain village on Crete. Images from a bird's eye view and with clear patterns have long been part of the gallery photographer's style. Here, too, the realization is well done and tells a story at the same time. It begins with the apparent contradiction between the clear pattern of the chessboard and the jumbled bottles on it. What happened before that and what happens next is left to the viewer's imagination. "On the outskirts of a small village, I saw the chess set as I drove past. I drove on and after about five kilometers I turned around and drove back to take the photo," recalls the photographer. Steel mill (Image: Addi Beck) Addi Beck depicts the UNESCO World Heritage Site Volklingen Ironworks in a slightly different way in his picture Steelworks. The building appears blurred and is barely recognizable. It looks as if it is collapsing in on itself. The effect of movement that the photographer has integrated into his image emphasizes the size of the building and the chimney and creates a dynamic that arouses the viewer's interest. "The original picture was taken during an excursion to the Volklingen Ironworks in 2020. At that time, the photographic focus was on rust and structures. As part of a reworking of some of the images, I cropped this image in 16:9 format due to the numerous vertical lines and added the wiper effect and a white frame in Photoshop," the photographer wrote to us. (cbr) "Let Google do the Googling for you": This slogan was used several times during the keynote speech at Google's I/O developer conference. The search engine is being transformed into an answering and doing engine that will soon be able to answer complex questions and complete tasks on behalf of the user with plenty of artificial intelligence. Sounds appealing at first. Anzeige An opinion by Jo Bager Jo Bager has been working for c't for almost twenty years and has also been working for heise online since its launch. He writes about search engines, social networks and web services of all kinds and is always fascinated by how the IT industry is constantly reinventing itself. But if you take the idea further, you end up in a dystopia. Google will then lure users even deeper into its realm than it already does. Who will still visit the site from which the information originally came if Google uses it to formulate an answer? Who will go elsewhere to plan their trip abroad or have a training plan generated if they can get everything from a single source at Google? Google's robots have devoured the content of the web, its AI has digested it. A parasite is now growing in this nutrient solution that has the potential to slowly starve out its host - the rest of the web - and take its place. But it doesn't have to come to that. The new era of generative AI has produced a whole range of exciting alternatives to the quasi-monopolist. None of these services are perfect. But let's be honest: are you actually satisfied with Google's search results? It's just so convenient. Google is the default search engine in many browsers. Somehow, you come to terms with the service. And ignore the fact that you have chosen an advertising company as the most important gatekeeper for your access to the web. Give Kagi, Perplexity, You.com or another alternative search engine a try. Not for one or two queries. Set them up as your default for a few weeks to get used to them. Maybe you're like me. I've been using Kagi for a few months now and am very happy with it. Anzeige (jo) The loan, guaranteed by the InvestEU program, underscores EIBs commitment to promoting the circular economy and supporting the European Green Deal. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has approved a 17 million loan to Swappie, Europes largest iPhone refurbisher. This funding aims to enhance the quality and efficiency of smartphone refurbishing, extending device lifespans, reducing electronic waste, and enabling more consumers to lower their carbon footprints. The InvestEU program targets 372 billion in additional investments from 2021 to 2027, focusing on green transition, competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable infrastructure. Swappies CEO expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting that the five-year loan will be used to invest in research, development, and robotics. These advancements will improve Swappies refurbishing capabilities, enabling faster and more reliable iPhone repairs. The company will also expand its product range to a broader international audience. Swappie, which raised 208 million in sales in 2022 and employs over 800 people, aims to make high-quality refurbished iPhones accessible and affordable. The environmental benefits are significant: a refurbished smartphone has an 80% smaller carbon footprint compared to a new device, and extending a phones use by one year can reduce its lifecycle carbon emissions by a third. Thomas Ostros, Vice-President of EIB, praised Swappies efforts, stating, Swappie exemplifies how reducing waste and extending the lifespan of devices can lower costs and benefit the environment. We are proud to support their mission of offering smarter and more affordable alternatives while minimizing the impact on our planet. Lauri Lipsanen, CFO of Swappie, also commented on the collaboration, saying, This loan from the EIB is a significant milestone for us. It supports our mission to promote sustainable electronics consumption by improving our refurbishing processes and extending the life of iPhones. This funding is a crucial step towards offering high-quality, affordable refurbished devices to a growing number of customers and contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. Swappie currently operates in multiple European countries, including Finland, Sweden, Italy, and Germany, and has raised a total of 149 million from investors since its founding in 2018. For more information, visit Swappie. About the European Investment Bank (EIB) The EIB is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its member states. It finances sound investments that contribute to EU policy objectives, enhancing competitiveness, innovation, and sustainable development. In 2023, the EIB Group signed new financing agreements worth 88 billion for over 900 projects, supporting approximately 400,000 businesses and 5.4 million jobs. All EIB Group projects align with the Paris Climate Agreement, and the bank does not fund investments in fossil fuels. The EIB is on track to meet its goal of 1 trillion in climate and environmental investments by 2030, with over half of its annual financing supporting projects directly combating climate change and promoting a healthier environment. In 2023, the EIB committed nearly 1 billion to new projects in Finland, funding large corporations R&D, industrial investments, energy-efficient buildings, educational infrastructure, and support for small businesses. This financing supports a total investment of nearly 4.4 billion, contributing to the countrys economic growth and sustainability. For more information, visit European Investment Bank. HT The SitFit study by FIOH aimed to identify practical methods for reducing the negative impacts of sedentary work. A new study has revealed that taking short walking breaks, termed "office walks," is the most effective way to mitigate the adverse health effects of prolonged sitting. The research, conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), shows that just two minutes of walking every half hour can significantly reduce discomfort and improve overall well-being for office workers. It compared various break strategies in a controlled laboratory setting to determine the most effective approach for real-world application. The researchers concluded that a brief walk every half hour was the best method to integrate into a typical workday. The term 'office walk' aptly describes these breaks, which are similar to getting a cup of coffee, going to the printer, or chatting with a colleague, said Senior Researcher Satu Manttari from FIOH. These short, easy walks raise the heart rate, activate muscles, and improve circulation, thereby counteracting the effects of prolonged sitting and refreshing the mind. Volunteers participating in the study found the two-minute treadmill walk to be the most popular and effective break method. This simple activity was sufficient to increase heart rate and circulation, thus preventing the negative health impacts associated with continuous sitting. Moreover, the study found that such breaks did not disrupt work efficiency; on the contrary, they helped maintain focus and productivity. Taking regular breaks is a straightforward and cost-free way to prevent health problems caused by sedentary work, Manttari added. A two-minute office walk, prompted by a clock or an app, fits naturally into the workflow without diminishing productivity. With the rise of remote work, particularly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount of time people spend sitting has increased significantly. Currently, about one-third of Finnish employees sit for 67 hours a day. Excessive sitting is linked to severe health issues, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and musculoskeletal disorders. Long periods of sitting strain the neck, shoulders, and lower back, impair circulation in the lower limbs, and can increase the risk of developing musculoskeletal problems. The study highlights the critical need for incorporating regular breaks into the workday to combat these risks. The SitFit study also evaluated other break methods, such as alternating between sitting and standing and performing five squats every half hour. However, the two-minute walking breaks proved superior in terms of physiological and cognitive benefits. This pioneering research provides quantitative data on the effectiveness of break methods, leading to the primary recommendation of taking a two-minute walk every 30 minutes. The SitFit study was a collaborative effort between the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and University of Helsinki Property Services Ltd., with funding provided by the Finnish Work Environment Fund and University of Helsinki Property Services Ltd. HT With the seven-phase voting across India having ended on Saturday, the wait for the results begins. Maharashtra, which has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the highest after Uttar Pradesh, is a crucial state in the contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the opposition's INDIA bloc. In the past two Lok Sabha elections, the NDA won most of the seats in Maharashtra, winning 42 seats in 2014 and 41 in 2019. Going by the mood in the state, it is likely to be a close fight between the ruling Mahayuti alliance in the state, backed by the NDA, and the opposition coalition, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) which is part of INDIA in most constituencies. The NDA consisted of chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, BJP and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), while the MVA comprised Congress, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Sharad Pawar led NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar). The BJP-NDA mainly relied on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal and the performance of his government in the past ten years. Attempts to invoke Hindutva were concentrated in a few regions and not across the state. The splits in two regional parties Shiv Sena and NCP the Maratha reservation issue and distress among farmers were the issues propped up by the opposition in the election. In Mumbai, both Shiv Sena factions battled for relevance, with an underlying Marathi versus Gujarati narrative set by the Thackeray faction, accusing the Modi government of promoting business interests in Gujarat instead of Maharashtra. With assembly elections in the state set for October-November this year, the outcome of Lok Sabha elections in the state would not only have an impact on the national-level fight between two coalitions but also on the states political landscape, which has seen political upheaval since the 2019 assembly elections. Here are the possible scenarios from the Lok Sabha polls in the state: NDA maintains its 2019 tally of 41 or comes close to the same If Brand Modi helps the Mahayuti secure a minimum of 35 or more seats, it would mean the ruling alliance has maintained its hold on the state. This would be crucial due to the absence of any prevailing political wave in favour of a particular party in the current general election. Nationally, it could help the BJP maintain its majority mark. In the state, it would mean the ruling alliance is still favoured by the people and that it can retain power in the upcoming assembly elections. It would also mean that Eknath Shinde continues as the chief minister, with the exception of the Supreme Courts pending verdict in the petition seeking his disqualification. Significantly, an NDA victory in Maharashtra would put a question mark on the political future of both Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, even as Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar would claim the peoples validation of their decisions to engineers splits in their respective parties. NDA and MVA win nearly the same number of seats The second scenario would mean that the NDA takes a hit in Maharashtra but manages to hold onto some ground and the opposition MVA does well. In such a case, both coalitions could win around 24-25 seats. If NDA manages to secure 30 seats, it can still have an upper hand in terms of numbers. On the other hand, the opposition MVA would continue to be a force to reckon with even if they win around 20 seats. If they secure a few more seats, the assembly elections will see an intense political battle in the state with a far more aggressive MVA. MVA scores 30-35 If MVA wins 30 or more seats, it would be a major setback for the Mahayuti alliance and would significantly affect the NDA's seat tally at the national level. There could be major upheaval in the state with the opposition coalition seeing a clear chance to win the state assembly elections. It would also mean that Thackeray and Pawar would continue to influence state politics despite losing most of their MLAs. It will also be seen as people rejecting Shinde and Ajit Pawars factions. Such an outcome in the state may see a large chunk of Sena and NCP MLAs returning to the Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP). "Despite the results going in favour of either party, a churn is expected in the state politics. NDAs victory would mean Pawar and Thackeray losing more ground and will probably lose even the MLAs they have now. However, if the MVA does well, it will be the other way around," said Mumbai-based political analyst Padmabhushan Deshpande. "For the MLAs, the coming assembly elections would be a battle of survival. Many of them will look at the trends in the Lok Sabha polls, how their parties have fared in their assembly segments and decide what to do next," he said. The MVA seems to have an edge over the NDA in the state. However, if the trend is reversed, there is also the possibility of Pawar merging his party with the Congress, he added. Shailesh Gaikwad, political editor of HT Mumbai, breaks down the most important political news in Maharashtra this week Virgo (23rd August to 22nd September) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, Unlock Your Potential, Virgo Awaits Virgo Daily Horoscope Today, June 03, 2024. Take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you, and let this guide your actions. Today brings a chance to redefine your priorities, with a focus on personal growth and recalibrating your work-life balance. Virgo, today is all about finding harmony in the chaos. You're poised to discover new opportunities for growth, both personally and professionally. Take the time to reflect on what truly matters to you, and let this guide your actions. Expect a few surprises that will challenge you to rethink your long-standing beliefs and habits. Virgo Love Horoscope Today Today, focus on fostering open communication with your partner or potential interest. Your charm is at its peak, so its an excellent day for heartfelt discussions and sharing future dreams. For single Virgos, an unexpected encounter could lead to intriguing conversations. Keep your heart open, and remember, vulnerability is your strength today. Let your genuine nature shine, and you might be surprised by the depth of connection you can achieve. Virgo Career Horoscope Today Collaboration is key; listening to others' ideas could spark an innovative solution you hadn't considered. It's also a day where you might find clarity about your career path. If youve been feeling uncertain, pay attention to the signs guiding you towards your true calling. Networking can lead to beneficial connections, so don't shy away from professional gatherings or online forums. Virgo Money Horoscope Today You're adept at spotting opportunities for growth and wise enough to avoid needless expenses. Consider any investments or big purchases carefully. It might be a good time to seek advice from a financial expert to fine-tune your budget or savings plan. Unexpected gains are possible, but remember, the real wealth today comes from understanding the value of saving for the future. Practice mindfulness in your spending, and your bank account will thank you later. Virgo Health Horoscope Today The stars suggest focusing on balance and wellness. Your mental health may need as much attention as your physical well-being. Incorporate relaxation and meditation into your routine to clear your mind of clutter. Nutrition also plays a significant role today; opting for whole foods can boost your energy levels and improve focus. Consider stretching or yoga to ease any muscle tension. Listening to your body's needs is crucial; dont push yourself too hard. Prioritize rest, and your vitality will soar. Virgo Sign Attributes Strength: Kind, Elegant, Perfectionist, Modest, Strong-willed Kind, Elegant, Perfectionist, Modest, Strong-willed Weakness: Picky, Over-possessive Picky, Over-possessive Symbol: Virgin maiden Virgin maiden Element: Earth Earth Body Part: Intestine Intestine Sign Ruler : Mercury : Mercury Lucky Day: Wednesday Wednesday Lucky Color: Gray Gray Lucky Number: 7 7 Lucky Stone: Sapphire Virgo Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, Capricorn Good compatibility: Virgo, Pisces Fair compatibility: Aries, Leo, Libra, Aquarius Less compatibility: Gemini, Sagittarius By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 9811107060 (WhatsApp Only) Billionaire Gautam Adani has once again surpassed Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani to become the richest person in Asia after a surge in stock price of the listed companies in his conglomerate, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Reliance Industries head Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani(File) As per the index, Adani is now ranked as the 11th richest in the world with a net worth of $111 billion, whereas the Reliance Industries chairperson has been ranked at 12th position with a net worth of $109 billion. Adani Total considering building more plants in India for LNG import The shares of all Adani Group companies surged on Friday by up to 14%. Further, an addition of 84,064 crore in market value took the market capitalisation of 10 Adani group listed firms to 17.51 lakh crore at the close of trading on Friday. Earlier in 2022, Adani had become Asia's richest man after his personal wealth rose even as the global economy suffered a period of slowing growth. But in January 2023, his sprawling conglomerate was hit after a report by prominent short-seller Hindenburg Research. The report claimed that Adani's business empire was built through fraud, sending stock prices of his group crashing by $150 billion at its lowest point and him out of the world's top 20 billionaires. However, Adani denied all allegations and worked on a comeback strategy that included containing debt, reducing founder share pledge and consolidating business in core competencies. Gautam Adani in talks with Vijay Shekhar Sharma to acquire stake in Paytm: 'Finalising contours of deal' So far in 2024, Adani's net worth has jumped $26.8 billion while Ambani's wealth has increased by $12.7 billion, according to Bloomberg Index. The 61-year-old billionaire began his career in the diamond industry. He formed his own company in 1988, which began as an import-export operation in the commodities sector and gradually expanded to other initiatives. His wealth expanded in the last decade, rising from around $5 billion in 2014 to a whopping $121 billion at the end of 2022. He briefly became the world's second-richest person in September 2022. Mukesh Ambani's net worth crosses $100 billion, dethrones Gautam Adani as Asia's richest man Last week, Adani in the annual reports of the group companies had expressed his optimism about the future of the group saying that its best days are ahead. "The road ahead is paved with extraordinary possibilities, and I can promise you that the Adani Group today is stronger than it has ever been." (With inputs from PTI) Bhopal: Seven people were killed after a boat carrying 11 passengers capsized in Seep River, a tributary of the Chambal River, in Madhya Pradeshs Sheopur district, police said. (Representative Photo) Police have identified the deceased as Parshuram Mali, 29, and his wife Parvanta Mali, 28, and five minors between the age group of four to 16. Police said the incident took place at 4pm on Saturday in Saroda village under the Manpur police station limits. According to the police, 11 passengers were on board when the boat overturned due to a storm and capsized, killing seven. Police said that the other four people managed to save their lives by swimming to the bank of the river. The police, administration and State Disaster Emergency Response Force team reached the spot and started the rescue operation. The team fished out seven bodies till 8pm, police said. CM Mohan Yadav expressed grief over the boat accident. Feeling immense pain due to the untimely demise of many precious lives in the accident caused by boat capsizing in Seep river of Sheopur, he wrote on X in Hindi. The chief minister said that immediately after the accident, the collector and district superintendent of police reached the spot, adding that state minister Pradhuman Singh Tomar will also reach the incident spot to view the situation. The chief minister announced that Rs.4 lakh will be given to the family of the deceased. In this hour of grief, our sympathies are with the bereaved families. The government has given instructions to provide financial assistance of 4 lakh each to the families of the deceased, his X post further read I pray to Baba Mahakal for peace of the departed souls and strength to the family members, he added. Among the six seats on which bypolls were held alongside Lok Sabha polls in Himachal, Kutlehar recorded the highest voter turnout of 76.2%. The total turnout stood at 69%. Voters queueing up outside a polling booth in Himachal. (HT Photo) Coming in at second was Sujanpur, which recorded 74.1% turnout, followed by Lahaul-Spiti 73.72% and Dharamshala 71%. The voter turnout in Gagret and Barsar assembly segments was recorded at 68.28% and 50% respectively. The outcome of the bypolls is critical for the stability of the chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in the state. The bypolls were necessitated by the rebellion of six Congress legislators, who had voted for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Harsh Mahajan in the February 27 Rajya Sabha elections. After their disqualification for defying the party whip to vote for Congress nominee Abhishek Manu Singhvi, they joined the BJP in Delhi and were fielded as the saffron partys candidates for the bypolls. After the rebellion, the Congress strength fell from 40 to 34 in the 68-member assembly, where the BJP has 25 MLAs. The BJP fielding all six rebels who had won from their respective seats in the 2022 assembly polls has complicated the equation for the Congress. A party needs 35 members in the House for a majority. Notably, however, the fate of three Independent MLAs who had also voted in favour of the BJP in the Rajya Sabha polls only to later resign and join the saffron party is up in the air. Their resignation is pending before the Speaker, while a petition is also being heard in court. Four of the six byelections are being held in Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency. Sukhu led from the front The Congress, being spearheaded by Sukhu, who represents Nadaun in the assembly, ran a high-decibel campaign against BJP, accusing the party of orchestrating the rebellion to destabilise the state government by using money power. The CM, after casting his vote on Saturday, said the people of the state must ensure the importance of their votes is maintained. The candidate who won by the vote of the people sold themselves. That is why I say that to maintain the importance of their vote, people have to contest and win these elections, Sukhu said. Meanwhile, Congress turncoat and BJP Sujanpur candidate, Rajinder Rana, after casting his vote, said all previous records will be broken in these elections. People are supporting Lotus. As far as parliamentary elections are concerned, Anurag Thakur will get the highest lead from Sujanpur. In by-elections, all previous records will be broken this time, he said. As many as 25 candidates are in fray on six seats. Lok Sabha elections in the city were marred by inadequate facilities and slow-moving voting at several polling booths, particularly in colonies which had high voter turnout. Many voters also faced significant hardships due to poor arrangements, leading to extensive resentment. Polling stations in Sector 52, Sector 53, Sector 25, Sector 48, Dhanas, Maloya, Hallomajra, Raipur Khurd and Bapu Dham Colony were among those sectors reported to have long voter queues. (Ravi Kumar/HT) Despite government schools having sheds, no such facilities were made available at polling booths where voters queues extended up to 500 m beyond the station. Voters were forced to experience searing heat while standing for over two hours to cast their votes. Furthermore, drinking water and cooler facilities were found inadequate at many polling stations. Many stations failed to even provide separate queues for elderly citizens, despite mandates requiring such arrangements. This oversight further escalated the difficulties faced by senior voters. Adding to their problems, people reported a major scarcity of wheelchairs, with only 2-3 available at many stations. This resulted in long delays for elderly and disabled voters. At one such booth in Sector 40 C, only one wheelchair was available. Polling stations in Sector 52, Sector 53, Sector 25, Sector 48, Dhanas, Maloya, Hallomajra, Raipur Khurd and Bapu Dham Colony were among those sectors reported to have long voter queues. Rupesh Kumar, a voter at the Dhanas polling station, expressed his frustration, stating, I have been standing in queue since 6 am. My turn has not yet come. It has been 1.5 hours already. At Sector 48 A, residents began queuing as early as 6.30 am to cast their votes. According to officials, 10-12 polling stations experienced long queues, causing delays and discomfort. Chief electoral officer of UT Vijay Namdeorao Zade said, Almost all booths had sheds, as all government schools have the facility. A noteworthy observation was that the queues outside the polling stations did not have sheds. We have made a note of this for the upcoming elections. The high turnout of voters at some locations affected the process, although we tried to expedite it by deploying additional polling staff. The department also picked up and dropped 40 voters with disability and old age to their polling booths. Amid speculations regarding his health as he didnt turn up for voting, former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday clarified that he was fine and recovering from gastroenteritis. His family too stated that he was recovering. Capt Amarinder Singh Taking to X, former Twitter, Captain stated, As for you rumour-mongers who are speculating on my health, I am recovering from gastroenteritis and recovering well. I aint going anywhere! Later in the evening, his son Raninder Singh reiterated that his father was fine and the speculations about his health were just rumours. The rumours are said to have been fuelled by his absence at the time of voting when his family members had reached a polling booth in Patiala to cast their votes. The former Congress leader, who joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in September 2022, remained absent throughout the poll campaign of his wife Preneet Kaur, fielded by the BJP from the Patiala Lok Sabha seat. Meanwhile, Preneet Kaur said he was too unwell to vote. She was accompanied by her daughter Jai Inder Kaur and son Raninder Singh for voting at the government college in the evening. LUCKNOW: Amidst ongoing power cuts disrupting daily routines, Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) officials have announced a reassessment and redistribution of the load on sub-stations for better management during the summer season. This move aims to enhance the reliability of power supply amid increasing demand. Lucknow requires at least 100 more power substations and load enhancements in old city areas. (Sourced) LESA chief engineer Ravi Kumar Agarwal said, In the past four years, the electricity load on the infrastructure has doubled. In May 2023, Lucknows electricity load was 1,020 MW, but in May 2024, it surged to 1,826 MW, putting the power infrastructure under stress. Meanwhile, residents are frustrated with severe power disruptions across the city. They are experiencing frequent outages, with power cuts occurring 10 to 15 times daily, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 8 hours. Despite assurances of improvements from department officials, the situation remains grim, prompting widespread protests. The last week of May saw significant protests in areas such as Uttarethia, PGI Road, Rajajipuram, Para, Dubagga, Sitapur Road, Madiaon, BKT, Ambedkar University, Basmandi Square, and Faizullaganj, where residents took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the persistent power cuts. Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, Avdhesh Kumar Varma, said, The situation is exacerbated by the overwhelming number of complaints received daily. The Madhyanchal customer care number 1912 logs over 3,000 complaints each day from Lucknow. The frequent outages not only disrupt daily life but also impact businesses, healthcare, and education, creating a ripple effect throughout the community. Lucknow requires at least 100 more power substations and load enhancements in old city areas, or the demonstrations would continue, he said. To ensure uninterrupted power supply at the Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan during the counting of votes on June 4, three additional transformers will be installed. This dual-source approach is designed to minimise the risk of power cuts, ensuring a stable and consistent electricity supply, said DM Suryapal Gangwar. The public health department issued another clarification on Friday, refuting allegations of irregularities in the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) ambulance tender, four three months after its initial clarification. Activists and politicians had claimed that the company that received the tender was formed after the tender was awarded and the proposal was not even approved in the cabinet. (REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO) The health departments Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services (MEMS) 108 ambulance service has allotted tender to three companies to provide 1,753 ambulances for the emergency service which will cost around 759 crore annually. However, since January this year, activists and politicians have raised allegations stating irregularities in the tender process. Activists and politicians had claimed that the company that received the tender was formed after the tender was awarded and the proposal was not even approved in the cabinet. Rohit Pawar, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP), MLA, on Thursday, took up the issue on X to point out irregularities, The company which was allotted the tender was established after the tender was granted. This is not as simple as buying something from the market to manipulate laws and regulations for the benefit of certain favoured people... Following this the health department has issued a clarification, stating as per the terms and conditions of the tender, the eligible bidders must make a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) registration under the Indian Companies Act 1956 for implementing the project. Due to this the eligible joint tenderersM/s Sumeet Facilities Limited, M/S BVG India Limited and SSG Transport Sanitaria have registered the SPV under the Indian Companies Act on 12 April after the letter of award was given (March 15, 2024) by the department as per the terms of the tender. The establishment of this SPV has been done as per the terms and conditions of the tender and the entire tender process has been carried out in a very transparent manner as per the prevailing rules and policies and there has been no malpractice or irregularity in it. Besides, the department stated that there has been no malpractice or irregularity in the tender process, it said. Vijay Kumbhar, vice-president of state Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), said, The clarification given by the health department is partial. The proposal was not approved by the cabinet and the department is saying nothing about it. Kumbhar, said, there are two types of agenda in cabinet meetingsregular agenda and agenda list. In the regular agenda, routine matters are taken up while in the additional agenda, proposals for emergency issues like earthquakes, floods, storms etc. which have some urgencies are taken. The proposal for the ambulance service was taken as urgent under the additional agenda. However, the proposal was not approved in the cabinet meeting. After the meeting, information about the approved proposals in both work lists was put up on the website and the proposal for emergency ambulance service was not in the approved list, he said. June 2, 2024 9:03 AM IST JEE Advanced Answer Key 2024 Live: Question papers of both shifts of the entrance test, along with the responses of the candidates who have appeared for both paper 1 and paper 2, have been released. Candidates can check it on jeeadv.ac.in. The provisional answer key will be released today, June 2, at 10 am. The Commissioner of Entrance Examinations (CEE) Kerala will be conducting the Kerala Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Entrance Examination (KEAM 2024) on June 5, 2024. The dates had been revised by the CCE Kerala, which was informed through an official notification. As per the notification, the KEAM 2024 will be conducted from June 5 to 9 for Engineering aspirants and on June 10 for Pharmacy aspirants. While the Engineering papers will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm, the Pharmacy paper will be held from 3:30 pm to 5 pm. KEAM 2024: Check the 12 important exam day instructions that candidates need to follow. (HT file image) The KEAM admit card has also been revised, and candidates can download the hall tickets from the candidate portal. Also read: KEAM 2024 mock tests released, exam date and time revised Now, as candidates gear up for the examinations, it is crucial to take note of certain instructions that they need to follow on the day of the exam. In this article, we will look at what these set of instructions are: The reporting time for Engineering papers is 11.30 am to 1.30 pm, and for the Pharmacy paper, it is 1 pm to 3 pm. Candidates are required to report at the Examination Center 2 hours before the commencement of the examination. Latecomers will not be permitted in the exam hall. Once the biometric verification of the candidates is complete, they will be allotted a seat inside the examination hall. The seat number will also be displayed on the left bottom corner of the login screen. Candidates must ensure that the displayed seat number and the allotted seat number match. Candidates are allowed to bring only an admit card, authorized Photo ID, and a simple transparent ballpoint pen to the examination hall. Additionally, they must mandatorily carry any one of the original and valid Photo Identification Proof issued by the government PAN card/Driving License/Voter ID/12th Class Board Admit or Registration card/ Passport/ Aadhaar Card (With photograph)/ E-Aadhaar/ Ration Card with photograph/ Aadhaar Enrolment No. with Photo. Candidates are not allowed to bring items such as pencils, erasers, papers, books, notes, log tables, pencil boxes, correction fluids, electronic devices such as calculators, digital watches, communication devices such as mobile phones, Bluetooth earphone, etc. Candidates must put their signature in the Attendance Sheet provided by the Invigilator. Paper sheets for rough work will be provided in the examination hall. Candidates must write their Roll Number and Name at the top of the paper and put their signature. This sheet will have to be returned to the Invigilator at the end of the examination. Those candidates who indulge in any unfair and improper conduct during the examination will be disqualified. Any gesture or conversation with other candidates will be treated as improper conduct/malpractice activity and shall be dealt with as per the relevant provisions laid by the authorities. In case the computer or any of its parts allotted to any candidate malfunctions anytime during the test, he/she will be immediately allotted another computer system and the time lost due to this will be adjusted in the server to give the candidate the full allotted time. The use of a keyboard during the exam is strictly not allowed. A virtual keyboard appearing on the computer screen can be used when necessary. If there is a system failure or the candidate needs any assistance during the examination, he/she should raise a hand to draw the attention of the invigilator. If a candidate furnishes false information and appears in more than one shift/date, the candidature will stand cancelled, and the result will not be declared. Candidates can only leave the examination hall only after completion of the examination. Also read: IIT JEE Advanced official answer key released, direct link to download from jeeadv.ac.in It may also be mentioned here that CEE Kerala released the official mock or practice tests for KEAM 2024. Candidates can take the KEAM mock test/practice test through the candidate login at cee.kerala.gov.in. Earlier, the engineering entrance examination was scheduled from June 1 to June 9, from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Also read: Poll phase 1-7, education keeps political pot boiling in Bihar as issues remain unresolved The excitement for Jujutsu Kaisen has reached a fever pitch as the famed manga is nearing its conclusion. Following the release of the previous chapter, fans were left shocked to see the shocking moment Yuta took over Gojo's body. As the battle against the King of Curses grows more intense, fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter. Unfortunately, Chapter 262 won't be released this week, here's why: Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 262 will not be arriving this week, here's why Why is there no Jujutsu Kaisen this week? While the Weekly Shonen Jump magazine is following its regular release schedule this week, Jujutsu Kaisen is on a one-week hiatus. Creators generally take a week-long break every three weeks. Hence, Chapter 262 is set to arrive on Monday, June 10, at 12 am JST. The majority of international audiences will see a daytime release on Sunday. However, as the exact time varies across different regions, you can check out the release schedule based on your timezone below. Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 262 release date and time Time Zone Time Date Day PDT 8:00 am June 9 Sunday CDT 10:00 am June 9 Sunday EDT 11:00 am June 9 Sunday GMT 3:00 pm June 9 Sunday JST 12:00 am June 10 Monday ACST 12:30 am June 10 Monday Where to read Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 262? Fans can read the upcoming issue on Jujutsu Kaisen's official sources, such as the Viz Media website, Shueisha's MANGA Plus website, and Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ App. However, it is important to note that while the first two platforms provide the chapters for free, the latter requires a paid subscription. What to expect from Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 262? Considering the intensity of the present scenario, Jujutsu Kaisen Chapter 262 is most likely to pick up right after the previous chapter. As the manga is nearing its conclusion, things are expected to escalate in the coming chapters. The upcoming chapter is expected to highlight the aftermath of Yuta's shocking takeover of Gojo's body. Since Yuta can only copy a technique for five minutes, it is unclear what could happen next. Chapter 261 ended with both Sukuna and Yuta preparing for a domain clash, so fans can expect to see more bloodshed in the next chapter. However, it is quite likely that Sukuna is finally headed towards his elimination. With the King of Curses now weekend, Yuta and others will not hold back. I keep stuff to myself The actor said, I guess Ive always been quiet about my personal life. Thats the way I like it. Ive never really found the need or the urge or the want to have people know all about me and my personal life. So maybe thats why I keep stuff to myself rather than, you know, put it all out there. People just want to say something about everything He added, I feel like, why let it in? Why do I have to spend time processing some rubbish that I dont need to? Its not helping me. Its almost become a sport now where people know that their opinions can be out there and find it necessary to have opinions. They just want to say something about everything. On his image Aditya also opened up about the 'perception that he doesnt give a f***', saying it 'comes from the fact that he is not as active on social media'. The actor recalled how, during an episode of Karan Johar's chat show Koffee with Karan, he spoke about how he 'does not really read what people say' about him. He added that it is not 'necessary to get into the granular level' about what every comment about him is because 'there are going to be people that like you and people that dont'. Ananya and Aditya's breakup Earlier in May, an ETimes report said that Aditya and Ananya Panday parted ways in March this year. A source close to the estranged couple shared that the actors are trying to move on while remaining cordial with one another. They broke up almost a month ago. They were going quite well, and the breakup came as a shock to all of us. They are cordial with each other. Ananya is trying to move on; of course, theres hurt. She is spending time with her new furry friend. Aditya is also trying to deal with the situation maturely, the report quoted the source as saying. The rumours of Ananya and Aditya being in a relationship first surfaced in 2022, when they made a joint appearance at Kriti Sanon's Diwali party. Filmmaker Karan Johar also dropped hints about Ananya and Aditya dating during various episodes of his talk show, Koffee With Karan. Since then, they were also spotted together at airports and on vacations abroad. First pic out Sometime back, a fan page of the family -- Alia, Ranbir and their daughter Raha, named Raha Coconut Tree, posted a picture of the mother-daughter duo from the pre-wedding event on the cruise. In the picture, Alia, wearing an ensemble in the shade of yellow, is seen adorably holding her daughter in her arms, while Raha looks cute in a white dress. With a sweet smile on her face and twinkle in her eyes, she is seen having an ice cream. Mom Alia is seen holding the ice cream in the picture. "Alia Bhatt with her daughter at Anant Ambani's 2nd pre wedding adorable pic of mumma & Rara Raha was seen eating icecream, the fan page captioned the image. Social media users in awe The picture is winning hearts on the social media, with users pouring in love for Raha, calling her a munchkin. She is so cute, wrote one user, with another writing, Cutie. Cutest shared one user, while one wrote, Copy of Ranbir Kapoor. Several users dropped in heart and kiss emoji on the picture. Earlier in the day Though Ranbir is missing from the picture, his photograph with actor Shah Rukh Khan had emerged early on Sunday. He was seen having a conversation with superstar Shah and his youngest son, AbRam. In the video, Shah Rukh, Ranbir and AbRam can be seen interacting with each other. Last Sunday, Ranbir and Alia along with their daughter Raha Kapoor, flew to Italy from Mumbai. Several pictures and videos of the family jetting off from Mumbai's Kalina Airport emerged on social media platforms. The Ambani family hosted a four-day pre-wedding gala for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant in Italy. Many Bollywood celebrities attended the celebrations, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ananya Panday, Suhana Khan, Gauri Khan, Kiara Advani, Sidharth Malhotra, Shanaya Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Janhvi Kapoor and others. Meanwhile, Anant and Radhika's wedding ceremonies will kick off on July 12, with the main wedding function or the Shubh Vivah. The ceremony will be followed by a day for Shubh Aashirwad or divine blessings, on Saturday, July 13. A grand wedding reception will be on Sunday, July 14. We take a look at some of the love stories of the couples whose love stories blossomed while working together on a movie set. Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt While Alia publicly declared her long-time crush on Ranbir back in 2013 in an episode of Koffee with Karan, it was the set of Ayan Mukerjis fantasy drama Brahmastra where she got close to Ranbir. Their love story started when they worked on the film together. The rumours around their romance started in 2017, but they kept it under wraps until they got married in April 2022. They welcomed their daughter Raha in November 2022. Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh It was the set of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis 2013 drama Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela where cupid struck the couple. Although they first met on the sets of the movie Bombay Talkies, they formed a bond while working on Ramleela. They have featured in films such as Padmaavat and Bajirao Mastani. Ranveer and Deepika kept their relationship hidden, and got married at Lake Como in 2018, and are now expecting their first baby together. Sidharth Malhotra and Kiara Advani It is believed that Sidharth and Kiara started dating soon after they started working together on Shershaah. It was in an episode of season 7 of Koffee with Karan when Kiara gave hints about her relationship with Sidharth, saying that they were more than close friends. They got married in February in 2023. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan Even though they shared screen space in 2003s LOC: Kargil and 2006s Omkara, Saif and Kareena found a way to each others heart while working on the set of Tashan. At that time, Kareena was trying to move on from her five-year long relationship with Shahid Kapoor. Their story turned out to be royal romance. They went public with their relationship in 2008. They got married in October 2012. They have two boys together, Taimur and Jeh. Ali Fazal and Richa Chadha They first met while working on 2012s comedy hit Fukrey, and the rest is history. Ali and Richa became good friends much before they started dating. They enterted a relationship in 2015, and made it official in 2017 when they attended the premiere of Victoria & Abdul at the Venice Film Festival. They got married in 2020, and are expecting their first baby now. Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Dsouza Their love story is the most special one. The set of their first film Tujhe Meri Kasam was the place where sparks flew, and made way for a lifelong bond. They became best friends during the shooting and soon began seeing each other. After dating for years, they got married in 2012. They share two sons together. Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna The actors first met during a magazine photoshoot, however, cupid struck on the sets of International Khiladi, which released in 1999. The film marked their first appearance together on the big screen. They got married in 2001 in an intimate ceremony at the residence of designer duo Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. They share son Aarav and daughter Nitara together. Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Kemmu They have worked together in films such as Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge, 99 and Go Goa Gone. It is believed that Soha and Kunal fell in love with each other on the sets of Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge. In 2014, the duo got engaged in Paris and eventually got married in 2015. They share a daughter together. Actor Preity Zinta has shared a video as she wrapped up the shooting of her upcoming film Lahore 1947. Taking to Instagram, Preity called it the toughest film' of her career. The actor also thanked Aamir Khan, Sunny Deol and others. (Also Read | Preity Zinta shares unseen pics from Cannes Film Festival, calls Santosh Sivan mad genius. See post) Preity Zinta posed Rajkumar Santoshi and Santosh Sivan on sets of Lahore 1947. Preity poses with Rajkumar Santoshi, Santosh Sivan The video began with a quick glimpse of the script of Lahore 1947, followed by a cake after the wrap of the film. Preity also posed with the film's director, Rajkumar Santoshi, cinematographer Santosh Sivan and the crew of the film. The video also featured a flower bouquet. Preity pens note Sharing the video, Preity wrote, "Its a wrap on Lahore 1947 and I couldnt be more grateful to the entire cast and crew for such an incredible experience (folded hands and red heart emojis). I sincerely hope all of you appreciate and enjoy this film as much as we did making it. Its definitely the toughest film I have worked on." She also added, "Full marks to everyone for all their hard work & patience during the last couple of months. Thank you Raj ji, Aamir, Sunny, Shabana ji , Santosh Sivan and AR Rahman from the bottom of my heart. Loads of love always (heart eyes and red heart emojis)." Preity also added the hashtags film wrap, Lahore 1947, Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Santoshi, Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi and gratitude. Preity and Lahore 1947 Preity is returning to the silver screen with Lahore 1947 in which she will be seen with Sunny Deol. In April, Preity gave fans a peek into the film's production with a series of behind-the-scenes photos shared on social media. Sharing a photo of the film's clapperboard, Preity captioned it, "On set for Lahore 1947." Another image featured the actor sharing a candid moment with Rajkumar Santoshi. About Lahore 1947 Lahore 1947, produced under Aamir Khan's banner, marks a significant collaboration between Sunny Deol and Aamir Khan's Productions. The film was officially announced last October, garnering attention for its star-studded cast and promising storyline. Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal and Karan Deol have also joined the cast of Lahore 1947. Being an actor is not always rosy and actor Sanjeeda Shaikh recently revealed the dark side of side of showbiz. She recalled an incident when she was groped by a woman at a nightclub, which left her deeply shocked. (Also read: Harshvardhan Rane dating Sanjeeda Shaikh? He says rumours don't bother him) Sanjeeda Shaikh was last seen in web series, Heeramandi. In an interview with Hauterfly, Sanjeeda opened up about the incident, confessing that the bad incident left her wondering about a lot of things. What did she say? ''I remember one incident very vaguely but it was by a girl. I was in a nightclub. One girl was passing by and she just touched my breast and she left. I was kind of taken aback, like what just happened. We hear men smack you on the back and they misbehave, ladkiyaan koi kum nahi hai (but women are also the same), she said. The actor continued, If you are headed on the wrong path, you are going on it regardless. It has nothing to do with men or women; whatever is wrong is wrong. If a woman has wronged you, tell her. Because I think playing the victimhood card is very unattractive. About coping up from her divorce Sanjeeda, who is basking in the success of her web series Heermandi, also opened up about divorce from actor Aamir Ali in 2020. She said that at that time, she thought of herself as the most depressed person, and unfortunate. It was after sometime that she loving herself, and now she has overcome and is happy with this version of myself. Last year, there were reports that she is dating actor Harshvardhan Rane. The rumours started after both the actors' social media posts suggested they were holidaying in the Gir forests around the same time. Harshvardhan reacted on the buzz in an interview to News18. He said, It does not bother me because it is the job of journalists to write and they also have a weekly deadline and daily quota or target of stories to submit. I see them as humans who are trying to do a job, just like my job is to be in films. I respect my journey and effort too much and hence, I respect their process too. They can write anything about me. I would still hug them when I see them. Late actor Sushant Singh Rajputs sister, Shweta Singh Kirti, took to Instagram on Saturday to share some old and new pictures from Kedarnath. She posted photos of herself from a recent visit, and also some throwbacks of Sushant, in which he posed with a 'sadhu (saint)' in front of the shrine. In her long caption, she spoke about her late brother. Also read: Sushant Singh Rajputs sister Shweta says actor's spirit once helped her find lost AirPods Sushant Singh Rajputs sister, Shweta Singh Kirti, shared some old and new pics from Kedarnath on Instagram. 'As soon as I landed in Kedarnath, tears began to flow' Sushant was found dead in his Mumbai home on June 14, 2020. Remembering her brother days before his fourth death anniversary, Shweta wrote on Instagram, "It is the 1st of June, and four years ago on the 14th of this month, we lost our dearest Sushant. Even now, we are still searching for answers about what happened on that tragic day." She went on to write about her recent visit, I came to Kedarnath to pray, to remember, and to feel close to Bhai (brother). The day was incredibly emotional; as soon as I landed in Kedarnath, tears began to flow. I walked for a while but eventually had to sit down and cry my heart out, feeling his presence all around me. I felt an overwhelming urge to hug him. I sat and meditated where he had meditated, and in those moments, I felt he was still with me, within me, living through me. It felt as if he had never left. Sushant, who was seen with Sara Ali Khan in her debut film Kedarnath (2018), often posted pictures from the shoot and his visit to the shrine on Instagram. 'I knew I had to meet that sadhu' Sharing details about Sushant's old pictures that she posted, Shweta also wrote, "Yesterday in Phata, there was no internet connection. While sitting in my car, I managed to open Instagram and saw only one post in my feed: a picture of Bhai in Kedarnath with a sadhu. I knew I had to meet that sadhu, and by Gods grace, I was able to. Im attaching that picture for reference. Grateful to God for making this happen." Maharashtra police initially said that Sushant died by suicide, but his family and fans believed otherwise and appealed for them to delve into the case further. Since then, CBI has taken up the case, and the investigation is still ongoing. Ben Affleck was spotted wearing his wedding ring on Friday while on the set of The Accountant 2, amidst swirling rumours that his marriage to Jennifer Lopez is on the rocks. Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez at the premiere of This Is Me...Now: A Love Story The 51-year-old Batman star was lensed walking into a trailer on set, carrying a black tote in his left hand, which clearly displayed his metallic wedding band. The Deep Water actor appeared serious as he spoke on the phone while heading into his trailer. Affleck was donning a pair of jeans and a faded red T-shirt with the words Believe in Boston on the sleeve. This sighting comes as Affleck has been frequently seen on the set of his new film over the past few weeks. Interestingly, on the same day Lopez, 54, attended the Los Angeles premiere of her new movie Atlas without her husband, Affleck was spotted arriving on set without his wedding band. ALSO READ| Jennifer Lopez warmly hugs Ben Afflecks daughter after he arrived solo and 'gloomy' at graduation event Just days after the red carpet event, Afflecks bare ring finger sparked more speculation about the state of his marriage. What's happening with Bennifer? Less than two weeks ago, Page Six reported that Affleck was contemplating single life again and would divorce on grounds of temporary insanity if possible. The outlet source claimed, He feels like the last two years was just a fever dream, and hes come to his senses now and understands there is just no way this is going to work. Adding fuel to the fire, another source told Us Weekly earlier this week that the Way Back star feels worn down by the marriage and is checked out. Reports suggest that Affleck and Lopez began experiencing issues a few months ago as Jen had started ramping up work commitments and prepping for her tour. ALSO READ| Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez awkwardly reunite at Violets graduation; no PDA amid split rumours Lopez announced on Friday that she is cancelling her upcoming tour to focus on spending time with her loved ones. In her On the JLo newsletter, she wrote to her fans, I am completely heartsick and devastated about letting you down. Please know that I wouldnt do this if I didnt feel that it was absolutely necessary. I promise I will make it up to you and we will all be together again. I love you all so much. Until next time JLo concluded. Los Angeles, A trade association has decided not to give a planned award to veteran actor Robert De Niro after he spoke out against Donald Trump outside the former president's criminal trial in New York. Trade association rescinds honour awarded to Robert De Niro after comments against Donald Trump De Niro, whose last big screen release was "Killers of the Flower Moon", was scheduled to accept a leadership award from the National Association of Broadcasters next week in Washington, D.C. A spokesperson for the broadcasters association told American newspaper The Hill that the event was "proudly bipartisan". While we strongly support the right of every American to exercise free speech and participate in civic engagement, it is clear that Mr De Niros recent high-profile activities will create a distraction from the philanthropic work that we were hoping to recognize. To maintain the focus on service of the award winners, Mr De Niro will no longer be attending the event, the statement read. On his part, De Niro a vocal critic of Trump through the years said he wished the association well. I support the work of the NAB Leadership Foundation and would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for what the Foundation has done and will continue to do for the good of us all, and I wish them well for their continued good work, The Hill reported him as saying in the statement. In a historic verdict, a panel of 12 Manhattan jurors on Thursday said they unanimously agreed Trump, 77, falsified business records to conceal a USD 130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 US presidential contest. De Niro, the multiple Oscar-winning actor, recently attended a campaign event for US President Joe Biden outside the Manhattan courtroom with two former law enforcement officers who were at the US Capitol when it was attacked by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021. At the event, De Niro had urged people to not vote for Trump. I dont mean to scare you. No no, wait, maybe I do mean to scare you. If Trump returns to the White House, you can kiss away these freedoms that we take for granted, and elections, forget about it He will never leave," the longtime supporter of the Democratic Party had said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. The team of Indian 2 hosted a grand event at the Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai for the audio launch of Shankars sequel to the 1996 film. Shankar, Kamal Haasan, Anirudh Ravichander, Rakul Preet Singh, and Kajal Aggarwal were in attendance, along with Silambarasan TR, Lokesh Kanagaraj, Nelson Dilipkumar, Bobby Simha, and Brahmanandam. (Also Read: Dhanush unveils new poster from Ilaiyaraaja biopic; Kamal Haasan wishes music maestro and Mani Ratnam on their birthday) Kamal Haasan at the audio launch of Indian 2's album. Kamal Haasan and Silambarasan were among those who caught attention with their speeches at the event. While the former delved into what Indian 2 was all about, apart from talking about politics, Silambarasan shared his excitement about the much-awaited sequel, referring to Kamal as his guru. Everyone is your kin Kamal gave a fiery speech at the audio launch, talking about the themes Indian 2 and Indian 3 will explore. I am a Tamilian and an Indian; thats my identity, and yours too. Thats the concept behind the sequels, The Hindu quoted him as saying, adding, Divide and rule is a British concept. It worked back then because they had a home to go back to. It will no longer work. I wonder where those trying to do the same today would go to? He also shared his dream of someday seeing a Tamilian rule the country while safeguarding the unity India prides itself on. He reportedly said, Yathum oore, yavarum kelir. (Every city is your city; everyone is your kin.) We are known for giving lives to those who have come to our state. Why shouldnt there be a day when a Tamilian rules the country? This is my country, and we must safeguard the unity within it. Kamal sir is my on-screen guru Silambarasan spoke about Kamal at the audio launch, stating how excited he is to watch the sequel and how the actor inspired him through the years. He said, I just came from shooting for Thug Life with Kamal sir. I feel that Indian had tapped the commercial formula to be a hit. I have lost count of how many times I watched it, I cant wait for the sequel. He added, If Appa (actor-director T Rajendar) is my guru behind the camera, Kamal sir is that on-screen. I cant explain in words how excited I am to be working with him. Everyone is talking about pan-India films now, but he worked in various languages before it was a trend. Indian is an apt title for him. About Indian 2 Indian 2, which comes with the tagline Zero Tolerance, has been in production since 2019, will see Kamal reprise his role as Senapathy. The sequel will also feature Kajal, Siddharth, and Rakul in lead roles. The film was temporarily put on hold after an accident injured the crew on sets in 2020. Shooting was also delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming resumed in 2022, with Shankar juggling shooting between this and Ram Charan, Kiara Advani-starrer Game Changer. Indian 2 will release on July 12. While wishing Mani Ratnam on his birthday in 2023, Kamal Haasan wrote, You have constantly pushed the boundaries of cinema unmindful of the scale of challenge by constantly learning. He was not wrong. (Also Read: Mani Ratnam explains why it took so long for him to collaborate with Kamal Haasan again: Its tough') Stills of Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal, Nayakan and Dil Se. Since Mani debuted in 1983 with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi with Anil Kapoor, he has always made films ahead of time or dealt with topics most filmmakers wouldnt dare to touch. All while ensuring the films were visually stunning and had great music by Ilaiyaraaja, AR Rahman. Take a look at six films by Mani that pushed the boundaries of cinema. Nayakan (1987) Loosely based on the Bombay underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film The Godfather, Nayakan made the world sit up and take notice of Manis talent. In the movie, Kamal plays Sakthivel Naicker, aka Velu, a man who takes revenge for his fathers murder and becomes a feared gangster. Not only was the film a far cry from the usual song-and-dance commercial cinema was offering, it refused to judge its main character morally, inspiring many filmmakers to follow suit. Anjali (1990) Anjali was so good that it was chosen as Indias official entry to the Oscars in 1991. While the film did not receive a nomination, the film remains a benchmark for films that deal with complex subjects respectfully and entertainingly. Shamili played the titular Anjali, a mentally challenged child whos dying. Her parents (Raghuvaran, Revathi) grapple to give her the love she deserves before she dies while looking after their other children (Tarun, Shruti). Anjali did not just deal with a difficult topic, it also talked about acceptance and forgiveness. Roja (1992) Arvind Swamy and Madhoo headlined this romantic thriller that shows a newly married couple's honeymoon in Kashmir. But soon, the husband is kidnapped by militants during an undercover operation. The titular Roja, a young girl from a village, pleads with the military and politicians for help. The film delved into the topics of terrorism and separatistism. It was unique for a love story to also deal with the political atmosphere brewing in India back then. Dil Se (1998) Like Roja, which was set in Kashmir, and Bombay (1995), which was set in Mumbai during the riots, Dil Se is set against the backdrop of insurgency in Assam. Shah Rukh Khan played Amarkant Varma, a program executive for All India Radio, who falls for Moina, an extremist and member of the United Liberation Front of Assam. Not only did the film garner notice for its nonlinear storytelling, but it was also a poetic take on the seven shades of love (attraction, infatuation, love, reverence, worship, obsession, and death) while throwing light on the political scenario in India back then. Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) Kannathil Muthamittal is an underrated gem in Manis filmography. Based on the short story Amuthavum Avanum by Sujatha, the film sheds light on the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils during the Civil War. It also broke barriers by showing a single man, a writer called Thiruchelvan (Madhavan), known by his pen-name Indira, his wifes (Simran) name, looking to adopt a child. Keerthana played Amudha, their adopted child, who takes them on a journey to find her biological mother (Nandita Das). Raavanan (2010) Raavanan (released in Hindi as Raavan with Abhishek Bachchan) is a retelling of the Ramayana. Veeraiya (Vikram) kidnaps Ragini Subramaniam (Aishwarya Rai), the wife of SP Dev Prakash Subramaniam (Prithviraj Sukumaran). While Veeraiya is hailed as a hero by the locals, the police treat him as a Naxalite. Priyamani plays Veeraiyas sister, Vennila, whos assaulted by the police, prompting the events of the film. The film, which was a beauty visually, dealt with the themes of Stockholm syndrome, apart from caste disparity. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal today surrendered before the Tihar Jail authorities after the 21-day interim bail granted by the Supreme Court expired. Before returning to jail, the Delhi chief minister claimed the exit polls which predicted a landslide victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance were fake. Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal with his wife Sunita Kejriwal and party leader Sanjay Singh. "Exit polls for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections came out yesterday. Take it in writing, all these exit polls are fake. One exit poll gave 33 seats to BJP in Rajasthan whereas there are only 25 seats there," Kejriwal said at the party's office ahead of his surrender. "The real issue is why they had to do a fake exit poll three days before the day of counting. There are several theories regarding this; one of them is that they are trying to manipulate the machines (EVMs)," he added. Most of the exit polls predicted that the National Democratic Alliance would win more than 350 Lok Sabha Seats. At least three exit polls claimed the ruling alliance will achieve its 400 seats target. Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case. Last month, the Supreme Court granted him interim bail to allow him to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court's office refused to entertain Kejriwal's plea seeking an extension of his interim bail. A local court also declined to provide him relief, posting the hearing of his regular bail plea to June 5. Kejriwal today alleged that he was sent to jail because he raised his voice against dictatorship. "The Supreme Court granted me bail for 21 days to campaign for elections. I want to thank SC for that. Today, I am going to Tihar Jail again. I did not waste even a minute of these 21 days. I did not campaign only for AAP but for various parties. I went to Mumbai, Haryana, UP, Jharkhand...AAP is not important, for us the country is important. I want to say to the people of Delhi that I am going to jail again, not because I have done a scam but because I have raised my voice against dictatorship...PM Modi accepted this in front of the country that he does not have any evidence against me," Kejriwal said today. Many exit polls claimed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will not open its account in Delhi.Earlier this week, Arvind Kejriwal claimed he had lost six kilograms of weight since he was jailed. He claimed the loss of weight could be the result of a serious disease. With inputs from ANI The results for the Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections will be declared today, with the counting of the votes currently underway in the northeastern state. The results for the state election will be announced on June 2, two days ahead of the Lok Sabha election results. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on polling day(Pema Khandu-X) The polling for 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh took place on May 19, coinciding with the first phase of the Lok Sabha election. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is currently in power in the northeastern state, and is eyeing another clean sweep. BJP currently has an edge over the opposition in Arunachal Pradesh, winning 10 of the 60 seats in the state uncontested. Chief minister Pema Khandu and deputy chief minister Chowna Mein have already won their respective seats. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 41 seats in Arunachal Pradesh. The Janata Dal (United) bagged seven, the National People's Party (NPP) five, Congress four, and the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) one. Two independents also won in the Assembly polls. All except one Congress MLA, former chief minister Nabam Tuki, joined the BJP. According to exit polls conducted by India Today - My Axis, BJP is likely to win the Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections with a landslide majority. The ruling party may win 41-55 seats in the state, the NPP will win two to six, the Congress may win one to four and others may win two to six seats. The voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha was held simultaneously with the Assembly elections in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh across seven phases. The result for Sikkim assembly elections will also be out today, with the counting of the votes currently underway. In Sikkim, ruling party SKM is eying another term, with exit polls predicting an easy win for the party. (With inputs from agencies) Arunachal Pradesh Election Results highlights: BJP returned to power, securing 46 seats in 60-member assembly of Arunachal Pradesh. Polling was held in the state on April 19. While counting of votes for the two Lok Sabha seats in the northeastern state would happen on June 4, counting of ballots for the assembly polls to Arunachal Pradesh (and Sikkim) have been preponed as the term of the present assembly ends on June 2....Read More Though there are 60 members in the state assembly, polling took place only in 50 constituencies as 10 ruling Bharatiya Janata Party candidates including chief minister Pema Khandu and his deputy Chowa Mein won their seats unopposed. Counting of votes will begin at 6 am on Sunday at 40 counting centres in 25 district headquarters. Postal ballots would be counted first, followed by electronic voting machines (EVMs) around 6:30 am. The counting is expected to be over by noon, Arunachal Pradesh chief electoral officer Pawan Kumar Sain said. He added that adequate security arrangements have been put in place at the counting centres to ensure the process passes smoothly. As per Election Commission guidelines, no victory processions would be allowed after announcement of results. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal surrendered at the Tihar jail after his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court ended on June 1. Welcome to our live coverage of Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal's surrender at Tihar Jail today. Kejriwal, who was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court on May 10, surrendered himself a day after the voting for Lok Sabha elections concluded on Saturday. The bail was granted to allow the AAP supremo to campaign in the elections amid ongoing legal battles over a money laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy....Read More Arvind Kejriwal, who has been the chief minister of Delhi for nearly a decade, began his political career as an anti-corruption crusader. However, his government faced accusations of corruption following the implementation of a policy to liberalise liquor sales in 2021, which was later withdrawn amid a probe that resulted in the imprisonment of two AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Ahead of surrendering at Tihar prison, Arvind Kejriwal paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat, offered prayers at Hanuman temple and addressed party workers at AAP headquarters in Delhi. "All of you take care of yourselves," he said on X. I will take care of you all in jail. If you are happy, then your Kejriwal will also be happy in jail. Stay tuned as we bring you real-time updates on Arvind Kejriwal's surrender and the reactions from across the political spectrum. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said he would surrender at the Tihar Jail on Sunday, June 2, as his 21-interim bail ended. Arvind Kejriwal said before surrendering at the central jail, he would visit Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Rajghat and the Prachin Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Arvind Kejriwal to return to Tihar Jail on June 2 In a post in Hindi on X, Arvind Kejriwal wrote, "I came out for election campaign for 21 days on the orders of the Hon'ble Supreme Court. I am very grateful to the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Today I will surrender by going to Tihar. I will leave home at 3 pm. First I will go to Rajghat and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. From there I will go to Hanuman temple in Connaught Place to seek blessings of Hanuman ji. And from there I will go to the party office and meet all the workers and party leaders. From there I will again leave for Tihar. All of you take care of yourselves. I will take care of you all in jail. If you are happy then your Kejriwal will also be happy in jail." Kejriwal was released from jail on May 10 on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. The court granted him 21-day interim bail and instructed him to surrender before the Tihar Jail superintendent on June 2. Excise policy case: Court reserves for June 5 order on Kejriwal's interim bail He had earlier moved the Supreme Court seeking a seven-day extension of the interim bail, citing his deteriorating health conditions. In the plea seeking bail extension, he pleaded that he needed time to undergo medical tests as he was losing weight and was having high ketone levels. However, the top court registry refused an urgent listing of his petition. He then moved the special CBI-ED court seeking bail on medical grounds. Special judge Kaveri Baweja reserved for June 5 its order his application. The court observed that the plea was for interim bail on medical grounds and not for the extension of the interim bail granted by the SC. ED opposes Arvind Kejriwal's interim bail plea, says he gained 1 kg; next hearing on June 5 The 55-year-old AAP leader was arrested by ED on March 21. The probe agency has accused Kejriwal of being involved in a conspiracy in which a 100-crore bribe was allegedly paid to the AAP by the South Group a lobby of liquor dealers from the southern states that benefited from changes to the 2021-22 excise policy. The policy aimed to overhaul Delhis liquor business but was scrapped following allegations of irregularities and replaced by the 2020-21 regime. New Delhi For 78 days, as a cruel sun beat down on its people, India immersed itself in the throes of the worlds largest democratic exercise electing its national government. For 78 days, citizens young and old, healthy and infirm, enthusiastic and sullen, travelled to polling booths to exercise their franchise. Some walked to polling booths nearby, standing in queues as the mercury rose; others trekked up hills in the Himalayas; some braved not just the elements but the threat of violence in states such as Chhattisgarh or ethnic-strife torn Manipur. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a mammoth electoral exercise spanning seven phases, concluded on Saturday, and the counting of votes will take place on June 4. (AFP) Over these 78 days, India found itself in suspended animation, taking a sharp long-drawn breath, waiting to exhale on counting day. The past is key these 78 days are a referendum on both governance and politics over the past five years but so is the future for these 78 days are also about the dreams of what will be that are sold to Indias electorate. The conclusions India will arrive at on June 4 are far from linear, subject to a breadth of factors commensurate with the countrys diversity; a breadth rarely, if ever, seen anywhere else in the world. There are factors that are both constant drivers of change, yet always evolving in their interactions with politics religion, caste, social welfare, and governance. There is the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, looking to win a third term in power, banking on a potent social coalition that they have engineered over the past decade with a mix of religion, nationalism, governance, and a driven organisation on the ground. The Opposition, more fractured, but loud and boisterous nonetheless, has rooted its campaign in issues that speak to the everyday -- economic anxiety, anti-incumbency, the fear that a third term for the BJP could weaken Indias democratic foundations and further concentrate power. Here are four broad issues that will likely define the outcome on June 4. The Modi factor For the last decade, the most important man in Indian politics has been Narendra Modi; a man who was first announced as the BJPs Prime Ministerial face a year before the 2014 elections; a man who has had an iron grip on both the party and the imagination of the country ever since. In 2014, he led the BJP to a feat not achieved in almost three decades, winning sole majority in the Lok Sabha elections. Five years later, his popularitythe famed Modi factoronly grew, and the BJP won 303 seats on its own; their electoral and political dominance a hark back to the influence once wielded by the Congress in the decades after independence. Cut to 2024, and both within the BJP and outside, it is clear that Modis popularity has a direct bearing on the answers that will reveal themselves on June 4. A decade after 2014, Modi is still central to the BJPs campaign; everything revolves around him. He is their principal campaignerhe addressed 207 public rallies and roadshows, more than any other political leader in the country. He held roadshows and public rallies; prayed at temples and waved to crowds; and in the last few weeks of the campaign, saturated the media space with interviews. He is the BJPs face in Uttar Pradesh in the north, and Tamil Nadu in the south; West Bengal in the east, to Rajasthan in the west. There is not a BJP poster across India, in a city or in a village that does not have his face if the Opposition has no consensus on who Indias next Prime Minister will be, there is no such confusion for the National Democratic Alliance. Every promise made by the BJP, and there were a variety across every state, is a Modi ki Guarantee. He is an international leader; a man that can step in to a geopolitical crisis; the man that sat at the head of the table at the G20; the man that can fill stadia all over world. And he is a brand that has only become stronger with time. Over the past decade, it has become evident that the BJP enjoys a Modi premium in the elections. But as the good folks at any consumer product company worth its salt (or soap) will tell you, what good is a brand that cannot extend itself. And so, the BJP has been trying to extend its reach to the south. This is not just a political compulsion, but a broader ideological project, that states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have by and large resisted thus far. But for over 12 months -- the BJP and Modi are campaigning even when they are not -- Modi has positioned himself as a champion for Tamil culture, pushing the relationship between the state and the Hindi heartland relentlessly the Kashi Tamil Sangamam, the sengol (sceptre) in the new parliament building, all clear examples of this focus. He has attempted to build bridges with Christians in Kerala, and allied with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. Across India, whether Brand Modi retains its lustre, and whether it has successfully extended itself to new regions, will be a key factor in the elections. The hunt for alternatives If the BJPs prime ministerial choice isnt in question, heavy defeats in both 2014 and 2019 have rendered moot any conversation about leadership among members of the Opposition. Consider these numbers from 2019. Indias Lok Sabha has 543 elected members. The BJP had 303. The next best was the Congress at 52. Regional satraps such as the YSRCP, the DMK and the TMC won 23, 23 and 22 respectively. Politics can often be unpredictable, and yet the broad consensus in the run up to 2024 was that the Congress would find it difficult to take on the BJP on its own. This was reflected in the creation of the Oppositions INDIA bloc, replete with teething troubles, but comprising storied parties with significant regional strength -- MK Stalins DMK in Tamil Nadu, Sharad Pawars NCP-SP and Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena-UBT in Maharashtra, Akhilesh Yadavs SP in Uttar Pradesh and Mamata Banerjees TMC in West Bengal. But even as these parties positioned themselves as the repositories of regional aspiration, the BJP has asked, Modi versus who? This battle is one of the central motifs of 2024. The BJP has argued India is now past the travails of coalition compulsions; that it now needs decisive leadership; only with clarity of thought and purpose can decisions like the abrogation of Article 370 be taken or the Uniform Civil Code be taken; and that political instability stymies any growth that India can aspire to. In speech after speech, Union home minister Amit Shah for instance, has said that if the Opposition is voted to power, there will be a veritable game of musical chairs for the position of Prime Minister. The Opposition response has been to question the central premise of a clear mandatethe centralisation of power; they point to institutional capture over the past decade; a weakening of constitutional mechanisms; that people have lost their voice in government. For some powerful regional satraps, even this fracture presents a campaign opportunity. Only in an alliance can the DMK, or the TMC have a share of power. Stalin or Mamata Banerjee may not be on the ballot, but vote the Opposition in, and they could yet be Prime Minister in the week after June 4. Local issues Through the campaign, the BJP steadfastly denied the presence of any decisive anti-incumbency against the government. Any murmur of dissent, they argue, is offset by the singular popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yet, while electing the PM is a crucial function of a Lok Sabha campaign, the process of that ascension entails electing, first and foremost, a representative from their respective constituencies; a representative that must, at least nominally, cater to local sensibilities. It is this that the Opposition has zeroed in on, attempting to localise the election beyond broader questions of religiosity, or Indias sphere of influence in the international sphere, and definitely beyond Modi. Prime Minister Modi may yet be popular, but a decade in power leaves local representatives susceptible to anti-incumbency. And when one party has been dominant for a decade, that simmering anger is often inevitable. This is important, because across states, there are also voices that speak of a deep economic anxiety. While the BJP front-ended its campaign on the promise of a Viksit Bharat (developed India) by 2047, the Opposition pounced on disquiet on questions of unemployment and price rise; around the worry that government jobs are not as bountiful as before; and around question marks around schemes such as Agniveer, the controversial new process of recruitment to the armed forces. The question is whether Modis popularity can obfuscate these grievances on the ground, or whether Modi himself is now the face of this distress. Further, beyond the hyper local, general elections can often be fought on assertions of regional pride; of the interaction between the state and the centre. For several years, the BJPs pitch in states has been to encourage double engine governmentsa term they use for the increased cooperation that comes from the same party at the state and the Centre. Yet, there is a flip side. In the southern states, Opposition parties have positioned themselves as the vanguard of regional aspiration against a hegemonic north Indian party. In Odisha, the battle is for Odia asmita; in Jharkhand, with Hemant Soren jailed, the JMM has said only the party can avenge this insult of the tribal population; and in West Bengal, the TMC has continued to call the BJP bohirogatho, or outsider. Constitution versus polarisation The late eighties and the early nineties were a time when two great waves of Indian politicsmandal (reservation for OBCs) and kamandal (Hindutva) collided . From one strand, emerged a strident BJP rooted in Hindu religiosity, fuelled by the demolition of the Babri Masjid. From the other, emerged a host of socialist leaders that grounded themselves in the aspiration of the backward castes and classes and posited reservations as the antidote to discrimination that still stalks Indias hinterland. In the Hindi heartland, it birthed both leaders and governments Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar in Bihar, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati in Uttar Pradesh, Deve Gowda in Karnataka. Three decades later, conversations around the constitution returned with gusto. At the beginning of the campaign, the BJP laid an ambitious target before their cadrethey wanted to win 370 seats on their own, and 400 for the NDA. Then, some regional leaders suggested that they needed these numbers to alter the constitution. Central leaders scrambled to control the damage, but it was done. This was an opportunity the Opposition seized on, basing their campaign on the disingenuous allegation that the BJP wanted to fundamentally alter the Constitution, and do away with reservations. In rally after rally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi carried around a miniature copy of the Constitution, pressing the point, as did Tejashwi and Akhilesh Yadav in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh respectively. Forced to respond, the BJP said that under an OBC Prime Minister such as Modi, there were absolutely no plans to make any such change. Modi, in multiple interviews, said that he would perish before allowing any change in reservation benefits. Yet, there was some evidence that this fear had percolated to the ground, and the BJP found another away to defend itselfthrough a mixture of mandal and kamandal, if you will. It alleged that the Congress wanted to redistribute both wealth and reservation benefits from the backward castes and classes to Muslims, arguing coarsely that the Opposition would snatch mangalsutras from Hindu women and give them to Muslims. It said that Opposition governments had disproportionately favoured Muslim minorities, leaning on its old battle lines of polarisation the BJP is the party that built the Ram Temple; the Congress, they alleged, has always been a party of appeasement. The battle between these two narratives is key, particularly in the Hindi heartland. For the BJP to win, or even improve its tally, it must keep expanding, or at least hold on to its social base it has so assiduously built. For the Opposition to make any dent whatsoever, it must wean chunks of supporters away. In two days, these answers will be clear. And the country will exhale. Silchar: The Assam Police in three separate operations in Cachar and Karimganj districts on Saturday night, arrested seven suspected drug peddlers, including two Manipur residents, and seized 1.9 kilograms of heroin and 800 kilograms of cannabis, officials said. The arrested include two suspected drug peddlers from neighbouring Manipur (HT Photo/Sourced) Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday morning shared the information through social media. Major drug bust in Barak Valley. Yesterday, based on Assam Polices strong intelligence network. Karimganj Police raided a shop and recovered almost 800kg of Ganja and arrested one person. Cachar Police conducted two ops and seized 1.9kg of heroin amounting to 9.5cr and arrested 6 people, he wrote on X. Cachar superintendent of police (SP) Numal Mahatta said the consignment of heroin came from Manipurs Churachandpur. The consignment of the narcotics substance was illegally transported from Churachandpur in Manipur. Further investigation has been ongoing, he said. Mahatta said that based on credible intelligence, the police conducted two special operations on Saturday night, one in Dholai and another in Lakhipur and arrested six accused. Dholai shares a border with Mizoram, while Lakhipur is located near the Manipur border. The arrested accused have been identified as Borjohna Hmar (27), Robert Lalmalsawn (24), Daniel Lalringhet (26), Bintu Singha (28), Rajen Singha (41) and Ekbar Hussain (23). Borjohna and Robert are residents of Manipur, while the four others are from Assams Cachar district, according to the police. Meanwhile, in Karimganj, the police seized 800 kilograms of cannabis. Karimganj SP Partha Pratim Das said they conducted a search operation in a private travel agency based on specific information and seized nearly 800 kilograms of cannabis. The seizure took place in the presence of an Executive Magistrate from Karimganj and witnesses. One individual, Mustafa Ahmed, was apprehended, and follow-up action will be taken. Investigation is on, Das said. Police said that all seven accused were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and cases have been registered in three different police stations. They will be produced before the court, and further investigation will follow. Appreciating the police department for its war against drugs, CM Sarma wrote, These operations and seizures are weakening the nexus of the drug in the state. Well done Assam Police. Silchar: The Assam police on Saturday arrested a man from Dhemaji district on dowry charges a day after his 19-year-old wife allegedly died by suicide. (Representative Photo) Police said they arrested the husband, identified as Ramesh Gogoi, after registering a case under 304-B (dowry death) and some other sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The deceased, identified as Tolari Koch Gogoi, married Ramesh from Dhemajis Khubalia area a few years back. Police, citing the family members of the woman, said they had in the past lodged a complaint against Ramesh, who eloped with Tolari a few years back, and forcibly married their daughter, who was 15 years old at the time. Police said they are also investigating if Ramesh is accused of practising child marriage. As of now, we have found him being accused of promoting dowry and abetment of suicide. However, an investigation is going on, and if required, well include [child marriage] sections to the case, an investigating officer said. Tolaris mother alleged that Ramesh used to torture her both physically and mentally while demanding money. She was depressed and was in fear. That anxiety forced her to finish life, she said. Police said they recovered the body from Rameshs house on Friday, but he fled from the spot. On Saturday afternoon, we managed to catch him. He will be produced before the court on Sunday. The womans body has been sent for postmortem, said police. 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 Bhopal, A 26-year-old man allegedly strangled his wife to death after suspecting her of having an affair, took the body in his auto-rickshaw, burnt it and then buried it near a dump yard in Bhopal, police said on Sunday. Bhopal man kills wife after suspecting her fidelity, burns and buries body; arrested The incident took place on May 21 and the man, identified as Nadeem Uddin, was arrested on Saturday, said Nishatpura police station sub-inspector MD Ahirwar, who is the investigation officer in the case. The police have also recovered some unburnt body parts of the 22-year-old victim and sent them for an examination, he said. The woman was staying at her parents' home in Murli Nagar after her relationship with her husband turned sour, he said. She went missing on May 21 following which her parents lodged a police complaint. The Nishatpura police started an investigation and picked up the man who, during questioning, admitted to have killed his wife, the official said. The accused told the police he suspected his wife was in a relationship with another man, he said. On May 21, the accused called his wife on her mobile phone and asked her to come to Karond crossing. When she met him, the accused took her mobile phone and after seeing a video in it, he got angry and in a fit of rage, he allegedly strangled her to death, Ahirwar said. He then took the body in his auto-rickshaw to a spot about 2 km away and burnt it after pouring kerosene on it at a waste dump where later buried it, the official said. Some unburnt body parts have been recovered and sent for an examination, he said. The accused has been booked under Indian Penal Code section 302 and other charges, the official said. The police were interrogating the accused and conducting further investigation into the case, he added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Guwahati: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Arunachal Pradesh won the assembly polls with a landslide on Sunday, bagging 46 of the total 60 seats. Chief minister Pema Khandu, who has been at the helm since 2016, is expected to get another term at the post. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister (File Photo) National Peoples Party (NPP), which is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, came second with five seats, Nationalist Congress Party (NPP) won three, Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) bagged two, Congress won one and the remaining three seats were secured by Independent candidates. Ten BJP candidates, including CM Khandu, and his deputy Chowna Mein, had won their seats unopposed and the party won 36 of the rest 50 seats polling for which took place on April 19. Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to the politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in BJP yet again. Our party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message on X. Talking to journalists in Itanagar, Khandu thanked voters for reposing faith in the BJP again and said the results reflected the good work done by the partys governments at the Centre under PM Modi and in the state. He said that the oath-taking ceremony of the new government would be decided after the Lok Sabha election results are out on June 4. The BJPs win was almost certain even before counting started as the party had bagged 10 seats unopposed. The ruling party was the only one which had fielded candidates in all 60 seats. The Congress, which was the biggest party till the BJP took that position nearly a decade back, had put up candidates in only 19 seats. In Arunachal Pradesh, voters prefer to favour the party in power and the results were a continuation of that trend. We had named 34 candidates for this election, but only 19 remained in the fray. Others withdrew from the contest due to the influence of money power, said former CM and state Congress president, Nabam Tuki. The NPP contested independently in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly polls, the party fielded only 20 candidates, making it easier for the BJPs return to power. In the event of the BJP not getting the required 31 seats needed to form the government, NPP was expected to extend support. As of now, no date has been fixed for the swearing-in ceremony of the next chief minister and his cabinet, but it is expected to take place after June 6 after results for the Lok Sabha polls are available, BJP state spokesperson Techi Necha said. The election commission had preponed counting of votes for the assembly elections to Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim by two days as the tenure of the two assemblies was set to expire on June 2. Counting of votes for the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh will take place on June 4 along with the rest of the country. Arunachal Pradesh witnessed 82.95% voter turnout on April 19, when the polls were held. In 2019, the ruling party retained power by winning 41 seats, Janata Dal-United won seven, NPP won five, Congress won four, Peoples Party of Arunachal Pradesh one and two seats were secured by Independents. The seats where the BJP had won unopposed included Ziro-Hapoli, Taliha, Tali, Sagalee, Roing, Mukto, Itanagar, Hayuliang, Chowkham and Bomdila. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) registered a landslide victory in the assembly polls in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, bagging 46 of the total 60 seats. Chief minister Pema Khandu, who has been at the helm since 2016, is expected to get another term at the top post. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu addresses a press conference on the BJPs victory in the state assembly elections in Itanagar on Sunday. (ANI) National Peoples Party (NPP), which is a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre, came second with 5 seats, Nationalist Congress Party (NPP) won 3 seats, Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) bagged 2 seats, Congress won 1 and the rest 3 seats were secured by independent candidates. Ten BJP candidates including Khandu and his deputy Chowna Mein had won their seats unopposed and the party won 36 of the remaining 50 seats, polling for which took place on April 19. Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in BJP yet again. Our party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a message on X. Talking to journalists in Itanagar, Khandu thanked voters for reposing faith in the BJP again and said the results reflected the good work done by the partys governments at Centre under PM Modi and in the state. He stated that the oath taking ceremony of the new government would be decided after the Lok Sabha election results are out on June 4. BJPs win was almost certain even before counting started as the party had bagged 10 seats unopposed. The ruling party was the only one which had fielded candidates in all 60 seats. The Congress, which was the biggest party till BJP took that position nearly a decade back, had put up candidates in only 19 seats. In Arunachal Pradesh, voters prefer to favour the party in power and the results were a continuation of that trend. We had named 34 candidates for this election, but only 19 remained in the fray. Others withdrew from the contest due to the influence of money power, said former CM and state Congress president, Nabam Tuki. BJP and NPP, which is the major party in the ruling coalition in Meghalaya, had an understanding ahead of polls. Both parties decided that while BJP wont field any candidates for the two Lok Sabha seats in Meghalaya, the NPP would reciprocate the same in Arunachal Pradesh. Though NPP contested independently in the Arunchal Pradesh assembly polls, the party fielded only 20 candidates, making it easier for BJPs return to power. In the event of BJP not getting the required 31 seats needed to form the government, NPP was expected to extend support. As of now no date has been fixed for the swearing in ceremony on the next chief minister and his cabinet, but it is expected to take place after June 6 after results for the Lok Sabha polls are available, BJP state spokesperson Techi Necha said. The EC had preponed counting of votes for the assembly elections to Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim by two days as the tenure of the two assemblies are set to expire on June 2. Counting of votes for the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh will take place on June 4 along with rest of the country. Arunachal Pradesh witnessed 82.95% voter turnout on April 19. The seats which BJP had won unopposed are Ziro-Hapoli, Taliha, Tali, Sagalee, Roing, Mukto, Itanagar, Hayuliang, Chowkham and Bomdila. In 2019, the ruling BJP had retained power by winning 41 seats, Janata Dal (United) won 7, National Peoples Party (NPP) got 5, Congress won 4, Peoples Party of Arunachal Pradesh got 1 and the rest 2 seats were secured by independents. A full emergency was declared at Mumbai airport today after a handwritten bomb threat note was discovered on a Vistara flight which had departed from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. The crew reported about the threat note on an airsickness bag at 10:08am and the plane, carrying 294 passengers and 12 crew members, landed safely at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport at 10:19am. A Vistara passenger aircraft taxis on the tarmac at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, India.(Representational image / Reuters) Read: Note saying bomb at 5:30 found on Varanasi-bound flight, prompts evacuation A spokesperson for Vistara Airlines released a statement confirming the incident: We confirm that a security concern has been noted by our staff while onboard Vistara flight UK 024 operating from Paris to Mumbai on 2 June 2024." Following the protocol, we immediately informed the relevant authorities. The flight has landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai and we are fully cooperating with the security agencies for all the mandatory checks, the spokesperson added. Read: Chennai-Mumbai IndiGo flight receives bomb threat; makes emergency landing The bomb threat on the Vistara flight was made just a day after an IndiGo flight from Varanasi to New Delhi received a similar threat, which police, after a thorough checking, determined was a hoax. According to a Delhi Police officer, a female caller informed the airport security that her husband, travelling on the IndiGo flight, was carrying a bomb in his handbag. The passenger in question, Vimal Kumar, 42, a resident of Meerut, was interrogated. Kumar told the police that his wife made the call after watching news about a bomb threat on an aircraft a few days before as she is mentally unfit, reported PTI. The police said that his claims are being verified and further legal action is underway. In a statement, the airline said flight 6E 2232, operating from Varanasi to Delhi, had received a bomb threat. "Upon landing in Delhi, the aircraft was taken to an isolation bay as per security agency guidelines and the crew followed all standard operating procedures," it said. According to the airline, all passengers have safely disembarked and the aircraft is currently undergoing inspection. Congress leader Ajay Maken has questioned the new rule not allowing the candidates' counting agents at the assistant returning officer (ARO) tables during the vote counting process. Congress leaders Ajay Maken objected to the counting agents not being allowed at the ARO table. (Hindustan Times) In a post on social platform X, Maken said,"Candidate's Counting Agents' at the ARO table are NOT being allowed for the first time!!! I have contested 9 Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections in the past- And this is happening for the first time. If true, this is bigger than the alleged EVM rigging! I am flagging this issue for all candidates! I hope @ECISVEEP rectifies it soon." Maken's remarks came after the voting in the final phase of Lok Sabha elections ended on Saturday, bringing curtains to the gruelling seven-phased polls. The seventh phase of polling across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh saw an approximate voter turnout of 62.36 per cent as per the latest trends, the Election Commission said. Delhi's chief electoral officer responded to Maken's remark, stating,"It is clarified that Counting Agents of Candidates are allowed at the tables of RO/AROs." The counting of votes for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections will take place on June 4. Polling across 543 constituencies occurred on April 19, 26, May 7, 13, 20, 25 and June 1. Several exit polls held after the seventh phase of polling have predicted a massive win for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Two exit polls predicted the BJP also improving its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Dismissing the exit polls, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X,"The man whose exit is certain on June 4th has had these exit polls orchestrated. The INDIA Janbandhan will definitely get a minimum of 295 seats, which is a clear and decisive majority." The outgoing Prime Minister can remain smug for three days in the meanwhile. These are all psychological games he is masterminding but the ACTUAL results will be very different, Ramesh added. The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut. The Congress leaders on Sunday exuded confidence that the party will do much better than what was projected in the exit polls in states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, and asserted the INDIA bloc is going to form the next government. Congress supporters with Congress flags ahead of a rally. (File Photo) The assertion was made at an online interaction Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh had before the media with key state leaders, PCC presidents and legislature party leaders of various states. During his zoom call interaction with Ramesh, Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah said that his party would win at least seven seats in the state. He said that alleged internal squabbling in the BJP and the impact of the INDIA bloc had benefitted the Congress. Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa said all the surveys have given 7-9 seats to the Congress. "We are ahead on 9 seats, 1 seat will go to the A and 3 seats will be won by the candidates who will not in any way help the NDA or PM. The INDIA alliance will get a minimum of 10 seats...In Punjab, the NDA is not going to get even a single seat," he said. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Congress has an edge on two parliamentary seats and is in a tight contest on the two other seats in the hill state. He exuded confidence that the Congress was also winning the six assembly seats where the bypolls have taken place. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that his party would win at least two-third of the 28 seats on the back of the popularity of the guarantees the Congress fulfilled after coming to power in the state. Bihar Congress chief Akhilesh Prasad Singh said that his party would definitely win 6-7 seats out of 9 seats it contested in the state. Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole, Haryana state unit chief Udai Bhan, Rajasthan Congress chief Govind Singh Dotasra and Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajai Rai also spoke during the interaction and exuded confidence of a much better performance in their respective states than the projections made in the exit polls. The unusual interaction before the media came a day after the Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls. While India Today-Axis My India has forecast 361-401 seats for the BJP-led alliance and 131-166 seats for the opposition INDIA bloc in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the ABP-C Voter predicted 353-383 seats for the ruling alliance and 152-182 seats for the INDIA bloc. All the state leaders, who spoke at the virtual interaction, debunked the exit polls as part of a psychological game being played by the BJP to "reduce the morale of the Congress workers". Slamming the exit polls, Ramesh said the exit polls were "completely bogus" and a "deliberate attempt" to justify rigging of the elections. He said they were part of "psychological games" being played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lower the morale of the INDIA bloc workers. The results of the Lok Sabha elections will be declared on June 4. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. In tit-for-tat moves, Congress-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sent delegations to the Election Commission on Sunday. After the Congress-led delegation demanded that postal ballots be counted first and their results declared before the outcome of EVM counting is revealed, the BJP delegation submitted before the panel that the Opposition has been attempting to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation led by union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and union commerce minister Piyush Goyal. The exit polls, released on Saturday, predicted larger-than-ever BJP victory in the Lok Sabha elections, with three pollsters claiming the ruling alliance may even surpass its ambitious target of 400 seats. The BJP delegation today submitted memorandum, signed by ministers Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, to the Election Commission (EC). "We had to call upon the Election Commission today in light of the repeated attempts by a section of political parties, like the Congress and their INDI alliance partners, and also by certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process," Goyal said. Also read: Hindi heartland, south, Bengal may power BJP's '400 paar' triumph: Key takeaways from exit polls The BJP delegation urged the Election Commission to ensure robust security measures to prevent "violence or unrest" on June 4. Goyal said the likelihood of a massive mandate to the BJP has unnerved the Opposition. The Congress has dismissed the exit poll results as a deliberate attempt to justify rigging. It has alleged that the exit polls are part of "psychological games" being played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to lower the morale of the INDIA bloc workers. The INDIA bloc leaders, meanwhile, demanded from the poll panel that the Election Commission should issue clear guidelines on the counting process and ensure that those are implemented. Also read: Ten key takeaways from the elections "This is the third multi-party delegation visiting the EC during this process.... We spent time with the EC on two-three major issues. Most important was counting the postal ballots and declaring the results first. This is a very clearly stated statutory rule, which specifically says that you should take up the postal ballots first," said Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Opposition often accuses the Narendra Modi government of rigging EVMs to generate favourable results in Lok Sabha and assembly polls. The BJP and the poll panel have on several occasions refuted the charge. The exit polls claimed the BJP will register significant gains in southern states, West Bengal and Odisha. It will also pull off landslide victories in Hindi heartland states, Bihar and Gujarat. In 2019, the BJP-led NDA had won 353 seats. This time, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a steep target of 400 seats for the ruling alliance. With inputs from PTI New Delhi, Leaders from the INDIA opposition bloc urged the Election Commission on Sunday to ensure that on June 4, the postal ballots are counted and their results declared before the outcome of the EVMs is announced, and stressed that the poll panel should issue clear guidelines on the counting process and ensure that those are implemented. Ensure postal ballots counted first, guidelines followed: INDIA bloc to EC A delegation of leaders from the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance met the full bench of the EC on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday's counting of the votes polled in the Lok Sabha election. Briefing the media after the meeting, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said this was the third time that a delegation of opposition leaders visited the poll panel during the general election and, among other things, urged the officials to ensure that the postal ballots are counted and their results declared before the results of the electronic voting machines are announced. "This is the third multi-party delegation visiting the EC during this process.... We spent time with the EC on two-three major issues. Most important was counting the postal ballots and declaring the results first. This is a very clearly stated statutory rule, which specifically says that you should take up the postal ballots first," Singhvi said. "Our complaint is that this guideline has been given a go-by. They have repealed the practice," he added. In a letter to the EC, the leaders said the number of postal ballots has gone up significantly in this Lok Sabha election as senior citizens and differently-abled persons were allowed to cast their votes through this process. They quoted various rules and guidelines of the EC, including provisions of the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961 and Handbook for Returning Officer and Counting Agents , that said the counting of postal ballots shall be done first. Another letter, signed by 13 opposition leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar and CPI general secretary Sitaram Yechury, said even as political parties have put in a lot of effort to train their counting agents, the counting officials often fail to fully understand all aspects of the counting process. Elaborating on the opposition's demands, Yechury said the leaders have requested the EC to ensure that its own guidelines are implemented. The guidelines include ensuring that the control units of the EVMs are moved through CCTV-monitored corridors and a verification of the date-and-time display of the control units is done. "This verification is important because unless it is done, there is no authenticity that it is the same control unit that came from the polling booth, that it has not been changed," he said. The Communist Party of India leader also said the start and end time and the date of the polling process should be checked on the control unit. "The slips and tags that are put when an EVM is sealed should be shown to all the counting agents for verification. After pressing the button for the results, reconfirming the date of polling is not done ... that has to be ensured," he said. In their letter, the opposition leaders said the feedback from their counting agents for earlier polls indicates that these slips and tags are not shown to them and when they request to see those, the counting staff demands a written rule or circular stating that these details must be shown to them. The second letter also laid stress on counting the postal ballots first. Besides Kharge, Pawar and Yechury, the signatories to this letter included Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK's TR Baalu, Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Ajay Maken had alleged on X that the counting agents of the poll candidates are not being allowed at the tables of the assistant returning officers , drawing an immediate rebuttal from the EC. In a post on the microblogging platform, the chief electoral officer for Delhi said: "It is clarified that counting agents of candidates are allowed at the tables of RO/AROs." On Saturday, senior leaders of the INDIA bloc met here to discuss their strategy for the counting day, even as the Trinamool Congress and People's Democratic Party skipped the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who presided over the deliberations, said they would meet EC officials on Sunday "to discuss certain issues". The opposition parties have asked their agents to monitor the vote-counting process closely on Tuesday and ensure that form 17C, which contains the number of votes recorded at each polling station, is shared with them. Polling for the seven-phase parliamentary election was concluded on Saturday. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Most exit polls have predicted the NDA will coast comfortably to a third win in the Lok Sabha elections. The ruling NDA is projected to win a two-thirds majority in the 543-member lower house of Parliament, where 272 is needed for a simple majority. Six exit polls project NDA will win between 355 and 380 seats. The NDA won 353 seats in the 2019 general election, of which BJP accounted for 303. The opposition's INDIA alliance is projected to win between 125 and 165 seats. A man watching television waits for the release of exit polls published after voting concluded. (AFP) But exit polls have a patchy recordthey have often got the outcome wrong, with analysts admitting privately that it is a challenge to get accurately forecast results in a large and diverse country such as India. Also read: View: Can Mamata Banerjees bold Bengal gambit restrict the BJP? Doubts have been raised about the quality and professionalism of some of the pollsters this time too. Some blatant gaffes came to light on June 1: Sudden proliferation of pollsters in Andhra with previously unheard names like Partha Chankya, RACE, Atma Sakshi SAS and Agniveer. A set of pollsters released data which predicted that the TDP-led Janata Sena and BJP alliance would sweep both Andhra assembly and Lok Sabha polls. A little later, another bunch presumably from the other side predicted that the incumbent YSRCP of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is set to return with ease. How can the same set of poll data produce diametrically opposite results on the same day? News24 gave 33 seats to the NDA when Rajasthan only had 25 Lok Sabha seats. On Zee news, Axis My India gave 6-8 seats to the NDA in Himachal, when the state sends just four MPs to the Lok Sabha. The same pollster gave 16-19 seats to the NDA in Haryana when the state sends 10 Lok Sabha members to the Parliament. India Today TV gave 18-20 seats to the BJP, 2 to the BJD and 1 to the Congress in Odisha, which has 21 Lok Sabha seats. The LJP is contesting 5 seats in Bihar but winning 4-6, according to Axis My India. Predictably, a frustrated opposition has dismissed the exit polls, calling them unscientific. This is a government exit poll, this is Narendra Modis exit poll, Supriya Shrinate, the Congresss social media head, told news agency ANI, asserting that the Congress and INDIA alliance will not be one seat less than 259. Also read: Former chief election commissioners call for EC reforms, model code overhaul Another Congress leader, Ajay Maken, tweeted that Candidates Counting Agents at the ARO table are NOT being allowed for the first timeIf true, this is bigger than the alleged EVM rigging! Former journalist and Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Sagarika Ghosh, tweeted that exit polls in a quasi-dictatorship like India are designed to please the regime, are hypothetical and speculative. She quoted the India Today exit polls of Bengal assembly elections, 2021, to show how widely off the mark they were, predicting 130-156 for the Trinamool and 134 to 160 for the BJP! The final result was 215-77 in favour of her party. Also read: Lok Sabha polls: Spectacle of sartorial styles and glamour in election summer It would be instructive to remember that exit polls predicted the NDA government formation easily both in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha polls but were unable to accurately forecast the extent of the Congress rout. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is cruising to a landslide victory in the general elections and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to become the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to secure three consecutive terms, a clutch of exit polls predicted on Saturday as the Lok Sabha polls closed after six gruelling weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to become the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to secure three consecutive terms, a clutch of exit polls predicted on Saturday. (ANI) All 10 national prominent exit polls predicted an emphatic win for the BJP and some even forecast a two-thirds majority for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 543-member House. The party was projected to be ahead of its rivals across the span of the heartland, and putting up its best-ever showing in south India suggesting the Modi wave is stronger than ever and the BJP is expanding its footprint in places hitherto unconquered. In contrast, the Oppositions Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) appeared to be losing its footing across central and northern India with the Congress projected to perform poorly in the 190-odd seats where it is in direct contest with the BJP. The Congress was projected to post poor results in Karnataka, a state where it won the biggest victory in a generation just last year, and not being able to capitalise on its victory in neighbouring Telangana either. The exit polls predicted that the BJPs tally will cross its 2019 mark and could even touch 350 with its main opponent, the Congress, likely to be restricted below 75. Overall, exit polls suggested that Modi was a pan-India factor that boosted the BJPs performance across state and regional divides and lifted the party to sweep states it hitherto had little presence in such as Telangana or Odisha. A majority of the polls predicted that a potential third term for Modi could be with a bigger mandate than his first or second terms. In contrast, the Oppositions plan of forcing one-on-one contests may have backfired, the polls suggested; other than a smattering of small gains in northern India, the Opposition was seen as losing seats everywhere. To be sure, exit polls are not always accurate and have often got the verdict wrong in earlier elections, especially in states with diverse populations, castes and communities. But they are useful in identifying trends. The results will be announced on June 4. But if these trends hold, itll mean a return to the post-2014 normal of state elections being competitive polls where the BJP faces a fight, and the national elections being largely one-sided where the BJP is able to open up a big lead over the Opposition due to the Modi premium the ground connect enjoyed by Modi, who remains Indias most popular leader by some distance. It might also mean that the BJP and the NDA will end up very close to Modis pre-poll targets of 370 and 400 seats, respectively. I can say with confidence that the people of India have voted in record numbers to re-elect the NDA government. They have seen our track record and the manner in which our work has brought about a qualitative change in the lives of the poor, marginalised and downtrodden, Modi posted on X shortly after voting for the 57 Lok Sabha sears across seven states and Union Territories closed. The opportunistic INDI Alliance failed to strike a chord with the voters. They are casteist, communal and corrupt. This alliance, aimed to protect a handful of dynasties, failed to present a futuristic vision for the nation. Through the campaign, they only enhanced their expertise on one thing Modi bashing. Such regressive politics has been rejected by the people, he added. Before the exit polls were broadcast, members of the INDIA bloc met in Delhi. The INDIA bloc will get more than 295 seats. We have arrived at this figure after speaking with all our leaders, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told reporters after the meeting. This is a survey of people. People have given this information to our leaders. The government surveys are there and their media friends also inflate figures and put it out. Therefore, we want to tell you about the reality. The exit polls also suggested that a clutch of powerful regional parties such as the Trinamool Congress in Bengal, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi in Telangana and the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha might suffer landslide defeats and lose a large chunk of their vote share to the BJP. In the 130-odd seats of south India, where the INDIA bloc was hoping to make maximum gains, almost every exit poll showed the BJP making gains in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, two states where the party had struggled to find a footing and winning a landslide victory in Karnataka. The party, along with alliance partner Telugu Desam Party, was seen as sweeping Andhra Pradesh too, pushing the ruling YSR Congress Party to a distant second. In neighbouring Telangana, exit polls predicted a collapse of the BRS and the BJP emerging as the single-largest party, winning a lions share of the 17 seats in the state. Overall in southern India, the NDA and INDIA blocs were forecast to be neck and neck. If these trends hold, itll be bad news for the Opposition which was hoping to sweep these regions. In the battleground state of Maharashtra with 48 seats, where vertical splits in two regional behemoths Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party rendered politics unpredictable, national exit polls gave the edge to the NDA but predicted a tough contest. Some regional channels predicted a dead heat with a slight edge to the Opposition. In West Bengal with 42 seats, most national exit polls suggested that the BJP will edge out the TMC and become the single-largest party in the eastern state, with one India Today-AxisMyIndia hinting that the BJP might get double the number of seats than the regional outfit. If these trends hold true, itll be a massive blow to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who will face re-election in two years. In Uttar Pradesh, Indias most populous state, most exit polls suggested that the BJP will better its 2019 showing of 62 seats and the NDA might win around 70 of the 80 seats on offer. In contrast, the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance was seen as winning only 8-10 seats. In neighbouring Bihar, exit polls predicted that the BJP and its partner Janata Dal (United) will win roughly three-fourths of the 40 seats on offer. The opposition grand alliance was projected to win about eight to 10 seats. The polls held out bad news for the Aam Aadmi Party, which was projected as doing badly in both Delhi and Punjab, two provinces it controls right now. Exit polls said the AAP-Congress alliance could either get wiped out in Delhi, or win one seat at the most. With party boss Arvind Kejriwal scheduled to go back to jail on Sunday, these figures could hold an existential threat to the party. Elsewhere in India, the NDA was projected to suffer small losses in Rajasthan and Haryana but exit polls predicted that it will more than make up for them in the north and east. The larger directional trend was a remarkable expansion of footprint for the BJP and an unprecedented showing for a PM in his third term. For the Opposition, these numbers should they be correct will mean that the INDIA bloc experiment had failed. Now its over to June 4 for the real verdict. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that exit polls telecast by media houses were not in sync with the ground reality because they were "manufactured at home" two months ago. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee shows a victory sign after casting her vote during the 7th phase of the Lok sabha elections in Kolkata on Saturday.(ANI) Most exit polls predict that the BJP will win more Lok Sabha seats than the TMC in West Bengal. We had seen how the exit polls were conducted in 2016, 2019 and 2021. None of the predictions had turned out to be true, Banerjee told TV9-Bangla. "These exit polls were manufactured at home by some people two months back for media consumption. They have no value," she added. Further criticising the exit polls, the Trinamool Congress chief said that people's response at her rallies does not corroborate the exit poll predictions by media houses. The way BJP tried to polarise and spread false information that Muslims were taking away quotas of SC, ST and OBCs, I don't think Muslims will vote for BJP, she said. "And, I think the CPI(M) and Congress helped the BJP in West Bengal," Banerjee also said that regional parties will likely do well in the Lok Sabha elections. "Akhilesh (Yadav), Tejashwi (Yadav), Stalin (M K Stalin) and Uddhav (Thackeray) will do well. Regional parties will do well everywhere," she told TV9-Bangla. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Sukanta Majumdar expressed confidence of winning at least 25 seats in West Bengal. "When I took over as the state president two and a half years back, I had said we would cross the 25-mark in the Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, but even many in my party did not believe me. Now, not only my party, but the press and the people of the state believe that we will get more than 25 seats," he said. What exit polls said about West Bengal elections? NDTV-Jan Ki Baat exit poll has predicted between 21 and 26 seats for the saffron party and 16-18 for the TMC in the Lok Sabha elections 2024. Axis My India exit poll has predicted a massive gain for the BJP in West Bengal, with 26 to 31 seats. The Mamata Banerjee-ruled party is likely to win 1114 seats. India News-D-Dynamics also gave 21 seats to the BJP and 19 to the Trinamool Congress, while Republic Bharat-Matrize predicted between 21 and 25 seats for the BJP. It predicted between 16 and 20 seats for Mamata Banerjee's party in the state. Republic Bangla has predicted a reversal of 2019, giving the BJP 22 seats and the Trinamool 18. India has reported 56 confirmed heatstroke deaths in the past three months, of which 46 persons have died in May alone, according to government data. These heat spells coincided with the Lok Sabha elections being held between April 19 and June 1. (Representative Image) Madhya Pradesh has reported maximum deaths 14, followed by Maharashtra11, Andhra Pradesh6 and Rajasthan 5. The Centre keeps track of heat-related cases and deaths as part of the National Heat-Related Illnesses and Death Surveillance. Among heatstroke cases, 24,849 cases have been reported since March 1, under the Centres surveillance programme, out of which 19,189 were reported in the month of May. With 6,584 cases, Madhya Pradesh has reported the maximum number of heatstroke cases, followed by Rajasthan that has reported 4,357 cases, Andhra Pradesh3,239, Chhattisgarh 2,418, Jharkhand2,077 and 1,998 cases reported from Odisha. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), there were two intense spells of humid heat in April--between April 5 and 7-- over east and southeast Peninsular India; April 15 and 30 over Odisha and West Bengal that expanded to Bihar, Jharkhand and South Peninsular India. There were two more intense heat spells in May--between May 1 and 7-- over Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal and parts of Peninsular India. The second spell according to IMD was between May 16 and 26 with 9-12 heat wave to severe heat wave days over Rajasthan with temperatures nearing 50 degree C; 5 to 7 heat wave days over Delhi NCR; south Haryana; Southwest UP and Punjab region with maximum temperatures reaching 44 to 48 degree C. Normally 4 to 8 days of heat wave are expected during summer months of March, April and May. During the heat spells, the relative humidity in coastal areas over east India was well over 50% and over northwest India around 20 to 30%. Humid heat can have very severe health impacts and we fear that a large number of people may have been impacted. The same applies to northwest India, said a senior IMD official on condition of anonymity. These heat spells coincided with the Lok Sabha elections being held between April 19 and June 1. According to scientists, at wet bulb temperatures above 35C, even fit people will overheat and potentially die within 6 hours. But it always doesnt need to be that precise combination to kill. A wet-bulb temperature (TW) of 35C marks our upper physiological limit, and much lower values have serious health and productivity impacts, according to the emergence of heat and humidity too severe for human tolerance, a paper led by scientists from Jet Propulsion Laboratory/California Institute of Technology, USA, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University. People with comorbidities like those suffering from chronic heart, lung and kidney conditions and obesity, apart from the vulnerable population like the elderly and young children, and people on certain medications such as beta-blockers, diuretics, and anti-depressants are at high risk of getting impacted. As part of the national surveillance data, there also have been 605 cardiovascular deaths reported in May that have been linked to the intense heat spells. Experts point out that two kinds of heat strokes can occur exertional and non-exertional. The latter usually occurs over several days due to exposure to heat wave conditions, whereas the former happens in a matter of a few hours especially if a person is performing strenuous physical activity in hot and humid conditions. Loss of fluids and electrolytes can put a severe burden on the heart. However, the exact temperature at which cardiovascular collapse occurs varies among individuals, as it depends on coexisting disease, drugs, and other factors that may contribute to or delay organ dysfunction. While heat stroke is a medical emergency, loss of life can be prevented if measures to counter excessive heat exposure are taken in time, said doctors. If a heat stroke is suspected, then the person should be taken to a doctor or hospital as quickly as possible. Its also important to make sure the affected person is brought into shade; put under cold shower or wet towel is placed on the persons head, neck, feet, and palms to bring the temperature down, said Dr Rommel Tickoo, director, internal medicine, Max Super-specialty Hospital, Saket. Doctors also advise avoiding direct sun exposure, especially during the peak hours. It is best to avoid the Sun between 10am and 4pm. But if you must step out then drinking at least a couple of glasses of water immediately before you leave home is important. Carry a water bottle and keep sipping a glass of water every hour. To replenish lost salts and minerals, take butter milk, coconut water or lime water to keep yourself well-hydrated, he added. As Hyderabad ceases to be the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh with effect from Sunday, uncertainty prevails over the fate of the buildings allocated to Andhra Pradesh in Hyderabad. During this 10-year period, Andhra Pradesh could operate its administration and the assembly proceedings from Hyderabad, till it had own capital city. As per Section 5 of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014, Hyderabad shall be the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for a period not exceeding 10 years with effect from June 2, 2014. After expiry of the 10-year period, Hyderabad will be the capital of Telangana. During this 10-year period, Andhra Pradesh could operate its administration and the assembly proceedings from Hyderabad, till it had own capital city. As per the agreement, part of the Secretariat complex and a few buildings in Hyderabad were allotted to Andhra Pradesh to run the administration. Similarly, the Lake View Guest House, located near Raj Bhavan at Somajiguda, was also allotted to the camp office of the Andhra Pradesh chief minister. For about a year after the bifurcation of the combined state, the Andhra Pradesh administration operated from Hyderabad. However, the then chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu decided to construct a new capital city at Amaravati and he felt it inconvenient to administer Andhra Pradesh from the neighbouring state, though Hyderabad was the common capital for 10 years. Without waiting till the completion of the new capital city, Naidu chose to shift the administration to Vijayawada and parts of Guntur. Within one year, he had got the state secretariat built at Velagapudi in Amaravati and moved the administrative setup there. Within no time, the state assembly was shifted and a couple of years later, even the high court was moved to Amaravati. Over a period of time, the Andhra Pradesh government vacated most of its allotted buildings in Hyderabad, including those given to it in the state secretariat and handed them over to Telangana. Only three buildings Hermitage official building complex at Adarsh Nagar, the crime investigation department (CID) building at Lakdi-ka-pool and the Lake View guest house have still been under the control of the Andhra government. With Hyderabad becoming the sole capital of Telangana with effect from Sunday, chief minister A Revanth Reddy, at an official review meeting on May 15, directed the officials to take over the buildings allotted to Andhra Pradesh during the 10-year period. A senior official in Telangana secretariat familiar with the development said the Andhra Pradesh government wrote to the Telangana government a few days ago requesting that it be allowed to retain these three buildings for one more year, till it finds permanent accommodation for them in Andhra. It wants to continue to run its offices in Hyderabad for some more time, till they get permanent buildings in Andhra Pradesh. It even offered to pay rent for the same starting June 2, the official said. However, the Revanth Reddy government did not respond to the Andhra Pradesh governments request yet, in view of the elections. The issue was supposed to come up for discussion at the state cabinet meeting on May 20, but it did not, as the Election Commission of India (ECI) strictly asked the government not to discuss any issue related to inter-state matters during MCC, he said. A decision might be taken on the issue by the Revanth Reddy government after the lifting of the model code of conduct on June 6, depending on which government will be formed in Andhra Pradesh. New Delhi, A dog with a complex heart condition successfully underwent a minimally invasive heart surgery at a hospital here with veterinarians claiming it to be the first such procedure to be carried out by private practitioners in the Indian subcontinent. In a first in Indian subcontinent, dog undergoes non-invasive heart surgery at Delhi vet hospital Seven-year-old beagle, Juliet, was suffering from Mitral valve disease for the last two years, Dr Bhanu Dev Sharma, an interventional cardiologist for small animals at Max PetZ Hospital in East of Kailash said on Sunday. The condition is caused by degenerative changes in mitral valve leaflets which result in back flow of blood within the left upper chamber of the heart and subsequent congestive heart failure as the disease progresses. The surgeons performed a Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair procedure using a valve clamp on May 30. "It's called hybrid surgery as it's a combination of a micro surgery and interventional procedure. The best part about this procedure is that its minimally invasive as it's a beating heart procedure and not like an open heart surgery which needs a heart lung bypass machine," Sharma explained. As per the pet parents, they were giving heart medications to Juliet for the last one year, Sharma said. They learnt about the procedure from their visit to the US where this surgery was introduced at Colorado state university two years ago, he said. The pet dog was discharged in a stable medical condition just two days after surgery. Mitral valve disease is the most common heart condition in dogs in India as well as in rest of the world and accounts for 80 per cent of all heart diseases in dogs in India and worldwide. This disease is amongst one of the major causes of deaths in dogs, Sharma said. "The only treatment majorly available so far includes medicinal treatment which delays the onset of clinical signs and gives symptomatic relief for sometime. It is not curative," he said. Open heart mitral valve repair surgery is not a very viable option owing to the highly invasive nature of the procedure and because it is done at very few centres in the world. "TEER is entirely an image guided procedure and is done under trans oesophageal 4D echocardiography and fluoroscopy guidance in a beating heart. A small incision is made on the chest wall to get access to apex of the heart after which through a catheter the two leaflets of the diseased mitral valve are clamped together to reduce the leakage across the valve under guidance of high-tech equipment," Sharma said. According to the veterinary hospital, Sharma's team is the first from Asia and second worldwide among private practitioners to have done the procedure successfully. Sharma and his team of four doctors travelled to Shanghai last year to learn about the procedure. "The procedure is similar in concept to Mitra clip procedure in humans which has benefitted and saved many human lives so far. With the launch of this surgery it gives a new ray of hope for dogs suffering from this very common heart disease," Sharma said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. MBABANE The AfCFTA implementation strategy for Eswatini (2024 2028) has been endorsed as one that places the kingdom in a better position to benefit from this agreement and diversify its export markets. African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretary General, Wamukele Mene, said the recently launched strategy places the country in a better place to diversify its markets outside the SACU and SADC markets. Mene was speaking during the private sector engagement with the secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) held on Friday. Mene stated that the agreement presented new opportunities for the private sector. He said through those opportunities, the private sector companies would be able to create more jobs for emaSwati. We do not need to scramble for access in certain markets, when we can leverage on the single market provided by the #AfCFTA Agreement, said Mene. The secretary general further implored the private sector to consider doing business beyond its regional markets to take advantage of the AfCFTA for income and job creation, and foster overall economic growth and development in the continent. It is worth noting that in March, the Government of Eswatini launched the implementation strategy, which builds on existing efforts and propels the small landlocked country towards increasing its local production base and export orientation. Mene said clearly the AfCFTA was not just about trading, but also creating new investment and market opportunities for the private sector. Trading Acting Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade, Dr Tambo Gina, said the visit by the Secretariat came at a time when the Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, had already announced the countrys readiness to start trading under the agreement. He said the announcement follows the completion of the necessary processes, including gazetting of the SACU tariff offered by the five SACU countries. He stated that the announcement also called upon the traders to register to trade under the AfCFTA and to approach the relevant offices to be assisted with information on the requirements for them to take advantage of the agreement. Gina said it is Eswatinis wish to expand our trade with Africa beyond the traditional markets, such as SACU, SADC, COMESA and the EU. We are looking forward to receiving the technical expertise from the Secretariat, especially guidance on the countrys priority sectors covering both goods and services, as articulated in the national implementation strategy, and also to build a strong collaboration between Eswatini and the Secretariat, which will result in continuous building of capacities not only for the traders but also for the agencies supporting the implementation of the agreement, said the minister. Dr Gina said Eswatini realises the need for concerted efforts and commitment from all key national stakeholders including government, private sector, as well as non-State actors to implement the actions identified in the national AFCFTA implementation strategy and the engagement today is evidence of that. Exports He added that the country had also identified potential products in the development of value chains for exports into the African market. He said this work was not a one-day job, but it required continuous consultations with relevant partners including the AfCFTA Secretariat, especially in guiding this important work. The minister implored the private sector to explore and make use of the opportunities provided by this agreement as they will be presented by the AfCFTA Secretariat. The Kingdom of Eswatini as a member of the African Union (AU) signed the Agreement establishing the AfCFTA in March 2018 during the Summit of Heads of State and Government, held in Kigali, Rwanda. Benefit Eswatini ratified the agreement during the same year, which qualifies the country to benefit from preferential market access within the AfCFTA covering both trade in goods and services. The AfCFTA is an important initiative in increasing Eswatinis exports, facilitating investment and increasing the countrys prospects of stimulating industrialisation including value chain development, employment creation, income generation and poverty reduction. The AfCFTA Agreement came into force in May 2019, with the start of trading to commence on January 1, 2021. Trade among State parties is currently taking place under the Guided Trade Initiative (GTI) and about eight State parties are already trading under this initiative. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will secure at least 295 seats in the 18th Lok Sabha, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Saturday after a 2.5-hour-long meeting of coalition partners. The Opposition blocs projection, however, didnt reflect in any of the exit polls aired by the TV channels. INDIA leaders after a meeting of coalition partners at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges residence in Delhi on Saturday. (PTI) The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and its friends will discuss the exit polls. But there should not be any confusion among the people. They are trying to set a narrative. We will tell the truth. INDIA alliance leaders will get at least 295 seats. It might be more than 295, but certainly not less, Kharge said. After talking among ourselves, we arrived at this number. This is based on the peoples survey, not our survey. This is based on what people have told us and the information they sent to our leaders. Most of the pollsters have predicted a comfortable win for the BJP-led NDA with at least seven polls have predicted more than 350 seats for the ruling NDA. The BJP-led NDA is likely to open its account in Tamil Nadu and Kerala but may see a fall in its tally in states like Bihar, Rajasthan and Haryana, according to the pollsters. The meeting, held at Kharges residence in New Delhi, discussed tasks for polling agents of the grouping on counting day on June 4. During the discussion, the leaders overturned the Congresss decision to boycott the TV debates on the exit polls. Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Sorens wife was the first to argue that the INDIA bloc should not allow the BJP freehand in the exit polls. The alliance also decided to meet the Election Commission of India one last time before the counting starts to urge the poll overseer to address their concerns that included counting should start with postal ballots and only EVMs used for polling should be kept in the counting halls. We have sought time from the Election Commission on Sunday. We will tell them (that) in some places ballot papers were counted later on some earlier occasions. There could be mistake in that this time too. There could be mistakes in other things too. That is why the leaders of our alliance will go to the Election Commission and put forth whatever complaints we have before them and after making corrections to them, Kharge said. After making modifications, whatever order is to be issued and sent to each district magistrate or returning officer do this work as soon as possible. Former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were present in the meeting. Others included K C Venugopal and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of the Congress, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, Sharad Pawar and Jitendra Awhad from the NCP-SP, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha of AAP, DMKs T. R Baalu, RJD leaders Tejashwi Yadav and Sanjay Yadav. Jharkhand chief minister Champai Soren and Kalpana Soren from JMM, Farooq Abdullah of J&KNC, CPI leader D Raja, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury, Anil Desai of Shiv Sena (UBT), Dipankar Bhattacharya of CPI(ML) and Mukesh Sahani of VIP party. In the meeting, Rahul Gandhi mentioned the exit polls are due. To which, another leader said that the Congress has decided to not participate in it. Kalpana argued that BJP should not be given a freehand and Left leaders also added that the Opposition should not allow the BJP to build a narrative in the exit polls. Rahul promptly agreed to the suggestions and it was decided that senior Opposition leaders will take part in exit poll debates, said a leader present in the meeting. After this, all leaders were asked about their partys expected tally in this election. Akhilesh Yadav said the INDIA bloc will win 60 seats in Uttar Pradesh, but most other leaders toned down their expectations to 20 seats in the most populous state. Tejashwi Yadav maintained the oppositions grand alliance in Bihar will win 20 seats and Sharad Pawar said The Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT) and his NCPs MVA bloc will get 24 seats in Maharashtra. DMK leader TR Balu pegged the INDIAs tally at 40 of 40 in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The preparations for the counting day was the key agenda of the meeting. The alliance leaders spoke about the important of Form 17C and that counting agents must stay throughout the counting process and not leave without the constituency-wise certificate of votes counted and the result. The certificate will have all details such as ballot units, control unit, candidate wise votes with the sign of counting agents. There is another instruction of all parties and every cadre would be informed about how to sit through the counting process, to take the C form and till all formalities are completed, he should not come out of the counting hall, Kharge said. We have made so much effort together and as we stand united, we are able to give this figure (295) before you. Form 17C is divided into two parts. Part I records how many people cast votes at the polling booth and is filled by the presiding officer of every polling station at the end of polling. This form is given to every polling agent of the political parties. It includes the number of eligible voters assigned to the booth, the number of voters entered in the register of voters, the number of voters who decided not to vote, and the number of voters not allowed to vote. It requires the presiding officer to specify the number of votes recorded as per the voting machine. Part I of Form 17C is scrutinised by the returning officer along with annexures to Form 17A to assess whether re- polling is required in a booth. Part II, on the other hand, is filled at the time of counting with details of number of votes recorded for each candidate. Kharge also downplayed the absence of Trinamool Congress from the meeting. We are united. Why are you trying to divide us? So many people are here, he said. A security personnel carries an EVM to deposit at the strong room after the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls in Patna on June 2. Lok Sabha Elections 2024 highlights: Welcome to our live blog coverage of the Lok Sabha elections! The marathon polling process for the 18th Lok Sabha came to a close on Saturday. Spanning seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, the seventh phase of polling covered 57 constituencies, including the high-profile Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is vying for a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha....Read More Despite their varied predictions, exit polls have hinted at a comfortable majority for the BJP-led NDA coalition. Various pollsters predict a wide range of seats for the ruling NDA, with estimates ranging from 353 to 383 seats for the BJP-led alliance and 152 to 182 seats for the opposition INDIA bloc. Some polls even project over 400 seats for the NDA. If these predictions hold true, Modi would match Jawaharlal Nehru's record of leading his party to victory for a third consecutive term. Exit poll results also suggest a significant breakthrough for the BJP in southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. Lok Sabha elections 2024: 'India has voted': PM Narendra Modi's 'thank you' note amid prediction of landslide BJP win According to the ABP-C Voter poll, the BJP-led alliance is expected to win between 353 and 383 seats, while the opposition INDIA bloc may secure between 152 and 182 seats. Today's Chanakya predicts even higher numbers for the BJP and its allies compared to the 2019 elections, forecasting 335 seats for the BJP and 400 for the NDA, with a margin of 15 seats. The opposition alliance is predicted to secure 107 seats, with a possible variation of 11 seats. Other exit polls, such as Times Now-ETG Research, project 358 seats for the NDA and 152 seats for the INDIA bloc. Many pollsters suggest that the NDA may exceed its 2019 tally of 353 seats. However, the Congress party has dismissed the exit polls, calling them orchestrated by Modi. Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue in May neared 1.73 lakh crore, the fifth highest monthly collection since the new indirect tax regime started in July 2017 mainly driven by economic buoyancy, sustained domestic demand and stricter compliance, indicating robust first quarter growth after record collections of 2.10 lakh crore in April. The gross GST revenue in the month of May saw a 10% year-on-year growth to 1,72,739 crore. (PTI) The gross GST revenue in the month of May saw a 10% year-on-year growth to 1,72,739 crore. After accounting for refunds, the net revenue for May was 1.44 lakh crore, reflecting a growth of 6.9% compared to the same period last year, the finance ministry said in a statement . With the highest ever collection in the first month of FY25, total gross GST revenue in the first two months of current financial year is 3,83,006 crore, an impressive 11.3% year-on-year growth, mainly driven by a strong increase in domestic transactions, the ministry added. After accounting for refunds, the net GST revenue in the 2024-25 till May 2024 stood at 3.36 lakh crore, reflecting a growth of 11.6% compared to the same period last year, the ministry said. Thus, average gross GST collection in the first two months of FY25 crossed 1.91 lakh crore. Experts said the collections of 2.10 lakh crore in April was exceptional because it reflected the impact of the fiscal year-end . But, the 1.73 lakh crore revenue collection in the following month signifies 1.70 lakh crore in the new normal in FY25, they added. GST collection data for a particular month reflect actual business transactions made in the previous month. Deloitte India partner MS Mani said: These collections, which relate to supply of goods and services transactions in April 24, for which GST has been paid in May 24, indicate the beginning of a new normal in excess of 1.7 trillion in FY25 compared to 1.6 trillion during FY24. This is line with the recent GDP estimates which indicate a robust economy, which does not appear to have been impacted much either by the election season or the heat wave across the country. The monthly GST collection data, one of the high frequency indicators of the economys health, came close on the heels of the National Statistical Offices (NSO) projection on Friday that Indias gross domestic product (GDP) grew at 8.2% in 2023-24, higher than what was estimated by both the government and private forecasters. The estimate also accompanied by a lower-than-expected fiscal deficit of 5.6% for FY24 against the 5.8% envisaged in the interim budget presented on February 1, 2024. Giving breakdown of the May collections, the finance ministry said that the contribution of central GST (CGST) in the month was 32,409 crore, state GST (SGST) was 40,265 crore and integrated GST (IGST) was 87,781 crore, which included 39,879 crore collected on imported goods. The compensation cess collection in May was 12,284 crore. IGST is levied on interstate transfer of goods and services and is shared between the Centre and the state. Cess is levied on luxury goods and sin products such as liquor, cigarettes, other tobacco products, aerated water, automobiles, and coal. While states have no claim on compensation from July 1, 2022, the cess continues till March 31, 2026 to service the back-to-back loans availed by states when compensation cess collection fell in 2020 and 2021 because of a slump in economic activities due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Pratik Jain, partner at PwC India said that the GST collection is broadly in line with expectations on the back of a huge growth in April 24. Its interesting to see in few states such as Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, growth over last year (May 23) is much higher than average growth. It would be interesting to analyse the reasons for this difference and see what needs to be done from tax administration point of view. The Union government has approved the establishment of a new Indian Institute of Management (IIM) near Guwahati, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday. Calling it a special gift by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister announced that the prestigious Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM Ahmedabad) will mentor the upcoming IIM, which will be located at Marabhita in Kamrup district. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the upcoming IIM near Guwahati a "special gift" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.(PTI) IIM Ahmedabad will now take the lead in preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new institute, working in close consultation with the Assam government, a letter by the ministry of education shows. Read: Rahul Gandhi a 'desh-drohi', burden on his mother': Assam CM Himanta Sarma Sarma extended his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and education minister Dharmendra Pradhan for their cooperation in this initiative. "Over the last 18 months, we presented a strong case to the Honble Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Ji and the Education Ministry," said CM Sarma. Assam offered premier land and logistical support for this endeavour. Now IIM Ahmedabad will mentor the upcoming IIM in Guwahati. This will be a game changer for Assam, making the state an education hub in Eastern India and also helping fulfill our economic aspirations. Read: IIM-A professor on returning to institute as a student: If I get admission Of the four plots identified by the state government, the site selection committee has finalised the plot at Marabhita. In a letter dated February 16, 2024, the higher education department of the Assam government confirmed the states agreement to the recommendations made by the site selection committee. Following this, education minister Dharmendra Pradhan granted in-principle approval for the establishment of the new IIM and designated IIM Ahmedabad as the mentor Institute for the project. Based on the report of the committee, approval of the Hon'ble Minister of Education is conveyed for the following: (i) in-principle approval of the proposal for establishment of new IIM at Marabhita in Kamrup District (near Guwahati), Assam; (ii) Approval that the IIM Ahmedabad shall be the Mentor Institute for establishment of the proposed new IIM at Kamrup, the letter read. Odisha will see a neck-and-neck contest between the ruling BJD and the opposition BJP over which party will form the next government in the eastern state, with the India Today-Axis My India exit poll giving 62-80 seats to both parties in the 147-member assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik in Chandikhole, Odisha last month. (ANI Photo) As per the projections, the BJP, which had a 32.49% vote share in 2019, is now likely to secure 42% votes, an increase of nearly 10%. The Congress is likely to be a distant third with five to eight seats and 12% votes, the figures show. In the 2019 assembly elections, the electors in Odisha, which holds simultaneous state and Lok Sabha polls, gave 117 seats to the Biju Janata Dal, 23 to the Bharatiya Janata Party, and nine to the Congress. BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who became chief minister for the first time in 2000, was re-elected to serve his fifth consecutive term, making him one of the longest-serving chief ministers of the country. Also Read: Election Commission orders suspension of IPS officer in Odisha CMO over interference in polls The BJP, a former ally of the BJD, has, in recent years, established itself as the coastal sate's principal opposition party. In their campaigning for the recent assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP centered their attack around Naveen Patnaik's health, and how the senior politician was trying to impose his trusted aide, bureaucrat-turned-BJD member VK Pandian, who is from Tamil Nadu, as Odisha's CM. The BJD, on the other hand, pegged its campaign around the Patnaik government's welfare works and its schemes. The chief minister also issued a video statement to declare his health as perfect. After the BJP secured 46 seats in the 60-member Arunachal Pradesh assembly, Pema Khandu, the chief minister in the party's outgoing government, thanked the people and assured them that the incoming BJP government will fulfill all the promises made by the saffron party in its poll manifesto. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu submits his resignation to state governor Lieutenant Gen (Retd.) KT Parnaik at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar on Sunday. (ANI) I bow in gratitude to the great people of Arunachal Pradesh for their continued trust in the vision of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodji and since efforts of Team Arunachal and in taking care of the well-being of every section of the society, Khandu wrote on X (previously Twitter), hours after results of the April 19 assembly election were declared following the counting of votes on Sunday. The politician, 44, vowed not to let the "process of building a self-reliant Arunachal Pradesh get derailed under any circumstances." He also thanked hard-working karyakartas (workers) of the party." Ever grateful to the leadership of @BJP4India president Shri @JPNadda Ji, Hon'ble Union Ministers, Hon'ble Chief Ministers and senior party leaders for their guidance and support in winning the battle of ballots, the BJP leader added. Khandu, who is among 10 BJP candidates who were elected unopposed in March itself, is likely to be the chief minister in the new government as well. He has been asked by Governor, Lieutenant General (Retired) KT Parnaik, to continue as caretaker CM until the new government takes charge. Meanwhile, among other parties, the National People's Party (NPP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), and the Congress, won five, three, two, and one seats, respectively, the Election Commission of India's (ECI) website showed. Three independent candidates were also victorious. Exit polls 2024 News: Political strategist Prashant Kishor on Saturday, shortly after the release of exit poll results 2024 for the Lok Sabha elections, took a dig at fake journalists and loudmouth politicians and asked the public not to waste time on "useless discussions" and "analyses". Political strategist-turned-activist Prashant Kishor during an interview.(PTI file) Exit polls on Saturday, June 1, predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the Bharatiya Janata-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the general elections. Follow Live Updates on Lok Sabha elections 2024 Next time there's talk of elections and politics, don't waste your valuable time on the useless discussions and analyses of idle fake journalists, loudmouth politicians, and self-proclaimed social media experts, Prashant Kishor wrote in Hindi on X (formally Twitter). The Jan Suraaj Party chief has been claiming that the BJP could win 303 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the number of seats the party won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, or slightly more. Hours before the release of the exit poll 2024 results, Prashant Kishor, in an interview with The Print, reiterated his prediction on the performance of the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha polls "According to my assessment, the BJP is going to come back with the same or slightly better numbers. In western and northern India, I don't see a significant shift in the number of seats. The party has gained adequate support from regions in the east and south of India," Prashant Kishor said in the interview. Prashant Kishor also suggested a potential rise in the BJPs seat tally and vote share in the eastern and southern states. He added that the party's increased efforts to bolster its presence in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, anticipating gains due to the electorate's relative unfamiliarity with the BJP in these regions. Many exit polls have predicted the NDA, in all likelihood, will open its account in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and sweep Karnataka but may see a fall in its tally in states such as Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Haryana, while Uttar Pradesh is expected to remain a BJP bastion. What exit polls 2024 predicted While India Today-Axis My India has predicted 361-401 seats for the BJP-led NDA and 131-166 seats for the opposition INDIA bloc in the 543-member Lok Sabha, the ABP-C Voter predicted 353-383 seats for the ruling alliance and 152-182 seats for the INDIA bloc. Today's Chanakya gave a much higher tally for the BJP and its alliance than the 2019 polls. It predicted 335 seats to the BJP and 400 to the NDA, with a margin of 15 seats either way. It gave 107 seats to the opposition alliance with a possibility of its tally going up or down by 11 seats. The BJP had given the slogan of '400 paar' for its alliance in the Lok Sabha polls. If the exit polls hold true, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will equal the record of the country's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in leading his party to victory at the polls for a third straight term. The Times Now-ETG Research's exit poll gave 358 and 152 seats to the NDA and the INDIA bloc respectively. Many pollsters said the NDA may surpass its 2019 tally of 353 seats. The BJP had won 303 seats in the election. The Congress had bagged 53 seats and its allies 38. The 'INDIA' bloc was formed by opposition parties to take on the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections. News18 predicted that the BJP on its own will get 306-315 seats while its alliance will bag 355-370 seats. It gave 125-140 seats to the opposition alliance. India Today-Axis My India has forecast 322-340 seats for the BJP, 60-76 seats for the Congress and 71-90 seats for Congress allies. The Republic TV-P Marq poll claimed that the ruling alliance will win up to 359 seats and the opposition INDIA bloc will bag 154 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The Republic TV-Matrize poll gave 353-368 seats to the NDA and 118-133 seats to the opposition. The Jan Ki Baat poll gave 362-392 seats to the ruling NDA and 141-161 to the opposition alliance. The India TV-CNX gave them 371-401 and 109-139 seats respectively, while the corresponding tally predicted by News Nation was 342-378 and 153-169. What Prashant Kishor predicted earlier The political strategist earlier claimed that there was neither significant dissatisfaction with the incumbent BJP government at the Centre nor a strong demand for an alternative in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. In an interview with NDTV, Prashant Kishor also said PM Narendra Modi is likely to guide the BJP to another victory in the Lok Sabha polls, predicting that the saffron party's seat count could be close to or even surpass its 2019 tally of 303. I think Modi-led BJP is returning. They may get the same numbers as last election or do slightly better, NDTV had quoted Prashant Kishor as saying. "We should look at the fundamentals. If there is anger against the incumbent government and its leader, there is a possibility that regardless of whether there is an alternative, people may decide to vote them out. So far, we have not heard that there is widespread public anger against Modiji. There may be disappointment, unfulfilled aspirations, but we have not heard of widespread anger," Prashant Kishor added. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) recording a landslide win under his leadership in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, chief minister Pema Khandu has cemented his position further as the tallest leader from the party in the largest state of northeast. Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu submits his resignation to state governor Lieutenant Gen (Retd.) KT Parnaik at Raj Bhawan in Itanagar on Sunday. (ANI) This is the second consecutive time the BJP has won an electoral victory in the state with Khandu at the helm. In 2014, the party had won 41 of the total 60 seats. This time it bettered that mark by winning 46 seats. Though the BJP leadership is yet to take an official call on who would head the next government in the state, party insiders say Khandu is the firm favourite for another term. I would like to put on record my heartfelt thanks to the hard working karyakartas (workers) of the party for the stunning victory in the assembly polls. Let me assure people of the state that the BJP-led Arunachal Pradesh government will work to fulfil all the promises as laid out in our partys poll manifesto, Khandu posted on X. Khandu, along with 9 other BJP candidates including his deputy Chowna Mein, had won unopposed this time. But this is not the first such win for the CM. In 2011, he had won uncontested from his fathers seat Mukto (in a by-poll after his fathers death) and repeated the same feat in the 2014 assembly polls. Son of former Congress chief minister Dorjee Khandu, Pema Khandus rise in politics began after his fathers death in a helicopter crash in 2011. A former Congress leader, the 44-year, who is a graduate in History from Hindu College in Delhi, has been a crucial factor in BJPs rise in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2014, BJP had won just 7 seats while Congress won 42. The Congress government led by Nabam Tuki was dismissed in January 2016 after differences among the partys legislators over leadership. The next government in the state was formed by Kalikho Pul who led a group of rebel Congress MLAs. But after the government was dismissed by the Supreme Court, Khandu took oath as CM of a Congress government in July 2016. Khandu and almost all Congress MLAs (except Tuki) joined the Peoples Party of Arunachal a few months later and switched sides to the BJP in December 2016 after PPA expelled them. He has the distinction of heading three governments of different parties, all within one year. Since 2019, when Khandu took oath for the second term as a BJP chief minister, he has toured the state extensively visiting remote and inaccessible areas in a bid to connect with voters and the common public. These interactions have helped boost his image as well as the BJPs. The past five years have not been smooth sailing for Khandus government. The alleged paper leak and cash-for-job scam in the state public service commission, which is being probed by the CBI and allegations against Khandu of handing prime projects to firms owned by relatives and family members are two issues which hit headlines. But Khandu was able to overcome the negatives by engineering a pre-poll understanding with National Peoples Party (NPP), which ensured the party not fielding any candidates in the two Lok Sabha seats in Arunachal Pradesh. In turn, BJP, which is a coalition partner of the NPP-led government in Meghalaya, didnt contest the two LS seats in that state. On Sunday, NPP, which contested 20 seats emerged as the second largest party with 5 seats. It was expected that if BJP fails to muster up the numbers, NPP, which is also part of the NDA at Centre, would extend support. But that situation didnt arise. The 17-year-old boy, who fatally knocked down two young IT professionals with his luxury Porsche car on May 19, reportedly admitted to the Pune Police that he was heavily drunk while driving when the accident occurred. India Today, citing police sources, said during the questioning, the teen told officials that he did not remember all the incidents completely. Earlier, a new video had emerged in the Pune Porsche crash case in which the 17-year-old boy was seen in a bar. Hindustan Times earlier reported that through the interrogation, which lasted over an hour (11:30am to 12:30pm), the teen told the Pune Police that as he was drunk at the time of the accident, he could not remember anything. He was questioned in the presence of his mother, who was arrested on Saturday, and crime branch officials, including assistant commissioner of police Sunil Tambe and district child protection officer, . Despite efforts to elicit information, the juvenile remained tight-lipped during questioning, said police told HT. Our officials asked the minor about his location before the accident, his presence in Blak and Cosie pubs, driving the Porsche, details of the accident, tampering of evidence, collection of blood samples and medical tests. To all the questions, the minor had a single answer that he had no memory of anything as he was drunk, said a crime branch official. Initial probe had revealed that the minor and his friends had consumed alcoholic drinks at the two pubs where they ran a cumulative bill of 48,000. Meanwhile, The Times of India, citing Pune commissioner of police (CP) Amitesh Kumar, reported that the minor driver's mother, who was arrested on Saturday on the charge of giving her blood sample in place of her son's, told cops that the doctors of Sassoon General Hospital had told her to give her blood as a sample instead of the boy's. "We have recorded the statement of the woman (49). She told us that the doctors of the hospital had told her to give her blood as sample instead of her son's. She feigned ignorance on why the doctors told her so," The Times of India quoted Amitesh Kumar as saying. On Sunday, a Pune court remanded the parents of the boy in police custody till June 5 in a case pertaining to the destruction of evidence. The duo is being probed for their alleged role in tampering with the blood sample of the minor following the car accident on May 19 in Maharashtra's Pune city, which claimed the lives of two IT professionals. The minor's mother, Shivani Agarwal, was arrested on June 1 after the revelation that the boy's blood samples were replaced with hers. The Pune Police had taken custody of his father, realtor Vishal Agrawal, arrested earlier in a related case, for allegedly being involved in the destruction of evidence. The police produced the duo before a holiday court in Maharashtra's Pune city and sought their remand, which was allowed till June 5. The police told the court that the Vishal Agarwal couple conspired and destroyed the evidence related to the accident. They went to a state-run hospital and manipulated the blood samples of the minor, as per the police. The couple's lawyer, Prashant Patil, submitted that the police have already searched their house and recovered the footage of CCTV camera installed at their place. They have been booked under IPC section 201 (causing disapperance of evidence of offence), which is a bailable offence. Hence, they should be sent to judicial custody, Patil said. Besides the minor's parents, the police have also arrested his grandfather, Surendra Agarwal, for allegedly kidnapping the family's driver and putting pressure on him to take the blame for the accident, among other charges. The other persons in the police custody are two doctors of the state-run Sassoon General Hospital and an employee for allegedly swapping the blood samples of the mino. The police have registered three separate cases in connection with the car accident. The three cases include an FIR in connection with the accident and the second one against the bar that allegedly served liquor to the juvenile. The police have booked the boy's father for allowing him to drive the car without a valid licence. A third case is about the wrongful confinement and coercion of the family driver to take the blame for the accident. (With inputs from Shrinivas Deshpande in Pune and PTI) Even as all exit polls have given the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-National Democratic Alliance (NDA) a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed the INDIA group would get 295 seats. He called the 2024 exit polls Modi media poll and Modijis fantasy poll. Rahul Gandhi speaks to journalists at the sideline of an internal meeting of the Congress held in Delhi on Sunday. (ANI) A day after the exit polls, Gandhi spoke to journalists at the sideline of an internal meeting of the Congress that was called to prepare for the counting day. It is not exit poll, it is Modi media poll. It is Modi jis poll. It is his fantasy poll. Asked about the number of seats for the INDIA alliance, Rahul Gandhi returned to the media and said, Have you heard Sidhu Moose Walas song 295? 295. At the meeting of the INDIA allies on Saturday hours before the exit polls, the leaders arrived at a calculation that the Opposition group would get at least 295 seats. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge announced that according to the peoples exit poll, the INDIA bloc would get at least 295 seats. Various pollsters predict a wide range of seats for the ruling NDA, with estimates ranging from 353 to 383 seats for the BJP-led alliance and 152 to 182 seats for the opposition INDIA bloc. Some polls even project over 400 seats for the NDA. If these predictions hold true, Prime Minister Narendra Modi would match Jawaharlal Nehrus record of leading his party to victory for a third consecutive term. Exit poll results also suggest a significant breakthrough for the BJP in southern states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. According to the ABP-C Voter poll, the BJP-led alliance is expected to win between 353 and 383 seats, while the opposition INDIA bloc may secure between 152 and 182 seats. Todays Chanakya predicts even higher numbers for the BJP and its allies compared to the 2019 elections, forecasting 335 seats for the BJP and 400 for the NDA, with a margin of 15 seats. The opposition alliance is predicted to secure 107 seats, with a possible variation of 11 seats. Other exit polls, such as Times Now-ETG Research, project 358 seats for the NDA and 152 seats for the INDIA bloc. Many pollsters suggest that the NDA may exceed its 2019 tally of 353 seats. If Modi retains power in this election, he would be the first PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three consecutive Lok Sabha polls. It would also be three consecutive Lok Sabha poll defeats for the second time for the Congress, which failed to form government in 1996, 1998 and 1999. On Saturday, Congress general secretary for communications Jairam Ramesh claimed that the exit polls were psychological games. The man whose exit is certain on June 4th has had these exit polls orchestrated. The INDIA Janbandhan will definitely get a minimum of 295 seats, which is a clear and decisive majority. The outgoing Prime Minister can remain smug for three days in the meanwhile. These are all psychological games he is masterminding but the ACTUAL results will be very different, he said. First and foremost, I would like to join hundreds of individuals and entities that have condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the coup that failed to take shape in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), our true friend and partner with Eswatini in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Sorry DRC! The failed coup, masterminded by Christian Malanga, has also been condemned by political parties in Eswatini, a clear indication that they aware that the unconstitutional change of governments is in plain contravention of the African Union (AU) Declaration. I do hope that there would be no more effort to change the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini unconstitutionally. However, that is a subject for another day. Claims that the failed coup was planned in Eswatini do not only lack overwhelming evidence but exposes the level of thinking at which they are. I am not happy with the quality of thinking in this country. As portrayed by City Press, with the backing of a political activist in the country, the reports created an impression that the thwarted ousting was engineered by the State. As members of the State, the reports implied that Christian Malanga had the support of emaSwati in its attempt to overthrow the DRC Government. How would a sovereign State like Eswatini dispatch a group of 50 men, armed with two substandard military weaponry to fight a country that has 80 000-100 000 strong army? Let us be fair and objective here. I do not think that any member of the royal family would even release E50 to support an army of fists against the trained and experienced military of DRC, which has survived more than three coups. I honestly doubt that any sane person could sponsor a coup that would be live streamed on Facebook. If the coup had posed massive danger to the DRCs sovereignty and peace, the soldiers would have killed all the 50 people. Many of them were armed with second-hand rifles with a few bullets. Overwhelming While he was carrying a weapon, Malanga was live on his Facebook page. Then you say he had the support of emaSwati to play the fool. EmaSwati are not fools. We are not. If you think we are simpletons, you are mistaken. The only pseudo-evidence paraded as overwhelming is a video clip, systematically doctored, to portray a bad picture of the country in the diplomatic space. DRC is not a fool as well, and cannot detest a sovereign State or treat it as its enemy on the basis of a video clip that does not have the beginning and end. Where the country has intentionally done wrong, we would stand up and condemn it, but I cannot pull my country into pieces to legitimise a narrative that seeks to undermine the integrity of my country of birth. I cannot lie about my home country just because I want to get 100 Facebook likes and 230 comments. If the failed coup was planned in Eswatini, a landlocked country, where did they pass with the guns on their way to DRC? Which route did they take after the planning? How did they plan it? Malanga, the mastermind, has visited several countries, and met high profile politicians in the USA, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and others where he was advocating for a New Zaire, which was to be democratic and founded on rule of law and human rights. He spoke a language that was tempting to understand. In his visits to all of these countries, records that I have seen indicate that he never talked about a coup. In 1981, we had a very serious breach of military protocol as a country but we were never condemned by Seychelles for being negligent. Seychelles understood that we had been sold a dummy by a group of warlords led by Mike Hoare, a fierce guarilla fighter in the 1980s. Hoare hijacked the countrys Fokker F28 and flew to Seychelles Islands to overthrow that countrys former president. That happened in 1981. Hoare, the mercenary, boarded the scheduled Fokker 28 on November 25, 1981 with a group of 43 mercenaries led by him at Matsapha International Airport to Mahe in the Seychelles in an attempt to overthrow the Seychelles then President France-Albert Rene. He also wrote a book titled The Seychelles Affair. Customs at Matsapha International Airport thought the bulging bags contained sportswear. On arrival in Seychelles, they were exposed as they passed through customs when an alert Seychelles official discovered a dismantled AK-47 in one of the mercenaries luggage. A shootout at the Seychelles airport ensued, with bullets being fired at the Eswatinis airline. It was damaged in the ensuing firefight between Seychellois officials and the mercenaries. Of note is that after this incident, the Eswatini airline ceased flights to the Seychelles. Hoare wrote a book about this spectacle. The full version of his book was released by Paladin Press on December 14, 2012, after the first version was published on July 1, 2008. Seychelles Island is located to the northeast of Madagascar and about 1 600km east of Kenya. In 1981, Seychelles exiles in South Africa, acting on behalf of ex-President James Mancham, had begun discussions with officials concerning a coup attempt to be launched in Seychelles in 1978. Entrusted I must say that the coup operation was entrusted to the then 58-year-old Hoare himself, who was living in South Africa as a civilian. Among the 53 people selected to join him were some members of the South African Special Forces (Recces), several former Rhodesian (now Zimbabwe) soldiers and ex-Congo mercenaries. Occuring on the shores, Hoare and the 43 mercenaries were disguised as tourists who were rugby players and members of a beer-drinking group called the Ancient Order of Froth-blowers, arriving in the Royal Swazi jet. They landed at Mahe airport carrying their own weapons. It is said that nine members had already arrived on the island as an advance guard. That was a serious and well planned coup. On the evening of Wednesday, November 25, the coup was detected when a Customs officer spotted an AK-47 in the luggage of one of Mike Hoares mercenaries. The mercenaries then fought a brief gun-battle at the airport and most of the mercenaries escaped aboard an Air India jet (Air India Boeing aircraft Flight 224), which happened to be on the runway. In fact, they hijacked it. One mercenary died during the skirmish. This was then 24-year-old Johan Fritz of Westcliff from South Africa, the son of a general mining executive who grew up on Millionaires Row. Five soldiers, a female accomplice and also Martin Dolinchek (alias Anton Lubic) were left behind. Hoare had been promised E18 million to dethrone the Seychelles president. In his book, he reveals that Eswatini customs and the police believed that they were rugby players destined for Seychelles for an international tournament, totally unaware that AK-47s were hidden in their luggage. I am trying to illustrate that we are used to coup stories that touch our country. The call for the suspension of one of the royals as he had business links with Malanga does not hold water because he is not the only one who met him. Secondly, there is no evidence that he participated in the planning of the coup or the country supported Malanga. By profession, Malanga was trained by DRC to be a soldier and his colleagues are soldiers. Seeking advice on military science or being a military advisor, if that is the case, does not mean the advice is sought to strengthen a coup. Military science is not always all about physical training. Soldiers are also professionals in their own right. They undertake courses in leadership. They are prepared to lead at multiple echelons in both military and civilian sectors. As a result, foundational courses in military science include leadership and personal development, tactical and team leadership, and decision-making. That is why we have nurses and doctors in the military service and we also have political analysts and advisors. Soldiers are not always focused on how to fight in a war. They are also present to ensure the war is prevented. This is a fact. You can go through the military science courses at the University of Northern Iowa in the USA. Many universities and military colleges offer some of these courses, which are offered to civilians at tertiary institutions. prosecuting. Some soldiers are admitted attorneys. They studied law at military colleges. There is no one who sent me to treat this school of thought, but I do it independently because I am an analyst who is very inquisitive by nature and I am one who is accustomed to prosecuting issues before I pass judgment. In everything I do, I want to be shown some evidence to substantiate the fact I am pursuing or exploring. Eswatini is a country and home to emaSwati, a small nation with very big minds. The perception that we are a people who can be easily bamboozled into a marriage with lies is not only misleading but exposes those who subscribe to it as professors of cheap politics. Any political discourse, system or government or its governance founded on deceit and fabrication is fugacious. We cannot, therefore, as a nation, embrace an epidemic of lies as a guiding principle to setting our standards for democractic reforms. Professionally or ethically, I must point out one more time that I neither support multiparty democracy nor Tinkhundla System of Government. Instead, I support truth and evidence. Where a lie rears its ugly head, I crush the head. Mduduzi Gawzela Simelane, Velaphi Mamba, Wandile Mjanceka Dludlu, Mlungisi Makhanya and others have, on different occasions, wrote on their social platforms: lies have short legs. I concur with them. If we lie about own country, we are betraying ourselves, and we are the losers. David Robson, a feature correspondent for BBC, says self-deception can fool us into believing our own lies and even make us more convincing. We always think that if we lie about Eswatini, this act of perfidy will assist in influencing global action against the authorities of the country, and we missing the point. We are lying to ourselves. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday rejected the exit polls 2024 projections, calling it a corporate game'. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the INDIA bloc will form government by securing 295-310 seats These exit poll predictions are a corporate game. You give them money, and they will release figures in your favour. If we come to power tomorrow and have money, we can release our own tally through exit polls. INDIA alliance will form government by securing 295-310 seats," PTI quoted Raut as saying. "Everybody is under pressure. Jairam Ramesh tweeted yesterday and informed that acting home minister Amit Shah called up 150 collectors and threatened them, PTI quoted Raut as saying. ALSO READ: Prashant Kishor's first reaction after exit poll results show huge win for NDA Raut's remark comes a day after several pollsters predicted a third term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-led NDA projected to win over 350 seats in the Lok Sabha. In Maharashtra, the exit polls predicted a close fight between the NDA and INDIA bloc. Maharashtra witnessed the poll battle between the BJP-Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde)-NCP (led by Ajit Pawar) and the Congress- Shiv Sena (UBT)-NCP(SCP) alliance. ALSO READ: Cong calls exit polls orchestrated as BJP predicted to win big: Who said what Under the seat-sharing arrangement, the BJP contested in 28 constituencies, while its allies Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) fought in 14 constituencies and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in five constituencies. ALSO READ: 'India has voted': PM's thank you note amid prediction of landslide BJP win On the other hand, Maha Vikas Aghadi members Shiv Sena (UBT) contested in 21 constituencies, Congress in 17, and the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) in 10 constituencies. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s ally partner Congress has already rejected the exit polls as orchestrated. The outgoing PM, the person who will have to leave for sure on June 4 has conspired all these things and have managed the exit polls. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and results of June 4. INDIA alliance had a meeting yesterday, we did detail discussions on numbers, it's impossible that INDIA alliance will get anything below 295, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh told ANI. (With PTI, ANI inputs) Sikkim chief minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) supremo Prem Singh Tamang won the Rhenock assembly seat by defeating Sikkim Democratic Front's Som Nath Poudyal by 7,044 votes, the Elections Commission Indian website showed on Sunday, June 1. Prem Singh Tamang secured 10,094 votes while his nearest rival of the SDF got 3,050 votes. Sikkim Election Result 2024: Sikkim chief minister Prem Singh Tamang shows his ink-marked finger after casting his vote for the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Gangtok.(ANI) Counting of votes for 32 assembly seats in Sikkim began at 6am amid tight security arrangements. The SKM returned to power in the Himalayan state for the second consecutive term as it won 19 seats in the 32-member assembly. The SKM was also leading in 12 other seats. Samdup Lepcha of the SKM won the Lachen Mangan assembly seat defeating his nearest rival Hishey Lachungpa of the SDF by 851 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. SKM candidate Puran Kumar Gurung also won the Chujachen seat defeating his nearest rival Mani Kumar Gurung by 3,334 votes. Pintso Namgyal Lepcha of SKM won the Djongu Assembly seat against his nearest rival Sonam Gyatso Lepcha of SDF by 5,007 votes. Former Sikkim chief minister and SDF supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling lost to SKM nominee Bhoj Raj Rai in the Poklok assembly seat by 3,063 votes. Rai secured 8,037 votes, while Chamling got 4,974. Chamling is also contesting from the Namcheybung assembly constituency where he was trailing by 1,935 votes. Former India Football captain and SDF candidate Bhaichung Bhutia was trailing behind SKM rival Riksal Dorjee Bhutia by 4,012, votes in the Barfung assembly seat. Sikkim BJP unit president Dilli Ram Thapa was trailing behind his SKM rival Kala Rai by 2,568 votes in the Upper Burtuk assembly constituency. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power for the third time in a row, as the party secured majority by winning 33 seats in the 60-member assembly, Election Commission officials said. Counting of votes was underway for 50 seats for which elections were held in the northeastern state on April 19. The rest 10 seats were won by the saffron party uncontested. Of the 50 seats, the BJP has won 23 and is leading in 12 others. (With inputs from PTI) Sikkim Krantikari Morcha chief Prem Singh Tamang, whose party scored a massive victory in the state's assembly elections on Sunday, thanked SKM workers and the people of the state. Gangtok: Sikkim chief minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) chief Prem Singh Tamang addresses supporters.(PTI) He said the victory was possible because of the hard work of the SKM cadre and the trust of the people in his government. The SKM retained power in the Himalayan state. The ruling party has won 26 out of 31 seats in the assembly as of now. It is leading in the remaining five seats. Chief minister Tamang thanked his party's workers for the win. "It is because of the love and trust of the people which we have managed to secure in the past five years in government. Besides, party cadres worked very hard. Now we have the next five years to give our 100 percent for the people of Sikkim," he said at a gathering in Paljor Stadium in Gangtok. Also read: Sikkim results: Prem Singh Tamang's SKM retains power, set for landslide victory in assembly poll Tamang contested and won two constituencies in Sikkim -- Rhenock and Soreng-Chakung. In the 2019 general elections, SKM won 17 seats, toppling the Sikkim Democratic Front party (SDF) from power after over 25 years. This time, SKM has bettered its previous performance. Meanwhile, SDF president and former CM Pawan Chamling lost from both the seats. Also read: Lok Sabha Elections LIVE: Exit polls shut mouth of INDI alliance, says BJP Tamang's wife Krishna Kumari Rai also won from the Namchi-Singhithang assembly constituency. She defeated SDF's Bimal Rai by over 5000 votes. The SKM candidate secured 7,605 votes while her SDF opponent bagged 2,605 votes. Mahesh Rai (CAP-S) and Aruna Manger (BJP) polled 136 and 233 votes. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) will form its second government in a row. With inputs from PTI More than 60 million people voted on Saturday in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls as 57 parliamentary constituencies across eight states and Union territories recorded a turnout of 61%, compared to 65.2% from five years ago bringing Indias gargantuan general elections to a close. People wait in a queue to cast their votes at the world's highest polling station in Tashigang, Lahaul and Spiti, on Saturday. (PTI) The final phase which ended Indias 78-day voting exercise saw a string of high-profile seats including that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi, TMC general secretary Abhishek Banerjee from Diamond Harbour in West Bengal, Misa Bharati, daughter of RJD chief Lalu Prasad in Patlipura among others going to the polls. In 2019, the voting in these parliamentary seats was 65.2% and in 2014 the turnout was 65.1%. In the first six phases of the national elections, 66% of total 875 million eligible voters in 485 Lok Sabha constituencies participated, meaning that 577 million people exercised their franchise in the first-past-the-post ballot system. On Saturday, largely peaceful polling was held in all 13 seats of Punjab and four of Himachal Pradesh, 13 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight in Bihar, six in Odisha and three seats in Jharkhand besides Chandigarh. Polling also took place simultaneously for 42 assembly constituencies of Odisha and bypolls to six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh. In Punjab, 57.1% of the registered voters cast their ballots on Saturday compared to 67.6% in 2019. The polling, which started at a slow place, was largely peaceful barring a few incidents of clashes, according to the states chief electoral officer Sibin C. A total of 328 candidates, including 26 women, were in the fray in Punjab. All voting figures for the seventh phase are from ECIs Voter Turnout App, as of 11pm on Saturday, and are likely to rise further by the time final turnouts are calculated. For Chandigarh seat, where Manish Tewari of Congress is pitted against Sanjay Tandon of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 67.9% voting was recorded as compared to 70.6% in 2019. The voter turnout was 69.4% in the four seats voting in Himachal Pradesh, compared to 72.2% in 2019. Polling for six assembly by-polls also took place, which can decide the fate of Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in the state. In West Bengal, where voting was held for nine Lok Sabha seats, the turnout was 71.3% compared to 78.8% in 2019. The state, however, saw sporadic instances of violence were reported in some locations such as Bhangar in South 24 Parganas and Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas in which six people were reported wounded, according to local officials. Voting was held by and large peacefully with sporadic incidents of violence. There were no major untoward incidents, said a poll panel official in Kolkata. Locals, however, claimed that clashes broke out between workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Indian Secular Front (ISF). The voter turnout for the eight seats in Bihar voting in the seventh phase was 51.9% as compared to 51.3% in 2019. For 13 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, the voting percentage was 55.6% as compared to 70.5% in 2019. For six Lok Sabha and 42 assembly seats that polled in Odisha on Saturday, the voting percentage was 70.5% as compared to 74.5% in 2019. In three parliamentary seats in Jharkhand, 70.6% voters participated as compared to 71.5% in 2019. Among other prominent candidates in fray in the seventh phase were former Union law minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad from Patna in Bihar, former Union minister and Congress leader Anand Sharma from Kangra, Union broadcasting minister Anurag Thakur from Hamirpur, and BJPs Jay Panda from Kendrapada, and Congress leader Srikant Jena from Balasore in Odisha. Voting started on April 19 at a slow pace with about three percentage point difference between voting as compared to 2019. The first phase recorded 66.16% voting. Voting, however, picked up in the subsequent phases even though it was still slightly less than the polling trends in 2019. The highest voting percentage of 69.16% was recorded in the fourth phase and lowest of 62.22 in fifth phase. In all, 970 million voters were enrolled, making it the biggest electoral exercise in the world. Even though 8,360 candidates from 744 political parties and independents are contesting, the election was seen as a bipolar contest between the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) of 38 parties and Congress-led India National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc of 28 parties. The NDA contested 540 seats with BJP contesting on 441 seats and INDIA bloc fielded candidates in 543 seats with Congress contesting on 328 seats. The NDA did not contest three seats in Kashmir. Bollywood celebrities jetted off from Mumbai to attend the luxury cruise pre-wedding celebrations hosted by the Ambani family for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The four-day extravaganza includes parties on the land and aboard the luxury cruise, covering a journey from Italy to the South of France and back. Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday, and Shanaya Kapoor also attended the festivities. Today, Shanaya posted pictures from her time in Portofino. The post also featured photos with her besties, Suhana Khan and Ananya Panday. Shanaya Kapoor, Suhana Khan, and Ananya Panday attend Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations in Italy. (Instagram) Suhana Khan, Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor wow in summer dresses in Italy Shanaya Kapoor shared photos from Portofino with the caption, "That's Amore." The post features pictures of Shanaya posing in front of a cobbled square harbour, wearing a colourful maxi dress, and two images of her with Suhana and Ananya, who also chose stunning summer dresses for enjoying the quaint European village on the Italian Riviera coastline. Keep scrolling to see what the three divas wore, and steal ideas for your next seaside vacation. Shanaya's maxi dress features an abstract swirl pattern in bright summer shades like fuchsia pink, blue, green, black, red, cream, and orange. It has a plunging cowl neckline, spaghetti straps, a backless detail, a bodycon fit, floor-grazing hem length, and a flowy silhouette. She accentuated the ensemble with minimal styling, including centre-parted open locks, rouge-tinted cheeks, dewy skin, blush pink lips, dainty rings, a gold chain with an emerald pendant, and a sleek bracelet. Meanwhile, Suhana Khan wore a black midi dress for the Italian getaway. Her chic ensemble features a plunging criss-cross halter neckline, a floral pattern in blue, white and green hues, a bodycon silhouette accentuating her frame, and a calf-length hem. She paired the ensemble with black slip-on sandals, earrings, centre-parted loose locks, and striking makeup. Lastly, Ananya Panday wore a yellow mini dress featuring embellished shoulder straps, a sweetheart neckline, bow adornments on the bust, and a fit-and-flare silhouette. She wore the outfit with strappy sandals, ankle bracelets, rings, a shoulder bag, statement earrings, sunglasses, and a messy bun. Kumaon, in the north of India, is home to the majestic Himalayas. The food here is simple, unadulterated and extremely nutritious - fit only for the gods. This land (the state of Uttarakhand) is naturally blessed with millions of varieties of herbs, edible roots, wild berries, green leaves and pulses. Most of the people of Kumaon are vegetarians. Curries and iron-rich pulses, cooked over wood fires for hours, with strong herbs such as jambu, jhakeya, gandherni and bhanga (cannabis seeds), are a unique taste experience. Delve into the culinary delights of Kumaon, a picturesque region in the hills of Uttarakhand.(Pinterest) Kumaoni cuisine is a subtle blend of flavours that you get used to over time. They don't have strong flavours, but they add a delicate spice to the food. It's a very simple culinary experience with flavours and smells associated with childhood comfort food. Here are some mouth-watering recipes from the hills that you must try. (Also read: From jackfruit to tender coconut: 5 refreshing homemade fruit ice cream recipes to beat the summer heat ) Must-try recipes to experience the flavours of Kumaon 1. Kumaoni Raita (Recipe by Chef Kunal Kapur) Kumaoni Raita recipe(Pinterest) Ingredients: 1 tbsp Mustard seeds 2 tsp Cumin 5 Garlic cloves 2 Green Chillies A pinch of Salt A handful of Mint leaves A handful of chopped Coriander tsp Turmeric 1 cup thick Curd 1 tsp Chilli powder 1 small Cucumber (peeled and grated) Method: 1. For the chutney paste, pound garlic, and green chillies on a mortar and pestle. 2. Then add fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, salt to taste, turmeric, and red chilli powder. 3. Pound everything into a fine paste. In a clean bowl, add curd, grated cucumber, and the raita paste. 4. Mix it well with a whisk. Pahadi Raita is ready to be served. Serve it with any kind of paratha and enjoy! 2. Swale (Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor) Swale recipe(Sanjeev Kapoor) Ingredients: Dough 1 whole wheat flour (gehun ka atta) Salt to taste 1 tbsp + 2 tsps oil Stuffing 1 cup boiled black eyed peas (chowli) 4-5 garlic cloves inch ginger, roughly chopped 1 green chilli tsp red chilli powder tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp coriander powder tsp cumin powder tsp garam masala powder Salt to taste Oil for greasing + for deep frying Method: 1. Take whole wheat flour in a large parat. Add salt, 1 tbsp oil and 1 cup water and knead into a stiff dough. Drizzle remaining oil and knead again. Cover with a damp muslin cloth and set aside for 10-15 minutes. 2. To make the stuffing, put the black eyed peas in a blender jar. Add garlic cloves, ginger and green chillies and blend to a fine thick paste. Transfer it into a large bowl, add red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, garam masala powder and salt and mix till well combined. 3. Grease a worktop with some oil. Take a small portion of the dough and shape it into a ball. Press it and make a cavity in the centre. Stuff with a portion of the stuffing and bring the edges to the centre and press to seal. Pinch the excess dough and flatten it lightly. Roll it into a small disc. 4. Heat sufficient oil in a kadai. Gently slide in the discs one at a time and deep fry till golden brown and crisp. Drain on an absorbent paper. 5. Arrange the puris on a serving plate. Serve. 3. Singori (Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor) Singori recipe (Pinterest) Ingredients: 4-5 fresh maalu leaves 2 cups grated mawa/khoya cup sugar tsp green cardamom powder tsp nutmeg powder 1 cup grated fresh coconut Slivered almonds for garnish Method: 1. Heat sugar and cup water in a non-stick pan. Cook till the sugar melts. 2. Add the khoya and continue to mix and cook till it melts. Cook for 6-8 minutes or till the mixture leaves the sides of the pan, stirring continuously. 3. Add green cardamom powder and nutmeg powder and mix well. Add coconut and continue to mix and cook for 1-2 minutes. Transfer the mixture on a plate and allow to cool to room temperature. 4. Cut the maalu leaves in half and shape each half into a cone. Secure it with a toothpick. 5. Stuff each cone with a portion of the khoya mixture, garnish with slivered almonds. Arrange on a serving plate and serve. 6. Peel off the leaf before eating. 4. Chaunsa Dal (Recipe by Chef Sanjeev Kapoor) Chaunsa Dal recipe(Pinterest) Ingredients: 1 cup whole black gram (sabut urad dal) 3 tbsps mustard oil 1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds tsp asafoetida (hing) 2 tbsps chopped garlic 1 tbsp chopped ginger 2 medium onions, finely chopped Salt to taste 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp red chilli powder tsp turmeric powder 2 tbsps chopped fresh coriander leaves Slit green chillies for garnish Method: 1. Dry roast the whole black gram for 4-5 minutes. Allow to cool. 2. Put the roasted gram in a grinder jar and grind to a coarse powder. 3. Heat mustard oil in a pressure cooker, let is smoke. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida and mix well. Add garlic, ginger, onions, salt and saute for 1-2 minutes. 4. Add tomatoes and mix well. Cook for 3-4 minutes. 5. Add 4 cups water and mix. Cook till it comes to a boil. 6. Add coriander powder, red chilli powder and turmeric powder and mix. Cover and cook under pressure for 3-4 whistles. 7. Open the cooker once the pressure reduces completely. Add coriander leaves and mix. 8. Serve hot garnished with slit green chillies. No party can ignore us any longer. That would explain the grand announcements and the lofty promises, from eliminating cervical cancer to job reservations; from unconditional cash transfers to night shelters for migrant women. But what does the just concluded seven phase-long election really tell us about political parties and their stand on gender? I think this much is clear: Nadia, May 13 (ANI): Women voters stand in queue to cast their votes for the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, in Nadia on Monday. (ANI Photo) (CEOWestBengal-X) Flavour of the election It doesnt take a genius to guess why. According to The Quantum Hub, 47.1 crore women were registered to vote this time. Thats 48.6% of the voting population. Theres increasing evidence too that women are exercising choice and autonomy rather than following family diktat on who to vote for. In 11 states, women voters outnumbered men. These included Kerala, Goa and Mizoram. Party manifestoes were lush with promises from implementing a uniform civil code (BJP) to addressing the low representation of women in the workforce by (i) reserving 50% of central government jobs starting in 2025, (ii) appointing more women judges, law officers, police officers etc (Congress). Yet, when it comes to empowering women by getting them to contest as candidates all parties are equally silent. [Read Anirvan Chowdhury on how the BJP wins over women] Laapataa ladies Despite all the stirring, bleeding heart rhetoric while passing the womens reservation bill (it wont come into effect until at least 2026), all the national and regional parties continued to be stingy about getting women to participate in elections by actually giving them tickets to contest. The exception is Naveen Patnaiks BJD which kept its 2019 promise of earmarking 33%, or seven of Odishas 21 parliamentary seats, for women. Two sitting women MPs were dropped, including Pramila Bisoi, handpicked from the SHG movement by Patnaik in 2019. But two more were accommodated: Lekhashree Samantsinghar and Parineeti Mishra who quit the BJP were given tickets to fight for the BJD. In contrast, Mamata Banerjees TMC did not have an official quota this time around and reduced its share of tickets to women from 44% in 2019 to 25%, or 12 of 48 seats in West Bengal. With 15.9% or 70 of 441 women candidates, the BJP did better than the Congress that managed to find only 41 women of the 328 candidates who contested, finds analysis by Gilles Verniers, a senior fellow with the Centre for Policy Research. Overall, just 9.5% (or 797) of the 8,337 candidates across all seven phases of the election were women, finds the Association of Democratic Reform. As many as 150 constituencies out of 543, thats more than one in five, did not have a single woman candidate (slow clap), according to The Quantum Hub. Theres a huge chasm between the inclusion of women as targeted voters and the inclusion of women as participants in electoral politics, said Verniers. Despite the womens reservation bill, its clear that no party is willing to act on it unless coerced. Manufactured outrage and violence against women It wasnt just about who was excluded but also who was included that reveals mindsets and intention. For instance, the BJP decided prudently to leave out Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, the six-time strongman MP from Uttar Pradesh accused of sexual assault by Indias leading women wrestlers, and instead fielded his son. Nobody was fooled. I cant recall a single election before this one with so many sexual assault charges being so freely traded. At the top of the heap was the circulation of thousands of pen-drives containing nearly 3,000 video clips of sexual assault featuring and apparently shot by JD(S) candidate Prajwal Revanna, the sitting MP for Hassan, grandson of former prime minister HD Deve Gowda and a key ally of the BJP in Karnataka personally endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaking of the clips came after Hassan had voted. Prajwal then fled to Germany, returning a month later on Friday when he was arrested. But the key question remains: If Prajwals perversions were known even within a smallish circle, as reported, how did he even get a ticket, and what does this tell us, women about the paens to nari shakti? In Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, the BJP levelled serious charges of land grabbing and sexual assault against TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan. The TMC countered this by saying it was a cooked up story and, as evidence, produced a video purportedly revealing how the charges had been fabricated. Then, one of the women withdrew her complaint against Shahjahan. Right now, Shahjahan is in jail and the CBI, which reports to the central government, is handling the probe. And just when you thought everything had calmed down, AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal, who is also the former head of the Delhi Commission of Women, claimed she had been assaulted by Delhi chief ministers aide, Bibhav Kumar at Kejriwals official residence. AAP has denied the charge with evidence of CCTV footage of an apparently unruffled Maliwal leaving the house. There is no explanation from her as to why she delayed her medical exam by five days. Nevertheless, Kumar has been arrested. And Maliwal insists her accusations are true and that she is not acting at the behest of the BJP. If nothing else, elections 2024 tell us how ingrained violence against women is in our society. And how easy it is to manufacture outrage and take a position based on your partys stand. All in the family In Baramati it was NCP founder Sharad Pawars daughter, Supriya Sule facing off against her sister-in-law Sunetra Pawar, the wife of Sharad Pawars nephew Ajit Pawar. Supriya insisted her fight was with the BJP and not her cousins wife. Hisar, Haryana, hasnt seen a woman candidate for Parliament in six decades. This time two women from the Chauthala clan were pitted against each other. Naina Chauthala is a sitting MLA and the mother of Dushyant Chauthala who founded the Jannayak Janta Party while Sunaina Chauthala, her sister-in-law contested on an Indian National Lok Dal ticket. Once used by the BJP to attack Congress for its dynastic ties, hereditary MPs, to use the late historian Patrick Frenchs term, now cut across party lines (and, to be fair, gender). In Delhi, Sushma Swarajs daughter Bansuri Swaraj made her debut for the BJP. In Madhya Pradesh, the wife of Nagarsingh Chouhan, the state environment minister, Anita Nagarsingh Chouhan, a post graduate currently working on her PhD, stood as a BJP candidate from Ratlam. Familiar faces from the family quota include Dimple Yadav (Samajwadi Party) and, in Bihar, two of RJD founder Lalu Prasads daughters found themselves in the field with the Singapore-based Rohini Acharya, who donated a kidney for her father, joining her sister Misa Bharti. And then of course are the crorepati women candidates with and without family backing. They include Preneet Kaur, wife of Capt Amarinder Singh, who switched to the BJP just before getting the ticket, with declared assets of 55.83 crore and Shiromani Akali Dals Harsimrat Kaur Badal with declared assets of 198.51 crore. Putting gender on the agenda Unfortunately, says Tara Krishnaswamy, co-founder of Political Shakti, an organisation dedicated to increasing womens representation in politics, every election carries with it the weight of some larger-than-life imperative. This year it was save the Constitution, other years its been national security or corruption. These issues then take over the campaign, becoming larger than 50% of the population. Theres a recognition that women matter. And thats the good news. But political parties headed by men and dominated by them have yet to understand that women can be more than just beneficiaries of state largesse and political generosity says Verniers. Its time to see women as actors and while there is evidence of greater participation of grassroots level women workers, this has not trickled up to the levels that matter for state and national politics. The following article is an excerpt from this week's HT Mind the Gap. Subscribe here. Its been a sort of consistent trend through the past few months, as Ive written about how Windows PCs are evolving rapidly. Mind you, only on the hardware aspect. The form factors bring a broader potential for relevance and utility. Dual screens have taken forward the convenience first hinted at by convertibles (the promise of a tablet-esque experience doesnt hold much ground anymore), while augmented reality headsets bring forward a screen-free dimension to computing. A pursuit for a slimmer laptop hasnt stalled. The present is melding into the future. Important to point out, that this vision is mostly being dictated and developed on by PC makers. Basically, hardware. Microsofts input has been very limited, on the software part of things. Windows 11 is stuck, where it is. Youd have noticed them. Those headlines simply seem to write themselves every month. Month after month, year after year. Windows 11 updates breaking functionality out of the blue. Cue chaos, irritability and some (okay, generous) swearing. Look at this very recent, and concise sample. The March update broke whatever it is that it broke, to cause performance dips and in some cases, the blue screen of death (yes, that debilitating feeling of a BSOD) on PCs, irrespective of Intel or AMD chips. The month before that, an update hampered the ability to use the Windows taskbar, which meant users couldnt access apps theyd pinned for quick access, or the Start menu. A few symptoms of a bigger problem with Windows 11. In complete contrast to the sort of confidence, Microsoft tends to put forward at keynotes and with announcements. For all the philosophies and confidence (rightly so too, for the most part) around artificial intelligence (AI) within Microsoft 365, basics are still very missing from Windows as a computing platform. If your VPN app functionality gets broken by the April update, and youve to wait a month for that to be fixed, underlines big problems that still remain persistent. Also read: Tech Tonic | A chapter of dramatic change in personal computing is being written These are the sort of things that simply dont happen with the Apple MacBook portfolio, or indeed the macOS software that underlines the experience. There are two sides to the recommendation coin. If you have a budget thats big enough to fit an Apple MacBook (just any MacBook; theyre all equally reliable), Id always suggest you buy a MacBook. That is, youll be better off with a MacBook Air or a MacBook Pro, instead of an expensive Windows 11 laptop (read, thereabouts of 1,00,000 and beyond) from Dell or Lenovo, for example. If your budget is around 30,000, 50,000 or even 70,000 (unless a deal drags a MacBook Air within this threshold), you dont have much choice but to brave it out. Dont believe me? A former Microsoft engineer (he now works for visual analytics platform Tableau), Andy Young, called out Windows 11s performance comically bad in a post on X, at some point last month. Theres a video attached (you should feast your eyes on this) of Windows 11 in action on a machine with an Intel Core i9 processor and 128GB RAM. Thats the top-spec chip series from Intels previous generation, and we all know generous 128GB of memory is. His tweet has since become host to many similar responses from users, pointing to Windows 11s performance woes. What chance do you really have on a mid-range or an expensive laptop youve just splurged on? Microsofts directional problem with Windows For all the goodness of artificial intelligence (AI) assistance thats envisioned as Copilot gets embedded into Windows 11 and all of Microsofts services that you use regularly, there are experience gaps that the operating system has at its core. Some of it stems from wanting to try and do too much. There is a new Outlook and a classic Outlook. There is a Microsoft Teams (classic) and a Microsoft Teams. Clutter is one way to describe things, and thats before we even get into the small matter of preloaded apps that most Windows PC makers leave for you as a surprise. Also read: Exclusive: AI is critical to a balance of speed & context, says Slacks Jackie Rocca The distinct feeling from all this is, that Windows 11 continues to be a work in progress because Microsoft wants to be seen doing something with it. That may not be the right approach. There was a time when I preferred Edge over Chrome in the browser stakes, but not so much anymore (it keeps adding bloat, what can I say?). If you dont like advertisements showing up willy-nilly on your computing devices, Microsoft has more bad news for you. Not only do the Google Chrome browsers on PCs get a dose of pop-ups urging you to switch to the Microsoft Edge web browser instead, but theres been a sense of emboldening since. Microsoft, very recently, began testing ads placed in the Windows start menu. Apps you should download or would like to download, are more to the point. Thats been confirmed with the latest Windows 11 update (dubbed KB5036980), which positions ads as recommended apps. Is there a way to turn these off? Perhaps, but Im yet to intuitively discover that method. I pen these observations from the vantage point of having used a macOS machine as my primary computing device for the best part of a decade now. Everything simply works, updates dont bring us to the doorstep of reliability eccentricities and the combination of performance and reliability which always set the benchmark, has reset that benchmark with some aplomb since the Intel chapter was followed by Apples own M chips. In this period, I have made multiple genuine attempts to use a Windows 11 laptop or convertible as my primary work machine, but thats never been a successful pursuit. The reasons arent hardware, or specs, or the PC maker. The reason is singular Windows 11 is simply a mess. Also read: Fight fire with fire? Gen AI as a defence against AI powered cyberattacks By moving the Start button to the middle alignment on the taskbar, Microsoft didnt open up some breathing space on your desktop. Instead, theres a new button that you can click (or even hover over, be scared) that immediately hijacks about a third of your display with stuff you dont really want to see a news feed filled with topics I have no interest in, prices for stocks I wouldnt ever be able to afford and a mish-mash of some more stuff (I was too turned off by now) including ads for apps to download, some deals on new gadgets and a feeling of incompleteness. Then theres another button on the system tray to invoke Copilot. This could have been designed better. Do you know why Windows 11 is comparatively inferior to macOS Sonoma, with performance and reliability if we were to get as much parity as possible between specs? The reason hides in the foundation. Windows 11 has been built atop a tweaked Windows 10, which was atop a modded Windows 8 and so on. Thats been the story for almost 30 years now. Why else do you think the Windows Explorer app remains inferior to Apples Finder? The one thing that Windows PCs do better than Apple Macs can, despite the latter having potentially significantly better hardware? Gaming. No one can take that effort with developers away from Microsoft. Vishal Mathur is the technology editor for the Hindustan Times. Tech Tonic is a weekly column that looks at the impact of personal technology on the way we live, and vice-versa. The views expressed are personal. SANTAN, Ariz. The Gila River Indian Community has issued a temporary ban on dances after a tribal police officer was fatally shot and another wounded while responding to a reported disturbance at a Santan home, tribal officials said Sunday. Arizona tribe temporarily bans dances after police officer is fatally shot responding to disturbance Stephen Roe Lewis, governor of the tribe south of Phoenix, said a special meeting of community councils leaders was held Saturday night. The council approved a temporary moratorium on all permitted and non-permitted dances in the community, effective immediately, along with enhanced penalties for trespassing and disorderly conduct, he said. The Phoenix FBI is investigating the fatal shooting, but it has not released many details. The Arizona Republic reported that the shooting occurred at a teenagers birthday party in Santan, located in one of the tribal communitys seven districts. Joshua Briese, who had been with the Gila River Police Department for less than a year and had not completed field training, responded to the scene along with another tribal police officer around 2 a.m. Saturday on a 911 disturbance call involving a large crowd. Police said multiple gunshots were fired and both officers were struck, with four other people wounded. Briese was declared dead at a hospital, and the other officer, whose name hasnt been released yet, was listed in serious but stable condition, according to police. One of the four people wounded later died, police said. The names of the victims werent immediately available Sunday. Briese, 23, was the son of a former sheriffs deputy in Montana who also died in the line of duty. The Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office said in a Facebook post that David Briese was killed in a November 2006 car crash. News reports said David Briese was responding at the time to a backup call for an officer who was dealing with a combative impaired driver in Billings, Montana. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Malkerns On the second day of the MTN Bushfire Festival, the Kingdom of Eswatini was ablaze with the spirit of celebration and cultural exchange. The highlight of the day was an interview with Prime Minister Russel Dlamini, who lauded the festival for putting the kingdom on a global scale. In his insightful remarks, he expressed how the festival was the talk of an important meeting he attended the day before, emphasising its far-reaching impact. The prime minister emphasised the festivals positive influence on various sectors of the country, particularly the transport industry, craft, and youth, as it brought in revenue and fostered critical information exchange with visitors from other countries. He went on to praise Jiggs vision, urging that his dream needed to be safeguarded for the benefit of the nation. The literal fire of the festival was evident in the diverse activities that unfolded on the second day. At 1 pm, the Bring Your Fire Zone hosted a captivating fashion show that adhered to this years theme, Green Your Fire, showcasing designs made from recycled materials. The Main Stage drew large crowds, offering performances by Umuti from Eswatini, Musa Keys, and Lloyiso from South Africa. Umuti, a dynamic Eswatini-based band, brought their unique blend of traditional and modern sounds to captivate the audience. Musa Keys, known for his soulful and melodic tunes, and Lloyiso, a rising star with a mesmerizing voice, added to the electrifying atmosphere with their soul-stirring performances. Meanwhile, the Amphitheatre hosted more jazzy and poetic performances from the likes of Sarnilo, Camilla, and Feten Feten, enchanting the audience with their soulful melodies and lyrical prowess. The Ballantines Stage, also known as the Firefly Stage, was a magnet for music enthusiasts as it featured DJ Cup, a prominent figure in the Eswatini House music scene, alongside Speech Umlangeni, and South African superstars Daliwonga and Da Capo. The vibrant energy of the crowd at this stage was palpable, with couples even carrying each other on their backs in a display of pure joy and camaraderie. The Jagamister Stage, true to its promise of diverse performances, catered to every musical palate, offering a rich tapestry of sounds that resonated with the festival-goers, ensuring that there was something for everyone to enjoy. In addition to the electrifying performances, the festival organisers ensured the safety and comfort of the attendees. The Royal Eswatini Police Service lived up to their promise of beefed-up security, with a visible presence of more officers ensuring the smooth running of the event. However, the larger crowds on the second day prompted an adjustment to the facilities, with an addition of about 20 toilets. Despite this extra effort, long queues were still experienced, a testament to the overwhelming turnout and the festivals growing popularity. As the festival continued to unfold, it became evident that the MTN Bushfire Festival was not just a gathering of music and art enthusiasts, but a platform for cultural exchange and unity. The prime ministers endorsement served as a testament to the festivals impact, and with each passing day, it continued to ignite the spirit of togetherness, creativity, and celebration, leaving an indelible mark on the global festival landscape. Businesswoman and B Team CEO Halla Tomasdottir has been elected the seventh President of Iceland and will take over from Guana Johannesson on August 1, RUV reported. Tomasdottir will be the second woman to hold the office after Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who was the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as president in 1980. Businesswoman and B Team CEO Halla Tomasdottir has been elected the seventh President of Iceland and will take over from Guana Johannesson on August 1, RUV reported. (AFP) Halla Tomasdottir received 34.3 per cent of the vote while Iceland's former Prime Minister Katrina Jakobsdottir won 25.2 per cent, RUV reported. Director General Halla Hrund Logadottir followed with 15.1 per cent while comedian Jon Gnarr fifth and Professor Baldur Thorhallsson stood at fourth and fifth place respectively, according to Iceland Review report. "I want to congratulate her and I know she'll be a good president," Katrin Jakobsdottir said when Halla Tomasdottir's victory was becoming clear. At her campaign celebration in the morning, Tomasdottir said, "I think people want to discuss our society and take part in it," Iceland Review reported. She said, "I feel the energy of the people who have joined me on this journey." ALSO READ| Iceland travel alert: Keflavik airport unaffected, evacuations underway after volcanic eruption Voter turnout in this election was 78.83 per cent and has not been higher in a presidential election since 1996, RUV reported. During her campaign, Tomasdottir had said, "I only see one team in Iceland and that's Icelanders." Speaking to Iceland Review, She said, "[We] can make Bessastadir the home for our national compass." Notably, Bessastadir is the official residence of the President of Iceland. On Saturday, Iceland's outgoing President Guani Johannesson, who secured a win against Halla in 2016, said that her message had obviously been well received by the voters. ALSO READ| Tourism in Iceland slows down as volcanic eruptions and high prices deter travellers He said that Katrin Jakobsdottir had faced tough questions about how she entered the presidential race when she resigned as Iceland Prime Minister and leader of the Left-Green Movement in the middle of her term to run for presidential elections. Guani Johannesson said, "Most of those who spoke publicly about the election race expected it to be closer." On January 1, Iceland's outgoing President Gudni Johannesson announced that he would not seek reelection after serving two terms in office. Johannesson will serve as Iceland's President until August 1, when the newly-elected President takes office. Notably, the President of Iceland has limited political powers, Iceland Review report. However, he performs all ceremonial duties and is considered to have a significant influence on Icelandic society. Toronto: The leader of Canadas principal opposition Conservative Party is looking at enhancing the trade relationship with India, particularly though exports of natural gas, uranium and lentils to the country. Canada's Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre (REUTERS) Speaking at a press conference in Mississauga, Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said, My priority is to stand up for our country and our interests over here. I want to sell our natural gas to India. National Bank did a study showing that with Indias growing electricity demand, if we sold them enough gas to supply half of that demand, we can reduce greenhouse gas emission by three times as much as the total emissions of Canada because well displace dirtier coal. Poilievre pointed out that Canada had reserves of 1300 trillion cubic feet of natural gas that could be supplying India and other energy-hungry countries, according to a video of the interaction shared by the network, Prime Asia TV. I want to promptly approve LNG liquefaction facilities to sell that gas to India and the rest of Asia, he added. He also said that his government will seek to sell civilian-grade uranium to India, while pointing out that Saskatchewan, where that mineral is produced, is Indias largest trading partner among the provinces in Canada. He would also seek to increase the export of lentils from Canada to India. In 2023, total Canadian exports to India were valued at $5.1 billion. Of that, Saskatchewan was responsible for 26 per cent, valued at more than $1.3 billion, with $700 million of that tied directly to agri-food exports. Those will be among the priorities Ill work on with whomever the Indian people choose as their next Prime Minister, he added. The Poilievre-led Conservatives have enjoyed a comfortable lead over the incumbent Liberal Party for over a year. According to the poll tracking website 338 Canada, if Federal elections were held now, the Conservatives would garner 43 per cent of the vote translating to 211 seats, while Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus Liberals would get 25 per cent and 71 seats. The majority mark in Canadas House of Commons is 172. Federal elections are scheduled for October next year. In October last year, in an interview with the Nepalese media outlet Namaste Radio Toronto, Poilievre said, We need a professional relationship with the Indian Government. India is the largest democracy on earth. Its fine to have our disagreements and hold each other accountable but we have to have a professional relationship and that is what I will restore when Im Prime Minister of this country. China's defence minister warned Sunday of "limits" to Beijing's restraint on the South China Sea and over the deployment of ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region. China defence minister warns of 'limits' to Beijing's restraint on South China Sea Dong's remarks at a security forum in Singapore were a clear reference to the Philippines and the United States, which have been boosting defence ties in the face of China's growing military might and influence. "China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this," Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue, which is attended by defence officials from around the world. The Philippines and the United States are longstanding treaty allies, and Manila is a key focus of Washington's efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region, which has enraged Beijing. Given its position in the South China Sea and proximity to self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims as its own, Philippine support would be crucial for the United States in the event of any conflict. The US Army said in April that it had deployed a Mid-Range Capability missile system capable of firing the Standard Missile 6 and the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile in the northern Philippines for annual joint exercises. The deployment of "medium-range ballistic missiles" was "severely damaging regional security and stability", Dong said. "Acting in this way will ultimately burn oneself." Dong also warned of "limits" to Beijing's restraint on the South China Sea, following a series of confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed reefs. China Coast Guard vessels have used water cannon against Philippine boats multiple times in the contested waters. There have also been collisions that injured several Filipino troops. Manila and Beijing have a long history of maritime territorial disputes, but tensions have worsened under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, brushing off rival claims from other countries, including the Philippines, and ignoring an international ruling that its claims have no legal basis. Marcos has sought closer ties with the United States as he stands up to Chinese actions in the waterway. In remarks to the security forum on Friday, Marcos said the Philippines would not give in to Chinese pressure. "Illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions continue to violate our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdictions," Marcos said. "I do not intend to yield," he said. "Filipinos do not yield". amj/cwl This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Beijing of working with Moscow to undermine a summit to discuss his countrys peace blueprint, in a sign of growing frustration with Chinas deepening ties with Russia. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky(AP) Russia is doing everything to disrupt the summit set for mid-June by using Chinese influence and its diplomats, Zelensky told reporters at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Earlier, the Ukrainian president gave a keynote speech, appealing for Asian leaders to join the summit to help forge a path to end Russias war. We want Asia to know whats going on in Ukraine, Zelensky said on Sunday. We need the support of Asian countries. It is much needed. China hasnt immediately responded to Zelenskys comments. The Ukrainian leader has stepped up his international visits since last week just as Russia built up troop formations near Ukraines northeast border and increased air attacks. He wants to secure support among foreign leaders, including the so-called Global South, for the June 15-16 summit. Over 100 countries and 75 heads of state have confirmed their participation, Zelensky said. Switzerland has scheduled the Ukraine conference on the heels of a meeting of the Group of Seven in Borgo Egnazia, Italy. Several G-7 leaders plan to join but President Joe Biden is not slated to be there, Bloomberg News reported, while China has signaled it wont be attending. The US has encouraged some countries to take part in the conference while China is working against that, Zelensky said. China and Brazil are calling for an international conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine to discuss proposals to halt the war, throwing up an alternative to the push by Kyiv for its own Western-backed peace plan. Zelensky said Asian leaders taking part in his proposed summit will be involved in the global defense and help to foster unity against the war. The event will cover nuclear weapons, food security and the release of prisoners of war. After the peace summit, when the global majority agrees on the common understandings and steps, the relevant parties will pass these to Russia, aiming for an outcome similar to the grain initiative, Zelensky earlier told the forum. Zelenskys rare trip to Asia comes as Russias invasion is in its third year. Ukraines economy needs all its grains and oilseeds to reach the global markets and Zelenskiy wants to ensure the safety of the unilateral Black Sea shipping passage. The Ukranian president called to question Chinas ties with Russia, saying its support of Moscow will ensure the war in Ukraine lasts for longer. You cannot say that we accept sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and at the same time be on the side of the country that violates the principles of UN Charter, he said of China. A motorcade of honking cars drove around former South African president Jacob Zuma's home province on Saturday to celebrate the graft-tainted politician's surprise general election breakthrough. Honking motorcade kicks off Zuma's party after S.Africa vote Supporters of the charismatic 82-year-old sat on the vehicles' window ledges singing anti-apartheid anthems as the convoy swirled around mountain villages, cheered by flag-waving residents. "We voted for Zuma because we have seen his hard work," said Sakhile Shezi, a 31-year-old factory worker. Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe party came out of nowhere to win more than 14 percent of votes nationwide in Wednesday's election, according to official figures, with 99.89 percent of votes counted. Founded just months ago as a vehicle for the former national president and ANC chief, it is now South Africa's third-largest party, behind the governing African National Congress and the centre-right Democratic Alliance . In Zuma's KwaZulu-Natal, a key electoral battleground, it emerged as the largest force with 45.9 percent, routing the ANC and pushing it toward the party's worst national result in three decades of democracy. Having slid well below 50 percent of preferences for the first time, the ANC will now have to look for coalition partners to form a national government, and the MK is among various potential bedfellows. "Now that we have taken over, the real work begins," Musa Mkhize, MK's provincial head of programmes, told supporters as the convoy stopped during its two-hour journey across the semi-rural area of Kwaximba, one of the biggest voting districts. "We are here to celebrate the wisdom of the people of these wards... to celebrate with them that they have brought the power of the people back to them," he added to AFP. Zuma, who was president from 2009 to 2018, was forced out of office under the cloud of corruption, and for many South Africans his rule has since become synonymous with "state capture" by corrupt business interests. But he is still venerated by large swathes of the population in KwaZulu-Natal, where many identify with his Zulu traditionalism. Celebrations in some parts of the province kicked off as soon as results started to trickle in this week. Despite its impressive score, MK has contested the vote tally. On Saturday, Zuma warned the electoral commission against announcing the final results on Sunday as scheduled. "When the official results come out, we will have the majority, that we don't doubt," Thembeka Gwala, 30, said from a moving minibus. Throughout the campaign MK told supporters it was going to win two-thirds of the vote. zam/ub/dc/js This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Israel is looking into an alternative local governing body for Gaza, the defence minister said on Sunday, proposing a future beyond Hamas but giving no idea who those challengers might be. Israel is looking into an alternative local governing body for Gaza, the defence minister said on Sunday, proposing a future beyond Hamas but giving no idea who those challengers might be.(AFP) Defence Minister Yoav Gallant's comments came at a time of new uncertainty in the eight-month war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure from many Israelis to accept a new ceasefire deal proposed by US President Joe Biden while far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does. Gallant, part of Israel's three-member War Cabinet who recently urged the government to have a detailed postwar plan for Gaza, said in a briefing that "we seek a governing alternative to Hamas. The framework for this includes isolating areas, removing Hamas operatives in these areas and bringing in other forces that will enable the formation of a governing alternative". ALSO READ| Maldives bans Israelis over Gaza offensive; Tel Aviv asks citizens to leave island nation That will achieve Israel's goals of removing Hamas' military and governing authority in Gaza and returning home the remaining hostages taken in the October 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war, Gallant said. He stressed that "we will not accept the rule of Hamas at any stage in any process aimed at ending the war". An Israeli defence official told AP that Gallant hopes to enable isolated, Hamas-free areas in Gaza to become "hubs of local government" and identify forces that can enable a longer-term formation of a government. Israel is looking for "local non-hostile actors", the official said, adding that Gallant believes that "Palestinians should be governing Palestinians". Israel would facilitate surges of aid to the areas, and the local forces would be responsible for distributing it to strengthen their authority. But that approach is challenging and has failed before, one expert said. "I haven't heard of any local players that are brave enough to present themselves as an alternative to Hamas," said Michael Milshtein, an Israeli analyst of Palestinian affairs at Tel Aviv University and a former military intelligence officer. Milshtein said Gallant's "wishful thinking" would amount to a suicidal mission for any local leader. Hamas has threatened anyone cooperating with Israel's government. "Although Hamas suffered severe damage over the past eight months, their impact on the public is still very strong," he said. Milshtein noted that Israel has tried this approach in the past. In the 1970s and '80s, Israel tried to establish "village leagues", empowering local Palestinian leaders. "They were considered in the eyes of Palestinians as collaborators, and it ended in a very tragic manner," he said. Unless Israel maintains a constant presence in Gaza, any "alternative forces" they try to install will be too fragile, he added. Netanyahu has said Israel will maintain security control over Gaza but delegate civilian administration to local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. He has ruled out a path to Palestinian statehood. Top ally the US has proposed that a reformed Palestinian Authority would govern Gaza with the assistance of Arab and Muslim nations. The Hamas attack in southern Israel killed around 1,200 people -- mostly civilians -- and abducted about 250. About 100 hostages remain in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more. Over 36,430 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israel's offensive, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths. At least five people including a young girl were killed on Sunday in a strike on a street in Zawayda, central Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials and AP journalists at al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital who counted the bodies. The US continued to press Israel on the ceasefire proposal outlined by Biden, who said on Friday it's time for the war to end. Many of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced and shelter with few supplies, large parts of the territory have been destroyed and the United Nations has warned of "full-blown" famine. The deal's first phase would last six weeks and include a "full and complete ceasefire", a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Biden acknowledged that moving into the next phase of the deal would require more negotiations. "This was an Israeli proposal. We have every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal -- as was transmitted to them, an Israeli proposal -- then Israel would say yes," White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told ABC. Also Sunday, officials from Egypt, Israel and the US ended a meeting in Cairo without any apparent agreement to reopen the crucial Rafah crossing into Gaza, which has been closed since Israel took over the Palestinian side of it in early May, Egypt's state-run television channel Al-Qahera News reported. Israel's military continues to press into Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, in search of what's been described as Hamas' last stronghold even as the militants regroup elsewhere in the territory. Citing an unnamed official, Al-Qahera News said Egypt affirmed that Israel must withdraw its forces from the Palestinian side of the crossing before it can reopen. The report said Egypt accused Israel of blocking the delivery of badly needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Israel denies. King Charles is trying to "force" Prince Andrew out of his royal residence in Royal Lodge, a royal commentator has claimed. Stephanie Takyi has said that the king has been attempting to remove his younger brother from the property and asking him to move into the smaller Frogmore Cottage, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had lived. King Charles trying to force Prince Andrew out of Royal Lodge (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP, Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs) "It's Brothers at War, to be honest. Charles and Andrew haven't had the closest of relationships. According to the papers today, Charles is trying to evict Andrew from the Royal Lodge, where he's lived since 2004, and he's trying to get him to move into Frogmore Cottage, where Harry and Meghan previously were, Takyi told GB News. "Apparently, Andrew is refusing to go. He doesn't want to leave. He's made it his home. He's lived there for 20 years. But you see, the upkeep of Royal Lodge costs 400,000 a year, she continued. "It is a very, very big place. It is 30 rooms. It's worth 30million. The King has his eye on moving there himself, but Andrew hasn't got the money to keep it upkeep. So it's all been paid by the King. Takyi added, "If Andrew doesn't move, it is going to affect what the King does financially for Prince Andrew because he's got no income. He gets an allowance from his brothers. So if Charles is asking him to move out and he doesn't want to, he will have to take those precautions." The Kings kindness is not without limit It has been reported that Andrew has the lease on Royal Lodge. However, the purse strings are controlled by the king. The Kings kindness is not without limit and there is a very good option for Andrew to move into Frogmore Cottage, recently vacated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, which also has the benefit of being within the Windsor Castle security cordon hence reducing the need for alternative round-the-clock security for Royal Lodge, a royal source claimed. He is taking longer than desirable to recognise the reality of the situation, even though it is clearly the most sensible course of action, the source added. If he doesnt agree to move to a property better suited to his needs, then the King may have to reconsider the levels of support he is willing to provide. Royal Lodge is reportedly let under a commercial lease agreement with the Crown Estate. The facts remain the facts. Hes got a long lease on Royal Lodge, the family has lived there for 20-odd years and still has 50-odd years to run on the lease, a friend of Andrew told The Times. Its in perfectly good repair because they spent the lions share of the sale of their previous house [Sunninghill Park] renovating it from top to bottom, thereby saving any draw on the public purse or the private finances of the Royal Family. Thems the facts, the friend added. Another person, an acquaintance who has visited Royal Lodge, said, Its really rather sad but if its a case of who will blink first then Andrew is going to dig in. He aint going anywhere. He has had a stay of execution with Sarah and the Kings illnesses and he will be hoping that Charles wont want to be seen as vindictive by turfing him out. Andrews 3million a year security bill is funded by Charles. After the Duke of York stepped down from official duties back in 2019, his police detail was removed by the Home Office. The Maldives has banned entry of the people of Israel to protest against the latter's months-long Gaza offensive. Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu(AP file photo) The president of the island nation, Mohamed Muizzu, has resolved to impose a ban on those bearing Israeli passports, his office said on Saturday. The statement, however, didn't give details as to when the new law will take effect. Muizzu also announced a national fundraising campaign called "Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine". Also read: Israeli ministers threaten to quit if Joe Biden's hostage release plan goes ahead The move comes amid pressure from the opposition and the government's allies to ban the people of Israel from the Maldives to protest against the war in Gaza, which has resulted in the killings of thousands of civilians. The Maldives had lifted an old ban on Israeli citizens in the early 1990s. The country had also restored diplomatic relations in 2010. However, the attempts to normalise the relations ended with former president Mohamed Nasheed's ouster from power in 2012, reported AFP. Also read: Israeli army says it investigates itself. Where do those investigations stand? Israel warns its citizens Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also urged its citizens to not travel to the Maldives. It also warned its citizens to leave the country. "For Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help," the ministry said, per AFP. Also read: Hezbollah fighters shoot down Israeli drone in Lebanon, fire rockets at military base In the Gaza war, which was triggered by the murders of 1189 people of Israel by Hamas, at least 36,439 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Tel Aviv's strikes. Israeli tourism to the Maldives sees a slump this year Tourism is the mainstay of the Maldives' economy. Israeli tourism to the country is down 88 percent over the first four month of this year compared to the corresponding period last year. Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy's unscheduled appearance at Asia's biggest security conference dominated proceedings on Sunday after China's defence chief slammed "separatists" in Taiwan, drawing a sharp response from the government in Taipei. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy leaves after the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore. (AP) Dressed in his trademark olive green T-shirt, Zelenskiy addressed the last day of the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, asking for support and participation at a summit in Switzerland later this month aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. "We are convinced that our world wants to be united and be capable of acting in complete harmony," he said to a ballroom packed full of delegates in formal business wear and military uniforms. Reuters was first to report that Zelenskiy would make an unscripted appearance at the conference, his second visit to Asia since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Zelenskiy told a news conference that he was not able to meet the Chinese delegation at the conference and was disappointed that Beijing would not attend the summit. "China, unfortunately... is working for countries not to come to the peace summit," he said. Earlier, China's defence chief, Dong Jun, warned that prospects of a peaceful "reunification" of Taiwan were being eroded, and promised to ensure the island would never gain independence. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and last month staged war games around the island in anger at the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing calls a "separatist". "Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," Dong said. He added that although China was committed to peaceful reunification with Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army "will remain a strong force for upholding national reunification". Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said in response that it deeply regretted the "provocative and irrational" comments, and reiterated that the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island. China has repeatedly threatened force against Taiwan at international venues, and its threats violate the United Nations charter, the council said in a statement. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Dong's speech covered little new ground. Every year for three years, a new Chinese defence minister has come to Shangri-La," the official said. "And every year, theyve given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the PLAs coercive activity across the region. This year was no different. Dong's speech came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told delegates the Indo-Pacific region remained a key focus for the United States, even as it grappled with security assistance for Ukraine and the war in Gaza. "Let me be clear: The United States can be secure only if Asia is secure," Austin said. "That's why the United States has long maintained our presence in this region." Dong and Austin met for more than an hour on Friday on the sidelines of the conference, their first face-to-face meeting. American radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has claimed that authorities have threatened to shut down his studio. Breaking down on his show, he said, I've been targeted for abuse. I was duped by someone. Federal files in secret have claimed that I'm committing crimes. Alex Jones breaks down in tears, says authorities threatened to shut down his studio (@CollinRugg/X) This was untrue, of course... This may be my final performance, he added. Jones is believed to have spent the night at his studio last night. He warned that he would call local police. In a post on X, the right-wing television personality recently said that authorities were trying to "shut down" his website, InfoWars. Breaking: Feds Attempting To Shut Down Infowars Tonight! he wrote. Alex slept in his studio last night Mike Adams, another conspiracy theorist, and self-appointed "food scientist" and "health ranger, shed light on a few details. Taking to X, he wrote, Alex Jones just broadcast today that government is right now in the process of attempting to illegally seize the InfoWars studios, to put locks on the doors, then force liquidate all broadcast assets, to silence @RealAlexJones. Alex slept in his studio last night and has publicly said he would call local police to stop the illegal federal raid on his studios. Details are coming in slowly, situation is uncertain. Not able to verify everything at this time, but everyone should pray for @RealAlexJones and the InfoWars operation, pray for their safety and for their defense against a corrupt cabal of government thugs who have "convicted" #Trump of a made-up crime and are now shutting down prominent alt media in America. See Infowars dot com slash "show" to see Alex's broadcast from earlier today to hear details straight from him, he added. Jones asked a right-wing attorney on air for advice on how he could prevent authorities from shutting down his studio. "This signifies weakness by them," Jones said. "They won't leave me alone." The lawyer claimed that attorneys used the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting as "political pawns." Jones was accused of spreading lies and conspiracy theories about the attack, following which he was asked to pay restitution to the families. Heatwave over North, Central and East India to reduce gradually: IMD New Delhi, June 2 (UNI) Northwest, Central, and East India are expected to experience heatwave conditions with reduced intensity for the next 3 days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday. According to IMD, Heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in some parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and in isolated pockets of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Vidarbha, Odisha and Jharkhand from today till June 5. The weather department has predicted no significant change in maximum temperatures over Northwest India during the next 3 days and over West India during the next 48 hours. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun, and experts warn this year could be extremely active. Since early 2023, oceanic temperatures have been rising at unprecedented levels. While a typical hurricane season produces 14 named storms, forecasts suggest that the 2024 season could break the record of 30 named storms recorded in 2020, per AccuWeather. Experts warn 2024 Atlantic hurricane season could be extremely busy due to rising oceanic temperatures across the world(Image used for representation purposes only) When does the hurricane season begin? The Atlantic hurricane season kicked off on June 1 and will last till November 30, according to The National Hurricane Centre. However, it will be two weeks longer in the eastern Pacific. This six-month period accounts for nearly 97% of all Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes, per NOAA's Hurricane Research Divison. Atlantic Hurricane Season 2024 predictions NHS predicts that this year, there is an 85% chance of an above-normal season, with 17 to 25 named storms, eight to 13 hurricanes, and four to seven major hurricanes (category 3 storms or higher). Meanwhile, AccuWeather predictions indicate there could be 20 to 25 named storms. It also predicts that out of all hurricanes four to six of them will directly impact the US. What are experts saying? Experts have warned that the 2024 hurricane season is likely to be busier than previous seasons. The two main factors for such an aggressive forecast are extremely warm tropical Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico; and the potential development of La Nina will develop in the Pacific mid-hurricane season, according to FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. Researcher Brian McNoldy told USA Today Thursday, The whole tropical Atlantic is warmer than its ever been for this time of year, adding that the Caribbean is going crazy. And all of that's coming on the heels of 2023, which was warmer than it ever was for this time of year. Now we're breaking 2023 records. So, not great, McNoldy added. What's interesting here is that there are 21 names on the list. Not every letter from the alphabet has a name that corresponds with it. So it's 21, said FOX Weather Meteorologist Ian Oliver. But the consensus among all the agencies that put out a hurricane forecast is 24 storms. So we might see the debut of that new supplemental list this year, Oliver added. Hurricane names for 2024 There are 21 hurricane names on this year's list: SINGORE China's defense minister on Sunday acknowledged the importance of newly renewed military-to-military communications with the United States as tensions escalate in the Asia-Pacific, while at the same time accusing Washington of causing the friction with its support for Taiwan and the Philippines. Chinese defense minister accuses US of causing friction with its support for Taiwan and Philippines We will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold, into our region," Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun told the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore through a translator. We will not allow any country or any force to create conflict and chaos in our region, he added. China has been increasingly assertive in pressing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, a key global shipping route, which has led to a growing number of conflicts, most notably with the Philippines, whose ships have been rammed by Chinese vessels and hit with water cannons. Dong insisted that China's strategic culture is anchored in universal love and non-aggression, before threatening the Philippines, which has grown rapidly pro-American since the election of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in 2022. Since territorial hostilities with China surged last year in the South China Sea, Marcos Jr.s administration has taken steps to forge new security alliances with a number of Asian and Western countries and allowed a larger U.S. military presence in more Philippine bases under a 2014 defense pact. Dong accused the Philippines of deliberately provoking China, emboldened by outside powers. China has recognized great restraint in the face of such infringements and provocations, he said. But there is a limit to our restraint. Dong is a former naval commander who was appointed in late December after his predecessor, Li Shangfu, was abruptly removed from office. Dong met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday on the sidelines of the Singapore forum, which were the first in-person talks between top Chinese and American defense officials since contacts between the two countries' militaries broke down in 2022 after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, infuriating Beijing. China regards Taiwan as a renegade province that must come under its control, by force if necessary. The U.S., like most countries, does not have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but is bound by its own laws to provide the island with the means to defend itself. Washington is Taiwans biggest provider of military hardware and congressional delegations regularly visit Taiwan's leaders. Dong said China remains open to exchanges and cooperation with the U.S. military, but added this requires efforts from both sides. He accused the U.S. of emboldening Taiwan's new government, which refuses to accept Beijings insistence that the island is part of China, of pursuing separation in an incremental way. We will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds, he said. Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will only end up in self-destruction. reporter Ken Moritsugu contributed to this story from Hong Kong. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Donald Trump was greeted with a staggering standing ovation as he arrived at UFC 302 on Saturday, June 1. This happened just days after the former president was found guilty in his Manhattan trial. Donald Trump greeted with standing ovation, massive cheers at UFC 302 in New Jersey (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)(AFP) Accompanied by UFC President and his friend Dana White, Trump was welcomed at the The Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with uproarious cheers. Trump was seen waving a fist to the crowd and shaking hands with dozens of people. He stopped to greet UFC commentator and comedian Joe Rogan, and then went on to take his ringside seat The round of applause hes getting right now is pretty staggering, Rogan said on the broadcast. Trump often attends UFC events and is known to be a huge mixed martial arts fan. White said that their friendship dates back to 20 years. Appearing on Pivot Podcast in 2022, White said of Trump, "He's one of the most stand-up, solid dudes that I have ever met in my life. If he gives you his word, done." Donald Trump was found guilty days ago Just two days ago, Trump was convicted by a Manhattan Jury of 34 criminal charges of falsifying business records in a scheme so he could influence the 2016 presidential election. He was found guilty of having paid $130,000 to Michael Cohen, his former fixer lawyer, to hand it to porn star Stormy Daniels so she does not speak out about an alleged sexual encounter she had with Trump. Trump said were fighting for our Constitution, and has vowed to appeal. Trump blasted the New York trial as a "scam" and "a rigged trial." He made remarks on illegal immigration and the investigation the House select committee conducted into the January 6, 2021, attack. "I'm willing to do whatever I have to do to save our country and to save our Constitution. I don't mind," he said. Democratic congressman Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.) has publicly urged Gov. Kathy Hochul to pardon Donald Trump after his guilty verdict. In a post on X, Phillips wrote, Donald Trump is a serial liar, cheater, and philanderer, a six-time declarer of corporate bankruptcy, an instigator of insurrection, and a convicted felon who thrives on portraying himself as a victim. House Dem urges Kathy Hochul to pardon Donald Trump (Pablo Esparza/AP Content Services for OGS, Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports) @GovKathyHochul should pardon him for the good of the country, he added. You think pardoning is stupid? he wrote in another post. Making him a martyr over a payment to a porn star is stupid. (Election charges are entirely different.) Its energizing his base, generating record sums of campaign cash, and will likely result in an electoral boost. This year, Phillips launched a primary challenge against Joe Biden for the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. After gaining hardly any support in the primaries, he went on to endorse Biden. A person close to Hochul claimed a pardon was unlikely, adding, according to New York Post, I cannot image a world where she would consider doing this, this makes no sense. NO ONE is above the law On Phillips first post, many X users blates him. Just stop. Whats good for the country is supporting the rule of law and holding people accountable for their crimes, no matter who they are. NO ONE is above the law, one user wrote. Oh shut up. You're obviously terrible at politics, one user said, while another wrote, Pardon?!?!? He should be in jail. Thank goodness no one cares what you think, one user said, while another wrote, He has not shown any remorse or acknowledgement of his many crimes and violation of the public good. No person should be pardoned who so blatantly flaunts their disrespect of the law and of basic morals. Another said, And you wonder why no one would vote for you. Sit this one out Skippy. Hunter Biden is set to become the first child of a sitting US president tried for crimes, just days after the historic guilty verdict against Donald Trump two events that may inject fresh uncertainty into the 2024 election. Hunter Biden, center, leaves St. Edmond Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)(AP) Jury selection begins Monday in the first of two cases Hunter Biden has tried to avoid for years, both to stay out of prison and spare his father, President Joe Biden, political and personal turmoil as he runs for a second term most likely against Trump. The trial in Wilmington, Delaware, on three federal gun violations is expected to plumb the depths of the younger Bidens drug use. During that period, prosecutors allege he lied about his substance abuse on a federal form to illegally purchase a firearm. Special Counsel David Weiss has indicated he plans to raise painful events from the Biden familys past related to Hunters conduct and events that involve the president. Still, White House officials largely view the trial as a private matter for Bidens son tied to his personal behavior from years ago. The president, who is expected to travel to France during part of the trial, will be monitoring it primarily as a concerned parent who has supported his sons recovery from addiction, according to a person familiar with his thinking. There are no plans for the White House to publicly engage with the trial, said the person, who requested anonymity to discuss how the president and his staff view the legal matter. But those plans could change, and the person did not rule out the possibility of the president reacting to developments in real time. Plea Possibility While the possibility exists for a last-minute plea deal between the two sides, Hunter Bidens legal team is prepared to argue the charges are unconstitutional and violate the Second Amendment, as well as point out flaws in the governments evidence. Dick Harpootlian, a Biden ally and former South Carolina prosecutor, said jurors in Bidens home state might wonder why prosecutors brought the criminal case against him now that hes shaken his drug addiction. It only takes one for a hung jury, and I can definitely see one or more jurors questioning the propriety of bringing this case, said Harpootlian, who now serves as a state senator. Bidens trial represents another highly politicized spectacle following the former President Trumps criminal trial in New York, which ended Thursday with his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up an affair with a porn star during the 2016 race. Hunter Biden also has been charged by Weiss in Los Angeles for nine federal tax violations and is scheduled to go on trial in that case in September. The gun trial is expected to be short but dramatic, with prosecutors airing details about Hunter Bidens drug-laden years that include excerpts from a book he wrote about it, Beautiful Things: A Memoir. His book is replete with admissions that establish he knew he was an addict and knew he was using crack cocaine throughout 2018, including in October 2018 when he purchased and possessed the gun, prosecutors wrote in a May 20 trial brief. Fordham University law professor Cheryl Bader, an ex-assistant US attorney who now runs the schools criminal-law clinic, said Bidens chances of winning an acquittal are slim given his acknowledgment in his memoir. Biden has been open about his struggles with alcohol and drugs but said he has remained sober since mid-2019. Federal prosecutors only bring cases that they are confident they can win, and they are known for dotting their Is and crossing their Ts, Bader said. Two of the gun counts carry maximum prison time of 10 years; another is punishable by as much as five years. However, judges rarely impose maximum sentences. Bidens lawyers plan to challenge the governments charge that he bought the gun while a drug addict as constitutionally vague. They are set to argue that he wasnt using drugs when he bought the gun. They also plan to contend that the seller didnt comply with legal requirements in the gun sale and documentation. Intoxication from too much alcohol or using drugs, legal or illegal, may make it too dangerous for people to drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or possess a firearm one day, but they may be perfectly sober enough to do all those things the next day, according to a May 23 trial brief by Bidens lawyers. Weiss was nominated by Trump to serve as the US attorney for Delaware and kept on by Biden. He was appointed as a special counsel by Attorney General Merrick Garland in 2023 to manage the cases against Hunter Biden. Biden and Weiss had agreed to a plea deal last year to resolve both allegations, but the agreement fell apart under questioning by the federal judge overseeing the case. Bidens lawyers and supporters have argued that Weiss then bowed to political pressure by Trump and conservatives in bringing the charges. The gun case is US v. Biden, 23-cr-00061, US District Court for the District of Delaware (Wilmington). RNC co-chair Lara Trump has criticised Maryland GOP Senate candidate Larry Hogan's stance on the hush money trial verdict. Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records before a Manhattan jury Thursday. After Hogan urged US citizens to respect the former president's conviction, Trump's daughter-in-law called his comments ridiculous. Lara Trump slammed Larry Hogan for urging Americans to 'respect' Trump's hush money trial verdict(Getty Images via AFP) Lara Trump brutally slams Larry Hogan While speaking with CNN's Kaise Hunt on State of the Union, the 41-year-old expressed her discontentment with Hogan's comments, saying that he should have thought long and hard about his choice of words. Ill tell you one thing, I dont support what he just said there. I think its ridiculous, she said. He doesnt deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point, and quite frankly, anybody in America, if thats the way you feel. Thats very upsetting to hear that, Lara added. ALSO READ: Who is Raj Shah? Trump ally to quit as US House speaker's Comms Director Hogan released a statement last week following the historic NYC civil fraud trial's verdict, in which he said, At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leadersregardless of partymust not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law. The 68-year-old Republican served as the Maryland governor from 2015 to 2023. While Lara remained tight-lipped on whether the RNC would withhold money from Hogan's campaign, she reiterated her opinion, calling his statement ridiculous. Ill get back to you on all the specifics monetarily. But what I can tell you is that, as the Republican Party co-chair, I think he should never have said something like that, she said. The jury reached the verdict Thursday, after nine and half hours of deliberations, which started on Wednesday. The presumptive GOP nominee's sentencing has been set for July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention. After being found guilty, Trump told reporters, This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt. Republican presidential nominee Trump, now also the first former US president convicted of felony crimes, came out to attend the UFC 302 event on Saturday night. However, the air about the politician was all different, as he reportedly showed signs of stress and lacked aggression," contrary to his usual firm disposition, a body language expert highlighted. Former President Donald Trump, center right, smiles toward Dana White, front left, while attending the UFC 302 mixed martial arts event Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)(AP) In a recent June 2 TheMirror.com report, body language expert Judi James told the media outlet that although the former president was pictured exuding symbols of smugness and confidence at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the truth couldn't be far from the supposed act he put on, keeping with the spirit of the mixed martial arts event. Some other pictures showed him interacting with the crowd in attendance or flaunting a thumbs-up sign in the stands, Trump's gestures of resilience, solidarity and strength were all a facade put on to hide his antithetical inner feelings. Also read | Are you f--king stupid: Adele hits back at homophobic heckler yelling Pride sucks at Las Vegas residency Extending gratitude to supporters, many of whom stood by his side during Thursday's guilty verdict, Trump raised his fist in solidarity. However, James claimed that his actions lack congruence, suggesting he is trying to present in opposition to his inner feelings. Body language expert analyses Trump's UFC 302 appearance James called out his supposedly least convincing gesture," referencing a picture featuring a smiling Trump standing between UFC fighters before the matches. Calling out his not-so spontaneous signal of happiness, the body language expert analysed, It looks like a rigid overkill gesture here that comes with a side order of what looks like tension or stress. In yet another photo, the presumptive Republican nominee hoping for a second presidential term this fall flashed his smug appearance, which James slammed as his "signature 'pouch' smile, where the lips are clamped and raised, making the chin look like a pouch and making a look of being smug." Also read | Supposed criticism of Meghan Markle's wardrobe by Nigeria's First Lady proclaimed false: At no point did she say Even though Trump appears to maintain eye contact with the fans, James claimed his expression looks less about smugness and more a recognition of his problems and how he is trying to battle through them, as he kept his arms down, with his eye-crinkling at display. Donald Trump's appearance at the martial arts fight in New Jersey came a day after Stormy Daniels' interview with The Mirror US hit the Internet. Breaking her silence on his guilty verdicts, the former adult actress said, I think he should be sentenced to jail and some community service working for the less fortunate or being the volunteer punching bag at a women's shelter. She also hit back at the White House hopeful with claims that he was utterly out of touch with reality. Media attention inevitably follows the footsteps of all high-profile figures, much like it did in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's case as the couple flew out for their quasi-royal trip to Nigeria from May 10 to May 12. Despite their Nigerian visit concluding weeks ago, a flurry of remarks about it still floats in the virtual air. 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) In the latest development around the issue, the First Lady of Nigeria clarified her comments supposedly addressing Meghan Markle's dressing, which were severely misconstrued by several media reports following her visit. Which speech of Nigeria's First Lady is being referenced here? In what now appears to be a scenario pulled out of context, First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu seemingly mentioned the Dutchess of Sussex in a speech addressing challenges faced by Nigeria's youth. The remarks in question made headlines when the First Lady took the stage at the May 25 event, Celebrating the Woman, commemorating her husband, Bola Ahmed Tinubu's first year of presidency. Also read | Caitlin Clark on the brink of potential WNBA suspension? Standout rookie sounds off against perceived unfair treatment An extract of First Lady Tinubu's speech reads: We are not having the Met Gala . . . We don't accept nakedness in our culture It is not beautiful at all . . . They are mimicking and trying to emulate film stars from America. They dont know where they come from. She continued, Why did Meghan come here, looking for Africa? That is something we have to take home with. We know who we are, and dont lose who you are. How did the First Lady of Nigeria respond to the alleged claims of her speech viciously targeting Meghan Markle? In a May 30 story published on AFP Fact Check, the First Lady's office confirmed that her words had, in fact, been turned inside out as Tinubu's reference to the Suits alum was never made distastefully. Her office stated, She meant Meghan appreciates the people we are and hence her coming here. Tinubu's representatives further affirmed, At no point did she say anything about Meghan's dressing. Presumably, the continuity of Tinubu's speech led to the misinterpretation of her message. She'd rather hoped to send out a message to the youth that even Markle had undertaken that long journey to come to Nigeria because she desired to get in touch with her roots and explore her complex identity. In a 2023 episode of her Archetypes podcast, Meghan shared that she is ethnically 43% Nigerian, a revelation that she chanced upon after taking a genealogy test. How did the false claims about the First Lady of Nigeria allegedly disparaging Meghan blow up? Although Arise News shared the original video of Tinubu's speech, unsavoury headlines targeting Markle emerged elsewhere. A tweet shared by Nancy Sidley on May 25 in response to the original post tweeted by the First Lady of Nigeria. (X/Twitter) Also read | Chris Evans signed an Israeli bomb? Marvel actor debunks misinformation around resurfaced viral photo Per AFP Fact Check's report debunking the false interpretations of the First Lady's remarks, Nancy Sidley-Sussex, a member of the US duo called the Sidley Twins, posted a hyperbolic tweet: Meghan Markle managed to create an international incident! We warned her about the clothes. The post also featured the video of the Nigerian First Lady's speech with other photos of Markle from her Nigerian tour. Shared on X/Twitter on May 25, 2024, this tweet also included derogatory hashtags slandering her: #ScamJam #MeghanMarklesSnapperPal #meghanmarkleisagrifter #harryandmeghanareajoke. According to the Sidley Twins' YouTube channel, Nancy Sidley shares this platform with Stephanie Sidley, which is dedicated to discussing pop culture, royal gossip. Possibly after Sidley's X tweet made it to social media, news outlets picked it up as a gossip piece or ran the story as their own. Either way, the First Lady's office has confirmed that her mention of Markle wasn't ill-intended. Donald Trump was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records before a Manhattan jury Thursday. Days after the historic verdict, the former US president opened up on potential jail time or house arrest. I'm okay with it, Trump said during an interview with Fox News that aired Sunday. He further claimed that his sentencing would be a breaking point for the public. Donald Trump says he is 'okay' with either jail time or house arrest following his guilty verdict in the historic hush money trial(REUTERS) Trump breaks silence on his historic conviction in hush money trial The jury reached the verdict in the hush money trial after nearly nine and half hours of deliberations, which began Wednesday. Following the verdict, Trump fumed to reporters, This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt. However, the presumptive GOP nominee appeared calmer during his Sunday interview. When asked about his potential punishments, Trump said, I saw one of my lawyers the other day on television saying, Oh no, you dont want to do that to the president. I said: You dont beg for anything. However, he claimed that his sentencing may be hard on the public. I dont think the public would stand it. Im not sure the public would stand for it, Trump said, adding, I think it would be tough for the public to take, you know, at a certain point, theres a breaking point. Following the verdict last week, Judge Juan Merchan set Trumps sentencing for 10 a.m. ET on July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention. The GOP frontrunner could be sentenced to probation or up to 4 years in state prison on each count, with a maximum of 20 years. Trump went on to say, Im fighting for the Constitution. However, he revealed that the verdict had been tougher on his family, especially his wife, Melania. Shes fine, but I think its very hard for her. I mean, shes fine. But its you know, she has to read all this crap, he said. Donald Trump has suggested that sending him to prison could prove a "breaking point" for his supporters - a warning that will fuel concerns of political violence around the US presidential election on November 5. Trump warns jail time could be 'breaking point' for supporters In an interview aired Sunday on Fox News, the former president and current Republican White House hopeful acknowledged the possibility of jail time or house arrest following his historic criminal conviction in a hush money trial. "I'm ok with it," Trump said, but added he was "not sure the public would stand for it." "I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know at a certain point there's a breaking point," he said. The warning will resonate in a country already concerned about the prospect of civil unrest and political harassment in the run-up to the November ballot. Trump will now be running as a convicted felon, and he has repeatedly refused to commit to accepting the result should he lose to President Joe Biden. A New York jury on Thursday convicted Trump on all 34 felony charges of falsifying business records in the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign to cover up a sex scandal involving porn star Stormy Daniels. It was the first criminal conviction of a former president in US history, and sentencing has been set for July 11 just days before the Republican convention that will formally anoint Trump as the party's presidential nominee. Although each charge carries a possible four-year jail term, experts say it is extremely unlikely that the judge will hand down a custodial sentence. Trump faces three other criminal trials, including one related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election he lost to Biden. Trump's supporters stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 after he delivered a fiery speech urging the crowd to "fight like hell." Adam Schiff, a Democratic member of the House of Representatives who was on the committee that investigated the Capitol attack, said Trump's strategy was clear. "This is essentially his threat that, if he gets jail time, that he's going to encourage his supporters to rise up," Schiff said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" talk show. "And we saw the very deadly results of that on January 6," he added. Breaking her silence following Trump's conviction, Stormy Daniels said the former president should be put in prison. "I think he should be sentenced to jail and some community service working for the less fortunate, or being the volunteer punching bag at a women's shelter," Daniels said in an interview with the British tabloid The Mirror published late Saturday. After years of exchanging insults with Trump on social media, Daniels now says she finally has been "vindicated," although she admitted she was "shocked" at how quickly the jury rendered its verdict. Daniels also accused the White House hopeful of being "completely and utterly out of touch with reality" and compared him to a child at one point in the interview. The former adult film actor and director helped bring Trump down in court with her gripping testimony, which included graphic descriptions of what she says was a casual sexual encounter in 2006. "Being in court was so intimidating with the jurors looking at you," she said in the interview, adding that she was glad it was proved that she had been "telling the truth the entire time." "It's not over for me. It's never going to be over for me. Trump may be guilty, but I still have to live with the legacy." Trump has continued to deny the sexual encounter, which prosecutors at his trial said had taken place shortly after his wife Melania had given birth. In his interview with Fox News, Trump said the criminal trial had taken a toll on his wife, who was notably absent as other close family members attended the court proceedings in support. "She's fine, but I think it's very hard for her," Trump said. "She has to read all this crap." Melania Trump has barely engaged with her husband's current White House campaign, failing to appear at a single Trump rally, and rarely joins him in public. bur-gh/sst This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Sanaa, June 2 (UNI) Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis, attacked a US aircraft carrier, destroyer and a number of ships in the Red Sea, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on Saturday. The Houthi navy, missile units and drones have conducted six operations, the spokesman said. "The US aircraft carrier Dwight Eisenhower was attacked in the northern Red Sea with several missiles and drones," Saree said, adding that a US destroyer was also attacked in the Red Sea. The movement's forces struck ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean that "belong to companies that violated the decision to ban passage to [Israeli] ports," the spokesman added. Houthis vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. Amid the Houthi attacks, some companies suspended shipments through the Red Sea. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition, which includes the United Kingdom among others, to protect shipping in the area of the Red Sea, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground. UNI/SPUTNIK AKS After his historic guilty verdict in his hush money case, Donald Trump attacked the U.S. criminal justice system, making unfounded claims of a rigged trial that echoed remarks from the Kremlin. Trump's attacks on US justice system after guilty verdict could be useful to autocrats like Putin If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone, Trump said Friday, speaking from his namesake tower in New York on Friday. Thousands of miles away, Russian President Vladimir Putin was probably rubbing his hands with glee, said Fiona Hill, a former senior White House national security adviser to three U.S. presidents, including Trump. Hill and other analysts say Trumps attacks could be useful to Putin and other autocrats as they look to boost their standing among their own citizens, potentially sway the upcoming U.S. presidential election in which Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee, and undermine the United States global influence. Some autocratic countries reacted swiftly in support of Trump. Moscow agreed with Trump's assessment of Thursday's verdict, calling it the elimination of political rivals by all possible legal or illegal means, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. In September, Putin said the prosecution of Trump was political revenge that shows the rottenness of the American political system. After the verdict, Hungary's prime minister, Viktor Orban, called Trump a man of honor and urged him to keep on fighting. Chinas state-owned Global Times newspaper suggested Trumps conviction adds to the farcical nature of this year's U.S. presidential election, adding that it will aggravate political extremism and end in more chaos and social unrest. Putin is especially likely to see the latest turmoil as an opportunity, analysts say. He has long sought to widen divisions in Western societies in an attempt to advance a Russian worldview. Since the invasion of Ukraine, and ahead of crucial elections throughout the West this year, Russia has been accused of carrying out multiple attacks of sabotage and of targeting dissidents abroad to stoke anxieties and sow discord. Moscow was accused of meddling in the 2016 U.S. election that Trump won by creating a troll factory, hacking Hillary Clinton's campaign, spreading fake news and trying to influence Trump-linked officials. What mischief does he have to make when you have people within the American system itself denigrating it and pulling it down? Hill said of Putin. Political chaos can benefit autocratic leaders by distracting Washington from key issues, including the war in Ukraine. Russia's goal is to move voices from the "fringes of the political debate to the mainstream, said David Salvo, Managing Director of the Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund in Washington, D.C. The Kremlin does that partly by pushing Russian points of view under the guise of news and social media posts that look like they originate in the West. Salvo noted that disagreements in Congress that delayed an aid package to Ukraine followed a Russian social media campaign aimed at Americans. That led to Russia gaining the upper hand on the battlefield. The attacks on the U.S. justice system from Trump and his allies are perfect fodder" for another "major propaganda and influence operation, Hill told The Associated Press, suggesting Russia could target swing voters in battleground states ahead of the November election. For generations, U.S. presidential administrations have depicted America as a bastion of democracy, free speech and human rights and have encouraged other states to adopt those ideals. But Trump suggested the justice system is being used to persecute him something that happens in some autocratic countries. Leaders including Putin must love that Trump is criticizing the key institutions of democracy in the way autocratic states have done for years as it legitimizes them in the eyes of their own people said Graeme Robertson, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Trump sees himself as a strongman ruler and looks to Putin for inspiration, Hill said. His attacks encourage any nation from those with a mild gripe to the openly hostile to have their moment to bring down the colossus, Hill said. The message to Chinese and Russian citizens watching the drama unfold in the U.S. is that they are better off at home. The message to countries that Russia and China are courting as they attempt to expand their influence in Africa, Asia and Latin America is that Moscow and Beijing can offer more reliable partnerships. The threat from the new axis of authoritarians, including Russia, China, Iran and North Korea is daunting, as those states work more closely together with overlapping interests said Matthew Kroenig, a former defense official and vice president at the Atlantic Councils Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Moscow in particular, Kroenig said, will likely try to use the political turmoil in the U.S. to divide the NATO security alliance. It could try to turn the public in NATO states against the U.S. by encouraging them to question whether they have shared values with Americans, he said. If successful, that could lead to a fundamental reshaping of global security architecture a goal of Russia and China since the end of the Cold War. Some Western governments, meanwhile, are caught in a delicate dance between not wanting to ostracize Trump as a potential next U.S. president and the need to respect the U.S. justice system. Others, such as EU member Hungary, openly court him. For Putin it must be perfect because it creates a mess that he can try to seek advantage from, Hill said. Associated Press writer Ken Moritsugu in Hong Kong contributed to this report. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. Things took a shaky turn on Sunday morning in the United States. According to the US Geological Survey, a 3.5 magnitude earthquake rocked the South Pasadena area. The 3.5 magnitude earthquake in the South Pasadena area occurred just before 10 am local time. (Representative file image) Tremors struck the city in California just before 10 a.m. The USGS reported the seven-mile-deep quake hit about 2.3 miles north-northeast of South Pasadena and 2.4 miles east-northeast of Alhambra. Although no immediate damages or injuries were recorded, online accounts claimed that the earthquake was also felt throughout Los Angeles County. NBC Los Angeles reported accounts of light shaking in San Gabriel Valley, parts of Los Angeles, Downey, Whittier, Studio City and Burbank. Also read | Caitlin Clark's teammates lambasted by ex-NBA player after Chicago Sky's 'cheap shot': You always protect your star Numerous social media users instantly took to their X/Twitter handles, sharing relatable memes about the given situation. The Internet was all fired up, with Californians asking each other if they felt the tremors. Several netizens claimed that the quake was short and heavy. Due to the uncommonness of the phenomenon, people suggested that they weren't accustomed to the rattling. Netizens react to the South Pasadena earthquake, sharing their experiences @jmeucci wrote on X: Eagle Rock checking inthat was the shortest but most violent #earthquake Ive experienced yet. @edgarrmcgregor tweeted: Shaking lasted only 2 seconds, but the whole house shook." Another post from the same user followed soon: The reason why even small earthquakes are frightening is because you have no idea what is truly coming. It could end in 3 seconds and we'll forget about it tomorrow, or the Big One could be upon us. In that 2-20 second waiting game, your decision can mean everything. Also read | Stressed Trump lacks aggression, expert breaks down his body language at UFC 302 event @PamelaChelin said: OK, that #earthquake was scary and sent my dog running around fearfully. In a follow-up tweet, she quipped at the situation and wrote, Critics gave the earthquake a 3.5 stars out of 5, saying it was compelling enough to give audiences a jolt, but fizzled out quickly and left audiences underwhelmed. Seismologist Dr Lucy Jones, who was in the area, also confirmed on social media, Yes, a M3.5 near South Pasadena and Alhambra. Im in South Pasadena and it was sharp and short. Moreover, KTLA Director of Content and COverage Peter Wilgoren described the incident as if someonetook a tuning fork to the entire house. A famed Samoan author and playwright has been charged with the brutal murder of Tulsi Gabbards aunt. 57-year-old Papalii Sia Figiel was arrested after 78-year-old Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbards death in Samoa. Caroline was a retired former University of Hawaii professor. Prominent Samoan author charged with murdering Tulsi Gabbards aunt, Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard (pictured) (Facebook) Caroline was stabbed several times, and beaten with a hammer, reports claimed. The murder was committed at Figiels home on May 25, in the village of Vaivase-Uta, located three miles from Apia. The New Zealand Herald reported that Figiels house doubles as the local theatre. Before the murder, the two had gotten into an argument, according to Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo. What prompted the argument is unclear. Local media reports claimed that Caroline and Figiel were friends and colleagues. Caroline was also Figiels mentor. Who is Papalii Sia Figiel? Figiel was born in Apia, Samoa. She did her formal schooling in Samoa and New Zealand where she also started studying a Bachelor of Arts. She later completed the course at Whitworth College in the US. Figiels poetry won the Polynesian Literary Competition in 1994. One of her novels, Where We Once Belonged, even won the 1997 Best First Book award in the South East Asia/South Pacific Region of the Commonwealth Writers' Prize. In various ways, Figiels life has been affected by diabetes. Both her father and mother died after suffering complications caused by diabetes. Fiegel was herself diagnosed with Type two diabetes in 2003. She later went on to serve as an advocate in the Pacific region, where she shared her experiences with the disease to help address its causes. Caroline was my best friend as a teenager Caroline was Gabbard's aunt and the sister of Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard. According to Carolines family, she was the first Samoan to become a full professor in the United States. She was also a prominent writer, teacher and environmental activist. Caroline was my best friend as a teenager, Mike said in a statement to Spectrum News. She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence. She got me hooked on reading, so much so that I followed in her footsteps and majored in English at Sonoma State University in California, then returned to our birthplace, American Samoa, where I taught English in high schools and was a faculty member, guidance counselor and dean at the community college for many years. I love her deeply and wish her well as she continues her journey, he said, adding that although he forgives her killer, he hopes the person will be punished to the full extent of the law. Yemen's Houthis conducted six operations targeting a U.S. aircraft carrier, a U.S. destroyer and three vessels in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Iranian-backed group's military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Saturday. Yemen's Houthis conducted six operations targeting a U.S. aircraft carrier, a U.S. destroyer and three vessels in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, the Iranian-backed group's military spokesperson Yahya Saree said on Saturday.(File photo) The Houthi militia, which controls the most populous parts of Yemen and is aligned with Iran, has attacked ships off its coast for months, saying it is acting in solidarity with Palestinians fighting Israel in Gaza. The group "targeted the American aircraft carrier, the Eisenhower, north of the Red Sea, with a number of missiles and drones," Saree said, adding it was "the second targeting operation against the carrier during the past 24 hours." ALSO READ| Yemens Houthis sentence 44 to death on charges of collaboration with a Saudi-led coalition The spokesperson also added that the other operations have targeted a U.S. destroyer and the ABLIANI ship in the Red Sea, along with "the MAINA ship that has been targeted twice in the Red Sea and in the Arabian Sea as well." Additionally, "the ship ALORAIQ has been targeted in the Indian Ocean," he added. The Houthi fighters' drone and missile strikes have been aimed at the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. That has forced shippers since November to re-route cargo on longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa. Poland scrambled its fighter jets to protect the country's airspace after Russia launched a large-scale attack involving missiles and drones in neighboring Ukraine, targeting energy facilities and infrastructure in the war-torn country, according to reports. The Operational Command of Poland's Armed Forces said Friday evening that it had responded to "intense long-range aviation activity" by Russia to "ensure the safety of Polish airspace," Newsweek reported. Three hours later, another statement said the operation had ended, following a "long busy night for the entire air defense system in Poland." A "massive long-range missile attack by the Russian Federation covered the entire territory of Ukraine, including the regions bordering Poland," its armed forces said. "The strikes were carried out using cruise missiles, Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic missiles launched from the Black Sea region." The barrage, the sixth major air attack on the Ukrainian power sector since March, according to Reuters, damaged energy facilities in the east, central and western regions of Ukraine, said the national grid operator. Ukraine's air force downed 35 of 53 Russian missiles and 46 of 47 drones. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been pleading with the U.S. and other allies to provide air defense systems, said the attacks were meant to terrorize civilians. "Russia's main goal is to normalize terror, to use the lack of sufficient air defense and determination of Ukraine's partners," Zelenskyy said, Reuters reported. "Partners know exactly what is needed. Additional 'Patriots' and other modern air defence systems for Ukraine. To accelerate and expand F-16 deliveries to Ukraine. To provide our soldiers with all the necessary capabilities," he said. Russia's defense ministry said it is targeting Ukraine's energy sector in retaliation for Kyiv's attacks on its oil facilities, Reuters reported. Nearly half of Independent voters think Donald Trump should drop out of the presidential race, according to a new poll since his historic New York conviction on 34 felonies. The Morningside Consults poll found that 49% of Independents believe he should quit the race. A much smaller, but still sizeable, number of Republican voters (15%) also think he should drop out of the race. Among Trump supporters, that number drops to 8%. The poll found that more than half of voters (54%) approve of the guilty verdict against the former president. A Reuters/Ipsos poll taken in the hours after Trump's conviction last Thursday found that a significant 10% of Republicans were "less likely" to vote for Trump as a convicted felon. Around half of voters in the Morning Consult poll said they would oppose the former president's imprisonment. The most popular option (69%) would be fining Trump, followed by another 49% who would place him on probation. The judge scheduled Trump's sentencing for 11 July, just days before the Republican National Convention. The survey found that 52% of voters believe Trump committed crimes related to his affair with former porn star Stormy Daniels, up from 46% at the time of his indictment last year. The growth was driven by Democratic voters (from 77% to 88%), while most Republicans feel the case was politically motivated (from 76% to 77%). Around 4 in 5 Trump voters (and about 7 in 10 Republicans) believe other Republican politicians should publicly campaign with Trump and raise money for his presidential campaign. On Thursday, a jury found Trump guilty of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels to hide their relationship from voters in a bid to affect the 2016 presidential election. Trump says he will appeal the verdict. Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received a bipartisan invitation to address a joint meeting of Congress prompting an immediate boycott by outspoken critic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. In a statement posted Saturday on his official Senate website, the Vermont independent called it "very sad for our country" that Netanyahu would be given a platform in the Capitol. Sanders, who is Jewish, cited Israel's devastating response to the surprise Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and the recent move by the International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor to seek arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar. "The ICC is right. Both of these people are engaged in clear and outrageous violations of international law," Sanders said. "Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal. He should not be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. I certainly will not attend." On Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, sent Netanyahu a formal invitation that also bore the signatures of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Hill first reported. The leaders said they wanted to "highlight America's solidarity with Israel," according to the Associated Press. "We invite you to share the Israeli government's vision for defending democracy, combatting terror and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region," they wrote. Netanyahu accepted in a statement that said he was "excited for the privilege to present in front of the representatives of the American people and the entire world the truth about our just war against those who wish to kill us," the Times of Israel reported early Sunday. The statement reportedly boasted that Netanyahu's planned speech would make him the first world leader to address a joint session of Congress four times. Netanyahu and the late British Prime Minister Winston Churchill now share the record of three speeches each, the Times of Israel said. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois also said she would boycott Netanyahu's address, calling him a "menace," according to the Hill. A date for Netanyahu's speech hasn't been set, but a source familiar with the matter told the Hill it would take place "as soon as the next eight weeks or soon after August recess." The invitation was made the same day President Joe Biden endorsed a three-phase peace plan proposed by Israel, calling it a "road map to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages" still being held by Hamas in Gaza. It also followed a March speech in which Schumer said Netanyahu had "lost his way" and called for parliamentary elections in Israel. Former President Donald Trump could scarcely have been more dismissive of the threat of climate change than he was on Sunday as he characterized the growing disaster as a kind of real estate opportunity. "Basically, you have a little more beachfront property, okay?" he said of climate change in an interview on "Fox & Friends," sparking laughter from the program's trio of hosts. In fact rising seas flood beaches, eliminating many beachfronts. There may be more forest fronts. Has this man ever been at the beach when the tide comes in? Does he not realize it takes away the land? Piccolo Pete (Lizzie) (@pete_piccolo) June 2, 2024 Trump was also way off on his assessment that seas will rise an eighth-of-an-inch in 400 years. Oceans are currently rising about an eighth-of-an-inch each year, according to NASA and other scientific institutions. Shockingly, his facts are incorrect. If the current rate of climate change is not slowed, ocean levels can be expected to rise more than 3 feet in the next 75 years, not 1/8 inch in the next 400 years. That will result not in more beachfront property, but less. A LOT less. Jonathan Vankin (@jonvankin) June 2, 2024 As he has insisted repeatedly over the years, Trump again noted that no one knows what's going to happen with climate change. "In my opinion you have a thing called weather and it goes up and down," Trump once explained climate change (climate and weather are not the same thing). Climate change has been tracked and successfully predicted for decades, and it's linked to the world's use of fossil fuels, according to a consensus of the scientific community. Trump, who aims to incrrease fossil fuel companies' access to public lands if he returns to the White House, is fond of saying "drill, baby, drill" at his rallies Last year was the hottest year on the planet since global records began to be tracked in 1850. The ten hottest years have been in the last decade. One of the hottest nations on Earth, India, may have suffered its hottest day ever last Wednesday when termperatures soared to a deadly 126 degrees Fahrenheit (52.3 degrees Celsius). Increasing warmth, rising seas and resulting increasingly extreme weather patterns will cost lives and an estimated $38 trillion a year in damages by 2050 unless something changes, according to a recent report by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Trump said on "Fox & Friends Weekend" that he considers the biggest threat to be nuclear weapons and Joe Biden. A wind-driven California wildfire that erupted east of San Francisco appeared to be spreading on Sunday, forcing evacuations and highway closures. About 400 firefighters were battling the blaze, which covered about 12,500 acres in San Joaquin and was only 15% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire. "Strong winds and dry grass have made it difficult for firefighters to contain," the Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit said Sunday morning on Facebook. Dramatic aerial photos posted Sunday on the Santa Clara Unit's Facebook page showed the Corral Fire's long leading edge, with a piece of heavy machinery being used to try to create a firebreak in the vegetation. "Numerous firefighting air tankers from throughout the State are flying fire suppression missions as conditions allow," Cal Fire said on its website. Two fire workers were injured, Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter said, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The fire broke out Saturday near the city of Tracy, about 60 miles from San Francisco and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, according to the Associated Press. The San Joaquin Office of Emergency Services ordered residents in areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County and south to Stanislaus County to "leave now" and gather at the Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy. Interstate Highway 580, which connects the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County in central California, was closed from the Alameda County line to the Stanislaus County Line. State Route 132 was also closed from I-580 to state Route 33, the California Department of Transportation said in a statement. Late Saturday, Cal Fire said the wildfire was near Lawrence Livermore's Site 300, where researchers develop and test explosives for nonnuclear weapons about 15 miles east of the main facility, AP said. But early Sunday, a Lawrence Livermore spokesperson said the fire had moved away from the site and didn't pose any threats to lab facilities or operations, AP said. New Delhi, June 2 (UNI) A delegation of INDI alliance met with the Election Commission on Sunday and urged it to count the postal ballots first, as they have been playing an important role in the election results. Addressing the media after meeting the Election Commission at the Nirvachan Sadan here, senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "The vital importance of counting postal ballots first and declaring the results of postal ballots first. This is very clearly stated in Statutory Rule 54 A, which specifically says that you shall take up and deal with the postal ballots first." "Our complaint is that this statutory rule of this 2019 guideline has been given the go by. The Election Commission has now repealed this 2019 practice. The net result is that, by a method of practice, EVMs can be counted, and if the EVM counting gets over before the postal ballots, it will still be completed," he said. He alleged that the Election Commission has changed the guidelines for 2019, whereas according to rules, the Commission cannot change the rules by issuing guidelines. The Congress spokesperson said that the multi-party delegation had already met the Commission twice on this issue earlier, and today it has met the Commission for the third time on this issue. CPI (Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury said that on the day of counting, when the counting officers are asked to count the postal ballot paper first, they say that orders should be taken from the Election Commission in this regard, which is not possible on the day of counting. That's why the delegation met with the Election Commission today and made this request. UNI RBE ARN Over 100 rockets fired from Lebanon into N Israel: IDF 11 Oct 2024 | 10:01 PM Jerusalem, Oct 11 (UNI) More than 100 rockets and missiles were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel Friday afternoon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported, with about 80 launches occurring within a four-minute span. see more.. Trump says Obama will vote for him because of Harris Low IQ 11 Oct 2024 | 7:58 PM Washington, Oct 11 (UNI) Former US President Donald Trump expressed confidence on Friday that his predecessor Barack Obama would vote for him in the upcoming presidential election because Democratic candidate and Vice President Kamala Harris has "low IQ." "I think Obama will be voting for me because he doesnt like the fact that Kamala is an extremely low IQ person!" Trump said on Truth Social. see more.. FAO urges use of technology to transform agri-food system in Africa 11 Oct 2024 | 7:47 PM Nairobi, Oct 11 (UNI) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on Friday called for the use of technology to transform agri-food systems in Africa. see more.. Japan HC rules ban on dual nationality constitutional 11 Oct 2024 | 6:52 PM Tokyo, Oct 11 (UNI) A Japanese high court has upheld a lower court's ruling that the country's prohibition of dual nationality is constitutional, dismissing a claim by a Japanese-born U.S. citizen, local media reported on Friday. see more.. MCLA's Gallery 51 to Debut 'MIGRITUDE' Exhibition NORTH ADAMS, Mass. In collaboration with the Studios at MASS MoCA and The Berkshire Immigrant Center's Iris Residency, MCLA's Gallery 51 will open the "MIGRITUDE" exhibition next month. "MIGRITUDE" will be on view from June 7 to July 14 with an opening reception on June 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. featuring live music and refreshments. In 2023, the Studios at MASS MoCA and The Berkshire Immigrant Center started the Iris Residency to support artists in Western or Central Massachusetts who are born outside the U.S. or identify as first or second-generation Americans. The exhibition, "MIGRITUDE" (a word coined by featured artist Shailja Patel) showcases the work of the five selected Iris Residency fellows - Cima Khademi, Clemente Sajquiy, Marina Dominguez, Hanna Sobolieva, and Shailja Patel - and their different approaches to the continuous process of building connections to both, the old and the new place. The exhibition is guest-curated by the Iris Fellowship coordinators Carolina Porras-Monroy & Luiza Folegatti. "MIGRITUDE" (Kaya Press, 2010) is the bestselling book, based on the internationally touring one-woman show, of poet, activist, and exhibiting artist Shailja Patel. The word migritude captures the concepts of migrant attitudes and migrants with attitude. It represents a reclaiming of voice and power by migrants who speak for themselves. Governor Files Legislation to Rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs BOSTON The Healey-Driscoll Administration filed legislation to rename the Executive Office of Elder Affairs to the Executive Office of Aging & Independence to better represent and reflect the values of older adults in Massachusetts. This timing is part of the celebration of Older Americans Month, which takes place in May. The proposed name change is part of the agency's ongoing efforts to expand its reach and ensure older people throughout Massachusetts can access needed information, services, and support through every stage of aging. The name was selected following significant research that included focus groups, surveys, and conversations with older adults, caregivers, service providers, and advocacy organizations. This research revealed that aging adults do not connect with the term "elder," and often associate the term with someone who is at the end of their life. Instead, residents prefer neutral terms such as "aging" and "older people." Additionally, research showed older adults deeply value the ability to maintain their independence through the aging journey. From these findings, the agency developed a new name to more accurately reflect its programs and services, and better connect with eligible adults. "The Executive Office of Elder Affairs was established more than 50 years ago and was one of the nation's first state agencies dedicated to addressing the needs of older people," said Governor Maura Healey. "Today, the agency has evolved to offer programs and services that support 1.7 million older residents and nearly 1 million family caregivers. Our administration is committed to meeting the changing needs of today's older adults, and I am thrilled that this name change better reflects those that we serve." In addition, the legislation replaces outdated language across state statutes, such as "elder," "elderly person(s)," and "handicapped" with "older adult(s)" and "adult with a disability." The new legislation also incorporates gender-neutral language. Modernizing the agency's name will reduce stigma around growing older, normalize aging as a natural process, and emphasize that older people value independence and self-determination. To usher in a new, more expansive, model for older adults aging in community, the agency also unveiled a new mission, vision, and tagline: Mission: Together, we support aging adults to live and thrive safely and independently how and where they want. Vision: We envision a state in which every person has the tools, resources, and support they need to fully embrace the aging experience. Tagline: Your partners in aging. Lee High's class of 2024 toss their caps on the Tanglewood lawn after graduation ceremonies on Saturday. PreviousNext Lee Graduates Told to Proceed With Optimism, Curiosity Valedictorian Allen Ni urged his classmates to stay curious. Salutatorian Kira Johnson says they'll make the 'impossible possible.' See more photos here. LENOX, Mass. The graduates in Lee High School's class of 2024 were encouraged to move forward with optimism and curiosity. Fifty-seven seniors received diplomas on Saturday at Tanglewood. Valedictorian Allen Ni and salutatorian Kira Johnson have high hopes for their peers in college and beyond. "We're going to be the generation that will make the impossible possible because what better time is there to start than now?" Johnson said, noting that some doubt her generation and think they are "doomed" and "bound to fail." She looks to the future with optimism even though it is "scary" to imagine leaving high school after it has become "somewhat of a second home." Johnson isn't afraid of future blunders, as "making mistakes and learning from them is one of the most fun parts of the human experience." "Many times, we sat in school thinking that this is the worst our lives can ever be like and I hope that that's true because that's one of the best worst times that we could ask for," she said. "Thinking about how there's always a worse situation that I can be in helped me to embrace what I have and continue to try, even through the hard times, and I hope that it does the same for all of my fellow graduates. I hope that the memories and friends you've made during your time here help you to continue to thrive and prosper throughout your adult lives." Ni recalled hearing that bananas have a small amount of radiation and this intrigued him, as he had always been told that fruit is good for you. "Naturally, I was curious about this. I searched on trusty Google 'How many bananas will make me die from radiation?' I found out that 10 million bananas were one too many bananas for the human body but my curiosity didn't stop there. That curiosity drives me in all of my life's endeavors," he said. "Whether this is picking which classes I want to take next year or having heated arguments in business class with my fellow classmates on whether or not humans can take on a bobcat in wrestling the answer is still up for debate curiosity is what has sparked myself and everyone here to grow." He said curiosity has been a guiding light for his class and that it will continue to drive them to make great changes in the world. "I want to encourage each and every one of you to stay curious. Keep that sense of wonder and yearning for knowledge close to your heart, even as you close this chapter of your life. Being passionate about our curiosities is what has shaped us into who we are and is what will continue to help us forge on to the next chapters of our lives," Ni said. "Being curious allows us to grow in our own ways and is that not what life is about? Continuously growing so that we can be better versions of ourselves than we were yesterday? I like to believe that by intrinsically staying curious, we will walk on paths that inevitably lead to various opportunities whether big or small. These opportunities might not be too visible at all times and might require leadership or proactivity to reveal them but being compassionate and curious is a vital prerequisite." Superintendent Michael Richard commended the class for navigating its own "unique set of experiences," especially the ups and downs in recent years. He pointed to the educational model "Excellence expected every day." "Excellence isn't a destination. It's a journey," he said. "It's the way you approach life's challenges, the way that you treat others, and the way you push yourself to grow. It's about setting high standards for yourself and working diligently to meet them knowing that sometimes you'll stumble and that's OK. Every stumble is an opportunity to learn and get better." He pointed to a couple of his "less than excellent" says such as replying all to an email with typos and attending a virtual meeting in pajama pants mistakenly thinking his bottom half wasn't seen. "Remember that excellent isn't about being the best at everything. It's about being the best version of yourself," Richard said. "It's about taking pride in your work, being kind and compassionate to others, and never settling for mediocrity. It's about making a positive impact in whatever you do, large or small. So as you go forth into the world, keep this in mind: excellence is expected every day not because we demand perfection but because we believe in your incredible potential." Principal Gregg Brighenti noted that the 2024 graduates are "a truly extraordinary group of young men and women" for all their accomplishments in and out of the classroom. "And also, perhaps mostly, for those sitting here because they honed their mathematical skills to such detail that they accurately calculated exactly what they needed to do to pass that last class no matter the anxiety that caused the adults around them." Brighenti spoke about heroes, noting his own hero Norman Borlaug. The Nobel Peace Prize winner found a way to hybridize corn and wheat so it could be grown with a small amount of water and be extremely resistant to disease. He is known for saving the lives of more than 2 billion people who would have otherwise starved. "My point is heroes walk among us every day, quietly making a difference in the world because of the ordinary decisions they make in their ordinary lives," he said, adding that there are heroes on the stage. "If you made a decision to help a friend in need, to put a stop to some drama that was spiraling away online, if you helped at the food pantry, in some way, you're a hero." He asked them to consider the outcomes of their actions as they enter what is "all too often" called the real world because those actions do matter. Graduate Shaun Kinney led the Pledge of Allegiance, the ivy oration was done by graduate Cooper Maloney and rising senior and class marshal Ava Lopez, and the ceremony included performances from the high school's graduation band and chorus. Scholarships and awards can be found here. The Lee High School class of 2024 Maria Jose Anaya Gomez * Alex Miguel Arias Meckenzie Lynn Baird Tyler James Bartini Nicholas Michael Beckman Ruby Mae Bermudez Devon Raymond Brock * Jeremiah Kafka Chichester Aubree Ann Condron Conner Richard Consolati Brian Michael Coty Dayrahlin Marie Deane Jackson Douglas Decker * Marcello Del Re * Stephen Michael Dowd Zebulon Joseph Drenga Taejan Gabriel Drozd Kaleb Thomas Durfee Meredith Rose Dus Angeli Tatem Faggioni * Tanner Stephen Geoghan Chennea Lee Ann Hanson Emily Elizabeth Holian * Andrew James Snow Hughes Maryi Alexandra Jimenez Preston Benjamin Jones Kyle Anthony Kelly Shaelynn Alexandra Kelly * Shaun William Kinney Isabella Grace Kotek * Ashlyn Marie LaForest Jeffrey Conn LePrevost Michael Brian Lillie Emma Rose Milton Alex Michael Navin Zoe Wanlai Ozawa * Yiyuan Pan * Arianne Highley Resca * Nicolas Lucien Resca * Christopher Jeremy Rexford Shayla Rose Santolin Brooks Lynn Sargent Donald Lee Scaglione Autumn Victoria Schwab Vincent Joseph Seward Grace Young Shepard Ely Joseph Simpson Aidan Theodore Smith Tyler Brenton Victor Kali Ann Ward Angelina Rose Williams *National Honor Society member State Seal of Biliteracy recipient Monument Mountain Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian for 2024 GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Ariel "Ari" Caine and Madeleine Rocheleau-Holmes have been named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of Monument Mountain Regional High School class of 2024. Both will speak at graduation ceremonies being held on Sunday, June 2, at 1:30 p.m. at Tanglewood in Lenox. Caine is the child of Hanan and Rebecca Caine of Richmond. They are a member of the National Honor Society, Edith's Ensemble Chamber Music Group, Creative Writing Club, and are an integral member of Monument's Fall Festival of Shakespeare and the spring musical theater program, managing the lighting and sound design for all performances as well as stage managing and acting. Caine is the recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award, the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendent's Award Certificate of Academic Excellence, the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, the AP Scholar Award, and the National Merit Commended Student Award. They will be attending the University of Rochester (N.Y.) in the fall to study biology and theater. Rocheleau-Holmes is the daughter of Anne Wild-Rocheleau and Christopher Holmes of West Stockbridge. She is a member and co-president of the National Honor Society and the recipient of the Williams College Book Award, the Rochester Institute of Technology's Humanities and Social Sciences Award, and also earned the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition for Outstanding Academic Achievement and the Seal of BiLiteracy with Distinction. A highly accomplished musician, she is a member of the Empire State Youth Orchestra and previously the Springfield Symphony Youth Orchestra. Last summer, she was selected to attend the Boston University Tanglewood Institute For Young Artists. Here at Monument, she was chosen to play with the Massachusetts All State ensemble and currently plays in the jazz ensemble as well as the Edith Chamber Music ensemble. In addition, she has taken part in the spring musicals both as an actor and as a member of the pit orchestra as well as the Shakespeare Fall Festival and the Advanced Drama program. She also was a captain and successful runner for the cross country program earning All Berkshire honors and is a member of Best Buddies as well. Rocheleau-Holmes will be heading off to Oberlin (Ohio) College, where she will be majoring in English and musical studies. New Delhi, June 2 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting to review the situation of the ongoing heat wave in the country and the preparedness for the onset of monsoon at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan. According to a statement from the Prime Minister Office (PMO), PM Modi was briefed about the prevailing heatwave conditions in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. During the meeting, PM Modi instructed that proper drills for preventing and handling incidents of fire must be done on a regular basis. He asked the official to conduct a fire and electrical safety audit of hospitals and other public places on a regular basis. "The Prime Minister was informed about the usefulness of the van agni portal in the timely identification of forest fires and their management," said the statement. The meeting was attended by the Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, DG NDRF, and Member Secretary, NDMA, along with other senior officials from PMO and concerned ministries who were also present in the meeting. In another meeting, PM Modi also reviewed the impact of the cyclone "Remal," especially in the North-East. As per the statement, PM Modi was briefed about the impact of the cyclone on the affected states during the meeting. The loss of houses and properties due to landslides and floods in Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura was also discussed. During the meeting, the PM said that the government will continue to extend full support to the states affected by the cyclone. The PM also instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the situation and review the matter regularly to extend necessary assistance for restoration, according to the statement. The meetings come a day after most exit polls predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance was projected to win a majority in the general election. The NDA won 353 seats in the 2019 election. UNI JA GNK Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the The Life Cinematic email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Dune 2 director Denis Villeneuve has waded into an increasingly controversial movie debate with the release of his long-awaited movie sequel. The filmmaker, whose credits include Arrival and Blade Runner 2049, has been busy promoting his new film, which is receiving acclaim from critics, including The Independents Clarisse Loughrey, who awarded the film five stars out of five. During a recent interview, he was challenged about the runtime of the Dune sequel, which stars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, and was finally released on 1 March after being delayed due to the Hollywood strikes in 2023. In the last 10 years, films have gotten longer and longer, with many regularly wondering on social media whether these increased lengths are necessary. Recent films to have been at the centre of such debate include Christopher Nolans Oppenheimer and Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, which last for three hours and three hours, 30 minutes, respectively. One person who thinks this argument is silly is Villeneuve, whose Dune 2 has a runtime of two hours, 46 minutes. When asked about the runtime in a new interview, Villeneuve said that the films distributor, Warner Bros Pictures, didnt tell him to cut the film down, saying it was almost the opposite. But Villeneuve is undeterred by complaints that blockbusters these days are too long, telling The Times: I trust the audience. Defending the new films runtime, he said that the story, adapted from Frank Herberts novel, is too dense to tell in a more expedient manner. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free This was the only way I could succeed,he said, adding: Also, think of Oppenheimer. It is a three-hour, rated-R movie about nuclear physics that is mostly talking. But the public was young that was the movie of the year by far for my kids. Zendaya and Timothee Chalamet in Dune: Part 2 ( Warner Bros Pictures ) Villeneuve argued that, while many people might be frustrated at lengthier runtimes, young people today actually want films to be longer. He said: There is a trend. The youth love to watch long movies because if they pay, they want to see something substantial. They are craving meaningful content. It was found in 2023 that the average length of the top 10 highest-grossing movies in the US and Canada was two hours and 23 minutes almost 30 minutes more than the average recorded in 2020. Addressing whether there will be a third Dune film, Villeneuve said: There is absolutely a desire to have a third one, but I dont want to rush it. He said that when it comes to making another sequel, titled Dune: Messiah, he will take his time as the danger in Hollywood is that people get excited and only think about release dates, not quality. Dune: Part 2 is in cinemas now. Get our free weekly email for all the latest cinematic news from our film critic Clarisse Loughrey Get our The Life Cinematic email for free Get our The Life Cinematic email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rebel Wilson has shared her one wish over the debacle surrounding Sacha Baron Cohen. Earlier this year, the Pitch Perfect actor came forward with allegations about the Borat star, whom she claimed mistreated her on the set of 2016 comedy film Grimsby. Weeks before Isla Fisher announced she was divorcing Cohen after 13 years of marriage, Wilson branded Cohen a massive a**hole and accused him of trying to bully her into silence over a contentious chapter in her memoir, The memoir, titled Rebel Rising, detailed allegations of misconduct on the set of 2016 comedy film Grimsby. In the UK edition of the book, the actors biggest claims were redacted, which Cohens team declared a victory. Cohen denied all of Wilsons allegations, with his representatives telling The Independent: While we appreciate the importance of speaking out, these demonstrably false claims are directly contradicted by extensive detailed evidence, including contemporaneous documents, film footage, and eyewitness accounts from those present before, during and after the production of Grimsby. Now, Australian actor Wilson is reflecting on the furore her memoir created during an appearance on BBC Radio 4 series Desert Island Discs, addressing the alleged misconduct, which she said left her feeling degraded. That was the worst professional experience and that was where it crossed the line, Wilson told host Lauren Laverne of her experience, saying she went public with the allegations in one way to release the shame that I had sustained in a situation that wasnt great. While Wilson said she reported it... at the time, adding that nothing really happened, she said she wishes she had either stood up to Cohen or quit the project altogether. I stayed in a situation and had things said to me and stuff that I should have left, she said. The me now would be strong enough, but back then I just didnt have enough self-esteem to leave and I thought Id be labelled as unprofessional if I left. open image in gallery Rebel Wilson was worried shed be labelled as unprofessional if she quit Grimsby ( Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock ) Reflecting on the impact of her memoir, Wilson said: If it can help a few people out there then its worth it. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In May, Wilson addressed the timing of Cohen and Fishers divorce announcement and suggested she was no longer friends with the latter, with whom she starred in the 2012 film Bachelorette. The actor said she does not think the couples divorce had anything to do with her claims, but she did say the timing wasnt great for Cohen. open image in gallery Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher have separated after 13 years of marriage ( Getty Images ) I dont feel like Im the reason, but it might have just been his general treatment to women, she told The Kyle & Jackie O Show on 8 May. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Laurence Fox has filmed himself shouting at a bus driver following a car accident, hours after appearing at a right-wing rally. The actor-turned-right-wing agitator, who was dropped by his agent in 2020, collided with a double decker bus on Saturday (1 June) while travelling in an Audi on a cycle lane. Fox could be heard telling the bus driver: Were in the lane and you just crashed into our lane. Thats what happened. The vehicle he was in collided with the buss rear doors. Fox, who was travelling with an anonymous person, repeatedly berated the bus driver in the live-streamed video, which lasted for 26 minutes. The controversial actor, who said hed had one pint, denied claims of driving whilst drunk, and said that the unknown passenger, who remained off-camera, was in the drivers seat. When the bus driver asked Fox to sit down in your car please, the leader of the right-wing Reclaim Party said: No, dont tell me what to do. Ill sit wherever the f*** I want. You smashed our car up. Those who watched the video checked the licence plate of the vehicle Fox was in and discovered, via the governments website, that the cars MOT expired in April. It is unknown who owns the car. open image in gallery The car Laurence Fox was travelling in appeared to collide with bus in a cycle lane ( X/Twitter ) Before the incident, Fox delivered a speech at a protest organised by Tommy Robinson that saw thousands of right-wingers gather in Parliament Square. Foxs criticism of Pride Month and Mayor Sadiq Khan was met with cheers, and told the crowd: This is our home we have nowhere else to go. If you want to put the Great back in Great Britain, it wont be the politicians. Its down to you and me and everyone else. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Fox was recently investigated by police over a social media post that saw him share an upskirt photograph of TV personality Narinder Kaur. open image in gallery Collision occurred hours after Laurence Fox attended far-right rally ( Getty Images ) The Metropolitan Police told the Independent it had been made aware of a post on social media regarding an up-skirting offence and was carrying out inquiries. Responding to criticisms of his post, Fox suggested he had shared the unsolicited picture because Ms Kaur had mocked right-wing commentator Leilani Dowding for her page three days. 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy North Korea launched about 600 rubbish-filled balloons towards its southern neighbour on Saturday night, hitting South Korea with payloads of cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, waste paper and vinyl. It follows a similar campaign a few days earlier, meaning that since last Tuesday, the North has sent over a total of around 800 trash balloons, spreading rubbish across the South Korean capital Seoul. The office of South Koreas president Yoon Suk-yeol called the balloons dirty provocations no normal country would think of, and vowed that his country would take retaliatory steps that North Korea would find unbearable. South Koreas joint chiefs of staff issued a statement saying the military was monitoring the starting point the balloons were being launched from, and conducting aerial reconnaissance to track down and collect them. It also advised people to beware of falling objects, not to touch objects suspected to be from North Korea, and to report them to military or police offices instead. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage and the authorities have not found anything hazardous in the rubbish bags suspended below the balloons. In Seoul, the city government sent text alerts saying that unidentified objects suspected to have been flown from North Korea had been detected in skies near the city and that the military was responding to them. open image in gallery A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash and excrement, is seen over a rice field in border county Cheorwon ( Reuters ) The Norths balloon launches add to a series of provocative actions recently, including a failed attempt to launch a second spy satellite and a barrage of short-range missile launches that the North said was intended to demonstrate its ability to attack the South pre-emptively. open image in gallery A plastic bag carrying various objects believed to have been sent by North Korea lies on a Seoul street ( Reuters ) On Wednesday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement confirming that the North had sent the balloons to make good on her countrys recent threat to scatter mounds of wastepaper and filth in South Korea in response to leafleting campaigns by South Korean activists. She hinted that balloons could become the Norths standard response to leafletting, saying they would be scattering rubbish dozens of times more than those being scattered to us. South Koreas unification ministry said on Friday that North Korea must stop the provocations including its missile launches and other acts or face unspecified unbearable consequences. open image in gallery An official collects the debris of a balloon sent by North Korea at a shopping centre in Siheung, west of Seoul, on Sunday ( EPA ) South Koreas defence minister Shin Won-sik said during a meeting with US defence secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La security dialogue in Singapore on Sunday that the balloons violated the armistice agreement, according to South Koreas military. The two reaffirmed a coordinated response to any North Korean threats and provocations based on the South Korea-US alliances combined defence posture, it added. South Koreas National Security Council standing committee will meet on Sunday afternoon to discuss whether to resume blasting loudspeakers at North Korea in response to the trash balloons, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the presidential office. South Korea stopped blaring propaganda across the border in 2018 after a rare summit with Mr Kim. Additional reporting by agencies For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Narendra Modi was formally elected on Friday as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition, setting the stage for his third term as prime minister of India. While Mr Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell well short of the majority mark of 272 seats, winning only 240 seats in its own right, the NDA coalition together won 293 seats, some 61 ahead of the opposition INDIA alliance led by the Congress party. Mr Modi, 73, will be sworn in as prime minister on Sunday to begin a rare third term, making him only the second person, after Indias independence hero and first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, to win three consecutive elections. Though Mr Modis Hindu nationalist BJP has governed India as part of the NDA coalition over the past decade, this is the first time under his leadership that the party has relied on support from its smaller allies to form a government. Mr Modi tried to play down the significance of this development, which analysts say could have significant implications for his ability to pass major policies in the years to come. This alliance of ours reflects Indias spirit in its true sense, Mr Modi said after the BJP and coalition members backed him as their prime-ministerial candidate. We were neither defeated nor are we defeated ... It was an NDA government in the past, still is and will be. The presidential palace, or Rashtrapati Bhavan, is expected to host up to 8,000 people for his oath-taking ceremony at 6pm on Sunday. They will include prominent figures from different walks of life, including foreign heads of state, lawyers, doctors, artists, cultural performers and social media influencers. Official invitations have been extended to Nepals prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, vice-president of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, and the prime minister of Mauritius, Pravind Jugnauth. A notable invitation has also been extended to Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu, who has reportedly accepted, meaning he is set to visit India for the first time since assuming office in November last year. It comes amid strained relations between the two nations Mr Muizzu won his election with an India out campaign, and has aligned his government more closely with China instead. Bangladeshs prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Sri Lankas president Ranil Wickremesinghe have also confirmed their attendance at the ceremony on Sunday. Other special guests will include labourers involved in the Central Vista redevelopment project and rat-hole miners who assisted in rescuing 41 trapped construction workers from a tunnel in Uttarakhand last year. Before Mr Modi was formally elected as the NDA leader, local media reported that the two key regional allies with the power to make or break his coalition government the Telugu Desam Party in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh and Janata Dal (United) in the eastern state of Bihar were still eyeing cabinet posts in important ministries. The state of those talks remains unclear, and Mr Modi wont reveal his cabinet until after his inauguration. But the leaders of the two parties reiterated their support for the alliance on Friday as they endorsed Mr Modi for his third term. I will be with PM Modi at all times, said Mr Kumar, whose Janata Dal (United) secured 12 seats in the election. It is a very good thing that all of us have come together, and we will all work together with you [Mr Modi]. You will be swearing in as the prime minister on Sunday, but I wanted you to do it today itself. Whenever you take the oath, we will be with you... We will all work together under your leadership, Mr Kumar said. Mr Naidu, whose Telugu Desam Party secured 16 seats in Andhra Pradesh, also extended his support for Mr Modi. He has a vision and a zeal, his execution is very perfect, said Mr Naidu. He is executing all his policies with a true spirit... Today, India is having the right leader that is Narendra Modi. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Rupert Murdoch has married 67-year-old Elena Zhukov his fifth wife at the age of 93. His engagement to retired molecular biologist Zhukova was confirmed in March, and the wedding has now taken place at Moraga, Murdochs California estate and vineyard. In a ceremony attended by close friends and family nine months after handing over the chairmanship of his media empire to his son, Lachlan Murodch, who met Zhukova at a family gathering in 2023, wore a dark suit and patterned yellow tie. Meanwhile, the bride wore a white dress and held a small bouquet of Lily of the Valley flowers. The wedding is Murdochs fifth marriage. His previous marriage was to supermodel and Mick Jaggers ex-wife Jerry Hall from 2016 to 2022. His first marriage, to flight attendant Patricia Booker, occurred in 1956, with the couple divorcing after 11 years of marriage in 1967. They share one child, daughter Prudence. Within the same year of divorcing Booker, Murdoch married his second wife, Scottish journalist Anna Maria Torv, with whom he has three children: Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. They divorced in 1999 after 32 years of marriage and, months later, Murdoch married Wendi Deng, with whom he shares two daughters, Grace and Chloe. The pair divorced in 2013. open image in gallery The pair were married over the weekend ( News Corp /PA Wire ) After he and supermodel Hall divorced in the summer of 2022, Murdoch had a short-lived engagement with retired dental hygienist Ann Lesley Smith in the spring of 2023 but it ended after just two weeks. It is believed Murdochs third wife, Deng, introduced him to Zhukova. Zhukova is a distinguished molecular biologist who primarily studies diabetes, having taken her research to institutions all over the world, including the University of California, Los Angeles. Towards the end of the Soviet Union, she came to the US from Moscow alongside her ex-husband, Alexander Zhukov, who eventually became a billionaire energy investor. Their daughter, philanthropist Dasha Zhukova, was married to Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich until 2017. open image in gallery Elena Zhukova (centre),with her daughters Katya Zhukova (left) and Darya Zhukova (right) ( Billy Farrell Agency/Shutterstock ) In September 2023, Murdoch announced he was retiring as the chief of Fox Corp and News Corp. However, Rupert said he planned on maintaining a role as chairman emeritus as his son Lachlan transitioned into the role he left behind. For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change, he wrote in a letter to employees at the time. But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies. Murdochs latest marriage will be unlikely to have any significant impact on his business affairs since Fox Corp and News Corp are controlled by a family trust, in which all of the shares belong to him and his four eldest children: Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, and James. The location of his fifth wedding, his vineyard Moraga, was originally the home of Victor Fleming, director of the 1939 films Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Fleming created a horse ranch on the property that was used throughout the 1930s and 1940s, and used it as a retreat and a secluded venue to host his friends. The property was purchased by American businessman Tom and his wife Ruth Jones in 1959, who decided to plant grapevines. It was fitted with a state-of-the-art winery in 2005, and was sold by Jones to Murdoch in 2013. Murdochs last wedding to Jerry Hall was a starry London affair at the Fleet Street church St Brides, a week before Murdochs 85th birthday. Hall wore an ice-blue chiffon Vivienne Westwood dress; Murdoch pronounced himself the happiest man in the world; and David Bailey shot the official photographs. In attendance were Bianca Jagger, Sir Michael Cane, Jacob Rothschild and the Lloyd-Webbers, who visited the historic St Jamess Place townhouse, Spencer House, for private celebrations. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Eight boys have now been arrested on suspicion of rape after a teenage girl was attacked on playing fields in Nottinghamshire. Police are working around the clock to investigate the serious incident that took place in Newark last Saturday, between 5.30pm and 7pm. Having arrested four boys on suspicion of rape last week, Nottinghamshire Police tonight said it had arrested four more. One boy is aged 12, one is 13, two are 14, two are 15 and two are 16. They have all been released on bail with conditions. Detective Inspector Amy Revill said: We have made a further four arrests in this case and our investigation is continuing to move at pace. We are continuing to support the girl and her family with specially trained officers and are doing everything we can to establish exactly whats happened. I want to again appeal to the local community and anyone who may have any information to please get in touch with us. We have had several people come forward to help us with our inquiries so thank you for your assistance. She added: I understand the concerns this incident has caused to our community in Newark. But I want to make clear the team of detectives investigating this incident are working around the clock and we will uncover exactly whats happened. Weve been carrying out extra patrols in the area and this will continue. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Court backlogs for rape prosecutions have soared to a record high, with the number of cases doubling in two years and victims facing devastating waits for justice. Data from the Ministry of Justice shows 1,379 adult rape cases were stuck in the court backlog in the last quarter of 2021 but the number surged to 2,786 in the last quarter of 2023. A victim support charity warned that court delays mean rape victims are being made to live indefinitely with uncertainty and anguish. The number of adult rape cases stuck in the logjam has increased by almost five times in just over half a decade up from 568 cases in the first quarter of 2019. Experts blamed the court backlog on a chronic shortage of lawyers specialising in serious sexual offences, as well as issues dating back to the Covid pandemic. They warned rape victims are being informed their case has been postponed at the eleventh hour sometimes arriving at court only to be turned away. Government data shows almost two in 10 adult rape cases were rearranged on the day of the trial between October and December last year. The number of rape and serious sexual offences trials adjourned because of a lack of prosecution or defence barrister has surged more than tenfold since 2019. Shabana Mahmood, the shadow justice secretary, said: It is a stain on this governments record that the victims of these awful crimes are waiting so long to see justice done. Thanks to 14 years of Tory chaos, we are seeing record delays in the courts and 60 per cent of rape victims are dropping out. For too many, justice delayed has become justice denied. Labour will be the government that changes this. Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Womens Justice, said the charity is witnessing many horrifying stories of delays for rape victims. In one case, the trial was delayed again for another year and in the meantime, the defendant died, she said. In another case where the trial was due to commence in October 2023, it was adjourned until June 2025. The impact on women who have been waiting so long is devastating and we are aware of at least one attempted suicide. The unacceptable shortage of appropriate legal representatives has a devastating impact on victims and survivors, who are forced to live indefinitely with all the uncertainty and anguish that court delays create Ciara Bergman, CEO, Rape Crisis England and Wales Ms Wistrich, an award-winning human rights lawyer, warned the chronic underfunding and extremely low rates of pay for legal aid work means there is a massive shortage of lawyers willing to either prosecute or defend such cases, adding that this could be helped by government funding. Research by the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) found that the number of adult rape cases concluded in 2023 was 30 per cent lower than the number of new cases started. By contrast, in 2016, the number of cases finished was four per cent higher than the number of new cases. Data from the Ministry of Justice shows the court backlog for adult rape cases grew by 730 cases in 2023 a 36 per cent growth, which was a higher rise than that seen for any other offence. Ciara Bergman, chief executive for Rape Crisis England and Wales, said: The unacceptable shortage of appropriate legal representatives has a devastating impact on victims and survivors, who are forced to live indefinitely with all the uncertainty and anguish that court delays create. She called for a government strategy to retain barristers, adding: Coming forward, naming what has happened to you, and placing trust in the criminal justice system takes enormous courage, and yet survivors are routinely and overwhelmingly let down. Research by the CBA, which surveyed 780 criminal barristers, found almost two-thirds of prosecutors said they would not be reapplying to be on the rape and serious sexual offences list. There is a chronic shortage of suitably qualified prosecutors to handle rape and serious sexual offence cases which has worsened significantly in the last 18 months James Rossiter, Criminal Bar Association The organisations latest figures show that cases with a bailed defendant take an average of 18 months to complete, 80 per cent longer than five years ago. Communications director James Rossiter said this is likely to become a two-year wait as trial dates are now routinely being given for summer 2026. He said: There is a chronic shortage of suitably qualified prosecutors to handle rape and serious sexual offence cases which has worsened significantly in the last 18 months. The overall pool of around 2,400 specialist criminal barristers is around a fifth smaller than seven years ago and that has had a huge impact on those few left who specialise in sexual offence cases. He said the governments rape review action plan put forward laudable targets to increase the number of rape cases coming to court back to 2016 levels but that the review failed to include any target for how long it would take for cases to conclude. The Ministry of Justice said it was unable to comment due to the pre-election period. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Morning Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of vulnerable women face the threat of a violent domestic abuser returning to the household, with convictions for breaches of restraining orders plummeting, The Independent can reveal. Analysis of Ministry of Justice data shows convictions for breaches dropped by 44 per cent between 2018 and 2023. In one case, a domestic abuse survivor told The Independent her ex-husband smashed up their house 24 hours after being served with a restraining order. Conservative and Labour MPs both raised concerns about the shocking figures and warned restraining orders are not worth the paper they are written on. And the National Police Chiefs Council admitted a failure to investigate, adding: There is more to do to improve the police response to consistently managing breach offences. In recent years, several women in the UK have been killed by men against whom they had obtained restraining orders. Figures show 8,744 men were convicted for breaching restraining orders in the year to June 2018, but the number had fallen to 4,904 convictions in the year to June 2023. New data obtained under freedom of information (FOI) laws from 21 police forces shows the number of breaches of restraining orders where the perpetrator is charged has fallen by almost a third in the same period. Figures from Devon and Cornwall Police show just 14 per cent of breaches of restraining orders led to a charge in 2023. Figures reveal convictions for breaching restraining orders have fallen ( PA ) Refuge, a leading domestic abuse charity which The Independent has partnered with, said victims routinely say restraining orders do not work and that some survivors have stopped reporting breaches due to a lack of confidence the police will take action. Alex Davies-Jones, shadow minister for domestic violence, said: It cannot be right that measures taken to protect women against their violent partners are regularly being violated and the government must urgently answer questions. The Independent can also reveal: Data obtained via freedom of information (FOI) requests shows a 29 per cent fall in the number of breaches of restraining orders where the perpetrator is charged between 2018 and 2023 In 2018, 5,082 cases of restraining orders being breached led to a charge but this number plunged to 3,583 in 2023 The total number of reports of breaches of restraining orders recorded in 2018 was 9,093 with this dropping to 6,927 by 2023 In 2018, 56 per cent of reports of restraining orders being breached led to a charge but this fell to 52 per cent of reports in 2023 The FOI data from Wiltshire Police revealed that 28 per cent of breaches of restraining orders led to no further action last year Jess Phillips, former shadow minister for domestic violence, called for breaches to be considered an escalation. There will always be a percentage of perpetrators who will stop at nothing to harm their victim and have very controlling fixated natures Charlotte Kneer She cited the example of a man with bail conditions and a restraining order captured on camera with a machete ringing his victims doorbell, which he smashed up. It took the police eight days to deal with it. Ms Phillips said restraining orders have become a checkbox for the courts and police, adding: Women with restraining orders and I have got three against different people think they are not worth the paper they are written on. Charlotte Kneer, whose violent partner was jailed for seven years in 2011, said her ex breached his restraining order and wrecked the house they had shared while she was out. There was blood smeared up the walls, she said. There was cat litter and broken glass in the kids toys. He destroyed the kids birth books from early years to five. Her former partner was arrested and taken to court the following day but was let out the next day due to a paperwork error. Charlotte Kneers abusive partner was jailed for seven years ( Alex Board ) Restraining orders can restrict where abusers can go or whom they can contact, and can be used to prevent an ex-partner from using or threatening violence against a victim or their child. The maximum sentence for infringing an order is five years in prison. The police will also collude with the perpetrator because there are problems with misogyny and victim-blaming attitudes within the police. Rachel Horman-Brown Tory MP Caroline Nokes, who chairs the Women and Equalities Committee, said: If restraining orders are not being properly monitored or enforced then they are not a properly adequate tool. Solicitor Rachel Horman-Brown said abusers are taking advantage of a crumbling criminal justice system. She said there are issues around judges not properly punishing breaches, with perpetrators successfully arguing that they were visiting their children late at night. And that emboldens the perpetrator to go on to commit more serious breaches, Ms Horman added. Sometimes police dont record breaches because they deny a breach has taken place they will misinterpret the terms of the order. The police will also collude with the perpetrator because there are problems with misogyny and victim-blaming attitudes within the police. A junior probation officer, who asked to remain anonymous, told The Independent abusers who breach restraining orders are unlikely to be sent to prison as she warned of colleagues being given excessive caseloads. A too high caseload and not enough management oversight could lead to those who breach restraining orders not being properly monitored. Probation officer She added: A too-high caseload and not enough management oversight could lead to those who breach restraining orders not being properly monitored. Another junior probation officer said they currently have around 40 highly varied cases they are juggling. Devon and Cornwall Police Detective Superintendent Sheon Sturland said the force has altered the way it investigates domestic abuse in the last year as it recognises improvements are needed. Discussing the FOI data, he said the force looks to be an outlier due to the introduction of a new records management system in November 2022, which has caused a delay to our ability to report charge outcomes on our system, adding this means our charge rates may look lower than they are. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: Abusers who breach restraining orders face tough penalties including jail time and were going further to support victims by piloting a new domestic abuse protection order which will give courts the power to impose exclusion zones, curfews, and electronic monitoring tags on abusers. For help or support contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, which is open 24/7 365 days per year on 0808 2000 247, or go to its website at nationaldahelpline.org.uk Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Diane Abbott has declared she intends to run as a Labour candidate at the election as she denied she was offered a seat in the Lords to stand down. On Friday the Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said the veteran MP was free to stand for the party after days of an extraordinary back and forth about whether she would be blocked. The dramatic U-turn came after his deputy Angela Rayner said the UKs first black MP should be allowed to fight the seat she has represented since 1987 in a break with her party leader. On Sunday Ms Abbott said she was the adopted Labour candidate for her London constituency, adding: I intend to run and to win as Labours candidate. Diane Abbott (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Wire ) Earlier a close ally of Ms Abbott hit out at what she denounced as a sordid week of unauthorised anonymous briefings by overgrown schoolboys in suits with their feet on the table who had watched too much West Wing. Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti said she had advised her friend to take some time to consider what she wants to do. It came as a senior Labour figure denied she had been offered a peerage to leave the Commons, amid claims of a left-wing purge. In her tweet on Sunday, Ms Abbott said: I have never been offered a seat in the Lords, and would not accept one if offered. Baroness Shami Chakrabarti (Jonathan Brady/PA) ( PA Archive ) Ms Abbott was given the Labour whip back last week, clearing the way for her to stand for the party. She had been suspended after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice but not racism, and had sat as an independent MP. Reports in The Sunday Times said a number of former Labour MPs, including Ms Abbott, have been offered peerages to quit and open up seats for allies of Sir Keir. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News: Theres a whole process with the independent committee that will vet nominations, there have to be processes in terms of the numbers of nominations, designated by the prime minister and so on. So, no party can do that or make those sorts of commitments. Earlier, Baroness Chakrabarti told BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg it had been a sometimes sordid week of unauthorised anonymous briefings by overgrown schoolboys in suits with their feet on the table, maybe watching too much West Wing but not taking on its more progressive values. She added that its been pretty appalling, trying to bully someone of her stature, and its not good for Keir Starmers leadership, its not good for the Labour Party, and it hasnt been very nice for Diane and for common decency. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Diane Abbott is still weighing up whether to stand as a Labour MP, a close ally has indicated, as Labour denied offering her a peerage to leave the Commons. Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti said she had advised her friend to take some time to consider what she wants to do. She also hit out at what she denounced as a sordid week of unauthorised anonymous briefings by overgrown schoolboys in suits with their feet on the table who had watched too much West Wing. On Friday, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Ms Abbot was free to stand as a Labour candidate in the general election, after days of back and forth about whether the veteran MP would be blocked. He also praised her as a trailblazer, saying that after she was elected the first black woman MP in the UK, she carved a path for other people. The dramatic U-turn came after Sir Keirs deputy Angela Rayner said Ms Abbott should be allowed to stand in the Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat she has represented since 1987 in a break with her party leader. But Baroness Chakrabarti hit out at anonymous briefings earlier in the week that the London MP would be barred from standing, despite getting the party whip back. Ms Abbott had been suspended after she suggested Jewish, Irish and Traveller people experience prejudice but not racism. Baroness Chakrabarti told BBC Ones Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg it had been a sometimes sordid week of unauthorised anonymous briefings by overgrown schoolboys in suits with their feet on the table, maybe watching too much West Wing but not taking on its more progressive values. The baroness added that its been pretty appalling, trying to bully someone of her stature, and its not good for Keir Starmers leadership, its not good for the Labour Party, and it hasnt been very nice for Diane and for common decency. She said she had advised her to take some time to consider what she wants to do. Pretty appalling: Shami Chakrabarti ( PA ) Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said she would obviously support Ms Abbott if she decided to stand for Labour, as she denied peerages had been offered during an attempted purge of left-wing MPs. No party can make those sorts of commitments and promise peerages, Ms Cooper said. A number of former Labour MPs, including Ms Abbott, have been offered peerages to quit and open up seats for allies of Sir Keir, according to reports in The Sunday Times. Ms Cooper told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips on Sky News: Theres a whole process with the independent committee that will vet nominations, there have to be processes in terms of the numbers of nominations, designated by the prime minister and so on. So, no party can do that or make those sorts of commitments. She added: It has to be Dianes decision. I did listen to what Shami said. In fact, Shami, whos very close to Diane, is saying this is for Diane to decide and I completely support that. Diane has been continues to be a really important figure in the Labour Party, not just because of the trailblazing people have talked about but also some of the things she did. For example, she was crucial to exposing the Windrush scandal and holding the government to account on that. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Keir Starmer is facing a backlash from activists and unions after he promised to slash sky-high net migration if Labour wins the election. The Labour leader said last years 685,000 figure has got to come down as he vowed to control our borders and make sure British businesses are helped to hire Brits first. But both he and shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper have refused to set a target or a timeline for their plans. Ms Cooper also refused to rule out sending asylum seekers to have their claims processed abroad, a move which, unlike Rishi Sunaks Rwanda plan, would not necessarily be a one-way ticket. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer vowed to curb immigration ( PA Wire ) Home secretary James Cleverly accused the Labour leader of pandering to voters. This is yet another day where Starmer will say what he thinks people want to hear during an election because he lacks conviction to say what he believes. A Labour government would allow open-door immigration, making the UK a magnet for illegal migrants, he said. Left-wing campaign group Momentum told The Independent that the Labour leaders plan would put members off campaigning for the party between now and polling day. A spokesperson for the group said: Four years ago, Keir promised to make the positive case for immigration and build a system based on compassion and dignity. Hes done quite the opposite, embracing not just [ex-Tory MP] Natalie Elphicke but her anti-migrant politics. Labour should stop embracing the Tories race to the bottom and set out a new approach, including expanded safe routes for refugees. It is not the first time Labour has come under fire from its own activists over migration plans. In 2015, it faced attacks from members after it released a branded mug that promised Controls on immigration. Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB union, also warned against getting into a divisive agenda on the issue. He told Times Radio: We have to have migration in our economy. Clearly, people will expect that to be managed and done properly. What I am concerned about is getting into a divisive agenda around migration and immigration, something that is being exploited by the right to try and put fear into people. The truth is we need migrant workers in our economy. The migration plan will be part of Labours election manifesto. Included will be new laws to ban law-breaking employers from hiring foreign workers and to train more Britons. A Labour government would bar bosses who break employment law for example, by failing to pay workers the minimum wage from hiring staff from overseas. Rishi Sunak at the launch of the Conservative campaign bus at Redcar Racecourse ( PA Wire ) It would also legislate to link the immigration system to training, with businesses applying for foreign worker visas having to also train Britons to do the jobs. The immigration debate has been fuelled by the latest figures, which were published a day after Rishi Sunak called the surprise election date. Labour declined to set a target, but last year shadow cabinet minister Darren Jones said a Labour government would cut net migration to a couple of hundred thousand a year within five years, a figure he described as normal. Ms Cooper said the party would not set a target because when the Conservatives did so and failed to meet it it discredited the whole system. Making the announcement, Sir Keir told the Sun on Sunday: Read my lips I will bring immigration numbers down. If you trust me with the keys to No 10, I will make you this promise: I will control our borders and make sure British businesses are helped to hire Brits first. He said the 685,000 migration number has got to come down. Sir Keir said employers had become too reliant on workers from overseas and should always have a choice of recruiting a British worker first. The Migration Advisory Committee, Industrial Strategy Council and Skills England would be brought together to deliver the plan. Sir Keir said the move would also help reduce the benefits bill. The plans were backed by Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti, who is on the left of the party. She said the principle was one she could get behind and it is not nasty like the [PMs] Rwanda plan. The Conservatives accused Labour of a U-turn on Sir Keirs principles. This is the man who voted against tougher border controls 139 times, a spokesperson added. Conservative candidate, and former minister Jonathan Gullis said that nobody buys Sir Keirs plans. Scotlands SNP health secretary Neil Gray described the policy as gutless economic self-harm. The partys Westminster leader Stephen Flynn accused Labour of a race to the right wing and warned the plan could impact key public services. The Greens also accused Sir Keir of stoking division and adopting the anti-migrant rhetoric of Nigel Farage ... instead of welcoming the important role people choosing to work in the UK play. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} One of the most senior bishops in the Church of England has denounced the Liberal Democrats over the way that one of their candidates was deselected over his Christian faith. The Bishop of Winchester Philip Mounstephen, is the fifth most senior Anglican cleric, tweeted his support for former award winning BBC journalist David Campanale who has been removed as the candidate for the Lib Dem target seat of Sutton and Cheam in south London. It comes amid furious demands by local members that Mr Campanale is reinstated amid allegations that his replacement Luke Taylor, a local councillor, was one of the key figures involved in hounding him out. The bishop noted that had 19th century liberal prime minister and political giant of the 19th century been in the modern version of the party he would no longer be welcome. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey launches his partys General Election campaign battlebus (PA) ( PA Wire ) Tweeting in support fo a petition calling for Mr Campanale to be reinstated, the bishop said: The deselection of David Campanale on the grounds of his beliefs alone is shockingly illiberal. On this basis Gladstone wouldnt have been allowed to stand in Sutton and Cheam. It is understood that a second bishop has also signed the peition but has not yet gone public. But the Lib Dems have dismissed the claims pointing out that all their London MPs including leader Sir Ed Davey are practising Christians. While an appeal is ongoing on the issue the party says it cannot provide details. A spokesman said: The Liberal Democrat leader and all of our London MPs are church going Christians, and this complex case about David Campanale which began during covid, resulted in him being deselected and the local party overwhelmingly voting for a new candidate." However, the the assurances from party headquarters do not appear to have calmed concerns within the Lib Dems that an anti-Christian secularist faction is trying to push out practicising Christians. Promotingh the GoCitizen petition Reinstate David Campanale -Election Candidate Deselected Because Of His Beliefs, Former Lib Dem chief whip now crossbench peer Lord Alton tweeted: I have signed this petition against appalling treatment that is neither liberal nor democratic and hope others will do so too Ed Davey needs to reverse a shocking decision. Tim Farrons Christian faith was considered to be a fator in why he was forced to resign as leader ( Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire ) The row has come up despite Sir Ed in 2020 insisting in that issues like abortion and euthanasia needed to remain issues of conscience and views based on religious belief needed to be strongly defended. In a response to an open letter from John Mulholland, Davey also warned of a growing intolerance within progressive, liberal parties the world over. But it has been noted that despite Mr Campanale being an officer in his Kingston constituency and the Sutton and Cheam seat neighbouring him, Sir Ed has not intervened to protect the former journalist. Meanwhile, senior local party members in Sutton and Cheam have written demanding that Cllr Taylor, who came third to Mr Campanale in the original selection, is removed and Mr Campanale is reinstated. It is understood that Cllr Taylor sought to have Mr Campanale expelled from the party but withdrew his complaint. This followed them seeing a submission on Mr Taylors alleged behavior by Mr Campanale submitted to the party during the ongoing disputes. In it Mr Campanale alleged that Cllr Taylor made clear his objections to his Christian faith and refused to campaign for him. He based his complaint on notes of conversations the two had and Whatsapp messages. Last week a senior local party member wrote to the constituency party chairman Jason Stone asking for Mr Campanale to be reinstated. The email said: As we prepare this letter, we are seeing increasing numbers of comments and disclosures of what is going on in S&C in mainstream media - all of which plays right into the hands of opposition parties and has the potential to seriously damage LibDem election chances in S&C, Sutton, and the Federal Party. It went on: These serious allegations, which were presented in detail on repeated occasions to various panels of the party, have yet to be fully and independently investigated. In addition, our own witnessed complaints and those of others...have not been formally assessed by the designated body of the party either. Given David Campanale's appeal to the English Appeals Panel (EAP) remains unresolved, Luke's appointment risks bringing the party into disrepute and undermines our commitment to equality and fairness. David followed the rules by appealing and if he wins, must be restored immediately as our candidate for the coming general election. In light of this, we strongly believe that Luke's selection as [candidate] is premature and inappropriate and risks our chances of winning back the seat on 4 July 2024. The evidence suggests that he has actively contributed to the campaign of religious discrimination against David and has demonstrated a level of prejudice and intolerance that is wholly incompatible with Liberal Democrat values. We are particularly concerned that, despite being aware of David's disclosures, you have allowed Luke's selection to proceed without ensuring that these allegations are properly addressed first, not least as other officers of the local party may also be implicated in what the Equality Advisory Support Service has assessed is likely harassment and possible victimisation of David, contrary to law. This failure to act risks compromising the integrity of our local party and damaging the reputation of the Liberal Democrats as a whole during this vital general election period. Cllr Taylor has declined to respond. This is not the first time that the Lib Dems have faced allegation of discrimination against Christians. In 2019, Rob Flello, a former Labour MP and committed Roman Catholic, was deselected as a candidate within 36 hours due to his socially conservative views. Meanwhile, Tim Farron was forced to resign from his position as party leader following intense scrutiny over his faith. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Experts warning of a hidden pandemic of online sexual abuse have urged politicians to prioritise childrens internet safety in their general election campaigns and to treat the issue as a public health emergency comparable to Covid. A new report has this week uncovered grim new insights into the prevalence of online sexual abuse both globally and in the UK. Around one in eight children around the world have been victims of non-consensual taking, sharing and exposure to sexual images and video in the past year equating to more than 300 million children, new research by University of Edinburgh researchers suggests, in the first-ever global estimate of the scale of the crisis. The same number of children are estimated to have been subjected to sexting and unwanted sexual act requests by adults or other youths, according to the study, which draws on data from some 36 million reports to five major watchdogs and policing organisations globally. In Britain, the researchers carried out a first-of-its-kind survey of more than 1,500 men, suggesting that as many as 1.84 million males in the UK may have carried out a form of online sexual abuse against the underaged. In a further breakdown of the findings, shared exclusively with The Independent, the extrapolated results of the survey also suggests that: 3.7 per cent of men (976,800) in the UK may have flirted or had sexual conversations with children 2.9 per cent of men (765,600) in the UK may have deliberately viewed sexual images of children 2 per cent of men (528,000) may have paid for online sexual interactions, images or videos of under-18s 1.4 per cent of men (370,000) may have taken part in sexually explicit webcamming with children Meanwhile, new statistics showed the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children watchdog was alerted to 178,648 cases of files containing sexual images of children being uploaded or hosted in the UK last year equivalent to nearly 500 alerts every day. Researchers warn the scale of online abuse is staggering ( PA Wire ) In a rallying call issued to The Independent, the researchers at the universitys global child safety institute Childlight urged political parties to prioritise the issue in their campaigns for the upcoming general election a message echoed by other leading child safety organisations, including the NSPCC and Childrens Society. The numbers The Independent is highlighting are staggering and behind every number is a child. Evidence links [child sexual abuse] to poorer mental health and physical health, including chronic disease and early death, said Childlights chief executive Paul Stanfield, a former Interpol director. Thats why we want politicians at this election and around the world to treat this pandemic as a public health emergency comparable to Covid. We wouldnt endorse any political party, and there are good ideas across the political spectrum, but when we hear talk about national service, all the leaders could do this nation a service by pledging to put online child safety at the heart of this election. They need to help stop the world wide web from being like the Wild West. Hailing Childlights research for highlighting the devastating scale of the problem, the Internet Watch Foundations chief executive Susie Hargreaves told The Independent: Protecting children and tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation, particularly online, must be a priority for an incoming government. We are seeing younger and younger children falling victim to online grooming and sexual abuse, all while emerging threats like AI-generated child sexual abuse imagery and sextortion continue to take hold. New legislation is needed to tackle AI-generated abuse and ensure the introduction of age verification on online platforms is effective, Ms Hargreaves said, urging the next government to invest more in preventing abuse and implement all recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. While the Tories long-awaited Online Safety Bill finally passed into law last year, putting the onus on tech companies to protect children from harmful material, it is expected to be at least another year before it can be enforced through regulator Ofcoms new code of practice which is yet to be approved. Despite moves since to water down the bill, a Tory spokesperson insisted the bills passage had delivered on the partys 2019 manifesto commitment to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online, adding: For the first time, social media platforms will be held to account for protecting their users, especially children. This is the most powerful children protection law to be passed in a generation, at the same time empowering adults to take control of their online lives. But Labour has been critical of delays to the bill and pledged earlier this month if elected to work with bereaved families and quickly issue a statement of strategic priorities for Ofcom which keeps up with new dangers. Warning of the need for urgent action, the NSPCCs senior child safety policy officer Rani Govender said: Its crucial that childrens experiences and safety are embedded into future tech policy and strategies while ensuring they are not shut out from the benefits of the online world. Party leaders should set out how they will ensure Ofcom holds companies to account through the ambitious implementation of the Online Safety Act and make it clear to tech bosses that childrens safety will be the price of bringing products to market in the UK. Calling it essential that the government and tech companies keep working to respond to wider and evolving threats to young people, a Childrens Society spokesperson said: All political parties should urgently commit to robust policies that protect our children in the digital world and keep them safe online. But Mr Stanfield warned that MPs recent calls for the next government to ban smartphones or social media for under-16s risk criminalising children, and would let social media companies off the hook when they should be doing more to prevent abusers having free rein to target young people with impunity. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} More GP surgeries and diagnostic centres would be built under a future Conservative government funded by slashing the number of NHS managers, the Tories have said. In their first major health offer of the general election, the Tories have said they will bring more care services into the community. Under the plans, the party would build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise a further 150. Areas of the greatest need, especially those with large numbers of new homes, would be the focus of the proposal. Last year, figures published by the BBC revealed almost 200 GP surgeries had closed between 2018 and 2022. The Conservatives have also said they would expand the Pharmacy First scheme, launched in England earlier this year, which allows patients to access some simple treatments via their pharmacy without having been to a GP first. For the latest on the general election - follow our live blog by clicking here Rishi Sunak is pledging 100 more GP surgeries in the Tories first major health offer of the general election ( Getty Images ) Treatment for more conditions, such as acne and chest infections, would be offered, which the Tories claim would free up 20 million GP appointments in total once fully scaled. The party has also pledged to build a further 50 community diagnostic centres, which are aimed at giving patients access to diagnoses closer to home without having to visit large hospital sites. The existing programme has delivered 160 centres so far. The Conservatives claim their planned expansion of community care is fully costed, and will be paid for by cutting back the number of NHS managers to pre-pandemic levels and halving management consultancy spend across Government. The new GP surgeries will also in part be paid for by an overhaul in planning guidance to ensure health gets a bigger share of developer contributions from new housing developments. Rishi Sunak said: The NHS is one of our most important national assets and the Conservatives are taking the long-term decisions to secure its future. As part of our clear plan we are investing in community services making it quicker, easier and more convenient for patients to receive the care they need and help to relieve pressure on hospital services. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting claims the pledge is another empty promise by the Tories ( PA Wire ) Only the Conservatives will take the bold action needed to secure the NHSs future so that you can be safe in the knowledge that the NHS will be there for you and your family whenever you need it. The Health Secretary Victoria Atkins meanwhile added: Pharmacies, GPs and Community Diagnostic Centres are the backbone of our NHS. Because of bold action we have taken, they are more accessible in more places for more people. I know just how important it is for people to have access to health services and treatment close to home and Pharmacy First and our hundreds of new Community Diagnostic Centres have been a real success story so far. But we must do more. Our clear plan will continue to enable our brilliant pharmacists, GPs and CDCs to do what they do best: serving their local community and boosting capacity in our NHS. We will make the NHS faster, simpler and fairer for all. But Labours shadow health secretary Wes Streeting said: The Conservatives have broken their manifesto promise to recruit more GPs, instead cutting 1,700 since 2016 and closing down more than 450 GP practices. Patients are finding it harder than ever before to see a GP, so why would they trust this latest empty promise? The doctor cant see you now, and it will only get worse if the Tories are given another five years. Labour will train thousands more GPs and cut the red tape that ties up GPs time, so we can bring back the family doctor. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the View from Westminster email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Police are reviewing claims a Conservative candidate has been misleading voters by using a Labour-style backdrop for his election campaign. Robert Largan, the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for High Peak, published the banners on social media appearing to use graphic styles for Reform and rival Labour with just a tiny disclaimer in the bottom corner. Mr Largan posted a picture of himself on X in front of a red background and the words Labour for Largan. ( X ) The Tory candidate for High Peak, who won the Derbyshire seat with a wafer-thin 590 majority in 2019, tweeted: So many local Labour voters have told me theyre going to vote for me, because they want to keep me as their local MP. There have been so many that Im launching a new Labour for Largan club. In a reply to a Labour voter calling the campaign pathetic he double-down with another tongue-in-cheek poster in the style of the Reform Party. The Tory oak tree silhouette logo is faint in the background, and in a tiny disclaimer in the bottom corner it says that the ad is on behalf of Robert Largan, of High Peak Conservatives. It links to his website which also appears to adopt the Green Party colour scheme. Derbyshire Police posted on X: We wish to confirm that we have received a number of messages in relation to claims of election fraud, raised due to concerns around marketing material. An incident has been created and will be reviewed. A Conservative spokesperson told The Independent: The materials clearly carry imprints, as required by electoral law. A spokesman for Robert Largan told The Telegraph: As Mr Largans social media posts and website make abundantly clear, large numbers of traditional Labour voters have been contacting him to tell him they plan to vote for him, despite him being a Conservative candidate. The same goes for Reform supporters. This is because of Mr Largans strong record of delivery in the High Peak. Therefore, supporters clubs of traditional Labour and Reform voters have been set up, to allow people to tell Mr Largan that theyre supporting him. These are called Labour for Largan and Reform for Robert. Such supporters clubs are not a new phenomenon. It is worth pointing out that all of Mr Largans election leaflets clearly state that he is the Conservative candidate and are in full compliance with electoral law. He is very well known in the High Peak as the local Conservative candidate. His name will appear on the ballot paper as the Conservative candidate.Nobody voting in the High Peak could possibly be confused on this point. Those claiming otherwise appear to have a very low opinion of the people of High Peak. The Electoral Commission said: When it comes to campaigning, the Commission is responsible for ensuring that campaign material by parties and campaigners includes information to identify the person or organisation which has caused it to be published. This is known as an imprint. Our remit does not extend to the content or style of campaign material. This is not subject to regulation by any UK body.The digital imprint regime gives voters more information about who is trying to reach them online, including campaigners and political parties. Voters should check for an imprint if they have concerns about the source of material. We encourage all candidates to consider how voters will understand their campaign materials. Robert Largan has been accused of misleading voters before ( UK Parliament ) It came after Mr Largan was in hot water for issuing a newsletter called High Peak Reporter in his Derbyshire constituency. The High Peak MPs office has apologised, insisting it had made a genuine mistake choosing the name after the owner of a former independent title of the same name said the MPs publication was misleading voters. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Out of all 50 states, Vermont house prices soared the highest with new data revealing they jumped 12.8 percent in the last year nearly double the national average. According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), house prices across the US rose by an average of 6.6 per cent between Q1 of last year and this year, despite stubbornly high national mortgage rates, and continued fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the start of the year, house prices have increased 1.1 percent. The highest jumps in housing prices are predominantely all on the east coast with New Jersey, New York, Delaware all seeing double-digit increases in property appreciation. Behind Vermont, the four states with the highest annual appreciation were New Jersey, with 11.6 percent; New York, 10.9 percent; Delaware, 10.7 per cent; and Wisconsin, with an increase of 9.9 percent. Only District of Columbia, which technically isnt a state, saw a decline, with house prices dropping -1.5 percent on average. View more At the opposite end of the scale, southern states including Louisiana and Missouri saw the lowest increases in property value, with 2.2 percent, and 2.7 percent, respectively. Texas and North Dakota both saw low increase, with 3.3 percent each, while West Virginia and Colorado both saw an increase 3.6 percent Low housing inventory is contributing to the high prices across the US, said FHFAs Anju Vajja, in a statement. Out of all 50 states, Vermont has seen the highest increase in home appreciation in the country over the past year 12.8 percent according to the FHFA. Great news perhaps, for those already with property in the Green Mountain State, but realtors say that a lack of new inventory and seller hesitancy are actually harming Vermonts property market and prospective homeowners are losing out. So what is it that is driving up house prices in Vermont? Vermont consistently ranks among the safest states in the US, taking pole position in 2024 data from World Population Review. The state has the second smallest population in the nation (around 650,000) and is known for its natural beauty. Historically, certain aspects of the home sale market follow a seasonal cycle in Vermont, according to the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. Most sales take place in the warmer spring and summer months. Home prices typically increase the most during this period, with harsh winter conditions making it more challenging and less desirable to sell property. However the median sales price of primary homes sold in Vermont in the first half of 2023 reached a value of $315,000. Even then the VHFA noted that the state was experiencing strong demand among homebuyers relative to the inventory of homes for sale. Dan Titus, real estate broker and co-owner of Flex Realty in Vermont, says that the lack of inventory in the state, restrictions on construction and state property tax, means it is unlikely that a climb down on property price will be happening any time soon. View more Its a big time sellers market right now, and it has been for a long time but its even worse now for sure, he told The Independent. Theres a lack of housing inventory throughout the whole state, which is only driving prices up. Homes just arent being built fast enough to keep up with the demand, and a lot of that has to do with Vermont because its tough for developers to build in Vermont. Theres a lot of restrictions and red tape you have to get through in order to develop around here. Then our property taxes are some of the highest I believe and, and the country as well. Its not a cheap place to live. All this, Mr Titus said, is coupled with a combination of out-of-staters and empty-nesters buying or keeping property and pricing out young, native Vermonters. Mr Titus said he had noted a significant uptick during the pandemic. To an out-of-state $100,000 for a home may not be a lot from where theyre from, but here in Vermont, thats quite a hefty price tag and its making it difficult for folks to compete with those out of state buyers, he told The Independent. Theres certainly some of that going on, not as much as what we were seeing during Covid in the Covid years there was a huge influx of people scooping up homes from out of state. But it is still happening. In addition, the climbing prices discouraged current homeowners, even parents whose children no longer lived at home, from selling their properties. Its great if you bought a home 10 years ago, but at the same time, its also created a problem where people who are empty-nesters are in large home, their kids have moved out and they want to downsize, but theyre in a low interest loan or something like that or the cost to buy a smaller home doesnt make sense versus just staying and staying where theyre at, he said. He told The Independent: Its good if you already own a home, sure. But obviously theres really no first-time homes for first-time homebuyers. Those are almost gone. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A medical student walked into a bar near the Ohio State campus in the early morning hours of April 1, 2006 and vanished. It may sound like an April Fools prank, but its one of Ohios biggest mysteries. Brian Shaffer was 27 years old when he strolled into The Ugly Tuna Saloona, a local college bar lit up by a bright neon sign that read Fresh Fish. Ugly Owners. Surveillance footage from outside the establishment captured the med student entering the bar around 1:55am. Then, he was gone. For nearly two decades, Brians disappearance has been a mystery to Ohio residents. Online sleuths tossed around theories of what happened to Brian, delving deep into cold case subreddits, hoping to crack the case, particularly on Reddit, a social media platform that allows users to post and interact anonymously. Did he drunkenly stumble odd and down in the Olentangy River? Or, because there was no surveillance footage of him leaving the bar, is he still there, his body hidden in the walls, or a beer keg? In one Brian Shaffer subreddit, a user with the handle QueeenBeeeee frequently posted about the case, among others, repeatedly mentioning the names of a pair of brothers from Ohio, alleging that they were ones responsible. Now, those brothers are suing the unknown user referred to as Jane Doe, in the lawsuit, for defamation. A reddit user accused them of murder. Now, theyre suing Matthew Osowski and Brian Osowski filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court this week against anonymous Reddit user QueeenBeeeee. The lawsuit alleges that the Reddit user, listed as Jane Doe, continuously accused them in the comments of being involved in multiple homicide and missing person cases, including Brian Shaffers case. In the Brian Shaffer subreddit, the QueeenBeeeee user shared their theories about the case alongside accusations that the Osowski brothers are psychopath serial killers, according to a post viewed by The Columbus Dispatch. Other posts included personal information about the brothers, including what they look like, where they live, and where they work. There is no evidence to connect the Osowski brothers to Brains disappearance, or any other case and the posts have since been deleted by Reddit. According to the lawsuit, the user also alleges that the brothers were involved in the 2005 murder of 20-year-old Julie Popovich, and the disappearances of Tyler Davis and Joey LaBute. However, again, there is no indication the brothers had anything to do with these cases. In fact, in 2007, Adam Saleh was convicted of Popovichs death and is currently serving a life sentence. The Osowski brothers are seeking $25,000 in monetary damages, according to the lawsuit. They are also requesting retractions of the postings, as well as a court order stopping QueeenBeeeee from posting any more allegations. The account has since been suspended. In a statement provided to The Dispatch on Monday, the attorneys for the brothers said they have no idea who the anonymous poster is and that the lawsuit was filed to put a stop to this false and unscrupulous behavior. They had no involvement with any of the crimes mentioned in this persons posts. They had no contact with the victims of the crimes, the attorney said in the statement. The Osowskis have families and jobs and the wild, unsupportable allegations in the postings are irresponsible. The Osowskis are pursuing the matter legally to put a stop to this false and unscrupulous behavior. What happened to Brian Shaffer? Four weeks before Brian Shaffer vanished, his mother, Renee, died of myelodysplasia, a rare form of cancer. In the days and weeks that followed, Brian, his brother Derek Shaffer, and their father, Randall Randy Shaffer, leaned on each other for support. Brian began to look to the future, particularly to an upcoming vacation to Miami with his girlfriend, Alexis. Brian planned to propose on the trip, but he never made his flight. On March 31, 2006, a Saturday night, Brian joined his friend William Clint Florence for a bar crawl near the Ohio State campus. They stopped at Ugly Tuna Saloona in Columbus University District, but then left heading towards the Arena District and Short North. Medical student Brian Shaffer was 27 years old when he strolled into The Ugly Tuna Saloona, an Ohio State college bar in 2006. That night he vanished without a trace ( FBI ) Later in the night, another friend, Meredith Reed, offered the two of them a ride back to Ugly Tuna, and they returned to the bar. Surveillance camera footage shows Brian and his friends at the bars entrance around 1:15 a.m. He was last seen chatting with two women and walking back inside the bar before he disappeared. His friends tried to call him after they lost each other in the bar but only got his voicemail. Figuring he went home, they left. When Brian did not show up for his flight on Monday, his father grew worried and reported him missing. Last video footage of Brian Brians father searched his apartment but found everything where it was supposed to be. His bed was made and his medical books were neatly positioned on the shelves. A search was launched, as cadaver dogs canvassed the area around the bar, the woods near the river and the campgrounds. Surveillance footage that captured Brians last movements was reviewed over and over, but police still had no answers. In the video, Brian, Clint and Meredith rode the escalator to the bar at 1:15 a.m. An hour later, Clint and Meredith came back down. But Brian wasnt with them. The police were just as confused as the rest of us, Derek Shaffer told a local news outlet. They did everything they could to try and find my brother. Clint and Meredith were questioned by the police. She passed a polygraph, but Clint allegedly refused to take one, it was reported. Surveillance camera footage shows Brian and his friends at the bars entrance around 1:15 a.m on April 1. He was last seen chatting with two women and walking back inside the bar before he disappeared. The footage was reviewed over and over, but police still had no answers ( FBI ) Weeks passed, then months, but Brians family refused to give up hope. His father Randy conducted media interviews, created a website for tips from the public and kept praying that his son would be found. Then the wild theories and hoax tips began to trickle in. Someone called Jesus claimed that Brian was beaten unconscious by two men after a clash at the Ugly Tuna. [Jesus said] When Brian woke up, he had a big black penis in his mouth, Mr Shaffer recalled in 2007. [He said] they shot him in the head, burned his body and had sex with his ashes. But it wasnt a tip, it was a hoax. There were alleged sightings of Brian in Atlanta and Sweden. But nothing led to finding him. His brother Derek told The Dispatch that he stays away from what people say about Brian online. I dont really read stuff about Brian online, Derek said. He was going to do great things as a doctor. He wasnt into drugs or anything like that. I dont think he would just take off and never contact us again. No, he wouldnt have done that to us. Im afraid that something bad did happen, and we may never find out, he added. Another tragic loss In 2008, two years after Brian went missing, the Shaffer family suffered another tragic loss. Brians father, Randall Randy Shaffer, 55, died in a windstorm that pummeled central Ohio, killing at least six people in the area. Mr Shaffer was believed to have been walking to a shed in the backyard of his Fairfield County home during the storm when he was struck and killed by a falling limb, Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen said at the time, according to The Columbus Dispatch. When he didnt show up for his job with Midway Electric, where he worked as an electrician, neighbors went to his house and found his body in the backyard. Brian Shaffer with his mother Renee Shaffer, who died in 2006, and his father Randy Shaffer, who died in 2008 ( Submitted by Lori Davis/FindAGrave ) Mr Shaffer had been a familiar face to many in central Ohio who followed his well-publicized search to find his son. Within three years, Derek Shaffer had lost his mother, brother, and now his father. On Brians right bicep was a tattoo of the stickman pictured on Pearl Jams debut single, Alive. He was a devoted fan and planned to see them in Cincinnati. But he never made it. ( FBI ) Four years after Brian went missing, the group performed Come Back at Columbus Nationwide Arena, two miles from the Ugly Tuna. Eddie Vedder, the lead vocalist of the band, dedicated the track to Brian: Wherever you are, were still thinking about you, he said. The mum ignited a heated discussion about the popular signs with Aussies confused over their real purpose. Jayde Sandlant said she had recently learned the true purpose of these commonly seen stickers on our road, sparking debate online. Source: TikTok/@jaydesandlant If youve driven on Australian roads, youve probably seen the yellow "baby on board" signs displayed on rear car windows. An Aussie mum sparked debate recently when she revealed what she thought was thier true purpose, however, many quickly pointed out what she suggested was a misconception so what is their real meaning? Victorian mum Jayde Sandlant ignited discussion when she posted online, saying she was "today years old" when she found out the true reason for the popular car stickers. Its literally a sticker to inform people if you get into an accident to go to the baby first, she said. Is this common knowledge? Because I didnt know it. Many assumed she was suggesting the stickers were useful to first responders, however Sandlant told Yahoo News Australia that she was thinking more of civilian passersby. "I was having a conversation with my friends when one of them said that the stickers were an indication to inform people that there were children in the car in the event of an accident, I never meant for this to mean first responders," she told Yahoo News. A TikToker has reopened the common debate as to what the purpose of baby on board stickers is. Photo: NRMA/Getty Baby on board stickers trigger debate There were some differing opinions in response to TikTok video, which has been debated for many years. Apparently its not for first responders at all, one follower commented. They dont look for it. False, another replied to that comment. It lets first responders know there should be a child located somewhere at the scene of the accident. Others suggested that the sticker should be placed on the same side that the child is sitting and that you should also display a sticker with the childs personal details and medical information. I thought it was so people wouldnt honk and wake the baby, another commenter wrote. They were designed to make other drivers aware and be more careful, someone else said. Its also to tell first responders to go looking for the baby if they dont see a baby seat in the vehicle, another quipped. "In case the whole seat was thrown from the vehicle. Sandlant said she found the comments "interesting". "There is a lot of mixed feedback on this," she told Yahoo. So what is the real purpose of the stickers? What is the history behind baby on board stickers? According to NRMA, the history of these stickers began in the US in the 1980s when former real estate investor Michael Lerner drove with his 18-month-old nephew in the car without accounting for busy traffic and motorists tailgating and cutting him off. It was after this incident that the stickers were born with the vision of keeping children safe during car trips. However, while many parents in Australia believe 'baby on board' signs are designed for emergency services, NSW Police confirmed that this was not the case. The stickers are not for emergency services, but more of a notice to other drivers, a NSW Police spokesperson said in NRMA article. Anyone using these signs must ensure they are not obstructing the drivers view. Tiny Hearts Education shared a video debunking the common myths surrounding baby on board stickers. Photo: Getty/Instagram/Tiny Hearts Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, Kidsafe Victoria general manager Jason Chambers explained that baby on board signs were designed to let other road users know that you have a little one in the car with you, and encourage them to use caution when approaching cars with younger passengers. "Not having a baby on board sign on your car doesn't mean that emergency services won't look to see if a child was involved in a crash, Chambers said. They look for any signs that indicate additional people may have been involved, including child car restraints or toys. Paramedics 'assess the whole situation' at crash scene To further settle the hotly debated topic, former paramedic and founder of Tiny Hearts Education which provides baby, infant and child first aid CPR courses Nikki Jurcutz explained in an Instagram video that teh emergency services debate was a common myth. During my time as a paramedic, I was trained to assess the whole situation, Jurcutz said. Paramedics arent just relying on a baby on board sign, they are looking for clues that a child may have been in the vehicle, like car seats and baby bags. Paramedics will thoroughly check all parts of the car and around the area too. The paramedics on the scene will be there assessing the full picture with or without the baby on board sign on the car. She continued to explain that while a lot of people think that these signs were made for first responders and to alert emergency services, it was "actually a myth. In saying that, theres no harm in using one of these stickers anything that might help drivers be more safe around cars with children is a good thing. But rest assured, if you don't have one, your baby will still be attended to swiftly in the case of an accident. After all, its our first responders job to do so. Want the latest celebrity news? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Kerri Rawson, daughter of the infamous BTK serial killer, confronted her dad in prison after a newly uncovered journal entry reveals he may have abused her. Dennis Rader, 78, is serving 10 consecutive life sentences after pleading guilty to 10 murders in 2005. He calls himself the BTK killer, which stands for bind, torture, kill. Oklahoma cold case investigators recently uncovered a diary entry from Rader suggesting he may have abused his daughter when she was too young to remember. Ms Rawson confronted him in prison in October, she told audience members at CrimeCon 2024, according to Fox News. She said it was the fifth time she had spoken to her father since he went to prison. I sat feet across from you; you crumbled up, rotting away in a wheelchair, me standing tall and brave, and confronted you with the hard bare truth you had kept hidden from me for over four decades, she said at the crime convention, giving a victim impact statement as though speaking to her imprisoned father. You denied it, gas-lit me, emotionally and verbally abused me, asked me what PTSD is; and then when I explained, told me, I had brought this all on myself, she continued. Kerri Rawson, pictured speaking to a reporter, said she uncovered a journal entry by her father suggesting he abused her when she was too young to remember ( NewsNation ) The journal entry was uncovered as Oklahoma investigators looked into the cold case disappearance of Cynthia Dawn Kinney in 1976. They believe Rader could be responsible for the teen girls mysterious disappearance. Ms Rawson, who helped police decipher her fathers journal where he recorded the torture he inflicted on his victims, found a passage that read: KERRI/BND/GAME 1981, according to Fox News. BND was Raders shorthand for bondage. My stomach twisted into white hot lightning, Ms Rawson said of the discovery, per Fox News. There it was, after four decades, hard proof that you, my father, had sexually abused me when I was a toddler. Dennis Rader, pictured, is serving ten consecutive life sentences for the murders of at least ten women ( AP2005 ) Meanwhile, police have attempted to link Rader to other cold cases. In January 2023, the Osage County Sheriffs Office launched a new investigation into hundreds of Raders drawings and writings that were recovered after his 2005 arrest. Were hoping that releasing these, someone might recognize one of these barns or the unique features in them, or the closeness of the silo to the barn or possibly might have even found items that they didnt know why were there that could be very important in this case, Sheriff Virden told CNN at the time. Earlier this year, Rader was also absolved of yet another cold case initially believed to be connected to him: the 1990 murder of Shawna Garber. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Ohios police chief has urged witnesses to come forward with information after one person was killed and 24 were injured in a mass shooting shortly after Sunday midnight. Officials said shots were reported early Sunday just after midnight in the city of Akron, where multiple victims struck by gunfire were reported. Local hospitals told emergency dispatchers soon afterwards that people were arriving in their emergency departments with gunshot wounds. Captain Michael Miller, an Akron police public information officer, said Sunday morning that there were 25 total victims. Some of the victims were in critical condition while others had injuries that were not life-threatening, Mr Miller said. Among the victims was a 27-year-old man who was killed, police chief Brian Harding said. The identity of the person has not been released yet. A police officer pictured at the scene of a shooting in Akron, Ohio on Sunday. Police say one person is dead and two dozen are injured ( AP ) Cleveland Clinic told News 5 they admitted seven patients to the hospital early Sunday, with one in critical condition. The hospital was under a hard lockdown from just after midnight until around 3.30 am. This was a tragic incident which impacts our entire community, Mayor Shammas Malik said. The sheer number of victims is shocking and disconcerting. I want to be very clear: Anyone who was involved in last nights shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Rewards totaling $22,500 for information leading to the arrest of a suspect were offered by three agencies: $5,000 from Summit County Crime Stoppers, $7,500 from the US Marshals Service and up to $10,000 from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Akron officials said. We have to hold people accountable when they commit violence. Thats the only way to keep our communities safe, Mr Malik said. Investigators found two handguns and more than 35 bullet shell casings at the scene of the outdoor party where the shooting took place, Mr Harding said. Meanwhile, Summa Health told the outlet its hospital received 15 patients this morning. 13 of those victims had non-life-threatening injuries, with several already being released. One person remains in critical condition, the hospital said. The scene of an Akron, Ohio shooting pictured Sunday. Many victims have already been released from area hospitals ( AP ) The outlet reported that a street party was happening in the area before the gunfire broke out. An unnamed witness at the scene told the station that hundreds of people were enjoying themselves with everyone in white T-shirts and women on top of vehicles dancing. Authorities found a gun and several bullet casings on the scene, but have yet to arrest a suspect. My thoughts are with the victims and those affected by the horrific shooting in Akron, Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown said in a statement. My office has been in contact with local officials and we are continuing to monitor the situation. Grateful for the first responders who arrived on the scene quickly. According to reports, a street party was going on in the area before the gunfire broke out. Hundreds of people who were attending the party in white T-shirts were enjoying and women on top of vehicles dancing. Additional reporting by agencies The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A 21-year-old Texas man has been charged with killing his uncle in a feud over rooster ownership. Aaron Cervantes faces a capital murder charge and is being held on a $2m bond in Hildalgo County, Texas, after police said he shot and killed his uncle on Thursday, local outlet Valley Central reports. Just before 4 am on Thursday, Hidalgo County Sheriffs Office deputies responded to a report of a gunshot wound at a home in rural Mission, Texas. There, they discovered 54-year-old Fernando Madrid shot inside a bathroom, the office said in a statement. EMS arrived soon afterwards and declared him dead. Family members present told police Mr Cervantes had shown up that morning to take roosters he believed belonged to him. Madrid confronted his nephew as he removed the chickens from the property, which sparked an argument, witnesses told police. The Sheriffs Office says Mr Cervantes shot his uncle during the altercation with a handgun. Police also arrested a second man but have since released him because he took no part in the criminal offense, the sheriffs office said. A GoFundMe has been launched for Madrids loved ones. His memorial service is planned for Monday, according to the fundraising page. Local outlet Express News reported police would not confirm whether the altercation was related to cockfighting, in which birds are made to fight for spectators who pay to attend and place bets on the outcome. The practice is widespread throughout rural Texas, according to the outlet. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A former Manhattan District Attorney does not think that Donald Trump will serve prison time after he was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Cyrus Vance Jr, who served in the office from 2010 to 2022, made the admission while appearing on NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday morning. The president has made this a little more complicated by having been found in contempt 10 times during the court, he said during the interview. But I think that with the proximity of the Republican Convention four days after his sentencing, and then, if he is the candidate for the Republican Party, the proximity of the election, I would be surprised that he would be sentenced to any imprisonment. Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee for president. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11 and the Republican National Convention is set to start on July 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr does not believe that Former President Donald Trump will serve prison time following his conviction ( Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Judge Juan Merchan found Trump in contempt of court 10 times during the Manhattan trial for violating a gag order imposed to stop him from intimidating witnesses, the jury and the family of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Vance Jr said that the court could decide to postpone the sentencing hearing until after the general election and decide Trumps fate then. The former DA did not comment on whether he personally thought Trump should serve prison time in the case. Thats for Mr Bragg to decide, he said. Republicans have criticized Judge Merchan for donating to President Joe Bidens campaign and other Democratic issues. Vance Jr said that he doesnt believe the small donations, both under $50, present a conflict of interest. I know Judge Merchan. Obviously, before Judge Merchan, he was our grand jury judge when he prosecuted the Trump Organization, and I think he is honest as the day is long, he said. He was careful. He was caring, and I think he handled a very difficult trial with a neutral hand and gave the president every benefit of the doubt that he was entitled to under the law. The former district attorney asserted that he does not believe that Trump is being persecuted for his beliefs. Instead, he reminded viewers of a time when he thought Trump let politics play a role in how he conducted his administration. Do you remember when Michael Cohen was indicted by US Attorney Bharara in 2015? The president incoming president, President Trump, asked Bharara to stay on and that investigation continued, he said. So President Trump fired Bharara and he brought in a Republican US Attorney Geoff Berman, excellent man, great lawyer. Geoff Berman continued the investigation into the president, so the president fired him, too. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A passenger on a plane from Europe to the US was called incredibly rude after refusing to switch seats for a woman who wanted to get away from a crying baby. An unidentified man wrote about the kerfuffle on Reddit last week in a post that has now gone viral. According to the forum site, the man, 34, and his wife, 36, were flying back from Dublin to Washington DC. They had been assigned the middle and window seats but ended up having the entire row to themselves when one of the passengers didnt show. Before the aircraft left the gate, the man took the aisle seat and his wife took the window seat. About five hours into the flight, a woman who had been sitting across from the couple approached them with a friend and demanded that the friend sit in the rows middle seat. She did not ask - she told us this was happening, the man wrote. A Reddit user asked if he was wrong for not letting a woman take a seat in his row as she tried to escape a crying baby ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) The passenger asked if a flight attendant agreed to the change and the woman said yes. Not sure whether to believe her, he called over a flight attendant who said that the agreement was that the friend could take an available aisle seat but could not disrupt anyones seating arrangements. The female passenger then started to complain about how the man wasnt assigned the aisle seat and shouldnt have been sitting in it anyway. He said he had been sitting in the seat for five hours when she approached him, adding that he and his partner had their items all over the area. The woman and the friend then went to speak to the flight attendant in private for about five minutes. She returned and then yelled at him, saying Her friend would not be sitting there - not because she was not allowed to, but because I was so incredibly rude. She proceeded to call him a f*****g a*****e. The man said he kept his eyes on the show as she berated him. The only thing I did this entire time was ask to talk to the flight attendant. I did not say anything else to this woman, though I would have liked to, he said. Reddit commenters were divided on how to respond but a few noted that had the woman asked politely, the situation might have had a different outcome. Nicole Campoy Jackson, a travel expert, writer and advisor for Fora Travel, said that asking the flight attendant for help was the right move in an interview with People. I am always in the camp of getting a flight attendant involved for sticky in-flight situations, she said. Tensions run high when were traveling plus they would know, for example, if there was another aisle seat or another solution to this problem. They have more context than we, the passengers, do. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Newly assigned to cover the Reagan White House, Associated Press photographer Ron Edmonds knew the most important part of the job was to keep watch on the president at all times. He did that for 28 years. But there was never a day like March 30, 1981. That was when Edmonds, who died Friday night in Virginia at age 77, took a series of images for the ages. President Ronald Reagan had just spoken to members of the AFL-CIO at a Hilton hotel not far from the White House. As Reagan emerged from the hotel, John Hinckley Jr. used a revolver to fire at the president, his aides and his protective detail. Edmonds was in place for an exclusive series of pictures taken across the roof of Reagans limousine as Reagan was struck and then shoved down and into the vehicle. It sped to the hospital where doctors saved the presidents life. That coverage and those indelible images won Edmonds the Pulitzer for spot news photography. I wish it had been for a picture that had not been of violence, of people being hurt, he said when the award was announced on April 12, 1982. Edmonds was summoned to the Oval Office for a chat with the president the next day. Reagan joked, Edmonds said, that photographers always asked him for just one more picture. He could replay the shooting scene, the president said, but this time he would use a stuntman. In a first-person retrospective three decades later, Edmonds said in an AP video that the fateful day was shaping up like one of the thousands of events he had covered during Reagan's campaign: "Meet and greet, a little speech, shake some hands. I actually thought it was going to be a rather boring event. Outside, however, the photographer heard what sounded like firecrackers. "Everything happened in such a quick, split-second. If you looked to your right to see what the shot, what the noise was, and looked back, the president was already gone. The president immediately, when the first pop went off, he kind of grimaced in his face and thats when I pushed the shutter down, Edmonds recalled. Would it be blurry because Reagan was whisked away so fast? Edmonds had to wait until the film was processed so he could see the negatives and know whether he had anything. You did the best you could with the abilities that youve got, he said. Of this, he was sure: "I had the camera on him and I mean I saw everything through the viewfinder. Honored in 2013 by the White House News Photographers Association with its Lifetime Achievement Award, Edmonds traced the arc of his career. I decided to take a photography class in 1968 and it literally changed my life, Edmonds wrote. A newspaper photographer turned college professor encouraged Edmonds to photograph antiwar demonstrations in Sacramento, California. Edmonds sold one of his images for $25 to United Press International. I saw it in the newspaper the next day, and I knew what I wanted to do for a living. He freelanced in California before taking a job at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Five years later came a promotion to chief photographer. Edmonds, who was born June 6, 1946, in California, met his wife, Grace, when she joined the newspaper in 1975 to cover courts. She survives him, as does their daughter Ashley. Opting for a bigger pond, he wrote, Edmonds joined UPI in Sacramento in 1978 as a newspicture bureau manager. The AP came calling during Reagans presidential campaign in 1980 with an opening in the Washington bureau. It was a dream come true to work at the White House with legends in the craft, Edmonds wrote. The Pulitzer, he noted, was earned on only his second day as the APs White House photographer covering Reagan. The most important element of my job was to watch the president at all times, and I think, on that day, I did everything I was supposed to do, Edmonds wrote. Still, I was convinced I was in trouble with my bosses because I had failed to get a picture of John Hinckley Jr. When I got word to call the president of the AP in New York, I assumed the worst. He told me, You nailed it, kid. I got a $50-a-week merit raise. My bureau chief, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Walter Mears, jokingly complained that he had only gotten a $25-a-week raise for his Pulitzer. Edmonds retired in 2009, when he was the APs senior White House photographer. He had covered presidents and the world, Super Bowls and the Olympics. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, his list of countries to visit has gotten much shorter. Trump was found guilty on Thursday of 34 counts of falsifying records in an effort to keep adult film star Stormy Daniels quiet about an affair that occurred in the 2000s. That means certain freedoms Mr Trump once enjoyed may be out of his reach and could have a serious effect on his ability to carry out his presidential duties, including travelling to foreign countries. Nearly 40 nations - including Canada and the UK - have strict policies when it comes to allowing individuals with criminal records across their borders, and barring a special accommodation, Trump would be held to those same standards. Its unclear if he would be allowed to visit if he wins the presidential election in November, but remains a felon. Here are just five of the over 35 nations that can now ban Trump from entry now that he's a felon: Former President Donald Trump may not be allowed to enter nearly 40 countries now that hes a convicted felon ( AP ) Israel Despite Trump once retweeting someone who referred to him as the "King of Israel" and bragging that he moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Trump may not be able to visit the nation now that he's a felon. Israel reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone with a criminal record, including felonies. Border control forces in Israel have the authority to bar entry for anyone suspected of committing a crime or with a record, and Trump meets both of those qualifiers. Canada According to the Canadian government's tourist hub, any "US Citizen or permanent resident that has a felony conviction on their criminal record may be deemed inadmissible to Canada for the purposes of immigrating, or even if they're merely coming to Canada to visit." Canada even retains the right to bar individuals "arrested or accused of a felony crime ... even though you have not been convicted," meaning Trump would have faced issues visiting the US's northern neighbor the moment he faced charges. The government notes that "a felony will likely result in inadmissibility." Then-president Donald Trump talks with Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the plenary session of the NATO summit in 2019 ( AFP via Getty Images ) Japan Japan is fairly strict with its immigration and visitation rules, including laws preventing convicted criminals from entry. Under Japanese law anyone convicted of a violation of "any law of regulation" of any country and who has been sentenced to "imprisonment with or without work for one year or more, or to an equivalent penalty" can be barred from entry. Japanese law does note that individuals convicted of a "political offence" are not subject to those rules. In Trump's mind, at least, he could qualify to visit under those terms. It's unclear if Japan would buy his version of events. UK Under UK law, a felon can visit England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland with some restrictions and requirements in place. However, Britain can bar access to convicted felons. Unless an Immigration Officer is satisfied that admission would be justified for strong compassionate reasons, they can refuse access to any convicted felon so long as the crime they committed would also be punishable by imprisonment in the UK. In 2019, British Prime Minister Theresa May, Prince of Wales Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, President Donald Trump and First Lady of Melania Trump attended the D-day 75 Commemorations on June 05 in Portsmouth, England. ( Getty Images ) China China has strict policies when admitting anyone over its borders. Chinese officials conduct character assessments for anyone applying for a visa, and that includes a criminal history check, including felonies. Even minor offences can get someone barred from entering China, so Mr Trump may not be able to chide the Chinese in person if he were ever so inclined. Countries and territories that restrict visits from felons Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Trump-aligned wing of the GOP is signaling an impending assault against Republican US Senate candidate Larry Hogan, adding a wrinkle to the battle for control of the upper chamber of Congress. Formerly the two-term governor of Maryland, a decidedly blue state, Hogan has never been an ally of Donald Trump. He supported both impeachment inquiries into the ex-president, distinguishing himself as a member of a small minority of his partys elected officials. The ex-governor also issued a scathing condemnation of the Republican then-president after January 6, during which he sent Maryland police to aid law enforcement at the US Capitol. But it was his statement released on X ahead of the conviction of Trump on 34 felony counts in New York this past week that triggered promises of revenge from two high-ranking members of the former presidents inner circle. Trump was found guilty on Thursday by a jury of 34 felony counts relating to a hush money scheme concocted during the height of the 2016 election. His ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, carried out the effort in which a porn star was paid off to ensure that her story of an affair with Trump was not made public during the presidential campaign. Prosecutors called this effort an illegal attempt to benefit his White House bid. Hogan released a statement in which he called for both sides to respect the process and the nonpartisan nature of the US criminal court system ahead of the verdicts announcement. Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process, wrote Hogan. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leadersregardless of partymust not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law. But that sentiment was insufficient in the eyes of Trumps allies, who were incensed at Hogans refusal to join other Republicans in attacking the integrity of the judge, the jury, the prosecutors, and the Biden administration, which theyve insisted without evidence is orchestrating the prosecutions of Donald Trump. Chris LaCivita, Trumps 2024 campaign manager, responded to the tweet directly: You just ended your campaign. You just ended your campaign https://t.co/LJDuQ4oj0A Chris LaCivita (@LaCivitaC) May 30, 2024 And Lara Trump, who recently assumed control at the Republican National Committee, lashed out at Hogan in an interview on CNN. He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point...or of anybody, frankly said the RNC co-chair, adding to guest host Kasie Hunt that she would have to get back to you on whether the RNC still supported his candidacy at all. Kasie: Does the RNC support Hogan for Senate? Lara Trump: I don't support what he just said there. He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point. And quite frankly, anybody in America pic.twitter.com/npj9qRuokM Acyn (@Acyn) June 2, 2024 It would have been a stunning moment in past election cycles, but in the new Trump-dominated GOP such demands for loyalty have become commonplace. The ex-president relentlessly attacked his rivals during the 2024 Republican primary and even stated that some of their supporters were no longer welcome in the party. He is also reported to be seeking to surround himself with others who embrace his lies and conspiracies about the 2020 election as he prepares to staff up for a possible second stint in the White House. Hogan now faces a challenge he has never before dealt with in an election year: the de facto leader of his party and the combined Republican establishment openly seething at him and, in the RNC co-chairs case, urging voters against supporting him. The former governor won widespread popularity across the state of Maryland during his two terms in office, which he won in races that took place outside of presidential election years. Hogan has never contended with the prospect of sharing the ticket with Donald Trump; 2024 will be the first time that changes. Former Governor Larry Hogan greets supporters on 14 May ahead of the states primary elections ( Getty Images ) Remaining firmly in his camp is one important ally: the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which serves as the campaigning arm of the Senate GOP establishment. Currently headed by Steve Daines, the group finds itself divided this year as it backs both Hogan, a fervent anti-Trumper, and the former presidents avowed loyalists like Kari Lake in Arizona. The NRSC and Senate Republican leadership are thought to have lobbied the ex-governor for months to jump into the race, which is set to be one of the most expensive this cycle. In the Senate, Hogan has promised to become one of the Republican caucus most moderate members, joining the ranks of Lisa Murkowki, Susan Collins and the departing Mitt Romney. But his election to the upper chamber would throw control of the Senate to Republicans unless Democrats picked up a seat elsewhere. That reality has forced Hogan to campaign against the idea of being a rubber stamp for GOP (and Donald Trumps) policies. In his first advertisement of the general election season, the former governor promised to vote for legislation codifying abortion rights into federal law if elected a vow that marks Hogan as a clear outlier among the GOP Senate contenders of 2024. On Saturday, he cemented that against the grain image as he walked in a Pride parade in Annapolis, the states capital. Polling of the Maryland Senate race suggests a competitive race between Hogan and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who won a decisive victory in the Democratic primary despite being massively outspent by her opponent. An Emerson College poll released on the eve of the primary indicated an advantage for Alsobrooks. The Independent has reached out to the governors campaign for comment on the Trump teams threats to end national support for his campaign. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has made history once again by becoming the first US president ever convicted of a crime. On Thursday, a jury found the former president guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a hush money payment to a porn star. Stormy Daniels alleged that she had an affair with Trump in 2006, something the former president has denied outright. Even so, shortly before the 2016 presidential election, Daniels received a $130,000 payment from Trumps then-fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen. Cohen was later reimbursed for the payment reimbursements that were fraudulently logged as legal expenses. A jury of 12 New Yorkers has now found that Trump falsified those business records as part of a plot to interfere with the election by hiding negative information about himself from voters. This was a rigged, disgraceful trial, Trump raged outside the courtroom on Thursday. The real verdict is going to be November 5 by the people, and they know what happened here, he added, referencing the 2024 presidential election. Im a very innocent man, he said. Trump is set to be sentenced on 11 July at 10am. So now it comes down to this: a convicted felon could become the next president of the US, and could even wind up running the country from prison. But can Trump pardon himself if he wins in November? Donald Trump leaves criminal courtroom after he was convicted on all felony counts of falsifying business records in New York on May 30 ( AFP/Getty Images ) From a legal standpoint, if he becomes president, Trump could pardon himself for any federal convictions. But he could not pardon himself for any convictions on the state level, such as his conviction in New York. The state and federal systems in the United States are completely separate, Steve Duffy, a jury consultant at Trial Behavior Consulting, told The Independent prior to the verdict. The only person who could pardon him would be the governor of New York who is exceedingly unlikely to do that, he added, in reference to Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat. Attorney Duncan Levin, who worked at the Manhattan District Attorneys Office years before the case against Trump, echoed this: This is a case brought by New York state and is not subject to a federal pardon. The president of the United States can pardon on federal cases, but not on state cases he would have no ability to pardon himself by law. That said, Levin told The Independent that Trump would be able to pardon himself if he is convicted in his federal cases. The former president is currently facing two federal cases: one in Washington, DC over attempts to overturn the 2020 election and one in Florida over his alleged mishandling of classified documents since leaving the White House in January 2021. He is also facing state charges in Georgia in connection to his efforts to overturn the 2020 results in that state. Its unlikely any of these three cases will actually make it to trial before the November election. But should Trump take back the White House and pardon himself in the federal cases, it would mark yet another unprecedented moment in American history. Its never happened before the former president has ever faced a criminal trial, Levin said. Its never happened that a felon is elected president of the United States. None of that has ever happened before. Its without any precedents whatsoever. Trump makes unfounded claim hush money trial was 'rigged' after guilty verdict If Trump tries to pardon himself, Levin predicted it would end up in a legal battle escalated to the US Supreme Court. Of course, Trump has toyed with pardoning himself in the past. Last September, he said he had discussed the possibility of pardoning himself at the end of his last term but ultimately decided against it. I couldve pardoned myself. Do you know what? I was given an option to pardon myself. I couldve pardoned myself when I left, he told NBC News. People said, Would you like to pardon yourself? I had a couple of attorneys that said, You could do it if you want. I had some people that said, It would look bad if you do it, because I think it would look terrible. I said, The last thing Id ever do is give myself a pardon, he claimed. Asked if he would pardon himself if he wins in the fall, he said: I think its very unlikely. What, what did I do wrong? I didnt do anything wrong. You mean because I challenge an election, they want to put me in jail? Elisha Matthews said the man used shopping trolleys to block a disabled parking spot forcing permit holders to drive away. Disability advocate Elisha Williams said she was 'enraged' by what she saw at a Brisbane car park. Source: Supplied A disability advocate was enraged after a man, whose car had broken down, prevented multiple drivers with valid permits from accessing a disabled parking spot by filling it with trolleys while he waited for roadside assistance. Elisha Matthews, who uses a portable powered wheelchair, said she watched as the man put up a barricade of trolleys in the mobility bay, while physically stepping in to stop three vehicles with valid disabled permits from parking in the spot. The Brisbane woman told Yahoo News Australia while the "abuse of disability spots" happened every day, this was the first time shed seen someone block off a mobility spot to reserve it for a Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) roadside assistance vehicle. The Queenslander said her support worker was taking her to a physiotherapy appointment at Racecourse Village in Ascot when she was unable to park in a shaded disability spot as another driver was parked diagonally across the bay trying to jump-start the broken-down vehicle. Matthews said 'abuse of disability parking spots' happens every day and there should be tougher enforcement. Source: Facebook Beggars cant be choosers, she said. But I'll tell you I spent my entire physio session enraged by what I was watching through the window." She said she watched the man use trolleys to block access to the spot from every angle. "And let me tell you, trying to get accessible parking at the shopping centre is like winning the lottery. Matthews, who founded the No Permits No Park campaign which resulted in legislation change, told Yahoo, that when a mechanic from RACQ arrived, they parked their vehicle in the disabled spot to service the mans car. She said Racecourse Village was a small shopping centre with a hairdresser, gym, GP, dentist, pharmacy and a physiotherapist meaning disabled drivers could have missed important medical appointments by not being allowed to use that spot. For (disabled) people who still drive, they need that access, Williams told Yahoo. I have a lot of friends who are wheelchair users and have modified mobility vehicles. Without that access, they cannot get out of the car. Its the response from people. They think that just using the space will affect one disabled person but they could be popping in to buy bread and milk, so having that space for one hour could affect three or four people. Matthews said able-bodied people illegally taking up a mobility spot even for a few minutes purely for convenience could affect a disabled persons entire day. Reporting people parking in disabled parking spots illegally should be easier, advocates say. Source: Getty Disabled people 'have jobs, families and appointments' too "(Able-bodied) people have the attitude that we're all just out shopping or having a good time so it's only a slight inconvenience," she told Yahoo. "Our lives are important too and we do work. We have jobs, families and appointments like everyone else. There needs to be more community education. Adding to the problem is the difficulty of enforcing the illegal use of disabled parking bays, as shopping centres are privately owned. While, a Queensland Police spokesperson said it was only responsible for monitoring infringements in public spaces such as on-street locations, a Brisbane City Council spokesperson told Yahoo: "Council does not have the power to issue fines or manage parking in private shopping centres, it would be a police matter." According to the Queensland Government: "For private car parks, reports about illegal use of disability parking bays should be made to the property owner." In this case, that would be the shopping centre management. However, it added, "Owners of private car parks (such as hospitals, shopping centres and clubs) may also agree with local governments to allow parking inspectors to issue parking infringement notices." 'No need' to block parking spaces for breakdown patrols An RACQ spokesperson told Yahoo, RACQ would like to reassure its members that there is no need to block parking spaces to ensure our patrols can access their vehicles when experiencing a breakdown. Our skilled patrol teams are fully trained and equipped to navigate various environments and find a suitable location to service the vehicle. They said a RACQ patrol could park in a disabled bay as a short-term solution while assisting a member if there was no safe alternative, but would aim t67 move to allow someone with a permit to use the space. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has made history as the first criminally convicted US president. He has been found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of a conspiracy to corruptly influence the 2016 presidential election. He sat emotionless as the jury convicted him on 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election. Ms Daniels says that they had a sexual encounter in 2006, which Trump denies. The jury delivered the verdict late on 31 May after deliberating for almost two days at the Manhattan court. The Republican presidential candidate completed a virtual interview with Manhattan Criminal Courts probation department on Monday, a mandatory requirement before he is sentenced on July 11 by New York judge Juan Merchan after being found guilty on all counts at his hush money trial last month. Could Trump go to prison? And what potential prison time is he facing in his three other criminal cases? The hush money case up to 20 years The 34 charges were stepped up from misdemeanors to class E felonies for the trial because prosecutors alleged the crimes were carried out in an effort to commit or conceal another crime. Each of the 34 counts carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, however New York imposes a 20-year sentencing cap for this type of offense. However, such sentences are usually only doled out in circumstances like previous felony convictions or based on the seriousness of the crime. Given that Trump has no prior criminal record and his crimes are non-violent, he could face no jail time. Instead, New York Judge Juan Merchan could impose other penalties such as fines, probation or conditional discharge in lieu of jail time. The prosecution and the defense are still to give their recommendations on sentencing. The defense was due to give its recommendation on June 13. On June 10 Trump sat for a virtual interview with a probation officer as part of the sentencing procedure. Reports said the interview lasted half an hour. Some commentators have suggested the prosecution could ask for jail time although others have suggested Trumps age and lack of previous convictions make this unlikely. The classified documents case up to 450 years In one of two federal criminal cases, Trump is charged with willfully retaining secrets and obstructing justice over his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House. In August 2022, the FBI raided Trumps Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach, Florida, and found boxes of classified documents that he should have returned to the National Archives. In that case, the former president faces a maximum of 10 years in prison per count of willfully retaining secrets and 20 years per count of obstructing justice. Donald Trump appears alongside his aide and co-defendant Walt Nauta and attorneys Chris Kise and Todd Blanche in Miami, Florida, in June 2023 ( Reuters ) While the latter offence comes with a higher maximum sentence, it is the former which should have Trump more worried. Convictions of wilful and/or reckless retention of classified information frequently result in prison sentences of several years or more. Trump faces more than 30 of those charges. The trial was provisionally set for 20 May, although Judge Aileen Cannon subsequently suspended it indefinitely and pretrial hearings relating to it continue to be dominated by baffling orders and courtroom spats. The federal election interference case up to 55 years The Justice Departments second case against Trump accuses him with efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election in his favor. In this case, he faces charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy against Americans right to vote in free elections and attempting to block the certification of the election results by summoning a mob to attack the US Capitol on 6 January 2021. Should he be convicted on either point, he faces steep maximum prison sentences for each count, in particular the obstruction of proceeding charges, which carry 20-year maximum terms. Donald Trump claimed he witnessed filth and decay in Washington DC after his arraignment in early August 2023 ( Getty ) The trial, in this case, was provisionally set for 4 March but it has been plagued by delays while Trumps presidential immunity argument plays out before the US Supreme Court. The Georgia racketeering case up to 76.5 years In Georgia, Trump is charged with his efforts to overturn the 2020 election in the state. Donald Trump appears in a police booking mugshot released by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office in Georgia in August 2023 ( Reuters ) The sprawling RICO case, brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis against Trump and a string of his allies, is unique in that it is the only case where the charges carry minimum prison terms. The most serious felony charge of violating Georgias RICO statute (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations) carries a minimum prison term of five years, with a maximum of 20 behind bars. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump could soon become the first American president in history to serve time in prison after a New York jury found him guilty of all 34 felony counts in his hush money trial. The presumptive GOP presidential nominee was found guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election. The jury deliberated for roughly nine and a half hours before reaching their decision on Thursday afternoon just minutes before Judge Juan Merchan was set to dismiss them. Trumps sentencing is scheduled for 11 July, just four days before the Republican National Convention (RNC), where delegates will almost certainly make him the official GOP presidential candidate. Both sides can file motions in the case until 13 June. Ms Daniels, her former lawyer Keith Davidson, Trumps former fixer turned arch nemesis Michael Cohen, ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and former Trump White House aides Hope Hicks and Madeleine Westerhout all took the stand to testify in the trial. The 34 charges were stepped up from misdemeanors to class E felonies because prosecutors said the crimes were carried out in an effort to commit or conceal another crime these crimes being election conspiracy and campaign finance and tax law violations. Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to the media the day a New York jury convicted him of 34 felony counts ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Trump could theoretically face more than a decade in prison, according to CNN chief legal analyst Laura Coates. Under New York state law, the maximum prison sentence for a Class E felony is four years in prison. New York imposes a 20-year sentencing cap for this type of offence, with a decision on whether the sentences run concurrently or consecutively left up to the judge. Given that Trump has no prior criminal record and the crimes are non-violent in nature, it is likely he will face no jail time. Instead, New York Justice Juan Merchan could impose other penalties such as fines, probation or conditional discharge in lieu of jail time. The bigger questions surrounding the hypothetical incarceration of Trump is what kind of Secret Service detail he might receive as the first former president-turned-inmate. As the former president campaigns in the wake of this conviction, he is also battling three other criminal indictments in Florida, Washington DC and Georgia. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump addressed his conviction on 34 felony charges and claimed that Americans would rise up in his defense should he be thrown in prison during an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News. Taking his first questions after a verdict was reached in his trial on Thursday, Trump spoke to three co-hosts of Fox & Friends Weekends as he turned to the relatively friendly territory of Fox News to give his reaction. The ex-president once again lashed out at prosecutors for bringing the case and wrongly accused President Joe Biden of orchestrating the various criminal prosecutions he continues to face. He also suggested that the American public would reach its breaking point were he to be incarcerated for his crimes. He was found guilty of falsifying business records with the purpose of hiding a hush money scheme involving a porn star at the height of the presidential election, which prosecutors said was an illegal method of aiding his campaign. The former president has vowed to appeal. He could potentially face a maximum of four years in prison for each or any of the 34 counts. Donald Trump appears on Fox & Friends Weekends after his conviction on 34 felony counts ( Fox News ) I dont know that the public would stand it. You know, I dont ... Im not sure the public would stand for it. I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, theres a breaking point, said the former president. Theres no evidence that Americans are widely up in arms about the conviction of the former president on criminal charges. A YouGov poll released shortly after the verdict found that about half of all Americans agree with the jurys verdict, while smaller segments of the population disagreed or were unsure about the ruling. Donald Trump speaks at a press conference after his conviction on Friday, 31 May ( AP ) But Trump is likely hoping that his supporters will continue to put pressure on the legal system as his campaign uses the conviction to rile up the ex-presidents most loyal supporters. Already, his campaign has reported more than $52.8m in donations in the first 24 hours following the jurys decision. His allies on Capitol Hill and in conservative media have relentlessly attacked the integrity of the trial, with some calling for vengeance against the Biden family and other prominent Democrats should Trump be elected to a second term. On the campaign trail, Trumps journey becomes more uncertain as his conviction means more court battles in the months ahead. It remains wholly unclear whether any of the other criminal prosecutions of the former president will begin before the election in November, but he now has an appeal process and sentencing to contend with on top of everything else. Trump attacked his 2024 opponent in the interview Sunday on Fox and argued that the GOP would remain unified with him on the issue of his criminal trials. People get it. Its a scam. And the Republican Party theyve stuck together in this. They see its a weaponization of the Justice Department of the FBI and thats all coming out of Washington, he said. Separately, his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, now chair of the Republican National Committee, made clear what that unity meant in real terms: the cutting-off of any Republican who did not pass Trumps latest loyalty test. That tests newest victim is Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland looking to pick up a Senate seat for the GOP in the otherwise Democratic stronghold of Maryland. He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point, Lara Trump said of Hogan in a CNN interview on Sundays State of the Union. Kasie: Does the RNC support Hogan for Senate? Lara Trump: I don't support what he just said there. He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point. And quite frankly, anybody in America pic.twitter.com/npj9qRuokM Acyn (@Acyn) June 2, 2024 Where it once looked like Hogan had a clear shot at winning the seat (and thereby almost guaranteeing Republican control of the Senate), it now seems obvious that the ex-governor will be running against not only the Democratic Partys establishment but the GOPs as well as he battles Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the seat in November. The Independent has reached out to the governors campaign for comment on the Trump teams threats to end national support for his campaign. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused China of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming peace conference on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asias premier security conference in Singapore, Mr Zelensky alleged Russia had been using Chinese diplomats in the wider Asian region to influence and dissuade countries from attending the peace summit, due to be held in Burgenstock Resort, central Switzerland, on 15 and 16 June. Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit, said Mr Zelensky at a news conference at the Shangri-La defence forum. Regrettably this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin. He added that such actions were not only support to Russia that is support of war. Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine had proposals to make at the summit as a basis for peace, addressing nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Time is running out, and the children are growing up in the Putin-land where they are taught to hate their homeland, he said. He added that Ukraine is ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us ... to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace and that the greater the participation in the summit, the more likely it will be that Russia will have to listen, he said. In what is only Mr Zelenskys second trip to Asia since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the comments on China marked a more aggressive approach from the Ukrainian leader towards Beijing. He has previously sought to persuade China to pressure Moscow to end its war. Since a phone call between Mr Zelensky and the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, one year ago, the Ukrainian administration has sought meetings with Chinese officials at all levels. But on Sunday, Mr Zelensky said this had not been granted. open image in gallery Admiral Dong Jun, Chinas minister of defence, at the same conference as Mr Zelensky, denied that Beijing supported Russias war effort ( EPA ) Ukraine and Switzerland had been hoping that China might attend the summit later this month but, on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning signalled that that was unlikely. China had been calling for a peace conference with equal participation of all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited. There is still a clear gap between the arrangements for the meeting and the demands of the Chinese side, as well as the general expectations of the international community," Ms Mao said at the time. This makes it difficult for China to participate in the meeting." It was another blow for the summit after it was reported last month that US President Joe Biden would likely be skipping the event to attend a campaign stop in California ahead of the presidential election in November. China has staked out what it says is a neutral position on the war in Ukraine, but its trade with Russia has grown over the past two-and-a-half years, easing the economic impact of Western sanctions. American, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies also say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbour. Grant Shapps, the UK defence secretary, has additionally claimed there is evidence that China is supplying lethal aid to Russia, in comments that appeared to be a reference to weaponry. Earlier on Sunday, the Chinese defence minister, Dong Jun, told attendees of the Shangri-La Dialogue his country had been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude. He added: We have never provided weapons to either party of the conflict. We have put stricter control on the export of dual-use items and have never done anything to fan the flames. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue. However, Mr Zelensky claimed that Chinas support for Russia would ensure that the war will last longer, which he said was bad for the whole world. [China] cannot say that [they] accept sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and at the same time be on the side of the country that violates the principles of the United Nations charter and the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, he said. He added that the two nations had not met at the summit in Singapore over the weekend. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} A stingray thought to have become pregnant without a male companion has a rare reproductive disease and may not be able to give birth, the aquarium housing the fish has said. Thursday's statement from the Aquarium and Shark Lab in Hendersonville, North Carolina, did not say what disease the stingray, Charlotte, has or comment on the status of her pregnancy. The aquarium did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking more information. Charlotte has developed a rare reproductive disease that has negatively impacted her reproductive system," the aquarium said. The findings are truly a sad and unexpected medical development. Our priority is to focus on Charlottes health and well being. The aquarium in the Blue Ridge Mountains had announced Charlotte's pregnancy in February, stating that she hadn't shared a tank with a male of her species in at least eight years. The aquarium said at the time that she was pregnant with as many as four pups and could give birth within two weeks. The pregnancy was thought to be the result of a type of asexual reproduction called parthenogenesis, in which offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, meaning there is no genetic contribution by a male. The mostly rare phenomenon can occur in some insects, fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles, but not in mammals. Documented examples have included California condors, Komodo dragons and yellow-bellied water snakes. The pregnancy had been deemed a once-in-a-lifetime science mystery by the aquarium. The aquarium said there are two ways in which Charlotte could have become pregnant. One is a rare process called parthenogenesis, in which the eggs develop on their own without fertilisation and create a clone of the mother. The second possible explanation for the pregnancy is Charlotte could have mated with one of the young sharks, according to Brenda Ramer, executive director of Team Ecco. In February 1888, it took Vincent van Gogh 18 hours to reach Arles from Paris by train. Once there, he found a room at the Hotel Carrel just inside the citys medieval walls and began to paint. The swirling incandescent works that he created over the following two years, ageless paintings like Sunflowers and The Starry Night, have come to define the very idea of art, but Van Gogh met a nemesis of sorts in Provence. After his hopes of forming an artists colony with Paul Gauguin were dashed the Dutch artist mutilated his own ear, ended up in the citys hospital and then, turbulent genius overwhelmed by mental illness, the asylum at nearby St Remy. Or so the legend goes. Do such extreme events leave traces, is it still possible to get a sense of the troubled artist and his work in Provence? As the National Gallerys unmissable overview of his time in Arles, Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers, opens, it feels like a question worth answering. Happily, its now only five hours by train from Paris to the city on the banks of the Rhone, an easy pilgrimage to such a culturally portentous place. Arles has burst out of its medieval walls since Van Goghs time and the Hotel Carrel is an empty space on Rue Amedee Pichot, destroyed on 25 June 1944 by US bombers seeking the railway bridge over the Rhone. But I walk along the same tree-lined avenue through the Roman necropolis shown in The Alyscamps, where Van Gogh and Gauguin worked together, and the citys alleyways are still a warren of dun-coloured walls, pantile roofs and shuttered windows. It is down one such alleyway that I find the Fondation Vincent van Gogh Arles, a glass and concrete cube interjected into the ancient architecture, which will host the Musee dOrsays Starry Night Over the Rhone from 1 June to 8 September, before it comes to London in the autumn. open image in gallery Arles hospital which is seen in Van Goghs Garden of the Hospital in Arles ( Getty ) The quayside where that famous work was painted is only a short walk away along the river. Looking over the Rhone, Im paces away from the sites of some of his greatest masterpieces; the Cafe de la Gare, immortalised as The Night Cafe and what was briefly Van Goghs home on Place Lamartine, captured in The Yellow House with a coal-black locomotive steaming by in the background. It was here that Van Gogh prepared a guest room for Gauguin by hanging what is now the National Gallerys Sunflowers above the bed. Sadly, the 25 June air raid, which also took the Cafe de la Gare, destroyed the Yellow House. The site is now the drinks terrace of La Civette Arlesienne three beers on tap, no obvious artists in residence but the railway bridge survives, graffitied yet pregnant with the possibility of Van Goghs train puffing back at any moment. Behind me, and in front of the city gates, is the scene of Van Goghs Entrance to the Park in Arles. The park is now a roundabout and the council mistakenly places the sign indicating the site of the picture 10 minutes away in the Jardin dEte, a wooded park alongside the Roman theatre. In fact, during this trip I encounter a lot of this mislabelling and obscuration. open image in gallery Sunflowers would have been painted while he stayed in Arles ( The National Gallery, London ) In the Place du Forum, a cafe makes an initially convincing claim to be the one in Cafe Terrace at Night, but a local tells me its a fake version created in 2000 by three local businessmen since prosecuted for tax offences. Rather than disappointing, this feels appropriate. After all, under Gauguins influence, Van Gogh happily indulged his own artistic licence the Plough constellation that hangs over the river in Starry Night Over the Rhone would have been behind him in the night sky. Much of his legend of being a miserable loner is overplayed. In truth, Van Gogh welcomed company and often painted his Arles friends. He took the dashing army officer Paul-Eugene Milliet (subject of the fabulous portrait The Lover) across the fields to the abbey of Montmajour, a ruined medieval hulk of crusader castle proportions. Today, its 26 minutes by bus from Avenue George Clemenceau and, on alighting, I find a place where I know Van Gogh was happy, as he wrote to his brother, Theo, about the pleasure of stealing figs at Montmajour. open image in gallery Van Gogh arrived on 8 May 1889 in Saint-Remy-de-Provence after his infamous mental health crisis ( Getty ) There is misery if you want to seek it out. The morning after he cut his ear Van Gogh was treated in Arles hospital, which survives as the Espace Van Gogh. Pause and consider him as you go through the gateway, he would have entered in pain and trepidation. Yet even here Van Gogh painted, and the courtyard has been planted to give an indication of what he would have seen as he worked on Garden of the Hospital in Arles. From Arles, Van Gogh travelled the 25 kilometres to St Remy by cart in May 1889. The 704 bus does it in 45 minutes, as we get closer the twisted forms of the Alpilles mountains come into view, so recognisable from works like Olive trees with the Alpilles in the Background. I fill up on Provencal nosh at the Bar Tabac, then walk up the Avenue Vincent Van Gogh opposite. This hill is the artists Via Dolorosa, stations of the cross marked out on the way with reproductions of his extraordinary fever-dream landscapes. At the top, his Calvary the Saint-Paule-de-Mausole asylum where he suffered so much and which is partly open to the public. Here the obscuration continues: Van Goghs bedroom is in the wrong wing and the window from which Im told he painted the Alpilles is the wrong window. But it doesnt matter, this was Van Goghs world and there are glimpses of him in it still. Van Gogh: Poets and Lovers at The National Gallery is now open and runs until 19 January 2025 Victoria Atkins accused Keir Starmer of evicting women MPs and creating a boys club in the wake of the ongoing Diane Abbott controversy. Speaking on Sky News, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said, Keir Starmer cant work out whether Diane Abbott, one of his longest standing and trailblazing MPs, should in fact be a Member of Parliament. We see today that Sir Keir is suggesting giving out peerages to solve the problem and, interestingly, inserting some of his own, his boys club into those very seats for which hes rejecting women. Ive noticed that, Atkins said. Diane Abbott is still weighing-up whether to stand as a Labour MP a close ally has indicated. Yvette Cooper refused to rule out overseas deportation schemes for asylum seekers under a Labour government. Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on 2 June, the Shadow Home Secretary said, Were not going to do the Rwanda scheme but Keir Starmer has always said we would look at what works. For example, the Dublin agreement did mean that under that scheme some people were returned to France or Germany or other countries, she explained. Yvette Cooper reiterated Labours first steps for change, by saying that the Border Security Command and ending asylum hotels were Labours key priorities. Partner content Irish-owned companies are playing a leading role in the transformation of the global financial services sector. Photo: Getty With some of the biggest international technology and financial firms establishing strategically important presences here, Irish innovators have identified the opportunities this has created and Ireland has emerged as a thriving global fintech hub. Irish-owned companies are playing a leading role in the transformation of the global financial services sector, and many of our fintech businesses will this week be participating in the Money 20/20 trade show, an important must-attend sectoral event, which takes place in Amsterdam. Irish companies attending this years event include start-ups and established firms that specialise in areas such as compliance, lending, payments, security, SME finance and more. Money 20/20 is Europes leading fintech industry event, companies exhibiting and presenting include HSBC, Morgan Stanley, UBS, ABN Amro, ING, Barclays, and Citi. More than 7,000 people are expected at this years show, including venture capitalists and other investors, financial services companies and public sector representatives from over 90 countries. Among the Irish firms exhibiting at the event are Fenergo, the tech unicorn led by Marc Murphy, and TransferMate, another fintech company valued at more than $1bn. Others include digital identity trust specialists Daon and foreign exchange hedging innovators ALT21. Other Irish companies attending include Cambrist, CleverCards, Continuum, Circit, Fexco, ID-Pal, Kefron, Know your Customer, Zen Pensions, Msika, NoFrixion, Prommt, Property Bridges, Provenance, STRATXAI, TRIBE, Vesta Insights and Zai. With more start-ups ready to share their solutions with the wider market, now is an opportune time for them to be centre stage in Amsterdam. The new generation of fintech focused companies are building on the strong reputation that Ireland has with best-in-class products that are revolutionising the provision of financial services. Enterprise Ireland is working with over 200 indigenous Irish financial services and fintech companies, and exports in this sector grew by 32pc in 2022. North America currently accounts for close to half of all exports from the financial services sector, and the UK is the second biggest market. And for fast-scaling fintech start-ups in Ireland, European markets are increasingly proving attractive. Topics on the agenda over the course of the event include artificial intelligence and machine learning, open banking, instant payments, regulation and compliance, financial crime prevention, embedded finance, facial recognition, tokenisation and blockchain. As we look ahead to 2024 and beyond, the market for innovative fintech solutions will continue to evolve and grow, as Irish fintech and financial services companies have established a leadership position for themselves in that dynamic marketplace. Enterprise Ireland is committed to supporting the development and growth of the Irish fintech sector, and key events like Money20/20 allow us to be part of the wider fintech movement. Karen Cohalen is head of Fintechs and Robert Grace is development adviser at Enterprise Ireland Ella Wilson said Australia's native wildlife is one of the country's biggest drawcards, but she has reason to believe one iconic species 'doesn't exist' A British woman living in Australia has expressed her disappointment with her six-month stay so far, admitting she's yet to see the one thing she moved Down Under to see despite going out of her way. She's so annoyed to have not yet seen one of Australia's most recognised icons, she's even warned others not to visit, labelling the country as "a scam". Ella Wilson said she's been desperate to see a native koala in the wild, admitting it's one of Australia's main drawcards. Based in Noosa, the UK native said she's followed signs and visited areas known for thriving koala habitats despite this, she's yet to see one. "Ive seen one at Brisbane zoo but not in the wild yet," Wilson told Yahoo News Australia. "I was at a national park in Noosa and asked the information lady if Id see any there. She said to go to Tewantin as there have been 300 spotted." So Wilson made the 17-kilometre journey to Tewantin National Park which "is a well-known koala habitat," the Queensland Government's website states. She said there's ample signage and information warning visitors to 'beware of the koalas'. However, an hour in and nursing an "aching neck" from looking high in the trees, Wilson shared her dissatisfaction after failing to see a single one. Sharing her thoughts in a video on TikTok, she said: "Australia is a scam. Do not come. "I was told in this location that I'm in right now that there's over 300 koalas that live here. I've been walking for over an hour, looking at every single tree. My neck is aching. There's nothing," she said in the video. "I just don't believe they live here [in Australia]. Where are they at? Absolutely nowhere," she continued. "I've been in Australia for nearly six months now. I've not seen a single one. "All the 'beware of the koala' signs can absolutely do one. Have you ever seen a koala crossing the road? Anyone? No. No, you haven't. It's a scam and they don't exist." Koala population dwindling in Australia While it's true the koala population in Australia is dwindling due to loss of habitat, with fears of mass extinction in some states, it's estimated there are currently up to 57,000 left in the wild across eastern Australia. Those numbers are recorded by the Australian Koala Foundation, however, the government's estimation is much higher over 400,000 with known habitats in the southeast and eastern parts of the country, along the coastlines of Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. The native animal is now considered endangered in Queensland, NSW and the ACT. Koala numbers in Australia are dwindling due to natural habitats being wiped out. Source: Noose Koala rescue Aussies admit to 'never' seeing a koala in the wild Wilson told Yahoo she's "so sad" and hopes to eventually see at least one. However, responding to her complaint, one social media user admitted "I've lived in Australia since 1995 and yet to see a koala in the wild". "I've lived in Oz for 40 years, never seen a Koala in the wild, and I do a lot of bushwalking," another shared. One person suggested she visit Port Macquarie, a town in NSW that's home to over 2,000 koalas. But even there, major development has forced the native animals away from their home. Many environmental groups continue in their efforts to save the dwindling population and have stressed that habitat clearing needs to stop if the species has any chance of surviving. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Energy 'We are also playing our part in... accelerating critical longer-term sustainable solutions like onshore and offshore wind, an SSE spokesperson said.Getty Images In Ireland, we are building emergency generation to try and keep pace with demand for things like data centres, SSE said. Photo: Getty Images Demand in Ireland had increased by 3.0pc in 2023, in contrast to the EU, where demand fell by 3.4pc over the same period The recovery in consumption of energy has been particularly strong in Ireland following declines across Europe in the immediate aftermath of Russias war in Ukraine, according to UK utility giant SSE. The energy company also said it was moving closer to a final investment decision on two substantial hydrogenated vegetable oil-fuelled power plants in Tarbert, Co Kerry, and Platin, Co Meath. During a call with investment analysts covering SSEs results for its 2024 financial year, Alistair Phillips-Davies, SSE's chief executive, said the company had noted that energy consumption in Ireland had come back strongly, highlighting how it was also helping to build new emergency generation here. In Ireland, we are building emergency generation to try and keep pace with demand for things like data centres, SSE said. Photo: Getty Images I think generally, since the Ukraine war, we've seen consumption of energy across Europe come down, but I think that's coming back strongly, and we see that particularly in Ireland, he said. And in Ireland, we are, at the behest of the Green minister, building emergency generation to try and keep pace with demand for things like data centres, which are obviously powering much of this change. And indeed, the business over there recently signed a contract with Microsoft. So I think there are real tailwinds for us around demand, he added. In response to questions, a spokeswoman for SSE said that as countries electrified and digitalised their economies, there would be a growing need for electricity generation. 'We are also playing our part in... accelerating critical longer-term sustainable solutions like onshore and offshore wind, an SSE spokesperson said.Getty Images We are playing our part in addressing that challenge in the near term by working with Irish authorities to advance a Temporary Emergency Generation (TEG) project at our Tarbert site in Co Kerry, while accelerating critical longer-term sustainable solutions like onshore and offshore wind as well as lower-carbon flexible generation projects, she said. A recent Climate Change Advisory Council report highlighted how electricity demand in Ireland had increased by 3.0pc in 2023, in contrast to the EU, where demand fell by 3.4pc over the same period. The report said Irelands 2023 per capita demand was 6.9 MWh, higher than the EU average of 6.1 MWh. SSEs HVO projects in Tarbert and Platin await a decision from planning body An Bord Pleanala. Irelands 2023 per capita demand was 6.9 MWh, higher than the EU average of 6.1 MWh Last month, SSE Renewables and FuturEnergy Ireland announced Microsoft had entered into a long-term deal to offtake the output of the newly commissioned Lenalea Wind Farm near Letterkenny, Co Donegal. The 40m site began commercial operations in December 2023 and is the first project delivered by FuturEnergy Ireland, a joint venture between the ESB and the Irish state-owned forestry service, Coillte. Gert Ysebaert is the new President of the International News Media Association The chief executive of Mediahuis Group, Gert Ysebaert, has taken over as the new President of the International News Media Association (INMA), a global industry organisation made up of senior executives at leading media businesses that seeks to establish and share best practices for companies in the sector. He will hold the elected presidency for a two-year term starting today. He was previously vice-president and takes over the more senior role from Maribel Perez Wadsworth, CEO of the Knight Foundation, a US philanthropic foundation created by founders of the former Knight-Ridder newspaper group. Siv Juvik Tveitnes, CEO of Schibsted Media in Norway, was elected as INMAs new first vice-president. She is scheduled to become INMA president in 2026. In Ireland, Schibsted Media has a 50pc stake along with the Fallon brothers Distilled Media in the business behind websites Daft.ie, Donedeal and Adverts.ie. Other members of the new INMA board include senior media executives based in the US, Hong Kong, India, Spain and Germany. INMA is best known for its annual Global Media Awards, which celebrate business practices around the world that sustain news media and journalism and have run since 1937. The new role is in addition to Gert Ysebaerts day job as CEO of Antwerp-based Mediahuis, which he has headed since 2013. He led the groups 2019 takeover of the former Independent News & Media (INM) in Ireland among a number of acquisitions that have expanded the business from its Belgian base to now include NRC Media and Telegraaf Media in the Netherlands, the Irish Independent, Sunday World and Belfast Telegraph on the island of Ireland, the Saint-Paul media group in Luxembourg, and Medienhaus Aachen in Germany. As a group, Mediahaus now has more than 4,500 employees, turnover of 1.2bn and reaches more than 10 million readers a day across the markets where it operates. Barry Keoghan has been lined up to star in his next movie alongside Hollywood big-hitters Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, it has emerged. Reports suggest the Saltburn actor is in negotiations to join an adaptation of author Don Winslows novella Crime 101. The film has been written and will be directed by Bart Layton, who worked with the Dubliner on the 2018 film, American Animals. While plot details are yet to be revealed, Winslow's original story sees Detective Lou Lubesnick investigating a string of jewel heists across the Pacific Coast that are linked with the Colombian cartels. "Detective Lou Lubesnick has other ideas, and he zeroes in on one perp, a thief looking for a final score, Deadline reports. Mark Ruffalo and Barry Keoghan Marvel duo Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo were confirmed to be leading the project earlier this month, after Pedro Pascal dropped out due to scheduling. Keoghan's latest film, the Andrea Arnold-directed Bird, recently received its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it earned a seven-minute standing ovation at the Grand Lumiere Theatre. Barry paid tribute to his late mum on the Friday of the festival when he wore a silver bracelet with her name, Debbie, engraved onto it. The 31-year-olds mother died over 19 years ago from a heroin overdose. He and his brother then spent time in 13 foster homes before being taken in by his grandmother and aunt. Barry previously opened up about the loss of his mother, telling GQ Magazine: My mother, always. Shes many years passed now, but I always think about her anyway. Its always just in and around achievements that its really prominent cause youd like to celebrate that with her you know?. The film, which also stars Franz Rogowski, Nykiya Adams and Jason Buda, follows a 12-year-old (Adams) who lives with her brother (Buda) and single dad (Keoghan) in a squat in North Kent. Barry Keoghan and Sabrina Carpenter Barry, who is dating Sabrina Carpenter, is a father himself, sharing his almost two-year-old son with his ex, Alyson Sandro. Following the films premiere at Cannes, first reviewers praised Barrys performance. Film journalist Alex Billington tweeted: Finally, finally, finally, a director actually pushes Barry Keoghan to give a performance unlike everything hes done before. This is what great filmmakers can do with real talent!! Such a relief. Barry also recently explained why he left the cast of Gladiator 2 after reports claimed that the Irishman had chosen to commit to his latest movie Bird instead. "I am a massive fan of Gladiator and a massive fan of that cast. It's a shame you can't do both. But that happens in this game. You can't do both. It always happens. Shooting in two different countries as well makes it really difficult," he told IndieWire. White Lotus star Fred Hechinger has replaced Keoghan in the role of Emperor Geta in Gladiator 2. Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Connie Nielsen will also feature in the film. Members of the Burke family and other protesters disrupted scheduled election canvassing in Castlebar and Westport with Taoiseach Simon Harris, Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh today. A scheduled press conference with Minister McEntee and MEP Maria Walsh was cancelled amid concerns about a potential security risk posed to them. However, Taoiseach Harris met with journalists in a different location and said he was undeterred. Enda Kenny, Taoiseach Simon Harris and Maria Walsh canvassing in Co Mayo Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny was accosted in the street and filmed by a woman shouting about migration in Market Square, Castlebar, Co Mayo. The former Taoiseach held his own phone up and calmly asked the irate woman what she understood about the issue. The woman was accompanied by local election candidate Stephen Kerr, founder of the online media outlet The Irish Inquiry, who is an outspoken anti-migration activist. The couple then accosted waiting journalists on topics ranging from child sex trafficking to poor living conditions of migrants. Mr Harris said what happened in Mayo today "was not protest. A statement from his department on Sunday evening said the Taoiseach would like to thank An Garda Siochana for their "professionalism". "A member of An Garda Siochana was hit during the scenes and the Taoiseach was pushed and jostled by a small number of people," the statement said. "It is not representative of what has been a really healthy canvass for the majority of politicians across the country as people in Ireland are decent and law abiding. "Although it was a very small number of people, todays behaviour cannot be accepted and should never be normalised and a full garda investigation should be carried out." Members of Enoch Burke family also caused chaotic scenes as the Taoiseach, Minister McEntee and Maria Walsh MEP and local election candidates attempted to canvassin the town centre. Sean Burke ran alongside the group of politicians and shouted about his son Enoch who has spent the past year in prison due to his failure to purge his contempt of court. Mr Burke was jailed for a second time last September for refusing to give an undertaking to abide by a High Court order to stay away from the school where he worked. Mr Harris continued to cheerfully greet locals and at one stage said Im sorry for this rude man as Sean Burke continued to shout. Taoiseach Harris was in Mayo to officially open a memorial park for Detective Colm Horkan in his hometown of Charlestown. Asked about a Sunday Independent poll which showed Fine Gael rose in popularity since he took over as leader, the Taoiseach said the only poll that mattered was next Fridays local and European election. He said he wanted to Fine Gael members to not pay any attention to polls and keep the eye on the fact polls will open on Friday. Despite rising popularity, the Taoiseach said he has not reconsidered the timing of the next general election and intends for this government to run its full term to March 2025. The position in terms of the next general election certainly hasnt changed. This government has a lot of work to do. Sitting MEP Maria Walsh being filmed as she canvassed in her home County of Mayo with Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD Asked about the incidents in Castlebar, the Taoiseach said Sean Burke clearly didnt understand how the constitution works. We live in a country where the court and government are separate, and people need to abide by rules of the court. "It would be entirely inappropriate for me as Taoiseach to comment on a decision of the court. And anyone who expects the Taoiseach to do that clearly doesnt understand how the constitution works. Protest has an important role to play in any democracy. I have been protested at, and I have been on protests, during my political career. There is a difference between protest and an attempt to significantly disrupt. I think people know about me it takes an awful lot to disrupt my energy and I continued to enjoy talking to people in Castlebar, calling into cafes and shops getting out the message. I dont think we should allow a small number of people to say we have changed as a people. Im out nearly every day meeting people in an unorganised manner walking into cafes, businesses restaurants and the streets talking to people and my overwhelming opinion of Irish people is decency. There is an element, and it is a small element, but they like to shout and amplify but they are small in number. And we have laws and its important those laws are enforced and the gardai need to enforce those laws. "We have seen some particular upsetting scenes in recent weeks, and I expect the full rigours of the law. I dont want to single out any particular concern, but I do think there is a toxicity at the moment in public life that is being fuelled by a small number of people. Fine Gael Councillor Ger Deere described the scenes witnessed in Castlebar as deeply upsetting and shocking. It is shameful what happened here today, he said. Mary Lou McDonalds personal popularity sinks as party drops seven pointsAlmost one in four now say they will vote for Independent candidates Fine Gael is in pole position in all three European constituencies, with Independents also firmly in the hunt as voters prepare to go to the polls. The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks opinion poll shows Fine Gael leading the charge, with three of the partys candidates ahead of the pack in Dublin, Ireland South and Midlands-North West. Independent candidates are also polling strongly in all three constituencies, with less than a week to go before the country goes to vote. Meanwhile, Sinn Feins support has plummeted as the poll has recorded a massive seven point drop to 22pc in voter support for the party in the last week of the local and European election campaign. This is a 15 point drop in Sinn Feins record high of support in October 2022 when the party commanded 37pc of voter support. Mary Lou McDonalds party is now neck and neck with Taoiseach Simon Harriss Fine Gael who are up three points to 22pc in the last month. Ms McDonalds personal popularity has dropped to 36pc, while Mr Harris (48pc) is now the countrys joint most popular party leader alongside Fianna Fails Micheal Martin (48pc). However, the poll showed the most popular option for voters ahead of next weeks elections is Independent/others who have increased support by four points to 23pc. This means almost one in four voters are planning to vote for Independent candidates or those representing small political parties. In a forced choice, the public voted overwhelming in favour of the next government being a combination of Fine Gael-Fianna Fail-Independents (59pc) rather than a Sinn Fein led government excluding Fine Gael and Fianna Fail (41pc). The state of the other parties are Fianna Fail up one to 17pc and Social Democrats down one to 5pc. The Green Party (4pc), Aontu (3pc), Labour Party (3pc) and Solidarity-People Before Profit (2pc) are all unchanged. The poll also finds Independent candidates strongly positioned to take a seat in each of the three European constituencies. Sinn Fein remains well-positioned to win three seats, too, but it is in a tight battle in Midlands-North West. In an unprecedented development, Independents/others (23pc, up four points in a month) is now the largest political grouping in the country, according to the poll. That increased support may see Independent TD Michael McNamara elected in Ireland South, where Independents 4 Change MEP Mick Wallace cannot be discounted. In Midlands-North West, Aontus Peadar Toibin and Independent Irelands Ciaran Mullooly are both strongly challenging for seats, where the Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan also looks set to be re-elected. In Dublin, Independent Irelands Niall Boylan is also well in contention for the final of four seats, with Independents 4 Change MEP Clare Daly mounting a strong challenge with the Greens Ciaran Cuffe and Labours Aodhan O Riordain. Fianna Fail looks set to take a seat in each constituency, as will Fine Gael, which is challenging for two seats in Midlands-North West. Sinn Fein looks certain for one seat in Dublin and will most likely take two, including in Ireland South, but is in a battle to win a third seat in Midlands-North West. The fall in opinion poll support for Sinn Fein can only be described as astonishing for a party which was riding high less than a year ago, recording support in the range of 30pc-35pc. The fall in Mary Lou McDonalds approval rating will also alarm the party, with finance spokesman Pearse Doherty now challenging her in popularity among all voters. Asked who was their preferred leader of Sinn Fein, the poll found Pearse Doherty (20pc), Mary Lou McDonald (20pc), Michelle ONeill (14pc) and Eoin O Broin (6pc), with the remainder of respondents stating neither, or unsure, or of no opinion. Among Sinn Fein voters, a slim majority of 52pc still back Ms McDonald, but a sizeable 30pc now favour Mr Doherty for the leadership. The poll was taken between Thursday and Friday with a same size of 1,770 and a margin of error of 2.4pc Next Friday, June 7, the voters will select 949 councillors to serve across 31 local authorities. Meanwhile, 14 seats in the European Parliament are up for grabs across the three EU constituencies of Dublin, Ireland South and Midlands North West. In Limerick, voters will also decide on who should be the countrys first directly elected mayor. Ahead of polling stations opening on Friday, Fianna Fail are the largest party in local government while Fine Gael are second. Despite their dramatic fall in support, Sinn Fein are expected to make gains in council seats as they took less than 10pc of the vote in 2019. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly was warned about a planned extension of the 1,000 pandemic bonus scheme for healthcare staff for fear of contagion from workers who had missed out. The minister wanted to reward healthcare staff who worked in out-of-hours services at the coalface of healthcare at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, department officials said there was a contagion risk with the plan and that it could cause unrest and negative media attention among people who had already been deemed ineligible. The advice was given while the minister mulled his options over payment of the 1,000 bonus to out-of-hours clinics, which provide GP services during the evening, on weekends and during public holidays. Officials said that while the services were privately owned and operated, some were based in acute hospital buildings while others were only on the grounds of a hospital campus. In a submission for the minister, civil servants said he needed to make a clear distinction between the two types of services or he faced significant contagion risks from other workers who missed out on the payment. Eligibility for the bonus had already been a significant concern for trade unions, especially for excluded workers, including those in homeless services and GPs. The submission said there were four out-of-hours services that operated directly from acute hospital buildings three in Dublin and one in Cavan. It said: Eligibility criteria of the government decision was founded on the exposed risks which eligible frontline healthcare workers faced during the pandemic, Those working in out-of-hours services based within an acute HSE hospital building could potentially be considered to meet the existing criteria for payment. However, officials in the Department of Health said broadening the scheme to include out-of-hours staff working in other locations would probably reignite the wider debate over who should and should not be eligible for the payment. The submission said: There is a contagion risk as staff working in other out-of-hours services, doing the same job, will feel they should be paid also. Private GPs and practice staff may also feel that they should qualify if their colleagues in out of hours services are awarded the payment. Officials said other healthcare facilities operating on hospital grounds such as injury or dental clinics and private hospitals could all start looking for their staff to be included. The submission said: These were already deemed to be out of scope for the payment and have large numbers of staff, which would massively increase the time and cost of progressing the payment. It said that even though the costs involved in rewarding out-of-hours workers with the bonus were small at between 134,000 and 340,000, any decision came with risks. Donnelly approved Option 1 payment to staff at just four services, and only those who operated directly from an acute hospital building. In an overview of the scheme, officials said it was now in its final stages and about 223,000 people had been deemed eligible, including HSE staff, Defence Forces personnel, Dublin Fire Brigade and other frontline workers. Asked about the submission, which was drafted and approved last November, a Department of Health spokesperson said: The pandemic recognition payment was set out by government decision in January 2022. The focus of the Department of Health was to ensure prompt payment to all eligible workers and ensure that the criteria and spirit of the government decision were maintained and adhered to. The victim is originally from eastern Europe and gardai have identified a chief suspect Gardai are investigating after the body of a man was found in a home in Clones, Co Monaghan Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Gardai are expected to launch a homicide investigation into the death of a 46-year-old man whose body was discovered in a property in Clones, Co Monaghan shortly after 10pm on Saturday. It is suspected that the victim who is originally from eastern Europe was the victim of a sustained and vicious assault. One line of investigation is that he may have suffered a heart attack after being attacked in a flat in The Diamond area of the border town. No arrests have been made but sources say that a chief suspect has been identified. Gardai were alerted to the fatal incident by ambulance personnel who had responded to an emergency call. The victim in this case suffered a very bad beating and the scene was fairly harrowing when emergency services arrived at the property, a source said. The body remains at the scene which is preserved for a technical examination due to take place today. Gardai are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Clones, Co Monaghan on the night of Saturday, June 1, a Garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. I ended up coming out as trans to close friends in fourth year, which ironically is Transition year Local election candidate Saoirse Mackin As a local election candidate, Corks Saoirse Mackin has put herself in the public eye where visibility can lead to toxicity. As a trans woman, thats something shes already prepared for Saoirse Mackin is running in the local elections as a Social Democrats candidate for Cork City North-West. Photo: Clare Keogh Liadan Hynes Sun 2 Jun 2024 at 03:30 Saoirse Mackin decided to run for election because she felt that politics was not really working for people like her. Im renting, she tells me when we met in The River Lee Hotel recently in Cork city. Mackin has arrived on her bike. She sits down, unfolding multi-coloured glasses and we order coffees. Irish Rail has taken in more than 160,000 from customers who had their vehicles clamped in train station car parks since the beginning of 2023. The number of cars getting immobilised has risen sharply this year, with 705 clampings in the first four months of 2024 compared with a total of 892 for the whole of 2023. Revenue from enforcement is also climbing as part of the blitz on illegal parking, with 91,920 paid for clamp removal last year compared with 71,400 between January and April of this year. A small number of major stations accounted for nearly 60pc of the illegal parking, with the highest number of cases in Kent Station in Cork, Heuston Station in Dublin and Colbert Station in Limerick. Corks Kent Station was a particular blackspot for unpaid or underpaid parking, with 229 cars clamped last year and 184 in the first four months of 2024. That brought in revenue of more than 44,000 in addition to the fees from people who paid properly for their parking. Clamping at Colbert Station in Limerick has yielded nearly 30,000 since the start of 2023, with a total of 253 cars having been immobilised. In Dublin, there was clamping at multiple train stations, but Heuston accounted for the biggest proportion nearly 260 motorists were penalised for illegal parking, with owners paying just over 27,000 in removal fees. Other regular locations for clamping included Galways Ceannt Station with 128 immobilisations, Athlone in Co Westmeath with 55, Ennis in Co Clare at 52 and Leixlip Louisa Bridge in Co Kildare with 27. Irish Rail received 208 appeals from customers over clamping. In 96 cases the person was unsuccessful, but 112 motorists pleaded their case successfully and managed to recoup fines worth a combined 13,440. A spokesman for Irish Rail said parking was an added facility available to customers who drive to train stations, with the modest charges an important source of revenue for the rail operator. There needs to be an effective deterrent to non-payment of parking charges or illegal parking, and clamping is the most effective deterrent there is, which is in place across our station network, he said. For the overwhelming majority who park and pay correctly, there is no issue, and the simplest way to avoid clamping charges is to pay for parking. Three Irish mountaineers aim to climb the five highest peaks in Ireland, England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales within three days in memory of the late Irish Coast Guard volunteer Caitriona Lucas. The group includes Ms Lucass husband Bernard who started the annual challenge named after his late wife to raise funds for the Burren Chernobyl Project. Ms Lucas, a mother of two, was just 41 when she lost her life in September 2016 the first Irish Coast Guard volunteer to die on duty. Weather permitting, Bernard Lucas and Deirdre Linnane from Co Clare and Cormac Coyne from the Aran island of Inis Oirr will set out on June 15 for the 72-hour endurance test. The overall ascent of 5,296 metres will start with Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, moving on to Englands highest peak, Scafell Pike in Cumbria, according to Mr Lucas. We are hoping to climb two of the five peaks on the first day, as in Snowdon and Scafell Pike and then move on to Ben Nevis in Scotland after a six-hour drive there, Mr Lucas says. The three mountaineers will then take the ferry to Northern Ireland to tackle Slieve Donard in Co Down. They will finish their third day with a long drive south to Kerry for an ascent of Irelands highest mountain, Carrauntoohill. We have the use of a small camper van, and are totally unsupported, in that we will be sharing the driving, Mr Lucas adds. If they meet their time targets, they will complete the challenge on the Kerry summit on June 18, the late Ms Lucass birthday. They expect to be joined by experienced supporters on Carrauntoohill. Bernard Lucas, Deirdre Linnane and Cormac Coyne The first Caitriona Lucas Challenge took place in 2018 and involved climbing 26 mountains across 32 counties in just 10 days. The following year Mr Lucas and five colleagues Mr Coyne, Ms Linnane, Michael Healy, Pauliina Kauppila and Eoin Keane travelled to Greenland for the Arctic Circle trail. An estimated average of 300 people annually tackle the 160km wilderness walk. The Covid-19 pandemic forced a pause to further challenge plans but it resumed last year with a successful ascent of Kilimanjaro, Africas highest mountain at 5,895 metres, by the three climbers. In each case, funds raised were donated to the Burren Chernobyl Project, established in 1993 to help the child victims of the fallout from the Chernobyl reactor explosion of 1986. Caitriona Lucas was an advanced coxswain with Doolin Coast Guard in Co Clare and had offered to help out the neighbouring Coast Guard unit from Kilkee in the search for a missing man. She died after the Kilkee rigid inflatable boat (RIB) capsized in a shallow surf zone on September 12, 2016. An inquest into her death last November, which returned a verdict of misadventure, heard how she could have been rescued. Her legal team had sought a verdict of unlawful killing. The jury made seven recommendations on safety management which they said should be adopted by the Irish Coast Guard. The new move is aimed at ensuring flights leave on time and will see people stopped at gates if they're unaware. The Qantas change is official at Brisbane Airport from today and coming to other major city airports this month. Source: Getty Qantas will change the way travellers board aircrafts across the country's biggest capital cities, in what's been branded as an Aussie first and the "most comprehensive" switch-up to the process in over a decade. Group boarding, where passengers board the plane in small groups in order of what class they're in determined by frequent flyer status and seat location will be introduced by the airline at certain airports this month. Brisbane is the first major city to adopt the new system as of today, with Perth to follow on June 10, Melbourne from June 17 and Sydney from June 25. It already exists among many international airlines but has yet to be broadly adopted in Australia. Customers will now board in small groups instead of at random and all at once. Source: Getty New system aims to speed-up boarding process Qantas says the new protocol is aimed at speeding up the boarding process to ensure flights leave on time, though experts say little solid evidence exists that the system does in fact impact flight departure times. In a bid to "reduce the time customers spend lining up at the gate" the change will "make it faster for them to be seated on board", Qantas said. Domestic CEO Markus Svensson labelled the tweak the "most comprehensive change" to "what we're doing to the boarding process" in "over a decade". "Group boarding is designed to minimise the time our customers spend waiting to board and allows them to get settled more quickly," he told media. "We know how important on time departure is to our customers, so this process is also about doing everything possible to ensure we depart on time." Have your say Those caught trying to skip the queue will be stopped at the gate, with boarding pass scanners only allowing passengers to embark once their group number is called. Qantas had been trialling the scheme since mid-2023. However some studies showed that boarding in blocks from front to back is counterintuitively slower than uncontrolled boarding. It's expected Qantas will prioritise first and business class passengers and those with a higher Frequent Flyer status over regular economy tickets. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. With just a hairs breadth between hopefuls, a lot will boil down to events in the final week, writes Kevin Cunningham In Midlands/North-West, Barry Cowen is the lead Fianna Fail candidate on 10.5pc and should have a strong chance, with Lisa Chambers on 5.3pc and Niall Blaney on 2.6pc The European elections are very difficult to call. Not just because voters are deciding later and later, but also because there is very little between many of the candidates. A swing even within the margin of error can change the picture significantly. That said, as the race stands today, here is my analysis of what is most likely to happen. Midlands-North West Midlands/North-West is a five-seat constituency, with a quota of 16.7pc. For Fine Gael, earlier polls showed its two candidates on similar figures. However, based on our poll last Thursday and Friday, Maria Walsh is five points ahead of Nina Carberry and should get elected. Similarly, Barry Cowen is the lead Fianna Fail candidate on 10.5pc and should have enough in hand, considering Lisa Chambers is polling at 5.3pc and Niall Blaney is on 2.6pc. In this constituency we might also expect Cowen to get a strong preference from those giving Carberry their No 1 vote, and Walsh should get a high preference from those voting for Lisa Chambers. Thats because of the coalescing preferences of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail voters and the role of geography. Luke Ming Flanagan is performing well enough, but would not be guaranteed a seat should his vote share dip, as left-wing votes are few and far between in the constituency. It would appear on these numbers that at least one of Peadar Toibin or Ciaran Mullooly could get elected. This, of course, depends on how things go in the final week and also how the range of conservative votes either consolidate or transfer. Farther to the right of both, Peter Casey and Hermann Kelly are highly unlikely to get elected at this point but collectively have 6pc of the vote. Remarkably, Sinn Fein are on a similar level of support here as they were in 2019, such is the scale of their decline. That said, they should still just about hold on. But a strong showing from Carberry, Chambers or even Rory Hearne could change things. Indeed, there is also the possibility of both Toibin and Mullooly being elected, should they have a particularly impactful final week. Dublin In Dublin, where there are four seats, the quota will be approximately 20pc. Here, Regina Doherty of Fine Gael and Barry Andrews of Fianna Fail, on these numbers, are in a very strong position. However, any late decline in their vote and they would be in trouble as they do not have an obvious reserve of transfers from elsewhere to get them across the line. Interestingly, Doherty is polling more strongly than she did in our poll carried out just two weeks ago, when she was three points adrift of Andrews. Lynn Boylan is on 11pc here and with the support of her running mate, Daithi Doolan, on 3pc, also looks like she may well get through but only just. The total vote share of 14.6pc for Sinn Fein here highlights the sharp decline in their fortunes. Niall Boylan, the conservative radio host, is polling well. To get across the line, he will need either to further consolidate his vote or benefit from transfers from the range of right-wing Independents making up much of the rest of the ballot. While they total just over 10pc, many of those voters seem likely to be non-transferable. Clare Daly is also in the mix, according to these numbers. It is also possible that, in a poll conducted late last week, the increase in support may have been influenced by the prominence of the Gaza conflict after the horrific airstrike on a refugee camp in Rafah. Or perhaps it reflects the beginning of a late surge for the MEP, buoyed even by support from actress Susan Sarandon. Daly is arguably the most prominent campaigner for Palestinians on the ballot and our poll also shows an increase in the number of people highlighting the conflict as an important issue. She should also benefit from transfers from Brid Smith, who cannot be ruled out herself. There is also the group of Aodhan O Riordain (Labour), Ciaran Cuffe (Greens) and Sinead Gibney (Social Democrats) and at least one among them should prevail. Recent elections would show a relatively strong flow of transfers to the soft left parties and, between them, they have enough to get one contender elected. While Gibney is on 4.6pc, it will not take much for the Social Democrat to have a strong chance if Gibney can galvanise late support, given how transfer-friendly the party is. Ireland South Ireland South is another five-seat constituency, with a quota of 16.7pc. Here, Sean Kelly and Billy Kelleher look extremely comfortable. There is also a chance the two parties may bring in a third MEP from either Cynthia Ni Murchu or John Mullins, who are both polling well. Independent TD Michael McNamara is also going very well, in third place and just shy of 10pc. Sinn Fein also looks comfortable here, with Kathleen Funchion on 9.5pc and her running mate, Paul Gavan, on 5.7pc. After the first four seats, however, it is very difficult to tell who will fill the final berth, with eight candidates on between 3pc and 6pc. A lot is down to what happens in the final week, how the mood of the nation evolves and how conversations about party preferences develop. Based on transfer patterns for similar parties, one would not expect Derek Blighe (Ireland First) to be in contention. Rather, a candidate towards the centre of the political spectrum might benefit due to an ability to attract transfers. While sitting MEP Grace OSullivan is on 6.2pc, we expect the Green Party will struggle to attract preferences from other parties, compared to previously. At the other end of the list, Susan Doyle of the Social Democrats and Niamh Hourigan of Labour should both benefit from decent transfers. A Palestinian human rights activist living in Ireland has implored politicians to take action against Israel in terms of sanctions in a bid to stop the bloodshed in Gaza. Talha AlAli, who is married to an Irish woman and has lived here for several years, organised an initiative called Stop Starving Gaza. Members of the group recently travelled to Israel to protest peacefully against aid trucks being prevented from entering Gaza. They spent around a month in Israel, dividing their time between Tel Aviv, Ashdod Port, the West Bank and east Jerusalem. The group who numbered around 15 people altogether at different times travelled mainly from Ireland, the US and France. They returned home in the past fortnight. Mr AlAli said the situation the group encountered on the ground came as a shock. They did not expect the level of tension that was present, he said. They were also taken aback by the amount of Israeli citizens carrying arms. Just normal Israeli citizens, walking around casually with M16 rifles. A good comparison would be if you went to Dundrum Town Centre and all the shoppers were walking around with these kind of weapons. So, yes, it was a big shock to Irish people to see that. It was also more tense and worse than we expected, in terms of hostility. In hindsight, it was maybe too much for the people who travelled to deal with. I think it was traumatising for them. They were emotional on their return. It was also more dangerous than we anticipated. While the group managed to get to Ashdod Port to peacefully protest against the aid trucks being blocked, they were stopped at checkpoints from travelling to other areas to peacefully protest. The world cannot continue to just watch while this happens. What we need is sanctions Mr AlAli could not personally travel as he would not be allowed to enter east Jerusalem, being a Palestinian citizen from the West Bank. He said it was difficult to watch from afar what was happening in Gaza, especially the deaths of children from lack of food. He said that on reflection, since the group has returned, he has changed the focus of his efforts to help those stranded in Gaza. The Stop Starving Gaza initiative has donated the rest of its funds, around 5,000, to help activists on the ground who run a community food kitchen. In addition, Mr AlAli is now providing free online training for activists in Gaza in psychological help, first-aid and social activity interventions for citizens. He said speeches by world leaders condemning the atrocities in Gaza were in some way helpful, but action was now needed. The world cannot continue to just watch while this happens. What we need is sanctions. Arms need to stop being provided to Israel, he said. We need Ireland to take action against Israel in terms of suspending exports and imports and to stop allowing the US authorities the use of Shannon Airport. Ukrainian police officer and POW Mariana reacts while she speaks with her mother via phone after a swap at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Photo: Reuters Over 800 days into Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it is easy to see the war as merely lines and colour-coding on a map. While the lines and the military movements they represent matter, those abstractions obscure the human realities behind those lines. To be clear from the start: Russia is actively, undeniably carrying out a genocide to destroy Ukrainian identity and independence. It does this by utilising ethnic cleansing campaigns, sexual violence and the mass deportation of Ukrainian children as part of a forced Russification effort. I have been following this from Washington ever since the war began. As such, if Russia wins, the worst genocide on European soil since the Holocaust is almost guaranteed. The Kremlin has loudly proclaimed its intent to destroy Ukraine as a state and a nation. Russian president Vladimir Putins 2021 essay On the historical unity of Russians and Ukrainians, called Ukrainians a confused people, unjustly and forcibly torn away from Russia by nefarious external forces. The Kremlin-controlled Russian Orthodox Church frequently espouses the trinity doctrine, the idea that Ukrainians (and Belarusians) belong to the Russian nation and must be reunified. Russian politicians and pundits frequently call Ukraine an artificial concept and a fake country that does not deserve to exist. Russia has adopted a whole-of-government approach to build the narrative that Ukraine and Ukrainians have no right to exist as a sovereign people in a sovereign state. Given these officially stated aims, are the genocidal actions Russia has taken to pursue them any wonder? The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide defines genocide as acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part a specific group. The destruction need not be accomplished physically actions taken to destroy a groups identity without killing all members of the group also constitute genocide. The Russian genocidal project includes horrific acts of violence, to be sure, including summary executions, sexual assaults, arbitrary detentions and torture. It includes the forcible deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia, which the Genocide Convention explicitly specifies also constitutes genocide. The deportation of Ukrainian children is a key component of Russias genocidal project one that would only be extrapolated if Russia were to win the war and the rest of the country were seized by force. The Ukrainian government has verified the deportation of 19,546 Ukrainian children as of April 29, 2024. The true number is likely much, much higher considering that Ukrainian officials can only verify the deportation of children who have someone to vouch for their identity, leaving orphans and children without guardians unaccounted for. The Kremlin has facilitated and celebrated the deportation of children to Russia, claiming it offers children an opportunity to rest and rehabilitate after living in a war zone (which Russia created by invading Ukraine). These children are subject to Kremlin-approved re-education programmes along Kremlin-accepted social, linguistic and cultural lines and sometimes forced into military training. Russian authorities have deported children to rest and relaxation camps throughout Russia, one of which in Russias Primorsky Krai is closer to Alaska than to Ukraine. High-ranking Kremlin officials, including Putins commissioner on childrens rights Maria Lvova-Belova, have personally adopted deported Ukrainian children. She now has an arrest warrant, issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Tens of thousands of Ukrainian young people are growing up under Russian military occupation, forcing them to abandon their language, culture and history as the Kremlin seeks to destroy in whole or in part Ukrainian identity. This would become an entire generation were Moscow to subjugate Ukraine. Those already living under Russian occupation suffer daily efforts by Russian occupation authorities to strip them of their Ukrainian identity. Russian authorities co-opted the school system in occupied Ukraine under the euphemism of bringing it up to the Russian standard: teaching only the Kremlin-approved version of Russian history in which Ukraine has no independent identity and depriving children of access to Ukrainian-language education. Russian occupation authorities also use schools to militarise children, instilling in them Russian military-patriotic ideals and establishing a direct pipeline into Russian militaryaffiliated organisations to facilitate their future recruitment into the Russian military to fight against their compatriots. The thread of destruction and eradication runs through daily life in occupied Ukraine. Russian occupation officials have discussed forcibly deporting or summarily executing civilians who display characteristics deemed to be pro-Ukrainian or anti-Russian. Russian administrators use the threat of withholding access to basic goods and services to coerce Ukrainians to give up their Ukrainian passports for Russian ones, permanently changing the Ukrainian spelling of their names to the Russian version. Russian economic enrichment and infrastructure development projects cripple the ability of occupied areas to exercise economic self-sufficiency, generating devastating dependencies on the Russian federal government and driving a wedge between Kyiv and occupied territories. Again, this constitutes genocidal behaviour, even when it is not exterminating people. That said, Russias efforts to destroy Ukraine include ethnically cleansing occupied Ukraine by replacing Ukrainians with Russian citizens. Russian officials claim that Russia has accepted over 4.8 million Ukrainians, including 700,000 children, since the beginning of the war. There is no way to verify this number, but it emphasises the scale of movement to Russia from Ukraine since 2022, all of which occurred in the coercive context of Russian military occupation. The Kremlin is repopulating occupied Ukraine with Russian citizens to fundamentally alter its demographics and complicate future reintegration efforts. Based on examples of similar ethnic cleansing in the past, many will have inevitably died as a consequence. And that is before one even considers the blatant executions of innocent civilians by Russian soldiers, or the deliberate targeting of civilian population areas. International legal procedure is set up to deal with atrocities after they happen. This is why Russian war crimes in Bucha, Izyum, Kherson city and other liberated settlements have received widespread international attention and condemnation, and deservedly so. This is why the ICC has issued arrest warrants for Putin and Lvova-Belova, as their crime of facilitating the deportation of children is visible and evident. The international humanitarian community is less effective, however, at addressing what happens daily behind the frontlines. In many cases, Russias genocidal project in Ukraine is banal, mundane and hard to track or prove. But every aspect of Russias occupation of Ukraine is deliberate and flows from Putins initial justification for the invasion. It is meant to make real the Kremlin lie that Ukraine has no right to exist and that there is no such thing as a Ukrainian people. Ukraine is fighting a war for the survival of the Ukrainian people. Russias genocidal project is the purpose of Russias military operations, and Ukraines supporters must not separate the two. Should Ukraine fall to Russia on the battlefield, the rest of its people will fall victim to the genocidal project Russia is conducting in the lands it already controls, which only constitutes about 20pc of the countrys legal territory. Imagine how many millions would be victims of this abhorrent behaviour if it reaches 30pc, 40pc or even 100pc. Indeed, many military experts would argue that Nazi-style tactics would be the only way to quell a population so vehemently opposed to Russias control. We would see horrors unfold daily. We must face this reality squarely and stop blithely talking about offering territorial concessions to stop the fighting without forcing ourselves to confront the horrors that such concessions will inflict on the people living in those lands. Putins invasion was never about seizing limited bits of land. It was always about destroying a people. Ukraines supporters must therefore recommit themselves to the project of saving this people and showing that they will resist and defeat aggression and genocide on this scale. Karolina Hird is Russia deputy team lead and analyst at the Institute for the Study of War in Washington DC So we shouldnt be surprised when Donald Trumps conviction fails to significantly move the dial of American public opinion on the presidential election. Die-hard Trump supporters will believe him that the case and judge were corrupt. Even if you found the case credible, it was transparently part of the campaign against him, like Trumps own campaign against Hillary Clinton in 2016 when he promised to lock her up. For the official who brought the Trump case, Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, had campaigned for office on his ability and willingness to take on Trump through the legal system. I am worried about the Sinn Fein leader. Her party has lost all the support it gained by its bellowing over the last four years, and this weekend voters continued to desert her party. The decision of a New York jury to find Donald Trump guilty of falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star is momentous, not least because he becomes the first ever ex-US president to be convicted of a crime. Even by the standards we have come to expect of Trump, the decision of the jury, after two days of deliberation, to find him guilty on all 34 felony counts loses little of its ability to astound. Sentencing has been set for July 11, days before the Republican Party is to formally nominate Trump for president ahead of the November 5 election. The crime of falsifying business documents carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison, though those convicted often receive shorter sentences, fines or probation. Even were he to be jailed and that outcome is not expected incarceration would not legally prevent him from campaigning or taking office should he win. The verdict plunges the US into unexplored territory ahead of the November vote, when Trump will try to win back the White House from Joe Biden. In February, this newspaper said it was difficult to escape the conclusion that Biden, a remarkable politician and thoroughly decent man, should stand aside as the Democrats presumptive candidate. That did not happen. Our call followed the publication of a worrying report on his handling of classified documents that also raised legitimate issues about his age and mental fitness. Biden, who would be 86 were he to see out a second term, is only four years older than Trump, but that is where comparisons between the two men end. After his conviction last week, Trump continued to deny wrongdoing and said he would appeal. The truth is that judgment on Trump came a long time ago. The entire affair was a tawdry business unbecoming of the office of President of the United States An opinion poll in this newspaper today finds the vast majority of people in Ireland would overwhelmingly support Biden ahead of Trump: 61pc support Biden against a mere 16pc for Trump, a fall of four points for the former president since last we polled the public in February. In the US, polls show the two candidates locked in a tight race, but the guilty verdict could cost Trump some support among independent and Republican voters. The case had been widely regarded as the least consequential of the four criminal prosecutions he faces. But the verdict looms large now as it is likely to be the only one before the election, with the others delayed by procedural challenges. Former fixer Michael Cohen testified that Trump had approved a $130,000 (120,000) hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 election, at a time when Trump faced multiple accusations of sexual misbehaviour that could have resulted in him losing the election. The jury accepted testimony that Trump handled the payment and approved a plan to reimburse Cohen through monthly payments disguised as legal work. The entire affair was a tawdry business unbecoming of the office of President of the United States. For all his shortcomings and his mental and physical health permitting Biden can be trusted to at least hold the reins for four more years. Trust is not a word that can be applied to Trump, in any context. Brighter evening walks and jogs, and upcoming train, plane, automobile and road-trips mean seeking out audio dynamite to send us on our way. Such as.... The arrival of swallows and swifts from sub-Saharan Africa, chirping as they feast on the fly, are the sounds of summer. But theyre not the only native birds worth celebrating (as summer migrants for millennia, theyre classed as Irish natives). Feather & Flock (Apple, Spotify; rte.ie) is a gorgeous new six-part series in RTE Lyric FMs Sunday evening documentary slot, with ecologist Anja Murray and musician Brian Mac Gloinn profiling an iconic native bird each episode. Cllr Adrienne Wallace and John Cahill want to build a campaign in Carlow to demand better disability services locally Two local election candidates in Co Carlow have sparked calls for disability activists to come together to fight for better services for the county. People Before Profit local election candidates for the Carlow and Tullow Municipal Districts, Cllr Adrienne Wallace and John Cahill have met with disability campaigners across the county to discuss the lack of disability services. Follow Independent Carlow on Facebook Cllr Adrienne Wallace recently met with reps from Family Carers Ireland, the Special Education Needs Officers and the Irish Wheelchair Association, while John Cahill launched an Autism Community Group in Tullow in recent months. As a family carer myself I have witnessed first hand the difficulties facing people with special needs, explained Cllr Wallace. "I spoke to representatives from across the disability sector to get more information about the difficulties facing local families and the revelations were absolutely shocking. From financial struggles to a lack of school places to inaccessible footpaths it is clear to say the challenges and discrimination facing people with disabilities is incredible. "It is important that the voices and experiences of people with disabilities comes to the fore. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have failed us, we need to build a people power campaign just like the Anti-Water Charges campaign to demand increased funding and supports for people with disabilities, urged Cllr Wallace. Mr. Cahill added that a campaign must be created locally to affect genuine change. In response to the lack of appropriate access to school places for children with disabilities a number of families and campaigners have come together to pool our resources and experience to fight for school places for children with special needs. "The disabled community had a massive win by forcing the government to scrap their own Green Paper on Disabilities. The huge waiting list for the CDNT locally has to be tackled, the means testing for disability and carers allowances needs to be scrapped, our public spaces need to be inclusive to those with disabilities. "While in the Council and the Dail People Before Profit have called for all these measures to be addressed, but its not enough to pass motions and hope the government will act, we have to build a campaign in our community to affect genuine change. If you want to get involved contact Cllr Wallace at awallace@carlow.ie. Innovations Theatre School students presented a cheque worth 250 to RNLI Courtown following the success of their four sold out shows at the Gorey Little Theatre. The cheque was presented to Mark Chambers, Operations Manager for RNLI Courtown at St Mogue's Hall, Inch on Sunday, May 26, from a portion of the proceeds from the sale of programmes and raffle tickets from their production of The Jungle Book Musical which ran from Thursday, May 8 until Saturday, May 11. The RNLI Courtown was selected as the Charity Partner for Innovations Theatre School after being nominated by families and students of the school. RNLI Courtowns funding depends entirely on public donations and legacies to support their 95 per cent volunteer workforce. Since 1824, RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved 146,277 lives. This year, their annual fundraising Sea Sunday will take place on Sunday, July 14. Furthermore, the souvenir shop at Courtown Lifeboat House is open on weekends during the autumn and winter months and daily in the spring and summer. The RNLI is celebrating its 200th birthday this year, with events organised around the country to mark the occasion. Established in 1865, Courtown RNLI Lifeboat had a hiatus from 1925 to 1991 before resuming operations. Since 2020, it has operated the D-Class inshore lifeboat, Frank. As part of the RNLI, a charity dedicated to sea rescue, volunteers provide 24/7 search and rescue services across Ireland and the UK, including flood rescue. Contractor Gary Murphy with Cllr Ger Carthy at the site of the new medical centre for Rosslare Harbour. Dr Maeve Hogan, Cllr Ger Carthy and Alan Murphy, Chair of the Rosslare Harbour Development Group, at the site of the new medical centre for the village. A month after the contracts were officially signed to transform the old Bank of Ireland building in Rosslare Harbour into a community centre, there was further good news for the village. The sight of ground being broken on land adjacent to the community centre in the coming week will be greeted with a sigh of relief for many in the area, particularly for the some 3,000 patients of Tagoat Family Practice. For some time, it appeared that the practice, under Dr Maeve Hogan, would have to re-locate to Wexford town as finding alternative facilities was proving difficult. It would have been a hammer blow for patients of the practice and concerns were expressed to Independent councillor Ger Carthy. I canvassed Wexford County Council for a proper community facility that could accommodate a medical centre, he said. "The impact of relocating a doctors surgery that had probably been there for half a century would be vast. Its a facility that is used by the people of Rosslare, Kilrane, Tagoat and all surrounding communities. With Wexford County Council having acquired the old Bank of Ireland site for the purpose of creating a long-sought community centre, there was the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. The result is that Centric Healthcare and Dr Hogan will be moving into a new modern, accessible building which will be constructed on the site adjacent to the community centre. "It was really important to me to keep these GP services in the community, Cllr Carthy said. Construction is to get under way next Wednesday and I think it will serve to future-proof the provision of this service in the local community. In conjunction with the Rosslare Harbour Development Board, under the Chairmanship of Alan Murphy, Wexford County Council will develop the medical centre and will provide it on a long term lease. Cllr Carthy says that, in total between the community centre and medical centre, the investment in the village will be in the order of 1.1 million, in what he's calling "the single biggest investment in this community in a decade and a much needed boost to bring the entire community together. The decision comes as more major supermarkets convert to Metro stores, leaving thousands of residents furious. a Shoppers in Balmain have been left without a deli department at their local Woolworths as it changes over to the Metro layout. Source: Supplied Residents in an Aussie suburb are "deeply disappointed" after their local Woolworths permanently closed the deli department, resulting in the rising cost of packaged deli alternatives in-store. The move is part of a larger plan to convert large stores to Woolworths Metros, with more than 1000 community members rejecting the decision by signing a Change.org petition online. The store, on Darling Street, Balmain is one of several in Sydney's inner west which are being downgraded to Metro stores. One Balmain resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was outraged by the deli closure and noticed a hefty price difference in prepackaged deli meats as a result. Balmain Woolies in the last couple of months has changed over to a Metro layout, and in the last couple of weeks, the deli has completely closed, and they have fully moved over to pre-packaged deli meats, she explained. Some of the price differences she spotted included some leg ham and salami varieties being sold for $75 per kilo compared to the Deli cut equivalent at around $37 per kilo. I hate the idea that the labour component is not there. Theyve now removed jobs from the store, and human interaction is not there anymore, especially when people feel quite disenfranchised and lonely." Residents of Sydney's inner west are rallying against a move to change many stores to Metros. Source: Getty Community disappointed by Woolworths' decision A notice posted outside the Woolworths store informs customers that the store is getting a much-needed facelift, with the deli section now completely empty. The local resident said the deli will be sorely missed by the entire community. Everyone I have spoken to says it just making a rotten store even worse. The only positive is the staff, but those numbers are dwindling," she said."Large retailers are overlooking these factors in the communities where they choose to make money." One customer said that the prepackaged meat options are way more expensive than the fresh cut deli alternatives. Source: Supplied Woolworths has closed the deli component of several stores over the years, with just 10 per cent of Metro stores operating with a deli a move which the supermarket giant said was influenced by a limited take-up from customers. Metro stores are usually smaller, offering fewer products and are focused on providing customers with convenient grab-and-go options including prepared foods. Replacing the deli is a new section with various deli meats and cheeses pre-packaged into weighed portions. Community members are urging Woolworths to reconsider changing both the Balmain and nearby Alexandria stores to the metro layout. "Downgrading to a metro is just an underhanded way of Woolies putting up their prices," one person wrote on the petition. "We need more variety in deli items and not another sushi bar," said a second. Supermarket giant responds A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed to Yahoo News Australia that the Balmain stores deli would cease operation after some adjustments were made in the store. "The Balmain Metro is currently undergoing a renewal, with work now underway to bring a fresh new look to the store. While the deli is closing, the renewal process will make room for a wider range of grocery options tailored to the Balmain community, the spokesperson said. "More than 250 new products, such as an expanded range of dips, cheeses, smallgoods, biscuits, will be introduced to the store, meaning customers will still have access to a wide range of deli products. Woolworths states that the new look Balmain store will be 10 per cent bigger allowing room for a greater range of stock. Source: Supplied The revamp will see 30 sliced and shaved products similar to those previously sold behind the counter be made available to customers at the same price per kilo. The Balmain layout change means there are now four Metro-style stores in the surrounding areas, including Redfern, Erskineville, and Park Sydney. The closest larger Woolworths stores are a 20-minute drive away in Marrickville and Redfern. "Customers will experience a disruption during their shop in store, but our dedicated store team will be there to support any customers who need assistance. We also want to reassure customers that our new neighbourhood food store will still have everything they need for a full shop." Last year, Woolworths Metro stores saw a 21.6 per cent growth in sales across the 93 locations. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Cllr Garry Laffan at Ferrycarrig Park, which falls within the chosen route corridor for the M11 Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour scheme. With every road crash on the N11 the question emerges. When will the extension of the M11 from Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour begin? However, there are people for whom its an even more pressing concern. Some people whose property lies within the chosen route 300m route corridor have been unable to get planning permission to carry out any work on their property or even sell up for well over a decade The selected route corridor, broadly speaking, follows the same route initially selected for the scheme back in 2011, before things had to go back to the drawing board once again. While the 300m route corridor was supposed to be narrowed to the final 70m route by June of this year, Fianna Fail councillor Garry Laffan believes that this is still some way off, leaving people in limbo" indefinitely once again. The chosen route for the N11/N25 Oylegate to Rosslare scheme. The website for the scheme has had no published updates for over a year, since February of 2022. "A year ago, we were told wed have the finalised route in June of 2024, Cllr Laffan said. But Im reliably informed now that were no closer. In fact, were some distance away from narrowing the route corridor. "People have land and sites that have been sterilised for the best part of 20 years with this, since the project was first touted initially. Theres going to be no council meeting now until July and, whoever is in the meeting needs to get this back on the agenda. Cllr Laffan said that people have had to put their whole lives on hold while waiting for the motorway project to come to fruition. "People cant sell. They cant get planning permission to do any work, he said. In some of these cases, its just a small corner of their land that would be within the route corridor, but it doesn't matter. Theyre stuck in limbo. Cllr Laffan said that the problem exists the whole length of the route from Oylegate to Rosslare, but hes had several constituents in his own area contact him to express concerns. "I understand that this project needs to progress, he said. But if people are having to put their entire lives on hold while it's sorted out, I really think we need to be looking at some kind of compensation for them for that. If painting wildlife is something you enjoy doing, or even something you have always wanted do but never knew where or when to start, then the perfect opportunity has come up as The Tern the Tide project, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme in collaboration with BirdWatch Ireland, is calling on adults from across Wicklow to sign up for a series of free Creative Workshops, which will take place in St Patricks Hall, Kilcoole on Saturday afternoons from 2-5pm throughout the month of June. As Little Tern seabirds return to Kilcoole beach from their West African wintering grounds to lay their eggs, BirdWatch Irelands conservation team is readying the area at The Breaches between Newcastle and Kilcoole. To mark the occasion in the wildlife calendar, artists Laura McMahon and Marie Gordon are leading a creative participation project entitled, Tern The Tide, to celebrate and raise awareness of BirdWatch Irelands excellent work at The Breaches. The free creative workshops are accessible for all levels of experience and will incorporate painting, drawing, and learning from experts in BirdWatch Ireland about the life of the Little Tern. Sustainable art practices are embedded throughout the course of the project, from recycled paper and reused materials to eco-friendly paints. Kilcoole is home to Irelands largest Little Tern colony, housing over half of the national population. This success is attributed to a consistent strategy led by scientists and conservationists involving monitoring, protection, and predator management, all supported by vital assistance and cooperation from local citizens. Speaking about the project, artist Marie Gordon said: We can sometimes feel overwhelmed by the task of tackling the global climate and biodiversity crises, but the Little Tern conservation project at Kilcoole illustrates perfectly the lengths that conservationists, in partnership with local communities, can do in order to prevent certain species from going extinct and the success of this project shows clearly that what we do matters. When we take science-led deliberate climate action, on a local basis, we really can turn the tide. The conservation of Little Terns at Kilcoole is a National Parks and Wildlife Service project, run by BirdWatch Ireland since 1985. It involves 24/7 monitoring through the Little Tern breeding season of May to August to protect nesting pairs and is assisted by locals and beach walking visitors alike who respect the conservation area boundaries and ensure all dogs are kept on leads along the Kilcoole beach walkway. The project is a recipient of the Creative Climate Action fund, an initiative from the Creative Ireland Programme, which is funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, and funded by Iarnrod Eireann Irish Rail as part of the CIE Sustainability. To register for one or more of the free workshops, visit ternthetide.com As this extract from Paraic Kerrigans new book reveals, the reputation of Rices pub which was loved by many even made its way to icons of the big screen Michael Murtagh was sitting in Rices pub in Dublin. Having clocked off early from his job in a nearby government department, Michael was enjoying the hour of peace and calm before the arrival of the evening crowd. That was until he looked towards the door, where a strangely familiar man was crossing the threshold. He was strikingly tall, with an extremely broad chest and a handsome, chiselled face. Nonchalantly walking towards the bar, the man asked for a pint of Guinness in a deep, velvety midwestern US accent. He smiled at Michael, who suddenly realised who this dazzling man before him was: Rock Hudson, one of Hollywoods biggest stars. Tall, dark and handsome, Hudson epitomised the Hollywood ideal of American masculinity of the 1950s and 1960s. However, behind the sheen of Hollywood celebrity, Hudson lived his life as a gay man, hidden under a constructed heterosexuality engineered by Hollywood agents, producers and directors. In 1968, Hudson was working on the musical film Darling Lili, alongside Julie Andrews, with some of the scenes being filmed in the Gaiety theatre. In between production shoots, Hudson sought to sample Dublins then-underground gay scene which was how he came to join Michael, with his pint, in the front bar of Rices pub. In awe of the Hollywood royalty before him, Michael was unsure that Hudson knew where he was. While venues during the 1960s would not have been advertised overtly as gay-friendly, Michael anticipated that Hudson would soon realise what kind of place he was in when Rices usual evening clientele began to fill up the venue. Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Ireland's LGBTQ Past by Paraic Kerrigan is published by New Island on 7 June, priced 16.95 However, Hudson pulled up a chair beside Michael and started to chat about how beautiful Ireland was, talking about the film he was making and just striking up general conversation. Michael, stunned, tried to play things casually and treat the interaction just like any kind of random encounter in a bar. As time progressed and as more drinks were consumed, the bar began to fill up with gay men, with Hudson checking out each one. Quickly, Michael realised that his new-found Hollywood friend knew exactly where he was and what he was doing. Hudson invited Michael to accompany him to a party in the Gaiety theatre that Friday but unfortunately, he was not in a position to do so. As Michael left the bar that night, he was in shock: here was the screen love-interest of Doris Day, in Ireland, looking for romance with an Irish man. Extract from Reeling in the Queers: Tales of Irelands LGBTQ Past by Paraic Kerrigan is published by New Island on June 7, 2024, RRP 16.95 Exclusive | Nicola Hanney book extract: Paul stormed down after me like a robot from Terminator. Open the door, you f**king bitch, he said, hammering his fist on the windscreen An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had accepted a framework deal for winding down the Gaza war now being advanced by US President Joe Biden, though he described it as flawed and in need of much more work. Donald Trump has joined the popular video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he once tried to ban while in the White House, and posted from a UFC fight two days after he became the first former US president and presumptive major party nominee in US history to be found guilty on felony charges. US Republicans pile in behind Donald Trumps campaign of vengeance Attack the US justice system or be exiled thats the stark choice facing US Republicans Donald Trump in Trump Tower after his rambling attack speech on Friday. Photo: Getty Lisa Mascaro Sun 2 Jun 2024 at 03:30 Embracing Donald Trumps strategy of blaming the US justice system after last weeks historic guilty verdict, Republicans in the US Congress are lining up to join his campaign of vengeance and political retribution in his attempt to reclaim the White House. Photo Courtesy: ShareAlike 4.0 International/Wikimedia Commons Elevating its space status, Chinas Change-6 lunar lander on Sunday touched down on the far side of the moon. According to reports, the lander will aim to bring back samples from the moon. The Change-6 probe landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, where it will begin to collect samples from the lunar surface, the China National Space Administration announced as quoted by CNN. It is the second time a mission has reached the far side of the moon. It was with its Change-4 probe that China had touched the region in 2019. The mission, which commenced on May 3, is expected to last for 53 days, Multiple nations are expanding their lunar programmes in recent times. Last year, India landed its mission Chandrayaan 3 to the moon while Russia's Luna 25 probe crashed into the surface of it. Japan landed its spacecraft on the moon in January with its Moon Sniper lander. In images SKM's Prem Singh Tamang & BJP's Pema Khandu/ courtesy: Facebook The Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh for second consecutive term by winning 46 seats while the ruling Sikkim Karantikari Morcha (SKM) retained its position by registering a thumping victory in the Himalayan state as counting of votes for the Assembly polls was held on Sunday, just two days before the results of the Lok Sabha polls will be declared. In Arunachal Pradesh, the Bharatiya Janata Party won 46 out of the 60 Assembly seats while the National People's Party (NPP) bagged five. The Congress won one seat while the remaining went to others. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday called on Governor Lt. General KT Parnaik (Retd.) at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar and tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers. Called on Governor of Arunachal Pradesh Lt General KT Parnaik ji, PVSM, UYSM, YSM (Retd) at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar and submitted my resignation along with the Council of Ministers today. Hon'ble Governor accepted my resignation and requested me and the Council of Ministers to pic.twitter.com/MOF2PCAhR4 Pema Khandu (Modi Ka Parivar) (@PemaKhanduBJP) June 2, 2024 The Governor has accepted the resignation and requested Pema Khandu and the Council of Ministers to continue until the new Government is sworn in. Under Article 174 (2) (b) of the Constitution of India, the Governor has also accepted the Cabinet's advice and signed the order to dissolve the Seventh State Assembly with immediate effect. The Governor expressed his appreciation to the Chief Minister for successfully managing the State Administration during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh. Besides the Lok Sabha polls, voting in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim to elect new assemblies were held on April 19. Congratulating his political outfit, Indian PM Narendra Modi, who is eyeing a record return for the third term, posted on X: "Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth." Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2024 After managing a narrow victory in 2019, Sikkim Karantikari Morcha (SKM) returned to power with a landslide triumph in the assembly polls by bagging 31 seats. The only other seat in the assembly was won by the opposition Sikkim Democratic Front. The SDF witnessed a massive crash in its tally since it had clinched 15 in the 2019 polls. Congratulating the CM, Indian PM Narendra Modi posted on X: "Congratulations to SKM and CM @PSTamangGolay for their victory in the Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024. I look forward to working with the State Government to further the progress of Sikkim in the coming times." Thank you for your kind words and support, Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim. We look forward to collaborating with you to achieve our shared goals for the betterment of our state. Your https://t.co/bXiwuBAj34 Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) (@PSTamangGolay) June 2, 2024 Following his X post, CM Prem Singh Tamang said: "Thank you for your kind words and support, Honble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji. We are committed to continuing our efforts towards the development and prosperity of Sikkim. We look forward to collaborating with you to achieve our shared goals for the betterment of our state. Your unwavering support has been a driving force for us, and we look forward to your continued guidance and blessings." (With inputs by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Photo Courtesy: Randhir Jaiswal X page India on Sunday sent a consignment of approx 90 tonnes of nine Made in India Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients ( APIs) to Cuba on Sunday. The consignment left Mundra port earlier in the day. sends humanitarian assistance to Cuba. A consignment of 90 tonnes of nine Made in India APIs left Mundra port for Cuba today. The APIs will support manufacture of essential medicines. The assistance reaffirms s role as the Pharmacy of the world and underlines our pic.twitter.com/EaDXuNHceh Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) June 2, 2024 "These APIs will be used by the Cuban Drug Manufacturers to produce essential antibiotics in the dosage form of tablets, capsules, syrups and injections, needed for treatment of chronic communicable diseases," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. The assistance reaffirms Indias status as the "Pharmacy of the World and underlines our commitment to historic friendship with Cuba, the statement said. As per Indian Embassy's website,India and Cuba enjoy excellent bilateral relations and have been traditionally warm and friendly. India was among the first countries to extend recognition to the new Cuban government following Cuban Revolution in January 1959. The visit of Major Ernesto Guevera (Che) to India from 30 June to 4 July 1959 consolidated diplomatic ties which fructified in opening embassies in respective capitals. The first head of the Mission presented credentials on 12 January 1960 in Havana. Representative Photo Courtesy: PIB The Election Commission on Sunday ordered repolling in two polling stations in West Bengal where voting was held in the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. The repolling will be held on Monday. The seats are Kadambagachi Saradar Pada FP School and Aaddir Mahal Srichaitanya Vidyapith FP School which come under Deganga Assembly constituency of Barasat Lok Sabha seat and Kakdwip Assembly constituency of Mathurapur Lok Sabha seat (SC) respectively, media reports said. Poling will be held from 7am to 6 pm. Representative Image Courtesy: Unsplash An apartment building collapsed in Turkey's Istanbul city which left at least one person dead and eight others injured, media reports said. The three-storey building collapsed at around 8.40 am. Authorities have still not revealed the cause of the collapse of the building. Providing information about the collapse, Istanbul Governor Davut Gul mentioned that two of the injured are in critical condition, announcing that an investigation has been initiated into the incident. "There is no determined cause for the collapse of the building constructed in 1988. Therefore, we will inform you in the coming hours and days. Our Chief Public Prosecutor is at the scene. Subsequent legal and administrative processes will proceed, he was quoted as saying by Hurriyet Daily News. In a written statement, Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki confirmed that the building was constructed 36 years ago. One and a half floors were illegally added after its construction, the minister was quoted as saying by the news portal. "Initial inspections on-site indicate that the building, constructed in 1988, was built without adhering to architectural and engineering standards, using sea sand in its construction and subsequent interventions that compromised the building's structural integrity," Ozhaseki stated. Photo Courtesy: Unsplash The accused used to extort money from naive citizens by luring them to get jobs in foreign countries, reported The Express Tribune. According to reports, they were arrested while conducting various operations in Rawalpindi and Mandi Bahauddin. The accused were identified as Munwar Butt, Tahir Muzammil, Zeeshan Sadiq, Abdullah Tahiri, Liaquat Hussain and Muhammad Rizwan. Accused Munawwar Butt embezzled Rs6.6 million by tricking innocent citizens into getting foreign jobs. Three cases were registered against the accused. Accused Tahir Muzamil embezzled Rs260,000 by tricking a citizen into getting a job in Qatar, the newspaper reported. Accused Zeeshan Sadiq usurped Rs664,000 from several citizens on the pretext of sending them to Malaysia. Accused Abdullah Tahiri, took Rs260,000 under the guise of sending citizens to Dubai. Accused Liaquat Hussain extorted Rs370,000 on the pretext of sending the citizens to Canada. Three cases were registered against him, The Express Tribune reported. Photo Courtesy: Pixabay Despite India's claims for decades, it took the missing case of a poet named Ahmed Farhad Shah for Pakistan to admit in the court that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is a foreign territory and Islamabad does not have jurisdiction over the region. Historically, PoK was once part of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was illegally occupied by Pakistan in 1947, the year when two nations (India and Pakistan) were formed following independence from British rule. Now, following decades of disputes and multiple claims by Indian authorities, which Islamabad has so far denied, a startling admission was made before the Islamabad High Court by the Pakistani government, perhaps for the first time in the history of diplomatic tension between the two neighbours. The rare revelation was reportedly made by Pakistan's Additional Attorney General on May 31 while the case related to the poet was raised in the court. Shah was allegedly abducted from his home in Rawalpindi by Pakistan's intelligence agencies on May 15. Pakistan's Additional Attorney General made the admission as he argued before Justice Kayani that Farhad Shah was currently in police custody in Kashmir (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir) and could not be produced before the Islamabad High Court. When the judge asked to present him in his court, the Additional Attorney General argued that Kashmir is a foreign territory with its own constitution and courts, reported Pakistan Today. And, judgments of Pakistani courts in PoK appear as judgments of foreign courts, he added. The issue of PoK was raised by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last month when he said it is always an integral part of India. "It (POK) has always been with India and it will always be India," Jaishankar was quoted as saying by the media. The region witnessed violent protests in May when people demonstrated against rising costs of food, fuel, and utilities. Multiple videos from the region went viral during that time which showed people clashing with local police and forces and even some raising 'Azadi' (freedom) slogans against Pakistan, the country illegally occupying the region. The PoK issue even resonated during the high-voltage campaigning for the Indian parliamentary polls. The importance of PoK became evident in the Indian political scenario when the country's Home Minister Amit Shah while campaigning for his Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab for the just concluded national polls, said India would take back the region. Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was ours, is ours and will remain ours and we will take it no one can stop us, Union Home Minister Amit Shah was quoted as saying in a rally in Ludhiana last month by The Indian Express. Away from India, a prominent Pakistani journalist even criticised the Additional Attorney General over the development in IHC and posted on X: " State of Pakistan projecting AJK in a very negative perspective. They kidnapped a poet from Islamabad. They dont have the moral courage to admit the kidnapping and now they showed his arrest in AJK and told IHC that AJK is foreign territory. Means they have the authority of an occupying force in AJK but Pakistani courts have no jurisdiction." Happy Birthday to Sonakshi Sinha! Let's celebrate by admiring her top 5 gorgeous outfits from 'Heeramandi'. From stunning sarees to elegant accessories, each look is sure to dazzle and inspire! 1) Golden saree Sona looks stunning in "Heeramandi", wearing a beautiful gold saree with intricate embroidery that shines like real gold. She pairs it with gorgeous chandbali earrings adorned with pearls and a lovely headpiece called Pasa. Her blouse has detailed gold work with touches of delicate green net for contrast. She completes her royal look with a neat bun decorated with flowers, adding a traditional touch. "The saree pallu is tasseled with a handcrafted fringe made with handmade Firozabaadi glass beads. It is paired with a jaali and silk blouse wrought with an intricate jaal (gleaned from early 20th century architecture) of hand done kasab-dori marodi ka kaam, dabka, sequins and pearls; while the jaalis on the sleeves and back have resplendent peacocks with bejeweled plumage derived from Mughal miniature paintings," designers Rimple & Harpreet wrote on of the posts about the saree on their official Instagram page. Intsagram 2) Multi-hued French tulle saree Rimple & Harpreet described Sonakshi's outfit when she was getting a European style photo-portrait at Khwabgah. On Instagram they wrote, "She is seen wearing a multi-hued French tulle saree that was handcrafted with sequins and crystals. The saree is evocative of 1920s glamour and the shimmery sequins create a graphic tessellated geometric pattern gleaned from archival Art-Deco textiles. The saree was edged with a handcrafted cut work border that was referenced from an 18th century robe fragment. The saree was paired with an inky black hand embroidered sequin encrusted blouse with floral and avian motifs derived from a vintage 1930s minaudiere and a Chantilly lace peticoat(underskirt)." 3) Diamond-coloured saree Sona shines bright like a diamond in a gorgeous silver saree with sparkly sequins and beautiful embroidery that glimmers in the moonlight. She pairs it with silver jewelry like bangles, finger bracelets, and a delicate nose ring, which perfectly match the saree's shimmering elegance. To add to her look, Sona decorates her short, curly hair with a small clip shaped like a moon. Her outfit captures the beauty of the night sky, with every detail carefully selected to create a captivating and magical appearance. Instagram As we wish Sonakshi Sinha a fantastic birthday, let's continue to be inspired by her stunning fashion choices and eagerly anticipate the magic she brings to the screen. Here's to more unforgettable moments and countless reasons to celebrate! Happy Birthday, Sonakshi! For more on lifestyle, astrology and health from around the world please visit Indiatimes Lifestyle. Humans have long been captivated by the idea of immortality, a theme pervasive in mythology, religion, and literature. This obsession with transcending the limits of mortality has seen various scientific advancements. So much so, a wild new theory claims immortality could be ours, if we so choose, as early as the 2030s. Here's what you need to know. What does the new theory claim? The longevity escape velocity theory suggests that we may soon be able to extend our lifespans as a faster rate | Image: AI generated Also read: 'Sonam Gupta Bewafa Hai' Flashback? Man's Message On Rs 10 Note Asking GF To Elope Viral Scientists who support the longevity escape velocity theory suggest that we may soon be able to extend our lifespans at a rate faster than the passage of time, potentially achieving immortality. According to the 'longevity escape velocity,' ageing can become something of an optional thing altogether. The theory leans on the idea that when life expectancy increases at a higher rate than the actual ageing process, people will never actually die. The main thing to note here is that we all have a 'chronological age' and a 'biological age' which can be slowed down. As a result, a person can have a younger biological age than the actual number of years they have been alive. This way, they can extend their remaining life expectancy faster than time passes. Who is the former Google engineer who supports this theory? When life expectancy increases at a higher rate than the actual ageing process, people will never actually die | Image: Unsplash Also read: Rare Rs 10 Banknotes Recovered From 1918 Shipwreck Up For Auction - See Pics! 76-year-old Ray Kurzweil, a former Google engineer, has made many an accurate prediction about the future, including how a computer would one day defeat chess champions by 2000. Out of 147 predictions, Kurzweil claims 115 of them were accurate. He had also claimed that humans will be able to achieve immortality, if they so wish, by the 2030s. Breakthroughs in genetic engineering, regenerative medicine, and artificial intelligence are working together to extend human lifespan significantly. CRISPR technology, for instance, promises to correct age-related genetic defects, while stem cell research and organ regeneration are close to revealing how aged tissues can be rejuvenated. Moreover, AI-driven healthcare could prevent and manage chronic diseases more effectively, adding to the significant milestone of human longevity. Also read: 'Traffic Jam' On Mt Everest As Hundreds Of Climbers Take Advantage Of Weather Window What do you think of this? Hit us up in the comments section and let us know. There's a whole lot more on Indiatimes Trending. You can also follow us on Telegram. Asia's Richest Person: Billionaire Gautam Adani has regained the title of Asia's richest person, overtaking Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. As of 6 PM on Saturday, Mr Adani, chairman of the Adani Group, ranks 11th on the index with a net worth of $111 billion, compared to Mr Ambani's $109 billion. The significant rise in Adani Group stocks has played a key role in Mr Adani surpassing Mr Ambani. On Friday, shares of all Adani Group companies surged following a report by Jefferies, which highlighted the group's ambitious expansion plans, including $90 billion in capital expenditures over the next decade. The market reacted positively, with Adani Group stocks adding up to 1.23 lakh crore in investor wealth, bringing their total market capitalisation to 17.94 lakh crore during the day. By the close of trading, the market capitalisation had settled at 17.51 lakh crore, with an increase of 84,064 crore in value. Wikipedia READ ALSO: Meet Priti Adani, The Woman Behind Adani's Philanthropy And Gautam Adani's Partner In Success Gautam Adani Overtakes Mukesh Ambani As India's Richest Person 61-year-old Gautam Adani has reclaimed the title of being India's as well as Asias richest person, with his net worth going past that of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani. Earlier this week, Gautam Adani expressed optimism about the future of the Adani Group, emphasising that the company's best days are ahead following a strong recovery from a dual assault by US short-seller Hindenburg. In the annual report, Mr Adani highlighted the challenges the group faced last year, noting that overcoming them has strengthened their resolve and drawn inspiration from India's resilience. "The road ahead is paved with extraordinary possibilities, and I can promise you that the Adani Group today is stronger than it has ever been," he said. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index is a daily ranking of the world's wealthiest individuals, updated at the close of each trading day in New York. Here is the latest ranking of the world's richest individuals according to their total net worth: Bernard Arnault - $207 billion Elon Musk - $203 billion Jeff Bezos - $199 billion Mark Zuckerberg - $166 billion Larry Page - $153 billion Bill Gates - $152 billion Sergey Brin - $145 billion Steve Ballmer - $144 billion Warren Buffett - $137 billion Larry Ellison - $132 billion READ ALSO: For the latest and interesting financial content, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here The Man Behind Hyatt: Hyatt was founded by Jay Pritzker in 1957 when he purchased the Hyatt House motel adjacent to the Los Angeles International Airport. Over the following decade, Jay Pritzker and his brother, Donald Pritzker, working together with other Pritzker family business interests, grew the company into a North American management and hotel ownership company, which became a public company in 1962. In 1968, Hyatt International was formed and subsequently became a separate public company. Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International Corporation were taken private by the Pritzker family business interests in 1979 and 1982, respectively. On December 31, 2004, substantially all of the hospitality assets owned by Pritzker family business interests, including Hyatt Corporation and Hyatt International Corporation, were consolidated under a single entity, now Hyatt Hotels Corporation. The Man Behind Hyatt: Jay Pritzker's Billion-Dollar Legacy | IStock Who was Jay Pritzker, founder of Hyatt Hotel? Jay Pritzker was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 26, 1922. He was a smart and driven person who, along with his brother Robert, started the Marmon Group and Hyatt Hotels. His dad, Abram Nicholas Pritzker, was the head of the wealthy Pritzker family in the US, and Jay was one of his three sons. Jay was really bright from the start. He went to the University of Chicago when he was just 14 and later got degrees in both law and a bachelor's from Northwestern University. Even though law was the family trade, Jay decided to do something different. He and his brother Robert set up the Marmon Group in 1953, which managed all the Pritzker family's investments. As time went on, they invested in lots of manufacturing and transportation businesses. READ ALSO: Felice Bisleri: The Visionary Behind India's Most Trusted Water Brand Hyatt was founded by Jay Pritzker in 1957 While on a business trip to Los Angeles in 1957, Jay noticed that fellow businesspeople like him, who were in town for short trips, might prefer staying near the airport rather than in the city center. He found out that the closest motel to the airport was fully booked, so he struck a deal with the owner, Hyatt Von Dehn, to buy it on the spot for $2.2 million. That motel was called Hyatt House. Jay, along with his brother Donald, started to expand the Hyatt brand. Their second property, another Hyatt House motel, was near San Francisco International Airport. They then grew outside California, setting up hotels near airports and in city centers across the country. In 1967, they opened the Regency Hyatt House in Atlanta, which was the first hotel to have an atrium design. Visitors were skeptical, thinking hot air might create a rain shower inside the atrium. But this design became a trademark of Hyatt Regency hotels. The first international Hyatt opened in 1969, called the Hong Kong Hyatt Hotel (now known as Hyatt Regency Hong Kong). Jay passed away on January 23, 1999. At the time, the fortune he and his brother Robert had amassed was estimated to be around $13.5 billion. His legacy includes the annual Pritzker Architectural Prize, which gives $100,000 to outstanding architects, and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago's Millennium Park, completed in 2004. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange Today, Hyatt Hotels Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: H) and oversees more than 900 hotels spanning across 65 countries. In addition to Hyatt House and Hyatt Regency, the company's diverse portfolio of brands encompasses Park Hyatt, the Unbound Collection, and Hyatt Centric. Leading the helm as chairman is Thomas Pritzker, the son of Jay Pritzker. READ ALSO: Meet Mukesh Ambanis Neighbour With Indias 2nd Most Expensive House Worth Rs 6000 Crore The history OF HYATT 1957 - Jay Pritzker buys Hyatt House, a small motor lodge near LAX. 1967 - Hyatt Regency Atlanta becomes the first Hyatt Regency property. The dramatic, 22-story atrium lobby and groundbreaking design spawn many imitators, and define Hyatt as a leader in global hospitality. 1969 - Hyatt Regency Hong Kong becomes Hyatts first international location. 1972 -Always on the cutting edge of customer service, Hyatt opens a central reservations office in Omaha, Nebraska-with a dedicated toll-free 800 number. 1980 - Grand Hyatt New York and Park Hyatt Chicago open and add two iconic brands to Hyatt's portfolio. 1987 - Hyatt Gold Passport launches as Hyatt's loyalty program. 1995 - Hyatt Sunset Harbor, in Key West, Florida, heralds Hyatts arrival to the vacation ownership market. 2006 - The Hyatt Place brand is introduced in Lombard, Illinois. At the same time, Hyatt purchases Summerfield Suites with an aim to expand into the extended stay market. 2007 - The stylist Andaz brand debuts on Liverpool Street in London. 2009 - Hyatt goes public on the NYSE, trading under the ticker symbol H. 2011 - Hyatt Thrive launches as Hyatt's global corporate responsibility platform. 2012 - Hyatt Summerfield Suites is rebranded as Hyatt House. 2013 - With the debut of the Hyatt Ziva and Hyatt Zilara brands in Mexico, Hyatt is advancing into the rapidly growing segment of all-inclusive resorts. 2015 - The Hyatt Centric brand launches with its first location in Chicago offering accessible, chic lodgings in prime city locations for the cosmopolitan traveler. 2016 - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt becomes the 12th brand in Hyatts portfolio, introducing guests to a whole new range of experiences. 2017 - On March 1, World of Hyatt launches as a reimagined loyalty program designed to deepen engagement with Hyatts most loyal guests. 2018 - The new World of Hyatt Credit Card launches, rewarding members for how they live, work and travel, including an industry-first Bonus Points fitness category. Hyatt completes the acquisition of Two Roads Hospitality, expanding its hotel and resort portfolio with the inclusion of brands like Alila, Destination by Hyatt, JdV by Hyatt, and Thompson Hotels. 2019 - Hyatt announces two new hotel brands, Caption by Hyatt, a lifestyle brand designed to inspire personal connections, and UrCove, a brand developed in a joint venture with BTG Homeinns Hotels Group to cater to Chinas growing upper-midscale market of frequent business travelers. World of Hyatt continues to advance, connect and add to the program with a newly designed mobile app, expansion of Small Luxury Hotels of the World destinations, and new alliances with American Airlines and Lindblad Expeditions. 2020 - On January 15, Hyatt announces a new global wellbeing collaboration with Headspace, a leader in mindfulness and meditation. Members can access a curated selection of meditations and sleep exercises in the World of Hyatt app and in-room at participating Hyatt hotels. 2021 - On November 2, Hyatt announced the acquisition of Apple Leisure Group (ALG), a leading luxury resort-management services, travel, and hospitality group with a unique collection of resort brands with the AMR Collection, which consists of more than 100 hotels and resorts across 10 countries. READ ALSO: The Lavish Weddings Of Akash, Isha, And Anant Ambani: How Much Did They Cost? For the latest and interesting financial content, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here Tesla shareholders will vote on Elon Musk's pay package in June, and some major investors have opposed the proposal. Steve Granitz/FilmMagic // Stephen Lam /Reuters Tesla is preparing for a showdown between some big investment firms and individual shareholders on June 13. Several institutional investors have indicated they plan to vote against Elon Musk's pay plan. Retail investors, who hold 44% of Tesla stock, could sway the vote. Tesla is setting the stage for a battle between some vocal institutional investors and some of Elon Musk's biggest supporters. The two sides appear ready to face off at Tesla's annual shareholder meeting on June 13. Over the past few weeks, several investment firms have urged shareholders to vote against the proposed pay package for Musk, which was valued at $55 billion when it was struck down by a Delaware judge earlier this year. ADVERTISEMENT The executive pay plan, which was first approved in 2018, is centered on a series of goalposts around Tesla's financial growth. The plan involves a 10-year grant of 12 tranches of stock options that are vested when Tesla hits specific targets. When the company hits each milestone, Musk gets stock equal to 1% of outstanding shares at the time of the grant. Tesla said it hit all of the 12 targets as of 2023. The Delaware judge that voided the compensation plan in January argued that Musk had undue influence over the package and its approval because of his close ties to several board members, resulting in an "unfair price." Meanwhile, Tesla has argued that the pay package is both fair and necessary to maintain Musk's focus on the car company. In a series of advertisements and messages to shareholders ahead of the June shareholder vote, Tesla has continued to argue that the plan is "critical to the future success of Tesla" and a matter of properly compensating Musk for his work over the past six years. And some of Musk's most devout fans, many of which count themselves as investors, have begun to spread the same message. Tesla has even shared screenshots of some of its fans' tweets about voting in some of its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including a video from @TeslaBoomerMama that includes step-by-step instructions on how to vote in the annual meeting. Story continues Tesla shared some of its fans posts on how to vote in the shareholder meeting. Tesla In some ways, Tesla has made retail investors like @TeslaBoomerMama an influencer of sorts, according to a report from The Information. Over the past few weeks, Tesla retail investors have been raising a rallying cry on social media, and even targeting investors like Leo Koguan, one of Tesla's largest individual shareholders, who has expressed his intentions to vote against the proposal. Tesla's retail investors hold a notable level of power at the company. Individual investors hold a large portion of Tesla stock, accounting for about 44% of Tesla shares, per S&P Global Market Intelligence data quoted by Reuters. That's the highest percentage out of the 10 largest companies in the S&P 500, according to Reuters. So while institutions like CalPERS which holds about 9.5 million Tesla shares, according to Bloomberg have said they plan to vote against the proposal, they might be faced with a large number of individual investors canceling out their votes. Adam Jonas, head of Morgan Stanley's auto and space research, said in an analyst note from Friday that, based on a survey of 109 respondents, Morgan Stanley expects Musk's pay package to be met with 57% approval. Ultimately, the issue comes down to whether individual investors will show out for the vote. Anat Alon-Beck, a corporate law expert out of Case Western Reserve University, told Business Insider that it's uncommon for individual investors to put in the effort to cast a vote. "I'd say 90% of retail investors throw out those proxy cards," Alon-Beck said. "I'd be shocked if a large number of them actually vote and mail it back." For its part, Tesla has been working overtime to distribute material on how to vote, providing QR codes and online options in addition to mail-in votes. On Tuesday, the company even kicked off a raffle, offering shareholders who could provide proof that they'd voted the chance for a special tour of the Texas gigafactory alongside Musk. The Tesla CEO has also promoted the proposal and criticized institutional investors who have spoken out against the pay plan. He even threatened to take his work with AI outside of Tesla if he is unable to secure additional voting shares. A spokesperson for Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ahead of the June 13 shareholder meeting, shareholders will be asked to vote on several other proposals in addition to Musk's pay package. The company is also asking investors to vote on whether to move Tesla's state of incorporation from Delaware to Texas and a separate proposal to reelect Tesla board members Kimbal Musk and Murdoch. For Musk, whose net worth is largely tied to his Tesla shares, the stakes couldn't be higher. Do you work for Tesla or have a tip? Reach out to the reporter via a non-work email and device at gkay@businessinsider.com or 248-894-6012. Read the original article on Business Insider Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Lead Counsel of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafras (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu says it is unreasonable to attribute the killing of soldiers in Abia state to the group. On Thursday, five soldiers were killed by gunmen at a military checkpoint in Obikabia junction in Abia. The gunmen were said to have been enforcing the sit-at-home directive issued by IPOB when they attacked the soldiers. Advertisement The separatist group had issued a directive for residents of the five south-east states to stay at home on Thursday to commemorate Biafra Day. In a Saturday statement, Ejiofor, condemned the unprovoked attack on the soldiers, adding that it is unreasonable to attribute the attack to the group before the completion of the investigation. Ejiofor claimed that IPOB has been peaceful in its struggle for secession, adding that the group has distanced itself from criminals claiming to be freedom fighters. READ ALSO: Biafra Day: Senate Committee Condemns Killing Of Soldiers In Abia, Calls For Investigation I roundly condemn, in unmistaken terms, the unprovoked attack on military personnel at a checkpoint in Aba, Abia State on the 30th day of May 2024. Furthermore, it is unreasonable to attribute the commission of this dastardly act to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whom I am its lead counsel, even before any investigation has been conducted. IPOB has maintained its peaceful stance in their self-determination quest for a sovereign state of Biafra and has at all times distanced itself from the activities of the criminals claiming to be freedom fighters, who have publicly taken responsibility for this heinous crime. Whatever evil motive behind the actions of the evil souls that perpetuated this evil act has no justification under any circumstance and stands totally condemned, the statement read. Meanwhile, after the attack, the military authorities vowed to avenge the killings. The Abia government has also placed a N25 million bounty on the killers. The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has vowed to identify killers of five soldiers who lost their lives during an attack at a checkpoint in Obikabia, Ogbor Hill, Aba. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had earlier reported that some men of the Nigeria military was allegedly killed by suspected members of the Eastern Security Network, ESN, on the 30th of May, 2024. Advertisement The attack was coming, following the remembrance of fallen heros who lost their lives during Biafra war, many years ago. The deceased military officers who died on Thursday were said to be Sgt.Chalse Ugochkwu, Sgt Bala Abrabam, CPl Ugwu Gideon , LCPL Ikpeama Ikechukwu , LCPL Augustine Emanuel . READ MORE: Biafra Day: Senate Committee Condemns Killing Of Soldiers In Abia, Calls For Investigation Meanwhile, Governor Otti, during a visitation to the families of the soldiers, at 144 Battalion Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area on Saturday, commiserated with the widows of the slain military personnel. He said: Let me start by sending out words of sympathy to the Nigerian Army, the Brigade Commander himself and most importantly the families of the five fallen heroes. The Governor also vowed to smoke out the gunmen, responsible for the death of the innocent soldiers. He added: Its as if General Diya was with me at the last place that we went to where I had promised everybody that was listening to me that we would smoke out whoever is remotely connected to this killing, whoever they are, wherever they are, wherever they run to. Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari, has regained freedom 27 months after he was arrested by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Adamu Duza, spokesperson of the FCT command of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), said Kyari was released from the Kuje Custodial Centre on Friday. Advertisement On February 14, 2022, Kyari was nabbed after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged links with an international drug cartel. Kyari was however arraigned alongside Sunday Ubia, Bawa James, Simon Agirigba, and John Nuhu, who were members of the police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), on March 7, 2022. Others are Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus Ezenwanne, two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu. Upon arraignment, Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty. READ ALSO: Tinubus Govt. Trying To Steal Money To Prepare For 2027 Election LPs Tanko Yunusa However, Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the sixth and seventh defendants, pleaded guilty and were convicted accordingly. At the time, the defendants were denied bail twice after they argued that their lives were being threatened by criminals whom Kyaris team arrested. Judge Emeka Nwite, on May 22, 2024, granted Kyari a two-week bail to allow him to partake in the burial rites of his mother, Yachilla Kyari, who died on May 5. The Judge ruled that Kyari should deposit his international passport with the court and report to any NDLEA formation nearest to him, within the period of the bail. The suspended DCP had also filed another application seeking bail. The judge then fixed May 31 for the determination of Kyaris main application for bail in the drug trafficking charge. At the court session on Friday, granted Kyaris motion for bail. The court set his bail at N50 million with stringent conditions, including providing two sureties who own property within the jurisdiction and depositing his international passport and other documents with the court registrar. Meanwhile Kyari, received a warm welcome from his family members after being released from detention. Kyaris family and friends celebrated his release, underscoring their support during his legal battles. However, his release is conditional and subject to the ongoing developments in his trial Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, says those behind the killing of soldiers in Abia State would be brought to book. Recall that no less than five soldiers were killed on Thursday by gunmen who were reportedly enforcing the sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Advertisement IPOB had issued a directive for total compliance with the sit-at-home order to commemorate Biafra Day on May 30. Matawalle, on Saturday, described the incident as barbaric, abominable and wicked, adding that the murder of the military personnel is reprehensible and disheartening. Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations, quoted the Minister as saying: The brutal assassination of the soldiers in Aba was without any provocation while on a lawful duty, protecting innocent citizens against the threat of non-state actors. READ ALSO: Sit-At-Home: Gov. Otti Places N25m Bounty On Killers Of Abia Soldiers Dr Matawalle extended his condolences to the families of the deceased personnel and the Nigerian military, urging the troops not to be deterred by the attack. He reaffirmed the governments commitment to supporting the Military in their efforts to defeat IPOB, ESN and other criminals in other regions of the country to ensure total security in the nation. The minister emphasized the crucial role of local communities in combating terrorism, urging citizens to provide information that could aid military operations against terrorist groups and keep faith with Nigeria. The military has vowed to retaliate the killings while the Abia government has placed a N25 million bounty on the killers. The Federal Government, on Saturday, disclosed that the N494,000 minimum wage proposed by Organised Labour cannot be sustained. Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information, in a statement, said the demand by organised labour amounts to a N9.5 trillion bill for the federal government annually. The Minister added that the proposal of organised labour would increase the existing workers wage bill by 1,547 percent. Advertisement According to him, Organised Labour is fighting for the interest of 1.2 million workers, while the Federal Government is concerned about 200 million Nigerians. The federal governments new minimum wage proposal amounts to a 100% increase on the existing minimum wage. Labour, however, wanted N494,000, which would increase by 1,547% on the existing wage. The sum of N494,000 national minimum wage which labour is seeking would cumulatively amount to the sum N9.5 trillion bill to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Nigerians need to understand that whereas the federal government is desirous of ample remuneration for Nigerian workers, what is most critical is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job loss, especially in the private sector, who may not be able to pay the wage demanded by the organised labour. READ ALSO: Tinubus Govt. Trying To Steal Money To Prepare For 2027 Election LPs Tanko Yunusa Former President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2019,approved N30,000 as the national minimum wage for workers. The Federal and State governments, Organised Labour, and the private sector commenced discussion over the new minimum wage via a 37-member tripartite committee. Initially, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had proposed N615,500 as the minimum wage, citing the high cost of living. However, the federal government rejected the N615,500 proposal and offered N48,000. The NLC and TUC rejected the N48,000 minimum wage offered by the government on May 15. Again, on May 21, the Federal Government increased the proposed minimum wage to N54,000, which the Unions described as unacceptable. At the last discourse, the Federal Government proposed N60,000, and it was rejected. Owing to this, NLC and TUC declared an indefinite strike over the federal governments refusal to increase the minimum wage from N60,000. The planned strike is expected to kick off on June 3. The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed has appealed to labour union over its planned on nationwide strike. Governor Bala revealed that most of the state governors will not be able to pay the N494,000 minimum wage, proposed by the labour union. Balas comment is coming after after the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress declared an indefinite strike, beginning from Monday, over the hike in electricity tariff and the governments inability to reach a consensus with them on a new minimum wage. Advertisement Reacting to organised labour plan, ahead of tomorrows strike, the Bauchis Governor, during his visitation to the Governor of Abia State Alex Otti alongside Edos Godwin Obaseki and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC), Governor Mohammed called on the union to reconsider its action. READ MORE: NLC, TUC Declare Indefinite Strike Over Minimum Wage He said: I have always looked forward to making sure that workers get the best in terms of welfare, in terms of salaries and wages. But it has to be affordable; something that is within the threshold of affordability by all the sub-national and local governments. Definitely what the Federal Government will be negotiating. Some of the state governors will not be able to pay. Even at the moment, the current minimum wage of N30,000, some states are not able to pay. And I know labor leaders are really leaders. They should look at this because the strike may cripple the economy and further cause pain to workers and all of us. So, we are pleading that we should have a combining point where we can look at our affordability. The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has issued another warning to Nigerians about the risky practice of using toxic chemicals to preserve food. Specifically, the government has banned and highlighted the hazards of dichlorvos, a chemical routinely used by traders to prevent food rotting. In a statement issued by Sayo Akintola, Resident Media Consultant to NAFDAC, on Sunday, the agency raised alarm about a recent viral video showing people using harmful chemicals to preserve food products such as beans, stockfish, and crayfish. Advertisement The sale of small volume dichlorvos (100 ml or less), sold as Sniper has been banned since 2019 while the sale of the large volume (one litre) is limited to certified agrochemicals outlets. NAFDAC underscores the toxicity of dichlorvos to human health, cautioning that its use can have fatal consequences. Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC, has encouraged traders and merchants to avoid using unauthorised chemicals on food intended for human consumption. She said: The misuse of dichlorvos poses significant risks to human health, manifesting in both short-term and long-term consequences. Long-term exposure can result in severe health implications, including developmental abnormalities in offspring, memory loss, reduced fertility, and potential carcinogenic effects. These adverse effects highlight the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to mitigate the risks associated with dichlorvos exposure. Similarly, Dr. Rametu Momodu, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Applied Products (VMAP), reaffirmed that using some chemicals, particularly pesticides, to protect grains and beans from weevils is not permitted. She said that there are certified pesticides for use as fumigants that should be used in accordance with the manufacturers instructions on the product label. She emphasised that these products should not be applied directly to food because they pose intrinsic risks to human health. Momodu went on to say that eating dichlorvos-contaminated food can cause dizziness, vomiting, trouble breathing, tremors, and convulsions, and in severe cases, coma and death. She warned that pesticide residues, once applied, persist on or in food, posing serious health hazards. Washing the food does not reduce the risk because the toxic component will have already seeped into it. She stated that the Agency cannot advocate washing as a remedy since it creates a false sense of security. Instead, she urged grain merchants, market vendors, and farmers to adhere strictly to manufacturer guidelines and refrain from directly applying dichlorvos to beans and other foodstuffs. It should be used as intended, either as a field crop treatment or a fumigant, to ensure food safety, she said. Momodu also recommended consumers to avoid purchasing from vendors who use such techniques and to report them to the nearest NAFDAC office for appropriate punishment. NAFDAC DG Adeyeye emphasised other ways of food preservation, citing bio-pesticides as a safer alternative to dichlorvos. She highlighted that food that has not spoilt for a lengthy period of time may indicate pesticide contamination rather than freshness, unless it is stored in the refrigerator. READ MORE: Reality Star Phyna Turns 27, Shares Gorgeous Birthday Photos In addition to the banning of the 100 ml size bottle, the NAFDAC DG said the agency has implemented several initiatives such as stakeholders sensitization meetings on restricting the direct application of dichlorvos on grains and foodstuffs and thorough laboratory testing to ensure pesticide residues do not exceed maximum limits for both in-country consumption and for exports. She said, Routine monitoring of stakeholders is also conducted to ensure compliance. Adeyeye reiterated NAFDACs commitment to global best practices, including the elimination of some pesticides that have been banned in other nations due to demonstrated toxicity. She also acknowledged farmers hardships as a result of pesticide prohibitions and emphasised the significance of moving to safer alternatives. The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, while celebrating one year in office, reflected on many obstacles faced by his government. The Governor thanked God for helping him to pull through what he described as political crisis. Fubara led this out during a thanksgiving service at St. Pauls Anglican Church, Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt on Sunday. Advertisement INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the Governors statement was disclosed to the public, after the service today, by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi. He said: I still dont believe that this administration is truly marking one year in office. READ MORE: Wike Left Huge Debt Before Leaving Office Gov Fubara Reveals You wont understand. I can tell you in good authority that even before we started this programme, there was every plan to frustrate us. But to the glory of God, we are all gathered here to say God, thank you, that you have carried us and led us to this point. Now, if we have God by our side, do we have any problem? I want to thank every one of you that are here to support us. I want to thank you especially, on behalf of my family and the government, you have given us honour, and you have made us proud. Without you, there wouldnt have been any record of success. So, I want to thank you. Meanwhile, Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike have been having loggerhead in the last few months, disrupting the political atmosphere of the state. Stakeholders and Governors loyalists have accused Wike, over plan to hijack government from Fubara. Former Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, says when the parliamentary system of government was practiced in Nigeria, it led the country into disaster. Information Nigeria reports that there has been calls from some quarters for the country to reintroduce the parliamentary system of government. Advertisement Nigeria had used the system of government between 1960 and 1963. Fashola who spoke in Ilorin, on Saturday at the 30th anniversary of Yusuf Ali & Co. (Ghalib Chambers), a law firm, urged the proponents to reflect on the causes of its collapse in the First Republic and ascertain if the issues had been sorted out or not. According to him, the system failed the country and only quality governance would shape Nigeria better. READ ALSO: Nigeria Needs Quality Governance, Not Parliamentary Rule Shettima His words: They should reflect on whether the reasons which caused its collapse in the First Republic had been sorted out or not. Nigeria once practised this parliamentary system, but it failed and led the country into unwarranted disaster. Let us think deeply on why the parliamentary system failed us and ask ourselves if we have overcome those reasons. In February 2024, a Bill seeking to introduce the parliamentary system scaled the first reading at the House of Representatives. The Bill was sponsored by 60 lawmakers, who said 2031 is the proposed year to transition to the system of government. Real Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-0 to become champions of Europe for the 15th time at Wembley. INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that some second-half goals from Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr, helped Carlos Ancelloti to punish Dortmund in the final stage of the Champions League, on Saturday. Advertisement The German side hit a post and created two more big chances in the first half as they threatened a big upset but the Spanish side responded with an improved display. Toni Kroos, in his final game for the club set up the opener with a corner for Carvajal to head home with 16 minutes to play, while Englands Jude Bellingham rolled in Vinicius Jr to punish a stretched Dortmund side soon after. READ MORE: Barcelona Beat Lyon To Win Third UEFA Womens Champions League Title For Carvajal, Kroos and team-mates Nacho and Luka Modric it is a remarkable sixth Champions League win with Real Madrid. Boss Ancelotti has now won the coveted prize five times as a head coach. The West Africa Examination Council has insisted that its academic activities will continue despite the nationwide strike proposed by the labour union. Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, vowed to shutdown the country over minimum wage dispute with federal government. The union insisted that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubus led administration must consider its proposed N494,000 wage, but the FG only willing to pay N60,000. Advertisement Reacting to the proposed nationwide strike which is set to commence tomorrow, WAEC, in a statement released to the public on Saturday, by its Branch Controller, Ekiti State, Mrs T.A.Y. Lawson, noted that the industrial action will not affect the examination in the state. Mrs. Lawson added that despite the fact that the union will be expressing their displeasure over the state of the nation, Nigerian students must not be at the receiving end. She insisted that candidates in Nigeria must join other West African countries to write the exam. The statement reads: The attention of Management has been drawn to a notice of the Commencement of Indefinite Strike by NLC and TUC effective, Monday, 3rd June 2024. READ MORE: Minimum Wage: Some Of Us Wont Be Able To Pay Bauchi Gov Begs Labour Union Over Proposed Strike Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled. In as much as we share the concerns of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the WASSCE SC is going on across the member Countries of WAEC and the Nigerian Child should not be put to a disadvantage of missing the exam. For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exam and School Principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their candidates to sit the exam. Kindly be guided accordingly. A 17-year-old Northeast High School student whod gone out with friends to see a movie Friday night was killed in a hit-and-run car crash in Holmesburg, according to police and a relative of the teens. Five other people also were injured in the collision, police said, two of them critically. The crash happened just after 9 p.m., police said, when someone driving a Nissan SUV on State Road tried to make a left turn onto Ashburner Street, but instead crashed into a Honda being driven the opposite direction on State Road. Advertisement The Honda which police said had been traveling at a high rate of speed then crashed into another car, a Ford Escape, and a utility pole, which became embedded into the Honda. Three people were inside the Honda, police said, including 17-year-old Shibin Sony, a passenger, who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Hondas driver and another passenger were taken by medics to Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in extremely critical condition, police said. Authorities did not provide their ages or genders. Three people in the Ford Escape were also taken to the hospital in stable condition, police said. Police also did not provide ages or genders of the people in that vehicle. The Nissan SUV, meanwhile, was driven away from the scene before authorities arrived, police said. It was not clear how many people were in the car or where it went. Sonys aunt, Sheena Jose, said Sony was a Northeast High School student who had emigrated from India with his family in 2015. The youngest of three brothers, Sony was such a kind and nice kid, Jose said. Jose said that Sony had told his father Friday night that he was going to see a movie with friends, but that his brothers became worried when he didnt come home later that night. They reached out to police Saturday morning and learned that Sony had been a victim in the car crash, Jose said. Our community is in shock, Jose said. Police said an investigation into the crash was continuing. Eight people were shot, two fatally, in three separate gun violence incidents within two hours in Philadelphia Saturday night. Read more Eight people were shot, two fatally, in three incidents of gun violence over less than two hours Saturday night in Philadelphia, police said. Police provided the following accounts Sunday: Advertisement At 9:40 p.m., 25th District officers found a 28-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to the left side of his stomach on the highway at West Hunting Park Avenue in the citys Hunting Park section. The victim was transported to Temple University Hospital via private vehicle and was in stable condition. No weapons were recovered, and no arrests were made. Just after 10:30 p.m., police in the 18th District responding to a radio call for a person with a weapon on the 900 block of South 58th Street in Kingsessing found that two shooting victims had been taken to area hospitals by private vehicles. One of them, a 23-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds to the torso, was pronounced dead at Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue. A 20-year-old man shot in the right leg was in stable condition at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. Also at Penn Presbyterian were two 20-year-old women who had been shot in the same incident and were in stable condition. No arrests had been made. Just after 11 p.m., 12th District officers found three shooting victims on South 62nd Street in Elmwood. A 21-year-old man with gunshot wounds to the chest was pronounced dead at 11:25 p.m. at Penn Presbyterian. A 22-year-old man shot in the buttocks was in stable condition for a gunshot and another 22-year-old man was in critical condition with gunshot wounds to the chest and arm. Police said the shooting followed a car crash involving the victims and the suspected shooter, who was in custody Sunday. He was not identified by police. The University of the Arts Dorrance Hamilton Hall on South Broad Street in Philadelphia on Friday. Read more Two days after news broke that University of the Arts would close on June 7, the colleges board of trustees on Sunday issued their first public statement. It offered no concrete explanation for the abrupt move which came after the school had already admitted a new freshman class to start this fall but again described it as the result of an unspecified urgent financial crisis. Advertisement Under extraordinary circumstances, we diligently assessed the urgent crisis presented and pathways to keep the institution open, the boards statement said. Despite our best efforts, we could not ultimately identify a viable path for the institution to remain open and in the service of its mission. The trustees said they voted on Saturday to approve the closure, and said they were committed to supporting students, staff, and faculty through the transition. The statement largely reiterated the brief comment released Friday by board chairman Judson Aaron and college president Kerry Walk. Like you, we are struggling to make sense of the present moment, that statement said. They said the schools finances had been in trouble over years of declining enrollment; the Center City institution last year served 1,149 students, down 44% from a decade earlier. With a cash position that has steadily weakened, we could not cover significant, unanticipated expenses, the Friday statement said, without specifying the nature of those expenses. The situation came to light very suddenly. Despite swift action, we were unable to bridge the necessary gaps. READ MORE: 'A crown jewel': Questions, anger, and a lawsuit threat follow University of the Arts announcement of imminent closure The statement promised town hall meetings on Monday. On Sunday, the university community was informed that a virtual town hall will be held at 4 p.m. Monday to share information about UArts imminent closure and to address some of the important questions we know you have, after which a Q&A webpage will be added to the UArts website. A registration link was provided. The schools Friday statement also apologized for how the news was delivered: The Middle States Commission on Higher Education withdrew the schools accreditation and posted a statement before University of the Arts did. The school also emphasized a commitment to connect students with transfer pathways, including at Temple University, Drexel University, and Moore College of Art and Design. Individual board members contacted on Sunday either declined to comment or did not immediately return phone calls. The union representing 350 University of the Arts faculty and staff, United Academics of Philadelphia, has issued a demand to bargain the terms of layoffs, according to UAP president Daniel Pieczkolon. For now, according to the contract, faculty will get $600 payments for canceled summer courses, and health insurance and paychecks through June, the union said. Pieczkolon said on Sunday that he expects to learn more Monday about the universitys position. He noted that the faculty won their first contract with the school in January and while financial hardships were evident then, there wasnt any indication that closure was a possibility. There is so much we dont understand about what precipitated this decision, he said. Once we get a clear understanding, we want to see as much protection for our members as we can. The Pig Iron Theatre Company, which runs a master of fine arts program at University of the Arts, will also be scrambling to identify an accredited institutional partner to host the program, said Pig Iron artistic director Quinn Bauriedel. They were set to have 31 new and returning students enrolled this fall for the devised performance program. This puts us in a really precarious position, Bauriedel said, speaking about both the theater company and its students. I dont expect our students could transfer into a different school and complete their degree, because its such a one-of-a-kind program. The closure leaves a void in Center City, along the South Broad Street corridor known as Avenue of the Arts. In its most recent tax filing, University of the Arts valued its real estate holdings at $94 million, including several marquee buildings along South Broad Street. City Councilmember Mark Squilla and Council President Kenyatta Johnson, whose respective districts include University of the Arts campus, said on Sunday they were still seeking information about the sudden closure, which Squilla described as a shock. Johnson said in a statement that he was very angry about the sudden decision, but hoped to work with local, state and federal officials to see what can be done to help everyone impacted by this sudden closure. Squilla, meanwhile, said he was not ready to give up on the school. He said he had reached out to university administrators and city officials, hoping to set a meeting to explore whether the city could help keep the school solvent or perhaps shepherd it through a merger. As a Philadelphia treasure, we want to look at all options available to us to see how we can help, he said, and to see if we can partner with other providers to keep the school open. The University of the Arts news came in a moment of turmoil that is reshaping Philadelphia, as well as its higher education landscape. On North Broad Street, where the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts announced last year that it will stop granting degrees, current plans call for renting out some institutional space for an arts hub. In Southwest Philadelphia, St. Josephs University has been exploring the sale of the 24-acre former University of the Sciences campus since USciences merged into St. Joes in 2022. Developer Carl Dranoff, a board member of the nonprofit Avenue of the Arts Inc., said losing University of the Arts would be a disappointment. But he said the vacancy would not negatively affect what he described as a flourishing South Broad Street where at least five major development projects are planned or under construction. This summer, the nonprofit will also release a new plan to transform the corridor by greening the median, replacing the parking lanes with expanded sidewalks, sculpture gardens, and outdoor cafes. Its a rarity for a collection like this to come along in a big city where all the main streets in Philadelphia are built out, Dranoff said. It would, I would say, easily be absorbed and repurposed into making the Avenue of the Arts even more vibrant than it is. An earlier version of this article incorrectly described the board chairman and presidents statement as having been released on Sunday. Orlando and Maria Hernandez, from Camden, dance together during ballroom dance lessons for the blind and visually impaired at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield, N.J. Read more It may have been an ordinary Wednesday night everywhere else in the Delaware Valley. But on one dance floor in Haddonfield, disco fever was alive and well. One-two-three-four and circle! called out instructor Gene LaPierre, as 10 pairs of dancers twirled to the 1970s dance classic The Hustle. Advertisement Carmella Smith of West Oak Lane was one of the newbies, but youd never guess. Beaming, moving with the beat, Smith looked more like a diva than a dance floor debut. This is the first time Ive done something like this, Smith said. Ive always wanted to learn to dance but I never had the opportunity. I was tired of being the wallflower. That night, her white cane stayed on the sidelines. Smith, 61, was the newest addition to a program created to bring the joys of ballroom dancing to the blind and visually impaired. Sponsored by the Haddonfield Lions Club and nonprofit Dance Haddonfield, the free class meets on Wednesday evenings at Grace Episcopal Church in Haddonfield. The church provides the space as part of its community ministry. LaPierre, who is founder of Ballroom Dancing for a Better U, a program for special needs dancers, and the LaPierre Dance Studio in Glassboro, donates his teaching time, too. A few other dance instructors also do so, and a cadre of volunteers picks up the dancers and drives them home to various points in South Jersey and the Philadelphia area so transportation isnt a barrier for those participating. Besides the Hustle, the class covers the waltz, the foxtrot, the bachata, the meringue, the rumba, and others. Instructor LaPierre said the lessons arent so different from those for sighted students. When people learn how to ballroom dance, everybodys starting from scratch. Its not something that your body does naturally, LaPierre said. We start off as a circle and move together so everybody can feel the direction of the others, he said. Then from there, we break off into partners. They switch partners, too, to build the camaraderie of the class. Sometimes, LaPierre will dance with a student so they get to experience how a movement is supposed to feel. Sure, a blind person cant see a step being demonstrated, but LaPierre has found sighted people can have their own hiccups. Even when we teach [sighted students], sometimes I tell people to close their eyes, he said. Especially someone following has to follow their partner. Its sometimes better for people who are sighted to close their eyes so they are following vs. trying to anticipate. The ballroom program is the brainchild of Joe Murphy, a founder of Dance Haddonfield and a Lions Club member. Now 75, Murphy took dance classes in 1998 and fell in love with dancing, especially ballroom. Im an introvert, Murphy said. With ballroom dancing, its always one-on-one. Its always structured. You know what youre going to do. And you always have something in common with the person youre dancing with because theyre interested in dance. So it works out very nicely. As an active member of the Lions, which supports vision-related causes, Murphy said the ballroom class seemed like a natural fit to him. The first 10-week session was in spring 2023. Since then, there have been two more, with a fourth coming in the fall. Murphys hope is that other organizations replicate the idea so even more people can enjoy it. A couple of dancers Eugene Strickland, 64, one of the dancers, hopes they do, too. There are a lot of us out there who would love to have the opportunity to get out and do this, said Strickland, an employee of Bestwork Industries for the Blind in Cherry Hill. Strickland is legally blind now, but hes been an avid dancer since his younger, sighted days. In fact, he met his wife, Eleasa, at a party at Villanova University in 1979. They danced three songs together, and then went their separate ways. Strickland went to the party because his sister, Sonia, then a Villanova freshman, promised to introduce him to a friend. Eleasa, as it turned out, was at the party to meet the sibling of a matchmaking friend. After her three dances with the handsome stranger, Eleasa sought out her girlfriend and asked her where her brother was. You were just dancing with him, Stricklands sister said. Over the years, the Overbrook couple continued to dance quite the duo, two-stepping at family functions and other events but ballroom felt like something magical Strickland just saw on TV. He never learned it. Now his wife, who is sighted, would like to learn the dances, too. Then they can trip that light fantastic together. I cant see the person Im dancing with, but I hold her hand and I have my hand on her back and were moving together with the music, he said. Canes cast aside Patti Cole, 65, of Haddonfield, now gets around with a white cane; her vision had steadily declined since being diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa over 20 years ago. She hasnt let that hold her back. Retired now from a career in sales, she moved to San Francisco for three years to enjoy a new city and a new grandchild before coming back to South Jersey. When a friend told her about the ballroom class, she decided to give it a go. Its a nice way to move. Its exercise. And nobody takes themselves seriously, so you get some laughs, Cole said. The ballroom classes have held happy surprises for her fellow dancers as well. Since I was a little girl, I always liked dancing, said Maria Hernandez, 59, but I have had very bad eyesight since I was born. Nobody would ever teach me the dance steps. When she was younger, she danced to Latin music with friends and once even went to a club. When she and husband Orlando were wed, they danced to Ed Sheerans Perfect. But when she heard about the ballroom dance classes, she jumped at the chance even though she is now blind in both eyes. She didnt think Orlando, 72, and more of a homebody than she is, could come since hes sighted. But it turned out he wanted to. My husband got jealous because I didnt invite him at first, she said. Now the Camden couple go to the classes together every Wednesday. And Hernandez said they may start going to Dance Haddonfields ballroom dance Sunday sessions, too. I can dance better than I walk Lorraine Carter, 66, has been dancing since she was 2, but, I never took classes. I just watched what was going on around me and I picked it real easily. And I always like music and the beat. But about 10 years ago, Carter lost her vision to diabetic retinopathy. Since then, shes had balance problems and has fallen several times. But, like her Bestwork coworkers Hernandez and Strickland, she decided to sign up for the ballroom classes anyway. The way I adapted to these dance classes, I was totally amazed. Its something that opened my eyes, said Carter, a Collingdale resident. Every now and then, I might get off balance, but I pretty much keep up. I tell people in a joking way, I can dance better than I walk. When the class was over, volunteers escorted the dancers to their rides home. Carter and Smith left the parish hall ballroom with the aid of their canes and avolunteer. Your carriage awaits, ladies, the helper said. That evening, the carriage was a white Lexus. Smith and Carter stowed their canes and hopped in, grinning. Theyd be back a week later to dance the night away. As a former law clerk to Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., I often admired him as a person for his integrity and honesty. As a progressive liberal, however, I vehemently disagreed with the approach he takes to reading the Constitution, the narrow interpretation he adopts, and his reverence for the framers restrictive intent. Over the years, I became increasingly distressed with the results of his decisions. And then came Dobbs. Advertisement By striking down the rights of women to choose whether to terminate a pregnancy, the decision last year in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, which he wrote, eviscerated womens fundamental right to self-determination. Dobbs is not just about abortion; it is about setting the clock back and undermining the core protections enshrined within the Constitution of liberty, equality, and access to justice. And then came the flag. Flying the American flag upside down, formerly a signal of distress, is now understood to unequivocally telegraph support for those who have co-opted and corrupted its original intent. It has become the symbol of those who attacked the U.S. Capitol in a violent insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021, who challenged and continue to deny the legitimate results of the 2020 presidential election. It is the emblem for the Stop the Steal Trump factions, the symbol now held hostage by those who attacked our democracy at its very core. The New York Times reported earlier this month that Justice Alito flew an upside-down flag at his home in Fairfax, Va., and another controversial flag at his beach house on Long Beach Island acts that are widely accepted as an abhorrent affront to anyone who respects our constitutional democracy. So, when that flag is flown upside down by a member of the nations highest court, it is indeed a distress call. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deciding whether a presidents actions while in office are absolutely immune from criminal prosecution, irrespective of whether they concern the legitimate business of the office. Donald Trump has been indicted in state and federal courts in Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, and New York, alleging fraud as well as crimes in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection, the mishandling of classified documents, election interference, and more. If the Supreme Court decides that he has blanket immunity a decision expected any day now these criminal charges, and any others, disappear. This means a president could commit serious crimes while in office, having nothing to do with the legitimate function of government, without facing any consequences. A president could theoretically hire an assassin to kill a competitor with impunity. Justice Alito must recuse himself from having any role in the decision of these cases. Federal law requires a justice, judge, or magistrate to disqualify themself in proceedings in which their impartiality may reasonably be questioned. Judges routinely recuse themselves from cases where the mere hinted appearance of impropriety is enough to warrant stepping away from a case. Flying the flag, upside down, at your home is more than a hint of political impropriety it irrefutably calls into question impartiality and bias toward the former president. It is a tangible demonstration of support for those who continue to assert that the election was stolen from him. It is the chosen insignia of those who tried to hijack the election by attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6 and gut the very constitutional democracy that established the Supreme Court. The flag flying over Justice Alitos home casts a shadow over his ability to be impartial. This is not the first time the Stop the Steal specter has arisen at the court. Revelations and allegations about Justice Clarence Thomas wifes communications with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, allegedly supporting the disruption of the results of the November 2020 election, raised the appearance of political impropriety. So, too, does the flag flying over Justice Alitos home cast a shadow over his ability to be impartial. It is precisely to guarantee independence from political pressure that Supreme Court justices (and all federal judges) serve for life. They do not need to run for reelection, nor curry favor with politicians to ensure their reappointment. But this same guarantee of political independence engenders a lack of meaningful oversight, creating an opportunity to make decisions based on personal, political persuasions. Moreover, with a majority of Supreme Court justices largely understood to have a conservative agenda, much of which aligns with a Republican platform, the fear that civil rights are in jeopardy is tangible. Now more than ever, there is no place for politics on the court. Justice Alito may or may not be biased in favor of the former president, but the flag flying upside down at his home in the past unequivocally telegraphs reasonable questions about his impartiality in cases involving Trump. These questions, separate and apart from the crisis in confidence that such conduct may raise for the court, mandate Justice Alitos recusal from these cases. The gravity of the implications of Justice Alitos refusal to recuse himself from these decisions cannot be understated. At stake is not only the independence of the court itself, but also its credibility, and its role as a protector of our constitutional democracy. Susan Sullivan is a professor in the political science department at Temple University and served as a law clerk to Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Vanessa Landegger with her son, Dylan Antonioli. The two were classmates at the Yale School of Nursing. Landegger graduated on May 20. MUST CREDIT: LLG/Dylan Antonioli Read more Vanessa Landegger had long dreamed of working in medicine. She enrolled in courses as a first-year medical student in Colorado in 2000, but soon found herself struggling to balance classes with raising her then 8-month-old son. She was away from extended family, sleep was hard to come by, and her medical schools facilities didnt have accommodations for nursing mothers, she said. Advertisement In retrospect, I was hit pretty hard by how unforgiving clinical education generally is, Landegger, 50, told The Washington Post. A few weeks into her studies, she decided to drop out. But she eventually returned to health care and last week graduated from the Yale School of Nursing. Her son, Dylan Antonioli, now 24 and a first-year student in the same program, was there cheering her on. Though she had cut short her dream of working in medicine to raise him, he helped inspire her to return to the field decades later. The ceremony was extremely healing, Landegger said of her graduation. Decades ago, while Landegger considered a medical career, she and her husband were also hoping to have children. They decided she would submit her med school applications, defer her enrollment while she had their first child and start classes a year later. But when she began the program, Landegger found herself struggling to balance parenthood and the demands of her classes. Her husband was supportive, she said, and took care of their son while she was in school. Still, she felt unhappy as she attempted to strike a balance between classes and parenting. Landegger knew she wanted to drop out. But not before taking the midterm exams that year. I never wanted there to be a question of whether I could do it or not, she said. When the exam results were posted on a bulletin board, Landegger saw that she had ranked third, she recalled. She had walked to check the outcome with a resignation letter in her pocket that shed written for the medical school dean. School administrators had tried to get her to stay, Landegger recalled, but she had made up her mind, feeling she needed to choose her son over her medical program. For me, anyway, it was a very welcome thing to have to put myself aside and really consider the needs of another person, she said. Landegger went on to earn masters degrees in public health and education theory-based programs that felt more doable to her while parenting. She became a teacher in Connecticut, where she raised Dylan and her two other children. Although she had always imagined herself in a clinical career, she looked back over the years on her decision to drop out of medical school without remorse. But she still felt like something was missing. That missing piece revealed itself in 2018, when Antonioli, who had trained to become an emergency medical technician, encouraged his mother to take the same training course he had completed. Its more accessible, so I thought maybe shed like to have a little taste of medicine again, he said. At first, Landegger figured taking the course would help her handle emergency situations at the elementary school where she taught science. But months after she finished her training in 2019, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic made EMT work and other health care even more essential. At the same time, Antonioli, who was taking undergraduate classes at Georgetown University, came home when the school closed amid surging coronavirus cases. He and Landegger filled their time picking up EMT shifts in their town of New Canaan, Conn., and supported each other through the intense work days during an already uncertain, chaotic time. The experience, Landegger said, was like putting on a glove. Her crew chief, fellow EMTs and paramedics she worked with commented on her knack for interacting with patients and her curiosity about the cases she worked on. I really felt at home in those conversations and quite capable, Landegger said. She decided not to ignore that feeling. She knew by then that she didnt want to go back to medical school, but she wanted something beyond her EMT work. Becoming a nurse practitioner felt like a middle ground. Landegger took prerequisite courses online through Georgetown including a chemistry course with Dylan so she could apply to nursing school. In 2021, she began the three-year program at Yale. Antonioli, who had returned to Georgetown to finish his psychology major, wasnt sure what he would do after graduation. Like Landegger, he had always had an interest in health care. So when he was a senior in 2022, Landegger suggested he shadow one of her Yale professors, who was a nurse practitioner at a Connecticut hospital. I just fell in love with it, Antonioli said. Following in his mother's footsteps, he applied for Yale's nursing master's program, which he plans to finish in 2026. As he and Landegger trained to be nurse practitioners for the past year, they enjoyed the rare experience of being a mother-son duo at the same school. Landegger was a leader at Antoniolis orientation, surprising other students who discovered their relationship. Landegger gave her son opinions on the courses he could take in his first year. And whenever possible, they met up on campus between classes. When Landegger graduated on May 20, it was the third time Antonioli was in the audience while she finished a masters program. But it was the first time that he was her classmate. During the ceremony, Landegger who will soon begin working as a midwife at a Connecticut hospital said she kept looking back to where Dylan sat. Her graduation brought back memories of her own first year in the program, when it sometimes felt difficult to see the endpoint. Landegger hopes the ceremony helped show her son that he, too, will find his way. I just felt like this was a moment in which the end was in sight, she said, and he could cast his mind forward. State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed the continued importance of overseas tourism to the Irish economy. Nearly 550,000 international visitors were in Ireland during the month of April each staying an average of over six nights and benefitting all parts of the country. Despite this though, most tourism leaders will rightly point out that their sector is still some way off pre-pandemic recovery. A multitude of data sources, from weak hotel occupancy levels to food business closures, confirm the sentiment within the industry that 2024 is looking soft. British and European markets are weaker Demand may be strong from the all-important North American market but other business sources, from Britain to Europe and even the domestic market, are much weaker. Tourism has significant potential for the island of Ireland. Industry leaders estimate that it can grow by 50% out to 2030 in an environmentally responsible manner but only if significant roadblocks are overcome. And many of those roadblocks are State-induced and thus importantly in the gift of government to address. Labour measures that have come into effect from January are estimated by economist Jim Power to be adding a whopping 466m to the payroll of tourism and hospitality enterprises this year alone. Tourism sector is labour-intensive For a labour-intensive sector with thin margins this is hugely challenging. A pressing question for many businesses is whether they should pass the extra cost on to the consumer, thereby damaging demand, or absorb it to the bottom line thereby threatening business viability. Neither is a good outcome and it further shows that the Governments decision to hike the Vat rate on the sector last year was ill-judged and ill-advised. The 9% Vat rate should be restored without delay particularly to support food-related businesses which have seen insolvencies more than double in the first three months of the year. A mixed demand picture allied to significant cost pressures mean that the immediate outlook for the sector is challenged. But it is capacity constraints that risk putting a handbrake on its longer-term health. With 75% of the Irish tourism economy made up of international visitation, the cap on passengers at Dublin Airport is hugely problematic. 'Self-sabotage' to restrict Dublin Airport By all means, the Government could and should be doing more to assist Cork and Shannon airports to maximise their under-utilisation but for the main gateway into the island of Ireland to be restricted is an act of self-sabotage for an island nation. A lifting of this cap is needed urgently connectivity was hard won over the years but can be quickly lost. If the planning process cant resolve the issue expeditiously then an over-riding ministerial order may be needed, such is the importance of this key piece of transport infrastructure to the country and national economy. Meanwhile, the shortage of hotels must force the Government to tread carefully with impending legislation to curb short-term tourism rentals and ensure regional Ireland is not denuded of self-catering holiday homes just at the time when it needs them most. At the National Economic Dialogue last week in Dublin Castle it was evident that the countrys finances are in a strong position. Tourism 'must be protected' Tourism though, Irelands largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer, is at a vulnerable juncture and must be protected. No other industry can provide such a level of regional economic balance and as a sector it cant be taken for granted. A long overdue national policy on tourism is due shortly. It must match industrys responsible ambition for the sector. And many of the challenges to growth, from the States use of hotels to the Vat rate to the airport passenger cap, must be addressed and reflected in the policy. There is also an opportunity to reconfigure Tourism within the Governments architecture it would surely be a much better fit alongside Enterprise and Trade, a more appropriate Departmental home for such a key economic sector. Eoghan OMara Walsh is chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation Cork woman Catherine OBrien has been charged with deceiving two men out of just under 30,000. Details of the five alleged offences dating back to 2018 and 2019 were read out at a special District Court sitting in front of Judge Cephas Power in Clonmel, Co Tipperary on Sunday evening. The court heard Ms OBrien, of 28 An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, was advised of the nature of the charges against her, which could lead to up to five years in jail. Alleged deception She is accused of using deception to induce a Michael Culhane to transfer 4,982 into a bank account she controlled. She is also accused to inducing him to put a further 2,526 into a bank account. The other charges relate to a French horse called Lingerville, with a John Blake being dishonestly by deception being induced to pay 1,000 insurance for the mare, 20,000 for the purchase of the animal and 984 for the transport of Lingerville from France to Ireland. Garda's evidence Detective Garda Joe Wyse, of Dungarvan Garda Station, Waterford, told the court that when the 46-year-old was formally charged with three alleged offences on Saturday at the station, she made no reply. He said that, the following day, she also made no reply when she was charged with two more alleged offences. After the 20-minute hearing, during which she was represented by barrister Michael Daly, she was remanded on consent to bail. She has two days to comply with a series of conditions set by the judge before she can be bailed. Catherine O'Brien of 28, An Grianan, Ballinroad, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, leaving the special sitting of Clonmel District Court on Sunday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare Bail conditions These include providing an independent surety of 5,000, the surrender of her passport and other travel documents and having to stay at an agreed address. She cannot move to another address without seeking written permission from gardai who have to agree to any move. She also has to provide the number of a mobile phone that must be switched on at all times. Ms OBrien, who the judge accepted is a flight risk, also has to sign on at a garda station every day when she is released. Bail hearing set for Tuesday A bail hearing was set for Tuesday, June 4, at Dungarvan District Court where she will appear via video link. Earlier, the court was told of the extent to which gardai had been trying to contact her. Inspector Denis Murphy, of Tramore Garda Station, Co Waterford, said a massive amount of garda time and resources had been put into the investigation into Ms OBrien. He said: It is inconceivable that she was not aware we were looking for her. Mr Daly disputed allegations that she had tried to evade arrest, saying she had, for example, only avoided attending her mothers funeral because she was worried it would cause adverse publicity. That was why Ms OBriens family had not wanted her there, Mr Daly said. However, the court heard gardai attended the funeral, and the judge said it was clear that her family did not want her to show up because she was going to be arrested. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged a group of top defence officials at Asias premier security conference on Sunday to attend an upcoming conference on ending the Russian war on Ukraine. Mr Zelenskyy told the group of more than 500 delegates from about 40 countries that he was disappointed some world leaders had not yet confirmed attendance at the conference in Switzerland in about two weeks. Donald Trump has joined the popular video-sharing app TikTok, a platform he once tried to ban while in the White House, and posted from a UFC fight two days after he became the first former US president and presumptive major party nominee in US history to be found guilty on felony charges. Its an honour, Trump said in the TikTok video, which features footage of him waving to fans and posing for selfies at the Ultimate Fighting Championship fight in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday. The video ends with Trump telling the camera: That was a good walk-on, right? By Sunday Trump had amassed more than 1.1 million followers and the post had garnered more than one million likes and 24 million views. Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it. There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it We will leave no front undefended and this represents the continued outreach to a younger audience consuming pro-Trump and anti-Biden content, Trump spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement about the campaigns decision to join the platform. Theres no place better than a UFC event to launch president Trumps TikTok, where he received a heros welcome and thousands of fans cheered him on, he added. Democratic President Joe Biden signed legislation in April that could ban TikTok in the US, even as his campaign joined in February and has tried to work with influencers. Trump received an enthusiastic welcome at the fight, where the crowd broke into chants of We love Trump! and another insulting Mr Biden with an expletive. It was Trumps first public outing since a jury in New York found him guilty on Thursday on 34 charges of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election by covering up hush money payments made to a porn star who claimed she and Trump had sex. Trump has maintained he did nothing wrong and plans to appeal against the verdict. He will be sentenced on July 11. Donald Trump said joining TikTok was an honour (Frank Franklin II/AP) Throughout his campaign, Trump has used appearances at UFC fights to project an image of strength and to try to appeal to potential voters who may not closely follow politics or engage with traditional news sources. It is also part of a broader effort to connect with young people and minority voters, particularly Latino and black men. TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, is another opportunity to reach those potential voters. The platform has about 170 million users in the US, most of whom are young, a demographic that is especially hard for campaigns to reach because they shun television. As president, Trump tried to ban TikTok through an executive order that said the spread in the United States of mobile applications developed and owned by Chinese companies was a national security threat. The courts blocked the action after TikTok sued. Both the FBI and the Federal Communications Commission have warned that ByteDance could share user data such as browsing history, location and biometric identifiers with Chinas government. TikTok said it has never done that and would not, if asked. The platform was a hot topic of debate during the 2024 Republican party primary campaign, with most candidates shunning its use. Many, including former vice president Mike Pence, called for TikTok to be banned in the US because of its connections with China Trump said earlier this year that he still believes TikTok posed a national security risk, but was opposed to banning it because that would help its rival, Facebook, which he continues to criticise over his 2020 election loss to Mr Biden. Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it. There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it, Trump told CNBC. The legislation signed by Mr Biden gives ByteDance nine months to sell the company, with a possible additional three months if a sale is in progress. If it does not, TikTok will be banned. Mr Biden barred the app on most government devices in December 2022. His re-election campaign nonetheless uses the app, which it joined the night of the Super Bowl in February. Aides say that in an increasingly fragmented modern media environment, the campaign must get its message out to voters via as many platforms as possible, including TikTok as well as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Mr Bidens bidenhq account currently has more than 330,000 followers and 4.5 million likes. Trumps appearance at Saturdays fight came after he had given an interview to Fox News Channels Fox & Friends Weekend that aired on Sunday. In the interview Trump said he was OK with the prospect of potential jail time or house arrest, saying it was the way it is. But he again suggested people might not accept such a punishment for a former president now running to return to the White House. I dont know that the public would stand it, you know. Im not sure the public would stand for it, he said. I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point theres a breaking point. Trump, as he has throughout the trial, maintained his innocence, saying he did absolutely nothing wrong. He was asked how his wife, former first lady Melania Trump, has taken the news. Shes fine. But I think its very hard for her. I mean, shes fine. But, you know, she has to read all this crap, he said. She did not appear with Trump in court at any point during his seven-week trial. By Liz Hanna, Australian National University | (The Conversation) Delhi is reeling from the most extreme heatwave India has ever seen. While the record-breaking maximum recorded temperature of 52.9C has been called into question by Indias Meteorological Department, its entirely possible. The city has been sweltering, with top temperatures ranging from 45.2C to 49.1C, at the limit of human endurance. This event follows hot on the heels of extreme heatwaves across Asia as well as the Sahel in Africa. Climate scientists have long warned these days would come. The recent acceleration in warming means its happening sooner than we expected. So we need to work harder and faster to reduce greenhouse emissions and get global heating under control. Fortunately, Indias current heatwave conditions are expected to ease over the coming days. But the death toll is likely to rise, as people succumb to multiple health effects. Extreme heat has a long tail of destruction. Almost every chronic health condition is made worse by exposure to such temperatures. Australians should take note. We are not safe, and we need to prepare for heat to hit us just as hard. It could even be worse here, because people with air conditioning can be lulled into a false sense of security. Theres no guarantee these air con units will extract enough heat to effectively cool our living and working areas, and electricity networks can fail. What does extreme heat do to people? When youre hot, your body tries to cool off by sweating. This involves sending blood to the surface. Blood vessels at the skin dilate and the skin looks flushed, but this causes your blood pressure to fall. The heart has to work harder. We need to keep our core temperature around 3637C. If the surrounding air is hotter, the bodys efforts to cool down can do just the opposite and absorb more heat. This is made worse during exercise, when 80% of the energy produced by working muscles is heat. When we cannot shed that extra heat, our core temperature increases. At the microscopic level, cellular damage occurs. Extended heat exposure can lead to organ failure and death. The wet bulb globe temperature factors in the humidity of the atmosphere. High humidity means the air is already saturated with water, so sweat on our skin doesnt evaporate and we dont get that cooling mechanism. Thats why 33C in dry Melbourne can be warm but tolerable, but 33C in Darwin can feel stifling. Its not as if we could climb into an oven and be ok though, just because an oven is dry. Theres a dry heat maximum, which varies from person to person depending on their overall health and fitness. There is no particular temperature at which we can say a certain proportion of people will die, because there are so many variables. In public health we talk about extreme heat having a long tail in a statistical sense. The number of excess deaths spikes during and immediately after the heatwave, but death rates dont drop back to zero straight away. Organ damage is a likely cause. Mass heat death events are a relatively new phenomena, so the detailed understanding of the physiological mechanisms is still lacking. India: hot and humid on the campaign trail The India Meteorological Department installed more automatic weather stations across Delhi and the national capital region during the summer of 2022. Wednesdays maximum temperature ranged from 45.2C to 49.1C, except for Mungeshpur on Delhis northwest outskirts, which reported 52.9C. As this was an outlier compared to other weather stations, the Department said it could be due to an error in the sensor. However, its also possible Mungeshpur is a genuine hotspot due to local heat generation and trapping the so-called heat island effect. Delhi is crowded, hot and humid with limited access to air conditioning. Whats more, people have been coming out in the heat during Indias elections. In previous heatwaves across India and Pakistan, many thousands of people died in their homes. Its unclear what the ultimate death toll from the current heatwave will be. WION: Extreme heatwave in India | Inside South Asia The message for other nations Clearly its time for other hot countries to ramp up their own heatwave preparations. Australia, for example, is vulnerable to extreme heat, not just because of its hot climates but also because people acclimatise to their average local conditions. Problems arise when the weather is extreme for a particular location. Tasmanians can succumb to temperatures regarded as normal for people in Broken Hill, New South Wales. Human tolerance for heat is variable, and can vary markedly within each individual, depending on their fitness level, stage of life, familiarity with heat and capacity to regulate their core temperature. Climate science, modelling and human physiology may be complex, but how we must respond is simple. Everyone should be familiar with the signs and symptoms of heat stress, first aid treatment and when to call an ambulance. This includes school-aged children who may be the first to encounter their parent in strife. People most at risk include those who are working outside or caring for others, travelling long distances, suffering from chronic illness, or simply ill-informed about the dangers of extreme heat. Climate change is here, now Climate scientists have been warning the world about the dangers of extreme heat for decades. Its just going from bad to worse. The Delhi heatwave is further evidence that climate modelling has been largely underestimating the speed and intensity of global warming. Heat beyond the limits of human endurance is no longer a distant dystopian future. Its here and now. Liz Hanna, Honorary Associate Professor in Environmental Health, Australian National University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. It was much like witnessing a boy killing flies, with a slight afterthought of apology. The spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, did little to acquit himself, or the cause, as to why more Palestinian civilians had been indulgently killed in yet another Israeli airstrike. Despite our efforts to minimise civilian casualties during the strike, the fire that broke out was unexpected and unintended Our investigation seeks to determine what may have caused such a large fire to ignite. The release commences with the usual garnish. The strike, despite resulting in deaths in a camp of displaced Palestinians in Tal Al-Sultan, was soberly designated and professionally targeted. It was successful. Two Hamas terrorists had been procedurally eliminated (in the social media release, the IDF proudly places the word upon the heads of Yassin Rabia and Khaled Nagar). The strike was based on precise intelligence, Hagari tells us. Those killed had, in turn, killed Israelis. They were having a meeting: Their deaths saved lives. Away from the glove-handling reflections of Hagari, the returns of the 26 May strike showed that Palestinian civilians were also seen as miscellaneous detritus, fundamentally dispensable. The butchery is now a matter of record: 46 dead civilians, including 23 women, children and elderly. All on a sliver of territory fast becoming the most famous real estate of death on the planet. Its a particularly bloody ratio for killing two alleged terrorists. In a statement on 29 May from the United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, various rapporteurs, including such figures as Francesca Albanese, responsible for the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, to Ben Saul, charged with the task of promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, expressed their dismay: Harrowing images of destruction, displacement and death have emerged from Rafah, including infants torn apart and people burnt alive. Such reports indicated that the strikes were indiscriminate and disproportionate, with people trapped inside burning plastic tents, leading to a horrific casualty toll. The Israelis have been told by a number of international bodies, entities and sympathisers, with repeated urgency, that its current murderous efforts are simply not worth it. The Rafah front presents further calamitous risks. The toll, notably in striking camps of civilians displaced by prior bombings and military engagements, would be too great. The reputational toll, likewise. The slaughter that pads out and packs morgues, the bodies of women and children that seem to multiply with pestilential cruelty, the incidents of pure callousness dressed in a decor of euphemism: We target, and we target well; the rest is accidental or unavoidable. The International Court of Justice, in yet another ruling on Israels campaign in Gaza, recently concluded that the military offensive in Rafah, along with: Any other action in the Rafah governorate, which may inflict on the Palestinian group in Gaza conditions of life that could bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part be immediately halted. It also ordered Israel to open the Rafah Crossing, permit UN officials to enter Gaza and report back to the court within a month to verify compliance. WION video: Rafah offensive: Can Netanyahu be arrested for Gaza war crimes? They also noted the concerns of UN officials about the risks arising from any military assault on Rafah, one that would put: Hundreds of thousands of people at imminent risk of death. Such risks had already started to materialise and will intensify even further if the operation continues. Israels politicians and military personnel at least those lacking candour always hit upon the same formula in such instances. It is one noted by such unflagging scribes as the late Robert Fisk: the justification of violence with the seemingly sound process, decency with the stuffing of crime. A trained pupil in such efforts is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: Despite our utmost efforts not to harm innocent civilians, last night, there was a tragic mistake. When compared with his previous statements equating all Palestinians to actors behind a terrorist cause, one that would, in turn, give birth to a terrorist state, the element of mistake is less relevant than the desire to conclude the task at hand. The next installment of the performance involves the mandatory investigation that yields no culprits, no charges and no prosecutions. The details of the incident are still under investigation, which we are committed to conducting to the fullest extent, gabbled Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi at a news conference, noting that the IDF: Regrets any harm to non-combatants during the war. Such a method is also approved by Israels staunchest ally. You cannot reach a conclusion about the results of these investigations in the middle of a conflict, reasoned White House spokesperson John Kirby. Why, it should be asked, bother? The Israeli response to attacks on its citizens on 7 October last year, increasingly enfeebled by reality, long ago moved into the realm of farce. But farce and advertising tend to be part of the same show, and the advertising about the ongoing campaign in Gaza by the Israeli forces continues to rattle the swill bucket. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) The Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports that extremist government ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich continue to put pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and are threatening to bring down the government if he agrees to the suggestion for a truce put forward by US President Joe Biden on Friday afternoon, calling it an Israeli proposal. Washington officials are calling it the last chance for an agreement. Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, the minister of national security and the minister of finance respectively, threatened Saturday evening to dissolve the ruling political coalition and cause the government to fall if Israel were to agree to Bidens proposal for a temporary truce in the Gaza Strip. These two ministers are from the Religious Zionism bloc, and Ben-Gvir is from one of its most dangerous components, Jewish Power. They are the Israeli equivalent of neo-Nazis and were brought into the Netanyahu government in late 2022 to provide it a majority in the 120-member Knesset or Parliament. Religious Zionism-Jewish Power won 14 seats, giving Netanyahu and his other allies a 64-seat majority. In parliamentary systems, coalitions are often put together after the election, and they require a majority of seats, otherwise the prime minister could lose an important vote or be subject to a vote of no confidence. When that happens he or she has to call new elections and the government is said to fall. For instance, just last fall on December 11, the Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki lost a vote of no confidence. He was succeeded by Donald Tusk. The closest equivalent in the American system regards the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who likewise has to keep the confidence of a majority. Kevin McCarthy failed to do so and was replaced by Mike Johnson. So the long and the short of it is that if Smotrich and Ben-Gvir pull out of Netanyahus cabinet, his government would fall and snap elections would be called. Polling suggests that the right-wing Netanyahus centrist rivals would be elected by a landslide and so he would lose the prime ministership. Netanyahu is on trial for corruption, and those trials could then proceed apace, once he was out of office, and he might well go to jail. Some Israeli political observers believe he is prolonging the Gaza campaign for his own personal reasons, to remain a free man. PBS NewsHour: Netanyahu clashes with Biden over conditions for permanent cease-fire in Gaza Smotrich said on his social media sites, I have spoken just now with the head of government and I made clear to him that I would not be any part of a government that agreed to the suggested outline, and which would end the war without annihilating Hamas and returning all the hostages. In the past, Smotrich has said that returning the hostages was not a priority for him, so I think his position is actually driven by the prospect of annihilating Hamas, by which he means the Palestinian people, as he has often made clear. Smotrich added, We will never agree to end the war before Hamas is annihilated, nor will we agree to undo the achievements of the war so far by withdrawing the Israeli army and allowing the return of Gazans to the northern Gaza Strip, nor will we accept the wholesale release of terrorists who, God forbid, would return to kill Jews. He continued, We demand the continuation of the fighting until the elimination of Hamas and the return of all the abductees, the creation of a completely different security reality in Gaza and Lebanon, the return of all residents to their homes in the north and south, and a huge investment in the accelerated development of these areas [for Jews]. Ben-Gvir of the Black Shirt-like Jewish Power bloc also said he would withdraw from the government: The deal,the details of which were published today, means the end of the war and giving up on the destruction of Hamas. This is a humiliating deal, a victory for terrorism and a security threat to Israel. Approving it does not represent absolute victory, but absolute defeat. He warned that if Netanyahu approved the Biden deal, the Jewish Power [Otzma Yehudit] party will dissolve the government. Opposition politician Gideon Saar, head of the small New Hope party and an ally of opposition leader Benny Gantz, also said that any agreement that ends with Hamas being the ruling and military power in Gaza means that the average Israeli citizen would continue to live under threat. He said it would be a victory for Hamas and a defeat for Israel with far-reaching consequences. Religious Zionisms Orit Strock, Minister of Settlements and National Missions, piled on, rejecting the Biden Plan. She said, I did not find a fundamental difference between Bidens new and promising plan and the previous plan. Another surrender deal that saves Hamas, begins the countdown to the next massacre, and leaves the hostages with no means of being released other than ending the war. A leader of the opposition, Yair Lapid, struck out at Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, saying Ben Gvir and Smotrichs threats (to topple the government) are negligent and represent a complete abandonment of national security, the hostages, and the residents of the north and south. This is the worst and most corrupt government in the countrys history. As far as they are concerned, the war here can continue forever. Zero responsibility, zero management: a complete failure. Lapids ally Benny Gantz, who is serving in the war cabinet (essentially a government of national unity during the crisis), tried to counteract the bitter and defiant words addressed to Joe Biden by the members of the far right wing current government: The United States in general, and since the beginning of the war in particular, has demonstrated its commitment to Israels security and the return of the hostages. We feel full appreciation for President Biden and all our American friends for their support. He seemed to commit to the Biden plan, and called for an emergency meeting of the war cabinet with the Israeli negotiators who are talking indirectly to the Palestinian leadership through the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. Gantz also played to the section of the Israeli public that prioritizes the return of hostages: Tonight, I would like to fortify the families of the hostages and tell them that I and my friends are committed to the return of their loved ones, and that this goal is the highest moral obligation, and a goal with clear priority on [policy] the timetable. Many Israelis are demonstrating against the extremist Netanyahu government, demanding that he prioritize securing the release of the hostages, and Gantz appears to believe that there is a constituency for this position in the Israeli public. I take away from this reporting, and from the remarks of the politicians, that as long as the far right remains in power, Bidens plan is dead in the water. The centrists, such as Gantz and Lapid, would probably go for it if they were in power, but they arent. The main hope for an end to hostilities appears to be the fall of the Netanyahu government over some issue that inflames passions among his coalition partners, such that parties with 5 or more members withdraw from it. Another possibility is that Biden could actually stop supplying the Israelis with arms and ammunition on a daily basis. They have run out of ammunition of their own and need American supplies. But that step would require that Biden show an independence and courage on the Israel issue that he has never displayed before. Saturday, June 1, 2024 - US President, Joe Biden has given permission to Ukraine to strike inside Russian territory with American munitions, drawing strong condemnation from Russia. Biden, however, restricted the use of the weapons which means Ukraine can only hit targets over the border close to Kharkiv after Russia made significant advances around the city in the northeastern part of the country close to the Russian border, two US officials said. The president recently directed his team to ensure that Ukraine can use US-supplied weapons for counterfire purposes in Kharkiv so Ukraine can hit back at Russian forces hitting them or preparing to hit them, one of the officials said. The new law change comes from a long-standing policy amid growing international pressure from close US allies to support Ukraine. "But it is limited to the area around Kharkiv, and Ukraine has not requested permission beyond that, the official said, adding that they do not ''anticipate the US widening the area allowed." Kyiv made the request for Washington to change its policy in just the past few weeks as Russian forces have made their advance, the official said. Russian forces, ammunition depots and logistical hubs can now be targeted with US-provided artillery and rockets across the border from Kharkiv in western Russia. The Biden administration is also not allowing Ukraine to use the most formidable munition it has been given to fire into Russia: the long-range missiles known as ATACMS, which can hit targets 200 miles, or 300 kilometres, away. Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Kinangop MP Zachary Thuku has challenged President William Ruto to censure Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja over his recent attack on Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua or else they will know he was behind the attack. Speaking in Nyandarua county, Thuku said the Mt Kenya residents will conclude that Governor Sakaja was sent to attack DP Gachagua if the President remains silent. We are calling upon the president to reprimand the governor of Nairobi because we cannot allow that level of disrespect. If the president remains silent, we the people of Mt Kenya will think that Sakaja was sent, said Thuku. The Kinangop MP also asked Sakaja to stop replying to the deputy president adding that he is not an equal to Gachagua. I want to tell Sakaja that the deputy president is not your equal. Attacking the Deputy President the way we saw on the other day is unacceptable, Thuku added. On Wednesday, Governor Sakaja dismissed Gachaguas recent tribulations in the UDA party and called him a bully. The Nairobi Governor wondered why the Deputy President was crying foul after being on the spot for just a week. Dont try and intimidate us. we are unbwogable. You can't be the one bullying people for two years and then, when you're mentioned for one week, you cry and disappear into the forest, said Sakaja. The Nairobi Governor asked DP Gachagua to respect other leaders if he wanted to be respected equally. Sakaja further noted that the people of Nairobi elected him as the Governor and no one should claim he put him on the seat. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was forced yesterday to do the unimaginable to impress his boss, President William Ruto, during this years Madaraka Day celebrations at Masinde Muliro Stadium. This is even as the two have fallen out bitterly; a fallout that has fueled infighting within the ruling UDA party and Kenya Kwanza coalition. Gachagua started by continuing his new norm with an uncharacteristically short speech. The second in command stated at the beginning of his speech that he was playing the subordinate role of introducing President William Ruto to address Kenyans. Gachagua seemed to be pledging his loyalty to his boss as he described him as the vision carrier of their administration. The DP affirmed that all those working under Ruto were committed to implementing his plans for this country to improve its economic situation. "You are excellency I'll be very brief because my role in this great county of Bungoma in the heart of Mulembe Nation is to usher you to talk to the people of Kenya. "But let me say Your Excellency, you are the vision career of our administration, and those of us you have given the privilege to serve under you remain committed and focused to assist in the transformation of our great republic so that the people of Kenya have better lives and the improvement of our economic fortunes," Gachagua said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has fired back at UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malalah after he told him to focus on his work or resign and join politics. While inspecting the damaged railway line in Kijabe, Murkomen said his role as a CS involves touring across the country to inspect roads. He vowed to continue politicking (tours across the country) to meet Kenyans and hear their concerns on roads and other infrastructure. "Some people are telling me to just stay in the office because I am a Cabinet Secretary. "They want me to just stay in the office and that I shouldn't be seen walking around with Members of Parliament because I have become a boss, said Murkomen. As a CS, I will continue to visit the grassroots so that I can see the problems there. I must travel and inspect the roads and bridges so that I can help the citizens, he added. Malalah had warned CS Murkomen and his Public Service counterpart Moses Kuria over involvement in politics at the expense of service delivery. "It has come to my attention that some cabinet secretaries have been involving themselves in political activities, contrary to the law which requires them to remain apolitical, said Malalah. The UDA Secretary-General asked Murkomen to focus on issues in his ministry and serve Kenyans instead of politicking. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 2, 2024 - President William Ruto has issued a stern warning against the resurgence of ethnic politics during the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations at Masinde Muliro Stadium. His remarks come amid growing tensions with his Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, and increasing political unrest within the Mt Kenya region. In a powerful speech, President Ruto condemned the divisive ethnic politics that have recently surfaced, particularly from Mt Kenya leaders following the Limuru III meeting last month. "Kenya has no room for tribal or ethnic-based politics," declared Ruto, affirming his administration's commitment to a development-focused agenda as promised during the 2022 election campaign. "We will never return to the politics of ethnicity or personality. "We will never revert to a politics where people are not at the centre," Ruto stated, emphasizing that the 2022 General Election marked a critical shift towards issue-based politics in Kenya. He lauded the election for clearing the path away from tribal politics and setting a precedent for future political engagement. The once-harmonious relationship between Ruto and Gachagua is showing signs of strain. The cracks within their United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have become evident, with infighting reminiscent of the discord that plagued former President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, June 2, 2024 - A victim who lost Ksh 15 million to criminals is accusing officers at Mlolongo Police Station of corruption and failing to bring the perpetrators to justice. Even after paying a 'facilitation fee', officers allegedly released the suspects and ceased communication with the victim and left him in financial ruin and now fearing for his safety. This is what the victim wrote to blogger Cyprian Nyakundi. Hello Nyakundi. Kindly post this for me. I have an issue with DCIO Mlolongo starting with their boss, George Muchiri. I lost Ksh 15 million in the hands of some criminals. I happened to know where they live in Kitengela. I was referred to Mlolongo police station to report the matter so that they could help me get my money. I went to Mlolongo where I met George Muchiri, Ignatius Oginda, and Cyrus Mwetu. They took up the case immediately and asked for a facilitation fee of Ksh 100,000. We gave them Ksh 50,000 with the balance to be paid on completion. After a day they managed to get hold of one suspect who I recognized as one of the criminals. Cyrus Mwetu even showed me account numbers they had recovered from him which had money. He told me they were planning to freeze the account but later released the guy without any reason saying he was not one of them, yet I had identified him. Later they managed to get hold of two other suspects, including a lady named Fatuma in Eastleigh, who was also released after the officers did what they do best. They also broke into the Kitengela house and recovered the money and other things like bank PDQ machines but still, the suspects were not apprehended. They found two unregistered cars, a Jeep and a Toyota Allion (KAJ and KBQ) but still left the criminals free after taking money from them. The three officers stopped picking up my calls and even blocked my number, tracking my phone to see who I was talking to. As I speak to you, my life is at risk because I don't know what might happen to me. The same people I thought would help me have betrayed me. I can't pay rent or feed my children and they are at home. The criminals are walking free while the police officers took my money. These officers tarnish the name of the police force because of their greed. Please help me get justice. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, June 2, 2024 - Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has proposed the renaming of the Matulo Airstrip in honour of President William Ruto. Speaking during the Madaraka Day Celebrations, the governor noted that the renaming would be prudent owing to plans of the government to expand the airstrip. According to Lusaka, the county government was keen on ensuring that the airstrip was elevated to the status of an international airport. The airstrip is currently located in Webuye, Bungoma County. "Our airstrip at Matulo can now safely land a 35-seater plane but it is our wish and focus that it be upgraded to an international airport in the future. "When it gets to that level, we want to propose on behalf of the people of Bungoma that it be named after you (Ruto)," he stated. On his part, Ruto steered clear of the proposals. Instead, he committed to expand the airstrip explaining that it would be valuable to the residents. "I have agreed with the governor that he will buy land and that I will build more runway and a terminal. There will be no need to go to Kisumu and Eldoret," Ruto stated. Currently, only two airports are named after renowned leaders; Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Matulo Airtrip was renovated by the government in readiness for the national holiday celebrations. The Kenyan DAILY POST By Ssebuliba Samuel. President Museveni has met a cross-section of Ugandans living in China, promising to attend to three key issues they raised for his attention. This followed submissions by six Ugandan representatives who asked the President to raise some of the issues with his Chinese counterpart. MrNtumwaBirimumaso, the proprietor of Ubuntu Cafe, a company that exports Ugandan coffee to China, told the President about the high taxes placed on roasted coffee beans yet they would fetch more money than green beans. In his remarks, the President promised to raise the two issues (taxation and teachers certification) with his host, President Xi Jinping, at a meeting scheduled for today President Museveni, who has been part of African leaders attending FOCAC, also commended Maria Nakaweesi, a Ugandan running a freight and logistics company in Guangzhou city. The Labour Party will continue to survive after a tumultuous few years, one of its European election candidates has said. Niamh Hourigan, a sociology professor from Limerick city who is running for election for the first time, said she joined the oldest party in Ireland because it holds key values for her on fairness in society. Labour went into government with Fine Gael in the aftermath of Irelands financial crash, during which time the coalition implemented austerity policies that splintered the party and angered its voters. The party went from its leader Eamon Gilmore having the highest approval rating in the country in 2010 to losing all three of its MEP seats in 2014 and 30 Dail seats in 2016. Of the 949 council seats filled in the 2019 local elections, Labour won 57, or around 6%. In national polls, the party is at around 4%. Ms Hourigan, who has been a high-profile political commentator, is one of Labours three candidates for the 14 seats in the European elections. She said she decided to become a politician because as Irish politics becomes more polarised, the centre left is in danger of eroding and so it was time to come off the sidelines. The candidate said a Labour-Social Democrats merger would be problematic because she believes left-wing parties should be growing amid cost-of-living and housing crises. In many ways, the situation will never be more fertile for growing the left, she told PA. The academic, who had Michael D Higgins as a political sociology lecturer while at university in Galway, said she chose the Labour party because of its left-wing policies and inequality in society. She admitted the party has had a tumultuous history in the last 15 years, but added she found claims that voters feel betrayed by Labour ironic when Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin currently has the highest approval rating of any political leader and was in government during the Irish banking crisis. Asked why she did not join another left-wing party, such as the Social Democrats, she told PA: It is the oldest political party in the state, thats something that speaks to me. The Labour Party is a survivor as Irish political parties go and I think it will continue to survive. Her father Michael Hourigan was a Fine Gael councillor in Limerick city for 20 years, and her sister Neasa is a Green Party TD. She said when she joined the party in 2020, he asked her: Why are you joining the Labour Party? When I told him I was running, he said: I always knew you were going to run! So hes very excited. Hes been very supportive for me on this campaign as he has been of my sister. Im very proud of my dad and the contribution he made to the city. Asked about whether politics is banned from discussion at family gatherings, she said: Everyone says that Christmas dinner in our house must be really entertaining it is. We talk about politics pretty much non-stop, I think a lot of Irish families are like that, they talk about politics over Sunday lunch, but its also in some ways almost like a family business. Its a rainbow, but why are there so many songs about rainbows? Its because rainbows are great. So we manage to navigate our differences and were still very close. I think its a sign of the health of not only a family, but more broadly when people in families feel that they can have political differences and different viewpoints, but still maintain their family relationships. I think its one of the tragedies that weve seen internationally, with both Brexit and with US politics, particularly during that Clinton-Trump campaign in 2016, where you did see family members at each others throats over political differences. Ms Hourigan joined the Labour Party in 2020 and said Ivana Baciks rise to the leadership, taking over from Alan Kelly, had no bearings on her decision to run as a candidate. She said that canvassing was going well, but that the Ireland South constituency which stretches from The Burren in Co Clare, down to Killarney in Co Kerry and up to Bray in Co Wicklow is enormously challenging. I do think theres an issue around the European elections themselves in the sense that a lot of people when you go out dont understand or dont realise what constituency theyre in, who currently represents them or who currently is applying to be an MEP. European campaigns are quite challenging in terms of Irish political culture, because we have that intimacy. She said that immigration was being raised, but in both ways, with people raising both concerns about the number of migrants coming in and concerns about the rise in racism and social cohesion. On the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, she said that if the seven pieces of the EU legislation are presented in the Dail as one vote, her understanding is that the Labour party will vote against it. She said that given the complexity of the overhaul of the EUs migration system, it should be presented to the Dail as seven separate votes: This all or nothing approach, I dont think its helpful. A trio of enterprising porters are using the deposit return scheme to raise thousands of euro for their hospital. John Collins, John Lenihan and John Keenan initially planned to collect used bottles and cans to pay for a Chinese takeaway on their final night shift of the month at Cork University Hospital. But the colleagues dubbed The 3 Johnnies realised the volume of empty cans and bottles across the Wilton campus could instead be turned into a donation for the hospitals fundraising arm CUH Charity. In their first fortnight collecting after their shifts ended, the men had converted the used drink containers into 820 euro. The total has now reached 2,000 euro, guaranteed the re-use of around 12,000 bottles and cans, and is set to continue. With the blessing of management, they have roped in medical staff, patients and visitors to save every barcoded container and set up drop-off points throughout the complex. We were chatting among ourselves and thought about gathering the bottles and cans, cashing them in and having a Chinese on the last of our nights, said father-of-two John Collins, 57, from Douglas, a porter for 18 years. But we soon realised they could have a much greater purpose. We hated seeing these containers go to waste once the scheme came in, so we started going round the wards wed usually cover and collecting them after our shifts. We took all the bottles and cans away with us, redeemed them for cash and gave whatever we raised straight to the hospitals charity. It is phenomenal the reaction we got from the nursing, catering and other staff. The 3 Johnnies, who identified the opportunity shortly after the deposit return scheme was introduced in February, now want to extend it by encouraging businesses in Cork to hand over their used containers in aid of CUH Charity. They have even created an itemised spreadsheet detailing how many bottles they collect following their night shifts and how much it has translated into cash from the reverse vending machines at supermarkets in Grange, Ballyphehane and other areas. Part of John Lenihans role at CUH is to collect waste, so he separates the recyclable containers before handing them over to his workmates to bag up. If I collect 200-300 bottles a night, thats over 1,000 in a working week, and when you multiply that by 52, youre talking nice money for the charity, said the Douglas man. Former retail worker John Keenan, from Glanmire, collects the bottles and cans from A&E and the outpatients department and said there is massive buy-in from staff. Theyre always asking us how were getting on. Housekeeping staff will clean up after patients leave and keep the bottles for us, he said. We do it on our own time, it doesnt affect our work at all. If this was run nationwide, all hospitals would benefit from it. Claire Concannon, of CUH Charity, said: The expression one mans trash is another mans treasure came to mind when we heard what The 3 Johnnies had achieved. If every school, shop and company across Munster undertook a similar activity, we could raise a huge amount of money to continue the charitys mission of saving and changing lives. The charity said anyone with similar fundraising ideas can contact zac@cuhcharity.ie Simon OConnor writes: When I think of the various protest, or activist, movements of late one deeply troubling observation is becoming abundantly clear there are those in New Zealand who genuinely believe that violence is acceptable when it comes to their cause. The classic, the end justifies the means. This is the belief of zealots, fundamentalists, and of course, terrorists. Such people and groups are so morally certain of their position that they consequently feel enabled to act against all and any who oppose them. Those who disagree with them are so wrong, so in error, that removing them by force is appropriate. Naturally, this is a mindset at odds with a properly functioning democracy. More locally in the Pacific, we see the same justifications arising with the violence now occurring in New Caledonia. Activists here in New Zealand are saying that the violence, looting, and intimidation are ok because it is rebellion against a colonial power. Put aside the complete inaccuracy of such statements, because the situation again simply illustrates that there are New Zealanders who think violence is ok. Right here at home, last year, we had the violent protests in Albert Park. A few days back I met one of the women assaulted, Judith. She was punched multiple times and yet there are still those here that believe the violent suppression of speech was acceptable. Her and others view was supposedly so wrong, that violence was seen as the right response by those protesting. Mainstream media too sadly played its part in all of this, encouraging the protest and consequently diminishing what occurred. Implicitly, some commentators reinforced that violence was an acceptable response to this group of women seeking to meet and talk. Ultimately, we all hold strong views on various matters. But for most of us, our convictions on such matters manifest in robust discussion, debate, or the pursuit of legislative change. We do not, and never will, turn to violence. Robert Macculloch writes: The latest 2024 edition of QS World University Rankings features 1,500 institutions across 104 locations, and ranks Otago in 206th place (https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings) Yet Otago University explicitly claims that these QS rankings put it in the top 1% of universities in the world. They certainly do not. When will Otago withdraw its false advertising claim? The top 1% of QS rankings would be in places 1 to 15. I suspect what Otago is doing is comparing universities who get a QS ranking with all the so called universities in the world, to back their claim up. But it is misleading at best as they are including basically any institution anywhere that calls itself a university, or a tertiary institute. There are almost 9,000 universities in Indonesia and India. So Im guess Otago is boasting they are better than 99% of Indonesian universities that few have ever heard of. A number of websites refer to there being 23,000 universities in the world, but when you look at details they list 55 universities in NZ, so they are obviously including technical institutes. There are three main global ranking organisations. None of them rank more than 2,000 institutions. So the Otago University claim is very dubious and misleading. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr By Anna J. Park Starting from June 5, DGB Daegu Bank will be renamed to iM Bank, aiming to strengthen its new identity as a commercial bank nationwide. This is a decision made at the bank's shareholders' meeting held in late May, after the bank earned the approval from the financial authorities to make the transition from a regional bank to a commercial one earlier in the month. This will be the first case of a regional bank changing its name, after earning the authorities' approval to transition to a commercial bank. Besides the bank, other affiliates of the DGB Financial Group will be undergoing the renaming process as well. HI Investment & Securities will be renamed to iM Securities from Wednesday, while DGB Life Insurance will be renamed to iM Life Insurance, and HI Asset Management to iM Asset Management. In total, the names of the financial group's eight banking and non-banking subsidiaries will be changed to the iM brand. The iM brand was originally used to promote its mobile banking division. Back in 2015, DGB Daegu Bank came up with iM Bank, an abbreviation for "I am a bank," as its own mobile banking brand. Since then, it has remained as a key part of the bank, representing the lender's drive for innovation and mobile growth. There were concerns within the bank about using iM Bank as the new name of the lender. Some pointed out that the iM brand started as a mobile banking brand, and thus it might not be appropriate to use it as the main name of the bank, considering the prestige of a commercial bank. Despite such concerns, the bank has decided to rename itself to the mobile brand, as it aligns with the bank's key growth strategy. As the new name suggests, the lender plans to expand its business areas nationwide, mainly by strengthening the competitiveness of its mobile banking platform. The new branding is also expected to remove the bank's previous image associated with the city of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province and to reinforce the new identity of a mobile-focused commercial bank. "The bank acknowledged that there were limitations with the bank's previous identity and brand that were focused on a specific region, especially when expanding into the Seoul metropolitan area is crucial for the growth," an official from the bank said. "The bank has decided to make the most of the existing iM Bank brand," the official added. By Yi Whan-woo The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is moving to ease tax rules concerning the ownership of multiple houses or a single high-value property, as well as inherited wealth, according to political pundits and financial industry officials, Sunday. The taxes have been the subject of contention for years, with some arguing that they contradict the fundamental principles of a market economy. The presidential office and the Ministry of Economy and Finance are actively pursuing measures to abolish the comprehensive real estate holding tax. Imposed separately from property taxes collected by local governments, the comprehensive real estate holding tax is levied annually by the central government on individuals who own multiple homes with a combined appraisal value exceeding 900 million won ($649,000). The tax is also levied on owners of a single property exceeding 1.2 billion won in value. Regarding inherited wealth, the PPP is contemplating revisions to bills aimed at reducing the inheritance tax rate, which currently reaches up to 50 percent. These discussions are taking place in the new National Assembly session that commenced on May 30. Critics regarded the two tax rules as punitive measures for wealthy individuals, and at the same time, argue that they undermine market growth. For instance, the price of apartments, the most popular form of housing in Korea, averages 1.29 billion won in Seoul and, as such, even the average property owner is subject to additional, heavy taxation for owning a house. In some cases, inheritance taxes have compelled small and medium-sized family businesses to forego corporate succession due to the financial burden they pose. These taxes, which rank second highest in the OECD, trailing only Japan's 55 percent rate, have proven particularly challenging for these businesses to manage. Against this backdrop, I commend the government and the PPP for their efforts to uphold President Yoon Suk Yeol's pledge, said Kwon Dae-jung, a real estate professor at Sogang University. The professor referred to Yoons commitment to reform the comprehensive real estate holding tax and inheritance tax under his market-driven economic vision. The professor emphasized the importance of fine-tuning priorities , with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) saying that it will be crucial for the successful overhaul of the comprehensive real estate holding tax. He pointed out that the DPK raised the issue of necessary tax reforms shortly before the new Assembly commenced, highlighting a discrepancy in goals compared to the government. The main opposition wants to scrap taxing owners of a single home only, while the government wants to leave the policy unchanged and rather ease tax rules for owners of multiple homes. According to the sources, the government is concerned that the DPKs goal will prompt would-be home buyers to search for a single, expensive home and correspondingly promote real estate speculation. On inheritance tax, the government is expected to ease rules in accordance with the Corporate Value-up Program aimed at boosting the Korean stock market. The program prioritizes improving corporate governance, which the sources say can be cited as a reason to soften inheritance taxes for competitive businesses run by generations of families. Controversial tax could trigger capital outflow from Korean market By Anna J. Park Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun once again reiterated the need to scrap the introduction of the financial investment income tax, which is slated to be implemented early next year. According to the FSS on Sunday, the head of the state-run financial regulator warned that the implementation of the tax would trigger investors' short-term trading on the Korean stock market, instead of long-term investment, while deepening the preference of investors for overseas stock markets further than domestic stocks. "If the financial investment income tax is to be implemented as scheduled, domestic investors will have the incentive to sell domestic stocks that have not yielded returns yet or sell funds before the arrival of maturity, in order to realize losses to avoid taxation. In addition, investors are more likely to opt for investments with a certain return over investments involving risks," Lee told reporters at the headquarters of the FSS on Friday, explaining that these anticipated behaviors by investors would deteriorate local stock market conditions by allowing capital outflow. Lee went on to stress that the introduction of the financial investment income tax fails to differentiate between investments that entail risk and those without risk. "If we impose the same taxation on investments that entail higher risks as those bearing much lower risks, it would ultimately reduce investments in the risky capital that needs continuous money inflows," the FSS chief warned. Lee acknowledged that he understands the underlying principle of the introduction of the tax, which is "evenhandedly taxing income wherever it arises." However, he also stressed that it is important to distinguish the nature of investments when implementing such a tax. "There has been a tradition of allowing reduced taxation or even tax exemptions, as the expected return from investments, which is very much subject to both sides of fluctuations in nature, comes from the acceptance of potential losses incurred alongside profits gained," Lee said. He underscored that while he respects efforts to design the financial investment income tax reasonably, it's still necessary to reassess whether in-depth considerations have been made regarding various relevant factors. He also emphasized that he thinks it is a cowardly act to simply postpone the implementation of the taxation, saying that only in-depth discussions, rather than simply delaying the implementation of the tax until later due to the challenges faced at present, would solve the real underlying issues. The financial investment income tax aims to impose taxes on those who earn over 50 million won ($36,101) in income from financial investment products like stocks at a rate of 20 percent (25 percent for incomes exceeding 300 million won). Originally adopted during the Moon Jae-in administration, the taxation was scheduled to be implemented from the start of last year. However, due to concerns over a sluggish stock market, both ruling and opposition parties agreed to postpone its implementation until 2025. Without further action, the taxation is set to be implemented from next year. The Yoon administration and the ruling party insist on abolishing the taxation, citing concerns that it would cause a massive outflow of funds from the Korean stock market, while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea argues that it should be implemented as planned. Household loans extended by five major lenders in South Korea rose for the second straight month in May on a rise in mortgage and credit loans, industry data showed Sunday. Household loans extended by the five top lenders added 4.7 trillion won ($3.39 billion) from a month earlier to 702.7 trillion won as of end-May, according to data compiled by Yonhap News Agency. It marked the second consecutive on-month growth from 4.4 trillion won in April, following a 2.2 trillion-won drop in March. The gain in May also represented the highest on-month increase since July 2021, when the balance of household loans expanded by 6.2 trillion won. The sharp monthly rise in outstanding household loans was largely led by a 4.6 trillion-won increase in home-backed loans, compared with a 4.3 trillion-won gain the previous month. Credit loans also increased by 321 billion won, following a 402.9 billion-won gain in April. Experts pointed out that rising home transactions in recent months led to the sharp expansion in household loans. According to separate data by the Korea Real Estate Board, transactions of apartments in South Korea have been on a steady rise, from 26,000 in December to 32,000 in January, 33,000 in February, 40,000 in March and 44,000 in April. (Yonhap) North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspected the first lecture held at a newly built school for the country's ruling party officials, state media reported Sunday. The visit to the opening ceremony of the Central Cadres Training School of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) in Pyongyang took place Saturday, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The visit follows visits on May 15 and May 22. He also inspected its construction on March 30. While inspecting the lecture, Kim said, "The school should make all the educational processes and everyday life a good lecture helping the students steadily get ideological and moral pabulum necessary for Party work and revolutionary work and possess communist traits," according to the KCNA's English dispatch. 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. "Talented party cadres capable of leading the development of all fields of politics, military, the economy and culture and of all regions constitute the most valuable and decisive resources for a ruling party, and their role grows more important the more the revolution and construction advance," Kim said. Other members of the WPK, such as Premier Kim Tok-hun and Jo Yong-won, secretary for organizational affairs, also attended the training course under "the Party's policy on in-service retraining," according to the KCNA. Kim also inspected the retraining lecture as well. 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. (Yonhap) Korea-Africa Summit scheduled for June 4-5 By Kim Hyun-bin The Korea Times hosted the Korea-Africa Summit Roundtable in Seoul on Tuesday to preview opportunities that could arise from the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, set to take place in Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday. Moderated by Korea-Africa Foundation President Lyeo Woon-ki, the roundtable featured panelists including Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi, Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman and Sudanese Ambassador to Korea Amira Agarib. The discussion delved into key issues surrounding Korea-Africa relations, such as investment, economic and cultural opportunities. Lyeo underscored the significance of the gathering as a precursor to the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit. "Today, we gather with a shared vision to explore and enhance the multifaceted relationship between Korea and Africa. This gathering could be a crucial precursor to the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit that will be held in a few days in Korea," Lyeo said. "The bonds between Korea and Africa were forged during the Korean War when some African nations provided crucial support during one of the most challenging periods in our history. This early solidarity laid the groundwork for Korea to establish diplomatic relationships with multiple African countries in the 1960s, aligning with the broader movement towards independence across the continent." Lyeo highlighted the renewed engagement in the 1980s, particularly around the 1988 Seoul Olympics, which saw increased cultural and political exchanges. "For some time during the Cold War era, the Korean peninsula issue took a large part of the relations between Korea and African countries. However, as the Cold War ended in the early 1990s, the weight of our relationship shifted more towards economic issues and trade," he said. "Both sides started to promote economic ties, and accordingly, economic and business relations have only strengthened." The establishment of cooperation frameworks like the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) and the Korea-Africa Forum (KOAF) in 2006 marked significant milestones in facilitating dialogue, strengthening economic ties and promoting mutual interaction and understanding. "On Nov. 23, 2022, the Korean government officially announced the plan to host the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit, underscoring our commitment to upgrade our cooperation with Africa," he said. "Guided by the new government's vision and strategy as a 'Global Pivotal State' and the African Union's (AU) Agenda 2063, our two regions are poised to develop a strategic partnership that is mutually beneficial and future-oriented." Opportunities in Africa The event also explored new opportunities and challenges the continent faces in efforts to increase cooperation with Korea. Egyptian Ambassador Rahman emphasized the importance of Korean banks establishing a stronger presence on the continent to enhance trade and investment. "Opening branches in major countries in the continent would facilitate trade investment and so on, and this is one of the tools that can really enhance our economic cooperation and facilitate trade and investment," Rahman said. He highlighted the need for on-ground involvement, pointing out that while Korea already has relations with institutions like the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund, having a physical presence would provide more accurate insights into the growing and expanding economies despite existing challenges. "I know the Korean trade offices and some of the countries, which Egypt is one of them, will or already (have) a representative office of the (Export-Import Bank), but I'm talking about commercial banks, talking about development funds, talking about investment companies that are looking for opportunities to be on the ground in Africa and to engage," Rahman said. Tunisian Ambassador Darragi highlighted the importance of enhancing trade and investment relations between Korea and African nations. "I think the Korean approach now is to try to conclude as many free trade agreements as possible," Darragi said. "This process is time-consuming; it will take time to achieve such an objective." As an interim measure, the ambassador proposed an expansion of the Generalized System of Preferences. "A provisional solution could be to expand the scope of the Generalized System of Preferences, at least on the trade part and on the investment part," he suggested. "There should be more education to the business community about the potential that Africa offers." Sudanese Ambassador Agarib expressed optimism about the future of Korean investment in Africa, emphasizing the growing partnership between the two regions. "We are expecting that Korea will do more investment in Africa," Agarib said. "There is a possibility of encouraging the private sector by giving them finance or encouraging financial institutions in Korea to finance certain projects." Agarib acknowledged the existing success of Korean companies in Africa, citing examples from Sudan. "Korea already has successful projects in certain countries like Sudan, where we have a car assembly plant and numerous vocational centers," she added. "South Korea can help African countries build industrial facilities and vocational centers. There is also potential for new fields like mobile phone industries, car manufacturing and even shipbuilding, given our available labor force, which can reduce costs." U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Saturday welcomed an agreement by defense chiefs of Korea and Japan to take measures to prevent the recurrence of a 2018 maritime spat over Japanese patrol aircraft. Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, announced the agreement after their talks held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, in a deal that could remove a major hindrance to efforts to strengthen bilateral military cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo. In a statement, Austin said the deal between Korea and Japan would "strengthen their bilateral defense relationship, including measures to support operational safety and lines of communication." "Stronger bilateral cooperation between each of our countries helps advance trilateral cooperation among all of our countries," Austin said. The defense chiefs of Korea, the U.S. and Japan were set to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the security forum in Singapore. The dispute flared up in Dec. 2018, when a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft made an unusually low-altitude flyby over a Korean warship. Seoul decried the plane's approach as a "menacing" flight, while Tokyo has accused the Korean vessel of having locked its fire-control radar on the plane. The incident had remained a source of friction for years until Seoul and Tokyo's defense chiefs agreed to begin working-level talks on the issue at the annual security forum held in Singapore last year, in what marked the first defense ministerial talks between Seoul and Tokyo since Nov. 2019. (Yonhap) By Kim Hyun-bin Egyptian ambassador optimistic about future of Korea-Africa partnership Egyptian Ambassador to Korea Khaled Abdel Rahman emphasized the long-standing and mutually respectful relationship between Korea and Africa, highlighting the potential for future cooperation in various sectors. "History is very important; it ties us together and fosters mutual respect and cooperation between Korea and all African countries," Rahman said. "We have no negativity about it in our history. We've witnessed many successful examples in trade, investment and more with every African country that has engaged with Korea." Rahman expressed optimism about the future, identifying numerous sectors ripe for collaboration, including renewable energy and digital innovation. "Korea is advanced and has innovation in these fields. There are huge opportunities for both sides to cooperate," he said. Security, climate change and water scarcity were identified as key challenges, but Rahman saw these as opportunities for driving sustainable development. He called for the transfer of knowledge and technology, noting that African countries have developed local methods suited to their environments that could complement Korean innovation. "This collaboration can produce models that suit the diverse climates and circumstances across Africa," he said. "We need significant support from educational institutions and research centers to reap the full benefits." Cultural and educational exchanges were another focal point. "Engaging the new generation is crucial for continuity and sustainability. We must educate them, overcome stereotypes and promote successful cultural exchanges," he said. "Successful cultural exchange is very much needed between African countries and Korea. This will highlight the value of our diverse heritages," Rahman said, emphasizing that Africa is not just about "jungles and animals" but a cradle of civilization with a rich heritage. Looking ahead to the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit, Rahman expressed confidence in the commitment of both governments to engage and enhance sustainable development. "We are ready for engagement. This relationship matters and will enhance our sustainable development," he said, emphasizing the interest from the private sector, noting that public-private partnerships are crucial for finding innovative solutions. Tunisian ambassador stresses value-based partnership for mutual productivity Tunisian Ambassador to Korea Kais Darragi underscored the importance of the evolving relationship between Korea and African nations, saying a "pivotal moment for cooperation and partnership" is approaching ahead of the upcoming Korea-Africa Summit. "This is a watershed exchange that reflects Korea's ambition to play a major role on the global stage," Darragi said. "We all have the responsibility of making this a success. A positive outcome from this summit will have a long-term impact and will be instrumental in serving the interests of both parties." Darragi emphasized the need for Korea to differentiate its partnership with African nations from those offered by other countries. He noted that Korea should focus on creating a value-driven partnership, not merely one based on resources. "It has to be a partnership among equals," he said. "Korea should build its partnership on values, respecting Africa as an emerging economic powerhouse and a major international actor." Highlighting the importance of African ownership of solutions, Darragi emphasized that the new partnership with Korea should build on local initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), fostering win-win productivity. He advised Korea to focus on quality rather than quantity. "Korea has exceptional assets in terms of project quality and should insist on a selective approach, concentrating on impactful synergies and flagship projects that could inspire local momentum in Africa," he said. The ambassador also underscored the critical role of stakeholders, particularly the private sector, in making the partnership successful. "The private sector should be considered a full-fledged partner. Involving it through foreign direct investment and public-private partnerships can create additional sources of finance, job opportunities in Africa and facilitate technology transfer." Trade barriers were another focal point of the discussion. Darragi expressed concern over the numerous tariff and non-tariff barriers that hinder African exports to Korea. "There should be flexibility and accelerated procedures to make trade more accessible. Korea itself relied on the generalized system of preferences to boost its exports in the past. Extending such preferences to middle-income African countries could significantly enhance trade relations." Sudanese ambassador highlights strategic opportunities at Korea-Africa Summit Sudanese Ambassador to Korea Amira Agarib emphasized the strategic importance of the Korea-Africa Summit in fostering mutually beneficial partnerships amid global economic and environmental challenges. She highlighted the summit as a crucial moment for contemplating the future direction of Korea-Africa relations, aiming to build a "mutually beneficial sustainable relationship." "The summit can play a central role in Korea's diplomacy toward Africa," she said, adding that the event will facilitate economic cooperation, business exchanges and diverse interactions. The ambassador pointed out the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Area, launched in 2021, creating a single market with a population of 1.4 billion and a GDP of $3.4 trillion. She urged Korea to broaden the scope of double taxation avoidance agreements and investment guarantee agreements with African countries, and to increase financial support for Korean companies' projects. "Africa has economic potentials and abundant natural resources, as well as its transition into the world's largest market," Agarib said. She highlighted Korea's comparative advantages, noting that its technological capabilities and rapid economic transformation position it to contribute significantly to Africa's growth and prosperity. She identified key sectors for investment, including minerals, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and green energy. "Africa has 65 percent of the world's arable land," Agarib said. She praised the Korea International Cooperation Agency for its projects on agricultural production and technology, which improve productivity and farmer incomes in Africa. The ambassador also mentioned the potential for renewable energy investments, particularly in solar and hydraulic electricity. "Africa has a young population, while the population of many countries, including Korea, is decreasing," she said, highlighting the demographic advantage of the African continent, which is expected to reach 2.5 billion people. Korea-Africa Summit to kick off Tuesday By Nam Hyun-woo South Korea seeks expanded diplomatic relations with African nations on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit, with President Yoon Suk Yeol engaging in bilateral meetings with the heads of states visiting Seoul to attend the event slated for Tuesday and Wednesday. Yoon had a bilateral summit with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the presidential office in Seoul, Sunday, and hosted Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at a dinner meeting later in the day. It was the first time for a Tanzanian president to visit South Korea since 2006. During the summit, the leaders welcomed the commencement of negotiations for a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement, and exchanged each other's commitments for expanding economic partnerships, including South Korean businesses' participation into Tanzania's infrastructure projects. On the occasion of the summit, South Korea and Tanzania signed to a memorandum of understanding on supply chain of key raw minerals. The meetings followed Yoons summit with Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio on Friday, during which they agreed to step up partnerships in education, public health and food security, as well as enhance the two countries cooperation at the United Nations Security Council. The meetings were part of Yoons plan to have summits with 25 heads of states who are scheduled to visit Seoul on the occasion of the Korea-Africa Summit. Starting from a welcome banquet on Monday, the Korea-Africa Summit will kick off on Tuesday. With 48 African countries participating, scheduled on the first day are discussion sessions, a luncheon and Yoons joint press conference with African Union Chairperson and Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani. On Wednesday, South Koreas Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy will host the 2024 Korea-Africa Business Summit, and 13 other events on Korea-Africa partnerships will take place during the events run. The event and the string of bilateral summits are part of the Yoon administrations efforts to expand South Koreas ties with African nations as the region gains increasing strategic importance. With 60 percent of its population under the age of 25, Africa is the fastest-growing continent in terms of population. The African Continental Free Trade Area, which was launched in 2019, is set to become a significant economic entity, encompassing a market of 1.4 billion people and a combined gross domestic product of $3.4 trillion. The continents abundant natural resources make the region an attractive trading partner. Around 30 percent of the worlds mineral resources are assumed to be found in Africa. Of them, the continents rich reserves of chromium, manganese, cobalt and other key minerals essential for the production of rechargeable batteries and other advanced technologies are boosting the regions strategic importance for Seoul, which relies heavily on imports for over 95 percent of its raw mineral needs. The regions diplomatic status is also important for Seoul, as it can vote on global discussions regarding contentious agendas. The presidential office anticipates securing Africa's support on the international stage, particularly regarding security issues including North Koreas nuclear threats. Africa wields significant influence at the United Nations with 54 votes, which is more than any other continent, and approximately 40 percent of the U.N. Security Councils agenda items are related to Africa, First Deputy Director of National Security Kim Tae-hyo said. For South Korea, a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, cooperation with Africa is essential. As the country aims to become a global pivotal state, partnering with Africa is not a choice but a necessity. Despite the increasing importance of the region, South Korea has only 18 embassies in Africa, which is a small number compared to Japan, which operates 38 diplomatic outposts in the region. Since having diplomatic outposts is crucial for enabling businesses to make forays into local markets, South Korea is also seeking to increase its number in Africa. In a written interview with AFP, released on Sunday, Yoon said Seoul hopes to sign a slew of agreements with countries attending the summit and lay the foundation for comprehensive cooperation, including the exchange of information related to critical minerals, technological collaboration and joint exploration. The defense chiefs of South Korea, the United States and Japan agreed Sunday to launch a regular trilateral multidomain exercise this summer, Seoul's defense ministry said, amid joint efforts to strengthen security cooperation against evolving North Korean threats. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts, Lloyd Austin and Minoru Kihara, respectively, reached the agreement during their three-way talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, according to the ministry. The exercise, named Freedom Edge, will take place across various domains, including air, maritime, underwater and cyber. It takes its name from key bilateral exercises the U.S. holds with the Asian neighbors Freedom Shield with South Korea and Keen Edge with Japan. The ministry did not provide further details of the planned exercise, such as its specific timing and location. While the three sides have previously held joint maritime and air drills, Freedom Edge would mark the first exercise of its kind after their countries' leaders agreed last year on various efforts to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats. Last August, President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed to hold "annual, named, multidomain" trilateral exercises on a regular basis during their summit at Camp David. Shin and his U.S. and Japanese counterparts also agreed to hold a trilateral table-top exercise to discuss various threats in the Indo-Pacific region and come up with a framework document for trilateral security cooperation efforts by the end of this year, such as holding senior-level talks. They also agreed to optimize their system to share North Korean missile warning data in real time -- activated last December to better deter and respond to the North's provocations, the ministry said. The announcement comes in the wake of North Korea's continued saber-rattling, including its botched attempt to launch a military spy satellite Monday and launches of short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Thursday. (Yonhap) By Choe Chong-dae Six years ago, on April 27, 2018, then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met on the South Korean side of the Joint Security Area. This historic meeting was the third inter-Korean summit and the first in 11 years. Notably, it was the first time since 1953 at the end of the Korean War that a North Korean leader stepped onto South Korean soil. President Moon reciprocated by briefly crossing into North Korean territory. Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission (NNSC) Annual Reception 2024 on May 10 at the NNSC Camp in Panmunjeom at the gracious invitation of the Swiss and Swedish delegations of the NNSC. In the aftermath of the pandemic, this year's NNSC Annual Reception was held five years after its last convening in 2019. My presence at the reception evoked memories of the historic summit. I vividly recall the extraordinary scene that day when Moon and Kim met. Kim, stepping out from Panmungak with a radiant smile, invited President Moon to briefly cross into North Korea. Together, they stepped over the military demarcation line before returning to the southern side. This poignant moment symbolized a significant stride toward cross-border reconciliation and cooperation. Moreover, they had an exclusive separate summit without any secretaries present. It took place at a table on the Foot Bridge beside the NNSC Camp, where the reception was held. This intimate setting provided them with an opportunity for candid discussions and direct engagement, away from the formalities of official meetings. However, despite the ardent wishes for peace and unification from the people of both Koreas, the tension between the South and the North did not reduce. For this latest reception, the hosts, Maj. Gen. Ivo Burgener, the Swiss representative of the NNSC, and Maj. Gen. Lena Persson Herlitz, the Swedish representative, warmly welcomed the guests. The event was graced by prominent figures from the officers and delegates of the United Nations Command (UNC), including Lt. Gen. Derek Macaulay, deputy commander of the UNC, and Maj. Gen. William E. Souza III, commander of the U.S. Marine Corps Korea. Their presence underscored the significance of the occasion. Additionally, diplomatic delegations from Korea and a select group of Koreans attended, adding to the event's importance and highlighting the collaborative spirit between the UNC and Korea. Remarkably, students from Daesung Elementary School, located in Freedom Village in the Demilitarized Zone, and the 8th U.S. Army military band showed their desire for peace on the Korean Peninsula, where the South and North are locked in confrontation, through musical performances. Unexpectedly, the majority of military guests, including the hosts, were wearing duty uniforms. This was in contrast to previous NNSC receptions, where they had worn Class 2 uniforms. The more relaxed dress code for civilians added to the informal and welcoming atmosphere of the event. The NNSC Annual Reception 2024 was not just a ceremonial event but a poignant reminder of the ongoing efforts toward peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. The presence of high-ranking officials and the heartfelt performances by the students and the military band all contributed to an atmosphere of genuine camaraderie and hope for a harmonious future. As we reflect on the historic inter-Korean summit of 2018, events like this reception reinforce the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in achieving lasting peace in the region. Whenever I attend the NNSC reception in Panmunjeom, the echo of Korea's yearning for national unification resonates throughout the area, imbuing me with excitement. My fervent wish is for Panmunjeom to become as famous as Checkpoint Charlie at the former Berlin Wall, serving as a landmark of peace in the post-Cold War era following the unification of South and North Korea. Choe Chong-dae (choecd@naver.com) is a guest columnist of The Korea Times. He is president of Dae-kwang International Co., and founding director of the Korean-Swedish Association. Do not let domestic politics hamper Korea's foreign policy Cheong Wa Dae took on a picturesque ambiance on May 28 when President Yoon Suk Yeol hosted a banquet for visiting United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, prior to their summit held a day later. The lights of Seouls N. Tower which overlooks the metropolitan city from the hilltops of Mount Nam turned red, green, white and black. The dynamic display of colors from the tower left a lasting impression on the UAE leader. Each of the four colors holds significance, symbolizing elements of the UAE's national flag: red, green, white, and black. The lighting show was a deliberate component of the Korean government's cultural diplomacy efforts, carefully orchestrated to convey the utmost warmth in welcoming the UAE delegation. The significance of the Middle Eastern country to Korea prompted even the typically procedural presidential office staff to engage their creativity fully. They brainstormed tirelessly to devise an event concept aimed at impressing the UAE delegation, recognizing the exceptional importance of this diplomatic relationship. Their concerted efforts yielded significant results. The UAE president and the accompanying officials on his visit to Korea experienced an unforgettable evening, marking the success of their endeavors. Indeed, a job well done. While undeniably impressive, a singular event of this nature cannot alone sustain the momentum needed for bilateral relations to flourish, ensuring mutual benefit for both sides. Ongoing efforts and initiatives are essential to nurturing and strengthening the relationship between the two countries over time. A vital consideration for Korean policymakers is maintaining consistency in key policies. This ensures that Korea's course of action remains predictable and stable, irrespective of changes in government. In the past, the resilience of Korea-UAE relations was challenged due to policy inconsistencies. Tensions arose primarily from a significant shift in Korea's approach to nuclear energy after President Moon Jae-in took office. The Moon administration diverged from its predecessor's strategy of expanding nuclear reactor construction for electricity generation. Instead, it pledged to prioritize renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. This abrupt policy alteration proved detrimental to Korea's interests, causing discomfort and potentially straining bilateral ties. One expert shared an experience about cynical reactions from the Middle East which ultimately undermined Korea's credibility. Jang Ji-hyang, director of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies in Seoul, expressed her embarrassment when confronted with questions regarding Korea's sale of nuclear energy technology to the Middle Eastern country. She found herself at a loss for words when questioned about this apparent contradiction, as Korea concurrently pursued the phasing out of nuclear reactors domestically. She admitted feeling perplexed by the validity of the inquiry, highlighting a challenging discrepancy in Korea's nuclear energy policy. That policy shift, she said, undermined Koreas interests and eroded trust. Her point makes sense. How can you tell others to trust you when you are zig-zagging on a certain issue? Unpredictability undermines trust, making others doubt your reliability as a partner. In international relations, consistency is key to being seen as trustworthy. Since December 2009, Korea's bilateral relations with the UAE have seen a marked improvement, particularly following the securing of a $20 billion deal to construct four nuclear reactors in the UAE. President Lee Myung-bak's strategic summit diplomacy played a pivotal role in Korea's unexpected success, challenging the widely held expectation that France would emerge as the victor in the nuclear deal. The historic nuclear deal has taken Korea-UAE relations to the next level. Their relationship has extended into various sectors beyond nuclear energy, encompassing education, healthcare, and security. In 2009, Korea and the UAE found themselves mutually dependent. Lee, a former business executive, recognized the critical importance of securing a nuclear reactor deal abroad for Korea's economy. Despite possessing advanced technology, breaking into the international nuclear market, dominated by France, proved challenging. However, Lee's vision of Korea's world-class nuclear energy technology as a potential economic engine drove the country's determination to succeed. At the same time, the UAE faced mounting pressure due to the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Middle East. The United States, traditionally a security guarantor in the region, underwent policy changes, adding to the uncertainty. Against this backdrop, Korea and the UAE emerged as ideal partners, each possessing strengths that complemented the other's pressing needs. The Republic of Korea Special Warfare Unit, better known as Akh Unit, has been deployed in the UAE since 2011. The unit is responsible for training UAE defense forces and protecting Koreans in the Middle East. The UAE president calls Korea a brother country. During a meeting with his long-time friend, Lee, the former president, on May 29, the UAE leader was quoted as saying that Emiratis feel the same way and they likened Koreans to brothers because of Akh Unit. Korea and the UAE befriended each other when they were in need. While working closely together in various sectors for the past 15 years, they became genuine friends. Friends are not supposed to let each other down. Friends are supposed to live up to their commitments and help each other, especially when times are tough. In international relations, yesterdays enemy can be todays friend and todays friend can be tomorrows enemy. The nature of cross-border relations changes as foreign relations are usually shaped by national interests. Unlike interest-based relations, trust-based relations, like Korea-UAE ties, can endure and continue to create opportunities for each other. Enormous damage looms if production is halted even briefly By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics union plans to stage a one-day strike on June 7, calling for better treatment. Concerns are mounting that a prolonged labor dispute could potentially disrupt semiconductor production at the world's leading memory chip company, according to industry experts, Sunday. The Nationwide Samsung Electronics Union (NSEU), representing the chipmaker's workers, announced on May 29 that more than 28,000 union members would concurrently take a day off on June 7, essentially staging a one-day strike. Their demands include fair wages for their labor and improvements in the company's salary system to ensure transparency. Experts have warned that if a strike were to disrupt Samsung's semiconductor production process, the potential damage to the company would be immense, because even a brief interruption in semiconductor production could result in significant consequences. "Semiconductor production facilities require substantial time and resources to resume operations if they experience any interruption, no matter how brief. The seamless continuity of operations is paramount in these plants, and a protracted strike could indeed bring the production process to a standstill, resulting in substantial disruptions and costs for the company," Lee Jong-hwan, a professor of semiconductor engineering at Sangmyung University, said. For instance, in 2019, Samsung incurred losses exceeding 50 billion won ($36 million) when a 28-minute power outage occurred at its Pyeongtaek plant. Similarly, during the winter of 2021, a power outage caused by a cold wave forced a nearly month-long suspension of production at its Austin, Texas plant, resulting in estimated financial damages of around 400 billion won. Kim Dae-jong, a professor of business administration at Sejong University, predicted that the Samsung union would strike again if negotiations with the company do not proceed well, which could become a critical factor that degrades the chipmaker's competitiveness. "If labor negotiations dont go well in the future, the union may resort to striking again. Samsung is currently grappling with various challenges, such as difficulties in the HBM AI memory chip market, indicating that it is navigating a complex business environment," Kim said. "Therefore, how well Samsung handles its negotiations with the union going forward could have a significant impact on its business. The company needs to actively engage in dialogue with the union and thoroughly prepare to manage union-related issues." The NSEU has been negotiating wages with the company several times since last year, and upon failing to narrow differences in opinions during negotiations held on May 28, the union declared a strike. "What we want is not a one percent or two percent wage increase. We demand fair payment for the work done," Son Woo-mok, chief of the NSEU, said during a press conference held in Seoul on May 29. "It's not about asking for more bonuses. We're asking for transparent payments through system improvements." The industry view is that the one-day strike scheduled for June 7 is unlikely to disrupt semiconductor production at the company. "This strike will not impact DRAM and NAND Flash production, nor will it cause any shipment shortages," TrendForce, a market researcher in the semiconductor industry, said. "Additionally, the spot prices for DRAM and NAND Flash had been declining prior to the strike announcement, and there has been no change in this downtrend since the announcement." By Baek Byung-yeul China has surpassed the United States to become Korea's largest export destination, thanks to increased exports of IT products such as semiconductors and displays, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Saturday. The trade ministry said that exports to China and the U.S. two major export markets for Korea have increased. Exports to China rose by 7.6 percent to $11.38 billion, marking the highest figure in 19 months since October 2022 when it recorded $12.2 billion, and exports to the U.S. also increased by 15.6 percent year-on-year to $10.93 billion, the highest for May. With the global supply chain undergoing reorganization, Korea has seen a strong increase in exports to the U.S. In December last year, exports to the U.S. reached $11.29 billion, surpassing exports to China, which were $10.87 billion, making it the largest export market for the first time in over 20 years since June 2003. However, in January of this year, exports to China again took the lead, recording $10.69 billion compared to $10.22 billion to the U.S. Then, exports to the U.S. in February, March and April were higher than those to China. The reason China has become the countrys largest export destination again is due to the increase in exports of intermediate goods such as semiconductors to China, which serves as the world's factory amid a favorable global IT market. The trade ministry highlighted that exports, led by IT products such as semiconductors, have been driving the increase, while traditional export items such as cars, shipbuilding and petrochemicals have shown steady growth. Total exports in May amounted to $58.15 billion, up 11.7 percent from the same period in 2023. Exports of semiconductors, the largest export item of Korea, increased by 54.5 percent year-on-year to $11.38 billion, recording a positive growth for seven straight months. This is attributed to the continued uptrend in semiconductor exports, including memory and non-memory chips, due to increased chip demands such as high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips for AI services. "Exports in May amounted to $58.1 billion, continuing a double-digit growth for two consecutive months and recording a positive growth for eight consecutive months," Ahn Duk-geun, minister of trade, industry, and energy, said. The minister added that the government will focus all its available capabilities to continue the upward trend in exports until the end of the year. A second attempt at launching Boeing's new Starliner space capsule on its inaugural test flight with NASA astronauts on board was automatically halted with minutes to go before liftoff by a computer-abort system, mission officials said. The scrubbed launch, capping a string of 11th-hour technical issues that ground teams worked through and resolved earlier in the countdown, adds another indefinite delay for the highly anticipated and much-delayed test flight. The next available launch window for the mission is Sunday at about noon local time, but NASA said in a statement on Saturday that mission officials would forgo that opportunity, without setting a new date. The next available chances to launch are Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6. "We got really close today," said Steve Stich, manager of NASA's commercial crew program. "I know it's a little disappointing, we were all excited. This is kind of the way spaceflight is," he said. The postponement on Saturday was triggered by computers on the Atlas V rocket's launchpad that coordinate the final moments before liftoff. The Starliner capsule appeared healthy, officials said. At a news conference after the postponement, executives from Boeing and United Launch Alliance (ULA), the Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture that owns the Atlas V rocket, hoped a review of the computers Saturday night would allow for a launch on Sunday. "We'll take either that opportunity or the next one to come," Mark Nappi, a Boeing vice president, told reporters. The decision to forgo the launch opportunity on Sunday, NASA's statement said, would "give the team additional time" to assess the issue. The CST-200 Starliner's first crewed voyage to the International Space Station (ISS), with two astronauts aboard, remains a key milestone for Boeing as it scrambles to gain a greater share of lucrative NASA business now dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX. The gumdrop-shaped Starliner capsule had stood ready for blast-off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, perched atop the Atlas V. But with three minutes and 50 seconds left in the countdown clock after the final "go" for launch was given by the flight director, a ground system computer triggered an automatic abort command that shut down the launch sequence, according to mission officials. Looking for glitch ULA Chief Executive Tory Bruno said the leading causes would be "either a hardware problem or a network communication" issue between three computers that control automated launch systems. The first attempt by Boeing to send an uncrewed Starliner to the space station in 2019 failed due to software and engineering glitches. A second try in 2022 succeeded, paving the way for efforts at getting the first crewed test mission off the ground. A May 6 countdown was halted just two hours before launch time over a faulty pressure valve on the Atlas V upper stage, followed by weeks of further delays caused by other engineering problems, since resolved, on the Starliner itself. The two-member crew, NASA astronauts Barry "Butch" Wilmore, 61, and Sunita "Suni" Williams, 58, had been strapped into their seats aboard the spacecraft for a couple of hours before launch activities were suspended on Saturday. Technicians safely assisted the astronauts out of the capsule and away from the launch tower after the flight was scrubbed, returning them to their quarters under quarantine to await the next flight attempt. It is not uncommon in the space industry for countdowns to be halted at the 11th hour and for launches to be postponed for days or weeks, even when seemingly minor malfunctions or unusual sensor readings are detected, especially in new spacecraft flying humans for the first time. Boeing, whose commercial airplane manufacturing operations are in disarray after several crises, badly needs a success in space for its Starliner venture, a program several years behind schedule with more than $1.5 billion in cost overruns. While Boeing has struggled, SpaceX has developed into a dependable space taxi service for NASA, providing the only means of launching the ISS crew to orbit from U.S. soil. NASA, backing a new generation of privately built spacecraft, sees Starliner as an important second vehicle capable of ferrying astronauts to and from the space station, as well as the moon and eventually Mars under its ambitious Artemis program. Once launched, the Starliner is expected to arrive at the space station after a flight of about 24 hours and dock with the orbiting research outpost some 250 miles (402 km) above Earth. Plans call for the two astronauts to remain at the space station for about a week before riding the Starliner back to Earth for a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the U.S. Desert Southwest, a first for crewed NASA missions. Getting Starliner to this point has been a fraught process for Boeing under a $4.2 billion fixed-priced contract with NASA that has since swelled to roughly $4.5 billion, according to a Reuters review of contract changes since it was awarded in 2014. (Reuters) Kuwait's emir on Saturday named a new crown prince, Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Hamad al-Sabah, state media reported, just six months after taking over the throne and weeks after suspending parliament. The 71-year-old sheikh was the Gulf state's foreign minister from 2011 to 2019 and then prime minister until 2022. Kuwait entered new political turbulence in May when the 83-year-old emir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, dissolved parliament just six weeks after elections. He also suspended some provisions of the constitution. He then named the second government since he took over as head of state in December. Unlike other Gulf states, Kuwait has an influential parliament while most power remains with the royal family. While lawmakers have powers their regular battles with the government causes repeat crises. Kuwait has about 7 percent of global oil reserves and one of the world's biggest sovereign wealth funds. But it has struggled in recent years to diversify its economy away from reliance on oil. (AFP) Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv Saturday to demand acceptance of a ceasefire and hostage release deal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden, with many fearing the premier would disown the proposal. Israeli and U.S. flags dotted the crowd in the central plaza they have dubbed Hostages Square, alongside banners urging, "Bring them home!" "Biden is our only hope," protester Abigail Zur, 34, told AFP. The U.S. president said on Friday that Israel was offering a new three-stage roadmap towards a full ceasefire, including the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip. Demonstrators told AFP they were worried that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would disown the deal. "Biden cares about our hostages more than Netanyahu does," said a protester in her early fifties who gave her name only as Karen, as others chanted, "Now, Now." Protesters were seen carrying a large banner that read, "Biden, save them from Netanyahu." Netanyahu was more concerned about his own political future, said protester Diti Kapuano, 46. "I hope that somehow Biden puts enough pressure so the government and Netanyahu will take the deal," she said. Campaign group, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, said in a statement, "In light of President Biden's speech last night, we will demand that the Israeli government immediately approve the (hostage release deal) and bring all the hostages home at once." "We will also call on all government ministers and coalition members to publicly commit to supporting the deal and not to allow the possibility of torpedoing it and endangering the hostages," the group said, adding that it had contacted various embassies to urge them to support the plan. Pressure on Netanyahu Netanyahu insisted on Saturday that the plan laid out by Biden did not preclude fighting on until Hamas's ability to rule Gaza and pose a threat to Israel had been destroyed. Hamas said it viewed the plan "positively." In recent weeks, Netanyahu has been under pressure to reach a deal to secure the release of the hostages, with the last round of negotiations in Cairo last month failing to make any headway. Pressure further increased after Israeli troops retrieved the bodies of seven hostages from the Gaza Strip last month. Netanyahu is also under pressure from his far-right coalition partners who have threatened to bring down the government if the war ends without the destruction of Hamas. But protesters said there has to be a deal to bring the hostages home. "We have to have a deal. It's the moral thing to do. We've got to get them back," said Glick Gilad, 51, holding a U.S. flag at a separate, anti-government protest in Tel Aviv. "We are strong enough to take care of the war later. First, bring them home." The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented Oct. 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. (AFP) Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun warned Sunday his military is ready to "forcefully" stop Taiwan independence but called for greater exchanges with the United States. The remarks at an annual security forum in Singapore followed the first substantive face-to-face talks in 18 months between the two countries' defense chiefs. "We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to meet each other halfway," Dong told the Shangri-La Dialogue where he met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday. "We believe that we need more exchanges precisely because there are differences between our two militaries." Dong and Austin met for over an hour at the luxury hotel hosting the forum, which is attended by defense officials from around the world and in recent years has been seen as a barometer of U.S.-China relations. After the meeting, Austin said that telephone conversations between U.S. and Chinese military commanders would resume "in the coming months", while Beijing hailed the "stabilising" security relations between the countries. This year's Shangri-La Dialogue comes a week after China held military drills around self-ruled Taiwan and warned of war over the U.S.-backed island following the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has described as a "dangerous separatist." "The Chinese People's Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defense of the unification of the motherland, and it will act resolutely and forcefully at all times to curb the independence of Taiwan and to ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts," Dong told the forum on Sunday. "Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer his own destruction." On the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely and where it has been involved in confrontations with Philippine vessels, Dong warned of "limits" to Beijing's restraint. "China has maintained sufficient restraint in the face of rights infringements and provocation, but there are limits to this," Dong said. President Joe Biden's administration and China have been stepping up communication to ease friction between the nuclear-armed rivals, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting Beijing and Shanghai last month. A key focus has been the resumption of military-to-military dialogue, which is seen as critical to preventing flashpoint disputes from spinning out of control. China scrapped military communications with the United States in 2022 in response to then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Tensions between Washington and Beijing were further stoked by issues including an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over U.S. airspace, a meeting between Taiwan's then-president Tsai Ing-wen and Pelosi's successor Kevin McCarthy and American military aid for Taipei. China is also furious over the United States' deepening defense ties in the Asia-Pacific, particularly with the Philippines, and its regular deployment of warships and fighter jets in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. Beijing views this as part of a decades-long U.S. effort to contain it. The two sides agreed after a summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Biden last November to restart high-level military talks, including over military operations near Taiwan, Japan and in the South China Sea. (AFP) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China on Sunday of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming Swiss-organized peace conference on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asias premier security conference, Zelenskyy said that China is pressuring other countries and their leaders not to attend the upcoming talks. He did not say which ones. "Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit," he said at a news conference at the Shangri-La defense forum. "Regrettably this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin." China has staked out what it says is a neutral position on the war , putting it at odds with Ukraine, the United States and most of Europe. Its trade with Russia has grown, easing the economic impact of Western sanctions. And American, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbor. The Swiss had been hoping China would attend the peace conference in mid-June, but Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning signaled on Friday that that was unlikely. China has been calling for a peace conference with equal participation of all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited. "There is still a clear gap between the arrangements for the meeting and the demands of the Chinese side, as well as the general expectations of the international community," Mao said. "This makes it difficult for China to participate in the meeting." The foreign ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Zelenskyy's accusation. The Ukrainian leader said of China's pressure on others, "That is not only support to Russia, that is basically support of war." In a speech to the security conference earlier in the day, Zelenskyy urged top defense officials to attend the upcoming talks in Switzerland, saying he was disappointed at the failure of some countries to commit to joining. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun spoke before Zelenskyy at the Shangri-La conference but he did not appear to be in the room when Zelenskyy made his appeal. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had proposals to make at the summit as a basis for peace, addressing nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. "Time is running out, and the children are growing up in the Putin-land where they are taught to hate their homeland," he said. At the same time, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is "ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us ... to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace." The greater the participation, the more likely it will be that Russia will have to listen, he said. "The global majority can ensure with their involvement that what is agreed upon is truly implemented," he said. Zelenskyy said he planned to meet one-on-one with Singapore's prime minister and would urge him to participate in person in the Switzerland talks. "The same goes for the countries in the region," he said through an interpreter. "We truly count on you supporting this summit, and that you will be present in Switzerland." From Singapore, he may travel to Manila to invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the summit in person, two senior Philippine government officials said. Ukrainian officials have notified the Philippines of Zelenskyy's intention to go, but the visit is uncertain because of the Ukrainian presidents travel plans are constantly changing, one of the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the matter. Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, who shared the stage with Zelenskyy, did not say whether his country's leaders would attend, but did note Singapore had condemned the invasion and provided Ukraine with military ambulances. "We stand with you, and I think your appearance at this Shangri-La Dialogue is the epitome of what we are all hoping for, a rules-based order that guarantees the security and survival of large nations and small," he said. Dong did not specifically mention the Switzerland meetings in his address to the forum, but did say "on the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude." He added that China had not provided weapons to either side of the conflict. "We have never done anything to fan the flames," he said. "We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue." U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sat in the front row as Zelenskyy talked. In an address Saturday , Austin told the security conference that "Putin's war of aggression has provided us all with a preview of a world that none of us would want." "We've all been inspired by the courage of Ukraine's troops and the resilience of Ukraine's people," Austin said. "People around the world have rushed to help Ukraine defend itself, including countries across the Indo-Pacific." (AP) It is officially May, a.k.a. university music festival season in South Korea. While most artists receive love and praise from college students at this time, not every artist's set goes off without a hitch. Here are 3 female K-pop idols who have been slammed for their indecent actions during a university music festival performance. 1. MAMAMOO Hwasa In 2023, Hwasa performed "Don't" with rapper Loco at Sungkyunkwan University. While performing the song, Hyuna squatted, licked her fingers, and mimicked touching a sensitive part of her body. This action immediately caused the female idol to be the center of criticism. Soon after the clip went viral, the Korean Parents Association for Protecting Human Rights of Students filed a complaint against Hwasa for her "vulgar" behavior. In their complaint, they noted that Hwasa's movement showed explicit sexual YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: 20 Best K-pop Albums Of All Time According To Fans: 'MAP OF THE SOUL: 7,' 'Square Up' 'Chill Kill,' More The police were forced to investigate the matter, summoning Hwasa for questioning. They stated they were collecting relevant information from the idol's management company to determine whether the performance deserved punishment. According to Korean law, performing indecent acts in front of a certain audience can be considered public obscenity. If convicted, the MAMAMOO member could face a prison sentence of up to a year or a fine of up to 5 million won. It is considered one of Hwasa's biggest scandals, and the idol confessed to going through a hard time during the scandal. Luckily, Hwasa was found innocent. 2. BIBI On April 27, 2024, K-pop soloist BIBI sparked controversy for something she said during a university music festival. While performing at Namseoul University, she asked the students: "Who hates school? Isn't school the worst?" CHECK THIS OUT: Top 30 K-pop Artists With The Most Listeners On Spotify: BLACKPINK Jennie, BTS, More! After the footage went viral on social media, BIBI faced criticisms from netizens, who claimed her statement was seen as "cursing" the school. Many couldn't hide their anger, noting that students pay thousands of dollars in tuition to enjoy the performance, but when the artists attend the festival, they curse the university they are performing in. Fans believed her actions were inappropriate, as they provoked negativity towards the education system. 3. HyunA In 2019, HyunA performed at the Korea Aerospace University. There, she performed several of her hits, such as "Bubble Pop," "Lip & Hip," and "Red." While performing "Bubble Pop," HyunA shocked the audience by lifting her skirt while she had her back against the audience, revealing her underwear and her butt. This action sparked immense backlash, with netizens claiming her choreography crossed the line and was offensive since the venue was a university. MORE HYUNA NEWS: HyunA Draws Criticism for Still Dating Yong Junhyung After 'Burning Sun' Documentary Release HyunA released a statement following the backlash, stating that while the venue was a university, the event itself was a party where people had fun and enjoyed themselves. There was a bar, and attendees could use alcoholic drinks. She asked her fans to not worry about it and asked netizens to open their hearts more. What do you think of the situation? Tell us in the comments below! KpopStarz Owns This Written by Alexa Lopez New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): India, which generates about 20 per cent of the world's data, is expected to see data centre capacity doubling in every couple of years from here on. A data centre is typically a large group of networked servers used by organizations for the remote storage or distribution of large amounts of data. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Woman Gang-Raped in Car in Bijnor, Three Held. Anshuman Magazine, who heads India operations besides South-East Asia, Middle East, and Africa, for commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE, spoke to ANI, here in New Delhi. He shared his views on a wide range of topics, including data centre trends in India, rising 'ghost malls', and why are global players setting up Global Capability Centres in India. Asked whether India is a fertile ground for setting up data centres, he agreed and asserted that data centre capacities here in India will only double every year or two. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024 Result: 'Congress Will Win 15 Seats in Rajasthan, INDIA Bloc Will Form Govt at Centre', Says Pratap Singh Khachariyawas (Watch Video). "It has only started (in India), and every year or two we will double our capacity in data centers, going forward. Data centers need a lot of power, they need a lot of water, and they need a lot of capital, and that's why the speed is slow. But we will still double our capacity every few years going forward," Magazine said. In a quick follow-up, he was asked whether he sees global players coming to India and setting up data centers here in India. Anshuman Magazine said that they are already doing that. "Not just in data centers. Global players will come in manufacturing, data centers, office, retail, every segment as the GDP and consumption increase," he added. On slow growth in data centres in India, he explained that the problem in this segment is that it's capital intensive, so everybody doesn't step in. "It's not like a warehouse that you can build (easily)," he said further. In a recent report published by CBRE South Asia, it noted that India topped major Asia Pacific countries with the highest data center capacity of 950 MW, excluding China. The report said that India overtook major countries like Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Singapore, and Korea. Moreover, it forecast India is likely to record the highest capacity addition of 850 MW during the 2024-2026 period, higher than major Asia Pacific countries. Data localization plans are expected to trigger investments in data centers, besides incentives by various states to attract investments. Coming back to Anshuman Magazine, he was asked about the latest trends where several Global Capability Centers of large global corporate are coming to India. Why is this happening and why is India at an advantage? According to Anshuman Magazine, the two main reasons are skilled human resources and low costs. "Earlier it was only cost, but now it's skilled manpower. Most of the countries do not have that...But there are certain sectors in technology, let's say cyber security, so many other things where there are not enough people to deliver. In the west, they just don't have that many skilled people. They don't have that many PhDs or engineers," he said, explaining India's edge in GCCs. He also noted that India has already become a well-established offshoring destination in the world. "We (India) have been doing this for many years and we had delivered quality work at a low cost for many years. So now most of these companies do not have a choice but to come and expand." Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Pune are some of the cities which are eyed for GCCs. Chennai also has a few GCCs. Asked to give an outlook for next decade, he said one decade is too long but he is positive about the sector. "One decade is too long in today's time. How the globe works, you can't predict for 10 years because there's so much disruption, technology changes happening, population, conflict, whatever. But India will definitely do well for next 10 years and will grow because we are so behind, you know, and so much happening," he said. "We have the skilled manpower, we have the right, hopefully policies. India is finally, is one of the last countries left on the planet which has 1.4 billion, 1.5 billion people, but more importantly, millions of new people coming in whose income levels are rising. So the consumption in India will go on for next 30 years." During his interaction with ANI, he also touched upon the issue of rising 'ghost malls'. Commercial real estate largely has two segments -- office and retail. "Office is doing really well. In retail segment, see there will be always be certain parts of locations that will not do well. Be it in any category," he said, adding that however the country's retail sector is "completely under supplied". "We have 1.4 billion people. The amount of retail space we have is less than Dubai, which is one city, or less than Bangkok I would say...India's purchasing power still has to go up. Per capita income is still low." As per definition, ghost malls are shopping centres, typically having a high vacancy rate and low consumer footfalls. In 2023, there has been a sharp rise in low-performing shopping malls with approximately 13.3 million square feet of retail space categorised as 'ghost shopping centre', a 59 per cent year-on-year surge, as per a recent report. He added that there has been a lack of feasibility study and developers tend to build spaces and later realizes that area cannot absorb that space. "...you have to look at what can the local market absorb. So if you have a population, let's say 5 million people, right. So you think, okay, 5 million is a big number. But out of the 5 million, if only 50,000 have the paying capacity and you develop a 1 million sqft mall, it will not run. So the so called ghost malls are because of that. A lot of them are not properly designed. There's no theme. Nobody has done a detailed feasibility that how should that mall be there." He suggested emphasis on expertise, feasibility study, and constant management to make a mall business successful. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 2 (ANI): Stock markets may reach new heights says market experts post exit poll outcomes. Most of the exit polls gave Modi led NDA government a comfortable win, have enthused market experts. The stock market may open with big gain on Monday but Nilesh Shah, MD Kotak Mutual Fund says Indian stock markets have already factored in the government's continuity, resulting in a premium valuation compared to peers. Shah suggests focusing on quality stocks in private banks, consumer staples, and the manufacturing sector. Also Read | Hero MotoCorp Sales in May Drop 4.1% From Last Year, Company Sells 4,98,123 Bikes and Scooters. "Market has discounted continuity of government. Our premium valuation over peers also discount the continuity of the government. We believe it is time to play for quality stocks at reasonable valuation across Private banks, consumer staples and manufacturing sector" says Nilesh Shah Shah further added "It is time to book profit from low floating stock high valuation momentum stocks. While traders may bet upon events like exit polls and elections, we recommend people to be an investor into the journey of becoming a Viksit Bharat". Also Read | Vistara Paris-Mumbai Flight Gets Bomb Threat; Lands at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Amid Emergency Alert. Porinju Veliyath, Founder - Equity Intelligence noted that there might be intense buying on Monday, pushing the Index to new highs, but future corrections are also expected. The short covering by foreign investors could push Nifty above the 25,000 mark. "Smart people could easily predict the election outcome, so equity markets remained strong and richly valued ahead of elections. Of course, there could be some frenzied buying on Monday, and the Index will go to new highs. However, don't rule out corrections in the future. For long-term investors, Indian equity will continue to be a fantastic asset class backed by a fast-growing economy led by the most progressive government in the history of modern India" said Porinju Veliyath. Market experts highlight that the public sector undertakings are now well-managed, and their valuations are expected to match those of blue-chip private firms. Infrastructure and real estate sectors to watch for buying opportunities during corrections. Despite high valuations, Indian equity is valued for good reasons. The Foreign Institutional Investors were in selling mode in April and May, but now after the exit polls experts pointed out that the fresh buying by foreign investors may come in the Indian market but it can also be delayed till the final results and the formation of the new government. The Banking and Market Expert Ajay Bangga said that "FIIs will wait for 4th June confirmation. Expect a gap up on Monday and the first half of Tuesday and then some profit booking. Main FII money that went out on election outcome jitters will wait for new govt composition and July Union Budget and then reinvest". Madhusundan Kela, founder MK Ventures said that the next five years will be a golden period for the Indian stock market. He said "It's golden period for next 5 years - real Amrit Kaal" In the past two occasions when Modi win with formidable margins, the Indian markets have given positive reactions. On the counting day for 2014 general elections i.e 16th May 2014, the BSE Sensex (Bombay Stock Exchange) surpassed the level of 25,000 for the first time, surging 1,470 points intraday to hit a lifetime high of 25,375.63. The 50-share NSE Nifty also breached the 7,500-mark, reaching an all-time intraday high of 7,563.50. Again post 2019 elections, on the counting results day 23rd May, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indices surged to record highs after the election results indicated a clear majority for the BJP-led NDA. The Sensex crossed the 40,000-mark, and the Nifty breached 12,000 points. Investors were optimistic about policy continuity and reforms under the new government. Experts believe, markets will react positively on Monday and again on Tuesday, when counting begins. But they also added seeing the strength of the Indian economy, retail investors must invest for a longer duration to derive better benefits with the growth of the Indian Economy. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): The seventh and the final phase of polling for Lok Sabha elections on June 1 across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh saw an approximate voter turnout of 62.36 per cent as per the latest trends, the Election Commission (ECI) said on Saturday. As per the ECI, West Bengal is leading the voter turnout charts at 73.79 per cent. Also Read | Lok Sabha Exit Poll 2024: CM Revanth Reddy Confident of Congress Winning at Least 10 of 17 LS Seats in Telangana. Other states where polling is underway in the seventh phase are Bihar- 51.92 per cent, Chandigarh- 67.90 per cent, Odisha-- 70.67 per cent, Punjab- 61.32 per cent, Uttar Pradesh- 55.59 per cent and Himachal Pradesh 70.05 per cent. The polling of the last phase ended on Saturday in the 57 parliamentary constituencies spread across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Also Read | Lok Sabha Exit Poll 2024: AAP's Somnath Bharti Vows To Shave Head if Narendra Modi Retains PM Post, Arvind Kejriwal Says INDIA Bloc To Form Next Government. According to the Election Commission of India, over 10.06 crore electors including approximately 5.24 crore male, 4.82 crore female and 3574 third gender electors are expected to exercise their franchise. All 13 parliamentary constituencies of Punjab are voting on Saturday in the last phase. Six assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh have also gone to polls today. The outcome will have a bearing on the Congress government in the state. All six seats going to the polls were held by Congress MLAs from these seats cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls. Polling for the remaining 42 Assembly Constituencies of the Odisha State Legislative Assembly is also underway. 62.46 per cent voter turnout has been recorded till 3 pm here. After the conclusion of voting, the outcome of exit polls will be aired on various TV channels. The Election Commission has issued a ban on exit polls from 7 am on April 19 to 6:30 pm on June 1, till the conclusion of polling. The high-voltage campaigning for the final phase of Lok Sabha polls ended on Thursday. During the long campaign for seven-phased Lok Sabha polls, PM Modi held more than 200 campaign events, which included rallies and roadshows, in 75 days. He also gave several interviews. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held more than 100 rallies and public interaction programs like Nyay Sammelans and Nyay Manch' in Lok Sabha Polls. Polling for the earlier six phases of Lok Sabha elections was held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, and May 25. Assembly polls have also been held in Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Odisha is also seeing simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and assembly in the last four phases. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, June 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the people of Arunachal Pradesh for reposing their faith in the Bharatiya Janata Party again and said the party will keep working with even "greater vigour" for the state's growth. The BJP on Sunday returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh for the third time in a row, as the party won 46 seats in the 60-member assembly, the Election Commission officials said. "I would like to appreciate the hardwork of the exceptional BJP4Arunachal Karyakartas through the election campaign. It is commendable how they went across the state and connected with the people," PM Modi posted on X. The Prime Minister further said that the people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Result 2024: Congress Bags Only One of 60 Assembly Seats, Accepts People's Mandate "Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to the politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the state's growth," he added. The BJP has already won 10 seats unopposed in Arunachal. Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein have already won their respective seats. The majority mark in the Arunachal Assembly is 31. National People's Party (NPEP) has won five seats. The People's Party of Arunachal (PPA) is won two seats, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won three seats and Congress won one seat. The independent candidates won three seats. Independent candidates Wanglam Sawin, Laisam Simai and Tenzin Nyima Glow won from the Khonsa, Nampong and Thrizino-Buragaon seats. People were seen celebrating outside the BJP office in Itanagar after it looked to retain power in the state. In a post on X, CM Khandu said, "Extending heartiest congratulations to Tesam Pongte on winning from 53 Changlang North seat. Your victory is a testament to your hard work and commitment to serve the people." Arunachal CM also extended wishes to Hamjong Tangha on winning from 52 Changlang South constituency. Sikkim Assembly Election Result 2024: Former India Football Captain Bhaichung Bhutia Loses to SKMs RD Dorjee in Barfung Assembly Seat In the 2019 Assembly elections, the BJP won 41 seats in Arunachal Pradesh. The Janata Dal (United) bagged seven, the National People's Party (NPP) five, Congress four, and the Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) one. Two independents also won in the Assembly polls. All except one Congress MLA, former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, joined the BJP. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 2 (ANI): Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on Sunday visited INS Chilka, the premier training establishment for Agniveers of the Indian Navy located in Odisha. During the visit, General Chauhan received an overview of the training activities and progress of the Agniveer batches at INS Chilka, and was briefed on the critical role played by the facility in shaping future sea warriors. Also Read | Exit Poll Result 2024: Will Win at Least 12 Lok Sabha Seats, 110 Assembly Constituencies in Odisha, Claims BJD. "General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) visited INS Chilka, the premier ab-initio training establishment of Indian Navy for Agniveers on 01 Jun 24.The CDS was briefed on the pivotal role played by INS Chilka in shaping future sea warriors of the Indian Navy. An overview of training activities along with analysis of Agniveer batches trained till date at Chilka was provided," as per a release from INS Chilka. Interacting with the Agniveers, General Chauhan emphasised the importance of the Agnipath Scheme in fostering a youthful and dynamic profile within the services and contributing to nation-building by producing skilled, disciplined, and motivated youth. Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal, Wife Sunita Kejriwal Offer Prayers at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place Before Returning to Tihar Jail (Watch Video). "The CDS interacted with the Agniveers. During his address, he brought out that the implementation of 'Agnipath Scheme' has been one of the major reforms towards maintaining a youthful profile in the services and nation-building by providing skilled, disciplined and motivated youth. He exhorted the Agniveers to focus on training to become technologically proficient sea warriors. During the interaction, he took on various queries of the Agniveers," the release stated. "To gain insight into Agniveer training in the Navy, CDS took a short tour of the training infrastructure. He complimented the training faculty for imparting high standards of training and shaping the next generation of sea warriors," the release added. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Agartala (Tripura) [India], June 2 (ANI): A doctor was allegedly assaulted and verbally abused by a group of youths at GB Hospital in Tripura. He suffered injuries in the attack. The attack occurred while the doctor was on duty. The verbal spat started over a misunderstanding of the treatment process of a patient, according to the police. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election Results 2024: Election Commission To Hold Press Conference on June 3 Ahead of Counting of Votes for General Polls. The police launched an investigation into the alleged incident of assault and detained several individuals involved in the incident. A case was also registered with GBP outpost as number 42/24 today and one accused was arrested in connection with the case. Also Read | Odisha Shocker: Alone at Home As Parents Went to Vote, Seven-Year-Old Girl Raped and Murdered in Mayurbhjanj. According to eyewitnesses, a group of men entered the hospital's emergency ward and heated words were exchanged. The situation escalated and the youths attacked the doctor, leaving him covered in blood. Hospital staff and security personnel intervened to restrain the attackers and save the life of the doctor. However, the doctor is in stable condition after receiving treatment. Meanwhile, Dr. Kanak Chaudhury, Deputy Medical Superintendent of GBP Hospital told ANI, "I strongly condemn this assault and will go for a protest if the culprits are not arrested." He also urged the government to take stern action against those who dare to assault doctors during duty hours. Further investigation is underway. The medical community has expressed outrage and concern over the attack. Doctors and healthcare workers have emphasised the need for stricter security measures in hospitals to ensure their safety. Many have also called for legal action against those who threaten or harm medical professionals. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 2: The Election Commission will hold a press conference on Monday, a day before the counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha polls. The seven-phase elections which began on April 19 concluded on Saturday. This is perhaps for the first time the poll panel has convened a presser on the conclusion of polls. EC Asks Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh To Share Details of Claim on Amit Shah Calling Up 150 DMs Ahead of June 4 Counting of Votes for Lok Sabha Elections EC to Hold a Press Conference "Press conference by Election Commission of India on General Elections 2024," the media invite by the EC said. Till the 2019 parliamentary polls, deputy election commissioners used to hold media briefings after each phase of polls, but the practice has been done away with. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Chandigarh [India], June 2 (ANI): Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Chandigarh, has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 3.05 crore as proceeds of crime belonging to Raghav Wadhawan, Lower Division Clerk of Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), Yamunanagar (Haryana), and others under the Prevention of Money- Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, an official statement said on Sunday. ED said that it had initiated an investigation on the basis of FIRs registered by the Haryana Police at Yamunannagar relating to fraud done in Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), Yamunanagar (Haryana), wherein government money of Rs 56 crore has been misappropriated and embezzled by transfer from the government accounts to the accounts of persons (other than bona fide beneficiaries) with the connivance of the officials of UHBVN, Yamuna Nagar. ED said that it's investigation revealed that the officials of UHBVN, Yamunanagar, prepared Bogus Vouchers and on the basis of these bogus payment vouchers, they prepared cheques and subsequently, the cheques with various amounts were credited to the bank accounts of ineligible beneficiaries. Also Read | West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections 2024: EC Orders Repolling in Barasat and Mathurapur LS Constituencies. The investigation also revealed that funds were fraudulently credited to the bank accounts of 1297 non-bonafide beneficiaries (244 SBI A/Cs and 1053 non-SBI). Analysis of bank statements of persons to whose accounts, funds from UHBVN have been credited towards fraudulent payment of gratuity and arrears revealed that credited funds were withdrawn in cash at subsequent dates and enjoyed by employees of UHBVN and other persons through investment in movable property in form of Gold and immovable properties, ED said. The movable properties in the form of cash and gold articles recovered from Raghav Wadhawan and other various persons worth Rs. 2.61 crore and the immovable properties purchased, acquired, and beneficially owned by Raghav Wadhawan worth Rs. 44.77 lakh have been found to be proceeds of crime and hence attached as per the provisions of PMLA, 2002. Also Read | Lok Sabha Exit Poll Result 2024: Congress Holds Meeting With PCC Presidents of Different States After Exit Poll Predictions. Further investigation is underway. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 2 (ANI): A forest fire erupted in Gangera Hill in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, said officials. Upon receiving the information, forest department personnel swung into action to contain the fire. Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal, Wife Sunita Kejriwal Offer Prayers at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place Before Returning to Tihar Jail (Watch Video). "The fire erupted in the morning. Upon receiving the information we reached the spot and started dousing the fire. It is still going on," Bharam Dutt Sharma, block forest officer in Udhampur told ANI. According to the preliminary estimate of the forest officials, the fire has caused immense damage, razing down vast swathes of forest and causing an estimated loss of crores of rupees in timber and other natural resources. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Woman Gang-Raped in Car in Bijnor, Three Held. Another major forest fire has been raging in Daya Dhar of Ghordi Block, of Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur District for the past three days. The fire has intensified over this period, and despite continuous firefighting efforts, it remains uncontained. The Daya Dhar forest area is home to a significant population of peacocks, and the fire has undoubtedly caused harm to these magnificent birds. The loss of vegetation has not only impacted the peacocks but also other wildlife and the overall ecosystem. The forest fires in Udhampur district pose a significant threat to the environment, wildlife, and local communities. The destruction of vegetation and the release of harmful pollutants into the atmosphere have far-reaching consequences. The loss of wildlife and the disruption of ecosystems are also major concerns. Arti Sharma, BDC Ghordi, has appealed to the administration to deploy Indian Air Force helicopters to combat the Daya Dhar fire. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the presence of a large number of peacocks and other wildlife in the area. The ongoing fire has caused immense damage to these creatures, and Sharma stressed the need for immediate action. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Cachar (Assam) [India], June 2 (ANI): Police seized 1.90 kg of heroin worth Rs 9.5 crore and apprehended six drug peddlers in two separate operations in Assam's Cachar district, an official said. Numal Mahatta, Superintendent of Police of Cachar district said that, based on credible intelligence Cachar Police conducted two separate special operations on Saturday against the transportation of narcotic substances at Ram Prasadpur, Dholai and Banskandi, Lakhipur. Also Read | Sikkim Assembly Election Result 2024: Prem Singh Tamang Stakes Claim To Form Next Sikkim Government After Sweeping Polls by Winning 31 out of 32 Seats. "During the operations, the police team apprehended 6 persons and recovered 150 soap cases containing heroin weighing approximately 1.90 kilograms from their possession. The market value of the seized drugs is estimated at around Rs 9.5 crore," Numal Mahatta said. The apprehended persons were identified as Bintu Singha (28), Rajen Singha (41), Ekbar Hussain (23), Borjohna Hmar (27), Robert Lalmalsawn (24) and Daniel Lalringhet (26). Also Read | Bengaluru Shocker: Woman Dies by Suicide After Fight With Husband Over Eating Boiled Eggs, Spouse Arrested. The senior police officer also said that a Scooty and a car involved in the transportation were also seized. "The consignment of the narcotics substance is illegally transported from Churachandpur, Manipur. Further investigation has been on," Numal Mahatta said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], June 2 (ANI): INS Mysore, the frontline destroyer of the Eastern Fleet, celebrated its Silver Jubilee on Sunday, marking 25 years of glorious service to the nation. On this occasion, a blood donation camp was conducted to celebrate the day. Also Read | Amul Milk Price Hike: Price of Amul Milk Hiked by Rs 2 per Litre Across All Variants With Effect From June 3. The ship, indigenously designed and constructed, is the second of the Delhi class destroyers and has rendered valuable service to the country. Throughout its illustrious career, INS Mysore participated in multiple key missions and operations, earning accolades and honours. The ship is affiliated with the Madras Regiment of the Indian Army, strengthening the bond between the two services. Also Read | West Bengal Lok Sabha Elections 2024: EC Orders Repolling in Barasat and Mathurapur LS Constituencies. To commemorate this milestone event a blood donation camp was conducted onboard, with approximately 250 personnel and their families participating in the noble cause. "Best wishes to Team Mysore. May the crew of the Mighty Mysore continue to be fearless and achieve success and glory, always living up to their motto 'Na Bhibheti Kadachan' meaning 'Always Fearless'," officials said. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 2 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Sunday he will surrender at Tihar Jail later in the day after paying obeisance at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the Raj Ghat and the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. Kejriwal was released from prison on May 10 on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam to campaign in the Lok Sabha polls. The polls ended on June 1. Also Read | Telangana Formation Day 2024: PM Narendra Modi Extends Greetings to People on Occasion of Its Statehood Day. "On orders of the honourable Supreme Court, I came out from prison for election campaign for 21 days. Many thanks to the honourable Supreme Court," he said in a post in Hindi on 'X'. "Today I will go to Tihar and surrender. I will leave home at 3 pm. First, I will go to Raj Ghat and pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi. From there, I will go to Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place to seek blessings of Hanuman ji. And from there, I will go to the party office and meet with workers and party leaders. From there, I will leave for Tihar," the chief minister said. Also Read | Sikkim Assembly Election Result 2024: Ruling Party SKM Leads in 28 out of 32 Seats As per Early Trends. "All of you take care of yourselves. I will be worried about you. If you are happy then your Kejriwal will also be happy in jail. Jai Hind," he added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rachel Virginia, a longtime parishioner of St. Margaret Catholic Church, hopes the Catholic Dioceses plan to close one-third of its 160 parishes doesnt ensnare the North Buffalo parish. Buffalo Diocese plans to cut number of parishes by a third in latest restructuring About a third of the 160 parishes in the Buffalo Diocese will likely soon be merged into other parishes, under a plan announced Tuesday by Bishop Michael W. Fisher. Ive been coming to this church for about 30 years, and its a staple and very special part of the community, Virginia said Sunday morning, before stepping inside for Mass. We understand the churches have to do something to consolidate. But it would be extremely upsetting, I know, to many people in this area, including myself, if something did happen to St. Margarets. The diocese said Tuesday it plans to close 54 parishes and 75 worship sites in all and merge them with other churches. A final announcement on which institutions will be shuttered is expected by Sept. 1. The church is seeking to restructure in light of filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to settle hundreds of abuse claims, with some 900 claimants saying they were sexually abused as children by pedophile priests and other diocese officials. The diocese is prepared to offer $100 million to settle the claims. The diocese also has put its headquarters on Main Street on the market for $9.8 million, along with Christ the King Seminary in the Town of Aurora and the SUNY Buffalo State Newman Center on Elmwood Avenue. The diocese, in making its announcement to shrink the number of parishes, said the current 115 diocesan priests are projected to drop to 70 by 2030 and to 38 by 2040. Meanwhile, three out of every five parishes in the diocese are spending more than they take in. Baptisms were down at nearly 60% of parishes and marriages in Catholic churches tailed off 25% between 2020 and 2023. St. Margaret parishioners on Sunday said they fear North Buffalo could well be impacted, given the close proximity of Holy Spirit Church, 85 Dakota St.; St. Rose of Lima Church, 500 Parker Ave.; and St. Mark Church, 401 Woodward Ave. St. Margaret Church is located at 1395 Hertel Ave. I have four parishes I could walk to in 15 minutes if I stood on Hertel and Parker, Joe Cain said. In the current climate, thats too many, he said. Theres got to be a lot of changes if (the church) is going to survive, Cain said. Its just like any government. Norm Matuszewski said theres also no escaping the fact that fewer people are attending church. This is happening in all religions, but when all is said and done, without people being in there and money going to the churches, you cant keep them open, Matuszewski said. The writing has been on the wall, he said, for a long, long time. Four years into bankruptcy, Buffalo Diocese prepares to sell off property The diocese has identified 22 properties, including its longtime headquarters, it may sell to generate funds toward a settlement of sex abuse claims. But aside from that development, theres little indication the diocese is close to reaching a deal with the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors, which represents about 900 people who said they were sexually abused as children by Catholic priests or other diocese employees. Elizabeth Musca said shes been walking to the church for 50 years, but things are nothing like they were when there were two and sometimes three priests at services and the church pews were full. Its sad, but its been coming, Musca said. What do they need all these buildings for? St. Margaret opened in 1917 as a church and a school at Hertel and North Park avenues, and a new church was constructed in the 1950s. The school closed in 2012 due to declining enrollment, and is now The Cornelius, a 21-apartment residence. Lauren Poveromo said it would be a shame to close St. Margaret after recently redoing the rectory. Shes still reeling from the February announcement that All Saints Parish in Riverside will close. Its the church she grew up in and completed all her sacraments. St. Andrew Church in the Town of Tonawanda and St. Lawrence Church on the East Side were also to be closed, the diocese said. Im very sad that we have so many parishes closing, Poveromo said. I wish there were some other ways they could raise money. Closing St. Margaret, her church now, would be devastating, Poveromo said. She walks to church and doubts she would attend as often if forced to drive. With congregants being asked to accept drastic changes, perhaps the church could make some, too, Poveromo said. She suggested allowing priests to marry and for deacons to be permitted to say the whole Mass, which could allow the number of Masses offered to increase. The clock is now ticking on the process to determine which parishes will close. The diocese is expected to share its recommendations for parish mergers and building closures in vicariate meetings from Monday to June 14. Families will have till July 15 to agree or propose other possibilities. The counterproposals will then be reviewed in meetings with the diocese team from July 15 to Aug. 23, with a final announcement by Sept. 1. Matuszewski said he thinks the diocese already has decided what it plans to do. I think when all is said and done, they already know which parishes are going to close or not to close, he said. They are going to sell the parishes that bring them the most money. Virginia said she recognizes North Buffalo is saturated with Catholic churches, and that things cant stay as they are, given the dioceses financial difficulties and declining attendance. While shes praying that St. Margaret, where her father attended before her, is spared, shes also cognizant of how the closing of any of the other North Buffalo parishes will impact her community. Mumbai, June 2: A convict in the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts case was fatally attacked by five inmates in Kalamba Central Jail in Kolhapur on Sunday, police said. Prima facie, an argument with other inmates over taking a bath in the bathroom area of the jail resulted in the attack on 59-year-old Munna alias Mohammad Ali Khan alias Manoj Kumar Bhawarlal Gupta. Khan was serving life imprisonment in the serial blasts case. "Amid the argument, some under-trial inmates removed the iron cover from drainage and smashed Khan's head, following which he collapsed on the ground. He was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead," the police official said. Tillu Tajpuriya Dead: Jailed Gangster Killed in Attack by Yogesh Tunda and Other Rival Gang Members in Tihar Jail. The attackers are identified as Prateek alias Pilya Suresh Patil, Deepak Netaji Khot, Sandeep Shankar Chavan, Rituraj Vinayak Inamdar, and Saurabh Vikas. Kolhapur Police has registered a case of murder against the five men. They will be arrested soon, the official added. Rajasthan: Prisoner Consumes Glass Fragments Alleging Harassment From Fellow Inmates in Ajmer Central Jail, Undergoes Surgery. The single-day serial bomb blasts in Mumbai on March 12, 1993, resulted in 257 fatalities and more than 1,000 injuries. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday chaired a meeting to review the situation of the ongoing heatwave in the country and the preparedness for the onset of monsoon at his residence in the national capital. The Prime Minister was briefed that as per IMD forecasts, the heat wave is likely to continue in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Woman Gang-Raped in Car in Bijnor, Three Held. This year, the monsoon is likely to be normal and above normal in most parts of the country and below normal in parts of Peninsular India, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated. PM Modi has instructed that proper drills for preventing and handling incidents of fire must be done on a regular basis. Also Read | Lok Sabha Election 2024 Result: 'Congress Will Win 15 Seats in Rajasthan, INDIA Bloc Will Form Govt at Centre', Says Pratap Singh Khachariyawas (Watch Video). "Fire audit and electrical safety audit of hospitals and other public places must be undertaken regularly," he instructed. He also said that regular drills for the maintenance of firelines in forests and productive utilization of biomass must be planned. The Prime Minister was informed about the usefulness of the "van agni" portal in the timely identification of forest fires and their management. The Principal Secretary to the PM, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, DG NDRF, and Member Secretary, NDMA along with other senior officials from PMO and concerned Ministries were also present in the meeting. With scorching heatwaves gripping several parts of the country, at least 56 deaths from heatstroke have been confirmed in multiple states by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), sources said on Saturday. The Southwest Monsoon hit the coast of Kerala and advanced into parts of northeast India from Thursday, said the Indian Meteorological Department This year's Monsoon onset is two days earlier as the usual date of the onset is on June 1. This year, Kerala experienced widespread pre-monsoon rains. In 2023, rainfall over the country as a whole during the monsoon season (June-September), was 94 per cent of its long-period average. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lucknow, Jun 2 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hailed the BJP's victory in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections and predicted a similar resounding victory of his party after the June 4 counting. "With an overwhelming majority in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, the resolve of 'Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar' has been fulfilled. This dawn from the eastern direction will illuminate the country on June 4. The Congress-led I.N.D.I. alliance will certainly face defeat on June 4," he wrote on X. Also Read | JIPMAT 2024 Admit Card Out at exams.nta.ac.in: Hall Ticket for JIPMAT Examination on June 6 Released, Know Steps To Download. In the results announced on Sunday, the BJP nearly swept the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly polls, winning 46 of 60 seats. The BJP returned to power in the state for a third consecutive time. Also Read | Rajasthan PTET Admit Card 2024 Out at ptetvmou2024.com: Hall Ticket for Pre-Teacher Education Test Examinations Released, Know Steps To Download. Polling for 50 of the 60 assembly seats in the state was held on April 19 along with the Lok Sabha elections. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had already won 10 seats unopposed. According to election officials, the BJP won 36 of the 50 seats on which polling was held and Chief Minister Pema Khandu was one of the 10 candidates who won unopposed. The Congress won one seat and independent candidates won three seats. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Jun 2 (PTI) India received the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) from Singapore in 2023-24 even as overseas capital inflows into the country contracted by about 3.5 per cent due to global economic uncertainties, according to the latest government data. Though FDI from Singapore has dipped by 31.55 per cent to USD 11.77 billion in 2023-24, India has attracted the maximum inflows from that country, the data showed. Also Read | TSPSC Group 1 Services 2024 Admit Card Out at tspsc.gov.in: Hall Ticket for TSPSC Group 1 Services Preliminary Examination Released, Know Steps To Download. During the last fiscal, FDI equity inflows decreased from major countries, including Mauritius, Singapore, the US, the UK, UAE, Cayman Islands, Germany, and Cyprus. However, investments increased from the Netherlands and Japan. Also Read | World No Tobacco Day 2024: PV Sindhu Urges Everyone To Unite in The Health Ministry Campaign Against Tobacco Use. Since 2018-19, Singapore has been the largest source of such investments for India. In 2017-18, India attracted the maximum FDI from Mauritius. According to experts, after the India-Mauritius tax treaty amendment, Singapore has emerged as the preferred jurisdiction for investment in India. Rumki Majumdar, Economist, Deloitte India, said that as one of the world's prominent financial hubs, Singapore attracts global investors who want to invest in Asia. "Recently, India's initiatives such as amendments by the SEBI to the REIT Regulations 2014 have created new opportunities for Singapore-based investors, which is why India is likely seeing high FDI from Singapore," Majumdar said. She also hoped that FDI into India would pick up in the latter half of 2024-25. Sanjiv Malhotra, Senior Advisor, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, said that Singapore and Mauritius are jurisdictions used by global investors to route their money into developing economies such as India. "While there are many geo-economic and political factors why Singapore has gained more prominence in the recent past, the primary reason for it topping the FDI charts for India is tax," Malhotra said, adding Singapore has a very competitive domestic tax regime and efficient regulatory set-up. Historically, the double tax avoidance agreement between India and Singapore provided for many beneficial provisions including capital gains exemption in India for investments made from Singapore and even though this provision has been amended, Singapore still is a credible place to create operations with substance to invest further in South-East Asia (including India), he added. Malhora added that in 2023-24, India witnessed a drop in FDI primarily due to the global uncertainty on account of the disturbances in the Middle-East and Europe. "Hopefully FDI inflows to India may improve in 2024-25 (from 2023-24) but they may still remain below 2022-23 levels. A stable government post elections surely will help the cause of more FDI into India but I see the global headwinds to be too strong as of now," he said. Anindya Ghosh, Partner, INDUSLAW, too said that prior to 2016, Mauritius was a preferred jurisdiction for foreign investment in India due to the significant tax advantage it offered as a low-tax jurisdiction for routing investments. However, in 2016, India amended its tax treaty with Mauritius to introduce a source-based taxation regime for capital gains, eliminating the tax advantage and reducing the attractiveness of Mauritius as an investment hub for India. After the India-Mauritius tax treaty amendment, Singapore has emerged as the preferred jurisdiction for foreign investment in India due to various factors, Ghosh said. She added that many multinational companies have their regional headquarters or holding companies based in Singapore, making it a convenient location for channelling investments into India. She added that global economic conditions, geopolitical tensions, and domestic policy developments may influence the overall FDI inflows in 2024-25. FDI equity inflows in India declined 3.49 per cent to USD 44.42 billion in 2023-24 as against USD 46.03 billion in 2022-23. The total FDI -- which includes equity inflows, reinvested earnings and other capital -- declined marginally by one per cent to USD 70.95 billion during 2023-24 from USD 71.35 billion in 2022-23. In 2021-22, the country received the highest ever FDI inflows of USD 84.83 billion. Sectorally, inflows contracted in services, computer software and hardware, trading, telecommunication, automobile, pharma and chemicals. In contrast, construction (infrastructure) activities, development and power sectors registered a healthy growth in inflows during the period under review. FDI from Mauritius dipped to USD 7.97 billion in the last fiscal from USD 6.13 billion in 2022-23. The US is the third largest investor in India in 2023-24 with USD 4.99 billion foreign investments, though it is down from USD 6 billion in 2022-23. It was followed by the Netherlands (USD 4.93 billion), Japan (USD 3.17 billion), the UAE (USD 2.9 billion), UK (USD 1.2 billion), Cyprus (USD 806 million), Germany (USD 505 million), and Cayman Islands (USD 342 million). As per the data, Mauritius accounts for 25 per cent of the total FDI which India has received during April 2000 to March 2024 (USD 171.84 billion), while Singapore's share is 24 per cent (USD 159.94 billion). The US accounted for 10 per cent of total overseas investments with USD 65.19 billion during the period. Foreign investments are crucial for India to overhaul its infrastructure such as ports, airports and highways to push growth. FDI also helps improve the country's balance of payments situation and strengthen the rupee value against other global currencies, especially the US dollar. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhadohi (UP), Jun 2 (PTI) A 17-year-old boy was apprehended on Sunday from a hospital in Varanasi for allegedly raping a four-year-old girl, police said. The incident took place at a village under the Gyanpur police station area of the district on May 30, they said, adding that the accused was sent to the juvenile home. Also Read | JIPMAT 2024 Admit Card Out at exams.nta.ac.in: Hall Ticket for JIPMAT Examination on June 6 Released, Know Steps To Download. Bhadohi Superintendent of Police Meenakshi Katyayan said that on a complaint of the victim's mother, a case was registered against the juvenile accused under Indian Penal Code sections 376 A (rape and causing hurt), 504 (insult with intent to breach peace) 506 (criminal intimidation) and under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act. The officer said that on Sunday, on receiving information that the minor accused was in Varanasi, a team was sent there that held him. Also Read | Rajasthan PTET Admit Card 2024 Out at ptetvmou2024.com: Hall Ticket for Pre-Teacher Education Test Examinations Released, Know Steps To Download. As per police sources, the accused's family took him to the trauma centre in Varanasi to avoid police action. "The minor accused was taken into custody and sent to Mirzapur Juvenile Reform Centre. He has already been sent to the juvenile home twice in the past on charges of theft," the SP said. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Reykjavik [Iceland], June 2 (ANI): Businesswoman and B Team CEO Halla Tomasdottir has been elected the seventh President of Iceland and will take over from Guana Johannesson on August 1, RUV reported. Tomasdottir will be the second woman to hold the office after Vigdis Finnbogadottir, who was the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as president in 1980. Halla Tomasdottir received 34.3 per cent of the vote while Iceland's former Prime Minister Katrina Jakobsdottir won 25.2 per cent, RUV reported. Director General Halla Hrund Logadottir followed with 15.1 per cent while comedian Jon Gnarr fifth and Professor Baldur Thorhallsson stood at fourth and fifth place respectively, according to Iceland Review report. Also Read | South Korea Vows 'Unbearable' Retaliation Against North Korea Over Its Launch of Trash-Carrying Balloons Across the Border (Watch Video). "I want to congratulate her and I know she'll be a good president," Katrin Jakobsdottir said when Halla Tomasdottir's victory was becoming clear. At her campaign celebration in the morning, Tomasdottir said, "I think people want to discuss our society and take part in it," Iceland Review reported. She said, "I feel the energy of the people who have joined me on this journey." Also Read | Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Accuses China of Pressuring Other Countries Not to Attend Upcoming Ukraine Peace Talks. Voter turnout in this election was 78.83 per cent and has not been higher in a presidential election since 1996, RUV reported. During her campaign, Tomasdottir had said, "I only see one team in Iceland and that's Icelanders." Speaking to Iceland Review, She said, "[We] can make Bessastadir the home for our national compass." Notably, Bessastadir is the official residence of the President of Iceland. On Saturday, Iceland's outgoing President Guani Johannesson, who secured a win against Halla in 2016, said that her message had obviously been well received by the voters. He said that Katrin Jakobsdottir had faced tough questions about how she entered the presidential race when she resigned as Iceland Prime Minister and leader of the Left-Green Movement in the middle of her term to run for presidential elections. Guani Johannesson said, "Most of those who spoke publicly about the election race expected it to be closer." On January 1, Iceland's outgoing President Gudni Johannesson announced that he would not seek reelection after serving two terms in office. Johannesson will serve as Iceland's President until August 1, when the newly-elected President takes office. Notably, the President of Iceland has limited political powers, Iceland Review report. However, he performs all ceremonial duties and is considered to have a significant influence on Icelandic society. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) San Francisco, Jun 2 (AP) California firefighters aided by aircraft battled a wind-driven wildfire burning Saturday in an area straddling the San Francisco Bay Area and central California, authorities said. Gusty winds have fuelled the Corral Fire burning near the city of Tracy, 60 miles (96 kilometres) east of San Francisco, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the city of Livermore, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Also Read | North Korea Sends 600 Trash-Carrying Balloons to South Korea, Says Seoul's Military. The blaze grew to 7 square miles (18 square kilometres) within hours, sending dark plumes of smoke high into the sky. It was 40 per cent contained, Cal Fire said. Interstate 580, which connects the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County in central California, was closed in both directions from Corral Hollow Road to Interstate 5 due to the lack of visibility from the smoke, the California Department of Transportation said in a statement. Also Read | China Moon Landing Video: Chinas Change-6 Lunar Probe Lands on Far Side of Moon for Unprecedented Sampling Mission. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued an evacuation order, pinpointing the wildfire in an area east of Interstate 580. Residents between Corral Hollow Road and Tracy Boulevard were ordered to leave their homes, with residents south of Tracy Boulevard told to be prepared for evacuation. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Karachi [Pakistan], June 2 (ANI): In a recent operation, the Airport Security Forces (ASF) intercepted and apprehended a passenger attempting to smuggle drugs at Karachi airport, as reported by ARY News. The ASF spokesperson disclosed that a significant quantity of 5.7 kg of hashish was seized from the individual in question. Also Read | Typhoon Maliksi: Tropical Storm Maliksi Wanes Upon Landing in Chinas Yangxi County. According to ASF officials, the suspect, identified as Arman and bound for Doha, had ingeniously concealed the drugs within containers, ARY News reported. Despite the passenger's efforts to conceal the illicit substances, ASF personnel discovered the contraband during a routine inspection of the cargo. Also Read | Boat Capsize in Afghanistan: 20 People Killed After Boat Capsizes in River in Eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province. Following a preliminary investigation, the apprehended individual, along with the recovered hashish, was handed over to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) officials for further legal proceedings. This successful operation comes on the heels of another recent interception by ASF at Multan Airport. During this operation, 950 grams of ice heroin were confiscated from a passenger traveling to Dubai. The suspect, identified as Mohammad Ramzan, had concealed the heroin within the iron rods of his luggage. However, vigilant ASF personnel detected and seized the contraband during a meticulous search. After completing the initial investigation, the apprehended individual was transferred to the custody of ANF authorities for further legal action, ARY News 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) Dubai, Jun 2 (PTI) India has significant potential for producing Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which can help reduce carbon emissions, global airlines' grouping IATA said on Sunday amid rising air travel. In 2023, the production of SAF stood at around 0.5 million tonnes and the amount has to be increased multiple folds by 2050. Also Read | Layoffs 2024: Malaysia-Based Media Chinese To Reduce 44% of Its Workforce and Use AI To Save Costs and Monetise Digital Content. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said it will establish the SAF Registry to accelerate the uptake of the fuel by authoritatively accounting and reporting emissions reductions from the use of the fuel. The registry is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2025. Also Read | South Korea Vows 'Unbearable' Retaliation Against North Korea Over Its Launch of Trash-Carrying Balloons Across the Border (Watch Video). Seventeen airlines, one airline group, six national authorities, three Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), and one fuel producer are already supporting the effort to develop the registry. Hemant Mistry, Director of Net Zero Transition at IATA, said there is a significant potential for producing SAF in India. "Regions like India have significant opportunities on feedstocks, which can support the pathway (for SAF)," he told PTI here. India is one of the world's fastest growing civil aviation markets and domestic carriers are expanding their fleet to meet rising air traffic demand. As many as 140 identified SAF projects are progressing across 31 countries, the grouping said. At a briefing on the sidelines of the IATA AGM here, Marie Owens Thomsen, Senior VP Sustainability & Chief Economist at IATA, said multiple levers can be used in different combinations to achieve net zero emissions. "SAF will be responsible for the greatest amount of CO2 reductions by 2050 (65 per cent)," she said. Compared to the 2023 level, she said, the production of SAF has to be increased by around 1,000 times to reach 500 million tonnes by 2050. In a release, IATA said SAF is expected to account for up to 65 per cent of the total carbon mitigation needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions in air transportation by 2050. "SAF is key to aviation's decarbonisation. Airlines want more SAF and stand ready to use every drop of it," IATA Director General Willie Walsh said. IATA represents around 330 airlines that account for over 80 per cent of the global traffic. Indian carriers, including Air India and IndiGo, are part of the grouping. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Tel Aviv [Israel], June 2 (ANI/TPS): The IDF's (Israel Defence Forces) 91st Infantry Division (the Galilee Formation in the IDF's Northern Command) in cooperation with the Israel Air Force (IAF) detected on Sunday, using an aircraft, a terrorist entering a weapons warehouse belonging to the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the area of Meiss El Jabal in southern Lebanon. Shortly after, fighter jets attacked the military warehouse where the terrorist was sited. In addition a circle, IAF warplanes attacked a Hezbollah military structure in the area of the Lebanese village Houla from where rocket launches were made towards the Israeli town Margaliot, which is located on the border with Lebanon. Also Read | Maldives Announces Ban on Entry of Individuals Holding Israeli Passports in Support of Palestine. Also, about fifteen rockets were launched from Lebanon towards the area of Katzrin - a town in the Golan - that fell in open areas. There were no casualties. However, fires broke out in several locations in the area and fire and rescue forces are now working to put out the fires. Also Read | Pakistan: Forces Killed 504 Terrorists in Last Five Months in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces, Says Report. Such fires are more likely to break out after such attacks as Israel is going through a heatwave. (ANI/TPS) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) a-6314057.html" title="Subho Maha Navami 2024 Wishes, Greetings, Quotes and Messages To Celebrate Durga Puja">Subho Maha Navami 2024 Wishes, Greetings, Quotes and Messages To Celebrate Durga Puja Colombo, Jun 2 (PTI) Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday urged all political parties to support the economic transformation bill in Parliament as an urgent measure to help the crisis-hit island nation sustain its bankrupt economy. "We have entered an agreement with the International Monetary Fund and we can't renege it now, we have to go forward with cooperation from our friendly countries," Wickremesinghe said while addressing a gathering here in the capital. Also Read | Pakistan: Forces Killed 504 Terrorists in Last Five Months in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan Provinces, Says Report. He dismissed suggestions from opposition parties that the IMF agreement can be revised, saying they must put forward an alternative plan on the economy. "Criticism is easy but implementation is hard," said the 75-year-old leader, who also holds the portfolio of minister of finance. Also Read | Sri Lanka Rains: 15 Killed in Country by Monsoon Floods, Mudslides, Falling Trees. "By the end of 2023, our debt was USD 83 billion over and above our GDP. We have entered an agreement with the IMF giving our plan to stabilise our economy, Wickremesinghe said. The island nation, in April 2022, declared its first-ever sovereign default since gaining independence from Britain in 1948. The unprecedented financial crisis led President Wickremesinghe's predecessor Gotabaya Rajapaksa to quit office in 2022. Earlier in the month, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry had said Sri Lanka is looking at a reduction of approximately USD 17 billion from its overall debt burden in the ongoing debt restructuring process. In March, the IMF said it has reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lanka for the next phase that would enable it access to USD 337 million from the nearly USD 3 billion bailout approved in 2023 for the cash-strapped country. Two tranches of USD 330 million each were released in March and December 2023 even as the Washington-based global lender has praised Colombo for its macroeconomic policy reforms, which it said, are starting to bear fruit. Commenting on the ongoing debt restructuring talks, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka had asked for a debt moratorium from 2027 until 2042. "In addition to this, as we are still an import-oriented economy, we have to obtain more loans to convert our economy to an export-oriented one, he added. The president said the economic transformation bill aims to tackle the problem of sustaining and stabilising the economy. He added that the bill proposes to reduce the debt burden from 128 per cent of the GDP in 2022 to 13 per cent of the GDP by 2032. The opposition has criticised the bill as one to help Wickremesinghe gain re-election in the presidential polls to be held between mid-September and mid-October. Wickremesinghe, however, is yet to announce his candidacy. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Lahore [Pakistan], June 2 (ANI): Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari lambasted Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, asserting that even the Taliban is better than him, as reported by ARY News. During a press briefing, Bokhari accused PTI that it's 'simple formula' of revolution was to gain support and NRO from 'powerful quarters'. Also Read | Typhoon Maliksi: Tropical Storm Maliksi Wanes Upon Landing in Chinas Yangxi County. She questioned the significance given to the Hamoodur Rahman Commission (HRC) report, suggesting that a commission should be formed to investigate Imran Khan's alleged "anti-Pakistan" agenda. "Imran Khan's agenda is to break Pakistan into parts," Bokhari claimed, according to ARY News. Also Read | Boat Capsize in Afghanistan: 20 People Killed After Boat Capsizes in River in Eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar Province. She went on to compare PTI founder to the Taliban, arguing that while the Taliban own up to their beliefs and actions, Imran Khan fails to do so. These remarks followed a letter from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Cell, requesting access to Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated, to probe a "controversial" post from his official social media account. The letter stated that the PTI founder's post on May 26 disseminated anti-state propaganda, targeting institutions, particularly the Pakistan Army. According to the FIA Cybercrime Cell, the video posted aimed to distort facts, incite rebellion among officers and soldiers, and sow discord within various state institutions, violating the PICA Act 2016. They seek access to Imran Khan for further investigation. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has called upon PTI leaders Barrister Gohar and Omar Ayub, as well as party spokesperson Raoof Hasan, regarding the alleged "misuse" of imprisoned PTI founder Imran Khan's X account for disseminating provocative content against state institutions, it was revealed on Saturday, Dawn reported. On May 26, a video shared from Imran's official account featured a quote attributed to him: "Every Pakistani should study the Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report and get to know who was the true traitor, General Yahya Khan or Sheikh Mujibur Rahman." The video asserted that the former military dictator bore responsibility for the country's division, citing purported atrocities committed by the Pakistani military during the civil conflict. Additionally, the video juxtaposed images of the current civilian and military leadership, alleging that they had unlawfully seized the party's electoral mandate. The post sparked considerable backlash and controversy, particularly from government circles. An investigation into the post has been initiated by the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) Cyber Wing. Initially distancing itself from the post, the PTI later "claimed" ownership of it on Friday and reiterated the call for people to read the Hamoodur Rehman Commission report, while also emphasising the need for the military to operate within its constitutional bounds, Dawn 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) New Delhi, June 2: Two-wheeler manufacturing company Hero MotoCorp sold 498,123 units of motorcycles and scooters in May 2024, down 4.1 per cent from 519,474 units sold in May last year. Despite this decline, the company experienced a 12.6 per cent growth in the first two months (April-May 2024) of the fiscal year 2025 (FY25), selling 10.31 lakh units versus 9.15 lakh units in the same period last year. "The company has sold 10,31,708 units in the first two months of the financial year FY25, registering a growth of 12.6 per cent over the corresponding months (Apr-May23) when the company sold 915,581 units," the two-wheeler manufacturing firm said. Mahindra and Mahindra Reports 31% Higher Sales in May 2024 for Commercial and Passenger Vehicles. In the motorcycle segment, Hero MotoCorp sold 4.71 lakh units in May 2024, which is a 3.7 per cent decrease from the 4.89 lakh units sold in May 2023. The scooters segment experienced a nearly 11 per cent decline, with 26,937 units sold in May 2024 compared to 30,138 units in the previous year. Domestic sales also witnessed a drop of nearly 5.7 per cent, with 4.79 lakh units sold versus 5.08 lakh units year-on-year. Kia India Reports 3.9% Sales Growth in May Compared to Last Year, Sells 19,500 Units. However, exports soared by 67 per cent, with 18,673 units sold compared to 11,165 units in May last year. Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp has joined the government-run Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) Network, becoming the first auto company in the country to join the network. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2024 02:18 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Mumbai, June 2: The National Testing Agency (NTA) released the hall tickets for the JIPMAT 2024 examination today, June 2. Candidates who will be appearing for the Joint Integrated Programme in Management Admission Test or JIPMAT 2024 examination can visit the official website of NTA at exams.nta.ac.in/JIPMAT to check and download their admit cards. The JIPMAT entrance exam will be conducted on June 6 using a Computer-Based Test (CBT). The Joint Integrated Programme in Management Admission Test exam will be held in a single shift from 3 pm to 05:30 pm. Candidates can use their application number and date of birth to download the hall ticket. Rajasthan PTET Admit Card 2024 Out at ptetvmou2024.com: Hall Ticket for Pre-Teacher Education Test Examinations Released, Know Steps To Download. Steps to Download JIPMAT Admit Card 2024: Visit the official website of JIPMAT 2024 at jipmat.nta.ac.in and exams.nta.ac.in/JIPMAT . . On the homepage, click on the "JIPMAT Admit Card" link. Enter using your login details and other credentials. Click on submit. Your JIPMAT 2024 admit card will be displayed on the screen. Check the hall ticket thoroughly. Save and take a printout for future reference. The National Testing Agency has asked candidates to check their photograph, signature, and barcode printed on the admit cards. If any of the above-mentioned details are missing, candidates must re-download the hall ticket, as an admit card without a photo, signature, or barcode will not be valid. MHT CET Result 2024 Date: Maharashtra Health And Technical Common Entrance Test Results for Two Groups to Be Out on This Date, Check Steps To Download Result at cetcell.mahacet.org. For more details, candidates can visit the official websites of NTA at nta.ac.in and exams.nta.ac.in/JIPMAT/. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2024 06:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Bhopal, June 2: A 26-year-old man allegedly strangled his wife to death after suspecting her of having an affair, took the body in his auto-rickshaw, burnt it and then buried it near a dump yard in Bhopal, police said on Sunday. The incident took place on May 21 and the man, identified as Nadeem Uddin, was arrested on Saturday, said Nishatpura police station sub-inspector MD Ahirwar, who is the investigation officer in the case. The police have also recovered some unburnt body parts of the 22-year-old victim and sent them for an examination, he said. The woman was staying at her parents' home in Murli Nagar after her relationship with her husband turned sour, he said. Assam Shocker: Man Allegedly Kills Wife on Suspicion of Extra-Marital Affair in Guwahati, Chops Her Body Into Pieces Before Trying Dispose Them; Arrested. She went missing on May 21 following which her parents lodged a police complaint. The Nishatpura police started an investigation and picked up the man who, during questioning, admitted to have killed his wife, the official said. The accused told the police he suspected his wife was in a relationship with another man, he said. On May 21, the accused called his wife on her mobile phone and asked her to come to Karond crossing. When she met him, the accused took her mobile phone and after seeing a video in it, he got angry and in a fit of rage, he allegedly strangled her to death, Ahirwar said. He then took the body in his auto-rickshaw to a spot about 2 km away and burnt it after pouring kerosene on it at a waste dump where later buried it, the official said. Madhya Pradesh Shocker: Couple Kills Hotelier and His Girlfriend in Indore Over Forced Extra-Marital Affair; Arrested. Some unburnt body parts have been recovered and sent for an examination, he said. The accused has been booked under Indian Penal Code section 302 (murder) and other charges, the official said. The police were interrogating the accused and conducting further investigation into the case, he added. New Delhi, June 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be holding up to seven meetings on a wide range of topics on Sunday. These meetings will include matters of immediate concern. As per sources in the Central government, the first meeting will review the post-cyclone situation, especially in the northeastern states. Cyclone Remal made landfall on May 27 in West Bengal at a speed of 135 kmph, uprooting trees and bringing heavy rains and damages along the way. Following that, the PM will hold a meeting to review the heatwave situation across the country. Most states in north and central India have been under the spell of an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many cities. PM Narendra Modi Lauds Indias High GDP Growth in Financial Year 20232024, Says Trailer of Things To Come. On Wednesday, IMDs daily evening bulletin reported a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius at Mungeshpur the highest in the country before it was withdrawn. However, as per IMD, the heatwave conditions in north India will likely reduce in the coming two days. Other meetings of the Prime Minister will include an elaborate brain-storming session to review the agenda for the 100-day programme. This highlight comes at the back of pollsters predicting a third successive term for PM Modi. This session is expected to outline the Modi government's priorities and strategies for the coming months. Prior to the election campaign, PM Modi had made it abundantly clear that all the tough decisions will be made in the first 100 days of his government. Majority of exit polls on Saturday projected 350 plus seats for BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. 'Will Shave Off My Head If Modi Becomes PM for 3rd Time', Says AAP Candidate Somnath Bharti as Major Exit Polls Predict NDA's Victory in Lok Sabha Election 2024. The Prime Minister will also proceed to hold a meeting to review the preparations for World Environment Day to be celebrated on a grand scale. The occasion falls on June 5. The theme for this year's World Environment Day is land restoration, desertification and drought resilience. Saudi Arabia will be the host country for the international occasion which has chosen to highlight global and local efforts. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2024 11:59 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The Election Commission will declare the result of assembly elections 2024 held in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh today, June 2. Catch live news updates on the Sikkim assembly election result 2024 and Arunachal Pradesh assembly election result 2024 here. A BJP worker was killed by a group of men in West Bengal's Nadia district in post-poll violence, with the saffron party pointing fingers at the ruling Trinamool Congress. Mumbai, June 2: Tata Steel's UK plant would be hit by the layoffs, according to the CEO Narendran. Tata Steel, under Tata Group, is an India-based steel-making company operating in South Wales in the United Kingdom. Tata Steel reportedly has 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity, making it the UK's largest steelworks. At Port Talbot in South Wales, Tata Steel reportedly has about 8,000 employees working on all operations in the country. As per aa report by Economic Times India Times, Tata Steel layoffs would affect around 2,500 workers at Tata Steel's operations in the United Kingdom, said CEO T V Narendran. Tata Steel UK's CEO also reportedly said that the layoffs would be inevitable due to the transition phase. Following this, many workers' unions in the country protested against India-based Tata Steel as many people working at the company grew afraid of losing their jobs. Google Cloud Layoffs: Googles Cloud Unit Lays Off Unspecified Employees, Teams Focused on Consulting, Partner Engineering and Sustainability Affected Most. Tata Steel Transition in the UK: Reasons and Details The report highlighted that as part of decarbonisation, Tata Steel planned to shift its low-emission EAF (electric arc furnace) process from the BF (blast furnace) route due to it reaching the end of life. T V Narendran said that Tata Steel layoffs would result in 2,500 job losses and said that unions were not happy about it. He added that the company had been conversing with the unions to smooth things out; however, the layoffs would be inevitable. The company's CEO emphasised that transitioning from BF to EAF would make it competitive and help it reduce costs and CO2 by about 5 million tonnes annually. The report mentioned that Tata Steel previously agreed with the government over a joint investment plan of 1.25 billion to execute decarbonisation plans at the steel facility at Port Talbot. Tech Layoffs 2024: May Witnessed Decline in Job Cuts Compared to April As 39 Companies Let Go 9,742 Employees, Says Report. Regarding the closure of the furnace, Narendran said that in March, the coke ovens were closed, and in June, one blast furnace (BF) would close as it had been struggling to operate. Following this, he said the second blast furnace would also be closed in September for reasons such as asset quality and losing money. The Tata Steel CEO affirmed that the company would aim to complete its journey to decarbonise at the Port Talbot plant in the coming three years. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 02, 2024 01:23 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The Mexico elections are finally happening on Sunday and it is a sprint to the finish between two women. Claudia Sheinbaum and Xochitl Galvez. The two women are the likeliest to win the race, as the usually-"macho" Mexico prepares to elect its first female president. This will be the biggest election in Mexico's history, with over 20,000 seats up for grabs, including the presidency, 128 senatorial seats, 500 congressional representative seats. and thousands of local government positions, from governor to city councilor. However, all eyes are on the top spot and the battle between Galvez and Sheinbaum. In comparison, the two are stark opposites of one another, with Sheinbaum riding on a wave of popularity by her mentor, current President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO), while Galvez is one of his biggest and loudest critics. Sheinbaum represents AMLO's MORENA Party, while Galvez represents a coalition of various opposition parties, both on the left and the right. While Sheinbaum has been very careful to both criticize and not criticize the ever-popular AMLO, Galvez has been free to attack them both, with Galvez usually going after the president's track record regarding the Mexican drug war and saying Sheinbaum will more or less be the same. Sheinbaum has pledged continuity of some of Lopez Obrador's policies, including increasing the minimum wage and continuing his massive infrastructure projects. However, according to Foreign Policy, it remains a question if she will just mirror her predecessor or if she will go with her own take on policies, especially regarding energy which she and her mentor often disagree on. As for Xochitl Galvez, she is expected to deliver more s more pro-business and pro-market interests, as well as stamp down harder on crime, especially regarding the cartels, declaring that "hugs for criminals are over." Claudia Sheinbaum vs. Xochitl Galvez on Security The two are expected to have some very differing views on security. This is very evident in one of the debates the two leading candidates participated in. Sheinbaum fired a shot against Galvez by bringing up the 1968 Tlatelolco massacre where the Mexican Army commanded "by a PRI president" killed hundreds of university students who were holding a rally against police protection. As NBC News pointed out, the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) is one of the three parties that Galvez is running for. READ MORE: Mexico City Covered in Ice Amid Massive Heatwave as Weird Weather Continues Galvez, on the other hand, accused AMLO, and in part, Sheinbaum, of handing "the country to organized crime" and gave the example of AMLO meeting with Maria Consuelo Loera Perez, the mother of convicted drug trafficker Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Sheinbaum chose not to respond. While Galvez is largely seen to be tougher on crime, Sheinbaum is seen to continue AMLO's "Hugs, not bullets" policy where she would continue focusing on giving more economic opportunities so Mexicans would not join the cartels. Claudia Sheinbaum and Xochitl Galvez on Immigration As for the issue of migration, the two candidates actually agree that Mexico should be firm with the United States when it comes to negotiating agreements to stop migration. However, they differ on how this should happen. Sheinbaum has claimed that under AMLO, Mexico got the US to "treat it as equals" and praised her mentor. Meanwhile, Galvez said he was a hypocrite who gave in to President Donald Trump in 2019 "by agreeing to toughen immigration policies to stop the advance of migrants through Mexico without demanding that the US offer legalization to undocumented Mexican immigrants" who lived in the country. Nevertheless, Mexico is still very much into "machismo" even if the country would elect its first female president as a culture of male chauvinism and misogyny is shown in the country's high rates of femicides and large gender disparity, according to the Associated Press. READ MORE: Mexico Elections Primer: Who Are the Top 3 Candidates Vying to Replace AMLO? This article is owned by Latin Post. Written by: Rick Martin WATCH: Why Americans Should Pay Close Attention to Mexico's June Elections - CBN News A man appeared in court accused of harassing a woman for helping displaced Ukranians. Aivo Cirulis (52) of 10 Bluebell Way, Esker Hills, Portlaoise is accused of harassment at Millbrook, Portlaoise on dates between April 24 and April 28, 2023. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said subject to the judge accepting jurisdiction, the DPP had directed that the case be heard in the District Court. Solicitor Philip Meagher requested a disclosure order in the case. Sgt Kirby asked Judge Nicola Andrews if she wanted to consider jurisdiction in the case. He said it would be alleged that a foreign lady had presented at Portlaoise Garda Station on April 29 and made a complaint. The woman complained that the defendant had been making alleged threats to her for helping out the Ukrainian community. He said the man also allegedly started messaging the womans husband. Sgt Kirby said the accused is originally from Latvia. He provided Judge Andrews with a print out of the translated messages. These messages are translated from the roman alphabet, he explained. Mr Meagher said his clients English would be intermediate and he would need assistance with legal terms. After reading the contents of the messages, Judge Andrews said: I am not going to determine jurisdiction at this point and she requested an interpreter for the next appearance. I want to make sure there is no interference with any witnesses in this case, she added. She adjourned the matter back to Portlaoise District Court on June 10, assigned a Latvian interpreter and granted legal aid. Judge Andrew told Mr Meagher to remind his client not to have any contact with the alleged injured party. When speaking with MotionSickness, it is obvious that they live and breathe music. Their eyes lit up at questions about their work, and their answers were accompanied with expressions of warmth, deep thought and a profound sense of reverence at the power that music holds. The alternative rock/ punk band have gained notoriety across Ireland following a string of successful gigs. The band consists of Bonnie Lalor (main vocals), Kara Moore (guitar and backing vocals), Pijus Furmanjukas (drums) and Enes Loskun (bass). The group was initially formed by Bonnie and Kara, who met as teenagers and instantly clicked over a shared love of music. We used to busk here in Portlaoise and one day a woman stopped and asked us to play in her bar- Turley's in Mountmellick, said Kara on the start of their career. We started doing covers in Turleys and we were already writing our own music at this stage, so we started sneaking in a few of our originals between covers. Other pubs in Mountmellick started asking us to play covers there too, and we started getting gigs in Portlaoise. Eventually our gigs became full original sets, I think our first ever original set was at the Laois Aloud festival in Portarlington. Shortly after this event, the band were asked to play at Forest Fest, and went on to become regular performers at Fibber McGees in Dublin. Weve played a lot of gigs in Fibbers, weve played Whelans too. Weve gradually been asked to play bigger and bigger gigs- this year especially has been fantastic. Weve been asked to play a lot of festivals and stuff. Its weird to be sought after! joked Kara. MotionSickness received high praise following a gig at The Academy on the 21st of May. Artists that have played The Academy in the past include David Bowie, Prince, The Killers and Queen. It was amazing to play on a stage so many of our heroes have played, and to use the same green room, said the band. Also, the stage itself was gorgeous. To be up on stage with people we admire- on the same stage as Clutch, I was like are you kidding me? The Chats too- there were so many we were so excited to see, said Bonnie. Their original songs are written by Bonnie and Kara, who say that they have totally different creative processes. Photo- MotionSickness Im a total perfectionist- I find that writing completely depends on mood," Bonnie continued. "If Im in a great mood, a song will come out easy-breezy. We have such different creative processes- I've never seen anyone write like Kara- she's like a machine. I cant sit down and say, 'right, Ill write this guitar riff, Ill work out this melody'. Something will just come into my head and Ill make a note of it and flesh it out on the piano or guitar. The lyrics will just fall out of me then. We have such a specific sound, and I want to capture it authentically. I will only use songs I feel are perfect- if its only alright, itll be left half written. I find that trying to write a song never works- songs kinda just fall out of me, Bonnie explained. I have at least three different creative processes that I use- I think that a persons writing completely depends on what theyre going through in life, how theyre feeling and who theyre close with. Its a part of yourself that youre putting on paper at the end of the day, said Kara. Ill record some demos of drums, bass, guitar and vocals just to show the guys what Im thinking of doing. Then everyone puts their own stamp on it- Ill pass these ideas along and say heres an idea, I want you to Bonnify it. Every time Bonnie writes a song- its always a killer. It always becomes a crowd favourite. When she does write music, its always so good. The artists draw inspiration from bands such as Hole, L7, Foo Fighters and System of a Down. In regards to individual vocals, legends such as Janis Joplin, Joan Jett and Justin Hawkins stand out to the group. Photo- MotionSickness I definitely draw inspiration from Kurt Cobain vocally- he was the first person to ever use intentional voice breaks, and I love it- I do it a lot myself, its such a cool technique, said Bonnie. Inspiration is so important in music- I dont like the whole I need to write something completely original thats never been done before- thats unattainable- why do you think the greats are so great? They did what works, and took it from other people who knew what worked. Were just trying to do the same. Pay homage to your heroes, Kara nodded in agreement. Our music is eclectic- some songs seem slightly different- but our influences from so many different artists come together in our music- I hope! Kara said. Everyone has their thing- ours is music. Every song that I write is a part of me. Its all I want to do for the rest of my life. In 2022, the band were finalists in the Metal to the Masses competition. They successfully beat over 60 bands to reach the top five final. The winning band secures a performance slot at Bloodstock, the UKs biggest rock/metal festival. The final and the heats were crazy, people were lined out the door. I loved every second of it- youre given an audience and a great opportunity, said Bonnie. MotionSickness have played countless gigs and festivals, and expressed their thoughts on this. I would take a 2 hour gig over a 25 minute slot, Bonnie explained. You get to know whos in front of you, to connect with the people who are enjoying our set the most. A half an hour doesn't give you enough time to truly connect with your audience. Kara had similar sentiments. If you have a long performance, you can make it theatrical if you want to- designing the setlist is so fun. The bands latest single Agora was released on February 27th. There is currently an album in the works. Were really excited to be working on our new album at the minute. The themes are definitely darker and more intense than our other EPs, but I think a lot of people will relate to the songs, particularly women. The band have an array of upcoming gigs- you can catch MotionSickness Headlining Kavanaghs Bar in Portlaoise on the 15th of June. The band will also be performing at Arcadian Nights on June 1st in Booleigh, Kildare. Photo- Kavanagh's Bar and Venue Portlaoise MotionSickness will also be performing at Laoiss newest up and coming festival End Of Summer, held in Jeremiah Grant Bar & Eatery in Portlaoise, with entertainment, music and a Mini Market going all day long. The Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF), is looking for modern-day pilgrims to take on a Camino challenge with a difference this September. Those who take part will be walking the second stage of the historic French Way, from Estella to Burgos in Northern Spain. This lesser-known route remains true to the region and crosses the beautiful La Rioja province before finishing at the stunning Burgos Cathedral. The Camino will take place from 27th September to 4th October with five Walking Days covering 124km in total. Flights, accommodation, and meals are all included in the package, so walkers can focus on walking with friends and IHFs experienced guides. Paula OReilly, CEO of IHF said: I thank everyone that has joined us on our Camino walks over the past six years and I encourage any keen walker to be a part of our wonderful week. I will be getting my boots ready and look forward to sharing a memorable time with everyone. Helen McVeigh, Director of Fundraising at IHF, said: We are excited to launch our sixth Camino walk, which for the first time, is taking on such an historic stage; following in the footsteps of walkers over the centuries. This is your chance to make every step matter for families facing their final times together and for those coming to terms with the loss of a loved one. While each walker takes on a personal challenge, they will also be supporting people nationwide who are facing death, dying or bereavement. The Irish Hospice Foundation relies on fundraising events like this to continue its important work. For more details, please see www.hospicefoundation.ie/ camino Some time back, the County Leitrim Heritage Officer got a detailed photo (photogrammetry) done of a sculpture that is in the window of the Medieval Church of Annaduff. It is close to St Anns Church of Ireland. That was said to be the centre of the ancient Abbey of Annaduff. This is a really well-done sculpture showing the risen and triumphant Christ in the middle and under him is the devil trying to get out of captivity. Lower down, there is a queen to the left and a king to the right. Above each is a spear, indicating war. It is very likely that this sculpture was recalling the Tain War across the nearby Shannon, between Maeve of Connacht and Conor Mac Nessa of Ulster. That story would have been told quite often by the monks of the Abbey and was captured in this sculpture. Local councillor and historian, Des Guckian, presents the photo of the sculpture to Vincent Tighe, Principal, Annaduff NS. Two hundred years ago, a great artist, called Daniel Grose, did a sketch of the sculpture. His sketch confirmed that the figure on the right is a king and the one on the left is a queen. His sketch, on the bottom left, shows St Anns and the Medieval Church together. This sculpture is very delicately executed and possibly dates back 1,000 years, to when High Kings Brian Boru and Malachy 2 of Meath came and stayed in Annaduff for some weeks. It is a real treasure of a sculpture and arguably Leitrims greatest sculpture. This sculpture is in great danger, as the walls around it are collapsing. At least, the children in Annaduff N.S. will know what it looked like and the significance of it. The Taoiseach was pushed and jostled and a member of the Garda was hit during scenes of thuggery on an election canvass in Co Mayo, a Government spokesman has said. A small number of protesters targeted Simon Harris while he was on the campaign trail in the county on Sunday. Canvasses were disrupted on visits to both Castlebar and Westport. A spokesman for Mr Harris called for a full Garda investigation. What happened in Mayo today was not protest. It was thuggery, he said. The Taoiseach would like to thank An Garda Siochana for their professionalism. A member of An Garda Siochana was hit during the scenes and the Taoiseach was pushed and jostled by a small number of people. It is not representative of what has been a really healthy canvass for the majority of politicians across the country as people in Ireland are decent and law abiding. Although it was a very small number of people, todays behaviour cannot be accepted and should never be normalised and a full Garda investigation should be carried out. The people of Mayo were warm and welcoming today and the Taoiseach really enjoyed meeting so many people across much of the county and thanks them for their time. Asked about the disturbances earlier on Sunday, Mr Harris said he would not be deterred, insisting it takes an awful lot to disrupt my energy. However, he went on to raise concerns about what he characterised as a growing toxicity in politics and public life that has been fuelled by a small number of people. Mr Harris added: I dont think it should be ignored. I think it should be called out. Its why I bristle when people talk about protest because some things are protest and some things are thuggery and I understand the difference and so do most people in this country and they should never be conflated. But I think we should continue to amplify the fact that most people in this country are decent. Belantamab Mafodotin combination reduced the risk of disease progression or death by nearly 50% versus standard of care combination in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma GSK plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) today announced positive results from an interim analysis of the DREAMM-8 phase III head-to-head trial evaluating belantamab mafodotin, in combination with pomalidomide plus dexamethasone (PomDex), versus a standard of care, bortezomib plus PomDex, as a second line and later treatment for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. These late-breaking data, being presented today at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (May 31 ? June 4) in Chicago, IL, were featured in the official ASCO press program and simultaneously published in the New England Journal of Medicine. On the primary endpoint of progression-free survival (PFS), a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.52 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.37-0.73], p-value<0.001) was observed with the belantamab mafodotin combination (n=155) compared to the bortezomib combination (n=147). At a median follow-up of 21.8 months, the median PFS was not yet reached (95% CI: 20.6-not yet reached [NR]) with the belantamab mafodotin combination compared to 12.7 months (95% CI: 9.1-18.5) in the bortezomib combination. At the end of one year, 71% (95% CI: 63-78) of patients in the belantamab mafodotin combination group compared to 51% (95% CI: 42-60) in the bortezomib combination group were alive and had not progressed. A benefit for belantamab mafodotin plus PomDex was observed across all pre-specified subgroups including those with poor prognostic features, such as patients who were refractory to lenalidomide and patients with high-risk cytogenetics. Hesham Abdullah, Senior Vice President, Global Head Oncology, R&D, GSK, said: "With the robust results from the DREAMM-8 phase III head-to-head trial, we now have consistent data from two phase III trials supporting the potential for belantamab mafodotin combinations to redefine the treatment of multiple myeloma at or after first relapse. This is exciting news given the high unmet need for new and efficacious combinations once patients relapse or stop responding to initial treatments. We continue to share data and discuss our path forward with regulators." A positive overall survival (OS) trend was observed but not statistically significant (HR: 0.77 [95% CI: 0.53-1.14]) at the interim analysis. OS follow-up continues and further analyses are planned. At the end of one year, 83% (95% CI: 76-88) of patients were alive in the belantamab mafodotin combination group versus 76% (95% CI: 68-82) in the bortezomib combination group. The safety and tolerability profile of the belantamab mafodotin combination was broadly consistent with the known profile of the individual agents. Suzanne Trudel, MD, Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada, said: "The profound progression-free survival benefit seen in DREAMM-8 highlights the potential for belantamab mafodotin, when used with pomalidomide and dexamethasone, to improve outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. This combination may have potential to redefine treatment of multiple myeloma at or after first relapse, a setting where patients may benefit from novel therapies." Similar to the results seen in the DREAMM-7 phase III head-to-head trial, in DREAMM-8 the belantamab mafodotin combination also resulted in clinically meaningful improvements consistently across secondary efficacy endpoints, showing that the belantamab mafodotin combination resulted in deeper and more durable responses compared to the bortezomib combination. Key improvements included rate of complete response (CR) or better (more than twofold improvement); minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity rate (nearly fivefold improvement); and duration of response (median not yet reached with the belantamab mafodotin combination versus 17.5 months with the bortezomib combination). Key and other secondary endpoint summaries are listed below. Key and Other Secondary Endpoints Endpoint belantamab mafodotin + pomalidomide and dexamethasone (BPd) (n= 155) pomalidomide + bortezomib and dexamethasone (PVd) (n=147) ORR (overall response rate), % (95% CI) 77% (70.0-83.7) 72% (64.1-79.2) sCR (stringent complete response), % 9% 3% CR (complete response), % 31% 14% VGPR (very good partial response), % 24% 22% PR (partial response), % 14% 34% CR or better rate (sCR+CR), % (95% CI) 40% (32.2-48.2) 16% (10.7-23.3) VGPR or better rate (sCR+CR+VGPR), % (95% CI) 64% (55.8-71.4) 38% (30.2-46.5) MRD negativity rate* % (95% CI) 23.9% (17.4-31.4) 4.8% (1.9-9.6) Duration of response (months), median (95% CI) NR (24.9-NR) 17.5 months (12.1-26.4) Overall Survival** HR (95% CI) 0.77 (0.53-1.14) * Measured in patients with a sCR or CR. ** Follow-up for OS is ongoing. NR: Not yet reached. Grade 3 or higher non-ocular adverse events (AEs) of clinical interest in the belantamab mafodotin combination versus bortezomib combination arms, respectively, included neutropenia (57% vs 39%; 42 patients/100 person-years in both arms); thrombocytopenia (38% vs 29%; 28 vs 31 patients/100 person-years); and pneumonia (17% vs 8%; 13 vs 8 patients/100 person-years). Eye-related side effects, a known risk of treatment with belantamab mafodotin, were generally reversible, manageable with dose modifications, and led to low (9%) treatment discontinuation rates. Grade 3 or higher ocular adverse events occurred in 43% of patients receiving the belantamab mafodotin combination (Grade 3: 42%; Grade 4: 1%). Most commonly reported grade 3 or higher ocular symptoms included blurred vision (Grade 3: 17%; Grade 4: 0), dry eye (Grade 3: 8%: Grade 4: 0), and foreign body sensation in the eyes (Grade 3: 6%; Grade 4: 0). Fifty-one patients (34%) with a best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/25 or better in at least one eye at baseline had a worsening in both eyes to 20/50 or worse. At the time of this analysis, the first occurrence of such events had improved in 92% of these patients, and resolved in 85%, with a median time to resolution of 57 days (range: 14-451 days). Global health status quality of life (QOL), as measured by the EORTC-QLQ-C30 remained stable in both treatment arms over time, suggesting that treatment did not lead to any decline in overall health related QOL. The DREAMM (DRiving Excellence in Approaches to Multiple Myeloma) clinical development program continues to evaluate the potential of belantamab mafodotin in early lines of treatment and in combination with novel therapies and standard of care treatments. DREAMM-8 is the second phase III head-to-head belantamab mafodotin combination trial in second line and later treatment for multiple myeloma to report positive results. Positive findings from DREAMM-7, a phase III head-to-head trial evaluating belantamab mafodotin in combination with bortezomib and dexamethasone (BorDex) versus daratumumab plus BorDex in the same treatment setting, were presented1 at the ASCO Plenary Series on February 6, 2024, shared in an encore presentation at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, and published in the New England Journal of Medicine. About DREAMM-8 The DREAMM-8 phase III clinical trial is a multi-center, open-label, randomized trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of belantamab mafodotin in combination with PomDex compared to a combination of bortezomib and PomDex in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma previously treated with at least one prior line of multiple myeloma therapy, including a lenalidomide-containing regimen, and who have documented disease progression during or after their most recent therapy. Compared to the patient population studied in the DREAMM-7 trial, patients in DREAMM-8 were more heavily pre-treated in that all had prior exposure to lenalidomide, 75% were refractory to lenalidomide, 25% had prior daratumumab exposure and of those most were daratumumab refractory. A total of 302 participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to receive either belantamab mafodotin plus PomDex, or bortezomib plus PomDex. The primary endpoint is PFS as per an independent review committee. Key secondary endpoints include OS, minimal residual disease negativity as assessed by next-generation sequencing, and duration of response. Other secondary endpoints include ORR, patient-reported quality of life outcomes, adverse events, eye exam findings, and laboratory investigations. About multiple myeloma Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer globally and is generally considered treatable but not curable.2,3 There are approximately 176,000 new cases of multiple myeloma diagnosed globally each year.4 Research into new therapies is needed as multiple myeloma commonly becomes refractory to available treatments.5 About belantamab mafodotin Belantamab mafodotin is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate comprising a humanized B-cell maturation antigen monoclonal antibody conjugated to the cytotoxic agent auristatin F via a non-cleavable linker. The drug linker technology is licensed from Seagen Inc.; the monoclonal antibody is produced using POTELLIGENT Technology licensed from BioWa Inc., a member of the Kyowa Kirin Group. GSK in oncology Oncology is an emerging therapeutic area for GSK where we are committed to maximizing patient survival with a current focus on hematologic malignancies, gynecologic cancers, and other solid tumors through breakthroughs in immuno-oncology and tumor-cell targeting therapies. About GSK GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together. Find out more at us.gsk.com. Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements GSK cautions investors that any forward-looking statements or projections made by GSK, including those made in this announcement, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to, those described under Item 3.D "Risk factors" in GSK's Annual Report on Form 20-F for 2023, and GSK's Q1 Results for 2024. Registered in England & Wales: No. 3888792 Registered Office: 980 Great West Road Brentford, Middlesex TW8 9GS References 1 GSK press release issued 05 February 2024. DREAMM-7 phase III trial shows Blenrep combination nearly tripled median progression-free survival versus standard of care combination in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Available at: https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/press-releases/dreamm-7-phase-iii-trial-shows-pfs-improvement-and-strong-os-trend-for-blenrep-combo-versus-soc-combo-in-multiple-myeloma/. 2 Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel R, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN Estimates of Incidence and Mortality Worldwide for 36 Cancers in 185 Countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660. 3 Kazandjian D. Multiple myeloma epidemiology and survival: A unique malignancy. Semin Oncol. 2016;43(6):676?681.doi:10.1053/j.seminoncol.2016.11.004. 4 Multiple Myeloma: Statistics. Cancer.net. Published February 2022. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/multiple-myeloma/statistics. Accessed 19 October 2023. 5 Nooka AK, Kastritis E, Dimopoulos MA. Treatment options for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. Blood. 2015;125(20). 2 june 2024 at 11:00 News published onand distributed by: AN ELECTRONIC music group will be coming to Limerick to Set You Free. N-Trance have been added to an already stacked line-up of artists who will be playing The Big Day Out 90s vs 00s in Limericks TUS Gaelic Grounds. The group will join Cascada, Basshunter, Five, D:Ream and Mark McCabe on Saturday, August 31. Stayin Alive, Set You Free, Forever, and Do Ya Think Im Sexy are just a few of the renowned top ten hits that first catapulted N-Trance to fame over two decades ago. They will join a host of 90s and 00s legends already on the line-up for the essential throwback festival of the summer. From the 90s, Everybody Get Down as Five will be live on stage performing all their certified bangers. With hits like Keep on Movin and Slam Dunk (the Funk), the lads from London have toured the world, sold in excess of 15 million records worldwide and this summer they are coming to Limerick. And Things Can Only Get Better with one of the most iconic dance acts ever D:REAM Live keeping the 90s party going. After nearly 20 years of filling dance floors across the world with hits like Everytime We Touch and Evacuate the Dancefloor dance sensations and heroes of the 00s, Cascada, will be performing some of the worlds best party anthems. Glowsticks at the ready as Swedish DJ and producer Basshunter will be pumping out his hits like Now Youre Gone and All I Ever Wanted. The party of the summer will be hosted by Mark McCabe, who will be performing his iconic Maniac 2000 and playing some of the largest floor fillers of the 90s and 00s. Tickets are priced 54.90 and are available from Ticketmaster. TRIBUTES have been paid to five councillors who are stepping down from frontline politics at next weeks local election. Theres guaranteed to be at least five new faces when the local authority meets after the election, with the departure of Cllr Kevin Sheahan after 39 years of service, alongside his Fianna Fail colleague, Cllr James Collins. On top of this, Independent councillor Emmett OBrien is stepping down after a decade in politics. And in the Fine Gael enclosure, both Mayor Gerald Mitchell and Cllr John Egan have decided to call it a day. At the last metropolitan district meeting of this council term, veteran Fianna Fail councillor Kieran OHanlon paid tribute to Cllr Collins. He said: James has served with distinction as mayor. He worked hard for his community, and always represented the city very well. When it came to budget-time, he came into his own as he had a greater understanding of budgets and accountancy than many of us on the council had. He was able to make very worthwhile contributions. At the final full council meeting of the term this Monday, best wishes were extended to Cllr OBrien and Cllr Sheahan, who in April enjoyed a reception to mark his decades in local politics. Cllr Adam Teskey, Fine Gael, wished his good friend and colleague Cllr Sheahan the best of luck. This is his last day in the chamber. His career has spanned a 39 year period serving Limerick County Council and now Limerick City and County Council. Kevin has been a great friend of mine. Mayor Mitchell added: He has served the people very well over many years. It takes a great man to keep getting elected. Obviously he is very positive and I wish him well. Youve done the country and county of Limerick some service. He also extended his tributes to Cllr Egan and Cllr Collins for their fantastic contributions. Last week, at what was the final meeting of the current Cappamore Kilmallock before the election, members paid tribute to Mayor Mitchell - the last first citizen to be elected from the councils own number - and Cllr Egan. Cllr Mike Donegan, cathaoirleach of the Cappamore-Kilmallock municipal district, said Mayor Mitchell and Cllr Egan were a pleasure to work with and fellow councillors echoed the sentiments, saying they did the county and district proud. Mayor Mitchell said the district should be proud of all they achieved in the last five years, while Cllr Egan said the Cappamore Kilmallock district is a model for all that can be achieved at local level. Council officials said both councillors were always very easy to deal with and were always very professional. These were sentiments repaid by the mayor. Polling day is Friday, June 7. LOCAL residents campaigning against a wind farm in their area have expressed fears over sleep deprivation. Members of the Coolcappa Community Action Group joined a wider protest organised by the Communities and Environmental Protection Alliance (CEPA) to urge more robust wind farm regulations. They marched to the gates of the Dail to protest against plans from Ballynisky Green Energy to build six turbines with an overall height of 158 metres near the village. The Coolcappa Community Action Group pointed to a High Court judgement which stated: There is not a binary choice to be made here between the generation of clean energy by a wind farm, and a good nights sleep for its neighbours. Independent Ireland TD for Limerick Richard ODonoghue agrees that families who live close to turbines struggle to sleep at night. Every time you see a wind turbine going around, think about the people from the counties here today, he told protestors outside the Dail. I am not against wind turbines, however, I am against wind turbines that do not allow people to have a nights sleep. A big ask of the action group from Coolcappa is for a review to be carried out of the guidelines around wind turbines, which are 20 years old. The concerns were also raised at this months full local authority meeting by Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey. He believes the current guidelines and planning around wind farms does not match the World Health Organisations recommended noise levels. To this end, he wants to see the council write to Environment Minister Eamon Ryan to seek advice on the kinds of remedies available to those people living within their shadow. Even though the relations between India and Maldives are slowly returning to normal after Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer's visit to India, EaseMyTrip on Saturday said that it remains firm on halting bookings, adding, that the nationalistic approach won't change. The reaction came in response to a Kerala Congress tweet accusing EaseMyTrip of quietly resuming booking to the Maldives. In a post on X, posting a screenshot of the LiveMint story, Kerala Congress asked, Couple of months ago, online travel aggregator @EaseMyTrip made a nationalistic move by removing Maldives as a destination from their flight and hotel booking platform to support Modi. Now they have quietly resumed booking to Maldives. We are wondering what happened. The post on X handle further said, Is it a sign of something? Is money more important than Modi? Money will come and go, so is Modi! Reacting to that, EaseMyTrip CEO Nishant Pitti said that some bookings did occur, but immediate action was taken. Dear@INCIndia, thank you for your concern. @EaseMyTrip has halted Maldives bookings from January 8th until today. Some bookings did occur between May 16th - 26th, but we took immediate action and got them removed, said Pitti. Further questioning why they focus only on us, Pitti added, Are you not aware of other Chinese-owned travel portals that never stopped promoting Maldives in the first place? Weve been serving for the last 16 years without any foreign investments. Yes, youre right, nothing is permanentthe money will come and go. But our nationalistic approach will never change. By the way, we are here for the long haul, and its not easy for us to go. Hope you understand, the CEO added. Recently, EaseMyTrip recently reported its highest-ever earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the fiscal year 2024, amounting to 2,282 million, reflecting a 19 percent year-on-year growth. PRINCETON, Ill.For years, Syngenta Group has been considered a critical partner to thousands of American farmers. Its new chief executive is trying to ward off a different perception: that it poses a threat to U.S. national security. Jeff Rowe in January took over the agriculture company, which has its headquarters in Switzerland and is a subsidiary of China National Chemical, a state-owned enterprise known as ChemChina. Since ChemChinas $43 billion takeover in 2017, the company has faced mounting roadblocks to its business in the U.S., where it remains the biggest pesticide supplier by sales to farms and a major seller of crop seeds. Syngenta owns about 1,500 acres of U.S. farmland for research, development and regulatory trials. But several states are fortifying restrictions on foreign companies ownership of U.S. farmland. Some state and federal lawmakers say they want to ensure that the Chinese government cant use farmland to facilitate spying or wield its influence over food supplies in a conflict. Rowe, a former DuPont Pioneer executive who ran Syngentas largest business unit before becoming CEO, is a critical part of the companys efforts. Despite living in Switzerland, he travels back to his hometown of Princeton, Ill., a city of about 8,000 people, a few times a year to help plant and harvest a couple thousand acres of corn and soybeans. When meeting with skeptical policymakers, Syngenta details the companys impact on the agricultural economy in a given state, how many employees it has and what new products it is bringing to market for farmers, he said. Lawmakers frequently ask him about the data the company collects from its farmers, which he says is handled responsibly. Despite the publicity, were out in the local communitiesfarmers know us and respect us," said Rowe, 51 years old, while riding a seed planter at his parents family farm in Princeton. If I see someone on the street in Princeton, they think thats Jeff Rowe. I know who that ishes not a Chinese spy." Syngentas geopolitical balancing act also comes at a time when agriculture companies are facing a pullback in farmer spending as grain prices decline and crop chemical prices deflate. Farmer income is expected to drop nearly 30% in 2024, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. That could temper farmers spending with firms such as Syngenta, whose sales in 2023 fell 4% from a year earlier, to $32 billion. Syngenta is working to cut costs in its office operations and supply chain for producing its farm products, Rowe said. Plans to pursue an initial public offering in China or exchanges in Europe remain on the shelf, for now. Geopolitical issues make a New York listing less likely, he said. U.S.-China tensions have been on the rise since regulators cleared the purchase of Syngenta. The Trump and Biden administrations have sparred with Beijing over tariffs on steel and aluminum, export controls on semiconductors and the ownership of TikToks U.S. operations. Concerns about China have extended to farm country. Grand Forks, N.D., last year stopped a the construction of a Chinese-owned $700 million corn mill after a U.S. Air Force official said it could be a national security risk. Likewise, Smithfield Foods has faced criticism over its operations and land holdings since Chinas WH Groupwhich is publicly traded in Hong Kongbought it. Leaders of Smithfield, the nations largest pork producer, have also pushed back on the criticism and said its ownership has helped it grow. Chinese ownership of companies need careful review because you can have access to information concerning seeds, technology, and so forth that could be significantly compromising if its used in the wrong way," said U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in an interview. Last fall, Arkansas became the first U.S. state to order a Chinese-owned company, Syngenta, to sell its farmland. The order called for Syngenta to sell within two years 160 acres where it had an agricultural research facility with a few dozen employees. This isnt about where youre from, its about where your loyalties lie," said Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in an emailed statement. A Syngenta spokesman said the states decision was shortsighted, adding that the company has owned the property for years. Iowas Senate passed a bill in April to shield some of the worlds biggest chemical makers from certain pesticide lawsuits. The protection excluded Chinese-owned companies, including Syngenta. Roughly two dozen states have passed lawsand more have proposed rulesto restrict foreign ownership of farmland, with some specifically crafted to target China, according to the nonprofit National Agricultural Law Center. Chinese-owned entities hold an estimated 1% of U.S. farmland, or roughly 350,000 acres. Rowe said his role as CEO requires an understanding of both the U.S. and China and an ability to bridge the relationship between the two countries. Syngenta said that it isnt a political organization and that legislators actions are potentially harmful for U.S. farmers and the agricultural market. Syngenta competitors also see an opening, aiming to stoke concerns about the companys ownership when marketing their products to growers. At a farm trade show in Illinois last year, Corteva handed out red, white and blue bags saying American since 1926." Greg Rebman, an Illinois farmer, says he uses Syngenta pesticides for their effectiveness. If a conflict were to break out between the U.S. and China, he said he would be more hesitant to buy Syngentas productsbut, for now, its a secondary issue. They are so big and their manufacturing is so prevalent," Rebman said. Keeping tabs on farmer sentiment is critical to Syngentas strategy. The company says that it rarely feels the effects of competitors marketing tactics and that growers trust the Syngenta brand. Rowe said his familys farm uses Syngentas seeds and sprays for its crops. Sometimes there might be some misperception about what markets were prioritizing, but I say clearly the U.S. continues to be at the top of the list," Rowe said. At 18% of GDP, Indias external debtor what it owes to the worldis one of the lowest among G20 economies, as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently pointed out. That is reassuring , but external debt is only one part of our external liabilities. For a full picture of what India owes to foreigners, it is more useful to track Indias international investment position (IIP), which shows the stock of international financial assets and liabilities at a point in time. On the assets side, IIP includes all foreign financial assets that Indians own, including international reserves held by the central bank. Liabilities consist of domestic assets that foreigners own: direct and portfolio investment into India and external debt such as bonds, loans, deposits, trade credit. The difference between them is called the net international investment position (NIIP). Indias foreign liabilities exceed its foreign assets, so its net international position is negative (i.e., net in debt). Between 2003 and 2023, this net liability went up from $60 billion to $396 billion, rising from 9.9% to 11.1% of GDP. A comparison with other G20 countries puts this in perspective: the US is the most indebted, Japan is the largest creditor, and India is somewhere in the middle. NIIP is closely linked to current account flows (overall flows into and from a country due to trade, remittances and financial transactions). Consistent deficits here lead to negative or lower NIIP (India, US), because they have to be made up by acquiring capital liabilities in the form of foreign capital inflows. Net exporting nations have higher NIIP (Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia), as they use their trade surplus to buy foreign assets. Balancing the sheets A countrys international investment position is in some ways its balance sheet with the rest of the world. Breaking down the assets and liabilities shows that the large gap between them is not that alarming, for these reasons. One, Indias foreign assets largely comprises foreign exchange reserves, providing a cushion against exchange rate volatility. Contrast this with Argentina, whose foreign assets consist mainly of privately held foreign debtthe outcome of domestic capital fleeing to safer shores abroad. Two, the liability side is dominated by foreign direct investment (FDI), which comes in as long-term investment and has a stabilizing effect because it is less likely to be pulled out suddenly. Also read | Forex reserves war-chest: how much is enough? To be sure, about half the liabilities are in the nature of debt, but this share has declined over the last decade (thus validating the finance ministers tweet). Thats good news, because there is a strong link between high external debt and the likelihood of an external crisis for emerging economies. Snowball effect The asset-liability profile of most emerging economies, including India, magnifies their external vulnerability. On the asset side, they accumulate foreign reserves, which are invested in safe, low-yielding treasuries of advanced countries. On the liabilities side, they actively seek foreign investment, mainly through equity capital. Also read | As currency markets face chaos, old-school solutions will be key Because of this long debt, short equity" position, earnings on overseas investments are lower than dividends and interest paid to foreign investors. The differencecalled net investment incomeis negative for India, and has been increasing with a rise in foreign capital inflows. In 2023, India paid $80 billion and received $55 billion as investment income, creating a gap of $25 billion. Net negative investment income compounds the impact of the trade deficit, and makes it critical to attract enough foreign inflows to fill up both the gaps. The resulting dependence on overseas capital makes India more vulnerable to external crises (though low dollar debt and strong reserves mitigate the risk). Caution ahead Investors are less tolerant of external liabilities in low-income countries, because income is viewed as a proxy for repayment capacity. Studies show that external crises are more likely in lower-income countries. FDI is an exceptionno surprise then that emerging economies rely heavily on direct investment to finance domestic growth. In contrast, rich countries can get away with large debt-driven external liabilities, which they offset with trade surpluses or by selling bonds to the rest of the world. India has the lowest per capita income in the G20 group. Looking at the IIP reminds us that foreign capital inflows are a liability, even though the inflows themselves are proof of Indias investment-attractiveness. Indias growth potential and its inclusion in global bond indices is expected to bring more inflows in the future. Given investor preferences, the prudent way to balance the country's external liabilities and assets would be to boost exports and improve the current account. The author is an independent writer on economics and finance. New Delhi: State-run REC Ltd may disburse up to 1.75 trillion loans for coal-fired power plants by 2032, as India looks to bolster its thermal power generation by adding 80 gigawatts (GW) capacity by then. In an interview, RECs director (projects) Vijay Kumar Singh said that thermal would continue to remain a mainstay for a few years, powering India's economic growth, and the NBFC may finance up to 25 GW capacity addition in the country's thermal power push. "Our company is very well capitalized. We have the ability to take care of the funding requirement of thermal capacity. Thermal capacity is coming at two-three sectors. Around 50,000-55,000 MW capacity is coming from state-sector, which is generally we are financing. And we find that our current capital is good enough to take care of funding. There is no constraint in terms of capital," he said. "We are targeting close to 50% capacityBut this capacity is coming is phases. Total sanction would be in range of 1.50-1.75 lakh crore. REC would be financing about 25,000 MW. If 1 MW costs about 10 crore, that 25,000 MW would cost 2.5 lakh crore and if we do 70% of it, we would be financing about 1.75 lakh crore. We finance large thermal projects along with a partner, in consortium model." India's coal-fired power generation capacity currently stands at 210 GW. Overall thermal power capacity, which also includes gas, lignite (a variant of coal) and diesel, is at 243 GW. After crisis situations in 2021 and 2022 following an unprecedented power demand surge, the government decided to add thermal power capacity along with its energy transition plans and has set a target to add 80 GW thermal capacity by 2032. Coal will stay the mainstay in the coming years On this change in course for the country amid the ambitious net zero goals, Singh emphasized that the plan to add thermal capacity will not impact renewable energy additions. He, however, stressed that coal would stay the mainstay in the coming years. "There is no compromise in the aspirations for putting up renewable energy capacity. In terms of tendering, first-time ever we have met the target or have exceeded the target. That means we are on track as a nation. But then we (REC) have done large funding for renewable energyBut the government has also realized the way the economy is developing, the way the power demand is growing year on year, the current capacity, even with renewable energy push, may not be sufficient to take care of the growth path on which today we are actually moving." Also Read: Why thermal power is still key to meeting growing energy needs India aims to achieve the target of net zero emissions, a stage when the amount of greenhouse gases released equals the amount that's removed, by 2070. Noting that renewable energy sources are intermittent and may impact grid stability, he said that pumped storage projects and hydro power projects are solution to stabilize the grid, which take several years for commissioning. In the mean time, he said, thermal is the mainstay and will remain so in the coming years. "Of course there will be time that renewable will be taking over thermal, but till that time we need to set up these capacities," he said. In the last financial year, REC Ltd sanctioned loans worth 3.59 trillion, out of which 1.36 trillion were for renewable energy projects. The company plans to increase the share of renewable energy in its loan book to 30% by 2030 from the current 10%. He also said that REC has started funding nascent sectors like green hydrogen and green ammonia projects which several other financial institutions are yet to finance amid concerns over returns. Speaking on the recent draft guidelines on infrastructure loans which propose a 5% provisioning, he said that although the proposed move would not impact REC's profits, it will have an impact on its net worth growth. "These are obviously very high provisioning requirement as per draft guidelines. This will impact us, but not our profit. This may impact our borrowers also because cost of debt will go up. It will impact the cost of infrastructure projects also because interest cost will go further up. But our profitability is not getting impacted," Singh added. Noting that higher provisioning will impact only tier 1 capital, he said that REC has sufficient headroom in that space and as it follows IndAs accounting standards, the norms would not impact it. JEE Advanced 2024 Answer Key: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras, has released the Answer Key for the JEE Advanced exam 2024. Candidates who have appeared for the JEE Advance 2004 exams can check and download the Answer Key at the official website of JEE Advanced 2024 at jeeadv.ac.in. The feedback and comments on the provisional answer key window will be closed on Monday, June 3, 2024, at 17 IST. Earlier on Friday, IIT Madrasthe nodal agency to conduct the examreleased the response sheet (OMR sheet) for the JEE Advanced 2024 exams, which helps the students check the JEE Advanced provisional answer key. Also Read | HBSE Board Class 10, 12 Supplementary Exam 2024 schedule out. Check details JEE Advanced answer key 2024: Objection Window According to IIT Madras, notification, feedback and comments on provisional answer keys can be made from June 2, 2024, to June 3, 2024, up to 17 IST. A final answer key will be released along with the results on June 9, 2024 (10 IST). Also Read | DU UG Admission 2024: Delhi University introduces single girl child quota Jee Advanced 2024: Official Website Candidates can check their response sheets available on the official website of JEE Advanced 2024: jeeadva.ac.in. Candidates need to log in to the official website using their credentials, such as registration number, date of birth, and registered mobile number to download the Answer Key. Jee Advanced 2024: How to download the Answer Key Go to the official website of JEE Advance 2024: jeeadva.ac.in Click on the JEE Advanced Answer Key 2024 link available on the home page A new window will open; enter your login credentials: Registration Number, DOB and registered Mobile Number The JEE Advanced Answer Key 2024 will be displayed Download the Answer Key and save it for further reference JEE Advanced 2024 Answer Key: Steps to raise objection Visit the official JEE Advanced website: jeeadva.ac.in OR Click on the direct link to challenge the answer key: cportal.jeeadv.ac.in/applicant24/ Log in using your JEE Advanced Registration Number, DOB and registered phone number Indicate the number of questions you wish to challenge. Upload supporting documents for your objections Pay applicable fees Click on the submit button to lodge your challenge. Also Read | UGC NET June 2024 exam, city slip schedule released at ugcnet.nta.ac.in Candidates must note that they must submit a challenge fee of 200 per objection; otherwise, their objections will be rejected. Dismissing all exit poll 2024 predictions, Somnath Bharti, AAP leader and New Delhi Lok Sabha candidate, claimed that people have heavily voted against BJP this year and he will shave off his head if Mr Modi becomes PM for the third time. Taking to X, Bharti says, I will shave off my head if Mr Modi becomes PM for the third time. Mark my word! All exit polls will be proven wrong on 4th June and Modi ji will not become prime minister for the third time. In Delhi, all seven seats will go to India ALLIANCE. Fear of Mr Modi does not allow exit polls to show him loose. Hence we all need to wait for actual results scheduled to be delivered on June 4th. People have voted very heavily against BJP, he further adds Modi set for landslide election win in India, exit polls predict Prime Minister Narendra Modis party is set to win a decisive majority in Indias election for the third time in a row, several exit polls showed, extending his decade in power atop the worlds fastest-growing major economy. The polls showed his Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance will win substantially more seats than the 272 needed for a majority in Indias 543-seat lower house of parliament. Official election results will be released June 4. Modi claimed victory for the BJP-led alliance based on the exit poll results, saying the ruling partys track record resonated with voters, especially the poor. I can say with confidence that the people of India have voted in record numbers to reelect the NDA government, he said in a post on social media platform X. He also criticized the opposition alliances campaign for failing to provide a vision for the country. The Congress may be in for a disappointment as most exit polls predicted thumping win for the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in three states Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh that the grand old party rules. Exit polls, including the India Today-Axis My India, Republic TV-Matrize and Jan Ki Baat, predicted a landslide win for the NDA in the just concluded Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The BJP-led NDA may win 350-370 Lok Sabha seats, while the Opposition's INDIA bloc may win between 118 and 140 seats, they said. There are 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. To win the elections, a party or a coalition needs to win at least 272 seats - the magic number. Exit Polls 2024: What's predicted for Congress-ruled states? Congress is currently in power in three states Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal. Exit polls revealed on Saturday that the BJP is likely to win big in these three states in the Lok Sabha polls in 2024. The official results will, however, be declared on June 4. The Congress won these three states in recent assembly elections. Usually, people vote differently and chose different parties in Lok Sabha and Assembly polls. Exit polls 2024: Here's a state-wise prediction: 1. Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh sends four members to the Lok Sabha. On Saturday, the BJP was projected to win three to four seats in the hill state, while a few exit polls suggested that the Congress may win 0 to one seat. BJP leaders Anurag Thakur and Kangana Ranaut are in the fray from Himachal Pradesh. The Congress won and formed a government in Himachal Pradesh in December 2022. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is currently the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. The BJP has been winning all the four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal since 2014 and is likley to do a hat-trick this time. Here's what different exit polls predicted for Himachal Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections: Exit Polls NDA INDIA India TV-CNX 3-4 seats 0-1 seats News 24-Today's Chanakya 4 1 Seats 0 1 Seats India Today-Axis My India 4 seats 0 seats Republic TV-Matrize 3-4 seats 0-1 seat Republic Bharat-P Marq 4 seats 0 seat ABP-Cvoter 3-4 seats 0-1 2. Telangana There are 17 Lok Sabha seats in Telangana. While some exit polls, including News 18 survey and Today's Chanakya, predicted majority seats for the BJP and the NDA, a few others such as ABP-Cvoter suggested a close contest between the NDA and the INDIA bloc. The Congress won the Telangana Assembly elections in December 2023. The 2024 elections will be the second Lok Sabha polls for Telangana after the state was formed in 2014. The regional Telangana Rashtra Samithi (now Bharat Rashtra Samithi) won the state's first assembly and Lok Sabha elections in 2018 and 2019. Here's what different exit polls predicted for Telangana Lok Sabha Elections: Exit Polls NDA INDIA News 18 survey 7-10 seats 5-8 seats India TV-CNX 8-10 6-8 News 24-Today's Chanakya 12 2 Seats 5 2 Seats Republic TV-Matrize 06-09 05-08 seats Republic Bharat-P Marq 6 8 ABP-Cvoter 7-9 7-9 3. Karnataka There are 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka. The BJP-led NDA is projected to win 20-25 Lok Sabha seats, while the INDIA bloc may win 2-7 seats. The India Today-Axis My India projected 23-25 seats for the NDA and 3-5 seats for INDIA bloc. The Congress won the Karnataka Assembly elections in May 2023, and Siddaramaiah became the state's chief minister. Here's what different exit polls predicted for Karnataka Lok Sabha Elections: Exit Polls NDA INDIA India TV-CNX 20-24 4-8 News 24-Today's Chanakya 24 4 Seats 4 4 Seats Republic TV-Matrize 21 7 Republic Bharat-P Marq 22 6 ABP-Cvoter 23-25 2-5 Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 campaign, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with top bureaucracy and told them that tough decisions will be taken in the third term of his government. According to a Hindustan Times report, PM Modi had told the top bureaucracy that their homework for the interregnum vacation was to prepare for decisions to be taken in the first 100 days of Modi 3.0. The exit polls results announced on Saturday have predicted a clear sweep for the BJP-led NDA government, with most of them projecting 350 plus seats. Intrestingly, three exit polls have predicted that the NDA will cross the 400 seat mark. The report said that key changes will be made in August 2024 after the new Cabinet is in position. Principal Secretary to PM Dr P K Mishra and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval would me perhaps among the first appointments that will be made. The PMO officials have prepared an agenda for the next 100 days after the swearing in of Modi 3.0 with fine-tuning being done on the basis of the advice of PM Modi, reported Hindustan Times. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Saturday concluded his 45-hour-long meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial, is likely to hold a review meeting with PMO officials on Sunday. On Saturday, after exit polls predicted a majority for the NDA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he can say with confidence that the people of India have voted in record numbers to reelect the NDA government. "They have seen our track record and the manner in which our work has brought about a qualitative change in the lives of the poor, marginalised and downtrodden." Also Read: This Exit Polls 2024 predicts a clear win for INDIA Senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, a party candidate from Patna Sahib constituency, on Sunday, targeted former Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his remark about exit polls and claim of getting 295 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. The senior BJP leader said the grand old party is performing poorly because it didn't stop daydreaming. Advising Congress to work on the ground and stop criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prasad said There is no bar on daydreaming in India. The Exit Poll is only reflecting the exact poll. We will cross 400 in Delhi (Centre) and 40 in Bihar. Also Read | BJP wins Arunachal assembly election; ruling SKM sweeps Sikkim Earlier today, the sitting MP from Wayanad (Kerala) rejected the exit polls by calling it, Modi media poll." Gandhi termed the exit poll exercise as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "fantasy poll". Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal Surrender Live Updates: Delhi CM leaves from Rajghat While speaking with reporters in the national capital Delhi, the Wayanad MP said, It is not exit poll, it is Modi media poll. It is his fantasy poll." When quizzed about the number of seats for the INDIA alliance, Gandhi said, Have you heard Sidhu Moose Wala's song 295? 295." It is important to note that exit polls have predicted a stunning victory for the saffron party, with some pollsters claiming that the BJP-led NDA's score may well cross the 400 mark. Also Read | Pune Porsche crash: 'Doctors had told...', says teen's mother amid blood sample swapping charge Speaking to ANI on exit polls, Prasad praised PM Modi and said, "PM Narendra Modi worries about the poor, worries about the farmers, he is the one who is working to develop this nation, and he is the one who is safeguarding the country." Prasad also jibed at Congress' Jairam Ramesh's statement and said that Congress's current situation is because the party never stopped daydreaming. Exit Polls 2024: Even as most exit polls for Lok Sabha elections 2024 predicts a landslide victory for BJP, the poll run by DB live shows a clear majority for INDI alliance with around 255 to 290 seats, while NDA is likely to win about 201 to 241 seats. The exit poll numbers also showed that in Tamil Nadu, the INDI alliance is likely to win 37 to 39 seats and NDA to win only 1; in Maharashtra, INDIA to win 28 to 30 seats while NDA to get around 20. The polls also predicted a clear majority for INDIA in Bihar, Rajasthan and Karnataka. Meanwhile, it shows stupendous win for NDA in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Sharing the poll result on Twitter, Congress leader Luv Dutta said, These are the exact numbers that you all will see on 4th June. This Exit Poll will come out to be true. INDI Alliance will form the Govt on the 4th of June, he added Check other exit poll results Prime Minister Narendra Modis party is set to win a decisive majority in Indias election for the third time in a row, several exit polls showed, extending his decade in power atop the worlds fastest-growing major economy. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance is likely to win as many as 74 seats out of 80 in Uttar Pradesh, the state that contributes the maximum number of seats to the Lok Sabha, as predicted by Matrize-Republic exit poll on Saturday. As per predictions by the India News- NewsX-D-Dynamics, the BJP is expected to improve its 2019 tally and win 65 of the 80 Lok Sabha seats. Its NDA allies in the state, Apna Dal (Sonelal) and Rashtriya Lok Dal are slated to win 2 seats each which brings the NDA tally to 69 seats. The India Today's Axis My India poll predictions point towards a 64-67 seat victory for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh. The INDIA bloc is expected to win nearly 8-12 seats. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party had entered into a seat-sharing agreement in the state, as part of the INDIA bloc. The Bahujan Samaj Party which is fighting solo is slated to win zero to one seat. After witnessing a volatile week, its time for celebration for Indian investors as the stock market is all set to gear up on Monday, June 3 with exit polls suggesting over 350 seats for the NDA coalition. Along with exit polls, market will also react to domestic GDP data along with US core PCE data which will result further heighten the volatility on Monday. Overall the global cues have been weak as the hopes of rate cut are getting diminished with better than expected US economic data releases. Monday morning markets would celebrate the EXITPOLL numbers and open with a gap-up strength. The gap up would be on the back of exit poll reports suggesting BJP can comfortably get 350++ seats pushing the Nifty to look to move-up for new lifetime highs. Now at this juncture, we should focus on the next 5 years plan which is more important than the next 2-3 days. Election results will pass on with flying colours and focus will now shift towards Capex, Govt spending, valuations and earnings growth, said Prashanth Tapse, Senior VP (Research), Mehta Equities Ltd. During the week, the equity market shown some anxiety and nervousness around the impending political uncertainty, which resulted in a sharp rise in volatility in April and May. Until Thursday, frontline indices experienced a continuous decline over five sessions, resulting in a 2.4 percent drop from their recent peak earlier in the week. This decline occurred amidst considerable volatility preceding the release of poll results. For the week, the Sensex plummeted by 1,449 points and the Nifty dropped by 426 points, marking their first weekly decrease in three weeks. Traders adjusted their positions in anticipation of exit poll outcomes and final results. Where's market headed on June 3? In general, analysts anticipate the Nifty 50 to ascend towards the range of 23,000-23,400. Conversely, they suggest that the index could hold around 22,400 on the downside. While they foresee a gradual upward trend, the market might experience fluctuations this week due to the RBI monetary policy. Therefore, experts advise traders to monitor leveraged positions closely and await further clarity. This comes as a shot in the arm for the bulls who will trigger a big rally in the market on Monday. Largecaps in financials, capital goods, automobiles and telecom are likely to lead the rally. The bulls will be further emboldened by the better-than-expected 8.2% growth in GDP numbers which came after market hours on Friday. Technically and fundamentally the market is poised for a rally, said V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services. According to Gary Dugan, chief investment officer at Dalma Capital Management Ltd. in Dubai, as quoted by Bloomberg, investors can expect 3-5% return from the market on Monday. The suggested size of the majority would allow the government to continue unabated with its current policy program. We could imagine a 3-5% return from the market on Monday, Dugan said. Prashanth Tapse of Mehta Equities further said, "Technically markets would trade highly volatile with high VIX index, holding markets above 22400 levels would keep us in a positive zone with possible upside towards 22800-23000 levels in coming days. Close above 23111 would be highly watched." What's next after election results? According to Tapse, after formation of the new government along with new cabinet, the Street will start moving towards the next Full Union Budget which will place the growth of India for next 5 years which would eventually elevate corporate earnings. Base yourself in Bayeux, it is ideal for exploring D-Day sites and museums," said the concierge at the Pullman Paris Montparnasse where I was staying. Ive had a keen interest in World War II since childhood, and often seek out WWII battlegrounds, museums and memorials during my travels. This year, I decided to visit Normandy ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day on 6 June, which led to the liberation of France. From Paris, I headed to Normandy at the wheel of a Jeep Wranglera fitting vehicle because it was during the battles on the beaches of Normandy that the predecessor of todays Jeep, the Willys MB 4x4, proved its mettle. Its reliability and capability in all terrain ensured that the word Jeep" is used to identify any capable off-road SUV, irrespective of brand. I covered the 270km from Paris in three hours and arrived at the little town of Bayeux. The centre of the town is cloistered with cafes, boulangeries, a Carrefour andincongruouslyan Irish pub. Even though 6 June was almost two months away, Bayeux already wore a celebratory air in anticipation of the Festival of Normandy on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Several shop windows were decorated with themes celebrating the liberation. What is D-Day? By the end of 1943, WWII was in its fifth year and most of Europe was dominated by Nazi Germany. The Soviets, on the eastern front, were fighting the might of the German war machine. When the heads of the Allied nationsthe US, USSR and UKFranklin Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin and Winston Churchill, respectively, met in Tehran in November 1943, Stalin was insistent that a western front be opened to take the pressure off the Soviet army. It was decided that around May 1944, the Allies would launch the invasion of western Europe. The invasion, code-named Operation Overlord and led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, was set for 5 June and then postponed by 24 hours due to terrible weather. During the wee hours of a foggy Tuesday, 6 June 1944, 13,000 paratroopers were dropped in Normandy behind German lines. Their mission was to overcome German defences and secure vital roads and bridges close to the beaches so that the seaborne troops could follow. Also read: Discover the traditional British liqueur sloe gin Operation Neptune was the code name for the naval element of Operation Overlord. It consisted of over 5,000 vessels carrying about 160,000 troops. These ships set sail across the English Channel in the dark for beaches along a 50-mile stretch in Normandy. These beaches were code-named (West to East) Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The landings began around 6.30am. Thanks to an elaborate Allied campaign in the preceding months to trick the Germans into thinking that the invasion would happen at Calais, where the distance between England and France was the shortest, and the Germans believing that the Allies would never launch an invasion in such bad weather, the Allied troops caught the Germans off guard. Yet it wasnt a pushover and the invasion teetered on the brink of uncertainty for a large part of the first 24 hours. The Germans fought brutally hard to contain the Allied troops on the beaches. German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel had famously said that the first 24 hours would be the longest day". If the Allied troops were not pushed back into the sea from the beaches itself, it would be the beginning of the end for Germany. However, the Allies broke out from the beaches and won the battle of Normandy over the next few days. It is this victory and the beginning of the liberation of Europe that the festival celebrates. View Full Image A shop window painted by Belgian artist Pascal Felisse in Bayeux. (Rishad Saam Mehta) In the past, scores of veterans would arrive for reunions. As the years go by, the number of surviving veterans has gone small," said the woman at the tourism office in Bayeux. Even in their late 90s, on wheelchairs and with oxygen bottles, they come still to pay their respects to their brothers-in-arms who are buried in the many cemeteries around Normandy. Even after all these years the memories are so powerful that many of them are overcome with emotion." I visited a few of the 29 cemeteries scattered across Normandy. These are a powerful reminder of the true cost of the liberation of Europe from Nazi terror. Festival of gratitude Over the next few days, with Bayeux as my base, I drove around the pretty countryside of Normandy visiting the beaches, sites of battles and gun batteries and museums, which make history come alive with their exhibits of arms, uniforms, vehicles and equipment. It is truly poignant to visit Omaha Beach, which today, is peaceful and serene. But from the opening sequences of Saving Private Ryan, I know what a bloody massacre happened here 80 years ago when German machine gun and mortar fire from the cliffs beyond the beach mercilessly cut to pieces the first waves of troops landing here. So much so that the sea turned red that Tuesday morning. But the soldiers held on tenaciously and advanced inch by inch up the beach. Also read: The immersive joys of train travel Every year the D-Day Festival of Normandy takes place along the coastline, from Pegasus Bridge to Sainte-Mere-Eglise and includes the towns of Bayeux, Ouistreham, Arromanches, and of course the five D-Day beaches. This year, the festival is all the more special and will run from the 1-16 June. An event attended by heads of state, it will include open-air concerts, parades, reenactment of parachute drops (with original WWII aircraft), and historical re-enactments of the beach landings along with fireworks, exhibitions and large screen projections of archival footage. The baker in Bayeux, from whom I would get my morning croissant, explained that festivals underlying theme was gratitude. Normandy locals and visitors make it their responsibility never to let coming generations forget what happened here in the summer of 1944. It is about honouring all the soldiers and civilians who perished and also the joy of celebrating the freedom won, thanks to them." Rishad Saam Mehta is a Mumbai-based author, travel writer and budding travel video maker. For a lay investor, it is understandable to opt for equity for wealth creation and fixed income instruments for assured returns. But what would you do if you want considerable wealth creation along with safety of funds? One advisable way is to opt for hybrid mutual funds, which invest in a mix of debt and equity. Between hybrid funds, there are a number of sub-categories as well such as conservative hybrid funds, multi asset funds, equity savings funds and aggressive funds based on their equity allocation. One sub-category, among hybrid funds, which one of the most popular and highly recommended is that of dynamic asset allocation funds or balanced advantage funds. What are dynamic asset allocation funds? Balanced Advantage Funds refer to the schemes which invest in a blend of securities and fixed income instruments. The allocation of equity and debt is managed dynamically (i.e. 0 to 100 per cent in equity & equity-related instruments and 0 to 100 percent in debt instruments), as per the Sebis categorisation of mutual fund schemes. These schemes keep changing their allocation based on the market conditions in order to give optimal returns with minimal risk. These are also referred to as dynamic asset allocation funds. Why should you invest in them? In the entire mutual fund universe, there are 33 schemes in the category of balanced Advantage Funds with total assets under management amounting to 2.56 lakh crore. This number is highest among all other categories of hybrid schemes. This is closely followed by balanced hybrid funds which are 31 in number with total AUMs of 2.02 lakh crore. Sridharan Sundaram, a Sebi-registered investment advisor and co-founder of Wealth Ladder Direct, said, Some of the top-managed balanced advantage fund have given 10-12 percent dividend between 2013 to 2018. Because of that, they have garnered huge inflows. Secondly, portfolio rebalancing of stocks is done at the mutual fund level rather than at the investor level. As a result these schemes tend to deliver superior returns. "Common investors always are in dilemma which mutual funds to choose from different categories of mutual funds for their financial goals. Amid market volatility, investors can find suitable mutual funds for investment in form of dynamic asset allocation fund. These funds allow investment in equity, debt, real estate and even gold in one fund. So here, allocation to different asset classes is decided by fund manager so investors do not need to worry about this, says Preeti Zende, a Sebi-registered investment advisor and founder of Apna Dhan Financial Services. Since these funds are actively managed, allocation in each asset class depends on market conditions and fund manager skills. Some funds are aggressive while others are defensive in nature. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) A wind-driven fire continued to scorch thousands of acres 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of San Francisco, prompting residents to flee their homes and the closure of two major freeways near the central California city of Tracy. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the fire erupted Saturday afternoon in the grassy hills managed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, one of the country's key centers for nuclear weapons science and technology. Authorities said the research center was not under immediate threat from the blaze, dubbed the Corral Fire, which had devoured some 20 square miles (52 square kilometers) by Sunday afternoon and was only 15% contained. Nevertheless, authorities ordered some residents to leave the area and set up evacuation centers. The wildfire presented no threats to any laboratory facilities or operations and the fire had moved away from the site, Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien said in a statement to The Associated Press early Sunday. We have been working in close partnership with Cal Fire, Alameda County Fire Dept, and other emergency services partners throughout the evening, Rhien said. As a precaution, we have activated our emergency operations center to monitor the situation through the weekend. It was not immediately known how many structures had been destroyed by the fire. Photos showed a wall of flames moving over the parched landscape as dark smoke billowed into the sky. California firefighters aided by aircraft battled a wind-driven wildfire that continued not only burning but spreading early Sunday in an area straddling the San Francisco Bay Area and central California, authorities said. Strong winds and dry grass have made it difficult for firefighters to contain, Cal Fire said in a Facebook post Sunday morning. Interstate 580, which connects the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County in central California, was closed from the Alameda County line to the Stanislaus County Line. SR 132 was also closed from I-580 to SR 33 due to the wildfire, the California Department of Transportation said in a statement. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued an evacuation order for areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County and south to Stanislaus County. A temporary evacuation point was established at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy. Sundays high temperature for Tracy was expected to reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius), with no rain in the forecast, but hotter conditions are on their way. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday surrender at the Tihar jail after 21 days interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court to campaign for Lok Sabha elections ended. On May 10, the apex court granted Kejriwal interim bail in the Delhi excise policy scam, asking him to surrender on June 2. I am Going back to jail not because I was involved in corruption, but because I raised voice against dictatorship, said Kejriwal ahead of surrendering. Kejriwal paid obeisance at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the Raj Ghat. He also visited the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. Meanwhile, BJP leader Manoj Tiwari slammed Kejriwal and termed him villain of Delhi. There is a water crisis in the city. The (water) department comes under him but he never tried to provide clean water to the people of Delhi. Today, Arvind Kejriwal visited Raj Ghat. If he had followed Mahatma Gandhi, then he wouldn't have to go to jail, Tiwari told PTI. Arvind Kejriwal Surrender Updates Respecting the court and Constitution, Arvind Kejriwal has surrendered after the end of his bail, says Delhi Minister Atishi. 4:50 - Kejriwal surrenders Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal surrenders at Tihar jail after interim bail granted by Supreme Court ends. 4:45pm - AAP Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar says Our leaders are jailed because the BJP has made amendments to the laws that anyone can be put into jail without any proof... We are not afraid to go to jail. We are hopeful that we will get justice from the Supreme Court, Kakkar told ANI. 4: 35pm - Arvind Kejriwal leaves from party office 4:25pm - Kejriwal holds meeting with Political Affairs Committee 4:20 - 'I don't know what they will do with me in jail' I don't know when will I return after going to jail this time. I don't know what they will do with me. But I don't care. They can do whatever they want. Every drop of my blood is for the country. If Bhagat Singh was hanged, I am also ready to be hanged. 4:10pm - Exit polls are fake, says Kejriwal Take it in writing, all these exit polls are fake. One exit poll gave 33 seats to BJP in Rajasthan whereas there are only 25 seats there. Why they (BJP) had to do a fake exit poll 3 days before the day of counting. Tell your counting agents, RO to be alert. Don't move till the last round of counting is completed. There is no need to fear exit polls. BJP is not forming govt on June 4. Exit polls are mind games to put you (Candidates) in depression, discourage them. This election is not about any party or leader, but to save this country. The situation today is the same for which Bhagat Singh, Gandhi ji fought. 4:00pm - Kejriwal addresses party workers. Supreme Court granted me bail for 21 days to campaign for elections. I want to thank SC for that. Today, I am going to Tihar Jail again. I did not waste even a minute of these 21 days. I did not campaign only for AAP but for various parties. I went to Mumbai, Haryana, UP, Jharkhand, Bhiwandi, Jamshedpur. AAP is not important. AAP is secondary, for us the country is important. I am going to jail again, not because I have done a scam but because I have raised my voice against dictatorship, Arvind Kejriwal tells people of Delhi PM Modi has accepted in front of the country that he does not have any evidence against me. 4:03 - Sanjay Singh addresses party worker Each and every worker of the AAP and the entire nation knows that Arvind Kejriwal is being punished because he is the first CM after Independence who has worked for the public and Delhiites, said Sanjay Singh addressing party workers. 3:54pm: We hope he will be released soon Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai said that Arvind Kejriwal is going back to jail again today and hoped he will be released from jail soon. 3:32pm: Kejriwal offers prayers at Hanuman Mandir Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his wife Sunita Kejriwal offer prayers at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place. 3:20pm - Kejriwal leaves from Rajghat Before surrendering, Kejriwal paid tribute at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the Raj Ghat. Order on interim bail reserved Kejriwal has also applied for interim bail in Delhi Court to undergo medical tests. The interim bail argument took place on Saturday, however, the court has reserved the order till June 5. ED opposes bail The Enforcement Directorate has opposed the bail plea on health grouds and accused Kejriwal of suppressing the nature of the test. Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon and her driver were allegedly attacked by a mob in Mumbai on Saturday night amid rash driving accusations. According to reports, the incident took place on Carter Road in Bandra. The actress driver reportedly hit three people with the vehicle and injured them. Following that, the crowd became angry, and it led to an altercation. As the matter escalated, Raveena Tondon got out of her vehicle to speak with the crowd. However, she was allegedly pushed and hit. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media platforms. In a video, the actress was heard saying please dont hit me'. According to the FPJ report, the actress was in a drunken state and abused and assaulted the victims. In a video, one of the victims can be heard saying My nose is bleeding. You will have to spend the night in jail. You have assaulted. I will go to the police, said another person present at the spot. Before rushing back to the vehicle, the actress was also heard asking the crowd not to push her. In a video posted by a freelance reporter Mohsin Shaikh, a relative of the alleged victim said that they were returning from someplace and when they were near the house of the actress, the driver hit his mother with a car, and when questioned, he started assaulting. He also alleged that the actress was in a drunken state, and when she stepped out of the vehicle, she started assaulting. He also alleged that they were at the Khar police station for four hours, but the case was not being filed. Hyderabad, one of the country's bustling metropolitan cities, will no longer be the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh starting Sunday, as stipulated by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. Starting June 2, Hyderabad will exclusively serve as the capital of Telangana. When unified Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in 2014, Hyderabad was designated as the capital of both states for a period of 10 years. "On and from the appointed day (June 2), Hyderabad in the existing State of Andhra Pradesh, shall be the common capital of the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh for such period not exceeding ten years," the AP Reorganisation Act said. "After expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (1), Hyderabad shall be the capital of the State of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for the State of Andhra Pradesh," it added. The formation of Telangana State marked the fulfilment of a long-standing demand, as statehood was officially achieved on June 2, 2014, following the approval of the AP Reorganisation bill in Parliament in February 2014. Last month, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy instructed officials to reclaim buildings such as the Lake View government guest house in Hyderabad, which were allotted to Andhra Pradesh for a 10-year period, after June 2. Even after a decade of separation, numerous unresolved matters persist between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, including the division of assets. Telangana came into existence on June 2, 2014. The Telangana government aimed to address the bifurcation in a cabinet meeting. Still, it was reportedly postponed due to the Election Commission's purported withholding of approval, citing the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections. The Congress government has organized a day-long event scheduled for Sunday, while the primary opposition, BRS, has outlined its activities spanning three days from June 1. Additionally, the government has invited Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi to attend the festivities as the chief guest. Around 60 to 70 terrorists are active on launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC), said Rashmi Ranjan Swain, who holds the dual charge as Jammu and Kashmir DGP and the CID. The terrorists, in groups of five or six at different places, are waiting to be pushed into our side at any given point of time, he added. In an interview with PTI, Swain said that though the capability has been degraded, it has not stopped Pakistan from sending men and material to Jammu and Kashmir. However, the top cop said that Indian security personnel will make it "absolutely hard" for the adversary to succeed. The DGP stated that drone droppings activities pose a significant challenge as they enable the smuggling of arms, ammunition, explosives, cash and narcotics. "In our meetings with our security partners, we generally have come to the conclusion that it is a fact that the adversary or the enemy has not stopped from sending men and material," said Swain, who holds the dual charge of the J&K Police and the CID, told PTI in an interview. Swain added that the threat remains and sustained efforts are required to further reduce the "enemy's ability to destabilise the area". Meanwhile, he also acknowledged some success in countering the attempts made by the enemy. "I would say the enemy's intent is very much there, the capability certainly degraded, but the ability to occasionally rock the system and unsettle you is there," he said. The Army, paramilitary forces and the Jammu and Kashmir Police are determined that they will make it absolutely hard for the adversary to succeed, Swain said. A video of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs from Manipur has gone viral on social media in which Public Health Engineering Minister Leishangthem Susindro was seen driving a huge bulldozer towards the Nambul riverbank to clean the river of rubbish, while MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh helping him in the process. The Public Health Engineering Ministerwho can be seen wearing heavy-duty rubber boots to drive the excavator on tracks in the one-minute video spoke with another party MLA, Rajkumar Imo Singh, before swinging the long, metal arm of the bulldozer and scooping out rubbish from the river. The rubbish had blocked the water flow of the Nambul River in the heart of Manipur's capital, Imphalwhich suddenly rose and breached the riverbank in many areas last week after heavy rain brought by Cyclone Remal battered the state. The rubbish had worsened the water flood. Also Read | No relief from heatwaves in northwest, central and east India until Tuesday: IMD In mobile videos taken by residents, Public Health Engineering Minister Susindro can be seen driving a huge bulldozer to clean rubbish from the clogged river. While central forces like the Indian Army, Assam Rifles, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and its state counterpart, SDRF, Manipur Police, irrigation, and fire department personnel coordinated rescue and relief work, the two BJP MLAs engaged themselves in cleaning rubbish from the Nambul River. Also Read | Prem Singh Tamang: From school teacher to second time Sikkim CM MLA Rajkumar Imo Singhin shorts and rubber slipperswas seen walking on a bridge with local residents to discuss how to clear the river's flow. Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Singh posted, "This removal of all the wastes from the Nambul River will ensure smooth flow and less flooding near the surroundings of Sagolband and Uripok." Also Read | FIIs to make $16 billion if market goes up 2% on Monday: Samir Arora In another post, the BJP MLA thanked everyone involved in the cleaning process and urged the residents not to throw any waste in the river. Thank everyone involved for all the work during the last few days. Lets not throw any waste in the river; conserve and preserve our rivers and the natural ecosystem. One can see so many plastic bottles and boxes. Social Media Reactions While several users welcomed and praised the effort of the minister and the BJP MLA, while some others called it mockery. Proud of u people. None would have done it. Salute you posted a user. Dear minister @LSusindro @Susindro great effort. But the people elected you to do your job as a minister not as a excavator operator. Maybe do actual work that's essential? posted another user. FYI, he actively engaged in many initiatives. On the other hand, he is friendly to his people. As his area became one of the most affected areas, he came out to help in things that he can. He also covers other areas that he can, replied another user. Haryana Police on Sunday arrested one accused from the state's Bhiwani district in the alleged plot to attack Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The Navi Mumbai Police said that the accused has been identified as Deepak alias Johnny Valmiki and will soon be brought to Mumbai for further investigation. The fresh arrest came after the Navi Mumbai Police revealed on June 1 about the second attempt on the life of Salman Khan and said that they have arrested four accused in the case. Also read: Plot to harm Salman Khan: Lawrence Bishnoi gang planned to harm actor with gun used to kill Sidhu Moose Wala In an official release, the Navi Mumbai police said Deepak Hawasingh Gogalia @ Jonny Walmiki (30) was arrested from Bhiwani in Haryana on Saturday. It said Gogalia had made accommodation arrangements for the other accused as well as providing logistical and vehicle support. Gogalia was in touch with the other accused through video calls, it added. The release also added that he was nabbed after Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 11), Panvel, Vivek Pansare sought the help of Bhiwani SP Varun Singhala and a Crime Branch team from Navi Mumbai left for the northern state. Also read: Lawrence Bishnoi gang members arrested for planning attack on Salman Khan, ordered AK-47 from Pakistan Gogalia was produced before a magistrate in Bhiwani on Sunday, who granted Navi Mumbai police transit remand till June 5, the release said, adding he was being brought to Panvel. On Saturday, DCP Pansare had told media that Panvel police station senior inspector Nitin Thackeray got inputs in September-October last year about a conspiracy to harm the actor. Their probe found that four gang members had recced Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel, the area around his home at Bandra in Mumbai and places he visited for film shooting, the DCP had said. Also read: Salman Khan should come to our temple and: Bishnoi community head open to consider apology in blackbuck case In April, a case was registered a case against 17 persons, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, he had said. Dhananjay Tapesingh, alias Ajay Kashyap (28) was arrested from Panvel on April 28, while Gaurav Bhatia, alias Sandeep Bishnoi, was taken into custody from Gujarat on the same day, the official said on Saturday. Vaspi Khan, alias Waseem Chikna, was picked from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Rizwan Khan, alias Javed Khan, was arrested from Bangalore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Sunday hold at least seven meetings on wide range of topics, including brain-storming session to review the agenda for 100 day program. The majority of exit polls on Saturday projected third term for Narendra Modi government with 350 plus seats for BJP-led NDA. Three exit polls have predicted that NDA will cross 400 seat mark. He will hold the first meeting to review post cyclone situation, especially in the states of northeast. After that, Modi will hold a meeting to review the heatwave situation in the country. The Prime Minister will also hold a meeting to review the preparations to celebrate World Environment Day, which falls on June 5, at a large scale Later in the day, Modi will review the agenda for 100 day program. Prime Minister set in motion the exercise to prepare the 100-day agenda for the new government, even before starting his campaign for Lok Sabha elections. According to reports, Modi has already told top bureaucrats that tough decision will be taken in the historic third term of his government. After exit polls predicted clear sweep for NDA, Narendra Modi complimented party workers for their work and meticulously explaining development agenda to the people. I can say with confidence that the people of India have voted in record numbers to reelect the NDA government, Modi said in a post on X. The Lok Sabha poll results will be announced on Tuesday. After the end of campaigning for the last phase of Lok Sabha elections, Modi went for 45-hour-long meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari. Top Events on June 2: India is all set to witness various political and cultural events, including Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim assembly elections result, Arvind Kejriwal back to jail, Telangana Formation Day celebrations, and more today. Take a look at top events of the day below, - Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will return to jail on Sunday after the city court reserved the order till June 5 on the interim bail plea moved by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader on medical grounds. The Supreme Court of India granted him interim bail for the Lok Sabha election campaigning till June 1 and asked him to surrender on June 2. - The vote counting for the Assembly Elections in two northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, is underway. Polling for the 60 assembly seats in Arunachal Pradesh and 32 in Sikkim was held on April 19. - Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi will attend the decennial Telangana formation day fete on June 2. The state anthem will also be released today. Telangana was formed on June 2, 2014, after Congress passed a resolution to make it a separate state. - Tensions on the Shambhu border would escalate again on Sunday as farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Friday confirmed that the farmers across the state will head towards the Morcha site on their trollies and tractors. - Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will convene a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting on Sunday to discuss the upcoming election for 11 Legislative Council seats from the Assembly constituency. The voting is scheduled for June 13, and the results will be announced on the same day. - Several trains from Mumbai to Pune will remain cancelled due to maintenance work today. These trains include Pune Mumbai Intercity Express, Pune-Mumbai-Pune Deccan Express, Pune-Mumbai-Pune Deccan Queen Express and Kurla-Margaon-Kurla. - CPM state secretary K Balakrishnan announced on Wednesday that the party will organize a statewide protest on June 2 to condemn Israel's killing of innocent Palestinians. In his statement, he noted that since October of last year, the Israeli army has perpetuated genocidal atrocities in Gaza, Palestine. - Air India will begin operating nonstop flights between Coimbatore and Delhi today, June 2. The flight AI 547 will depart from Delhi at 3 p.m. and arrive in Coimbatore at 6 p.m. The return flight, AI 548, will leave Coimbatore at 6:45 p.m. and land at Delhi's T-3 terminal at 9:50 p.m. This service will be available six days a week, excluding Saturdays. A full emergency was declared at Mumbai airport on Sunday after a Mumbai-bound Vistara flight from Paris received a bomb threat. The flight from Paris was carrying 306 passengers, including 12 crew members. This was the second threat Vistara's flight received in the last two days. On Friday, a Delhi-Srinagar flight on Friday received a similar threat. The airline reported that its flight UK 024 from Paris' Charles de Gualle airport to Mumbai received a hand written note on an airsickness bag threatening a bomb, reported PTI quoting a source. The flight, however, landed safely at 10:19 am. Following that, security agencies started conducting a thorough check "A security concern has been noted by our staff while onboard the airline's flight UK 024 operating from Paris to Mumbai on 2 June 2024," said Vistara in a statement. A Vistara spokesperson said that following the protocol, the airline immediately informed the relevant authorities. It also said that the flight had landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai and the airline is fully cooperating with the security agencies for all the mandatory checks. On Friday, operations at Srinagar airport were affected for an hour after Vistara flight from Delhi received a bomb threat. A plane was searched with the help of bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs. However, it turned out to be a hoax call. On May 28, IndiGo's Delhi-Varanasi flight received a bomb scare which turned out to be a hoax. A tissue paper, with the word ''bomb@5.30'' written on it, was found in the lavatory. On May 22, the North Block in Delhi, which houses the office of the home ministry, received a bomb threat. On May 11, the IGI Airport and the Northern Railways' CPRO office. The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy rains on June 2 in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Sikkim, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Kerala. Southwest Monsoon advances over India The weather agency noted that conditions are favourable for the Southwest Monsoon to advance further over the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal Lakshadweep. It is expected to impact Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu during the next two days. IMD predicted thunderstorms accompanied by light to moderate showers, lightning and gusty winds for Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, West Bengal, Sikkim and Tripura until June 8. Also read: Monsoon Tracker: IMD predicts southwest monsoon to advance in THESE states in next 3 days The weather report dated June 1 states, Isolated heavy to hefty rainfall very likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim during next five days and isolated heavy rainfall over Manipur on 03rd & 04th June. Also read: Monsoon Tracker: Is Maharashtra headed for a dry monsoon? IMD says 'because of Cyclone Remal...' A wet spell has been forecasted over Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Goa until June 6 and over Maharashtra until June 5. Moreover, as per the weather bulletin, Odisha is set to experience heavy rainfall on June 2. Also read: Monsoon 2024: Southwest monsoon sets in over Kerala. When will Mumbaikars get relief from heat? IMD says THIS Heatwave over North-western and Central India The Met Department's report suggested that heatwave to severe heat wave conditions are likely over Haryana and Punjab on June 2. Additionally, IMD warned of heatwaves in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Odisha on June 2 and over Uttarakhand and Jharkhand until June 3. Rajasthan will experience heatwave conditions on June 4 and June 5. MEXICO CITY (AP) Mexicans will likely choose the first female president in the countrys history Sunday between a former academic who promises to further the current leaders populist policies and an ex-senator and tech entrepreneur who pledges to up the fight against deadly drug cartels. Nearly 100 million people are registered to vote in the race to replace outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Voters will also elect governors in nine of the countrys 32 states, and choose candidates for both houses of Congress, thousands of mayorships and other local posts, in the biggest elections the nation has seen and ones that have been marked by violence. The elections are widely seen as a referendum on Lopez Obrador, a populist who has expanded social programs but largely failed to reduce cartel violence in Mexico. His Morena party currently holds 23 of the 32 governorships and a simple majority of seats in both houses of Congress. Mexicos constitution prohibits the presidents reelection. Early turnout appeared to be high in the capital with long lines of voters under clear skies. Morena hopes to gain the two-thirds majority in Congress required to amend the constitution to eliminate oversight agencies that it says are unwieldy and wasteful. The opposition, running in a loose coalition, argues that would endanger Mexico's democratic institutions. Both major presidential candidates are women, and either would be Mexico's first female president. A third candidate from a smaller party, Jorge Alvarez Maynez, trails far behind. Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum is running with the Morena party. Sheinbaum, who leads in the race, has promised to continue all of Lopez Obradors policies, including a universal pension for the elderly and a program that pays youths to apprentice. Opposition presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez, whose father was Indigenous Otomi, rose from selling snacks on the street in her poor hometown to start her own tech firms. A candidate running with a coalition of major opposition parties, she left the Senate last year to focus her ire on Lopez Obradors decision to avoid confronting the drug cartels through his hugs not bullets policy. She has pledged to more aggressively go after criminals. The persistent cartel violence, along with Mexico's middling economic performance, are the main issues on voters' minds. On the fringes of Mexico City in the neighborhood of San Andres Totoltepec, electoral officials filed past 34-year-old homemaker Stephania Navarrete, who watched dozens of cameramen and electoral officials gathering where frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum was set to vote. Navarrete said she planned to vote for Sheinbaum despite her own doubts about outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and his party. Having a woman president, for me as a Mexican woman, its going to be like before when for the simple fact that you say you are a woman youre limited to certain professions. Not anymore. She said the social programs of Sheinbaums mentor were crucial, but that deterioration of cartel violence in the past few years was her primary concern in this election. That is something that they have to focus more on, she said. For me security is the major challenge. They said they were going to lower the levels of crime, but no, it was the opposite, they shot up. Obviously, I dont completely blame the president, but it is in a certain way his responsibility. Julio Garcia, a Mexico City office worker, said he was voting for the opposition in Mexico City's central San Rafael neighborhood. They've robbed me twice at gunpoint. You have to change direction, change leadership, the 34-year-old said. Continuing the same way is going to lead us straight to Venezuela. Turnout early appeared high in his neighborhood with a line around the block to vote. In Iztapalapa, Mexico Citys largest borough, Angelina Jimenez, a 76-year-old homemaker, said she came to vote "to end this inept government that says were doing well and (still) there are so many dead. She said the violence plaguing Mexico really worried her so she planned to vote for opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez, who has promised to take on the cartels. (Lopez Obrador) says were better and its not true. Were worse. Lopez Obrador claims to have reduced historically high homicide levels by 20% since he took office in December 2018. But that's largely a claim based on a questionable reading of statistics; the real homicide rate appears to have declined by only about 4% in six years. About 675,000 Mexicans living abroad are registered to vote, but in the past only a small percentage have done so. Voting is not mandatory in Mexico, and overall turnout has hovered around 60% in recent elections. That compares to turnout in recent U.S. presidential elections. An exception was in 2020, when the matchup between then-President Donald Trump and future President Joe Biden pushed U.S. voter turnout to 67%, its highest point in decades. Just as the upcoming November rematch between Biden and Trump has underscored deep divisions in the U.S., Sunday's election has revealed how severely polarized public opinion is in Mexico over the direction of the country, including its security strategy and how to grow the economy. Beyond the fight for control of Congress, the race for Mexico City whose top post is now considered equivalent to a governorship is also important. Sheinbaum is just the latest of many Mexico City mayors, including Lopez Obrador, who went on to run for president. Governorships in large, populous states such as Veracruz and Jalisco are also drawing interest. Polls opened at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. (0000 GMT Monday) in most of the country. The first preliminary, partial results are expected by 9 p.m. (0300 GMT Monday) after the last polls in different time zones close. __ (Bloomberg) -- South Africas ruling African National Congress has begun talks with rivals to form a government after losing a parliamentary majority it had held since Nelson Mandela led it to power at the end of apartheid in 1994. The ANC is open to talking to any party but will not entertain demands from some that President Cyril Ramaphosa step down as a precondition, Fikile Mbalula, the partys secretary-general said at a press conference on Sunday. We are talking to everybody, Mbalula said. A coalition is a consequence, when you dont have a majority, you do do that. The ANCs slump to just over 40% of the vote comes after years of economic mismanagement and corruption saddled the country with one of the worlds highest unemployment rates and weak growth. The electoral shake-up has pushed Africas most-industrialized nation into uncharted territory with the ANC now likely to be forced to rely on cooperation from bitter rivals if it is to retain power. The ANC got an about 40.2% share, down from 57.5% in 2019. That means the ANC will have 159 seats in the 400 seat National Assembly. The main opposition Democratic Alliance secured 87 seats, while a party led by a former ANC and national president, Jacob Zuma, garnered 58 seats just five months after its launch. Still, Mbalula said, the party will assess all options including failing to come to a coalition agreement, which could necessitate a rerun of the election. It wont, however, entertain demands by Zumas uMkhonto weSizwe party that the price of its support is Ramaphosas exit from office. Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC and if you come with a demand that he must step down, you must forget, he said. No political party will dictate terms like that to us. Mbalula said the ANCs top leaders will meet on Tuesday to review what the talks with rivals have yielded. The countrys Electoral Commission officially announced the results on Sunday evening, notwithstanding Zumas demand that they delay to review allegations of voter irregularities made by his party and some others. Under the constitution, South Africas National Assembly must convene within 14 days to elect a speaker and a president after the declaration of the election outcome. The extent of the ANCs loss leaves it with the choice of turning to the DA, which Ramaphosas allies favour, or seeking an alliance on the left with either Zumas party, known as the MKP, or the populist EFF. Bloomberg Terminal clients can click on ELEC ZA for more on South Africas elections The DA agreed on Sunday to open talks with other parties to avoid what it refers to as a Doomsday Coalition one that would group the ANC with Zumas party and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters. The DAs Federal Executive has unanimously adopted a resolution to initiate exploratory talks with other political parties that share a commitment to the South African constitution, DA leader John Steenhuisen said in an address broadcast on YouTube. DA leaders are leaning toward seeking a formal coalition with the ANC in which they would receive some cabinet posts and control of several parliamentary portfolio committees, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified as the talks arent public. Some DA leaders oppose the idea, the people said, and a decision has yet to be taken. The Inkatha Freedom Party, a small party thats been working with the DA, also organized a gathering of its national executive committee on Sunday. EFF leader Julius Malema, who established the party in 2013 after he was expelled from the ANC, said hes open to cooperating with it. The ANC is considering a wide range of options that would allow it to work with rivals with people familiar with the situation saying the possibility of appointing a finance minister from outside of the party is being considered. The president is permitted to appoint two people to cabinet who are not members of parliament. An alliance with the DA would be welcomed by financial markets as it would likely see the acceleration of economic reforms and privatization initiatives that Ramaphosa has begun to put in place. It could also see chronic power and water shortages tackled and action taken to improve the woeful performance of the countrys freight rail and port networks. The ANC has been in power for too long and has been too complacent, William Gumede, a political analyst and founder of the Democracy Works Foundation, said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. I think now for the first time since 1994 we will actually see some kind of accountability, some kind of urgency to deal with all these structural issues. If the ANC chooses to form a minority government, it will still need the support of a rival to appoint a president as that position is voted on by parliament. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter --With assistance from Ana Monteiro, Monique Vanek, Paul Vecchiatto and Paul Richardson. (Updates with number of seats ANC will have in parliament in fifth paragraph. An earlier version of the story corrected the spelling of the DA leaders name in 12th paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com By Karen Braun NERVILLE, Illinois, - Large speculators have been more willing in recent years to enter June with bearish bets against the young, unpredictable U.S. corn crop, but they may have to reduce corn shorts over the next several weeks due to the high potential for weather scares. In the week ended May 28, money managers expanded their net short position in CBOT corn futures and options to 133,477 contracts from 121,162 a week earlier, well off their record net short of 340,732 contracts set back in February. Since 2007, money managers have held a net short in corn at the end of May only five other times, but all instances were within the past decade. Four of those five cases featured net buying in the following four weeks. That four-week period cuts off just before the volatile end-of-June reports on U.S. stocks and acres, since that data can send sentiment in a completely new direction. In the fifth instance, 2020, money managers were equally as bearish toward the end of June as they were four weeks prior, meaning there is no precedent for bearish funds to become even more pessimistic on corn throughout June. U.S. crop conditions and weather are watched very carefully throughout June as corn heads toward Julys precarious pollination period, and the market is extra sensitive to changes in weather forecasts, likely explaining the reduction in fund exposure during June. Funds are unlikely to extend already bullish corn views throughout June, doing so in just four of the 12 years in which they held net longs at the end of May. However, they remained bullish near the end of June in all but one of those years, 2018, infamous for the U.S.-China trade war. Most-active CBOT corn futures had gained 1% in the week ended May 28. Although funds were net sellers, there were a handful of new gross longs. Futures fell 3.5% between Wednesday and Friday, possibly owing to end-of-month positioning and the normal U.S. corn planting pace. Traders will be watching after Mondays close for the U.S. Department of Agricultures crop progress report, which will feature this seasons first look at U.S. corn conditions. SOYBEANS, WHEAT CBOT soybeans and soybean oil fell fractionally in the week ended May 28, though soybean meal jumped more than 1%, and speculators were net buyers across the soy complex. Money managers cut their net short in CBOT soybean futures and options to 14,218 contracts, the lowest since early January, from 26,426 a week earlier. They both added gross longs and covered gross shorts, though the former was more prominent. Money managers through May 28 were net buyers of CBOT soybean meal futures and options for an eighth consecutive week, extending their net long to 118,282 contracts from 100,944 a week earlier, primarily on new longs. That is funds most bullish-ever meal stance for the date, passing 2018 in the latest week. In CBOT soybean oil futures and options, money managers were net buyers for a fourth consecutive week, trimming their net short to 41,844 contracts from 46,521 a week earlier. The new stance is very similar to a year ago. Soybean oil futures were unchanged in the last three sessions, but soybeans fell 2% and meal dropped more than 3%, as did CBOT wheat. Wheat hit 10-month highs in the week ended May 28 as Russian crop estimates plunged, but cumulative gains were fractional during the period. The managed money net short in CBOT wheat futures and options grew by less than 1,000 contracts through May 28, and the resulting position of 25,431 contracts compares with a net short of 127,000 a year ago, when futures were trading 12% lower versus now. Money managers through May 28 were net buyers of Minneapolis wheat futures and options for an eighth consecutive week, extending their net long to 5,740 contracts versus 4,179 a week earlier. They were net buyers of Kansas City wheat futures and options for a sixth straight week, cutting their net short to 9,748 contracts as of May 28, funds least bearish view since August. Karen Braun is a market analyst for Reuters. Views expressed above are her own. Boeing executives are unlikely to be criminally charged over fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people as the statute of limitations has likely passed, U.S. Justice Department officials told victims' family members in a meeting. Details were corroborated by a person familiar with the gathering on Friday and correspondence reviewed by Reuters. The deadline for prosecuting most federal crimes is five years. The Justice Department found in mid-May that Boeing violated a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) that had shielded the company from a criminal charge arising from the fatal crashes. Officials agreed to ask a judge to dismiss the charge of conspiring to defraud the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as long as Boeing abided by the terms of the agreement over a three-year period ending Jan. 7, 2024. But an in-flight blowout two days before the agreement expired exposed ongoing safety and quality issues. A panel blew off a new Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet during a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight. Boeing has until June 13 to outline any disagreements with the department's finding that it violated the 2021 agreement. Officials have until July 7 to inform a federal judge in Texas of its plans. Boeing has said it believes it has "honored the terms of the agreement" and looks forward to responding to the Justice Department. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The department is weighing several options, including whether to prosecute Boeing or extend the DPA by a year. Officials could also enter into a new DPA or reach a non-prosecution agreement that does not involve court supervision. Officials could also seek to negotiate a plea deal with Boeing over the 2021 fraud charge or take the company to trial over it. Boeing could also face charges over its behavior during the three-year term of the DPA, though officials have not found evidence of any felonies committed during that period, prosecutors told the victims' families, according to the source familiar with meeting. Victims' family members are discussing asking officials to seek an enhanced sentence should Boeing be prosecuted and convicted, the source told Reuters. JERUSALEM Israel is looking into an alternative local governing body for Gaza, the defense minister said Sunday, proposing a future beyond Hamas but giving no idea who those challengers might be. Defense Minister Yoav Gallants comments came at a time of new uncertainty in the eight-month war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure from many Israelis to accept a new cease-fire deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden, while far-right allies threaten to collapse his government if he does. Gallant, part of Israels three-member War Cabinet who recently urged the government to have a detailed postwar plan for Gaza, said in a briefing that we seek a governing alternative to Hamas. The framework for this includes isolating areas, removing Hamas operatives in these areas and bringing in other forces that will enable the formation of a governing alternative. That will achieve Israels goals of removing Hamas military and governing authority in Gaza and returning home the remaining hostages taken in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that sparked the war, Gallant said. He stressed that we will not accept the rule of Hamas at any stage in any process aimed at ending the war. In response to questions, an Israeli defense official told The Associated Press that Gallant hopes to enable isolated, Hamas-free areas in Gaza to become hubs of local government and identify forces that can enable a longer-term formation of a government. Israel is looking for local non-hostile actors, the official said, adding that Gallant believes that Palestinians should be governing Palestinians. Israel would facilitate surges of aid to the areas, and the local forces would be responsible for distributing it to strengthen their authority. But that approach is challenging and has failed before, one expert said. I havent heard of any local players that are brave enough to present themselves as an alternative to Hamas, said Michael Milshtein, an Israeli analyst of Palestinian affairs at Tel Aviv University and a former military intelligence officer. Milshtein said Gallants wishful thinking would amount to a suicidal mission for any local leader. Hamas has threatened anyone cooperating with Israels government. Although Hamas suffered severe damage over the past eight months, their impact on the public is still very strong, he said. Milshtein noted that Israel has tried this approach in the past. In the 1970s and 80s, Israel tried to establish village leagues, empowering local Palestinian leaders. They were considered in the eyes of Palestinians as collaborators, and it ended in a very tragic manner, he said. Unless Israel maintains a constant presence in Gaza, any alternative forces they try to install will be too fragile, he added. Netanyahu has said Israel will maintain security control over Gaza but delegate civilian administration to local Palestinians unaffiliated with Hamas or the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank. He has ruled out a path to Palestinian statehood. Top ally the U.S. has proposed that a reformed Palestinian Authority would govern Gaza with the assistance of Arab and Muslim nations. The Hamas attack on Oct. 7 in southern Israel killed around 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducted about 250. About 100 hostages remain in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more. Over 36,430 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israels offensive, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Its count doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants. Israel blames Hamas for civilian deaths, accusing it of operating from dense residential areas. The United States continued to press Israel on the cease-fire proposal outlined by Biden, who said Friday its time for the war to end. Many of Gaza's 2.3 million people have been displaced and shelter with few supplies, large parts of the territory have been destroyed and the United Nations has warned of full-blown famine. The deal's first phase would last six weeks and include a full and complete cease-fire, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Biden acknowledged that moving into the next phase of the deal would require more negotiations. This was an Israeli proposal. We have every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal as was transmitted to them, an Israeli proposal then Israel would say yes, White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby told ABC. Also Sunday, officials from Egypt, Israel and the U.S. ended a meeting in Cairo without any apparent agreement to reopen the crucial Rafah crossing into Gaza, which has been closed since Israel took over the Palestinian side of it in early May, Egypts state-run television channel Al-Qahera News reported. Israel's military continues to press into Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, in search of what's been described as Hamas' last stronghold even as the militants regroup elsewhere in the territory. Citing an unnamed official, Al-Qahera News said Egypt affirmed that Israel must withdraw its forces from the Palestinian side of the crossing before it can reopen. The report said Egypt accused Israel of blocking the delivery of badly needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Israel denies. ___ Follow s coverage of the war at /hub/israel-hamas-war Months after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a World War 3 warning to the USA-led NATO military alliance, a Russian expert has claimed that Moscow can easily disable Britain and France's nuclear deterrents within one day if a global conflict were to erupt. Russia will eliminate the nuclear potentials of Britain and France within one day after carrying out Operation Unthinkable, said Moscow military expert Dr Yuri Baranchik, outlining Russia's response if Putin's war against Ukraine transcends into World War 3, according to The Mirror. Within one day, we carry out Operation Unthinkable. We eliminate the nuclear potentials of Britain and France," The Mirror quoted Dr Yuri Baranchik as saying. Vladimir Putin's regime investing heavily in nuclear shelters As Russia's war against Ukraine is nowhere to end, Vladimir Putin regime is reportedly investing 330,000 in major cities for building mobile nuclear shelters. According to Daily Express, these shelters would help take shelter during a catastrophic war. Vladimir Putin's Operation Unthinkable would help achieve two purposes, said Dr Baranchik. The first one would be to deprive Europe of its military geopolitical status. Next, it would reduce the number of nuclear powers from nine to seven. 'Operation Unthinkable would pull out Britan, France's nuclear teeth' The Russian tactics in Operation Unthinkable would deprive Europe of its military-geopolitical status, said Dr Yuri Baranchik, while outlining Russia's tactics if World War 3 unfolds. He also stated that these actions would pull out the nuclear teet of Britain and France, which would deprive the NATO bloc of all the opportunities to blackmail Russia in the European theatre of operations. Destroying France and Europe's nuclear capability would leave NATO with limited tactical weapons and US nuclear weapons. However, their use would mean the destruction of America, noted the Russian military expert. In his poem, The Mushroom Hunters, Neil Gaiman posits women as progenitors of science. He refers to rules of gendered division of labour in the pre-agricultural world, whereby men were expected to hunt while women foraged. Consequently, men focused on growing stronger, being better fighters, developing their quick-thinking and risk-taking abilities, while women, who did not need to run down prey,/ had brains that spotted landmarks and made paths between them/ Observe everything." Even after agriculture began, in pagan religions women were the wise ones": those who observed and experimented, developed medicine, spliced grasses to grow edible cereals and found the best materials to work with. They were the mothers who built the social institutions that would enable their societies. Yet, in the modern world, with the greatest career development opportunities and specialization of roles in history so far, less than 30% of people in science and technology are women. Gender and STEM: Many attempts have been made to explain why men and women tend to go for different fields of learning. One of the more recent theories is that male and female brains are differently oriented. with women being more right-brained (tending to be more emotionally expressive, dreamy, artistically and creatively oriented), and men being more left-brained (logical, better at sequencing and math skills, philosophical ideas and factually strong). Also read: The hidden gender biases in social sector at leadership roles This has been widely debunked. The human brain is generally asymmetrical, and while there are gender-based asymmetries, research shows that no single half is stronger in any gender. Exciting learning explorations make both halves of all brains light up, irrespective of gender. To say that STEM (for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is for men only because of the demands of scientific rigour, is to align oneself with poorly aged Enlightenment Philosophy, which divided human beings into parts, rather than seeing them as indivisible wholes. This understanding has helped rename STEM as STEAM, with A for arts. Women in the STEAM space: There is a common perception that STEM subjects are more challenging than humanities, and that girls should opt for easier subjects. This bias arises not only from an erroneous understanding of the way that male and female brains work, but also from cultural patterns of expected behaviour and lifestyle, which are mostly gendered. Women are meant to manage kitchens and raise babies, so why put their efforts into the rigours of STEM? Of these four fields, the one with the least female participation is engineering, which is often seen as too technical for women. However, where circumstances havent hindered them, women have performed equally or even surpassed their male counterparts. Women such as Lady Ada Lovelace, Hedy Lamarr, and Zaha Hadid are examples of women who have excelled in the fields of engineering and architecture. In India, the women behind Mission Mangalyaan have made history. The importance of inspiration: Providing parents with accurate information about the importance and benefits of STEM education for their daughters can dispel misconceptions and biases. Our school, for example, seeks to build excitement for STEAM projects and encourage female students to take the lead on these. Project Urja, an inter-school collaborative clean energy drive, was led by a female student of Grade 11. Also, a group of five female students developed a Capstone project called Pawsitivity, aimed at creating affordable and comfortable prosthetic paws and limbs for dogs. In arts, too, the general belief is that women are suited for dance and music and informal arts, The serious work in visual and performance arts is the domain of men, since these spring from the realm of ideas and not emotions. Here, too, school level interventions are important. Right at their earliest introduction to the world, young learners need to understand that people of all genders may be equally suited or unsuited to be artists. It is important for an arts programme to focus on enabling students to see take a gender-neutral view. One approach is for a school to encourage teachers to conduct research in the classroom and challenge stereotypes in the process. Women teachers should seek to have their work published in prestigious journals and secure grants for their fieldwork. Similarly, arts teachers should be feted as artists in their own right. They need to be seen as role models by students. Scientists: We now know that by giving creativity its due place, the journey of exploration becomes smoother and often leads better findings. Putting the A of arts into a STEM project can effectively enhance the creativity of learners, helping them think radically about possibilities. A prime example of this is the work of Leonardo da Vinci, which shows a clear amalgamation of science, art and engineering. In the present era, renowned laboratories such as CERN and Fermilab emphasize the inclusion of art. We conclude with another few lines from Gaimans The Mushroom Hunters: And science, you remember, is the study of the nature and behaviour of the universe, based on observation, experiment, and measurement, and the formulation of laws to describe these facts. The race continues. An early scientist drew beasts upon the walls of caves to show her children, now all fat on mushrooms and on berries, what would be safe to hunt. The world is too distracted with ongoing wars and high-stakes election campaigns to pay attention to a remarkable proposal from China. At the United Nations Conference on Disarmament held in Geneva this February, one of Beijings senior officials dealing with nuclear weapons policy declared that nuclear-weapon states should negotiate and conclude a treaty on no-first-use of nuclear weapons against each other or make a political statement in this regard." There had been some indications towards the end of 2023 that China was planning to engage the United States in a new phase of discussions on nuclear security, but the proposal in Geneva is as breathtaking as it is promising. The worldand India must approach it constructively. Now, it is easy to be sceptical about Chinas intentions. Although China has always maintained a no-first-use doctrineMao Zedong believed atomic weapons were paper tigersit has used a cats paw technique of letting its proxies hold out nuclear threats against its strategic adversaries. So Pakistans posture checks India as North Koreas does the United States and its allies. The cat wont strike first, but its paws might. Also, the expansion of Chinas nuclear arsenal and the deployments of its delivery mechanisms are arguably not consistent with a no-first-use doctrine. Yet, nuclear strategy is nothing if not paradoxical, so the hugely consequential facts that China employs proxies and is beefing up its arsenal shouldnt be reasons to dismiss Beijings proposals out of hand. A global no-first-use arrangement makes more sense than any other arms control framework extant or proposed. The nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT) system is a failure and its perpetuation is only of interest to the five countries that use it to claim they are legitimate nuclear powers. Universal nuclear disarmament seems like a great idea, but some theorists believe it makes for a more unstable world. Whatever the case, it is unrealistic to expect states to give up currencies of power and prestige, not least when the world order has crumbled and big powers are brazenly flouting international law. In this context, global no-first-use is attractive because its a way station: It is better than the status quo, not too painful, and a move in the right direction overall. There is a new urgency for the world to pin down nuclear risks. In my previous column, I argued that in the face of the climate crisis, war is no longer only a moral crime against humanity. It is a material one against the survival of the species." A nuclear exchange might literally tip the planet into a different climate regime. Our conception of what is mutually assured destruction (MAD) no longer needs hundreds of nuclear missiles directly incinerating hundreds of millions of people. Even a limited nuclear exchange will suffice, not only killing millions of people, but throwing a megatonne of carbon into the atmosphere. A 2009 estimate by Stanfords Mark Z. Jacobson found that a small exchange would cause over 690 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emission, higher than the UKs annual total at that time. Chinas proposal must be taken more seriously. In the United States, the Joe Biden administration seems inclined to carry forward the conversation, but its unlikely Washington will move before the presidential election scheduled on 5 November. Britain will probably follow the US lead. Russia, which has strengthened its ties with China, seems to be getting behind the Chinese proposal. It remains to be seen how France will respond. But the matter is too serious to be left to the self-serving NPT clique alone. A broader coalition of powers, many which are part of the G20 but also some that are not, needs to be brought together to create sustained pressure towards this end. A global no-first-use regime is in Indias interest and New Delhi should support the idea. Unfortunately, Beijings dogmas are getting in the way. As much as China would like Indias supportespecially against the United StatesBeijing holds that India is not a nuclear power and is thus loath to engage New Delhi in international discussions. Yet, Indias involvement is necessary for any global no-first-use treaty to be feasible. If China invites Indian participation in global no-first-use talks, then the world will know that Beijings proposal is genuine. A wise leadership in Beijing will recognize that India and China have common interests on this issue. The onus should be placed on China to bring North Korea and Pakistan into the arrangement. A global no-first-use declaration or even a treaty is merely the first step. A lot of details have to be worked out. Cheating, defection and enforcement are serious problems that do not yet have clever theoretical solutions. But a world with a self-declared no-first-use policy is arguably better than the status quo. Also read: India reaffirms its policy of no first use of nuclear weapons Given the existential stakes, thats good enough a reason to take it up seriously. There is a Chinese saying that a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Actually, it begins with the determination to take that first step. Arvind Kejriwal, AAP convener and Delhi Chief Minister, will be back in the Tihar Jail on Sunday, June 2, in the excise policy case after being out on temporary bail for 21 days to undertake poll campaign. On Saturday, the Delhi court reserved its order until June 5 on the interim bail plea moved by Arvind Kejriwal, seeking interim bail extension by a week on medical grounds. Here is Delhi CM's to-do list before surrender As per Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sources, Delhi CM may pay a visit to three key places before heading to the Tihar Jail around 3:00 pm today. The list includes Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat, the party office at the DDU Marg and a temple. Delhi CM took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to inform the public about his planned visits before scheduled surrender. The post reads, First I will go to Rajghat and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. From there I will go to Hanuman temple in Connaught Place to seek blessings of Hanuman ji. And from there I will go to the party office and meet all the workers and party leaders. From there I will again leave for Tihar. Also read: Arvind Kejriwal to be back in jail as no relief from Delhi court : Here's what CM's lawyer and ED argued Arvind Kejriwal convened a meeting of the AAP's Political Affairs Committee at his residence a day before his scheduled surrender. Atishi, Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, and MLA Durgesh Pathak were among the prominent leaders who attended the PAC meeting. Also read: 'Arvind Kejriwal made misleading claims about surrendering': ED opposes Delhi CM's interim bail plea At the meeting, the AAP chief stressed the need to keep unity among the party leaders in his absence, asper sources. Sources informed PTI, it was also emphasised that Arvind Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal will continue to covey his messages to party leaders, volunteers and the people of Delhi. He later attended an INDIA bloc meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's home. Also read: SC rejects Arvind Kejriwal's plea for bail extension in Delhi excise policy case On May 10, Arvind Kejriwal was released from jail on interim bail to pursue campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections. On Friday, Arvind Kejriwal said he will leave around 3:00 pm on June 2 to surrender before the jail authorities. The chief minister's plea seeking seven-day extension of the interim bail granted by Supreme Court was refused for an urgent listing on Wednesday. He then approached the special CBI-ED court that heard his plea on Saturday. Also read: His health did not stop him from campaigning: ED tells Delhi court on Arvind Kejriwal's bail plea | Key updates Delhi CM's interim bail plea was opposed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claiming that he campaigned throughout the lok Sabha elections, but "now when he has to surrender, he suddenly claims to be ill". The money laundering case pertaining to formulation and execution of Delhi government's now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22 is being probed by the ED. SYDNEYAfter a landslide hit Papua New Guineas highlands in the middle of the night last month, locals used spades, sticks and their bare hands to clear debris that authorities say buried people while they slept. Half a world away, Dan Shugar, an associate professor at the University of Calgary who studies landslides, wondered whether scientific methods could have detected the impending disaster and helped to prevent the loss of life. Looking at historical satellite imagery, Shugar found evidence of what appeared to be a small landslide in the same location in January 2022, and then an even smaller one in the days before the catastrophic collapse. Minor landslides are common in mountainous areas and dont always lead to disaster. But two small landslides over the previous couple of years, Shugar said, is a warning that maybe something bigger was going to happen." Papua New Guinea, with high rainfall, hilly terrain and frequent earthquakes, is prone to landslides. But the May 24 event made headlines around the world after authorities estimated that hundreds of people, perhaps even 2,000, were killed. Some experts have questioned the accuracy of the governments death-toll estimate based on the size of the landslidewhich covered about 22 acresand the fact that it struck a rural area rather than a densely populated city. Papua New Guinea hasnt had a reliable census for years, so it is difficult to determine the size of the local population with accuracy. Officials with Papua New Guineas National Disaster Centre couldnt be reached for comment on the death toll estimates and landslide monitoring efforts. The disaster has put a renewed focus on efforts to better forecast when and where landslides might happen. At open-pit mines, where minerals are extracted from giant sloped pits in the ground, various tools such as ground-based radars or a laser-emitting sensor known as lidar are used to monitor the stability of slopes. But such a detailed approach would be too costly to be deployed over wide areas, particularly in developing countries where landslides often hit. Researchers are now investigating other tools, such as satellite-based radars and machine learning, to make it easier to forecast future landslides across entire regions. Adding to the urgency: Many researchers expect climate change will lead to more-frequent landslides. They predict intense rainfall, a common trigger of landslides, will become more common. Warmer temperatures are thawing frozen soil called permafrost and melting glaciers, destabilizing the land. And more severe wildfires could contribute to increased deforestation, which takes away the vegetation that supports the soil. One study from Chinese researchers concluded the average annual frequency of landslides triggered by extreme precipitation in an intermediate climate-change scenario is projected to increase by 7% in the three-decade period after 2030, compared with the 1971-to-2000 period. Countries most at risk for high casualties included China, Afghanistan and Indiaall of which have mountainous areas where there have been deadly landslides in the past. Rain is one possible culprit for last months landslide. Papua New Guineas Prime Minister James Marape told his countrys parliament on Wednesday that the nation has received extraordinary rainfall in the past year, leading to river flooding, sea-level rise in coastal areas and landslides. Complicating the relief effort is that the landslide struck an area that has been struggling with violence between tribal groups. Aid workers say people had sought refuge in the area where the landslide hit, swelling the population and adding to the uncertainty over the death toll. Our people in that village went to sleep for the last time, not knowing that they would breathe their last breath as they were sleeping peacefully," Marape said. The United Nations childrens agency, Unicef, estimated that about 7,850 people were affected by the disaster, and up to 150 structures were damaged. As of Saturday, nine bodies had been recovered, a U.N. official said. A separate U.N. analysis of satellite imagery counted 18 structures damaged or destroyed, and estimated that 2,000 people were living within 1.2 miles of the landslide. The area was buried under as much as 26 feet of soil and debris, U.N. officials say. With more bodies potentially under the rubble, some feared that underground water flowing down the mountain would contaminate local drinking water. The land was still shifting, threatening rescue workers. And the landslide blocked a road to a town further inland, cutting the area off and raising fears of a food shortage. Justine McMahon, the Papua New Guinea country director for aid group CARE International, said there is almost no sign that a village ever existed. We believe that there are some survivors who were scared and have run into the bush for safety," she said. The population is traumatized, particularly the children. And many of the children have stopped talking because of what they saw and what they experienced." Cressida Kuala, a womens rights and environmental activist from the same province as the disaster, said people affected by the landslide need medical assistance, food and help to dig out the remains of their loved ones. Kuala, who said she passed through the village shortly before the landslide, said locals would sell goods along the road and there was a guesthouse nearby. A multitude of variables influence whether landslides occur, making them difficult to predict. Events that trigger landslides, such as rainfall and earthquakes, arent easy to forecast. How a particular slope will behave is tied to material underneath the surface, which can be several layers of different rocks and soil. We cant see everywhere," said Pierre Rognon, an associate professor at the University of Sydney who studies soil mechanics. There will always be some uncertainty about what the slope is made of." That means scientists need all the help they can get. Using deep learning, a type of machine learning that mimics the human brain, Italian scientists have shown that landslides can be anticipated accurately using only rainfall data. And at the University of Melbourne, researchers say they have developed an artificial-intelligence platform that can sift through massive amounts of data collected from satellite-based radars that measure ground deformation, and then predict the location of an impending landslide. Their 2022 study looked at data tied to a landslide in China and volcano rockfalls in Italy and determined their tool would have shown where the events would occur. For the China landslide, which hit a village in Sichuan province in 2017 and left dozens dead or missing, the tool predicted the location of the disaster almost one year in advance, the study said. But satellite-based radars have a drawbackthey can have difficulty detecting land changes in areas of dense vegetation. The exact timing of a landslide can also be hard to determine, though once a location is known, scientists can use other tools for a more detailed analysis into when a landslide will occur. You can have two slopes of equal levels of instability, but if one gets hit by a heavy rainfall tonight, that one will be more predisposed to collapse," said Antoinette Tordesillas, a professor at the University of Melbournes School of Mathematics and Statistics, and an author of the 2022 study. There are already localized warning systems in some places where it is known there is a high landfall risk. In Hong Kong, which also has hilly terrain and intense rainfall, authorities use a combination of real-time rainfall data, weather forecasts and radars that track clouds to determine whether to issue landslide warnings. Each rain gauge consists of a tipping bucket rainfall measuring unit and a data logger powered by solar energy, and information is beamed to cloud servers via mobile phone networks at one-minute intervals, according to information published by Hong Kongs civil-engineering department. Though the city averages about 300 landslides a year, the last landslide fatality was in 2008. For scientists, deciding whether locals should be evacuated isnt always clear-cut. In one situation in Norway, nearby residents were evacuated more than a dozen times over several years before a rock slope gave way in 2019. The ground is very, very complicated, so it isnt unusual to see the slope accelerating and looking really dangerous, and then stopping or slowing down," said Dave Petley, a landslide expert and the vice chancellor at the University of Hull in England. As a scientist in that situation, youre really having a big impact on peoples lives." There is more hope than ever for people diagnosed with the deadliest cancer. Declines in smoking and the advent of screening and newer drugs have transformed the outlook for patients with lung cancer, once considered a death sentence. Progress against the disease has propelled the drop in overall cancer deaths in the U.S. over the past three decades. And there is more to gain. More patients can fend off the disease for months or years with targeted or immune-boosting drugs, results released this weekend at a top cancer conference showed. That includes patients with forms of the disease that are notoriously tough to treat. It had such an abysmal prognosis. And now we have people who are being cured who we never thought would be cured, said Dr. Angela DeMichele, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine. AstraZenecas drug Tagrisso can contain lung cancer nearly three years longer than chemotherapy and radiation alone for some stage-three patients, one study released Sunday showed. Another found that some patients with aggressive disease survived nearly two years longer with the companys immunotherapy drug Imfinzi, the first advance for that lung-cancer subtype in decades. Another study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago found that 60% of advanced patients were alive without their disease advancing at five years after taking Pfizers Lorbrena, a drug that targeted a genetic mutation in their tumors. That compares with just 8% of patients on an older drug with the same target. These results are really outstanding, said Dr. David Spigel, chief scientific officer at Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Tennessee, lead researcher on the Imfinzi trial. A really major step forward in lung-cancer care. Tagrisso, Imfinzi and Lorbrena are all approved by the Food and Drug Administration and in use. Lorbrena has kept Matt Hiznays stage-four lung cancer at bay for nine years. Hiznay, who never smoked, was diagnosed in 2011 after a persistent cough at 24 years old. Hearing that, you get old really fast, he said. But there was some good news: His tumor tested positive for something called an ALK gene mutation, a rare finding that made him eligible for a targeted drug. Hiznays doctor shook his hand and congratulated him on being a mutant. Hiznay tried a string of drugs and older therapies including chemotherapy and radiation, each of which held off his disease for some time. He joined a clinical trial for Lorbrena in 2015 and has taken the drug ever since. Between treatment, Hiznay earned a doctorate, got married and had a daughter. It became a bit easier to see the future again, said Hiznay, who lives in Brecksville, Ohio. He cherishes each day, even when his infant daughter wakes him up in the middle of the night. More than 234,000 Americans are diagnosed with lung cancer annually. It is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women, killing some 125,000 Americans each year. The lung-cancer survival rate has increased by some 20% in the past five years, according to the American Lung Association. Lung cancer has responded to newer drugs such as immunotherapies better than some other cancers, doctors said, in part because its tumors tend to have many mutations that make it easier to find and attack. Tagrisso targets mutations on the EGFR gene, found in 15% of lung cancers in the U.S. One study presented at the conference added Tagrisso after chemotherapy and radiation for patients with the mutation whose stage-three disease was too far along for surgery. The median time before the disease advanced in those patients was more than three years, compared with just under six months for patients who werent on the drug. Patients in the study were intended to take Tagrisso indefinitely, rather than the three years that many patients take the drug after surgery. A future step would be to study the costs of longer-term treatment and whether some patients could stop it eventually, said Dr. Lecia Sequist, a lung-cancer specialist at Mass General Cancer Center who wasnt involved in the trial. The results show how much lung-cancer treatment has changed in the past decade, she said: Its like Dorothy looking around and saying were not in Kansas anymore. Another study showed rare progress against small-cell lung cancer, a less common and more aggressive form of the disease that is harder to treat. AstraZenecas Imfinzi increased median survival to around 56 months, compared with 33 months on the standard chemotherapy and radiation alone. The trial included patients with small-cell lung cancer that hadnt spread. To see something where were measuring benefit in years versus months is a huge step in the right direction, said Dr. Lauren Averett Byers, a lung-cancer oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who wasnt involved in the trial. The FDA in May approved Amgens Imdelltra for more advanced small-cell lung cancer. Median survival with the drug was 14 months, with 40% of patients responding to the treatment. About a quarter of lung-cancer patients are alive five years after diagnosis. The newer treatments can give some patients with advanced disease months or years more to live, but the cancer often comes back and becomes incurable. Many lung cancers are caught late. When you look at the disease statistics, you have to be humbled a little bit, said Dr. Pasi Janne, a lung-cancer specialist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. We still have room to go. Through Hiznays 13 years with lung cancer, he has seen many fellow patients die. The survivors guilt, its there, its real, he said. The two business titans have been feuding since a 2016 fallout. Musks companies, including Tesla and SpaceX, have spurned JPMorgan Chase bankers, and the nations largest bank hasnt wooed his business empire. They have been moving toward a fresh start since a March detente, when Musk attended an inaugural JPMorgan technology conference and talked on stage with Dimon before a crowd that included Microsoft Chief Executive Satya Nadella and Sam Altman, the chief executive of OpenAI. Afterward, the door appeared open for JPMorgan and Musks empire to find a way to work together in the future, people familiar with the relationship said. There remains a significant roadblock. JPMorgan and Tesla are still in a legal battle that started three years ago over $162 million that JPMorgan says Tesla should pay for a series of trades. But the progress is notable. Just over a year ago, it seemed unlikely JPMorgan and Musk would ever find a way to work together. In the case of JPMorgan, Tesla, um, has a very negative relationship with JPMorgan," Musk testified in a court case in January 2023. JPMorgan hates Tesla, in a nutshell." Musk is the kind of client JPMorgan and Dimon typically covet. One of the worlds richest people, he is a potential client for wealth-management advice and runs a collection of companies that could use banking, fundraising and dealmaking services. He brings challengesloans other banks made for his Twitter acquisition have lost significant valuebut most bankers are eager to stay on his good side for fees from his transactions and potential initial public offerings, such as his rocket company, SpaceX. In May, JPMorgan hired Eric Gray, a Los Angeles-based wealth manager to the ultrawealthy. Musk has been one of his clients, according to people familiar with their relationship. For Musks empire, he could gain access to the bank with the deepest pockets in America, plus a wider network of advisers and services. Those mutual interests are what has made the feud so unusual on Wall Street and why a change of heart could open the door to lucrative solutions for both sides. JPMorgan was never Teslas most important adviserthat role has been held by Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanleybut the carmaker did use some banking services. The relationship started fraying around 2016. Musk wanted JPMorgan, one of the countrys biggest auto lenders, to underwrite leases for Teslas electric vehicles. Bank executives balked, unsure how to value the life of the car batteries, The Wall Street Journal has reported. Musk was infuriated by the decision, and called the banks then-head of consumer banking, screaming and threatening to pull Teslas business, people familiar with the matter said. Musks message ended with F you," one of the people said. Dimon was angry. He called Musk and told him that JPMorgan wouldnt be bullied, the people said. In the ensuing years, Musk has worked closely with many of the banks competitors, and his empire has expanded to six companies. Goldman has been paid nearly $90 million in fees from Tesla and SpaceX since 2010, according to Dealogic. JPMorgan worked on the other side of Musk, representing Twitter when Musk acquired the company personally. JPMorgan used to have all of Teslas commercial banking business," Musk testified last year in an unrelated lawsuit. But when I asked Jamie Dimon at one point for support with a Tesla automotive leasing line, he declined to support TeslaSo I withdrew all commercial banking business from JPMorgan, which, to say the least, made JPMorgan hate Tesla and me very much." The animosity became public in late 2021, when JPMorgan took the unusual step of suing Tesla and Musk over $162 million. The bank said Tesla owed the money for a trade JPMorgan helped arrange in 2014. Tesla countersued, saying JPMorgan was mad in part because it didnt get any of Musks business. If JPM doesnt withdraw their lawsuit, I will give them a one-star review on Yelp," Musk told the Journal at the time. The lawsuits are ongoing, and it is unclear if an improving Dimon-Musk relationship would change that. There had been signs of a thaw in the past year. In November, Dimon was asked his thoughts about Musk at the New York Timess DealBook conference. Hes obviously a brilliant human being and making unbelievable contributions to mankind. But he, you know, comes with pluses and minuses," Dimon responded. In January, Musk complimented Dimon for making positive comments about some of Donald Trumps positions. Jamie Dimon says it well," Musk tweeted. In March, JPMorgan held a technology summit at a resort in Big Sky, Mont. JPMorgan and other banks commonly host conferences and group gatherings, but this was the banks first version of a superelite tech-focused gathering. As a big draw, they landed an unlikely speaker: Musk. For more than an hour, Dimon and Musk spoke about an array of topics, from Israel to artificial intelligence and U.S. politics. The two men seemed to have a good rapport on stage, with Musk often being deferential to Dimons views, according to people familiar with the event. Musk also had his young son, X, with him at the event, one of the people said. The event was organized by JPMorgans head of technology investment banking, Madhu Namburi, and had celebrities in attendance including Tom Brady, Serena Williams, Katy Perry and John Legend. Musk also visited Dimons suite at the resort for what was meant to be a short conversation. It lasted for more than an hour. Following the event, Dimon decided the bank could try to resume doing business with Musk, the people said. Justin Baer contributed to this article. It began with a notification: A user wanted to connect on LinkedIn, and sent a note saying she thought the mans profile was impressive. She seemed polite and attractive. The man, a 75-year-old professional who lives in the American Midwest, replied. That was the start of a monthslong nightmare that emptied his retirement fund and drove him to the brink of suicide. He is one of millions of people globally to fall victim to pig butchering," a form of fraud in which scammers seduce strangers online, build their trust and convince them to put money into bogus investments. They take the money and ghost their victims. The Wall Street Journal reviewed thousands of messages between the man and the scammer, financial records, photographs and other documents that show how the fraud unfolded. Its a disturbing glimpse inside the sophisticated psychological manipulation scammers use to prey on vulnerable people, especially those who are elderly and not technologically savvy. The man, referred to in the story as the victim, lost more than $715,000virtually everything he had. He declined to be named, but shared with the Journal months of WhatsApp conversations with the scammer, documentation of money transfers and screen grabs of the sham trading platform where he was swindled. He said he hoped the details would save others from his fate by exposing how scammers exploit average people and ruin lives. The Bait The scammers often pose as beautiful young women with lots of money and few cares, and convince their victims that they share a special, secret bond. In fact, they are often men contacting their targets from dystopian compounds run by Chinese criminal syndicates in parts of Southeast Asia and West Africa. These scam dens" are infamous for abuse. Many scammers are trafficked in, given scripts and smartphones preloaded with fake profiles, and forced to commit fraud under threat of violence. The victim didnt know any of that when he first got a LinkedIn message on May 31 of last year. The profile picture showed a young woman dressed in a blue T-shirt and red skirt, striking a demure pose next to a bouquet of flowers. After a few pleasantries, she suggested they migrate to WhatsApp to have a more private conversation and guided the victim through the steps of downloading and installing the app. She drew him in by portraying a life the man dreamed of but never believed he could have. She said she lived in San Francisco where she worked for her wealthy and well-connected uncle. She sent him pictures of herself trying on designer clothes, dining in fine restaurants and posing next to her luxury car. He told her his age, that he had a modest retirement fund and still worked full time. He also told her he lived with his partner of 40 years, but said theyd drifted apart. Scammers specifically seek out the lonelypeople living regular lives consisting of doctors visits, frozen food and errands. They lure them with the prospect of an exciting life that would otherwise seem out of reach. His Ideal Woman Her character was just believable enough. She said she had moved to the U.S. from China eight years earlier after her divorce. She had difficulty trusting men, she said, but at 37, she was lonely and longed for a companion. She said she didnt care about age, appearance, moneyshe had plenty of her own. All she wanted was true love, she said. She began revealing more about herself through their constant WhatsApp chats. She told him her American friends called her Violaine Chen, but that her real Chinese name was Deng Xinyi. Violaines Chinese persona was intriguing to the victim. It also helped to smooth over inconsistencies in her story. She blamed errors on her imperfect English. Typos were excusable, as were messages that made little sense. They bonded over their shared interest in things that were more or less universally liked: food, travel, fitness, pets. Violaine sent him daily descriptions of her meals and workouts. She showed him pictures of Chinese dishes and explained their benefits. She said she never wasted food because she felt guilty about world hunger, and that she gave to charities that feed poor children in rural China. Early on, they had a few brief voice calls and one video call, just a few seconds each. She was in a nondescript room and told him she was in a hurry, he said in interviews with the Journal. It was enough to convince him she was real. He also didnt want to spend much time on the phone because he worried his partner would catch him. And he didnt like video calls because he was self-conscious about his looks and his messy house. Nonprofits that rescue scammers who are forced to work in fraud dens say its common for the compounds to have models nearby for brief cameos. Sometimes these are the same models who pose for photographs used in fake profiles. Sometimes they just look similar. To the victim, Violaine was his ideal woman: wealthy but also down-to-earth, virtuous yet sexy. She hooked me," he said. The Romantic Plan Within two days, Violaine began implementing the next phase of the scam: getting him to put money on the table. She started by explaining how shed become so rich. She said shed made a fortune trading gold futurescontracts that lock in commodities at a predetermined price. Her uncle, she said, owned a stake in a trading platform called FX6, and had a team of expert analysts who could predict when values were about to jump. She said they watched for nodes," which the victim understood to be price fluctuations signaling an imminent move, and gave her uncle inside tips on when to buy and sell. Using her uncles intel, she would buy the dip just before the break and sell a few minutes later. Her explanation didnt fully make sense to the victim, but he trusted her and followed her lead. She said she used an app called Fuex to trade on the FX6 market. Fuex was a registered company in the U.K. at the time, but has since been delisted. Fuex didnt respond to an email, and the website the victim used to download the app no longer exists. Attempts by the Journal to contact Violaine" went unanswered. Erin West, a California prosecutor who specializes in cyber fraud, said there are so many websites like this one that regulators cant keep up. These fraudulent online trading sites are modeled after real ones, but are developed by and controlled by the scammers. They funnel money into a sprawling global network of shell corporations, West said, adding: Were talking about billions and billions and billions of dollars being expertly moved in a manner that we cant catch it." The victim wasnt tech savvy, which worked in Violaines favor. She walked him through the steps of setting up an account on Fuex and explained the unusual process of adding funds to his digital wallet. First, she said, hed have to initiate a chat with a Fuex customer-service agent and tell them he wanted to top up his balance. The agent would then send him a bank account number in which to deposit funds. Violaine advised the victim to tell his bank he was sending the money to a friend. He struggled at every step. Violaine sent him screen grabs of the Fuex interface with circles and arrows scribbled on it to show him what to do and where to click. She was at times controlling, at times condescending. He tried to please her and apologized when he felt like he failed. With Violaines persistent hand holding, he made his first deposit of $1,500 on June 2 to a strangers bank account in Hong Kong. A Shared Future At this point, romance and finance became inextricably linked. Violaine proposed what she called the romantic plan": She and the victim would invest equally in a shared fund on the platform that would earn enough for him to leave his partner. Theyd buy a recreational vehicle, or RV, and take a road trip together to California. The Pushback Former scammers interviewed by the Journal said theyre trained for weeks and armed with scripts that help them respond to pushback. Violaine used several tactics they described when the victim showed unease. The Fattening It was time to show the victim how much money he could make. In early June, Violaine guided him through the process of using the $1,500 in his Fuex account to buy and sell on FX6. She made it seem exciting, like watching a horse race. She told him to open the app at a certain time and wait for her instructions. He ended up investing another $15,000. She pressured him to call his bank and increase his transfer limit, which was set at $25,000. They went back and forth on this issue, then she sent him a photo of herself saying shed finished putting on her makeup. Sometimes when they argued or if he seemed suspicious, she would distract him with flirtatious chatter. The victim tried to make a small withdrawal, $100, to test the platform. He was told the request would take a few days to process. It did and he received the money. Red Flags There were warning signs along the way. The victims bank advised him against making the transfers, and bank staff warned him that they saw the hallmarks of a scam. But he trusted Violaine, who told him exactly what to tell the bank to get them to carry out his requests. There was also reason to doubt that Violaine was real. At times her messages resembled content that had been lifted off the internet or generative-AI platforms. Some contained pieces of code, such as ," suggesting text had been carelessly copied and pasted. Some just seemed like they werent written by an actual person, reading like detailed lists of obscure facts. He brushed off the strangeness of her texts because English was her second language. But the victim was immersed in what seemed to him like a strange and beautiful turn in his life. Sizing Up the Spoils The scammers try to figure out exactly how much their victim is worthliquidity, investments, even how much they might be able to borrow from friends and family. A week after theyd begun talking, Violaine asked how much cash he had on hand. Violaine tested the limits to see how much he would invest, telling him theyd maximize profits if he had $200,000 to trade with. Two days later, she asked him how much he had in stocks and bonds. He said it was about $460,000. On June 10, he sold $130,000 in stocks. No sooner had he done that than she urged him to sell his mutual funds, but warned that his portfolio manager might try to stop him. She told him to be firm and act fast. Every Last Penny One of the key elements is they will take every penny you have," said West, the prosecutor. Thats part of the con is to find out how much you have and take everything, it can be equally devastating to the man who loses $5 million as it is to the 22-year-old who loses $50,000its everything they have." Toward the end of June, Violaine told the victim her assistant booked her on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco and she was finally going to come meet him in late June. But at the last minute, she said she was urgently needed in Argentina to complete a job for her uncle. Violaine told him that she longed to be with him. She sent him pictures from Argentina, eating steak at a fine restaurant, lounging in her hotel room, and visiting the famous salt flats of Jujuy in the countrys north. The more they talked about their life together, the more he was willing to spend. Through June and mid-July, he made three large deposits amounting to a total of more than $300,000 to an account in Hanoi. Each time he put money in, the app appeared to show another equal or similar deposit that he believed was made by Violaine. By mid-July, their combined investments had grown to almost $1.5 million. The Butchering Violaine was ready to go in for the kill. On July 13, she told him her uncle wanted them to buy a house in his Los Angeles neighborhood, so the family would be close together once they married. She asked the victim to withdraw about half the funds from their trading account to use as a down payment, promising to pay it back once she returned to the U.S. He tried to withdraw $700,000 from their Fuex account. This final, savage stage occurs once the scammer thinks they have taken all the victims money. Theyll ask the victim to make a withdrawal, which will be blocked by the scammers, who control the back-end of the app. The scammers, acting as customer service agents for the app, then ask the victim to pay a fee to reinstate, or unfreeze," their account. Because it was the scammer who told the victim to make the withdrawal, the victim is unlikely to suspect them. At this point, the victim either abandons their account and loses all their money, or scrounges up even more, sometimes by taking out loans. The next day, the victim sent Violaine several screenshots of his chat with a Fuex support agent. It said the withdrawal request was rejected because his identity couldnt be verified. The agent told him to log in to FX6, fill out an authentication form and upload a photo ID. He was told his withdrawal request would be reviewed within 24 hours. Frozen Out He was beginning to panic. The 24 hours had passed, but instead of having his withdrawal request approved, he was notified that a freeze was put on his account for security reasons. He was asked to pay almost $640,000 to lift it. Around July 22, Violaine told him she borrowed about $485,000 to help him pay the fee to unfreeze his account. He paid the rest: about $155,000 cobbled together by offloading his remaining investments and taking out a $45,000 bank loan. He was told hed made a clerical error that would cost another $212,000. He paid by dipping into a home-equity loan, which he shared with his unwitting partner, but it didnt end there. There were late fees, and something called a risk fund amount." By this point, in less than two months, hed sunk a total of $716,212 into the Fuex account. Nothing To Live For Reality was sinking in. The victim had no more money to pay the fees that Fuex said would release his funds, and no longer believed Fuex would release the funds if he paid more fees. He did report it, but nothing has come of his case. On Aug. 11, he submitted a detailed account to the Federal Bureau of Investigations Internet Crime Complaint Center, called IC3. The FBI said such complaints are reviewed by trained analysts and forwarded to relevant law enforcement or regulatory agencies. The FBI doesnt investigate these complaints and cant provide status updates on them, as investigation and prosecution is at the discretion of the receiving agencies, the IC3 website says. West, the prosecutor, described the IC3 as more of a data collection point" than a justice mechanism. Ghosted By mid-September, Violaine stopped responding to most of the victims messages. By now, the victim had read reports about how pig butchering worked. He understood that the scammers are often themselves victims of human trafficking who are forced to commit fraud under threat of violence. But he still believed Violaine was real. He started to think shed been trafficked and forced to deceive him. He pleaded with her not to leave him. By now, the victim knew hed been conned. But he still struggled to accept the possibility that his lover had a hand in the deception. Every now and then, Violaine sends the victim another message asking for more money. He has stopped responding. Hes had no luck tracing where his money has gone. He said that every day he tries again to access his Fuex account. Its still locked. JULIAETTA Patience and fortitude are guiding the strategy of Rivaura Estate Vineyards & Winery as the family-owned venture sticks to its approach of raising the grapes for its wines in a year when cold weather is creating challenging conditions. Merlot, cabernet sauvignon, grenache and syrah are among the varieties of grapes the Hewett family produces on 30 acres near the confluence of the Clearwater and Potlatch rivers where it has its winery and tasting room. We are planning additional plantings of new vines in the vineyard to help meet growing demand (and) continue the tradition of what makes Rivaura so special, rather than buying (fruit or juice) from out of state and calling it Rivaura, according to a recent newsletter of Rivaura. Partly to be sure Rivaura has enough wine for its club members, Rivaura is shifting the format of its tasting room at 505 Sherman Ave. in Coeur dAlene, while keeping all of the hours in Juliaetta. Instead of having set hours Wednesday through Sunday, Rivaura will be open for special events in Coeur dAlene at its present downtown location. Some will be open to members of the general public and others will be specifically for its wine club members. So far, the special events in Coeur dAlene for the public are as follows: 2-7 p.m. Saturday Wine tasting and discussion with Rivaura winemaker Vince Hewett. 2-9 p.m. June 14 coinciding with the Car dLane Cruise Wine tasting and discussion with Rivaura winemaker Lane Hewett. 2-8 p.m. June 15 coinciding with Artwalk and Car dLane Show & Shine Wine tasting and discussion with Lane Hewett. 2-7 p.m. July 6 Wine tasting and discussion with both Hewett winemakers. More events are anticipated to be added in the Coeur dAlene space in coming weeks such as winemaker dinners, said Reece Hewett, a founder of the winery and the father of Lane Hewett. The hours of the Juliaetta tasting room remain noon to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; noon to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 21622 Rivaura Lane. Its not yet clear how much the mid-January cold snap will diminish the 2024 harvest, Reece Hewett said. Present estimates are that grape volume will be down 70% compared with 2023 at Rivaura, Hewett said. Time will tell the true overall impact to this years 2024 harvest, but we feel it necessary now to take immediate measures to slow our growth to ensure we can meet our current (club) member and other commitments now and in the near future, according to the newsletter. This setback is one Rivaura can easily handle in the context of the agricultural expertise the family brings to the venture and the steadily rising sales of its wines, he said. The Hewett family grew hay and raised cattle on the land where the vineyard is from the late 1950s until 2014, the year the transition to the vineyard started. The Hewetts spent two years preparing the soil, installing irrigation, building fences to keep out deer and completing other work before planting vines in the spring of 2016. The first harvest was in fall of 2018. The debut of its first wines and tasting room happened simultaneously in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since that time, its wines have won a number of accolades while developing a loyal following as the number of people visiting the tasting room has risen, Hewett said. Its about the farming and the fruit we grow to make our wine, especially the reds, he said. We plan on maintaining that going forward as that is what makes us unique Hewett family-farmed grapes from that piece of Idaho land along both banks of that Clearwater River. Gift and souvenir shop in downtown Lewiston changes ownership Gourmet huckleberry foods, Sasquatch T-shirts and gemstone jewelry remain popular sellers as Idaho Memories Gift and Souvenir Shop in downtown Lewiston begins its next chapter under new ownership. The stores founders, Vikky Ross and her husband, John Ross, sold the business to Morgan Spence and Erik Wilponen, a transaction that coincided with the retailers five-year anniversary. I love to travel, and if you are reading this, then I have embarked on my final journey. I was born in 1928 in my grandmothers farmhouse in the beautiful Meadows Valley of Idaho. I only weighed in at 3 pounds but, with loving care from my family, I thrived and lived to the ripe old age of 96. At age 3 my parents, Miles and Dorothy Irwin Becker, moved to Grangeville. I lived there until I graduated from Grangeville High School, class of 1946. When I was a child, I spent summers in the Meadows Valley with my beloved grandmother Leota Becker on her ranch, riding horses and helping her with the chores almost every day. The valley was irrigated by small canals originating from Goose Creek and its tributaries. I was fascinated by the small fish and amphibians that made their homes there. I married Dale B. McHugh on Aug. 26, 1946, and we started a life adventure together that lasted until he died in 2002. I was a war bride for several years while he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. Dale and I were blessed with seven children: five girls and two boys, whom we raised on the Blue Camas Prairie and in Moscow. My favorite things to do were swimming, crocheting and spending time with my family; also, collecting antique fine china and glassware as well as picking huckleberries. Duane Bud Koenig, of Lewiston, passed away on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the age of 92. He was born in 1932 in Billings, Mont., the middle child of William and Beatrice MaBea Koenig. His family moved to Clarkston when he was 10, and he often recounted tales of roaming the hillsides above Third Pond with his buddies. Dad graduated from Clarkston High School in 1950 and then attended the University of Idaho. He served as a sergeant in the Idaho National Guard, Battery C 148th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, stationed in Germany during the Korean War. In 1956, he married Kathryn Raschka, and they had three children. They later divorced. Dad loved camping, hunting, fishing and having huge bonfires by which his many epic stories were told, captivating and scaring his kids, niece and nephews (Terry, Cindy, Kelly, Scott), for those who remember Cat Woman. He was very much the ringleader and organizer of many summer nights of kick the can and run sheep run involving the whole neighborhood. He worked for Potlatch No. 1 Federal Credit Union in Lewiston before moving to Seattle in 1967, where he worked for Garrett Freight Lines/ANR. There, he met and married the love of his life, Cristina Dunn, in 1977. He took early retirement in 1990 and moved back to the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley to be near family and watch his grandsons play sports. Finland Introduces Revolutionary Solein Protein Made from Air and Electricity A groundbreaking innovation has emerged from Finland, as a company plans to launch a sustainable food protein known as Solein, produced using air and electricity. This protein is created from dried microbes cultivated and dehydrated from hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, which are nourished by components present in the air. Solar Foods, the company behind Solein, describes it as a seamless integration of ancient natural processes with modern technology. The production of Solein could potentially reduce the need for livestock farming, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The unique aspect of Solein lies in its eco-friendly production process, which utilizes gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide to create protein. Unlike traditional yeast that relies on sugar, Solein is a game-changer in the market for substitute proteins due to its minimal impact on natural resources. Soleins manufacturing process involves splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity, then utilizing these gases along with CO2 to produce microbial protein. This method significantly reduces environmental impact and sets Solein apart from other protein sources available in the market. Furthermore, Soleins low dependence on natural resources distinguishes it from conventional farming practices, with significantly reduced water and land usage compared to plant-based protein production. The proteins versatility in the kitchen makes it an attractive option for both consumers and food makers, offering a sustainable and nutritious alternative without compromising on taste. As the world becomes more aware of the environmental implications of food choices, Solein presents a promising solution for responsible consumption. Its innovative production process and nutritional benefits position Solein as a key player in the evolving landscape of sustainable protein sources. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Huawei to Empower Digital Transformation in Morocco with Extensive Solutions In a recent interview with MAP during Gitex Africa 2024, Huawei Morocco Vice President Jason Chenxiaolei expressed the companys commitment to supporting digitalization efforts in Morocco. With over 35 years of experience in the digitalization sector, Huawei is prepared to share its knowledge and expertise with the North African country. Chenxiaolei highlighted Huaweis existing collaborations with three operators and multiple companies in Morocco to establish top-notch networks and digital infrastructure. These efforts aim to ensure the seamless operation of various applications and services in the country. Having been present in Morocco for more than two decades, Huawei has identified the key challenges in the digitalization landscape of the country. Chenxiaolei praised Moroccos progressive approach to infrastructure development and emphasized the nations potential as a leader in Africa for digital investments. As part of Gitex Africa, Huawei is organizing a summit to assist its customers in Morocco in adopting the best practices for digital transformation. Chenxiaolei also commended the governments unwavering support for digital initiatives, recognizing it as a crucial enabler for the younger generation in the country. With a diverse range of solutions and a wealth of experience, Huawei is poised to play a pivotal role in driving digital innovation and progress in Morocco. Several Boston restaurants and bars are giving people a reason to raise a glass to Pride Month as a rainbow of drink specials are coming to the city this June. Whether you prefer a soothing Sangria or a sparkling Aperol Spritz, below you can find a list of restaurants and bars serving special Pride-themed cocktails during the month of June. Avery Bar Avery Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston is serving a Pride-themed cocktail during Pride Week in June 2024.The Ritz-Carlton, Boston The Pride cocktail at Avery Bar in The Ritz-Carlton, Boston will be the I See Your True Colors Shining Through, inspired by the 1986 hit, True Colors by Cyndi Lauper. The drink is made with pineapple, Aperol, Avery Gin, Creme De Violette, Blue Curacao, and soda water. Its garnished with a colorful orchid and pineapple leaf. The cocktail will be served during Pride Week from Tuesday June 4 through Saturday, June 8. Bambara Kitchen and Bar Bambara Kitchen and Bar is serving a special Pride cocktail called Dont Rain on my Parade" during the month of June 2024.Peter Holmgren Bambara Kitchen and Bar at the Kimpton Marlowe Hotel in Cambridge will be serving a Pride cocktail called Dont Rain on my Parade. The cocktail features vodka, Elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon, hibiscus ginger syrup, topped with Prosecco, and garnished with an orchid flower. In addition, $1 from the sale of every cocktail will support the The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. W Boston W Boston is serving three specialty Pride cocktails throughout the month of June 2024.Courtesy photo The Lounge at W Boston, located at 100 Stuart St., will be serving three specialty cocktails for Pride month. They include the Stonewall Cocktail, the Out and Proud, and the Born This Way. Click here to make a reservation and sip on the cocktails for yourself. 1928 1928 Beacon Hill is serving a specialty Pride cocktail throughout the month of June 2024.Courtesy Photo Inspired by Pride Month, 1928 Beacon Hills will offer diners the Dancing Barefoot cocktail. The drink is made with Super Gay Vodka mixed with spiced pear, herbal liqueur Benedictine and topped with lemon. Click here to make a reservation and sip on the cocktails for yourself. View Boston View Boston is serving Pride Sangria in honor of Pride Month in June.View Boston Sip on Pride Sangria while taking in panoramic views of the city at View Boston this June. Made with white wine, vodka, raspberry, grapefruit, lemon, and soda water, View Boston will serve the Sangria all month. Flight Club Flight Club Darts in Boston will serve a Pride Cocktail and Rainbow Cake during the month of June 2024.Flight Club Darts Social darts club Flight Club, which is located in the Seaport District at 60 Seaport Blvd., will serve its Pride Cocktail and Rainbow Cake to benefit The Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Youth. The Pride Cocktail is made with Empress Gin, Ketel One Grapefruit, rose, hibiscus, lemon, egg white, and edible glitter. Twenty-three-year-old Ellen Choate was traveling from Philadelphia to Bangor, Maine to start a new teaching job when she disappeared on June 1, 1975. Two years later, on June 26, 1977, her decomposed body was discovered off Old County Road in Newport, Maine. For nearly 50 years, Choates killing, which has been ruled a homicide, has remained unsolved. And police continue to seek tips to help bring a close to the decades-old cold case. Maine State Police are looking for tips in the womans slaying. Anyone who has information about her death is urged to contact the agencys Major Crimes Unit at its address, 198 Maine Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401, or phone number, (207) 973-3750. Information about the case can also be reported using the leave-a-tip form. Good Samaritans are being credited with saving the life of a pilot who was trapped in a burning helicopter after the aircraft crashed in the woods of Danbury, New Hampshire on Saturday, authorities said. New Hampshire State Police troopers along with members of the police and fire departments in Danbury responded to a report of a helicopter crash at 208 Dean Road in Danbury around 12:45 p.m. Saturday, according to a statement from state police. An initial investigation indicated the pilot lost control near a landing site and crashed into the wood line of the residential property, state polices statement said. The aircraft caught on fire. Flames then spread to the woods, but firefighters were able to extinguish them, according to a statement from the Danbury Police Department. The pilot, the only person inside the helicopter at the time of the crash, suffered injuries, but he was conscious, breathing and alert. He was taken by ambulance to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire for treatment, state police said. It was later revealed the pilot was able to partially get out of the helicopter after crashing into the woods. Witnesses who heard the crash went to the area, freed him completely from the burning aircraft and gave him medical aid until first responders arrived, according to the department. The witnesses actions were instrumental in saving the solo occupants life, the department said. State police did not immediately release the name of the pilot to the public. Anyone who may have witnessed the helicopter crash or who has additional information should contact the Danbury Police Department. The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the investigation into the circumstances of the crash. Jury selection is expected to begin Monday in the trial of Richard Vega, the man charged with the 1988 murder of Judy Chamberlain in what is now Bostons Seaport, according to prosecutors. Vega, who is 61 years old, was charged in 2021 with first-degree murder in Chamberlains slaying. On July 20, 1988, she was found strangled to death in the basement of the Fargo Building at 451 D Street in what was formerly South Boston and is now the Seaport. A maintenance worker discovered her body in a large sump pump, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said in a statement. Prosecutors said biological evidence collected during the initial investigation of the 1988 murder matched that of Vega, who was known by a variety of aliases, including Carl Vega, Ricardo Vega and Ricardo Mazzerino. Additional evidence gathered during a re-examination of the case also allegedly linked him to the building where Chamberlains body was found, according to the district attorneys offices statement. This trial represents a good outcome for DNA science and a good outcome for those investigators who worked this terrible crime when it occurred and those who took it up again upon developing the new evidence, Hayden said in the statement. But most importantly it is a solemn moment for Judy Chamberlains family and friends, who after so many years will have the opportunity to see a defendant answer for Judys tragic death. Biological evidence gathered during Chamberlains autopsy indicated she was sexually assaulted by her killer within 24 hours after she was last seen alive. A DNA sample collected during the initial investigation was submitted to the FBIs Combined DNA Indexing System, which compares samples from unknown assailants with the DNA profiles of known offenders, according to the district attorneys office. In 2011, Vega was identified as a suspect after the CODIS database matched the suspected killers DNA to Vegas DNA profile, the statement said. Vega was required to submit a DNA sample after he was convicted in 1990 of three counts of rape for attacking a 72-year-old woman in Revere in 1987. He was sentenced to 19.5 to 20 years in state prison for the offenses, according to the district attorneys office. As it grew close to Vegas expected release from incarceration, prosecutors petitioned to have him civilly committed. A jury found him sexually dangerous in 2008, and he remains civilly committed to this day, the district attorneys office said. According to prosecutors, the re-examination of Chamberlains murder was successful in collecting additional evidence needed to present the case to a Suffolk County grand jury, including witness testimony allegedly linking Vega to the Fargo Building, where he had done work as a flooring subcontractor. The grand jury returned an indictment against Vega on Aug. 30, 2021, charging him with Chamberlains murder. A man stabbed near a fish market in Boston late Saturday is expected to survive his injuries, according to police. Officers were approached by an unknown 47-year-old man in the area of 3099 Washington St. around 9 p.m. Saturday. The man, who was bleeding from his neck and arms, told police he was robbed for his scooter, Boston Police Department spokesperson Officer Mark Marron said. The man was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for injuries that are not life-threatening, Marron told MassLive. Police at the scene of the stabbing followed the blood trail of the man, which led them to Star Fish Market at the corner of Atherton Street and Washington Street. Multiple witnesses said there was a fight in the parking lot, everyone ran and they saw a man walking around bleeding afterward, according to Marron. The stabbing remains under investigation. No arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon, Marron said. BOSTON The Red Sox placed both Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain) and Romy Gonzalez (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list Sunday. Grissom injured his hamstring running to first base on a ground ball in the second inning Saturday. He will undergo imaging on it. He (Grissom) is actually getting an MRI to see where were at, manager Alex Cora said before Bostons game against the Tigers on Sunday. We dont expect Romys to be that long. Grissom injured his left hamstring during spring training and missed the first 32 games of the regular season. Cora is unsure yet if this will be another lengthy IL stint. Were not there yet, Cora said. He feels like it wasnt as bad as in spring training. But hes getting imaging so well know. Possibly the minimum 10 days for Gonzalez Cora said it likely will be the minimum 10 days on the IL for Gonzalez. We have to make sure hes healthy, Cora said. Cora added that Gonzalez didnt injure his hamstring on a specific play. Just felt tight yesterday, Cora said. He wasnt a go today. It was going to take a few days. So we needed to make the move. Yoshida could begin rehab stint soon Cora said Masataka Yoshida feels good after hitting outside Saturday for the first time since being placed on the injured list (thumb strain). Were not hitting outside (Sunday). Probably hell hit inside, Cora said. But he felt great. Asked if Yoshida could be ready for a rehab assignment when Boston leaves for Chicago to play the White Sox later this week (Thursday-Sunday), Cora replied, Hopefully. Hopefully. A New York man was arrested Thursday after prosecutors say he drove to Pittsfield to meet a minor he had been communicating with online had his bail set at $100,000, prosecutors announced. David Stypa, 62, is charged with enticement for sex, child under 16, attempt to commit a crime and two counts of disseminating obscene matter to a minor, Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrues office said in a statement. Stypa was arrested after an investigation into online communications he is accused of having with a minor under 16, according to the statement. According to prosecutors, Stypa was driving to Pittsfield to meet the minor at the time of his arrest. CHICOPEE Col. Gregory D. Buchanan was deployed seven times to Iraq and Afghanistan during wars that spanned nearly 20 years. Now, he has a park down the street that honors his service. We are part of this community. Thank you for designing this space, said Buchanan, commander of the 439th Airlift Wing at Westover Air Reserve Base. This is personal to me. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced that its 80th Public Meeting, the ICANN80 Policy Forum, will be held 1013 June 2024 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Kigali, Rwanda. This event, hosted in collaboration with the Republic of Rwandas Ministry of ICT and Innovation, marks the first ICANN meeting to take place in Rwanda. This underscores ICANNs commitment to fostering global participation and collaboration in the governance of the Internet. he ICANN80 Policy Forum will convene stakeholders from around the world, including representatives from governments, businesses, civil society, academia, and the technical community. Over four days, participants will engage in discussions on key issues affecting the Internets Domain Name System (DNS), including the need for improved DNS security, expanding the DNS to support more languages and scripts, and the evolution of domain name registration policies. The forum aims to foster international collaboration and set the stage for future developments in Internet governance. Prior to ICANN80, the High-Level Government Meeting (HLGM) is scheduled for 9 June 2024. Chaired by the Hon. Paula Ingabire, Rwandas Minister of ICT and Innovation, the HLGM will highlight the critical role of governmental bodies in shaping ICANN policies and initiatives. This meeting, led by ICANNs Governmental Advisory Committee, will focus on promoting governmental engagement and fostering effective collaboration, to align and enhance global Internet governance efforts. We are excited to host the international community in Kigali for the ICANN80 Policy Forum and High-Level Government Meeting, said Paula Ingabire, Minister of ICT & Innovation. The Policy Forum will lead efforts to maintain a secure, stable, and interoperable internet, and set the stage for future developments and emerging trends in global internet governance. Our contributions as the local host for ICANN80 give us an opportunity to demonstrate our critical contributions towards global internet governance and the advancement of meaningful internet connectivity for all. ICANN Interim President and CEO Sally Costerton commented on the significance of the meeting: ICANN80 is a vital platform for advancing global digital inclusivity and strengthening cybersecurity measures. It will facilitate robust multistakeholder engagement and discussions on critical initiatives like the New Generic Top-Level Domain Program, particularly focusing on Internationalized Domain Names and the Applicant Support Program. The HLGM will further emphasize the essential role of governments in our collaborative efforts to address challenges such as data privacy and DNS abuse. Truecaller, la principale plateforme mondiale de communication, est fiere dannoncer la derniere solution de son arsenal de capacites de lutte contre le spam et lescroquerie : lAI Call Scanner. AI Call Scanner est forme pour detecter et differencier les voix humaines et les voix synthetisees par lIA, permettant aux gens de se proteger contre les escroqueries potentielles et les activites frauduleuses. LAI Call Scanner est integre directement dans lapplication Truecaller Android, fait partie de labonnement Premium et est dabord deploye aux Etats-Unis, avec des plans de lancement a lechelle mondiale. Le systeme est concu dans une optique de simplicite et defficacite. Si une personne recoit un appel suspect, tout ce quelle a a faire est dappuyer sur un bouton dedie dans linterface Truecaller. La voix de lappelant est enregistree et cet echantillon vocal est ensuite traite par notre modele avance dIA, qui a ete rigoureusement forme pour identifier les caracteristiques uniques de la parole humaine et la distinguer des voix generees par lIA. Tout cela se passe en quelques secondes et nous sommes fiers de lancer avec un haut degre de precision. Les risques descroqueries vocales par lIA augmentent en raison de la proliferation des synthetiseurs vocaux optimises par lIA. Notre objectif etait de trouver une solution efficace et fiable avant que les choses ne deviennent incontrolables. Je suis fier dannoncer que Truecaller est lapplication dappel mondiale dotee dune detection vocale optimisee par IA. Truecaller utilisait deja lIA de nombreuses manieres differentes. Il sagit donc dune extension logique et indispensable des capacites de lutte antiscam de Truecaller , declare Alan Mamedi, CEO et cofondateur, Truecaller. Alors quAI Call Scanner est dabord lance sur Android, nous explorons deja des pistes doptimisation et dexpansion, y compris un lancement imminent sur iOS. Notre equipe recherche activement des moyens daffiner la precision du modele dIA, de reduire les temps de reponse et de sadapter aux tendances emergentes en matiere de technologie de synthese vocale. En outre, nous envisageons lintegration potentielle dAI Call Scanner a dautres plateformes et appareils de communication pour etendre sa portee et son impact ; par exemple avec la construction dun chatbot permettant de transferer des clips enregistres pour la detection. Independent county councillor Christy Hyland has hit out at the lack of respite available for families of people with special needs living in Mayo. Cllr Hyland's comments come as the mother eleven-year-old boy who has never received a day of respite has called for funding for two more respite centres for children in Mayo. THE mother of an eleven-year-old boy who has never received a day of respite has called for funding for two more respite centres for children in Mayo. This comes as local election candidate Cllr Christy Hyland has said he has met families with tears in their eyes over the lack of services available for their children with disabilities. Speaking exclusively to The Mayo News, Deirdre (not her real name), who lives in the West Mayo area, has been told that her son with special needs may not receive respite for several years because more than 42 other children are ahead of him on a waiting list. The boy has complex needs, including Down Syndrome and autism, and is non-verbal. Fergal (not his real name) currently receives support from an Enable Ireland worker who calls to his home twice a week. He is also in full-time education in a special unit in his local school and receives occupational therapy. His condition means that his mother, who works full-time, and his father, who farms part-time and cares for his son, cannot attend events together. Fergal currently avails of the Summer Programme, which sees certain schools remain open for children with special needs for between two and five weeks during school holidays. His mother must then take parental leave from her job to care for him until he returns to full-time education. We cant go to things for the other kids together; if they have a match or anything like that, Deirdre said. One of us has to be with him all the time, if hes not in school Youre trying to work full time and you are trying to attend everything and youre trying to keep everything going. INADEQUATE SERVICES AT PRESENT, there are two dedicated respite facilities for children with disabilities in Mayo. A number of years ago, Fergals family applied for a place on Western Cares Home Share programme, which allows people with special needs to stay in approved homes for a few hours or more. According to Western Care, providers receive a significant financial allowance that is proportional to the type and duration of the home-share arrangement. Deirdre said that a respite place may become available for Fergal when he turns 18 and moves into adult services. Even then, she added, a place may only come up every six months to a year. Fergal has not received speech and language therapy in school since September 2022, when his former therapist left their position. Deirdre said that private speech and language therapy would not work for him because when he goes in somewhere new, hes overwhelmed by the place. He wants to pull it apart. When its part of the routine in the school and the speech and language therapist is coming into the school, and then it works because he sees it as part of the routine of the day, she explained. You would imagine if he was getting speech and language therapy all that time that his speech would have come on better than it is. He has only single words. Deirdre described the lack of services available for children with special needs in Mayo as absolutely crazy. Two houses [for children with special needs] for the size of Mayo? Its crazy, she said. She also called for the means-testing regime for the Carers Allowance to be reviewed. Last month, a group of TDs put forward a Dail motion calling for the abolition of means for the allowance a call that has been echoed by Independent Mayo County Councillor Patsy OBrien. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys also established an Interdepartmental Group tasked with looking at the area of means-tested payments to family carers. From June, the weekly income threshold for Carers Allowance will be further increased from 350 to 450 for a single person, and from 750 to 900 for carers with a spouse/partner. The truth of the matter is that the person thats looking after cannot go out and get work because they have to be there looking after the child. All families, with the current cost of living, need two incomes coming in, Deirdre said. SCANDALOUS CLLR Christy Hyland, a local election candidate for the Westport Electoral Area, said he has encountered numerous cases of families who cannot get respite for their loved ones. They say, Christy, there seems to be funding for everyone except us. The tears are in their eyes, he told The Mayo News. The Independent councillor described the lack of services for people with disabilities as an awful, damning reflection on society and has called for the Government to fund adequate services. We have to help these people. They are stressed out. Some people have to give up their career to take care of their special-needs loved ones. And its not good enough. They feel isolated, they feel left out, the carers are not being taken care of by us as a society, he said. They are doing tremendous work caring for their loved ones on a 24/7 basis, and its scandalous they cant even get a few hours respite care. And we call ourselves a good society and a good country? We need to start looking inward to see what kind of a society we have that we cant reach out and help these people that are helping these beautiful special-needs people. Its an awful, damning reflection on society. by Danielle Oster , June 2, 2024 After closing its doors last summer, a historic San Francisco brewery will live to see another day. In an echo of the brewerys history, a businessman from another industry has stepped in to save Anchor Brewing from brand oblivion. Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya has acquired the assets of Anchor Brewing, and plans to revive the 128-year-old brand -- according to an announcement from Shepherd Futures, the family office for Ulukaya. Anchor Brewing closed its doors last July, as parent company Sapporo relinquished Anchor Brewing assets to a third-party liquidator. Workers of the brewery subsequently stated their intention to acquire Anchor Brewing as a worker-owned collective through their union. A Change.org petition from the group claimed Sapparo refused to share financial information with them as promised, which they said the company had to provided to other prospective buyers. A spokesperson at the time said that the company was fair and equal in its treatment of all parties interested in purchasing its assets, and had no flexibility to extend the process. advertisement advertisement While the worker-owned collectives bid for ownership was ultimately unsuccessful, it seems its new owner plans to revive the brand as a working brewery rather than mine its individual brand assets. San Francisco is at the heart of Anchor Brewing, and Anchor embodies so much of what makes this city great, Ulukaya added. I have learned so much about Anchor and its role in San Franciscos journey, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to support this amazing story of revitalization. Anchor Brewings history dates back to the 1896 Gold Rush, and is reportedly the oldest brewery in the country to consistently be considered a craft brewer through varying definitions of the term. Its not the first time a buyer from another industry has acquired the brewery and rescued it from potential demise. Anchor Brewing faced imminent bankruptcy in 1965 when Fritz Maytag -- grandson of appliance company Maytag Corporation founder Frederick Maytag -- acquired a 51% stake in the brewer, and ushered in a new era of innovation for the brewery. In 1975, for example, the brewery introduced a Christmas Ale which, until last year, had been the longest-running annual Christmas beer release in the country, according to Beer Street Journal. Around 80% of people with #prediabetes are unaware of their condition. In the U.S., up to 35% of Hispanic adults have prediabetes. #mortalityrisk During a divisive meeting on May 20, the Orange County School Board voted 3-2 to not recertify its membership with the Virginia School Boards Association, claiming the nonpartisan statewide organization was a drain on resources and leaned too far to the political left. Ive seen recordings where they mock our governor and anyone with a conservative viewpoint, said Board Member Darlene Dawson, who referred to the organization as a monopoly. They lobby for many things that I, on principle, stand against, and Im not interested in supporting them. If you try to disagree with them, they will shut you down. Ive seen it happen. Based in Charlottesville, the Virginia School Boards Association is composed of school boards from across the commonwealth focused on supporting school districts by providing legal, policy and collective bargaining expertise, advocating for members on a state and federal level, and assisting with searches for superintendents. Founded in 1906, the agency also offers seminars that allow school board members to complete training required by their posts. Orange Countys decision last week makes it the second locality in Virginia to cut ties with the association. Warren County left in September. Sandy Harrington, an Orange County School Board member who articulated her strong disapproval of the boards ruling, was also displeased with the company the county was going to be keeping. I was asked at one point would the Orange County Public Schools system and board want to be recognized as a board and system of excellence, as in Fairfax County or Falls Church, or do we want to align ourselves with Warren County? said Harrington at the meeting. I dont know, apparently you may. The charge to leave the school board association was primarily led by Board Member Chelsea Quintern, who offered the motion to bring the discussion to a vote. This alone led to discord before the real debate could commence, as both members of the board and audience assembled on May 20 were confused as to whether Roberts Rules of Order even allowed for discussion on the motion given it was not listed as an action item on the meetings agenda. Ultimately, the discussion and vote were permitted to proceed, to Harringtons chagrin. You may do what you want, you have the majority, you tend to do that anyway, but thats how I feel about it, she said to Quintern. Quintern, who does not have to run under a partys banner but ran for the school board as a self-proclaimed Republican anyway, raised concerns regarding the school board associations political leanings and the types of policies it pushes in Virginias legislature. Quintern contradicted herself at the May 20 meeting, claiming she has not used VSBA resources once in the last two years but that while attending a training session offered through the association they did not like my opinion and I was not welcome to share it on certain hot-topic items. Board members do not have to fulfill their training requirements solely through the school board association; they can attend similar programs offered by other groups, an alternative many of Orange Countys board members admitted they take advantage of. Not only did Quintern say that she had faced pushback for her comments at a school board association meeting, she also alleged that the nonpartisan organization had taken the issue to the press. I dont want to spend money on an organization that publishes op-ed hit pieces on single board members, which that did in fact happen to myself, said Quintern. I feel like that money could be better spent elsewhere in our school system. The op-ed she referenced could not be found on the school board associations website, but Quintern does appear in a number of local and national news stories regarding a resolution she brought before the board in April 2022. In response to Gov. Glenn Youngkins law requiring all Virginia school districts to notify parents whenever sexually explicit material is included in the curriculum, Quintern proposed a similar resolution in Orange. However, it was her own addition to the proposal that caused significant public outcry, one requiring schools to notify parents of healthcare services and involvement in critical decisions affecting students physical, mental and emotional well-being; including, but not limited to self-identification. The resolution was eventually voted down several months later, though the backlash against Quintern continued for some time. An online petition to remove her from the school board acquired more than 1,000 signatures and the valedictorian from the Orange County High School class of 2023, Solo Mthethwa, explicitly called for her resignation, along with two of her colleagues on the board at the time, during his graduation speech. Dawson and the boards chairwoman, Melissa Anderson, who both joined Quintern in voting down the motion to renew the boards membership, shared Quinterns frustration with the price tag associated with the statewide school board association. According to Andersons comments during the discussion, the board pays a $8,850 membership fee each year in addition to $3,000 for the policy services. My biggest concern is that we are paying a lump sum for the board, said Anderson, who added shed rather spend money on an attorney to review their policies, a service currently offered by the Virginia School Boards Association at a cost. Harrington dismissed her colleagues concerns about the price of the membership, calling their arguments pretty disingenuous given Anderson walked in here on the night that the budget was adopted, and you threw out three new positions for close to $400,000 without batting an eye. The Daily Progress reached out to the Virginia School Boards Association for comment with no response. Aside from Harrington, Jack Rickett was the only other board member who offered a dissenting opinion, pointing out in his brief remarks that the school board association ensures the school districts policies remain in compliance with Virginia law. While the board could hire lawyers instead, it would likely not do much to alleviate the associated cost, said Rickett. Harrington agreed, saying it would be impossible for board members to fill the Virginia School Boards Associations role, particularly in regard to governance training and negotiating with state legislators in Richmond. In my opinion, we have challenges just running a board meeting; its not pretty sometimes, she said. I have a huge problem with you eliminating the opportunity for me as a board member to get appropriate training. After nearly half an hour of tense back-and-forth, the majority carried the vote and Orange County will no longer be affiliated with the Virginia School Boards Association effective June 30. The next school board meeting is set for June 3, where constituents will have the opportunity to comment on the recent decision. You will do what you want, but I think this is a significant step in the wrong direction, and I will continue to advocate for proper governance, said Harrington to her fellow board members after the vote. I think youre making a decision with bias, and I do not support it. JERUSALEM (AP) Throughout its grinding seven-month war against Hamas, Israel has pledged to investigate a series of deadly events in which its military forces are suspected of wrongdoing. The commitment comes in the face of mounting claims from human rights groups and the International Criminal Court 's chief prosecutor that the country's leaders are committing war crimes in Hamas-ruled Gaza. In one of the highest-profile cases, an attack on a World Central Kitchen convoy that killed five foreign aid workers, the Israeli army promptly published its findings, acknowledged misconduct by its forces and dismissed two soldiers. But other investigations remain open, and admissions of guilt are rare. Israels Military Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, said this week that the military is investigating about 70 cases of alleged wrongdoing. She gave few details. The military refused to disclose the full list of investigations and told The Associated Press it could only respond to queries about specific probes. A look at some of the investigations that have been publicly announced: A DEADLY STRIKE ON A TENT CAMP KILLS DISPLACED FAMILIES On Tuesday, Israel revealed the preliminary results of an investigation into a deadly strike on a tent camp sheltering displaced families in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Sunday's strike killed at least 45 people and caused widespread destruction. Most of the victims were women and children, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which doesn't distinguish between the deaths of civilians and Hamas militants. The military's chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said a preliminary investigation found that the Israeli munitions used that day in efforts to eliminate two Hamas militants were too small to be the source of a fire that broke out. Hagari said the destruction may have been caused by secondary explosions, possibly from Palestinian militants weapons in the area. Hamas did not respond to that explanation, but a member of the militants' political bureau remarked Tuesday that Israel believes that it is deceiving the world, with its false claim that it did not intend to kill and burn children and women, and its claim to investigate its crimes. The Israeli military said in a statement that the investigation had been turned over to a fact-finding group that operates independently outside the armys chain of command. Those findings are then handed to the military advocate general, who decides if there should be disciplinary measures. It's not clear how long the probe will last. SCORES OF CIVILIANS ARE SHOT DEAD AROUND A FLOUR CONVOY In February, witnesses said Israeli troops fired on a crowd of Palestinians waiting for aid in Gaza City. At least 104 people were killed and 760 were wounded, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which described it as a massacre. Army officials initially said that dozens of Palestinians were killed in a stampede when huge crowds tried to grab supplies off the pre-dawn convoy of 30 army trucks carrying flour toward hard-hit northern Gaza. But the militarys preliminary investigation, released a week later, appeared to back off that, saying only that the stampede caused incidents of significant harm to civilians. The investigation found that troops opened fire at some who approached them and posed a threat to them and that a tank also fired warning shots to disperse suspects. But it did not directly address how the people were killed. The military said the case is also being investigated by the fact-finding group. AL-AHLI HOSPITAL EXPLOSION SETS OFF DEADLY INFERNO An explosion in October in the courtyard of the Al-Ahli hospital, where thousands of Palestinians had sought shelter or medical treatment, set off an inferno that burned men, women and children alive. There are still conflicting claims over what happened. Officials in Gaza quickly said an Israeli airstrike had hit the hospital, killing at least 500 people. Images of the aftermath ignited protests across the region. Within hours, Israeli officials said they had conducted an investigation and determined that they had not been involved. They released live video, audio and other evidence that it said showed the blast was caused by a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group. Islamic Jihad denied responsibility. An AP investigation, along with U.S. and French intelligence assessments, concluded a misfired rocket likely caused the explosion. A PALESTINIAN MAN IS SHOT WHILE WALKING WITH OTHERS In January, the Israeli government announced it was investigating the death of a Palestinian man who was fatally shot while walking with four others. Video footage shows one of the men holding a white flag the international symbol of surrender and the others behind him holding their hands in the air. They then scramble backward as several shots ring out. In a second clip, one of the men is lying on the ground. The shooter is not visible in the video but before the shots are fired, the camera pans, showing what looks to be an Israeli tank positioned nearby. Ahmed Hijazi, a citizen journalist who filmed the episode, told The Associated Press that an Israeli tank fired on the group. The army said it conducted an in-depth investigation and found the tank did not fire at the men. It also said it was not possible to determine with certainty whether the man was killed by Israeli fire. FOUR PALESTINIANS ARE SHOT ON A DIRT ROAD On March 22, Israels military launched an investigation after footage emerged appearing to show the bombing of five Palestinians near the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. Aerial footage circulating on social media shows four men walking along a dirt road before a strike hits them, killing all four instantly. Another man farther along the road tries to run away before he is hit and killed. The origin of the footage remains unclear. The military said the investigation had been turned over to the independent fact-finding group. A GAZA SURGEON DIES IN AN ISRAELI PRISON Famed Gaza surgeon Adnan al-Bursh died in an Israeli prison after he was rounded up in an arrest raid on Al Awda hospital in mid-April, according to the United Nations. Bursh led the orthopedic department at Al-Shifa Hospital. At the time of his arrest in December, he was reportedly in good health and operating on patients, the U.N. said. But those who saw Bursh in detention reported that he looked depleted and bore signs of violence, according to Physicians for Human Rights-Israel. Israel's military and police did not respond to requests for comment. Palestinian detainees who have returned from Israeli detention have reported beatings, harsh interrogations and neglect while in Israeli custody. Israel has denied the reports. Bursh was transferred to Israel's Ofer military prison in the West Bank, where he died. Israeli police will conduct an autopsy of Burshs body with a doctor from Physicians for Human Rights-Israel present, the group said, noting it had filed a petition on behalf of Burshs family. It's unclear when the autopsy will be conducted. Authorities have released no information on the cause of death and it is unclear who is investigating. Israel's military and police referred questions to Israel's Prison Service, which referred questions back to the military. FLINT, MI The house where a little girl was kidnapped in 1997 before her remains were found 11 months later is set to be demolished later this year, further complicating whether authorities will ever be able to officially close her homicide investigation. Jessica Phelps was 4 years old when she was apparently abducted from the front yard of her home at 1621 Maryland Avenue. Her skeletal remains identified through dental records were found in Atlas Township nearly a year later. The home, now shrouded in overgrown grass and marked with blue and red spray-painted markers signifying its water lines have been removed, along with other internal elements, is scheduled for demolition sometime between July and December, according to Genesee County Land Bank Executive Director Michael Freeman. Jessica Phelps disappeared for her Maryland Avenue home on July 1, 1997. Her skeletal remains were found 11 months later in an Atlas Township culvert. Once gone, the last physical remembrance of Phelps will similarly disappear. While authorities believe they know who killed her police reports obtained by MLive/The Flint Journal identify a man who died by suicide in 2007 as the primary suspect in the case the case technically remains open. MLive is not identifying the suspect because they were never charged. Flint police havent responded to multiple attempts for comment and additional information for this story. Related: Family of Jessica Phelps holds 30th birthday party decades after her kidnapping, murder Phelps disappeared on July 1, 1997. Her mother told police she was inside the Maryland Avenue home taking a shower when her daughter, playing in the front lawn, went missing. Family members and the community teamed up in the following days, holding a candlelight vigil and searching the area for the little girl. Phelps mother, Tamara Kinney, did interviews on TV and in The Flint Journal, pleading with whoever took her daughter to bring the girl home safely. They never did. On July 11, 1997, daily searches were called off following a lowering of the Flint River. Phelps case was featured on Americas Most Wanted, but the publicity did little in helping solve the case. Phelps body was found in early April 1998 on Horton Road, between Gale and Vantine roads, in Atlas Township, according to police reports. The stretch she was found near was a little traveled dirt road. About 10 feet off the west side of the road, her remains were discovered by a road commission employee cleaning a ditch to prevent spring flooding. Phelpss clothes she was last seen wearing pink and blue shorts and a white top reading I Love Ballet were found near the remains. Police have continued with the case sporadically in recent years. The most recent development was in late 2023, when Flint police sought state police assistance digitizing boxes of evidence in the case file. Sixteen VHS tapes, 17 cassette tapes and five mini cassette tapes were each transitioned to digital copies. Anyone with information on Phelps case may contact Flint police at 810-237-6800. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Two men were killed in a third man was injured in a shooting on Grand Rapids Southwest Side, police said. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. Sunday, June 2, in the 200 block of Cesear E. Chavez Avenue SW, Grand Rapids police said. Officers located one man dead at the scene. A second man, who was taken to an area hospital for treatment, died at the hospital shortly after arrival, police said. Later, officers were notified that a third man had arrived at a hospital seeking treatment. That mans current condition is unknown. The shooting remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3380 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. GRAND RAPIDS, MI Grand Rapids residents can now apply for city dollars to make their projects aimed at bettering the community a reality. Residents, informal resident groups and community-based organizations can apply for the latest round of the citys Neighborhood Match Fund through June 30 at this link. EATON COUNTY, MI -- A 31-year-old man was killed in a freeway crash early Friday morning. An Ann Arbor man, 63, was driving west in the right lane of I-96 around 2 a.m. Friday, May 31, when his semi-truck drifted onto the right shoulder of the road, Michigan State Police said in a news release. The man then overcorrected, causing his vehicle to cross into the left lane and crash into a concrete barrier. The truck then jumped the concrete barrier and went into the eastbound lane, police said. The crash occurred near Creyts Road in Windsor Township. A 31-year-old man driving east collided with the semi-truck. As he attempted to stop, a car behind him driven by a 21-year-old man crashed into his car. The second car then left the roadway and struck a tree, police said. The 31-year-old man, of Mason, was pronounced dead on scene. The 21-year-old man, of Lansing, was treated on scene for minor injuries. The driver of the semi-truck was taken to Sparrow Hospital for injuries. It is unclear what caused the semi-truck driver to leave the roadway initially, police said. Drugs and alcohol are not believed to be a factor in the crash, which is still under investigation. VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI Charges are pending against three men accused of breaking into a dispensary overnight to steal marijuana, Van Buren County sheriffs deputies said. A fourth suspect allegedly involved in the robbery remains at large. Sheriffs deputies responded to a 3:30 a.m. report of a breaking and entering Sunday, June 2, at TruLeaf Dispensary, at 265 Crandall Parkway in the village of Lawrence. Police said the dispensary owner saw several people inside the building through surveillance video and called authorities. Upon arrival, police witnessed the suspects carrying bags of marijuana and other products out of the store and to a vehicle. When spotted, police said the suspects fled back inside the building. Three of the suspects exited through another door and fled into the woods nearby. One man was arrested while trying to get into a getaway car, police said. A second man was located inside the business and taken into custody. Police said a third man was later located walking down I-94 near County Road 681 where he disappeared into the woods. The man was found walking north on County Road 681 and was apprehended by deputies. The three men arrested are between the ages of 18 and 23 years old and are from the Battle Creek area. Police said a fourth suspect is still on the loose. The vehicle used in the robbery was reported stolen out of Battle Creek, police said. The three men arrested were lodged at the Van Buren County Jail on charges of burglary, larceny in a building, possession of burglary tools, and resisting and obstructing police. Anyone with additional information about this incident as asked to contact the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office at 269-657-3101 or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Virginias commission tasked with reviewing energy-related legislative proposals now has an executive director, after announcing the hiring of a Virginia Department of Energy member to fill the position. Carrie Hearne, of Richmond, will begin as executive director of the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation next month. She will take the role after five years at Virginia Energy, where she was the director of affordability and competitiveness. This is a pivotal time for the clean energy transition in Virginia, all while electricity demand is growing, Hearne said in a statement. The policy and regulatory landscape has a tremendous impact on whether and how energy projects get deployed across Virginia to ensure a reliable, affordable and clean energy system. Sen. Scott Surovell, D-Fairfax the commissions chair who reinvigorated it through legislation in 2023 following years of dormancy noted Hearnes experience working for the state under both Democratic and Republican administrations. From load growth and energy demand to decarbonization and grid modernization, Virginia faces a string of energy challenges over the coming years that must be faced, said Surovell in the statement. Carrie brings a wealth of public- and private-sector energy policy experience. The Commission on Electric Utility Regulation, or CEUR, reviews requests to change Virginias energy laws and regulations. Currently, Virginias most comprehensive law regarding electricity generation from the states two largest utilities, Dominion Energy and Appalachian Power Company, is the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which passed under Democratic control in 2020 and seeks to decarbonize the electric grid by 2050. Since passage of the VCEA, which sets targets for increasing electricity generation from renewable sources like solar and wind, several legislators have introduced measures to change electric utility laws and regulations. Those efforts havent made it through the legislative process. The proposed changes included a bill this past session from Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, to require localities to consider proposals to convert land to solar use, so long as the land covered by panels took up no more than 4% of the localitys total land. But members of the House of Delegates Committee on Counties, Cities and Towns subcommittee voted to continue the legislation to 2025 with a request for the CEUR to review it further because of the land use implications it may have had for localities. Other proposals sent to the CEUR in recent years included an option to have Dominion procure its next required amount of offshore wind electricity from a third party, a bill that advocates said can reduce costs. The utility, however, said it strayed away from the current regulated oversight, which is now being used for the $9.8 Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project off the coast of Virginia Beach. The CEUR is also charged with creating ratepayer impact statements, reviewing Dominions and Appalachian Powers Integrated Resource Plans the non-binding long-term planning documents for future investments by the utilities as well as receiving updates from the State Corporation Commission, which oversees Virginias utilities. In December, the CEUR heard a presentation from the U.S. Department of Energy on loans to fund clean energy energy projects should the state establish a State Energy Financing Institution, a program that wouldve been created by legislation from Surovell this session that was vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin. The governor had released his energy plan in 2022 calling for continued use of natural gas and new forms of nuclear energy. Glenn Davis, a former legislator chosen by Youngkin to be the director of Virginia Department of Energy, said Hearne was instrumental in the state receiving an unprecedented amount of federal grant dollars, including $156 million under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Solar for All program. She is a strong choice for executive director of CEUR and I look forward to working with her in her new role, Davis said. Tarah Kesterson, a spokeswoman for Virginia Energy, said the agency will very soon be advertising on their website and social media the vacancy Hearnes hiring creates. Its a crucial role to our state energy office and the agency, Kesterson said. Another recent addition to the commission is Josephus Allmond, a staff attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center. Allmond joins Cassidy Rasnick and Howard Shafferman as the other citizen members who sit on the board alongside the legislative members. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept As Gov. Glenn Youngkin spoke at the historic site of a student walkout on the 70th anniversary of the Supreme Courts landmark Brown v. Board of Education ruling, his earnest persona belied a public policy hostile to what those equity-seeking students stood for. And what a day it is. It started right here in Farmville an extraordinary demonstration of courage and bravery by Barbara Johns and her classmates, he said in a social media post from the Moton Museum, a former all-Black school that lacked a cafeteria or gym and relieved its overcrowding by placing students in tar-paper shacks. And after decades, Virginia once was closed and segregated and separate and not equal, all of a sudden put itself on a path to be unified. We still have work to do. Johns led a walkout by her fellow students, launching the modern Civil Rights Movement. Represented by Richmond civil rights lawyers Oliver W. Hill and Spottswood Robinson III, theyd become plaintiffs in a lawsuit that became part of the Brown ruling in 1954. But nothing happened all of a sudden. Virginia politicians notoriously set up roadblocks on the path to school desegregation through a stalling tactic that became known as Massive Resistance. In 1959, Prince Edward County defunded its schools for five years rather than desegregate. Youngkin whose contempt for racial equity is well-documented is an inheritor and perpetuator of this legacy. Mere weeks before he appeared in Farmville, the governor vetoed legislation that would have allowed local governments to raise their sales tax for school construction if voters approved in a referendum. Prince Edward School officials had enthusiastically supported the measure, and why wouldnt they? The headline on the VPM story on the Brown anniversary read: Prince Edward schools that helped usher in Brown v. Board still in disrepair. No wonder some of the folks flanking Youngkin in his post a group that included Prince Edward schools superintendent, Barbara Johnson, and Moton Museum Executive Director Cainan Townsend, who also serves on the Prince Edward School Board look like theyre in a hostage video. The people I recognize in that video and know, I know have been advocating for a long time for legislation that would allow them to construct and fund new public schools, says Justin Reid, a public historian and Farmville native who formerly served as acting head of the museum. The same conditions that led the students to strike in 1951 are present in Prince Edward County right now. Hes celebrating the students who went on strike for adequate, equitable funding and a new school building, Reid said of Youngkin, right after he vetoed bipartisan legislation that would have provided students today with adequate equitable funding and a new school building. After Prince Edward closed its public schools, Virginia subsidized tuition grants for a private, whites-only academy in the county. Reids family were litigants in the U.S. Supreme Courts 1964 decision, Griffin v. County School Board of Prince Edward, that outlawed those vouchers to white students and effectively ended Massive Resistance. Unfortunately, Youngkin is far from alone among politicians who misuse, abuse and otherwise distort the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. For them, the best view of social justice is decades in the rear view mirror. This strategy is laid out by political scientist Jeanne Theoharis in her 2018 book A More Beautiful and Terrible History: The Uses and Misuses of Civil Rights History. The recounting of national histories is never separate from present-day politics, she writes. What of the past is remembered, celebrated and mourned is at the core of national identity and the process of what is told and not told is often a function of power. The act of making an historical tribute necessarily resolves it and fixes it in a time and place. In an example of this disconnect, Theoharis recounts the 2013 dedication of the Rosa Parks statue at the U.S. Capitol an event that occurred on the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Shelby County v. Holder. In Shelby, the courts conservative majority would gut the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by eliminating the requirement that jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression preclear any changes in voting rules. The majority argued that the requirement was based on 40-year-old facts having no logical relation to the present day an absurd assertion given the subsequent surge in voter suppression efforts, and today, outright election denial. The deceased Barbara Johns that Youngkin lauded was a nemesis of past Virginia governors, and was sent out of state to live after a cross was burned on her familys property. Given Youngkins views on education and protesters, its hard to envision that hed embrace a living Johns today. After all, his first official act was censoring classroom discussion of the sort of systemic racism that Johns and her fellow students experienced. And most recently, he sabotaged a racial literacy requirement fashioned by students and faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University in the aftermath of the 2020 social justice protests. Or, as Reid wryly observes, Its OK to commemorate history as long as we dont connect the dots to today. There are very clear, very tangible dots and parallels happening right now in Prince Edward County with the school conditions, he added. You cant teach students this history and not allow them to apply it to their contemporary experience. That Youngkin bypassed Massive Resistance in his Brown tribute is typical in a nation of civil rights history revisionists who compare todays protesters unfavorably with the activists who, while lionized today, were met with citizen and state violence in real time. Or as Theoharis writes: While the actual civil rights movement was far more disruptive, demanding, contentious, and profound than its depicted, the mythologies of it get in the way of seeing the continuities between these struggles, the shoulders current movements stand on, and the ways people can learn from past struggles to approach the problems we face as a nation today. Complicity in reducing this struggle to palatable platitudes is bipartisan. Remarkably, none of the 14 Martin Luther King Jr. quotes at his memorial on the National Mall uses the words racism, segregation or racial inequality, Theorharis notes. And the part of Kings March on Washington speech that indicts America for defaulting on this promissory note and ... (having) given the Negro people a bad check was originally selected for the memorial but ultimately deemed too controversial, she writes. Lets all remember that we cant know where were going unless we know where were from, Youngkin said in the video. But cynical politicians are all too willing to bypass the ugliness of that journey. Instead of learning from the past to solve todays problems, these politicians perpetuate the past by whitewashing it. This disingenuousness does more than distort commemoration; its crippling our future. We cant create a more beautiful history without confronting the terrible history. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Question true feline aficionados about registered breeds of cats and you may just end up in a fistfight. This year some 15 new cat breeds have been recognized. But it depends on what association of cat owners and breeders you talk to. There are basically three main associations that recognize new breeds. That alone may get the fistal truculence started. There are people breeding cats both day and night trying to get breed recognition from one of these organizations. Breed recognition is very limited, and the numbers may surprise readers. The International Cat Association recognizes 71 breeds, the Cat Fanciers Association names 44, and the Federation Internationale Feline has the shortest list with a mere 43. Which organization one belongs to is a bigger dust-up than a family Thanksgiving dinner when drunk uncles bust up the furniture trying to convince one another who is the better Republican. This column arose from a worldwide news story claiming a new breed of cat, now called the salmiak, had arisen out of Finland in 2007. The term is Swedish and refers to a specific, extra salty licorice candy favored by both the Swedes and the Finns. Now, who likes the candy better, Swedes or Finns, and who developed it first can result in a biffo, too. So, what does this kitty look like? If you can imagine mostly short-haired cats with the finest, most well distributed salt and pepper hair pattern, youve got it. Each hair is black near the base but then grows in white near the tip end. Some of the cats have white faces or white and black faces, and white bellies or paws. Others have a white throatlatch, to use an equine term. When scientists looked at these new cats, they started to wonder just how the genetics worked out. Among DNA jockeys who study coat and hair colors in different animals and people, the genetics are somewhat well understood. In the animal world though, because people are constantly breeding different looking animals to one another, that DNA deck keeps getting reshuffled. As I look back upon a long years of involvement in the political and civic life of my community, a number of things leave me puzzled. Grassroots organizer from high school onward; many years an elected official; taught politics at the university level while earning a doctorate; served on state, regional, county and local boards; managed campaigns; published books and hundreds of newspaper columns; hosted a live political talk show and yet some things about our system of governance and electioneering just don't add up. It is patently clear that there are one hell of a lot more poor and middle-class folks than there are super rich. Our Founding Fathers understood this and devised a system which, while mouthing platitudes about equality and screaming about "taxation without representation," still went ahead and limited the franchise to property-owning white males. As a further guarantee that the rabble would never rise up as in France, there was no direct election of U.S. senators and presidents. Everything was designed to disenfranchise the many and enrich the few. OK. So far that all makes sense. Time, however, marched on and eventually the wealthy and powerful had to yield some of their prerogatives to keep the rhetoric of equality from being exposed as a complete fraud. By constitutional amendment, Blacks were given the right to vote and women, after an even longer battle, were enfranchised. Poll taxes and property requirements fell and even the 18-year-olds whom were sent to war to fill the pockets of profiteers were allowed to vote. I understand this as well. You can't call yourself a representative democracy if you forever deny a majority of the population say in how theyre governed. I also understand the consternation within the corporate board rooms and conservative think tanks while this extension of voting rights was going on. They well understood that, unless some brew was concocted to separate the masses from their true economic best interest, the Republican Party was finished. If Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal wasn't proof enough of how the common folk might pry loose a few cherished dollars from the power brokers tight grip on our nation's wealth, then the Republican Eisenhower gave no reprieve as the super-rich paid at a whopping 90% income tax rate. Wedge issues provided the answer. They saw how Southern Democrats, after the War of Northern Aggression, prevented coalitions forming among the have-nots by using race-baiting as a tool. Klan membership soared, Jim Crow laws flourished and lynchings became an all-too-common sight south of the Mason-Dixon Line. By David McCall. is the international president of the United Steelworkers Union (USW). Originally produced by the Independent Media Institute. Donneta Williams, president of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 1025 and a longtime optical fiber maker at the Corning plant in Wilmington, North Carolina, knows how important it is for workers intent on forming a union to speak directly with peers who walk in the same shoes. So Williams agreed to send three of her colleagues to Cornings Tarboro facility, about 145 miles away, when workers at that site approached the union with questions about organizing. Local 1025 members shared firsthand accounts of how the union boosted their wages, gave them a voice, and kept them safe on the job. And in May 2024, the workers at Tarboro filed for an election to join the USW. Theyre among a growing number of workers across the South eager to leverage the power of solidarity and build brighter futures, even as CEOs and Republicans in this part of the country still conspire to hold them down. Its all about making life better, said Williams, who also serves as a vice president of the North Carolina AFL-CIO, noting that workers are organizing across numerous industries in a string of Southern states with traditionally low numbers of union members. The narrative on unions in the South needs to change, she added, pointing out that growing numbers of workers are grasping the benefits of collective action and demanding their fair share in the booming post-pandemic economy. Were here, she said. Were strong. Were standing up, and were fighting with all that we have. About 1,400 workers at the Blue Bird electric bus factory in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 2023 voted overwhelmingly to organize through the USW. The vote was a breakthrough for workers on the front lines of a vital, growing industry. It also sent a pointed, defiant message to a Republican governor who lies about unions and tries to prevent Georgians from joining them. On the heels of that monumental victory, autoworkers at a Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, overcame Republican opposition and voted by a huge majority to unionize. Their counterparts at a Hyundai plant in Alabama continue their own organizing drive, citing safety issues and irregular scheduling making it virtually impossible to make plans outside of work. Despite the poor conditions that these and other workers face, however, the states anti-union governor brags about her subservience to corporations and urges workers to vote against their best interests. Corning, a maker of glass products for broadband, solar power, and many other industries, has seven locations in North Carolina. While only workers at Wilmington enjoy USW membership now, their counterparts at other sites across the state intend to change that. Williams says workers are educating themselves about collective action, seeing through the right-wing corporate pandering, and then shrugging off the Souths anti-labor traditions to chart a path forward for their families. The mindset of workers, in general, has changed, observed Williams, who credits President Joe Bidens pro-union agenda and job-creating legislation like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with helping to fuel demand for unions. We are in full support of everyone who is trying to organize, she said, noting that North Carolinas Democratic governor supports unions, unlike his Republican counterparts in other states. Were helping any way that we can. In one-on-one meetings and on Zoom calls, for example, Local 1025 representatives talk to prospective union members about how they bargain higher wages, quality health care, and retirement security. Williams said she can sense the workers interest growing as she explains how unions empower their members to look out for one another, fight discrimination, and ensure fairness in scheduling. And she emphasizes that workers at every location control their own destiny and build the contract thats right for them. Its your contract, she says. Its what you want your workplace to look like. Every workplace is different. Unions lift up entire communities, a U.S. Treasury Department report confirmed in 2023. They raise members wages by as much as 15 percent, creating a competitive environment in which non-unionized employers also must increase pay to hold on to workers. Union contracts provide workers with better benefits and retirement security than theyd otherwise earn, and their focus on workplace safety can pull up whole industries, the report concluded. Unions fight favoritism and discrimination, creating more equitable workplaces and communities. The collective spirit forged inside the organized shop extends beyond the plant gates, with union members not only voting more often than other workers but also volunteering and donating to charity more often. You own this. Dont let the boss own this, longtime USW activist David Beard tells workers who are considering an organizing drive to take control of their futures, noting unions are families that safeguard members from unfair treatment. Youre not protected without a union, especially if youre a mouthy guy like me, explained Beard, executive board member for Local 752L, which represents workers at the Goodyear plant in Texarkana, Arkansas. Companies long located in the South because of generous incentive packages and non-union workforces. Although companies and Republicans desperately want to maintain the status quo, he said, people are hungry for better. During one conference call, Williams stunned workers at a non-union Corning site when she explained the holiday premium pay Local 1025 members receive. She pointed out that those workers can fight for the same payand get her help doing it. Were just stronger together, and we are here to support them, she said. By Lambert Strether of Corrente Mr Pin smiled humourlessly. Youve got stuff on us but, well, between you and me, he leaned closer, some of the things weve done might be considered, well, tantamount to crimes All them ing murders, for a start, said Mr Tulip, nodding. Which, since we are criminals, could be called typical behaviour. Whereas, Pin went on, youre a respectable citizen. Doesnt look good, respectable citizens getting involved in this sort of thing. People talk. Terry Pratchett, The Truth A brief tour of the collective post-verdict liberalgasm is not notable for tristesse Donald Trump needs YOUR HELP to get vengeance on the evil RULE OF LAW, Convicted Felon Rambles Through Greatest Hits of Grievances, Falsehoods, and Legal Nonsense but one continuing theme does emerge: That the verdict of the jury (upon whom be peace) in Judge Merchan and District Attorney Alvin Braggs courtroom is a victory for the rule of law. Now, to be fair, Bragg and his merry men did manage to convict a billionaire Presidential candidate of paying off a mistress with with, like, Windows 3.0 accounting software and paper checks (and a theory of the case that should stimulate every record-keeping business entity in New York to do some due diligence on their own internal accounting and any potential frauds MR SUBLIMINAL Or move to Florida ). But if we dolly back for a bigger picture even just a little bit, we can see that rule of law liberal triumphalism is thoroughly misplaced, and that as we approach the quarter-century mark, the executive branch has been a thoroughly bipartisan criminogenic environment since at least the early 2000s. What do mean by a criminogenic environment? From my Oxford English Dictionary: US Legal expands on the OED, adding social determinants: A person may become criminogenic because of criminogenic environment. A criminogenic environment is as an environment that contributes to the formation of predatory criminal morals, thinking, and behavior. Actors in such an environment not only do not guard against or thwart criminal activity but are rewarded for it. In this post, I will expand the scope of crime or criminal behaviour (a) to include predicates that, in a dull normal and not a President, would be worth bringing criminal charges, and (b) to include evident violations of international law, whether prosecuted or not (so, below, QED means worth prosecuting, though Id add that the criminality is glaringly obvious except to those whose salaries depends obfuscation. A usage comes example from Bill Black, who wrote at NC of the Great Crash: Our financial policies have been so criminogenic for decades that we are suffering recurrent, intensifying financial crises.[1] Black wrote of accounting control fraud. In this post I will write of torture and warrantless surveillance (Bush), and drone strikes and secret law (Obama). I freely admit I dont have a master theory of criminality here, but I hope that the accumulation of the colossally grotesque events that follow will persuade you that criminogenic is indeed an accurate characterization of the executive branch in our democracy. A word on Biden, whose offenses as a genocidaire are so obvious as to need no discussion. Taleb remarked, comparing the innocent Biden to the convicted Trump: As much as I dislike Trump and Trumpists, this is a case of "show me the man and I will find you the crime". Meanwhile some genocide perpetrators are walking free. Oh, I almost forgot about Special Council Robert Hur: Dont forget that the sitting president had a DOJ special council say yeah, he committed crimes but hes too stupid to charge. The issue is the GOP is a party of feckless weaklings who refuse to embrace lawfare even as the smarter, more powerful Dems pummel them with it. Dang, what has Hur on about? I forget. Biden left some classified material in his sock drawer? Or was it the unsecured server in his bathroom? Did he sneak some documents out of the National Archives in his pants? Whatever. Onward to the non-trivial historical figures and their long-forgotten and now normalized acts of torture, spying, murder, and Star Chamber antics under secret law. The Crimes of George Bush Interesting to see that Jonathan Turley was on the case in 2008: The law is equally clear. It is a felony to engage in warrantless surveillance of this kind. Congress has enacted two statutes that provide the sole means by which the government can obtain the necessary approval for electronic surveillance: Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (Title III), 18 U.S.C. 2510 et seq., and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, 50 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Together, Title III and FISA supply the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance . . . and the interception of domestic wire, oral, and electronic communications may be conducted. 18 U.S.C. 2511(2)(f) (emphasis added). One federal court in Detroit has already declared the program to be unlawful and we challenged the law in the Al-Timimi case. This could prove a bit of a problem when Bush, Cheney, and others travel after leaving office. While they would no doubt object to the comparison, there is a similarity with General Augusto Pinochet who was constantly faced with the threat of arrest during international travel. Home countries are generally given the first opportunity to prosecute for such crimes. When they fail to do so, international efforts often follow. Waterboarding is not some new concept in the law. This torture technique goes back to the Spanish Inquisition and probably earlier. Courts in the United States, England and other countries have long held that waterboarding is not only a crime but a war crime. We prosecuted Japanese officers for this war crime in World War II. The English sentenced people to death for this form of torture. The two most obvious crimes in this administration are the torture program and the unlawful surveillance program. Despite the effort to pretend that there is some ambiguity or uncertainty on these crimes, the law is quite clear. What are the offenses of Bush Administration officials that you think need to be redressed or punished? (If, when the Democrats took control of the House and Senate in 2006, Pelosi had impeached Bush for these crimes, we would be living in a very different timeline.) Lets look at torture first, and then warrantless surveillance. (Since I had been a political blogger several years at this point the first story I ever blogged about in near-real time was the ever-shifting rationale for Saddam Husseins WMDs I remember these crimes, and the political battles surrounding them, vividly.) Torture at Abu Ghraib> Here, it is sufficient to quote from the report by Antonio Mario Taguba, who was commissioned to look into the allegations of torture at Abu Ghraib[2]after the story broke in 2003[3]: 5. (S) That between October and December 2003, at the Abu Ghraib Confinement Facility (BCCF), numerous incidents of sadistic, blatant, and wanton criminal abuses were inflicted on several detainees. This systemic and illegal abuse of detainees was intentionally perpetrated by several members of the military police guard force (372nd Military Police Company, 320th Military Police Battalion, 800th MP Brigade), in Tier (section) 1-A of the Abu Ghraib Prison (BCCF). The allegations of abuse were substantiated by detailed witness statements (ANNEX 26) and the discovery of extremely graphic photographic evidence. Due to the extremely sensitive nature of these photographs and videos, the ongoing CID investigation, and the potential for the criminal prosecution of several suspects, the photographic evidence is not included in the body of my investigation. The pictures and videos are available from the Criminal Investigative Command and the CTJF-7 prosecution team. In addition to the aforementioned crimes, there were also abuses committed by members of the 325th MI Battalion, 205th MI Brigade, and Joint Interrogation and Debriefing Center (JIDC). Specifically, on 24 November 2003, SPC Luciana Spencer, 205th MI Brigade, sought to degrade a detainee by having him strip and returned to cell naked. (ANNEXES 26 and 53) 6. (S) I find that the intentional abuse of detainees by military police personnel included the following acts: a. (S) Punching, slapping, and kicking detainees; jumping on their naked feet; b. (S) Videotaping and photographing naked male and female detainees; c. (S) Forcibly arranging detainees in various sexually explicit positions for photographing; d. (S) Forcing detainees to remove their clothing and keeping them naked for several days at a time; e. (S) Forcing naked male detainees to wear womens underwear; f. (S) Forcing groups of male detainees to masturbate themselves while being photographed and videotaped; g. (S) Arranging naked male detainees in a pile and then jumping on them; h. (S) Positioning a naked detainee on a MRE Box, with a sandbag on his head, and attaching wires to his fingers, toes, and penis to simulate electric torture; i. (S) Writing I am a Rapest (sic) on the leg of a detainee alleged to have forcibly raped a 15-year old fellow detainee, and then photographing him naked; j. (S) Placing a dog chain or strap around a naked detainees neck and having a female Soldier pose for a picture; k. (S) A male MP guard having sex with a female detainee; l. (S) Using military working dogs (without muzzles) to intimidate and frighten detainees, and in at least one case biting and severely injuring a detainee; m. (S) Taking photographs of dead Iraqi detainees. George Bush, as President, is commander in chief of the Army under Article II Section 2, so torture at Abu Ghraib is on his desk[4]. QED. Felonious Warrantless Surveillance From Wikipedia: NSA warrantless surveillance also commonly referred to as warrantless-wiretapping or -wiretaps was the surveillance of persons within the United States, including U.S. citizens, during the collection of notionally foreign intelligence by the National Security Agency (NSA) as part of the Terrorist Surveillance Program. In late 2001, the NSA was authorized to monitor, without obtaining a FISA warrant, phone calls, Internet activities, text messages and other forms of communication involving any party believed by the NSA to be outside the U.S., even if the other end of the communication lays within the U.S. From The Week in 2015: U.S. District Court Judge Anna Diggs Taylor of Detroit struck the latest blow last week, declaring Bushs warrantless surveillance program a flagrant violation of the Constitution. The White House, Taylor said, defiantly bypassed the special national-security court that Congress established for just this sort of operation. By refusing to submit its telephone and e-mail snooping to court and congressional oversight, she said, Bush has deliberately undermined the checks and balances that are the basis of American democracy. But even in wartime, the law is the law, said law professor Jonathan Turley in the Chicago Tribune. If other courts uphold this decision, the implications are grave, for it would mean the president of the United States has committed a felonydozens of them, in fact. Thats why congressional Republicans are frantically trying to give Bushs spying program ex post facto legitimacy, and shield it from further judicial review. The entire political class reacted with horror to Diggs ruling (ellipted in the quote above). But felonies they were, and Bush committed them (mostly erased from search, interestingly, but I blogged about them at the time). Again, the criminality is QED. Now let us turn to Barack Obama, so different from his predecessor [hollow laughter]. The Crimes of Barack Obama Obama rationalized and normalized all of Bushs crimes; Obamas new FBI chief approved Bushs NSA warrantless wiretapping scheme. (On torture, Obama decided that its important to look forward and not backwards. The CIA one would expect no less had also tortured some folks in Iraq; my speculation is that Obamas refusal to hold them accountable formed the basis of the alliance between Democrats and spookdom that persists to this day, and was so very useful in 20162020). From the New York Review of Books: Gradually, other points of continuity between the national security policies of Bushs second term and the Obama administration became evident. Obama revived the military commissions charged with conducting trials of detainees. He continued to classify the struggle against al-Qaeda as a war to be fought under military rules. He also increased drone strikes, maintained the NSAs secret surveillance programs, and prosecuted whistleblowers with greater zeal than any administration in history. From Just Security: In fact, many of the arguments [torture advocate John] Yoo made behind closed doors in 2002 continue to appear in the Obama administrations briefs defending warrantless surveillance under Section 702 of FISA today. And, in at least one key respect, the Obama administrations arguments are even broader than the ones that Yoo felt he could justify. In short, it is the Obama administrations view that Americans forfeit the core protection of the Fourth Amendment whenever their private communications cross an international border. And, in todays globally connected world, that is happening more and more. Now lets turn to the new crimes committed by Obama, both of which have to do with drones. Double-Tap Drone Strikes From the Florida Law Review (2017), Double-Tap Warfare: Should President Obama Be Investigated for War Crimes?: Once again, QED. Drone Strikes on a Teenage U.S. Citizen Kevin Drum in Mother Jones, The American Teen Whose Death-by-Drone Obama Wont Explain: The US targeted killing program is shrouded in secrecy, and the president had never before issued a statement like this about people accidentally killed by US drone strikes. (He did not use the word drone.) One such death that stands out is that of Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, a 16-year-old American citizen who was killed in a US drone strike. Abdulrahman was the son of Anwar al-Awlaki, the radical cleric turned Al Qaeda propagandist. The father was killed in a drone strike that targeted him in Yemen in September 2011. The son was killed weeks later in a separate strike in Yemen. According to his family, the attack was on a restaurant. Attorney General Eric Holder later said that this strike did not specifically target the young man. The US government has never said that Abdulrahman was involved in terrorist activities. In 2012, I asked Obama during a Reddit AMA what he thought about the teens death, and the question received hundreds of votes from Redditors, meaning the president and/or his social-media team almost certainly noticed it. Yet Obama didnt respond. Now that hes established the precedent of explaining the killings of US citizens in targeted strikes, Obama and the administration might see fit to say what happened in the case of Abdulrahman. Was his death accidental or is there evidence he was involved with terrorists? QED once more. Secret Law But if you really want to create a criminogenic environement, establish a system of secret law. The dull normals wont know what to obey and what not to obey! And one of the things that those in the know will know is that they can rewrite the law, in secret, to sanction whatever predicate they want, even retrospectively. (You could actually see this mentality at work in Merchans court, as the Prosecution was allowed to conceal the object offense until the very last moments, denying the Defendant their right to prepare a defense, a violation of the Sixth Amendment[5].) From Human Rights Watch (2013): Secret legal interpretations by the Justice Departments Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court allowed the NSAs surveillance programs to grow in ways that raise serious concerns about what the government is doing in our name and the extent of violations of Americans privacy and civil liberties. This is not the first time that abuses of power have occurred when a government program operates in a bubble of secrecy with only limited oversight: similarly, Americans were outraged to learn that memos authored by the OLC during the Bush Administration approved interrogation methods that many [like, any normal human being ffs; lawyers] equate to torture. Making a concrete commitment to the publics right to legal interpretations on issues including the intelligence communitys surveillance programs and other controversial policies like targeted killing through the use of drones or other means would make this respect part of the administrations legacy. While the government has an obligation to protect properly and appropriately classified information, democracy does not thrive when our national security programs and the intelligence communitys actions are shrouded in secrecy. The public must, at the very least, have a shared understanding of the bounds and limits of the laws of our land and be able to have an informed debate about our policies. From the Federation of American Scientists (2013): DC District Judge Ellen Segal Huvelle yesterday ordered the Obama Administration to release a copy of an unclassified presidential directive, and she said the attempt to withhold it represented an improper exercise of secret law. The Obama White House has a limitless view of its authority to withhold presidential communications from the public, she wrote, but that view is wrong. The government appears to adopt the cavalier attitude that the President should be permitted to convey orders throughout the Executive Branch without public oversight to engage in what is in effect governance by secret law, Judge Huvelle wrote in her December 17 opinion. Several significant points emerge from this episode. First, President Obamas declared commitment to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government has not been internalized even by the Presidents own staff. This latest case of unbounded secrecy cannot be blamed on the CIA or an overzealous Justice Department attorney. It is entirely an Obama White House production, based on a White House policy choice. Second, and relatedly, it has proved to be an error to expect the executive branch to unilaterally impose transparency on itself. To do so is to ignore, or to wish away, the Administrations own conflicting interests in secrecy and disclosure. Instead, it is the role of the other branches of government to check the executive and to compel appropriate disclosure. Here is some liberal Democrat bloviation on the danger that the apparatus of secret law they themselves set up could be turned to evil ends if somebody other than a Democrat were elected (Vox; Brennan Center). Naturally, Trump continued Obamas program of secret law, exactly as Obama continued Bushs program of warrantless surveillance. From Project on Government Oversight (2017): POGO had requested a listing of [Office of Legal Counsel (OLC)] opinions from January 2014 through March 8, 2017. In response, OLC sent documents listing 24 unclassified opinions. Some of these opinions were public, such as opinions on the Department of Homeland Securitys discretion on enforcement of immigration laws and on the Justice Departments ability to withhold information from its own Inspector General. Out of those 24, the agency completely redacted the titles of 11 opinions. Even the dates those memos were issued are blacked out. Like this: As Cory Doctorow wrote in 2014, Lurking inside Obamas secret drone law: another secret drone law, secret law can even be recursive (!): Remember the secret memo explaining the legal justification for assassinating Americans with drones that the ACLU forced the Obama administration to release? Turns out that that memo relies on another secret memo that the Obama administration is also relying on. Obama is a no-fooling Constitutional scholar; youd think that hed be wise to the idea that secret law is not law at all. This kind of thing is all too common, but tremendously problematic. For folks actually trying to understand what the law actually is the fact that people have to play this bizarre game of 20 questions, seeking secret laws and interpretations, only to get breadcrumbs pointing to other secret interpretations of the law is just ridiculous. Weve complained in the past about the dangers of a secret law, but just the fact that the American public needs to play this stupid game, and the DOJ appears to have broken up the secret interpretations of the law into different sections, making it that much harder to track it all down, raises serious questions about what sort of government we have, and how Americans can be expected to respect, let alone obey, the law when we cant even be told what it is. Enough Secret Law: Newly Released DOJ Drone Killing Justification Memo Points To Another Secret Drone Memo [Mike Masnick/Techdirt] Conclusion Alexander Hamilton, in Federalist 70, writes: Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good government. It is essential to the protection of the community against foreign attacks ; it is not less essential to the steady administration of the laws; to the protection of property against those irregular and high-handed combinations which sometimes interrupt the ordinary course of justice; to the security of liberty against the enterprises and assaults of ambition, of faction, and of anarchy A feeble Executive implies a feeble execution of the government. A feeble execution is but another phrase for a bad execution; and a government ill executed, whatever it may be in theory, must be, in practice, a bad government. Torture, warrantless surveillance, war crimes, and secret law are, to be sure, energetic; but its hard for me to believe that Madison would characterize them as good government, steady administration, or the protection of property. But the Federalist Papers great system of checks and balances seems to have failed in the matter of protection of the community against foreign attacks, at least insofar as protection is construed by the executive branch. Im not sure why (though its worth noting that two powerful actors in our present state of affairs have status only in our unwritten Constitution: political parties and the intelligence community, so called). Geopolitical realist John Mearsheimer writes, in the Tragedy of Great Power Politics: The first assumption is that the international system is anarchic, which does not mean that it is chaotic or riven by disorder. It is easy to draw that conclusion, since realism depicts a world characterized by security competition and war. By itself, however, the realist notion of anarchy has nothing to do with conflict; it is an ordering principle, which says that the system comprises independent states that have no central authority above them. Sovereignty, in other words, inheres in states because there is no higher ruling body in the international system. There is no government over government. Its possible, I suppose, that the anarchic character of the world in which the Executive protects the community against foreign attacks has led to bringing the war back home (its very hard to believe, for example, that secret law is not now being written for domestic drone strikes, with foreign influence being the predicate). Ironic, of course, since avoiding anarchy a fancy word for that might be the rules-based international order or, in the vulgate, Calvinball is of such concern to Hamilton. If so, Im not sure what course of action the nation, as a nation, can pursue. A first step might be to stop lying to ourselves about where the rule of law applies, and where it doesnt. And to whom. NOTES [1] Law Insider adds a social control aspect: Criminogenic means those risk factors which include, but are not limited to criminal personality; antisocial peers, attitudes, values, beliefs; impulsivity; substance abuse and family dysfunction that are identified through research as correlating with offending behavior. Effectively addressing these dynamic factors should lead to decreased delinquency risk and offending behaviors. How odd that the ability to act with impunity because of proximity to power is not added as a factor. [2] See the BBC and Democracy Now on Israels involvement in Iraqi torture, including training US contractors also involved at Ghraib. [3] Taguba was, of course, defenestrated by 2007. This New Yorker story predates the rot under Hendryk Hertzberg, and is well worth a read to see the reactions of administrative officials, who are amusingly shocked to meet a naif like Taguba. [4] It has always been my entirely unevidenced contention that Dick Dark Side Cheney, who preferred raw intelligence, had torture sessions at Abu Ghraib streamed to his office. [5] Caveat that I have to read the transcripts when they become available, to have some certainty about what actually went down. But from all the coverage Ive seen, this is a colorable claim.. A wet weather pattern is likely in the Midwest and Northwest this early June, bringing potential stormy conditions. Homeowners can anticipate a wet weather pattern, causing possible travel hazards. People with travel plans in early June should consider their daily commutes due to possible storms. In May, many Americans suffered from rounds of severe storms, which spawned flooding rainfall, hail, and isolated tornadoes. In a recent report by the National Weather Service (NWS), residents can anticipate strong to severe thunderstorms this week in the Southern Plains into the Lower Mississippi Valley, including in the Texas Gulf Coast. The main concerns are isolated tornadoes and severe wind gusts. Weather in the Northwest and Midwest The beginning of June will unload widespread rainfall in parts of the U.S., causing localized flash floods and windy conditions. According to a weather report published on May 31, the rainy outlook is likely in Seattle, Portland, Springfield, Medford, Kennewick, Spokane, Boise, and Missoula. Homeowners can anticipate rain of two to four inches, particularly in the central Oregon coast and Washington Cascades. This can result in flooding concerns, particularly in low-lying or flood-prone communities. Homeowners should check for flood advisories before commuting. On the weekend, rounds of rain and potential thunderstorms are expected in Minneapolis, Kansas City, Chicago, Memphis, Dallas, and Houston. Meanwhile, nice weather conditions can unfold in Boston, New York, Washington, Jacksonville, and Charlotte. In the Bay Area, residents can anticipate cooler temperatures on Friday. For San Diego residents, a large area of high pressure will likely build next week, causing unusual warmups and high temperatures. In other areas, Kansas City residents can expect thunderstorms and showers. While there is a low chance of severe weather, homeowners should keep alert for locally heavy rainfall in western Missouri and eastern Kansas. Next week, widespread rainfall and gusty thunderstorms are forecast in Farago, Duluth, Green Bay, Des Moines, Grand Island, and Salina. Additionally, portions of the Midwest can anticipate threats of severe thunderstorms, and isolated tornadoes. On Tuesday, a severe weather potential is likely in the following areas: Fargo Duluth Minneapolis Madison Sioux Falls Omaha Kansas City Peoria Ames Madison The main threat is isolated tornadoes, and homeowners should keep alert for tornado advisories or warnings. In addition, the heat is expected to build from June 4 to June 7, bringing a significant warming trend in the following areas: Bend Redding Reno Fresno Las Vegas San Diego Phoenix Albuquerque Provo Boise Casper Denver Also Read: Northeast Weather Forecast: Much-Awaited Cooler Air to Bring Relief from Recent Intense Heat Staying prepared for severe thunderstorms in June The latest weather report warns of a wet weather pattern next week and severe thunderstorm potential in the Midwest. These weather conditions can likely result in power outages and hazardous commutes. Homeowners should keep updated with the latest weather information before traveling, or checking the road conditions as possible. Related Article: Plains Weather Outlook: Flooding Rain, Hail to Hit Oklahoma City, Dallas This Weekend For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Saber-toothed cats are prehistoric carnivores that lived mostly in the open grasslands and on the plains of North America and Europe, as well as in Asia, Africa, and South America. The ancient predators first appeared during the Oligocene epoch starting approximately 34 million years ago. However, these terrestrial megafauna with large canine teeth went extinct at the end of the last ice age. Unlike big cats of today such as lions and tigers, the primeval sabertooth had a small tail but with a heavy and muscular build. Despite their resemblance, sabertooth cats (also called sabertooth tigers) are not closely related to modern tigers and other wild cats that we see today, according to experts. Scientists earlier this year revealed that a sabertooth cat once roamed the Texas Gulf Coast. Saber-Toothed Cats in Texas A study in April 2024 discovered that a saber-toothed cat called "Homotherium" may have roamed a submerged continental shelf between Texas and Florida at least 12,000 years ago. Researchers theorize that the extinct cats once lived in an ancient region in what is now replaced by the Texas Gulf Coast. The findings further confirm previous evidence of the sabertooth's presence in North America. Fossils of a saber-toothed cat belonging to an extinct genus called Homotherium was discovered in the Gulf Coast of Texas, according to a study published in the journal The Anatomical Record on April 23. Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions across the United States unearthed the sabertooth fossil on McFaddin Beach, Texas, located along the Gulf of Mexico. Excavations led to the discovery of the skeletal remains of the Pleistocene vertebrates which were accumulating on McFaddin Beach. The research team observed the fossils may have originated from submerged deposits on the submerged shelf in the region. In the past, the area was exposed during the Late Pleistocene during glacial intervals, according to a recent research paper. The discovered specimen was exposed to marine erosion and transport. However, high-resolution X-ray computed tomography was still able to examine the damaged sabertooth fossil. Although there are various factors behind the extinction of sabertooth tigers, the study sheds light on the habitats that the predatory animals once thrived in. Also Read: Saber-Toothed Cat: Ultra-Sharp Teeth Slow to Emerge Why Did Sabertooths Went Extinct? Saber-toothed cats, also called Smilodon, belong to a genus of felids under the extinct subfamily Machairodontinae. Although often compared to tigers of today and other modern cats, scientists conclude that the prehistoric sabertooths had no descendants. This means that sabertooth cats are not closely related to felines of today, which consist of 37 species, including the domestic cat. The exact cause of sabertooth extinction remains contested, dubbed by many as a "million-dollar question." Yet, evidence suggests that climate change and anthropogenic factors, such as competition with humans over food resources, contributed to the extinction of Smilodon thousands of years ago. Related Article: Largest Cat in History: Scientists Newly Identify Giant Saber-toothed Cat That Lived in North America Ground has been broken for the expansion of the All In Credit Union Operations Center in Daleville. The key reason for this expansion is to provide an unparalleled experience for members as it prepares for the credit unions future growth, according to President/CEO of All In Credit Union Bobby Michael. With 33 successful locations throughout Southeast Alabama, Northwest Florida and Mississippi, All In is looking forward to enhancements this new structure will bring that will provide the infrastructure needed for the credit union to further its mission of enriching the lives of its members and the communities it serves. After extensive planning, we are extraordinarily proud to bring this project to life. We look forward to the elevated working environment it will provide for employees as well as the positive impact it will bring to the community with access to financial services provided by All In along with services such as childcare and healthcare offered by vendors who will have space in the building, said Michael. The 138,000 square-foot expansion has been carefully designed to serve the credit unions needs for the next 20 years. The state-of-the-art headquarters will be built in Daleville, the credit unions home since 1966. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Kevin Turley, a member of the Daleville City Council commented, We are honored to have the third largest credit union in the state remaining and continuing to invest in Daleville. I have seen firsthand how All In Credit Union has given back to the community with grants and involvement in community projects and look forward to watching their continued growth. Daleville Mayor Pro Tem, Katheryne Horace, who was one of the first to see the proposed architectural plans commented, When you came to the Planning Commission we listened in amazement as the CEO of All In, Mr. Bobby Michael, and a representative from Eclipse came to present the plans for the project. I want you to know both the Planning Commission and the City Council approved those plans unanimously but with one question, When do you get started? We are all happy about the expansion and were pleased that you chose Daleville for this addition because we know you had many other options. We appreciate you and your commitment to our community. When completed, the expansive Operations Center expansion will increase the size of the current facility by more than three times the existing footprint and will also house teams who will support the anticipated growth of All In in the coming years. As Micheal said, Despite the massive size of this building, it will be much more than just a structure that we work in. This building symbolizes what can be accomplished when a company is committed to excellence, sound business principles and serving their local community. The modern and inspiring work environment will provide All In employees with the space needed to work and to foster collaboration between team members. The facility will also make it easier to attract future employees in a post-COVID world where working from home is a huge incentive. One of the most unique features of the structure will be the All In and Fly Army logos on the roof communicating to Fort Novosel pilots that their Credit Union supports them. Exterior features will include outdoor parking covered by solar paneled roofing to help support the buildings renewable energy. All In will work in partnership with Eclipse Brand Builders during the next two years to complete the expansion. The new facilities will provide the space needed for credit union employees to work in a central location along with a new branch for convenient member access. The location will also offer walking trails and meeting rooms available for use by the local community. Employees working to construct the credit unions expansion, along with the 500 employees expected to work at this location after completion, will help the Daleville, Dale County and Wiregrass economy by supporting locally owned businesses, restaurants, and shopping in the surrounding area. Over the last 10 years, our amazing staff has led the way in asset, membership and branch growth. We are extraordinarily proud that, as we construct this building for our long-term success and growth, we are supporting the team that makes all the magic happen while also directly impacting members in a positive way for years to come, Michael said. About All In Credit Union: All In Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.2 billion in assets. They have 33 branches in Alabama, Florida and Mississippi and provide personalized financial solutions to more than 184,000 members worldwide. The organization and its employees are committed to enriching the lives of others by helping them reach their goals and achieve financial success. For more information, visit www.allincu.com. Challenging weather conditions are likely in the High Plains to Mississippi Valley due to potential severe thunderstorms, causing thunderstorms, hail conditions, and isolated tornadoes. The first week of June can potentially unleash troublesome weather conditions in portions of the south-central U.S., including the High Plains to Mississippi Valley. Recently, portions of the U.S. suffered from rounds of severe thunderstorms. In this early week's weather, people should keep alert for challenging weather conditions, particularly isolated tornadoes. Residents should check for potential flooded roads and hazardous commutes. In a weather report by the National Weather Service (NWS), the forecast warns of rounds of heavy rain and flash flood potential in south-central Texas. The NWS Weather Prediction Center also raised concerns about excessive rainfall and severe thunderstorms in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley. Weather in Plains and Mississippi Valley: Where will severe weather unload? In the Plains and Mississippi Valley, the latest weather report published on June 2 revealed potential severe weather in the Upper Midwest, Midwest, and Plains next week. According to a weather report, the potential severe weather concerns can occur in the following areas: Minneapolis Chicago Kansas City Dallas Memphis Charlotte Billings Seattle Portland May unleashed busy, severe weather, causing significant damage to properties. Recent weather reports revealed widespread power outages and hazardous commutes. Last weekend's weather warned of severe thunderstorm threats in Kansas City, Hays, North Platte, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Bismarck, Fargo, Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, Lubbock, and Aberdeen. In Kansas City, a possible storm can likely pass through mid-weel. particularly on Monday afternoon or Tuesday evening. Next week, homeowners should keep alert for strong to severe storms, and winds can likely reach up to 60 mph. East of I-35 can likely experience additional storms on Monday. For Houston residents, the forecast shows that isolated to scattered thunderstorms can hit Houston this week, causing locally heavy rainfall and gusty winds. Additionally, there is a chance of flooding concerns, particularly in low-lying areas. On Monday night, people should watch out for flooding downpours and hail, including localized damaging winds. According to a weather report, areas at risk are the following: Kansas City Oklahoma City Wichita St. Louis Wichita Dallas Shreveport San Antonio Houston Memphis St. Louis The weather report reveals that isolated marginally severe storms can hit St. Louis on Monday, with potential large hail and damaging winds. Dangerous commutes can be likely this week, as a Dense Fog Advisory is present in the region. Also Read: Northeast Weather Forecast: Much-Awaited Cooler Air to Bring Relief from Recent Intense Heat Preparing for severe storm potential: How can communities prepare? The latest forecasts warned of severe storm potential in portions of the Plains to Mississippi Valley. People in affected areas should be alert for severe weather. Additionally, homeowners should store emergency kits at home, which are helpful in challenging situations. This will be helpful also for the upcoming hurricane season. Related Article: Northwestern US Forecast: Stormy Conditions to Unleash Gusty Winds, Rounds of Rain For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News. Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. 'Incredible': Gautam Adani on Pragg's classical chess win against world no. 1 & 2 G autam Adani, Chairman of the Adani Group, on Sunday lauded 18-year-old Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, calling him incredible for winning against world no. 1 Magnus Carlsen and no. 2 Fabiano Caruana in classical chess at the 2024 Norway Chess tournament. The Indian Grandmaster beat Caruana in Round 5 after defeating five-time world champion Carlsen in Round 3 in the chess competition in Stavanger, Norway. Incredible Praggnanandhaa!, said Gautam Adani, in a post on the social media platform X.com. Beating both World no. 1 Magnus Carlsen and no. 2 Fabiano Caruana in classical chess at #NorwayChess is mindblowing. Youre on a roll and still just 18! Keep the tricolour flying high. All the very best, added the Adani Group Chairman. Defeating the champions made the teen sensation among the top 10 in the International Chess Federations world ranking. "PRAGG IS BACK Young prodigy Praggnanandhaa stuns the chess world again by defeating World no. 2 Fabiano Caruana in Round 5! the official handle of Norway Chess said in a post on X. After toppling World no. 1 Magnus Carlsen in Round 3, he's now beaten the top two players in classical chess for the first time ever, rocketing into the top 10! What a tournament for the Indian prodigy #NorwayChess," it added. Meanwhile, Pragg's sister Vaishali continued her dominant performance by defeating the legendary Pia Cramling, extending her lead to a total of 8.5 points. 'Incredible': Gautam Adani on Pragg's classical chess win against world no. 1 & 2 Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! Vietnam's water use efficiency is currently $2.37 per m3, while the global average is $19.42 per m3, meaning the country is generating little value by using its water resources. In a report sent to National Assembly delegates, Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Dang Quoc Khanh said Vietnam is not using water efficiently, especially when it comes to agriculture and in urban areas. Water use efficiency is measured by the amount of value (in U.S. dollars) generated through the use of a cubic meter of water, based on economic, agricultural, industrial and service activities. The global average of the water efficiency ratio was $17.3 per m3 in 2015, $18.9 per m3 in 2020, and $19.42 per m3 now. Vietnam has not implemented a system to create proper planning on how to regulate and distribute river water resources, leading to local water usage that has not been optimized for socio-economic interests, according to the environment ministry. Other reasons for the wasteful use of water include conflicts of interests between different sectors, including hydropower, agriculture, production and civilian use. Khanh said investment in the water sector is lacking, and the distribution of resources is unbalanced. Meanwhile, several rivers and reservoirs are showing signs of water flow declines. The environment ministry has built a system to monitor water usage, capable of tracking water flow and seeing if standards for water resource planning are being met. It is also cooperating with the Ministry of Science and Technology to research and map out national projects that aim to ensure water security and dam safety, as well as implement climate change responses for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta. The ministry is also deploying projects to regulate water in large river systems, which help provide freshwater to coastal areas. In the coming times, the ministry would automate the management infrastructure of the water sector. Lake and dam safety Vietnam has around 1,104 reservoirs classified as "degraded" that are incapable of flood regulation, and are without funds for upgrades, the ministry said. Authorities are also concerned about heightened risks to lake and dam safety due to climate change and deforestation. Since 2010, Vietnam has experienced 75 dam and reservoir breakages. The breakages happened when rains and water flows overloaded the reservoirs capacity and damaged them. Management units of such dams and reservoirs has also sometimes been incompetent, according to authorities. Khanh said the ministry had proposed certain changes regarding the operation of reservoirs to ensure water regulation and distribution. The ministry has also built data networks on the operation of 134 dams and reservoirs, and once infrastructural needs are met, the ministry aims for real-time operation of reservoirs to ensure safety and maximize water usage. CM Yogi Adityanath visits Gorakhpur zoo , June 2 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited and inspected Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park (Gorakhpur Zoo) on Sunday. During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the five-year-old lion Bharat and seven-year-old lioness Gauri, who were brought from Etawah Lion Safari about a week ago. Another tiger Babbar Sher Pataudi roared, during the Chief Ministers inspection, in front of his enclosure. While inspecting the zoo, the Chief Minister also fed bananas to the rhino pair, Hari and Gauri, and after taking information about other wild animals, he instructed the zoo officials to take proper care of the animals. DFO and zoo Director Vikas Yadav, who was accompanying the Chief Minister, kept giving information about the care of wildlife. Yogi Adityanath also inspected the zoo hospital. He checked about the methods of rescuing wildlife and their treatment and food. He also saw the wildlife being treated in the hospital and asked about their health. CM Yogi Adityanath visits Gorakhpur zoo Post your comments Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us! I had been praying that it would stay open, and you know your prayers are always answered? Sometimes, the answer is no. And that's what I felt the answer to my prayer is no. Early in the Covid-19 pandemic, Black Americans were more hesitant to take the Covid-19 vaccine than were White Americans. As the pandemic went on, however, the disparity in vaccination rates between Black and White adults declined. In a paper titled "What Caused the Narrowing of Black-White COVID-19 Vaccination Disparity in the US? A Test of 5 Hypotheses," published in the current issue of the Journal of Health Communication, researchers at the Annenberg Public Policy Center (APPC) of the University of Pennsylvania assessed explanations for the positive change. Using April 2021 to July 2022 data from the Annenberg Science and Public Health (ASAPH) survey, a national panel of over 1,800 U.S. adults, the team, led by APPC research director Dan Romer, assessed potential explanations including: increased trust in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to pro-vaccination messages in the media, awareness of Covid-inflicted deaths among personal contacts, and improved access to vaccines. None of these factors explained the decline in disparity, however. Only increased knowledge about Covid-19 vaccination made a difference. Knowledge about the Covid vaccine among Black Americans increased over time, and this increase was associated with their receipt of the vaccine. Black Americans became less skeptical of the safety and efficacy of the vaccine as time proceeded, which appeared in our data to be an important contributor to increased vaccination rates among them." Dan Romer, APPC research director In the initial wave of the survey, in April 2021, Black respondents were more likely to believe various forms of misinformation about Covid vaccines, such as that the vaccines are responsible for thousands of deaths and that the vaccines can change someone's DNA. By the end of the survey period, knowledge about the vaccine among Black Americans had increased significantly. It is noteworthy that national efforts by Black members of such organizations as the National Academy of Medicine sought to encourage Covid vaccination in the Black community by endorsing the safety and need for the vaccines. Better information about the vaccines also may have been transmitted within the Black community through religious organizations and local Black newspapers that supported the effort to increase vaccination coverage. These findings could have important implications for future efforts to encourage vaccination, as they suggest that "exposure to knowledge about vaccine safety and efficacy from trusted sources" can matter. "Reducing misinformation about vaccination for Covid and vaccines in general is a promising strategy going forward, as the risk of infection from Covid and other diseases will not go away," said Romer. Along with Romer, the authors of the study include APPC data analyst Shawn Patterson Jr., Adolescent Risk and Health Communication Institute director Patrick E. Jamieson, and APPC director Kathleen Hall Jamieson. According to research led by Prof. Varut Lohsiriwat, Professor of Surgery, Division of General Surgery (Section of Colorectal Surgery) of Siriraj Hospital, at Mahidol University, CRC is the third most common cancer in Thailand, accounting for 11% of the cancer burden. It is the only malignancy with an increased incidence in both genders in the country. By 2040, the burden of CRC is projected to increase to 3.2 million new cases and 1.6 million deaths per year representing a 66% and 71% rise in new cases and deaths respectively relative to 2020. To better address the global burden of CRC and reduce its impact, BGI Genomics has launched the second edition of its global CRC awareness report, covering 1,938 respondents from Brazil (306), China (367), Poland (300), Saudi Arabia (300), Thailand (362), and Uruguay (303): CRC Screening Gaps Vary Globally: A significant 58.8% of Thai have never had a CRC screening, higher than the global average of 49.3%. In addition, 54% of Thai point out that there is not enough information about CRC available. Preference for Fecal Testing Over Colonoscopy: Although colonoscopies are more recognized (33.4%), fecal tests at healthcare facilities are preferred (31.8%), reflecting a trend towards non-invasive methods. Professor Varut Lohsiriwat suggest "Doctors usually will explain the pros and cons for the patient in 3 to 5 mins about different screening method. But in the end, it's the patients that makes the decision and the best screening method is the one that accepted by the patients". Cost as the Determinant in Screening Choices: Cost plays a crucial role in individuals' decisions regarding CRC screening in Thailand. Thailand (24.5%) and Poland (20.6%) indicate the most concern about costs, with 88.2% of Thai preferring either moderately priced options with good accuracy or inexpensive options with average accuracy. Medical Advice and Family History Drive CRC Screening: Given that doctor's recommendations (29.1%) are the biggest single factor that makes Thai individuals more likely to undergo screening for CRC without any symptoms. Additionally, Thai with a family history of CRC are more proactive in screening (62.8%), compared to the general population (33.4%). This points to the critical role of healthcare professionals and familial awareness in encouraging screening. For more region-level comparisons, access the full BGI Genomics 2024 State of CRC Awareness Report. All data involved in this report come from the results of an online survey project conducted by BGI Genomics. It only surveys awareness related to colorectal cancer and does not involve personally identifiable data. Rainbow flags filled the streets of Bangkok on Saturday at the start of Pride Month as Thailand inches closer to recognizing same-sex marriages. Thousands of LGBTQ+ revelers and activists gathered for a parade through the capital's street as signs and placards with "Love wins" slogans were displayed across the city. "This year's pride parade can be considered one of the biggest because it coincides with the passing of same-sex marriage," Avorawan Ramwan said, who joined the parade with her partner. Thailand is set to legalize same-sex marriage as an equality bill heads for the final readings in the Southeast Asian country's Senate later this month. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin also joined the parade, dressed in a rainbow shirt. "It is a basic right to choose who to love," he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The bill overwhelmingly passed the upper house's first reading in April and will have its second and third readings this month. "The Senate will likely pass the bill on June 18," Senator Wallop Tangkananuruk, chairman of the Senate's committee on same-sex marriage, told Reuters. If there are no amendments from the lower house, the government will send it for royal approval, Wallop said, adding that the law will come into force 120 days after it is published in the Royal Gazette. "Pride events are meaningful, and Thailand is known worldwide as a paradise for the LGBT community. Therefore, we must help promote and advocate for it, as well as implement laws to support the LGBT community," said transgender woman Aunchanaporn Pilsauta. Recently published research led by the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus examined the prevalence -; and impact -; of physicians' ethical or religious barriers to their involvement in medical aid in dying (MAiD), a multi-step process where a physician provides a terminally ill adult with decision-making capacity with a lethal dose of medication to end their life. The research article, "Conscience-Based Barriers to Medical Aid in Dying: A Survey of Colorado Physicians," was published this May in the Journal of General Internal Medicine. It shows that 26% of physician survey respondents reported large ethical and/or religious barriers to their involvement in MAiD. Despite these barriers, the research suggests these conscience-based barriers do not appear to affect these physicians' willingness to discuss medical aid in dying with their patients. However, they are much less likely to have any direct participation in it -; being significantly less likely to serve as a consulting or attending physician -; compared to physicians without these barriers. Informing public policy As legislators and health leaders across the nation continue to debate policies related to medical aid in dying, research like this is vital to making informed decisions. Medical aid in dying is under consideration in a number of states, and it comes up every legislative session. You cannot make policy around things that are not well understood, and so it was critical to gather data to better understand what's going on. It is important to look at the actual behaviors of physicians. This research offers essentially the first look into what is happening on the ground in a previously hidden and difficult-to-study population." Mika Hamer, PhD, MPH, first author on the paper and post-doctoral research fellow with the CU Center for Bioethics and Humanities For Hillary Lum, MD, PhD, a co-author of the paper and associate professor in the CU Division of Geriatric Medicine, getting involved in this research was important to her as a geriatrician and palliative medicine physician, given that questions about MAiD may arise when caring for older adults with serious illnesses. "Medical aid-in-dying was legalized in 2016 in Colorado, but physician experiences providing care for patients seeking MAiD was under-studied," Lum says. A reason for the lack of data is because there are extensive protections in place for physician and patient privacy. As a result, the vast majority of data that exists are from qualitative studies or surveys of the general physician population. "There is a long-standing debate around MAiD -; the legality, the ethical appropriateness, the morality -; and people have extremely strong opinions about it. But when we let those really strong opinions drive policy, rather than empirical data, we run the risk of implementing misguided policy that is more amenable to the cultural sentiment or social context at the time," Hamer says. To gather data about this important issue, researchers used anonymized, aggregate information on the 554 patients known to have received a MAiD prescription in Colorado from 2017 to 2020 and then identified the clinical conditions most prominent in this patient population. The research team then determined which physicians in Colorado were providing care to patients likely to qualify for MAiD based on their clinical conditions and sent them an anonymous survey regarding their willingness to provide MAiD and actual prior participation in MAiD. Ultimately, 300 physicians responded. Since then, researchers have published several papers about the study, including: a scientific report about the research methodology; an analysis of physician's attitudes and experiences; an examination of their perspectives on disclosure, presence, and eligibility; and the use and influence of medical aid in dying service on physician experiences. "We felt there was an opportunity to look at this untapped aspect of the survey research. We had a hunch that there was something about ethical or religious barriers that may be different than other types of barriers physicians faced, like lack of time or fear of stigma," Hamer says. "We wanted to understand what these physicians have actually done when faced with these decisions, and we had a unique opportunity to measure that and lend some empirical data into what is a very contentious topic -; but one that's really quite understudied as far as hard data goes," she adds. Lum agrees with Hamer, saying: "In the absence of data, it's easy to make assumptions -; either that there are many physicians who have a conscientious objection to MAiD, or that there are few." "Thus, this study was important to actually measure the percentage of physicians who have a religious or ethical reason for not participating in MAiD activities," Lum adds. What the research shows Out of the 300 survey respondents, 26% of physicians likely to care for MAiD-eligible patients in Colorado reported large ethical and/or religious barriers to participating in MAiD activities. The survey also shows physicians with a longer time in practice and those identifying as non-white were more likely to report these conscience-based barriers. Hamer said she was surprised that the survey data shows the physicians with these conscience-based barriers are still willing to participate in some aspects of the MAiD process. Specifically, when comparing physicians with and without these barriers, there was no difference in ancillary participation, meaning having discussions about MAiD or referring patients to other providers. However, there were significant differences regarding direct participation in MAiD. To be eligible for MAiD, a patient must have decision-making capacity and a prognosis of less than six months to live. This prognosis must be independently verified by two physicians -; an attending and consulting physician. The survey found that only 5% of physicians with conscience-based barriers had served as a MAiD consultant, as compared to 31% of physicians without conscience-based barriers. When it came to serving as a MAiD attending, no physicians with conscience-based barriers had served in this role compared to 21% of physicians without these barriers. "Participation looks different for different people. As far as consulting or attending, which are much more active roles that may involve writing prescriptions or doing evaluations -; that's where we start to see those barriers really show up in terms of changes in behavior," Hamer says. Lum says, "I think this emphasizes the importance of the relationship between physicians and patients. Whether a physician is willing to discuss, refer, serve as a consulting physician, or serve as a MAID attending physician is likely to vary. And there may be different reasons and situations related to the individual patient." Both Hamer and Lum noted that this study was limited in its sample size, highlighting the need for further research. With regard to conscience-based barriers, Hamer says it is important to distinguish that these "are not necessarily barriers to be overcome in the traditional sense of barriers." "We really see this as a space where physicians need accommodation -; not intervention to help change their mind around this barrier," Hamer says. "It calls for continued protection of physician rights to conscientiously object or not participate in a service to which they have deeply held, conflicting beliefs." There is also a need to better understand what support systems and processes need to be in place in clinics or hospitals to help support those physicians who have religious or ethical barriers. For instance, perhaps a formal referral process could be created so that physicians with these barriers can be involved in the beginning stages of MAiD, but when it comes to the more active roles, there is an established team the patient can be referred to. "We must have protections in place and processes to support these physicians while ensuring patients are able to get the care they desire," Hamer says. "It is something that needs to be considered especially as the legality of MAiD potentially expands. We need a balance between protecting physicians' rights and preserving patient access." The electromagnetic driving systems are proposed for the flexible 5-DOF magnetic manipulation of a micro-robot within the posterior eye, enabling precise targeted drug delivery. A research team has presented a novel electromagnetic driving system that consists of eight optimized electromagnets arranged in an optimal configuration and employs a control framework based on an active disturbance rejection controller (ADRC) and virtual boundary. The team published their findings in Cyborg and Bionic Systems on Mar 23, 2024. Intraocular microsurgery has witnessed a transition from the utilization of conventional handheld surgical tools to the adoption of robot-assisted surgery, owing to its ability to effectively mitigate the surgeons' physiological tremors during procedures and achieve precise motion scaling. However, with increasing proximity to the posterior eye, robot-assisted devices may inadvertently position the instruments too deeply or exert excessive scleral forces under the surgeon's control, which can traumatize the retina or sclera and result in hemorrhages or even severe injury. The above causes have led to the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications ranging from 2% to 30%. These 5-DOF electromagnetic driving systems pose a distinct actuation paradigm compared with the existing robotic-assisted systems. It typically employs a force-controlled mode rather than a position-controlled mode, which makes the micro-robot a safer instrument for interacting within the posterior eye. In force-controlled mode, the electromagnetic driving system can effectively mitigate the risk of causing irreparable retinal damage by imposing limits on interacting forces, even in situations involving patient movement or system failure. However, it is challenging to generate high-intensity magnetic fields and magnetic forces within a large workspace. Therefore, the design optimization of the system configuration and electromagnet parameters for providing a high magnetic field and magnetic force generation capacity has been emerging and attracting broad attention. Moreover, the study of suitable control frameworks is also necessary because of disturbances introduced by many factors such as inaccurate modeling of electromagnetic coils, changes in interaction forces in the liquid environment. To tackle the above-mentioned issues, the researchers present a novel electromagnetic driving system for 5-DOF magnetic manipulation in intraocular microsurgery. Two-step design optimization attempting to obtain optimal system configuration and electromagnet parameters have been presented and implemented to enhance the capacity for sustained work. With the proposed configuration optimization procedure and the multi-objective optimization of the electromagnets, the system can perform a more precise and stable manipulation and has obtained a stronger capacity for sustained work. In addition, the system utilizes a control framework incorporating the ADRC controller and virtual boundary to enhance robustness and security in intraocular microsurgery. Simulation and analysis have been performed to evaluate the influences of the proposed design optimization and control framework. The performance evaluation and trajectory tracking performance tests in different operation modes are implemented with the presented control framework incorporating the ADRC controller and virtual boundary, validating its performances and effectiveness compared with PID and TDE controllers. The results indicate a significant decrease in both the maximum error and maximum RMS error during disturbance-free performance tests, with reductions ranging from 47.1% to 65.4% and 62.7% to 84.4%, respectively. Besides, the performance tests conducted in this work have additionally taken into account disturbances that were overlooked by other related works. The obtained results demonstrate the system's remarkable robustness in the presence of disturbances, as evidenced by the maximum error and RMS error being below 172.2 and 35.8 m, respectively. Looking to the future, the researchers will employ a more accurate magnetic field-current model to further enhance the positioning accuracy and enhance usable workspace within the open volume. Furthermore, future work will also explore implementing fiber Bragg grating (FBG)-based real-time detection of electromagnet temperatures, aiming to enhance safety measures. The research team includes Yangyu Liu, Dezhi Song, Guanghao Zhang, Qingyu Bu, Yuanqing Dong, and Chaoyang Shi from the University of Tianjin, Tianjin; and Chengzhi Hu from the Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen. The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under [Grant numbers 61973231, 92148201, and 51721003]. Data from a large prospective cohort study reveal that a polygenic risk score has the potential to predict survival outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Arya Mariam Roy, MBBS, Hematology/Oncology Fellow (Class of 2024) at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will share the results of that study as the first and presenting author of "Breast cancer polygenic risk score and patient survival outcomes in the Pathways study" at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in Chicago, May 31-June 4. A polygenic risk score (PGS) helps estimate a person's risk of developing specific diseases. It is based on a genome-wide association study (GWAS), which scans the individual's DNA to identify variants, or mutations, associated with those diseases. "It is a mathematical value calculated by combining the effects of hundreds to thousands of genetic markers carried by each person to predict their risk," explains Dr. Roy. These include lower-penetrance gene variants, which individually may or may not lead to the disease. However, when several common, lower-penetrance gene variants are combined, they significantly increase the risk. A PGS is already a valuable tool for calculating the risk of developing breast cancer, and the current study indicates that it might be equally valuable for prognosis. Conducted at Kaiser Permanente Northern California between 2006-2013, the Pathways Study provided genome-wide genotype data from 3,995 patients who enrolled shortly after a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer. It is led by Principal Investigators Christine Ambrosone, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Oncology, Senior Vice President for Population Sciences and Chair of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park, and Lawrence Kushi, ScD, Research Scientist and Director of Scientific Policy at the Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research. The Roswell Park study drew on the resulting data to compile four polygenic scores for each patient: PGS 313 and PGS 4k , PGS 5k and PGS 6m . Investigators then followed the participants to document their survival outcomes. By the end of the 2021 calendar year, the patients had been followed for a median of 10.5 years (0.2-14.2 years). Investigators recorded the association between low (T1), medium (T2) and high (T3) polygenic scores within each self-reported racial and ethnic group to seven documented survival outcomes: overall survival, breast cancer-specific survival, recurrence-free survival, second primary cancer-free survival, disease-free survival, invasive disease-free survival and breast cancer event-free survival. Of the four PGSs measured, only PGS 313 was associated with the survival outcomes. Patients with medium (T2) and high (T3) PGS 313 had a greater risk of recurrence, death from any cause, total breast cancer events and invasive disease compared with those who had low (T1) PGS 313 . Higher PGS 313 was not associated with contralateral second primary breast cancer, breast cancer-specific death or any other second primary cancer. "Our analysis showed that women with a higher PGS that was predictive of a higher risk of breast cancer also have an increased likelihood of experiencing a second breast-related event, such as cancer recurrence and death," says Song Yao, MD, PhD, Professor of Oncology and Vice Chair of the Department of Cancer Prevention & Control at Roswell Park, and co-senior author of the study, along with Drs. Ambrosone and Kushi. He says the findings highlight the potential role of breast cancer PGS as a prognostic tool, warranting further exploration. Dr. Roy will be honored at the annual meeting with a 2024 ASCO Merit Award, given to a student or trainee who is first author and presenter of a top-ranking abstract. She is also first author and presenter of "International Medical Graduates (IMG) representation at International Oncology Conference Meetings," to be presented during a Clinical Science Symposium, "Conflicts (of Interest) and Conundrums: Perspectives from the Global Oncology Community," during the ASCO Annual Meeting. The leading two-wheeler maker Suzuki motorcycles has been witnessing an overwhelming response in India for the past few months. To give an overall idea about its performance in the market, the company has released its sales figures for the month of May 2024. As per the details, the brand has successfully sold over 1,11,512, beating the same months sales last year. The company reported an increase in domestic sales by 37 percent, retailing 92,032 units last month. The number has increased as compared to the same month last year, when the company managed to sell 67,040 units. Export Bussiness When it comes to the exports, the graph went down. It exported 19,480 units in May 2024, while the number was 24,276 units in May 2023. Official Statement on Sales Figures Commenting about the sales figures, the companys Managing Director in India, Kenichi Umeda said, Achieving the record-breaking monthly sales of 1,11,512 units is a significant milestone for us. This impressive performance highlights SMIPLs growing market presence in the country. We deeply appreciate the love and trust of our customers for the brand Suzuki. In addition, he said, This achievement is also a result of the commitment of our dealer network, business associates, and team members. We are very thankful to the entire Suzuki Family and will provide the best services and hospitality to all the Customers. Current Product Line Meanwhile, Suzuki offers a wide range of products in the Indian market. The model starts at Rs 79,900 and goes up to Rs. 17.70 Lakh for tech-loaded Hayabusa. The fleet consists of a total of eleven motorcycles, and the Gixxer SF 150 is considered one of the top-selling products in the range. The company also gearing up to enhance its product line and aims to introduce the latest electric-powered vehicles. Petrol, Diesel Prices On June 2, 2024: Petrol and diesel prices for Sunday, June 2, have been released. The daily fuel prices in the country are decided based on international crude oil prices. Because of this, the effect of change in crude oil prices is seen in petrol and diesel prices in the country. Government oil marketing companies release fresh petrol and diesel prices every day at 6 am in the country. Today, there has been no change in the petrol and diesel prices in the countrys capital Delhi and other metros. Companies like Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation of India release the prices of petrol and diesel on their websites. Let us know the new fuel prices. Petrol Diesel Price Today In India (Check city-wise rate list below) Mumbai Petrol & Diesel Price As of June 2, the price of petrol in Mumbai continued to exceed the Rs 100 mark, reaching Rs 104.21 per litre, while diesel was priced at Rs 92.15 per litre. Delhi Diesel Price Today As of June 2, the cost of diesel is priced at Rs 87.62 per litre. Delhi Petrol Price Today As of June 2, the cost of petrol in Delhi is Rs 94.72 per litre. Kolkata Petrol & Diesel Price In Kolkata, the price of petrol is Rs 103.94 and the price of diesel is Rs 90.76 per litre. Chennai Petrol & Diesel Price In Chennai, the price of petrol is Rs 100.85, while the price of diesel is Rs 92.43 per litre. Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on June 2: In Noida today, petrol is Rs 94.65, while diesel is being sold at Rs 87.75. Today in Agra, petrol is being sold at Rs 94.70, while diesel is being sold at Rs 87.79 per litre. Today in Lucknow, petrol is Rs 94.65, while diesel is Rs 87.76. Today, the petrol price in Ghaziabad is Rs 94.65, while diesel is being sold at Rs 87.75. Today, the petrol price in Muzaffarnagar is Rs 94.63, while the price of diesel is Rs 87.72. Today, the petrol price in Meerut is Rs 94.43, while the price of diesel is Rs 87.49. Today in Dehradun, petrol is priced at Rs 93.48, while diesel is being sold at Rs 88.34 per litre. Today, in Chandigarh, petrol is priced at Rs 94.24, while diesel is being sold at Rs 82.40 per litre. Today, the petrol price in Jodhpur is Rs 104.70, while diesel is being sold at Rs 91.20. Today, the petrol price in Jaipur is Rs 104.88 and diesel is Rs 90.36. Today, the petrol price in Patna is Rs 105.18, while the price of diesel is Rs 92.04. Know the price of petrol and diesel through SMS You can also find out the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. If you are a customer of Indian Oil, then you will have to write RSP along with the city code and send it to 9224992249. If you are a customer of BPCL, then you can get information about the new price of petrol and diesel by writing RSP and sending it to 9223112222. Whereas, if you are a customer of HPCL, then you can find out the price of petrol and diesel by writing HP Price and sending it to 9222201122. Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi disclosed on Saturday that his mother, Bina Modi, had her security personnel assault her younger son, Samir, over a dispute regarding their multi-million dollar assets. Lalit Modi supported the claim by sharing images of Samir in a hospital with a plastered hand. Heartbroken 2 See my brother in this state. A mother to have a son beaten up by her security in a way that his hand is permanently impaired is shocking. & his only sin was to attend a meeting all the board members are guilty of this heinous crime. My heart reaches out 2 him, Lalit Modi posted on social media platform X. heartbroken 2 See my brother in this state. a mother to have a son beaten up by her security in a way that his hand is permanently impaired is shocking. & his only sin was to attend a meeting all the board members are guilty of this heinous crime. my heart reaches out 2 him pic.twitter.com/pno6EodD15 Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) June 1, 2024 Samir Modi, the executive director of Godfrey Phillips, has reportedly alleged that his mother, Bina Modi, is conspiring to harm him, intensifying the family dispute over KK Modis Rs 11,000-crore inheritance. Samir Modi complained to Delhi police against his mother on May 31. According to a report by The Economic Times, Samir Modi complained to the Delhi Police, alleging that his mothers security officer (PSO) and certain directors of Godfrey Phillips inflicted grievous hurt on him when he attempted to enter a scheduled board meeting on Thursday. Samir Modis statement The incident occurred on Thursday when I was attempting to enter the scheduled board meeting of Godfrey Phillips at Jasola in Delhi, Samir Modi told ET. I was prevented from entering the meeting by Bina Modis personal security officer. When I insisted, he tried to push me and said I was not allowed to enter the board meeting. False and Atrocious A spokesperson for Godfrey Phillips dismissed the allegations as entirely false and atrocious, noting that the incident was captured on the companys in-house CCTV cameras. Reportedly, Samir Modi suspects the attack was premeditated to prevent his participation in the meeting and to coerce him into selling his stake. Although his mother had previously offered to buy his stake, he refuses to accept an exit. The inheritance dispute involves significant shareholdings in Godfrey Phillips and other Modi group companies. Additionally, Samir has accused his mother of failing to distribute funds as outlined in a trust deed executed by his father. The legal battle over the inheritance is currently pending in the Supreme Court. The preference for government jobs in India is increasing due to their job security, work-life balance, enhanced pay structure, housing and medical benefits, and post-retirement perks. Government employment instills a sense of pride, offering individuals the chance to contribute to nation-building. However, securing a government job isnt easy. It comes with numerous challenges, and one of the most difficult aspects is finding a government position amidst the rising demand. If you are also one of those who is seeking to become a government employee, take a look at these vacancies to apply for: AFCAT 2024 Registration For Flying Branch and Ground Duty Branch If you dream of joining the Indian Air Force (IAF), this opportunity is for you. The Indian Air Force is recruiting 317 individuals for the positions of both the Flying Branch and the Ground Duty (Technical and Non-Technical) Branch in the department. Candidates between the age bracket of 20 and 24 years can apply for the Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT) at careerindianairforce.cdac.in and afcat.cdac.in. The AFCAT 2024 exam will be conducted on August 9, August 10, and August 11, 2024. The exam for AFCAT 2024 encompasses a written test worth 300 points, an interview with the Air Force Selection Board (AFSB) and a medical testread more UPSC Recruitment For Various Posts The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has invited applications offering various roles within the department, including Deputy Superintending Archaeological Chemist, Civil Hydrographic Officer, Assistant Professor in Forensic Medicine and others. Candidates can submit their forms through the official website of the UPSC at upsconline.nic.in by June 13. According to the official notice, candidates need to deposit an application fee of Rs 25. However, female candidates and those belonging to Scheduled Tribes (ST), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) are exempt from paying feesread more Kerala PSC Recruitment For Junior Health Inspector Grade II Posts The Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) is providing an excellent opportunity for all aspirants seeking government jobs. The KPSC recruitment board is looking for candidates who have passed Plus 2 (Class 12) with science courses or an equivalent examination from a recognised college/institution. Candidates interested in the posts of Junior Health Inspector Grade II posts can apply through the official website of Kerala PSC at keralapsc.gov.in until June 19. To be eligible, applicants should be aged between 18 and 41read more CBI Recruitment For Business Correspondent Supervisor Posts The Central Bank of India is seeking applications for the post of Business Correspondent Supervisor on a contractual basis for FY 202425. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for these posts by visiting the official website of the Central Bank at centralbankofindia.co.in. The recruitment drive aims to fill five vacant positions on or before June 10. Candidates who get selected for this recruitment by the Central Bank will be paid on the basis of the category into which the BC Supervisor fallsread more Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras will release the provisional answer key for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2024 today, June 2. Students who took the advanced examination can review the answers for both paper 1 and paper 2 on the official website at jeeadv.ac.in. The JEE Advanced exam for this year was held on May 26 at multiple centers nationwide. The JEE Advanced 2024 response sheet was released by the board on May 31. Once the provisional answer key is out, students can estimate their marks and those who are not satisfied with the answers can raise their objections. The answer key objection window will be open from today, June 2 and students can challenge the answer key till June 3 via online mode only. Candidates who wish to file an objection to the JEE Advanced 2024 answer key must provide a clear explanation of their reason and attach supporting documentation. Its important to note that challenges made via email or any other offline mode will not be considered valid. JEE Advance 2024 Provisional Answer Key: How to Check Step 1: Head to the official website of JEE at jeeadv.ac.in. Step 2: On the homepage, look for the JEE Advance 2024 Answer Key link and click on it. Step 3: You will be redirected to a new page asking for your login credentials. Step 4: Enter your details carefully. Step 5: The JEE Advance 2024 Answer Key will appear on your screen. Step 6: Download it and compare the answer key with your response sheet. JEE Advance 2024: Result Date and Final Answer Key? IIT Madras will be announcing the JEE Advanced 2024 result along with the final answer key on June 9 on the official website. The result will comprise the marks obtained by the candidate, the Common Rank List (CRL), and the Category Rank List. The Answer key will help the candidates understand whether they will be able to pass the Joint Entrance Examination Advance 2024 or not. This year, the JEE Advanced exam was conducted in two shifts. Paper 1 took place from 9 AM to 12 noon, followed by Paper 2 from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Each paper comprised three sections: Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. The JEE Advance exam is conducted annually to offer admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and other leading engineering and science institutions in India. For any other information, students are advised to visit the official website of JEE. Stay ahead with all the exam results updates on News18 Website. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Anini election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 41. Anini is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: Dibang Valley. Anini Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 41. Anini is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 2 candidates contesting from Anini Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 2, while in 2014 there were 2 candidates, and the number was 2 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Mopi Mihu, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); 2. Eri Tayu, Independent (IND). Demographic Profile There were a total of 4,747 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 2,303 were male, 2,444 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 4,287 registered voters, of which 2,303 were male, 2,176 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 4,059 registered voters in this constituency, of which 2,022 were male, 2,037 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 3,738 which included 1,888 male, and 1,850 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 10 in 2019, 5 in 2014 and 0 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 1061, in 2019 it was 1031, 1007 in 2014 and 980 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Anini Assembly constituency are: 285509.1N 954710.3E. Anini shares its borders with four other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Anini are: Tuting Yingkiong, Mariyang-Geku, Dambuk, Roing. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: China. Poll Dates Anini Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency voted in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. In 2009, Anini voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 81.25%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 87.89%, while it was 86.62% in 2013 and 90.58% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -6.64% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Mopi Mihu of BJP won in this seat defeating Singe Milli of INC by a margin of 1134 votes which was 30.29% of the total votes cast for the seat. BJP had a vote share of 64.53% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Rajesh Tacho of INC emerged victorious in this seat beating Eri Tayu of BJP by a margin of 192 votes which was 5.49% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC secured a vote share of 52.26% in the seat. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, Rajesh Tacho of INC won this seat beating Eri Tayu of NCP by a margin of 81 votes which was 2.4% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC had a vote share of 51.2% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Mopi Mihu of BJP won in this constituency beating Singe Milli of INC by a margin of 1,134 votes which was 30.29% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Rajesh Tacho of INC was the winner in this seat beating Eri Tayu of BJP by a margin of 192 votes which was 5.49% of the total votes polled in the constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Rajesh Tacho of INC won this seat defeating Eri Tayu of NCP by a margin of 81 votes which was 2.4% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Mopi Mihu of BJP had a vote share of 64.53% in this seat. In 2014, Rajesh Tacho of INC secured a vote share of 52.26% in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Rajesh Tacho of INC got a vote share of 51.2% in Anini. Constituency Extent According to the latest delimitation documents for 41. Anini Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: (1) Anini circle, (2) Etalin circle, (3) Anelih (Adane) circle, and (4) Kronli circle.. Sikkim Krantikari Morcha Sweeps North-East State, Wins 31 Seats in 32-member Assembly The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Sunday returned to power in the Himalayan state for the second consecutive term as it won 31 seats in the 32-member assembly and secured majority. BJP Wins Two-Third Majority In Arunachal Pradesh, Gets 46 Seats In 60-Member Assembly The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday for the third time in a row, as the party secured a two-third majority by winning 46 seats in the 60-member assembly. Sikkim Assembly Polls: SKM Did The Work SDF Did Not Do In 25 Years, Says CM Designate Prem Singh Tamang Assembly Elections 2024: (SDF leader) Pawan Kumar Chamling lost completely in 2019 only but its a democracy. The work they couldnt do in 25 years, we did it in five years. People have voted on that basis, says Sikkim CM Designate Prem Singh Tamang as party workers celebrate SKMs overwhelming win the Assembly elections in Gangtok. BJP Wins Majority In Arunachal Pradesh, Wins 37 Seats So Far In 60-Member Assembly The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) returned to power in Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday for the third time in a row, as the party secured a majority by winning 37 seats in the 60-member assembly. Counting of votes is underway for 50 seats for which elections were held in the northeastern state on April 19. The rest 10 seats were won by the saffron party uncontested. Of the 50 seats, the BJP has won 23 and is leading in 12 others. READ MORE Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Ruling SKM Retains Power In Sikkim SKM retains power in Sikkim, wins 20 seats in 32-member assembly. Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: BJP Crosses Majority Mark In Arunachal Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP Won 32, Leading 13; NPEP Won 2, Leading 3; NCP Leading 3; Independent Won 1; and PPA- Won 2 (Majority mark in Arunachal Pradesh is 31) Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Ruling SKM Secures Another Term In Sikkim Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has won 18 seats and leading on 13 others. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has won one seat, as per the latest Election Commission of India data. The majority mark in the Sikkim Assembly is 17 out of 32 Assembly seats. Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: BJP Crosses Majority Mark In Arunachal Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP Won 31, Leading 14; NPEP Won 2, Leading 3; NCP Leading 3; Independent Won 1; and PPA- Won 2 (Majority mark in Arunachal Pradesh is 31) Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Ruling SKM In Sikkim Inches Towards Victory Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has won 16 seats and leading on 15 others. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) has won one seat, as per the latest Election Commission of India data. The majority mark in the Sikkim Assembly is 17 out of 32 Assembly seats. Arunachal Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: BJP Wins 25 Seats, Leading in 21 Others As It Inches Towards Majority Mark Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP Won 25, Leading 21; NPEP Won 1, Leading 5; NCP Leading 3; Independent Won 1; and PPA- Leading 2 (Majority mark in Arunachal Pradesh is 31 seats) Arunachal: Independent Candidate Wins Khonsa East Seat Independent candidate Wanglam Sawin won the Khonsa East assembly constituency defeating his nearest rival Kamrang Tesia of the BJP by a margin of 2,216 votes, according to the Election Commission of India. Counting of votes for 50 assembly seats in the northeastern state began at 6 am on Sunday. Sawin had won the seat in the 2019 Assembly elections on a BJP ticket. He was denied a saffron party ticket this time and contested the elections as an independent. Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: SKM Works Burst Crackers As Party Leads In Sikkim Sikkim Assembly Election Results 2024: People burst crackers as they celebrate SKMs victory. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is set form government in the state as it has won seven seats and leading on 24 others. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is leading on one seat, as per the latest Election Commission of India data. VIDEO | Sikkim Assembly Election Results 2024: People burst crackers as they celebrate SKMs victory. The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is set form government in the state as it has won seven seats and leading on 24 others. The Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) is leading on one pic.twitter.com/MckGlMe61e Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 2, 2024 Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang Wins From Rhenock Seat Sikkim CM and SKM supremo P S Tamang wins from Rhenock assembly seat defeating SDFs Som Nath Poudyal by 7,044 votes: Official Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: BJP Ahead In 46 Arunachal Constituencies Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP Won 18, Leading 28; NPEP Leading 6; NCP Leading 3; Independent Won 1; and PPA- Leading 2 Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Ruling SKM In Sikkim Inches Towards Victory Sikkim Assembly Election Results 2024: SKM wins 7 seats, leading on 24; SDF leading on 1 seat. Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: BJP Likely To Return In Arunachal Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP Won 15, Leading 31; NPEP Leading 6; NCP Leading 3; Independent Won 1; and PPA- Leading 3 Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Ruling BJP In Arunachal Wins 12 Seats, Ahead In 33 Others Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Results 2024: BJP Won 12, Leading 33; NPEP Leading 6; NCP Leading 4; Independent Won 1; and PPA- Leading 3 Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: Celebrations Begin In BJP Office In Arunachal Visuals from the BJP office in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh as the party is set to form the government in the state. The ruling BJP in Arunachal Pradesh was leading in 33 assembly seats while the National Peoples Party (NPEP) was ahead in six constituencies, according to initial trends available on the Election Commission of India website. The BJP had already won 10 seats unopposed in the 60-member assembly. VIDEO | Visuals from the BJP office in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh as the party is set to form the government in the state. The ruling BJP in Arunachal Pradesh was leading in 33 assembly seats while the National Peoples Party (NPEP) was ahead in six constituencies, according to pic.twitter.com/W7McfRuxxX Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 2, 2024 Assembly Election Results 2024 LIVE: SKM Ahead In 30 Sikkim Constituencies Counting of votes underway for the Sikkim Assembly elections. Ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) crosses the halfway mark; leading on 30 seats. The majority mark in the Sikkim Assembly is 17 out of 32 Assembly seats. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. On June 2, Azerbaijani aviators proudly celebrate their professional holiday and the 86th anniversary of the country's civil aviation, Trend reports. June 2 is celebrated as the professional holiday of civil aviation workers in our country by the Order of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev dated May 18, 2006. As part of the celebration of the 86th anniversary of Azerbaijans civil aviation, the management and team of Azerbaijan Airlines visited the Alley of Honour to pay tribute to the National Leader Heydar Aliyev by laying a wreath and flowers at his grave. They also placed flowers at the grave of the academician Zarifa Aliyeva, the distinguished ophthalmologist-scientist. Azerbaijans civil aviation has made significant progress thanks to the leadership of the National leader Heydar Aliyev and the ongoing support of the country's President, Ilham Aliyev. The professional holiday celebrated on June 2 symbolizes the recognition of the important contributions aviators make to the country's development, the promotion of economic growth, and the strengthening of international relations. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener, Arvind Kejriwal, is set to be back in jail on Sunday (June 2) as directed by the Supreme Court, after his plea seeking interim bail on medical grounds was put off till June 5 by a Delhi court. Kejriwal, jailed in the Delhi excise case, was on a three-week temporary bail for campaigning during Lok Sabha election 2024, which concluded yesterday, June 1. The Chief Minister will head back to jail at around 3 pm. Before that, he will visit Mahatma Gandhis memorial at the Raj Ghat, the party office at the DDU Marg and a Hanuman temple. I came out for election campaign for 21 days on the orders of the Honble Supreme Court. I am very grateful to the Honble Supreme Court. Today I will surrender by going to Tihar. I will leave home at 3 pm. First I will go to Rajghat and pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. From there I will go to Hanuman temple in Connaught Place to seek blessings of Lord Hanuman, the Delhi CM said in a post on X. 21 3 Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) June 2, 2024 And from there I will go to the party office and meet all the workers and party leaders. From there I will again leave for Tihar. All of you take care of yourselves. I will take care of you all in jail. If you are happy then your Kejriwal will also be happy in jail, he added. Kejriwal To Remain CM A day before his scheduled surrender, Kejriwal on Saturday held a meeting of the AAPs Political Affairs Committee at his residence and also attended an INDIA bloc meeting at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharges home. Prominent AAP leaders including Cabinet minister Atishi, Rajya Sabha MPs Raghav Chadha and Sanjay Singh, and MLA Durgesh Pathak attended the PAC meeting, with sources saying the chief minister emphasised the need to keep unity among the party leaders in his absence. It was also emphasised that Kejriwal will remain chief minister, and his wife Sunita Kejriwal will continue to convey his messages to party leaders, volunteers and the people of Delhi, the sources said. Delhi CMs Interim Bail Kejriwal was released from jail on May 10 on interim bail granted by the Supreme Court for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls. The polls ended on June 1. The Chief Minister on Friday said that he will leave around 3 PM on June 2 to surrender before the jail authorities. He had earlier moved the Supreme Court seeking a seven-day extension of the interim bail granted by it in the money laundering case linked to alleged excise policy scam. However, the SC registry on Wednesday refused an urgent listing of his plea in which he had pleaded he needed time to undergo medical tests as he was losing weight and was having high ketone level. He then moved the special CBI-ED court seeking interim bail on medical grounds. Hearing his plea on Saturday, the court of special judge Kaveri Baweja reserved for June 5 its order his application. The court observed that the plea was for interim bail on medical grounds and not for the extension of the interim bail granted by the SC. The Enforcement Directorate opposed his interim bail plea, arguing he campaigned throughout the elections, but now when he has to surrender, he suddenly claims to be ill. Case Against Kejriwal The case being probed by the ED relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi governments now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22. Kejriwal has asked people not to be sad if anything happens to him in jail. He also asserted he was proud of going to jail to save the country from dictatorship, saying he did not know how long will he remain behind bars this time. He also appealed to the people of Delhi to pray for his elderly parents. Meanwhile, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva said the chief minister should stop his illness drama and go back to jail if he has any respect for the law. It is regrettable to see Kejriwal campaigning after getting bail in a healthy condition and now claiming to be seriously ill and seeking bail on medical grounds, he said. (With PTI Inputs) Check detailed seat predictions based on Exit Poll Results 2024 LIVE . Get minute-by-minute updates on the exit polls from Andhra Pradesh. Prajwal Revanna, the incumbent Janata Dal S (JDS) MP from Hassan constituency, is likely to retain the seat, according to the India Today-Axis My India exit poll. His main competitor is Congresss Shreyas M Patel. Karnatakas Hassan voted in the second phase of the polls on April 26. During the Lok Sabha poll campaigning, Prajwal got embroiled in controversy as pen drives of his alleged sexual assaults of multiple women started doing the rounds. After the polls, Prajwal went absconding and returned to India on May 31. He has denied the allegations. He is now in the custody of the special investigation team (SIT) after he landed via a Lufthansa flight (LH0764), which flew in from Munich. ALSO READ | Massive Win For BJP In Karnataka Lok Sabha Election, INDIA Could Secure 3-7 Seats: News18 Mega Exit Poll In the 2019 Lok Sabha general elections, Prajwal Revanna of JDS won in this seat defeating Manju A of BJP by a margin of 1,41,324 votes which was 11.06% of the total votes cast for the seat. JDS had a vote share of 52.92% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, H D Devegowda of JDS emerged victorious in this seat beating Manju A of INC by a margin of 1,00,462 votes which was 8.76% of the total votes polled in the constituency. JDS secured a vote share of 44.44% in the seat. The BJP is predicted to win 23-26 Lok Sabha seats of the total 28 in Karnataka, according to News18 Mega Exit Poll. The INDIA bloc, which comprises the ruling Congress in the state, could win 3-7 seats, the exit poll predicted. The two major contesting alliances in Karnataka are the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA). While the majority of the candidates from the NDA are from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 25, a smaller portion of the candidates belong to the Janata Dal (Secular) party [JD(S)] 3. On the other hand, all of the 28 candidates representing the INDIA bloc are from the Congress. In 2019, the BJP won 25 seats with a vote share of 51.2% in Karnataka, which was its best performance both in terms of number of seats and vote share, while the Congress, JD(S) and Independent won one seat each. The saffron party won 17 and 19 seats in the 2014 and 2009 general elections, respectively. In 2004 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP won 18 seats while the Congress managed to win only eight and the JD (S) was victorious in two constituencies. The News18 Poll Hub survey covered all 518 seats in 21 major states, which account for 95% of Lok Sabha constituencies in the country. Exit poll predictions are not foolproof given a large number of variable factors. The pollsters, however, had succeeded in gauging the trends in 2019 and 2014. High voter turnout has traditionally understood to signal stronger anti-incumbency, while a more passive turnout is equated with pro-incumbency. While a few elections may have confirmed this notion, an analysis of official data shows the conclusion doesnt hold true. General elections held in 1962 and 2014 saw the highest jump in voter turnout when compared to the other years. In 2014, the BJP rose to power ending the two-term run of the Congress. But in 1962, the Congress, which was the party in power was voted for another term. Similarly, the highest drop in average turnout was reported in 1991 and 1971. The Congress rose to power in 1991 and had retained its control at the Centre in 1971. Political observers and psephologists have long believed that higher turnout is an indication that voters are unhappy with the incumbent government and are stepping out to vote to change it. On the other hand, if the turnout drops, its understood to mean that the public is happy with the current government and doesnt feel any urge to step out. This was seen in 2014, when the turnout was 66.4%, over eight percentage points higher than the 2009 turnout of 58.21%. The people voted to change the government, electing the BJP to end the Congress rule. But then in 2019, the voter turnout stood at 67.4%, a little higher than 2014, but the BJP government retained power. In 2004 and 2009, when the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government came to power, there again did not seem to be any connection between the voter turnout and the election result. Manmohan Singh became prime minister in 2004 when the Congress dethroned the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-headed BJP government. In 2004, the turnout was 58.07%, about two percentage points short of the previous election turnout. But in 2009, when Singh retained power, the turnout was higher than 2004s at 58.21%. Since 1957, the voter turnout has dropped six times when compared to the previous Lok Sabha polls. At least four of these times, the ruling party at the Centre changed 1980, 1989, 1991 and 2004. In 1999 and 1971, the voter turnout dropped, but the ruling party retained power. On the other hand, the turnout in 10 elections increased and only in four of these cases was the ruling party ousted at the Centre 1977, 1996, 1998 and 2014. In the remaining six cases, the ruling party retained power, recent examples being the 2009 and 2019 elections. While polling for the seven-phased Lok Sabha elections 2024 ended on Saturday evening, the official voter turnout data has not been released yet. In the 485 seats where elections were held in the first six phases, the average turnout stood at 66.78%, slightly lower than 2019s (68.46%) for the same seats. Across all the 543 seats, the average turnout in 2019 was 67.4%. The final voter turnout and its impact on the ruling party will be revealed next week when the Election Commission of India issues the final turnout figures and when counting of votes is held on June 4. Check detailed seat predictions based on Exit Poll Results 2024 LIVE . Get minute-by-minute updates on the exit polls from Andhra Pradesh. After Exit Polls predicted a third term for the BJP-led NDA government on Saturday, a war of words erupted between the leaders of the saffron party and Congress. The Congress and other INDIA alliance parties rebuffed the exit polls calling them far-fetched and difficult to believe. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi went on to say that the exit polls were Modi-media polls and expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc would win 295 seats. Questioning the credibility of the exit polls, the leaders of major opposition parties alleged that they were conducted at the behest of the government as a deliberate attempt to justify rigging of elections and were part of PM Modis mind games to lower the morale of the INDIA bloc workers ahead of counting of votes on June 4. The News18 Mega Exit Poll suggested that the BJP is likely to win a majority with 305 to 315 seats and Congress might win over 62-72 seats. As per the predictions, NDA will bag victory in Lok Sabha polls by winning 355 to 370, while the Opposition-led INDIA bloc will win 125 to 140 seats. Exit Poll 2024: Congress Vs BJP Heres What Congress Leaders Said About Exit Polls Rahul Gandhi said, This is not an exit poll. This is a Modi-Media poll. INDIA alliance is getting 295 seats. West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee said, We had seen how the exit polls were conducted in 2016, 2019 and 2021. None of the predictions had turned out to be true. these exit polls were manufactured at home by some people two months back for media consumption. They have no value, the Trinamool Congress chief told a TV channel. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav said, Those poor people who are forced to give false statistics on TV screens under the pressure of the government are also saying in hushed tones in their private lives that the BJP is losing. These helpless people are saying that there will be a tough fight in 13 important states when the correct results are declared on June 4 and that the BJPs presence in the rest of the states is anyway zero. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, I cant take these exit polls very seriously. Last year, the exit polls had us winning Chhattisgarh but when the ballots were counted, we had lost. My view is that the people of Kerala voted on 26 April, they have waited for so many weeks already, they can wait for 2 more days Some numbers are so far-fetched and difficult to believe that its best we wait till the 4th of June. Congress leader Salman Khurshid said, We have met people, made some estimations and set some projections. Those projections say that the Government will be formed by usThere are those Exit Polls too which say that Congress is in a very good positionWe hope that we form the Government. Heres What BJP Leaders Said About Exit Polls BJP leader Shaina NC said, A person who lives in a fantasy world will speak about fantasy exit poll only. Now it is time for Rahul Gandhi to go on a fantasy holiday because he does not know how exit polls are formed I want to tell INDI Alliance that it is good to be hopeful but read the writing on the wall You cannot take away blessings that the people have given to PM Modi. They can take as many names as they want but there is only one prime minister and that is PM Modi Arvind Kejriwal is going to jail because he is not only an accused but also because the allegations are proven Now he is doing drama that his health is not good. He was campaigning during bad health but he did not go to a doctor. BJP leader Madhavi Latha said, First, they (Opposition) boycotted (the exit poll debate) because Rahul Gandhi and the whole crew of the Congress was scared They came back after 24 hours because Sonia Gandhi must have told Rahul Gandhi to accept the defeat At the end of the day, the decision is taken by the people of Bharat PM Modi is there in the hearts of the people. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said, This was supposed to happenthe way PM Modi has done workI want to thank PM, under his leadership the way the country is moving forward whether it is in terms of economy or securitythis country has developed based on this, people have supported us Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva said, If you are calling exit polls, fake, then you are questioning the neutrality of all the media channels and their workArvind Kejriwals statement is shamefulif he compares himself with Bhagat Singh or Chandra Shekhar Azad, then it is unfortunate Read The Latest Updates On Arvind Kejriwals Surrender Here. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Mariyang-Geku election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 40. Mariyang-Geku is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: Upper Siang. Mariyang-Geku Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 40. Mariyang-Geku is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 2 candidates contesting from Mariyang-Geku Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 4, while in 2014 there were 5 candidates, and the number was 4 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Olom Panyang, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); 2. Oni Panyang, National Peoples Party (NPP). Demographic Profile There were a total of 12,212 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 6,104 were male, 6,108 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 10,727 registered voters, of which 6,104 were male, 5,351 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 10,114 registered voters in this constituency, of which 5,068 were male, 5,046 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 10,676 which included 5,308 male, and 5,368 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 37 in 2019, 2 in 2014 and 0 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 1001, in 2019 it was 995, 996 in 2014 and 1011 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Mariyang-Geku Assembly constituency are: 281901.9N 951448.1E. Mariyang-Geku shares its borders with six other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Mariyang-Geku are: Tuting Yingkiong, Pangin, Pasighat East, Mebo, Anini, Dambuk. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: . Poll Dates Mariyang-Geku Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency voted in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. In 2009, Mariyang-Geku voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 81.3%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 94.41%, while it was 90.49% in 2013 and 88.66% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -13.11% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Kanggong Taku of JDU won in this seat defeating Anong Perme of BJP by a margin of 1260 votes which was 12.46% of the total votes cast for the seat. JDU had a vote share of 53.07% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Olom Panyang of BJP emerged victorious in this seat beating J K Panggeng of INC by a margin of 9 votes which was 0.1% of the total votes polled in the constituency. BJP secured a vote share of 46% in the seat. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, J K Panggeng of INC won this seat beating Raising Perme of NCP by a margin of 1280 votes which was 13.54% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC had a vote share of 44.05% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Kanggong Taku of JDU won in this constituency beating Anong Perme of BJP by a margin of 1,260 votes which was 12.46% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Olom Panyang of BJP was the winner in this seat beating J K Panggeng of INC by a margin of 9 votes which was 0.1% of the total votes polled in the constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, J K Panggeng of INC won this seat defeating Raising Perme of NCP by a margin of 1,280 votes which was 13.54% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Kanggong Taku of JDU had a vote share of 53.07% in this seat. In 2014, Olom Panyang of BJP secured a vote share of 46% in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, J K Panggeng of INC got a vote share of 44.05% in Mariyang-Geku. Consituency Extent According the latest delimitation documents for 40. Mariyang-Geku Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: (1) Mariyang circle, and (2) Geku circle.. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Mebo election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 39. Mebo is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: East Siang. Mebo Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 39. Mebo is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 3 candidates contesting from Mebo Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 3, while in 2014 there were 1 candidates, and the number was 2 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Lombo Tayeng, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); 2. Oken Tayeng, Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA); 3. Shoney Pertin, Independent (IND). Demographic Profile There were a total of 12,410 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 6,028 were male, 6,382 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 10,872 registered voters, of which 6,028 were male, 5,561 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 10,265 registered voters in this constituency, of which 5,069 were male, 5,196 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 10,732 which included 5,324 male, and 5,408 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 27 in 2019, 27 in 2014 and 12 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 1059, in 2019 it was 1047, 1025 in 2014 and 1016 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Mebo Assembly constituency are: 280808.2N 952750.0E. Mebo shares its borders with four other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Mebo are: Pasighat West, Pasighat East, Mariyang-Geku, Dambuk. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: Assam. Poll Dates Mebo Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency was scheduled to vote in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were to be declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. However, because of only one contesting candidate in this constituency, voting was not necessary for this seat and the candidate was declared an unopposed winner. In 2009, Mebo voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 81.89%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 94.36%, while it was 0% in 2013 and 90.37% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -12.47% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Lombo Tayeng of INC won in this seat defeating Dr. Dangi Perme of BJP by a margin of 372 votes which was 3.64% of the total votes cast for the seat. INC had a vote share of 51.24% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Lombo Tayeng of INC emerged victorious in this seat unopposed. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, Ralom Borang of NCP won this seat beating Lombo Tayeng of INC by a margin of 587 votes which was 6.05% of the total votes polled in the constituency. NCP had a vote share of 53.03% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Lombo Tayeng of INC won in this constituency beating Dr. Dangi Perme of BJP by a margin of 372 votes which was 3.64% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Lombo Tayeng of INC was the winner in this seat uncontested. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Ralom Borang of NCP won this seat defeating Lombo Tayeng of INC by a margin of 587 votes which was 6.05% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Lombo Tayeng of INC had a vote share of 51.24% in this seat. In 2014, Lombo Tayeng of INC won uncontested in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Ralom Borang of NCP got a vote share of 53.03% in Mebo. Consituency Extent According the latest delimitation documents for 39. Mebo Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: Mebo Circle.. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Nampong election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 51. Nampong is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: Changlang. Nampong Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 51. Nampong is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 3 candidates contesting from Nampong Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 3, while in 2014 there were 3 candidates, and the number was 2 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Izmir Tikhak, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); 2. Khimshom Mossang, Indian National Congress (INC); 3. Laisam Simai, Independent (IND). Demographic Profile There were a total of 9,710 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 4,918 were male, 4,792 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 8,966 registered voters, of which 4,918 were male, 4,333 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 8,306 registered voters in this constituency, of which 4,324 were male, 3,982 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 7,716 which included 4,011 male, and 3,705 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 103 in 2019, 9 in 2014 and 9 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 974, in 2019 it was 935, 921 in 2014 and 924 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Nampong Assembly constituency are: 271832.0N 960711.6E. Nampong shares its borders with four other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Nampong are: Changlang South, Changlang North, Bordumsa Diyun, Miao. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: Myanmar, Assam. Poll Dates Nampong Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency voted in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. In 2009, Nampong voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 85.1%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 88.84%, while it was 86.12% in 2013 and 90.97% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -3.74% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Laisam Simai of BJP won in this seat defeating Tainan James Jugli of NPEP by a margin of 1510 votes which was 19.09% of the total votes cast for the seat. BJP had a vote share of 47.56% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Laisam Simai of BJP emerged victorious in this seat beating Setong Sena of INC by a margin of 203 votes which was 2.85% of the total votes polled in the constituency. BJP secured a vote share of 49.52% in the seat. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, Setong Sena of INC won this seat beating Tosham Mossang of IND by a margin of 3850 votes which was 54.89% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC had a vote share of 77.45% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Laisam Simai of BJP won in this constituency beating Tainan James Jugli of NPEP by a margin of 1,510 votes which was 19.09% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Laisam Simai of BJP was the winner in this seat beating Setong Sena of INC by a margin of 203 votes which was 2.85% of the total votes polled in the constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Setong Sena of INC won this seat defeating Tosham Mossang of IND by a margin of 3,850 votes which was 54.89% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Laisam Simai of BJP had a vote share of 47.56% in this seat. In 2014, Laisam Simai of BJP secured a vote share of 49.52% in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Setong Sena of INC got a vote share of 77.45% in Nampong. Consituency Extent According the latest delimitation documents for 51. Nampong Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: (1) Nampong circle; and (2) Villages: 1. Manmao, 2. Walonglat, 3. Sinwang, 4. Renuk, 5. Borsatam, 6. Hetbook, 7. New Bokpey, 8. Old Bokpey, 9. Kamloo, 10. Manmao HQ, 11. Sasum-I, 12. Sasum-II, 13. Jangman, 14. Mamdu, 15. Jongmo, 16. New Lungsang, and 17. New Manmao in MANMAO circle.. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Namsai election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 47. Namsai is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: Namsai. Namsai Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 47. Namsai is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 2 candidates contesting from Namsai Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 4, while in 2014 there were 2 candidates, and the number was 4 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Chau Zingnu Namchoom, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); 2. Likha Saaya, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Demographic Profile There were a total of 24,554 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 12,879 were male, 11,675 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 22,858 registered voters, of which 12,879 were male, 10,848 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 20,552 registered voters in this constituency, of which 10,807 were male, 9,745 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 19,159 which included 10,042 male, and 9,117 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 61 in 2019, 11 in 2014 and 6 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 907, in 2019 it was 903, 902 in 2014 and 908 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Namsai Assembly constituency are: 274411.0N 955210.6E. Namsai shares its borders with three other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Namsai are: Tezu, Chowkham, Lekang. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: Assam. Poll Dates Namsai Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency voted in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. In 2009, Namsai voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 72.43%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 84%, while it was 82.37% in 2013 and 84.35% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -11.57% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Chau Zingnu Namchoom of BJP won in this seat defeating Shri Mualin Agan of NPEP by a margin of 10755 votes which was 56.05% of the total votes cast for the seat. BJP had a vote share of 69.79% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Zingnu Namchoom of INC emerged victorious in this seat beating Chow Pingthika Namchoom of BJP by a margin of 4311 votes which was 25.51% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC secured a vote share of 61.55% in the seat. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, Nang Sati Mein of IND won this seat beating Chow Pingthika Namchoom of TMC by a margin of 5699 votes which was 35.3% of the total votes polled in the constituency. IND had a vote share of 64.89% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Chau Zingnu Namchoom of BJP won in this constituency beating Shri Mualin Agan of NPEP by a margin of 10,755 votes which was 56.05% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Zingnu Namchoom of INC was the winner in this seat beating Chow Pingthika Namchoom of BJP by a margin of 4,311 votes which was 25.51% of the total votes polled in the constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Nang Sati Mein of IND won this seat defeating Chow Pingthika Namchoom of TMC by a margin of 5,699 votes which was 35.3% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Chau Zingnu Namchoom of BJP had a vote share of 69.79% in this seat. In 2014, Zingnu Namchoom of INC secured a vote share of 61.55% in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Nang Sati Mein of IND got a vote share of 64.89% in Namsai. Consituency Extent According the latest delimitation documents for 47. Namsai Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: Namsai circle.. Former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajs daughter and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bansuri Swaraj has an edge over Aam Aadmi Partys Somnath Bharti in the New Delhi Lok Sabha seat, predicted the News18 Mega Exit poll. According to the exit poll, her polite demeanor, Modi ki Guarantee and Sushma Swarajs legacy could help her in her Lok Sabha debut. However, some voters have also shown disappointment over AAP chief Arvind Kejriwals arrest in the money laundering case lined to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy right ahead of the general election and sympathised with the AAP. The BJP could retain its hold over the Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, with the News18 Mega Exit Poll predicting 5-7 seats for the saffron party in the national capital. The Congress could end up with 0-2 seats while its INDIA bloc partner might not be able to open its account in the national capital where its in power at the state-level. The direct contest between the BJP and AAP-Congress alliance for the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi had witnessed a turnout of over 54% on May 25 in the midst of the scorching summer heat. The highest polling percentage of 58.30% was recorded in North East Delhi where sitting BJP MP Manoj Tiwari is pitted against Kanhaiya Kumar of Congress. The lowest turnout of 51.54% was recorded in the New Delhi seat from where BJPs Bansuri Swaraj was contesting against INDIA bloc constituent AAPs Somnath Bharti. Chandni Chowk seat recorded 53.27% polling, East Delhi 54.37%, West Delhi 54.90%, North West Delhi 53.81% and South Delhi 52.83%. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Pasighat East election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 38. Pasighat East is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: East Siang. Pasighat East Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 38. Pasighat East is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 2 candidates contesting from Pasighat East Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 3, while in 2014 there were 2 candidates, and the number was 3 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Tapi Darang, National Peoples Party (NPP); 2. Kaling Moyong, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Demographic Profile There were a total of 21,899 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 10,785 were male, 11,113 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 20,842 registered voters, of which 10,785 were male, 10,529 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 19,201 registered voters in this constituency, of which 9,677 were male, 9,524 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 20,256 which included 10,199 male, and 10,057 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 22 in 2019, 22 in 2014 and 14 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 1030, in 2019 it was 1021, 984 in 2014 and 986 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Pasighat East Assembly constituency are: 280527.2N 951655.2E. Pasighat East shares its borders with four other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Pasighat East are: Pangi, Pasighat West, Mebo, Mariyang-Geku. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: . Poll Dates Pasighat East Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency voted in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. In 2009, Pasighat East voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 78.57%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 81.32%, while it was 80.96% in 2013 and 73.69% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -2.75% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Kaling Moyong of BJP won in this seat defeating Bosiram Siram of INC by a margin of 1242 votes which was 7.35% of the total votes cast for the seat. BJP had a vote share of 52.39% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Kaling Moyong of BJP emerged victorious in this seat beating Bosiram Siram of INC by a margin of 50 votes which was 0.32% of the total votes polled in the constituency. BJP secured a vote share of 49.72% in the seat. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, Bosiram Siram of INC won this seat beating Kaling Moyong of NCP by a margin of 3225 votes which was 21.62% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC had a vote share of 59.71% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Kaling Moyong of BJP won in this constituency beating Bosiram Siram of INC by a margin of 1,242 votes which was 7.35% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Kaling Moyong of BJP was the winner in this seat beating Bosiram Siram of INC by a margin of 50 votes which was 0.32% of the total votes polled in the constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Bosiram Siram of INC won this seat defeating Kaling Moyong of NCP by a margin of 3,225 votes which was 21.62% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Kaling Moyong of BJP had a vote share of 52.39% in this seat. In 2014, Kaling Moyong of BJP secured a vote share of 49.72% in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Bosiram Siram of INC got a vote share of 59.71% in Pasighat East. Consituency Extent According the latest delimitation documents for 38. Pasighat East Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: (1) Pasighat Town; and (2) Villages: 1. Valek, 2. Takilalung (Takiralung), 3. Sibut, 4. Tekang, 5. Dapi, 6. Rume (Runne), 7. Roying, 8. Tigra, 9. Rongin (Ronging), 10. Rasam, 11. Mongku (Monku), 12. Kalek (Relek), 13. Mirku, 14. Mirbuk, 15. Boying, 16. Mirsan, 17. Napit, 18. Poying Pasighat), 19. Berung, and 20. Yagrung in PASIGHAT circle.. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov participated in the 37th online meeting of ministers from both member and non-member countries of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Trend reports. Azerbaijan supported the decision adopted at the meeting regarding the extension of the current "Cooperation Declaration" from January 1 to December 31, 2025. The new decision aims to maintain the current level of crude oil production in OPEC Plus countries next year, extend the evaluation of production indicators by three independent sources until the end of November 2025, and determine a new base level for 2026 based on these results. In accordance with the new decision, Azerbaijan's daily crude oil production quota of 551 thousand barrels remains unchanged for next year. The next meeting of ministers from member and non-member countries of OPEC is scheduled for December 1. Follow the live updating tables on this page for the 2024 Pasighat West election result in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election. About 37. Pasighat West is an Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) constituency in Arunachal Pradesh. This constituency is located in the North East region of India and in the East region within Arunachal Pradesh. This seat includes the following districts of Arunachal Pradesh: East Siang. Pasighat West Assembly seat can be classified as: and the reservation status of this seat is: Scheduled Tribe. 37. Pasighat West is on Friday, April 19, 2024. along with voting in Phase 1 of the 2024 Lok Sabha general election Number of Contestants In the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, there were 4 candidates contesting from Pasighat West Assembly constituency. In 2019 the number of contestants for this seat was 3, while in 2014 there were 2 candidates, and the number was 2 in the 2009 polls. Contesting Candidates 2024 1. Ninong Ering, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); 2. Taka Muang, Independent (IND); 3. Tapyam Pada, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP); 4. Kalen Taying, Arunachal Democratic Party (ADP). Demographic Profile There were a total of 14,637 registered voters on the electoral rolls for the 2024 Assembly election, of which 7,001 were male, 7,636 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2019 Assembly elections, there were a total of 13,322 registered voters, of which 7,001 were male, 6,849 female and 0 of the third gender. In 2014 elections, there were a total of 12,418 registered voters in this constituency, of which 6,026 were male, 6,392 female and 0 of the third gender. In the 2009 polls, the number of total electors was 12,399 which included 5,975 male, and 6,424 female. The number of service voters in Assembly constituency was 101 in 2019, 75 in 2014 and 30 in 2009. The electorate gender ration (number of female voters per 1000 male voters) in this constituency in 2024 was 1091, in 2019 it was 1058, 1061 in 2014 and 1075 in 2009. Location The geographic coordinates of Pasighat West Assembly constituency are: 275614.6N 951113.6E. Pasighat West shares its borders with four other Assembly constituencies. Other Arunachal Pradesh Assembly constituencies adjacent to Pasighat West are: Pangin, Nari-Koyu, Pasighat East, Mebo. This constituency shares an inter-state border with: Assam. Poll Dates Pasighat West Assembly constituency went to the polls in Phase 1 of the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Friday, April 19, 2024. The counting of votes is on Sunday, June 2, 2024. In the 2019 state Assembly elections, this seat voted in Phase 1 on Thursday, April 11, 2019 and the results were declared on Thursday, May 23, 2019. In the 2014 polls, this constituency voted in Phase 1 on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 and the results were declared on Friday, May 16, 2014. In 2009, Pasighat West voted in Phase 1 on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and the results were declared on Tuesday, October 22, 2009. Voter Turnout According to data released by the Election Commission of India, in the 2024 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, the estimated voter turnout in Arunachal Pradesh constituency was 88.14%. In 2019, this seat registered a turnout of 91.46%, while it was 84.79% in 2013 and 83.89% in 2009. The estimated turnout in 2024 was -3.32% compared to the 2019 turnout. Past Results In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Ninong Ering of INC won in this seat defeating Er. Tatung Jamoh of BJP by a margin of 571 votes which was 4.71% of the total votes cast for the seat. INC had a vote share of 43.02% in 2019 in this seat. In 2014, Tatung Jamoh of INC emerged victorious in this seat beating Tangor Tapak of BJP by a margin of 834 votes which was 7.96% of the total votes polled in the constituency. INC secured a vote share of 53.35% in the seat. In the 2009 state Assembly elections, Dr Tangor Tapak of BJP won this seat beating Omak Apang of INC by a margin of 661 votes which was 6.36% of the total votes polled in the constituency. BJP had a vote share of 53.18% in the seat. Winner Margin In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Ninong Ering of INC won in this constituency beating Er. Tatung Jamoh of BJP by a margin of 571 votes which was 4.71% of the total votes cast. In 2014, Tatung Jamoh of INC was the winner in this seat beating Tangor Tapak of BJP by a margin of 834 votes which was 7.96% of the total votes polled in the constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Dr Tangor Tapak of BJP won this seat defeating Omak Apang of INC by a margin of 661 votes which was 6.36% of the total votes polled for the seat. Winner Voteshare In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections, Ninong Ering of INC had a vote share of 43.02% in this seat. In 2014, Tatung Jamoh of INC secured a vote share of 53.35% in this constituency. In the 2009 Assembly elections, Dr Tangor Tapak of BJP got a vote share of 53.18% in Pasighat West. Consituency Extent According the latest delimitation documents for 37. Pasighat West Assembly seat, the extent of this constituency covers the following areas of Arunachal Pradesh: (1) Ruksin circle; and (2) Villages: 1. Mirem, 2. Bilat, 3. Ledum, 4. Mikong, 5. Rani (Pani), 6. Miglung (Miklung), 7. Bimin (Bamin), 8. Teme, 9. Dogge, 10. Remi, 11. Miklok (Nilok), and 12. Sile Camp Bazar in PASIGHAT circle.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed gratitude to the people of Arunachal Pradesh after the BJP returned to power in the state for the third time in a row by winning 46 seats in the 60-member assembly. Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to the politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in BJP yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth, the prime minister wrote in an X post. Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2024 The prime minister further appreciated the hard work of the exceptional party workers throughout the election campaign. I would like to appreciate the hardwork of the exceptional @BJP4ArunachalKaryakartas through the election campaign. It is commendable how they went across the state and connected with the people, he said. I would like to appreciate the hardwork of the exceptional @BJP4Arunachal Karyakartas through the election campaign. It is commendable how they went across the state and connected with the people. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2024 PM Modi also extended congratulations to Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) after his party, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on Sunday returned to power in the state for the second consecutive term by winning 31 seats in the 32-member assembly. Congratulations to SKM and CM Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) for their victory in the Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024. I look forward to working with the State Government to further the progress of Sikkim in the coming times, he said. Congratulations to SKM and CM @PSTamangGolay for their victory in the Sikkim Assembly Elections 2024. I look forward to working with the State Government to further the progress of Sikkim in the coming times. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2024 The prime minister also thanked all those who voted for the BJP in the Sikkim Assembly election and appreciated the efforts put in by the party workers. I thank all those who voted for @BJP4Sikkim in the Assembly Elections. I also appreciate the efforts put in by our Karyakartas. Our Party will always be at the forefront of working towards Sikkims development and fulfilling peoples aspirations. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2024 I thank all those who voted for BJP in the Assembly Elections. I also appreciate the efforts put in by our Karyakartas. Our Party will always be at the forefront of working towards Sikkims development and fulfilling peoples aspirations, PM Modi said. This Lok Sabha election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying to make inroads in Kerala, a stronghold of the United Democratic Front led by the Congress. The saffron party is eyeing one to three seats in the southern state, including Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram. According to the News18 Mega Exit Poll, in Thiruvananthapuram, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar poses a threat to sitting Congress MP Shashi Tharoor along with Panniyan Raveendran, the CPI candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, formerly known as Trivandrum. ALSO READ | News18 Mega Exit Poll: Rahul Gandhi To Retain Wayanad Seat? Heres What Predictions Say Tharoor, aiming for a fourth term, faces anti-incumbency and factional issues within Congress. However, Chandrasekhar has leveraged PM Modis popularity. In fact, the BJP had ramped up its campaigns in the run-up to the elections and tried it best to garner the support of the Christian community. Responding to the exit poll predictions, Shashi Tharoor said, We have been travelling throughout the country campaigning and have a sense of what is the reality on the ground. Exit polls are deeply unscientific. Last year, the majority of exit polls got the results wrong in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan. What we are interested in is the real poll- the votes of the public. BJP will lose significantly in Karnataka and they certainly wont gain in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. #WATCH | On exit polls, Congress MP & candidate from Keralas Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor says, We have been travelling throughout the country campaigning and have a sense of what is the reality on the ground. Exit polls are deeply unscientific. Last year, the majority pic.twitter.com/adGyLaGmKM ANI (@ANI) June 1, 2024 The News18 Mega Exit Poll suggested that the Congress alone could win 12 to 15 seats, while the BJP may win one to three seats. This may be a significant development for the saffron party as Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said the party will make a dent ruled by the Left Democratic Front (LDF), which may end up with two to five seats. Key issues have included demands of the fishermen community, the stand of the Latin Catholic church, human-animal conflict, and civic issues. Major infrastructure projects, like the Vizhinjam International Seaport, airport privatisation, and Smart City 2.0, have influenced voter sentiment. Shashi Tharoor, a former UN diplomat, has been representing Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala, since 2009, winning three consecutive terms due to his strong educational background and international experience. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Shashi Tharoor secured a hat-trick victory with 416,131 votes, while BJP candidate Kummanam Rajashekharan secured the second position with 316,142 votes. In the 2014 elections, Tharoor won again with 297,806 votes, followed by BJP candidate O Rajagopal with 282,336 votes and CPI candidate Bennet Abraham with 248,941 votes. In the 2009 elections, Tharoor won the seat for the first time, securing 3,26,725 votes, followed by CPM candidate P Ramachandran Nair who got 2,26,727 votes. The Congress won the most, 15 Lok Sabha seats, in Kerala in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. The Communist Party of India (Marxist), Revolutionary Socialist Party, and Kerala Congress (M) won one seat each, while the Indian Union Muslim League won two. The state sends 20 members to the 543-member Lok Sabha. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) won 19 out of 20 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The UDF included the Indian Union Muslim League, the Revolutionary Socialist Party, and the Kerala Congress (M). Of the 32-35 Lok Sabha seats the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to win in Maharashtra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may secure 20-22, according to estimates based on the data available as part of the News18 Poll Hub survey. Significantly, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) group could win 11-13 seats, while the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction could win three-six seats, according to the data. Amid the Lok Sabha poll campaigning, the Sena UBT leaders had often stated that the sympathy, following the split in the party, was with them. In case of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which, too, saw a split between the Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar groups, the Sharad Pawar group is likely to get an advantage. The data suggests that Ajit Pawar may win 0-1 seat, while Sharad Pawars group could win four-seven seats. In this case, too, the senior Pawars group had maintained that people had seen how they were wronged. The Congress, meanwhile, is likely to win six-nine seats, according to the poll survey. The question that arises is Who is Maharashtra sympathising with or is the Modi factor above it all? ALSO READ | Maharashtra May Give 32-35 Lok Sabha Seats To BJP-Led NDA, 15-18 To Congress-Led INDIA: News18 Mega Exit Poll The 2024 Lok Sabha elections for Maharashtras 48 seats were fought between two alliances the ruling Mahayuti comprising BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction and the MVA or Maha Aghadi, with Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc or the MVA may win 15-18 seats, according to the survey. The region-wise data shows that NDA is likely to win 1-3 seats in Konkan, 3-6 in Marathwada, 8-10 in Mumbai-Thane, 4-6 in North, 4-6 in Vidarbha and 4-6 in the west. It further shows that INDIA may win 0-2 seats in Konkan, 2-5 in Marathwada, 0-2 in Mumbai-Thane, 0-2 in North, 4-6 in Vidarbha and 4-6 in the west. Exit poll predictions are not foolproof given a large number of variable factors. The pollsters, however, had succeeded in gauging the trends in 2019 and 2014. The findings, if they come true, will have a major impact on the political dynamics in Maharashtra, which is set for the assembly elections later this year. The results will be announced on June 4. THE SYMPATHY FACTOR In Mahayuti, the BJP contested 28 seats, Shinde 14 and Ajit Pawar-led NCP got five seats. The MVA gave 21 seats to Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress 17 and 10 to NCP (SP). With 48 seats, Maharashtra ranks second behind Uttar Pradesh in sending MPs to the Lok Sabha. The state voted over three phases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an exclusive interview with Network18, had said the sympathy of Maharashtra is with the BJP and not Sharad Pawar or Uddhav Thackeray post the split of their parties, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena, respectively. PM Modi had said: The storms that erupted within the Shiv Sena or the NCP clearly show what happens when you give importance to only your family members over other leaders it leads to difficulties. The trouble in Sharad Pawars house is their family dispute. Should the daughter get the reins or the nephew? Similar is the tussle in Shiv Sena like the Congress should a deserving leader be promoted or the son? ALSO READ | PM Narendra Modi: Maharashtras Sympathy With BJP; Sena, NCP Split Over Family Disputes | Exclusive Interview These are their disputes. I believe our country hates such dynasty politics. If someone tries to use the word sympathy to evoke sympathy among people, I say even that attempt will fail. People hate such things. They cannot accept such things. These are your family disputes, resolve them within your home. Why are you ruining the state of Maharashtra over this, asked Modi. During his exclusive interview with News18, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister and BJPs Mumbai North candidate had said that Maharashtra voters sympathy will be with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Devendra Fadnavis as Uddhav Thackeray betrayed them. #LokSabhaElections2024: NDA may get 32-35 seats in #Maharashtra, I.N.D.I.A 15-18, suggests #News18ExitPollShiv Sena (UBT) has gone down by significant amounts: @RShivshankar We will definitely get more seats on June 4: Shiv Senas (Shinde) @KayandeDr pic.twitter.com/1ksbpSgDO2 News18 (@CNNnews18) June 1, 2024 THE MAHA FIGHT Among the key candidates are Piyush Goyal (BJP, Mumbai North), Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena UBT, Mumbai South), Varsha Gaikwad (Congress, Mumbai North Central), Kapil Patil (BJP, Bhiwandi), Rajan Vichare (Shiv Sena UBT, Thane), Shrikant Shinde (Shiv Sena, Kalyan), Raosaheb Danve (BJP, Jalna), Pankaja Munde (BJP, Beed), Sujay Vikhe-Patil (BJP, Ahmednagar), Nitin Gadkari (BJP, Nagpur), Supriya Sule (NCP SP, Baramati), Udayanraje Bhosale (BJP, Satara), Navneet Kaur Rana (BJP, Amravati) and Sudhir Mungantiwar (BJP, Chandrapur). The BJP-led alliance had won 42 seats in 2014 and 41 in 2019. The BJP had won 23 of the 25 seats it had contested in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, while its then alliance partner undivided Shiv Sena won 18 of the 23 seats. The undivided NCP, as part of the opposition alliance, had contested 19 seats and managed to win four. The News18 Poll Hub survey covered all 518 seats in 21 major states, which account for 95% of Lok Sabha constituencies in the country. In each Lok Sabha constituency, 180 interviews were conducted using a structured questionnaire, which was translated into 11 regional languages. For phases one to six, the interviews were conducted the day after, as it is known to yield more reliable responses, and the traditional exit poll asking people coming out of the polling booth was carried out for Phase 7. ALSO READ | Uddhav Betrayed Modi, Fadnavis For CM Post And Son; Pawar Deserted NCP for Daughter: Piyush Goyal To News18 A total sample size of 93,240 across 21 states was planned, but over 95,000 was achieved. In each Lok Sabha constituency, three Vidhan Sabha constituencies were covered, with 10 polling booths in each selected through random sampling. Around each polling station, trained investigators conducted 15 door-to-door interviews one eligible respondent with inked finger per household. In case of the exit poll, near each polling station, 15 interviews were conducted of people coming out after casting their votes, with every fifth person stopped for interview. On-spot checks by senior field manager and executives, geo-tagging of interviews and telephonic back-checks for 20% of the sample in each state were among the many steps taken to maintain quality. A 1993 Mumbai bomb blast case convict, Munna alias Mohammad Ali Khan alias Manojkumar Bhavarlal Gupta was murdered at the Kolhapur Central Prison, located at Kalamba on Sunday morning. A prima facie probe by the Kolhapur police revealed that the incident took place after the attendance of jail inmates was recorded around 6:30 am on Sunday. After the attendance, the inmates were brought to the open space near a water tank at circle number 2 in the prison, an Indian Express report said. Police have reason to believe that a brawl broke out between Munna and five inmates when he went to the water tank for bathing. During the fight, the accused allegedly hit Munnas head with a manhole cover repeatedly. According to an Indian Express report, Kolhapur SP Mahendra Pandit said Munna was murdered by five undertrials who are facing charges under sections of the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The accused have been identified as Deepak Netaji Khot, Saurabh Vikas Siddha, Pratik alias Pilya Suresh Patil, Sandip alias Bablu Shankar Chavan and Ruturaj Inamdar. An investigation into the incident is underway. Read The Latest Updates On Arvind Kejriwals Surrender Here. Ahead of the poll results scheduled for June 4, a BJP worker was killed by a group of men in West Bengals Nadia district in post-poll violence on Saturday night. The saffron party has pointed their fingers at the ruling Trinamool Congress and has claimed that the accused identified as Hafijur Sheikh, identified as a BJP worker from the district, was found with his body swollen, bullet ridden and head chopped lying by the road side. The Trinamool, however, claimed that the killing was a fallout of a family feud. According to the police, the incident happened at Kaliganj in the northern part of the district when BJP worker, Hafijur Sheikh, was playing carrom with others on Saturday night. Around 10-12 people allegedly came on motorbikes and first shot Sheikh and then hacked him, killing him on the spot. The police were not allowed to lift the body as local people demonstrated for over two hours. The body was later sent for post-mortem examination. The BJPs Uttar Nadia unit president Arjun Biswas alleged that TMC goons killed the party worker. District TMC leader Rukbanur Rahman, however, blamed family feud behind the murder and the Trinamool Congress has no role in it. Family members of the deceased demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. BJP IT Cell Head Amit Malviya Reacts BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took to his official account and accused the ruling TMC for the shocking murder. He claimed that the TMC has no love lost for Muslims if they do not vote for them. The killings in West Bengal have started.Hafizul Sheikh, another BJP worker, has been murdered. His body, swollen, bullet ridden, head chopped and missing, was found lying by the road side. The incident took place in Chandpur area of Devgram, Kaliganj, Nadia. According to pic.twitter.com/bfF5jOHbkb Amit Malviya ( ) (@amitmalviya) June 2, 2024 He further alleged that the Muslims were even targeted in Diamond Harbour, where a large number of them voted for the CPI(M) candidate, Pratikur Rehman. BJPs Krishnanagar Candidate Meets Deceaseds Family BJP candidate from Krishnanagar constiuency Amrita Roy met the family of the deceased BJP worker Hafizul Sheikh in Nadias Chandpur, Kaliganj. West Bengal: BJP candidate Amrita Roy met the family of the deceased BJP worker Hafizul Sheikh in Chandpur, Kaliganj. pic.twitter.com/zYWtr6GFw0 IANS (@ians_india) June 2, 2024 The parliamentary constituency witnessed a contest between TMCs Mahua Moitra and BJPs Amrita Roy in the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections. (with agency inputs) Read The Latest Updates On Arvind Kejriwals Surrender Here. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal headed back to a cell in the Tihar Jail on Sunday as his interim relief period of 21 days was over. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supremo was sent to judicial custody till June 5. Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10 following his arrest in connection to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy scam case. Kejriwal returns to prison a day after the opposition INDIA bloc meeting and also a day after a Delhi court reserved its verdict on the extension of his interim bail plea by seven more days. In an address to party workers he dismissed the exit polls which forecast a grim picture for the INDIA bloc parties including AAP. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, top Delhi ministers, MPs of the party and party office bearers reached the chief ministers residence shortly after 2 pm. The partys Political Affairs Committee held a meeting chaired by the AAP national convener. Kejriwal after leaving his residence made three stops before surrendering before Tihar Jail authorities. He paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat and then headed towards the Hanuman Temple at Connaught place to offer prayers along with wife Sunita Kejriwal. The AAP party office was adorned with national flags when the Delhi CM reached the party office. All exit polls are false. One exit poll gave them 33 out of a total of 25 seats in Rajasthan. It is important to note that why did they have to show fake exit polls just three days ahead of counting? the embattled AAP supremo asked. They are playing mind games. They are not forming a government on June 4, the Delhi Chief Minister said. Kejriwal asked AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak and other leaders of INDIA bloc to ensure that the counting agents of respective parties demonstrate patience and stay put till the end even if their candidate is losing and match 5% of slips. While addressing party workers, Kejriwal invoked freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and said like the revolutionary who challenged British colonialism, he too is challenging tyranny. We are disciples of Bhagat Singh. Bhagat Singh went to jail to free the country, I am going to jail to save the country. Bhagat Singh was also hanged, I am also ready to be hanged. This time I dont know when I will come back and what these people will do to me in jail. But I will not bow down, Kejriwal said. Mahatma Gandhi saved this country from Tanashahi. I have prayed at Rajghat. I went to Hanuman Mandir. I have prayed to Bajrangbali. His blessings are upon this party and me, he further added. Kejriwal held a short meeting with party leaders and left for Tihar jail accompanied by his wife Sunita and kids Harshita and Pulkit and with other party cadres. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) named Arvind Kejriwal and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as accused in the case and have booked them under various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED told Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi on Tuesday that Kejriwal is the kingpin and the key conspirator in the excise policy case. After he was released on bail, Kejriwal hit the campaign trail on May 11, campaigning for the AAP and INDIA bloc partners in Delhi, Punjab, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. He anchored the campaign on Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se in a bid to use his arrest as a campaigning tool. During this time he also cemented his wife, Sunita Kejriwals, position as second-in-command as she was taking charge of AAP campaign in Delhi and leading roadshows. She was already number two in the list for AAPs star campaigners. People familiar with the developments said that Kejriwal accepted the resignation of his former minister Raaj Kumar Anand which had been pending as the latter had resigned while the chief minister was in jail. AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who had been away since early March, returned to India and also met Kejriwal during this period and took charge of the AAPs campaign in Delhi and Punjab. A controversy sparked by the partys sole woman MP Swati Maliwal who accused the chief ministers former personal assistant Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her during the 21 days of Kejriwals interim bail. Kumar denies the charges but was arrested on May 18 and has been sent to 14 days judicial custody after the court denied him bail. The Maliwal controversy cast a shadow over the AAP, with claims and counterclaims flying fast and thick. The issue garnered public attention and distracted the already embattled AAP from its campaign. On May 19, the last Sunday before the campaign ended for voting in Delhi, Kejriwal, along with party leaders, protested in front of the AAP office, challenging the BJP to arrest us all. However, all eyes are now on June 4. In case the results end up matching with exit pollsters grim forecast for AAP, the party will be in a tough spot as it centred its campaign on the Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se. Kejriwal during campaigning had said that people would vote for BJP if they wanted him to go back to jail and for the INDIA bloc if they wanted him to stay out of jail. Read The Latest Updates On Arvind Kejriwals Surrender Here. As Lok Sabha elections 2024 come to a close on June 1, top government sources have told CNN-News18 that a fake narrative against India is being spread by an Israel company. Sources say that it is a matter of serious concern. Sources in the Central Government have also said that they were aware that such a narrative was built on social media but it has now been confirmed by Meta itself. The government sources say that the credentials of the company clearly suggest that they are involved with opposition parties in Israel and Europe. We are in touch with our counterparts in Israel to know more, sources told CNN-News18. The matter is being investigated by the government and probe will verify if it is being done by opposition parties in India or some international agencies or countries are involved in spreading the narrative. These type of alerts were issued time to time in the past as many countries in the world dont want Narendra Modi to return as Prime Minister for third time, sources added. The results of the Lok Sabha election 2024 will be declared on June 4. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has claimed that it will win over 370 seats this election, a claim countered by the Opposition. Check detailed seat predictions based on Exit Poll Results 2024 LIVE . Get minute-by-minute updates on the exit polls from Andhra Pradesh. Just two days before the Election Commission is set to announce the results for the Lok Sabha Election 2024, both BJP and the INDIA bloc knocked on the doors of the poll body to ensure that all the guidelines are followed on June 4, when the votes polled in the seven-phase election will be counted. Pushing forward their demand, leaders from both the Opposition-led INDIA bloc and the Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday met the top officials of the Election Commission on Sunday. What INDIA Bloc Leaders Said? Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi, while briefing the media post the meeting, said that this was the third time when a delegation of leaders from the opposition visited the poll panel during the general elections. He further said that among other things, they urged the officials to ensure that the postal ballots are counted and their results declared before the results of the electronic voting machines (EVMs) are announced. While addressing the media, Singhvi said, This is the third multi-party delegation visiting the EC during this process. We spent time with the EC on two-three major issues. Most important was counting the postal ballots and declaring the results first. This is a very clearly stated statutory rule, which specifically says that you should take up the postal ballots first. Our complaint is that this guideline has been given a go-by. They have repealed the practice, he further stated. Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said they have urged the poll panel to ensure that its own guidelines are implemented, which includes ensuring that the control units of the EVMs are moved through CCTV-monitored corridors and a verification of the current date-and-time display of the control units is done. This verification is important because unless it is done, there is no authenticity that it is the same control unit that came from the polling booth, that it has not been changed, he said. Yechury also said the start and end time and date of the polling process should be checked on the control unit. The slips and tags that are put when an EVM is sealed should be shown to all the counting agents for verification. After pressing the button for the results, reconfirming the date of poll is not done that has to be ensured, he added. Senior leaders of the INDIA bloc met at the national capital on Saturday to discuss their strategy for the counting day. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however skipped the meeting. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who presided over the deliberations, said they would meet EC officials on Sunday to discuss certain issues. The opposition parties have asked their agents to monitor the vote-counting process closely on Tuesday and ensure that form 17C, which contains the number of votes recorded at each polling station, is shared with them. Piyush Goyal After Meeting ECI Union Minister Piyush Goyal, after meeting the Election Commission on Sunday said, We had to call upon ECI today, in light of the repeated attempts by a section of the political parties led by the Indian National Congress and their INDI alliance partners and certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of Indias electoral process. He further said that the oppositions efforts against Indias robust electoral process are a direct attack on the countrys democratic institutions. BJP Delegation Led By Nirmala Sitharaman Meets CEC & EC A delegation of BJP led by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners on Sunday in order to urge them to take four important steps. Elaborating on these four steps, BJP leader Piyush Goyal said, One is that we have requested EC every official engaged in the counting process be fully conversant with the minutest details of the prescribed process and engage diligently with all EC protocolssecond, to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of resultsthird, to take cognisance of the systematic attempts to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible. (with agency inputs) Read The Latest Updates On Arvind Kejriwals Surrender Here. Pune builder Vishal Agarwal and his wife Shivani were presented before a special holiday court on Sunday amid allegations that the family tried to cover-up the deadly accident by their son. The court granted police custody of the parents till June 5. Pune police had argued for a seven-day custody of Shivani Agarwal to probe who was given actual sample and syringe in the hospital to swap blood sample of the accused with his mothers. Pune police said that they want to cross-examine the doctors with the parents, and also collect CCTV footage. The 17-year-old boy, in an inebriated condition, drove his Porsche car and fatally knocked down two IT professionals travelling on a motorbike in Kalyani Nagar area of Maharashtras Pune city on May 19. The police have registered three separate cases in the matter. The cases include an FIR in connection with the accident and the second one against the bar that allegedly served liquor to the juvenile. Police have booked the boys father for allowing him to drive the car without a valid license. A third case is about the wrongful confinement and coercion of the family driver to take the blame for the accident. Latest Updates on Pune Porsche Accident Case: After being arrested on Saturday afternoon, the mother of the Porsche cars minor driver reportedly told the police that the doctors at Sassoon hospital told her to give her blood as sample instead of her sons. We have recorded the statement of the woman (49). She told us that the doctors of the hospital had told her to give her blood as sample instead of her sons. She feigned ignorance on why the doctors told her so, a Times of India report quoted Pune commissioner of police (CP) Amitesh Kumar. The 17-year-old accused was interrogated for an hour on Saturday, from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. While sources told News18 that he was evading questions, a report in Hindustan Times quoted police as saying that the teenager told them that as he was drunk at the time of the accident he could not remember anything. Amid the murky case, a fresh charge has come to light against the Sassoon hospital doctor accused in the matter. A retired customs commissioner has reportedly alleged that Dr Ajay Taware manipulated the gender test report of the formers daughter-in-law in a marital dispute five years ago. Talking to PTI, the retired official claimed that the doctor had played a role in fudging the gender test report of his estranged daughter-in-law. The customs officials son got married in 2013, but his daughter-in-law refused to have sexual relations with her husband, he said. When he checked her medical history and birth certificate at Aurangabad (now Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), her birthplace, the official found that she was born a male in 1984. After ten years, the municipal corporation issued a new birth certificate mentioning her gender as female. Read The Latest Updates On Lok Sabha Election 2024 Here. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, June 2. Kyrgyzstan imported 136,332 tons of oil products to Russia from January through March 2024, which is 2.2 times more than in the same period of 2023 (60,308 tons), Trend reports. According to the State Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the value of the imports reached $99.522 million, rising by 2.1 times compared to 46.805 million in January-March 2023. During the reporting period, Russia was the leading supplier of oil products to Kyrgyzstan. In second place, stood Kazakhstan with 21,076 tons for $15.284 million. Kyrgyzstan imported 162,774 tons of oil products from January through March 2024, which is 2.1 times more than in the same period of 2023 (74,821 tons). The value of the imports amounted to $123.383 million, which is 90.8 percent more than in JanuaryMarch 2023 ($64.667 million). To note, Kyrgyzstan's foreign trade turnover amounted to $3.723 billion from January through March 2024, which is 29.8 percent more than in the corresponding months of 2023. Exports amounted to $510.9 million, increasing by 12.8 percent compared to January through March 2023. Imports, compared to the same period in 2023, grew by 33 percent, reaching $3.213 billion. Ruchira Kamboj, Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, has announced that she is retiring after a distinguished career in Indian foreign service spanning over three decades. Kamboj, who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1987, is the first woman diplomat to occupy the position of Ambassador of India at the UN. Thank you, Bharat, for the extraordinary years and unforgettable experiences, the 60-year-old senior diplomat signed off with this message on her X handle. Thank you, Bharat , for the extraordinary years and unforgettable experiences. pic.twitter.com/VbkKlW6wOg Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) June 1, 2024 Kamboj, who was the All India womens topper of the 1987 Civil Services batch and the topper of the 1987 Foreign Service batch, formally assumed the position of Permanent Representative/ Ambassador of India to New York, on August 2, 2022. A regular on social media X highlighting Indias achievements at the UN, Kambojs post announcing her retirement was met with overwhelming response by people from all walks of life former ambassadors to common citizens. Today,have presented my credentials to the Secretary General of the United Nations @antonioguterres as Permanent Representative/Ambassador to the @UN. A privilege to be the first Indian woman to be given the honour to hold this positionTo the girls out there,we all can make it! pic.twitter.com/i1D7Qof2tc Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) August 2, 2022 A typical example was from a social media user Rohit Bansal, who said, 37 years of service, Sheer grace & steel Your impact shall endure. Speaking three languages, Hindi, English and French, Kamboj began her diplomatic journey in Paris as the Third Secretary in the Indian Embassy to France from 1989 to 1991. After postings at various locations, Kamboj first came here as Counsellor at Indias Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York from 2002-2005, where she dealt with a wide range of political issues, including UN Peacekeeping, UN Security Council Reform and the Middle East crisis. She also had a stint as the Deputy Head of the Office of the Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat London and from 2011-2014, she was Indias Chief of Protocol, the first and only lady so far in Government to have held this position. During her three-year stint at UNESCO, Paris, with many firsts to her credit, in May 2014, the Ministry of External Affairs called her on special assignment to New Delhi to direct the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which was marked by the presence of Heads of State and Government from the SAARC countries and Mauritius. (With agency inputs) Check detailed seat predictions based on Exit Poll Results 2024 LIVE . Get minute-by-minute updates on the exit polls from Andhra Pradesh. Actor Aamir Ali shared his first post since Sanjeeda Shaikh opened about her divorce from him. Over the weekend, the Heeramandi actress said she was blessed to have overcome her divorce with Aamir. While the actor hasnt addressed her statements, shortly after her interview released, he shared a selfie along with a comment about the weather. Staying chill in this weather But garmi toh hai bhai, he wrote while sharing a selfie on his Instagram Stories. He then revealed that he was off to New Delhi and was a showstopper of a fashion event. Aamir Ali and Sanjeeda Shaikh have been popular names in the Indian television industry for long. The couple dated for several years before tying the knot in 2012. The couple separated in 2020 after 8 years of marriage and were granted divorce in 2021. Sanjeeda has the custody of their daughter, Ayra Ali. Speaking about being a single mother, Sanjeeda told Hauterrfly, What is a single mother? I am a mother I just tell everyone that a mother is a mother, single or not does not matter. My responsibilities wont change. As a mother, what I have to do, I will do it. Addressing the divorce, she said, I feel I am very lucky (to have emerged from) whatever happened with me. Maybe I felt then that I was the most depressed person, or I was very sad, or, What is happening with me, what is happening with my life? But to overcome all of that and to be happy with this version of myself, I am blessed. There are men, and there are partners who try to demotivate you, who tell you that you cant do anything. Or they will say you will not be able to do this. Its better to be away from such people. There are phases in every relationship where you are happy, and then there are some when you are not, and then you take a call for your life and thats what I did for myself, because I started loving myself and I started prioritising myself and that is very, very important, she added. Popular reality show Bigg Boss OTT season 3 has already created a lot of buzz among the audience. This time the show is not being hosted by Salman Khan but by Anil Kapoor. The makers have already shared a promo which has nearly confirmed that the actor will be filling Salman Khans shoes. Well, they have shared another set of photos featuring a new host. However, in none of the promos or photos, face has been revealed. Taking to the Instagram handle, Jio cinema shared the photos and wrote, Tell us if youve ever seen such a good looking silhouette host #BiggBossOTT3 coming this June on JioCinema Premium. As soon as the photos were shared, fans were seen reacting. They have guessed and wrote Anil Kapoor in the comment section. Many dropped heart emojis and some even mentioned contestants. Take a look here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by JioCinema (@officialjiocinema) Recently, a promo video was shared and it was confirmed that Anil Kapoor is the new host. He has assured us that this season will be Khaas The video opens with fights between contestants and suddenly a man is seen entering the room. His face is not shown but from his voice, it is clear that he is Anil Kapoor. He asked to bring the chair and said Bahot hua jhakas, karte hai iss baar kuch khaas. Jio Cinema shared the video and wrote, A new host for the new season of Bigg Boss OTT! Aur Bigg Boss ki tarha, inki awaaz hi kaafi hai. The reality show will start in June. The date has not been shared. 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. Aamir Khans son, Junaid Khan, is all set to make his Bollywood debut this year. The actor is all set to star in the Netflix film Maharaj. Backed by Yash Raj Film, Maharaj is all set to release on June 14. The young star kid has also begun work for his second film, where he would be starring next to Khushi Kapoor. While he celebrates his birthday today, he is busy shooting for his second film. A source close to the actor shared,Junaid is so dedicated and committed to his craft that even on his birthday, Junaid will be shooting the whole day for his untitled next with Khushi Kapoor. It would be interesting to see the two actors sharing the screen space for the first time and showcase their talent. Junaids decision to have a working birthday highlights his passion for acting. Fans and industry insiders are eagerly anticipating the collaboration between Junaid and Khushi, as their on-screen chemistry promises to bring something fresh and exciting to the table. Junaid has been extremely busy, wrapped up his projects one after the other. No breather! His debut film Maharaj, co-starring Jaideep Ahlawat, is set to release on 14th June on Netflix. In addition to Maharaj, Junaid also has another film with Sai Pallavi, which shot in Japan. Stills from this project went viral earlier a few months ago, generating significant buzz. Currently, Junaid is focused on his untitled project with Khushi. This collaboration has piqued the interest of fans who are keen to see how the young actors complement each other on screen. With both actors hailing from illustrious film families, their pairing is highly anticipated. Maharaj, directed by Siddharth P. Malhotra and co-starring Jaideep Ahlawat, Sharvari Wagh, and Shalini Pandey in pivotal roles, is said to be inspired by the 1862 Maharaja Libel Case. It revolves around a religious leader who sued a newspaper for alleging inappropriate relationships with his female followers. Junaid portrays a journalist in the movie. Veteran filmmaker Mani Ratnam requires no introduction. Well known for his exceptional contributions to Indian cinema, his films frequently explore socio-political concerns against the backdrop of intense human connections. Not just that, the director has also worked with some of the leading stars in the industry, creating characters that are relatable with his amazing storytelling skills. On the occasion of his birthday, here are some must-see films that best demonstrate his directing abilities. RojaIt is a film that combines the sweetness of love with the grim realities of politics. It recounts the lives of Roja, a woman from a small Indian town whose husband is kidnapped by militants during their honeymoon in Kashmir. With Mani Ratnams direction and AR Rahmans soul-stirring soundtrack, the film turned out to be a big hit, even bagging three National Awards. BombayThe films story follows a Hindu man and a Muslim woman who fall in love and travel to Bombay, only to find themselves caught up in the 1992 Bombay riots. Mani Ratnam skillfully depicts the communal tension, heartbreaking bloodshed and human cost of religious prejudice in the backdrop of the Babri Masjid demolition. Dil SeA riveting story about love and obsession set against the backdrop of Northeast Indias insurgency. Mani Ratnam shows how a radio journalist falls in love with a mystery woman who has a tragic history. The movie is an all-time classic and the album composed by AR Rahman is still on many playlists. AnjaliThe film brings attention to the mental pain and challenges that parents face while raising a child with an intellectual disability. Mani Ratnam shows how children with special needs are discriminated against in a judgemental society. Mouna RagamMouna Ragam attempts to decipher complex feelings in a problematic arranged marriage. It shows the story of a young woman who is married to another man while still trying to recover from the death of her lover. Upcoming Projects While Mani Ratnams legacy is long, the filmmaker tries to bring something new to the screen with each release. He is now preparing for his upcoming film, titled Thug Life. An action film, it will feature actor Kamal Hasaan. Raaj Kamal Films International will co-produce Thug Life with Madras Talkies. Jayam Ravi, Trisha, Dulquer Salmaan, Abhirami, and Nasser are part of the films ensemble cast. Mani Ratnam will work alongside cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, editor Sreekar Prasad and music composer AR Rahman. A man was arrested by Navi Mumbai police from Haryana in connection with a plot to attack actor Salman Khan, taking the number of persons held in the case to five, an official said on Sunday. He is allegedly a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar gangs, the official said. Earlier, the Panvel police had arrested four persons after getting a tip off in September-October last year about a conspiracy to harm the actor. The probe included infiltrating social media groups of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, police said. In an official release, Navi Mumbai police said Deepak Hawasingh Gogalia @ Jonny Walmiki (30) was arrested from Bhiwani in Haryana on Saturday. It said Gogalia had made accommodation arrangements for the other accused as well as providing logistical and vehicle support. Gogalia was in touch with the other accused through video calls, it added. The release said he was nabbed after Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 11), Panvel, Vivek Pansare sought the help of Bhiwani SP Varun Singhala and a Crime Branch team from Navi Mumbai left for the northern state. Gogalia was produced before a magistrate in Bhiwani on Sunday, who granted Navi Mumbai police transit remand till June 5, the release said, adding he was being brought to Panvel. On Saturday, DCP Pansare had told media that Panvel police station senior inspector Nitin Thackeray got inputs in September-October last year about a conspiracy to harm the actor. Their probe found that four gang members had recced Salman Khans farmhouse in Panvel, the area around his home at Bandra in Mumbai and places he visited for film shooting, the DCP had said. In April, a case was registered a case against 17 persons, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, he had said. Dhananjay Tapesingh, alias Ajay Kashyap (28) was arrested from Panvel on April 28, while Gaurav Bhatia, alias Sandeep Bishnoi, was taken into custody from Gujarat on the same day, the official said on Saturday. Vaspi Khan, alias Waseem Chikna, was picked from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Rizwan Khan, alias Javed Khan, was arrested from Bangalore. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections, including 120-B (conspiracy) and 506 (criminal intimidation), Pansare had told reporters. Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in the Sabarmati central prison in Gujarats Ahmedabad, while Anmol Bishnoi is believed to be in the US or Canada. On April 14, two bike-borne men fired multiple rounds outside Khans home Galaxy Apartments in Mumbais Bandra. The shooters, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, were arrested from Gujarat. Their associates Sonu Bishnoi and Anuj Thapan, who allegedly delivered weapons to the shooters, were nabbed later from Punjab. Thapan allegedly hanged himself in a police lock-up here on May 1. Mumbai police subsequently made more arrests in the case. Bollywood actress Raveena Tandon was attacked on Saturday night after a group of women claimed she and her driver assaulted three women, allegedly including an elderly lady. A shocking video has surfaced online showing the actress being attacked by a group of women. The video, surfaced on X, showed the actress begging the group to not hit her. Please dont hit me, Raveena said while defending herself from the women. A CCTV footage has confirmed that Raveenas car did not hit the women and Raveena had engaged with the women to defend her driver. For more info: Raveena Tandon Attacked After Woman Accuses Her of Assault, Begs Dont Hit Me In Shocking Video Heeramandi actress Sanjeeda Shaikh shared a shocking incident that took place with her when she was at a night club. The actress, in a new interview, revealed she was groped by a woman. She revealed that the unidentified woman felt up her breasts, leaving Sanjeeda stunned. She dubbed it as a violation of privacy. I remember one incident very vaguely but it was by a girl. I was in a nightclub. One girl was passing by and she just touched my breast and she left, Sanjeeda told Hauterrfly. I was kind of taken aback, like what just happened. We hear men smack you on the back and they misbehave, ladkiyaan koi kum nahi hai (women are no less), she added. For more info: Sanjeeda Shaikh Says a Woman Groped Her: She Touched My Breast; Ladkiyaan Koi Kum Nahi Hai Malaika Arora and Arbaaz Khan met and fell in love in their early 20s. They got married in December 1998 and welcomed their first child together, Arhaan, in November 2002. The couple took the internet by shock when they separated after 19 years of marriage. Malaika had revealed on her show, Moving In With Malaika, that it was her who proposed to Arbaaz and she got married to him only because she wanted to get out of her house. For more info: When Malaika Arora Recalled the Night Before Her Divorce With Arbaaz Khan: My Family Asked Me After almost 6 years, Preity Zinta is all set to make a comeback in films with her highly anticipated Bollywood project Lahore 1947. The actress would be seen sharing screen space with Sunny Deol for the same. She recently wrapped shooting for the film and has now shared a bundle of BTS photos in a video montage on her Instagram handle. She also penned a heartfelt note. For more info: Preity Zinta Wraps Shooting For Lahore 1947, Says Definitely The Toughest Film I Have Worked On; Watch For the past few months, there has been a lot of speculation about Adah Sharma moving into the late actor Sushant Singh Rajputs apartment in Mumbai. Recently, the actress addressed these rumors and confirmed that she relocated to the residence four months ago. Adah shared that she now feels completely at home in her new surroundings. For more info: Adah Sharma Shifts Into Sushant Singh Rajputs Former Apartment, Says It Gives Me Positive Vibes Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri will be sharing screen space for the first time in Bad Newzz. The film titled Bad Newz is all set to hit the theatres this July. However, looks like ahead of the release, they have bagged another film and will be collaborating again. Speculations have sparked after they were spotted together outside Karan Johars office. The duo were snapped while exiting the office. Triptii opted for a white colour skirt and top. She looked beautiful in simple and minimalistic makeup. While Vicky looked dapped in casuals. Both were seen posing for the camera. Videos also went viral. In March, Karan Johar announced on his Instagram handle and wrote, Get ready for the most entertaining hungama a hilarious once in a billion situation awaitsa comedy inspired by true events!! #BadNewz IN CINEMAS 19th July 2024! Ammy Virk is also part of the film. Take a look at the photos here: Last year, several photos of Vicky Kaushal and Triptii Dimri went viral when they were shooting in Croatia. In the pictures, Vicky Kaushal was seen holding Triptii close as they shoot for the song. In one of the photos, the actor was also seen lifting the Animal star in his arms. The upcoming entertainer is being helmed by Bandish Bandits fame director Anand Tiwari. Triptii Dimri will be seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 with Kartik Aaryan. The film is releasing on Diwali. She also has film with Rajkummar Rao titled Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video. Directed by Raaj Shaandilyaa, the retro drama will be releasing on 11 October 2024. Vicky Kaushal on the other hand was last seen in Sam Bahadur. Apart from Bad Newz, he will also be seen in Chhava. The film is reported to be a period drama, where Kaushal will share the screen with Rashmika Mandanna. The film is expected to delve into Sambhaji Maharajs bravery, sacrifice, and wartime strategies while incorporating an emotional love story between him and his wife. In a scene toward the beginning of Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Padmaavat (2018), when Malik Kafur is presented to Alauddin Khilji, the latter intoxicatedly walks around the former and asks, Naam kya hai? Kafur answers, Malik Kafur, huzoor. But Khilji, the savage aesthete, is not interested in knowing his name itr ka, he asks instead. Jannat-ul-Firdaus, Kafur promptly replies. In the second episode of Bhansalis latest web series, Heeramandi (2024), Nawab Tajdar, in a frantic desire to find the girl he is smitten by, visits a perfumery with Alamzebs handkerchief and asks the perfumer to recognise the fragrance. He hopes to follow the trail of her scent to reach his beloved. The perfumer is quick to recognise the scent its Jannat-ul-Firdaus. One thing is established for certain: in the multiverse of Bhansalis films, the queer slave and the tawaif/courtesan smell the same. The ambrosial fragrance of their bodies makes heads turn. At a symbolic level, Bhansali seems to be suggesting that a tawaif and a queer person have similar erotic and aesthetic choices. This is the queerness of the tawaif and the tawaifness of the queer! The tawaifs of Bombay cinema have always been inspirational and aspirational figures for generations of queer people in India and its diaspora. Madhubala in Mughal-e-Azam (1960), Meena Kumari in Pakeezah (1972), and Rekha in Umrao Jaan (1981) each of these female stars who were the divas of popular Hindi films have been queer icons despite playing ostensibly heterosexual characters on screen. So pivotal is their presence in queer subcultures that in 2014, the BFI Flare LGBT Film Festival in London screened both Mughal-e-Azam and Pakeezah. In March 2018, Kitty Su the queer nightclub in New Delhi organised A Night of 1000 Rekhas where drag queens and other queers paid tribute to the legendary Queen of Bombay cinema by performing and dancing to Rekhas songs. The opening performance at the queer Bollywood dance party, hosted at the Hydrate Nightclub in Chicago last month, was Sakal Ban from Heeramandi where a drag artist (dressed as tawaif/courtesan) meticulously imitated the classical dance steps as choreographed for Bhansalis web series. The figure of the courtesan/tawaif features repeatedly in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis films. Modelled after the iconic tawaifs of Bombay cinema, Bhansalis courtesans be it Chandramukhi in Devdas (2002), Gulaabji in Saawariya (2007), Mastani in Bajirao Mastani (2015), the eponymous heroine of Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022), and the feisty tawaifs of Heeramandi (2024) militate against the normative expectations of love, romance, and kinship structures. While on one hand, they long for and desire the comforts of heterosexual coupledom, and use their adaa (grace), nakhra (coquetry), natkhat (naughtiness), and nazakat (delicacy), to seduce and woo their patrons, on the other hand, each of them is excluded from the script of traditional heterosexual romance. When Paro tells Chandramukhi, tawaifo ke taqdeer mein shauhar nahi hote, the latter responds, tawaifo ke toh taqdeer hi nahi hote indicating that the courtesan functions outside the status quoist frames of normative femininity and does not partake of a future rooted in conservative domesticity. To this extent, Bhansalis courtesans exude queer energy in defying heteronormative expectations that are placed on women. A noted queer theorist, David Halperin, observes that traditional gay male culture consistently delights in excessive, grotesque, artificial, undignified, revolting, abject portrayals of femininity, and it seeks its own reflection in them. Historically, in the nineteenth century, the colonial administration in India turned the tawaif into a stigmatised, abject, and diseased figure. Between 1864 and 1871, the British parliament passed a series of legislations that abjected and criminalised not just courtesans and tawaifs, but also sodomites and gender minorities. While the Contagious Diseases Acts of 1864, 1866, and 1869 constructed the figure of the courtesan as criminal, diseased, infected, and morally and sexually dangerous, the Criminal Tribes Act of 1871 criminalised indigenous communities, tribal groups, and third genders and eunuchs. In the same decade, the British parliament introduced Section 377 in the Indian Penal Code which criminalised sodomy in the Indian subcontinent from 1860. These legislations made queers and courtesans bedfellows in being sexual and social outcasts which possibly explains their proximity and fondness for one another. However, bureaucratic regulations alone do not explain the proximity between queers and courtesans, and the queer subcultural fascination with tawaifs. The noted queer historian, Saleem Kidwai, recounts the popularity that Begum Akhtar, who transitioned from a tawaif to the Queen of Ghazal, enjoyed among gay men. Kidwai notes, Every gay man I knew then, was in love with her music. I mean for gay men, her lyrics which were mostly about heartbreak and longing, made a lot of sense Gay men knew all about the agony of being in love. It was the reason why Meena Kumari was so popular with gay men too. Begum Akhtars friendship with and fandom among Saleem Kidwai and Agha Shahid Ali, the celebrated queer poet, is a fairly well-known story. After her passing, Agha Shahid Ali wrote, She wears her grief, a moon soaked white; / corners the sky into disbelief. Gay mens idealisation of women like Meena Kumari, Rekha, and Begum Akhtar, who are the symbols of heartbreak, abject femininity, and the art of excess, confirms Halperins remark that queers possibly find their reflection in them. Moreover, these icons, as Hoshang Merchant reminds us, have gay image-makers. They are literally an invention of the gay man viz., the dress-designer, hair stylist, choreographer or the make-up man. The queer appeal of these heroines tawaifs on and off screen therefore, traverse a range of reasons. After watching Heeramandi, two of my gay male friends made the following observations. One of them said, If as a kid, I was obsessed with the final scene of Devdas (2002) where Paro runs down the stairs of an endless corridor with the overlong pallu of her saree trailing behind her, Heeramandi made me obsessed with Bibbojaans gajagamini walk and the way she impeccably and seductively sways her gait. Another friend remarked, I wish I was a tawaif at Heeramandi; like those courtesans, I long to lie down on a bed of jewels and ornaments. There is something fundamentally arresting about these scenes: besides their grandeur, opulence, and dauntless beauty, these scenes are animated by helplessness, delicate vulnerability, and nazakat of the courtesan. The epic proportions of Bhansalis frames allow these tawaifs to turn their grief into gorgeousness, and their sadness into seduction. This is the queer appeal of Bhansalis kotha: here sorrow and melancholy are conveyed through such luxuriant visuals and a riot of colours, that agony starts seeming desirable and sexy! In a recent interview given to Baradwaj Rangan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali observes that he imagines Heeramandi as an ongoing dialogue with other courtesan films like Kalidas Adalat, K. Asifs Mughal-e-Azam, and Kamal Amrohis Pakeezah. Produced under the shadow of these films, which are now considered queer cult classics, it can be safely assumed that Heeramandi too can be seen and read as a queer web series. This is true for the other courtesan films by Bhansali as well. Even though there are occasional queer characters in his films, such as Malik Kafur in Padmaavat, Raziabai in Gangubai Kathiawadi, or Ustaadji in Heeramandi, they are not the only signals of queerness. Queerness is not as much an identity as it is an energy in an SLB film. Much like the form of the Broadway Musical with its emphasis on dance and music, excessive sentimentality and melodrama which many commentators have read as having queer effects, Bhansalis films too exude queerness effectively, sensorially, politically, erotically, and aesthetically. Chandramukhis ability to dance in the face of emotional pain or Lajjos heart-wrenching song and dance as her lover marries another woman allows an escape from our ordinary and commonsensical understanding of things into a fantasy world of alternate realities. These films are queerer than queer, and their queerness is not in their portrayal of queer identity, but in their realisation and expression of queer desire that is so illogical, unconventional, and excessive that it cannot be understood by commonsense. Rahul Sen is a PhD candidate in the Department of English at Tufts University. His research areas include queer studies, psychoanalysis, literature, and films. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. India concluded its monumental 2024 general election, a seven-phase mega-democratic event spanning over six weeks. Approximately 963 million registered voters across the nation cast their ballots, deciding the fate of 543 parliamentary candidates. The election primarily witnessed a fierce contest between the ruling BJP, with Narendra Modi seeking a third consecutive term as Prime Minister, and the Opposition INDI alliance, spearheaded by the Congress party. Both sides engaged in rigorous campaigning, utilising social media to propagate their ideologies and mobilise public opinion, while also conducting extensive offline campaigns through rallies, public meetings, and roadshows. Should exit polls prove accurate, the BJPs likely victory would defy predictions of volatility, marking a historic third term for Modi. TMCs Advertent Pre-Election Misgivings The people of Bengal need political stability and a violence-free environment. The only solution to bring peace in Bengal is the routing of the TMC permanently. Just 48 hours before the sixth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, in Nandigram, in the Purba Medinipur district, a woman worker of the BJP was allegedly killed by the TMC workers and seven other people were brutally injured. This incident, occurring even as the nation voted, highlights the urgent need for change. Let us not forget the shocking incident of Sandeshkhali, where several women from the tribal and Dalit communities complained about the physical, social and economic atrocities which involved land grab and sexual assault perpetrated on them by TMC strongman, Sheikh Shahjahan and his henchmen over several years. The matter is being investigated by the CBI. Shahjahan is behind bars on the charges of attacking a team of the ED who was raiding his residence. Following a policy of extreme appeasement to the minority, Mamata Banerjee has taken innumerable policy measures harming the interests of the Hindus. The latest Calcutta High Court order, invalidating the post-2010 list of OBC categories, which involved the unconstitutional inclusion of Muslims into the OBC list is another blow to her disposition. In various instances, Mamata Banerjee has taken naked anti-Hindu positions, whereby she has not only made outrageous comments on the honourable monks of the Ramakrishna Mission but also her statement on how Durga Puja should be celebrated as a festival (Durgotsav) rather than a religious celebration. Himanta Biswa Sarma has candidly criticised Mamata Banerjee on her attempt to reduce the Shakti Puja to a mere carnival, in his campaigns in West Bengal. Mamata Banerjee must reckon with the historical fact that the freedom fighters used the community Durga pujas during the 1910s and 1940s to promote the Swadeshi movement. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was associated with Simla Byayam Samity, Baghbazar Sarbojanin puja and several others. He also presided over the puja committees of Kumartuli Sarbojanin Durgotsav, Adi Lake Pally and 47 Pally. He also practised stick fights on Beerashtami. Till 1919, he participated in the community pujas. These experiences might have motivated his later engagements against the British colonialists. Regarding TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sushmita Devs comment on the issue that the people associated with puja mandaps in upper Assam do not even know how to write Bengali this statement is embedded in anti-Assamese sentiments despite her representing Assams Silchar LS constituency. Durga Puja, contrary to common belief, is not a cultural transplant to Assam by the Bengali community. The ASI site of Ambari in Guwahati shows evidence of Durga statue ateliers dating back to the 11th century AD. Assams rich cultural heritage of temple architecture and sculptures can be traced back to the Gupta period, as seen in the Da-Parvatiya and Surya Pahar complex of Goalpara. Himanta Biswa Sarmas political campaigns in West Bengal unravel the shameful power game of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC dispensation and shake its anti-Hindu and hooliganistic disposition. How Sarma Re-Calibrates His Campaigns Himanta Biswa Sarma is more than just a star campaigner for the BJP; he is an exceptional leader and public speaker. He possesses an uncanny knack for engaging audiences during meetings and rallies. His approach to interaction is innovative and dialogue-driven, offering a fresh paradigm through the application of Motivating Language Theory (MLT). His diverse use of motivating language correlates strongly with both his effectiveness as a leader and the active participation he elicits from stakeholders. This blend of direct guidance and motivational rhetoric shapes how his political base perceives his leadership. Sarmas model of governance and public service delivery, following that of Prime Minister Modis approach, prioritises a citizen-centric focus, aiming to reach a broad social base across Assam and the nation, spurring community action. The inclusion of individual success stories by the CM on his official X handle as a motivator is another attribute in the motivational dimension. He acknowledges efforts made in the remotest corner of Assam, across communities and genders, by referring to individual efforts and excellence in diverse fields. This undeniably helps the state and the nation in turn to reach a level of collective excellence. Political Engagement on Social Media More than traditional media, social media can amplify and mobilise political opinions, reaching even the remotest geographical areas. Its unique value lies in allowing for both mass messaging and micro-targeting. Bolstered by grassroots campaigning, Himanta Biswa Sarma is effectively leveraging this power, as it is immensely powerful in moulding public opinion both within India and beyond, thus facilitating civic engagement for a more participatory democracy. However, social media is also misused for propaganda and hate speech, providing fodder for political polarisation, particularly in heterogeneous societies like India. Unfortunately, the democratisation of social media as a political communication platform in India has not been matched by its professionalisation as a reliable information-sharing one. Unimpeded by the gatekeeping functions of traditional media, which strive for content accuracy and responsible reporting ethics, social media can often be inaccurate and divisive. This rapidly changing media environment profoundly impacts Indian elections. Both the BJP and INDI alliances social media campaigns risk deepening societal fault lines, though in distinct ways. While the INDI alliance often accuses the ruling BJP of communal polarisation, the facts rest on the plank that the INC-led INDI alliance is plunging deeper into a polarising tactic of fear, nihilism and the propagandistic use of the persecution psychosis among the Muslims, and of late among the so-called Hindu lower castes in India. NaMo App: A Participatory Revolution Political parties use social media to engage directly and continuously with voters. The BJP has gravitated towards an app-based political program, primarily the Narendra Modi (NaMo) app and WhatsApp. The NaMo app exemplifies Modis governing style of directly calling on citizens to participate in government policies and volunteer for his programs. Mann Ki Baat (PM Modis monthly radio talk), reflects the collective conscience of the nation, wherein he confidently exudes the importance of perseverance and collective action. The more citizens participate, the more citizenship points they accrue, creating personal investment in both the PM and the BJP. Mann Ki Baat embodies a paradigm of power and leadership rooted in dialogue. Prime Minister Modis interactive style is arguably more effective than other political leadership models, including populist ones, for navigating governance in this age of hyper-mediatisation. Over successive episodes, Mann Ki Baat has become a striking example of media convergence. All India Radio serves as its primary broadcasting channel, complemented by TV and digital platforms. The program has captured the imagination of countless people by fostering a sense of serious, discursive engagement. Through it, Modi aims to motivate disciplined action, on both individual and societal levels, towards a wide array of objectives. These range from the everyday routines of ordinary citizens to good governance practices, sustainable development, and gender parity all while acknowledging the complexities of Indias socio-political landscape. It delivers a sharp critique of the BJP governments targets, including the leader himself. The program also provides a running report card on government performance, frequently updating citizens on the progress of existing schemes, service delivery, and the challenges faced by the administration in implementing them. Himanta Biswa Sarmas electoral engagements with the public stand out for their fresh approach, interweaving political discourse and public speeches with lighter moments of dance, song, and electoral slogans (Aakou ebar Modi sarkar in Assamese). This creates a deeper connection with his political base. Social capital is the latest conceptual attempt to account for democracys persistence and, when it actualises, it turns into a prudential success. It also encompasses an essential element of democracys performance, i.e. leadership capital. Leadership capital consists of the competence, integrity, and capacities for performance that leaders may have or bring to bear on societys problems. However, it is grounded and unfolds in a societys culture and psychology. And here, the BJP is unsurpassable, considering the successful political leaders it has given to India, where PM Modi tops the list, followed by others along with the incumbent Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, June 2. A total of 80 projects valued at $14 billion have been formed in Uzbekistan's Bukhara region, in which foreign investors and local entrepreneurs are investing, Trend reports. According to the Uzbek president's office, companies from China, Russia, Turkiye, Germany, Saudi Arabia, India, Malaysia, South Korea, and other countries are investing in these projects. The projects are implemented in such industries as construction materials, electrical engineering, chemistry, textiles, food, pharmaceuticals, medicine, mining, fish farming, and others. Within the framework of the projects, it is planned to build a 600 MW wind power plant in Uzbekistan's Gijduvan district in cooperation with China, develop graphite deposits and organize the production of batteries for electric scooters in Peshkun district with the participation of Malaysian investors, as well as create a chemical cluster in Bukhara district with Iranian investors. These 80 projects will provide employment for more than 22,200 people. Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Masdar have signed an agreement for a $46.5 million loan to construct the Nur Bukhara solar power plant with a battery energy storage system in Uzbekistan's Bukhara region. According to the ADB, the financing package includes $26.5 million from the ADB's ordinary capital resources and $20 million from Leading Asias Private Infrastructure Fund, managed by the ADB. Additionally, ADB mobilized $26.5 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Parallel lenders include the International Finance Corporation, the Canada-IFC Blended Climate Finance Program, and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank. Arvind Kejriwal Surrendered On Scheduled Date, He Is Not Afraid Of Going To Jail: Atishi Delhi Minister Atishi said, We want to thank the Supreme Court for granting Arvind Kejriwal a bail for 21 days. In these 21 days, he campaigned for the INDIA alliance and today, respecting the judiciary, Arvind Kejriwal has surrendered on the scheduled date. He is not afraid of going to jail Arvind Kejriwal Sent To Judicial Custody Till June 5 Delhi Court on Sunday sent Arvind Kejriwal to judicial custody till June 5. The Court noted that the ED recently moved an application seeking Judicial Custody of the Delhi chief minister. The application was pending as he was on interim bail. Today after his surrender, the application was taken by the Duty Judge of Rouse Avenue Court. The concerned Judicial sent him to judicial custody till June 5. Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Surrenders At Tihar Jail As Bail Period Ends Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday surrendered at Tihar Jail after his interim bail came to an end on June 2. Kejriwal was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10 following his arrest in connection to the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy scam case. Arvind Kejriwal Will Come Out Of Jail Once The 'Dictatorship' Ends On June 4: Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Delhi Minister Gopal Rai said, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was out on bail granted by Supreme Court for 21 days. He has gone back to jail and I hope that after 4th June, once the dictatorship ends, he will come out soonThe entire country is raising questions on the exit pollThe result will come on June 4. Arvind Kejriwal Surrenders In Tihar Jail Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal surrendered in Tihar jail on Sunday at the end of his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. Arvind Kejriwal Will be Soon Out Of Jail With Satyendra Jain And Manish Sisodia: Punjab Minister Balbir Singh Punjab Minister and AAP candidate from Patiala constituency, Balbir Singh said, It is Punjabs culture that whenever someone goes to jail to safeguard the freedom of the country, it is a moment of pride and at the same time we get emotional. So we all get together to see off the person The result will be out in two days and soon he will come out of jail with Satyendra Jain and Manish Sisodia Arvind Kejriwal is our source of inspiration. We feel energised whenever we meet him The exit poll is nowhere close to ground reality We have contested all 13 seats in Punjab and we hope to win atleast 10. Arvind Kejriwal Has Landed On Earth To Implement Ideology Of Babasaheb Ambedkar: AAP Legal Cell State President Sanjeev Nasiar AAP Legal Cell State President Sanjeev Nasiar said, We are law-abiding citizens. Kejriwal Ji always respects the law Arvind Kejriwal has become a thought now We have always faced opportunities and we are not going to be afraid of it. We are the soldiers of Arvind Kejriwal. He is a follower of Bhagat Singh. He has landed on earth to implement the ideology of Babasaheb Ambedkar Fake Exit Polls, BJP Trying To Manipulate EVMs: Arvind Kejriwal Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal said, Exit polls for 2024 Lok Sabha Elections have come out yesterday. Take it in writing, all these exit polls are fake. One exit poll gave 33 seats to BJP in Rajasthan whereas there are only 25 seats thereThe real issue is why they had to do a fake exit poll 3 days before the day of counting. There are several theories regarding this, one of them is that they are trying to manipulate the machines (EVMs) I Not Going To Jail Because I Oppose Tanashahi: Arvind Kejriwal I am going to jail again not because I am corrupt but because I have opposed Tanashahi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. Arvind Kejriwal Expresses Gratitude To SC For Giving Him 21 Days Time To Campaign Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, while party workers before going back to Tihar Jail on Sunday, said he was thankful to the Supreme Court for giving him 21 days time to campaign during the Lok Sabha election 2024. Supreme Court granted me bail for 21 days to campaign for elections. I want to thank SC for that. Today, I am going to Tihar Jail again. I did not waste even a minute of these 21 days. I did not campaign only for AAP but for various parties. I went to Mumbai, Haryana, UP, JharkhandAAP is not important, for us the country is important. I want to say to the people of Delhi that I am going to jail again, not because I have done a scam but because I have raised my voice against dictatorshipPM Modi accepted this in front of the country that he does not have any evidence against me, he said. Emotional Moment For Us: AAP Leader Sanjay Singh On Arvind Kejriwal's Return to Jail AAP leader Sanjay Singh on Sunday called Arvind Kejriwals return to Tihar jail an emotional moment. The party is going through a tough time, a tough exam. Today, our mukhiya (chief) will have to go to jail again. He has taken the blessings of Mahatma Gandhi and at Bajrangbali s temple, took the blessings of God. He is the first CM in independent India to take care of people, Singh said. We Hope Arvind Kejriwal Be Released From Jail Soon: Delhi Minister Gopal Rai Delhi Minister and AAP leader Gopal Rai said, Today Arvind Kejriwal is going back to jail again, we hope that he will be released from jail soonhe will come here and speak to all party workers and then we will also accompany himwe have been working for people and we will keep doing that Arvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: Delhi CM, Wife Offer Prayers at Hanuman Temple Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his wife Sunita Kejriwal offered prayers at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place. He will return to Tihar jail later in the day at the end of his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in the liquor policy scam case. Arvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: BJP Leader Detained For Protesting Against Delhi CM at Raj Ghat BJP leaders including Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva detained by police for protesting against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, outside Rajghat. Virendraa Sachdeva says He removed Mahatma Gandhis portrait from his office and is now visiting Rajghat. The people of Delhi are suffering because of water shortage and he is doing drama here. We will protest against Arvind Kejriwal. #WATCH | BJP leaders including Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva detained by police for protesting against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, outside Rajghat. Virendraa Sachdeva says He removed Mahatma Gandhis portrait from his office and is now visiting Rajghat. The people of Delhi pic.twitter.com/Yq3bW6seLn ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 Arvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: Delhi CM Reaches Hanuman Temple, Will Address Party Workers Next Before Going To Tihar Jail Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his wife Sunita Kejriwal offer prayers at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place. Arvind Kejriwal will surrender at Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted by Supreme Court to campaign for Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was asked to surrender to Tihar jail on June 2. #WATCH | Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his wife Sunita Kejriwal offer prayers at Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place. Arvind Kejriwal will surrender at Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted by Supreme Court to campaign for Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He pic.twitter.com/92gkd3oSct ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 Arvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: Delhi CM Pays Tribute To Mahatma Gandhi At Raj Ghat Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, his wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP leaders pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat ahead of Arvind Kejriwals surrender at the Tihar Jail at the end of his interim bail by Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was asked to surrender to Tihar jail on June 2. #WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, his wife Sunita Kejriwal and AAP leaders pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat ahead of Arvind Kejriwals surrender at the Tihar Jail at the end of his interim bail by Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha pic.twitter.com/YRADGkbQqE ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 Arvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: Delhi CM Leaves Raj Ghat, Will Visit Hanuman Temple Next Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, his wife Sunita Kejriwal, Delhi ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot and other AAP leaders leave from Rajghat. Arvind Kejriwal will surrender at the Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was asked to surrender to Tihar jail on June 2. #WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, his wife Sunita Kejriwal, Delhi ministers Atishi, Saurabh Bharadwaj, Kailash Gahlot and other AAP leaders leave from Rajghat. Arvind Kejriwal will surrender at the Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim pic.twitter.com/MjfLxqtr5d ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 rvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: Delhi CM Reaches Raj Ghat Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal reaches Rajghat. He will surrender at the Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was asked to surrender to Tihar jail on June 2. #WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal reaches Rajghat. He will surrender at the Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was asked to surrender to Tihar pic.twitter.com/Do89umlUFp ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 Arvind Kejriwal Surrender LIVE: Delhi CM Leaves For Raj Ghat Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal leaves from his residence, for the Rajghat. He will surrender at the Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was asked to surrender to Tihar jail on June 2. #WATCH | Delhi CM and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal leaves from his residence, for the Rajghat. He will surrender at the Tihar Jail later today at the end of his interim bail granted to him by the Supreme Court to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections on May 10. He was pic.twitter.com/JmALYcFyQN ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 With just two days left for the announcement of Lok Sabha Election results, Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana on Sunday stirred a major controversy in the political battleground of the state claiming that Uddhav Thackeray is likely to join the BJP-led NDA after it secures power at the Centre again for the third time in a row. The results for the Lok Sabha polls is set to be announced on June 4. Uddhav Thackeray is set to join PM Modis government within 20 days after the swearing-in ceremony of the NDA, Maharashtra MLA Ravi Rana told CNN-News18. Stating that he had earlier predicted Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawars exit from Shiv Sena and NCP accurately, the MLA asserted, I know, this time as well, I will be right. The Prime Minister had said that a window is always open for Uddhav Thackeray as he is Balasaheb Thackerays son. I am sure that Uddhav will use this window to come back to BJP, the MLA said. Will Uddhav Join Hands With NDA? While Uddhav Thackeray has been seen standing in unity with the Opposition-led INDIA bloc, a twist in Maharashtra politics was stirred by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he signalled an olive branch to Uddhav Thackeray during an interview with a news channel. I can never forget the love and affection of Balasaheb Thackeray towards me, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi when asked if he considers former Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray as the rightful heir to Balasaheb Thackeray. PM Modi said he will always be grateful to Balasaheb Thackeray and can never speak against him and added hell be the first to help Uddhav if hes in trouble. However, in response to PM Modis statement, Uddhav Thackeray said, Even if the doors are open, do whatever you want. I will not come to you. And there will be no need to come back to you because you will not be there (in power). Notably, the BJP government in 2022 pulled off the split in the Shiv Sena which led to the fall of his government in Maharashtra making rebel Sena leader Eknath Shinde as the Chief Minister of the state. Read The Latest Updates On Lok Sabha Election 2024 Here. After returning from a four-star holiday in Egypt, British traveller Olivia Hartley battled for her life due to hepatitis, allegedly caused by the resorts poor hygiene. Hartley, spent 1,400 (approximately Rs 1.50 Lakh) on an EasyJet package to Hurghada in September 2023 with her fiance, Thomas Winn. After their week-long vacation, both fell ill, Thomas vomited six times on the flight, while Olivia had diarrhoea 48 hours after she returned home in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. Her condition worsened, as she was unable to consume food or water for three days and was hospitalized due to dehydration. Doctors discovered abnormal liver and kidney functions, which required urgent treatment to save her life. As per Lad Bible, Olivia explained, The food hygiene at the hotel was terrible. There were birds everywhere, food lay stagnant for a long, long time, they just poured new food on top of old food that had been out for hours. On the last day, me and my fiance both had a bit of a funny tummy. On the plane home, my partner vomited about six times. I was fine at this point then I started with vomiting and diarrhoea. Then I got to the point where I couldnt keep down any liquids whatsoever. I was just vomiting everything up. I had horrific abdominal pains. Doctors reportedly informed Olivia Hartley that she might have contracted Hepatitis A, a liver infection spread through contact with the waste of an infected person. After diagnosis, Olivia was convinced she caught the virus from the hotel. Medical professionals were deeply concerned and told her that she might need a liver transplant if her condition doesnt improve. Fortunately, she recovered but continues to suffer from the aftereffects of the illness and she may need a liver transplant anytime in the future. She further shared, The doctors told me my liver was in a very bad way and I have kidney damage from the dehydration. In my head, I was thinking the worst. It was a very scary time. No one could fully agree on a treatment plan. I felt very vulnerable. I was scared I would die. I asked if I could go home, and they said no, if you go into organ failure, you wont make it to Leeds, it was very serious. After spending three horrible days in the hospital, Olivia Hartley was discharged, but shes suffering from joint pain and fatigue. What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation turned into hell for her and her fiance. Olivia has learned that liver injuries can suddenly worsen without any warning, so shes prepared for the worst at the moment. In Mumbai, where people rely largely on local trains for their daily commutes, an unexpected passenger has joined the daily battle of public transport. Let me introduce you to the commuter with four legs who has suddenly gained popularity online. Yes, you heard right. A stray dog reportedly has become a regular on the local train, capturing the hearts of Mumbai residents and social media users alike. Now, a viral clip of the stray dog on the Mumbai local train has gone viral. What irritated the netizens was the harsh attitude of a local train passenger who continually shouted at the animal and encouraged it to jump out of the moving train. However, the dog only stepped out of the train after it had come to a complete stop on the platform. Watch the video here: Yeh aadmi itna chilla kyu rha hai. Dog is more civilized than the man. , the caption to the video reads. The video has received several reactions on social media, with many netizens praising the canine for his good manners. At the same time, passengers yelling at the animal sparked outrage among internet users. A Reddit user commented, One dog has manners to get down only after the train stops. Another wrote, That dog is smarter than many Mumbaikars. Meanwhile, a user applauded the canine and said, Doggo understands Chalti train se utarna khatarnak hai better than humans.. Smartyyy. In addition, a Reddit user suggested using the popular video to raise awareness among Mumbai local passengers, writing, Mumbai locals should use this video as an advertisement to tell people not to get off running trains. Another user recalled an encounter with the same dog on his train travel. The user cherished his recollection of the dog and added, Man, I saw this video and felt so pleased because I instantly remembered the doggo from when it boarded a train I was once on. I spent a good 10 minutes finding the video of the dog (it was way back in October), only to learn you cant attach videos in the comments:(( That was certainly the happiest train ride. What do you think about this video? Boeings second attempt at launching a crew aboard its troubled Starliner spaceship was dramatically aborted Saturday with just minutes left on the countdown clock, yet another setback for a program that has faced years of delays. With the Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams strapped in and ready for liftoff, the test mission to the International Space Station was unexpectedly halted due to reasons that arent yet clear. United Launch Alliance, responsible for the Atlas V rocket that Starliner sits atop, is now investigating why an automatic hold was triggered by its computer with three minutes and 50 seconds to go. ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters that engineers were currently de-fueling the rocket to enable physical access to the ground computer, allowing them to pinpoint the source of the fault, which might be a malfunctioning circuit board or power supply unit. NASA said in a blog post it was foregoing the next listed launch opportunity of Sunday, with possibilities after that on Wednesday, June 5 and Thursday, June 6. The US space agency will provide its next update on Sunday. Earlier, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams smiled and looked upbeat after they were helped out of the capsule and driven back to crew quarters. The former US Navy test pilots, who each have two spaceflights under their belts, were previously called back to quarantine hours before a launch attempt on May 6 due to a faulty valve on the rocket. Starliner was poised to become just the sixth type of US-built spaceship to fly NASA astronauts, following the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs in the 1960s and 1970s, the Space Shuttle from 1981 to 2011, and SpaceXs Crew Dragon from 2020. NASA is looking to certify Boeing as a second commercial operator to ferry crews to the ISS something Elon Musks SpaceX has already been doing for NASA for four years. Both companies received multibillion-dollar contracts in 2014 to develop their crew capsules, following the end of the Space Shuttle program that left the US temporarily reliant on Russian rockets for rides. Boeing, with its 100-year history, was heavily favored, but its program fell badly behind amid embarrassing setbacks that mirrored the problems afflicting its commercial airline division. These ranged from a software bug that put the spaceship on a bad trajectory on its first uncrewed test, to the discovery that the cabin was filled with flammable electrical tape after the second. While teams worked to replace the faulty rocket valve that postponed the previous launch attempt, a small helium leak located in one of Starliners thrusters came to light. But rather than replace the seal, which would require taking the spaceship apart in its factory, NASA and Boeing officials declared it safe enough to fly as is. Saturdays launch attempt encountered other technical glitches, including a voltage surge that affected the astronauts suit cooling system. However, engineers were able to resolve these issues. When they do fly, Wilmore and Williams will be tasked with putting Starliner through the wringer, including taking manual control of the spacecraft. Starliner is set to dock with the ISS for eight days as the crew carry out tests, including simulating whether the ship can be used as a safe haven in the event of problems on the orbital outpost. After undocking, it will re-enter the atmosphere and carry out a parachute and airbag-assisted landing in the western United States. (With agency inputs) China landed an uncrewed spacecraft on the far side of the moon on Sunday, a landmark mission which aims to retrieve rocks and soil from the lunar surface, Chinas space agency said. The landing elevates Chinas space power status in a global rush to the moon, where countries, including the United States and India, are hoping to exploit lunar minerals to sustain long-term astronaut missions and moon bases. The Change-6 craft successfully landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the back of the moon at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time, the China National Space Administration (CNSA) said in a statement on its website. The Change-6 mission is the first human sampling and return mission from the far side of the moon. It involves many engineering innovations, high risks and great difficulty, CNSA said. The payloads carried by the Change-6 lander will work as planned and carry out scientific exploration missions, CNSA said. The successful mission is Chinas second on the far side of the moon, a region no country has landed on before. The back of the moon perpetually faces away from the Earth, making communications challenging. The Change-6 probe landed nearly a month after it was launched by a Chinese Long March-5 rocket from Wenchang Space Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan. Last year, India made history after its Moon mission became the first to land in the lunar south pole region. India joined an elite club of countries to achieve a soft landing on the Moon, after the US, the former Soviet Union and China. The Vikram lander from Chandrayaan-3 successfully touched down last August. (With agency inputs) With the European Unions 370 million voters being called on to decide their next European Parliament in June 6-9 elections, here are the key issues at stake: Far-right result Opinion polls predict a far-right surge. That should benefit the two main extreme-right groupings in the parliament: the European Conservatives and Reformists, which counts Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melonis Brothers of Italy in its ranks; and the Identity and Democracy grouping, which kicked out Germanys scandal-ridden AfD but remains home to the National Rally of Frances Marine Le Pen. An unknown going into the elections: Where will the currently unaffiliated Fidesz the nationalist ruling party of Hungary, which maintains warm ties with the Kremlin end up? Together, far-right forces could theoretically outnumber the parliaments top group, the centre-right European Peoples Party (EPP) of EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. But they remain divided on several issues, including over whether or not to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. Top jobs carve-up After the elections, the political balance of power will help determine who gets the top jobs running the EUs main institutions, most notably the European Commission and the European Council. The leaders of the 27 member countries will tackle that tricky carve-up at a June 27-28 summit. Von der Leyen is seeking a new five-year term as boss of the commission, and is considered the front-runner. But she will need not only the leaders backing but also endorsement from the incoming parliament, which is potentially complicated by her overtures to Meloni, which have already angered left-wing allies. One name circulating as a possible alternative is Mario Draghi, Melonis technocrat predecessor as premier and a respected former chief of the European Central Bank. Green deal The EU has already made progress toward its ambitions of a carbon-neutral future by legislating a phase-out of combustion-powered cars, banning imports from deforested areas and introducing a carbon border tax. But further initiatives are facing headwinds, from burdened households, irate farmers and leaders calling for a pause. Von der Leyens EPP is siding with far-right parties to promise an easing-up on green measures in order to help European industry and competitiveness. In a sign that the environment is sliding down EU voters list of priorities, the Greens grouping in the parliament could lose around 40 percent of its seats, polls suggest. Ukraine Russias invasion of Ukraine focused EU attention on the need to bolster the blocs defence industry, but it is struggling to find the money. Brussels is proposing a 1.5-billion-euro ($1.6 billion) strategy to get the defence sector working better, but it still needs to be negotiated. If it cannot be funded through joint borrowing, as was done for post-Covid recovery funding, the issue will be batted around the new parliament as it discusses the EUs long-term budget. EU lawmakers could also potentially weigh in on Ukraines prospects of one day joining the bloc, which is chiefly a decision for leaders but also requires parliaments green light. National competitions Even though the elections are for EU lawmakers, voters cast ballots for national parties that vie to sit in the legislature, whose official seat is in Strasbourg, the French city on the border with Germany. In France, President Emmanuel Macrons centrist Renaissance party is forecast to be trounced by the extreme-right National Rally of Marine Le Pen. That would deal an embarrassing blow to Macron, who has strived to be the voice of strategic thinking for the European Union. In Germany, where political energy is spent keeping a government coalition of Greens, liberals and socialists together, the far-right AfD party erstwhile allies of Le Pens is on track to win around 15 percent of the vote, according to opinion polls. That would place it behind the conservative CDU-CSU alliance. In Poland, the pro-EU government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk that took power late last year is conducting a campaign in the face of anger from the countrys farmers, which is being encouraged by the opposition PiS party. And in Slovakia, the vote will test support for the Russia-friendly government of Robert Fico, who survived an assassination attempt less than a month ago. Prominent Samoan author Papalii Sia Figiel was charged with the murder of the 78-year-old Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, the aunt of Tulsi Gabbard, the former Hawaii Democratic congresswoman. According to the New York Post, the 78-year-old retired former University of Hawaii professor was stabbed multiple times and beaten with a hammer by the 57-year-old playwright Papalii Sia Figiel who was arrested Sunday by local Samoan police. Samoa is a country located in the South Pacific Ocean. The murder happened on May 25 at Figiels home in the village of Vaivase-Uta about three miles from the island nations capital city of Apia. Figiels property also serves as the local theatre. Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said that an argument broke out between the pair before the incident turned violent. It is unclear what sparked the argument. The two women were colleagues and friends and Gabbard was Figiels mentor, local news media outlets said. Sinaviana-Gabbard was Tulsi Gabbards aunt and sister of Hawaii state senator Mike Gabbard. Her family says she was the first Samoan to achieve full professorship in the US and was renowned as a writer, teacher, and environmental activist. Mike Gabbard shared that he was very close to his sister during their childhood and took great pride in her lifes achievements. Caroline was my best friend as a teenager, Mike Gabbard said. She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence. She got me hooked on reading, so much so that I followed in her footsteps and majored in English at Sonoma State University in California, then returned to our birthplace, American Samoa, where I taught English in high schools and was a faculty member, guidance counsellor and dean at the community college for many years, Mike Gabbard said in a statement to Spectrum News. I love her deeply and wish her well as she continues her journey, he further added. Two Israeli ministers on Saturday threatened to quit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government if the countrys leader goes ahead with a hostage release deal outlined by US President Joe Biden to end the war in Gaza. Biden said on Friday that Israel had offered a new roadmap towards a full ceasefire including the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. However, Netanyahus far-right coalition partners National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said they would quit his government if the deal went ahead. Will dissolve government A victory for terrorism Ben Gvir said his party would dissolve the government if the deal went through and slammed the proposal as a victory for terrorism and a security risk to the State of Israel. Agreeing to such a deal is not total victory but total defeat, he said. Smotrich said he would not be part of a government that will agree to the proposed outline. We demand the continuation of the war until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages return, Smotrich said on X, adding that he opposes the return of displaced Gazans to the territorys north and the wholesale release of terrorists. Earlier on Saturday, Netanyahu insisted that the destruction of Hamas was part of the Israeli plan laid out by Biden. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid vowed to offer Netanyahu our safety net for a hostage deal if Ben Gvir and Smotrich leave the government. Without Ben Gvirs and Smotrichs parties, Netanyahus coalition could lose its majority in parliament. Thousands of Israelis meanwhile rallied in Tel Aviv to demand acceptance of the ceasefire and hostage release deal outlined by Biden, with many fearing the premier would disown the proposal. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamass unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. At least 36,379 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments and ground offensive since October 7, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run territory. (With agency inputs) New York City police said on Saturday they had taken into custody more than two dozen people in connection with Fridays pro-Palestinian protests at the Brooklyn Museum. Six of the 29 individuals were arrested and charged with offenses including assault and criminal trespassing, while 16 people were released with orders to appear in court and another seven were issued summonses and released, a New York City Police Department spokesperson said in an emailed statement. There was damage to existing and newly installed artwork on our plaza, a museum spokesperson said. Protesters entered the building, and our public safety staff were physically and verbally harassed. Hundreds of demonstrators were marching through Brooklyn when some of them rushed the entrance. Security guards prevented many from entering but some managed to get inside. A banner was hung from atop the neoclassical facade proclaiming, Free Palestine, Divest From Genocide. A pro-Palestinian organization named Within Our Lifetime urged demonstrators to flood Brooklyn Museum for Gaza. It said activists occupied the museum to compel it to disclose any Israel-related investments and to divest any such funding. Demonstrations against Israels war in Gaza have continued in the United States, largely on university campuses. On Saturday, hundreds of students and faculty walked out of the University of Chicagos graduation ceremony, the Chicago Tribune reported. (With agency inputs) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was Iranian president from 2005-2013, has registered to run in the new presidential election, Trend reports. On May 30, the commencement of presidential candidate registration was announced by Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's Minister of the Interior. Anyone interested in seeking public office has five days from the date of this notice to apply with the Ministry of the Interior. Afterwards, all registered candidates will have their candidacy examined within seven days. On June 11, it will announce the final roster of accepted candidates, and there will be fifteen days for each candidate to run for office after the list is published. The special presidential election in Iran will be held on June 28. In the event that no candidate obtains a minimum threshold of votes, the top two finishers will advance to a runoff election on July 5. To note, due to the May 19 helicopter disaster that killed President Ebrahim Raisi and eight others, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several state officials, Iran is holding its 14th presidential election. According to Iran's constitution, a new election must be held within the next 50 days following the death of a president. The staff at the prestigious hospital involved in the data breach of the Princess of Wales Kate Middletons private medical records may have faced a decoy trap set by managers, the Daily Mail said in a report. It said that The London Clinic which has been the go-to hospital for the Royal Family, leading politicians and celebrities remains under investigation of the management of the hospital after it became known that at least one staff member had attempted to access personal details about Kate Middleton after her planned abdominal surgery in January. The Daily Mail in its report said the case has not yet been referred to Scotland Yard even though the health minister Maria Caulfield stated in March that police had been asked to look at it. Accessing a patients medical records without the consent of the organisations data controller is a criminal offence for any NHS or private healthcare staff. The newspaper said that if there was a data breach, the staff who attempted the breach would have been caught through a decoy tactic used by private hospitals that often have high-profile clients. To protect the health data of VIP patients, hospitals often store it under a fake name. A decoy file is then created using the celebritys real name, containing false information. Bosses regularly check this decoy file to see if any staff have accessed it without permission. If a breach is suspected, hospitals must launch their own inquiry while the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) investigates whether management did anything wrong. However, this process is laboriously slow. Investigations into reported data breaches can be highly complex and our expert team must be given adequate time to make their enquiries. To protect the integrity of a live investigation, we will not provide regular updates on its progress to those not directly involved until its conclusion, the ICO said in a statement. An unusual comet with horns, known as the devil comet, will come closest to Earth on Sunday. People in the Northern Hemisphere havent seen the comet since early May, but those in the Southern Hemisphere have a better chance of spotting it with binoculars or a telescope, a report by US broadcaster CNN said. The report said that the comet has drawn comparisons to the Millennium Falcon spacecraft from the Star Wars films and its explosive nature has intrigued scientists. The comet, officially known as the Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, will make its closest pass of Earth on Sunday. It will still be 230 million kilometres away from our planet and wont pose a risk. For reference, the sun is 149 million kilometres away from Earth. The Pons-Brooks comet completes one orbit around the sun about every 71 years, similar to Halleys comet because observing and studying it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It made its closest pass of the sun on April 21 coming within 119.7 million kilometres of the Sun. For folks down below the equator, the coming weeks and months might be their first good chance to see this thing since the 1950s, Dr. Teddy Kareta, a postdoctoral associate at Lowell Observatory in Arizona was quoted as saying by CNN. Two prolific discoverers, Jean-Louis Pons and William Robert Brooks, independently observed the devil comet. Pons saw it in 1812 and Brooks in 1883. The comet has likely orbited the sun many times over thousands of years. Astronomers estimate the massive comet to be between 10 to 20 kilometres in diameter, according to Kareta and has a rotation period of 57 hours. The rare visitor has a green appearance typical of most comets because they contain diatomic carbon molecules. These molecules absorb sunlight and emit a colour that appears green from our perspective, according to Dr. Dave Schleicher, astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Arizona. Pons-Brooks recently caught the attention of astronomers due to its intriguing behaviour, which resulted in the comet having a horned appearance as it travelled through our solar system. Over the past eight months, the comet has undergone several outbursts, ejecting gas and dust. While such events are not uncommon in comets, and other comets have taken on crescent or Pac-Man shapes, its challenging to determine what is typical behaviour for Pons-Brooks, the researchers said. Comets are celestial bodies made of ice, dust and rocky material orbiting the Sun with highly eccentric trajectories. When close to the Sun they develop a glowing coma and sometimes a tail due to sublimation of ice and dust. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China on Sunday of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming Swiss-organised peace conference on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asias premier security conference, Zelenskyy said that China is pressuring other countries and their leaders not to attend the upcoming talks. He did not say which ones. Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit, he said at a news conference at the Shangri-La defense forum. Regrettably this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin. China has staked out what it says is a neutral position on the war, putting it at odds with Ukraine, the United States and most of Europe. Its trade with Russia has grown, easing the economic impact of Western sanctions. And American, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbor. The Swiss had been hoping China would attend the peace conference in mid-June, but Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning signaled on Friday that that was unlikely. China has been calling for a peace conference with equal participation of all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited. There is still a clear gap between the arrangements for the meeting and the demands of the Chinese side, as well as the general expectations of the international community, Mao said. This makes it difficult for China to participate in the meeting. The foreign ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Zelenskyys accusation. The Ukrainian leader said of Chinas pressure on others, That is not only support to Russia, that is basically support of war. In a speech to the security conference earlier in the day, Zelenskyy urged top defense officials to attend the upcoming talks in Switzerland, saying he was disappointed at the failure of some countries to commit to joining. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun spoke before Zelenskyy at the Shangri-La conference but he did not appear to be in the room when Zelenskyy made his appeal. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had proposals to make at the summit as a basis for peace, addressing nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Time is running out, and the children are growing up in the Putin-land where they are taught to hate their homeland, he said. At the same time, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace. The greater the participation, the more likely it will be that Russia will have to listen, he said. The global majority can ensure with their involvement that what is agreed upon is truly implemented, he said. Zelenskyy said he planned to meet one-on-one with Singapores prime minister and would urge him to participate in person in the Switzerland talks. The same goes for the countries in the region, Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. We truly count on you supporting this summit, and that you will be present in Switzerland. Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, who shared the stage with Zelenskyy, did not say whether his countrys leaders would attend, but did note Singapore had condemned the invasion and provided Ukraine with military ambulances. We stand with you, and I think your appearance at this Shangri-La Dialogue is the epitome of what we are all hoping for, a rules-based order that guarantees the security and survival of large nations and small, he said. Dong did not specifically mention the Switzerland meetings in his address to the forum, but did say on the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude. He added that China had not provided weapons to either side of the conflict. We have never done anything to fan the flames, he said. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sat in the front row as Zelenskyy talked. In an address Saturday, Austin told the security conference that Putins war of aggression has provided us all with a preview of a world that none of us would want. Weve all been inspired by the courage of Ukraines troops and the resilience of Ukraines people, Austin said. People around the world have rushed to help Ukraine defend itself, including countries across the Indo-Pacific. Ukraine imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country on Sunday, a day after Russia unleashed large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure and claimed it made gains in the eastern Donetsk province. The shutdowns were in place in all but three regions of Ukraine following Saturday's drone and missile attack on energy targets that injured at least 19 people. Ukraine's state-owned power grid operator Ukrenergo said the shutdowns affected both industrial and household consumers, the AP reports. Sustained Russian attacks on the power grid in recent weeks have forced Ukraine to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. Without adequate air defenses to counter assaults and allow for repairs, though, the shortages could worsen as need spikes in late summer and the bitter-cold winter. Among the most significant recent strikes were an April barrage that damaged Kyiv's largest thermal power plant and a massive attack on May 8 that targeted power generation and transmission facilities in several regions. Following Saturday's barrage, Ukraine's air force said Sunday that air defenses had shot down all 25 drones launched overnight. Russia claimed Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Umanske in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region, per the AP. Its coordinated new offensive has centered on the northeastern Kharkiv region but seems to include testing Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk farther south, while also launching incursions in the northern Sumy and Chernihiv regions. In Russia, six people were injured in shelling in the city of Shebekino in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Sunday. He also said that a local official, the deputy head of the Korochansky district, had been killed by "detonation of ammunition." (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) A wind-driven fire continued to scorch thousands of acres 60 miles east of San Francisco on Sunday, prompting residents to flee their homes and the closure of two major freeways near the central California city of Tracy. The blaze was still spreading, officials said. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the fire erupted Saturday afternoon in the grassy hills managed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, one of the country's key centers for nuclear weapons science and technology. By Sunday afternoon, the fire had devoured some 20 square miles and was only 15% contained, the AP reports. Authorities said the research center was not under immediate threat from the blaze, dubbed the Corral Fire. Nevertheless, authorities ordered some residents to leave the area and set up evacuation centers. A Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien said early Sunday that the fire had moved away from the center. It was not immediately known how many structures had been destroyed by the fire. California firefighters aided by aircraft battled the wind-driven wildfire that continued not only burning but spreading early Sunday in an area straddling the San Francisco Bay Area and central California, authorities said. "Strong winds and dry grass have made it difficult for firefighters to contain," Cal Fire said in a Facebook post. Interstate 580, which connects the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County in central California, was closed from the Alameda County line to the Stanislaus County Line. SR 132 was also closed from I-580 to SR 33, the state Department of Transportation said in a statement. A temporary evacuation point was established at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy. Sunday's high temperature for Tracy was expected to be 85 degrees Fahrenheit, with no rain in the forecast, but hotter conditions are forecast for later in the week. Wind gusts of up to 45mph lashed the region Saturday night, the National Weather Service said. (More California wildfires stories.) A Canadian living in Seoul has revealed her shock after seeing a 250g block of Whittaker's for the first time. The Canadian, who goes by Dr Ellie on TikTok, normally shares videos about her life in South Korea. But a recent video has caught Kiwis' attention, with Dr Ellie revealing her shock at the size of a block of Whittaker's chocolate - claiming she's only ever seen the confectionery sold in individual bars. "I know we all say that Americans have really big portion sizes, but I'm from Canada and a normal size chocolate bar is 45 grams and a large size chocolate bar is 100," Dr Ellie said in a video posted to her account. She said a co-worker had family visiting from New Zealand and they brought several blocks of Whittaker's as a gift. "This is 250g, this is half a pound of chocolate," Dr Ellie said, holding up a block of the Berry and Biscuit flavour. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Qatar, the United States and Egypt called on Israel and Hamas to take steps to reach a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, a joint statement of the three countries published on the website of the Qatari Foreign Ministry says, Trend reports. According to the information, the ceasefire agreement is based on a plan proposed by US President Joe Biden a day earlier. "Qatar, the United States and Egypt jointly call on Hamas and Israel to finalize an agreement that embodies the principles outlined by President Biden on May 31, 2024," the report noted. The statement said these principles bring together the demands of all parties in an agreement that will provide immediate relief to both the long-suffering people of the Gaza Strip and the hostages and their families. An unusual horned comet notable for a series of outbursts, nicknamed the "devil comet," will make its closest approach of Earth on Sunday around 3am ET (7pm Sunday NZT). While the comet hasn't been visible to those in the Northern Hemisphere since the first week of May, sky-gazers in the Southern Hemisphere have a better chance of glimpsing the fuzzy object through binoculars or a telescope. Exactly why the dynamic comet takes on a shape that has drawn comparisons to the Millennium Falcon spacecraft from the "Star Wars" films when explosively active is still an enigma to scientists. But the celestial object only completes one orbit around the sun about every 71 years, similar to Halley's comet, which make the odds of observing it for close study a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Given that the comet won't pass by Earth again for decades, collective observations by astronomers could provide key insights into its true nature and behaviour. Officially known as Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks, the celestial object made its closest pass of the sun on April 21, coming within 74.4 million miles (119.7 million kilometres) of our star. The comet will make its closest pass of Earth on Sunday, but it will be more than 143 million miles (230 million kilometres) away from our planet and won't pose a risk. For reference, the sun is 93 million miles (149 million kilometres) away from Earth. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Agencies | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia The Daily Tribune www.newsofbahrain.com The Public Security of Saudi Arabia has started enforcing penalties for those violating Hajj regulations and instructions without a Hajj permit in Makkah, the central area, the holy sites, the Haramain train station, security checkpoints, screening centres, and temporary security checkpoints. This measure will be in effect from June 2 to June 20. The Public Security has announced that a fine of SAR 10,000 on anyone found violating Hajj regulations without a permit, applicable to citizens, residents, and visitors, SPA reported. Residents will be deported to their home countries and barred from re-entering Saudi Arabia for specified periods as stipulated by law. The Public Security emphasised that repeat offenders will face a doubled fine, noting the importance of adhering to Hajj regulations and instructions. The penalty for anyone caught transporting Hajj violators without a permit is imprisonment for up to 6 months and a fine of up to SAR 50,000. There will also be a demand for the confiscation of the vehicle used in the offence by a court order. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 3. Japan has provided $7 billion in aid to Ukraine since February 2022, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said after a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Minoru Kihara, Trend reports. He said that during the negotiations the issues of demining the territories of Ukraine, providing equipment for fortifications and rescue vehicles for the country were discussed. "Since February 2022, Japan has provided more than $7 billion in aid to Ukraine, including humanitarian projects and the supply of non-lethal military equipment," the minister said. BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 2. Israel is looking for an alternative to Hamas rule in the Gaza Strip with the participation of "other forces", Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said, Trend reports. "We are looking for an alternative to Hamas rule [in the Gaza Strip], which includes isolating these areas, eliminating Hamas militants in these areas and bringing in other forces that will allow us to create a ruling alternative," the minister noted. Galant said that while conducting important military operations in the Gaza Strip, the ministry is also considering an alternative to the Hamas government. A 19-year-old motorcyclist from South Jersey died after his bike slammed into a car crossing an intersection, according to police. Jeremiah Saint Surin, of Egg Harbor Township, was driving eastbound on West Jersey Avenue in Egg Harbor Township on his motorcycle around 6:16 p.m. when his bike struck a Ford SUV, police said in a news release. The SUVs driver, a 38-year-old Egg Harbor Township woman, was northbound on Cates Road when her vehicle approached a stop sign at the intersection with West Jersey Avenue, police said. The vehicle proceeded through the intersection but into the motorcyclists path. Saint Surin, 19, was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City for life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead once he reached the hospital, police said. A GoFundMe created to assist his family with funeral expenses described him as kind, gentle, goofy and who, always had a good vibe no matter what was going on around him. The SUVs driver suffered minor injuries. Traffic was detoured for about four hours, police said. Witnesses or anyone with information about the crash are asked to contact township police at 609-926-2641. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. NEW YORK The Mets did a nice job on Saturday reminding us why Darryl Strawberry is worth rooting for, even if the retirement ceremony for No. 18 was dirtied up by another dreary performance. What an unwatchable team. What a lost season. So lets pretend the 10-5 blowout to the Diamondbacks never happened. Thats not why 30,000 fans showed up at Citi Field anyway. The real attraction was Strawberrys time portal. Were told that Donald Trumps supporters will shrug off Thursdays guilty verdict, just as they shrugged off the rest of it. How bad is paying off a porn star, after all, when measured against the bigger stuff, like trying to overturn a free election by stirring up violence or pilfering secret files about nuclear war and hiding them in a bathroom at Mar-A-Lago, or sexually assaulting Jean Carroll in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan, in precisely the way he bragged about on that Access Hollywood tape. If they stuck with him through all that, why would they abandon him now? That conventional wisdom sounds wrong to me, and Ill get to that. But first, lets relish this delicious moment. Finally, the con man who has wriggled free of consequence all his life, in business and politics, was nailed cold in a court of law, condemned by a unanimous jury. He was forced to pay fines for the kind of dangerous bombast weve had to endure for years outside the courtroom. He was forced to sit and listen as the porn star Stormy Daniels described staring at the ceiling during their brief sexual moment, this shortly after Melania gave birth to their son. For once, he was forced to obey the rules. That has to dent his image as the super-potent chest pounder, a style that sits at the core of his appeal, especially to older white men, his strongest constituency. He didnt testify, knowing hed be chewed up. He fell asleep at times, an exhausted old man at age 77. Who can forget what he said in 2016, fantasizing about Hillary Clinton being charged with a felony: She shouldnt be allowed to run, he said. If she wins, it would create an unprecedented Constitutional crisis. In that situation, we could very well have a sitting president under indictment and, ultimately, a criminal trial. It would grind government to a halt. As for the politics, lets look at the conventional wisdom, the idea that Trumps followers will stick with him. Really, will they all? Trump doesnt need to lose his base to lose this election, just a small sliver of it. Thats the math. Mike DuHaime, a Republican consultant and a weekly contributor to the Star-Ledgers Friendly Fire column, spelled it out after the verdict. The math matters most in close races, he writes this week. If 95 percent of Trumps supporters remain loyal, that sounds great. 95 is an A in any class. But that other 5 percent, who could walk away without making a peep, is where trouble lies, not in NJ but in Pennsylvania or WisconsinThats the difference between winning and losing. Dont miss the best in editorials, opinion columns and commentary from NJ.com writers. Add your email here: Thats what the polls say could happen. The most recent one, from ABC News and Ipsos a few weeks ago, asked Trump supporters about a potential guilty verdict in this case. And yes, 80 percent said it would not shake them. But 16 percent said it might, and 4 percent said they would bail. The steepest drop is among young voters and Black voters who had identified as Trump supporters. So, as elected Republicans demean themselves by slandering the criminal justice system, remember that they are not convincing everyone in their tribe. I know, we cant predict anything with confidence when it comes to Trump. I thought he was done when he said Sen. John McCain, was not a war hero after all, just a loser who spent five years in the Hanoi Hilton after his Navy jet was shot down. This from Mr. Bone Spurs. Sen. Jon Bramnick, a Never-Trump Republican who is running for governor next year, says that the verdict wont peel away even the 5 percent DuHaime is pointing to. This is a cult, Bramnick says. To change peoples opinion on Trump, youd need something that shocks the conscience. And this isnt strong enough to change the Trump cult. Gary Hart must be shaking his 87-year-old head. A brilliant man and accomplished Senator from Colorado, he was the frontrunner in the 1988 Democratic presidential primary when news broke that he had an affair. That was it. He was done. Since then, we have defined deviancy down, as the late Sen. Patrick Daniel Moynihan once put it. And we are diminished by that because it allows scoundrels like Trump to stay on the stage. A final thought: This could affect the one competitive race for Congress in New Jersey this year, in the 7th District, where Rep. Tom Kean Jr. is fending off a challenge from Democrat Sue Altman. Cook Political Report calls it a tossup. Kean endorsed Trump this week, while the jury was deliberating. I wanted to ask him about his woeful timing, but he was under his desk nibbling mouse food, refusing as always to speak to anyone about anything. But that district is not a MAGA stronghold. It includes towns like Summit and Westfield, home to a lot of traditional Republicans, like Bramnick. They might care about this verdict, and Trumps fitness to be president. I think Tom Kean Jr. just had a very bad day, Altman says. We are one November election away from electing a convicted felon who will have a chip on his shoulder and be out for vengeance. And we know Tom Kean Jr. has no spine and lacks the courage to stand up to a President Trump. So, if you believe Trump presents a horrifying risk to the country, as I do, then enjoy this moment. Maybe the naysayers are right, but this verdict certainly wont help Trump or his allies like Kean. And it just may do them real harm. More: Tom Moran columns Tom Moran may be reached at tmoran@starledger.com or (973) 986-6951. Follow him on Twitter @tomamoran. Find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Seems they wanted us to take them seriously, but not literally. Writer Michael Harriott compiled a thread of hypocrites: Donald Trumps most vociferous supporters after the verdict that proclaimed him guilty on all 34 counts in his hush-money and election interference case. And surprise, surprise before Trump was ensnared in the criminal justice system and became the first felonious former president, they were all tough-on-crime advocates. Heres a sampling of their tweets, resurfaced by Harriott. Sen. Mike Lee, Utah: (5/8/23) These attacks on the Supreme Court and the justices must end. They are undermining the rule of law, endangering the security of the justices and their families and inflicting incalculable damage on our country. (5/30/24) I dont respect this verdict. Nor should anyone. Rep. Jim Jordan, Ohio: (9/7/22) Crime is rising in cities throughout the country. Liberal prosecutors and their soft-on-crime policies refuse to lock up criminals. (1/2/23) In real America ... criminals go to jail when they commit a crime. (5/30/24): The verdict is a travesty of justice. The Manhattan kangaroo court shows what happens when our justice system is weaponized by partisan prosecutors. Rep. Majorie Taylor Greene: (11/19/21) @Ayanna Pressley, you owe Kyle Rittenhouse an apology NOW. We will continue to maintain that in America, defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Fox News host Laura Ingraham: (8/11/22) Vote Democrat, and repeat violent criminals run the streets. (6/23/16) Paul Ryan tells a convicted felon he should resign Congress effective Oct. 3. Why not immediately?! (5/30/24) [The Trump verdict] is a disgraceful day for the United States! Rep. Lauren Boebert (who, by the way, has a criminal record along with other family members): (6/8/20) I will hold those in government accountable that refuse to abide by the laws of our country. There needs to be one rule of law. For all. Regardless of if youre an elected official or not. (5/30/24) Say it with me: ELECTION INTERFERENCE. Sen. Tim Scott, South Carolina Soft on crime prosecutors routinely let dangerous criminals back on the street and put the lives of civilians and law enforcement officers ... at risk. (5/30/23) I cant believe the hoax, the sham, the absolute injustice. The justice system, D.A. Bragg and the judge should be ashamed of themselves. This isnt just ridiculous. This actually erodes the confidence that Americans have in the justice system. Unbelievable. Un-freaking- believable. Former president Donald Trump: (8/18/20) The Democrats have to start enforcing Law and Order in their cities and states. New York City, Chicago and Portland are a total DISASTER! (10/12/20) Put these animals in jail, now. The Radical Left only knows how to take advantage of the very dumb leadership fools. This is Biden. Law & Order! (10/15/16) Hillary Clinton should have been prosecuted and should be in jail. Instead she is running for president in what looks like a rigged election. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Resort Zatoka, a village in Odesa Oblast that has been mercilessly shelled by Russians, has been closed to tourists for three summers now. There are very few local residents left, and the recreation centers that once hosted tens of thousands of travelers per season are now destroyed. ADVERTISIMENT According to a report by TSN journalist Nelly Kovalska, the situation in the once-popular resort is bad, but the locals do not give up hope. Some of them are rebuilding the ruins with their own hands. According to the locals, there are no shelters in Zatoka, as they would be flooded with water. However, despite this, the Russians did not kill a single resident with the missile. Locals call it a miracle, because the occupiers hit residential buildings and recreation centers, but people were rescued from the rubble. ADVERTISIMENT Today, as the reporter summarized, there are about a hundred destroyed recreation centers in the village. For the most part, they are in no hurry to rebuild them, because tourists have not been coming to Zatoka for a long time. Many people have left their homes with their animals, and only those who cannot imagine their lives without the sea - adult men or pensioners - have remained by the sea. Tourist shops have not opened their doors for three years, and there are fragments of rockets, concrete and other construction debris everywhere. Vegetation has overgrown the once hospitable beach, which is now not allowed to be accessed because of mines on the shore. ADVERTISIMENT The coast, once loved by vacationers, is now deserted. It is also difficult to meet people on the streets. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Locally reported news and sports Stay Current with What's Happening Get the most of NNY360, register today! By providing your email address, you consent to receive emails and special offers from NNY360.com In New Orleans, there are certain things that are simply accepted, no questions asked. When we give directions, we dont rely on compass points. We use Uptown, Downtown, River and Lake, and when someone says, Im going to pass by my mamas, we know it means to drop in and visit, not wave from the car as you roar past. And we grow up knowing that red beans and rice had better be on the Monday menu of any reputable restaurant. So far, so good. Heres something else that seems to be a settled thing, at least as far as pronunciation goes. +10 Is New Orleans French bread used for po-boys really French? Here's the history. Anyone who loves po-boys will tell you the bread is the key to the sandwich. But anyone who spends much time contemplating the character of th In most circles, the Crescent Citys name is pronounced New Orlinz, but the name of the parish, which is the same as the city, is pronounced Orleenz Parish. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The United States is ready to take action against Chinese companies and financial institutions that support Russia in its war against Ukraine, considering the possibility of imposing sanctions. Representatives of the United States, South Korea, and Japan also agreed to cooperate on reducing dependence on China and Russia for critical resources. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Reuters reports. The United States is considering imposing sanctions on Chinese firms that directly assist Russia. Kurt Campbell emphasized that the United States is focused on Chinese companies that systematically support Russian aggression. "I think we are primarily focused on Chinese companies that are systematically involved in supporting Russia. We are also looking closely at financial institutions," Campbell said. During a meeting with the deputy foreign ministers of Japan and South Korea, Campbell emphasized the importance of cooperation in strengthening economic security . Representatives of the United States, South Korea, and Japan agreed to continue to work closely together on mineral security partnership projects aimed at reducing dependence on China and Russia for critical resources needed for high-tech applications. ADVERTISIMENT The Allies also pledged to work even closer to support Ukraine's energy infrastructure, its restoration, and efforts to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Moscow has significantly deepened its cooperation with Beijing. The United States and its allies are concerned that Chinese companies and financial institutions are providing support to Russia, which is contributing to the continuation of the conflict. "We will closely monitor the actions of Chinese firms and banks, and are prepared to take appropriate action to stop their support for Russia's aggression," the US Deputy Secretary of State said. As reported earlier, relations between the European Union (EU) countries have deteriorated because of Russia. Thus, Sweden may unilaterally block imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) if Hungary succeeds in removing this restriction from the next package of sanctions. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Long outcast from her childhood home and friendships, Amaya is surprised to receive an invitation to her once-best friends wedding. She hasnt been in contact with Kaavi for years though the two had once been inseparable. During that time, Amaya, now living in America, has retreated into herself, sealing herself off from relationships to the point that her closest friend is someone she only interacts with online. Kaavi on the other hand still lives in the gilded neighborhood of Colombo, the capitol of Sri Lanka where the two grew up. She is now an influencer goddess, chronicling her every moment on social media. Beautiful and fashionably dressed, her life seems to be one amazing Instagram post after another. And to Amayas dismay, Kaavi is marrying her ex-boyfriend. In Youre Invited, author Amanda Jayatissa takes us into the upper crust of Sri Lanka society, the ultimate one percent where life is lived in mansions filled with servants, closets are filled with designer clothing, and weddings, such as Kaavis upcoming nuptials, are over-the-top events that go on for days, Amaya returns home to her own empty mansion where just one woman livesthe servant hired by her father who deserted his wife when she was dying and left his daughter alone while he started a new life and family in England. Amaya isnt there to celebrate the upcoming wedding. She is determined to stop it from happening. Jayatissa, who graduated from Mills College, California and then lived in London before returning home, is master of twists and turns as she demonstrated in her first book, My Sweet Girl. I was a weird child, Jayatissa told me during a Zoom conference call from her home in Colombo, offering an anecdote to prove her point. When I was nine I locked myself in the bathroom during my birthday party so I could finish a chapter in the book I was reading. The books she consumed included the Nancy Drew mystery series, novels by R.S. Stein who wrote the Goosebumps books, and such series as Famous Five and Secret Seven written by Enid Blyton, a British author who was extremely popular in Sri Lanka when she was growing up. My parents thought I was too serious, she said, recalling how she was always writing with a pink gel pen in a pink notebook. But my mother, who was very liberal and ahead of her time, let me read anything I wanted except for Archie comics. She hated that Veronica and Betty were always fighting over the same boy. It may seem that Amaya and Kaavi are fighting over the same man, but in reality, there is something much deeper going on. Amaya learns that Kaavi didnt invite her, indeed she doesnt want her there. Someone else sent the invitation. She hears rumors that despite Kaavi and her familys opulent lifestyle and the astounding amounts of money being spent on the wedding they may be bankrupt. Add to that, Amaya isnt the only one who is out to ruin the wedding. Its a surface world where all looks great but there are many dark secrets about to be discovered. Were expected to mourn romantic relationships when they end but looking back at my life the friendships Ive lost with my girlfriends can be even more painful, said Jayatissa who besides writing, works as a corporate trainer and owns a chain of cookie stores. She also is working at mastering another skill. Im also, at the tender age of 35, learning to ride a bicycle, she said, noting that the current government melt-down in Sri Lanka has left the country without gasoline to fuel their cars or their stoves. Its the only way now to get around. So far, delegations from more than 100 countries have confirmed their intention to participate in the Peace Summit in Switzerland, which starts on June 15. However, Russia is making every effort to disrupt the event. ADVERTISIMENT Moreover, several countries are helping the aggressor state in this. This statement was made by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore on Sunday, June 2. According to the head of state, Kyiv has already received confirmation of participation in the Peace Summit in Switzerland from 106 countries, which will be represented at the event at the level of leaders or high representatives. At the same time, Zelenskyy stated that as the summit approaches, Russia is stepping up its efforts to disrupt it, resorting, in particular, to threats and blackmail. "Today, Russia is traveling to many countries around the world, threatening to blockade food, agricultural products or chemicals, energy prices, or simply putting pressure on other countries not to attend the summit," Zelenskyy said. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, the president added that several countries help Moscow in the disruption of the Peace Summit. "And so, when you ask what the world can do today, the world must be strong and put political pressure on Russia. There is no other way to stop Putin, only diplomatic isolation, a strong Ukrainian army, and the understanding of all countries of the world not to balance between Ukraine and Russia but to defend justice and international law," Zelenskyy said. According to the Head of State, after the start of Russia's full-scale aggression, the world did not allow Ukraine to be destroyed, and now, Zelenskyy hopes, it will take the next step: through diplomacy and in accordance with the UN Charter, the international community will help to stop the war fairly. "The united world has given confidence that Ukraine is not alone against an aggressor who violates international law," the president emphasized, expressing gratitude to all those states that have helped and are helping "some with weapons, some diplomatically, some with humanitarian efforts." ADVERTISIMENT "They gave their last money just to show that they are on the right side, that they are on the side of truth. And it seems to me that this is the most important thing that the world has done," Zelenskyy added. Now, the president insists, it is very important not to let Russia disrupt the Peace Summit. "Ukraine has offered peace through diplomacy, an inclusive and fair form of the Global Peace Summit. And I invite your region, your leaders, your countries to join, so that your peoples are involved. And by uniting against one war, we are creating a real experience for the world, the experience of overcoming any war and diplomacy that works," the head of state said. Zelenskyy also noted that the current format of the Global Peace Summit was brought about by "Ukraine's experience in restoring effective diplomacy." ADVERTISIMENT "We are convinced that our world wants to be united and able to act in complete harmony. We have realized that countries equally reject the idea that someone secretly makes decisions and imposes them. An open and inclusive dialog is needed. We have confirmed that the principles and objectives of the UN Charter and international conventions are fully relevant," Zelenskyy said. At the same time, the Head of State is convinced that the broad participation of the international community will help ensure the actual implementation of the agreements reached and give Russia no choice but to stop the brutal war it has unleashed against Ukraine. Participants of the first Peace Summit will focus on discussing three of the ten points of the Peace Formula presented by Ukraine, namely nuclear and food security, as well as the release of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The number of underage Ukrainians "stolen by Putin, kidnapped and taken to Russia" is now at least 20,000. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Zelenskyy expressed disappointment that some world leaders have not yet confirmed their participation in the peace summit. "We don't want to believe that this is a desire for monopoly power in the world: to deprive the world community of the opportunity to make decisions about war and peace and leave this power in the hands of one or two," he said. At the same time, he emphasized that he believes in the restoration of diplomacy, in coalitions to support Ukraine, which unite countries with different characters and worldviews. "Diplomacy works when it is truly aimed at protecting life. Together with our partners, we are protecting life and the rules-based world order," Zelenskyy emphasized. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Jump to: Tricky Clues | Todays Theme SUNDAY PUZZLE In his print introduction to this grid, Joel Fagliano writes: Luke K. Schreiber is a high school senior from Hoboken, N.J. He graduates this coming week, and will attend Princeton University in the fall. Luke made his New York Times debut last December, a Monday puzzle with the theme ITS ME AGAIN. His high school, Saint Peters Prep, announced the feat at an assembly. It was fun seeing people compete for the fastest time, he says. Theres more to this theme than meets the eye: It has a clever, cryptic bent, which always reels me in, and each clue presents a different little brain tickler, which makes the whole solve lively. The fill is also vibrant and helps make the puzzle a brisk, but satisfying, workout. Todays Theme There are eight entries in this theme set, at 22-, 33-, 46-, 63-, 66-, 85-, 100- and 112-Across. Each is clued as a question involving a couple of items written in all caps that are, in most cases, recognizable as last names. The first clue in the series at 22-Across, for example: RUFFALO and TWAIN? are two last names that go with one first name, Mark. Or the clue at 100-Across: S-O-L-O and L-A-N-G-E? made me think of, er, Han and Jessica, both bad choices, as it turns out. Each part of the clue refers to the same name, but thats only half of the trick. The other half is a visual pun theres a different example for each clue, but all play off typographical presentation. MAGAZINE An article on June 2 about student protests at Columbia University misstates the date that the universitys president, Minouche Shafik, asked the New York City Police Department to clear a pro-Palestinian student encampment on the universitys lawn. It was April 18, not April 17. The article also misstates the position of the literary theorist and activist Edward Said on a two-state solution. He supported the proposal in the 1990s but changed his public stance to support a one-state solution later in that decade. Errors are corrected during the press run whenever possible, so some errors noted here may not have appeared in all editions. To contact the newsroom regarding correction requests, please email nytnews@nytimes.com. To share feedback, please visit nytimes.com/readerfeedback. Comments on opinion articles may be emailed to letters@nytimes.com. For newspaper delivery questions: 1-800-NYTIMES (1-800-698-4637) or email customercare@nytimes.com. U Tin Oo, a former Burmese armed forces chief and minister of defense who turned against his countrys repressive government to become a leader of the pro-democracy movement there, died on Saturday in Yangon, Myanmar. He was 97. His personal assistant, U Myint Oo, confirmed his death, in a hospital. He said that Mr. Tin Oo had a weak heart and died of kidney failure and pulmonary edema. Once one of the most powerful figures in what is now Myanmar, Mr. Tin Oo founded the National League for Democracy, the countrys main opposition party, with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during a violent failed pro-democracy uprising in 1988. Three years later, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi received the Nobel Peace Prize while under house arrest. She spent the following years in and out of house arrest until being released in 2010 and leading her party to two overwhelming election victories. Though she was a highly popular leader, her reputation abroad suffered from her failure to condemn massacres of the Muslim minority Rohingya population. Protesters in Tel Aviv and around the world Saturday called on Israeli leaders to accept the latest road map for a cease-fire and the return of hostages in Gaza, a day after President Biden said it was time for the war to end. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum in Israel said it was launching an emergency operation to pressure members of the government to accept the declaration outlined by President Biden on Friday. The plan would begin with an immediate, temporary cease-fire and work toward the return of all hostages, a permanent end to the war and the reconstruction of Gaza. The Forum demands the return of all the hostages, some for rehabilitation and others for burial, and not to miss the opportunity that has arisen to bring them home, the group said in a statement on social media. The group demanded an immediate approval of the deal, the statement said, adding, Dont lose this moment! Mr. Netanyahu was still calling for the complete destruction of Hamas and the freeing of all hostages before ending the war. And two of Mr. Netanyahus far-right coalition partners Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to quit his government should he move forward with the proposal. The debate over the latest proposal gave new life to protests held every Saturday in Tel Aviv. Thousands of demonstrators rallied in the streets there and in other parts of Israel on Saturday evening in support of the proposal. Some protesters covered themselves in fake blood, and others walked through the streets holding the Israeli flag and signs that read Bring Them Home. Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, reported that protesters blocked traffic in northern Israel, and that at least three people were detained. Haaretz also reported that thousands of demonstrators rallied near Mr. Netanyahus house in Caesarea, a coastal town located midway between Tel Aviv and Haifa. Protesters also gathered in Rome, Paris and Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday. The United States also continued its efforts to push the region to work toward a cease-fire in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke on Saturday with the Egyptian foreign minister, Qatars prime minister and Qatars minister of foreign affairs. Egypt and Qatar have been working to help broker an agreement. In his phone calls, Mr. Blinken spoke about the urgent need for a cease-fire and called on Hamas to accept the deal without delay, said Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the State Department. Aaron Boxerman contributed reporting. The animated film Mars about a ragtag group of civilians visiting the red planet on a trip financed by a billionaire with an asteroid-sized ego will premiere Thursday at the Tribeca Festival. It will mark the end to a bittersweet journey for the films writers that began more than a decade ago. Mars was written as a live-action film in 2012 by Trevor Moore, Zach Cregger and Sam Brown, the founders of the comedy group The Whitest Kids U Know. They met thanks to living in the same dormitory at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where they performed lots of gigs. From there came tours of the citys comedy clubs and a television show that ran from 2007 to 2011. During the Covid-19 pandemic, they decided animation was the best way forward for the feature and opted to crowdfund the film. But in August 2021, tragedy struck when Moore died in an accident. It did seem kind of unfathomable to complete this movie without him, Cregger said during a recent video interview with Brown and Timmy Williams, who is also in the comedy group. They, Darren Trumeter (the fifth member of the group), and Moore, who completed his recordings before the accident, provide the voices for all the characters in Mars. This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions. lydia polgreen From New York Times Opinion, Im Lydia Polgreen, and this is Matter of Opinion South Africa Edition. Thats right. Im going rogue. [THEME MUSIC] So over the past 10 days, Ive been reporting from South Africa, which just had a big election. But thats not the only reason that South Africa has been in the news. Weve also been talking about South Africa because of its advocacy for Palestinians. And Ive been thinking a lot about the meaning of South Africa for the world 30 years after the end of apartheid. So were trying something different today. Instead of chatting with my co-hosts, Ive enlisted two other guests whove been a crucial part of my reporting. One of them is, Will Shoki, whos in studio with me here in Cape Town. Hes the editor in chief of one of my favorite magazines, one that has shaped a lot of my thinking. Its called Africas is a Country. Hi, Will. will shoki Hi, Lydia. lydia polgreen And my editor, Max Strasser, is joining us from New York. Hes going to be asking us lots and lots of questions. Hi, Max. max strasser Hi, Lydia. Hi, Will. lydia polgreen All right, Max, Im going to hand the baton over to you. Lets talk. max strasser So one thing you didnt mention, Lydia, is that you had been in South Africa before, of course. You were the Bureau Chief for The New York Times from 2011 to 2014. And so this is your first time back on a reporting trip since then. And Im really curious what your impressions are coming back after a decade to do reporting. Whats changed? lydia polgreen Yeah. It turns out that the time that I spent in South Africa was a real hinge moment for the country. So I got here about a significant amount of time after South Africa had been liberated, and there had been this euphoric period post liberation after 1994, where the kind of political and economic conditions globally were actually incredibly favorable to South Africa. So it had been on this kind of rise, and there was this really optimistic story. But around the time that I arrived and I swear this was just a coincidence things had really started to take kind of a darker turn. Inequality has actually grown in South Africa over the past decade, and that growth has actually happened not just between Black and White, which was always kind of a permanent feature of apartheid, but theres been growing inequality between Black people, which I think has really kind of changed the politics of the country. So coming back 10 years later, its really kind of extraordinary to see the decline, actually. Unemployment is now at basically 33 percent. The government cant seem to keep the lights on. Theres been rolling power cuts. Violent crime is a huge problem in many areas, especially where poor people live. At the same time and this is, I guess, maybe my glass half-full observation South Africa continues to be a source of inspiration and real moral leadership. The Global South, in some ways, the entire decolonized world looks to South Africa as a place that is a symbol of leadership and of liberation. So trying to kind of take all of that in and come away with a coherent understanding of where South Africa is today has been really interesting. max strasser Right. Im excited to get into it a lot more of those specifics. Im curious, Will, youve been in South Africa for this period, right? And does Lydias impression sort of track with your experience there over the last decade or so? will shoki I think it does. Its quite amusing that the last time Lydia was here, South Africa was at a hinge point. And the next time shes here for a reporting trip, South Africa is also at a hinge point. So Im wondering if the problem is Lydia? Im only teasing. max strasser Maybe shes just a good journalist. will shoki I think she is. I think she can tell when the winds of change are blowing. But I think certainly, the story of the last 15 years in South Africa has been one of decline and regression. But I think its unclear as to whether or not that necessarily means further decline or if this is perhaps maybe a kind of productive moment in South African history. And its kind of both disconcerting, but I think also interesting to start to speculate about what might be in store for South Africans. max strasser Right so now were talking about the election. Were going to find out how the ANC, the African National Congress, Nelson Mandelas party, which has been in power since the end of apartheid, is faring. Whats the top line? What have we learned from this election so far, Lydia? lydia polgreen Well, as were recording this on Thursday, the trends seem pretty clear. There had been a lot of speculation going into the election. The big question was, would the ANC fall below the 50 percent mark and lose their majority in the parliament? And the trend lines seem really, really, really clear that they are going to be well below 50 percent and, in fact, could fall as low as 42 percent. And so effectively what that means is that the ANC will almost certainly come back into power and be the governing party, but it will have to do so in coalition. And there are a bunch of smaller parties that are going to be jockeying to exert influence and find a way to take power alongside of the ANC. The academic William Gumede had a column in the Sunday paper here in which he described the voters of the African National Congress as having a kind of trauma bond with the party, which felt very apt and apropos to me that at the end of the day, there is this kind of emotional attachment to the party that ended apartheid and brought freedom and brought multiracial democracy to South Africa. And I think there was a part of me, in all of my conversations, that sort of sensed that a lot of voters were eventually going to come home to the ANC. And it doesnt seem like thats whats happening. max strasser Will, if I can put you on the spot, did you vote in this election? will shoki I did. max strasser Can I ask how you made your decision? Maybe you want to talk about your trauma bond with the ANC. But really, Im curious how you went into this as a voter. will shoki I think it was a difficult election to enter into as a voter. I think this idea of trauma bonding with the ANC is apt. On the one hand, I think theres a real felt appreciation for the ANC across the political spectrum in South Africa, regardless of what your party lines might be. Maybe its not something that South Africans will acknowledge all the time, but I think people can recognize the triumphant role it played in the liberation struggle. And certainly for me as a voter, I think the advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi put it really aptly, I thought, in an interview with the Financial Times when he spoke about the ANCs decline, but I think made the really compelling point about which other political party prizes principles such as nonracialism, nontribalism, these kind of universalist values, which I think defined movements of the ANCs type during the 20th century? But its another question as to whether or not the ANC has lived up to them. So I think heading to this election was very difficult to make a vote because you dont really want to vote for the ANC. You dont want to vote for reactionary options. And the smaller parties that are out there, its very hard to know whether or not theyll have enough traction behind them for your votes to make a dent in the political landscape. So it was very difficult to come to a decision. lydia polgreen Well, its funny, Will, because I think another phenomenon that I picked up on was a lot of people just didnt vote. will shoki Yeah. lydia polgreen I spoke to many, many young people, particularly the kind of so-called born-free generation, of which you are a member, people born after 1994, who just said, oh, no, Im not registered, or Im not planning to vote. What is there to vote for? And that kind of apathy, I think, is quite worrying as well. will shoki Its quite worrying. But I think its also possibly maybe one reason to be hopeful, potentially. There were 27 million people registered to vote in these elections, but there were also 14 million unregistered voting-age South Africans who felt like none of the options on the table spoke to them. And in a way, thats kind of a good thing because I think its an indictment on party politics in South Africa. I think many of the options, if not all of the options, are fairly uninspiring. But it shows you that South Africans are ripe for an inspiring political alternative, and they might decide to become organized in some way and produce the alternative that might have a broader and larger resonance. So I think it all remains to be seen. max strasser I think thats so interesting. I really like hearing that somewhat optimistic gloss on the loss of the ANCs majority. Because as Ive been reading a lot of Western press, American, British, European press, about the South African election over the last couple of weeks, you see so frequently this discourse of broken promises, quote unquote, or, like, failed dreams or whatever. And its interesting to hear your perspective on that and see something a little more positive or full of possibility there. Im curious. How do South Africans view themselves at this moment? Are they talking about failed promises, broken dreams? Or are they sort of saying, this is our country, this is where were going? lydia polgreen Yeah, Id love to hear Will on this. But my reporting was kind of a kaleidoscope of different perspectives. I get the sense that people deeply understand that this is a process, that building a democracy and building a new country, which is really what South Africa is the country that was born in 1994, was a completely new country. And in the grand scheme of things, when you look at the amount of time that were talking about here, which is just 30 years, thats actually just a kind of nanosecond in the political development of a country. I think the thing thats harder is that theres been quite a specific experience of downward mobility, particularly for those at the lower end of the economic spectrum. So just to give you one example, I met so many older people, people who are in their 40s and 50s, who had pretty good jobs, often union jobs that were stable, that paid a decent wage, who had adult children who just couldnt find employment. And so the kind of traditional social role, which is for the older generation, then for the younger generation to have a better life than the one before it, had been completely reversed. So I spoke to a nurse who was in this situation. I spoke to a mine worker who was in this situation, who are sort of staring down their, quote unquote, golden years and thinking like, how am I going to take care of my children and grandchildren if I retire? And that sense of disappointment, I think, does come from having experienced that initial period of growth, of possibility, and also of delivery of government services. So I really do think that that has had a profound impact on peoples outlook. But it may not actually mean that they are giving up on or rejecting politics per se. People who cant find housing, theyre just taking land and building informal settlements on it. And then theyre organizing those settlements into these very kind of grassroots, sort of small-d democratic committees that are cleaning up the environment, that are doing all these things. So outside of organized politics, there is, I think, a tremendous amount of grassroots energy that youre seeing that isnt really captured when you talk to people about whats happening in the overall political scene. So its a real mix. I dont know, Will. What do you think? will shoki I think youre absolutely right. Whats interesting and also kind of difficult to make sense of is also the stark generational differences. Lydia dropped a term earlier, the born-free generation, who are people born after 1994. So these are South Africans with no experience or memory of apartheid. At least the memory of apartheid is mediated to them by their parents, by other family members, by social institutions. And so I think for this generation, the broken dreams, failed promises narrative both make sense, but also kind of doesnt resonate because they came of age in a democratic South Africa. And so I think the fallout of this election cycle, regardless of what the results are, would be interesting to suggest how South Africans understand the moment, which I think is one that feels like a different phase of our history, one that is kind of exiting this narrative thats framed by apartheid. Obviously, the legacy of apartheid is very much alive. And I think South Africans can parse that out eloquently. But it feels like were entering something new that is distinctly post-apartheid. And I think understanding what the terms of engagement in that phase are, I dont think we know quite as yet. max strasser Theres something really interesting to me in that. Its sort of making South Africa less exceptional, in a way, right? will shoki Yeah. max strasser Because lydia polgreen Totally. max strasser look at look at elections in the United States or in Europe or all over the world where people are sort of feeling equally disappointed by what the state has been able to provide for them, where younger generations are worried about economic precarity. Thats a global story. will shoki Yeah, absolutely. lydia polgreen Yeah. And its been interesting as an American to have South Africans be, honestly, quite a bit more concerned about our election in the United States than they are about their own, and understandably so. When the United States sneezes, the entire world catches a very bad case of the flu. But it really does put that in perspective. And Max, what you say about exceptionalism, I think, is really important. And you and I have talked about this in our conversations about my reporting here. Exceptionalism can feel like a real boon when youre trying to get something really hard done. And that thing that needed to get done was ending apartheid. And in the kind of ordinary hurly-burly of moving forward and building a country and having a competitive democratic space, exceptionalism actually becomes a burden, and it becomes an obstacle to moving forward. And I think some of what were seeing in South Africa right now is an abandonment of that exceptionalism narrative, that, to me, actually offers up some real liberatory possibilities. If youre able to let go of the idea that youre so special, then maybe you can just kind get on with it and build your society with the tools that you have at hand. will shoki I think that is absolutely the hope. I think we were talking about this earlier, Lydia. But I think theres a way in which South Africans are starting to realize that theyre less exceptional. And this election feels like its disabusing South Africans of that exceptionalism in significant part because I think we now no longer present our democracy as this ironclad, robust institution that can withstand any challenge. I think South Africans one thing that I think was quite striking and we still dont quite know what the turnout numbers are. But its very interesting to see a lot of South Africans voting with a sense of real kind of responsibility of, oh, democracy and its institutions and its lifeblood isnt something that we can take for granted, is something that is fragile and could be jeopardized and disappear within a flash. And I think for me, thats kind of the beginning of the exceptionalism narrative breaking down in the sense that I think South Africans are coming to appreciate that democracy Is this thing that you have to tend to years after you formally enter into it. max strasser I think thats all really, really interesting. And were going to come back to these questions later of South Africas democracy and democracy globally. But for now, lets take a quick break. And when were back, were going to dive into one of the issues that has played out in this election and also that has brought South Africa onto the world stage, which is the countrys stance on Israels war in Gaza. [MUSIC PLAYING] So we focused on some of the internal challenges for South Africa in this election. But of course, the country has been on the world stage a lot recently, if youve been following the news, for a very different reason. South Africa has been a major player in the biggest international story of our day, which is the war in the Middle East, Israels assault on Gaza. It was South Africa that brought genocide charges against Israel to the International Court of Justice. Lydia, can you fill us in, explain whats happened so far? Whats the latest on those charges? What has South Africa done? lydia polgreen Sure, yeah. So in January, South Africa went to the International Court of Justice, which is, of course, the UNs highest court, and accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. And the court found that South Africas case was at least in part plausible and at that time, had ordered Israel to take greater care and protect civilians in Gaza, allow in more aid, and so on. Then, as the Rafah incursion has begun, South Africa went back to the court demanding that it halt the assault in Rafah in order to protect civilians. And this time, the court took an even stronger action, ruling that Israel must immediately halt the assault on Rafah. Now, of course, the court has no means of enforcing its ruling. But its been a huge moment on the global stage. And it really highlights the isolation of Israel, but also the isolation of the United States, which thinks of itself as the guardian of the international rules-based order and has really kind of found itself in a very awkward position vis a vis those rules and that order as this has played out in these courts. max strasser Yeah. Will, Im wondering if you can tell me a little more broadly, why do you think it was South Africa, of all the countries in the world, that took this case to the ICJ, to the International Court of Justice? will shoki I think the big reason is that our experience of fighting against racial oppression is fairly recent. Its not so far gone in our memories, and its a living heritage in South Africa. And I think even during the anti-apartheid struggle, there was a very strong affinity and closeness to the Palestinian liberation struggle. In the years immediately after democracy, Nelson Mandela famously said that the freedom of South Africans is incomplete without the freedom of Palestinians. And so I think theres that kind of organic resonance that South Africans identify Palestinian liberation as forming part of a longstanding tradition of struggle against colonialism, against racism. And I think thats having experienced that very recently, South Africans overwhelmingly feel a responsibility to stand up where they see a similar experience unfolding internationally. But its not something that they can do without consequences, whether diplomatic or economic or whatever the case might be. Its not as if South Africa is not like every other state in the world, where it faces constraints in its foreign policy. But I think its reaching a point where it was prepared to take this. I think it was also the product of South Africans themselves exerting pressure on the government to do something. max strasser I think one thing that skeptics or critics would say, though, is that there can be a little inconsistency or even hypocrisy to South Africas foreign policy, right? That South Africa claims that its standing up for oppressed people, but if you look at South Africas position on the war in Ukraine, its very much stood on the sidelines. Its very conscientiously said, were not getting involved. Were not taking sides here. Were not going to stand up for the little guy in that conflict. How do you square that, Will? How do South Africans make sense of that? will shoki I think its a difficult thing to square. I do think its an example of inconsistency on the part of the South African government. I think the South African government is still in its experimental phase with this role that its trying to carve out for itself, as, for lack of a better word, moral or normative superpower. And I think that there was just tremendous reluctance to, quote unquote, side with Ukraine, so to speak, because to do so felt as if it was to position oneself in alliance with the West and participate in what I think a lot of people in the Global South do experience as a proxy conflict that is being contested by two great powers at the expense of Ukrainians. And I think thats maybe the more nonaligned position. But I think its just its awkward. Theres a lot of the enemy of my enemy is my friend going on. But I think what Palestine has been has been an opportunity for the South African government to try and develop a much more sophisticated foreign policy, kind of trying to really fine tune what it means to be nonaligned in this growing multipolar order. I dont think its quite found the language yet to explain how its been in relation to Israel-Palestine versus how its been in relation to Ukraine. But I think it remains to be seen whether they can kind of square that circle. Or maybe they might sort of account for that mistake in the past. Im not quite sure. lydia polgreen Yeah, its funny, Will. As you were speaking, I was just thinking about I find the accusation of hypocrisy to be one of the least serious and impressive accusations in the world, right? Because to be human is to be a hypocrite, right? will shoki Right. lydia polgreen We all go against our principles and do the needful in the moment and act as we need to based on our current needs and situation because thats life. But I also think the ability to get away with hypocrisy is actually a measure of power. will shoki Oh, yeah, absolutely. lydia polgreen And I think that the United States, from the South African perspective and again Im less talking about the government, but just the conversations that Ive had with people in the Palestine movement here in South Africa. What theyll say is why is the US so able to condemn the bombing of hospitals, the killing of children in Ukraine and unable to raise its voice in the same way in the case of Gaza? And so I think that in some ways, the ability to carry out a foreign policy that contains elements of what we might call hypocrisy is a measure of a certain kind of global ambition. will shoki And to add to that, I think part of the reluctance on the part of not only the South African government, but I think other governments in the Global South to fall in line behind the United States and the West behind rallying for Ukraine is the sense in which the West was saying, oh, we have to be concerned about human rights and sovereignty and so on and so forth. And I think the rest of the Global South kind of stood up and said, oh, so now you care about those values? Thats awfully convenient. So I think it kind of also reflected a desire to basically show the finger the United States. lydia polgreen Yeah, stick it to the man. will shoki Exactly. lydia polgreen Yeah. will shoki Which I think is a legitimate expression because, as you say, I think our hypocrisy doesnt have consequences for the balance of power in the world. Its just something to be annoyed about. But when its the case in the United States and the West, I think its the feeling that, well, this actually does have consequences because you can influence how conflicts unfold. You can influence nation states, and you choose only to do so when it serves your interests, not when its in the interests of humanity. max strasser Were verging dangerously close to anti-imperialism here. lydia polgreen Hurrah! max strasser So as were talking about South Africas solidarity with Palestine and the Palestinians, and were drawing some parallels between the experiences of Palestinians and the experience of South Africans under apartheid, thats a parallel thats drawn by South Africans and by Palestinians alike often. And as Palestinians take inspiration from the South African story, Lydia, Im curious if you can talk a little bit about what youre thinking over the last few weeks about the messiness and challenges of liberation. lydia polgreen Yeah, I think, look, theres like a special and complicated relationship between South Africa, Israel, and Palestine. But one thing that a lot of South Africans have said to me about the limits of comparing the experiences of Palestinians to the experiences of Black South Africans is just the extent to which there was a tremendous amount of mixing because Black South Africans and colored South Africans and Indian South Africans were necessary as labor for the White regime. And so in some ways, that created the possibilities of solidarity through trade unions and through other places where people came into contact with one another. So there are definitely limits to the comparisons between them and what we can learn. But Ive actually been very influenced by the work of a thinker named Mahmood Mamdani, who wrote this great book in 2020 called Neither Settler Nor Native. Hes a political theorist who teaches at Columbia University and has spent some time in South Africa. And he had this kind of beautiful idea that South Africas transition was possible because of this extraordinary act of creativity and imagination in which the holders of what were seen as these very, very fixed identities, settler and native, were able somehow to let go of what felt like these really fixed and opposed identities and mutually surrender them to a sense of shared survivorship of a brutal colonial project and together to build something new. That sounds so airy-fairy, pie in the sky, could never happen. Its sort of hard to believe that it happened in South Africa. In this moment, its almost impossible to imagine it happening in Israel and Palestine. But I do think that there are things about the story of how South Africa was able to get from there to here that feel sort of deeply, deeply relevant to whats unfolding. will shoki Its such a such an interesting time to be in South Africa precisely because I think maybe one thing that is up for debate now is whether survivorship is enough to sustain post-conflict political identity years after the conflict. Because I think youre kind of seeing that come undone and almost a return to those crude means of identifying people such as native and settler, just these questions of who authentically belongs in the polity. Thats kind of coming up again. And I think its for me, its depressing to see because I, for all its limitations, do believe in South Africas liberation story. I do think there was something incredibly powerful about creating or reimagining political identity that was rooted in solidarity, even if it was an imperfect solidarity, even if it was something as simply as surviving the dehumanization of being oppressed and surviving the dehumanization of being an oppressor and saying, how can we imagine a country where both can coexist after being reinvented and sort of reconciling? But I think its also normal for a country to reach this point where its questioning whether the settlement it made at the end of a conflict was the right one, to question whether or not the political identities it reinvented are enduring enough. And we dont need to panic when that happens. I guess the thing that Im wondering is, be that as it may, what is the thing that kind of holds everything together once that Pandoras box is opened? Because it feels once the foundations of the post-apartheid nation state are being questioned, then the whole project in its entirety might be questioned. And is there going back after that? Are we going to something new? What might that something new be? max strasser I want to talk more about whether we see some of the political trends in South Africa playing out similarly and echoing around the rest of the world. But first, lets take a quick break. Well be right back. [MUSIC PLAYING] I want us to spend a little more time talking about the challenges of a young democracy like South Africa and looking at what lessons South Africa can apply to the rest of the world at a time when were seeing a lot of democracies, young and not so young, being tested. This is a big election year for a lot of countries around the world, including the United States, Mexico, India, and South Africa, of course. Lydia, what have you been seeing thats unique to South Africa? And what do you see as similar to other democracies? lydia polgreen Yeah, I think the afrobarometer, which does these really great surveys on South Africa and other countries on the continent, found that 62 percent of South Africans are not satisfied with how democracy works in South Africa. And in 2011, again, the year that I moved here, that figure was 39 percent. So theres actually been a really significant jump in dissatisfaction with democracy. And I think were seeing similar trends to that globally, and particularly in Africa, and indeed in much of the kind of decolonized world. The other thing that I definitely am seeing here in South Africa is a real return of a kind of revanchist identity politics. There are parties that are expressing a kind of ethnic nationalism that has been quite taboo, I think, in South Africa since the 1994 transition. This, of course, is a global trend, and theres no reason why you would think it would be happening any differently here. But we see it playing out in another election thats happening, like, literally as we speak, thats wrapping up right now in India, where Hindu nationalism has been a really, really big force. At the same time, I think youre seeing a lot of the similar trends of economic populism here in South Africa. But it feels quite untethered from traditional, class-based, left politics, which lets it link up quite easily to identity-based politics and the kind of politics of the belly in a way that I find quite worrying. max strasser Will, some people are saying going into this election that South Africas democracy is, quote unquote, in decline for some of the reasons Lydia just laid out. How do you assess that statement, the idea of democratic decline in South Africa? Is it fair to look at it that way? will shoki I suppose Id ask, what is the criteria to measure democratic decline? Is it decreasing voting participation? But I think there are other ways in which one could credibly say that South Africas democracy is in decline. But I think its also been a story of political demobilization, right? And the reasons for that are numerous. Major factors one, as living and material conditions get worse, I think its just gets harder to motivate people to be politically active. And I think another is that I think a lot of South Africans are sort of at the moment kind of politically untethered. Part of why I think the post-apartheid exceptionalism was a chimera is that it was I dont want to say easy because I think that might sound a bit kind of crude and offensive. But it was much more straightforward to kind of rally South Africans against apartheid because the injustice was clear. The antagonistic forces were clear, right Whereas I think the political questions, as weve been discussing today, that haunt South Africa now are much less straightforward. And I think South Africans are still feeling their way about how to discuss them, to debate them, who to rally behind. So I think that democracy is in decline on the one hand, for all of the reasons that Lydia had outlined. But I also think democracy perhaps its much maybe more accurate to say that its in an interregnum period, where its unclear whether genuinely it is in decline, or it might have a resurgence and maybe not even for the better. max strasser Right. While were talking about time, I want to ask a question about the younger generation, the so-called born-free generation, the people who were born and came of age after apartheid. How strong do you think their commitment is to democracy? Do they do they want democracy, or are they looking for something else entirely, a different model? will shoki Its a complicated question to answer. I think they are committed to expanding our conception of democracy. I think the younger generation does not believe that democracy means voting in an election once every four years. I think they want to believe that it should mean something expansive. And I think the best expression of this is 2015, 2016, where the student protest rocked South African university campuses. Students were making demands for free education, for decolonised education, for the ending of outsourcing of campus workers to private companies. They should be hired by universities a whole range of demands. And at the moment, it came and went. But I think its legacy is quite clear, in the sense that you saw young South Africans articulating this idea that a kind of frustration with the idea that 1994 was a surreal turning point because South Africans had, quote unquote, democracy. And they said, well, democracy for who? Certainly it doesnt feel like democracy for me. It doesnt feel like democracy for millions of Black working-class South Africans. So I think South Africans, young South Africans, want to push our understanding of democracy. How that will manifest, Im not sure. lydia polgreen Well, and I think that you can turn the question around and ask the political system, how are you being responsive to these demands that young people are young people in this country are sending very, very clear signals of dissatisfaction. And the systems of political power, I think, need to figure out how to be responsive to and welcoming of those questions and demands, right? Because the way to harness that and the way to ensure the longevity and health of a democracy is to welcome those energies into the democratic process and allow them to have a seat at the table. And that, to me, is the great task that needs to happen now. And I think its really incumbent upon the political powers that be to make a case to those young people that they can come in, and they can reshape the countrys politics because thats how you ensure the future of democracy. You cant be looking at young people and asking them, why dont you care about democracy? Well, make a space for them. will shoki Yeah. max strasser Thank you so much, Lydia and Will. This was a great conversation. will shoki Thank you very much, Max. lydia polgreen I spent almost 13 years as a judge in Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx. I supervised judges presiding over a wide spectrum of cases, dealing with complex legal issues, angry victims, difficult defendants and intense media scrutiny. The job can at times be thankless and frustrating. But for all the cases I saw, I never encountered anything remotely as challenging as what Justice Juan Merchan faced in his Manhattan courtroom while presiding over the first criminal trial of a former president. And since Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 counts, Justice Merchan has come under further vicious attack. As a retiree, I was able to attend each day of the Trump trial. What I saw was a master class in what a judge should be how one can serve fairly and impartially for the prosecution and the defense, and above all remain a pillar for the rule of law in America. Since the indictment over the cover-up of hush-money payments was issued last year, Justice Merchan has been subjected to an unrelenting pressure campaign. The defendant, Mr. Trump, and his supporters viciously attacked the judge and his family in deeply personal terms. Most judges strive to maintain their composure under the greatest of stress, but few succeed yet Justice Merchan remained cool, calm and collected at every step of the trial. Last month, Yoav Gallant told Israelis that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was leading the nation astray. Mr. Gallant, the defense minister and a member of the war cabinet, accused him of letting the nation drift into a military and civilian occupation of Gaza, which would cost Israel blood and many victims, with no aim. He challenged Mr. Netanyahu to rule that option out. In a government known for ironclad loyalty to the prime minister, and in the heightened intensity of war, Mr. Gallants statement made headlines. It also made him into a two-time whistle-blower of sorts. In March 2023, Mr. Gallant became the most prominent member of the governing coalition to publicly call for a halt to Mr. Netanyahus attempt to undermine the judiciary, an effort that he said was harming the countrys security. When Mr. Netanyahu tried to fire him, hundreds of thousands of protesting Israelis brought the country to a standstill, and Mr. Gallant became an instant symbol of a bulwark against what the protesters viewed as an autocratic putsch. At both these moments, liberal Israelis have grasped at the possibility that Mr. Gallant could be a lifeline out of national perdition. They hoped his stance against the judicial reforms would embolden other coalition members to halt the process, or even topple the government. His more recent challenge of Mr. Netanyahu conveyed that he might take a stand against a government poised to fulfill the fantasies of its religious extremists, who would conquer and resettle Gaza, while transforming Israel unrecognizably. Ukraine recognizes both states: Israel and Palestine. Kyiv will do everything to ensure that Israel stops the war and the civilian population stops suffering. ADVERTISIMENT This statement was made by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky during the Dialogue Shangri-La conference in Singapore on Sunday, June 2. "Ukraine said that if the terrorists are from Hamas, it was on the first day of the attack on Israeli civilians," he said. The Head of State reminded that a humanitarian crisis had followed in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine had expressed readiness to help. "And after that, when Israel was in Gaza and there was a humanitarian crisis, Ukraine said: first, we are ready to help Gaza humanely; second, we must respect international law; third, Ukraine recognizes two states (both Israel and Palestine) and will do everything to make Israel stop, to end this conflict and to prevent civilians from suffering," Zelensky said. ADVERTISIMENT As reported by OBOZ.UA: - The day before, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Jerusalem's conditions for ending the military operation in the Gaza Strip have not changed after US President Joe Biden presented a ceasefire plan. Hamas must be completely destroyed, Netanyahu emphasized. - On May 28, IDF tanks advanced to the center of Rafah in the Gaza Strip for the first time. According to eyewitnesses, Israel launched air strikes and tank fire on the city, despite the international outcry over the air strike on the tent city. - The United States does not consider the IDF's recent actions in Rafah to be a "full-scale invasion." According to White House spokesman John Kirby, Washington does not see "Israel moving large units, large numbers of troops" into the city. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Some stories are so perfect and poignant that even if we suspect they are not true, we simply do not want to know. There is a white peacock perched inside Brooke Shieldss home in New York City. She named it Steve. He sits frozen on an acrylic pedestal, feathers draped to the floor. Ms. Shields was told he was rescued from other peafowl, who can turn aggressive toward their old, pecking them to death. Im probably being lied to through the beak, said Ms. Shields, whose pun usage can be contagious. But the story made sense to her. She sighed at the taxidermy. The really beautiful ones are all male. Doesnt it figure? There is no universal experience of aging. But surely some American women can relate to feeling pecked or prodded, and pushed aside when they reach middle age. Rupert Murdoch, who retired from the boards of Fox and News Corporation last year, walked down an outdoor aisle under blue skies to exchange vows on Saturday with Elena Zhukova, his fifth bride, at Moraga, his Tuscan-style vineyard estate in the hills of the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles. Ms. Zhukova, 67, carried a bouquet of white flowers and wore an ankle-length, off-the-shoulder white dress with a square neckline, reportedly designed by the London-based designer Emilia Wickstead; Mr. Murdoch, 93, wore a dark suit with sneakers. Notable guests caught by paparazzi on the way into the ceremony included Robert K. Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, and Robert Thomson, the chief executive of News Corp. The couple met through Mr. Murdochs third wife, Wendi Deng, according to The Daily Mail, which first reported their relationship last summer. Ms. Zhukova is a retired molecular biologist who immigrated to the United States from Moscow in 1991, just months before the Soviet Union collapsed. She was previously married to Alexander Zhukov, the billionaire energy investor. There have been few public details about the couples courtship, with representatives for Mr. Murdoch staying mum, but The Daily Mail reported that shortly after meeting, Mr. Murdoch and Ms. Zhukova spent weeks vacationing together in the Mediterranean aboard the Christina O, a yacht that once belonged to Aristotle Onassis. Their engagement was announced in March. Two dozen people were wounded and one person was killed in a shooting at a large birthday party in Akron, Ohio, early on Sunday morning, officials said. At a news conference Sunday evening, officials did not identify a motive and said no arrests have been made. A 27-year-old man died. Two people remained in critical condition on Sunday, said the Akron police chief, Brian Harding. Several victims were admitted to hospitals. The victims were 19 to 43 years old, and most were in their 30s, he said. Officials asked witnesses to come forward. Every single person who may have seen something has an obligation to speak up in order to bring those responsible to justice, Chief Harding said. A man posing as a pest exterminator tried to gain access to a San Diego hotel that operates as a shelter for migrant families. The next day, a woman showed up claiming to be an immigrant in need of help. Workers at the shelter, run by Catholic Charities, turned away both impostors. Three days later, menacing calls began pouring in to the staff. Voice mail left for the chief executive called him scum and not really Christian. A woman left another staff member an expletive-laced message about Catholics. She claimed that the nonprofit was flying migrants all over the country and profiting from an illegal operation. The bogus exterminator was James OKeefe, the right wing-provocateur who used to head Project Veritas, a group known for trying to entrap political opponents by using disguises and concealed cameras. The deluge of vitriol ensued after Mr. OKeefe began posting videos on X in March claiming that the shelter was an illegal holding site for women and children and speculating, without evidence, that they had been trafficked. For decades, Catholic Charities and other faith-based organizations have played a crucial role helping federal authorities and local governments manage influxes of migrants. Their work has been funded with bipartisan support in Congress, even through the presidency of Donald J. Trump, who often vilified immigrants. Follow our live coverage of the verdict in Hunter Bidens gun trial. President Biden wakes up every day to a list of concerns he must address as commander in chief. He receives updates from his aides each morning on the war in Gaza and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He calls his advisers to quiz them about the latest polls and headlines. But at the top of that list, people who know him say, is a concern that nags at him as a father: the legal problems of his son, Hunter Biden. Hunter Biden, 54, is scheduled to stand trial this week in a federal court in Delaware on charges that he failed to disclose his drug addiction on a form when buying a gun in 2018. His legal team has called the charges politically motivated, and his attorneys intend to challenge the notion that Hunter Biden improperly filled out the form. The president has weathered years of personal and legal scandals surrounding his son, who has battled alcoholism and addiction, and the trial is the most serious legal problem facing him since Mr. Biden was elected to the presidency. But Mr. Biden has refused to shut out his son or treat him as a political liability in fact, the president has a tendency to pull his son closer the worse things seem to get. A fifth-grade teacher in Massachusetts who held a mock slave auction and used a racial slur in a classroom has been placed on paid administrative leave, the district superintendent said. The teacher, who has not been publicly identified, held the mock auction in January during a history lesson on the economy of Southern colonies, the superintendent of Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough, Gregory L. Martineau, said in a letter to parents dated May 29. During the lesson, the teacher asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, Mr. Martineau said, and the class discussed physical attributes, including teeth and strength. In April, the same teacher read a book to the class that was not included in the core curriculum, and used a racial slur that did not appear in the book while doing so, he said. A bell tolled on TV, signaling a shift in the results tallied so far. From their home in northern Johannesburg, the Mathivha family celebrated the latest update: with the majority of votes counted, the African National Congress had earned a mere 41 percent. Good! said Buhle Mathivha, pointing at the television screen. Good, her husband, Khathu Mathivha, echoed. It should continue to decline, they are too arrogant, Ms. Mathivha said. The couple sat in front of a cozy fire on Friday evening in South Africa where it is almost winter, watching news coverage of what was to be a watershed election. For the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994, the party once led by Nelson Mandela failed to win an outright majority of the votes in a national election. While the African National Congress, or A.N.C., remains the leading party in last Wednesdays election, the latest tally is widely viewed as a political defeat and a rebuke from voters like the Mathivhas who have become exasperated with the only party they have known since the end of apartheid. In the last election, in 2019, the A.N.C. took nearly 58 percent of the vote. The drop to about 40 percent in this election has cost the party its majority in Parliament, which elects the countrys president. Now, it will have to work with smaller opposition parties, like those the Mathivhas voted for instead of the A.N.C. South Africa is headed for big change. Precisely what that change looks like, and whether it will alleviate the many hardships that South Africans face, remains the million-dollar question. The African National Congress, or A.N.C. which has governed with sizable electoral majorities since the start of democracy in South Africa in 1994 won only about 40 percent of the vote in last weeks election. The poor result means that it is now negotiating with rival parties to become partners in forming a government. In their desperation, I wonder what kind of choices they will make, said Bhekindlela Cebekhulu, 40, a theater performer in Soweto. Will South Africa have a white president soon, or might parties promoting socialism seize ownership of his home, asked Mr. Cebekhulu, who said he voted for the A.N.C. after standing in line for more than an hour. Most of all, he said, he worried about former President Jacob Zumas threats to change the Constitution. Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, won her nations elections on Sunday in a landslide victory that brought a double milestone: She became the first woman, and the first Jewish person, to be elected president of Mexico. Early results indicated that Ms. Sheinbaum, 61, prevailed in what the authorities called the largest election in Mexicos history, with the highest number of voters taking part and the most seats up for grabs. It was a landmark vote that saw not one, but two, women vying to lead one of the hemispheres biggest nations. And it will put a Jewish leader at the helm of one of the worlds largest predominantly Catholic countries. Ms. Sheinbaum, a leftist, campaigned on a vow to continue the legacy of Mexicos current president and her mentor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, which delighted their partys base and raised alarm among detractors. The election was seen by many as a referendum on his leadership, and her victory was a clear vote of confidence in Mr. Lopez Obrador and the party he started. Palau, a clump of about 350 small islands in the Pacific Ocean, has become increasingly important to the United States as China tries to build clout in the Indo-Pacific. This year, Washington finalized a long-delayed plan to give Palau hundreds of millions of dollars in aid over two decades. Hours before diplomats gathered at the U.S. Embassy in Palau to toast the agreement, the island nation was hit by an enormous cyberattack. More than 20,000 documents were stolen from the government. A few weeks later, in April, they appeared on the dark web. There was a presentation about a U.S. radar installation on Palau marked, For Official Use Only. There were crew lists of Japanese Navy ships that had visited Palau. And there were hundreds of documents detailing the close relationship between Palau and Taiwan. Palau is one of the few countries in the world that recognize Taiwan as an independent democracy. The leaders of Palau say the hack was orchestrated by China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, and was meant to send a message. Beijing has enticed other countries, like Nauru, another Pacific nation, to sever ties with Taipei. The United Kingdom and France allegedly could have allowed Ukraine to use their Storm Shadow/SCALP air-launched cruise missiles to strike military targets in Russia. Their range is up to 250 kilometers, so enemy airfields in the Kursk and Belgorod regions are potentially under threat. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the BBC. It should be noted that there have been no official unequivocal statements from Western partners regarding the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP in Russia. Allowing some states to hit Russia with their weapons is a big step forward. Before that, Western leaders were worried about a possible "escalation of the conflict." The situation was changed by the Russian offensive in the northeast of Kharkiv region. Kyiv managed to convince a significant number of its allies that the destruction of military facilities on the other side of the border was necessary to protect itself. After all, the restrictions allowed Russian troops to prepare for the opening of a new section of the front in safe conditions. ADVERTISIMENT "After mounting pressure from Ukraine and other European countries, the US agreed to change its policy," the BBC noted. At the same time, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin threatened to expand "sanitary zones" if Western long-range weapons attack Russian territory. He even threatened NATO countries, saying that Europe should remember that they have "states with a small territory and high population density." "They should take this factor into account before discussing strikes deep into Russian territory," Putin said. The United States does not yet allow Ukrainians to attack Russia with ATACMS missiles. The latter can hit at a distance of up to 300 kilometers. However, even with a shorter range of up to 70 kilometers, multiple launch rocket systems such as HIMARS can significantly disrupt enemy logistics and movement near the border, which will ultimately slow down any offensive plans. ADVERTISIMENT However, the defense against bombs is still complex. To stop such air attacks, the Ukrainian Defense Forces need to destroy enemy aircraft that drop deadly bombs. The Patriot air defense and missile defense systems could potentially do this. However, deploying them close to Kharkiv is a huge risk. Russian spy drones could quickly detect Patriot and launch ballistic missiles. Interestingly, London and Paris have not announced any specific restrictions on Ukraine's use of Storm Shadow/SCALP. And their range can reach 250 kilometers. In fact, French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters last week:"We must allow [Ukraine] to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are launched and, in fact, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked." A military aviation officer, who chose to remain anonymous, told the BBC that such rhetoric could be seen as permission to attack Russia with these missiles. According to him, Ukraine can now strike airfields in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of Russia. ADVERTISIMENT The operations will be limited. Ukrainian Su-24s equipped with these cruise missiles will have to approach the Russian border to launch and take great risks. F-16s, which are expected to arrive by the end of 2024, are better equipped for such missions. But President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently acknowledged that it is still unclear whether the partners will allow the use of American fighters to eliminate targets in Russia. "I think that the use of any Western weapon on the territory of Russia is a matter of time," he said at the Nordic Summit in Stockholm on May 31. As reported by OBOZ.UA: - Earlier, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken confirmed that Washington does not object to the use of weapons provided to Kyiv to strike Russia. - Politico said that it took a lot of negotiations for President Joe Biden to give the green light to this. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! South Africans reject the A.N.C. The African National Congress has lost its political monopoly on South Africa. Election results on Saturday showed that the party had fallen short of winning an absolute majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. The A.N.C. received about 40 percent of the vote, which was the largest share but a dramatic drop from the nearly 58 percent it received in the last election, in 2019. It has cost the A.N.C. which rose to international acclaim on the shoulders of Nelson Mandela its majority in Parliament, which elects the president, and it has two weeks to cobble together a government and elect a president. Rival parties, however, have derided the A.N.C. as corrupt and have vowed never to form an alliance with it. A big question is whether the A.N.C. would ally with Jacob Zuma, its former leader, who resigned as president in 2018 because of corruption allegations. A new party that he helped start just six months ago won almost 15 percent of the vote. The Democratic Alliance drew the second-largest share, nearly 22 percent. It is a potential ally for the A.N.C., but some A.N.C. members have accused the Democratic Alliance of promoting policies that would essentially take the country back to apartheid. Heres what might happen next. Western leaders are embarking on an extraordinary stretch of summitry this week, which could give them a chance to project unity to adversaries who increasingly view the West as something to be defied, disregarded or even repudiated. But as they gather on the windswept bluffs of Normandy for the 80th anniversary of D-Day on Thursday, and five weeks later in Washington for a NATO summit, the leaders will be tested across a range of divisive issues: wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the rise of China and, perhaps most daunting, the future of the United States. On one level, D-Day and NATO are inspiring bookends: the first, a nostalgic commemoration of the Allied victory over Nazi tyranny; the second, a 75th birthday party for the alliance that grew out of the ashes of World War II. In between, there is a Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland and a Group of 7 leaders summit in Italy. Yet beneath the pride and pomp, there will be nagging doubts, not least about the direction of American politics. President Biden will travel to France and Italy (he is expected to skip the Switzerland forum), but he is squeezing in the diplomacy amid an election-year battle against former President Donald J. Trump, whose victory in November would call into question the very survival of the alliance that Western leaders are spending so much time celebrating. For months, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel has refused to offer a timeline for ending the war against Hamas in Gaza, a stance his critics see as a political tactic. But he has been put on the spot by President Bidens announcement outlining a proposal for a truce. Mr. Netanyahu, a conservative, has long juggled competing personal, political and national interests. He now appears to be facing a stark choice between the survival of his hard-line, hawkish government and bringing home hostages held in Gaza while setting himself and Israel on a new course away from growing international isolation. Critics of the prime minister have portrayed him as indecisive and say there are two Netanyahus. One, they say, functions pragmatically in the small war cabinet he formed with some centrist rivals, to give it public legitimacy. The other is effectively being held hostage by the far-right members of his governing coalition, who oppose any concession to Hamas and who ensure his political survival. On Friday, Mr. Biden outlined broad terms that he said were presented by Israel to the American, Qatari and Egyptian mediators who have been pushing for a deal to pause the fighting and free hostages in Gaza. Israeli officials confirmed that the terms matched a cease-fire proposal that had been approved by Israels war cabinet but not yet presented to the Israeli public. Mexico Election Results: Sheinbaum Wins Candidate Party/Coalition Votes Percent Pct. % Seats Morena and Allies 33,226,602 59.4 % Strength and Heart for Mexico 15,620,726 27.9 % Citizens Movement 5,832,105 10.4 % Note: Vote counts and vote share percentages are preliminary. These numbers may differ from the final results released by the National Electoral Institute starting on June 5. In a landmark election, Claudia Sheinbaum became the first woman, and the first Jewish person, to be elected president of Mexico. This years election is considered the largest in Mexicos history, with the highest number of voters casting ballots for the presidency and more than 20,000 local, state and congressional posts. This page shows preliminary results provided in real time on election night. The vote counts that determine the final result will take place from June 5 to June 8. LEADER Sheinbaum Galvez Maynez Tie No results LEADER Sheinbaum Galvez No results Maynez Tie Sheinbaum Galvez Maynez No results Tie LEADER As Mexico headed to the polls, voters were deeply concerned about rising cartel violence, which has emerged as a top election issue. Despite some efforts, the current government has struggled to curb the rampant killings, disappearances and extortion that plague the country. This years election season has been particularly bloody, with dozens of mayoral candidates and local officials killed. Meet the major candidates Corruption remains another critical concern. Public institutions continue to lack transparency, and both federal and state governments have weakened key anti corruption agencies by slashing their budgets and reducing their autonomy. Results by State The table below shows preliminary results from the June 2 election in each state grouped by the winner of the last general election. In 2018, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors Morena party won by a margin 15 percentage points or more in 25 out of 32 states and only lost the state of Guanajuato. Tullamore & District Chamber of Commerce along with partners, Offaly Local Development, Offaly Local Enterprise Office, Technological University of the Shannon Midlands Midwest and Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board are well ahead in their plans to organise the 2024 Offaly Jobs Fair. This event which will be held in the Tullamore Court Hotel on Saturday, June 15 between 10.30 am and 3.00 pm. The event has the capacity to cater for about 50 businesses who will be able to meet with potential future employees and inform them of their vacancies. The event will be heavily marketed to attract job seekers especially the employee market who are leaving our county each day on long commutes, said Chamber President, Anthony Hanniffy speaking at the informal launch at the band stand in Lloyd Town Park on friday afternoon last. He said that last year's fair proved to be a great success with very positive feedback from both job hunters and businesses. He added that a copy of the application form and full details are available on the Chamber Website: www.tullamorechamber.com or by contacting info@tullamorechamber.com. He added: There is a cost to the event which is based on the size of businesses but weve endeavoured to keep this to the minimum. There is good news for Offaly commuters this week after Irish Rail and the NTA proposed a new later service from Heuston Station to Galway, serving Tullamore and Clara. Commuters have long complained about the times of the trains leaving Dublin in the evening but later this year, a new 8.30pm service from the capital will be laid on Monday to Saturday. Unfortunately, passengers will have to wait another few months for the service. From August 25, 2024, the new Heuston/Galway service (Mon-Sat) will begin taking passengers. It will arrive in Galway just after 11pm at night. This will provide a later last service from Dublin to Tullamore and Clara. Fine Gael councillor and Local Election hopeful for the Tullamore area, Neil Feighery, welcomed the news this week. "This is a huge win for local commuters and is a priority that I and my colleagues on Tullamore Municipal District have been working diligently on for a number of years now. READ NEXT: Offaly father and son convicted of animal cruelty offences "Irish Rail senior management attended the March meeting of the Tullamore Municipal District and I highlighted the huge need for a later train service from Heuston to allow more flexibility for service users. The delegation undertook to seek approval from the NTA for a later service. "Tullamore is lucky to have a quality train service and is a key attraction for our town and I know from talking to new residents during my canvass who have settled in town, the train service was key to their decision." Over the past week, Russia attacked Ukraine almost a thousand times. The enemy has used various types of missiles, anti-aircraft gunships, and attack drones: there has been a lot of destruction, deaths, and injuries. ADVERTISIMENT However, the world has leverage to make Russian terror lose. This was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, who published a video with the consequences of these attacks in different regions of Ukraine. "Complete disregard for human life and constant terror is what Russia is trying to spread. This week alone, Russian troops have launched almost 1,000 strikes - with missiles of various types, anti-aircraft guns, attack drones," the head of state said. The video posted by the president shows the terrifying consequences of the attacks, fires, destroyed houses and critical and civilian infrastructure. Behind every frame of the video, there is grief, suffering, pain, and lives destroyed or even destroyed. ADVERTISIMENT And the international community can do something to stop it. "Protecting life in Ukraine with a sufficient number of air defense systems, providing our soldiers with the necessary weapons with the necessary range, putting pressure on the terrorist state so that Russia does not have time to adapt is the way to bring peace closer. Russian terror must lose. The world is able to ensure this," Zelensky emphasized. ADVERTISIMENT Earlier, the network showed what Vovchansk in Kharkiv region looks like now. Over the past three weeks or so of the Russian offensive in the Kharkiv sector, the city has suffered terrible destruction. It was also reported that enemy drones were chasing civilians in Kizomys, Kharkiv region. ADVERTISIMENT Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has announced his intention to create a so-called "peace coalition" in the European Parliament. Elections to it will be held next week. ADVERTISIMENT Orban made the announcement on Saturday, June 1, at a "peace march" in Budapest, ABC News reports. He considers this election "an existential turning point between peace in Europe and world war." The Hungarian prime minister focused his campaign for the European Parliament on Russia's war against Ukraine. Thus, Orban portrays his domestic and international opponents as warmongers who allegedly seek to directly involve Hungary in the conflict. He told his supporters that the time has come for his Fidesz party to "occupy Brussels," the de facto capital of the EU, and change the continent's approach to supporting Ukraine, which is repelling Russia's full-scale invasion. According to Orban, two opposing political camps will compete in the European Parliament elections - those who are ready to fight Russia and those who are interested in peace with it. He and his associates are representatives of the second camp, and now the EU's governing bodies are dominated by those who are ready for war with Russia. ADVERTISIMENT The Hungarian prime minister also believes that Donald Trump should win the US presidential election. In his opinion, Trump's victory in November will lead to him and the US administration forming a "transatlantic peace coalition" that could put an end to the fighting in Ukraine. After that, the "peace coalition" will have to deal with the issue of negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, as "it is impossible to defeat Russia," Orban said. As reported by OBOZ.UA, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban supported China's "peace plan" aimed at "ending the war" in Ukraine. He called this country "one of the pillars" of the multi-center world order of our time and a dominant player in global economic and political processes. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! ADVERTISIMENT Sri Lanka closes all schools nationwide on June 3 due to severe weather Posted by Editor on June 2, 2024 - 1:24 pm Sri Lankas Ministry of Education has announced that all schools across the island will be closed tomorrow (June 3), according to State Minister of Education Aravind Kumar. This decision was made due to the current adverse weather conditions affecting the country. Previously, Provincial Education Secretaries and Directors were given the authority to decide whether to keep schools open or closed. However, it has now been decided to close all government schools nationwide due to the ongoing severe weather. "In the end we will not remember the words of our enemies but we will remember the silence of our friends." The genocide, ecocide, and scholasticide in Palestine continues. The Israeli regime ignores calls from the UN, governments around the world, the International court of justice, the International criminal court, and hundreds of millions around the world. More Israeli soldiers are killed or captured by the resistance so Israel continues to kill civilians as that is all it can do hoping to end indigenous people. But the world is changing and truth telling is not being silenced by intimidation and threats from bullies and racists. I see this even in my last few days talking in New Zealand/Aotearoa. Sold-out events, amazing energy....we are grateful to people who act around the world. Below are bits of information I share this week. We must all redouble our efforts (get knowledge and act on knowledge to end this genocide and in so doing save the planet from catastrophic global war). And as I explained to politicalleaders both in Australia and New Zeaand, please stop talking about teh phantom "two-state solution" (a delusion or illusion) and start to talk about human rights (right of refugees to return, equality, justice, decolonization) A survivor of the Nazi genocide calls out Israel's genocide on CNN If you want a bit of background on Gaza. Example of student groups working for justice. Report on Voices from the Holy Land on water apartheid. International Court of Justice rules Israel should not attack Rafah. But the apartheid regime ignores and commits New massacre burning dozens of civilians mostly women and children sheltering in tents in Rafah. Most burned alive. Headless child, charred bodies: Survivors recount Israel's Rafah camp massacre and CNN concludes it was done via US weapons. Nobody is above the law: about the ICC cases. Mossad and the ICC. The message of Israels torture chambers is directed at all of us, not just Palestinians: Black sites are about reminding those who have been colonised and enslaved of a simple lesson: resistance is futile. Gabor Mate on Gaza. Making money off of genocide. Here are some examples. Instead of recognizing Palestine, countries should withdraw recognition of "Israel". I personally explained to all who would listen here in Australia and New Zealand (Aotearoa) that they should push merely for human rights which is the only way to bring peace-- that creates a process of decolonization. More details in my 2004 book "Sharing the Land of Canaan" available here (note first drawn shrinking map of Palestine) Stay Human and keep Palestine alive Oregons manufacturing sector still hasnt recovered from the pandemic recession in fact, its going in the wrong direction, shedding jobs for most of the past two years. Weve seen significant manufacturing losses in Oregon over the last 18 months or so, interim State Economist Josh Lehner told Oregon legislators at a hearing last week. Thats not whats happening elsewhere around the country. The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has information that elements of weapons from China are entering the Russian market. Similar information comes from the intelligence agencies of partner countries. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, as quoted by the We Are Ukraine TV channel. In addition, components made in other countries are also found in Russian weapons, the head of state emphasized. "Today, there are signals from various intelligence agencies, including Ukrainian, that something is somehow entering the Russian market through China. I would be very consistent here. There are indeed some elements that are part of the Russian arsenal that are elements of one or another weapon that come from China," Zelensky said. The President added that the matter is not limited to Chinese elements: Russia still uses components made in other countries to produce weapons. However, Zelensky warned against drawing a conclusion that these countries are specifically selling weapons to Russia. ADVERTISIMENT As reported earlier, while in Singapore, where the Shangri-La Dialogue Asian Security Forum is taking place, Zelensky criticized Beijing's position on the Peace Summit in Switzerland. China, according to the Ukrainian president, has become a tool in the hands of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, helping Moscow to disrupt the event. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! High school students from Oregon Episcopal School put on an impressive performance at the American Rocketry Challenge, held May 19 in The Plains, Virginia. The students secured 20th place among more than 900 teams from 45 states and an invitation to submit a proposal to NASAs Student Launch initiative. The OES Rocketry team met year-round to prepare. To qualify for the challenge, students built and launched a 30-inch model rocket that carried one raw egg to an altitude of 820 feet, among other time and design specifications. In the weeks before the competition, the team worked on the rocket every day after school for up to six hours, 17-year-old co-lead Madoc Plowman said. But their top 25 finish in Virginia did not come easy. While test launching their rocket the night before the final competition, the team lost their rocket in the darkness. Frantic, they rushed back to the hotel to build a new rocket, only to find their original one hours before the official launch the next day. The OES Rocketry team making adjustments the night before the final launch.Courtesy of James Wilson Thats one of the most valuable parts of the experience, learning how to work as a team under stress, Plowman said. In the end, everything gets done. Everyone understands that in the chaos that happens, you learn to manage and make sure that real work comes out of it, and I think thats one of the main lessons weve learned this year. Despite the competitions unpredictable challenges, the teams first launch received a competitive score. The students gathered around a computer and waited as rankings rolled in, excited to see that their final placement was higher than expected. The group left Virginia thrilled, said Plowman, who dreamed of being an astrophysicist as a kid. The teams super excited right now and ready. People got back from that trip and are already trying to figure out a new rocket design for next year, even though you would expect them to be so burnt out and ready for a break. The team is more inspired than ever and motivated to keep working. Its cool to see, Plowman said. The Oregon Episcopal School has a history of strong performance at the American Rocketry Challenge, with a first-place finish in 2021. Team co-leads Flynn Davis Lawrence (left) and Madoc Plowman (right) on the day of the final launch.Courtesy of James Wilson The students are already thinking about the next competition season, with plans to work over the summer. While NASA has yet to release details about their 2025 program, 21 teams were selected to participate in last years Student Launch challenge. To qualify, the OES Rocketry Team must submit a comprehensive design proposal for a rocket about five times bigger than those they have built to date, Plowman said. Selected teams will participate in the final competition in Huntsville, Alabama, minutes from NASAs Marshall Space Flight Center. Jack Reynolds and Layne Bradshaw are co-advisers for the OES Rocketry Team, but they said they do not teach any rocketry. Those kids drive the entire project. They know far more about what theyre doing than we do, Reynolds said. Reynolds, who has taught physics for 30 years, called the students success and self-motivation extraordinary. Theres all this talk in education about extrinsic versus intrinsic motivation. What makes learning stick the stickiness of knowledge acquisition is this intrinsic side of learning. And thats exactly what this is, Reynolds said. Riya Sharma covers Here is Oregon feature stories. Reach her at rsharma@oregonian.com or 503-294-5996. Voter participation advocate Theresa Pasqual traverses Acoma Pueblo with a stack of sample ballots in her car and applications for absentee ballots, handing them out at every opportunity ahead of New Mexicos Tuesday primary. Residents of the tribal communitys original mesa-top sky city that endured after the Spanish invasion in the late 1500s know firsthand the challenges voters have faced across Indian Country, where polling places are often hours away and restrictive voter laws and ID requirements only add to the barriers. Its been a century now since an act of Congress granted citizenship to Native Americans, but advocates say that right bestowed in 1924 still hasnt translated into equal access to the ballot. Inequities are especially pronounced in remote regions across the U.S., and some key Southwestern states with large Native American populations. New Mexico is trying something new a test run of sorts for many new and contested provisions that are part of the states Native American Voting Rights Act that was passed last year. The measure promises tribal communities a greater voice in how and where they can vote, even opening the possibility that tribal offices can be designated as a street address for remote households that have none. This should help at Acoma, where Pasqual said some residents still do not have standard addresses. Native Americans in New Mexico home to 22 federally recognized tribal communities and holdings of an Oklahoma-based tribe were among the last to gain access to voting, decades after the U.S. extended birthright citizenship to the lands original inhabitants on June 2, 1924 through the Indian Citizenship Act. That legislation took shape in the aftermath of World War I in which thousands of Native Americans had volunteered to serve overseas in the military. A patchwork of statutes and treaties already offered about two-thirds of Native Americans citizenship, sometimes in exchange for land allotments that fractured reservations, gestures of assimilation, military service and even the renunciation of tribal traditions. The one-sentence Indian Citizenship Act swept away those requirements in an attempt to grant citizenship to all Native Americans. At the same time, Congress deferred to state governments qualifications on who qualified to vote. Legal access to the ballot was denied under existing state constitutional provisions and statutes until 1948 in Arizona and New Mexico and until 1957 on reservations in Utah. It was by design, said Maurice Crandall, an Arizona State University history professor and citizen of the Yavapai-Apache Nation of Camp Verde. Pointing to the largest Native populations in New Mexico and Arizona, he said: They dont want a large group of Native people who can swing elections. Fast forward to 2020, he said, and many people credit the Native vote with deciding to bring Arizona into the (Joe) Biden camp. Biden won Arizona by about 10,500 votes, as voter turnout surged on the Navajo and Hopi reservations. At Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico, voting has provided Native Americans with a path to power amid the political rise of pueblo member Deb Haaland. She became one of the first two Native American women in Congress in 2018 before taking the reins of the Interior Department to oversee U.S. obligations to 574 federally recognized tribes. For the upcoming primary, Laguna is on the front lines of two Democratic contests with first-time female Native American candidates competing in districts that were redrawn in 2021 to increase Native influence. In the general election, eligible voters among 8,000 Laguna residents will cast ballots in a congressional swing district rematch between U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez and Republican Yvette Herrell, who lost in 2022 by 1,350 votes. Herrell seldom invokes her Cherokee heritage. The states new voting rights legislation for Native Americans provides new tools for tribal communities to request convenient on-reservation voting sites and secure ballot deposit boxes with consultation requirements for county clerks and an appeals process. But there are still obstacles, said Laguna Pueblo administrator Ashley M. Sarracino, pointing to tensions with county election administrators over a decision to withdraw three Election Day voting sites at the pueblo this year, leaving three open. In Arizona, the anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act stirs up frustration among Native American leaders, including Gov. Stephen Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community. He has denounced efforts by the Republican National Committee and state lawmakers to revive and extend voter ID requirements through the 2024 general election. Two of Lewis community members sued in 1928 after being turned away from the polls, only to have the Arizona Supreme Court rebuff their case. The community wouldnt realize the right to vote until 1948 after World War II and the raising of an American flag at Iwo Jima that included Ira Hayes, who was part of the Gila River community. Lewis during a recent online forum counted the years that passed between the time the U.S. Declaration of Independence was inked and the Indian Citizenship Act was signed. He said elected officials for years have made laws for us, about us, but never with us. Native Americans have held widely divergent views about citizenship and voting, said Torey Dolan, a research fellow at the University of Wisconsin Law School and citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Some view U.S. citizenship as incompatible with being Indigenous people; others see it more like dual citizenship. With approval of the citizenship act, many Native Americans feared the expansion of U.S. citizenship might undermine the special status of trust land that allows tribes to make their own decisions about tax-exempt land and shield it from speculators. It was really seen in many parts of Indian Country as being aimed at breaking down tribal cultures, particularly in the Southwest, said Geoffrey Blackwell, general counsel to the National Congress of American Indians that advocates for Native American rights and sovereignty. For some, ensuring voting rights was worth the fight. In 1948, Isleta Pueblo member and World War II military veteran Miguel Trujillo challenged the status quo that barred Native Americans in New Mexico from voting by attempting to vote in Valencia County. He was rejected, sparking a landmark lawsuit that was supported by Washington-based federal Indian law pioneer Felix Cohen and the National Congress of American Indians. A 1956 federal survey of Native voting in the Southwest found anemic participation, with no polling places set up at New Mexico pueblos. In Arizona, Jim Crow-style discrimination set in with widespread application of literacy tests to block Native-language speakers from voting until the practice was barred in 1970 under the federal Voting Rights Act. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 spurred a new movement within tribal communities to encourage participation, said Laura Harris, the Albuquerque-based director of Americans for Indian Opportunity and a citizen of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that gave the Justice Department election oversight in states with a history of discrimination. Since then, several states have enacted new voting laws that some legal experts say make it unreasonably difficult for Native Americans to vote, including a flurry of restrictions from Republicans enacted in the wake of the 2020 election. But in New Mexico, the Sandoval County clerks office has expanded early voting services in recent years for tribal communities. Only one pueblo in the county declined the opportunity this year. Native language interpreters are posted at each of the sites, which are open to all county residents. Evelyn Sandoval works with the county attorneys office as a liaison to Native Americans. She teaches families how to use newly available tools to register online and receive absentee ballots by mail. Im trying to get them to be self-reliant, said Sandoval, a 54-year-old former oil and gas company worker who was raised Ojo Encino, a Navajo community with fewer than 300 residents. Her mother spoke only Navajo. By MORGAN LEE Associated Press Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this story from Zia Pueblo, New Mexico. AP writer Graham Brewer contributed from Oklahoma City. Spring was in full bloom as a mix of showers and sunshine hit the Grant Park neighborhood of Northeast Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. The first week of June will bring warmer temperatures to Portland.Sean Meagher/The Oregonian In a single sentence, Rolando Hernandez moves smoothly between English and Spanish. His narration is uninterrupted through shifts from one tongue to the other. Hes not doing it to translate what hes saying; he simply takes for granted that the person listening to him will understand. The 26-year-old Cuban American is trilingual: he doesnt just speak English and Spanish, but also Spanglish, a hybrid speech variety that was born out of the mix of Anglo and Hispanic cultures. In his Miami neighborhood of Hialeah, where three-quarters of residents are of Cuban descent and 95% of the population is Hispanic, Spanglish (in Spanish, espanglish) rules: Its everywhere, from the closest McDonalds drive-through to the galleries in Wynwood, says Hernandez. Though it is hard to know the exact number of people who speak Spanglish, its estimated that there are 35 to 40 million people in the United States who, like Hernandez, communicate with it, more than half of the 62 million Latinos who live in the country. Its a number that will only grow as the Latino community expands over the coming years: by 2060, it is predicted that one in every four U.S. residents will have Latino heritage. It is the fastest-growing hybrid language in the world, says Ilan Stavans, professor of Latinx and Latin American studies at Massachusettss Amherst College. There are different kinds of Spanglish, depending on the country of origin of the community who speaks it. New York Puerto Ricans speak Nuyorican version, a Spanglish that combines Puerto Rican words with African American English, while Miami Cubans communicate in Cubonics and California Mexicans have their own, Chicano version. Aside from these differences, Spanglish usually manifests in one of three ways, explains Doctor Jose Medina, linguistic researcher and educational consultant, who works with school districts across the country to create and develop bilingual programs. Rolando Hernandez, a 'Cubonics' speaker. Eva Marie Uzcategui The first kind of Spanglish is when you switch between the two languages, says Medina. That is to say, you can comenzar en una lengua and quickly move to the other because thats the way mi mente funciona. The second way consists of combining words or taking a word in English and turning it into Spanish, or vice versa. Medina gives an example: My favorite word is planching, a mix between planchando and ironing. And the third way of utilizing Spanglish is to focus on the syntactic, as when a student says in English, The car blue is going fast. This doesnt mean he doesnt understand. It means that he understands too much, because is utilizing Spanish word order: el carro azul. In Spanish, the noun always goes first and then the adjective, but in English, its different. For Medina, people who speak Spanglish have a superpower: translanguaging, or the ability to move fluidly between several languages. We all have a linguistic repertoire and our job is to utilize the parts of that linguistic repertoire that we need at different times. Translanguaging gives us the opportunity to understand that when we mix languages, its not incorrect. In truth, we are putting our knowledge on display at a high academic level because we can use both languages at the same time, something that not everyone can do, he says. Being de aqui y de alla For decades, people who spoke Spanglish were looked down upon in the United States as well as their countries of origin. Many felt that they werent Puerto Rican or Mexican enough but neither were they sufficiently American. On one hand, Latin American society told them that they were speaking a supposedly incorrect Spanish. On the other, in the United States they were reprimanded for not perfecting their English. Their latinididad and identity in general was constantly questioned, and Spanglish was seen as a halfway step in the process of assimilating into U.S. culture and therefore English. Something temporary, something people would leave behind once they mastered the new language. Posters in English and Spanish on a telephone pole in Bushwick, New York on May 23, 2024. Corrie Aune Hostility towards Spanglish was everywhere: it was born within migrant communities themselves, and even took shape in the family home. In Medinas house when he was a child, his parents, who had emigrated from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, to the United States, always told him to say it in English or in Spanish. The educational system also played a major role in the demonization of Spanglish. Medina illustrates this fact with an anecdote about starting first grade in Texas at the end of the 1970s: They didnt just change my name from Jose to Joe, they also tried to force me to transition to English and to forget the Spanish language. They even tied me to a gurney. I peed myself and just like, on the urine-covered gurney, they brought me to my first-grade class. Faced with this generalized aversion, Spanglish prevailed as a way to adapt oneself to the United States without losing ones original culture, says Ed Morales, professor at the Center for the Study of Ethnicity and Race at Columbia University in New York and author of the book Living in Spanglish (2002). For Morales, speaking Spanglish does not mean that a person is ni de aqui, ni de alla (neither from here nor there), but rather that its about being from both places, being fluid. Its a hybrid identity that takes parts from both, and moves towards the future, he says. Stavans concurs: Spanglish is not a step in the process of learning English, but rather a recognition that Latino culture has its own language that is not Spanish nor English. For Hernandez, whose family emigrated from Cuba to Miami in 2007, Spanglish was everything to try to fit into a new country. His parents didnt speak English and though there is much Spanish spoken in Miami, there were educational and professional environments in which his parents couldnt participate due to their lack of English mastery. It was a huge obstacle, he says. For him and his sister, it was necessary to speak Spanglish at home in front of his parents so that they could expand their vocabulary. But it was also important to keep the culture alive while at the same time, adapting to the new environment. Spanglish allowed us to do that, he says. Spanglish goes mainstream The way of speaking that was born in the 19th century on the United States-Mexico border is, today, a global phenomenon. The first version of Spanglish was developed during the 1846-1848 Mexican-American war and its related conflicts. Spanglish continued to spread through yet another military clash: the Spanish-American War of 1898, when the United States established its control over much of the Caribbean. That moment was the start of a great migration, in which comings and goings created a Hispanic milieu beyond the Caribbean in which the two languages mixed linguistically, explains Stavans. This is how, throughout the 20th century, Spanglish grew its reach and went from being a borderlands dialect to an immigratory linguistic variety, with the arrival of thousands of Latin American migrants on U.S. soil. Caridad de la Luz, aka "La Bruja," a 'Nuyorican' Spanglish speaker. Brenda Maytorena Lara From these beginnings, and after all the rejection it has undergone, Spanglish has moved from the periphery of culture to its center, says Stavans. When the academic began to study the linguistic phenomenon, at the beginning of this century, he remembers that people would laugh at his work. Nowadays, when I give a talk, people dont laugh. People see it as something normal, they can be in favor of it or against it, but they no longer see it as something strange, something foreign. They see it as an everyday thing, says the writer. Stavans explains that this acceptance is due to the media army that broadcasts Spanglish. Hes referring to the theatrical productions, music heard around the world, movies, novels, childrens books and all kinds of artistic manifestations. Latino artists most importantly, in reggaeton and other genres from the hip-hop diaspora have brought Spanglish to the top of the musical charts, with lyrics that have propagated the use of Spanglish across the globe. Its presence is also felt on social media, apps and websites that promote its use and consumption, and many corporations and businesses have also adopted its use. Toyota and Colgate have commercials in Spanglish, Hallmark has a line of cards in Spanglish, says Stavans. While linguistic mixes like portunol, from the border between Spain and Portugal, and franol, from the French-Spanish border, are primarily used in the well-defined borderland regions, Spanglish has managed to go beyond borders and migratory paths to become a global phenomenon that has been exported to different countries. If we added together the U.S. population with the Latin America population who use it, there are some 50 million people who speak this language in one form or another, says Stavans. Edwin Sanchez, a young Chicano resident of Los Angeles. Carlos Rosillo There is no correct Spanish The Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) incorporated the term Spanglish (or espanglish) to its dictionary in 2014, defining it as a way of speaking of some Hispanic groups in the United States in which lexical and grammatical elements from Spanish and English mix. Other words have also been incorporated, like the verb parquear, which comes from to park; tipear, which means to type something; and chequear, which comes from to check something. Still, and despite the growth of Spanglish in recent years, some people continue to view it with disdain. In more conservative and traditional circles, Spanglish continues to be seen as no more than a way of sullying Spanish. But for Stavans, there is no correct language, there is the aspiration to a correct language, but to survive, they have always had to adapt. We have this utopic dream that there is a correct Spanish and thats why there is an institution like the Royal Spanish Academy, which is supposed to protect Spanish. Its curious that English, despite being one of the most popular languages in the world, does not have a Royal Academy, says the expert. English has institutions that are more descriptive than prescriptive: the Royal Academy tends to be prescriptive, which is to say, how one should speak Spanish, while in the United States, dictionaries are descriptive, they reflect how people speak. I think that Spanglish has developed with such dynamism thanks to English, because English does not aspire to squashing everything that comes from below, but instead to giving it some mobility and flexibility. Spanglish is also seen as a tool for decolonialization, and has a certain political backstory: To put an end to the way that the Spanish want us to speak Spanish, says Morales. De todas formas, for the majority of the people who utilize it, Spanglish is a matter of identity and simplemente, the way they talk. Credits Text: Paola Nagovitch Text editing: Ines Santaeulalia Images and video: Eva Marie Uzcategui, Carlos Rosillo, Brenda Maytorena Lara Video editing: Angel Villegas Visual editing: Hector Guerrero Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Florida police are now under scrutiny for tasing and punching a 16-year-old after an alleged trespassing accusation. Lakeland police officials are now under review after how they acted on an incident involving the physical restraint and tasing of a teenager at an apartment complex pool on May 26. According to an arrest affidavit, the 16-year-old was charged with misdemeanor trespassing and two felony counts: battery on a law enforcement officer and resisting an officer with violence. Florida Police Incident Involving Teenager Incident at the Pool According to reports, Officer Christopher McKee responded to a 911 call from the management of an apartment complex, complaining about several individuals using the pool who were not residents. Upon arrival, McKee and another officer were informed that all trespassers on the property were non-residents. In the affidavit, McKee talked to the teenagers who were reportedly trespassing on the property. He gave several more lawful orders to exit the property and stated that if he did not, he could get arrested. Furthermore, the officer stated that the 16-year-old boy continued to ignore my verbal commands and stuck his hand in his face. The teenager then begins to confront the police, saying that he does not have to talk to them. McKee narrated that, at this point, he decided to take the subject into custody for trespassing. Additionally, his report claims that after attempting to take the teen into custody, the boy struck him in the face with a closed fist. Cell phone footage of the incident, shows two officers punching, pulling the hair of, and tasing the teen before he is handcuffed. However, the video does not capture the moments leading up to the altercation. Mother's Perspective on the Alleged Trespassing Ja'Tae Lewis, the teen's mother, provided her account of the incident, stating that her son and his friends were complying with the police's request to leave the property. According to Lewis, one of the officers followed the group and made a derogatory comment about her son's weight, suggesting he should go to the gym instead of the pool next time. Lewis said her son responded to the officer, though he does not recall what he said. The officer then approached her son, who raised his hand to maintain distance, leading the officer to physically engage with him, according to Lewis. Read Also: Missouri Blue Springs Fifth Grader Clears School Meal Debt with Heartwarming Fundraiser Continuous Investigation and Response Lakeland police have not released body camera footage of the incident to the public. Following the altercation, the teen was taken to a local hospital and, subsequently, to a juvenile assessment center. "Chief of Police Sam Taylor has already requested an administrative review by our Office of Professional Standards," the Lakeland police stated. Furthermore, they have informed the public that their office will not be able to release any other material related to this case until the administrative review is closed. The case has sparked controversy around the neighborhood when it comes to safety. Locals and community members have raised numerous questions as to the use of force by police officers, especially involving minors and people of color and minorities. Hundreds of students walk out amidst the University of Chicago's graduation commencement chaos. The disruption escalated as the educational institution decided to withhold the diplomas of four seniors due to their involvement with a pro-Palestinian encampment, intensifying the controversy. Students Walk Out as Protest Interrupts Ceremony Chaos ensued during the highly anticipated ceremony when dozens of students protesting the war in Gaza walked out of the University of Chicago's commencement ceremony on Saturday. The interruption at the rainy, two-hour outdoor graduation ceremony was brief but impactful. Shouts, boos, and calls to "Stop Genocide" echoed through the crowd as students exited between speeches. Following the official ceremony, a demonstration took place wherein participating students held and waved their Palestinian flags and donned their traditional kaffiyeh scarves, symbolizing Palestinian solidarity, over their graduation robes. Among the students whose degrees were withheld was Youssef Haweh. According to the student group UChicago United for Palestine, Haweh and three others were notified via email that their diplomas would be held pending a disciplinary process related to complaints about the encampment. In a press statement, Haweh expressed that despite his diploma being withheld by the institution, it does not matter to him anymore as people in Palestine and Gaza will not be able to experience walking on the stage to receive their diplomas. Haweh questions," What about them, and who is going to fight for them?" While the protest for Palestine and Gaza has had numerous students face consequences, a lot of them express no regret in participating and voicing their cries. Devron Burks, a Vanderbilt student on campus, stated that he does not regret and will not likely regret participating in the walkout and protesting despite getting expelled and arrested. University of Chicago's Stance and Broader Context University officials acknowledged the protest, affirming their commitment to upholding students' rights to express a broad range of views. The walkout at the University of Chicago is part of a larger trend, with similar actions occurring at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and other institutions. Protesters have called for universities to sever ties with Israel or companies they believe support its actions in Gaza, which they describe as genocidal. After the commencement, a small demonstration took place, resulting in the arrest of one individual unaffiliated with the university. The University of Chicago encampment, initially tolerated by administrators, was cleared on May 7 due to escalating safety concerns. Some protestors temporarily occupied a building on campus, prompting formal complaints about "disruptive conduct," which the university is now reviewing. Despite the disciplinary proceedings, the students were allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony and may receive their degrees if exonerated. Community Reaction and Ongoing Efforts The incident has sparked a significant response from the university community and beyond. Thousands of students and faculty members have signed a petition urging the university to award the degrees to the four students. Additionally, over a dozen Chicago City Council members have written a letter advocating for the same. The University of Chicago's decision to withhold diplomas pending disciplinary action highlights the ongoing tension between student activism and institutional policies. As the situation unfolds, it remains a focal point for discussions about free speech, protest rights, and the university's role in addressing global conflicts. Dr Nick Danso Adjei, the Executive Chairman of Trade Facilitation Company, Ghana Link Network Services Ltd, has been named the Best Maritime and Trade CEO of the Year at the prestigious 8th Ghana CEO Summit. The award recognizes his pivotal role in enhancing trade facilitation through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which has significantly improved the efficiency of goods clearance at Ghanas ports and borders. This award comes just after Dr. Nick Danso Adjei, who is the Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Chairman of Ghana Link Network Services Ltd was honoured with the prestigious title of Ghanas Entrepreneur of the Year at the Ghana-West Africa Business Excellence Awards a fortnight ago. The Entrepreneur of the Year award given him a fortnight ago marked the sixth time Dr Danso Adjei had been recognised in that esteemed accolade, affirming his status as one of Ghana's leading entrepreneurs. Under Dr Danso Adjeis leadership, ICUMS has revolutionized the trade sector by reducing the complexities of the previous workflow processes and substantially increasing government revenue. This system now effectively connects over 8,000 trade facilitation players daily, streamlining operations at critical points of entry such as seaports, airports, and land borders. Speaking at the sidelines of the Ghana CEO Summit, Dr. Danso Adjei detailed how the ICUMS has integrated advanced artificial intelligence technologies to enhance system efficiency and security. The introduction of AI has sealed potential loopholes, ensuring a robust platform that supports fast-tracked, smooth clearance of goods," he said. The astute businessman also advising the Ghanaian youth noted that, not only must the youth be focused in life but work hard and stay focused on the goals they set for themselves and they can be guaranteed that God will help them towards achieving the goals they set for themselves. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr Danso Adjei has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives, from pioneering innovative solutions in trade facilitation with Ghana Link Network Services Ltd to venturing into the energy sector with Misyl Energy and Nick Petroleum. This years Ghana CEO Summit focused on the theme "Reigniting Business and Economic Growth: Charting a Path Forward; Economic Diversification and Artificial Intelligence Transformation." It featured a high-profile Presidential Session with Vice President of Ghana, HE Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and former President John Dramani Mahama, discussing pivotal topics like economic agenda resetting, private sector development, and the impact of digitalization and AI on economic growth. Founded in 2016, the annual summit convenes over 1000 CEOs, heads of state, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and policymakers from West Africa and around the globe, aiming to foster dialogue and collaboration between the private and public sectors. The insights and strategies discussed are geared towards propelling substantial and sustainable economic growth within the region. About Ghana Link Network Services Ltd Ghana Link Network Services Ltd is a pioneering company committed to leveraging technology for trade facilitation. Led by Dr. Nick Danso Adjei, the Executive Chairman, the company has been at the forefront of introducing innovative solutions such as the Integrated Customs Management Systems (ICUMS) to enhance efficiency in the nation's ports and borders. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. With most of the results now in from South Africa's election, the long-ruling African National Congress (ANC), will have to contend with sharing power after a historic loss of its parliamentary majority. Counting in over 91.62% of voting districts is complete and the ANC's share of the vote currently stands at 40.98%. Trailing behind are the Democratic Alliance (DA) on 21.65%, the MK party led by former President Jacob Zuma on 13.81% and the EFF with 9.49%. The final results are expected over the weekend. The ANC has always polled above 50% since the country's first democratic elections in 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela become president. Support for the ANC has been dropping significantly due to anger over high levels of corruption, unemployment and crime. One woman who has voted for the ANC in every election for 30 years switched to the DA this time, and said she wanted them out of power altogether because of the cost-of-living crisis and the frequent power-cuts. "This result is not good. I wanted it out of government. We need to give someone else a chance," she told the BBC. Political analyst Sanusha Naidoo told the BBC that although there were a lot of votes still to be counted, there was no way the ANC could reach the 50% needed to form a government on its own. She said the best it could hope for was 45% So to hold on to power the party will need to form a coalition with one or more other parties. ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe said his party was unlikely to form an alliance with the centre-right DA, which is currently polling in second place with 22%. He said there would have to be "policy alignment" between parties to a coalition agreement. For the ANC, its black empowerment policies - aimed at giving black people a stake in the economy following their exclusion during the racist apartheid era - were "non-negotiable". The DA's support appears to have grown in this election, with the party having regained the votes of white people who had backed a party to its right in the last election, and some black people who felt it needed to be given a chance in national government. Despite the ANC's reluctance to align with the DA, its leader John Steenhuisen hasn't ruled out the idea. Mr Steenhuisen said if an alliance with the ANC was reached there would be a few non-negotiables. "Respect for the rule of law and the constitution, a social market economy that treats the private sector as partners in the growth agenda. "Zero tolerance for corruption and cadre deployment, and an absolute laser-like focus on economic policies that grow jobs." Mr Steenhuisen also told the BBC he would have to consult pre-election coalition partners before considering any negotiations. But he ruled out the EFF and the MK party, which both advocate seizing white-owned land and nationalising mines, as potential coalition partners. "I think instability is not in the best interest of the country. A coalition with the radical left in South Africa of the MK party and the EFF will produce the same policies that destroyed Zimbabwe, destroyed Venezuela," he said. One possibility would be a coalition between former MK party and the ANC in both KwaZulu-Natal and nationally - but given the fractious relations between the two parties, that appears unlikely. While Mr Zuma has been suspended from the ANC, he is still a member. He appeared to suggest he would to do a deal with the ANC if it replaced President Cyril Ramaphosa as leader. "I've got the problem with the leadership of the ANC, not with the ANC itself or its membership," he told the BBC recently. He was however reluctant to discuss the prospect of entering into a post-election pact with the ANC. Another option would be to work with the EFF, led by Julius Malema, a former ANC youth leader. The two parties currently form the coalition that runs the country's biggest city, Johannesburg. A record 70 parties and 11 independents were running, with South Africans voting for a new parliament and nine provincial legislatures. The DA has signed a pact with 10 of them, agreeing to form a coalition government if they get enough votes to dislodge the ANC from power. But this does not include the EFF or MK, who would be needed to form a majority. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Royal Occupant of the Golden Stool, HRH Otumfour Osei Tutu II has asked Ghanaians living abroad to be good ambassadors of their country and the Asante kingdom. According to him, it will build and improve the image of the country and also attract more investors to the country. The dynamics of the world are changing, therefore, the government alone cannot engage investors who will want to invest in the countrys economy but the good deeds of Ghanaians living abroad can attract investors into the country. Chief of Sabin Akrofuom Nana Osei Kofi together with Nana Kwame Osei Kyeretwie Otumfour Nkosuohene and Zongo Nkosuohene Alhaji Ali Abdulai who all represented Otumfour Osei Tutu II disclosed this at the inauguration of Asanteman Norway and introduction of a newly installed queen mother of Asanteman Norway Nana Yaa Ogyaama Sikani. He emphasised that the development of the country and Asanteman can not be left in the hands of politicians alone. Ghanaians living abroad and for that matter Norway, all have a huge role to play in ensuring that collectively we can build the Ghana we want. HRH is also very excited about the deliberate agenda being carried out by Ghanaians especially Asantes to help promote the tourism and culture of the country. He noted that showcasing the rich Ghanaian culture helps also to promote tourism in the country which also intends to attract more foreigners into the country thereby improving the economy of the country. He expressed his appreciation to the executives and organisers of the event for the rich display of Ghanaian culture. He believes that it will help to promote the rich culture of Ghana. Im very excited also to learn that they are also taking pains to teach not only the children the Ghanaian language but foreigners here in Norway who are excited to learn the language. He encouraged them to continue with their good works and also urged them to remain united Ghanaians to help promote the country. Nana Kota Ntiamoah chief of Asanteman Norway expressed his appreciation to Otumfour for the support he has given them adding that they will contribute their quota to the country's development. Its imperative to note that as Ghanaians we owe it a duty to help promote our country and that is what we are doing in every form we can. Deputy mayor of the city of Bergen in Norway Thomas Flesland who was a guest speaker at the event expressed his excitement at the display of rich Ghanaian culture adding that they will help support Asanteman Norway in whatever form they can. The colourful event which saw the display and grandeur of rich Ghanaian culture also witnessed the launch of the Asanteman Norway magazine. Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected] Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, Togbe Hodo IV has expressed confidence in Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to transform Ghana. Speaking after Dr. Bawumia delivered a detailed presentation of his policies to the Volta Regional House of Chiefs on Thursday in a meeting with them at Ho, the President of the House shared strong faith that Vice Presidents vision needs to materialize, describing his policies as progressive. Urging the house and the nation to embrace Dr. Bawumia's ideas, Togbe Hodo IV, who is also the Paramount Chief of Anfoega Traditional Area, noted that the NPP flagbearer ought to be given the opportunity to roll out his "progressive ideas" which he believes will enhance the growth of the nation. "We have all heard the very progressive and forward thinking ideasYou and I are agreed that this country needs to move forward. We need progress; we need economic development. Let us listen carefully and ponder about all these suggestions that the Vice President has made. I am not suggesting any partisanship in as far as this is concerned. I am talking about the country called Ghana. We need Ghana to move forward. These progressive ideas ought be made to bear fruit for this nation", he said. He continued; "We have had independence for 60 something plus years and we have barely little to show for it. Therefore, when we have progressive ideas being brought on the table, we should eschew partisanship and listen carefully and see how best we can move forward as a nation with these ideas." "It doesn't matter who wears the hat. The important thing is that this country is going forward. Therefore, we should all embrace these positive ideas. I am optimistic that there is hope for this country." "Let us all buy into that perception of hope and live it as a dream so that future generations will not point accusing fingers at us when we are gone. If we are not careful, they will exhume our bodies and burn them for not being progressive in our thoughts," the Paramount Chief added while wishing Dr. Bawumia well in his presidential bid. Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video One night, at the end of 2020 in one of the most turbulent, pre-vaccine moments of the Covid-19 pandemic in Mexico the head of government of the capital, Claudia Sheinbaum, showed up without prior notice to the operations center, where emergency reports were being attended to. She greeted the officials, thanked them for their work and took one of the seats. Then, she began to do the same work as the rest of the dispatch staff: answering calls, assigning ambulances and finding beds for the sick in the hospitals. According to Pepe Merino, a political economist and one of her closest collaborators, until four in the morning, the head of the government of Mexico City was just another emergency operator, doing the work anonymously. There were no photos of her shift. She didnt do it to be seen, Merino affirms. It was very motivating to see her do the same thing as everyone else. She has a deep commitment and a moral and ethical clarity that leaves you with no room for doubts or ambivalence [about her]. Sheinbaum a left-wing scientist with advanced degrees in Physics and Environmental Engineering has just become Mexicos first female president. This is a historic feat for women in the countrys two centuries as an independent republic. Those who know her say that the ruling partys candidate and president-elect whom they reverently refer to as La Doctora, because of her doctorate and career in academia is a tireless worker. To make decisions, she relies on data and evidence; she listens to her staff and advisors, reflecting on their thoughts. She doesnt rush and shes very frank in her opinions, always giving a firm yes or no. While Sheinbaum delegates tasks to her appointees, shes a perfectionist, following up on their work and supervising it until the end. Shes forceful, but engages in debates with great respect. As an adversary, shes generous and holds no grudges. And, when you get to know her according to a dozen testimonies collected by EL PAIS, including from personal friends, staffers and her biographers she shows warmth and concern for others, offering hugs and good humor. During the 2024 presidential campaign, the 61-year-old former head of government of Mexico City has faced accusations from the opposition about her seriousness and apparent toughness. She has also been questioned about how independent she will be with respect to the outgoing president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador who has been the most important leader of the Mexican left of the last two decades. Those close to her affirm that this criticism is unfounded. One of her biographers journalist Jorge Zepeda recalls an anecdote with the candidate while he was writing a book about her life: At one point I asked her: If you had to sum it up, what would be the uniqueness of your six-year term? She told me: Im someone who makes decisions based on data. On the other hand, Zepeda notes, for Lopez Obrador, party loyalty takes precedence in decision-making. If [a piece of] data gets in the way, another piece is chosen, he observes. He draws a clear contrast between two of them: a person of science such as Sheinbaum cannot disregard information that contradicts her hypothesis. The candidate for MORENA the ruling party, founded by Lopez Obrador was born in Mexico City in 1962. Descended from Jewish grandparents who emigrated from Europe, she grew up in a middle-class family, in an environment with access to culture and open to leftist political influences. Her youth took place during turbulent years in Mexico, in which the PRI regime which ruled uninterruptedly from 1929 until 2000 violently repressed social movements. Sheinbaums parents received intellectuals and political leaders at their home in the evenings. And, in the 1970s, Sheinbaum herself would be part of the student movement of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) that opposed the privatization of public education. She gained prominence and became one of the leaders. She got married while earning a degree in Physics, had a daughter and raised the son of her then-husband. Between the 1980s and 1990s, Sheinbaum found a balance between university protests, her academic training and raising a family. She earned a doctorate in the United States and, upon returning to Mexico, became one of the pioneers in conducting climate change studies. She made the leap to public service in 2000, when Lopez Obrador was elected head of the Government of Mexico City. He appointed her to be the capitals secretary of the environment, with the task of reducing pollution in the capital. As Lopez Obrador began his rise to political leadership, he sheltered Sheinbaum within his inner-circle. He not only saw her as a companion in social protests: he saw her, above all, as an effective administrator. Zepeda observes that Sheinbaum didnt grow up as part of the opposition, nor as a persecuted politician. He points out that this has shaped her way of understanding the exercise of power as being more of a challenge of public administration. She mixes her scientific thinking with a personality of doing things well, of complying, of living up to the responsibility thats demanded of her. Thats her driving force to get up every day, unlike with [Lopez Obrador], the candidates biographer explains. Sheinbaum was formed in a modern, more European left, which centers an agenda that consists of concerns for human rights, ecology, gender and sexual diversity. In 2015, with that platform under her arm, she became the mayor of Tlalpan, one of the 16 districts of Mexico City. Then, in the 2018 municipal elections, she was elected as head of government of the whole city. During her tenure, her biggest challenge was facing the Covid-19 pandemic, in a city of nine million inhabitants. She handled it as expected: as soon as there was scientific evidence regarding how the virus was being transmitted, she mandated the use of masks. This was a striking contrast to the way in which Lopez Obrador handled the pandemic at the federal level. The president questioned the data and decided not to use face masks, as he wanted to convey a message of calm to the population, that there was no need to fear the disease. Its an example [of how] shell never stop doing the right thing, no matter what it means [politically]. Her administration of the city gave many clues as to how shes going to be the first female president, Merino, her advisor, notes. Sheinbaum became MORENAs candidate after winning her partys primaries. She left behind several heavyweights all men who didnt accept their defeat so easily. Lopez Obrador, on the other hand, immediately acknowledged her victory and handed her the leadership of his popular political movement. Fully involved in the campaign, the candidate got married for the second time in 2023 with Jesus Maria Tarriba, an official at the Bank of Mexico and a former classmate of hers at the UNAM. She also became a grandmother. At the doors of the highest office in the country, Sheinbaum the left-wing scientist and politician has made feminism one of her central issues. She has sung her battle cry throughout the campaign: Im not getting there alone were all getting there! Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In a Facebook post, the former High Commissioner and Ambassador to Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Said Sinare has re-echoed his enthusiastic support for John Dramani Mahama's 2024 December 7th electoral victory claiming that, the Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a respected leader, capable, and a hard-working leader who should be given the nod to rescue Ghana from its current economic predicaments. The former National Vice Chairman said he was impressed by Mahama's vision, mission, leadership qualities, and experience, which he believes are essential to reviving Ghana's ailing economy. The outspoken former High Commissioner to Egypt and Saudi Arabia has also issued a stern warning to anyone who attempts to tamper with the will of the Ghanaian people during and after the December 7th polls. Speaking to the media after a meeting with the Flagbearer of the opposition National Democratic Congress, H.E John Dramani Mahama, at his Cantonment office, Alhaji Sinare declared that the elections 2024 "will be won by the NDC and Mr John Dramani Mahama on his own merits as the suffering Ghanaians can now see the clear difference between Malt and Fanta" "We are poised for a resounding victory to rescue suffocated Ghana, and we won't spare anyone who attempts to tamper with the election results to favour the wicked NPP," he said. "The Ghanaian people will be speaking in a clear language on 7th December, and their will should be respected and protected by the electoral Umpire and for the records, as a party, we will not tolerate any attempt to subvert the democratic process if anyone dares to favour the corrupt NPP which has allowed the Ghanaian people to pay for more yet wallowing in abject and unreasonable poverty due to the reckless management of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia led Economic Management team." He praised former president John Dramani Mahama as a rescuer and a result-oriented leader with national and international acceptability. Alhaji Sinare, The former Awayaso Central Lawmaker also highlighted Mahama's credibility and unbreakable track record, making him the only candidate capable of leading Ghana forward. The meeting reinforced Sinare's conviction that the NDC is poised for a resounding victory in the December 7th polls. He emphasized that this victory would give every Ghanaian a sense of belonging announcing that, the ZONGOS should get ready for his campaign vans. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A port wine was named best in show and best dessert wine at the 2024 North Carolina Fine Wines competition that was held recently in Winston-Salem. Called Midnight Grand Reserve, it was produced by Windsor Run Cellars, located in the hills of central North Carolina in the Swan Creek American Viticulture Association (AVA) in the Yadkin Valley. Windsor Run Cellars makes wine, mead and spirits that it sells under its label in addition to producing wine for its custom crush clients. The team includes winemakers Kevin Elder and Elizabeth Higley and distiller (and former winemaker) Dana Acker, who owns one of the more unique bios (and faces) in the industry. By Sharon Johnson and Jeff Amy, The Associated Press ATLANTA Hilbert Margol says he didnt look on himself as a hero when his U.S. Army artillery unit fought its way across Europe during World War II. But he will be feted in France as one of 60 American veterans of that conflict traveling to Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. I know my brother and I never looked at it as we were any kind of heroes, nothing like that, Margol said recently of himself and his twin brother Howard, who served with him. It was just our time. That we were asked to serve. And we did. The 100-year-old Margol, who lives in suburban Atlanta, is among the dwindling band of veterans of the conflict leaving Atlanta on Sunday on a chartered flight for Deauville, Normandy. The veterans will take part in parades, school visits and ceremonies including the official June 6 commemoration of the landings by soldiers from across the United States, Britain, Canada and other Allied nations on five beaches. Margol didnt land at D-Day, but the Jacksonville, Florida, native was among those that liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp on April 29, 1945. The trip also includes high school and college students selected to escort the veterans and learn about their experiences. Charter flights also took veterans from Atlanta to France in 2022 and 2023. Andy Negra of Helen, Georgia came ashore with the 6th Armored Division at Utah Beach on July 18, 1944, about six weeks after D-Day. Its his second trip back to France after also taking part in last years flight. Well to me, we fought for freedom, and we fought for peace, and we fought for a good life, Negra, a native of Avella, Pennsylvania, said in a recent interview. The trip is being organized by Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, the Best Defense Foundation and the North American branch of French tire maker Michelin. It is our privilege to celebrate and honor these heroes by flying them directly to Normandy and recognizing their incredible sacrifices and contributions to the world, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement. By Collin Binkley, The Associated Press ALEXANDRIA, Va. On one side of the classroom, students circled teacher Maria Fletcher and practiced vowel sounds. In another corner, children read together from a book. Scattered elsewhere, students sat at laptop computers and got reading help from online tutors. For the third graders at Mount Vernon Community School in Virginia, it was an ordinary school day. But educators were racing to get students learning more, faster, and to overcome setbacks that have persisted since schools closed for the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago. Americas schools have started to make progress toward getting students back on track. But improvement has been slow and uneven across geography and economic status, with millions of students often those from marginalized groups making up little or no ground. Nationally, students made up one-third of their pandemic losses in math during the past school year and one-quarter of the losses in reading, according to the Education Recovery Scorecard, an analysis of state and national test scores by researchers at Harvard and Stanford. But in nine states, including Virginia, reading scores continued to fall during the 2022-23 school year after previous decreases during the pandemic. Clouding the recovery is a looming financial crisis. States have used some money from the historic $190 billion in federal pandemic relief to help students catch up, but that money runs out later this year. The recovery is not finished, and it wont be finished without state action, said Thomas Kane, a Harvard economist behind the scorecard. States need to start planning for what theyre going to do when the federal money runs out in September. And I think few states have actually started that discussion. Virginia lawmakers approved an extra $418 million last year to accelerate recovery. Massachusetts officials set aside $3.2 million to provide math tutoring for fourth and eighth grade students who are behind grade level, along with $8 million for literacy tutoring. But among other states with lagging progress, few said they were changing their strategies or spending more to speed up improvement. Virginia hired online tutoring companies and gave schools a playbook showing how to build effective tutoring programs. Lisa Coons, Virginias superintendent of public instruction, said last years state test scores were a wake-up call. We werent recovering as fast as we needed, Coons said in an interview. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has called for states to continue funding extra academic help for students as the federal money expires. Jaelene, 9, works on a computer during a third grade English language arts class at Mount Vernon Community School, in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP We just cant stop now, he said at a May 30 conference for education journalists. The states need to recognize these interventions work. Funding public education does make a difference. In Virginia, the Alexandria district received $2.3 million in additional state money to expand tutoring. At Mount Vernon, where classes are taught in English and Spanish, students are divided into groups and rotate through stations customized to their skill level. Those who need the most help get online tutoring. In Fletchers classroom, a handful of students wore headsets and worked with tutors through Ignite Learning, one of the companies hired by the state. With tutors in high demand, the online option has been a big help, Mount Vernon principal Jennifer Hamilton said. Thats something that we just could not provide here, she said. Ana Marisela Ventura Moreno said her 9-year-old daughter, Sabrina, benefited significantly from extra reading help last year during second grade, but shes still catching up. She needs to get better. Shes not at the level she should be, the mother said in Spanish. She noted the school did not offer the tutoring help this year, but she did not know why. Alexandria education officials say students scoring below proficient or close to that cutoff receive high-intensity tutoring help and they have to prioritize students with the greatest needs. Alexandria trailed the state average on math and reading exams in 2023, but its slowly improving. More worrying to officials are the gaps: Among poorer students at Mount Vernon, just 24% scored proficient in math and 28% hit the mark in reading. Thats far lower than the rates among wealthier students, and the divide is growing wider. Failing to get students back on track could have serious consequences. The researchers at Harvard and Stanford found communities with higher test scores have higher incomes and lower rates of arrest and incarceration. If pandemic setbacks become permanent, it could follow students for life. Fifth grade students attend a math lesson with teacher Jana Lamontagne, right, during class at Mount Vernon Community School, in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP The Education Recovery Scorecard tracks about 30 states, all of which made at least some improvement in math from 2022 to 2023. The states whose reading scores fell in that span, in addition to Virginia, were Nevada, California, South Dakota, Wyoming, Indiana, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Washington. Only a few states have rebounded to pre-pandemic testing levels. Alabama was the only state where math achievement increased past 2019 levels, while Illinois, Mississippi and Louisiana accomplished that in reading. In Chicago Public Schools, the average reading score went up by the equivalent of 70% of a grade level from 2022 to 2023. Math gains were less dramatic, with students still behind almost half a grade level compared with 2019. Chicago officials credit the improvement to changes made possible with nearly $3 billion in federal relief. The district trained hundreds of Chicago residents to work as tutors. Every school building got an interventionist, an educator who focuses on helping struggling students. The district also used federal money for home visits and expanded arts education in an effort to re-engage students. Academic recovery in isolation, just through drill and kill, either tutoring or interventions, is not effective, said Bogdana Chkoumbova, the districts chief education officer. Students need to feel engaged. At Wells Preparatory Elementary on the citys South Side, just 3% of students met state reading standards in 2021. Last year, 30% hit the mark. Federal relief allowed the school to hire an interventionist for the first time, and teachers get paid to team up on recovery outside working hours. In the classroom, the school put a sharper focus on collaboration. Along with academic setbacks, students came back from school closures with lower maturity levels, principal Vincent Izuegbu said. By building lessons around discussion, officials found students took more interest in learning. We do not let 10 minutes go by without a teacher giving students the opportunity to engage with the subject, Izuegbu said. Thats very, very important in terms of the growth that weve seen. Olorunkemi Atoyebi was an A student before the pandemic, but after spending fifth grade learning at home, she fell behind. During remote learning, she was nervous about stopping class to ask questions. Before long, math lessons stopped making sense. When she returned to school, she struggled with multiplication and terms such as dividend and divisor confused her. Fifth grade students attend a math lesson with teacher Alex Ventresca, right, during class at Mount Vernon Community School, in Alexandria, Va., Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)AP While other students worked in groups, her math teacher took her aside for individual help. Atoyebi learned a rhyming song to help memorize multiplication tables. Over time, it began to click. They made me feel more confident in everything, said Atoyebi, now 14. My grades started going up. My scores started going up. Everything has felt like I understand it better. Associated Press writers Michael Melia in Hartford, Connecticut, and Chrissie Thompson in Las Vegas contributed to this report. The Associated Press education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. The Winslow Township Fire Department in Camden County once had 140 volunteer firefighters serving in nine stations, including in some firehouses dating back to the early 1900s. But, as a nationwide volunteer firefighter shortage has hit local communities over the last decade, the South Jersey townships firefighter ranks have dwindled to just 35. Because of critically low staffing, Winslow will close three of its four remaining volunteer fire stations by the end of the year and consolidate the department into one headquarters, Fire Chief Marc Rigberg announced last month. The Albion, Elm and Tansboro fire stations will close, leaving Station 25-3 on Cedar Brook Road as the departments sole location, the chief said. At many times we are spread too thin with staffing and are unable to properly respond to calls for service with enough qualified firefighters and in a timely fashion, Rigberg said in a statement. It is desired that by forming one large station, our volunteer firefighters will have an easier and more effective ability to respond. The township has been sounding the alarm on the declining interest in becoming a volunteer firefighter for the last few years. In 2022, Winslow Townships Cedar Brook Volunteer Fire Company temporarily ceased operations due to low staff levels despite call volume increasing. Winslow tried several tactics to attract volunteers, including providing a $60 to $90 stipend for each six-hour volunteer period. The department also offered to cover training and equipment costs, provide a retirement investment plan and other incentives, the chief said. However, budget constraints, along with overextended staff made it challenging to support multiple stations, officials said. We just cannot sustain the amount of stations and equipment at this point anymore, Rigberg said. Tansboro Volunteer Fire Company in Winslow Township, one of the stations that will close by the end of the year.Google Maps Many volunteers juggle other responsibilities, including family, jobs, financial obligations and school. That makes it difficult for volunteers to fulfill the demands of training, incident response, equipment maintenance and other commitments, the chief said. The declining number of volunteer firefighters has been an issue across New Jersey, not just in Camden County, Rigberg said. The majority of firefighters in the U.S. are volunteers, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council, a non-profit membership association. In 2020, there were 676,900 volunteer firefighters in the United States, down over 9% from 2018, according to stats from the association. In a much smaller South Jersey township Upper Deerfield in Cumberland County the municipality had to close one of its three volunteer fire companies last year due to increasing tax rates and the expenses needed to keep it open. Shuttering the 94-year-old station was the most cost-effective solution, Upper Deerfield council members said when they voted on the plan. The decision should save the township about $100,000 annually, according to officials. The Winslow Township Fire Department covers nearly 60 square miles, including the small borough of Chesilhurst, which shares fire services with the township. With a shortage of volunteers and a growing population threatening response times, several measures have been implemented to ensure the department operates efficiently, officials said. The department added mutual aid from neighboring towns to its dispatch team and recently integrated paid career firefighters into its stations. Consolidating the three volunteer stations should not have an impact on response times, Rigberg said in his May 14 notice. Still, the changes will continue to be evaluated to ensure the communitys needs are met, he added. We take the delivery of fire and rescue service extremely serious and our goal is to deliver that service in the best, safest and most effective means possible, Rigberg said. There is no doubt that these actions are hard and not what we desire. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Nyah Marshall may be reached at Nmarshall@njadvancemedia.com. Police in Lower Paxton Township are seeking anyone with information about a girl that went missing from the area of the E.H. Phillips Elementary School on Saturday night. According to a notice from police, Usha Kami was last seen by her family around 10 p.m. in the Haverford Road area near the school. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black shirt, and black Crocs shoes, and is known to frequent the Mechanicsburg area. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to notify their local police and reference Lower Paxton Township Bureau of Police incident LP-24-012279. Mitchell Wasek, the 28-year-old son of a Texas convenience store chain co-founder, has been indicted by a grand jury in Texas on 21 felony charges of invasive visual recording. Wasek, a former student at Southern Methodist University (SMU) Dedman School of Law, was arrested in Travis County, Texas, in October 2023 after being accused of recording individuals in bathrooms and bedrooms, using the toilet, showering, changing clothes, and/or having sex, across multiple properties linked to his family. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza announced on Wednesday that Wasek was charged with recording 13 separate individuals over two years. The camera that was used had a memory card inside, which was the same one used to capture videos taken at the properties owned by the Wasek family. The properties include a house a lake house and an Austin apartment, according to Waseks arrest affidavit. The Travis County District Attorneys Office takes the work of presenting all facts and evidence to a grand jury veryseriously, Garza said in a news release. In this case, a group of independent Travis County community members heard the evidence and law and decided that Mr. Waseks conduct was unlawful. Waseks attorney, David Gonzalez, told USA Today that his clients case involves the legal right to install cameras in ones own home. Gonzalez mentioned how one of the many thorny legal issues at the center of the case asks: May a homeowner install a camera in his home without telling housekeepers or guests, or does the guest have a greater legal right than the homeowner? The investigation began in May 2023 when guests a woman and her friends at the Wasek family house on Lake Travis, found a hidden camera disguised as a charging port in a bathroom that was plugged into the wall, according to the affidavit. The cameras memory card contained dozens of videos showing people in various states of undress, where all were unaware they were being filmed and without their consent, according to the affidavit. Authorities recovered 68 video files involving at least the 13 individuals, KVUE reported. The recordings dated back to 2021, said the affidavit. Since 2019, Wasek has purchased over a dozen video surveillance cameras and other technology on Amazon and had it shipped to his familys properties in Austin, Dallas, and Telluride, Colorado, KXAN reported, citing court records. In October, Wasek was arrested on 28 counts and released on $280,000 bail and is prohibited from contacting the complainants, according to Travis County court records. Its unclear how much time he will serve if convicted in both cases. Moreover, under Texas law, invasive visual recording is a state felony that can result in a maximum of two years in jail per count. Recently, I was privileged to travel to Austria. Travel is an excellent teacher, even for an old dog like myself. A visit there was a solid refresher course in the First Amendment. We have freedom of religion because of the Constitution. There is no established state religion. My faith is not used to determine what jobs I might have, or how high in the government I might rise. Not true for Austria. The state religion is Catholicism, established after a bloody 30-year religious war. Many non-Catholic citizens have learned what a state religion implies. I was in Saltzburg, where Theodor Herzl practiced law in 1885. There he learned that he could not rise in the courts because of his Jewish, non-Catholic faith. He left Austria. Some in this country seek to formally make us a Christian nation. Despite the fact that many of our founders were devout believers, they chose to enshrine into our Constitution no establishment of a state religion. I have seen what a state religion can do to all life, cultural and political. By Peggy Rock Have you ever been to Gettysburg? Its a very special place, unique in the world and in American history. Over 160 years ago this charming small town was under attack by southern rebels. Well, it is under attack again. This time by its manager and elected borough council officials. Donald Trump has been described as a present-day Svengali, using his impressive skills of persuasion to control the thinking of gullible voters. Another literary analogy is the Pied Piper of Hamelin, who charmed the rats of Hamelin and led them into the Weser River where they all drowned. The meaning of Pied Piper today is any person who amasses a blind following through charisma and/or false promises. Like the rats of Hamelin, the unsuspecting followers often reach a tragic end. How many of Trumps blind followers have ended up in disgrace, in jail, or in bankruptcy? The legend tells that the Mayor of Hamelin promised to pay the piper for ridding the town of the rats, but then reneged on that promise. In retaliation, the piper led the children of the town into a dark cave. How much of America will be led into a metaphoric dark cave if we believe Trumps rosy promises and give him another term? More than 98 million voters have been called to the polls this Sunday in Mexico. They will decide whether to continue with current policies, or to change the path going forward. The frontrunner is Claudia Sheinbaum, 61, the successor to President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO). Long the favorite in all the polls, the candidate for the ruling MORENA party has a clear advantage to become the first woman to occupy the presidency of Mexico. The other major candidate Xochitl Galvez, a former senator represents a big tent, multiparty opposition coalition, although public opinion surveys insist that she stands no chance. For those who dont want to pick from the large parties, theres a third option, although it has few possibilities of succeeding. The Citizens Movement has refused to join the opposition coalition: it will try to win over the youth vote on its own. In recent days, the party has been proposing legislation in favor of marijuana consumption and abortion two of their hallmark issues although both practices have already been decriminalized by the Supreme Court. Over this past six-year period the length of a presidential term Mexico has achieved a notable reduction in poverty, although it still affects 36% of a population of 126 million inhabitants in moderate or extreme ways. The countrys crime statistics, however, havent managed to decrease enough to leave any space for hope. There has been an average of 30,000 murders per year since 2018, which makes Lopez Obradors administration the most violent since records have been kept. The 2024 elections have been an example of this, with around 30 candidates murdered since last June, when the campaign informally began. Poverty and violence have been the two key issues in the presidential campaign, which officially began on March 1. The PRI-PRD-PAN opposition coalition has harshly attacked the levels of insecurity in the country, employing the slogan For a Mexico without fear. However, when it comes to poverty, the bloc has tried to convince the electorate that, should they come to power, they wont eliminate the many social support programs that President Lopez Obrador has offered to disadvantaged families. Currently, about 70% of Mexican households benefit from some of these, whether they be educational scholarships or old age pensions. Senator Galvez who grew up in an impoverished town has repeated that she will support the poor if shes elected. She says that she understands their needs, even though shes now an engineer, businesswoman and politician. The favorite Sheinbaum doesnt have the majority support of the poor. The movement that she belongs to, however, does. MORENA a party that she participated in founding brought Lopez Obrador to the presidency with a landslide and keeps him on a political pedestal worthy of a secular saint. In his sixth and final year in office, his approval rating hovers around 60%. This strength is what has propelled his candidate, who has actively and passively promised to safeguard his legacy, now that he will retire to his ranch when he hands over the presidential sash on October 1. A soldier guards workers of Mexico's National Electoral Institute in Ciudad Juarez on May 29, 2024. Jose Luis Gonzalez (Reuters) The continuity that Sheinbaum offers guarantees her a huge voter base. Still, there are those who fear that the numerous adversaries that the president has gained during his mandate will reduce support across other socioeconomic sectors that, in principle, would seem easy to secure for a middle-class candidate. Sheinbaum holds a doctorate in Physics and, before politics, she was a student activist and had a career in academia. The middle classes turned their backs on Lopez Obrador due to his continuous attacks on scientists, journalists, intellectuals, artists, feminists, and everyone else who made it on his long list of adversaries. Hence, the presidents motto For the good of all, the poor first works in favor of Sheinbaum. Still, it remains to be seen how much ground she can gain among Mexicans from her own class. There are those who are sure that should Sheinbaum the former head of the government of Mexico City become president, she will improve or alter some of AMLOs policies that she has so far been silent about. And theres no shortage of those who think that shell actually get even more votes than her predecessor. Whether there have been improvements over the last six years or not (the answer depends on who you ask), Mexico still has major pending issues in basic areas. In the education sector, for instance, a major reform took place during this administration and is just beginning to be introduced into the classrooms, with total uncertainty. And in healthcare, the public health system has multiple shortages of human resources and vital medications. Its the economy one of the areas that citizens are heavily focused on that has provided the most joy to the government, offering the largest amount of electoral ammunition to Sheinbaum. Since AMLO took office in 2018, the minimum wage has been raised to historic levels, foreign investment and exports have broken records, while remittances from migrants which oftentimes support entire towns have increased dramatically. The Mexican peso is strong almost unparalleled among countries that have a similar GDP while theres also hope that there will be even more jobs, given the fact that more American companies are relocating to Mexico. And, as has occurred with social programs and social assistance, not even the opposition dared to denigrate the economic achievements of the ruling party throughout the campaign. These elections the largest in Mexican history will also decide the new composition of the two chambers of Congress, the governorships of nine states (including the capital, which is administered with similar autonomy), several state legislatures and all the mayoralties across the country. All in all, more than 20,000 elected offices are up for grabs. Citizens will go to fill them at the ballot boxes wherever theyre not burned or stolen, at least. Incidents tend to happen. 98 international observers from the Organization of American States (OAS) and other teams at the request of the parties will review the electoral process. While Mexico has a solid democratic process, there are some red dots on the map of the territory, due to either criminal violence or other resistance to the elections. Voters controlled by local bosses, or deceptive unions that provide thousands of votes from certain labor sectors to favored candidates who brazenly acknowledge it are also common. One of the great unknowns of this election has to do with the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). The party that has defined Mexico for decades ruling uninterruptedly from 1929 until 2000, and again from 2012 until 2018 has been experiencing near-death setbacks for years. Its the party that currently faces the most rejection from citizens at the polls. State by state, the PRI has been losing its territorial strength, with many senior leaders having abandoned the party, or having been expelled. The PRI is bleeding. and everything indicates that these elections will make it irrelevant in the countrys political future. Of course, the partys bad reputation has been one of the opposition candidates major burdens on the campaign trail. The second surprise could come from Mexico City. Governed for 27 years by the left, this time, the conservatives are hot on their heels. This shift was already demonstrated during the 2021 midterm elections, when the right-wing National Action Party (PAN) and its allies gained a majority in the Congress of Mexico City. This result, however, wont necessarily be repeated: the 2024 elections are much more complex and the weight of the presidential vote will play in favor of the party that triumphs. If Sheinbaum wins, its likely that part of her success will also be reflected in Mexico City. But within MORENA, operatives havent stopped showing signs of concern about their strength in the capital. Importantly, the June 2 elections dont coincide with the end of the current presidential term. Lopez Obrador has promised to exhaust the legislature, sending both chambers a package of measures that require a constitutional reform. To do this, however, he needs these legislative elections to yield a two-thirds majority something thats not so simple. On top of that, the incoming legislators will only have the month of September left to legislate before AMLOs time in office concludes on October 1. The new government must take charge of everything that has been left pending, to either improve it, modify it, or destroy it. This will all depend on who wins. And thats exactly what Mexicans will decide in a few hours. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The owners of an Ontario plastics plant that's been emitting dangerous levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene say they need more time to comply with federal rules. A petrochemical plant is seen in Sarnia, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young A spokeswoman for Squamish Search and Rescue says an active search is underway for three experienced mountaineers who have been missing since Friday. The RCMP logo is seen on the background for a news conference, in St. John's, Saturday, June 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Trump claimed in an interview on Fox that locking him up, even with house arrest, would be a breaking point for the American people. Trump said on Fox and Friends Weekend when asked about being sentenced to house arrest, So, that could happen. I dont know that the public would stand it, you know, Im not sure the public would stand for it. I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, theres a breaking point. Video: Convicted felon Trump suggests there will be violence if he is put under house arrest: I dont know that the public would stand it At a certain point theres a breaking point pic.twitter.com/9PDKpDYAeM Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) June 2, 2024 As usual with Donald Trump, he doesnt say directly that there will be violence, but he has been trying to get his supporters invested in his legal woes since his first indictment and has had zero success. The American judicial system is not going to be intimidated and deterred by Trumps threats. Trumps comments were part of his usual playbook. Trump has been convicted. The ex-president has lost, and now he is trying to use what power he has to evade accountability and consequences for his actions. Since the 1/6 attack on the Capitol, the vast majority of Trumps supporters have been reluctant to potentially get into trouble for him. If Trump is waiting for a mob to show up to support him, he could be waiting for a very long time. A Special Message From PoliticusUSA If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here. We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value. [wpedon id=344887 align=center] By Matthew Carland, KYODO NEWS - Jun 2, 2024 - 10:42 | All, World As a surge of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses has been curtailed in recent weeks, including through police action with thousands arrested nationwide, some students have grown disillusioned with university authorities for what they see as betrayals of free speech rights due to political pressure. Following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by the militant group Hamas and the beginning of the Jewish state's counteroffensives targeting the Gaza Strip, student protesters came together to call mainly for their universities to cut financial ties with Israel, accusing it of disproportional military actions with dire humanitarian consequences. Some 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas attack, while the death toll from Israeli military campaigns has topped 36,000, according to Gaza health authorities. Washington's failure to discontinue military aid to Israel despite publicly questioning its tactics in the months-old war has also been a focus of U.S. protests. Amid chaotic scenes around major campuses, the U.S. Congress has scrutinized Ivy League schools like Columbia University in New York, where a massive pro-Palestinian encampment became a catalyst for similar protest actions at other U.S. colleges as well as in Canada and Europe. The fallout, with politicians questioning university leaders at committee hearings and accusing them of failing to secure their campuses, led to the presidents of Harvard University and the University of Pennsylvania stepping down. Others such as Columbia President Minouche Shafik, also facing pressure to resign, presided over aggressive crackdowns that involved large-scale arrests by police, administrative punishments and revised policies to limit protest. "It's been horrible. It's truly draconian methods to silence freedom of speech," said Linnea Norton, 26, a Ph.D. student in ecology at Columbia. Norton, who described being arrested on April 18 along with about a hundred other peaceful protesters on the campus lawn, said the decision to call in police was a "politically motivated" move by Shafik a day after she was grilled in Washington at a congressional hearing. Following the arrest, Norton was indefinitely suspended with her university card deactivated, preventing her from accessing campus facilities, she said. House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson and others have labeled pro-Palestinian campus protests as antisemitic. The top Republican suggested in April that the National Guard be brought in to maintain order at Columbia, while 21 House Democrats called for the university's board members to resign if they could not disperse the protesters. Norton disputed the characterization of the protests as antisemitic, noting the presence of pro-Palestinian Jewish students in the encampment and that she herself is of Jewish descent. "There's a perception that simply advocating for the human rights of Palestinians to be able to live freely in their land is somehow antisemitic, which is not," she said. But for Andrew Stein, a 22-year-old computer science student at Columbia, the protests have been overshadowed by hostility. He said administrators needed to keep the campus safe as he and other Jewish students were experiencing antisemitic incidents. When Stein and some friends held a pro-Israel rally over a recent weekend, a group of masked pro-Palestinian protesters stole one of their Israeli flags and splashed water in his face, he said. "I have no problem with people being pro-Palestinian and exercising the right to protest and the right to free speech, but I just want to be safe," he said. At New York University, a 25-year-old graduate student who identified herself with the initials R.D. said she "would not stop" protesting despite witnessing the arrests of about 150 protesters last month, including some of her fellow students and faculty members. "I think there's a real threat to free speech in this country," she said. R.D. pushed back on the idea that "outside agitators" were hijacking the student movement, a claim she said was used by police to justify arresting students. New York Mayor Eric Adams also used the phrase while arguing for the forceful removal of pro-Palestinian protesters from campuses. "They think that they can draw lines between students and the community, and that's foolish of them," R.D. said. "An 'outside agitator' is someone who stands in solidarity on principle with the students and our demands." The University of Southern California, citing safety concerns, announced in April its decision to cancel a graduation speech by valedictorian Asna Tabassum, a Muslim student who expressed pro-Palestinian beliefs on social media, after a pro-Israel group called the posts antisemitic. In an open letter published on the Council on American-Islamic Relations website, a nonprofit for Muslim rights, Tabassum said she was "shocked" and "profoundly disappointed" that her university was "succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice." Irene Mulvey, president of the American Association of University Professors, a nonprofit aiming to advance academic freedom with chapters at colleges nationwide, criticized politicians for seeking the resignations of university officials. "We are witnessing a new strain of McCarthyism in the U.S. where politicians are attempting to interfere in the working of higher education to shape it to their agenda," Mulvey said in an email to Kyodo News, referring to the anti-communism campaign in the 1950s led by Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Student protests at U.S. colleges in part have origins in the Free Speech Movement launched in 1964 at the University of California, Berkeley. As colleges in California at the time restricted student political activities, students conducted sit-ins and protests until the university agreed to honor on campus their first amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. Related coverage: Palestinians rally in Tokyo to mark 76 years of displacement Japanese student urges Gaza cease-fire as U.S. universities quiet dissent Nancy Mace has tried everything in pursuit of a third term in Congress. She has cast herself as both an independent voice and a Donald Trump devotee. She claims her main Republican primary rival this year was recruited by the so-called D.C. establishment. But Mace also says she was honored that House Speaker Mike Johnson recently held a fundraiser in Washington on her behalf. She angered the MAGA base just days into her first term when she said Trump had no future in the Republican Party, and last year stunned moderates when she joined party rebels in voting to oust Kevin McCarthy as speaker. To hear Mace tell it, she is doing her best, battling a revenge tour fueled by a single vote, and trying to represent the nuanced political contours of South Carolinas 1st Congressional District. At town halls, she reiterates that no one will work harder for the Lowcountry, and highlights that she has filed more than 75 bills since she first arrived in Washington three years ago. But she leaves out that just one of them a resolution to rename a post office has become law. As Mace heads into her June 11 Republican primary, there is no question she enters as the dominant frontrunner in one of the states most closely watched GOP primaries. PR-Inside.com: 2024-06-02 17:08:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 331 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 2, 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 Od 1 stycznia 2024 roku obowiazuja zmiany w ustawie o emeryturach pomostowych. Ze swiadczenia beda mogy skorzystac osoby, ktore po raz pierwszy podjey prace w szczegolnych warunkach lub o szczegolnym charakterze po 1 stycznia 1999 r. Prawo niezmiennie pozostaje jednym z najchetniej wybieranych kierunkow studiow w Polsce. Potwierdzaja to dane z raportu Ministerstwa Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyzszego, dotyczace wynikow rekrutacji na rok akademicki 2023/2024, podczas ktorej ... W przypadku bycia zwalnianym trudno jest mowic o przywilejach, ale pracownicy, ktorzy beda obejmowani zwolnieniami grupowymi musza pamietac o tym, ze nie jest to standardowy system rozstania z firma. Osobom odchodzacym nalezy sie ... Branza IT to rynek, ktory zgasza nieustajace zapotrzebowanie na specjalistow. Podobnie jednak jak dzieje sie w innych sektorach i w IT mamy do czynienia z zatrudnieniowymi trendami. Jakie tendencje widoczne sa obecnie? Odpowiedzi na to ... Praca zdalna nie cieszy sie juz tak duza popularnoscia jak w czasie i po pandemii. Jedynie w branzy IT blisko poowa ogoszen proponuje mozliwosc tej formy zatrudnienia, w pozostaych branzach jest to mniej niz 30 proc. Na najwyzsze ... KYODO NEWS - Jun 2, 2024 - 12:37 | Arts, All, Japan, Expo The organizer of the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, western Japan, is tapping into the power of young people to drum up public support and enthusiasm for the global event, which has been mired in controversy over its hefty infrastructure costs. The Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition is rallying universities and teachers at primary and secondary schools to participate in the expo, which begins in April next year, and is making use of social media to get its message out. Osaka's local governments also plan to conduct tours from June to October this year on the site's grand roof named the Ring, a gigantic wooden structure where visitors can overlook the expo site from the rooftop, for junior high and high school students who are residents of or are enrolled at schools in the prefecture aged between 12 and 17. "Seeing is believing. I want leaders of our future society to experience the overwhelming presence of the Ring," Osaka Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura told reporters. The Osaka prefectural government is also planning to invite some 1 million children residing in the prefecture -- elementary, junior high and high school students as well as 4- and 5-year-olds -- to the expo free of charge. So far, about 75 percent of schools that responded to a survey by the prefecture's board of education said they intend to accept the invitation, according to an interim report of the survey. The survey targeted some 1,900 schools in the prefecture and received responses from 1,280 as of May 24. The expo will be held in Yumeshima, a man-made island in Osaka Bay, from April 13 through Oct. 13, 2025. Public sentiment toward the expo remains critical due to its inflated construction costs and operating expenses. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has established a panel of experts to try and keep costs in check, with the ministry assessing construction costs roughly every two weeks based on reports from the organizer. Amid the concerns about the event, the organizer said in May that the number of volunteers will be expanded from around 20,000 to 30,000 due to a higher-than-expected number of applicants. The association and the Osaka prefectural and city governments have received a total of 55,634 applications, with people aged 18 and 19 accounting for the largest group at 23.6 percent of the total. Expo site volunteers are expected to guide and welcome visitors from Japan and abroad at the venue, according to the organizer. The volunteers helping out in Osaka, meanwhile, will offer assistance and information at major train stations, airports and other locations around the city, as well as visitor support at the venue's Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. Related coverage: Argentina mulls withdrawal from 2025 World Expo in Japan A guide to 2025 World Expo in Osaka Osaka Expo's self-built pavilions to drop to 40 from initial 60 The Nigerian government said Saturday that the minimum wage demand of labour unions was unrealistic and the governments offer of a 100 per cent increase on the existing minimum wage should be accepted by aggrieved workers. The government thus urged the two major labour unions, NLC and TUC, to shelve their indefinite strike which is scheduled to commence on Monday across Nigeria. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged the labour unions to return to the negotiation table. He described the N494,000 new national minimum wage demand by Labour as unrealistic and capable of destabilising the economy. Mr Idris, at a news conference in Abuja, said the demand, if effected, would amount to a N9.5 trillion bill for the federal government. He stressed that aside from destabilising the economy, it would also jeopardise the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians. Mr Idris explained that the offer of N60,000 minimum wage by the federal government, which translates to a 100 per cent increase on the existing N30,000 minimum wage of 2019, has been accepted by the Organized Private Sector (OPS), which is a member of the tripartite committee of the negotiation team. 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 What Labour is demanding N494,000, would increase by 1,547 per cent the existing wage. It would cumulatively amount to a N9.5 trillion bill for the federal government. Nigerians need to understand that whereas the FG is desirous of ample remuneration for workers, President Bola Tinubu will not encourage any action that could lead to massive job losses, especially in the private sector, which may not be able to pay the wage being demanded by the Organised Labour, the minister said. Mr Idris noted that while the labour unions were keen on the take-home of about 1.2 million workers, the federal government was concerned about the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians based on its guiding principle of affordability, sustainability, and the overall health of the nations economy. He disclosed that because of the commitment of the Tinubu administration to the welfare of workers, the wage award of N35,000 for federal workers would continue until a new national minimum wage is agreed on and introduced. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the labour unions demand for a N494,000 minimum wage was based on the huge increase in the cost of living for Nigerians caused by government policies, particularly the removal of subsidies on petrol and the floating of the naira. The unions have vowed to continue the strike until the government meets their demands or the government significantly ups its minimum wage offer. Mr Idriss statement, suggesting that the government would not go beyond the N60,000 offer, indicates that the strike may be a prolonged one. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerians are known for being fashionable, with fabrics tailor-made in classy designs. This is gradually changing due to an increase in the prices of fashion accessories. nationwide, The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited various markets within the Lagos metropolis and spoke with designers and their customers. NAN reports that there has been a significant increase in the prices of tailoring materials. A stop at the popular Oshodi Market, where both wholesalers and retailers usually get materials from, reveals that prices of items like thread, zipper, dull face, taffeta and Aba linings, increased by over 50 per cent. Dull face and Taffeta, which were sold for N500 and N800 respectively, now sell for N700 and N1100, while a pack of thread, which sold for 500, now sells for N800 to N1000 depending on the brand. At the popular Idumota Market, which is home to both tailoring materials and varieties of trimmings, the price increase was not different from the other markets. Some fashion designers, who spoke with NAN expressed views on the impact of the increase in tailoring materials. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The Creative Director, of Yvonnes Place, Ketu, Lagos, Yvonne Ideho, said the increase in prices had reduced the profit margin in clothes making. Ms Ideho said: With this current situation in the country, the profit in clothes making is not what it used to be, compared with 2022 and early 2023. I dont overcharge my customers, in order to remain in business which is better than not having any income, she said. In the same vein, Omotola Gabriel, a fashion designer in Ikotun, said patronage in the last two months had reduced. Mrs Gabriel, who owns Shiloh Stitches Fashion, specialising in female and male clothing, complained that the number of jobs she got in April and May was not encouraging, owing to the amount of bills she paid monthly. Business has not really been encouraging for some months, due to the increase in the prices of tailoring accessories. Many customers, who sew up to five, seven clothes in a month made only one or two outfits. Some of the customers I called to know why they had not made any outfit in the last few months, said they had more pressing needs to attend to. I am hopeful that things will get better in the country, she added. Speaking also, Joseph Azubuike, who also makes clothes for both sexes, noted that patronage from his female clients had reduced. Mr Azubuike, who runs a fashion business in his apartment in Igando, said the few female clients who patronise him now opt for styles with lower charges. Azubuike said: My male clients still patronise me as regular but I make more money sewing female outfits because of the styles involved. Now, my female customers prefer to sew simple styles like boubou that wont cost more than N5000, unlike when I charged them N20,000 and even more based on the accessories on the dresses. Meanwhile, Taiwo Oduwole, an accountant, told NAN that she had reduced the number of clothes she made monthly. According to Mrs Oduwole, her main priority is to ensure that her children are well-fed and ensure their school fees are paid promptly. The last time I took any clothes to my tailor was four months ago because I used to like clothes with accessories, which cost between N15000 to N30000 to make. The cost of buying rice, garri and pepper to feed the home is my main objective right now, not sewing, she said. Also, Yewande Adekunle, a bank official, said she no longer made sophisticated clothes because of the charges. Ms Adekunle said: I still patronise my tailor but I do more of simple outfits these days. The cost of sewing beautiful and well-accessorised outfits is high, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Many early Nollywood films were heavily influenced by religious themes, such as witchcraft, cultism and satanic activities; this was Nigerias unique flavour of horror movies in the late 90s. This is evident in movies like the 1992 blockbuster Living in Bondage, where the protagonists deal with occult forces leads to dire consequences. Its no surprise that filmmakers still infused their stories with themes of religious morality. But one person made this narrative line her forte and dominated horror flick filmmaking for quite a while. Helen Ukpabio added a unique twist to this genre, as her stories focused on witches, demons, and possessions. The Calabar-based actress and founder of Liberty Gospel Church in Cross Rivers State is known for her witch-themed movies from the late 90s and early 2000s. Ukpabio, who claims to have been a teenage witch betrothed to Satan before her conversion, used her films to expose what she saw as the kingdom of darkness. Ukpabio, now 55, strongly opposes demonic possession, witchcraft, family bondage, and child possession. She didnt shy away from portraying these metaphysical aspects in her films, which her company, Liberty Films, produced. She wrote these movies, often shot in Old Calabar town, and frequently played roles as a pastor delivering the afflicted family. 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 Despite facing criticisms for her anti-witchcraft campaigns, particularly against women and children, Ukpabio has shifted her focus from filmmaking to building her church and engaging in evangelical activities. She has kept a low media profile but recently made headlines for acquiring a mansion in Uyo. The dedication of her new home, Raah Villa, meaning God has given me a home, was attended by notable figures, including the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno. In this article, PREMIUM TIMES revisits some of her most chilling horror films from the past. Coven (2003) The movie, directed by Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, narrates the activity of a coven of darkness and how the witches and devils in the coven manipulate mens affairs. The chief Wiccan, played by Olu Jacob, who is the head of the coven and the servant of Beelzebub, is set to host the next world witchcraft festival, but to achieve this, he must meet specific requirements. His aids, co-witches and servants, Mother Heckat (played by Ada Ameh) and Dragon (Joe Lous), are tasked to enrol more witches into the coven. At the same time, they enlarged the number of people in the human world that were in their bondage. Mother Heckat is charged with a mission to initiate more members and get more captives for the coven. There, she possessed Mela, a young son of Davids family. Miller began to wreak havoc in the home of Mr Joseph, who had forsaken the church because the church where he worshipped had failed to recognise him. Soon, his family began to experience inexplainable miseries stemming from the coven to which their son had been affiliated. From attempted suicide to sicknesses and all sorts of crises. The movie makes a case for the cause of all the worlds social, political, medical and financial crises as a product or result of the covens activities. The movie starred Pete Edochie, Olu Jacob, Helen Ukpabio, and Ada Ameh. The Coven 1 (2003) (youtube.com) Married to a Witch (2001) Married to a Witch is a 2001 Nollywood movie about Michael, a young and successful businessman who falls in love with Alice, a woman who is secretly a witch and part of a coven. The film explores Michaels descent from a faithful Christian to a victim of witchcraft, as he loses his faith, health, family, and ultimately his life due to the manipulations of Alice and her coven. His devout Christian sister Esther attempts to save him from evil influences. The movie combines elements of drama, horror, and suspense with comedy and romance. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of losing ones faith and the destructive power of witchcraft. Fred Amata directed the movie, which starred Kwame Owosu, Lilian Bach, Iyabo Lawani, Chidi Mokeme, Helen Ukpabio, and Ameachi Monagor. Married To A Witch (2001) (youtube.com) Highway to the Grave (2000) Highway to the Grave was produced by Helen Ukpabio but was written for the screen by Teco Benson. Music for the film was by Stanley Mgbokwere, the Director of Photography was Solomon Nwoko, and the movie was produced jointly by Helen Ukpabio and Teco Benson. The cast of the film included Sonia Cacchus, Regina Askia, Ejike Asiegbu, Jide Kosoko, Tony Umez, Segun Arinze, Helen Ukpabio, Shan George, Lanre Balogun, and Ernest Asuzu. The movie narrates the tale of Sonia, a princess from the underworld, sent to manifest confusion in the lives of her male victims. She uses her beauty and demonic powers to take her prey away from their destined lives. The movie opens with a young man, Pat, who meets a lady on the street and offers her a ride. While on the trip, he starts to make advances at her, and suddenly, she disappears from the car; this gets him running out of his car, not until he meets a friend, Fred, who narrates his current ordeal. Fred took him to a spiritualist who instructed Pat to walk around the market seven times stack naked. Despite carrying out this instruction, it did not save her from the hands of Suna as she tormented him to death. Sonias next victim was Tony. The Queen of the coast has instructed her to punish him as he is set to get married after breaking up with one of the water girls. Sonia sets her snare for him, and he falls right into it. He invited her to his hotel, and she honoured his invitation, and while he kissed her, she turned to a pillow; he was shocked and fainted. The next day, which is supposed to be his wedding, and before he can wake up from the faint, he is already late for his wedding, which has been called off. Devastated by frustration, he gets into an accident and dies. Sonia was out for every man, from pastors to business people, and everyone she and her marine kingdom set their eyes upon was in for real trouble. Highway To The Grave (2000) (youtube.com) End Of The Wicked (1999) End Of The Wicked is a 1999 Nigerian horror film directed by Teco Benson and written by Helen Ukpabio. The film is notable for its controversial impact, as it was blamed for a rise in witchcraft accusations against children in the 1990s and early 2000s. The cast includes Hilda Dokubo as Stella, Ramsey Nouah as Emeka, Charles Okafor as Chris, Alex Usifo Omiagbo as Beelzebub, Patience Oseni as Mama Chris and Helen Ukpabio as Pastor. End Of The Wicked is a Nigerian horror movie that tells how the forces of darkness destroy good people and how the power of the Almighty God saves them. The film also discusses the presence of demons and witches in our midst. The movie opens with a scene of witches flying to attend a meeting, and at the Belzelbub, ordered the witches to take up their original state; some turned to Owols, others turned to dogs, cats and other wild animals. He charged them to get blood as their blood bank ran dry. The movie focuses on Chris, whose wife, Stella, and children are tormented by witchcraft activities. His mother is a witch, and for all his excellent work, Chris Amadi was the son of Lady Destroyer. She makes him a prisoner and introduces him to thriving and contention in his business and the lack of peace in his family. Soon, the children were initiated by one of their colleagues after collecting puff puff from him. This initiation brought unrecoverable suffering upon the family; Chris lost his business contract and tormented him till death. End Of The Wicked (1999) YouTube Holy Crime (1999) Holy Crime is a 1999 Nollywood horror movie about , a man who claims to be God and the saviour of humanity. As a young boy, Mozumba was a king who lost his father and gained authority. Claiming to have seen God, he combined traditional and religious authority. Later in life, Mozumba abolished the conventional stool and moved to the city to focus on his full-time ministry. In the city, Mozumba gains a following and rises in status, but eventually, he is confronted with his limitations. Worshipped by his followers as a god despite his many atrocities, he opens four new chapels and appoints four members as his accomplices in crime. These chapels are the Chapel of Power, Chapel of Wisdom, Chapel of the Star, and Chapel of the Sun. The film explores themes of power, belief, and the consequences of unchecked authority. Directed by Teco Benson and based on a story by Helen Ukpabio, the movie delves into the psychological and societal impact of a charismatic leaders influence over his followers. Many believed the movie was a satire of the then-famous Olumba Olumba, who shared similar characteristics with the essential character. The movie features Kanayo O. Kanayo, Charles Okafor, Hilda Dokubo, Helen Ukpqbio, and Victor Iyana. Holy Crime (1999) (youtube.com) Power To Bind (1998) Power to Bind is a 1998 Nollywood movie that centres on desperation, belief, and spiritual warfare. The film explores the extent to which fear, particularly the fear of death, can drive individuals to seek solutions outside of godly ways. It delves into false gods and the consequences of such beliefs. The plot highlights the power given to humans to bind evil, emphasising that this power must be sought after sincerely and righteously. As demonic invasions reach their peak, the film suggests that if Gods people genuinely believe, pray, and exercise their spiritual rights and authority, they can overcome all forms of evil forces in their lives. Ultimately, the movie conveys that victory belongs to the righteous. In the movie, the coven kingdom launches their demons into the world; one such demon is the prophet Centurion of Mighty Tower Pentecostal Prophetic Ministry. Power to Bind was Helen Ukpabios first film, directed by Teco Benson. The cast includes Segun Arinze and Helen Ukpabio herself, with music by the Liberty church choir and Stanley Okorie. Power to Bind (1998) YouTube Magic Money (1998) Teco Benson directed him. Helen Ukpabio tells a story of mans enslavement to money. Collins, who has been poor and jobless, met a friend, Victor, his classmate, who has become wealthy and is doing well. He is determined to go the extra mile to ensure a constant cash flow. However, Colin is surprised at the price he has to pay for magic money. He is charged with bringing a pregnant woman to secure his wealth; after many years of suffering and joblessness, he doesnt give it a second thought. A pregnant woman, he was reluctant and sorted for an easy way out. But there is no easy way out when it comes to magic money. Magic Money (1998) YouTube Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A sermon delivered by the reinstated Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, at the Muslim congregational prayers on Friday has generated controversy in the state. Leading the prayers for the first time since his reinstatement on 24 May, Mr Sanusi, in a thinly veiled criticism of his rival, Aminu Ado Bayero, said it is wrong for a Muslim ruler not to accept whatever fate befalls him as the will of God, Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Mr Sanusi after the state House of Assembly controlled by the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) repealed the state Emirate Council Law 2019, scrapping the five emirates system and dethroning their emirs. The law was passed under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who in 2020 removed Mr Sanusi and split his emirate into five. However, Mr Ado-Bayero rejected his own removal as the Emir of Kano after an ally obtained an interim order from the Federal High Court in a suit challenging the repeal of the 2019 law. Mr Ado-Bayero returned to Kano on 25 May, a day after Mr Sanusi was formally reinstated, and moved into a mini palace of the emirate while Mr Sanusi was installed in the main palace, Gidan Rumfa. No one can ask God for an explanation on any issue, Mr Sanusi said, in an apparent reference to Mr Ado-Bayero, who he did not mention by name while leading the Friday congregational prayers at the citys central mosque. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Sanusi preached on belief in God and the need for Muslims to accept their destiny for good or for bad. He also spoke on the importance of prayers and supplications in the month of Dhul Hijjah the month Muslims observe Edel-Kabir. Whoever believes that Allah alone gives everything must take his decision wholeheartedly without contemplation. No one asks Allahs reasons for anything. We were told that whoever does not accept that destiny is from Allah his belief is not complete. One should be thankful in good and bad situations. We must believe that whatever happens to us is predestined and what we couldnt have is also from God. We are fast approaching Dhul Hijjah, which is very beneficial, and we must observe supplications these days, Mr Sanusi said. Controversy over sermon Several residents in the state and beyond have been reacting to the sermon. A former state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Muaz Magaji, accused Mr Sanusi of using the pulpit to attack Mr Ado-Bayero. Mr Magaji, who served in the administration of Mr Ganduje, said the sermon was at variance with the teachings of Islam because the message and intention were twisted and self-serving. The pulpit is sacred, therefore, its wrong to use it sarcastically against anyone, Mr Magaji said in a series of Facebook posts on the sermon. The genesis of the problem centred on politicising the Emirship title as being institutionalised by SLS (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi). Now, he is setting a (bad) precedent for Islamic clerics to be twisting the divine teaching to attack each other. Why didnt SLS accept this as a destiny when he was removed (as emir) and later became Khalifa (of the Tijjjaniyya sect), questioning Gods decision? Does that mean he did not accept the destiny? Perhaps his wish was granted as a trial for refusing to accept his own destiny, Mr Magaji added. Another Facebook user, Adam Muhammed, also cautioned Mr Sanusi against using the pulpit to promote his cause. He quoted a companion of Prophet Muhammad, Abu Hurairah, to fault Mr Sanusi. Hadith No. 252 Ibnu Maja, Narrated Abu Hurairah, the Prophet Muhammad says whoever learns knowledge that is sought for the sake of Allah, but learns it only to gain some worldly benefit, will not smell the fragrance of Paradise on the Day of Resurrection He said the statement is a strong critique for anyone using any platform for the propagation of knowledge, such as Friday sermons, for personal gain or to elevate their own cause or status rather than to sincerely guide and benefit the community for the sake of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) teaches that knowledge should be pursued with pure intentions to please Allah, not for worldly benefits such as status or power. ALSO READ: Kano court restrains security agents from evicting Sanusi Using Friday sermons, a significant platform meant to educate and spiritually uplift the community, for personal gain is a serious misdeed. The hadith warns that those who seek knowledge or use their position primarily for selfish motives will be deprived of the blessings of the afterlife, symbolised by not being able to smell the fragrance of Paradise. This indicates a severe spiritual loss and highlights the importance of sincerity (Ikhlas) in all actions, especially in religious duties. Friday sermons should be a time for genuine teaching and reflection, aimed at fostering piety, moral behaviour, and community unity. When an individual exploits this time for personal benefit, it undermines the sanctity and true purpose of the sermon. The ultimate success for a believer is not in achieving personal status or material gains but in attaining Allahs pleasure and a place in Paradise. This hadith is a reminder for anyone in a position of influence to introspect and ensure their intentions are aligned with the principles of Islam, prioritising spiritual and ethical goals over personal gain, Mr Muhammed wrote. Another Facebook commentator, Nasir Sayyadi-Fagge, posted a photo of Mr Sanusi in a handshake with a white lady and said: someone who wrestled his way into the palace at 2:00 am midnight is the one delivering sermons asking people to believe in destiny. What Khalifa did today at the Friday prayer was innuendo, not Friday sermon, another Facebook user, Yakuba Musa-Yakuba, said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has said the indefinite strike announced by Nigerias foremost labour unions would not affect the conduct of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). In an internal memo addressed to the principals of schools participating in the 2024 WASSCE, WAEC said the conduct of the internal examination continues irrespective of the strike. The attention of Management has been drawn to a notice of the Commencement of Indefinite Strike by NLC and TUC effective Monday, 3rd June 2024. Please be formally informed that the conduct of WASSCE SC 2024 goes on as scheduled, the examination board said in a statement signed by the Ekiti Branch Controller for WAEC National Office, identified as T A Lawson. WAEC said as much as it shares in the concerns of the unions and the generality of Nigerians, the examination is going on across the member Countries of WAEC and the Nigerian child should not be put to a disadvantage of missing the exam. For the aforesaid reason, WAEC will conduct the exam and School Principals, supervisors, parents and the general public should please take note and make adequate arrangements for their candidates to sit the exam, the statement added. A similar statement signed by the Ikeja Zonal Coordinator of the examination body, T O Danjuma, was also shared with schools within the zone. But the office of the Head of Nigerias Office of WAEC, Amos Dangut, has said the memo shared with the stakeholders was not for public consumption. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The spokesperson for the examination, Motorola Adesina, in a telephone interview with PREMIUM TIMES, also denied the claim that WAEC had dared the labour unions, even as she appealed for understanding. She said the examination is being conducted across four member states of WAEC and that the timetable and schedules are the same across the countries. Mrs Adesina said: WAEC can never dictate to the Nigerian labour unions, but this is a passionate appeal for understanding for the sake of the future of the affected Nigerian children. Strike The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Saturday directed its affiliates to mobilise for a total indefinite strike from Monday, 3 June. The industrial action is expected to disrupt activities in schools, hospitals, and airports, which may lead to power outages, fuel scarcity, and transportation disruptions across the country. The strike is to force the government to agree on a new minimum wage for workers as well as review the increase in the price of electricity for some consumers. The labour unions are currently at loggerheads with the Nigerian government over negotiations for a new minimum wage. The current N30,000 minimum wage took effect in 2019, and the union is now negotiating a higher minimum wage with the government. The NLC initially requested N600,000 but has now settled N494,000. However, the government rejected the amount, saying it is unsustainable and warning it could destabilise the economy and negatively impact over 200 million Nigerians. The government said it is offering N60,000, an amount the labour leaders reject, leading to a deadlock and a declaration of strike by the labour unions. Qosim Suleiman is a reporter at Premium Times in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Teledalase community in Maidan Orile, Ikosi-Isheri Local Government Area, Lagos State, has been cut off from the city for two years, with no hope of reconnection, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. According to residents of the community, the big canal, which passes through the community needs to be dredged to ensure the free flow of water when it rains. They said the Maidan footbridge, which was used by residents to cross to the other side of the LGA, collapsed two years ago. The residents also alleged that they had experienced different environmental challenges in the last two years and had written and consulted some government representatives. They say the situation is worse because their children cannot go to school during the rainy season, for fear of being drowned in the carnal. They also revealed that many had become homeless in the community due to flooding. NAN observed that due to the collapse of the footbridge, residents of the community had to pay to be taken by canoe, whenever they needed to go to the city for school, hospital, market or even business. The community leaders and residents of Teledalase told NAN that they had been appealing to the government to come to their aid, by fixing the collapsed bridge, which disconnected them from the larger society. Alepro Ehijapor, the Chairman Community Development Committee (CDC) in the Araromi Community of the area, told NAN that the stress of commuting from the area was stressful as well as painful, especially for the elders in the community. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We have been abandoned by the government and thats why we are appealing for quick resolution before the situation becomes worse, he said. The community leader also added that it was an enormous risk to transport pupils by canoe to school daily, and appealed to the government to rescue the community. Mr Ehijapor also urged the government to build a big embankment, to prevent the flood from overflowing its banks into the community. We want government to build an embankment to prevent the flood from overflowing its banks into the community during heavy rains, as majority of the houses are already affected. Our school children are also at risk of not getting education because most of them do not bother going to school when the carnal overflows, during rainy seasons, he said. Adebayo Kareem, a former Community Development Council (CDC) Chairman of Araromi Weigh Bridge in the community, also said that the environmental challenges were beyond the Community Development Associations (CDAs) and CDC. Its beyond our capacity, the collapsed bridge and flooding are major challenges that are threatening the existence of the community. These problems have rendered many homeless because when there is rainfall, many residents leave their houses and seek shelter elsewhere. At the same time, the bridge, which is the major entrance to the community, has collapsed since 2022 without repair. Many of the residents have resorted to going out by canoe, they pay N50 per head, to enable them to cross to the other side of the community. This is what we do to get to our places of work, this puts our lives at risk on a daily basis, he said. Dennis Olakitan, also a resident of the community, told NAN that he could not go out for fear of canoe rides. According to him, he has a phobia of water transport, so, I find it difficult to leave my home. All my legs have swollen because Im indoors for months. We are living in isolation and fear in this community, majority of the elders cannot go out because of the collapsed footbridge. We beg the government to come to our rescue and save us from the life of isolation we are leaving. Abayomi Oguntimehin, also a resident, said that residents were tired of using canoes before they could connect with the outside world. The collapsed footbridge has disconnected us from the major road. We are calling and begging the government, to rescue us from this environmental hazard and find a lasting solution to our problems in this community. This is rainy season, some of our school children are at home for fear of the canal, we really need urgent attention to these issues, he said. NAN reports that the Maidan footbridge, which sits between Oniyanrin Street and Maidan Orile, enroute Agility Bus-stop in the Mile 12 area, collapsed on 8 July, 2022, after a downpour and has not been repaired. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police have foiled an attempt by suspected thugs to invade the residence of the chairperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Abdullahi Abbas. The police spokesperson in the state, Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Kano. Mr Kiyawa said on Friday, 31 May, at around 6 p.m., a distress call was received from Chiranchi junction in Gwale Local Government Area of the state. It was reported that the thugs, armed with dangerous weapons, were pelting people with stones and attempting to enter the APC chairmans house, he said. Mr Kiyawa said a team led by the divisional police officer, Gwale Division, responded to foil the attempted invasion and restore normalcy to the area. He said no arrest was made, but investigation revealed that the incident was a fight between two rival gangs, with the masterminds identified as AbdulYassar, alias Jonny, Birbiri and Jinjiri Aljan. Mr Kiyawa said efforts were underway to apprehend the suspects, saying a round-the-clock patrol has been intensified in the area to prevent further disturbances. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The police are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all citizens in Kano State, and this swift and decisive action is a testament to their commitment to protecting the community, he said. He assured residents that the police were on top of the situation. We have mapped out security measures to enable residents to move on with their legitimate activities without threats to lives and property. We are appealing to all law-abiding and peace-loving residents to volunteer timely and credible information on the movement of suspected characters in their midst for prompt security actions, he added. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print President Bola Tinubu has reacted to the killing of five soldiers in Aba, Abia State, describing the incident as a treasonable offence. He threatened that the federal government would go after those who have made it a habit to attack the officers and men of the armed forces. The president said this in a statement he personally signed on Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES reported that five soldiers were killed on Thursday in Aba by suspected members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who were observing Biafra Day. President Tinubu warned that such violence would never be condoned and tolerated. According to him, the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors making the communities in the country unsafe. The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces. 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 On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state. I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe, Mr Tinubu said. The president asked the security agencies to fish out the killers of the five soldiers. I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack, but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence, he said. Read the presidents full statement below. PRESIDENT TINUBUS STATEMENT ON THE KILLING OF SOLDIERS IN ABA I have received yet another disheartening news of the killing of five soldiers by suspected militants of the proscribed terrorist organisation, IPOB. The slain soldiers were on peacekeeping duty in Aba, Abia State on Thursday when they were murdered, just two months after a similar tragic incident happened in Okuama in Delta state. These unwarranted barbaric and evil acts stand condemned and should never be condoned and tolerated in our country. Our soldiers and the police have the onerous duty to protect all of us from aggressors and non state actors. Hundreds of them have paid the ultimate price in fulfilment of their duty, while some have experienced the indignity of being manhandled by the people they protect. They surely do not deserve the mindless attacks by unruly elements in our society. The federal government will come down heavily against those who have made it a habit to needlessly attack the officers and men of our armed forces. On no account should anyone, under any guise, have the audacity to kill agents of state. I want to make it clear that the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the armed forces have the capacity to crush violent non-state actors, making our communities unsafe. I urge security agencies not only to fish out the masterminds and perpetrators of the Aba attack, but also those calling on people to stay at home. Their action is nothing but a treasonable offence. The fact that the security forces are exercising necessary restraints should not be mistaken for weakness. We are working to build a peaceful and harmonious society, but nobody should be under any illusion that the government will not act appropriately when the lives of our officers and men are wantonly taken. While my condolences go to the families of the five slain soldiers, their colleagues and the leadership of our armed forces, I urge other men and women on peacekeeping duty not to be discouraged by the unfortunate incident in Aba. Bola Ahmed Tinubu President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria June 1, 2024 Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Bauchi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ahmad Jalam, lost his life in an auto crash that occurred on Saturday. Governor Bala Mohammed disclosed this in a condolence message to the members of his immediate family and the entire people of the state issued in the early hours of Sunday. According to him, the commissioner died in an accident that occurred on the busy Misau-Darazo highway. Mr Mohammed described the deceased as a dedicated public servant, whose commitment to the development and well-being of his local communities was unwavering. The governor said, During his lifetime, he championed numerous initiatives aimed at improving good governance and community relations. Late Ahmed Jalam was known for his tireless work, integrity, and compassion for the people he served and his service will be remembered and cherished by all. READ ALSO: Tinubu speaks on killing of soldiers in Abia His demise is deeply felt by all and the countless individuals whose lives he touched during his lifetime. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Mohammed, on behalf of his family, government and the good people of the state, extended his deepest condolences to the members of the late commissioners family and the entire people of the state. He also prayed that the Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest. The governor said that the late commissioner, who left behind wives and many children, would be buried on Sunday in his hometown in Dambam Local Government Area according to Islamic rites. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Some women-focused civil society organisations (CSOs) have called for the domestication of the National Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy and Action Plan by state governments across Nigeria. The groups made the call Friday at a one-day policy socialisation workshop in Lagos organised by the development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) to discuss and review the WEE policy. Commending the Lagos State government for creating a committee to domesticate the policy, the participants underscored the need for its domestication to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 geared towards achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. The WEE was launched in 2023 to streamline all gender policies and address disparities faced by women in accessing financial benefits and opportunities in various sectors. The workshop had participants from the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Womens Group, NECAs Network of Entrepreneurial Women, Champion Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Association (CWEMA), Anchor Coop Society, and Bomarah Foundation. Policy Socialisation, Objectives According to Kehinde Omojola, a consultant with the dRPC, the essence of policy socialisation is to address the gap of policies being made at the national level without educating and engaging stakeholders in civil society and the private sector at the state level. Mrs Omojola said the process of policy socialisation is required to complement the state governments efforts at policy domestication. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later She also stressed the need for stakeholder engagement and the inclusion of rural women in the formulation of government policies. She said that the non-performing loan rate for women-owned and women-led SMEs is only 2.7 per cent, which is 33 per cent lower than the rate for men, per the Global Banking Alliance for Women 2017 report. The policy gives a guideline and it tells us who is responsible for what and what needs to be done and even in some cases how to go about doing it, she said. With a proper policy in place, it is preparing us for success because we are now going to be intentional in what we do. Goals, components of policy Mrs Omojola said the key components of the policy include agriculture, entrepreneurship, the traditional labour market, emerging industries and education and skill acquisitions, while the cross-cutting factors of the policy include Womens Financial Inclusion (WFI) and literacy, and digital innovation, literacy and access. She said the overarching goals of the policy are for Nigeria to reach the top 90 countries on the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index by 2028 and for Nigeria to be among the top 40 countries on the WEF Global Gender Gap Index Economic Participation and Opportunity sub-index by 2028. For womens economic participation, Mrs Omojola said, the goal is for Nigerian womens labour force participation rate to increase from 55 per cent to at least 65 per cent by 2028. She said that another goal is for the share of women in the agriculture labour force to increase from 19.6 per cent to at least 30 per cent by 2028. Gaps, observations According to Mrs Omojola, some existing gaps and challenges that justified the need for the WEE policy include limited funding, poor database, societal barriers and technical capacity bottlenecks. In terms of limited funding, the President of Lady Ranchers, Aderoju Odunsi, said the challenge is a lack of awareness about funding initiatives. Mrs Odunsi suggested that under the structural evolutions and innovation, the Ministry of Trade and Investments should be part of the leading MDAs to increase visibility and information on how to acquire and access self-empowering opportunities for underserved women. Another participant, Mrs Oduwaye from the LCCI Women Group suggested that in terms of entrepreneurship, commercial and industrial banks should be involved in the disbursement of funds. The Market Leader of Mile 12 Market, Precious Ojo, also observed that financial and digital literacy for women is paramount for the success of any business programmes or government interventions. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print KYODO NEWS - Jun 2, 2024 - 21:20 | World, All, Japan Japan, the United States and South Korea agreed Sunday in Singapore to develop a framework within the year to "institutionalize" trilateral security cooperation involving senior-level policy consultations, information sharing and joint exercises, according to their statement. Following an accord by the three countries' leaders last August to hold multi-domain trilateral defense exercises on a regular basis, they decided to conduct a new one, called Freedom Edge, this summer, as well as a trilateral tabletop exercise to effectively respond to threats on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region. The latest agreement was reached during a meeting of Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterpart Shin Won Sik on the sidelines of the three-day Asia Security Summit in Singapore through Sunday, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue. The three defense chiefs condemned North Korea's recent tests of multiple ballistic missiles and the launches of what Pyongyang purports to be a military reconnaissance satellite, the statement said. Last December, the three countries fully activated a system to share real-time information among them on North Korean missile launches. The three defense chiefs pledged to enhance cooperation by further optimizing the data-sharing mechanism by the end of this year to ensure the ability to deter and counter provocations effectively. The in-person talks between the three countries' defense ministers were held for the first time since June last year. Earlier in the day, Kihara and Austin met bilaterally. The Japanese minister said he reaffirmed with his U.S. counterpart that they will work closely toward more integrated command and control structures between U.S. and Japanese forces as well as promote defense industrial cooperation. Kihara also said he held talks with Shin and their Australian counterpart Richard Marles over breakfast, with the first such trilateral meeting touching on common regional challenges. Related coverage: Japan conveys concern to China over military activity Austin airs concern over China's "provocative" activity near Taiwan FOCUS: Asia security may be at risk if Japan-South Korea ties sour again The federal government says it has secured Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to the tune of N20 billion towards facilitating local production of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs). The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), James Lalu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. Mr Lalu said the need to source for investors in the manufacturing of locally made assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) became necessary due to the high cost of the imported devices. Recently, we secured a Foreign Direct Investment to the tune of N20 billion and the organisation is committed to starting the local manufacturing of assistive devices as an MoU has already been signed. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is going forward to make sure that we provide this opportunity to Nigeria for the manufacturing of local assistive devices. This is due to the fact that 99 per cent of our assistive devices are imported and the prices are higher and are now getting out of the reach of the poor. Even the budgetary allocation provided may not be able to provide assistive devices to the disability community across all states of the federation, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Lalu added that promoting local content in the manufacturing of assistive devices will go a long way to increase patronage and boost the nations economy. With the local manufacturing of assistive devices, it will encourage the state governments, local governments and other government agencies to procure and distribute them to the disability communities. The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is working already in the area of local manufacturing of assistive devices for Persons with Disabilities. These include, wheelchairs, hearing aids and other devices for the blind and the deaf as well as persons with albinism, he said The Executive Secretary disclosed that the commission was scouting for talent in innovative and creative industries to improve the production of assistive devices for PwDs. Just recently, we saw a video circulating on social media about one person in Kano, who was able to manufacture a digital eyeglass that can assist a blind person to walk around using sensors that will communicate to him through voice. When we saw this, we put an invitation to the innovator to come to our head office. We are expecting him at our head office on Tuesday and we are going to review his invention, to see what we can do, to partner with the Bank of Industry and NASENI to bring the innovation to reality in Nigeria, he said. Mr Lalu noted that Nigeria is a land of great opportunities, adding that the commission will scout for opportunities in other to bring the disability community into the technological era. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print On 26 April, Johnnie Carson, senior advisor at the Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP), moderated a strategic panel discussion at the USIP, with 10 northern Nigerian governors. The former US Ambassador to Nigeria later granted an interview to PREMIUM TIMES White House correspondent, Pearl Matibe. He spoke about the discussions with the governors and how to tackle the insecurity bedevilling Nigeria. Excerpts PT: Ambassador Carson, thank you so much for taking the time to join me today. We deeply appreciate your valuable insights. Your perspective on critical issues surrounding stability in northern Nigeria is of utmost importance. Im eager to get into these topics with you. Nigeria is facing complexities and various challenges, particularly in northern Nigeria. I have a couple of questions. One will be on background and context. Our discussion today is on the record. Can you provide insight into the historical context of the relationship between the United States and Nigeria, especially regarding efforts to address stability in northern Nigeria and your previous engagements with Nigerian governors from whenever a couple of years back when you got started on this? Ambassador Carson: Yes, let me first of all say, Pearl, thank you very much. I think many people, both in and outside of government, recognize that Nigeria is probably the most important country in Africa. It has the largest population, the largest economy, and the continents largest democracy. Its also home to some of the most creative, thoughtful, and entrepreneurial businessmen and women. Over the last decade, starting around 2009, 2010, and 2011, we have seen an upsurge in violence in the northeastern part of the country caused by the group called Boko Haram. It has carried out numerous bombings, kidnappings, robberies, assassinations, attacks on banks, government officials, and religious facilities. Boko Haram aims to discredit and undermine the government, driven largely by political marginalization, although it has taken on a religious character. One of the things thats really important is understanding the problem, its origins, and the challenges faced by citizens and government officials in the region. A decade ago, starting in 2014 and again in 2016, I helped bring northern Nigerian governors to Washington. They shared their challenges with officials and researchers at USIP and around Washington, opening opportunities for partnership and cooperation. Weve done this again recently, inviting governors from 10 states in Northwestern Nigeria and the Middle Belt to share their experiences over two and a half days. So it was important to be able to open these lines of communication, to open those lines of understanding and to share these experiences. We focused on policies and strategies to combat insecurity, including non-kinetic approaches like building resilience in communities, strengthening relationships between civilians and security services, and improving the delivery of social and economic benefits. We also discussed how other countries facing insurgencies have addressed similar problems. This engagement included meetings with senior US government officials and experts, fostering an understanding of the tools available to help Nigerian governors deal with their challenges. This week, we were able to invite governors of 10 states in northwestern Nigeria from Sokoto, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano, to come along with several governors from what is, in fact, the middle belt Plateau State. And so governors came in, (and we) listened to those governors show the North-west about the challenges they face, the policies that they are implementing on criminality, kidnapping, insurgency, banditry, cattle rustling, and other divisions that exist. Not only to talk about their policies and strategies and what theyre doing to combat these areas of insecurity but also what were doing to try to strengthen the delivery of good governance and essential social services. We also brought in some USIP experts to talk about how there are different ways to deal with insecurity and instability; non-kinetic ways, by building resilience in communities, strengthening relationships between civilians and security services by expanding the influence and reach of government and the delivery of social and economic benefit, strengthening employment and opening up opportunities for them and building trust in government, and government institutions. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later And so, we also had a number of individuals come in and talk about case studies, how the government in Colombia has been able to improve the security situation there for an example of what others are doing, but we also made sure that governors were able to meet with senior [U.S.] government officials, senior-most official [at the] State Department for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, the senior-most person at the Defense Department responsible for Africa, Assistant Director in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Jennifer Zakriski. They also met with congressional staff members and we arranged a very detailed session with organisations in Washington responsible for building community building good business and commercial relationships; Corporate Council on Africa, the Vice President, US-Africa Business Center, US Chamber of Commerce for Africa Dr Yao., deputy assistant secretary of state for African Affairs responsible for business and commercial issues, as well as Prosper Africa. They met with the undersecretary for economic business affairs, and undersecretary for economic growth, energy, and the environment Jose Fernandez. So, it was an effort to open up dialogue, start to share information from them on the problems they face, share information on how they might more effectively deal with them, and give them an indication of the resources that exist in Washington both in the private sector, government sector dealing with crises of the type they face, but also talking to them, development and business issues. Its amazing how small the world is, but can be so far away. One of the participants in this, was the governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf; the most populous state in Nigeria, larger than the well-known Lagos State in the south, but its the most populous state in Nigeria, and its in the far northern part of the country. But its also a major, major commercial and trade centre. Like Lagos, it is an economic hub. That governor, extraordinary man. First time; had never been to the United States before. And so its an important way to begin to build relationships. Nigerias federal system places enormous responsibility in the hands of sub-national leaders, like governors, just like in the United States, and so being able to reach out to these governors and sharing some information is extraordinarily important and vital. And so thats what we were doing. And I hope that it will help those governors deal with the enormous challenges they face on the security and economic development side, and also begin to build partnerships with sources both in and outside of government in Washington, based on a deeper knowledge of who we are as a country, and what the resources are that may be available, in and outside of government, to help them the respond to some of these horrible security challenges. Solutions are not exclusively kinetic, or through security means, but by governments being more responsive to the needs and social delivery of citizens. PT: Ambassador Carson, I appreciate what youve just shared, especially noting that solutions are not always kinetic. It sounds like there has been robust engagement and that the governors have benefited from their time in Washington. Regarding the people on the ground in northwestern Nigeria, who have been forced from their homes and are living in IDP camps, how does the US view progress in addressing the perpetrators behind the violence? Ambassador Carson: At USIP, we focused on helping government leaders understand the non-kinetic tools available to address violence, banditry, and civil strife. These tools include improving government services, building trust in government, enhancing civilian-military relations, and improving human rights performance by security forces. Effective responses require a combination of social, economic, and political strategies, along with good leadership and resources. We did not specifically address how to track down perpetrators, as that falls more within the purview of the State Department. However, we emphasized that better governance, service delivery, and building community trust, can significantly contribute to addressing the underlying issues driving the violence. These efforts, combined with persistent and patient application, can lead to substantial improvements. PT: Ambassador Carson, I want to express my sincerest gratitude for sharing your invaluable insights and expertise with me today. Your perspective on the critical issues facing northern Nigeria and the strategic conversations with Nigerias governors has provided us with a deeper understanding of both the challenges and opportunities for the region. Ambassador Carson: Thank you very much, Pearl. Always good to talk with you. PT: Thank you, Ambassador. Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based correspondent and media commentator with expertise in US foreign policy and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Dele Alake, Nigerias minister of solid minerals development, says the federal government will deploy technology for the surveillance of mining sites across the country. Mr Alake said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja. He said the technology would be in addition to the 2,220 personnel of the Mining Marshal Corps drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to combat illegal mining. The corps deployed across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were also trained on modern warfare by the military to secure Nigerias natural resources. We are introducing some technology; we are not just relying on men and materials alone. The satellite surveillance gadgets we are putting in there enable us to see in real-time all mining sites in Nigeria. So that when we notice any infraction, very quickly we can deploy the mining marshals to go there, so we dont even have to wait for any interpersonal communication. 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 That reduces the time of knowledge and action. Right now, we depend on people passing intelligence to us, but when the satellite surveillance gadget is working, we will be able to see it ourselves. Which is a step forward in the right direction, he said. The minister said that to attract investors to the sector, especially the big players, it was necessary to put in place policies and initiatives aimed at securing their investments. We needed to put in place policy measures to ensure that when these investors come, they are not just coming into the darkness that we had here before. They will ask some questions, what is the security of their operating environment, their investment, personnel and the ease of doing business in Nigeria and the sector, he said. He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu inherited a lot of security challenges, such as banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, which were associated with the solid mineral sector. He explained that most mining activities were in the forests, where such crimes were being perpetrated. He said the administration of Mr Tinubu was determined to sanitise the sector and reposition it to contribute significantly to Nigeria`s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). According to the minister, concerted efforts are being deployed to curb the menace with other government agencies, such as the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Army and the Police, for rapid results. I had a meeting with the Inspector General of Police on this issue, and he is willing to give us more men to support those that we have on ground. Even the EFCC is cooperating with us; they are also arresting; the army also enumerated the number of illegal miners they have arrested, it is a holistic effort cutting across all security agencies. But the mine marshals are just the face of the security apparatus that we are putting in place to combat illegal mining, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court at Zuba, Abuja, is set to deliver judgement on a N500 million libel suit filed by Geoffrey Onyeama, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs against Lilian Onoh, a former Nigerian ambassador to Namibia. Also, the court will deliver a judgement on a N2 billion counterclaim lodged against Mr Onyeama by Ms Onoh. Mr Onyema had sued the career ambassador in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms Onoh, who is also a sister to his former wife, for libel, alleging that she defamed him in a series of memos she sent to him while he was the minister. The former minister asked the trial judge, Keziah Ogbonnaya, to award him N500 million as compensation against Ms Onoh and two other defendants Akelicious Media Company and Newswire Law & Event Magazine for their defamatory publications against him. But in a counterclaim, Ms Onoh who is the first defendant in the libel suit filed in 2023, urged the court to impose a N2 billion fine on Mr Onyeama for causing total upheaval and emotional trauma to her by his malicious suit. According to Ms Onoh, a former Nigerian ambassador to Namibia and Haiti, Mr Onyeama lodged the malicious suit as part of his 40-year-vendetta to avenge his humiliation of being divorced by her sister due to unhinged psychiatric behaviour. PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Ms Onoh accused Mr Onyeama in a series of memos she sent to him as minister in February 2021, and former President Muhammadu Buhari, of superintending over corruption-ridden foreign affairs ministry. Mr Onyema was the Minister of Foreign Affairs between 2015 and 2023. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later She alleged large-scale stealing by staff members of the foreign service of funds belonging to Nigerian embassies and high commissions. Final arguments Adopting his final written arguments on Wednesday, 22 May, Mr Onyeamas lawyer, Agada Elachi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the court to impose N500 million damages the defendants for their defamatory publications against his client. The claimants lawyet also sought an order compelling the defendants to apologise to him and retract the defamatory words uttered against him. An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant from further uttering, writingdefamatory words against the claimant. Mr Elachi said the former minister had discharged the burden of proof placed on him by providing credible evidence in substantiating his claims. The claimants lawyer pointed out that the defendants failed woefully to raise a formidable defence to Mr Onyeamas claims. Mr Elachi dismissed the first defendants arguments challenging the propriety of the mode of service of court filings on her outside of her base in the United States. He equally contended that Ms Onohs contention that Mr Onyeama did not swear to the witness statement on oath that accompanied his suit has no legal basis. Mr Elachi further said Ms Onoh was precluded from questioning Mr Onyeamas identity because she did not tender any evidence to refute the former ministers identity in the suit. Onohs lawyer responds Responding Ms Onohs lawyer, J.O Okpor, said the former minister failed to prove any defamatory words used against him by his client. He wondered why Mr Onyeama would seek to gag the whole world from ever saying things against him by judicial sleight of hand. Mr Okpor argued that Ms Onoh who testified in the suit via Zoom from her residence at Texas in the US, proved beyond reasonable doubt that Mr Onyeama had no legal basis in law for the suit he filed. In the final written address, Mr Okpor contended that the service of an expired court document on Ms Onohs former lawyer in the case, Richard Aneke, in September 2023, was unlawful. He said the order by the judge, Ms Ogbonnaya to serve Ms Onoh with the court filings in the suit through her lawyer without any application by Mr Onyeama was illegal. The lawyer further said the judges refusal to determine the propriety of Mr Onyeamas manner service and, by extension the suit, until after final written addresses, demonstrates the illegality that has trailed the adjudication of the matter. Aside from the N2 billion compensation being sought by Ms Onoh, she is also urging the court to refund all court fines she had paid as well as the enormous cost of testifying through Zoom, which she argued should have been paid for or provided by the court. The court is asked to grant the 1st defendants request for legal costs totalling N15 million, and personal costs of USD160,000 being the lost income incurred by her since July 2023 when she became seized with this malicious suit by the claimant, Mr Okpor prayed the court. Finally, he urged the court to dismiss Mr Onyeamas suit, and grant Ms Onohs counterclaim. The old time family feud between Mr Onyeama and his former in-laws as well as a quarrel between the judge and Ms Onoh surfaced during the hearing of the the suit. Meanwhile, the other defendants in the case did not put up any legal representation during the hearing. After listening to the lawyers arguments, the judge adjourned the suit for judgement. The judge said a date for the verdict would be communicated to the parties. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Representatives of the federal government and the leadership of the National Assembly are currently in a meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress( NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the meeting, which began at about 5.30 p.m. at the National Assembly complex, was at the instance of the leadership of both the Senate and House of Representatives. It is coming a day before the commencement of an indefinite strike called by the two Labour unions to protest the disagreement over the proposed minimum wage. The meeting will also discuss the recent hike in electricity tariffs and other demands of the unions. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is presiding over the meeting, which has the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, in attendance. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the Minister of State for Labour, Nkeiruka Onyejocha and the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, are in attendance. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Others present are the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu and the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sabi Abdullahi. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart are leading both unions to the meeting. Mr Akpabio, in his welcome address, said whatever affects the masses affects the National Assembly. He noted that the leadership of both chambers put other legislative activities on hold to hold the meeting. He appreciated the labour leaders and urged them to dialogue. They later went into a closed-door session. Details later. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government says the planned strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is illegal. Nigerias two major workers unions NLC and TUC on Friday declared an indefinite strike beginning from Monday, 3 June across the country. The strike is to compel the government to agree on a new minimum wage for workers, and review the increase in the price of electricity for some consumers. Many other workers unions such as those of doctors, university lecturers, airport workers and electricity workers are part of or affiliates of the NLC or TUC and are also expected to join the strike. But, the federal government, through the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, on Sunday, appealed to the workers unions to shelve the strike. If the aggrieved workers make good their decision, the strike will commence on Sunday midnight. Mr Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in a letter dated 1 June and addressed to the National President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, and TUCs National President, Festus Osifo, said the strike action by organised Labour is premature. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He faulted the planned industrial action on the grounds that the federal government and other employers of labour involved in a tripartite committe to determine a new minimum wage had not declared an end to negotiation. Referencing some sections of the Trade Dispute Act 2004, the justice minister said the law requires the NLC and TUC to issue mandatory strike notices of a minimum of 15 days. Mr Fagbemi further pointed out that the legitimacy of the the proposed strike is called to question by the fact that the Labour unions failed to comply with statutory conditions precedent. Also, the minister reminded the labour leaders that the strike is at variance with an order of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria where issues on fuel subsidy removal by President Bola Tinubu the attendant consequences are being adjudicated on. The minister said the government took measures including wage award and provision of CNG-powered vehicles for public transportation to ameliorate the adverse consequences of fuel subsidy removal. While assuring the labour unions of governments commitment to conciliatory approach to resolving disputes concerning citizens welfare, Mr Fagbemi said, I would like to urge you to kindly reconsider the declaration of strike action and return to the ongoing negotiation meetings. The ministers letter was copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; Director General of the State Security Service (SSS), Yusuf Bichi; and Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha. The labour unions have yet to respond to the call by the justice minister to shelve the strike, which is scheduled to commence few hours away. President Bola Tinubu, in his inauguration speech on 29 May 2023, announced the removal of subsidy on petrol, triggering a countrywide hardship of the attendant increase in the prices of goods and services. The governments introduction of various palliatives to cushion the adverse impacts of the policy have not addressed the difficulties being faced by many Nigerians. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The meeting between representatives of the federal government, leadership of the National Assembly and officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the proposed national minimum wage ended in deadlock on Sunday. The meeting which began around 5:50 p.m. and ended at 8:45 p.m. was held behind closed-door at the National Assembly complex, Abuja. Addressing journalists after the closed-door session, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, said the government pleaded with the labour leaders to suspend their planned strike but that the latter refused. Mr Akpabio said if the strike holds, many activities in the country including hospitals will be affected. He urged the union leaders to reconsider the planned strike. Consequences Speaking further, Mr Akpabio noted that if the labour unions should provide go on strike, many poor people in the country will suffer the consequences. We decided to intervene because we are the peoples parliament. The 10th National Assembly believes strongly that anything that will bring more yoke, more suffering to the people of Nigeria must be avoided. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We also know that it is not just a question of strike in wards where the hospitals are closed, most poor people will die. Those who are even on oxygen will die, those needing medical services will die. Goods and services will not move freely. Productivity will reduce drastically and the living standard of Nigerians will also be impaired. Hence, in the last four hours, we have been making appeals and we are still appealing to the Leadership of the NLC and the TUC to quickly return to the negotiating table with the government with a view to finding a lasting solution on this minimum wage issue, he said. Mr Akpabio assured that the issue would be resolved soon. ALSO READ: Nigerian govt declares looming labour strike illegal He appealed to the union leaders to suspend the strike in the interest of the nations economy. So, we thank you. Without going into much details, I believe we have had a very positive meeting. We heard from both sides and we are happy and satisfied that actions will be taken on both sides. Our appeal is that the strike be suspended and negotiations commenced in the interest of the Nigerian economy and the interest of all Nigerians remains. The senate president thereafter expressed appreciation to the union leaders for attending the meeting. He also appreciated the representatives of the federal government for attending the meeting. He, however, said the government would continue to plead with the union leaders. The TUC President, Festus Osifo, who spoke on behalf of the labour unions, told journalists that the strike will continue pending their final consultations with other arms of the unions. Mr Osifo confirmed that representatives of the government pleaded but noted that the labour leaders insisted on their demands The meeting was convened by the leaderships of the Senate and House of Representatives. It is coming a day before the commencement of an indefinite strike called by the two labour unions to protest the disagreement over the proposed minimum wage. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A remarkable characteristic of efficient individuals is their ability to make an impact, regardless of their station in life. Many individuals cannot adequately function in places where they find themselves. In the case of Professor Abd-Rasheed NaAllah, history points to a different thing. This holds ground to the extent that he has served in different administrative positions in which he recorded exciting accomplishments. In thirty days, Professor Abd-Rasheed NaAllah will vacate his office as the vice-chancellor of the University of Abuja. He was the pioneer Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, becoming one of the few who served as vice-chancellors in two universities, thereby devoting a significant aspect of his career to university administration. What that management entails is the subject of a Special Leadership Dinner in Abuja on the 1st of June, in his honour. I am privileged to have been invited to give the Keynote at this event. I cannot thank Professor Philip Afaha, who flew all the way to Nairobi to see me and insisted on my participation. This piece is not a clue to my Keynote Address. One defining characteristic of world changers is that they are often undaunted by the tribulations of the world. They defy the challenges of life to accomplish whatever is recorded in their name. This begins with their resilience to lifes trials and the determination to actualise their potentials, regardless of the cost. People in this category are worth their names. Professor Abd-Rasheed NaAllah belongs to this category because his story is inundated with the ups and downs that commonly define great people. He does not shy away from a good fight. As a young man starting his life in the Ilorin metropolis, the first ingredient of success he assimilated from a tender age was his perseverance. The acquisition of both his primary and secondary education certificates prepared him for the rough experiences of life, equipping him to survive the hurricane of challenges that were to come. His embodiment of intelligence from his childhood exposed him to competition and contempt, but his resilient spirit helped him navigate the hot waters of the world. His frog jumped into hot water and survived. By the time he got to the University of Ilorin as an undergraduate, it was impossible to dim his precocious light because, at the time, he had developed an effective mechanism that aided him in assimilating maximum knowledge. At that time, it did not matter the tightness of everything, NaAllah illuminated the world with his extraordinary capabilities in educational activities. From a tender age to adulthood, this strong individual continued to prove himself worthy of the recognition and accolades accorded to him in contemporary times. He has paid his dues. After the accumulation of quality educational experiences illustrated by the attainment of different certificates, it became clear that NaAllah was set on the journey to greatness. He used his intellectual energy to propel growth and usher in a culture of responsibility, integrity, and good moral mandate, all of which would be transferred to the people during teaching and other productive engagements. Perhaps this explains the reason for his delighted investment in teaching. This poet and scholar has painstakingly anchored revolutionary thinking into the minds of responsible students who now, on their own volition, have began circles of patriotic involvements through educational engagements. This, therefore, underscores the immersion of the scholar in teaching engagements. To be fair to him, he has recorded massive success while teaching and his story has inspired generations of people to understand the imperative of growth and made them disposed to structural planning in anything they do. At no point did he demonstrate fatigue in the acquisition of knowledge. Despite his attainment of stellar academic success and administrative hierarchy, the distinguished Professor continued to invest in knowledge to refine what he knows and redefine intellection in all manners possible. Maybe this can explain why he invested in professional courses, even after attaining the highest level of his career growth. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Meanwhile, classroom engagements define quality teachers. They are identified by how well they can convert their thoughts into writing, so that they can spread their influence and ideas to epistemic geographies that are far from theirs. Accordingly, this administrator has blazed the trail where necessary in this conversation. While the Professors background lies in literature, and his contributions consistently demonstrate sound literary judgment, his work extends far beyond. NaAllahs engagements are crucial for fostering a vibrant citizenry and a thriving civilisation. This intellectual depth is evident across various disciplines, as demonstrated by his well-regarded works that transcend the realm of literature, therefore defining his quality and, in a way, revealing how important he still is in the business of changing humanity. The continued inquisition into different human undertakings has increased his popularity beyond his cultural borders. NaAllahs meticulous research on the evolution of Dadakuada in Ilorin, particularly its connection to Yoruba oral history, is a testament to his intellectual depth. This insightful work not only deconstructs misconceptions surrounding Yoruba oral history but also sheds light on its adaptation to Islamic cultural principles. Its no surprise that this sparked a surge of interest in intellectual circles. This character of seeking the truth and laying the foundation of events inspired NaAllah to pen down the praise poetry of Ilorin, especially in ways that establish the chronological sequence of its history, which, among other things, indicate the layers of its cultural values, ideological philosophy, and epistemic traditions, to ensure that people understand their values and culture. Central to his intellectual projection is the fact that the infusion of Islamic identity and values into its host activities has also gained momentum among the Yoruba, to the extent that any separation between them appears impossible to the people. Nevertheless, it is aimed at revealing the systematic evolution that people undergo at a point in time, which ultimately defines their change in everything. It comes as no surprise that he has dedicated himself to uncovering the various activities of the people, which, among other things, showcase some traces of moral compromise, so that they would learn from their mistakes and, therefore, establish a better framework for the development of a formidable civilisation. For instance, when he wrote about the Almajiri, the intention was to identify the unwholesome damage that the system held, especially for those who could not access quality opportunities as others within that same society. By that condition, he became the voice of the masses and spoke to authorities on their behalf to create awareness where necessary and effect solutions to generational problems. A remarkable characteristic of efficient individuals is their ability to make an impact, regardless of their station in life. Many individuals cannot adequately function in places where they find themselves. In the case of Professor Abd-Rasheed NaAllah, history points to a different thing. This holds ground to the extent that he has served in different administrative positions in which he recorded exciting accomplishments. While as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, for example, he inspired a revolution of infrastructure that helped facelift the citadel and make it capable of competing with others in the global community. His concentration on quality infrastructure projects came from the understanding that infrastructural projects set any place in motion for true transformation. In the human world, connections between countries, states, and local governments are a recipe for economic transformation. This is also proven to be true in the university system. Once the infrastructure of the academic community is developed, it inspires a new generation of thinkers. But what NaAllah did was more than an infrastructure revolution. His involvement in the accreditation of additional courses shows how informed and flexible he is in meeting international standards. He understands, for example, that the constantly changing society needs an investment in diverse disciplines, and he became pivotal to this revolutionary act. Is it necessary to once again reiterate that he has served in other capacities with similar mandates? Being a Vice-Chancellor at Kwara State University qualifies him for this recognition. But then, we should not get carried away thinking that the only place where he has functioned is in the Vice-Chancellors capacity. The whole gamut of Professor Abd-Rasheed NaAllahs educational vibrancy inheres in his fluidity in different areas of life. His services to the community cannot be overemphasised, especially when we understand that they motivate a new way of thinking that helps to re-situate their collective interests and values and put them on the right trajectory. At the state level, he has been chosen as a team leader who is saddled with astounding responsibilities to bring about an agricultural revolution in Kwara State. This is underscored by the fact that he has an uncommon integrity that helps him pursue collective ambitions and aspirations with intensity. It is the case, therefore, that his appointment to these assignments indicates how useful and uncompromising he remains in his public and private involvements. In both his public and private lives, the famous Professor has never failed to demonstrate outstanding attributes through his contributions to events in society. He is a global citizen, especially with the understanding that his efforts to better the lives of others have never declined. Professor NaAllah remains unique. Alhaji, take a break in July, rest well, and announce the contents of your next leap to us in August. Congratulations! Toyin Falola, a professor of History, University Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Jacob and Frances Sanger Mossiker Chair in the Humanities at The University of Texas at Austin, is the Bobapitan of Ibadanland. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In Africa, when a man loses his virility, he is subject of scorn, ridicule and disdain. Male impotence or infertility is not only disdained but tabooed. In a continent where child-making is almost an obsession, Africa couched a number of hurtful epithets for one who loses his virile member. Failure to get this critical member standing up leaves sour overtones of frustration, pain, social ostracism, stigma, marital instability, discomfiture and even sometimes, suicide. Among the Yoruba, virility victims are named Okobo. The rural Shona tribe in Mhondoro-Ngezi area of Zimbabwe could not stand the virility challenge. To ward off this evil spirit from their tribe, they deployed socio-cultural intervention strategies to ward it off. To do this, they devised indigenous systems of monitoring signs of impotence at infancy, puberty and even after marriage. Moyo Stanzia of the University of Zimbabwe, Harare, in her Indigenous knowledge systems and attitudes towards male infertility in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Zimbabwe (Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2013 Vol. 15, No. 6, 667679) attempted a study of the Okobo in this Zimbabwean village. One of her informant interviewees, 69-year old Ruzvidzo, volunteered his experience thus: Traditionally, our uncles and grandfathers would take us away from home to a river with clear water. We were forced to masturbate and ejaculate our sperms in the clear water, one after the other. This was done in order to test the quality of sperms. It was understood that fertile sperms would sink in the water. However, if the sperms floated, it meant that the individual was weak and could be infertile a problem regarded as requiring strategic intervention. Ousmane Sembenes XALA (1975) film, considered one of the most successful films by the Senegalese writer and filmmaker, also explored the thematic preoccupation with the Okobo. Sembene uses sexual zero virility as metaphor. Situated among Black Africas growing middle class of Senegal, Sembene weaves their challenge into the projection that they are doomed to lose their power unless they delink the Western world and identify with Africa and its masses. The films protagonist, El Hadji Abdoukader Beye, a successful middle-aged polygamous businessman, is preparing to take a third wife. On his wedding night, he suddenly discovers he cannot get his member up. Attributing this to a spell cast on him, he consults witch doctors. El Hadjis Senegalese society ties social prestige to status symbol, which collectively speaks to ability to show manhood. This means satisfying ones wives sexually and economically. Zero virility leads to El-Hadji being expelled from the Chamber of Commerce and confiscation of his most-prized possessions. He finds out that a Dakar beggar he cheated on several years back laced him with the spell. The beggar agrees to remove the spell only if he strips naked and he (the beggar) and his friends spit on him. In a piece I wrote which tangentially discussed male virility,(Atiku Abubakar and the sexual history of the Nigerian presidency, 6 February, 2022) I related how rumours once had it that Zimbabwean former Prime Minister and presidential candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, suffered a nasty blow from below, euphemism for zero virility. The news spread like bushfire. At about the same time, the virility-restoring prowess of Emmanuel Makandiwa, a miracle-working Pentecostal prophet, froze the stratosphere like snowflakes in winter. Estranged wife of Tsvangirai, Elizabeth Macheka, had lit the fire. In an interview she granted The Herald, entitled, Why I ditched Tsvangirai: Wife, Macheka said she separated from Tsvangirai due to sensitive personal issues and that this was known to her and Tsvangirai alone and only the two of them could resolve it. For a Zimbabwean public that salivated over riveting gossips and rumours in high and low places, Machekas statement was the confirmation it needed for a high-quality rumour. In whooshing whispers and mouth-to-ear transmission, the former prime minister was said to have been afflicted by an under-neath, below-the-trousers problem of erectile dysfunctional disorder. The Herald did not also help matters. It immediately tagged what Macheka dubbed sensitive personal issues as a medical one. Thereafter, Fungai Machirori, Zimbabwean journalist and blogger, did a salacious piece on the issue, which she entitled, Of Penises, Politics and Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe, an essay which she called an expose of trouble in the un-paradise that is Tsvangirais love life. Among the Yoruba, the Okobo is the butt of crude jokes. He is also called the Akura, one whose member had died. One of Akuras characteristics is hyperactivity. If a man, like one on steroids, does the job of ten people at a go, Yoruba wonder if he is an Akura. When there is trust deficit between two people, and every action becomes suspicious, my people find a way to drag the Okobo into the conversation. So, they say, what we demanded of the sexually sterile is to penetrate but he boasts that, in a twinkle of an eye, he could make a thread penetrate 200 needles in the dark. In its rawest form, they render this as, nkan ti won ni ki Okobo bo, ko bo; igba abere lolohun le bo lokun. In a chapter I wrote in the book, Indigenous African Popular Music, Vol 1 edited by Biodun Salawu and Israel Fadipe, (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022) which I entitled, Corpus of prophecy, philosophy and crusading in Ayinla Omowuras music, I explored the Okobo theme in the music of the late Yoruba Apala musician. In one of his vinyl, while trying to denounce charges of piracy of songs leveled against him by his colleague musicians, Ayinla magisterially replied that the mockery of a man afflicted by the venereal disease, gonorrhea does not lie in the mouth of the sexually sterile. Only a virile man can contract gonorrhea. He sang, abosi alatosi ko si lowo okobo Last Wednesday, the rumour became real. President Bola Tinubu signed into law the bill to revert Nigeria to its old national anthem. By the way, even Tinubus supporters literally clothed themselves in sackcloth and ashes last week. They were probably reinventing the old Jewish response to devastating news concerning their race. It is the Jewish practice of showing intense grief and distress. The Tinubu supporters valiant war hero, who they boasted that, at each of his dancing steps while returning from a war of conquest as eight-year governor of Lagos State, he the crowd dashed him slaves (ajogberu), to their chagrin, now dances and all he gets is miserable cornmeal (ajogbeko). As our elders say that, to find out how melodious or sour the rhythm of the Bata drum is, we should ask the Sango deity devotee whose god is the totem of the Bata drum. So, opinion samplers, recognizing that Nigerians are the Sango devotee and Tinubu, the Bata drummer, approached the common people to rate the melody of Tinubus one year drumming. The opinion moulders didnt go to IMF. Nor to the Nigerian elite who, like bedbugs, drain quality blood from the Nigerian body. One of such opinion samplers was Africa Polling Institute (API). It did a Citizens Assessment Report of Tinubus one year as president. Its report was that, there was stark reality of hunger, poverty and mass dissatisfaction. 84 per cent of people overwhelmingly expressed profound sadness with the Tinubu presidency, 81 per cent felt Nigeria under him is headed in the wrong direction, 36 per cent identified hunger, 28 per cent inability to meet basic needs, 13 per cent riled against unemployment, 9 per cent insecurity and 5 per cent poor electricity as the bane of his government. All in all, they were agreed that the last one year has been one of misery, pain, lies and grandstanding. In earlier pieces I did, I alerted Nigerians that some qualities were exclusive preserves of the typical Lagos Boy. He is bold and brash, rather than being courageous; he is dismissive of others feelings and believes he can wangle his way through the toughest of all calamities by deploying subterfuge. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In the midst of a plethora of Nigerian peoples agony, last Sunday, the Lagos Boy flew into Lagos. It was the flag-off ceremony of the highly demonised Lagos-Calabar coastal highway. Many commentators have concluded that, in the N15trillion road construction, you do not have to drill too deep down to see an army of maggots wriggling their milk-coloured bodies to the Bata drum being beaten by Tinubu and his Gilbert Chagoury business associate contractor. Rather than join the Nigerians in this sackcloth and ashes week, that Sunday, Tinubu dismissively looked into the eye of the camera and pronounced, Today is my day to boast. My bragging day. Today, I hold the bragging right. Now, I pray thee apologies to students of biblical Old Testament which leader brags when his people go to bed hungry? The president then capped this contempt for the longsuffering people of Nigeria with the signing of the National Anthem Bill. To the people, ipso facto, he instantly became that proverbial Okobo who boasted that he could insert thread into 200 needles in the dark. On the streets of Nigeria, the peoples disgust with Tinubus hyperactivity and the supersonic speed with which he signed the bill made him that sterile man. Against the general wish that he should consummate the relationship with Nigerians, President Okobo boasted that he could get thread penetrate the eye of the needle. Lets be clear, national anthems are a peoples property. They keep the goals of heroes alive. this is done by transmitting culture and history to new generations, as well as establishing a close connection with the peoples ancestors. Anthems espouse passion, look into the peoples past and rally them into the future. It is a peoples identity symbol unique to them, specifies their way of life, their culture and worldview. Anthems also create bonds, and for citizens, they reinforce national goals. To some scholars, anthems even do more. They serve to embody collective memories of heroes who died to have a nation and the values they left behind. The wordings of anthems are carefully and emotionally constructed in such a way as to ensure that they can boost collective identification of a countrys self-identity, national history, values, bloody memory of war, heroism and victory. It could be memories of colonisation or (de)coloniality but they clearly distinguish one nation from another. You can know what makes a people thick by looking at the lyrics, rhythms and themes of their anthems. Anthems define the core values and convictions of a people. Adopted at independence in 1960, Nigerias first anthem, which Tinubu just legislated back to recognition, has become a subject of high national rage. Written by Lillian Jean Williams in 1959 and composed by Frances Berda, the anthem, which began with Nigeria, we hail thee, was replaced in 1978 by another that was themed around patriotism. Having its verse begun with Arise, O Compatriots, this 1978 anthems music was said to have been composed by Benedict Elide Odiase, director of music of the Nigerian Police Band. Historically, national anthems began in 14th century Britain. Netherlands is reputed with the oldest anthem composed in 1568. Its music was from a popular French tune. Those who composed Britains God Save the Queen/King and Russias God saves the Czar in 1744 and 1745 respectively were not known because those compositions were regarded as sacred. While the Nigerian independence was a collective fight against Britain for freedom so that the peoples customs, rituals and the like could survive, alongside their diverse tribes, cultures, languages, and religious groups, Nigeria we hail thee anthem reflects this. Many people have however deplored the derogative reference to Nigerians as natives in that anthem. They claim that, in the year 2024, what Nigeria needs most is the patriotism of the Arise o compatriots and not tribe and tongues that differ. This, in the peoples submission, has, in 64 years of independence, become a given. While both anthems are important bonding icons, one mirrors political sovereignty than the other. The 1958 anthem, written by a Briton, does not rally citizens for the task of showing loyalty to the state. This is a trait that has disappeared among Nigerians. The anthem however underscores servile abidance. All over the world, governments devise means through which citizens can show loyalty and patriotism to the state. Methinks, if patriotism is what the Tinubu government demands of Nigerians, there was no need to do away with Arise o compatriots. The stark reality that confronts Nigerians is that, successive leaders have made the country such that, rather than hail Nigeria, the country is wailed, according to a poet, for (Nigerias) fallen fences eaten by termites and (her) lifeblood sucked dry by politicians and soldiers. It is a country in the hands of embezzlers of national patrimony, corrupt officials and a post-independent Nigerian state where endemic poverty, starvation, fear of disintegration, false and feigned freedom from colonialists, reign. In the words of famous Oyo state broadcaster, Edmund Obilo, it is not the national anthem that makes a nation great. It is the integrity, vision and selflessness of its leadership. A corrupt, wicked and uninspiring leadership cannot conjure patriotism, no matter how eloquent the lyrics of its anthem. Let Tinubu and his economic henchmen not continue on this path of the Okobo by leaving leprosy and seeking to cure eczema. Let them make life liveable for the people; embody the values of transparency, accountability and justice, in the words of the inimitable broadcaster. Nigerians cannot see these values of leadership anywhere in Aso Rock. They see a bizarre anthem reversal as the usual antic of a fiddling Nero in a burning Nigeria. Aso Rock Inside Kudeti River The poor governance of the last one year is apparently getting at President Bola Tinubu. He needs our collective pity. It is making him depressed, enough to enter into what lawyers call forum-shopping. Today, Aso Rock is clutching at straws. Its case is akin to that of the proverbial man inside raging waters which have overwhelmed him. The tidal wave is angry and is threatening to envelope the non-initiate, the Ogberi who jumped into the Kudeti River assuming it was a mere steady flow of run-off water. To overcome the anger of Kudeti, Tinubu is throwing tantrums, accusations and all-what-ought-nots as straws to salvage his drowning. Last Thursday, the president met Northern leaders, the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. As things later turned out, the meeting was aimed at concretising, in the minds of Nigerians, the suit instituted by the Federal Government against the 36 state governors at the Supreme Court. Specifically, Tinubu wanted the leaders to pressurise their state governors to account for their responsibilities. Fantastic. Like a grumpy school boy boxed to a corner, the president told the Northern elders that, while he was doing his utmost to raise the nations revenue, sub-national governments must make the needs of the locals the centrepiece of their governance. We are running a constitutional democracy. I will appeal to you to summon the governors. I am doing my very best to enhance the revenue base of the country. They must equally be sympathetic, and they must urgently consider the needs of the local people. People reside in the local communities. That is where they work, farm, and live. If the local governments are not effective in delivering services; as leaders, we must not hang on to the numbers. We have 774 local government areas, but are they truly effective? Do they solve problems for Nigerians? Do they coordinate development programming with the state and federal governments? he asked, throwing rhetoric into the debate. The president also asked for accountability in the performance of the 774 local governments. Maybe we should look at recalibrating. What was good four years ago may not be good today. When we want the votes, we go to the locals; when we get the votes, we move to and focus on Abuja, he said pleadingly. Since 1999, Nigerians have confronted sub-national governments who they accuse of performing beneath their optimal level. They also, in fact, accuse them of tampering with the stupendous cash that goes into their tills. Heads of those governments have even been jailed for filching their peoples patrimony. So, Tinubus cry-of-the-matricidal-wife (ekun apokoje) is not novel. Same last week, the FG instituted a legal action against the 36 governors at the Supreme Court. In it, italleged misconduct in the administration of Local Government Areas. Filed by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the suit seeks full autonomy for all local government areas in the country. It also specifically prayed the court to issue an order prohibiting governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders. In the same vein, it asks for an order that will permit funds standing to the credits of local governments to be directly channeled to them from the federation account. Another request was for the Supreme Court to stop the governors from constituting caretaker committees to run the affairs of local governments because this is against the constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system. On the surface, we must commend this federal administration for this yeoman role. It goes without saying that governors are alleged to have literally asphyxiated the 774 councils. As an Ogun State former council chairman confessed recently, council bosses are even, in some cases, made to swear oaths to the various vindictive deities never to reveal the dirty details of governors heists. However, we should tarry awhile and look at the intendments of the Lagos Boy. It should interest us that Tinubu, on this road to Tarsus, has morphed from Saul to Paul. This was the same man who fought Olusegun Obasanjo to the hilt in defending his rights to a sizeable portion of the patrimony of the local governments of Lagos State. When such a man suddenly becomes an apostate of that conviction, society should be wary of him. My major hunch is that the Lagos Boy wants to decimate the 36 state governors, elevate local governments and build a new outpost of command for himself. His gambit could be to castrate the stiff-necked states, project and promote the Superman in his conjured 774 new pseudo-centres of power. With humongous money coming to the councils, the 774 LGs would be his battle axe to fight the governors. More importantly, the councils would be vulnerable to federal blackmail. Whatever the newly curated Leviathan asks the new kids on the block to do, including becoming his poster-boys for the 2027 election, they will glibly do. Borrowing from that ancient proverbial quip, the Osanyin deity will thus become the slave. It goes without saying that from 1999 to date, all Nigerian presidents have had issues with governors and had sought one way or the other to cut them to size over the issue of financial autonomy of local councils. We ordinarily should clap for a president who is poised to use the law to neutralize our enemy governors who have wasted our sub-national funds without any visible impacts. But, let us tarry awhile and ask ourselves how safe our cherished democratic government will be after the conquest of Napoleon. Does Napoleon, the Leviathan, have the pedigree of a peoples fight as the one he just entered into, without self-motive? Lest it turn out to be the proverbial case of the Iwofa who was mandated to take a thirsty horse to the riverside. When this happens, the Yoruba, in their infinite wisdom, say money (the Iwofa) is going after money (the horse). The Iwofa is actually not equivalent to slavery. It is a system of pawnship or peonage, otherwise known as debt-slavery. Extracted from two Yoruba words, iwo (act of entering into) and efa (six), in traditional Yoruba society, when a person owes money, he could volunteer his son as an Iwofa, a recurrent six-day service agreement with the person he owes, to cancel out the debt. In this rash race to demonise the sub-national governments and their heads and hand the states and local governments over to the Leviathan, we must remember that this cherished object we call democracy is incompatible with the rule of one man. Adolf Hitler began from same harmlessness, you remember? Nigerian Exchange Group Plc. is a Holding Company (HoldCo) that sits at the apex of several organisations including; NGX Regulation Ltd, NGX Real Estate Ltd and Nigerian Exchange Ltd Job Summary We are seeking an exceptional and highly motivated individual to work collaboratively in the development and implementation of Market Surveillance plans and strategies for the Market Surveillance Unit. He/She will support the team with objectives of providing assurance on integrity of Market Surveillance processes. The successful candidate will report to Team Lead, Market Surveillance. Responsibilities Actively participate in monitoring the markets to detect anomalies, review market alerts, as well as address market participant inquiries; Carry out regular surveillance reviews to ensure that NGX Groups trading systems are operating optimally to achieve market efficiency consistent with applicable regulations; Carry out first level investigations of identified surveillance alerts signifying potential violations of market rules recommend for further actions; Assist in development and implementation of Market Surveillance plans and strategies; Review results of post trade analysis for unusual market events and trading behaviour, escalating outcomes; including issues that require physical inspections; Support investigation efforts of tips, referrals, as well as complaints from Market participants; Ensure updates to Market rules are implemented. Gather and generate Market intelligence to support recommendations for management decisions. Person Specification & Required Qualification (s) HND/Bachelors degree in in Finance, Economics, Statistics, Computer Science or any related field; Professional certification(s) such as ACCA, ACA, CPA, CFA, CIS is an added advantage; Minimum of 4 years cognate experience in Market Surveillance, Compliance, or a related field within the financial industry; Significant knowledge of Capital Market operations, with familiarity on the trading rules of NGX Regulation; In-depth understanding and practical knowledge of NGX and SEC rules and regulations, Market Structure, Trading Platforms, Surveillance Systems and Financial Instruments; Experience as a Securities Trader is desired. Please apply directly or send an updated resume to talentmanagement@ngxgroup.com with the subject title NGX REGCO Recruitment Market Surveillance Officer Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print By Ko Hirano, KYODO NEWS - Jun 2, 2024 - 15:09 | All, World, Japan Besides increased coordination over the war in Ukraine and security in the Indo-Pacific, NATO officials have called for boosting tie-ups with Japan in emergency management and women's involvement in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Irene Fellin, NATO secretary general's special representative for women, peace and security, or WPS, praised Japan's efforts to promote the "full, equal and meaningful participation of women in security and peace processes" to further contribute to global peace. Fellin said the 32-member North Atlantic Treaty Organization and Japan are "on the same page" over WPS, citing a campaign launched by a group of Japanese lawmakers advocating the initiative and a new action plan by the Defense Ministry and the Self-Defense Forces to have women participate in conflict resolution and disaster relief. In particular, she expressed her "high appreciation" of Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa for being "a driving force for the promotion of the WPS agenda and its implementation in Japan," and for advancing the issue at international forums including meetings of the Group of Seven advanced economies. "One of the areas in which Japan focuses on concerning WPS is natural disaster response," Fellin told Kyodo News on the sidelines of an event Wednesday at Rikkyo University in Tokyo. She was referring to female SDF personnel participating in emergency management when responding to large-scale disasters, such as the earthquake that hit central Japan in January, and carrying out relief activities. "I think that looking to the nexus of climate change and climate disaster, this is one of the areas where NATO and Japan could work very closely in the future," she said. WPS and emergency management, together with climate change and security, are among 16 areas featured in the Individually Tailored Partnership Program, a NATO-Japan cooperation guideline for a four-year period through 2026. In a speech at the event, Fellin shared NATO's experience of deploying "gender advisers" to Afghanistan as part of stabilization and reconstruction efforts during the Atlantic alliance's engagement with the war-torn country. Fellin stressed the importance of gender as a perspective in peacebuilding and reconstruction, noting that after NATO sent more female personnel to Afghanistan in line with recommendations from gender advisers, locals -- half of whom are women -- were more willing to open up for dialogue. That "enabled us to support the population with medical help and provide services that otherwise would not have reached out to women who were not able to engage with our male military personnel," she said. "So this really changed our presence there and our understanding of the security situation and human environment." Separately, Irina Novakova, head of NATO's Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center, thanked Japan for its assistance in responding to the massive earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023 and highlighted the importance of greater NATO-Japan cooperation in emergency management and disaster relief. "Japan's support made an enormous difference" in response to the 7.8-magnitude quake and aftershocks that caused widespread destruction and the loss of more than 50,000 people in the two countries, Novakova said in a meeting with scholars and diplomats at the University of Tokyo on May 22. She was referring to Japan's dispatch of KC-767 refueling and transport aircraft on four occasions to deliver tents and other disaster relief goods, in what became its first international emergency aid activity in partnership with NATO. "As the world's most successful military alliance, NATO can leverage potential assets in disaster response. Japan is perhaps the best-prepared country in the world when it comes to managing disasters," Novakova said. "We have so much to learn from Japan in this area, such as how the military and civilians cooperate together in the event of disasters," she said, alluding to the SDF's involvement in rescue and reconstruction efforts in the 2011 quake and tsunami that devastated northeastern Japan. Novakova said NATO and Japan have yet to conduct joint training and exercises to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities, and expressed hope that Tokyo would join a disaster response exercise NATO plans to hold in 2025 as an observer. Related coverage: Japan foreign minister says women's involvement key to peace efforts Ukraine hopes to ink security pact with Japan before July NATO summit Finnish foreign minister says Russia "remains significant threat" The Jigawa State chapter of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned against the alleged plan to amend the states electoral law. The party fears the exercise is being done to allow the imposition of caretaker committee chairpersons in the 27 local government areas of the state. The state House of Assembly has constituted an eight-member ad hoc committee to review the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) and Local Government Laws. The lawmakers said the committee was mandated to review the law to conform with the Electoral Act 2022. The development was a sequel to the adoption of a report by its Committee on Local Government, which studied a petition presented by the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC). The IPAC, in a communique issued at the end of its meeting on 25 March and read on the floor of the House on 27 April, advocated the review of the SIEC and Local Government Laws. PDP disagrees But the PDP claimed the move by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-controlled Assembly violates the 1999 Constitution and undermines democracy. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The partys state chairman, Ali Idris, in a statement, said the appointment of unelected executives as local council chairpersons is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Section 7(1) of the Constitution mandates democratically elected chairmen for local government councils, Mr Idris said. He also criticised the Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission for failing to publish a timetable for new local government elections, as required by Section 64(1) of its own law. The PDP called for the commissions leadership to be dissolved and replaced with capable hands to organise council elections immediately. The PDP also urged the state government to conduct elections before the tenure of the current local government council chairpersons, and councillors expires in July rather than imposing caretaker chairpersons. Attempt made by the Jigawa State House of Assembly to pave the way for the Jigawa State Government to appoint sole administrators for the 27 local government councils of Jigawa State is unconstitutional and undemocratic. Section 7 sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) makes it mandatory for every local government council in Nigeria to be headed by a democratically elected chairman. Even the so-called Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission has violated section 64(1) of its own law that mandated it to publish a timetable for new local government election not later than 90 days to the expiration of the tenure of the current local government council chairmen without any legal justification. The inaction of the commission to do the needful left us with no other option than to pass a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the commission and urge the Jigawa state government to dissolve it forthwith and to appoint capable hands that can organise council elections immediately. We are calling on them to organise elections before the tenure of the current occupants of the local government councils expires, the PDP statement said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Police in Rivers State, south-south Nigeria, have arrested a suspect who abducted a pregnant woman and, alongside others, gang-raped her to death. The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed the arrest to Punch newspaper, identified the suspect simply as Emeka. Punch published the story on Friday. The newspaper did not, however, state when the police confirmed the suspects arrest. The victim, Chigbewejim Steward, a five-month pregnant woman from the Abarikpo community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State reportedly had a disagreement with the suspect. The suspect led a gang of men to the victims residence on 12 February 2023, broke into her house at midnight, abducted and then gang-raped her to death. The suspect, after committing the crime, fled the community for fear of arrest but was eventually arrested 15 months after the incident. The deceased husband, Lawyer Steward, confirmed the arrest to Punch newspaper in Port Harcourt, and appealed to the government to ensure that justice is given to his late wife. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Steward, a cleric, said Emeka masterminded the death of his wife following a quarrel they had which he said his wife called him a wicked man. He told my wife that she would see wickedness that day. That night around 1 a.m. on Sunday, those bad boys came to my house and broke the door and took my wife away. My wife was five months pregnant. Emeka and his gang raped and strangled her to death. The police arrested him on Thursday. I have gone to the station to give my statement. I want the government to intervene so that justice will prevail. Mr Steward said his wifes corpse was discovered around a fishing pond hours after her abduction, with multiple bruises and bleeding from her private parts. The police in the state said the suspect will be transferred to the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department for proper investigation and prosecution. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print There is tension in Abia State as soldiers arrested many residents and assaulted others in what appears a revenge act. This is happening days after gunmen killed five soldiers in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. PREMIUM TIMES reported how masked gunmen, on Thursday morning, attacked and killed the soldiers in Obikabia Junction in Aba, the commercial hub of the state. The gunmen, who also burnt the soldiers patrol truck, were said to be enforcing the sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) across the South-east to mark their Biafra Day which is celebrated annually in the region. The Nigerian military later vowed to retaliate the killing of the soldiers by the suspected IPOB members. Arbitrary arrests A medical doctor, Rose Agwu, on Friday, accused soldiers in the state of arresting her 15-year-old brother and her sister. Ms Agwu, who resides near Obikabia Junction where the Thursday attack happened, claimed the soldiers broke into her home on Friday morning and arrested her siblings. 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 Around 5 a.m. in the morning, the Nigerian army invaded my house, broke the gate and our door, and took my 15-year-old brother and my sister, who had just come home, away, leaving only my aged father. Till now, they have not been released. We are still trying to locate them. Please help us ask the Nigerian army the logical reason behind this and how they can account for all the people they took and their plans for them, she said in a series of posts on her X handle. The medical doctor did not mention the names of the arrested siblings. However, PREMIUM TIMES identified the two arrested siblings as Solomon and Rejoice. Video clip A video clip which showed some residents being forced into waiting military vans has been circulating on social media. In the clip, seen by PREMIUM TIMES, several residents, mainly young women, were seen being asked by soldiers to enter the van. Besides the van, several other residents, mostly young men, were seen sitting on the ground while some soldiers appeared to be interrogating them. It is not clear if the young men were later arrested by the soldiers. Harassment Apart from the arrests, PREMIUM TIMES gathered that soldiers have been harassing many residents of the state since Friday. They (soldiers) are harassing everybody even around Osisioma Junction, a resident of the area told this newspaper. The resident, who asked not to be named for fear of being targeted, said the show of force by the soldiers might be out of anger over the killing of their colleagues last Thursday. Even fighter jets have been flying around here. Theres serious tension here, he added. Businesses grounded Another resident of the Aba Area of Abia State, Victor Akpuma, said the soldiers also prevented business people from opening their shops in major markets around the area. It was worse yesterday (Friday). In all the major markets around Aba, they (soldiers) came out and started shooting sporadically and asking everyone to go back to their houses. They said since we wanted to sit at home, we should continue sitting at home, Mr Akpuma said. Army speaks When contacted on Saturday night, the spokesperson of the 14 Brigade of the Nigeria army in Ohafia, Abia State, Innocent Omale, confirmed the arrest of some residents. Mr Omale, a lieutenant, however, said those arrested, including Ms Agwus siblings, have since been released. Everybody that was arrested or picked (by soldiers) yesterday (Friday) has been released, he said. Ms Agwu has also confirmed that her siblings have been released. On the sporadic shootings and harassment of residents, a military official said the killing of the army personnel was painful enough to push soldiers to halt movements and business activities in the area. The official, who asked not to be named because he was not permitted to speak on the matter, claimed some residents of the area appeared to be supporting those who killed the soldiers. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- ConcertAI, the leading oncology real-world evidence data and AI SaaS technology company, today announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to advance a broad set of translational and clinical development solutions within the ConcertAI CARA AI platform. This collaboration leverages NVIDIA Inference microservices (NIM), including the recently published Llama 3 NIM, along with NVIDIA CUDA-X microservices , and the NVIDIA NeMo platform . Over the past two years, ConcertAI has assembled the deepest and largest multi-modal oncology data repository in the industry, representing more than 8 million patients. This effort was significantly accelerated in December 2023, when the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) CancerLinQ program became a ConcertAI initiative under a long-term cooperation agreement with ASCO. In collaboration with molecular diagnostic partners and its radiological imaging business, TeraRecon, ConcertAI has established a research capability that spans genomic, transcriptomic, digital pathology, digital radiology, clinical, and social determinants of health data. This comprehensive data set covers all 50 states, offering the broadest representativeness and generalizability of any clinical data source, and forms the foundation for a range of next-generation AI models and AI-powered services. In January, the company announced its CARA AI platform, which underpins a new class of AI SaaS solutions powered by the company's multi-modal data solutions and supports healthcare providers, research sites, and life science companies. As part of the collaboration, ConcertAI's efforts to drive leading intelligence and insight in oncology research and treatment will be supported by NVIDIA's AI expertise and infrastructure. This includes incorporating the Meta Llama 3 NIM, announced at Computex today, to drive key LLM workloads inside ConcertAI's suite of solutions. The focus of ConcertAI's work with NVIDIA will be on large-scale clinical data processing, multi-agent models, clinical foundation models, and related solutions that enable domain-specific AI and broad application generative AI to interoperate with unprecedented precision. Key initiatives under this collaboration include: High-performance AI models for clinical development solutions: This initiative will leverage NVIDIA NIM s to provide scalable, high-performance AI model deployment with low latency, enhancing flexibility, interoperability, and cost efficiency within the ConcertAI CARA AI platform. The integration will support clinical trial patient matching, protocol automation, and research site co-pilots with real-time analytics and model management for large-scale AI applications. This initiative will leverage s to provide scalable, high-performance AI model deployment with low latency, enhancing flexibility, interoperability, and cost efficiency within the ConcertAI CARA AI platform. The integration will support clinical trial patient matching, protocol automation, and research site co-pilots with real-time analytics and model management for large-scale AI applications. Large-scale processing of multi-modal data: This initiative will harness NVIDIA CUDA-X microservices to accelerate ConcertAI's large-scale data processing pipelines, significantly enhancing the largest curated oncology data set globally. By leveraging CUDA-X's advanced computing capabilities, ConcertAI will achieve faster data processing speeds and efficiency, enabling more effective management of its vast oncology data. This initiative will harness NVIDIA CUDA-X microservices to accelerate ConcertAI's large-scale data processing pipelines, significantly enhancing the largest curated oncology data set globally. By leveraging CUDA-X's advanced computing capabilities, ConcertAI will achieve faster data processing speeds and efficiency, enabling more effective management of its vast oncology data. Development of precision oncology and medical large language models (LLMs): These foundation models, trained on ConcertAI's industry-leading multi-modal data, will support advanced translational simulations to guide novel, first-in-human studies, clinical trial simulations and design optimizations, clinical decision augmentation support for clinical pathways, and identification of beneficial diagnostic and treatment approaches. "Life sciences research and precision medicine both involve complex decisions based on many types of data and time points," said Jeff Elton, PhD, CEO of ConcertAI. "For any single patient, we may have billions of unique data points, and we may be looking across millions of records, making this a domain where AI can enable insights not possible with prior technologies or methodologies. We are thrilled to work with NVIDIA to push the boundaries of what AI can achieve in oncology translational research, clinical development, and care. Our collaboration will bring unprecedented precision and new levels of efficiency to our customers' development of new medicines, helping accelerate the improvement of outcomes for patients with the greatest unmet medical needs." "AI offers incredible potential to transform how medicines are designed and developed, and bringing generative AI tools to improve clinical trials is a groundbreaking and necessary step," said Kimberly Powell, VP of Healthcare at NVIDIA. "Integrating NVIDIA's NIM's into ConcertAI's SaaS and extensive multi-modal data platform will revolutionize clinical trial design and outcome prediction." This collaboration underscores ConcertAI's commitment to harnessing the power of AI to drive innovation in healthcare and improve patient outcomes worldwide. Initial benefits from the collaboration will be accessible in the CARA AI cloud and solutions in Q3 of 2024. About ConcertAI ConcertAI is the leader in Predictive and Generative AI SaaS and Real-world Data research solutions and healthcare and life sciences. Our mission is to accelerate insights and outcomes for patients through research-ready data, CARA AI technologies, and scientific expertise in partnership with over 46 leading biomedical innovators, 2000 health care providers, and medical societies. CancerLinQ is an Initiative of ConcertAI, providing oncology providers ASCO aligned automated QOPI quality solutions and SmartLinQ analytic services. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, ConcertAI has offices in Bangalore, Frankfurt, Philadelphia, Raleigh-Durham, Tokyo. For more information, visit us at https://www.concertai.com . Media Contact: Megan Duero, [email protected] SOURCE ConcertAI PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, June 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A team from Pacific Wrecks discovered one of the most famous World War II aircraft in Papua New Guinea. Two weeks later, Papua New Guinea officials signed a Letter of Intent with Poplar, Wisconsin to become Sister Cities. The twin announcements were made on May 31, 2024 during a live event broadcast from Papua New Guinea. Pacific Wrecks team at the P-38 Marge crash site. PHOTO: PACIFIC WRECKS/JUSTIN TAYLAN Poplar/Madang Sister City Letter of Intent signed and sealed. LEFT TO RIGHT: Francis Tavatuna, First Secretary for the Governor of Madang; Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa; Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks; Damian Wampler, Head of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Port Moresby. PHOTO: PACIFIC WRECKS/JOEL CARILLET The famous P-38 Lightning fighter plane was assigned to America's top Ace, Richard I. Bong. Bong is credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft. He named his plane "Marge" after his girlfriend. The aircraft was found in the jungles of Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Pacific Wrecks confirmed the plane's unique serial number. The expedition was mounted in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of the crash. Pacific Wrecks led the effort in partnership with the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisconsin. Bong was bestowed the Medal of Honor by General Douglas MacArthur. Upon returning home, he married Marjorie "Marge" Vattendahl. Soon after, Bong died testing a new jet in California. The discovery of "Marge" led to the signing of Papua New Guinea's first Letter of Intent under the Sister Cities program. Poplar, Wisconsin is Bong's hometown, and Madang, Papua New Guinea is the crash site location. "Pacific Wrecks was honored to be entrusted with this important mission and proudly announces the identification of 'Marge'. We're thrilled our shared World War II history bridged two towns on opposite sides of the world," said Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks. "I want to congratulate you and your team on finding this amazing site and identifying it for the world, for aviation historians and enthusiasts and the public," said Russell Lee, Chair of the Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. "Our countries have deep heritage around World War II, and for both our nations this remains as a source of pride," said Madang's Governor Ramsey Pariwa. Sister Cities International was created in 1956 under President Eisenhower to foster citizen diplomacy. Today there are more than 2,000 partnerships across 145 countries. Damian Wampler, Head of Public Affairs for the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, thanked Taylan for rallying partners and expressed gratitude to Governor Pariwa for "being the first to engage in this incredible act of citizen diplomacy." "7 for 70" is a Sister Cities International, State Department and White House National Security Council initiative. Wampler added, "I am thrilled to kick off '7 for 70' with Madang and Poplar." "We are so proud of the Pacific Wrecks team for their efforts in finding and identifying P-38 Marge. That this plane survives in the jungle brings new awareness of the amazing life and legacy of Richard Bong," said Bong Center Curator Briana Fiandt. "I had the privilege of working with Sister Cities International as head of the Ohio-Ukraine Sister State effort," said Pacific Wrecks Program Manager Steve Kleiman. "We knew it would be a win for all stakeholders to parlay those insights and relationships to PNG. Pacific Wrecks is excited to partner with Poplar, Madang, Sister Cities International, the State Department and the White House toward making that a reality." The event can be viewed on YouTube . ABOUT PACIFIC WRECKS Pacific Wrecks ( https://pacificwrecks.org ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to finding America's Missing In Action and leveraging new technologies in the study of past conflicts. Founded in 1995 by Justin Taylan, grandson of a WWII combat photographer who served in New Guinea, Pacific Wrecks operates throughout the Pacific region including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and North Korea. Taylan has personally documented over a thousand plane wrecks. ABOUT RICHARD I. BONG VETERANS HISTORICAL CENTER The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center ( https://bongcenter.org ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum located in Superior, Wisconsin. Opened in 2002, the museum is dedicated to sharing the legacy of Wisconsin hero, Richard Bong. The Bong Center plans an exhibit on the crash site. ABOUT SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL (SCI) Founded by President Eisenhower, Sister Cities International ( https://sistercities.org ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit uniting tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers through 2,000 partnerships spanning 145 countries. Last October, the United States Department of State and the White House National Security Council announced the "7 for 70" initiative to create seven new Sister Cities in the Pacific Islands in tribute to SCI's 70th anniversary in 2026. Electronic Press Kit (EPK) with photos: https://pacificwrecks.org/epk Available for interviews: Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks; Briana Fiandt, Curator, Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center; James Bong, Richard Bong's nephew. SOURCE PACIFIC WRECKS -Trial-in-Progress poster provides overview on PEMDA-HN trial evaluating danvatirsen in combination with KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab), Merck's anti-PD-1 therapy, in patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC- LEUVEN, Belgium and STRASBOURG, France and PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flamingo Therapeutics ("Flamingo") today announced the presentation of a Trial-in-Progress poster at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO 2024) taking place in Chicago, Illinois. Flamingo's lead oncology program, danvatirsen, is an oligonucleotide discovered by Ionis that selectively targets STAT3 and has shown clinical activity in HNSCC. PEMDA-HN ( NCT05814666 ) is a multicenter, open-label, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of danvatirsen in combination with pembrolizumab compared with pembrolizumab alone as first-line treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic HNSCC whose tumor expresses PD-L1. Two-thirds of patients will be randomized to receive danvatirsen and pembrolizumab and one-third will be randomized to receive pembrolizumab alone. The primary endpoint of the study is overall response rate by RECIST 1.1 as assessed by the investigator. The secondary endpoints include safety, duration of response, disease control rate, progression free survival and overall survival. PEMDA-HN is being conducted at study centers in the United States, South Korea and the United Kingdom. ASCO poster details are as follows: Abstract#: TPS6113 Title: "PEMDA-HN, an open-label, phase II, randomized controlled study of danvatirsen plus pembrolizumab compared to pembrolizumab alone in first-line recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (RM HNSCC)" Session Title: Poster Session Head and Neck Cancer Session Date and Time: June 2, 2024, 9:00am CDT Presenting Author: Marshall R. Posner, MD, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai For more information, please visit the ASCO 2024 website. About Flamingo Therapeutics Flamingo is pioneering RNA-targeted therapies for oncology with a clinical-stage pipeline targeting undruggable transcription factors and long non-coding RNAs. Flamingo has an alliance with Ionis Pharmaceuticals and is supported by well-known biotechnology investors including Abrdn (formerly funds managed by Tekla Capital Management LLC), Andera Partners, Bpifrance Large Venture, Bpifrance through its FABS and Fonds Biotherapies Innovantes et Maladies Rares funds, Eurazeo - Kurma Partners, Perceptive Advisors, PMV, Pontifax, Sphera, and VIB. Flamingo has initiated a Phase II trial 'PEMDA-HN' evaluating the STAT3 targeting agent danvatirsen, in combination with pembrolizumab, in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). A Phase I investigator-initiated trial study has also been initiated evaluating danvatirsen as a monotherapy and in combination with venetoclax in AML/MDS patients. For more information on Flamingo, please visit: https://flamingotx.com PEMDA-HN (head and neck cancer) on clinicaltrials.gov: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05814666 Danvatirsen monotherapy followed by combination with venetoclax in relapsed/ refractory AML and MDS on clincaltrials.gov: https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05986240 Please engage with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flamingo-therapeutics . Flamingo Media and Investor Contact: Amy Conrad Juniper Point (858) 366-3243 [email protected] SOURCE Flamingo Therapeutics SAN FRANCISCO, U.S. and SUZHOU, China, June 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, metabolic, ophthalmology and other major diseases, presented the Phase 1 clinical data of its first-in-class PD-1/IL-2 bispecific antibody fusion protein (R&D code: IBI363) in advanced solid tumors at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05460767). More updated data from the Phase 1 study including in non-small cell lung cancer will be presented orally at the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Plenary later this month. Dr. Hui Zhou, Senior Vice President of Innovent, stated: "We are pleased to present the Phase 1 results of IBI363 at ASCO. IL-2 is one of the earliest immunotherapies approved for cancer treatment, however, the safety and efficacy of IL-2 therapy have not been satisfactory. IBI363, a novel PD-1/IL-2 bispecific molecule, designed to selectively activates PD-1 and CD25 positive T cells by cis-activating IL-2, with the potential to significantly decrease toxicity related to IL-2 and potentially overcome immunotherapy resistance. We are excited that in the Phase 1 study, IBI363 achieved unprecedented dosing levels, overcoming safety concerns associated with IL-2 therapy. Meanwhile, as IBI363 monotherapy has already shown efficacy signals and good tolerability in IO failed melanoma (most patients with mucosal or acral subtypes) and non-small cell lung cancer, cold tumors such as colorectal cancer and several other tumor types. These results suggest the broad-spectrum anti-tumor effect of IBI363. This study is ongoing to further explore the long-term benefits and the potential optimal dose of IBI363. As immunotherapy moves into the next era, we are actively advancing the development of next-generation immune medicines, and hope to benefit more patients in need." Phase 1 Study of PD-1/IL-2 (IBI363) in Melanoma, Colorectal Cancer and Other Solid Tumors This Phase 1a/1b study was conducted to evaluate the safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy of IBI363 in subjects with advanced solid tumors. For melanoma cohort (abstract#: 9562): 67 subjects with locally advanced or metastatic melanoma who failed or intolerant to standard treatment were enrolled and received IBI363 intravenously at dose levels between 100 g/kg QW and 2 mg/kg Q3W. 89.6% of subjects had received prior immunotherapy, and 61.2% of subjects had 2 lines of prior systemic therapy. 25.4% of subjects had baseline liver metastasis and 70.1% of subjects were acral or mucosal subtypes. As of Jan 11, 2024 , 57 subjects had at least 1 post-baseline tumor assessment. The best overall response was complete response (CR) in 1 subject, partial response (PR) in 15 subjects respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was 28.1% (95%CI: 17.0-41.5) and DCR was 71.9% (95%CI: 58.5-83.0). In 25 immunotherapy (IO) treated subjects in 1mg/kg Q2W dose group (n=25), the ORR was 32.0% (95%CI: 14.9-53.5), DCR was 80.0% (95%CI: 59.3-93.2). , 57 subjects had at least 1 post-baseline tumor assessment. The best overall response was complete response (CR) in 1 subject, partial response (PR) in 15 subjects respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was 28.1% (95%CI: 17.0-41.5) and DCR was 71.9% (95%CI: 58.5-83.0). As for safety, 16 (23.9%) subjects had grade 3 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Most common TEAEs were arthralgia (34.3%), hyperthyroidism (29.9%), and anemia (25.4%). Grade 3 immune related adverse events (irAEs) occurred in 8 (11.9%) subjects. No TRAE leading to death occurred. For colorectal cancer cohort (abstract#: 3593): 68 subjects with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal cancer who failed or intolerant to standard treatment were enrolled and received IBI363 intravenously at dose levels between 100 g/kg QW and 3 mg/kg Q3W. There were 83.8% subjects with microsatellite stable (MSS)/proficient mismatch repair (pMMR), and the MMR status of the others were unknown. 76.5% of the subjects had previously received 3rd line system therapy, and 61.8% of subjects had liver metastases at baseline. As of Dec 22, 2023 , median follow-up time was 5.3 (95% CI: 4.4-6.9) months. The best overall response was complete response (CR) in 1 subject, partial response (PR) in 7 subjects respectively. The overall ORR was 12.7% (95%CI: 5.6-23.5). The ORR of the 1 mg/kg dose group was 15.0% (95% CI: 3.2-37.9). In 13 subjects with PD-L1 CPS 1, ORR was 30.8% (95%CI: 9.1-61.4), DCR was 76.9% (95%CI: 46.2-95.0). , median follow-up time was 5.3 (95% CI: 4.4-6.9) months. The best overall response was complete response (CR) in 1 subject, partial response (PR) in 7 subjects respectively. The overall ORR was 12.7% (95%CI: 5.6-23.5). As for safety, grade 3 treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 22 (32.4%) subjects. Most common TEAEs were arthralgia (35.3%), anemia (32.4%), pyrexia (22.1%) and hypoalbuminemia (20.6%). Grade 3 immune related adverse events (irAEs) occurred in 4 (5.9%) subjects. No TRAE leading to death occurred. For other tumors (abstract#:e14593): As of January 26, 2024 , 13 subjects with biliary tract cancers (BTC), 3 subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), 4 subjects with cervical cancer (CC) and 4 subjects with ovarian cancer (OC) received IBI363 monotherapy. , 13 subjects with biliary tract cancers (BTC), 3 subjects with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), 4 subjects with cervical cancer (CC) and 4 subjects with ovarian cancer (OC) received IBI363 monotherapy. In 11 evaluable patients with BTC, 1 patient (IO-failed) had confirmed partial response (cPR), 9 patients (including 6 patients with tumor regression) had stable disease (SD) and 1 patient had progressive disease (PD). In 2 evaluable patients with HNSCC, 1 patient had cPR (IO-naive, PD-L1 expression negative) and 1 patient had PD. In 3 evaluable patients with CC, 1 patient had cPR (IO-failed), 1 patient had SD and 1 patient had PD. In 2 evaluable patients with OC, 1 patient had cPR (platinum-resistant) and 1 patient had PD. In 4 patients with cPR, 3 patients still on treatment and 1 patient with HNSCC received curative resection. Professor Yu Chen, Fujian Cancer Hospital, stated: "Melanoma is a rare tumor type in China, and the majority of patients are acral or mucosal subtypes, which are not sensitive to immunotherapy (about 60%-70%). IL-2, as an important cytokine that activates tumor-specific CD8+T cells and mechanistically complementary to immune checkpoint inhibitors, has long become a well-established target in melanoma. As a novel PD-1/IL-2 bispecific molecule, IBI363 demonstrate significantly higher response rate compared to the current standard of care in IO failed melanoma, and the response is durable. IBI363 is well tolerated, and the toxicity is manageable. The current safety profile is similar to that of previous PD-1 monoclonal antibodies. The clinical data suggests that IBI363 has great development potential in melanoma population. Clinical trials are ongoing for further confirming the clinical benefits of IBI363 in melanoma population." Professor Tingbo Liang, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, stated: "CRC is the third most common diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death[1]. 50%~60% of patients diagnosed with CRC develop distant metastases during their disease course, and the prognosis of metastatic CRC is poor, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 20%[2]. For subjects with advanced CRC who have failed standard chemotherapy, the ORR for existing treatments is only 1% ~ 4.7%, and the median overall survival is only 6 ~ 9 months[3]. Promising efficacy of IBI363 was observed in subjects with advanced CRC, particularly in subjects with PD-L1 CPS 1, with a manageable safety profile. We are looking forward to the study of IBI363 monotherapy or combination therapy in advanced CRC and hope to bring new treatment options to more patients." About IBI363 (PD-1/IL-2) IBI363 is a first-in-class drug candidate independently developed by Innovent Biologics. Its active ingredient is PD-1/IL-2 bispecific antibody fusion protein. The IL-2 arm of IBI363 has been engineered to maximize efficacy and reduce toxicity, whereas the PD-1 binding arm achieves PD-1 blockade and selective IL-2 delivery. Therefore, IBI363 has both functions of simultaneously blocking PD-1/PD-L1 pathway and activating IL-2 pathway, allowing more precise and efficient targeting and activation of tumor specific T cells. IBI363 not only showed promising anti-tumor activity in a variety of tumor-bearing pharmacological models, but also exhibited prominent antitumor efficacy in PD-1 resistant and metastatic models; meanwhile, IBI363 demonstrated a good safety profile in preclinical models. Currently, clinical studies of IBI363 are conducted in China, United States, and Australia to assess the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy in subjects with advanced malignancies. About Innovent Biologics: Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 10 products in the market. It has 4 new drug applications under regulatory review, 4 assets in Phase III or pivotal clinical trials and 18 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Eli Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, Adimab, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Guided by the motto, 'Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action,' Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent, are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. Innovent does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of Innovent with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond Innovent's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Innovent's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions. Innovent, the Directors and the employees of Innovent assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turn out to be incorrect. References __________________________________ 1 CA Cancer J Clin. 2024 May-Jun;74(3):229-263. 2 JAMA. 2021 Feb 16;325(7):669-685. 3 doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61900-X. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1414325. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2018.7855 SOURCE Innovent Biologics The beauty retailer is partnering with Free Mom Hugs to offer support at Pride events nationwide and hosting an interactive three-day pop-up experience to get people ready for NYC Pride. DENTON, Texas, May 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sally Beauty, the leader in professional hair color and care, is proud to unveil the next installment of the Rooted In Success event series supporting Pride. Following Rooted In Success events supporting Black History Month and Women's History Month, Sally Beauty is celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community with programming and events during June. The beauty retailer is partnering with Free Mom Hugs to offer support at Pride events nationwide and hosting an interactive three-day pop-up experience to get people ready for NYC Pride. The retailer is proud to partner with Free Mom Hugs, a 501(c)3 organization that empowers the world to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through visibility, education, and conversation. Volunteers will offer support at Sally Beauty Holdings Pride celebrations across the country in Texas, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, underscoring the retailer's commitment to inspire a more colorful, confident, and welcoming world while rooting the community in success. Sally Beauty will also host free Pride Parties across New York City to help people get ready for NYC Pride so they look and feel their best. The pop-ups will foster community building in a supportive environment where self-expression is encouraged and celebrated. Signing up for Sally.Rewards, Sally Beauty's free-to-join loyalty program, will grant members free access to the Pride Parties that will pop up across New York City June 27 June 29, 2024, in iconic locations such as Chelsea, The Seaport, and more. Consumers can follow @SallyBeauty on Instagram for exact locations and times. Guests will experience: A chance to win up to $500 in giveaways, complimentary Sally Beauty gift cards, and products from fan-favorite brands like XMONDO, Eva NYC, Sally Hansen , Got2B, ion, and Strawberry Leopard.* in giveaways, complimentary Sally Beauty gift cards, and products from fan-favorite brands like XMONDO, Eva NYC, , Got2B, ion, and Strawberry Leopard.* Pride-ready hairstyling with Eva NYC Kween Glitter Spray and Strawberry Leopard Temporary Hair Color Spray. Volunteers from Free Mom Hugs will help the community stay rooted in success with an unwavering support system. On June 28th, Brad Mondo , professional hairstylist, viral social media sensation, and founder of XMONDO, will make an appearance from 1 to 2 p.m. E.T. , professional hairstylist, viral social media sensation, and founder of XMONDO, will make an appearance from On June 29th , Joey Jay and Jackie Cox , beloved RuPaul's Drag Race series alums, will treat guests to an unforgettable performance at 6 p.m. E.T. at The Seaport. "Our Pride events are more than a celebration; they are a testament to the power of self-expression and diversity. We are committed to ensuring local LGBTQIA+ communities feel supported not only in June but throughout the entire year," said John Goss, President of Sally Beauty. Visit sallybeauty.com/events to register and learn more about the Pride Parties popping up across New York City from June 27 - June 29, 2024. *while supplies last. About Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBH), as the leader in professional hair color, sells and distributes professional beauty supplies globally through its Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group businesses. Sally Beauty Supply stores offer up to 7,000 products for hair color, hair care, nails, and skin care through proprietary brands such as Ion, Bondbar, Strawberry Leopard, Generic Value Products, Inspired by Nature and Silk Elements as well as professional lines such as Wella, Clairol, OPI, L'Oreal, Wahl and Babyliss Pro. Beauty Systems Group stores, branded as CosmoProf or Armstrong McCall stores, along with its outside sales consultants, sell up to 8,000 professionally branded products including Paul Mitchell, Wella, Matrix, Schwarzkopf, Kenra, Goldwell, Joico, Amika and Moroccannoil, intended for use in salons and for resale by salons to retail consumers. For more information about Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., please visit https://www.sallybeautyholdings.com/. SOURCE SALLY BEAUTY HOLDINGS ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 31, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Solo travel is more popular than ever this year, with 42% of travelers planning to take trips on their own. As we prepare for a busy summer travel season, travel insurance comparison site, Squaremouth , unveils key insights into the mindset of travelers eagerly seeking solo getaways and what they can do to protect themselves abroad. The findings are based on a recent survey that polled more than 2,600 customers regarding their itineraries, mindset, and concerns going into their solo vacations. Travelers Will Shell Out for Solo Time With travel costs continuing to rise, solo travelers aren't planning to skimp on their trips. 53% of solo travelers plan to spend more than $3,000 on their next vacation, while 39% estimate their solo trip costs between $1,000 and $3,000. Solo Travelers Are Heading Abroad Despite traveling alone, a surprising 87% of solo travelers are interested in taking international trips this year, while only 13% prefer to keep their solo trips closer to home. Medical Emergencies, Crime, Are Top Concerns Solo travelers have two main concerns in 2024. 46% of travelers planning solo trips reported that their primary concern was experiencing a medical emergency such as illness or injury while traveling. Another 22% are fearful of crime rates and general safety at their location. Squaremouth's Tips for Solo Travel: Protect Your Trip Expenses: When booking solo, particularly high-cost trips, consider safeguarding your expenses with insurance. Comprehensive travel insurance provides valuable cancellation coverage that offers reimbursement if you can no longer take your trip. Protect Yourself: If you're planning to travel abroad solo, invest in a travel insurance plan with medical benefits. The vast majority of travel insurance providers offer travel medical insurance benefits to cover medical expenses during your trip. Protect Your Identity: If you suddenly find yourself solo and missing your identification, credit or debit cards, or other important personal or financial documents while traveling, travel insurance can help. Search for a plan with Identity Theft Protection to help with recovering your identity and credit. Make Sure Your Plan Has Your Back: Solo travelers should always have a plan in place in case an emergency arises during their trip. When looking for a policy, look for one with a 24 hour Assistance Program - these can offer a range of services to help you during a travel or medical emergency. Available Topic Expert: Jenna Hummer is available for comment and interview. [email protected] About Squaremouth: Squaremouth.com has insured over 3 million travelers. Using Squaremouth's intuitive quoting and comparison engine, award-winning support team, and veried customer reviews, travelers can save time and money to nd the best travel insurance policy for their trip. SOURCE Squaremouth Public Witness and Prayer Vigil to be Held at the Chinese Embassy in Remembrance of the 35th Memorial of the Tiananmen Square Massacre -- Monday, Washington, DC NEWS PROVIDED BY Christian Defense Coalition June 2, 2024 WASHINGTON, June 2, 2024 /Christian Newswire/ -- A public witness and prayer vigil is planned to be held at the Chinese Embassy in remembrance of the 35th Memorial of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The event will be on Monday, June 3 at 1:00 PM. The Embassy is located at 3505 International Pl NW, Washington, DC 20008. As part of the public witness, activists will lay red fabric and photos on the public sidewalk at the Chinese Embassy's front door. The fabric and photos will be a visible reminder of the violence and bloodshed by the Chinese Army against thousands of peaceful student democracy protesters murdered in Tiananmen Square. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, Director of the Washington, D.C. based Christian Defense Coalition, will also be praying for human rights and freedom in China and Hong Kong. Rev. Mahoney has been an international voice for human rights in China for 40 years. He participated in a public prayer vigil and demonstration in Tiananmen Square during the 2008 Beijing Olympics with other activists. They were arrested and threatened with a 6-month prison sentence. Rev. Mahoney is currently banned from China for his human rights work. Regarding the Tiananmen Square demonstration at the Chinese Embassy, Rev. Mahoney comments: "We are gathering at the Chinese Embassy on the 35th Anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre to remember and honor thousands of heroic students who were murdered and brutalized by the Chinese Army in their historic struggle for freedom. "We will be laying red fabric and photos at the front door of the Embassy as a powerful visual reminder of the violence and bloodshed these students experienced and the continued brutality against those who continue to seek freedom in China. We will also be praying for human rights in China and Hong Kong as we ask God to comfort and give strength all those who are now imprisoned and facing genocide. "America, and the free nations of the world, must always remember the violence of Tiananmen Square and passionately work to ensure dignity, equality and freedom for the beautiful people of China. "We echo the words of Holocaust Survivor and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel, as he says; 'We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.'" For more information or interviews contact: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 SOURCE Christian Defense Coalition CONTACT: Rev. Patrick Mahoney, 540-538-4741 KYODO NEWS - Jun 2, 2024 - 10:53 | All, Japan In Japan, the customer has long been regarded as akin to royalty, but the tradition appears to have found its limits, with both authorities and service-sector firms recognizing the need to start protecting staff from overbearing or abusive behavior from members of the public. "Kasu-hara" has become Japanese slang for "customer harassment," with some victims ending up leaving their jobs or suffering from mental illness as a result of behavior ranging from verbal abuse to being forced to apologize by kneeling and prostrating themselves. In response, the labor ministry is considering legislation to require firms to take protective measures such as compiling manuals on how to respond to abuse, government sources said. The Tokyo metropolitan government, meanwhile, has said it aims to establish an ordinance outlining what constitutes customer harassment, given the thin line between customer abuse and a legitimate customer complaint. But the ordinance, set for submission to the local assembly by next March, is unlikely to impose penalties for customers deemed to have harassed service providers, Tokyo officials said. Some service providers have already taken action. West Japan Railway Co. recently joined several companies, including East Japan Railway Co. and ANA Holdings Inc., the parent of All Nippon Airways Co., in disclosing their policy on customer harassment. JR West said it could stop providing services or sell products to customers who verbally or physically abuse workers. It will also introduce lawyers to employees who want to take legal action against harassers. "Protecting human rights and the safety and security of our employees is a must for us to offer good services," the railway operator's president, Kazuaki Hasegawa, told a press conference. JR East cited cases of abuse, such as customers grabbing a worker by the arms, making discriminatory remarks and taking pictures of an employee without permission. According to a survey conducted by major industrial union UA Zensen on over 30,000 members working in the service and other sectors in 2024, 46.8 percent said they experienced customer abuse within the past two years. Among the respondents, the largest proportion, at 39.8 percent, cited abusive language, while 14.7 percent complained of intimidation or threats and 13.8 percent said they suffered from repetitive complaints. In one case, a respondent cited being yelled at so loudly that it was audible on the entire floor of the commercial facility where the employee worked. Related coverage: More Japan workers turning to job resignation services after holidays Japan's transport ministry warns JAL over recent safety incidents Older Japanese men making up for lost time by dipping into cosmetics 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 Jerusalem, June 2 : Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he accepted the invitation to address a joint meeting of the US Congress in Washington. In a statement, the Israeli Prime Minister said on Saturday that he plans to speak to both Houses of Congress and "present the truth" about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu was invited on Friday in a letter signed by the leaders of the US Senate and House of Representatives, Xinhua news agency reported. Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that Netanyahu's speech in Washington is expected to take place within the next eight weeks. Meanwhile, the channel also reported that Israel and Egypt have agreed on reopening the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to transfer humanitarian aid to the Strip. The television reported that Israel has told Egypt that it is ready to withdraw the military forces from the crossing and station them in a more distant location under "operational considerations". Doha, June 2 : Qatar, the US, and Egypt have jointly called on Hamas and Israel to finalise an agreement based on the principles of a US proposal, according to a statement from the Qatari Foreign Ministry. The three countries jointly call on both Hamas and Israel to do so "as mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees" as quoted by Xinhua news agency report. "These principles brought the demands of all parties together in a deal that serves multiple interests and will bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families," the statement said on Saturday. "This deal offers a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire and ending the crisis," it added. US President Joe Biden delivered a speech on Friday, in which he revealed a three-phase Israeli proposal that would lead to an end to the ongoing Gaza conflict and the release of all hostages. Aden : , June 2 (IANS) A high-ranking Yemeni military intelligence official and four of his companions were injured in an assassination attempt on him in the country's southwestern province of Taiz, a security source told the media. The source said on Saturday on condition of anonymity that "unknown assailants targeted the convoy of Brigadier Abdo Qasim Buhairi, director of the military intelligence division in Taiz, with an explosive device as it passed through a road in al-Misrakh district of Taiz," giving no further details on the health condition of the official and his bodyguards. Pro-government military and security services in Taiz have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators, Xinhua news agency reported. The incident highlighted the fragile security situation in Yemen, where military and pro-government officials remain at risk amid the ongoing conflict and power struggle in the war-ravaged Arab country. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed internationally-recognised government out of the capital Sanaa. Budapest, June 2 : Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has highlighted the urgency of a ceasefire and the need for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to prevent the armed conflict from spreading. Orban made the remarks on Saturday when addressing his supporters in a demonstration one week ahead of the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 6-9 and Hungarian local elections for June 9, Xinhua news agency reported. "If we want to prevent the war from catching up with us, we must nip it in the bud now. This war cannot be won with weapons. There is no solution to this war on the battlefield, only death and destruction," he said. He also stressed the importance of the upcoming elections, which he described as a crucial moment for forming a European peace coalition. "In a week, we will receive reinforcements from every country in Europe, and we can create a European peace coalition in Brussels," he said to the tens of thousands of participants of a peace march that started from the iconic Chain Bridge in Budapest on Saturday. Prayagraj, June 2 : In an unexpected development, the Allahabad High Court, after reserving its order on an application challenging the maintainability of suits related to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Eidgah dispute, has reopened the same for hearing, after the counsel for Shahi Eidgah Masjid, Mathura -- Mehmood Pracha moved an application requesting that he be heard in the matter and prayed for video recording of the court proceedings. Justice Mayank Kumar Jain has now fixed June 4 for hearing him through video conferencing. Earlier, on May 31, Tasneem Ahmadi concluded her arguments on behalf of the management committee, Shahi Idgah Masjid, which is a defendant-respondent in the original suits. Earlier, on behalf of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board, Afzal Ahmad had already concluded his arguments in the suits, where the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board is arrayed as a defendant. Thereafter, Mehmood Pracha, the counsel, addressed the court through video conferencing on behalf of the management committee of Shahi Idgah Masjid and concluded the same. The court had also heard the counsels for Hindu side plaintiffs a" Hari Shankar Jain, Rina N Singh, Saurabh Tiwari and others at length. After the aforesaid proceedings, in the open court, Justice Mayank Kumar Jain, on Friday, communicated to the counsel for the parties that the order was being reserved. However, after the conclusion of the arguments and reserved the order in the open court, an application was filed on behalf of the management committee of Shahi Idgah Masjid, with the prayers to "issue appropriate directions to ensure that the right of an audience through video conferencing of Mehmood Pracha, whose vakalatnama is on the record, is not obstructed in any manner". The prayer also added that the defendant's right to be heard was protected by appropriate measures through video recording of the proceedings. The court noted that Mehmood Pracha remained present through video conferencing on several occasions and was also present in person before the court. He had ample opportunity to argue the matter, the court added. The court further made it clear, saying that "The right of audience to any of the counsel, who desired to appear and argue the matter through video conferencing, was never obstructed as the entire hearing, which commenced from February 22, 2024, was conducted in the presence of the parties to the suits as well as their respective counsels". However, keeping in view the principle of transparency, the court accepted the request of Mehmood Pracha, saying, "However, given the phrase 'justice should not only be done but must also be seen to be done' and to do complete justice in the matter, this court feels appropriate to provide an opportunity to Mehmood Pracha, advocate to address the court through video conferencing." The court made it clear that for any reason, whatsoever, no further opportunity will be accorded to him. The court directed the registry of this court to inform counsel for the parties and all concerned about the date fixed in the matter forthwith, so that they may be present on the date fixed. Prayagraj, June 2 : Experts from IIT-Gandhinagar in Gujarat will give lessons to improve teaching at government-run secondary schools of Uttar Pradesh, especially in subjects like science and mathematics. In a first-of-its-kind initiative by the state secondary education department, 169 assistant teachers and lecturers of government high schools and intermediate colleges have been selected to undergo a five-day residential training programme at the prestigious institution, said officials. Around 111 teachers from 46 districts of the state who teach science to high school students and physics, chemistry and biology to intermediate students would undergo the residential training at IIT-Gandhinagar in Gujarat from June 5 to 9. Likewise, training of 58 teachers of mathematics is proposed to be held at the institute from June 24 to 28. The cost incurred by teachers in going for the training being held at government expense will be reimbursed to them by the respective district inspectors of schools (DIOSes). Teachers have been asked to take laptops with them so that information can be given about classroom teaching and the use of digital material as well during the training sessions. Director General (school education), Uttar Pradesh, Kanchan Verma, has directed all DIOS to relieve the selected teachers from work. She has also instructed DIOS to ensure that the selected teachers reach IIT-Gandhinagar a day before the formal start of their training workshops. Five teachers from Prayagraj will also be going to Gujarat for the training. Lucknow, June 2 : Thirty-three poll personnel succumbed to heat-related conditions during the seventh phase of the Lok Sabha election held in 13 constituencies in the state on Saturday, according to Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa. The number included home guards, sanitation workers and other poll staff. A voter also died at a booth in the Sikandarpur area of Ballia Lok Sabha constituency, he said. The voter, Ram Badan Chauhan, who was standing at the polling booth, fell unconscious and was rushed to a health centre where doctors pronounced him dead, he added. All District Magistrates have been directed to submit a report about the death of poll personnel in the respective constituencies, CEO Rinwa said. The district administration officials will also submit an autopsy report of the deceased personnel, he added. Under the order of the Election Commission, the family members of the deceased poll personnel will be given Rs 15 lakh compensation, he said. A PAC Constable posted at Ramabai Ambedkar ground, guarding EVMs, died in Lucknow on Saturday. JCP (Law and Order) Upendra Agarwal confirmed the constable's death, saying that coolers and other facilities were available for officers on duty at the site. He said that the exact cause of death would be determined after a post-mortem. In the seventh phase, polling was held in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC) in Uttar Pradesh. The Election Commission had deployed 1,08,349 poll personnel for poll duty in this phase. Arunachal Pradesh: Over 5 pc turnout in first two hours of voting, rain disrupts polling. Image Source: IANS News Itanagar, June 2 : Counting of votes, polled in April 19 Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh, began on Sunday morning under three-tier security measures with the Central Paramilitary forces deployed in the first two tiers, officials said. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pawan Kumar Sain said that the results of all the 50 Assembly seats are expected to be declared by noon. The five-year tenure of the outgoing 60-member Arunachal Pradesh Assembly expires on June 2. After the ruling BJP won 10 seats unopposed, elections for the remaining 50 Assembly seats were held on April 19 along with the Lok Sabha elections in two Parliamentary seats in the state -- Arunachal West and Arunachal East. The CEO said that the counting of votes started simultaneously in 24 counting centres (48 counting halls) in 25 districts under tight security measures. Counting of postal ballots would be taken up first and then the EVM votes would be counted. More than 2,000 officials have been appointed for the counting while the Election Commission has appointed 27 observers to supervise the process. A total of 489 micro-observers have also been appointed for the purpose. Ten BJP candidates, including Chief Minister Pema Khandu from Mukto Assembly seat, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein from Chowkham, senior party leader Techi Kaso from Itanagar, Nyato Dukam from Taliha, and Mutchu Mithi from Roing were elected unopposed. Around 78 per cent turnout was recorded in the Parliamentary polls and 83 per cent in the Assembly elections on April 19. Altogether, 133 candidates were in the fray for the 50 Assembly seats and 14 candidates for two Parliamentary constituencies. The counting of votes in the two Parliamentary seats would be taken up on June 4 along with the rest of the country. Rescue vehicles arrive at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province, June 2, 2024. Eight people were trapped in the coal mine after an inrush of water, local authorities said on Saturday. Rescue efforts are underway. (Xinhua/Wu Feizuo) JINAN, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Eight people were trapped in a coal mine in east China's Shandong Province after an inrush of water, local authorities said on Saturday. The flooding accident occurred at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an. Rescue efforts are underway. Rescue vehicles arrive at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province, June 2, 2024. Eight people were trapped in the coal mine after an inrush of water, local authorities said on Saturday. Rescue efforts are underway. (Xinhua/Wu Feizuo) Washington, June 2 : US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has welcomed an agreement by Defence Chiefs of South Korea and Japan to take measures to prevent the recurrence of a 2018 maritime spat over Japanese patrol aircraft. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik and his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, announced the agreement on Saturday after their talks held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, in a deal that could remove a major hindrance to efforts to strengthen bilateral military cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo, Yonhap news agency reported. In a statement, Austin said on Saturday that the deal between South Korea and Japan would "strengthen their bilateral defence relationship, including measures to support operational safety and lines of communication". "Stronger bilateral cooperation between each of our countries helps advance trilateral cooperation among all of our countries," he added. The Defence Chiefs of South Korea, the US and Japan were set to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the security forum in Singapore. The dispute flared up in December 2018, when a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft made an unusually low-altitude flyby over a South Korean warship. Seoul decried the plane's approach as a "menacing" flight, while Tokyo has accused the South Korean vessel of having locked its fire-control radar on the plane. The incident had remained a source of friction for years until Seoul and Tokyo's Defence Chiefs agreed to begin working-level talks on the issue at the annual security forum held in Singapore last year, in what marked the first defence ministerial talks between Seoul and Tokyo since November 2019. Gangtok, June 2 : The Chief Minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang has been leading in two seats he contested in the state Assembly polls this time. His wife, Krishna Kumari Rai is also leading against the Opposition candidate Bimal Rai in the Namchi-Singhithang Assembly segment. Former Chief Minister and Opposition leader from Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) Pawan Kumar Chamling has been trailing against the ruling party Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Bhoj Raj Rai in the early counting of votes on Sunday. Chamling was looking for a record ninth-term win from the Poklok-Kamrang Assembly constituency. Meanwhile, according to the latest trend, SKM is leading in 31 out of 32 Assembly seats in the state. The Opposition party SDF is leading only in one seata"Shyari. In the 2019 Assembly polls, SKM won 17 seats, narrowly defeating SDF. However, this time the ruling party is set to sweep the state. Voting in the 32-member Sikkim Assembly was held on April 19. Seoul :This file photo, provided by SK hynix Inc. on Feb. 1, 2021, shows the company's new chip factory, M16, in Icheon, 52 kilometers southeast of Seoul.(Yonhap/IANS). Image Source: IANS News Seoul, June 2 : The "most expensive divorce suit" in South Korea's history between SK Group's Chairman Chey Tae-won and his estranged wife, Roh So-young, is feared to affect Chey's grip on SK Group's governance as questions arise over how he can pay such a huge alimony. Seoul, June 2 (IANS) The "most expensive divorce suit" in South Korea's history between SK Groupas Chairman Chey Tae-won and his estranged wife, Roh So-young, is feared to affect Chey's grip on SK Group's governance as questions arise over how he can pay such a huge alimony. Last week, an appellate court ordered Chey to pay 1.38 trillion won ($1 billion) in property division to Roh, the only daughter of former President Roh Tae-woo. The couple married in 1988 and have three children. While the Supreme Court's ruling is still pending, experts are concerned that if the ordered amount is divided as the appellate court ruled, it could shake up the governance of SK Group, the second-largest conglomerate in Korea, reports Yonhap news agency. The court ruled that Chey's SK shares were subject to division and recognized late President Roh's slush fund worth 30 billion won and contributions to SK Group's increased value and business activities. The combined property of Chey and Roh was determined to be 4 trillion won, with a division rate of 65 percent for Chey and 35 percent for Roh. The court ordered Chey to pay the divided sum in cash. Some speculate that Chey might need to sell his shares in SK Inc., the holding company of SK Group, which includes SK Telecom, SK Innovation Co. and SK Square, to meet the payment. Chey is the largest shareholder of SK, holding 17.73 per cent, worth 2.2 trillion won, through which he controls other SK Group affiliates. However, insiders believe Chey is unlikely to sell his stake in SK due to the governance structure and the importance of his shares within the group. Instead, Chey is expected to raise part of the funds through cash and real estate sales, with the remainder coming from the sale of a stake in the privately held SK Siltron Co. and loans. The Supreme Court decision could take two to three years, as Chey has announced his intention to appeal, giving him more time to arrange the amount of the division. Lucknow, June 2 : Twenty-nine years ago, on June 2, 1995, an incident took place that permanently scarred the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh and altered social and political alignments in the state. On this day, Mayawati, then merely a representative of Kanshi Ram, arrived in Lucknow to take a meeting of 67 BSP MLAs. The BSP at that time, was a part of the SP-BSP coalition government in Uttar Pradesh, headed by Mulayam Singh Yadav. Mayawati had been visiting Lucknow every month to atake stock of the situationa and had clearly voiced her dissatisfaction over the prevailing situation. When the meeting began, there were murmurs that the BSP was planning to pull out of the coalition. Half an hour after the BSP meeting began in the Mirabai State Guest House, SP MLAs with their supporters barged in and allegedly assaulted BSP MLAs and tried to take them hostage. Mayawati, with the remaining MLAs, locked herself up in a room while SP supporters continued to hurl abuses and bang on the door. The drama continued for almost 30 hours, power lines were snapped and there was no food supply either. Finally, the then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao intervened. The Mulayam Singh government was dismissed and a strong police force was sent to the state guest house to arescuea Mayawati and her MLAs. On the night of June 3, 1995, Mayawati was sworn in as chief minister with support from BJP. The incident led to the rise and rise of Mayawati as a Dalit leader and also the simultaneous decline in the importance of Kanshi Ram within the BSP. His poor health was cited as the main reason. Mayawati, as chief minister, targeted officials who were perceived to be aclosea to the Samajwadi camp. Former UP DGP O P Singh, a 1983-batch Indian Police Service officer who was SSP Lucknow at the time of the incident, has come out with his memoir aCrime, Grime & Gumption: Case Files of an IPS Officer' and dedicated a long chapter to this infamous and controversial episode. Singh retired from service in January 2020 and headed two central forces --the CISF and the NDRF-- during his 37 years of service in the police services. Calling the 'guest house' incident an aindecorousa political drama in the history of modern-day India under a chapter titled aTsunami Yearsa, he says this event "not only changed the politics in UP but impacted the politics of the country as a whole". Singh was among those who faced Mayawatias ire and was promptly suspended when she took over as chief minister. The state guest house incident, more importantly, created a deep divide between Dalits and OBCs --mainly Yadavs -- and this exists till date. In her initial days as chief minister, Mayawati used the Guest House Incident to lash out at the Samajwadi Party at every available opportunity. However, later in the years, she refused to entertain questions on the issue and in 2019, even agreed to an alliance with SP. When asked, she claimed that Mulayam Singh Yadav was responsible for what had happened and since it was now his son Akhilesh who was at the helm of affairs, she had decided to give him another chance. However, the results of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls proved that the Dalit-Yadav divide had not been repaired and the two caste groups were still at war. Even though Mayawati won 10 seats and SP was left with five, the BSP called off the alliance. In the just concluded elections, there are clear reports that non-Jatav Dalits who have distanced themselves from the BSP, have opted for BJP instead of SP -- a clear indication that the caste divide has not repaired itself yet. Los Angeles, June 2 : Hollywood superstars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Shiloh took it upon herself to change her last name. A source close to the matter said that the 18-year-old filed to drop Pitt from her surname, which would make her legal name Shiloh Jolie, and hired her own attorney for the process, reports 'People' magazine. "Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself," the source said, pointing to Jolie's allegations of an "abuse history" as part of the reason for the name change. Shiloh filed the legal documents, accessed by 'People', to drop 'Pitt' from her last name on May 27, which was her 18th birthday. In addition to Shiloh, Pitt, 60, and Jolie, 48, share five other children -- Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Knox, and Vivienne. Two of Shiloh's siblings also appear to have removed 'Pitt' from their last name. As per 'People', Vivienne is listed as "Vivienne Jolie" in the playbill for the Broadway show 'The Outsiders', which is produced by Jolie. Zahara, meanwhile, joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at Spelman College in November and introduced herself there as Zahara Marley Jolie. Jolie filed for divorce from Pitt in 2016 and requested sole physical custody of their six children. An insider said in August 2022 that their lack of connection has been "a sad situation for years", referring to Pitt's ongoing custody battle with Jolie. "Many times, there have been long gaps where he didn't see the kids at all," the source added of Brad Pitt. No possibility of BJP winning any LS seat in Kerala: CPI-M. Image Source: IANS News Thiruvananthapuram, June 2 : CPI-M Central Committee member and former minister A.K. Balan on Sunday said that there is no possibility of the BJP winning any Lok Sabha seat in Kerala as projected by Exit Polls. However, he added that if BJP candidate and Malayalam movie superstar Suresh Gopi wins from Thrissur it will be because of the Congress. All the Exit Polls have projected that the BJP will win one to four seats in Kerala. The BJP is also expecting to win the Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur Lok Sabha seats. "Exit Polls showing that the BJP is winning seats in Kerala is a joke," Kerala Minister for Tourism and Public Works and CPI-M State Secretariat member P.A. Mohammed Riyas told media persons in Kozhikode. He said that the BJP will not win any seats in Kerala. "During the 2021 Assembly elections, all the Exit Polls projected the defeat of several CPI-M leaders including my seat but we won all seats with an all-time record victory margin," Riyas said He said that the people of Kerala take these Exit Polls as a 'joke'. "There is nothing serious in the outcome of these Exit Polls in Kerala," he said. Riyas said that the performance of the state government has been exemplary and that the Pinarayi Vijayan government has zero corruption track record. Mumbai, June 2 : Actor Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, is spending his birthday on Sunday working on his next untitled project, where he shares the screen with actress Khushi Kapoor. The actor has been quite busy, as he has wrapped up his projects one after the other. His debut film, 'Maharaj', co-starring Jaideep Ahlawat, is set to release on June 14 on Netflix. A source close to the actor shared that Junaid will be shooting the entire day for his untitled project with Khushi. It will be interesting to see the two actors sharing screen space for the first time and showcasing their talent. Currently, Junaid is wholly focused on his film with Khushi. The film is directed by Advait Chandan, known for 'Secret Superstar' and 'Laal Singh Chaddha'. In addition to these two films, Junaid also has another project with Sai Pallavi, which was shot in Japan. Stills from this project went viral a few months ago, sparking the interest of film lovers. Gorakhpur : , June 2 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited and inspected Shaheed Ashfaq Ullah Khan Zoological Park (Gorakhpur Zoo) on Sunday. During his visit, the Chief Minister inspected the five-year-old lion Bharat and seven-year-old lioness Gauri, who were brought from Etawah Lion Safari about a week ago. Another tiger Babbar Sher Pataudi roared, during the Chief Ministeras inspection, in front of his enclosure. While inspecting the zoo, the Chief Minister also fed bananas to the rhino pair, Hari and Gauri, and after taking information about other wild animals, he instructed the zoo officials to take proper care of the animals. DFO and zoo Director Vikas Yadav, who was accompanying the Chief Minister, kept giving information about the care of wildlife. Yogi Adityanath also inspected the zoo hospital. He checked about the methods of rescuing wildlife and their treatment and food. He also saw the wildlife being treated in the hospital and asked about their health. Hyderabad, June 2 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday defended the invitation to top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on the state's Formation Day celebrations saying a son does not need permission to invite his mother. Addressing the state formation day celebrations, he reacted strongly to the criticism by the opposition parties. "They are asking in what position Sonia Gandhi was invited. I want to ask them whether a mother requires a position to attend an auspicious occasion at her child's house. Does the child need permission to invite his mother," he said. Revanth Reddy drew a parallel with Mahatma Gandhi. "We recognised Mahatma Gandhi in what position," he asked. The Chief Minister said that as long as the history of Telangana exists, Sonia Gandhi will be recognised and respected as the mother by this society. He also observed that Sonia Gandhi's bond with Telangana is above politics. Though the state government had invited Sonia Gandhi to the Telangana Formation Day celebrations, she could not attend it due to her health condition. The state Cabinet had also decided to felicitate her in recognition of the key role played by her in the formation of Telangana state. Revanth Reddy had personally visited New Delhi to invite her. She had accepted the same but dropped the plan at the last minute due to her health condition. The former Congress President sent a video message, which was played at the main official function. She greeted the people of Telangana and wished the best for the state's progress and its bright future. An ambulance is seen at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province, June 2, 2024. More than 200 rescuers are racing against time to find eight people who remain missing in a flooded coal mine in east China's Shandong Province, local authorities said Sunday. The flooding occurred at around 5 p.m. on Saturday at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an. Among the 10 people working underground, two managed to escape while eight were trapped. (Xinhua/Wu Feizuo) JINAN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- More than 200 rescuers are racing against time to find eight people who remain missing in a flooded coal mine in east China's Shandong Province, local authorities said Sunday. The flooding occurred at around 5 p.m. on Saturday at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an. Among the 10 people working underground, two managed to escape while eight were trapped. Rescuers said they are pumping water out to create a clear rescue channel, which is expected to open by Monday morning. An investigation into the cause of the flooding is underway. This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a view of a main entrance of Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an, east China's Shandong Province. More than 200 rescuers are racing against time to find eight people who remain missing in a flooded coal mine in east China's Shandong Province, local authorities said Sunday. The flooding occurred at around 5 p.m. on Saturday at Huafeng coal mine in Ningyang County in the city of Tai'an. Among the 10 people working underground, two managed to escape while eight were trapped. (Xinhua/Wu Feizuo) New Delhi, June 2 : The Supreme Court is slated to hear on Monday the plea filed by the Delhi government seeking additional water supply from neighbouring states to address the water crisis in the national capital. As per the cause list published on the website of the apex court, a bench of Justices P. K. Mishra and K. V. Viswanathan will take up the matter for hearing on June 3. In its petition, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Delhi government demanded that the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh be directed to release extra water for a month to address the extraordinary and excessive water demand of the city triggered due to a surge in summer temperature. Meanwhile, Delhi Water Minister Atishi has written a letter to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Chief Ministers Nayab Singh Saini and Yogi Adityanath requesting additional release of water to the national capital so that Delhites may comfortably surpass the peak summers. Earlier, Atishi had sought urgent intervention from the Centre on the issue of water shortage and apprised the Union Jal Shakti Minister that Haryana must immediately release Delhi's rightful share of water into the Yamuna River to bring the waters to the normal level. "Delhi is heavily dependent on water from the Yamuna River to meet its day-to-day demand for water. However, in the last few days, there has been a drastic dip in the water levels at the Wazirabad Barrage as Haryana is not releasing the required amount of water in the Yamuna River. This has resulted in a massive crisis of water in the national capital," said Atishi in her letter to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday. She added that the temperature in Delhi has touched almost 50 degrees Celsius, and this has further intensified the demand for water putting additional burden on the already strained demand-supply chain of potable drinking water in Delhi. Chennai, June 2 : Tamil Nadu police, on Sunday, found that the threat through an email that bombs are kept in Chennai international airport and YMCA building in the city was a hoax. The email was received during the early hours of the day. The Bomb Disposal Squad of Greater Chennai Police searched every area of the airport and found that there was nothing suspicious there. Similarly, the threat of a bomb in the YMCA building also turned out to be a hoax. Police and bomb squad, after a detailed search, were not able to find anything in the airport or the YMCA premises. A week ago too, there was a threat to Chennai international airport and the anonymous mail said that a bomb would explode in the airport within a week. The mail was received by a private airline and two media houses. Sources in the Greater Chennai Police told IANS that the cyber wing of the police has commenced a detailed study on the source of the email. The Police have also registered a case and commenced an investigation into the matter. Mumbai, June 2 : The 24th edition of the ongoing New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) is set to host a panel discussion between veteran actress Shabana Azmi and filmmaker Mira Nair on Sunday at Theatre 2, Village East by Angelika in New York. Festival director Aseem Chhabra spoke with IANS from New York and shared that the discussion will be preceded by the screening of 'Fire', which starred Shabana and Nandita Das. The screening and the panel discussion will honour Shabana, who has completed 50 years in cinema. NYIFF is the oldest Indian film festival in North America, focusing mainly on independent films from India. Aseem told IANS that, with films from across 16 Indian languages this time, the idea is to cover all of India with 49 films. The festival opened with the film 'Dear Jassi', directed by Tarsem Singh. The film is a co-production of companies from India, Canada, and the US. Based on a real-life incident, the film follows the story of Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu, a Punjabi Canadian woman who faced conflict with her family when she fell in love with and chose to marry a working-class man they did not approve of. This is the second physical edition of the festival after the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2021 and 2022 editions were held virtually, with the festival returning to its physical form last year. When asked if there has been a change in the tastes of cinephiles and festival-goers due to the widespread content consumption triggered by OTT platforms, Aseem told IANS that the audience cultivating a taste for masala movies is a very Indian phenomenon, and the diaspora community of festival attendees is still unfazed by the change in taste towards cinema. He said that the film festival celebrates films that have an essence of India; they can be from India and about India. The festival is set to close with the Sanya Malhotra-starrer film 'Mrs', directed by Arati Kadav. The film is adapted from the acclaimed Malayalam film 'The Great Indian Kitchen', starring Nimisha Sajayan. It also stars Nishant Dahiya and Kanwaljit Singh in pivotal roles and presents a captivating account of a womanas strength and resilience. Istanbul, June 2 : One person was killed after a residential building collapsed in Istanbul on Sunday, local media reported. Istanbul Governor Davut Gul extended his condolences, and retweeted a post of TC Istanbul Valiligi, a Corporate account of Istanbul Governorship, informing about the demise of one person and the rescue of eight severely injured. Earlier, the Istanbul Governor informed the reporters that the 36-year-old three-story building in the Kucukcekmece district on the European side of the city collapsed at 8:40 a.m. local time (0540 GMT). The rescued people have been sent to nearby hospitals. The cause of the collapse is not clear. Further details are awaited. Mumbai, June 2 : Filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who is known for works like 'Shahid', 'CityLights', 'Aligarh', and 'Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story', is celebrating the first anniversary of his hit streaming show 'Scoop'. On Sunday, Hansal took to Instagram and shared a series of pictures from the show. The post features a mix of behind-the-scenes photos, premiere pictures, and stills from the show. The director expressed his gratitude towards his cast, crew, and audience for making the show a streaming phenomenon. He wrote in the caption: "One year of a show that has given us so much and continues to give... #Scoop. Grateful." 'Scoop' is based on Jigna Vora's biographical memoir 'Behind Bars in Byculla: My Days in Prison'. The Netflix show follows the real-life story of journalist Jigna Vora, who was accused of the murder of Mid-Day reporter Jyotirmoy Dey in June 2011. Meanwhile, Hansal is currently in the UK, shooting for his streaming series 'Gandhi'. He also has 'The Buckingham Murders', starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, in the pipeline. The director recently announced the third season of the 'Scam' series. The upcoming season, titled 'Scam 2010 - The Subrata Roy Saga', will follow the life of businessman Subrata Roy, the founder of Sahara. In 2011, the stock market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) accused two companies from the Sahara group of raising Rs 240 billion ($3.9 billion) from 30 million people through optionally fully convertible debentures. New Delhi, June 2 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the government will continue to extend full support to the states affected by cyclone Remal. Chairing a meeting at his residence to review the impact of the cyclone, the PM also instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the situation and review the matter regularly to extend necessary assistance for the restoration of various facilities. PM Modi was briefed about the impact of the cyclone on the affected states during the meeting. The loss of human lives and damage to houses and properties due to landslides and floods in the northeastern states -- Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura -- was also discussed. At least 36 people were killed in heavy rains and landslides in four northeastern states on May 28 after cyclone Remal hit the states bringing normal life to a grinding halt. While 27 people were killed in Mizoram, including 21 in a quarry collapse in Aizawl district, four deaths were reported in Nagaland, three in Assam and two in Meghalaya. During the meeting, it was mentioned that NDRF teams have been deployed as per the needs and they have carried out evacuation, airlifting and road clearance operations. The Principal Secretary to the PM, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, DG NDRF and Member Secretary, NDMA along with other senior officials from PMO and concerned Ministries were also present in the meeting. New Delhi, June 2 : A 90-tonne consignment of nine 'Made in India' Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) left for Cuba from the Mundra port operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), on Sunday. The APIs, part of India's humanitarian assistance to Cuba, will be used by the Cuban drug manufacturers to produce essential antibiotics in the dosage form of tablets, capsules, syrups and injections, needed for treatment of chronic communicable diseases. "The assistance reaffirms India's status as the 'pharmacy of the world' and underlines our commitment to historic friendship with Cuba," stated the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India has been granting disaster relief assistance to Cuba in the wake of devastation caused by various hurricanes over the years and also during the Covid-19 pandemic. New Delhi donated 524 boxes of life-saving medicines to Cuba in November 2020 and supplied rice under short-term credit arrangement during 2022-23. India has also extended five Lines of Credit to the tune of $243 million to the government of Cuba in the agriculture, agro-food, and renewable energy sectors. Beirut, June 2 : Israeli warplanes attacked on Sunday a military base used by Hezbollah to launch assault drones against Israeli army targets, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Israeli warplanes fired three air-to-surface missiles at a Hezbollah military base located in the west of the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, about 80 km from the borderline separating Lebanon and Israel, the sources said on condition of anonymity. The sources said that the missiles destroyed the base and wounded two people, who were transported to a hospital in the city of Baalbek. Also on Sunday morning, Israeli warplanes launched three raids on the southeast villages of Kfarhamam, Rachaya al Foukhar, and Halta, injuring 18 civilians, including nine children, the sources added. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters on Sunday morning attacked the Yarden military base in Golan Heights, targeting the Iron Dome radar and stationing areas of officers and soldiers. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on October 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. Prem Singh Tamang stakes claim to form next Sikkim govt after sweeping polls. Image Source: IANS News Gangtok, June 2 : The Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) has staked claim to form the next government after it swept the state assembly polls by winning 31 out of 32 seats. The Chief of SKM and incumbent Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang met the Governor and staked claims to form the next government. Tamang fought the Assembly polls from two seats and won both. His wife Krishna Kumari Rai also won the polls by defeating the opposition candidate Bimal Rai from the Namchi-Singhithang assembly segment. Krishna Kumari Rai received 7907 votes winning the polls by a margin of 5,302 votes. The leading opposition party in the state Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won only one constituency this time. BJP, Congress and Citizen Action Party-Sikkim (CAP-S) who fought polls separately failed to open their accounts. Five-time former Chief Minister of Sikkim, Pawan Kumar Chamling also lost the elections. He was looking to win a record ninth-term win from the Poklok-Kamrang assembly constituency. Elections in Sikkim were held on April 19 and the counting of votes began at 6 AM on Saturday. In the 2019 assembly polls, SKM won 17 seats narrowly defeating the opposition party SDF. Agra, June 2 : Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, the stark reality of Agra's environmental crisis has come into sharp focus. Despite the Supreme Court's 1993 intervention on the petition by MC Mehta, to protect the Taj Mahal and other heritage sites in the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), the ecological situation has deteriorated dramatically. The diminishing green cover and severely polluted water bodies present a grim picture of the collective failure to tackle the alarming ecological issues in this eco-sensitive region, which spans over 10,480 square kilometers. Local environmentalists warn, "Air and water pollution continue to threaten the Taj Mahal. The battle against pollution has been lost due to a lack of commitment and willpower at the highest levels of governance." The effects of air pollution are now evident in the consistently rising temperatures, says Eco Club president Pradip. In 1993, the Supreme Court mandated a series of measures based on the high-powered S. Vardarajan committee's recommendations to combat pollution threatening the Taj Mahal. Despite spending thousands of crores of rupees, the environmental situation in the TTZ remains dire. Agra's air quality has deteriorated significantly, with the city performing poorly on the air quality index year after year. Dust levels (SPM and RSPM) and noxious gases in the ambient air pose serious threats to both human health and historical monuments. Despite the city's participation in the Smart City initiative, the results fail to inspire confidence in achieving eco-equilibrium. Agra's green cover has plummeted to less than six per cent, far below the national target of 33 per cent. The SPM level exceeds 350 micrograms per cubic meter, soaring above 600 in the summer, against a standard of 100 micrograms. The rise in noxious gases is exacerbated by a boom in automobile numbers - from 40,000 in the early 1980s to over a million today in the Agra district alone. The severely polluted Yamuna River, now virtually dry, is a major pollution source. Social activist Rajiv Gupta of Lok Swar laments, "The Yamuna's dry bed and polluted waters pose serious threats to historical monuments along its banks. Despite decades of judicial activism and significant investments, Agra remains littered with garbage, and pollution levels threaten both people and monuments." Illegal stone mining in the Aravali ranges and malfunctioning sewage treatment plants (STPs) compound the problem. Most of Agra's sewage is discharged untreated into the Yamuna, further degrading the river's health. The city's four treatment plants cannot process all the waste and sewer produced daily. Though the Supreme Court in 1996 ordered the planting of trees on Agra's western periphery to combat dust-laden winds from Rajasthan, greenery has vanished, replaced by tall buildings where community ponds once existed. The unchecked urban sprawl, encroachment on parks, and illegal structures overshadowing historical sites reflect the chaos of unplanned urbanisation. Environmentalists warn that the battle against pollution in the TTZ has been lost even before it truly began. Local environmentalists are now demanding a comprehensive review of past actions and a detailed white paper on the expenditures and outcomes. Despite continuous monitoring by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the environmental situation in the Taj Trapezium Zone remains critical. Activists describe Yamuna River in Agra as virtually dead due to its dry riverbed and heavily polluted waters, which pose serious threats to historical monuments. "The Supreme Court's directive to plant rows of trees along the city's western periphery to filter dust-laden winds from Rajasthan has not been implemented. Instead, tall buildings have replaced green spaces and community ponds, with illegal structures overshadowing historical monuments," complained green activist Devashish Bhattacharya. CAIRO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF) plays a pivotal role and contributes greatly to building a China-Arab community with a shared future, Ali Yousuf Al-Shareef, chairman of the Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies, has said. The 10th Ministerial Conference of the CASCF was held in the Chinese capital of Beijing on Thursday. "The Arab and Chinese sides walk with confident and steady steps toward building a community with a shared future," Al-Shareef told Xinhua in a recent interview. The accomplishments of the CASCF in strengthening ties, promoting common interests and boosting understanding greatly contribute to the aspired shared future, he said. He cited the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping as the most significant global proposal in the past 20 years. The Chinese and Arab sides are keen on building a China-Arab community with a shared future, Al-Shareef said, adding that this tendency is apparent in both sides' endeavors to enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, trade, investment, as well as economic and political cooperation. Al-Shareef, who served as ambassador of Sudan to China, praised the "very positive results" of the CASCF over the last two decades in the political, security, military, economic, trade and cultural fields at the bilateral and multilateral levels. China has forged comprehensive strategic partnerships or strategic partnerships with 14 Arab countries and the Arab League. All of the 22 Arab countries and the Arab League have signed deals with China on Belt and Road cooperation. On Jan. 30, 2004, China and the Arab League jointly announced the establishment of the CASCF. Over two decades, 19 mechanisms of cooperation in various fields between the two sides have been established. Al-Shareef underscored that political cooperation is one of the most important frameworks for the CASCF, noting that politics was the first field of cooperation between China and Arab countries since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. All Arab countries have been and are still committed to the one-China policy and strongly supported restoring China's lawful seat in the United Nations, he said. Meanwhile, China maintained its clear and fixed stance on advocating for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to have an independent state based on the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, Al-Shareef added. China exerts tremendous efforts to maintain stability and safety in the Arab region when the latter encounters conflicts, he said, confirming that the Chinese stance on the Gaza conflict is highly visible at the international level. At the economic level, Al-Shareef said economic cooperation provided a positive environment for investment and trade between the two sides. He also spoke highly of China's role in reconstructions in Libya, Syria, Yemen, Sudan and Somalia due to the Asian country's experience in infrastructure. The former Sudanese diplomat said that the Arab and Chinese sides also pay great attention to cultural cooperation by promoting people-to-people exchanges and understanding. He believes that Arab-Chinese relations have two essential aspects: the first is the official one, like the CASCF, and the second involves culture and people-to-people interactions, like the Association of Arab-Chinese Friendship Societies that was established in 2006. Singapore, June 2 : US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on Sunday reiterated concerns about China's "coercive activity" in the South China Sea, calling on Beijing to abide by the final and "legally binding" 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award. Austin also expressed Washington's "deep concern" about the escalating violence in Myanmar during a meeting with the defence ministers from Southeast Asia held on the sidelines of the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue. Defence Ministers from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste participated in the meeting to discuss opportunities to advance regional peace and stability. During the meeting, Austin spoke about sustaining a rules-based regional security environment and reaffirmed the US' strong commitment to the region. He assured that Washington would continue its engagement with the Southeast Asian region and enhance defence cooperation amongst ASEAN countries, including through the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus, to tackle shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. "Secretary Austin reiterated concerns about coercive activity by the People's Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea. He underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, and he called on the PRC to abide by the final and legally binding 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award," Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder stated in a readout after the meeting. India too has been playing an active role in ADMM-Plus, the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN. Last November, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Indonesian capital Jakarta to attend the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). The platform to strengthen security and defence cooperation includes ASEAN member states (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and eight Dialogue Partners (India, US, China, Russia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand). New Delhi, June 2 : Before surrendering at Tihar prison, AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday called the Lok Sabha election exit poll results fake. The Chief Minister, along with other senior leaders, including Sanjay Singh, Gopal Rai, Atishi, Raghav Chadha, Saurabh Bharadwaj and his wife Sunita, visited Rajghat and Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place. Kejriwal, whose 21 days interim bail, granted by the Supreme Court for general elections, has ended, also visited party headquarters along with the leaders in the national capital and met MPs and MLAs. "These 21 days have been very eventful for me. I did not waste a single minute. I campaigned day and night, 24 hours, to save the country. I campaigned for all parties," he said while addressing the party members. "I want to tell the people of Delhi, your son is going back to jail, not because I committed any corruption, but because I dared to raise my voice against tyranny. The best part of this campaign was that Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself admitted in front of the whole country that there is no evidence against me," said Kejriwal. Kejriwal further questioning the excise policy case said that where did those Rs 100 crore go? "They conducted more than 500 raids. Where is the money? Without evidence, without any recovery, they put me in jail. The country cannot tolerate 'tanashahi'. This time I am going, I don't know when I will return, I don't know what they will do to me in jail. I don't care, they can do whatever they want. If Bhagat Singh could go to the gallows, then I am ready to go to the gallows too," said the chief minister. He further said that June 4, the day the Lok Sabha election results will be announced is Tuesday. "Bajrangbali will destroy tyrants. The exit polls came out yesterday (Saturday). They are all fake. But the real issue is, why did they need to release exit polls three days before the counting? This is something to understand. Many things are going around. One is that they have tampered with the machines," said Kejriwal. The AAP national convenor further said that another theory is that they have invested in the stock market. "So tomorrow when the stock market opens, they will sell and take the profit. There is pressure on officers to cheat and follow what they will direct. Our counting agents need to stay alert. On June 4, their (BJP) government is not being formed. There is no need to be afraid of these exit polls," he added. A Delhi court on Saturday reserved its order on the interim bail plea of Kejriwal, who is seeking seven days' bail on medical grounds in connection with a money laundering case related to the alleged excise policy scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Court reserved the verdict, set to be announced on June 5. Kejriwal's counsel cited medical reasons for the bail request. Baghdad, June 2 : A Shiite militia in Iraq on Sunday claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a site in Eilat in southern Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters launched a drone attack "on a vital site in Eilat on Sunday morning," reports Xinhua news agency. The statement stressed that the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," and the militia pledged to persist in targeting "the enemy's strongholds." The statement did not provide additional details about the specific location or any resulting casualties. Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on October 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and US bases in the region. New Delhi, June 2 : Checking on your insulin resistance levels may be key in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes, top diabetologists said on Sunday. India has a staggering 101 million individuals afflicted by diabetes, while the number of prediabetes stands at 136 million, according to 2023 data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). With no immediate and effective changes brought, the numbers are expected to double in the coming two decades. "Curbing insulin resistance can certainly help to prevent or delay diabetes. This can be achieved by lifestyle modification including calorie restriction, reduction in carbohydrates, improving physical activity, proper sleep, etc.," Dr V Mohan, chairman of Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, told IANS. What is insulin resistance? The term 'insulin resistance' means that the action of insulin is impaired primarily in disposing of the glucose or lowering the glucose level. It can occur at various sites, including the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue. Most obese people do have insulin resistance, but unless there is decreased pancreatic beta cell function, that is, decreased insulin secretion, insulin resistance does not always lead to diabetes, said Dr Mohan. "Insulin resistance is a phenomenon in which there is resistance to the action of circulating insulin at the cellular level, in particular, in the liver, in the muscle, and in fact," Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max HealthCare, told IANS. What are the symptoms? Dr Mithal noted that there are hardly any symptoms of insulin resistance. But when severe, pigmentation is a classic sign. "Somewhat velvety pigmentation, which begins with just pigmentation, later thickens and turns velvety at the nape of the neck, the neck creases, the axilla that is the armpit, and even near the elbow." This is typically combined with obesity (especially abdominal obesity). Skin tags are also a sign of insulin resistance, Dr Mohan said. He noted that insulin resistance may set in at any age, but it usually starts with puberty, and in girls, it is associated with Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD). "In girls, it is associated with hirsutism (excess facial hair, irregular periods, etc.) but it may also occur in males," Dr Mohan told IANS. How to curb insulin resistance? In addition to diabetes, insulin resistance is also associated with several other conditions, including obesity, and cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks. Dr Mohan advised lifestyle modification including calorie restriction, reduction in carbohydrates, improving physical activity, proper sleep, etc. "Avoid refined carbohydrates, take carbohydrates with a lot of fibre, avoid fats, particularly the saturated fats like butter and ghee, eat nuts like almonds, walnuts -- healthy sources of fats," Dr Mithal told IANS. --IANS rvt/vd New Delhi, June 2 : To make it easier for users to interact with people during a live stream, Google has rolled out features like "polls, Q&A, and reactions" on its video conferencing app Meet for mobile devices. According to the tech giant, if users join a live stream from the Google Meet Android or iOS app, they can use these features "when they're available". In addition, the company noted that this update is applicable for "ultra-low latency live streams" only, the standard live streaming experience remains the same. According to the tech giant, the 'Q&A' feature in Meet will offer an easy way to better engage audiences and help them get their questions answered, both at work and in school, whereas 'polls' can be used to identify topics that need more discussion or test understanding of the meeting content. Meanwhile, Google has introduced new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features for its Chromebook Plus laptops that will allow users to chat with Gemini, reimagine photos and others. Starting at $350, Chromebook Plus devices provide additional AI features such as industry-leading security, Google apps, and extended battery life. New Delhi, June 2 : Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan on Sunday said that the implementation of the 'Agnipath Scheme' has been one of the major reforms towards maintaining a youthful profile in the services. He made the remarks while addressing Agniveers at INS Chilka, the premier ab-initio training establishment of Indian Navy. The CDS said that the implementation of the scheme has been one of the major reforms towards "maintaining a youthful profile in the services and nation building by providing skilled, disciplined and motivated youth". He exhorted the Agniveers to focus on training to become technologically proficient sea warriors. During his visit to INS Chilka to gain insight into Agniveer training in the Navy, the CDS took a short tour of the training infrastructure. The CDS was briefed on the pivotal role played by INS Chilka in shaping future sea warriors of the Indian Navy. Besides, an overview of Agniveer training activities and analysis of the batches trained to date at Chilka was also provided. He complimented the training faculty for imparting "high standards of training and shaping the next generation of sea warriors". New Delhi, June 2 : Pradeep Gupta, the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Axis My India in an exclusive conversation with IANS shared his views on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP's) big Southern debut, the reasons behind the INDIA bloc's failure to mount a challenge to the NDA and many more. Notably, Axis My India has predicted a thumping victory for the BJP-led NDA and given it 361-401 seats in its poll projections. Below is the full interaction: IANS: Most Exit Polls have projected decisive victory for BJP? How important do you think has been the 'Modi factor'? Pradeep Gupta: 'Modi factor' has been consistently delivering resounding results for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and 2024 Lok Sabha polls look no different. It has again proven to be the biggest factor in the BJP's performance, this time. There is a strong pro-incumbency wave in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. IANS: Was there any wave for Rahul Gandhi? Did he manage to sway the public opinion in Congress' favour or are the local factors serving as a driving force for the party? Pradeep Gupta: Congress joined forces with other Opposition parties under the banner of INDIA bloc to challenge the ruling dispensation. However, Rahul Gandhi as a brand is neither visible on the ground nor does he strike the right chord with the people. Whichever states are ruled by Congress, including Telangana, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Rahul Gandhi does not make for an appealing brand for the locals. Residents mostly voted on local factors, performance of state governments and the issues concerning their daily lives. Whenever we asked people about 'Rahul factor' in the Congress-ruled states, the locals said that they voted on basis of state government's perception, its projects and schemes and delivery of services. IANS: Congress promised a lot of Nyay and guarantees. Did that have an impact on the electorate? Pradeep Gupta: A brand cannot find a market if it is devoid of substance. During the course of the campaign, Congress made tall promises, including 'khata kat' and 'fata fat' delivery of its schemes, but it must realise that unless there is substance in the product, no amount of marketing and promotion can save it. IANS: Rahul Gandhi dubbed the Exit Polls as 'Modi Media' polls, fantasy polls. What is your view on this? Pradeep Gupta: It is a classic case of 'Grapes are sour'. It is his right, he can say anything, he can project it in anyway. He knows very well that when Axis My India Exit Polls projected Congress as the clear winner in Karnataka and Telangana Assembly polls, he liked the projections and also took pride in it. IANS: BJP is headed for major gains in the South, as per Exit polls. What is the reason behind this? Pradeep Gupta: It's common human nature to seek change in the status quo, be it politics or another facet of life. Everyone wants 'parivartan' after some years. People in the South are also watching the impact of Centre's welfare schemes and are apparently feeling deprived of them because of the political posturing by parties. The BJP has worked hard in the South, it channelised its full energy in the Southern states while the Central leadership took charge of the campaign. And, rightly it is reaping the fruits. This is how the beginnings are made. IANS: Arvind Kejriwal is not seen making an impact in Lok Sabha elections? What is your take on it? Pradeep Gupta: Today, people believe in giving a clear mandate to the party of their choice. This not only expedites decision making but also makes governance easy. Arvind Kejriwal wielded immense influence in the Assembly elections, and this time, his party also swept Delhi civic body elections, but in the Parliamentary elections, it is unlikely to make any dent in the BJP's numbers. It's on the back of the public's preference for a clear mandate that Axis My India has given a massive victory for the BJP-led NDA. IANS: Congress and AAP sealed an alliance in Delhi but fought separately in Punjab? Did this send a wrong signal to voters? Pradeep Gupta: Everyone wants a strong and stable government. Such double standards of political parties speak volumes about differences and turmoil within. If the alliance partners are themselves not convinced, how can they expect to woo the electorate. IANS: Has Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress failed in grasping and taking on the BJP's challenge? Pradeep Gupta: In the 2019 Parliamentary elections, the BJP won 18 while the Trinamool Congress bagged 22 seats. In the subsequent Bengal Assembly elections in 2021, Trinamool Congress grabbed an overwhelming two-thirds majority. However, today, the people are keeping their welfare above everything. If the same party is in power at the Centre and state level, the progress gets faster. This belief may have helped the BJP grab a bigger share of the state. New Delhi, June 2 : Matrize Director Manoj Kumar Singh said on Sunday that the Congress will continue to struggle as it has been relying too much on regional parties instead of harnessing its strength. "It seems that neither any 'Rahul wave' nor (Congress President Mallikarjun) Kharge's poll strategy or support from the INDIA bloc partners has made any impact on Congress' fortunes in these elections. I feel it is because the grand old party has been reluctant to lead from the front and fight on its own. The party is relying on the RJD in Bihar, the SP in Uttar Pradesh, missing in West Bengal, finding Odisha out of its hands, and will do well in Maharashtra only because of Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar," said Singh after Matrize released its exit poll. He said that the BJP has not only benefited from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's massive popularity but also due to the emergence of several leaders who are ready to take the party forward. "BJP owes its rising vote percentage to not only PM Modi but also a 'sena' (army) of capable leaders like (UP CM) Yogi Adityanath, (Assam CM) Himanta Biswa (Sarma) and several others. This is the reason why the party has maintained its stronghold over north, east, west, and now even south India," said Singh. Slamming critics who are questioning the reliability of exit polls, the head of the poll survey agency said that exit polls should be treated like an exit poll and not the final result. "It is but natural that the party which has been projected as not doing well in exit polls will raise questions on its authenticity. Blaming the voting machines would be the next step. By conducting exit polls, we only arrive at a rough figure which could be close to the final result. The votes have already been cast, nothing will change just because of the exit polls," said Singh. The Matrize Director credited West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with being one of the most influential leaders in the opposition alliance but said that the leader is losing her grip over the state due to the rising crime graph. "Mamata Banerjee deserves praise for taking on the BJP but at the same time, she seems to be on a backfoot due to the collapse of law and order in the state. The development work too has also hit a major roadblock," he stated. New Delhi, June 2 : The BJP on Sunday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the Opposition parties resorted to a series of unfounded claims to undermine the electoral process. "Opposition parties and their affiliated civil societies have systematically orchestrated campaigns over the past several years to target the judiciary and the Election Commission of India. The pattern is clear: first, target the institutions; then, the election process; and if court verdicts do not favour them, target the judicial verdicts," the BJP said in its complaint. The complaint letter signed by Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goel, BJP leaders Om Pathak and Sanjay Mayukh stated that numerous petitions have been filed challenging the integrity of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and the counting process. "The Supreme Court has consistently rejected these conspiracy theories and questioned the bona fides of these petitions, highlighting their baseless nature. These actions are a clear attempt to undermine the authority of the Supreme Court and the ECI," it said. The BJP further said that this is a "sinister attempt where certain bodies, in the guise of civil societies clearly fronting for the opposition, are now coming ahead to further undermine the electoral process". "We are concerned about these sinister attempts and feel it is our duty to point them out to the ECI and the public at large to expose these criminal conspiracies," it added. In the letter, the BJP also claimed that opposition parties have also targeted the media, spreading false narratives to discredit the electoral process. "They have consistently criticised the media and the ECI whenever results do not favour them, while conveniently ignoring the same process when they win state elections in Delhi, West Bengal, Karnataka, and Telangana. This selective outrage and manipulation of media narratives are aimed at lowering the image of Prime Minister Modi internationally and painting a picture of victimhood," it read. The BJP further stated that they are also in receipt of the "so-called Delhi Resolution, adopted on May 28, by an unknown, unverified persons instigated by opposition parties". "This resolution outlines a series of actions, more in the manner of a TOOL KIT, aimed at discrediting the election process and creating unrest. This Tool Kit prescribes mass letter-writing campaigns to the President of India, Chief Justice of India, and other officials, and preparing for peaceful protests if the election process is perceived to violate the Constitution," it said. "While presented as measures to ensure transparency, these actions are fundamentally aimed at creating doubt and unrest, undermining the democratic process, and instigating citizens to resort to anarchy. We do not know whether such resolutions are authentic, but since they have come to our attention, we find it imperative to bring them to your attention as similar resolutions are being circulated to the public at large," read the letter. The BJP urged ECI to ensure that every official engaged in the counting process is fully conversant with the minutest details of the prescribed process and engages diligently with counting protocols so as there are no deviations therefrom. It also urged the poll body to ensure the safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results, including enhanced monitoring and security measures to prevent any attempts at violence or unrest. The BJP further requested the ECI to take cognizance of the "systematic attempts to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible and issue a public statement affirming the integrity of the electoral process and warning against any attempts to disrupt the democratic process". Washington, June 2 : At least one person was killed and at least 24 others injured in a mass shooting in the US state of Ohio early on Sunday, reports said. The shooting happened just after midnight local time (5 a.m. BST) in the city of Akron, the BBC said, adding the city police told it that at least 25 people had been shot, out of which one had succumbed to injuries. While many of the injuries were non-life-threatening, some victims were in a "more serious condition", it admitted. Police at the scene of the crime, near Kelly Street and 8th Avenue, discovered dozens of bullet casings and a gun from the area. No one has been arrested or identified as a suspect and an investigation is underway, the Akron Police Department said. Akron's Mayor, Shammas Malik, and Police Chief Brian Harding later issued a joint statement on social media, assuring that they will "bring those responsible to justice". "Our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers," they said in the statement. Authorities also asked anyone with information about the shooting to come forward, assuring anonymity. "We need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation," they said. Bamboo has long been used in China to craft various daily necessities, and bamboo weaving is now recognized as an intangible cultural heritage. Join Russian student Stepanova Ekaterina at a bamboo weaving studio in Shanghai and witness this ancient craft's exquisite skill and magnificence. Kolhapur : , June 2 (IANS) A convict in the March 1993 Mumbai blasts case was allegedly lynched by five undertrial inmates inside the Kolhapur Central Jail, the police said on Sunday. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Mahendra Pandit, who confirmed the incident, told the media that the convict, Mohammed Ali Khan, 59, a.k.a. Munna, of Mumbai, was pounced upon by five other inmates facing serious charges under the MCOCA. The incident happened around dawn when all the prisoners were going for a bath in the prison situated at Kalamba. A heated quarrel followed by a huge brawl reportedly erupted among the inmates and in a fit of rage, the five undertrials yanked a manhole cover, and repeatedly pounded Munna on the head, leading to his death. Soon afterwards, the jail authorities and Kolhapur's Rajwada Police Station teams, which rushed there, took charge of the assailants and arrested them under various charges, including murder, rioting and other offences. The accused were identified as -- Rituraj Inamdar, Deepak Khot, Shanker Chavan, Saurabh Siddha, and Pratik Patil. The police and jail authorities are probing the exact causes behind the ruckus inside the jail premises that led to the death of Munna, who was serving a life sentence there. Itanagar, June 2 : Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu resigned from his post after his party BJP on Sunday retained the power for the third consecutive term with a thumping majority in the Assembly polls. Immediately after the results of all assembly seats were declared, Khandu called on Governor Lt General (Retd) K.T. Parnaik at the Raj Bhavan and tendered his resignation along with the Council of Ministers. After meeting the Governor, Khandu, elected to the state Assembly for the fourth time from the Mukto Assembly seat, said in a post on social media platform X: "Hon'ble Governor accepted my resignation and requested me and the Council of Ministers to continue until the new government is formed. Under Article 174 (2) (b) of the Constitution of India, the Hon'ble Governor also accepted the Cabinet's advice and signed the order to dissolve 7th State Assembly with immediate effect." BJP sources said that the 45-year-old Monpa community leader would be the Chief Minister of the frontier state for the third time. The decision on the formation of the new government and swearing-in-ceremony of the Chief Minister and other ministers is yet to be decided, the sources said, adding that the new Council of Ministers headed by Khandu is likely to assume office after the declaration of Lok Sabha election results on June 4. The BJP won 46 seats -- five more than the last election (2019) -- in the 60-member Assembly for which elections were held on April 19. Of the 46 seats bagged by the BJP, ten including that of Khandu were won uncontested before the polls. Khandu became Chief Minister in 2016 after he, along with several MLAs, left the Congress for the People's Party of Arunachal and later joined the BJP. In Arunachal Pradesh, the BJP registered its first electoral victory in the Assembly polls in 2019. BJP won't win any seat in Tamil Nadu, says VCK leader. Image Source: IANS News Chennai, June 2 : Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and Member of Parliament, Thol Thirumavalavan, said on Sunday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would not win any of the 39 Lok Sabha seats in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to reporters here, Thol Thirumavalavan who is the founder-leader of VCK said that the INDIA bloc would decide on the prime ministerial candidate after the Lok Sabha election results. He also said that "a new dawn will break on June 4 and the darkness overshadowing India will dissipate". Thol Thirumavalavan is a candidate of the INDIA bloc from Chidambaram Lok Sabha constituency. He is considered as one of the foremost voices of the Dalits in Tamil Nadu. VCK general secretary and sitting MP from Villupuram, D. Ravikumar, is again seeking re-election from the same constituency. Helsinki, June 3 : Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir became Iceland's new President, official data from the state media showed. According to the Icelandic national broadcaster RUV, with more than 210,000 votes counted, Tomasdottir led her opponents with 34.3 per cent of the vote, followed by former Prime Minister Katrina Jakobsdottir, who came in second with 25.2 per cent. Jakobsdottir reportedly congratulated Tomasdottir when she spoke to the RUV during her election party, Xinhua news agency reported. RUV reported that voter turnout among the almost 270,000 eligible voters reached 78.83 per cent, marking the highest turnout in a presidential election since 1996. The margins between the two leading candidates were the smallest in the populous south and southwest. This was Tomasdottir's second attempt at the presidency. In 2016, she was the runner-up when Gudni Johannesson was elected. Incumbent President Johannesson was not running for a third four-year term. Tomasdottir, aged 55, will assume his office on August 1. Analysing the 2024 campaign, RUV broadcasters said that college-educated women formed the initial core of Halla Tomasdottir's supporters. Her supporters then widened to include the young population and others. There was a significant increase in poll support fairly late in the campaign. Iceland held its presidential election on Saturday, and the final count of votes from all six constituencies was revealed early Sunday morning. This year, 12 candidates were running for the Icelandic President. The candidate who receives the most votes wins the election. The President of Iceland is chosen through a direct popular vote, serving a term of four years, with the possibility of consecutive re-elections. Iceland's President has limited political powers, including the authority to veto legislation or call for referendums. Colombo, June 3 : Nine people were confirmed dead, nearly 52,000 people were affected, schools closed and a red alert weather warning has been issued with heavy rains and floods over the last 24 hours in several provinces in Sri Lanka. Due to floods and earth slips, nine people were reported dead over the last 24 hours and more than 13,000 families have been displaced due to heavy rains and floods, the country's Disaster Management Center (DMC) said on Sunday. Among the deceased were three from the same family -- a 78-year-old man, his 36-year-old daughter and 7-year-old granddaughter at Avissawella in Colombo districts who were carried away by flood water, DMC added. In the same area, an 11-year-old girl had been buried due to the collapse of an earth embankment. Two others were killed in Galle in the Southern province after they were washed away by the flood. State Minister of Defence, Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon, said that 20 deaths have been reported from May 15, since the onset of the South-West monsoon with heavy rains over the Indian Ocean island nation. Landslide warnings have been issued with the continuous heavy rains over 20 out of 25 districts in several provinces, including the Western, Sabaragamuwa would, North Western and Southern. With the adverse weather conditions, the Education Ministry on Monday directed a holiday for all the schools around the country. The expressway to southern Sri Lanka was closed as several entrances and exit points had been inundated. Train operations in many areas came to a standstill as railway lines went underwater and railway signal systems had been damaged. The Power and Energy Ministry announced that with heavy floods, as a precaution, power supplies had been disconnected in several areas while electricity lines were damaged due to the falling of trees and floods. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) warned people living near landslide-prone areas to be ready to leave in an emergency while the Irrigation Department has issued flood warning to those living beside rivers. Fishermen have been asked not to set out to sea. The Meteorology Department which has issued a red alert for heavy showers in several provinces has predicted over 150mm rain falls in the next 24 hours. Sri Lanka Navy and other military have been deployed with boats for rescue operations to flood-affected areas. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate Katie Thurston / Instagram By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/02/2024 ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade. alum Katie Thurston has teased that she's in a new relationship and she's very happy with her new boyfriend."I'm seeing somebody," Katie, 33, teased during the May 29 episode of the "Your Mom & Dad" podcast, which is co-hosted by Jess Ambrose and Evan Ambrose."I'm off the market! I haven't actually said this yet... You heard it here first!"Katie clarified how she's been "taken off the market" and so she's no longer single.The comedian gushed further about how she's "happily snatched up" and "very much in that so-called honeymoon phase."Jess and Evan-- who know the new man in Katie's life -- acknowledged how they definitely approve of him, and quipped that she already said, "I love you," to her new partner when she "was drunk."Katie recalled, however, that she immediately said, "My bad," to this man for the premature love profession."I think he's the best," Katie boasted, later adding, "I literally don't know if there's anything I hate about him. Everything's still cute and quirky and adorable. I'm like, 'Yeah, do that!'"But Katie acknowledged, "I recognized that could be a problem and [my view of him] may be unhealthy."When asked if she'd like to keep this romance more private than her past relationships with winner Blake Moynes and San Diego bartender John Hersey , Katie replied, "I don't know.""Definitely in the beginning, I've been more private. I have, like, this 90-day trial that I always talk about. We're within that 90-day trial, but I'm very, very confident we're going to exceed that," she said.Katie noted how she and the mystery man will "cross that bridge" when they come to it."But we've been seen out in public together," The Bachelor alum revealed."He is also a public person, so people out there already know! They knew before we even put it out there. We get the occasional comments here or there... but we're just kind of enjoying us right now."Shortly after mentioning her relationship on the podcast, Katie took to Instagram Stories and asked for her followers' thoughts on the episode."So good!" one fan messaged Katie, according to Us Weekly. "Can't wait to hear more about your new bf + all the tea you'll be spilling."In response, Katie uploaded a Polaroid of herself kissing the unidentified man on the cheek. She covered up the guy's face with a heart emoji.Katie soft launched this relationship back in January when she was asked to give dating advice in a Q&A via Instagram Stories.At the time, Katie reportedly posted a video of herself holding a man's hand on the couch, and she advised fans to "take things slow those first three months" to really get to know one another.Season 17 star also set her post to "Found You" by Kasbo and Chelsea Cutler.Katie was last romantically linked to Vince Xu, whom she met and fell in love with on FBoy Island, which aired last year. The pair won the show and decided to split the $100,000 prize money after Katie learned he was one of the show's "nice guys."After FBoy Island's Season 3 finale aired, Katie expressed how she was pleased with her final decision of selecting Vince over her runner-up Benedict Polizzi on Instagram."To [Vince] -- I'm thankful our paths continued to cross and that you are now part of a chapter I'll never forget," Katie wrote via Instagram alongside selfies of the former couple. "Glad we finally experienced those bottomless mimosas we dreamt about while on the island."Hours later, Katie confirmed she and Vince had broken up and were no longer an item.When asked if she and Vince were still in a relationship, Katie told her followers on Instagram Stories, "That's what everyone wants to know.""No. That being said, if I'm ever asked to go on reality TV to date again, please just cancel me," The Bachelor alum quipped. "Three times and [it] doesn't work out? Maybe reality TV isn't where your husband is, just a thought."Katie initially found fame when she appeared on Matt James ' season of The Bachelor in 2021.Matt selected Rachael Kirkconnell as his winner, and then ABC promoted Katie to star of the series' seventeenth season, which wrapped on ABC in August 2021.Katie got engaged to Blake, a Canadian wildlife specialist, during her season finale, but they announced their split only a couple of months later in October 2021.Katie then went public with her romance with John, whom she had eliminated during Week 2 of her journey, in November 2021. She was accused of moving on from Blake quickly with "a rebound" and emotionally cheating on her ex-fiance.Katie and John split after less than one year together in June 2022, and Katie expressed on numerous occasions how John had dumped her after she allegedly gave the relationship everything she had. She apparently felt like she was never enough for him.After ending her relationship with John, Katie decided to look for love on FBoy Island because she thought it was a unique opportunity."There were so many different [reasons I signed up for it]," Katie told Us in October 2023."I watched Season 2 when I was invited and said, 'Okay, well let's see what this show's about.' And watching it, it was so hilarious -- satirical, almost -- that it was just such a different experience from my Bachelor experience and I was looking for something a little more lighthearted."alum added at the time, "Yeah, there's a chance I fall in love, there's a chance I win money, there's a chance I make new girlfriends. It was just a win-win-win all the way around."Katie also made a cameo on Bachelor in Paradise's ninth season last year. Katie showed up to the beach in Mexico when her ex, Blake, was dating Jess Girod Blake and Katie apparently squashed any beef or tension that had been between them and became friends again. They also still seemed to have chemistry and possibly lingering feelings for each other, which prompted speculation in November 2023 that they were dating again.But according to Blake, the former couple's relationship was purely platonic after their Paradise reunion."You saw in the episode, it was a very cordial, mutual, mature conversation that allowed us to essentially connect again in the outside world, but in a very friendly manner -- to the point where now, it just feels truly just supportive," Blake shared during a November 2023 episode of the "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast.Blake elaborated on where he stood with Katie, "She bounces ideas off me. Like she was going on that other show [FBoy Island] and we were able to connect in the outside world in a way where we can have a healthy relationship with an ex. And so that's where that is."Interested in more The Bachelor news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group SANAA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi group said Saturday night it had launched fresh attacks on the U.S. aircraft carrier Eisenhower, another U.S. warship and four commercial cargo vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. That marked the group's second strike against Eisenhower in less than 24 hours, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said on Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. There was no immediate comment from the U.S. Navy or the targeted shipping companies. Sarea announced the first strike on Friday, saying it was in response to U.S.-Britain joint operations on Thursday night against Houthi positions, which killed 16 people and wounded another 41. Besides Eisenhower, Sarea on Saturday also claimed a drone attack on an unnamed U.S. destroyer in the Red Sea and "a number of operations" targeting commercial vessels accused of violating a Houthi ban on entering Israeli ports. The targeted ships included MAINA, ALORAIQ, and ABLIANI. Sarea vowed further attacks until "Israel stops its war and blockade against the Palestinians in Gaza." Since November last year, the Houthi group has launched anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea, to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets. 'The government has put in a lot of effort to provide infrastructure for the industry.' Photograph: Kind courtesy A M International AM International, which has interests in petrochemicals, fertilisers and green solutions, has announced expansion plans across segments. Ashwin Muthiah, founder chairman of A M International and the chairman of Southern Petrochemical Industries Corporation (SPIC), one of India's early agri-nutrient and fertiliser companies, told Shine Jacob/Business Standard about the group's plans in a video interview. You have said fertilisers and chemicals are your focus areas. What is your market outlook in the segment, considering the geopolitical situation? We have been part of the fertiliser industry for the last five decades. We have a good grip on this industry. India has evolved today to become a self-sufficient, cost-efficient producer of fertilisers. There is a great opportunity for Indian manufacturers to expand capacity to meet the demands of India and become a centre of exporting fertilisers. The government has put in a lot of effort to provide infrastructure for the industry. SPIC itself was deep down in South (India) where clean fuel gas was a distant reality. Today that has become a reality and SPIC has uninterrupted supply of feedstock, which is making us a more efficient manufacturer. We are growing our capacity because there is enough of local demand. Our focus is to increase production in all aspects of fertiliser-making, be it urea, phosphate. We are doing a lot of brownfield and also working with partners and international suppliers, whereby we can have a cost-efficient supply of materials. We need good talent, capital, and focus on business, we are working on all this. The geopolitical issues impact our industry as we are basically a commodity player. We ship materials across conflict zones and it is not easy. We have to deal with it with our ability to do smart purchasing, improving local efficiency and looking at alternate buying solutions. Minimising dependence on imports is one of our key strategies. As far as fertilisers are considered, we will expand our capacity in India and look for tie-ups in supply chain. Can you explain in detail about your brownfield expansion plans? SPIC's expansion plans include a Rs 970 crore revamp of its existing urea plant to augment capacity and establish a 150 tonne per day green ammonia plant. This expansion reflects our commitment to bolstering production capacity, diversifying operations, and driving sustainable growth. Greenstar Fertilizers, a SPIC group company, will invest Rs 640 crore in a water-soluble fertiliser (WSF) mixing plant in Chennai, a 2500 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) sulphuric acid plant, and the refurbishment of DAP I and II plants in Thoothukudi. Notably, this investment marks the establishment of the second WSF facility, following the inauguration of the first plant in Thoothukudi in November 2023, operated entirely by female employees. Further, our group company, Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd (TFL) is allocating Rs 290 crore to establish a soda ash and ammonium chloride plant in Thoothukudi. TFL achieved a significant milestone in 2023, becoming the first company to manufacture green soda ash and green ammonium chloride at its Thoothukudi plant. According to government estimates chemicals and petrochemicals demand in India is expected to nearly triple and reach $1 trillion by 2040. How do you see the growth in the sector? In the petrochemicals industry, we are in the intermediate sector. Not in the upstream segment like oil and gas. Definitely, our intermediate sector will see growth because of the capacity addition in the upstream side. Intermediates will benefit from it and India has the potential to have additional capacity in the segment. We will focus and grow on that and will continuously invest in expanding capacity. We will also try to look at some regional expansion. We were predominantly focused on the South; we will look at how we can expand in other regions. We have recently completed Phase 1 of our project to manufacture polyester polyols in-house, providing an opportunity for captive consumption through backward integration. The initial capacity of our plant is 4,500 MTPA, but we plan to expand it gradually. Polyester polyols are widely used across various PU applications. We need to go closer to upstream. On top of expanding our product offering and catering to our customers, Manali Petrochemicals and our step-down subsidiary Notedome, will be able to continue the development of the sustainable products portfolio through this integration. Our research and development team has successfully engineered multiple products of aliphatic and aromatic polyester polyols for various polyurethane segments. Are you looking at inorganic opportunities in the petrochemicals sector? Petrochemicals is a big boy; we are in intermediates and then trying to go into value-added solutions. Wherever opportunity is there for mergers and acquisitions, we will look at it. We will be looking at opportunities in the downstream sector. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon and her driver were allegedly attacked by a mob in Mumbai amid rash driving claims against the driver, police said on Sunday. IMAGE: Bollywood actor Raveena Tandon. Photograph: ANI Photo A viral video shows a group of locals accusing Raveena and her driver of assaulting three women. The incident took place on Carter Road in Bandra Saturday night, police said. While no FIR has been registered, a station diary entry has been made at the Khar police station, the official added. There was no word yet from Raveena on the incident. Her driver allegedly hit three persons with the vehicle, following which the crowd became angry and it led to an altercation, the official said. After Raveena got out of her vehicle to speak to the crowd, she was allegedly pushed and hit, he said. In the viral video, Raveena is heard saying 'please don't hit me'. In the video, a man is heard saying that Raveena's driver hit his mother, and when questioned, started assaulting her. Claiming that the actress was inebriated, the man said that when she stepped out of the vehicle, she started assaulting the woman. A Khar police station official said that after the incident, a mob confronted Raveena and her driver inside the premises of a building on Carter Road. The incident took place after the driver reversed his car, the official said. The viral video shows a woman complaining that Raveena and her driver assaulted her and caused bleeding in her nose. The man in the video said the incident happened when he was walking with his mother, sister, and niece near Raveena's house. SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- China calls for inclusiveness for peace and opposes building exclusive military alliances, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said here on Sunday. Dong, in an address delivered at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, said various "small circles" targetting other countries can not make the region safer and can only cause more tension. He said the Chinese military will take a more open approach and work with the militaries in countries of the region to build a new type of security partnership featuring equality, mutual trust and win-win cooperation. A Mumbai-bound Vistara flight with 306 persons onboard from Paris received a bomb threat after which a full emergency was declared at the Mumbai airport prior to its arrival, a source said. The flight landed at 10:19 am on Sunday, the source said. Vistara on Sunday reported that its," flight UK 024 from Paris' Charles de Gualle airport to Mumbai received a hand written note on an airsickness bag threatening a bomb," said the source. Following this, full emergency was declared at 10:08 am, as per the source, who added that the flight landed at 10:19 am. "There were 294 passengers and 12 crew onboard the Paris-Mumbai flight," the source said. Vistara in a statement confirmed that "a security concern has been noted by our staff while onboard the airline's flight UK 024 operating from Paris to Mumbai on 2 June 2024." Following the protocol, the airline immediately informed the relevant authorities, a Vistara spokesperson said in the statement. It also said that the flight has landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai and the airline is fully cooperating with the security agencies for all the mandatory checks. The Election Commission sought factual information from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday on his claim that Home Minister Amit Shah has called up 150 district magistrates and collectors ahead of the June 4 counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah during a visit to Somnath temple to offer prayers, in Gir Somnath, Gujarat, June 1, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo In a letter to Ramesh, the poll panel has asked him to share details regarding his claim by 7 pm on Sunday. The EC has referred to his post on X on June 1, in which the Congress general secretary had alleged that "the outgoing Home Minister has been calling up DMs/collectors. So far, he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is...." The process of counting votes is a sacred duty cast upon every returning officer and such public statements "tend to put an element of doubt and thus, deserves to be addressed in larger public interest", the EC has told Ramesh. It has also told the Congress leader that when the Model Code of Conduct is in force, all officers are under the deemed deputation of the commission and they report directly to the poll watchdog for any directions. "However, no DM has reported any such undue influence as alleged by you...," the EC's letter to Ramesh has stated. "It is requested that details of 150 DMs to whom such calls have been allegedly made by the Home Minister along with the factual matrix/basis of your information are shared by 7 pm today -- June 2, 2024, so that appropriate action can be taken," it has told the Congress leader. It has said that being a responsible, experienced and very senior leader of a national party, Ramesh must have made such a public statement ahead of the counting day on the basis of facts or information he believes to be true. The parents of a 17-year-old boy allegedly involved in a Porsche car accident tampered with his blood sample by visiting the state-run Sassoon General Hospital in Pune, a court was told on Sunday. IMAGE: The father of the accused 17-year-old boy involved in the Pune Porsche accident case being brought to the crime branch office by the Pune police after being arrested in an alleged abduction case, in Pune, May 27, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The police made this claim while seeking the remand of the couple in connection with the destruction of evidence related to the May 19 accident, which claimed the lives of two IT professionals. The couple has been remanded to police custody until June 5. The minor's mother, Shivani Agarwal, was arrested on June 1, after it emerged that the boy's blood samples were replaced with hers. Vishal Agarwal, the boy's father and a realtor, was previously taken into custody for allegedly destroying evidence related to the case. Both parents were produced before a holiday court, where police sought a seven-day remand for further investigation. The police told the court that the parents allegedly conspired and destroyed the evidence related to the car crash. The Agarwal couple went to the Sassoon Hospital to manipulate the blood samples of their minor son, the police said, adding that the blood sample of the teenager was swapped with that of his mother. The court was told that police have secured the CCTV footage available at the hospital but also need to verify whether the footage has also been tampered with. The police said they needed to search the house of the Agarwals and to check whether the footage of the CCTV installed at their property was also manipulated. The couple's lawyer, Prashant Patil, argued that the police had already searched their house and recovered CCTV footage, asserting that the couple has cooperated with the investigation and should be sent to judicial custody. The court, however, granted police custody. The couple was booked under IPC section 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) which is a bailable offence, he said, adding that two doctors and a hospital staffer are already in police custody in connection with the blood sample swap. Patil argued that the police had recovered the DVR of CCTV installed at the house of the accused. "It is to be noted that one of the accused is a woman. Both of them (Vishal and Shivani) are cooperative. If required, both persons will be present for the inquiry whenever they are asked to. Thus, instead of police custody, we request them to grant judicial custody," he said. The police have registered three separate cases including one for the accident itself, another against a bar that allegedly served alcohol to the minor, and a third involving the boy's father for allowing him to drive the car without a valid license. Surendra Agarwal, the boy's grandfather, was also arrested for allegedly kidnapping and pressuring the family's driver to take the blame for the accident Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut on Sunday described the exit polls as a "corporate game and a fraud" and claimed there was pressure on the media companies which conduct it. IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut addresses the media. Photograph: ANI Photo Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, the Rajya Sabha member claimed the opposition INDIA bloc will win 295 to 310 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha and form government. Raut also said they do not require the exit polls as they work on the field and know the "undercurrent". Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls. Raut claimed, "There is lot of pressure on these media companies. The exit poll exercise is a corporate game and a fraud." "Do these companies conduct exit polls for free?" he asked. The Shiv Sena-UBT leader claimed the opposition INDIA alliance will win 295 to 310 seats. "This is not an exit poll but the figures are taken through a people's poll," he said. In Maharashtra, the Maha Vikas Aghadi, which comprises the Uddhav Thackeray-headed Shiv Sena-UBT, Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP-SP, will win more than 35 seats out of the total 48, Raut said. "The Shiv Sena will maintain its 2019 tally of 18 seats and the Congress and NCP will also do well. (NCP-SP Lok Sabha member) Supriya Sule will win in Baramati by more than 1.5 lakh votes and the Congress will deliver its best performance," he said. Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka will bring a change in the country along with Maharashtra, Raut claimed. "We don't require exit polls, we are working on the field. We understand the undercurrent," he said. "The INDIA bloc will win 35 seats (out of 80) in UP and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (headed by Lalu Prasad) will get 16 seats (out of 40) in Bihar," he claimed. In a setback for the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, the exit polls on Saturday predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party will move ahead of Mamata Banerjee's party in the Lok Sabha elections in the state. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a roadshow in Kolkata on May 28, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo The polling for 42 Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal were held in seven phases. The counting is scheduled for June 4. The exit poll outcome was declared after the conclusion of polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC had won 22 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, and the BJP won 18. The Congress won only two seats. The exit polls predicted the BJP-led NDA creating history by winning more Lok Sabha seats than TMC in the elections. According to the News18 exit poll, the BJP-led NDA is expected to win 21-24 seats in West Bengal. The TMC is set to win 18-21 seats. India TV poll said that the BJP-led NDA may get between 22-26 seats, TMC 14-18 seats, and Congress to get 1-2 seats. The ABP News-CVoter exit poll predicted a landslide victory for the BJP in West Bengal. The BJP is predicted to win 23-27 seats while the Trinamool Congress is expected to get 13-17 seats. The Congress to get 1-3 seats. According to News 24-Today's Chanakya Analysis, the BJP is poised to win 24 seats, TMC to get 17 seats and Congress to get 1 seat. According to the India Today-Axis My India, BJP will get 26-31 seats, TMC to get 11-14 seats and INDIA bloc to get 0-2 seats. A voter turnout of 69.89 per cent was recorded in Bengal till 5 pm in the last phase of Lok Sabha polls in which nine seats went to the elections, the Election Commission said. Several prominent candidates contested from various constituencies, such as Abhishek Banerjee (TMC) and Amrita Roy (BJP) from Diamond Harbour and Krishnanagar, respectively. Mahua Moitra (TMC) also contested from Krishnanagar. In Tamluk, Abhijit Gangopadhyay represented the BJP. The Baharampur constituency saw a three-way contest between Yusuf Pathan (TMC), Nirmal Kumar Saha (BJP), and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress). In Kolkata Uttar, Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC), Tapas Roy (BJP), and Pradip Bhattacharya (Congress) were the main contenders. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC won 34 seats in the state, while the BJP had to settle for 2 seats. The CPI (M) won 2 seats, while the Congress bagged 4. In the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, the BJP secured 282 seats and the party secured 303 seats in the Lok Sabha elections of 2019. The 42 parliamentary seats of Bengal polled across all seven phases--on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, May 20, May 25, and June 1. The voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha was held across seven phases. Votes will be counted on June 4. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday surrendered at the Tihar jail in New Delhi after his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in the excise policy-linked money laundering case ended on June 1. IMAGE: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal greets party leaders Raghav Chadha (third from right), Saurabh Bharadwaj (right) and others as he arrives for a meeting to address party leaders and workers before surrendering at Tihar Jail, in New Delhi, June 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo He was granted the relief for campaigning in the Lok Sabha elections. Before surrendering, Kejriwal paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat, offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place and addressed Aam Aadmi Party leaders and workers at the party office. During his address, Kejriwal said, "I am going back to jail not because I was involved in corruption but because I raised voice against dictatorship," he said. "I was given a 21-day (relief) by the Supreme Court. These 21 days were unforgettable. I did not waste even a minute. I campaigned for saving the country. The AAP is not important, it is secondary. The country comes first," he said. Kejriwal also asserted that all exit polls predicting a third term for the BJP-led NDA at the Centre were "fake". Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the NDA expected to win a big majority in the polls. "They are not forming government on June 4. These exit polls are mind games to drive you into depression," Kejriwal told AAP workers and leaders. Before Kejriwal arrived at the Tihar jail, traffic movement was restricted in the areas around the prison and security arrangements heightened with deployment of deployment of police personnel. The chief minister paid homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the Raj Ghat, offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place and addressed workers and leaders of the AAP before surrendering. Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal was seen accompanying him. AAP leaders, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak, and party leaders Durgesh Pathak, Rakhi Birla and Reena Gupta were also present. The Congress and other INDIA bloc parties on Sunday trashed the exit polls that have predicted a third consecutive win for Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Lok Sabha elections, claiming that these surveys were a work of "fantasy" and asserting that the opposition alliance will form the next government. IMAGE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks to the media on exit poll, in New Delhi, June 2, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Questioning the credibility of the exit polls, the leaders of major opposition parties alleged that they were conducted at the behest of the government as a "deliberate attempt to justify rigging of elections" and were part of PM Modi's "mind games" to lower the morale of the INDIA bloc workers ahead of counting of votes on June 4. "This is not called an exit poll but its name is 'Modi media poll'. This is Modi ji's poll, it is his fantasy poll," former Congress president Rahul Gandhi told reporters at the AICC headquarters here. Asked how many seats the INDIA bloc would get, Gandhi said, "Have you heard (popular singer) Sidhu Moosewala's song '295'? So 295 (seats).". The BJP hit back, saying Gandhi has been living in a "fantasy world" since childhood and is cut off from the ground reality. "He believes everything to be a fantasy. It is his fantasy that made Congress lose the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections. This time, they are going to score a hattrick of losing Lok Sabha elections and that is why they are talking nonsense," BJP national spokesperson Prem Shukla said. "The exit poll is a reality poll and indicates that people have shown faith in the leader who has worked for them in the last 10 years," Bharatiya Janata Party leader Shaina NC said. However, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed the exit poll predictions were not consistent with the ground reality and alleged that they were "manufactured at home" two months back. "We had seen how the exit polls were conducted in 2016, 2019 and 2021. None of the predictions had turned out to be true.... these exit polls were manufactured at home by some people two months back for media consumption. They have no value," the Trinamool Congress chief told a TV channel. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader and Jharkhand CM Champai Soren, Biju Janata Dal leader V K Pandian, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Shiv Sena-Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MP Sanjay Raut were among those who questioned the reliability of the exit polls. "Understand the chronology of the exit poll. The opposition had already said that pro-BJP media would show the BJP crossing 300 seats which would create the scope for fraud. "Today's pro-BJP exit poll was prepared many months ago, the channels just aired it now. People's public opinion is being deceived through this exit poll," Yadav said in a post on X. These are political exit polls and not professional exit polls, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said and claimed it will be a repeat of 2004, when exit polls predicted BJP victory but the Congress formed the government. He alleged that the exit polls that came out Saturday evening are "completely bogus" and have been "orchestrated and masterminded by the man whose exit is inevitable and guaranteed on June 4". "These are all part of the psychological games being played by the outgoing prime minister (Narendra Modi) and the outgoing home minister (Amit Shah)," he said. Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls. "This is a deliberate attempt to justify rigging, this is a deliberate attempt to justify the manipulation of EVMs... we are not going to be intimidated and you will see that the actual results on June 4 will be completely different from what these exit polls show," the Congress general secretary said. Kejriwal said that the BJP will not form the next government at the Centre, saying the exit polls were "fake" and "mind games" by the BJP. "Yesterday (Saturday), exit polls were out and I can give you in writing that they are fake," the Aam Aadmi Party chief said addressing party workers before he surrendered in a case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam following the expiry of his interim bail. "They are not forming a government on June 4. These exit polls are mind games to drive you into depression," Kejriwal told AAP workers and leaders. The ruling BJD in Odisha, which is not part of the INDIA bloc and is also predicted to lose ground to the BJP, rejected the exit polls, saying they have proved to be wrong in the 2014 and 2019 elections and the trend would continue this time as well. "We are well poised to retain power in the state with a two-thirds majority in the assembly. Like in 2014 and 2019, this time as well the exit polls will be proved wrong," BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said. "We expect to win at least 12 Lok Sabha seats and 110 seats in the assembly... we will form a strong and stable government in the state," he said. Senior BJD leader V K Pandian said in a post on X, "Everybody has seen how inaccurate exit polls made by some national level organisations in air-conditioned rooms are. The exit polls of 2024 will just be a repeat of the previous exit polls." However, Union minister Ramdas Athawale said the ruling National Democratic Alliance will get more Lok Sabha seats than predicted by the exit polls. Athawale said the exit polls have predicted the NDA will win 350 to 375 seats, but the BJP-led alliance will get more seats. "In Maharashtra, the ruling Mahayuti win will 35 to 40 seats (out of 48), and in the country, the NDA will get more than 400 seats," said the Republican Party of India-Athawale chief, whose party is a constituent of the NDA. Shiv Sena-UBT MP Sanjay Raut decried the exit polls as a "corporate game and a fraud". Raut also said they do not require the exit polls as they work on the field and know the "undercurrent". "There is a lot of pressure on these media companies. The exit poll exercise is a corporate game and a fraud. Do these companies conduct exit polls for free?" he said. "The Shiv Sena will maintain its 2019 tally of 18 seats and the Congress and NCP will also do well. (NCP-SP Lok Sabha member) Supriya Sule will win in Baramati by more than 1.5 lakh votes and the Congress will deliver its best performance," he said. BRS leader and former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao also downplayed the exit polls, saying whatever the outcome, the party will work for the people. Rao, also known as KCR, said the BRS' defeat in the recent assembly polls was a temporary setback. Several exit poll predictions indicated that there would be a tough fight between the Congress and the BJP while the BRS, which is not part of the opposition alliance, would be marginalised in the recently held Lok Sabha elections. Telangana has 17 Lok Sabha seats. The ruling Left in Kerala termed the predictions as "suspicious" and "politically motivated". LDF convener and veteran CPI(M) leader E P Jayarajan said the exit poll predictions were not arrived at through some scientific findings or experiments, "it was not based on public sentiments" and was not an observation following a proper analysis of the elections. "I suspect it is politically motivated. All the exit polls have taken a stand that repeats and strengthens what the BJP has been saying till now (about the poll results). That is what makes it even more suspicious," he told a TV channel. A man was arrested by Navi Mumbai police from Haryana in connection with a plot to attack actor Salman Khan, taking the number of persons held in the case to five, an official said on Sunday. IMAGE: Police and forensic team collect evidence after two unidentified people opened fire outside the house of Bollywood actor Salman Khan, at Bandra in Mumbai on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo He is allegedly a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Goldie Brar gangs, the official said. Earlier, the Panvel police had arrested four persons after getting a tip off in September-October last year about a conspiracy to harm the actor. The probe included infiltrating social media groups of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, the police said. In an official release, Navi Mumbai police said Deepak Hawasingh Gogalia @ Jonny Walmiki (30) was arrested from Bhiwani in Haryana on Saturday. It said Gogalia had made accommodation arrangements for the other accused as well as providing logistical and vehicle support. Gogalia was in touch with the other accused through video calls, it added. The release said he was nabbed after deputy commissioner of police (Zone 11), Panvel, Vivek Pansare sought the help of Bhiwani SP Varun Singhala and a Crime Branch team from Navi Mumbai left for the northern state. Gogalia was produced before a magistrate in Bhiwani on Sunday, who granted Navi Mumbai police transit remand till June 5, the release said, adding he was being brought to Panvel. On Saturday, DCP Pansare had told media that Panvel police station senior inspector Nitin Thackeray got inputs in September-October last year about a conspiracy to harm the actor. Their probe found that four gang members had recced Salman Khan's farmhouse in Panvel, the area around his home at Bandra in Mumbai and places he visited for film shooting, the DCP had said. In April, a case was registered a case against 17 persons, including Lawrence Bishnoi and his younger brother Anmol Bishnoi, he had said. Dhananjay Tapesingh, alias Ajay Kashyap (28) was arrested from Panvel on April 28, while Gaurav Bhatia, alias Sandeep Bishnoi, was taken into custody from Gujarat on the same day, the official said on Saturday. Vaspi Khan, alias Waseem Chikna, was picked from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Rizwan Khan, alias Javed Khan, was arrested from Bangalore. They have been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections, including 120-B (conspiracy) and 506 (criminal intimidation), Pansare had told reporters. Lawrence Bishnoi is currently lodged in the Sabarmati central prison in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, while Anmol Bishnoi is believed to be in the US or Canada. On April 14, two bike-borne men fired multiple rounds outside Khan's home -- Galaxy Apartments -- in Mumbai's Bandra. The shooters, Vicky Gupta and Sagar Pal, were arrested from Gujarat. Their associates Sonu Bishnoi and Anuj Thapan, who allegedly delivered weapons to the shooters, were nabbed later from Punjab. Thapan allegedly hanged himself in a police lock-up here on May 1. Mumbai police subsequently made more arrests in the case. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a plea of the Maharashtra government challenging a Bombay high court order which paved the way for premature release of gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli, who is serving life imprisonment in a murder case. IMAGE: Gangster-turned-politician Arun Gawli receives the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, in Mumbai, May 11, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo A vacation bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and Sandeep Mehta will hear the plea of the state government in which they had opposed the premature release of Gawli, who was also convicted under the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. On April 5, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had allowed the plea of Gawli in which he had sought direction to the state government for his premature release on account of the remission policy dated January 10, 2006, which was prevailing on the date of his conviction on August 31, 2012. Gawli, who is undergoing life imprisonment for the 2007 murder case of Mumbai Shiv Sena corporator Kamlakar Jamsandekar, has claimed to have complied with all the conditions of the 2006 policy. He said the rejection of his application for premature release by the state authorities is unjust, arbitrary and is liable to be set aside. Gawli has contended that he has completed 65 years of age and has been certified as weak by the Medical Board making him eligible for availing the benefit of the policy. The state government, however, has opposed his plea before the high court for premature release, saying revised guidelines dated March 18, 2010, for premature release contemplates that there shall be no premature release of a convict of organized crime unless he undergoes 40 years of actual imprisonment. The high court rejected the submission of the state government, terming it as "totally misconceived" and said the revised guidelines of 2010 were general in nature. It had said the 2006 policy was specifically framed for the benefit of prisoners who were of advanced age and physically weak, and the 2010 guidelines would not apply at all. "In view of the above discussion, we hold that the petitioner is entitled to the benefits flowing from the remission policy dated January 10, 2006, which was prevailing on the date of his conviction. We also hold that by applying the rule of ejusdem generis, convicts of MCOC Act cannot be excluded from availing the benefits of the said policy. Writ Petition is accordingly allowed," the high court had ordered. It has given state government authorities four weeks to pass a consequential order in that regard from the date of uploading of the order. However, on May 9, the state government again moved the high court seeking four months time for implementation of the April 5 order, saying they have challenged the verdict in the apex court. "It is informed that a Special Leave Petition has been filed before the Supreme Court. The summer vacation of the Supreme Court would commence from May 20, 2024. By virtue of our order the petitioner is required to be set free and if his release is postponed by a few months, it would curtail his liberty. However, as the Special Leave Petition is filed/registered yesterday only, we deem it appropriate to grant some breathing time to the State to obtain necessary orders from the Supreme Court," the high court said in its May 9 order. It gave the state government four more weeks for implementation of the April 5 order setting Gawli free and made it clear that no more extensions would be granted. Gawli is the founder of the Akhil Bharatiya Sena and was an MLA from 2004-2009 from Chinchpokli seat of Mumbai and has shot into prominence from Dagdi Chawl, a neighbourhood of Byculla. He was arrested and underwent a trial in 2006 for the murder of Jamsandekar and in August 2012, a sessions court in Mumbai had sentenced him to life imprisonment in the murder case. The court had also imposed a fine of Rs. 17 lakh on him. You are the owner of this article. by Zhang Jianhua, Zhang Na ADELAIDE, Australia, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The aroma of wine permeates the air of China-Australia trade since the re-entry of Australian bottled wine into the Chinese market starting from the end of March. "Business is going pretty well," Kym Teusner, a winery owner, told Xinhua, being optimistic about his wine products in the Chinese market. "We have sent a few small shipments ... the wines are still traveling across the ocean so we will be better positioned to make some plans once they arrive and we have the opportunity to assess how receptive the consumers are," said Teusner, who has been producing wines under the Teusner brand in South Australia since 2002, and his products have been associated with the Chinese market for 18 years. China's Ministry of Commerce announced at the end of March to lift anti-dumping and anti-subsidy tariffs on Australian wine. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the resumption of trade will see an even higher amount of Australia's wine exports to China than 2019 levels. The wine industry employs hundreds of thousands of people if tourism and other relevant industries were considered, Albanese said, adding trade with China is closely linked to employment in Australia. South Australia produces more than half of the country's wine, whereas the Barossa Valley is one of the world's great wine-producing areas. Teusner has about 200 hectares of vineyards there, with his winery capable of processing more than 3,000 tonnes of wine annually. Teusner said the Barossa Valley is much warmer, and has a much more stable climate, so the grapes are much riper, which means wines are much richer, much more concentrated, and much more flavorsome. "I'm pretty excited about the next few years," he said, adding the Barossa Valley is a very diverse place that allows winemaking to suit different parts of China, as the Chinese market is diverse too. Since 2006 when Teusner began to export his wine to China, the Chinese market has continued to account for 40 percent of Teusner Winery's exports. Fiona Yao, sales manager of Teusner Wines export, said most wineries are very eager to return to the Chinese market, as South Australia is an agricultural region, with red wine being the pillar industry. Engaged in the Australian wine industry for 15 years, Yao said the Chinese and Australian wine industry has been deeply intertwined. "South Australia alone has dozens of Chinese-funded wine enterprises," she told Xinhua. Coonawarra is a boutique wine region in South Australia, particularly with Cabernet Sauvignon wine favored by many around the world. A Chinese private enterprise has acquired the long-established, large-scale winery, Rymill Coonawarra, and retained all the original technical staff of the winery to continue the tradition and style of local wines. Rymill Coonawarra's Management Consultant Li Jie said the expansion of the Chinese market brought new prospects for Rymill after the acquisition. "Sales orders have been hectic lately," Li said, adding they would have three containers shipped to the Chinese city of Ningbo on June 6, and will also invite and assist more local wineries to invest in China and expand the Chinese-Australian wine trade. Chinese Consul General in Adelaide Li Dong said Australian wine exports to China have shown signs of rapid recovery in April and May. Local wine enterprises in South Australia are confident of returning to the Chinese market. The Chinese market will remain a huge attraction for the Australian wine industry in the medium to long run, Li said, adding the future of bilateral wine trade is promising as long as Australian policies remain stable. West River Valley Mutual Aid is disbanding, with steering committee members calling their work complete for now and celebrating their many accomplishments. "The essence of the program of West River Valley Mutual Aid in its initial forming was neighbors helping neighbors," said Gloria Cristelli, steering committee member. In response to emerging needs around food insecurity and alienation during the COVID-19 pandemic, the group advocated for and implemented a distribution site for Vermont's Everyone Eats program and organized efforts to ensure neighbors had help when needed. After Everyone Eats concluded, they set up food deliveries for the elderly and ill through the Last Mile Food Project at the Townshend Food Shelf. The Vermont Food Bank has agreed to take over the program, which had been funded through a grant from the United Way of Windham County. Last Mile Food Project fills gap TOWNSHEND When pandemic-era programs and assistance were wrapping up or being reduced, Wes Juliette Carr, steering committee member, said WRVMA was needed a lot less after the state of emergency for COVID ended. "We've seen a real decline in requests for mutual aid," she said. "The thing that we've been doing for years has been responding to people's requests." Tasks included anything from taking care of a pet while someone is in a hospital to cleaning racist graffiti off the street to arranging rides for community members, visiting lonely neighbors and welcoming new residents including Afghan refugees. Other efforts involved getting Jamaica and Newfane to sign the statewide Declaration of Inclusion; Newfane to issue a statement condemning hate speech after the graffiti incident and provide diversity, equity and inclusion training to its staff; and Townshend and the West River Education District to sign statements of inclusion in response to a swastika flag being displayed across from the Townshend schools during Jewish High Holidays 2021. The group also advocated strongly for Negro Brook in Townshend to be renamed. The Vermont State Board of Libraries, which is in charge of such geographic name changes, voted unanimously for the change in 2022. Kate Gehring, steering committee member, recounted how the community was "reacting to real changes to how we think about inclusion in the aftermath of George Floyd's murder and Black Lives Matter." "That was a big part of what galvanized people to get involved, too," she said. Negro Brook in Townshend is now Huzzy Brook TOWNSHEND A state panel on Tuesday unanimously approved renaming Negro Book in Townshend i WRVMA never received nonprofit status. Because of that, the group had flexibility and could participate in what could be perceived as political activities. Gehring said the group "could grow with people's capacity, interest and contacts," whereas a nonprofit would need a formal structure with a chairperson and director, and meet certain legal requirements. "The mutual part of mutual aid was really important," Gehring said, as everyone could be included and do their best to serve the community. Carr sent out the email suggesting the group disband, saying she believed they accomplished what they had set out to do. "We formed in the spring of 2020 like right at the height of the shutdown, when everything was really frightening and people were very isolated and there was a real lack of connection to resources," she said. "We've spent four years bridging those gaps and we've reached a point where I don't think there's a whole lot of gaps that are not being served by actual community organizations." Sometimes, mutual aid groups evolve. Cristelli had been involved with Newfane Anew, which developed in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and has since moved on to organizing community events such as concerts. WRVMA came about when Carr "saw the need," Cristelli said. Once in a while, the group might receive a request for help but their expanded network and knowledge can still be tapped as a community resource. "If this happens again in five years, we don't need to reinvent it," Carr said. Gehring said the "group of us, collectively and individually, now have this broader network for resources and we know lots of ways to help each other." Initially, Cristelli envisioned having a group solely focused on helping neighbors in Newfane. Carr is credited with broadening the scope to the entire West River Valley. More than 200 volunteers have assisted in different efforts by Carr's estimate. About 50 consistently participated, Cristelli said.. Ilana Newton, steering committee member and coordinator of the Last Mile Food Project, called all the volunteer work "a form of community building." Without the group, Cristelli envisions some sad scenarios could have occurred. "Whether anybody would have died, we have no idea," she said. "But there are some that are living in pretty abject conditions." Avoiding stigmatization, the group specifically modeled their work on the premise that everybody needs help sometimes. Carr said she'll never forget standing outside of the Newfane Congregational Church in the dark, handing out meals during the week of Christmas for the first distribution for Everyone Eats. "There was a huge line of cars that came through," she said. "It was amazing. It felt like it was freezing." Cristelli said she thinks "people will remember us in a positive way." "I hope the folks whose needs were met by this and whose lives were made gentler and easier continue to be served," Gehring said. "In the meantime, it's really great everyone can do what they're interested in and be as effective as they can rather than be limited to the structure. If there's a better vehicle for it then that's great." MONTPELIER Gov. Phil Scott on Thursday afternoon signed into law S.191, "an act relating to New American educational grant opportunities." New Americans have been through so much before getting to Vermont, and this bill will help to expand opportunities for them by furthering their education and training for new skills that lead to good paying jobs," he said in a signing statement. "At a time where we continue to see our population getting older, and our workforce declining, we need to do everything we can to reverse these trends and support good careers for all Vermonters. Lawmakers and activists waited on Thursday afternoon to see if Gov. Phil Scott would sign the bill seeking education equity for immigrant students. S. 191, passed by the House and Senate by large majorities, proposed that applicants for grants from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation who are refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, humanitarian parolees, or special immigrant visa holders should not be deemed ineligble for them solely on account of their residency status. The new law also addresses residency issues for tuition purposes. It was transmitted to the governor last Friday and Thursday was the last day it could be signed. Scott had 20 other bills to consider on Thursday. To encourage Scott to sign the bill into law, immigration activists held a press conference at the Statehouse Thursday morning, urging Scott to sign it. "We are hopeful that it will be signed today into law," said Will Lambert, of Migrant Justice, standing under a bust of Abraham Lincoln. "This is a proposal to endorse that all students in Vermont, regardless of immigration status, will have access to Vermont's public colleges and universities, able to pay in-state tuition rates and receive need-based financial aid. This is a really important bill to expand educational opportunities for immigrant students in the state of Vermont." S.191 is a reminder that there are young people in our state that grew up here, attended Vermont schools, or came as teenagers to work on dairy farms, or came seeking asylum due to violence in their country of origin," said Rep. Leonora Dodge (D-Chittenden-23), one of the proposals principal sponsors. "They call Vermont home, and we are so lucky to have them. "This bill is truly a win-win for Vermont's social and economic welfare. We can't underestimate the importance of giving post-secondary education access to our immigrant students," she added. "An aging state, combined with a shrinking population of workers, must grow through immigration. While it is one thing to attract migrants and workers to the state, the demographic challenges cannot be overcome unless those new Vermonters can get the education and training needed to join the labor force." Now enacted, the law will ensure that all Vermont residents, regardless of immigration status, have access to in-state tuition rates and need-based financial aid when attending public colleges and universities in the state. The proposal, originally introduced as H.817, was later combined with another education-related bill (S.191) and passed overwhelmingly by both houses. The Education Equity for Immigrant Students proposal was initiated by Migrant Justice, a non-profit based in Burlington. Founded and led by immigrant farmworkers, the organization states its mission "is to build the voice, capacity, and power of the farmworker community and engage community partners to organize for economic justice and human rights. We gather the farmworker community to discuss and analyze shared problems and to envision collective solutions." The group works on various issues around workplace rights, housing, transportation, anti-discrimination and access to health care, in addition to education. Heidy Perez Alfaro, an 11th grader at Milton High School, speaking in Spanish and translated by Lambert, celebrated the bills pending enactment at the press conference. I am here on behalf of all those students who had to end their education after high school and cut short their dreams. With this law, they will be able to go to college, study for a profession, and help others, she said. "I expect to graduate next year and I still don't know if I'll be able to go to college afterward. I am here speaking on behalf of those who have graduated before me who have been unable to attend college or university." She knows of many students who have gone to high school in Vermont who have been unable to continue their education because of immigration status and lack of economic resources, she said. Dong Jun warns that there are limits to Beijing's restraint in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun launched an acerbic attack on what he called the hegemonic powers behind tension in the Asia-Pacific, a clear swipe at the United States and its allies. In an address to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Adm. Dong said that people in the Asia-Pacific are independent and self-reliant, and were against any attempt to turn our countries into vassal states or draw us into bloc confrontations. Our people have firmly rejected infiltration, sabotage and coercion by outside forces, the minister said, adding that regional countries despise those who attempt to bolster themselves by taking orders from hegemonic powers. Dong also said China had exercised great restraint in the face of what he called infringements and provocations but warned there is a limit to our restraint. Beijing has repeatedly accused Washington of assisting Taipei and Manila to stand up to its assertive actions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The Pentagon last month deployed an intermediate range missile system in the Philippines during the annual Balikatan military drills, which Beijing condemned as bringing "huge risks of war into the region." The U.S. House of Representatives has recently passed an $8-billion package to help Taiwan boost its defense capabilities against China. Dong said that some external interfering forces keep hollowing out the One China principle with the salami slicing strategy. They have cooked up Taiwan-related legislations and continued to sell arms to Taiwan and have illegal official contacts with it. The minister, who took office five months ago after his predecessor was removed over suspected corruption, went on a lengthy tirade against Taiwanese leaders who he called Taiwan independence separatists. China considers the democratic island one of its provinces and Dong said that China will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds. He accused Taiwans leaders of betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors, and said they would be "nailed to the pillar of shame in history." The Taiwan question is at the core of Chinas core interests, the minister said. Anyone who supports Taiwan independence will only end in self-destruction. Cadets gather during an open day at the PLA Naval Submarine Academy, in Qingdao, Shandong province, China April 21, 2024. (Reuters/Florence Lo) Defense analyst Malcolm Davis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, or ASPI, said that Dong made clear a willingness for China to use force to prevent independence and respond to any external forces involved in supporting Taiwan. It was a fairly predictable speech and very much the 'party line' with little in the way of new comments. In effect this was a propaganda speech and not an accurate statement of Chinese policy, Davis said. Wolf warriors But Dongs tone did seem more combative than that of his predecessor, Li Shangfu, he added. On the South China Sea, he issued a warning that China won't rule out the use of force specifically in relation to the Philippines and the support of the United States, the Canberra-based analyst said, That suggests to me that China does intend to escalate the crisis, and has singled out the Philippines as their focus with the goal being to coerce Manila to capitulate to Chinese interests. Unlike Li and his predecessors, Dong is not a member of the Central Military Commission of the Chinese communist party the highest national defense organization. That may be the reason behind Dongs tough statements to show his clout and get a promotion, said an Asian analyst who didnt want to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. A Chinese academic praised Dongs speech and said his attendance at the conference helped bring Chinas real voice to the world. The Shangri-La Dialogue as a major security forum bears a great relevance to China, said Gao Zhikai, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization and chair professor at Chinas Soochow University. It is important that Chinas voice, which is increasingly in sharp contrast to that of the U.S., be heard. Several other Chinese delegates also promoted Beijings views at the forum, in a forthright manner known as wolf warrior diplomacy. The term, adopted from the title of a Chinese movie, describes an assertive, even aggressive, approach to international relations. Chinese delegate, Maj. Gen. Xu Hui, asks a question at the Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore, May 31, 2024. (Reuters/Edgar Su) Maj. Gen. Xu Hui, president of the International College of Defense Studies at Chinas National Defense University, confronted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the latters keynote speech on Friday, saying that Manila was risking ruining the long-earned, long-lasting peace within ASEAN by responding to Chinese vessels activities in the disputed South China Sea. On Saturday, another Chinese delegate, Senior Col. Cao Yanzhong, a researcher at Chinas Institute of War Studies, questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the U.S. alliance system in the region which Beijing compares to an Asian version of NATO. During a session on Maritime Law Enforcement and Confidence Building on Saturday, another Chinese delegate, Senior Col. Ge Hanwen, associate professor at the College of International Studies at Chinas National University of Defense Technology, blamed the Philippines for dramatically raising tensions in the region and Japan for using water cannons first in a confrontation at sea. Austin and Dong met for about an hour at the conference on Friday for talks aimed at improving their communications, a U.S. official said. New regional order A Western observer at the forum, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Radio Free Asia that the Chinese delegates are on a mission to spread Beijings messages and their statements are pre-scripted and pre-approved by the [communist] party. Beijing-based Gao denied that. It is only normal that people from all walks of life, including military officers, talk about the topics of their interest, Gao said. China attends a lot of international forums because we believe in having our voice heard by as many people as possible. Dong acknowledged that different countries had different security interests and goals but he implied that China had a leadership role, said the ASPIs Davis. He kept pushing the implication that China speaks for the region in terms of shaping the future of Asia-Pacific security order, Davis said. China is clearly setting the basis for trying to assert its dominance over ASEAN, and if it can get [the] Philippines to submit to Chinese power through military coercion, then Beijing will expect other ASEAN states to also accept China's interests, said the Australian analyst. By default, China would then dominate the region. Over the past decade, the Chinese military has become more powerful, with its rapid growth bringing a new confidence, especially in relation with the United States. The Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a recent report that China is the worlds largest shipbuilder with a capacity some 230 times larger than the U.S. One of Chinas large shipyards, such as Jiangnan Shipyard, has more capacity than all U.S. shipyards combined, the center said in its report. China is way ahead of the U.S. in many aspects and the Chinese economy is soon to be larger, too, Gao, who served as a translator for Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping during the 1980s, told RFA. The Americans are worried about a rising China, that Beijing will impose its ideological and political system on the U.S., he said, while adding that in his opinion, that fear was unfounded. No one can really decouple from China and the best Washington can do is to deal with China on an equal footing. Lyle Goldstein from the U.S. think tank Defense Priorities said that Beijing was not reckless or aggressive, and despite the threats, it had not used force since the 1980s. Despite a downward spiral in U.S.-China relations, Goldstein suggested that the two countries and their militaries, should meet halfway and resolve disputes through diplomatic compromise. Edited by Mike Firn. French photographer Catherine Henriette had just completed a masters degree in Asian languages when she decided to visit China. She was hired by Agence France-Presse in April 1989 and almost immediately began photographing the largest pro-democracy demonstrations in Chinas history. One month later, the Tiananmen Square crackdown began as the 29-year-old was still learning the new role. In an interview with Radio Free Asias Eric Kayne originally in French and translated to English, Henriette recalls the experience of covering the student demonstrations. A student protester tells soldiers to leave as crowds of pro-democracy demonstrators flood into central Beijing, June 3, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: What drew you to Tiananmen Square during the student democracy demonstrations in 1989? What was your initial impression of the atmosphere and the people involved? Henriette: I was a photographer for Agence France-Presse at the time, so it was just my job that brought me to Tiananmen Square. My first impression was disbelief at what was happening before my eyes. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese gather in Tiananmen Square in Beijing, June 2, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: Can you describe your experience of photographing the events at Tiananmen Square? What challenges did you face as a photographer during such tumultuous times? Henriette: It was a very joyful and very exhilarating moment. I was a beginner photographer so I had to learn quickly because the movement just kept growing and growing every day. The challenge was a physical challenge. I had to hold on, because I was the only one taking photos for AFP. I was exhausted because it never stopped. A student applies plaster to the "Goddess of Democracy" statue in Tiananmen Square, May 30, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: Were there any particular moments or scenes that left a lasting impact on you? Could you share the story behind one of your most memorable photographs from that time? Henriette: Every day was different. Perhaps the most incredible moment was when Zhao Ziyang came out of the Great Hall of the People to visit the students and try to talk with them. In a country like China, it was surreal. Workers sit in a bulldozer and shout slogans as they drive past the Forbidden City to support the student pro-democracy protest, May 25,1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: How do you believe your photographs from Tiananmen Square contributed to the broader narrative of the democracy demonstrations? Do you feel they helped to amplify the voices of the protesters? Henriette: At the time, my photos were widely used in magazines and newspapers. So yes, I think that without knowing it, I contributed to making the movement known. To keep Chinese military forces out, buses block Jianguomen Avenue leading to Tiananmen Square on May 21, 1989, after martial law was proclaimed. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: Looking back, how do you feel about the role of photography in shaping historical memory, especially regarding events like the Tiananmen Square protests? Henriette: Honestly, my only experience was with the events in Tiananmen Square. I was only 29 years old and I was just starting out in photography. I took my job at AFP in April 1989. I didnt have enough experience in press photography to say whether it has the power to influence the course of history. But look at the photo of the man in front of the tanks (which I did not take) its an image forever anchored in our minds. Therefore, yes, I think that photography can mark collective memory in its own way. Pro-democracy demonstrators raise their fists and flash victory signs as they stop a truck of soldiers on its way to Tiananmen Square, May 20, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: In what ways do you think the events you witnessed and captured at Tiananmen Square have influenced your approach to photography and storytelling throughout your career? Henriette: It probably did influence my approach without me knowing it, but as I said, I was just starting my career as a photographer. I only did a few years of photojournalism, and of course being a photojournalist in China was a wonderful school for me. But since then I have evolved. I moved on to magazine photography and then to the more artistic photography that I still practice today. Student hunger strikers camp on top of buses parked in Tiananmen Square, May 19, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: Given the censorship and suppression of information surrounding the Tiananmen Square massacre, do you think its important for photographers and journalists to continue documenting and shedding light on such events? Henriette: Of course, otherwise these events would be erased from history. In Chinese history books, there is no mention of Tiananmen. Paramedics stretcher a Beijing University student hunger striker from Tiananmen Square during mass pro-democracy protests, May 17,1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) RFA: Reflecting on your experiences at Tiananmen Square, what message or lessons would you like to convey to future generations about the power of photography in bearing witness to history? Henriette: I would like to tell them not to take too many unnecessary risks. The Tank Man photo, which traveled all over the world, was taken from the balcony of the Beijing Hotel the day after the crackdown in the square. Every photo you take must carry a message. You have to find it. I think that a good photographer is the one who will think about that. A Chinese student on a hunger strike offers ice cream to People's Liberation Army soldiers in front of the Great Hall of the People while President Yang Shangkun meets with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, May 15, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) More than 5,000 students and residents participating in a hunger strike gather at Tiananmen Square, May 14, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) With a banner reading Liberty or Death pro-democracy protesters gather at Tiananmen Square, May 14, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) Beijing University student hunger strikers rest in Tiananmen Square, May 14, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) Chinese students from several universities gather at Tiananmen Square before the official visit of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, May 13, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) A university student writes a name on a ballot paper to choose their delegates for a dialogue with Chinese authorities, May 3, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) Chinese students discuss the next steps of their protest movement at their living quarters at Beijing University, May 1, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) A student leader quotes the Chinese constitution about the freedom of press, people's right to demonstrate, rally and shout slogans, April 27, 1989. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) Pro-democracy student protesters sit face to face with policemen outside the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square on April 22, 1989, at the funeral of former Communist Party leader and liberal reformer Hu Yaobang during an unauthorized demonstration to mourn his death. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) People crowd the base of the Monument to the People's Heroes at Tiananmen Square to look at photos of former Communist Party chief Hu Yaobang, clipped from foreign magazines, April 21,1989. Hus death on April 15 triggered an unprecedented wave of pro-democracy demonstrations. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) A funeral wreath with the portrait of former Chinese Communist Party leader and liberal reformer Hu Yaobang is displayed as thousands gather at the People's Heroes monument in Tiananmen Square during an unauthorized demonstration on April 19, 1989, to mourn Hu's death. (Catherine Henriette/AFP) Translated by Claire McCrea. 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 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. SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun delivered a speech on China's approach to global security on Sunday at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore. Dong highlighted the concept of building a community with a shared future for humanity, the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative in his address. People in the Asia-Pacific are committed to pursuing harmony, are peace-loving, independent, self-reliant, and have always supported each other through thick and thin, he said. Dong called for drawing strength from "Asian wisdom" to build consensus and seek common ground while shelving differences. China is willing to work with all parties to protect the legitimate security interests of all countries, jointly build a more just and equitable international order, give full play to regional security architecture, advance open and substantive defense cooperation, set an example of maritime security cooperation, strengthen security governance in emerging areas to strive for new progress in regional security cooperation. Dong stressed that China values peace and harmony, and is committed to pursuing common security, equality and mutual respect, openness and inclusiveness, as well as safeguarding its core interests. Currently, the South China Sea has seen overall stability, Dong said, noting that a certain country should see where its true interests lie, and return to the right track of dialogue and consultation. The Chinese People's Liberation Army will take resolute actions to curb "Taiwan independence" and make sure such a plot never succeeds, he said. During the event, Dong also met with senior defense officials from the United States, Canada, Thailand, Japan, Australia, France, Cambodia and New Zealand. He also held talks with the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Local elections were held in 89 cities and towns across Serbia on June 2. The voting in the capital, Belgrade, was a rerun of controversial elections from December, in which international observers reported irregularities and the opposition accused the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of vote rigging. Belgrade voters speaking to RFE/RL expressed lukewarm enthusiasm and low expectations for the repeat vote. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy met with foreign leaders in Singapore on the final day of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit on June 2, where he sought to rally international support ahead of a Swiss peace conference later this month despite what he said were Chinese efforts to undermine it. Live Briefing: Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine RFE/RL's Live Briefing gives you all of the latest developments on Russia's full-scale invasion, Kyiv's counteroffensive, Western military aid, global reaction, and the plight of civilians. For all of RFE/RL's coverage of the war in Ukraine, click here. Zelenskiy said more than 100 countries and international organizations had committed to attending the mid-June peace gathering in Switzerland. Russia hasn't been at the event in Singapore since it launched its two-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskiy and Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, met in Singapore for more than an hour with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following this week's U.S. easing of restrictions on the use of its weapons by Kyiv to publicly permit Ukraine to hit targets inside Russia. A Pentagon official said Austin "reaffirmed the U.S. commitment" to "strong support" for Ukraine and both sides vowed to "further strengthen [their] strategic defense partnership." Earlier, Zelenskiy met with a bipartisan delegation from the U.S. House of Representatives on the sidelines of the conference and said both sides "noted the importance of allowing Ukraine to use American weapons to strike military targets on the territory of Russia in the areas bordering the Kharkiv region." Zelenskiy said that "The issue of further strengthening of sanctions pressure on the Russian Federation was also raised." The Ukrainian president also met with Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto, who at the same summit last year proposed an Indonesian plan for ending the war in Ukraine. After meeting with Jose Ramos-Horta, the president of Timor-Leste, Zelenskiy said Ramos-Horta would also attend the peace summit planned for June 15-16 in Switzerland. "It is very important for us to begin the process of establishing a just peace," Zelenskiy said. "Russia does not want to end the war. Therefore, we must work together with the entire world to bring peace closer." Zelenskiy said recently amid reports that the European Union was trying to organize peace talks with Russian participation in Saudi Arabia for later this year that he had "no faith" in Russian President Vladimir Putin and around 200 rounds of talks dating back to Russia's occupation of Crimea in 2014 had gone nowhere. China, which has said it wants peace in Ukraine but has tightened relations with Moscow since the invasion began, has said it will not participate in the Swiss talks. Zelenskiy told journalists that he regretted he couldn't meet the Chinese delegation in Singapore and that Beijing wouldn't be represented in Switzerland. He added that "China, unfortunately...is working hard today for countries not to come to the peace summit." He also said Chinese support for Russia would prolong the war. U.S. Pentagon chief Austin met with his Chinese counterpart, Defense Minister Dong Jun, in Singapore in their first face-to-face meeting since those contacts broke down in 2022 with tensions ratcheted up over bilateral issues, Taiwan, and Beijing's refusal to condemn and punish Russian aggression in Ukraine. Also on June 2, Ukraine's military said its air defenses had intercepted 24 of 25 Russian attack drones overnight as the country sought to rebound from one of the biggest overnight attacks in weeks on Ukraine's power infrastructure a day earlier. That attack killed at least eight people in the northeastern region of Kharkiv, police said, where a Russian offensive began last month. As a result of those and other damaging attacks, state energy provider Ukrenerho said it was reintroducing blackouts for households and industrial users "in all regions of Ukraine" in the early morning and evening hours on June 2. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 31 that President Joe Biden had given Ukraine the go-ahead to use U.S. weapons to strike inside Russia for the limited purpose of defending Kharkiv as it tries to defeat Russian troops that began a full-scale invasion in February 2022. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Wang Xiuzhen (R), head of Fujian Youxuan Agricultural Development, helps farmers sell passion fruits via livestream at a passion fruit seedling-raising base in Wuping County, Longyan, east China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2023. (Xinhua) FUZHOU, June 2 (Xinhua) -- In early summer, Luo Qiliang was pleased to see his orchard full of vitality, with passion fruit vines producing lush foliage and climbing trellises. This is the eighth year that Luo has grown passion fruit in his home county of Wuping in the city of Longyan, east China's Fujian Province. "I planted more than 60 mu (4 hectares) of passion fruit, with an average profit of about 15,000 yuan (about 2,110.06 U.S. dollars) per mu last year," he said. Located in a mountainous area, Wuping has less than 1 mu of arable land per capita, and local farmers previously earned a living through planting cash crops and raising pigs. However, small-scale pig breeding has caused pollution in the surrounding rivers. Around 2014, the local government encouraged farmers to shift their livelihoods to planting passion fruit. Wuping's climate, which features ample sunshine and abundant rainfall, is suitable for growing golden passion fruit, a popular variety in the market, according to Lin Wenming from the county's agriculture and rural affairs bureau. "So we organized farmers to visit major passion fruit producing areas like Guangxi and Hainan and started to plant the fruit," Lin said. Wuping's passion fruits are of high quality and have proved popular in the market, a fact that has encouraged the rapid development of the industry in the county. Eight standardized seedling-raising bases have been built in the county, along with more than 30 fruit processing centers, forming a complete industrial chain. In 2023, the county's passion fruit planting area amounted to 1,920 hectares, with an output of 35,000 tonnes. "The river used to be quite dirty and smelly, but now it's clear," Lin said, while noting that this is a result of the county developing its industry in line with local conditions. Wuping's passion fruit industry also rides the waves of e-commerce. According to Wang Xiuzhen, head of Fujian Youxuan Agricultural Development, a local enterprise specializing in planting and selling passion fruit, the company saw its passion fruit orders on the e-commerce platforms of Alibaba, China's e-commerce giant, exceed 200,000 in a single day last year, hitting a record. According to Wang, the company has also introduced more production lines to turn out additional products, such as dried passion fruit and passion fruit yogurt. "Passion fruit can be made into biological feed and it also has medicinal value, representing its huge potential market," Wang added. In recent years, the local government has made efforts to promote the brand image of "Wuping passion fruit" by monitoring the production process to ensure quality. Related events have been organized to boost local tourism, promoting the integrated development of primary, secondary and tertiary industries. Wang Xiuzhen (R), head of Fujian Youxuan Agricultural Development, instructs a farmer to transplant passion fruit seedlings in Wuping County, Longyan, east China's Fujian Province, April 5, 2023. (Xinhua) Michael Bolton A Labour MEP candidate has called for a housing commissioner to be set up in Europe to deal with the housing crisis across the continent. Labour TD for Dublin Bay North Aodhan O Riordain, says he was motivated to run for European parliament after the Dublin riots in November, and is concerned by the rise of racism in Ireland. Mr O Riordain says he will not run in the next General Election should be elected as an MEP, and intends to put housing as a priority. "I think if we had a housing commissioner it would really bring Europe closer to people's mindsets. Europe is quiet remote from people's mindsets, they don't necessarily know who their MEP's are. That is part of the problem, MEP's get elected and they go missing for five years. "We are talking about it with the Social Democrats group, we want to have a housing commissioner, we want to make social and affordable housing a European issue. "I think in Ireland, we need to change the State aid rules that local authorities are currently not equipped to bulk build social and affordable housing." Immigration has been a talking point leading up to the election, with tents once again removed from the Grand Canal. This has been the third time in the past month which this has happened, with welfare payments to Ukrainian refugees also cut in recent weeks. Mr O Riordain says this is a failure of Government policy, and also criticised the Government's and Sinn Fein's shift to the right on immigration. "It has been shambolic. There has been a number of things with this issue I have been deeply uncomfortable with. The dehumanisation of those who are affected by it that come here, the fact that we don't have a proper information flow by the Government to say what the facts and figures are about our immigration policy. "The fact that the far-right have been allowed to gain momentum and gain fraction, there is a level of anti-immigration feeling out there which is quite disturbing. "Before the invasion of Ukraine, the Government had a report that we needed six large accommodation centres. They don't have an excuse as to why that wasn't done and why that policy wasn't pursued." The Labour TD has taken issue with the timing of recent policy changes to immigration, and compared the language used by some politicians of the EU migration pact to Nigel Farage. Mr O Riordain says he would not vote for the EU migration pact in its current form, raising concerns over human rights issues, but says a migration pact with changes could be implemented. "People like Sinn Fein are now reversing their decision to support hate crime legislation. When it comes to the EU Migration pact, people are talking about sovereignty first, and that is straight out of the Nigel Farage playbook. "You have Fianna Fail talking about border checks, you have people in Fine Gael talking about deportation crackdowns. You have Sinn Fein talking about sovereignty. All of this is election stuff. "When I first ran for election 20 years ago, it was the time of the citizenship referendum, we were all told to be afraid of 'pregnant African women', now we being told to be afraid of 'military aged men.' "It is pathetic, because I thought we were better than this, I really thought we were. People can criticise the Labour party, but the one thing we don't do is play the race card." The world was horrified by images from Rafah this week, as dozens of people were killed by Israeli air strikes. At the time of writing, over 36,000 people have been killed in Palestine since October, as efforts continue to establish a ceasefire. European commissioner president Ursula von der Leyen has been heavily criticised for her support for Israel since October, and the Labour TD says she cannot remain in her position. Commenting on the EU response, Mr O Riordain says it has been "Pathetic, appalling, disgusting". "Ursula von der Leyen disgraced herself in supporting Israel, she knew exactly what they were going to do. Anyone that knows anything about this conflict knows Israel always respond disproportionately. "We are now looking at 40,000 dead, a huge number of Palestinian children, and Ursula von der Leyen has no place in the future of the European movement in my view. "The EU are Israel's biggest trading partner, so until we have a total boycott of the Israeli state, we are not going to have a ceasefire or a peace process." The Labour TD also criticised Fine Gael MEPs who plan to support Ms von der Leyen, and says a vote for Fine Gael will lead to support for the far-right in Europe. "You vote Fine Gael in this election, and you get Fine Gael and Ursula von der Leyen and co-operation with the far-right. "The far-right are not just anti-immigrant, but it is also climate change-denying, attacking gay rights and women's rights. That is what you are playing around with." On the issue of rising militarisation, Mr O Riordain says he is worried about plans to remove the triple lock as it was not in the plan for Government. While he emphasised the importance of Ireland remaining militarily neutral, he stressed the importance that Russia does not win the war in Ukraine. "We are not neutral when it comes to Ukraine: I believe Russia has to lose. If Russia does not lose, they are going to turn their eyes to Moldova, they are going to turn their eyes to Estonia, they are going to turn their eyes to Poland, and then it will be a far more serious situation." The Dublin Bay North TD has criticised the language used by some Irish politicians in relation to the invasion of Ukraine, and does not believe peace talks are possible with the Russian government. "That sounds like surrender to me. Some Irish MEPs need to be careful with their language. Let's be clear here, it is pretty much a facist regime in Russia. "They are involved in electoral interference, they hacked our own HSE system. To think we can have some kind of agreement over future borders when it comes to Ukraine is nonsense." June 2, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of local and international news. Newsflash Newsroom, 02.06.2024, 20:00 TERMINAL The largest grain transshipment terminal in Europe was inaugurated, on Friday, in Suceava county (northern Romania), on the border with Ukraine, in the presence of the Romanian and Ukrainian authorities. The new terminal was built in a public-private partnership and cost approximately 10 million euros, the financing being provided by the largest group of private railway companies with Romanian shareholders in Southeast Europe. Due to its large transshipment capacity, the terminal will become a strategic point for streamlining grain traffic from the border with Ukraine to the Port of Constanta. RESTORATION The restoration project of St. Michaels Church in Cluj-Napoca (north-western Romania) and that of a Saxon church in a village in Sibiu county (center) are among the winners of this years edition of the European Heritage Awards, awarded by the Creative Europe program of the European Union. Saint Michaels Church went through an extensive restoration process between 2016 and 2022, and the project also included interior remodeling and modernization works. In turn, according to the European Commission Representation in Bucharest, the Saxon church, rehabilitated from the ground up, is considered a cultural landmark that symbolizes centuries of history and craftsmanship. The awards ceremony will take place on October 7 in Bucharest. BOOKS Romania takes part, between May 31 and June 16, in the 83rd edition of the Madrid Book Fair, with a national stand and 20 literary events. Three million visitors are expected at over 300 events for readers of all ages and 5,000 autograph sessions. Romania is participating in this large-scale event for the 13th time. Among the Romanian writers present at the event are Gabriela Adamesteanu, Eugen Barz, Aura Christi, Nichita Danilov, Cristian Fulas, Miguel Gane, Stejarel Olaru, Radu Paraschivescu, Radmila Popovici, Andreea Rasuceanu and Corina Sabau, a journalist with Radio Romania International. On the other hand, the Sibiu International Theater Festival was awarded the Order of Civil Merit of Spain by King Felipe VI. The distinction will be handed out by the Spanish ambassador to Romania, during the 31st edition of this cultural event that will take place between June 21 and 30. BOOKFEST The 17th edition of the Bookfest International Book Fair closed its doors on Sunday in Bucharest. The 2024 edition brought together 200 exhibitors and 150 publishing houses from Romania and the Republic of Moldova, the latter being the guest of honor this year. A project co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, the Bookfest International Book Fair is organized by the Romanian Editors Association. At the previous international editions, the invited countries were: Spain, Hungary, France, the German-speaking countries (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland), Poland, the Czech Republic, Israel, Sweden, the United States, Great Britain, Japan and Italy. Bookfest has local editions in Timisoara (west), Cluj-Napoca (north-west), Targu Mures, Brasov (center) and another international edition in Chisinau, the capital of the Republic of Moldova. VOLLEYBALL -The Romanian national womens volleyball team was defeated by Spain 3-1, on Sunday, in Gijon, in a match from the preliminary phase of the Golden League. However, Romania has secured, regardless of the result, a place at the Final Four tournament of the competition. Thus, Romania (with four wins and two defeats), along with Belgium, the Czech Republic and Ukraine, will participate in the tournament on June 15-16, in Ostrava (Czech Republic), with the winner being rewarded with 100,000 euros. On Saturday, the Romanian national mens volleyball squad was defeated by the Czech team, 3-2, in Karlovy Vary, in their last Golden League match. (EE) People check out a flooded area in Ulm, southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg, June 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) FRANKFURT, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Heavy rains have caused catastrophic flooding in southern Germany, prompting the evacuation of over 600 people from their homes, local media reported. Continuous rainfall over several days has caused water levels to rise in several rivers in Germany, including the Donau, Neckar, and Guenz, leading to widespread flooding in coastal cities and towns. Water levels in many areas have reached their highest levels in a century. The two southern German states of Bavaria and Baden-Wuerttemberg are the hardest hit. As of 2 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) on Sunday, 10 districts in Bavaria have declared a state of emergency, with over 670 residents of the district Neuburg-Schrobenhausen being evacuated, local authority said. The German Weather Service has issued the highest level of severe weather warnings for several districts in southern Germany. In the city of Meckenbeuren of Baden-Wuerttemberg, some 1,300 people were also asked to leave their homes due to the risk of flooding. This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area in Ulm, southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area in Babenhausen, southern German state of Bavaria. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area in Babenhausen, southern German state of Bavaria. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area as the water level of the Danube river has risen in Ulm, southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area in Babenhausen, southern German state of Bavaria. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area as the water level of the Danube river has risen in Ulm, southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) Vehicles wade through a flooded road in Babenhausen, southern German state of Bavaria, June 2, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area as the water level of the Danube river has risen in Ulm, southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) This photo taken on June 2, 2024 shows a flooded area as the water level of the Danube river has risen in Ulm, southern German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan) SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said here on Sunday that China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude on the Ukraine crisis. He made the remarks when delivering a speech on China's approach to global security at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore. China has never provided weapons to either party of the Ukraine crisis, Dong said. The Chinese defense minister also said that on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, China adheres to a just and impartial position and works together with the international community to push for a ceasefire. On issues such as those concerning the Korean Peninsula, Afghanistan and Myanmar, China has actively sought political settlement and thus played a constructive role, Dong added. KABUL, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Authorities have arrested those related to a terror network in west Afghanistan's Herat province, local media outlet Ariana News reported on Saturday evening. Quoting provincial government spokesman Nisar Ahmad Alyas, the private media outlet reported that the group has been involved in a series of subversive activities over the past eight months including targeting a mosque that claimed several lives a month ago. Without identifying the militant group, the official asserted that the security forces had found arms and ammunition including a suicide vest in the possession of the arrested individuals. An attack on a mosque in the Gazara district of Herat in late April left at least six worshipers dead, and Daesh or the rival Islamic State group, which claimed responsibility for a series of attacks in Afghanistan during more than two years in the past, also took responsibility for this attack. AFRICA Central African Republic Expected Council Action In June, the Security Council will hold a briefing and consultations on the Secretary-Generals latest report on the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Special Representative for the Central African Republic (CAR) and head of MINUSCA Valentine Rugwabiza is expected to brief. The mandate of MINUSCA expires on 15 November. The CAR sanctions regime expires on 31 July, and the mandate of the Panel of Experts assisting the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee expires on 31 August. Key Recent Developments On 21 February, Rugwabiza briefed the Council, highlighting the discussions that took place in Bangui on 6 February under the leadership of President Faustin Touadera to take stock of the progress in the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR. She also underlined the need to provide MINUSCA with the necessary resources to effectively fulfil its priority task of supporting the CAR in extending state authority, a major task assigned to the mission in resolution 2709 of 15 November 2023. Additionally, Rugwabiza called on member states and partners to support security sector reform efforts in the CAR, another priority task, which she said cannot be handled by the mission alone. When renewing MINUSCAs mandate in November 2023, the Security Council requested the Secretary-General to conduct an independent strategic review of the mission through broad consultations with the CAR government and other relevant partners, including UN agencies, member states, regional organisations, civil society, and independent experts. His report is expected to provide detailed recommendations regarding the reconfiguration of MINUSCAs mandate, including a possible transition plan for the missions drawdown when conditions are met. On 26 February, the Secretary-General appointed Edmond Muleta former UN official who most recently served as the head of the Joint Investigative Mechanism set up under resolution 2235 of 7 August 2015 to investigate the use of chemical weapons in Syriato lead the independent strategic review of MINUSCA. Mulet visited the CAR in March and held several meetings with President Touadera and other relevant stakeholders. The outcome of the strategic review, which is expected to be submitted to the Council no later than 15 August, will inform the upcoming MINUSCA mandate renewal in November. The security situation appears to have improved in some regions of the CAR, but violence persists in others, resulting in displacement. The Coalition of Patriots for Change (CPC), the main rebel coalition in the CAR, reportedly carried out an attack on 12 May in Gaga, a mining town 125 miles from the capital city, in which four people were killed and several others injured. MINUSCA continues to conduct joint patrols with the CAR defence and security forces in the conflict-affected regions to deal with security threats, restore stability, and facilitate the return of displaced people and the resumption of humanitarian assistance. The Special Criminal Courta hybrid court which became operational in 2018 and composed of domestic and international judges to investigate, prosecute, and judge the most serious crimes committed in the CARissued an arrest warrant for former president Francois Bozize for crimes committed during his leadership of the country. Bozize, who leads the CPC and is based in Chad, reportedly left Chad for Guinea-Bissau following a February 2023 meeting involving Touadera and Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby in Luanda under the auspices of Angolan President Joao Lourenco, who is the current chair of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). Sanctions-Related Developments On 1 February, the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee held its first meeting with the Panel of Experts assisting its work. Following the extension of the CAR sanctions regime and the Panel of Experts mandate in July 2023, four of the five panel members were appointed only in January, after Russia lifted its hold on their appointment in the last week of December 2023. During the 1 February meeting, the panel members presented a tentative work plan for the remainder of their mandate, including visits to the CAR and the region. They also submitted their midterm report to comply with the timelines in resolution 2693 of 27 July 2023 renewing the 2127 CAR sanctions regime, but they did not have sufficient time to provide a substantive report. Their final report was circulated to Council members in May. Pursuant to resolution 2693, the Secretary-General submitted his report on the CAR authorities progress towards the key benchmarks that could guide the Security Council in reviewing the arms embargo measures imposed under the 2127 CAR sanctions regime. These benchmarks relate to security sector reform; the disarmament, demobilization, reintegration and repatriation process; and weapons and ammunition management. Peacebuilding Commission-Related Developments On 5 May, the Peacebuilding Commissions country configuration for CAR, which is chaired by Ambassador Omar Hilale (Morocco), convened a meeting with the objective of promoting a concerted and unified approach from all partners in support of CARs recovery and long-term development, according to the meetings concept note. A particular focus was placed on the upcoming local elections in October 2024, for which there exists a significant funding gap. The Commission heard briefings from Deputy Special Representative of MINUSCA Joanne Adamson; Charge daffaires of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, Decentralization and Local Development Ghislain Lavodrama; and President of the National Elections Authority Mathias Barthelemy Moruba. Key Issues and Options The political and security situation in the CAR continues to be a key issue for Council members. They are keen to hear about the progress in implementing the 2019 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, particularly the dissolution of armed groups and the process of disarming former combatants. The other issue of interest to Council members is the 2127 CAR sanctions regime and the work of the Panel of Experts assisting the sanctions committee. In light of the CAR authorities request for the total lifting of the arms embargo, which is supported by some Council members, the upcoming discussion about the extension of the sanctions regime and the mandate renewal of the Panel of Experts in July is expected to be contentious. Human rights remain another controversial issue, particularly the annual report on the human rights situation in the CAR, which is prepared by MINUSCAs human rights division. The last report was released after the renewal of the MINUSCA mandate in 2023, to the dissatisfaction of several members, who wanted the opportunity to review the report before renewing the mandate. In line with resolution 2709 of 15 November 2023, the annual report is now expected to be released before the next mandate renewal negotiations in November. Council members will be interested in the outcome of the MINUSCA strategic review and its recommendations about the missions reconfiguration and transition. It seems that the Secretary-General suggested that Council members undertake a visiting mission to the CAR during his monthly lunch with them in March. A possible option for Council members is to conduct a visiting mission to the CAR ahead of the next MINUSCA mandate renewal in November. Council Dynamics Council members support the implementation of the 2015 Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR. They also welcome the dissolution of armed groups and the disarmament of former combatants, continue to encourage the government to engage with other armed groups to resolve differences through political dialogue, and support ongoing preparations to hold local elections scheduled for October. However, they remain concerned about the security situation in the country and the impact of the war in Sudan, including the increase in the number of refugees crossing into the CAR. Council members appreciate the work of MINUSCA and the role of the Special Representative in fostering cordial relations with the host country authorities. Some members continue to raise the matter of limitations the mission faces on its freedom of movement. During the last Council briefing on MINUSCA in February, the US, in particular, highlighted restrictions on the missions use of uncrewed aerial vehicles, arguing that these limit MINUSCAs capacity to maintain awareness of the security environment, impede efforts to counter armed groups and protect civilians, and jeopardise the safety and security of peacekeepers. CAR supported MINUSCAs independent strategic review in anticipation of an adjusted mandate in line with the current country situation, a transition process that will facilitate the missions drawdown. In February, China supported this view, saying that the Council should optimize and streamline MINUSCAs mandate and rationalize its staffing level and size. France is the penholder on the CAR, and Ambassador Amar Bendjama (Algeria) chairs the 2127 CAR Sanctions Committee. Sign up for SCR emails Subscribe UN DOCUMENTS ON THE CAR THE SECURITY COUNCIL Security Council Elections 2024 On 6 June, the 78th session of the UN General Assembly is scheduled to hold elections for membership of the Security Council. The five seats available for election in 2024, according to the regular distribution among regions, will be as follows: one seat for the African Group (currently held by Mozambique); one seat for the Asia-Pacific Group (currently held by Japan); one seat for the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC, currently held by Ecuador); and two seats for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG, currently held by Malta and Switzerland). The five new members elected this year will take up their seats on 1 January 2025 and will serve until 31 December 2026. The 2024 Candidates Five member statesDenmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama, and Somaliaare currently running for the five available seats. All five candidates have served on the Council previously: Pakistan seven times, Panama five times, Denmark four times, Greece twice, and Somalia once. All the regional groups are running uncontested elections this year, known as a clean slate. The table below shows the number of seats available by region in the 2024 election, the declared candidate(s), and their prior term(s) on the Council. Potential Council Dynamics in 2025 Political polarisation in the Council is expected to persist and is likely to shape Council dynamics in 2025. While several agenda items remain contentiousranging from thematic issues such as non-proliferation and sanctions to country situations like DPRK, Myanmar, and SyriaRussias invasion of Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war have sharply raised tensions among Council members over the past two and a half years. The Israel-Hamas war and the wider regional crisis it precipitated in the Middle East have been highly divisive issues for the Council. As Israels closest ally, the US has consistently emphasised the countrys right to self-defence in the wake of Hamas 7 October 2023 terrorist attack, while most other Council members have criticised Israel for its alleged violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire. Of the 11 draft resolutions concerning the situation that the Council has voted on since the outbreak of hostilities, it had adopted three at the time of writing (resolution 2712 of 15 November 2023, resolution 2720 of 22 December 2023, and resolution 2728 of 25 March). The regional fallout from the war has also heightened tensions in other situations on the Councils agenda, including Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Tensions in the Middle East may continue to feature prominently on the Councils agenda in 2025, depending on the course of the war in Gaza and its aftermath. Among the current cohort of candidates, Denmark, Greece, and Panama all enjoy strong relations with Israel and abstained on the 27 October 2023 General Assembly resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza. However, while Panama also abstained on the 12 December 2023 General Assembly resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, Denmark and Greece voted in favour of this resolution, indicating evolving positions on the conflict as humanitarian conditions in Gaza deteriorated. Pakistan and Somaliaboth members of the OICvoted in favour of both resolutions and have criticised Israels conduct of the war. Most recently, all five candidate countries voted in favour of the 10 May General Assembly resolution granting new rights and privileges to the State of Palestine and calling on the Security Council to reconsider the Palestinian request to become a UN member state. If the war in Ukraine continues, it will remain an important issue on the Councils agenda next year. Russia continues to justify its invasion, which it refers to as a special military operation, while several Council membersincluding France, Japan, Malta, ROK, Slovenia, Switzerland, the UK, and the UScondemn Russia for what they consider to be an act of aggression. Among the incoming members, Denmark, Greece, and Panama are expected to strongly support Ukraine, having voted in favour of all four General Assembly resolutions concerning the war (respectively, demanding that Russia withdraw its military forces from Ukraine; recognising the humanitarian consequences of the aggression against the country; suspending Russia from the UN Human Rights Council; and condemning Russias purported annexation of occupied territories). Pakistan abstained on all four resolutions, while Somalia voted in favour of the first and fourth and was absent from the second and third votes. On the Council, these two countries may seek a bridge-building role between Russia and Western members. Several incoming members have a direct interest in items on the Councils agenda. Greece is a key stakeholder in relation to the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), which patrols the UN buffer zone between the Greek-majority Republic of Cyprus and the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The country is also the flag state of several vessels that have been targeted by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Pakistan is likely to engage actively on Afghanistan, where the Pakistani Talibana terrorist group designated under the Councils 1267/1989/2253 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Daesh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regimehas staged cross-border attacks against Pakistan. Somalia hosts the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) and the AU Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is engaged in a military campaign against Al-Shabaab, a terrorist group designated under the Councils 2713 sanctions regime. In addition, rising tensions between Somalia and Ethiopia regarding Somalilanda self-proclaimed republic in the countrys northern regionwere the subject of closed consultations of Council members in January. Peacekeeping is another priority for several candidates. Pakistan is one of the UNs largest troop-contributing countries and is likely to take an active role on the issue as a Council member. Somalia also has a stake in the issue both as a host country and a proponent of UN funding for AU-led peace support missions, pursuant to resolution 2719 of 21 December 2023. Denmark may similarly engage strongly on the topic, having identified innovative responses to the evolving security landscape as one of its Council priorities. Greece has a particular interest in UNFICYP, as described above. Some of the candidates have emphasised the importance of addressing terrorism and violent extremism. Somalia has expressed an interest in sharing its national counter-terrorism experience and may also draw the Councils attention to terrorism and violent extremism in Africa more broadly, including in the Sahel. Pakistan has likewise emphasised its national counter-terrorism efforts and may focus the Councils attention on the threats posed by groups operating in its region. In 2025, disarmament and non-proliferation issues will likely continue to garner attention in the Council. Current members ROK and Japan, whose current Council term ends this year, both have a particular interest in non-proliferation issues, especially vis-a-vis the situation on the Korean peninsula. Taking over Japans seat, Pakistan is likely to maintain a focus on this issue, although its regional emphasis is expected to shift to the Indian subcontinent. The country may also highlight the threat posed by the acquisition of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) by non-state actors and assiduously promote the work of the Councils 1540 Sanctions Committee on this issue. Most candidate countries have stressed the importance of addressing emerging threats to international peace and security. Among such issues, Denmark, Greece, and Panama have highlighted climate, peace, and security as a thematic priority for their Council terms. These countries are likely to face continued pushback from other members, such as China and Russia, which have long argued that the Council is not the appropriate forum for climate-related discussions. Other emerging issues pertain to new technologies. One of Panamas stated Council priorities is the misuse of digital technologies for criminal purposes, which is a concern that Pakistan and Somalia may share in the context of counter-terrorism. Relatedly, Council members may continue to discuss potential threats posed by AI, building on the December 2023 Arria-formula meeting on the topic convened by then-member Albania and the July 2023 high-level briefing convened by the UK. (In March, the General Assembly adopted US-facilitated resolution 78/265 on the promotion of safe, secure and trustworthy AI systems, which Denmark, Greece, and Pakistan co-sponsored.) In addition, the issue of WMDs in space may remain a subject of debate, following discussions on the draft resolution on the topic penned by Japan and the US, which Russia vetoed in April, and on an alternative draft put forward by Russia in May that failed to obtain the nine favourable votes required for adoption. The WPS agenda is expected to receive considerable attention in 2025, which will mark the 25th anniversary of resolution 1325, the first thematic resolution on the issue. Among the candidate countries, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia have all highlighted WPS as a priority area. These countries may sign on to the Shared Commitments on WPS initiative, which started with the presidency trio of Ireland, Kenya, and Mexico in 2021. Permanent members France and the UK can also be expected to remain proponents of the agenda, while the US position may depend on the outcome of the November 2024 presidential election. Russia will probably continue to argue that the issue of gender equality is not directly linked to international peace and security and therefore not within the Councils purview. China is likely to continue to maintain that the development gap is the most important barrier to womens empowerment. The co-chairing of the Informal Experts Group (IEG) on WPS will transition in 2025: current co-chair Switzerland will conclude its Council term this December, paving the way for another member to join Sierra Leone as co-chair. Two members of the Accountability, Coherence and Transparency (ACT) GroupEcuador and Switzerlandwill leave the Security Council at the end of 2024. Among the current candidates, only Denmark is a member of the group. The other ACT group member who will continue on the Council in 2025 is Slovenia. These two members are likely to take the lead in pushing for improved Security Council working methods, including proposals advocated by the ACT Group. Other incoming members may also support such proposals, however, as illustrated by the fact that Greece, Panama, and Somalia have all signed the ACT Groups Code of Conduct regarding Security Council action against genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes, which calls on all Council members to not vote against any credible draft resolution intended to prevent or halt mass atrocities. With Somalia joining Algeria and Sierra Leone on the Council, the three African members (A3) are likely to continue working closely in coordinating their positions and advancing a common African position on regional and thematic items on the Security Councils agenda. These members will also continue their partnership with Guyana, a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which aligns with the Councils African members on certain issues, replicating the A3+1 constellation first formed with former Council member Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in 2020-2021. While not a member of CARICOM, incoming GRULAC member Panama could weigh joining this grouping as well, potentially expanding it to A3+2. Elected members continue to seek active roles in the Council, including as penholders, the informal designation of those that take the lead in drafting outcomes and convening negotiations on particular agenda items, a role most often assumed by one of the P3 (France, the UK, and the US). Co-penholding by an elected member and one of the P3 had been non-existent until 2019, when Germany succeeded in sharing the pen with the UK on Sudan. Recently, more elected members have served as co-penholders with a permanent member, including, among current members, Slovenia with the US on Ukraine political issues, Ecuador with France on Ukraine humanitarian issues, and Ecuador with the US on Haiti. Elected members usually hold the pen on the Syria humanitarian file, and some candidate countries may seek this role, which is currently assumed by Switzerland. One or more elected members also traditionally hold the pen on Afghanistan, which is currently held by Japan. In December 2023, the Informal Working Group on Working Methods adopted a presidential note on penholderships (S/2023/945) that encouraged continued efforts to ensure that the arrangement of penholder or co-penholder reflects openness, a shared responsibility and fair burden-sharing. [1] Arab countries are a sub-group within the Asia-Pacific Group. BAGHDAD, June 2 (Xinhua) -- A Shiite militia in Iraq on Sunday claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a site in Eilat in southern Israel. The militia, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, said in an online statement that its fighters launched a drone attack "on a vital site in Eilat on Sunday morning." The statement stressed that the attack was carried out "in solidarity with the people of Gaza," and the militia pledged to persist in targeting "the enemy's strongholds." The statement did not provide additional details about the specific location or any resulting casualties. Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has launched multiple attacks on Israeli and U.S. bases in the region. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- If your goal is to become a top earner in New York state, you might want to enroll in medical school first. According to a new report from bestcolleges.com -- which identified the 10 highest paying jobs in the region -- surgeons, cardiologists and physicians are among the highest paid professionals in the state. It may or may not surprise you that it pays to earn a degree, the report noted. In fact, all of the jobs on the list require some sort of higher education most even a doctorate. Using stats from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the website broke down which occupations had the top salaries and identified the industries with the largest percentage of job growth. Heres a look at the top 10 highest-paying jobs in New York state, as reported by bestcolleges.com: 10. Surgeons Mean Annual Salary: $249,450 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 2% Surgeons have longer residency requirements than other medical doctors. After completing medical school, surgeons must complete a five-year residency and a one- to three-year fellowship. Specialties for surgeons include general surgery, orthopedic surgery, or plastic surgery, among other areas. Surgeons make a national median annual salary of $229,300, which is less than what they get paid in New York. 9. Obstetricians and Gynecologists Mean Annual Salary: $266,360 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 2% Obstetricians and gynecologists provide gynecological care and medical care to women during pregnancy and childbirth; some also perform surgery during childbirth. To become an obstetrician and gynecologist requires specializing in womens health and reproductive health care during medical school. The national median wage for obstetricians and gynecologists is $239,200 annually, slightly less than what they make in New York. 8. Ophthalmologists Mean Annual Salary: $276,580 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 4% Ophthalmologists are licensed medical or osteopathic doctors with expertise in eye care. It takes up to 14 years to complete the necessary training and education, including medical school, for this career. Their job includes performing eye surgery or providing eye-care services like contact lenses and eyeglasses. 7. Physicians Mean Annual Salary: $307,420 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 3% Becoming a physician requires a medical degree, up to nine years of internships, and a residency. In New York, these medical doctors get paid more than the median average of $229,300. The majority of physicians work in internal medicine, but also family medicine or pediatrics, which involves tasks like prescribing medication, examining patients, making referrals and executing treatment plans. 6. Radiologists Mean Annual Salary: $308,970 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 4% These licensed doctors read medical imaging exams to diagnose and treat patients. Depending on the position, individuals may need skills in neuro and musculoskeletal MRI, CT scans, ultrasounds, fluoroscopy and/or radiography. Radiologists work in hospitals, but also in specialty areas such as emergency departments or womens health. 5. Anesthesiologists Mean Annual Salary: $309,350 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 3% Anesthesiologists administer anesthesia and other pain medications during surgery, monitoring a patients lungs and heart functions. They also help patients manage pain before and after surgery. Anesthesiologists have as many as 14 years of education and up to 16,000 hours of clinical experience. Salaries in New York for anesthesiologists slightly overtake the national mean wage of $302,970 for anesthesiologists, according to the BLS. 4. Chief executives Mean Annual Salary: $324,370 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): -8% These top executives typically have a degree in a work-related subject, such as public administration or business management. Presidents and chief executive officers (CEOs) often pursue a masters degree in business administration (MBA). It also takes years of work experience in a specific industry to enter these careers in New York. Presidents and CEOs may advance within their organizations, moving up from management or supervisory roles. 3. Cardiologists Mean Annual Salary: $348,860 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 3% The medical subspecialty area of cardiology deals with heart and vascular system disorders. Cardiologists order echocardiograms and use the results to look for abnormalities in the heart. Cardiologists often have an undergraduate degree in a science-related subject, such as biology. In New York, these medical doctors also must pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exams, work in residency, obtain board certification in cardiology, and complete a fellowship in cardiology. 2. Dermatologists Mean Annual Salary: $356,080 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 3% Dermatologists specialize in treating approximately 3,000 skin, hair and nail diseases and conditions. On the job, they diagnose and treat everything from eczema to melanoma. Board-certified dermatologists complete years of schooling, including earning a bachelors degree and going on to medical school. Hands-on training comes from a one-year internship and three years in residency. 1. Pediatric surgeons Mean Annual Salary: $415,810 U.S. Job Outlook (2021-2031): 1% Pediatric surgeons operate on babies and children, including fetuses and adolescents. Prior to surgery, they examine and order tests to determine the best treatment plan for their patients. Under a pediatric surgeons oversight, nurses and other medical staff help run the operating room. In addition to four years of medical school, pediatric surgeons in New York need five years of general surgery training and another two years in pediatrics training. ATLANTA Hilbert Margol says he didnt look on himself as a hero when his U.S. Army artillery unit fought its way across Europe during World War II. But he will be feted in France as one of 60 American veterans of that conflict traveling to Normandy to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. I know my brother and I never looked at it as we were any kind of heroes, nothing like that, Margol said recently of himself and his twin brother Howard, who served with him. It was just our time. That we were asked to serve. And we did. The 100-year-old Margol, who lives in suburban Atlanta, is among the dwindling band of veterans of the conflict leaving Atlanta on Sunday on a chartered flight for Deauville, Normandy. The veterans will take part in parades, school visits and ceremonies including the official June 6 commemoration of the landings by soldiers from across the United States, Britain, Canada and other Allied nations on five beaches. World War II veteran Andy Negra sits in his home in Helen, Ga, on April 10, 2024. He shows a photo of himself during his time with the Army's 128th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, 6th Armored Division. (AP Photo/Sharon Johnson)AP Margol didnt land at D-Day, but the Jacksonville, Florida, native was among those that liberated the Dachau Concentration Camp on April 29, 1945. The trip also includes high school and college students selected to escort the veterans and learn about their experiences. Charter flights also took veterans from Atlanta to France in 2022 and 2023. Andy Negra of Helen, Georgia came ashore with the 6th Armored Division at Utah Beach on July 18, 1944, about six weeks after D-Day. Its his second trip back to France after also taking part in last years flight. Well to me, we fought for freedom, and we fought for peace, and we fought for a good life, Negra, a native of Avella, Pennsylvania, said in a recent interview. The trip is being organized by Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines, the Best Defense Foundation and the North American branch of French tire maker Michelin. It is our privilege to celebrate and honor these heroes by flying them directly to Normandy and recognizing their incredible sacrifices and contributions to the world, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement. The Wu-Tang Clan, the iconic rap group that first rose to fame in the 1990s and whose members hail from the Park Hill Houses in Staten Islands Clifton neighborhood, can celebrate 30 years of fame by toasting an exclusive beverage developed in their honor, according to Forbes. To commemorate the debut of their classic album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), a healthy soft drink replacement brand called HARD announced the limited edition Wu-Tang 30th Anniversary flavor, according to Forbes. Walmart is exclusively selling a Wu-Tang Clan themed drink.Walmart The flavor, HARD C.R.E.A.M, will be a velvety smooth vanilla cream nonalcoholic drink with caffeine, vegetarian-friendly and free from dairy, wheat, gluten, and lactose, the report stats. The beverage includes no artificial sweeteners or flavors, and is modeled after the Clans hit single, C.R.E.A.M, which stands for Cash Rules Everything Around Me. The limited edition beverage will be exclusively available at Walmart, the report states. BUYING THE DRINK AT WALMART Walmart calls the drink a limited edition. Celebrate 30 years of Wu-Tang Clans legendary influence on music, style, philosophy, and flavor, the website reads. Every fan has helped make Wu the legends they are, and theyre giving the love back to the worlds greatest fans. Join The New Pop Culture. Better tasting than a soft drink. Better for you than an energy drink. The Walmart website is selling the drink for $28.48 for a 12-pack. WU-TANG CLAN SPECIAL LISTENING EVENT Meanwhile, in other Wu-Tang news, National Public Radio.com (NPR) reported that Wu-Tangs unreleased Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is now at an Australian Museum. The exhibit will be held at the Museum of Old and New Art in Tasmania, Australia, the report states, with the museum only playing a few songs in a free private listening event. The album, which has a total of 31 tracks, was put up for auction in 2015, and purchased for $2 million by Martin Shkreli, the report states. Shkreli gave up the album to the U.S. government, who then sold it to an anonymous buyer in 2021, for an undisclosed amount of money, the report states. The listening event, according to the report will run from June 15 to the 24, where visitors can book 30-minute slots. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. A new area combining key educational components and calming resources for students was recently unveiled at PS 20, Port Richmond. The STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading/Robotics, Engineering, Art and Math) and Meditation room aims to provide a place where students can become better problem-solvers, critical-thinkers and empowered learners in the world that they live in, said Principal Amanda Mezzatesta. The ribbon-cutting celebrating the opening of the room on Wednesday was the culmination of a months-long initiative spearheaded by Mezzatesta and her staff, including Jossue Mendez, a paraprofessional and former student at the school whos artistry helped turn the dream into reality. Students will use critical thinking, logical analysis, inquiry and project-based learning by experimenting with a variety of hands-on STREAM education opportunities throughout the year, explained Mezzatesta, who is in her first year as the schools leader. It also provides them with an opportunity to learn science concepts, math concepts, teamwork, skills, robotics, technology skills and implement their artistic ways and connections to real-life situations, while incorporating reading and becoming college- and career-ready. A look at the entryway for the PS 20 during its 'Streamival' marking the opening of a new STREAM and Meditation lab at the Port Richmond school. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Mezzatesta)User Submitted PS 20 serves 318 students, with 168 enrolled in its English as a Second Language (ESL) program -- with many struggling not only with a language barrier, but with the frustration that comes from not being able to always communicate effectively, according to Mezzatesta. She explained that while PS 20 has consistently ranked low on standardized test scores compared to the rest of New York City, she is determined to turn things around. And her efforts started with the color of the schools front door. The door, which was originally painted red, is now blue. Mezzatesta explained that the color is welcoming, and more like a spa than a school. She added that even the teachers did a double-take when they first saw the new entryway. 9 1 / 9 PS 20 unveils new state-of-art STREAM and meditation room Mezzatesta said once she made small aesthetic changes around the building, she began pushing forward on the installation of the new STREAM and Meditation room. She added she hopes the new facility will help lessen the frustrations some ESL students are experiencing due to the language barrier. When I first walked into this building, there were kids running all around, said Mezzatesta. They would just leave their classrooms. They were frustrated. They didnt know how to regulate their emotions. The new meditation area gives students a spot to de-stress. Here they can sit on a yoga mat, squeeze a stress ball, listen to meditative music, watch the calming lights or utilize other techniques taught by guidance counselors in an effort to self-regulate before returning back to class. A look inside of the PS 20 The Christi J. Cugini School STREAM and Meditation room on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Jason Paderon)Staten Island Advance What we needed to do for these children was to give them the tools that they need to deal with this behavior and to deal with these emotions, so that they can engage in instruction and they can be successful, Mezzatesta explained. It allows them to take ownership of what theyre feeling, she added. I always tell them, Its OK to have emotions and OK to have feelings. Its how we deal with those feelings. The first thing noticeable upon entering the room are the blue lights, which are known to have positive effects on mood, alertness and cognitive performance. Yoga mats and stress balls fill the the Meditation side of the room, while a 3D printer, robots and a hydroponic fish tank outline the STREAM side. PS 20 Principal Amanda Mezzatesta (left) and District 31 Superintendant Dr. Marion Wilson (second from left) pose with students and a giant robot inside the school's new STREAM and Meditation lab. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Mezzatesta)User Submitted The kids are extremely excited about it. One little boy stated how hes so excited about this room because he wants to be a doctor, and that these experiences that hes going to have in this room might help him live out his dream, because in order to perform surgeries you might need to know how to code, Mezzatesta said. It was really beautiful to hear not only how theyre going to spend their time in this room, but how theyre going to use it for the rest of their lives, she added. Wednesdays ribbon-cutting celebration was attended by: Dr. Marion Wilson, superintendent of District 31; Assemblymember Charles Fall (D-North Shore); former City Councilmember Steve Matteo, who now serves as CEO of United Activities Unlimited. He was the world-famous artist partial to a bowler hat. Groundbreaking surrealist painter Rene Magritte created some of the most iconic paintings of the 20th century including Golconda, featuring men dressed in the retro fashion item floating a la Mary Poppins. Rene Magrittes Golconda (Golconde), 1953, from The Menil Collection, Houston. Credit: Paul Hester Now the first retrospective of the Belgian artist ever held in Australia is coming to the Art Gallery of NSW in October. Magritte is one of three summer blockbusters announced as part of the Sydney International Art Series that will bring the works of three internationally renowned artists exclusively to Sydney. Hayley Hetherington rarely thought about melanoma after she had one removed from the back of her scalp in 2019. Life got busy. She started a new job, her father was sick back home in the UK and COVID was making everything from travel to medical checkups a small nightmare. Professor Georgina Long, co-medical director of the Melanoma Institute Australia, and Hayley Hetherington, a teacher from Fairlight who participated in the worldwide trial. Credit: Edwina Pickles In July 2022, during a six-monthly skin check, she asked her doctor about a lump on the back of her head. A biopsy confirmed the cancer had reappeared and spread to her lymph nodes. She was diagnosed with stage three melanoma. It was very scary, and worrying, she said. It just takes one or two little melanoma cells to escape the original thing and thats it. A man who was tied up and robbed of his Mercedes-Benz and $400 during a Grindr date by killer Trent Jennings in 2011 has blasted Jennings recent sentence for being in possession of police handcuffs and dozens of police uniforms, branding his 12 months behind bars insulting. Jennings was in January reported missing after he failed a court-mandated drug test; the next day police were called to a train station in Newcastle where staff found two suitcases containing police paraphernalia. Convicted killer Trent Jennings sentence was upheld in the District Court this week Credit: NSW Police Inside were police-issue handcuffs, NSW Police and Department of Defence letterheads, NSW Ambulance uniforms and a plethora of police uniforms, including t-shirts, jackets, badges and epaulettes for every NSW Police rank from probationary constable to deputy commissioner. Australian Federal Police badges and uniform patches were also inside Jennings suitcases; Jennings had been in a relationship, [and the] person had given him those items, being the handcuffs and Federal Police paraphernalia, his Legal Aid lawyer told the District Court last Tuesday. International airlines will no longer be able to use an exemption that permits some aircraft to land at Sydney Airport in the hour before the overnight curfew ends each morning once a major new rival opens in two years time. The opening of the curfew-free Western Sydney International Airport in late 2026 will trigger the end of airlines ability to use the incumbent Kingsford-Smith Airports so-called shoulder period, from 5am to 6am. This has sparked a push by Sydney Airport to overturn the looming change, arguing it fails to recognise airlines global flight schedules. Sydney Airports international terminal. Credit: Kate Geraghty In a sign of the lobbying efforts, Sydney Airport cites the need for international flights departing Londons Heathrow Airport during the northern summer to be able to land at Mascot between 5am and 6am. The day began as it started with peak-hour train delays thanks to a truck that smashed into the notorious Corinda rail bridge. Evening commuters have been warned of 30 minute delays on the Ipswich and Springfield lines. Police continued to examine a crime scene in Albany Creek today, where a 46-year-old licensed gun owner shot and killed his 77-year-old aunt, before turning the weapon on himself. His 88-year-old mother was also in the home, but was not physically hurt. The house at Albany Creek where police believe a man shot and killed his aunt before turning the gun on himself. The mans 88-year-old mother was in the house at the time and was found distressed but unharmed. Credit: Nine News The tragic news continued, with the body of Natasha Ryan - the teen runaway whose 1998 disappearance sparked a years-long search, found on Rockhampton Golf Course in central Queensland. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death. She was 40 years old and is survived by her husband and four children. Natasha Ryan was found alive and well, five years after she disappeared. Qantas launched its new boarding procedure in Brisbane today. Domestic travellers started boarding in designated groups, rather than all queuing to board at the same time. Brisbane has cemented its position as Australias second most expensive capital behind Sydney in which to buy a house. Australias lowest-paid workers will receive $33.10 more a week after the Fair Work Commission decided to lift the minimum wage by 3.75 per cent this morning. The effects of the decision will flow through to the pay packets of up to 2.9 million Australians whose wages are set by industry awards. Premier Steven Miles announced the construction of up to 600 modular homes to combat housing supply issues. Australia will get its first glimpse of the freshly minted Mrs Rupert Murdoch No.5 on July 25 when Elena Zhukova joins her new husband at the Australian Museum in Sydney for a gala celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of The Australian newspaper. And, Broncos defence coach Josh McGuire has revealed the reasons he backs leading forward Pat Carrigan for a career-defining Origin series. SACRAMENTO, the United States, June 1 (Xinhua) -- A new wave of legal and legislative efforts targeting fossil fuel companies is gaining momentum in the United States, demonstrating a growing public effort to hold big oil and gas companies accountable for their impact on climate change. A new national poll by Data for Progress found that a majority of U.S. voters, or 62 percent, support lawsuits against fossil fuel companies for their role in the climate crisis. The poll, conducted on 1,206 likely voters from May 3 to 4 also indicated that nearly half, or 49 percent, of the respondents back criminal charges against these companies. Notably, support for litigation skewed along party lines, with 84 percent of Democrats and 59 percent of independents in favor, compared to 40 percent of Republicans, according to the polling firm. The poll showed that human health and environmental concerns drove public support for lawsuits. Over half, or 54 percent, of respondents who back litigation believe fossil fuel companies' practices pose a current and potential future threat to the public. Additionally, 43 percent point to the loss of wildlife and plant life due to climate change as a reason to hold these companies responsible. Demographics also play a role, with women, voters aged under 45, and college-educated individuals expressing greater support for legal action. These findings suggest that climate change lawsuits against oil and gas giants may enjoy strong public backing, especially in Democratic-leaning areas, said the group. The findings align with a recent move by Vermont, which has become the first U.S. state to enact a law requiring fossil fuel companies to shoulder some of the financial burden of climate change damages. Vermont Governor Phil Scott allowed the bill to become law without his signature on Thursday. The legislation mandates a report by Jan. 15, 2026, detailing the total cost of greenhouse gas emissions to Vermont and its residents between 1995 and 2024. The state will then use federal data to determine the portion of greenhouse gas emissions attributable to each fossil fuel company. While Vermont leads the way, other states like Maryland, Massachusetts, and New York are considering similar measures. This trend has drawn strong opposition from the American Petroleum Institute, the top lobbying group for the oil and gas industry. "This punitive new fee represents yet another step in a coordinated campaign to undermine America's energy advantage and the economic and national security benefits it provides," Scott Lauermann, the group's spokesman, said in a statement on Friday. Meanwhile, legal action against fossil fuel companies is also gaining momentum. Michigan is poised to become the ninth U.S. state to sue these companies, joining California and others that have already filed lawsuits. California's lawsuit, filed in September last year, accused Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and BP of misleading the public about the risks of fossil fuels and their role in wildfires and other extreme weather events that have caused billions of dollars of damage to the state. California's complaint argued that the companies had known since at least the 1960s that the burning of fossil fuels would warm the planet and change the climate, but they downplayed the looming threat in public statements and marketing. According to the Center for Climate Integrity, at least 33 lawsuits have been filed against fossil fuel companies as of April. These lawsuits, brought by states, municipalities, and tribal governments, allege violations of various laws, including consumer protection, public nuisance, and fraud and racketeering. Some lawsuits seek compensation for climate damages, while others aim to impose penalties or compel the companies to fund education campaigns about climate threats, according to the nonprofit organization. However, legal experts warn that these cases could take years, even decades, to reach any resolution. Three teenagers were rescued from their bogged car south of Kalbarri on Saturday after a HELP message they wrote in the sand was detected by a plane. At around 3pm Air Traffic Control notified WA Police Force they had received information from the pilot of a plane that they had seen near Pink Lake. Three teenagers were rescued from their bogged vehicle 27 nautical miles from Kalbarri. A WA Police spokeswoman said officers from Kalbarri Police and Mid West Gascoyne Traffic were deployed to the area to establish the nature of the emergency. About half an hour later a second report was received, advising a person on board another plane had seen the same distress message, she said. A coalition of powerful thoroughbred racing identities has signalled it may attempt to roll the board of the Australian Turf Club over a controversial proposal to sell Rosehill Racecourse, saying it does not trust the organisations senior leadership to allow members a final say on the deal. Threatening to scuttle the ambitious proposal to turn Rosehill into a mini-city of 25,000 new homes, the move pits some of racings most influential figures including Racing NSW chief executive Peter Vlandys and champion trainer Gai Waterhouse against each other. Gai Waterhouse is part of the Save Rosehill group. Credit: Kate Geraghty Speaking on behalf of the newly formed Save Rosehill group, high-profile thoroughbred owner Jason Abrahams told the Herald that members had formed the alliance because of the lack of transparency they perceived in the proposed Rosehill Racecourse sale and their concern that members would not be given a vote on the deal. Legitimate fears persist that proponents of the sale will pursue options to sell off the land without allowing ATC members to vote on a proposal, Abrahams said. Whose rules rule in the skies? When youre cruising at 30,000 feet, is it the country youre flying over, the country youre landing in or another countrys laws? On a domestic flight, passengers who are drunk and disorderly, who assault crew or other passengers or try to wrestle open an emergency exit door are liable for prosecution under the laws of the country in which the aircraft is operating. But on an international flight, it becomes more complicated. The laws that apply on flights can vary and can affect things like who can be served alcohol. Credit: iStock Offences committed on international flights fall under the Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, more commonly known as the Tokyo Convention. Under the convention, when the aircraft is in flight, acts that threaten the safe operation of the aircraft, threaten other passengers, or offend or intimidate anyone on an international flight are subject to the relevant laws in the country of registration of the aircraft. In January 2024, a heavily intoxicated American passenger on an ANA flight from Tokyo to Seattle bit a cabin crew members arm. The aircraft was an hour into its flight and could have continued to Seattle, but the pilot chose to return to Japan, the aircrafts country of registration so that the biter could be dealt with under Japanese law. I was in London the day Rishi Sunak called the UK general election. Usually, elections are defined by events that occur in the course of the campaign. In this case, it was defined the moment it began. Unbelievably, Sunaks advisers let him make the announcement standing outside the iconic black door of 10 Downing Street in the pouring rain. As the drenched prime minister made his case for re-election, the optics could not possibly have been worse, nor the newspaper headlines they predictably inspired: Things Can Only Get Wetter; Drowning Street; Washout. Keir Starmer campaigning in Worcester on Wednesday. The Labour leader is at unbackable odds to become the next British PM. Credit: AP The announcement was completely unexpected. The election did not have to be held until January, and was widely expected to be in November. With the Tories more than 20 points behind Labour, their desperate hope was that, in the next few months, there was still just enough time to turn things around. If the public could be persuaded that the government deserved credit for recent good economic news (falling inflation, lower unemployment, easing of the cost of living), and should not take the risk of losing the hard-won gains with a Labour government, the Tories were still in with a (slender) chance. By calling the election early, Sunak squandered that opportunity. PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- During her working visit to Sint Maarten on Friday, May 31, 2024, Dutch State Secretary for Kingdom Relations and Digitalisation Alexandra van Huffelen had multiple meetings with first the Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, then His Excellency the Governor Ajumu Baly, and lastly with the Council of Ministers (CoM). Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina personally welcomed the State Secretary Van Huffelen at the Princess Juliana International Airport, after which they traveled together to the location of their first meeting. In an informal setting during the initial meeting, they engaged in open and frank discussions on Trust Fund projects and the reform packages. Support staff from the Department of the Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BAK), the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB), the Secretariat CoM, the office of the representative of the Netherlands in Philipsburg (VNP), the Directorate Kingdom Relations, and the State Secretary's direct support staff also attended the meeting. During the meeting, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina emphasized the importance of structural involvement and communication from all parties and entities of both the Dutch and Sint Maarten governments, highlighting inclusion and co-ownership. Dutch State Secretary Van Huffelen acknowledged the existing positive partnership and the importance of having a clear long-term vision with clearly established targets. Slavery was another topic of discussion, with the Prime Minister reiterating the proposal to rename the national slavery museum into a Kingdom Museum to reflect the shared slavery history of all countries within the Kingdom. Both parties discussed the idea of establishing satellite museums throughout the Kingdom to create uniformity in the conscientization of slavery. Discussions also covered the return of Sint Maartens students, the landfill, and ensuring sufficient, sustainable, and climate-friendly energy while considering alternative energy sources, such as wind farms, solar, or a combination, and Sint Maartens location in the hurricane belt. During the meeting with CoM, Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina opened the meeting with heartfelt words of thanks, expressing the great empathy the State Secretary has displayed to the people of Sint Maarten in overcoming the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. He thanked the State Secretary for her support, stating that the people of Sint Maarten will forever be thankful for her contributions. In a gesture of appreciation, the State Secretary was presented with the recently launched autobiography of Ruby Bute, whom she met on several occasions during her tenure, and a colorful clutch designed by local artist Jolie Duzon. The clutch reflects the State Secretarys vibrant manner in working with different countries and her colorful personal style. The CoM meeting further included the Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, the Minister of Justice, Lyndon Lewis, and the Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labor, Veronica Jansen-Webster, and Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, Drs. Gracita Arrindell. Discussions continued on tax reform, general health insurance, and the prison. Although the State Secretary will soon be leaving her position due to the swearing-in of the new Dutch Government, support from the Directorate of Kingdom Relations, the office of the Representative of the Netherlands in Philipsburg (VNP), and the Temporary Work Organization (TWO) has been pledged to continue to Sint Maarten by the State Secretary. During the Prime Ministers upcoming visit to Washington, DC, for the Steering Committee meeting on the Trust Fund projects, emphasis will be placed on ensuring that the remaining funds are applied effectively to complete ongoing projects. The State Secretary supports the Prime Ministers efforts to prolong the time to achieve the required results and prevent the closure of trust funds while projects are still in progress. The current government of Sint Maarten remains committed to ensuring the best possible outcomes for the people of Sint Maarten. CAIRO, June 2 (Xinhua) -- An official from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in Gaza said Sunday that people in the besieged Palestinian enclave need sufficient food aid to avoid famine. "There is no safe zone in the enclave, and the humanitarian crisis is getting more complex," Inas Hamdan, UNRWA acting public information officer in Gaza, said in a live interview in Cairo with Egypt's state-linked Al-Qahera News television network. She said shelter centers in the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis and central Gaza are crowded with Palestinians fleeing from Rafah, the enclave's southernmost city, amid Israeli attacks, adding that "the number of people accumulated in each center is approximately 16,000." She noted that UNRWA teams are trying to provide health services and distribute food supplies to the shelters, which need sufficient food aid to avoid famine. Israel has launched a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip since Oct. 7, 2023, after Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people. At least 36,439 Palestinians have been killed and more than 82,627 others injured since then, according to the figures released by the Gaza health authorities. Ukraine's Zelensky meets with US defence secretary in Singapore Singapore, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday he had a "very good" meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Singapore, as he seeks to rally support for Kyiv while a Russian offensive gains ground. Zelensky met with Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major security forum attended by defence officials from around the world. The meeting came after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on using US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia, which Zelensky has hailed as a "step forward". Asked about the meeting by reporters as he left the room, the Ukrainian president said it was "very good". Austin made no comment. A US official travelling with Austin had told AFP the pair would meet to "discuss the current battlefield situation in Ukraine and to underscore US commitment to ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression". Zelensky is appealing for more military aid for the Ukrainian army, which has been ceding ground to relentless Russian attacks. Zelensky and Austin last met face-to-face in December in Washington, where Zelensky made a last-ditch plea for US aid before it ran out. The US Congress approved in April a $61 billion financial aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling, unlocking much-needed arms for the country's outgunned troops. Ukraine's Zelensky disappointed 'some world leaders' may not be at peace talks Singapore, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed disappointment Sunday that "some world leaders" had not signed up to a peace summit, after China signalled Xi Jinping would not attend and with Joe Biden yet to commit. Zelensky made the remarks at a security forum in Singapore as he appealed for more military aid for Ukraine, which has been ceding ground to Russian troops. Ukraine is also trying to whip up attendance at the peace meeting in Switzerland this month where it hopes to win broad international backing for its vision of the terms needed to end Russia's war. Zelensky said more than 100 countries and organisations had signed up to the conference, and he urged Asia-Pacific nations to join. "We are disappointed that some world leaders have not yet confirmed their participation in the peace summit," Zelensky said at the Shangri-La Dialogue, without mentioning China or the United States by name. The peace summit threatens to be overshadowed if key Ukraine backer Biden -- who is locked in campaigning against Donald Trump and has given no sign he would participate -- ultimately stays away. China also said Friday it would be "difficult" to participate in the conference if Russia did not participate. Beijing believes the conference "should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference. "Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace," she said. - 'Unwavering US support' - Zelensky also met with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday on the sidelines of the Singapore security forum. Zelensky told reporters they had a "very good" meeting. In a post on X, Zelensky said the pair discussed "the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine's air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement." In a readout of the talks, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said Austin reiterated "unwavering US support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression". Austin also "reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining the strong support of a coalition of over fifty countries to help Ukraine defend its freedom," Ryder said. The meeting came after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on using US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia, which Zelensky has hailed as a "step forward". Zelensky and Austin last met face-to-face in December in Washington, where Zelensky made a last-ditch plea for US aid before it ran out. The US Congress approved in April a $61-billion aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling, unlocking much-needed arms for the country's outgunned troops. Chinese defence spokesman Wu Qian told AFP he was not aware of any plans for Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun to meet with Zelensky in Singapore. Ukraine is struggling to hold back a Russian ground offensive in the Kharkiv region, where Moscow recently made its largest territorial gains in 18 months. Zelensky has been touring European nations in recent days seeking more military aid for Ukrainian troops, and warning partners of the risks if they show any signs of fatigue over the war. "It is very important for Ukrainians that the world does not get tired... that the world understands that it cannot get tired of the war launched by the aggressor," Zelensky said in Portugal on Tuesday. Zelensky says China working hard to 'prevent' countries from attending peace summit Singapore, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2024 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China on Sunday of working hard to stop countries from going to a peace summit, which Beijing has publicly criticised because Russia is not invited. Zelensky made the remarks at a security forum in Singapore as he sought to rally support for the conference and appealed for more military aid for Ukraine, which has been ceding ground to Russian troops. "China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit," Zelensky told reporters on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, which draws defence officials from around the world. Beijing believes the conference "should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties and fair discussion of all peace plans", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference on Friday. "Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace," she said. Zelensky also expressed disappointment that "some world leaders" had not signed up to the conference, with China signalling Xi Jinping will not attend while US President Joe Biden is yet to commit. China said it would be "difficult" for it to attend if Russia did not participate, which Ukraine has rejected. Through the peace summit, Kyiv hopes to win broad international backing for its vision of the terms needed to end Russia's war. Zelensky said on Sunday that more than 100 countries and organisations had signed up to the conference, and he urged Asia-Pacific nations to join. The peace summit threatens to be overshadowed if key Ukraine backer Biden -- who is locked in an election campaign against Donald Trump and has given no sign he would participate -- ultimately stays away. Zelensky said China was "a tool in Putin's hands" and accused Russia of using Chinese influence and diplomats to do "everything to disrupt the peace summit." While China says it is a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, it has been criticised for refusing to condemn Moscow for its offensive. - 'Unwavering US support' - Zelensky also met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday on the sidelines of the Singapore security forum. Zelensky told reporters they had a "very good" meeting. In a post on X, Zelensky said the pair discussed "the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine's air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement." In a readout of the talks, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said Austin reiterated "unwavering US support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression". Austin also "reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining the strong support of a coalition of over fifty countries to help Ukraine defend its freedom," Ryder said. The meeting came after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on using US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia, which Zelensky has hailed as a "step forward". Zelensky and Austin last met face-to-face in December in Washington, where Zelensky made a last-ditch plea for US aid before it ran out. The US Congress approved in April a $61-billion aid package for Ukraine following months of political wrangling, unlocking much-needed arms for the country's outgunned troops. Chinese defence spokesman Wu Qian told AFP he was not aware of any plans for Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun to meet with Zelensky in Singapore. Ukraine is struggling to hold back a Russian ground offensive in the Kharkiv region, where Moscow recently made its largest territorial gains in 18 months. Zelensky has been touring European nations in recent days seeking more military aid for Ukrainian troops, and warning partners of the risks if they show any signs of fatigue over the war. "It is very important for Ukrainians that the world does not get tired... that the world understands that it cannot get tired of the war launched by the aggressor," Zelensky said in Portugal on Tuesday. bur-amj/lb Pilot dies after planes collide at Portugal air show Lisbon, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2024 One pilot was killed and another injured after two small planes collided midair during an air show performance in southern Portugal on Sunday, the air force said. "The air force regrets to announce that at 4:05 pm (1505 GMT), at the Beja Air Show, two planes were the victim of an accident during an aerial demonstration" involving six aircraft, it said in a short statement. A Spanish national died, it added. An air force spokeswoman told AFP the victim was the pilot of one of the aircraft involved in the collision. Another pilot with Portuguese nationality was lightly injured and received emergency treatment before being rushed to Beja hospital, the air force said. Portugal's Defence Minister Nuno Melo called it a "tragic accident" and told reporters an investigation would be opened "to determine the exact cause" of the collision. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: "It was meant to be a moment of leisure and shared enjoyment. It turned into a moment of pain." The air force said the six aircraft belonged to an aerobatic group made of up Spanish and Portuguese pilots named the "Yak Stars". The planes that collided were Yakovlev Yak-52, a Soviet-designed aerobatic training model. A video filmed by a spectator and posted on social media showed a formation of six planes in flight, with one of them ascending, apparently touching one of the others and then crashing to the ground in a cloud of smoke. One plane crashed outside the airbase's grounds and the second involved in the accident managed to land on the airport tarmac, with no victims among the spectators, the air force said. According to the Beja Air Show's website, the "Yak Stars" were participating with around 30 other European aerobatic groups. Organisers billed them as southern Europe's largest civil aerobatics group. The air force said organisers of the show at Beja airport had suspended the event, which began on Saturday. The force expressed its "most sincere condolences" to the relatives of the pilot who died. HELSINKI, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Businesswoman Halla Tomasdottir is set to become Iceland's new president, official data from the Icelandic national broadcaster RUV showed Sunday. According to the RUV, with over 210,000 votes counted, Tomasdottir led her opponents with 34.3 percent of the vote, followed by former Prime Minister Katrina Jakobsdottir, who came in second with 25.2 percent. Jakobsdottir reportedly congratulated Tomasdottir when she spoke to the RUV during her election party. RUV reported that voter turnout among the almost 270,000 eligible voters reached 78.83 percent, marking the highest turnout in a presidential election since 1996. The margins between the two leading candidates were the smallest in the populous south and southwest. This was Tomasdottir's second attempt at the presidency. In 2016, she was the runner-up when Gudni Johannesson was elected. Incumbent President Johannesson was not running for a third four-year term. Tomasdottir, aged 55, will assume his office on Aug. 1. Analyzing the 2024 campaign, RUV broadcasters said that college-educated women formed the initial core of Halla Tomasdottir's supporters. Her supporters then widened to include the young population and others. There was a significant increase in poll support fairly late in the campaign. Iceland held its presidential election on Saturday, and the final count of votes from all six constituencies was revealed early Sunday morning. This year, 12 candidates were running for the Icelandic president. The candidate who receives the most votes wins the election. The president of Iceland is chosen through a direct popular vote, serving a term of four years, with the possibility of consecutive re-elections. Iceland's president has limited political powers, including the authority to veto legislation or call for referendums. Despite the debacle over Ms Abbotts candidacy, Labour saw its lead over the Tories widen to 20 points in an Opinium poll. It showed Sir Keirs party on 45% up four points since last weekend while the Conservatives were down two percentage points on 25%. * FIRST NAME * LAST NAME * EMAIL Your email address * PASSWORD Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number Show * YEAR OF BIRTH You must be at least 18 years old to create an account 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 1971 1970 1969 1968 1967 1966 1965 1964 1963 1962 1961 1960 1959 1958 1957 1956 1955 1954 1953 1952 1951 1950 1949 1948 1947 1946 1945 1944 1943 1942 1941 1940 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935 1934 1933 1932 1931 1930 1929 1928 1927 1926 1925 1924 1923 1922 1921 1920 1919 1918 1917 1916 1915 1914 1913 1912 1911 1910 1909 1908 1907 1906 * Required fields I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice CREATE ACCOUNT I'LL TRY LATER Already have an account? SIGN IN By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Many international students, especially those from Central Asian countries, were seeking opportunities to work in China at a job fair held for international talents in China's Xi'an. #GLOBALink In early May, the 2024 General Conference of the United Methodist Church closed with a joyful scene: lines of people laughing, dancing, and singing What the world needs now, is love sweet love, as they embraced a new era of inclusion. language Greater Northwest Area Bishop Cedric D. Bridgeforth told UMC News that removing condemning language on homosexuality opens the church to a worldwide conversation. It marked a watershed moment for the denomination after delegates voted to remove language condemning LGBTQ people. There could be no more perfect time to be a member of such a church, and certainly to be the newly elected president of the Council of Bishops. I couldnt have chosen a better moment, says the Right Rev. Tracy S. Malone, the first Black woman to be president of the Council of Bishops. For the first time, we were the people weve proclaimed ourselves to be, and through our liturgy and our polity, no one person, no group of people, was excluded from our body, she says. The move enables fuller LGBTQ participation in the UMC, eliminating policies that previously barred LGBTQ people from marriage and ordination. Were for everybody. And as beloved children of God, were not going to say that youre not fully welcome to have access to the full life of the church, she says. Greater Northwest Area Bishop Cedric D. Bridgeforth told UMC News that removing condemning language on homosexuality opens the church to a worldwide conversation. He added that he hopes that local churches will not grow weary in well-doing because these decisions made at the General Conference will call for a cultural shift and hard conversations. For Malone, this change continues a long journey toward inclusion in Methodisms history. Even before the United Methodist Church was formed, you had the break from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. I mean, all that was over the exclusion of Black folks. And then you have the period of time in the church where women were excluded. The first woman was ordained in 1956, Malone says. And in response to a question about the suggested mass exodus because of these recent changes by conservative UM churches some with Black congregations, Malone said reports may have been exaggerated. She projected that one-third of their membership would leave but declared the remaining church to be a big table. Of course, youre going to have folk who say, I can no longer walk. And what we say is we need to bless and send, she said. The blessing is that at this general conference, nothing we have is excluding anybody, Malone says. Were a fully inclusive church where everybody is fully welcome. It removed anything that would exclude anybody. And thats who God is calling us to be. Malone says the changes also dont mean everybody is for same-gender marriage, or theyre perfect. It doesnt mean that everybody is happy with the decision that was made, but I can say that this is truly, truly, I believe, a new day for the United Methodist Church. And I do believe that fresh winds of Gods spirit are truly blowing through this church. And the next expression of what United Methodism is looking like and will look like, were only on the verge of that. When elected in November 2023, Malone said, God always, always has a plan and a purpose, and God is always doing something new. And I firmly believe that God has a plan and a dream of the future of this Council of Bishops, and God has a plan and a dream for our beloved United Methodist Church. And now shes witnessed a step in Gods plan. God had been preparing me, Malone says. But I also say this to all my colleagues because you had to get elected. This isnt an appointed position. Its a sacred trust that I dont take lightly and Im not even trying to get the glory for it, even though Im honored that Im the one thats embodying it. Gods wisdom in raising me up, and the church raising me up, and all the life experiences that Ive had, with all my world travel and leadership all that was for this pivotal moment. Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today BALLWIN Matthew Conlon went to a Ballwin Board of Aldermen meeting to exercise his First Amendment rights. It was January 2023, and Conlon was upset after learning the mayor and city attorney had conspired to knock an aldermanic candidate off the ballot. He rebuked the Board of Aldermen for doing nothing about it. A few days later, Ballwin police Chief Doug Schaeffler ran Conlons name through a criminal database known as the Regional Justice Information System, or REJIS. Thats the system most police departments in the St. Louis region use to track criminal charges and the backgrounds of suspects. It also includes drivers license and vehicle registration information, among other details. It is a misdemeanor for a police officer to use the database without a proper law enforcement purpose. So why did the police chief run Conlons name and potentially gain access to private information? Thats what Conlon wants to know. Do all Ballwin citizens that complain about shady dealings by the city government have a criminal background search conducted on them? Conlon told me. Did the chief do this on his own, or did he do it at the request of the mayor, the city attorney, or someone else at the city of Ballwin? Conlon only found out last week about the search. And it turns out he is hardly alone, according to an internal police report. He is one of dozens, and possibly hundreds, of Ballwin residents and others whose names were run through the REJIS database for unknown reasons. They include waitresses and bartenders, employees of fitness clubs and cigar lounges, people who complained about Ballwin on Facebook, and people who emailed the chief to raise questions about a towing contract. In the past four years, Schaeffler ran more than 1,000 names through REJIS, with many of the names found to be questionable by other Ballwin police officers, according to the report. This past December, Schaeffler was fired as police chief after four years in the job. City officials initially did not reveal a reason for the firing. Schaeffler later sued the city, claiming he was ousted in retaliation for instigating an investigation into Mayor Tim Pogue. In response, Pogue revealed that an investigator found the former chief had violated several department rules including misusing the criminal database. Conlon obtained the report on Schaefflers use of REJIS through a Sunshine Law request. The use of the database, and the names of people searched, are now also the focus of a lawsuit by a former alderman. Schaefflers attorney did not respond to my requests for comment. Its unclear if theres a criminal investigation into the issue. Ballwin officers started looking into the chiefs use of the database last September. By February, they had compiled enough information to suggest dozens of searches were very questionable, their report says. The police department forwarded a report to St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell seeking charges of misuse of official information. Bells office recused itself because of a conflict of interest, and the report eventually landed with St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore. A spokeswoman says Gores office is reviewing the case. Officers who compiled the database logs as part of their report shared the logs with Ballwin City Administrator Eric Sterman and the citys human resources director to help identify the names of people who were searched and help determine whether the searches were inappropriate. Among the cases cited in the report: In 2020, Schaeffler searched several friends, neighbors and salespeople he was doing business with. He also searched a major and chief deputy from another police department, a retired FBI agent and a fitness club employee. In 2021, Schaeffler searched the owner of a bourbon distillery, somebody who had filed a complaint against a Ballwin police officer, a person who complained about Ballwin on Facebook, people from a business that were doing work on his home, and a person who was cleaning his house. In 2022, he searched former Alderman Kevin Roach, a waitress, several relatives and a Ballwin resident who frequently calls Schaeffler to complain about things. In 2023, he searched Conlon, patrons and employees at bars he frequented, people he met at a cigar lounge and people he has had issues with. One officer in the report recounted an incident in which he was asked to run a report on a friend of Schaeffler. The chief wanted to check on criminal records because his friend had been rejected from purchasing a firearm after a background check. The officer said when he told Schaeffler there wasnt a legally sufficient reason to run the report, the chief became visibly agitated and hurried to his office. Left in limbo The search in January 2022 of Roach, the former alderman, is particularly problematic. That was about the time that Pogue, the mayor, and City Attorney Robert Jones were working to remove an aldermanic candidate from the ballot. Jones later reimbursed the city for his legal fees on the case, and he was issued a letter of admonition by the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel for the state. Roach was at the center of revelations about the incident, filing complaints with state officials about the actions of Pogue and Jones. Schaefflers search of Roach was on Jan. 24 the same day that, according to Jones attorney bills, he and another lawyer at his firm were researching the Safe at Home program. Thats a state program that allows victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking and their family members to keep their addresses out of public records. Missouri law makes it a felony in certain circumstances to try to access the address of a Safe at Home participant. Roach is in the Safe at Home program. Hes convinced the police chiefs search was somehow connected to Jones research on the program that same day. As soon as I saw that date, I knew what it was, said Roach, who lost his re-election bid in April. In May, Roach sued Ballwin because it only provided him a redacted copy of the report into the chiefs use of REJIS. While the report details dozens of likely improper REJIS searches, it redacts many other names and many details of searches. The suit claims that city officials were attempting to prevent all the other REJIS search victims from learning that the Ballwin police chief was improperly searching them. Officials knowingly and purposefully violated the Sunshine Law in order to conceal the Ballwin Chief of Polices misconduct from his victims, says the suit, filed by Clayton attorney Mark Pedroli. The Sunshine Law has a provision that says victims of a crime may obtain a complete unaltered and unedited incident report concerning the incident and may obtain access to other records closed by a law enforcement agency. The law says that if a government body wants to redact a report that a crime victim has requested to, for instance, protect an ongoing investigation it has to get a judges permission. Ballwin didnt do that. It would have been the right course of action for them to bring this matter before a judge to make a decision, Roach wrote in an email to me. Since they failed to do so, I am taking the initiative to pursue this through legal channels. Ballwin is being defended in Roachs lawsuit by attorney Peter Dunne. In an interview, he defended the redactions in the report provided to Roach. The issue wouldnt even exist had the charging authorities made a decision about whether or not they believed a crime occurred, Dunne said. Were sort of left in limbo with that decision left unmade. If no charges are filed and the investigation is over, the record becomes fully public. If an investigation is ongoing, there are provisions that might allow redactions, with approval from a judge. But Dunne says he doesnt know the status of the investigation. It puts the city in a difficult spot trying to balance the criminal investigation and Mr. Roachs right to the document, Dunne says. It left the city no choice but to respond in the way they did. The city isnt the only one in limbo. So are Conlon and Roach, and hundreds of Ballwin residents who might not know their personal information was obtained by a police chief who has left behind several unanswered questions. BEIRUT, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes attacked on Sunday a military base used by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah to launch assault drones against Israeli army targets, Lebanese military sources told Xinhua. Israeli warplanes fired three air-to-surface missiles at a Hezbollah military base located in the west of the city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon, about 80 km from the borderline separating Lebanon and Israel, the sources said on condition of anonymity. The sources said that the missiles destroyed the base and wounded two people, who were transported to a hospital in the city of Baalbek. Also on Sunday morning, Israeli warplanes launched three raids on the southeast villages of Kfarhamam, Rachaya al Foukhar, and Halta, injuring 18 civilians, including nine children, the sources added. Meanwhile, Hezbollah said its fighters on Sunday morning attacked the Yarden military base in the occupied Golan Heights, targeting the Iron Dome radar and stationing areas of officers and soldiers. Tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border escalated on Oct. 8, 2023, following a barrage of rockets launched by Hezbollah toward Israel in solidarity with Hamas' attack on Israel the day before. Israel then retaliated by firing heavy artillery toward southeastern Lebanon. TEL AVIV, Israel Israels prime minister faced growing pressure Saturday after U.S. President Joe Biden announced a proposed agreement to end the fighting in Gaza, with many Israelis urging Benjamin Netanyahu to embrace the deal but far-right allies threatening to collapse his government if he does. Netanyahu called a permanent cease-fire in Gaza a nonstarter until long-standing conditions for ending the war are met, appearing to undermine the proposal that Biden described as an Israeli one. A huge demonstration in Israel on Saturday night, led by families of hostages held by Hamas, urged the government to act now. Mediators the U.S., Egypt and Qatar pressed Israel and Hamas, saying the proposed deal offers a road map for a permanent cease-fire and ending the crisis and gives immediate relief to both hostages and Gaza residents. But far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir said they would break up the government if it takes the deal. That could expose Netanyahu to new elections, scrutiny over security failures that led to the war and if he loses the prime minister post prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. Netanyahus statement said that Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent cease-fire is put in place." In a separate statement, Netanyahu accepted an invitation from U.S. congressional leaders to deliver an address at the Capitol, a show of support for Israel while top ally the U.S. shows frustration. No date has been set. Biden on Friday asserted that Hamas militants are no longer capable of carrying out a large-scale attack on Israel like the one on Oct. 7. He urged Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to release about 100 remaining hostages, along with the bodies of around 30 more, for an extended cease-fire. Talks on a deal halted last month after a push by mediators in hopes of averting a full-scale Israeli invasion of Gazas southern city of Rafah. Israel says the Rafah operation is key to uprooting remaining Hamas battalions, even as the militants regroup elsewhere in the territory. Israel on Friday confirmed its troops were operating in central parts of Rafah. Around 1 million Palestinians almost half of Gazas population have left Rafah, and the U.N. World Food Program has called living conditions horrific and apocalyptic" as hunger grows. Families of hostages said time was running out. This might be the last chance to save lives," Gili Roman told The Associated Press. His sister, Yarden Roman-Gat, was freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November, but sister-in-law Carmel is still held. Our leadership must not disappoint us. But mostly, all eyes should be on Hamas," Roman said. Families described an aggressive meeting Thursday with Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, who told them the government wasnt ready to sign a deal to bring all hostages home and there was no plan B. Many hostages families accuse the government of a lack of will. We know that the government of Israel has done an awful lot to delay reaching a deal, and that has cost the lives of many people who survived in captivity for weeks and weeks and months and months, Sharone Lifschitz said. Her mother, Yocheved, was freed in November but her father, Oded, is still held. The first phase of the deal described by Biden would last for six weeks and include a full and complete cease-fire, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from the wars devastation. Biden acknowledged that keeping the proposal on track would be difficult, with details to negotiate to move from the first phase to the second. Biden said if Hamas fails to fulfil its commitment under the deal, Israel can resume military operations. Hamas has said it viewed the proposal positively and called on Israel to declare an explicit commitment to an agreement that includes a permanent cease-fire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a prisoner exchange and other conditions. In Deir al-Balah, where many Palestinians have fled following Israels assault on Rafah, there was some hope. This proposal came late, but better late than never, said Akram Abu Al-Hasan. The main difference from previous proposals is the readiness to stop the war for an undefined period, according to analysts. It leaves Israel the option to renew the war and diminish Hamas ability to govern, but over time, said Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum in Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University. It was a very good speech ... it seems that Biden is trying to force it on the Israeli government. He was clearly speaking directly to the Israeli people, said Gershon Baskin, director for the Middle East at the International Communities Organization. Also on Saturday, Egypts state-run Al-Qahera News said officials from Egypt, the United States and Israel would meet in Cairo over the weekend about the Rafah crossing, a crucial aid entry point that has been closed since Israel took over the Palestinian side in May. Egypt has refused to open its side, fearing the Israeli control will be permanent. Hamas attack on Oct. 7 killed around 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducted about 250. More than 36,370 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israels offensive, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Its count doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. David McHugh in Frankfurt, Germany, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report. Updated at 5:20 p.m. (Laura Rauch/Stars and Stripes) Combat Outpost Nalgham, Afghanistan, May 21, 2011: Spc. Victor Bardales is treated for shrapnel wounds by medics Sgt. Joe Tapia, left, Sgt. Miles Boggs and Pfc. Nicholas Seay from a rocket-propelled grenade attack near the outpost. For nearly two weeks the troops of C Company, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division endured daily attacks, the enemy quickly slipping away each time. Read more how they managed to outsmart their enemy here. https://www.stripes.com/migration/u-s-snipers-capitalize-on-a-mistake-by-insurgents-1.144472 Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with South Korea Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 1, 2024. (Chad McNeeley/Department of Defense) SINGAPORE Defense leaders from the United States and China laid out their competing visions of a modern security order in the Indo-Pacific this weekend, with the American side championing Washingtons expanded network of security partnerships, while Chinese officials promoted their own such alliances and cast the United States as a foreign aggressor meddling in Asian affairs. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, each delivered addresses at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual international security conference in Singapore one of the rare settings that brings senior officials from the rival militaries into proximity with one another through panel discussions, dinners and cocktail hours in a luxury hotel. Austin and Dong also met on the summits sidelines on Friday, their first meeting in two years. Competing rhetoric over the course of the weekends debates much of it referencing recent events, such as Chinas spate of large-scale military exercises around Taiwan less than two weeks ago underscored the sense that regional tensions have grown increasingly incendiary. The dialogue also allowed the two powers to make their arguments before an international audience of their peers, including defense officials from nearby South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia and others themselves the targets of U.S. and Chinese influence campaigns and the often uncomfortable bystanders to a global strategic power struggle. Both Austin and Dong appealed to shared values and a respect for international law, without mentioning the others country by name, at a conference that nonetheless revolved almost entirely around the U.S.-China relationship. In his address to the conference Saturday, Austin stressed the United States vast and expanding network of security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific a clear warning to Beijing, observers said, that further Chinese military aggression in the region could prompt a U.S. response. We are operating with our allies and partners like never before, Austin said, noting that the United States has recently secured a series of historic agreements with our allies and partners to transform our force posture throughout the Indo-Pacific. U.S., Japanese and South Korean forces are training together in unprecedented ways, he said. The United States and the Philippines, along with Australia and France, recently completed their largest annual Balikatan joint naval exercise. The United States has also forged new levels of defense cooperation with Australia, Japan, South Korea, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. And this was just a starting point, Austin added. We are on the verge of even more powerful changes in U.S. force posture in the Indo-Pacific, he said. Dongs remarks on Sunday largely mirrored Austins rhetoric but flipped the claims of respect for international order and allegations of unlawful aggression to blame Washington and its allies and partners. It is China that is committed to peace and that has exercised tremendous restraint in the Asia-Pacific region, Dong said, alluding to the United States without naming it as a nefarious outsider seeking to influence the affairs of a region where it doesnt belong. China, too, has vast strategic partnerships around the world, Dong said, as well as the ability and willingness to arm and train other countries in the region. We have a well-established system of military education, and we are ready to provide greater support to other countries in personnel training and offer tailored courses to meet different needs, he said. In remarks that hewed closely to Beijings usual talking points, Dong described Chinas aspirations to live in a multipolar world as opposed to one dominated by the United States and appealed to the rest of the regions unique Asian wisdom and shared experience of imperialism from outside forces. Chinas disputes with Taiwan and in the South China Sea were regional issues best resolved between regional states, not by outsiders, he said again, without referring to the United States. Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will only end up in self-destruction, Dong warned. The growing frustration felt by many of Chinas regional neighbors over Chinese intimidation at sea, as well as the criminal and cyberthreats posed by Chinese state-affiliated companies, was also palpable over the weekend, as academics and representatives of other Asian countries that have drawn closer to the United States in recent months picked apart Dongs claims and accused China of dishonesty. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his opening remarks Friday night, laid out what many interpreted as a warning to China, referring to the illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive actions that were undermining regional security in territorial waters claimed by the Philippines a likely reference to intensifying aggression by the Chinese coast guard and maritime militia that has regularly blocked the passage of Philippine ships near disputed islands in recent months. Marcoss remarks illustrated the sharp pivot the Philippines government has taken in the past two years, aligning itself more closely with Washington and breaking with the previous administrations more deferential approach to China. Any willful act that led to deaths of Filipinos during the standoff with China would be considered an act of war, triggering a U.S. military response under the countries mutual defense treaty, Marcos said. Others also raised objections. During a question-and-answer session following Dongs speech on Sunday, Chung Min Lee, an expert on Korean and Northeast Asian security at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, addressed the minister sharply, laying out the contradictions between Dongs claims of peace and cooperation from the podium and the state-backed cyberattacks against Chinas neighbors, its support for North Koreas dictatorship and the threatening behaviors of its coast guard in contested waters. How can we trust you when your work and your actions are totally opposite? Chung asked, prompting applause from the multinational audience. Meanwhile, when a Chinese military officer and academic at Chinas Institute of War Studies, Sr. Col. Cao Yanzhong, suggested Saturday that NATO expansion in Europe led to the Ukraine crisis, Austin garnered applause when he said he respectfully disagreed with that claim. I thought it was striking that there was spontaneous and widespread applause, said Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), who attended the conference after meeting with officials in Taiwan and the Philippines. The notion that the United States and NATO set off the Ukraine war is a narrative that I hear a lot in the Global South, he said. The United States has been able to expand its strategic alliances in the Indo-Pacific in large measure because of the aggressiveness of China, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), another member of the Senate delegation to Singapore, told reporters. To the smaller nations of Southeast Asia, China is an inescapable geopolitical fact, Bilahari Kausikan, former ambassador at large for Singapores Foreign Ministry, said in an interview. But there is also a growing, albeit often unspoken, acceptance that the United States, too, is an irreplaceable part of the security balance, Bilahari said. That is not so much a success for U.S. policy as a failure of Chinese policy. Even as some Asian officials brooked stronger public dissent with China than in previous years, many were cautious not to take their criticism too far. Wang Dong, a scholar at Peking University and member of the Chinese delegation to Singapore, observed that no other countrys officials made statements as strong as Marcoss, saying: The absence of public support for the Marcos position speaks volumes about what other regional countries consider a pragmatic approach. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, an Indonesian academic, worried during a question-and-answer session whether the twists and turns of the U.S.-China relationship would leave the rest of the region trampled. And Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen stressed that the region found Washingtons and Beijings stated aversion to conflict reassuring but also said that most of us here would agree that the U.S. and China are the dominant factors to decide Asias fate of this decade and beyond. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made a late arrival to the conference Sunday, also trod carefully around China, criticizing its alleged arms support for Russia but also appealing to Beijing to participate in Ukraines upcoming peace summit in Switzerland. We need the support of Asian countries, Zelensky said during a news conference. We respect each voice, each territory. We want Asia to know what is going on in Ukraine. BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has asserted that China is open to dialogues to properly resolve trade frictions with the European Union (EU), and will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate interests of Chinese companies. Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese-funded enterprises in Barcelona, Spain on Saturday local time. His remarks came in response to the EU's recent intensive probes into Chinese products including electric vehicles, railway locomotives, as well as equipment used for photovoltaics, wind power generation, security inspections, and healthcare. Such investigations were conducted under false pretexts such as Chinese overcapacity and unfair competition, and involved discriminatory use of trade remedies, international procurement instruments, and foreign subsidy regulations, Wang said. These moves are increasing the risk of having escalated China-EU trade frictions, he added. Leaders of France, Germany, and the EU have repeatedly vowed to avoid a trade war, expressing support for a rules-based multilateral trade system and an equitable environment for competition. The legitimate concerns of China and EU should be addressed to prevent further escalations of trade frictions, Wang said, emphasizing that China will take all necessary measures to protect its companies' rights and interests if the EU fails to act on its words and continues its oppression. During the meeting, the commerce minister also called for heightened efforts to facilitate investment and trade between China and Spain. The meeting was attended by representatives from Chinese companies involved in finance, manufacturing, green energy, and transportation in Spain, along with members of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU. The court was told Vasile Muntean had 19 previous convictions to his name A judge has slammed a Romanian man for putting two fingers up to the countrys road traffic laws after he was caught at the wheel in Longford trying to dupe gardai into believing another man was driving a vehicle when stopped while high on drink and drugs. Judge John Brennan branded father of two, Vasile Muntean (29) formerly of Abhainn Glas, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford as the definition of a recidivist offender after he was found guilty of a string of road traffic offences at a sitting of Longford District Court. Muntean had pleaded not guilty to being under the influence of cocaine and alcohol as well as having no insurance and no driving licence in place after gardai pulled in a Fiat Panda car at Cloondara, Longford on March 18, 2022. The accused had previously given evidence at an earlier court sitting where he had denied telling gardai the driver of the car had fled the scene by insisting its driver and registered owner had moved from the drivers seat and into the rear of the vehicle. Vasile Muntean was criticised by a judge for "putting two fingers up" to the State's road traffic laws after he was convicted of a number of motoring offences at a sitting of Longford District Court today (Thursday). Muntean maintained throughout that he had been in the front passengers seat and was 100pc not driving the car when Sergeant Paul Stuart pulled him in. In giving his direct evidence to the court, Sgt Stuart said as he approached the drivers door, movement could be seen across the handbrake with Muntean being found in the passengers seat attempting to fasten its seatbelt. Sgt Stuart said Muntean informed him the driver of the car had ran away, an assertion he told the court was not credible. Yes, I believe Mr Muntean was driving the vehicle, he told Judge Brennan. Muntean, for his part, claimed it was in fact his cousin and registered owner of the car that had been driving as he and two other relatives made their way towards Roscommon. The accused said he had tried without success to convince his cousin to come to court to back up his version of events. The cars third passenger and another cousin of Munteans, the court heard was also unavailable owing to the fact he was presently serving a prison sentence for an unrelated matter. Vasile Muntean. Defence solicitor Frank Gearty said his client had advised him of his willingness to undergo a lie detector or polygraph test to prove his innocence. He said Muntean was a man who had come to Ireland in 2005 and had worked in factories in both Edgeworthstown and Carrick-on-Shannon before relocating more recently to Castlebar where he is currently in gainful employment. Mr Gearty admitted Muntean was an individual who had served a number of prison sentences, adding it was extremely regretful he found himself back before the courts once more. I am hoping the recidivism wont be continuing, he said, stating the support of his partner in court and his decision to relocate to Mayo were positive elements in helping him achieve those ends. The court was, meanwhile, told Muntean had 19 previous convictions to his name with eight or ten of those stemming from road traffic related offences. In delivering his ruling, Judge Brennan said the evidence given by Sgt Stuart throughout had been consistent and very clear, aspects the court could not overlook in delivering its verdict. He also pointed to how Muntean, despite being under duress from his cousin to do so, had initially told lies to gardai by trying to pin the blame on a spurious driver who he claimed had fled the vehicle. CCTV footage played to the court showing the incident had also failed to shed any further light on Munteans claims, he added. He (Muntean) is certainly the definition of a recidivist (offender), said Judge Brennan. He said the fact Muntean was continuing to flout the rules of the road was not only an example of how rising insurance premiums were being inflicted upon young drivers, but was also indicative of his mindset in putting two fingers up to the States road traffic laws. He consequently handed down a six month prison term for the drink driving charge, suspending its duration for three years. Fines of 300 and 200 respectively were issued for being caught at the wheel with no driving licence and having no insurance while an accompanying drug driving charge was taken into consideration. Muntean was also ordered not to drive for four years. Gardai have identified a chief suspect Gardai are investigating after the body of a man was found in a home in Clones, Co Monaghan Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Gardai are expected to launch a homicide investigation into the death of a 46-year-old man whose body was discovered in a property in Clones, Co Monaghan shortly after 10pm on Saturday. It is suspected that the victim who is originally from eastern Europe was the victim of a sustained and vicious assault. One line of investigation is that he may have suffered a heart attack after being attacked in a flat in The Diamond area of the border town. No arrests have been made but sources say that a chief suspect has been identified. Gardai were alerted to the fatal incident by ambulance personnel who had responded to an emergency call. The victim in this case suffered a very bad beating and the scene was fairly harrowing when emergency services arrived at the property, a source said. The body remains at the scene which is preserved for a technical examination due to take place today. Gardai are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Clones, Co Monaghan on the night of Saturday, June 1, a Garda spokesperson told the Irish Independent. A post-mortem examination will take place in due course. Monster who murdered two men in Sligo will be handled with staff in riot gear in Portlaoise The scene as Yousef Palani was taken from court Homophobic double killer Youssef Palani is now being barrier-handled in Portlaoise jail after viciously assaulting a prison officer. Sources have confirmed the officer, who was assaulted when he requested that Palani exit an exercise yard in the prison on Wednesday, had to be hospitalised in the wake of the attack. Evil Palani who murdered two men in Sligo in 2022 and seriously assaulted a third man during a four-day murder spree had been moved to maximum security Portlaoise after clocking up a series of disciplinary offences and coming under threat from violent criminals in Mountjoy. The murderer was battered by deranged killer Stephen Penrose and three others in a cell in B base of Mountjoy Prison in March this year. The scene as Yousef Palani was taken from court Palani was on a restricted regime for his own protection since coming to Portlaoise, a source told the Sunday World. He refused to come in from the exercise after his time was up on Wednesday and an officer went out to reason with him and convince him to go back to his cell. But instead of complying, Palani went berserk when told his time was up and carried out a completely unprovoked attack on the officer. He was ultimately restrained but not before inflicting injuries on the officer. The officer had to be hospitalised. The source said a decision had now been made that Palani is to be barrier-handled on all occasions when he leaves his cell. This involves prison officers suiting up in the equivalent of riot gear and holding shields when he is being escorted from one area of the prison to another. The number of disciplinary offences Palani has clocked up is now running into double figures, the source said. Anthony Burke who suffered a knife assault The majority of these were for trashing his cell in Mountjoy, but he has also been P19d {disciplinary sanction) on a number of occasions for threatening staff. What happened on Wednesday shows that these are not just threats and he is capable of inflicting injury on officers when the opportunity arises. For that reason, he will be barrier handled going forward. In October last year, Palani, who targeted his victims due to hostility and prejudice towards gay men, was sentenced to life imprisonment The 24-year-old murdered two men and seriously assaulted a third during a four-day spree of violence in Sligo town. Gardai believe he would have continued to kill gay men if he had not been arrested. Palani tracked the men down using an LGBT dating app before stabbing them to death in their homes and mutilating their bodies. Michael Snee was brutally murdered by Youssef Palani The attacks triggered a massive garda manhunt, with armed officers visiting the homes of gay men around the town as they tried to track down Palani. With the assistance of witnesses, including Anthony Burke, a local man who had survived Palanis first attack, gardai traced the killer to his home and arrested him. Palani, last of Markievicz Heights in Sligo, pleaded guilty to the murder of Aidan Moffitt at Cartron Heights in Sligo on April 10, 2022, and the murder of Michael Snee at City View, Connaughton Road, Sligo, on April 12, 2022. He further pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Mr Burke at Cleveragh Road in Sligo on April 9, 2022. In the case of Mr Moffit, he cut his victims head off and placed it on the bed facing the door. In interview, Palani at first denied any involvement but went on to make full admissions. He claimed he heard voices which told him to carry out the attacks. Palani, who is originally from Iraq and came to Ireland with his family when he was six years old, repeatedly insisted he was not gay, despite forensic evidence showing he engaged in sexual activity with at least one victim. Aidan Moffitt was brutally murdered by Youssef Palani Det Garda Conor Jordan told Lorcan Staines, prosecuting, that gardai believe Palani carried out the attacks due to hostility and prejudice against gay men. He said there was no evidence to support Palanis claim of mental health issues and believed his account of hearing voices may have been exaggerated or fabricated entirely. The court also heard that while Palani told gardai that his religion forbids homosexuality, investigators were satisfied that he was not radicalised. Palani told gardai in interviews that Muslims could not be homosexual and vehemently denied being gay, despite using gay dating apps. Det Garda Jordan said there was no evidence Palani, who is a Muslim, was radicalised despite some suggestions to the contrary. In his victim impact statement, Mr Burke said that on the night of the incident he thought he was meeting someone to have an intimate moment with. I didnt realise I was going to meet a coward and a monster that would destroy my life. My heart goes out to Aidan and Michaels families for the suffering they have to endure, he added. Mr Burke said he has been very distressed since the attack, was in fierce pain at the time and had suffered insomnia. Alfredo Cabrera, who was running for mayor in the town of Coyuca de Benitez in the state of Guerrerowas, was slain by a hitman in front of terrified crowds of people. A Mexican politician was murdered on camera by an assassin using a Glock handgun in the middle of a campaign rally. Alfredo Cabrera, who was running for mayor in the town of Coyuca de Benitez in the state of Guerrerowas, was slain by a hitman in front of terrified crowds of people. The run-up to the election, in which a new president as well as governors and almost 20,000 local officials will be chosen, has been horrifically bloody. Over twenty candidates have been shot so far. Video of the attack shows Cabrera shaking hands with supporters before the hitman approaches and fires the pistol from point blank range. The gunman initially shoots the politician in the head, then as the crowds begin to run and scream, he unleashes a terrifying rally of bullets. Up to 15 shots can be heard. Cops said that members of Mexico's National Guard returned fire, taking out the assassin immediately. Alfredo Cabrera Cabrera was under police protection after having been the target of a previous attack in 2023. An investigation has been launched to determine what the possible motive of the attack may have been. Drug cartels have often carried out assassinations in a bid to control local police or extort money from government, reportedly. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said last month that the cartels often seek to determine who will serve as mayor either by running their own candidates or eliminating potential rivals. Shooting aftermath (Francisco Robles/AFP]) They make an agreement and say, this person is going to be mayor; we dont want anyone else to register to run, and anybody who does, well, they know [what to expect], he said. The recent killings have prompted the government to provide bodyguards for about 250 candidates, while those running for municipal positions the most endangered are the last in line for security. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), one of the opposition coalition parties, accused the government of having not made even the slightest effort to guarantee the safety of the candidates. Roughly 27,000 soldiers and National Guard members will be deployed to reinforce security during Sundays elections, according to reports. An exhibition to commemorate the legendary Scottish athlete Eric Liddell, who was born in Tianjin in 1902, was held in the northern Chinese city on Saturday. The memorial exhibition showcased Liddell's life and achievements. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Rory started to take tablets to keep calm prescribed medication became a problem Rory Gallagher with his guitar in 1982 in San Francisco Legendary guitarist Rory Gallaghers brother has questioned how the musician got hold of the prescription drugs which ultimately led to his premature death. Fans worldwide were devastated in 1995 when Rory died at the young age of just 47. Donal Gallagher, who was Rorys only sibling and also his manager, reveals in a new documentary to be screened tomorrow night how the blues legends life spiralled out of control in his latter days. Rory was sort of working day and night, the stress and all that, plus touring all the time, explains Donal in RTEs Rory Gallagher: Calling Card. Rory with adoring fans in 1979 We were flying, particularly on the American tours, you might have three flights a day, connecting, connecting, and we had all developed a fear of flying in particular, but Rorys was very acute. He had then started to take tablets to kind of keep him calm. The guy had never used drugs, he didnt smoke. He was the straightest guy you could think of Then prescribed medication became the problem. As well as the prescription tablets, Rory also took somewhat to alcohol. There was a depression there, there was a melancholy, and when you are writing songs in the blues idiom, everything is negative so he was compounding his own mental situation, Donal says. He says Rory completed an album but wasnt fit enough to promote it, and some gigs were touch-and-go with his arms sometimes turning to jelly for no reason. Just the other day I found his 92 diary and I was going through lists of what the poor man was taking and how many prescriptions he had of it. Where did he get all this medication from? Donal asks. Donal Gallagher Some of it youd only get if you were in a psychiatric ward and under supervision. Despite interventions by Donal and Rorys bass player Gerry MacAvoy, the London-based star was admitted to hospital in the English capital. A couple of days later I was told to come meet the transplant team, Donal recalls. I had thought diabetes, then you have to make the decision because hes in a coma. They moved him to the Kings Hospital, where he had a [liver] transplant. He wasnt going to give up the fight, then sadly with all the looking after he got a bug [MRSA] in the hospital, and he never got out of there. Other musicians featured in the documentary include Brian May, Johnny Marr, Bob Geldof, Imelda May, Moya Brennan, Dave Fanning and Paul Charles. Rory was the original Irish guitar hero, whose artistry with a battered 61 Stratocaster was feted. Bob Dylan and Muddy Waters admired him, the Rolling Stones tried to hire him and his fans worshipped him. Clad in faded denim and a checked shirt, he sold 30 million records and became a charismatic icon of Irish music. Donal accompanied Rory on his rise from their childhood Everly Brothers stage performances and the showband scene across the north and south of the border through to the heart of the 70s rock scene in London and far beyond. Queen guitarist Brian May claims the supergroup owes their sound to Rory. You hear that distortion dig inand he sings and thats what I wanted. I said thats what I want, says May. I asked him how do you get the guitar to sing like that? Rory pointed to a box with an amp and a treble bass. That was his voice, his sound. I was completely inspired. So it was Rory who gave me my sound, and thats the sound I still have, May beams. Two lucky Lotto players from Tauranga and Thames will be jumping for joy after each winning $200,000 in Lotto's Strike Four on Saturday night. The winning Strike tickets were sold on MyLotto to a player from Tauranga and at Martina Four Square & Lotto in Thames. A lucky Lotto player from Mount Maunganui will also be celebrating after winning $28,589 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning Second Division ticket was purchased at Bayfair Lotto. Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night where the jackpot will be a mammoth $43 million. High jackpots are exciting, and we know Kiwis all around the country will be dreaming about what they would do if they won $43 million with Powerball on Wednesday, says Lotto NZs Head of Corporate Communications Lucy Fullarton. As the jackpot climbs, there is more demand for our games. We know stores will be busy from around 5pm on Wednesday, and lots of people will also be jumping online to grab their ticket in the hour before sales close at 7.30pm. "Our advice is to get in early and avoid the rush, says Lucy. Meanwhile, five lucky Lotto players from Auckland, New Plymouth, Napier, and Christchurch will be celebrating after each winning $200,000 with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at Pak N Save Henderson in Auckland, Pak N Save Mangere in Auckland, New World Greenmeadows in Napier, and on MyLotto to players from New Plymouth and Christchurch. 22 Lotto players win Second Division As well as the Lotto player from Mount Maunganui, another 21 lucky Lotto players will also be jumping for joy after each winning $28,589 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. Three lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $43,779. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold on MyLotto to players from Auckland, Whanganui and Otago. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location Four Square Matakana Matakana Woolworths Takapuna Auckland Albany Highway Superette Auckland Maskell Lotto & Convenience Store Auckland Manukau Pak 'N Save Auckland New World Pukekohe Auckland MyLotto (x2, incl 1xPB) Auckland Bayfair Lotto Mount Maunganui MyLotto Hamilton MyLotto (x2) Hawkes Bay MyLotto (+PB) Whanganui Pak N Save Kilbirnie Wellington MyLotto (x2) Wellington MyLotto Nelson Pak n Save Blenheim Blenheim Hornby Mall Lotto Christchurch MyLotto Christchurch MyLotto (+PB) Otago Paper Plus Queenstown Airport Queenstown Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board Former Port of Tauranga Director Sir Robert McLeod KNZM is re-joining the Board of Directors following the retirement of Alastair Lawrence. The Port of Tauranga made the announcement this week. Sir Rob was formerly a member of the Board in his capacity as Chair of Quayside Holdings, the investment arm of Bay of Plenty Regional Council and majority shareholder of the Port. He retired in October 2023. Returning as an independent director, Sir Rob will replace retiring Director and Audit Committee Chair, Alastair Lawrence. Alastair retires on August 31 after ten years service, two of them as Chair of the Audit Committee. Port of Tauranga Limited Chair, Julia Hoare, says she is delighted to welcome Sir Robs return effective July 1, 2024. He will take over as Chair of the Audit Committee upon Alastairs retirement. Sir Rob brings deep governance experience, outstanding financial skills and extensive iwi connections. We are very fortunate to have a Director of his calibre, says Julia. Sir Rob was Oceania CEO/Managing Partner of Ernst & Young and then New Zealand Chair until 2015. He is currently Chair of Nati Growth Limited (formerly Ngati Porou Holding Company) and Sanford Limited. He is also a Director of China Construction Bank (New Zealand) Limited and a number of privately-owned entities. Julia thanked Alastair for his outstanding contribution during his ten-year tenure. Alastair is an astute Director and committee Chair with a wealth of commercial knowledge and experience. Were extremely grateful for his significant contribution and his long service to the Port. This weekend Whitianga is the place to be for all art aficionados. Over 500 artworks are on display at the Whitianga Lions annual Art Expo in the Whitianga Town Hall this weekend which extends into Monday. Organisers say the expo is a fundraiser to buy a much-needed 3-D mammogram machine for the eastern side of the Coromandel, which will cost $350,000 to purchase. Members of Whitianga Lions helped 50 local artists set up on Friday, May 31, with the entire expo free to the public to attend. The three-day expo officially opened with a preview evening on Friday, where the winners in the Secondary Schools Art Competition were also announced. More than 25 entries from around the Coromandel region have entered the school art competition with a total of $850 in prizes being awarded between first, second and third placings. All the entries are on display and many are available for purchase, meaning the public has a chance to support emerging talent. Whitianga Lions Art Expo committee, Mike Brown says on opening night the public were able to purchase and take home artworks of their choice. "And generally mingle and chat with artists over a glass of wine sponsored by a private donation and Whitianga Woolworths, complemented by delicious European cheeses sponsored by YOLO Cheese New Zealand," says Mike. We have had a tremendous response to this years Art Expo and we hope to see lots of people coming to this event, which is raising money for Project Mammogram. "While there, dont forget to buy a few raffle tickets, theres some great prizes to be won with an overall value in the thousands of dollars! Following opening night, the Whitianga Lions Art Expo is running from 10am to 4pm Saturday, June 1 to Monday, June 3 with many of the artists replenishing their exhibits as items sell. The artists are offering a range of items, at various prices, from original paintings and prints through to pottery, mosaics, jewellery made from locally sourced components, photography, greeting cards and even mini artworks of individual alphabet letters. The variety will give art lovers a chance to take home something memorable from this region. The Whitianga Lions Art Expo is supported by The Informer, CFM, All About Whitianga, Stephensons Pharmacy, Whitianga Woolworths, Peninsula Roofing and Peninsula Scaffolding, YOLO Cheeses New Zealand and of course all the artists taking part. Multiple fire trucks and fire fighters are attending a house fire in the Minden area of western Bay of Plenty. Fire emergency NZ shift manager Ryan Geen says they received one call reporting a house fire just after 5pm on Sunday, June 2. "We dispatched three fire engines and one water tanker,' says Ryan. "Whilst on the way, crews called for further resources. An additional fire engine and an additional water tanker responded." The fire, which is at a house just off State Highway 2, is being attended to by the Greerton fire brigade and water tanker, as well as fire trucks from the Tauranga and Omokoroa stations. The Te Puke water tanker has also been sent, while the Te Puke volunteer fire brigade are maintaining fire cover for the rest of the Tauranga city area. "The brigades arrived to find a large single-storey residential house on fire with the fire covering approximately a 10m by 10m area," says Ryan. "We have multiple crews working to extinguish the fire, and it was taken under control at 6pm. "There are no reports of anyone injured." Ryan says crew are still working on site. "A fire investigator has been notified." While the Minden house fire was being attended to, Ryan says the Papamoa Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to another fire. "They found a bonfire which the brigade checked to make sure it was safe. It was and they allowed it to continue to burn." Tauranga business leader and philanthropist Bill Holland has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Kings Birthday Honours 2024, for services to community governance and philanthropy. The honour with a citation for William Beau (Bill) Holland, MNZM, highlights his involvement in the governance of a range of trusts and organisations that have given back to the community for more than 20 years. This came as a complete surprise and its an honour, says Bill. Im really humbled by it, and it was very kind of whoever it was to nominate me. Bill says hes been very fortunate in that hes limited in some talents. Id be hopeless doing carpentry work, for instance. Im not very good at that sort of stuff, but because Ive had experience as a lawyer and for a number of community organisations, one thing has led to another and Ive been very, very fortunate. Having helped found the Acorn Foundation in 2003 and chaired it until 2011, Bill has remained an ambassador for the organisation, which has gifted more than $16.5 million to the community. He became a trustee of the Tauranga Energy Community Trust (TECT) in 2012 and has been chairman since 2014. He has led Tect through transformational change from a Consumer Trust into a Community Trust. He acknowledges the support of his wife Sally. Sally knows how much Ive been involved in a lot of things. Shes been so supportive, filling in the gaps for me. A self-confessed very young 72-year-old, Bill has been a consultant at Holland Beckett, the firm founded by his late father, Bill Holland Snr, and has specialised in trust law and commercial and property transactions. Hes been a partner in the firm for 40 years. Born, raised and educated in Tauranga, after completing his university qualifications, he worked for a large Auckland law firm for two years before returning to Tauranga. With the benefit of his wide knowledge of Tauranga, its people and its business world, Bill acts as legal adviser to Taurangas leading business people and a number of community organisations. He was also the chairman of the Tauranga Boys College Board of Trustees for 12 years. Bill has received various awards over the years for his services to the community, including being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the Queens Birthday Honours List 2012. As well as serving as chair for TECT, he also serves on a number of national and local charitable trusts, voluntary boards, and advisory committees. Bill Holland. Photo: Supplied. Ive been extremely fortunate to work with a lot of very good people in different community organisations, like TECT and Acorn, says Bill. In any successful organisation like TECT, you need to have a good team of people. Really all Ive been doing is just part of the team, and Ive played my role, other people have played their roles and between us, good things have happened. He says the success of the Acorn Foundation has been massive. We put together a team of really good people, and its been hugely successful. The other big success has been TECT and the major restructuring following the sale of Trustpower to Mercury. Bill says the whole transition period needed a lawyer at the helm, with High Court proceedings involved. TECT has been absolutely transformational for Tauranga. The contribution to the community was about $8 million a year; its now in excess of a massive $20 million a year. And at the same time, we had to make sure that we looked after the consumers. TECT has about $530m in assets, and has made more than 240 grants totalling more than $15.9m as of 2023. Grants to community groups through to investment contributions to the university have opened up opportunities across the city. TECT is already huge, but the Acorn Foundation will be bigger; it will keep growing. There is no limit because as people pass on, they will bequeath money which will be distributed to the local community. Bill has been a trustee of the Assisting Different Abilities Peoples Trust (Adapt) Trust since 2018, playing a key role in acquiring a site to build homes for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and the Wright Family Foundation since 2014. He was a founding trustee of the Legacy Trust in 2007, established by Greg Brownless. Greg is very, very generous. He gave his business to the community, and the Legacy Trust has distributed more than $3.5 million to the community to date. All of the money thats gone into community groups has transformed peoples lives. This past week, he met people who told him if it wasnt for TECT, their organisation wouldnt be able to exist. Thoughts on the future Bill says the whole idea of the Acorn Foundation was to promote philanthropy; to create a vehicle for promoting generosity. Its to give ordinary people, not just the rich people, opportunity to make a contribution to give back to the community. Something which theyre really keen about. He has gone on to help set up 18 other community foundations based on the Acorn model, helping communities around NZ. Ive been around speaking at so many places like New Plymouth, Whangarei, Rotorua, and Oamaru. Because Acorn has been so successful weve used it as a model for these other Kiwi foundations. In 2021, Bill received one of three inaugural life memberships granted to the founding ambassadors of the Community Foundation of Aotearoa NZ. He has also been made a life member of many other organisations, including Tauranga Rowing Club, Tauranga Boys College Old Boys Association and Priority One. In May, 2024, he was made an honorary life member of the Rotary Club of Tauranga Sunrise. Taurangas Detective Inspector Lewis Warner joined the police by chance, and it wasnt my intention to stay in as long as I have. Lewis has received an Order of Merit for his services in the New Zealand Police and the community. I was born and raised in Raetihi. I joined the New Zealand Police in 1983. Ive been living in Tauranga since 1996. I have 41 years in the police, with 30 years in the CIB. In working terms, I have seen the worst of the worst. Lewis says his parents instilled a strong sense of what is right and that has stayed with me all my life. He says his primary role is to work for the victim whoever that may be. I love putting the jigsaw together and there is no better feeling than making the bad person accountable. I enjoy the chase. I love it when we have worked on a difficult case whether it be a murder, or another serious crime and we hold the people responsible to account. He says this is often done by a tight-knit team working together. The camaraderie within the police is special, we really are a family. Often what we do gives the victim or victim's family some form of closure. Over his four decades in the police, Lewis says he has seen technologies develop to become vital for investigations. We have gone from manual typewriters to computers, the invention of cell phones and their everyday use. The tactical options now available to Police Officers are so different to when I started. When I started we went to work with a wooden baton, a notebook and a torch. Technology is an integral part of investigations in policing these days. Lewis has been a Detective Inspector since 2016 and has been in his current role for three years. I am the Crime Services Manager for the Bay of Plenty District. I currently have oversite of all serious crime for the Bay of Plenty policing district. This includes homicides, sexual abuse, and other serious crime. Since 2016, Ive been involved in almost all of the homicide investigations across the Bay of Plenty, whether thats hands-on or in an oversite role. My primary role is ensuring the welfare of our people we have outstanding investigators working right across the Bay. Lewis says he has been involved in many serious investigations and it is difficult to highlight one. There have been so many. For me, the highlight has always been about the team and how we collectively deal with some terrible crimes. My staffs welfare is very important to me. The things they see and are exposed to are not normal and it is important they are supported. It can be a tough job. The police have some amazing people. There have been so many serious and complex investigations I have worked on; each has given its own satisfaction. Lewis says his greatest achievement in the field has been working with some amazing people, not just Police Officers, but members of the community and the many crown solicitors. Another highlight is watching the people you have supervised excel in their various areas within Police and knowing you have assisted them to get to where they are. Lewis aims to continue to work hard for the communities across the Bay of Plenty to make them safer. He says when he retires, he looks forward to spending more time with his family. My family is the most important thing to me. They are the reason I have been able to do what I have. I know it hasnt always been easy being a Policemans wife or a Policemans child. I now have three gorgeous grandkids which is a new chapter. Lewis says it is humbling to receive this recognition. I did not see this coming, nor did I expect it. When you look at others who have received this award, it is even more humbling. I had no idea it was coming until I received an email from the Governor Generals office. To aspiring police, Lewis says: I have had so many different careers within Police. That is the beauty of Policing - there are many options. Make sure you enjoy your work and have fun. Treat people how you would like to be treated. Importantly ensure you live the police values. This includes homicides, sexual abuse, and other serious crime. Since 2016, Ive been involved in almost all of the homicide investigations across the Bay of Plenty, whether thats hands-on or in an oversite role. My primary role is ensuring the welfare of our people we have outstanding investigators working right across the Bay. He says he has been involved in many serious investigations and it was difficult to highlight one. There have been so many. For me, the highlight has always been about the team and how we collectively deal with some terrible crimes. My staffs welfare is very important to me. The things they see and are exposed to are not normal and it is important they are supported. It can be a tough job. The police have some amazing people. There have been so many serious and complex investigations I have worked on; each has given its own satisfaction. Detective Inspector Lew Warner gives evidence at the coroner's inquest into the death of Moko Rangitoheriri held at the Rotorua District Court. Photo: Alan Gibson. Lewis says his greatest achievement in the field has been working with some amazing people, not just police officers, but members of the community and the many Crown Solicitors. Another highlight is watching the people you have supervised excel in their various areas within police and knowing you have assisted them to get to where they are. He aimed to continue to work hard for the communities across the Bay of Plenty to make them safer. And when hes done,He said when he retired he would look forward to spending more time with his family. My family is the most important thing to me. They are the reason I have been able to do what I have. I know it hasnt always been easy being a policemans wife or a policemans child. I now have three gorgeous grandkids which is a new chapter. To get to where he was, he said it had taken hard work and his bosses assisting him. By the time he He wanted to do the best he could to ensure victims and their families were the primary focus before he retired. What we do every day is to assist victims and their families. Warner said it was very humbling to receive the hounour recognition. I did not see this coming, nor did I expect it. When you look at others who have received this award, it is even more humbling. I had no idea it was coming until I received an email from the Governor Generals office. Warner said that what made him stand out in the field is how he genuinely cared about the communities he worked in and the staff he worked with. To aspiring police, Warner said I have had so many different careers within police. That is the beauty of policing - there are many options. Make sure you enjoy your work and have fun. Treat people how you would like to be treated. Importantly ensure you live the police values. The total number of China-Europe freight train trips has surpassed 90,000 recently. A German business insider has said they hope to expand their facility further to accommodate the growing demand. #GLOBALink Bottom line: Robotic dogs are proving useful on the battlefield, a discovery made by the US years ago and later adopted by other countries including China. The latest sighting of the Chinese army's mechanical dog was earlier this week when state broadcaster CCTV featured the dog practicing drills with Cambodia. Their presence in joint exercises with a foreign country suggests China is comfortable with its technical maturity. A mechanical dog with an automatic rifle on its back is becoming a recurring participant in simulated drills run by the Chinese army. Its most recent appearance was this month when the robotic dog was featured by state broadcaster CCTV participating in joint military drills with Cambodia. Human soldiers would practice dry runs for urban assaults with their gun-toting mechanical companions, backed by a quadcopter a six-rotor aerial drone with similar firepower. In one drill captured in the two-minute video, the dog leads an infantry unit into a simulated building where several mock armed terrorists were hiding. The robot dog, with a QBZ-95 assault rifle on its back, spearheaded the assault and quickly cleared the area. But this is no piece of advanced robotics developed by the Chinese army. Rather, dog and drone appear to be created with off-the-shelf technology and a standard rifle bolted on top. Unitree Robotics, the name of the Chinese manufacturer that built the dog, can be seen on its side. This is not the first time we're seeing a robot dog making an appearance on the world scene. The archetype was developed by Boston Dynamics and has been used in multiple scenarios including assisting in the decontaminating of Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was destroyed in March 2011 by an earthquake and subsequent tsunami. According to Boston Dynamics' founder Marc Raibert, there are about 1,500 of its mechanical dogs around the world. "But recently there's just been a springing out of other robot companies building quite incredible robots," he said at the AI Seoul Summit last week. "It's very exciting to go from the research lab into commercialization." Nor is this the first time the Chinese have deployed robotic dogs in its military drills. CCTV video from last November showed China's rifle-armed electronic canines in a joint exercise involving the Chinese, Cambodian, Lao, Malaysian, Thai and Vietnamese militaries held in China. However, their increasing presence in these joint exercises suggest that the technology even though it sprang from the commercial sector is ready for prime time on the battlefield. "Usually, a new equipment will not be brought into a joint exercise with another country, so the robot dogs must have reached a certain level of technical maturity," a Chinese military expert who requested anonymity told the state-run Global Times. This year's Computex trade show is set to be a historic one, with the CEOs of all the world's largest semiconductor companies giving keynotes and doing so under the aura of the generative AI revolution and the launch of the AI PC category. The first keynote at this year's event, appropriately enough, was given by Nvidia's Jensen Huang, a Taiwanese native who has arguably become the face of the semiconductor revolution in the AI era. Huang's speech, which felt like the next stop in his worldwide stadium tour, essentially combined an entertaining lecture on the history and capabilities of GenAI with some specific examples of Nvidia products that are enabling the GenAI revolution. Along the way, he described the concept of a new industrial revolution, with AI factories that are powered of course by Nvidia hardware and software. Much of the product-specific information was a rehash of the Blackwell platform news that the company unveiled at their GTC conference back in March. What was new, however, was the unveiling of a product roadmap that extends into 2027 with the debut of the Rubin platform as the next evolution beyond Blackwell. American astronomer Vera Rubin will be Nvidia's next-gen GPU architecture patron. While details remain scarce, in a market moving at such a breakneck pace as GenAI, just having a sense of general direction will be comforting for many. In fact, I'm expecting the notion of longer roadmap unveilings to be a big theme throughout the next several days of keynotes. While big architectural changes are likely to continue at an every two years, Nvidia is now moving to make important GPU product enhancements every year. One point that Huang made clear is that the roadmap for their core GPUs is taking on an accelerated annual pace. While big architectural changes are likely to continue at an every two years, Nvidia is now moving to make important product enhancements every year. How the company is able to execute on that new roadmap remains to be seen, but it's clear they have no intention of slowing down or ceding any of their dominant position in AI accelerators any time soon. Another relatively new area that Nvidia has been discussing more recently and that Huang detailed in his keynote was the company's move into software and services. Their CUDA platform for AI acceleration has already become something of a standard, but the company is pushing hard on its NIM (Nvidia Inference Microservices) offerings, which are now generally available. NIMs build on CUDA and wrap together all the necessary software components needed to build and enable AI applications across specific areas into prebuilt containers. Their creation and release is part of a bigger company strategy to get into the enterprise software market and bring in an entirely new set of revenues. Though not discussed during the keynote, it's also worth pointing out that Nvidia has recently been partnering with major enterprise hardware companies like Dell Technologies, Lenovo, HPE and others. Because Nvidia isn't generally seen as a software supplier, these partners could help dramatically increase the reach of these tools into the enterprise. This is going to be interesting to watch because those enterprise vendors could end up being an important channel for Nvidia's software offerings over time. What wasn't announced in the keynote but has been the subject of much speculation here at Computex was the company's intention to enter the AI PC market with an Arm-powered SoC, potentially built in conjunction with Mediatek. The two companies are already working together on a combined chip for the automotive market so it's not difficult to imagine they could extend that partnership into the PC market as well. If they did and the timing would likely be sometime in 2025 or later it could have a big impact on what is already becoming a crowded market for PC chip suppliers. We shall see. Huang ended his Computex keynote with a forward-looking discussion on AI-powered robotics and the important role he believes they can play in that field thanks, in part, to their Omniverse platform. There's little doubt that robotics is shaping up to be an important development both for industrial applications and human interactions, so this will be yet another interesting area to watch in the years to come. Bob O'Donnell is the president and chief analyst of TECHnalysis Research, LLC, a market research firm that provides strategic consulting and market research services to the technology industry and professional financial community. You can follow Bob on Twitter @bobodtech After more than a year of deliberation, a task force dedicated to data protection within the European Union (EU) has presented its initial findings on how its data protection rules apply to OpenAI's popular chatbot, ChatGPT. EU Task Force Deliberates Compliance of OpenAI The task force report's key takeaway is that crucial legal matters, such as the fairness and lawfulness of OpenAI's data processing, are still under consideration, leaving decisions pending. Addressing this matter is crucial because penalties for proven breaches of the bloc's privacy regulations could amount to as much as 4% of the company's global annual revenue. According to TechCrunch, regulatory authorities also have the authority to halt any non-compliant data processing activities. Consequently, OpenAI potentially faces significant regulatory challenges within the region, especially since specific laws governing AI are still scarce, and even within the EU, full implementation is years away. In the absence of clear guidance from EU data protection authorities regarding the application of existing data protection laws to ChatGPT, OpenAI is likely to maintain its regular operations with confidence. Read Also : Italian Authorities Plan to Review Other AI Platforms, Following ChatGPT Ban Ongoing GDPR Challenges of ChatGPT Despite facing increasing complaints alleging violations of different aspects of the bloc's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the company is poised to proceed as usual. In a recent development, Poland's data protection authority (DPA) initiated an investigation based on a complaint regarding the chatbot's fabrication of information about an individual and its refusal to rectify the inaccuracies. Similarly, Austria has also recently received a comparable complaint. ChatGPT's operations resumed in Italy after OpenAI implemented alterations to the information and user controls, as requested by the DPA. However, the Italian inquiry into the chatbot, addressing critical matters such as the legal grounds asserted by OpenAI for data processing to train its AI models, remains ongoing. The tool remains entangled in legal uncertainty within the EU. The Irish regulatory body has been recognized for its lenient stance toward enforcing the GDPR on major technology companies. It suggests that "Big AI" entities could potentially be the next beneficiaries of Dublin's favorable interpretation of the EU's data protection regulations. The GDPR is applicable whenever personal data is gathered and handled, a task that large language models (LLMs) such as OpenAI's GPT, the AI architecture powering ChatGPT, undeniably perform on a massive scale. They achieve this by extracting data from the public internet for model training, including extracting individuals' posts from social media platforms. Furthermore, the EU regulation grants DPAs the authority to compel the cessation of any processing that fails to comply. Should GDPR enforcers decide to exercise this authority, it could serve as a potent tool in shaping the operational landscape of the AI powerhouse behind ChatGPT within the region. US authorities have busted a sophisticated fraud scheme involving the return of counterfeit Apple devices, leading to losses of at least $12.3 million for the tech giant. Apple iPhone 15 series devices are displayed for sale at The Grove Apple retail store on release day in Los Angeles, California, on September 22, 2023. Five Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with the scheme, which spanned several years and targeted Apple Stores across Southern California. 5 Chinese Nationals Nabbed for Massive Apple Crime Ring The five individuals, identified as Yang Song, 40, of Corona; Junwei Jiang, 37, of East Los Angeles; Zhengxuan Hu, 26, of Alhambra; Yushan Lin, 30, and Shuyi Xing, 34, both of Corona, are accused of orchestrating this elaborate crime operation taking advantage of Apple's customer support. From December 2015 to March 2023, they allegedly returned around 16,000 of counterfeit iPhones, iPads, and other Apple products to various Apple Stores, including those in Pasadena, Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, and Irvine, among others. LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 26: Iphone 13's on display during a press preview of Apple's new Knightsbridge store on July 26, 2022 in London, England. Elaborate Apple Warranty Fraud The scheme was meticulously planned and executed. According to prosecutors, Song and Jiang coordinated with associates in China to ship counterfeit Apple devices to the US. According to prosecutors, these knockoffs closely resemble genuine Apple devices, including matching identification numbers from items still under warranty. The defendants would pose as legitimate owners of these devices, returning them to Apple Stores and claiming they were faulty and covered under warranty. Apple Store employees, unaware of the fraud, would either replace the counterfeit devices with genuine ones or repair them and eventually provide the fraudsters with authentic Apple products. These genuine products were then shipped to associates in the US and abroad, primarily in China, where they were sold at a substantial profit. The scale of the fraud is staggering. Prosecutors revealed that the defendants fraudulently returned or attempted to return more than 16,000 counterfeit Apple devices, resulting in significant financial losses for Apple. "The defendants are accused of taking advantage of Apple's customer-service policies to steal more than $12 million in merchandise," stated US Attorney Martin Estrada. The counterfeit devices used stolen identification numbers, potentially depriving real owners of AppleCare warranty repairs and support. Read Also : Apple iPhone Does Not Charge When Using Continuity Camera and MagsSafe-Why? Suspects Face Up to 20 Years in Prison The defendants face a series of serious charges, including one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and mail fraud, one count of aggravated identity theft, seven counts of wire fraud, twelve counts of mail fraud, and one count of conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods. If convicted, they each face up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy, wire fraud, and mail fraud charges, a mandatory minimum of two years for the aggravated identity theft charge, and up to 10 years for the conspiracy to traffic counterfeit goods charge. Stay posted here at Tech Times. Farhat Jameel Abdullah, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth, speaks during an interview with Xinhua in Damascus, Syria, May 27, 2024. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) by Hummam Sheikh Ali DAMASCUS, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Farhat Jameel Abdullah, Syrian assistant minister of oil and mineral wealth, has raised alarms about how the American occupation and the oil theft by its allied militia, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), harm the Syrian economy. "The presence of the American occupation and their support for separatist groups has led to the unjust extraction of oil from wells and reservoirs, which will negatively impact the future productivity of these resources and consequently deprive the country of this wealth," Abdullah said in a recent interview with Xinhua. He said oil and gas had served as a primary source of revenue for the state treasury and national income, with production from east of the oil-rich Euphrates River being about 350,000 barrels per day. Now, the region is under the control of the United States and its supporting SDF militias, whose presence, along with other terrorist groups, deprived the Syrian government of its resources and dealt a heavy blow to the national economy and employment. The United States not only controls the oil-rich areas with its military presence but also imposes a series of crippling economic sanctions on its Western allies. He said that the bans and sanctions "deprived us of seven exploration companies that were operating in the country before the crisis," leading to a decrease in reserves and production rates. He said the losses incurred in the sector, both directly and indirectly, have amounted to approximately 120 billion U.S. dollars so far. Syria, which used to be self-sufficient in oil, had to resort to imports. "The issue of sanctions, the issue of occupation, has had a major impact on the life of the Syrian citizen," he said. To tackle the challenges facing the oil and gas sector, Abdullah said the ministry is exploring alternative strategies to secure oil products for the public and reduce the adverse effects on the economy's various sectors. He announced that the ministry is prioritizing investments in the regions west of the Euphrates River and actively exploring new gas fields, emphasizing the importance of increasing production rates and implementing cutting-edge technologies with the assistance of supportive nations. Abdullah concluded by emphasizing the need for cooperation with friendly countries and the utilization of modern technologies to overcome the challenges facing Syria's oil and gas sector in Syria. The China National Space Administration stated that a Chinese spacecraft landed on the moon's far side Sunday to collect soil and rock samples from the less-explored region. The landing took place in the enormous crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time, as reported by AP News. This is the sixth Chang'e lunar exploration mission, named after the Chinese moon goddess. After Chang'e 5, which returned samples from the near side in 2020, this mission is the second to transport samples to Earth. China's moon program highlights its rising space competition with the US, Japan, and India. It aims to land a human on the moon by 2030. Notably, China frequently deploys astronauts to its space station. US Lunar Mission Facing Challenges The US aims to send humans to the moon by 2026, after the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Though, spacecraft launches by the private sector have faced delays. Computer glitches stalled Boeing's maiden astronaut flight, while a Japanese tycoon postponed his lunar orbit plan due to SpaceX's significant rocket development uncertainty. China's lander will drill and use a mechanical arm to retrieve up to 2 kilos (4.4 pounds) of lunar material over two days. An ascender in a metal vacuum container will deliver the samples to an orbiting module. The capsule should arrive in Inner Mongolia, China, on June 25. Here's the a video of the Chang'e 6's successful lunar landing: The moon's far side requires a relay satellite for direct connection with Earth, making missions difficult. Landing is difficult on rough terrain. The South Pole-Aitken Basin, an old impact crater, is 13 kilometers (8 miles) deep and 2,500 kilometers (1,500 miles) wide. It may disclose debris expelled from far beneath the moon's surface as the oldest and biggest crater. US-China Space Race Intesifies In January, National Defense magazine reported a strategy document stating that the US and China are in a new space competition and Washington must secure cislunar freedom of operations. The cislunar zone, where Earth and Moon's gravity affect space, has scientific, economic, and national security benefits. In its policy paper, "Securing Cislunar Space and the First Island Off the Coast of Earth," issued Jan. 17, the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies emphasized that this area is crucial to the US-China great power struggle. The study noted that China's People's Liberation Army's activities and ideology reflect its desire to dominate space. The document stated that China's lunar exploration program leader compared the Moon to disputed Western Pacific islands, implying a belligerent approach. At the report's launch, Mitchell Institute senior resident fellow for space studies Charles Galbreath said China had "expanded territorial claims" and deployed "covert militarization, coercive diplomacy, and aggressive behavior" in the Western Pacific. This should not happen on the moon, he said. China and Russia announced their intentions to establish the International Lunar Research Station in 2021. International partners are welcome at the moon station, but due to fragile relations with both nations, the US is unlikely to join. Beijing is also developing alliances, obtaining partnerships and financial investments in Middle East and Latin American initiatives, and recruiting 12 international ILRS members, per The Guardian. Techtimes previously reported that Roscosmos and the China National Space Administration started building a nuclear power plant for a joint lunar base. Russia is reportedly developing a "space tugboat" that will carry heavy cargo to the moon. The United States is gathering friends to stop China from dominating space, per After China revealed its moon landing plans, President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida committed to sending a Japanese astronaut to the moon on NASA's Artemis missions in 2028 and 2032. Chinese scientists have developed a groundbreaking cell therapy that could provide long-term relief for asthma patients with just a single shot. This new treatment, which has shown promising results in animal studies, could improve asthma treatment and improve the lives of millions suffering from this respiratory condition. Current treatments, including inhalers and injections of antibodies, require lifelong dosing and do not offer a permanent cure. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, over 27 million people in the United States have asthma, which equates to approximately 1 out of every 12 individuals. New Cell Therapy Jab to Treat Asthma The South China Morning Post reports that a team of researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing, led by medical researcher Peng Min, has conducted the pioneering study. This team, primarily from the School of Basic Medical Sciences, has been exploring new treatments for various diseases. Their latest study looks at a cell therapy commonly used for cancer treatment and whether it could be applied to provide relief for asthma. The therapy involves the use of CAR-T (chimeric antigen receptor T-cell) therapy. CAR-T therapy is a form of immunotherapy that genetically engineers a patient's T-cells, a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections, to recognize and destroy specific cells. While this method has been successfully used to treat certain types of blood cancers, the new study explores its use for asthma by targeting cytokines-signaling proteins involved in inflammation. The results of this study were published on May 27 in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Immunology. Read Also : New Lung Cancer Drug Halts Disease Progression Longer Than Ever Before How the Therapy Works According to Peng Min, approximately half of asthma cases are driven by a group of cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. These cytokines can lead to excessive inflammation, causing severe asthma symptoms. The new CAR-T cell therapy targets these cytokines, potentially providing long-term remission with a single dose. In the study, the researchers developed CAR-T cells specifically designed to kill eosinophils, a type of immune cell that contributes to asthma symptoms. NewScientist reports that they found that a single infusion of these engineered cells in mice provided sustained suppression of lung inflammation and relieved asthma symptoms for more than a year, the entire duration of the experiment. Safety Concerns While the results are promising, experts caution that more research is needed to assess the feasibility and safety of using CAR-T cells for asthma in humans. Bart Lambrecht from Ghent University emphasized the need for further studies on patient selection and identifying biomarkers that predict the therapy's effectiveness over existing treatments. Additionally, the cost of CAR-T therapy, which can exceed $400,000 in the US, poses a significant challenge for widespread use. Peng hopes to reduce costs by developing methods to convert cells directly in the body into CAR-T cells. Besides asthma, the researchers believe this cell therapy could potentially treat other conditions caused by similar inflammatory factors, such as allergies, atopic dermatitis, and obstructive pulmonary disease. Stay posted here at Tech Times. At the world's largest cancer conference in Chicago, doctors acknowledged that reducing therapy for three cancers can reduce patient burden without risking results. Studies presented during the recent American Society of Clinical Oncology conference demonstrated a trend toward investigating whether fewer surgeries, chemotherapy, or radiation treatments could extend patients' lives and improve their quality of life, according to a report published by ABC News. The current studies focused on ovarian, esophageal, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancer research 30 years ago stressed harsh therapies. Advanced breast cancer patients had extensive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants, which did not enhance outcomes and caused severe agony. Now, researchers doubt intensive therapies are essential. Kaiser Permanente National Cancer Excellence Program medical director Dr. Tatjana Kolevska, who was not involved in the current research, questioned whether the treatments implemented in the past are still necessary. Drug advancements allow for less intense therapy. Dr. William G. Nelson of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who was not involved in the research, noted that cancer treatments nowadays are "becoming more effective" and "easier to tolerate" with fewer complications. What Do Cancer Researchers Say? French researchers showed that excluding healthy-looking lymph nodes during advanced ovarian cancer surgery is safe. In 379 individuals, lymph node removal did not affect survival after nine years. Less extreme surgery, such as blood transfusions, had fewer problems. The French National Cancer Institute supported the study. In a German study of 438 esophageal cancer patients treated with surgery, two methods had identical survival rates. Two groups received chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. After three years, 57% of chemo and surgical patients survived, compared to 51% of radiation patients. The German Research Foundation financed the study. A study compared two chemotherapy regimens for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma and found the less rigorous treatment more successful and less harmful. After four years, 94% of patients getting less rigorous chemotherapy were disease-free, compared to 91% of those receiving more extensive therapy. Takeda Oncology, a drug maker in the less intense regimen, financed the research, which comprised 1,482 patients from nine countries. Read Also : New Cell Therapy Jab Could Offer Long-Term Asthma Relief with a Single Shot AI is Helping Fight Cancer This advancement in cancer treatment follows a breakthrough marked by US and Australian researchers demonstrating a system powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for faster and more accurate brain cancer detection, as previously reported by TechTimes. The Australian National University and the National Cancer Institute in the US have built a deep learning algorithm to predict DNA methylation, which governs gene activity, and classify brain cancers into 10 broad groups. The US-Australian DEPLOY system analyzes patient histopathology pictures, first described in Nature Medicine. Many hospitals worldwide do not offer DNA methylation-based profiling, which takes weeks. Australian National University research fellow Danh-Tai Hoang thinks AI will speed up diagnosis. Hoang called the present brain tumor detection procedure "very time-consuming" since findings take two to three weeks. He and other researchers found that DEPLOY can rescue many brain tumor patients, especially high-grade ones. On 4,000 US and European patient datasets, the researchers tested their AI model with 95% accuracy. According to the World Health Organization, cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide. The disease killed 9.6 million people in 2018, with the most prevalent cancers in men being lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver, while the most common cancers in women were breast, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid. Cancer burden grows worldwide. Low and middle-income nations are least prepared to handle this load, with many cancer patients missing prompt and effective diagnosis and treatment. Kaspersky, the popular Russian cybersecurity and anti-virus company, has released a new virus removal tool that scans the Linux platform for known cyber threats for free. The security firm notes that the myth that Linux is mostly immune to cyber threats doesnt hold true anymore, as modern-day cybercriminals have started targeting Linux-based operating systems. Also, companies rarely invest money in protecting machines running this operating system. The Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool (KVRT) is an app that scans computers running a Linux-based operating system and removes existing infections. It can detect malware, adware, and legitimate programs that can be used for attacks. However, KVRT for Linux cannot actively monitor incoming attacks on the computer or server in real-time. Since KVRT for Linux doesnt have an automated antivirus database updating mechanism, users will have to download a fresh version of the program each time, as the hosted package is updated several times a day. Our application can scan system memory, startup objects, boot sectors, and all files in the operating system for known malware. It scans files of all formats including archived ones, wrote Kaspersky in the blog post. Further, as the tool is a portable app that doesnt require installation, it can be helpful in scanning multiple PCs using a USB drive. The app can be run via a graphical interface or via a command line, and it can also be run only manually. KVRT for Linux can be used on a computer that satisfies the following requirements: Minimum Hardware Requirements Hard drive: 1 GB of free space CPU: Intel Pentium 1 GHz or higher RAM: 1 GB Internet connection Minimum Software Requirements The application supports the following 64-bit operating systems for the x86_64 architecture: AlmaLinux OS 8 or later AlterOS 7.5 or later Astra Linux Common Edition 2.12 or later CentOS 6.7 or later Debian GNU/Linux 10.0 or later EulerOS 2.0 or later Linux Mint 19.2 or later openSUSE Leap 15.0 or later Oracle Linux 7.3 or later Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6.7 or later Rocky Linux 8.5 or later SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 12.5 or later Ubuntu 12.04 or later Uncom OS Home / Business / Education / Enterprise 2.2 or later ALT Linux Workstation / Workstation K / Server / Education 8 or later ROSA Linux Workstation / Server 12 or later RED OS 7.3 and later To learn more about how to launch the application and provide it with the necessary permissions, you can visit Kasperskys technical support website. BEIJING, June 2 (Xinhua) -- After China's Chang'e-6 touched down on the far side of the moon Sunday morning to collect samples, foreign scientists participating in the mission expressed their excitement and thanks for taking their scientific instruments to the moon. The Chang'e-6 mission carried four payloads developed through international cooperation, providing more opportunities for global scientists and merging human expertise in space exploration. Scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency (ESA)/Sweden are aboard the Chang'e-6 lander. "Thank China so much for taking us to the moon," Sylvestre Maurice, a French astronomer from the University of Toulouse, said after he watched the landing process in a control room at the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences on Sunday. "Today's landing is absolutely amazing. It's hard to land on a planet, and it's very hard especially on the moon. Don't think it's easy. Remember it's on the far side of the moon where we cannot see. And China had even to put another relay satellite to watch the landing. They landed right where they wanted to. So it's quite an achievement, something we've been looking for so many years," said Maurice. Supported by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite, the lander-ascender combination of the Chang'e-6 probe successfully landed at the designated landing area at 6:23 a.m. (Beijing Time) in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, according to the China National Space Administration. "The far side of the moon is very unique. The South Pole-Aitken Basin is a huge basin. There was an impact long time ago to remove most of the crust, so we might have landed as close as possible to the mantle of the moon," Maurice said. "As planetary scientists, the best thing we can dream of is to have samples in our lab. Nothing is better than having samples here, where we can study them and really go into the details of the story of the moon," said Maurice. He mentioned that French scientists have got the lunar sample returned by the Chang'e-5 mission and would carry out research on it. "We were very lucky to collaborate with China on different projects including the Chang'e lunar program and the Tianwen-1 Mars mission," he added. Mathieu Grialou, a representative from the French space agency CNES, said Chang'e-6 will be the first mission to bring back samples from the far side of the moon. "We are very thrilled to be a small part of this very big mission." "We are very happy to cooperate with China on this mission as China is now a big player in space," Grialou said. "It's great that we can contribute together to a better knowledge of the moon and our solar system." A scientific instrument named Detection of Outgassing RadoN (DORN), developed by French scientists and onboard the lander of Chang'e-6, will detect radon isotopes and study the transmission and diffusion mechanisms of volatile compounds in the lunar environment. Witnessing the landing of Chang'e-6, Pierre-Yves Meslin, principal investigator of DORN from France, said, "We have been thinking about this moment for years and even more intensely for the last few months and weeks and days. We were almost watching at the moon every night here in Beijing." "We are very glad to be on the surface of the moon. Our instrument will start working. Now the pressure will be on us to succeed in our measurements," Meslin said. He said the objective of the instrument is to study the origin and dynamics of the lunar exosphere. It will try to measure a radioactive gas called radon that is produced by lunar rocks in the lunar interior. "This gas might migrate from the warm regions of the moon to the cold regions of the moon, and we will try to understand its dynamics in the lunar environment. It will be the first time to measure it on the surface of the moon." He mentioned that his team had a short time to develop the instrument, with only 3.5 years. "The schedule was very tight but we succeeded with the help of our Chinese partners." "It's always good to share ideas with the different countries, which allows us to move forward to enrich our knowledge. As Europeans, we don't have the capacity to deploy our instruments on the surface of the moon yet. So we rely on international partners. China is now one of the most reliable partners that can safely land on the moon, as we have one more proof today," said Meslin. Patrick Pinet, a scientist at the University of Toulouse, said Chang'e-6's landing seems smooth and easy, but it relies on a very heavy job and high skills. "And we're very impressed by what was achieved by China this time again." "It's a very moving time for me," he said, noting that when he was 10 years old, he watched Neil Armstrong's landing on the moon on TV, and today it is his first experience of witnessing a landing on the far side of the moon in a control room in China. "It's 55 years later, and a lot of things have evolved through time." "We really expect to have some success with this mission and with the next ones to come," he added. The lander of the Chang'e-6 spacecraft also carried an instrument, called Negative Ions on the Lunar Surface (NILS), developed by the ESA/Sweden to the moon, which will be used to detect negative ions and study the interaction between plasma and the lunar surface. Neil Melville-Kenney, NILS technical officer of the ESA, said the CNSA's initiative to invite international partners to participate in the Chang'e-6 mission is very much appreciated by the international community. "It's a very impressive mission, a very ambitious mission. So we are very pleased to be a part of it. And the collaboration has gone very smoothly. Now we are waiting for the payload to be turned on so that we can get our first data," he said. "It's very important to have international cooperation for space exploration. I think space exploration encourages us to consider our planet as one and our people as one. And it's important that we work together as we start to explore the solar system more and more. Together we can achieve greater things," he added. Lightning injures at least 13 in Czech town Prague, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2024 A lightning bolt that hit a tree in a castle park injured at least 13 people in the northern Czech Republic on Sunday, a local hospital and rescuers said. The strike occurred in the Liberec-Vratislavice castle park about 90 kilometres (55 miles) northeast of the capital Prague on Sunday afternoon. "As far as I know, the lightning injured five children and eight adults," Vaclav Ricar, spokesman for the Liberec hospital, told AFP. "I was told that of the eight adults, five had to undergo resuscitation," he said, adding that the injured were on their way to the hospital. Local firefighters said on X that the lightning "struck a tree under which there were people". "We are assisting emergency services with the transport of the injured and providing pre-medical care," they added. Police said on X meanwhile that the lightning had injured 15 people. The Czech Republic was hit by heavy rain on Saturday and storms on Sunday. Heavy rain also caused floods in neighbouring Germany over the weekend, with one volunteer firefighter reported dead and another missing on Sunday. Lightning injures 18 people in Czech Republic Prague, June 2 (AFP) Jun 02, 2024 A lightning bolt that hit a tree in a castle park in the northern Czech Republic on Sunday injured eighteen people who were sheltering underneath it, rescuers said. The strike occurred in the Liberec-Vratislavice castle park about 90 kilometres (55 miles) northeast of the capital Prague on Sunday afternoon. "There were 18 injured people on the site, including seven serious injuries," local emergency spokesman Michal Georgiev told AFP, adding that the injured had been taken to hospitals. Liberec regional hospital spokesman Vaclav Ricar told AFP that five adult patients had to undergo resuscitation and that one child was transported to a Prague hospital by helicopter. "They were all conscious and their condition was stable," he said, adding the patients did not suffer any burns. Local firefighters said on X that the lightning "struck a tree under which there were people". Media reports said the castle park was holding an event to mark Saturday's International Children's Day. The Czech Republic was hit by heavy rain on Saturday and storms on Sunday. Heavy rain also caused floods in neighbouring Germany over the weekend, with one volunteer firefighter reported dead and another missing on Sunday. JAKARTA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo met on Sunday with Norway's Climate and Environment Minister Andreas Bjelland Eriksen on conservation cooperation, according to Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar. "The main target is FOLU (Forestry and Other Land Use) Net Sink 2030. There has been concrete support or Norway's contribution to Indonesia's climate action achievements amounting to 156 million U.S. dollars, which is approximately equivalent to 30.2 million tons of carbon," Siti Nurbaya told a press conference. The FOLU Net Sink 2030 is Indonesia's target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry and land use sectors by up to 140 million tons of Carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030. In 2022, Norway has signed financial support deal in the form of a result-based contribution for Indonesia's efforts to reduce deforestation and forest degradation. Norway has provided financial support of 56 million dollars in 2022 as well as 100 million dollars onwards for the island nation's climate action. Eriksen said that Norway has worked together with Indonesia, which has achieved significant progress in tackling deforestation. Indonesia has achieved significant and magnificent results regarding deforestation in the last couple of years, he said. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten and the Services Australia department have employed a speechwriter for $620,000 over two years. Julianne Stewart, who has been a speechwriter for former prime ministers Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, was hired under an AusTender contract from Services Australia. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Services Australia deputy chief executive Susie Smith confirmed at estimates this afternoon that Stewart was initially hired on a 12-month contract valued at $268,000 per annum exclusive of GST, and it was extended for the second year, totalling $620,000 over two years. The contract is set to end September 30. She is a contractor to Services Australia. Sorry, my point of clarification was that she does more than work just for the minister. She provides training and building of capability, shes not exclusive to Minister Shorten, Smith said. She does do work for the agency, she belongs to the agency, she has management reporting and arrangements through to the agency, through to the communications division, she participates in the weekly team meetings with the communications division for which Im responsible ... While she does a lot of work in terms of speech writing for the minister, it is not exclusive, and she also helps build the capability of public service speechwriters that we have within the division. A white woman at that whitest of pastimes a writers festival delivers that whitest of platitudes: Australia is a racist country. Lets face it, ABC political reporter Laura Tingle declared as part of a Sydney Writers Festival panel, we always have been, and its very depressing. Her comments were made in response to political competition over who will cut immigration numbers the most, this round turbocharged by Opposition Leader Peter Duttons budget reply speech. In his speech, Dutton blamed unplanned migration for pressure on housing, roads and essential services and promised a drastic cut to immigration numbers. Tingle characterised his position as everything thats going wrong in this country is because of migrants. Laura Tingle, chief political correspondent of the ABCs 7.30 current affairs television program. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In a lengthy follow-up statement contextualising her comments, Tingle reassured Australians that, while observing that we are a racist country, she wasnt saying every Australian is a racist. This would have been obvious to her audience. People who attend writers festivals would not consider themselves racist. People on writers festival panels are most surely not racist. So what makes us a racist country? Who exactly is racist in Australia? And against whom? Its a question that we really dont examine enough. There is an authorial arrogance to writers festival anti-racism, in which whiteness is forever and always the protagonist. White people are the doers, other races the done unto. It is a strange and ironic erasure of multiethnic and multicultural Australia. A quiet side street next to St Kilda Cemetery is turning into a resting place of a different sort, with a growing number of caravans parked there. When this masthead visited Alexandra Street in St Kilda East last week, there were 17 caravans along the street, taking up almost half the parking spots. Residents (from left) Justin Halliday, Brian Murray and Rio Filgueira with caravans left in Alexandra Street, St Kilda East. Credit: Chris Hopkins Its like a game of sardines, City of Port Phillip Mayor Heather Cunsolo says. Like, one person does it and then the others join in. Residents are unimpressed and say the caravans make it difficult for them to park their cars near their homes, and raise concerns about safety. Mount Scopus Memorial College, a high-fee Jewish private school in Melbournes south-east, says it is confident it will strike a deal with the state government to move its Burwood campus to Caulfield Hospital, in the citys Jewish heartland. The school transports about 1000 students from the Caulfield area to Burwood each day, costing parents thousands of dollars each year, and has described the hospitals use of the site as inefficient, costly and a huge waste of valuable land. Mount Scopus Memorial College principal Dan Sztrajt after antisemitic graffiti was sprayed at the school in May. Credit: Wayne Taylor But the state government and the hospitals operator say there are no current plans for the hospital to be moved or redeveloped to accommodate Mount Scopus. The land-swap proposal involves Mount Scopus taking over all or part of the Caulfield Hospital site in return for relinquishing its flagship Burwood campus and potentially its smaller campuses in St Kilda East and Caulfield South. ROME, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Italy on Sunday celebrated the 78th anniversary of its founding as a republic, with President Sergio Mattarella calling for unity in Italy and across Europe. In his remarks, Mattarella said the creation of the Italian Republic created "an Italy open to Europe" and he called for unity in Italy and across Europe. He also cited the importance of Italian multilateral cooperation, including within the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Italian president's remarks come with an increase in violence across the world as well as increasing political divisions between European Union states. It also comes days before citizens in 27 European Union states including Italy go to the polls to select new members of the European Parliament. Mattarella laid a wreath at the country's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome followed by a parade and the famed jet fly-over with smoke trailing the colors of the Italian flag. Mattarella was joined by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the presidents of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, multiple government ministers, and mayors from some 300 cities and towns. Dozens of members of the Italy-based diplomatic corps were also on hand. In her remarks, Meloni said Italy should return to the "first idea of Europe" -- saying that it called for the autonomy of states, a reference to a balance between multi-state cooperation and national autonomy. It also comes as Italy holds the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) club of large industrialized countries. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission met in Dubois last week for its May meeting. The Commission once again invested in wildlife crossings to help prevent vehicle collisions with big game, as it voted to approve an additional $500,000 toward The Wind River to Grand Tetons Connecting Wildlife on the Togwotee Trail Dubois project on U.S. Highway 26. The wildlife crossing project will include the construction of three new underpasses, one overpass and the improvement of three existing underpasses. The wildlife crossing project is a result of a collaborative effort between the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes and partners. These crossings will maintain habitat connectivity for mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, white-tailed deer, moose and pronghorn. Mule deer from northwest Wyoming migrate through Dubois and cross U.S. 26 multiple times. About 5,000 mule deer winter in the Upper Wind River Valley and cross the highway daily for food and water. Elk, moose, white-tailed deer and pronghorn also winter here, and many stay year-round. Bighorn sheep near Red Creek frequently cross the highway and are often seen foraging or licking road salt along the right-of-way. Wildlife/vehicle collisions on U.S. 26 involve all these species. Once fully completed, this project is expected to result in an 80-90% reduction in wildlife-vehicle collisions with mule deer and other wildlife and an average savings of more than $800,000 in vehicle damage and human injury costs per year. Additional meeting updates: The Commission voted to approve Policy VII, Use of Opiate Antagonists, which allows Game and Fish employees to use Naloxone (Narcan) on a victim of an opioid overdose in the course of their official duties. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department presented updates on wildlife crossing projects and federal funding, the Jackson housing project and the Dan Speas Fish Hatchery cool/warm-water facility. The Commissions next meeting is July 16-17 in Buffalo. ALL polls give NDA 350+ seats PM Modi to return for third te PM Modi to return for third term: Exit polls rm: Exit polls NEW DELHI : EXIT polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls. The ABP-C Voter has forecast 353-383 seats for the BJP-led alliance and 152-182 seats for the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc. Todays Chanakya predicted a much higher tally for the BJP and its alliance than the 2019 polls. It gave 335 seats to the BJP and 400 to the NDA, with a margin of 15 seats either way. It gave 107 seats to the Opposition alliance with a possibility of its tally going up or down by 11 seats. The BJP had given the slogan of 400 paar for its alliance in this Lok Sabha polls. If the exit polls hold true, Modi will equal the record of the countrys first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in leading his party to victory at the polls for a third straight term. The Times Now-ETG Researchs exit poll gave 358 and 152 seats to the NDA and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc respectively. Many pollsters said the NDA may surpass its 2019 tally of 353 seats. The BJP had won 303 seats in the election. The Congress had bagged 53 seats and its allies 38. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc was formed by Opposition parties to take on the BJPled NDA in the Lok Sabha elections. The NDA in all likelihood will open its account in Tamil Nadu and Kerala and sweep Karnataka but may see a fall in its tally in states like Bihar, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Haryana, according to most pollsters. News 18 predicted that the BJP on its own will get 306-315 seats while its alliance will bag 355-370 seats. It gave 125-140 seats to the Opposition alliance. The Republic TV-P Marq poll claimed that the ruling alliance will win up to 359 seats and the Opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc will bag 154 seats in the 543-member Lok Sabha. The Republic TV-Matrize poll gave 353-368 seats to the NDA and 118-133 seats to the opposition. The Jan Ki Baat poll gave 362-392 seats to the ruling NDA and 141-161 to the Opposition alliance. The India TV-CNX gave them 371-401 and 109-139 seats respectively, while the corresponding tally predicted by News Nation was 342-378 and 153-169. Meanwhile, the Congress, claimed that the exit polls had been orchestrated by PM Modi and said these are all psychological games he is masterminding, but the actual results will be very different. The counting of votes will take place on June 4. Ridofranz / iStock.com Artificial intelligence, a game-changing technology, has the potential to revolutionize the stock market in the years to come. Due to inevitable advancements in technology, some stocks may experience a surge, while others could face a decline. Check Out: Charlie Munger Why 95% of Investors Have No Chance of Beating the S&P 500 Index Read Next: 4 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact companies that will take a hit, investors might want to monitor the companies mentioned below for their AI strategies and adaptability. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (JCPNQ) AI is revolutionizing the e-commerce sector by enabling highly personalized shopping experiences, efficient inventory management and predictive analytics. As a historically brick-and-mortar business, J.C. Penney has struggled to keep up with online giants like Amazon and AI-savvy retailers like Walmart and Target. J.C. Penneys financial woes, operational inefficiencies, and lag in technological adoption position it poorly against competitors who are embracing AI, making its stock more vulnerable to future declines. Learn More: 10 Valuable Stocks That Could Be the Next Apple or Amazon Wells Fargo & Co. (WFC) Just like every other industry, financial services will see a significant disruption in how we build products and services we offer, said Swarup Pogalur, Wells Fargos head of digital and AI capabilities. But we have a strong position around open banking, meaning as the AI space evolves, we are able to create banking products that are super-charged with AI and be where customers are. As AI continues to transform the financial services industry, banks continue to race towards technological advancements, competing for unpredictable market share, facing higher operational costs, and suffering from negative market perceptions, all of which could contribute to a decline in stock value. General Motors Company (GM) GM faces the challenge of catching up with more technologically advanced competitors. Additionally, just like its competitors Ford, Toyota, or any automotive company GM is simultaneously investing in the development of an all-electric future, per Mary Barra, the CEO of GM, as quoted by Columbia Business School. Were building a portfolio of electric vehicles that will really give people choice we think thats going to be critically important to drive EV adoption, Barra said. In other words, automotive companies like General Motors need to keep up with their competitors by continually investing in both AI developments and EV adoption, which can exponentially increase the gap between those falling behind and those that continue to advance. Story continues The Bottom Line Its important to note that the stock market is influenced by a myriad of factors, and a companys ability to adapt to AI is just one of many factors influencing its future performance. Objectively, no one knows how AI will develop in the coming years, so identifying how specific stocks will perform is inherently speculative. Investors should conduct thorough research and consider multiple aspects before making investment decisions. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 3 Stocks That Could Plummet in Value With the Rise of AI Are people beginning to lose interest in digital reading? By Vijay Phanshikar : Loud Thinking CONFUSING signs are emerging from the camp that has always promoted reading of books on digital platforms -- in the sense many enthusiasts are beginning to admit, though slyly, that people only talk of reading digital versions of books etc, but very small numbers actually engage themselves in such reading. What is the truth? -- one may ask.. and may not actually get an authentic answer. That is what had happened with the loud-thinker on several occasions in the past some time. A senior academic told him that he found his students actually not reading digital versions as intensely and keenly as expected. A book-publisher, too, confided with the loud-thinker that habitually, he proposes to his author-clients a parallel publication of digital books in addition to the hard copy publication. That costs only marginally more. But most authors in different languages decline the proposal stating that their experience suggests that actual reading of digital versions by people is minimal, which was why they do not want to waste their energy and money on the digital format of their works. A tech-savvy young man in his early thirties, too, said in a social conversation that all the talk of reading of digital versions is bunkum, and very few actually find time and inclination to read the digital books. The loud-thinker has found over the past few months that countless numbers of people have only a dim view of digital reading. Of course, everybody talks tall and loud about digital books etc, but that appears to be the case only for social consumption. The senior academic who said he did not find his students doing a serious reading of digital versions of text books available so easily everywhere, also told the loud-thinker that most people who read digital versions complain of mild headache and dry eyes and itching on the face. Quite a few medical doctors confirmed that they had cases of people with similar symptoms in people who tried to indulge in heavy digital reading. It is perfectly fine for anybody to read some material digitally, but to read books that run into several hundred pages appears a difficult task for most, a retired university librarian of a college in Nagpur said when asked about the issue. WHAT is the reality, then? For, an owner of a book store, too, told the loud-thinker that she had found the demand for printed books is slowly but certainly picking up. Hence the question: What is the reality? For most, this may not be a major issue at all. But for the loud-thinker who has not missed even nuances of different social trends for the past so many decades, the signals from the digital reading arena indicate certain negativism. If this observation has any substance, then there may be emerging a happy news that printed books are returning in public demand. PMs 45-hr-long meditation concludes KANYAKUMARI : PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded his 45-hour long meditation at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial here and paid floral tributes to Tamil saint poet Thiruvalluvar. On conclusion of his dhyan session, Modi, clad in white, visited the 133-ft statue of Thiruvalluvar, located next to the rock memorial and placed a huge garland there marking his tribute. He arrived at the statue complex by a ferry service and later reached the shore using the service. The Prime Minister left by a helicopter for Thiruvananthapuram and from there, he left for Delhi. During his stay at the memorial, the PM did meditation and also performed Surya Arghya at the time of sunrise, a ritual associated with spiritual practice. Modi was clad in saffron while he was engaged in meditation at the VivekanandaRockMemorial on Saturday. Kanyakumariisfamousfor its sunrise and sunset and the memorial is located on a tiny islet near the shoreline. At the Vivekananda Rock Memorial,thePMembarked on his 45-hourlong meditation on the evening of May 30 and completed it on Saturday.Heavysecurityhad been put in place for PM Modi, and along with the SpecialProtectionGroup,the Coast Guard was also providing security to the Prime Minister. Hemeditatedthrough day and night at the Dhyan Mandapam, the same place where Swami Vivekananda did meditation and is believedtohave hada divine vision about Bharat Mata. Pune car crash Minors mother held PUNE : PUNE Police have arrested the mother of the minor in the Porsche car accident case after confirmation that his blood samples were replaced with hers, the city police chief said on Saturday. As part of their probe, the police also spoke to the minor for about an hour at the observation home, where he has been sent till June 5, in his mother, Shivani Vishal Agarwals presence. Citing their investigation into the accident, Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar said the juvenilesbloodsampleswere swapped with those of his mother. Police had told a local court twodays ago that the blood samples of the 17- year-old juvenile were exchanged with those of a woman.Wewillconductthe minors inquiry inside the home in the presence of his mother, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shailesh Balkawade had said before police spoke to the minor. The Juvenile JusticeBoard (JJB) on Friday permittedthepolicetoprobe the teenager. Under the Juvenile Justice Act, the inquiry of a minor has to be conducted in the parents presence. UNEASY CALM THE calm that has descended on the country after seemingly endless weeks of hectic and cantankerous campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections and voting in all seven phases is over, is uneasy in every sense, to say the least. With the countrys political community entering a zone of anxiety about what future holds in store for various parties, the only prayers that can be sensed are about quickly getting past this period of four days of uncertainty. No matter the tall claims each side is making about the seats it is going to win and corner the glory, every party, every leader is anxious about the final outcome that will decide the countrys direction in the next five years -- or possibly the next 25 years to the point of 2047. There is little doubt about the outcome in the peoples mind, so to say. No matter the margin between the winner and the loser, the common voters know that it is going to be Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi who will return to power in the most authentic manner -- thanks to his propeople politics, thanks to his tremendous people-connect, thanks to his smart and aggressive management of election campaign ...! Despite all this, there is an unease in the atmosphere -- since everybody is fully aware of the vote swings by even fractional percentiles that could change electoral fortunes of parties. Yet, a dispassionate observer of the political scenario will tilt the judgement in favour of the ruling combine of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) because of the actual work the Modi Government has done in the previous two consecutive terms of five years each. In sharp contrast, the combined Opposition represented in parts by I.N.D.I. Alliance appears rather scatter-brain in its response to the electoral challenge and also the contest of narratives. Those who favour the Opposition camp for whatever reasons also harbour serious doubts about the ability of the I.N.D.I. Alliance provide a credible alternative to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Seen from this perspective, the outcome of the elections may prove to be path-breaking in every sense. From that standpoint, there is no need for any unease in the countrys political community. But factually, anxiety is the order of the day -- for all. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, however, found his way out of these anxiety-filled days -- through meditation at the Swami Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari. His political confidence apart, he appears assured of his role the Divine has ordained for him. Power, for him, is only a tool and he is only an instrument of the Divine, as he said in many of his recent and rare interviews. It is very rare for people in politics to own such a mindset. The Prime Minister is fortunate to have a spiritual bend of mind. When a country is led by a spiritually-oriented mind, then its future can be assured of reasonable stability in every sense. That is what the country needs at this point in time. In the past ten years, much has been achieved in the right direction. The task, of course, is very big and will need a focused governance for at least the next few years. This has been insisted upon by Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar on his foreign trips and domestic rallies and meetings. In the current uneasy calm in the country, this thought brings to fore a ray of positivism. That is what the country has been waiting for. supersizer / iStock/Getty Images When her mother developed Alzheimers disease, New Mexico resident Leonie Rosenstiel was unprepared to navigate the endless maze of elder care. While she was able to stem the cost a bit in the beginning of her mothers disease when around-the-clock care was not required, she said, Hiring a full-time, individual caregiver turns much more expensive very quickly. Check Out: 9 Moves for Retirement Planning To Make Now If Youre Worried About the Economy Learn More: 7 Common Debt Scenarios That Could Impact Your Retirement and How To Handle Them Rosenstiel, president of Dayspring Resources, said she spent $60,000 per year in home care as management services and commercial guardians were deliberately trying to make sure they disposed of as much of [my] money as possible. She went on to write a book about her bad experience, called Protecting Mama: Surviving the Legal Guardianship Swamp. So what can be done to mitigate the cost of at-home caregivers and prevent giant money pits? To find out, GOBankingRates spoke with Stuart Schoenfeld, elder care attorney and partner at Capell Barnett Matalon & Schoenfeld. Wealthy people know the best money secrets. Learn how to copy them. Try To Offset Cost With Long-Term Care Policies and Medicaid While Medicaid was initially designed for lower-income individuals, the program has evolved to be more accessible for middle-class (and sometimes even upper-class) individuals. The caveat, however, lies in being able to qualify for it when the government asks to see the last five years of your financials (referred to as the five-year look-back). If you make a certain amount of money, youre on your own figuring out how to pay for care. Thats where Schoenfeld advises clients to protect their assets and income by transferring them to a trust. Part of the planning process is to do it as early as possible to get through that five years, Schoenfeld said. This is absolutely a situation where inside knowledge and early education could give you a leg up. As CFP Nicole B. Simpson wrote, its the lack of understanding regarding Medicaid and Medicare (that) can cause great financial harm. Discover More: You Can Get These 3 Debts Canceled Forever Live in California or New York While a move is not feasible for everyone, Schoenfeld points out that, in California and New York, the five-year look-back doesnt apply to Medicaid for at-home care. It does, however, apply to nursing home care. These are part of state incentives to have family care for their loved ones at home. So, if a family member has an unexpectedly sudden need for at-home care and planning five years into the future is off the table, you are financially positioned much better by residing in one of these two states. Story continues Look at Overall Spending In the same way forgoing your morning Starbucks every day can help save thousands of dollars annually, many people do not realize they can re-allocate money from other places by simply taking a spending inventory. This can result in having more money to put toward caregivers or other qualified professionals without it feeling like such a financial strain. See where else they can cut back on spending, Schoenfeld said. Sometimes people come to me and I say, I cant help you until you can find the money or get your spending under control.' Avoid Scammers Avoiding con artists can be easier said than done, especially given the physically and emotionally vulnerable nature of an elderly or infirm relative. Thats why it is always important for families to do their research and ensure they are getting the right financial professionals on board. Make sure the elderly arent getting scammed and that their money is safe wherever it is invested, Schoenfeld said. Financial advisors are typically looking out for the best interests of their clients; but, Schoenfeld cautioned, even they have to be watched: Ive had six, seven, eight clients where the kids called and said their money was stolen and they were taken advantage of. Smooth talkers may seem alluring when hiring a professional, but word of mouth and individual background checks are typically your friend. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Major Moves To Help You Avoid Going Broke When Paying for At-Home Care pixdeluxe / Getty Images You might not think that going shopping while on vacation is the hallmark of frugality. The puka shell necklace that will break within a week or the cheesy T-shirt branded with the name of an amusement park or attraction doesnt exactly seem like a wise purchase. Youd be right, of course. But that doesnt mean the only way to stay thrifty while soaking up the sun involves snapping your wallet shut. There are some purchases you can make during a vacation that will prove to be the most worthwhile finds. Check Out: Dave Ramsey: 7 Vacation Splurges That Are a Waste of Money Discover More: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy GOBankingRates talked to Alejandra Rojas, finance professional at The Money Mindset Hub, to get her advice on the goods you should always look for while youre having a great time. Being frugal is about being mindful of your spending with a clear goal or lifestyle in mind, so take advantage of your vacation to buy things that you otherwise cant have or wont enjoy once you leave that place, she said. Here are four things even frugal people buy on vacation. Local Fare Why not use your time in a hotspot to get the very cool art, crafts, clothing, decorations and jewelry you simply cant find anywhere else? Picking up work by local artisans not only helps support smaller businesses but also allows you to get truly rare, unique items at prices that wont have you succumbing to sticker shock. Even better, investing in local products helps you feel more connected to the culture and community of the place youre vacationing. Ive found the best pieces of art made by local people. This is more than just a piece of something; its getting to know a way of living and understanding life through the lens of that place and its people, Rojas said. Find Out: 3 Places To Travel That Are Like Hawaii but Way Cheaper Local Food If youre one of the many frugal people who save money by cooking at home, theres no reason you cant still keep the habit while on vacation. However, Rojas also shared that you should make a point of trying the local cuisine not only for the experience of savoring new foods but also to get some fresh recipe ideas. If part of your frugal lifestyle is to cook at home, that is awesome! Spend 80% of your vacation doing that, but remember to try local things. You can always gather more ideas on what else to cook when you return home, she said. Practical Seasonal Items In a two-for-one of cost savings and practicality, Rojas recommended shopping for the right clothes for your destination at your actual destination. Not only are you getting all the benefits of shopping among local stores and vendors, but youll also lighten the load of your luggage when youre flying there. Saving space in your luggage can sometimes translate to cheaper flights, helping you save at various stages of your trip. Story continues Experiences If theres one thing you should absolutely prioritize on a vacation, its enjoying experiences you cant have anywhere else. Thats why Rojas recommended thrifty vacationers investigate the kinds of experiences and adventures that you can enjoy not only as a tourist but as a local. Rojas said that you might be surprised to find that many of these opportunities are actually free. But even if you have to spend a little, youll gain a lot. Live life through the lens of the place and its people, if only for a few hours; that will make a remarkable experience, she said. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Things Frugal People Always Buy on Vacation John M. Chase / iStock.com Choosing the right car for your gig as an Uber or Lyft driver makes a huge difference to your profit margin. Get the wrong set of wheels, and youre looking at a money pit that guzzles more funds than it generates. The hidden costs can turn some popular vehicles into financial burdens on wheels. Check Out: 5 Japanese Cars To Stay Away From Buying Read Next: 5 Unusual Ways To Make Extra Money (That Actually Work) If youre on the hunt for the perfect ride-sharing car, beware of the vehicles that come with high maintenance costs, poor fuel efficiency or a steep depreciation curve. While some models are favorites among drivers for their reliability and cost-effectiveness, others are notorious for the exact opposite. ETIENNE LAURENT / EPA-EFE / Shutterstock.com Rideshare Driving Expenses Its important to consider expenses associated with driving for a rideshare company, as they will cut into the profit you make. Full-time rideshare drivers put a ton of extra mileage on their cars, on the order of 30,000 to 45,000 extra miles per year. This means that you will need maintenance sooner and spend more on fuel than a standard driver. These are the main expenses rideshare drivers can expect: Fuel Insurance Maintenance & Repairs Depreciation Learn More: Buying a Used Car: The Best Age and Mileage To Get Great Value Trending Now: 10 New Cars to Avoid Buying in 2024 Vitalij Sova / iStock.com Good Option: Toyota Corolla Before we get into vehicles that will lose you money if you are an Uber of Lyft driver, lets take a look at one that would be considered a good rideshare vehicle. The Toyota Corolla is a low-cost and reliable vehicle that depreciates slowly and has minimal maintenance and repair costs. With a great fuel economy of 35 MPG, you wont be watching your profits drain into your gas tank. Insurance also isnt too spendy, averaging around a reasonable $800 per year. MRSP: $23,145 Fuel Economy: 35 MPG Insurance: $760-$860/yr Maintenance & Repairs: $362/yr Depreciation: 21% over 5 years Using the Toyota Corolla as an example of a good choice, lets compare these expenses with the worst rideshare cars out there. Learn Next: 6 Hybrid Vehicles To Stay Away From Buying Cadillac Bad Option for Full Size SUV: Cadillac Escalade ESV The Cadillac Escalade Extended Stretch Vehicle (ESV) is a spacious and luxurious vehicle, but that comes with a cost several, actually. Youll be pouring money into the tank instead of your bank account, because the Escalade gets only 16 miles per gallon and requires premium gas. This beast depreciates by 41% which is no small number on such a high sticker price. Sure, you can get paid more on the apps for offering an XL ride, but youll be paying XL bills too. Story continues MSRP: $84,190 Fuel Economy: 16 MPG Insurance: $850-$1000/yr Maintenance & Repairs: $1,127/yr Depreciation: 41% over 5 years Hadrian / Shutterstock.com Bad Option for Electric: Tesla Model S This zippy, eco-friendly car is very trendy right now. Despite the costs associated with an at home charging station, youll save on fuel compared to most gas vehicles. However, beware of pricey insurance and costly (and frequent) repairs. The Tesla Model S is a high-investment vehicle that might break the bank as much as it breaks down. MSRP: $74,380 Fuel Economy: 122 MPGe Insurance: $960-$1100/yr Maintenance & Repairs: $1047/yr Depreciation: 35% over 5 years BMW Bad Option for Plug in Hybrid: BMW 5 Series (530e) This luxury sedan is a plug-in hybrid boasting an excellent 62 MPGe. You might be saving at the pump, but youre still going to be paying a premium for the luxury badge. Plus, this vehicle has some of the worst depreciation on the market, losing nearly half of its value within five years of purchase. While fairly reliable, these German-made vehicles require expensive upkeep. When you need repairs, youll be opening your wallet wide, since not every mechanic can work on a BMW and parts must be shipped internationally. MSRP: $59,695 Fuel Economy: 62 MPGe Insurance: $850-$1,000 year Maintenance & Repairs: $968/year Depreciation: 45% over 5 years Check This: These 10 Used Cars Will Last Longer Than an Average New Vehicle Stellantis Media Bad Option for Full Size Truck: Ram 1500 TRX Besides the sticker shock of a nearly six-figure price tag, the Ram 1500 TRX will really start to cost you at the fuel pump. This truck has some of the worst gas mileage on the market, getting only 12 miles per gallon. That means your annual fuel costs will be $7,500 more than average. On the other hand, the Ram 1500 has the highest reliability rating of full-size trucks, leaving it with average maintenance and repair costs. Depreciation and insurance are also fairly average. MSRP: $98,335 Fuel Economy: 12 MPG Insurance: $750 $850/yr Maintenance & Repairs: $691/yr Depreciation: 31% over 5 years 2020 FCA US LLC Bad Option for Compact SUV: Jeep Wrangler This popular off-roader will unfortunately require you to spend a lot of time off the road getting repairs done in the shop. While maintenance costs are average for the American-made vehicle, time is money. So, it will also cost you to have your Jeep in the shop when you could be picking up passengers. Repair Pal ranks the Wrangler 25 out of 26 for compact SUVs when it comes to reliability. That means you have 24 better options than the Jeep when it comes to choosing an affordable rideshare car. MSRP: $32,990 Fuel Economy: 21 MPG Insurance: $580-$670/yr Maintenance & Repairs: $694/yr Depreciation: 22% over 5 years Disclaimer: Photos are representational and may not depict the specific model mentioned. More From GOBankingRates This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Cars That Cost Uber or Lyft Drivers Money AstraZenecas immunotherapy Imfinzi helped people in the early stages of a type of lung cancer live 23 months longer than those who received just chemoradiotherapy, according to clinical trial data released Sunday. The finding should help the U.K.-based pharmaceutical company expand the drugs use in the disease. Researchers in the study, called Adriatic, used Imfinzi as consolidation therapy following an initial round of chemotherapy and radiation in people with small cell lung cancer that had not spread beyond one side of the chest, called limited stage disease. The goal of treatment was to help stave off relapse. Radiation therapy to prevent the spread of cancer to the brain is currently the standard of care. But experts commenting on the study as it was presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting in Chicago said those protocols were introduced in the 1980s. This is the first trial that shows adding an immune checkpoint inhibitor as maintenance actually has benefit, which I think is very important," said Erminia Massarelli, co-director of the lung cancer and thoracic oncology program at City of Hope in California, in an interview. If regulators follow through with an approval, Imfinzis use in treating small cell lung cancer would expand from extensive-stage disease, when tumors are found in a second lung and other tissues in the body. In that setting, Imfinzi competes with Roches immunotherapy Tecentriq. Amgens new dual-acting drug Imdelltra recently gained approval in extensive-stage disease after chemotherapy, and that drugmaker has plans to expand use, including a head-to-head trial against Imfinzi. The data in limited-stage disease presented at ASCO came from an interim analysis of 264 people treated with Imfinzi and 266 who received a placebo. A little more than half of study participants in both groups also had received radiotherapy to prevent the spread of disease to the brain. Adding Imfinzi reduced the risk of death by 27% versus placebo, researchers found. People who received AstraZenecas drug lived a median of 56 months after entering the trial, compared with 33 months among those given placebo. Imfinzi also helped prevent worsening disease, reducing the risk of cancer progression by 24%. Median progression-free survival among those on Imfinzi was 17 months, about eight months longer than the median figure for the placebo group. Lauren Byers, thoracic section chief at MD Anderson Cancer Center, called Adriatic a landmark study [that] provides a new standard of care. Byers was not involved in the study, but has consulted with AstraZeneca. Story continues This had an improvement of overall survival of two years, Byers said. This is in contrast to many clinical trials in small cell lung cancer where the benefit may only be measured in months. The trial included a separate group of patients who received radiation therapy, Imfinzi and another AstraZeneca immunotherapy called Imjudo. Because of the trials design, researchers havent yet been able to calculate whether people in that group lived longer or went longer without their cancer returning. Imfinzi brought in $4.2 billion in sales last year, making it AstraZenecas third-biggest seller. It is one of many cancer treatments the company has marked for expansion as it seeks to achieve $80 billion in annual sales by 2030. Editors note: This story has been updated with additional physician commentary. This story was originally published on BioPharma Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily BioPharma Dive newsletter. Black-Owned Whiskey Brand Uncle Nearest Acquires Vodka Brand, Square One Organic Spirits | Photo: Marcus Ingram/Getty Images Square One Organic Spirits have been amassed by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, founded and owned by entrepreneur and investor Fawn Weaver, on its 20th Anniversary. On May 21, the leading Black-owned liquor brand in the world made another dominating move toward the University of Alabama alumnas desire to be the most profitable Black-owned spirit business. The organization acquired Square One, a female-owned boutique organic spirits company that released the first organic rye vodka brand, according to a press release. This will further evolve the brand as it now has vodka on its brands roster, and to celebrate this monumental moment, the alcohol company posted an Instagram slideshow featuring various media outlets sharing the exciting news of it adding the eco-conscious under its umbrellas. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey (@unclenearest) OH, YALL THOUGHT WE WERE PLAYING!!! When our Founder and CEO @fawn.weaver shared the vision of not just becoming the first U.S. spirits conglomerate founded by a woman and/or person of color, many thought she was just talking. But our #WhiskeyFamily knows that if Fawn says it, ITS DONE! , the social media announcements caption began. The post continued, Well today, we are making great strides toward this reality, announcing that Uncle Nearest, the most valuable Black-owned and founded spirit brand of all time, is making MONUMENTAL WAVES with its acquisition of the the first organic spirits company in U.S. history, @squareoneorganicspirits! When Allison Evanow, the founder and CEO of Square One, launched the company in 2004, her innovative health and eco-friendly drinks changed the beverage industry as they were the first exclusively USDA certified organic spirits and was the first organic rye vodka brand, per the press release. In honor of Square Ones 20th anniversary, the brand is happy to spotlight that its projected to have lifetime sales exceeding $22 million with nearly 200,000 cases. This achievement was mainly due to the creator leading the majority of her companys sales. While we have really loved being an independent brand so that we could focus on quality organic ingredients and unique flavor profiles, the intense demands of handling nearly all sales personally underscored the need for stronger backing, Evanow said in a statement. Uncle Nearest will not only preserve our independent spirit and world class quality, but also bring the robust sales and distribution capabilities we need to reach our full potential. Story continues Also mentioned in the Instagram post was the 2023 business investment Uncle Nearest made in acquiring Domaine Saint Martin. The respected estate was established in 1830 and has ties to cognac-making luminaries thus making taking a step into the world of Cognac production. Its Instagram post read in part, That bold move not only secured a valuable historical & production resource but also marked our audacious foray into the promising Cognac market. (T-minus 3 weeks until we begin filming the remarkable true story of Cognac with the unrivaled @jfreewright)!! Now, were adding another pillar, onto the spirit house that faith built, by entering a new market: VODKA! The property graces the pathway of the Charente River in Cognac, France. In addition to the grounds, nearly half of the Grande Champagne vineyards in the region, deemed the most valuable for producing Cognac, are part of the deal too, the press release states. In 2020, I expressed our vision for Uncle Nearest to not just be a brand, but to become the first spirits conglomerate in America founded by a woman or person of color, Weaver said in the press release. Many saw this as wishful thinking since we were only three years into our journey at the time. Through this team-up, Square One wont change its current operations process to keep providing consumers with an authentic organic option. They will, however, be crafting and releasing a new collection of all-natural, gluten-free options for all under the direction of Evanow. The new beverages will be shared before they become available nationwide this summer. Weaver shares her target markets care about genuinely identifying with the companies they support, so her primary priority is offering them collaborative products that fit that need. There is a clear demand for brands that are authentically owned and culturally resonant. Consumers are increasingly discerning, seeking products that not only deliver high quality but also maintain genuine ties to the communities they represent, Weaver said. People have spoken, now the results Dance of Democracy | The Dance of Democracy-The vote was cast on April 19 and April 26 and in less than 48 hours-That is counting from June 2, the evening this commentary is being penned down-Manipur will know who will get to represent them on the floor of Parliament for the next five years. The focus of Manipur is not so much as on which party will go on to form the Government at Delhi, but rather on the outcome of the Lok Sabha elections here for it would reflect the stand of the people in so far as the ongoing ethnic clash is concerned. It was the ethnic clash that catapulted Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam to the spotlight and the Congress did well to ride on his shoulder to put up a credible fight against the nominee of the BJP, Education Minister Thounaojam Basantakumar. In the Outer Parliamentary Constituency too, the ongoing ethnic clash cast its long shadow and it was precisely because of this that no one from the Kuki-Zo community entered the election ring this time. In a Constituency where tribal affiliation has always had a strong say in the voting behaviour of the people, it was interesting to see the poll fight between Alfred Kangam Arthur of the Congress, Timothy Zimik of the Naga Peoples Front (NPF), Kho John (Independent) and Alyson Abonmai (Independent), all personalities from the big Naga family. That the ruling BJP preferred not to nominate its own candidate in the Outer seat and instead deemed it politically more prudent to extend support to the NPF candidate tells many a story and those who have been closely following the political fall out of the deep divide that the ethnic clash has spawned may understand the political compulsion of the BJP. As in the past, the agendas were different for what could sway the voting behaviour of the people in the Inner seat would not necessarily extend to the Outer Constituency and to the people in the valley districts of Manipur, the outcome of the vote will reflect their interpretation of the ongoing ethnic clash, how and why it has dragged on for over a year now and whether the people are satisfied with the way Imphal and Delhi have been dealing with the situation. The outcome of the election may not entirely answer the questions raised here, but it will certainly be a reflection on the conduct of the Government since the evening of May 3, 2023. This is the reason why the Congress saw in Prof Angomcha Bimol Akoijam the man to field for here is a man who effectively propelled the idea of Manipur to the centre stage and managed to stand his ground in the face of the false narratives that were peddled all over the country in the earlier days of the clash. The stake was and is much higher for the BJP than the Congress, as it is the party in power at Imphal and Delhi and traditionally the Inner had always gone to the party in power. The interesting question is, whether Manipur would break the trend this time or not. Not that anyone expects any sort of a miracle after a new MP is sent to the Lok Sabha, but the ongoing clash would have certainly been at the top of the priority of the people when they pressed the button of their choice on the EVM. As pointed out earlier here, the outcome of the vote will also reflect how the people have responded to the manner in which Imphal and Delhi have been dealing with the ongoing crisis which has already crossed the one year mark. To the BJP led Government at Imphal the stake will be higher than with the Congress for it will be in a way a sort of a referendum to the manner in which it has dealt with the crisis as well as the emergence of different power centres whose muscle power and strength saw a huge boost after the clash erupted in all its ugliness in the evening of May 3, 2023. Dance of Democracy it was and the answer to which tune or drumbeat the dance of democracy was staged here in two phases in April this year will decide to a certain extent on how the story of Manipur is taken to the floor of the Lok Sabha as well as how it is told to the outside world. A lot still needs to be done to put Manipur on the track of normalcy and it is only right to expect the representative of the people in the highest law making body of the country to lead the way by examples. Manipur has had enough players sitting on the bench on the floor of Parliament and it would certainly not be asking for too much to expect the elected representative to get up from the bench and play on the field. Barring some sporadic incidents of clashes, voting in North and South 24-Parganas was peaceful. There were allegations of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) agents being forced out of booths in Diamond Harbour. At booths 52 and 53 of Badamtala School in the Budge Budge Assembly constituency of Diamond Harbour, allegations have been made against the ruling party for forcibly removing a BJP agent from the booth. The agents documents were reportedly seized as well. BJP candidate from Diamond Harbour, Abhijit Das, claimed that TMCs goons were conducting the voting since morning, and the observers from the Election Commission did not take any action. He was prevented by several TMC workers while he was rushing to spot by getting information of malpractices and booth jamming. TMC miscreants were active throughout the day. Why is TMC so scared and deployed goons to scare common voters, and also me? he said. There were incidents of clashes and consequent injuries from Bhangar areas. Mr M I Khan, a Kolkata Police officer, in charge of booths 70 and 71 was injured while on election duty in Bhangar. He was the sector officer at Satulia Senior Madrassa booth and is being taken to SSKM trauma care. Bhangar has been tense since the morning of the voting day. Unrest peaked in Satulia and Phulbari of Bhangar. Advertisement On Saturday, a conflict broke out between ISF and Trinamul in Phulbari, resulting in several reported injuries. Attack was unleashed on a TMC panchayat members husband in Sandeshkhali. In the Khulna regions booth 177, in Sandeshkhali of Basirhat Lok Sabha, TMC worker and husband of panchayat member Monika Mandal, Ramkrishna Mandal, was reportedly beaten and suffered a head injury. BJP has denied the allegations, with Basirhat organizational district president Tapas Ghosh stating that Ramkrishna Mandal had gone to capture the booth with his men, leading to villagers attacking him in anger. The BJP claimed to have no involvement in the incident. Attack on TMC workers in Basirhat was also reported. At booth 66 in Bhawanipur of Hingalganj block in Basirhat, a TMC worker was allegedly beaten by BJP supporters. BJPs Basirhat organizational district president Tapas Ghosh denied the allegation, stating that TMC goons were preventing BJP supporters from voting, making it unlikely for BJP workers to attack a TMC worker. Allegations of assault on a BJP worker in North 24-Parganas were also registered. In the Rangri area of the Ashoknagar constituency in North 24-Parganas, a BJP worker, Tapas Raha was allegedly beaten with sticks by TMC-backed miscreants. He claimed that around 30-40 people were prevented from voting and that he was beaten but eventually cast his vote. In Baranagar, CPM candidate Tanmoy Bhattacharya got involved in a scuffle. While visiting the BKC College booth, TMC accused him of influencing voters, leading to an altercation and subsequent clash between TMC workers and Tanmoy. Police arrived to control the situation. There was a boycott call in Mathurapur. In booth 111 of Kashinagar gram panchayat in Mathurapur, South 24-Parganas, villagers called for an election boycott. They protested against poor road conditions and claimed that nothing was done despite complaints to the ruling party. BJP candidate Ashok Purkait faced protests upon arrival. Allegations of voter obstruction in Canning In Golabari Bazar of Canning, TMC was accused of preventing opposition voters from casting their votes. Allegedly, stones were thrown at the police and a journalist was seriously injured, leading to heightened tensions. TMC and BJP cadres were involved in a clash in Joynagar. In booths 40 and 41 of Meriganj 2 gram panchayat in the Kultali constituency of Joynagar Lok Sabha, a clash between TMC and BJP resulted in six injuries. Two BJP and one TMC worker were hospitalized at Kultali Rural Hospital. CPMs alleged TMC bike brigade being active in Kolkata ward 109. CPM alleged that TMCs bike brigade was roaming freely in ward 109 of Kolkata. Despite multiple complaints, the Election Commission has not deployed any force, according to the left-wing leadership. Women of Bermajur and Agarhati areas alleged that police unprovoked resorted to baton charges. Residents alleged that voters were prevented at Agarhati by miscreants and police stood mute spectators. After casting her vote, BJP Basirhat candidate Rekha Patra claimed, The lotus will bloom in Sandeshkhali. Trinamul is trying to create unrest. However, this vote is for the honour of the mothers and sisters of Bengal, who have endured oppression day after day. We must strengthen Modis hand. She then firmly stated, The lotus will bloom in Sandeshkhali. A demonstration led by the female members of the BJP turned chaotic outside the Siliguri Municipal Corporation today after police intervention, using batons. The situation escalated when the BJP women protesters attempted to burn an effigy of mayor Goutam Deb in protest against the insufficient provision of drinking water, which is also allegedly not safe for consumption. This alternative supply comes in tanks and pouches. Shikha Chatterjee, the BJP MLA from Dabgram Fulbari, spearheaded the protest. Advertisement Our intention was to meet with the mayor to gather information about the current state of affairs and when the SMC would be able to provide safe drinking water. However, law enforcement blocked our entry into the SMC, Ms Chatterjee said, adding, The temporary solutions do not fulfil the needs of the community. The inadequate supply of drinking water through tankers has left residents dissatisfied. People in Siliguri are concerned about the quality of water in tanks and even packaged pouches. Goutam Deb inspected various locations, including his own ward, 33, to ensure that alternative measures were in place for providing drinking water. He also made a trip to three borough offices of the SMC to assess the current situation. At a press conference, the CPM leaders and councillors strongly condemned the actions of the Trinamul Congress-led SMC and criticized the mayors involvement in providing contaminated water to citizens for a period of two weeks. Trinamul Congress today thanked party leaders and workers and thanked the people for turning up in great numbers to make the festival of democracy a grand success. Barring a few stray incidents of violence, polling was overall peaceful on Saturday. Dr Shashi Panja said BJP had tried to create trouble in Sandeshkhali today. People had protested against the lies that had been circulated by the BJP. The BJP had engineered false rape cases in Sandeshkhali to get mileage in election. After the saffron party got exposed, people were united and raised their voice against the BJP. Advertisement Education minister Bratya Basu said the BJP had wanted election in seven phases. The election started on 19 April and it came to an end today. During the election, BJP leaders came to Bengal and tried to malign Bengal. They tried to divide the community by letting loose one group against the other. He said the sting operation in Sandeshkhali had exposed the BJP and over the past few months they tried to create trouble in Bengal. People came to know how false rape charges had been framed to malign Bengal. In Bhangar too attempts were made to create trouble. People had protested against the deprivation of Bengal. The BJP deliberately deprived Bengal by not giving the dues from central funds despite repeated requests by Trinamul Congress. Dr Panja said it was the BJP that had wanted elections in seven phases so that their leaders could come and campaign for their candidates. However, today the BJP had raised its voice against the Election Commission of India and the Central forces. It shows their nervousness. They wanted an election in seven phases and now have failed to face the people. Trinamul Congress leaders said the turnout of women was very impressive. The CEO said the election was peaceful and people took part in great numbers. The leaders said Trinamul Congress was a part of INDIA bloc but the party leaders could not take part in the meeting in Delhi today because of the election in Bengal. They said the people in Diamond Harbour had gheraoed the BJP candidate as they are not satisfied with him. The people have seen how the BJP leaders came to Bengal and maligned Trinamul. Today they got united and protested against the outsiders and on 4 June we will play holi with green abir, they maintained. The 7th and final phase of the general election in Bengal passed off peacefully today barring a few stray incidents. The seventh phase came to an end at 5 p.m. today. Elections were held in Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Mathurapur, Joynagar, Diamond Harbour, Kolkata South and Kolkata North seats. There was also a by-election for Baranagar Assembly seat. The seat fell vacant after Tapas Roy, MLA of Trinamul Congress left the party and joined the BJP. He is contesting against Sudip Bandyopadhyay of Trinamul Congress from Kolkata North seat for the Lok Sabha. Advertisement Trinamul Congress has congratulated the people and party leaders and workers for the peaceful election, which was held in an environment of festival. The polling percentage in nine Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal till 5 p.m. was recorded at 69.89 per cent. Basirhat Lok Sabha topped the list with 76.56 percentage till 5 p.m. as recorded by the EC. However, The overall polling percentage in seven states and one Union Territory till 5 p.m. was recorded 58.34 percent. In West Bengal, out nine LS constituencies, Basirhat topped the list with 76.56 per cent, followed by Mathurapur 74.13 per cent; Joynagar, 73.44 per cent, Diamond Harbour 72.87 per cent; Barasat 71.80 per cent; Dum Dum 67.60 per cent; Jadavpur 70.41 per cent; Kolkata South 60.88 per cent, Kolkata North 59.23 per cent. The Election Commission of India in its X handle wrote: Even as the 7th phase of polling in General Elections 2024 wraps up, the Commission thanks all stakeholders: voters, polling personnel, security forces, media and political parties. Trinamul Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee cast her vote around 4 p.m. at Mitra Institution polling station in south Kolkata. She waved at the people after casting her vote. In the morning Abhishek Banerjee, partys national general secretary cast his vote at the same polling station. Talking to the media he expressed satisfaction over the large turnout of people. This is a vote to protest and a vote to reject. People have given a befitting reply in the EVM, he said. There were a few stray incidents. A BJP candidate from Sandeshkhali had a heated exchange with the police after some party workers were arrested by the police. She alleged that the police had acted as the agent of Trinamul Congress. Senior police officers went to the spot and brought the situation under control. In Diamond Harbour, people surrounded the car of Abhijit Das, BJP candidate when he visited the area. Local people alleged that he did not come to the area and now he had come to ask for votes. Mr Das alleged that in some booths Trinamul Congress did not allow BJP polling agents to sit. In Baranagar, CPM candidate Tanmay Bhattacharya got involved in a scuffle with Trinamul Congress workers. The trouble began after Mr Bhattacharya, during the exchange of heated arguments, pushed a Trinamul Congress worker. Police went to the spot and dispersed the quarrelling groups. Mr Bratya Basu and Dr Shashi Panja thanked the people for maintaining peace on the last day of the seven-phase election. They said the turnout of voters was very impressive; the presence of women was remarkable. Political experts said the vote was held in festive mood and for the first time no one was killed in poll-related clashes. Businesses are becoming more wary of politics this year even as some of their billionaire bosses become more vocal. Donald Trump's conviction for falsifying business records could deepen that divide. Consider how the 2024 election is playing out inside the companies run by Elon Musk. The billionaire weighed in with over 20 social media posts in the hours after Trumps verdict, with the Tesla (TSLA) CEO by turns calling the decision politically motivated and accusing the prosecutors of ignoring more serious crime elsewhere in New York. "If a former President can be criminally convicted over such a trivial matter motivated by politics, rather than justice then anyone is at risk of a similar fate," he wrote in one post. But a review of Musk's companies from Tesla to SpaceX to tunneling startup Boring Company to X's own corporate account found they all appear to have ignored the topic completely. Elon Musk speaks at the Milken Institute's Global Conference in Beverly Hills in early May. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images) (Apu Gomes via Getty Images) And the money doesn't appear to be flowing from Musk's companies, either. Political action committees, or PACs, are traditionally the main way for a corporation to engage financially in politics, and Tesla's political arm hasn't donated to anyone since 2018, according to the campaign finance trackers at OpenSecrets. Likewise for Twitter, now called X. The last recorded PAC donation there was also in the 2018 election cycle, long before Musk acquired the company. Musk previously said he wouldn't contribute to either candidate in 2024, and this past week he also denied reports he was having conversations with Trump about a role in the administration if Trump wins. 'There are real risks' Musk's situation has many echoes across corporate America. While large companies are still a major source of political donations, there is evidence that more and more are trying to sidestep any blowback associated with their campaign spending. One measure of corporate political engagement is maintained by the Center for Political Accountability (CPA). Its measure shows more companies shying away from political donations or deciding to say more about why they finance certain candidates. Of the 345 companies that have been on the S&P 500 since 2015, 270 of them now prohibit or fully disclose spending on candidates or their committees. That's up from 168 a few years prior, according to CPAs analysis. That is a reflection, CPA president Bruce Freed said, of corporations concluding that when it comes to open political engagement "there are real risks with that," both from employees and outside observers. Story continues Freed, who is also the group's co-founder, added in an interview before Thursday's verdict that billionaires are less reticent about weighing in as they "may be looking at politics in the world differently." In the aftermath of Trump's conviction Thursday, a series of Trump-friendly billionaires weighed in with their support. In addition to Musk, investor David Sacks and Pershing Square Capital CEO Bill Ackman offered their political takes online. Anti-Trump demonstrators gather following Trump's hush money trial verdict in New York on May 30. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images) (Anadolu via Getty Images) 'Serious money that has serious impact' The hands-off approach from company boardrooms began long before Trump's conviction, following years of increasing public scrutiny of where companies put their money. Perhaps most notable in recent history are the repeated public dings that companies got for donating to the 147 members of Congress who tried to overturn the 2020 election. Perhaps no company has been more closely watched on that front than Toyota (TM), which gave generously to those lawmakers and faced pressure and even an advertising campaign in response. So far in 2024 according to OpenSecrets Toyota has given a total of $0 to candidates from its PAC. Close observers still expect corporations to remain a powerful force in the 2024 race even if they seek to avoid overt controversy. Freed notes that companies have other means to donate money that are less public and harder to track. One avenue is focusing on state races by using little-known "527" committees that allow unlimited contributions to candidates running for state or local offices. Former President Donald Trump speaks following the verdict in his hush-money trial at Trump Tower on Friday in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) (Spencer Platt via Getty Images) "The contributions to super PACs, 527s come out of the [company's] Treasury funds, and so there are no limits," Freed notes, adding that his group's research has found that this spending can nevertheless impact an array of high-profile issues and is "serious money that has serious impact." But overall, the waxing and waning influence of companies and billionaires will be one part of a heated election season that could contribute to economic turmoil in the months ahead. As 22V senior managing director and head of Washington policy research Kim Wallace put it in a Yahoo Finance interview on Friday, "It's going to be a very loud summer." Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance. Click here for politics news related to business and money Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance The decomposed body of a man was found in his rented accommodation in South Delhis Chattarpur, the police said on Sunday. The body of the deceased, identified as Ratan (aged 42), was found lying in a highly decomposed state, the police said. On Saturday night, the Maidangarhi Police Station received a PCR call regarding a tenant not answering phone calls, and a foul odour emanating from his locked room. Advertisement A police team was immediately rushed to the location near the old post office in Chattarpur Enclave Phase-1. On finding the door of the room locked, the policemen broke it open and found the mans body lying on the bed. During the preliminary inquiry, the cops learnt that the deceased had been living in the rented accommodation alone for over a year. He hailed from Maharashtra and was suffering from some heart-related ailment. According to available information, the man used to work for a multi-national company. A crime probing team and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called to the spot, while the body was sent to the mortuary of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, the police said. Further investigation is underway, a police official said. In March-end this year, another mans decomposed body was found lying in a vacant area adjacent to the Madipur Metro Station in West Delhi. Last year, the decomposed body of a woman was recovered from her rented flat in Delhis Khirki Extension in Malviya Nagar. The owner of the building had then informed the police that his 30-year-old tenant had not been seen for around 10-15 days and that a foul smell was emanating from her first-floor flat, which was locked from inside. She was living alone, and it appeared that she was suffering from some serious ailment. Are you searching for something new and different to watch this weekend and have gone through all your friends recommendations? If aimless scrolling through streaming services isnt cutting it anymore, and youre craving cinematic gems to elevate your movie nights, weve got just the list for you. Here are 5 underrated films to add to your watchlist: Charlie 777 Languages: Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi IMDb Rating: 8.7/10 8.7/10 Director: Kiran J Kiran J Genre: Adventure, Drama, Comedy Devoid of familial love, Dharma is stuck in a life full of loneliness and despair. A stray puppy named Charlie enters his life and turns it around with her topsy-turvy ways. The movie is a roller coaster of emotions showing how a dog can change your perspective towards life, leaving you teary-eyed with its instances of pure love and warmth. Predestination Language: English English IMDb Rating: 7.4/10 7.4/10 Directors: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller This Ethan Hawke and Sarah Snook starrer is the story of an agent on a mission to go back in time to stop a bomb blast in New York. Set in an alternate reality, the movie bends the realities of time, creating a mind-blowing narrative filled with twists and turns. Advertisement Split Language: English English IMDb Rating: 7.3/10 7.3/10 Director: M. Night Shyamalan M. Night Shyamalan Genre: Horror, Mystery, Psychological Thriller This American psychological thriller is the story of a man suffering from Dissociative Identity Disorder and his act of abducting three teenage girls. The girls, stuck in an apartment with this man diagnosed with 23 distinct personalities, must figure out a way to escape before an unknown 24th personality is unleashed. Aligarh Language: Hindi Hindi IMDb Rating: 7.8/10 7.8/10 Director: Hansal Mehta Hansal Mehta Genre: Drama Aligarh is the story of a gay professor who is subjected to a sting operation to determine his sexual orientation and the problems that follow. During this journey, he forms a special bond with the journalist who covers his story. Exploring different aspects of his life, the movie presents a very thought-provoking narrative, educating the audience about the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Photograph Language: Hindi Hindi IMDb Rating: 6.8/10 6.8/10 Director: Ritesh Batra Ritesh Batra Genre: Romance, Drama Photograph is the story of a street photographer who requests that a student pose as his fiancee in front of his mother. What ensues is a special bond, despite the differences between the two. With these diverse, underrated and unique films, your movie nights are sure to become more intriguing and fulfilling. Dive into these hidden gems and enjoy a refreshing cinematic experience! After Exit polls predicting a landslide victory for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections giving a third term of the Modi Government, Acharya Pramod Krishnan said after Narendra Modi, its now Rahul Gandhis turn to go for meditation. Once a dedicated Congressman, Krishnan has become a strong critic of his party today. Recently, he predicted that the grand old party would split after June 4 when the results of the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections will come out. On Sunday, the Acharya wrote on social media: Prince will also go for meditation on the evening of 4th June The search for the cave is going on. After this, once again the discussion within the Congress party has intensified. Advertisement The peethadhishwar of Kalki Dham said a glimpse of the power of Modis spiritual practice is visible even in the exit polls. Earlier, anticipating the split of his former party, he said that the Congress would be divided into two factions, one of Rahul Gandhi, and the other of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He spoke of a volcano waiting to erupt in the hearts of Congress workers and leaders which would explode after June 4. Speaking to a private news channel, Acharya Pramod Krishnam had alleged a conspiracy in the party involving Priyanka Gandhi as she was prevented from becoming party president and was made to the Rajya Sabha with no important responsibility given to her. This conspiracy has been going on against her for many years. Rahul Gandhis camp wants Priyanka Gandhi to get out of politics. Because of this, Priyanka Gandhis supporters are sad. Due to this, there will be two factions of Congress after June 4, the Acharya claimed. In the wake of plummeting water supply at a time when the city is reeling under intense heat-wave conditions, Delhi Water Minister Atishi approached Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with a request for the release of additional water to the national capital. In a letter to the chief minister of the neighbouring state, she told him to continue to release the additional water for one month, till the monsoon arrives, so that Delhiites dont have to face scarcity of water during the peak summer. Besides, Atishi also wrote to Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, urgently him to release additional water into the Yamuna for at least one month. Advertisement She described the scarcity of water this year as one of the worst crises the national capital has faced in the past. She said, unlike the previous years, the demand for water this year has gone up manifold. With the temperature touching almost 50 degrees Celsius, Delhi has stretched out its water resources to the maximum. To tackle the existing crisis, we urgently need Haryana to release additional water into the Yamuna River at the earliest, she wrote in her letter to the Haryana CM. Atishi further said that the water level at the pond is 670.3 feet as against the normal of 674.50 feet. This reduction in water level has adversely affected the water production capacity of our water treatment plants. However, to cater to the demands of people living in Delhi, we urgently need water in Yamuna to meet our day-to-day requirements, the letter added. Atishi, in her letter to the UP CM, said the intensity of the heatwave is such that help is required from all quarters. Sir, through this letter, I wish to appeal to you to kindly consider our request and provide additional water to Delhi for the next one month so that people living in Delhi can comfortably surpass this peak summer. The Delhi government and people living in the national capital will be anxiously waiting for a positive response, the letter added. The BJP has emerged as the clear victor in the Arunachal Pradesh assembly elections, securing 46 out of the 60 assembly seats while in Sikkim, the incumbent Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) swept the polls , winning 31 out of 32 seats. The party, which had already won 10 seats uncontested, marked an increase from their tally of 41 seats in the 2019 Assembly elections. The Congress, once the dominant political force in the state until 2016, managed to win only one out of the 19 seats it contested. The BJPs allies, the National Peoples Party (NPP) and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), secured the second and third spots with five and three seats, respectively. Advertisement The NPP had won four seats in 2019. The opposition Peoples Party of Arunachal (PPA) managed to win two seats, an improvement from the one seat they won in 2019. Additionally, three Independent candidates were declared winners. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the BJPs win in Arunachal Pradesh. Thank you Arunachal Pradesh! The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachal yet again. Our Party will keep working with even greater vigour for the states growth, he posted on X. He also praised BJP workers for their hard work. In Sikkim, the incumbent Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) is back in power, having won 31 out of 32 seats. The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) won just one seat. Incumbent Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang told local media, I thank the people of Sikkim and our party workers. We worked for the people with all our heart. Thats why we have won. BJP leaders have welcomed the exit poll predictions which projected NDA gaining a thumping majority in the Lok Sabha elections while the Opposition leaders have rejected it by calling it a psychological and corporate game. Hailing the exit poll for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, BJP leader CR Kesavan has said that the people have shown faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the third consecutive term, outrightly rejecting the divisive politics of the INDI bloc. Kesavan highlighted the significance of the exit polls, suggesting that they indicate a resolute trust in PM Modis leadership. Advertisement The Exit Polls indicate that our people have blessed PM Modi to become the first ever Indian born in Independent India to secure a historic consecutive 3rd term to become Prime Minister of India again. This also very clearly reiterates the resolute trust our people have in Modi ji ki guarantee and the Exit Polls signify the firm faith our people have in the selfless steadfast leadership of Modi ji. The Exit Poll mandate very clearly denotes that the support for BJP and PM Modi has come from across the country and across all sections, BJP leader Kesavan said. At the same time, the Exit Poll mandate very clearly shows how the people have outrightly rejected the regressive politics of polarisation and division of the opportunistic Congress-INDI Alliance, he added. The exit polls on Saturday predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA is poised to improve its performance over its 2019 record when it won 352 seats. Two exit polls predicted the BJP would also improve its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Meanwhile, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad hit out at the Congress and said the grand old party is performing poorly as they didnt stop daydreaming. Speaking to a news agency on exit polls, Ravi Shankar Prasad praised Prime Minister Modi and said, PM Narendra Modi worries about the poor, worries about the farmers, he is the one who is working to develop this nation, and he is the one who is safeguarding the country. The BJP candidate from Patna Sahib constituency also took a jibe at Congress Jairam Rameshs statement and said that the current situation of Congress is because the party never stopped daydreaming. People can dream during the day and there is no restraint on that. Congress is performing poorly because they havent stopped daydreaming. They should work on the ground and win the confidence of the public and should stop criticizing and abusing PM Modi. After exit polls prediction showed BJP-led NDA gaining a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Sunday termed it as a psychological game and said that there will be a huge difference in exit polls and results on June 4. The outgoing PM, the person who will have to leave for sure on June 4 has conspired all these things and has managed the exit polls. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and results of June 4. INDIA Alliance had a meeting yesterday, we had detailed discussions on numbers, its impossible that INDIA alliance will get anything below 295, he said. He further stated that they had made 114 complaints to the Election Commission, out of which 14 were against the Prime Minister, but no action was taken in it. It is wrong to believe the exit polls. They are creating an atmosphere that these people are coming but in reality, these people will go. We have made 114 complaints to the Election Commission, out of which 14 are against the PM. No action has been taken against them. Anyone will start laughing after seeing the exit polls in Karnataka. I am a Rajya Sabha MP from there and I know what the ground reality is, the Congress leader said. These exit polls are just to create an environment where the INDIA alliance has been lost, its a psychological game. We will oppose this. We know that we will bid adieu to the outgoing PM on June 4, the Congress leader added. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut also rejected the exit poll predictions and called it a corporate game, saying that the INDIA Alliance is going to form the government by winning 295-310 seats. This is a corporate game. If tomorrow we are in power and if we have a lot of money, then we can also come up with whatever figure we want. The INDIA Alliance is going to form the government by winning 295-310 seats. In Maharashtra, we are going to win 35+ seats, Raut said. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed joy over the BJPs overwhelming victory in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly elections on Sunday. He linked this victory to the slogan Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar and hoped that on June 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP would form the government at the Centre after winning with a resounding majority. Taking to his handle on social media X, CM Adityanath wrote, With an overwhelming majority in the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly, the resolve of Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar has been fulfilled. This dawn from the Eastern direction will illuminate the country on June 4. The Congress-led INDI Alliance is sure to be defeated on June 4. Advertisement Notably, the counting of votes for the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly election was completed on Sunday. The results showed a massive majority for the BJP, which won 46 seats, while the performance of Congress has been disappointing and the party could win only one seat in the state. Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) president Devender Yadav on Sunday said that polling agents of the party are fully prepared for the counting of votes in Delhi in all seven Lok Sabha (LS) seats on June 4. He claimed that not only the Congress candidates will record thumping wins in all the three parliamentary constituencies they contested but the INDIA bloc will sweep all the seven parliamentary seats as the people of Delhi have totally rejected the non-performing BJP. The BJP was forced to replace their sitting MPs, which was a clear indication that their MPs were incompetent and inactive in Delhi in the past 10 years, said Yadav. Advertisement Dismissing the Exit Polls, the DPCC president said: Exit Polls were not exact. On June 4 when the counting of votes is held, Congress and the INDIA bloc will storm to power in Delhi. He said that Delhi Congress campaigned extensively and intensively in all the 7 Lok Sabha seats in the capital and the general trend was that the people wanted change and they have voted for the INDIA bloc candidates. Our leader Rahul Gandhi has termed these Exit Polls as Modis Poll because when the people of the country have voted for the Congress and INDIA bloc to win more than 295 seats, then there is no justification for these proposed Exit Polls, said Yadav. The counting of votes for the 18th Lok Sabha will take place on 4th June. A day after senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah had called 150 District Magistrates ahead of counting of votes, accusing him of brazen intimidation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday asked the leader of the grand old party to share the information of his claims with it. In a post on X, the Congress on Saturday wrote, The outgoing Home Minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4th, Mr Modi, Mr Shah, and the BJP will exit, and the INDIA Janbandhan will be victorious. Officers should not get under any pressure and must uphold the Constitution. They are under watch, he said. Advertisement In a letter addressed to the Congress leader, the ECI while referring to his post on X, said it has come to the commissions notice that he has alleged that the Home Minister had called and spoken to over 150 DMs/Collectors to intimidate the officers before scheduled counting of votes on June 4. The poll panel noted that during the period of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), all officers are under deemed deputation of the Commission and report directly to it for any directions. However, no DM has reported any such undue influence as alleged by you. As you are aware, the process of counting of votes is a sacred duty cast upon every RO and such public statements by you tend to put an element of doubt and thus, deserves to be addressed in larger public interest, the ECI said. It further said, Therefore, you being a responsible, experienced and very senior leader of a national party must have made such a public statement, just before the day of counting, based on facts/ information you believe to be true. It is requested that details of 150 DMs to whom such calls have been allegedly made by the Home Minister along with the factual matrix/ basis of your information are shared by 7 pm on Sunday so that appropriate action can be taken. The Lok Sabha elections were held in seven phases between 19th April and 1st June. Counting will take place on 4th June All the candidates belonging to different political parties and independents, who are in the polls fray for the seven Lok Sabha seats of the national capital, have their eyes set on June 4 counting when their fate will finally be decided. With barely 36 hours left for the counting of votes for the LS polls to take place, along with the 162 candidates contesting from the seven Lok Sabha constituencies in the city, the residents are waiting with bated breath to see who is going to represent them in the temple of democracy. As for the prominent parties, which have fielded their respective candidates in the poll from the city, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has its contestants on all seven seats of Delhi. Next comes the ruling party in Delhi, the AAP, which is fighting on four seats under the INDIA bloc while Congress has fielded its candidates from three seats. Advertisement Notably, while the BJP has its sitting MPs from all the seats in the city, this time, it gave tickets to six fresh faces retaining only one old-timer, Manoj Tiwari from the North East Delhi seat. The BJP candidates include Bansuri Swaraj from New Delhi, Ramvir Singh Bidhuri from South Delhi, Praveen Khandelwal-Chandni Chowk, Harsh Malhotra-East Delhi, Yogendra Chandolia-North West Delhi and Kamaljeet Sehrawat from West-Delhi LS seat. As for the INDIA bloc, its candidates include AAPs Somnath Bharti from New Delhi, Sahi Ram-South Delhi, Kuldeep Kumar-East Delhi, Mahabal Mishra-West Delhi, and Congress Jai Prakash Agarwal-Chandni Chowk, Kanhaiya Kumar-North East Delhi and Udit Raj-North West Delhi. The main contest appears to be between the BJP and the INDIA bloc in Delhi with both having their respective claims on the outcome. Meanwhile, the EC has ensured robust security arrangements for the polled EVMs and the VVPATs in the NCT of Delhi, Delhi Chief Electoral Officer P Krishnamurthy said. The candidates can closely monitor the security arrangements of the strong rooms, the CEOs office had said earlier. The CEOs office informed about the deployment of two-tier security around the clock, with the innermost perimeter guarded by Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) and the outermost perimeter by State Armed Police will be in place and a 247 CCTV camera coverage of the sealed doors of the strong rooms and corridors will also be there for continuous monitoring. Talking of the voting that was held in Delhi on May 25 under the sixth phase of the elections, the city recorded an approximate voter turnout of 55.16 per cent in the polling across the seven seats. The polling across all the constituencies of the national capital was held smoothly and peacefully. According to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the NCT of Delhi recorded an approximate voter turnout of 55.16 per cent. Taisha Simon had heard of people stealing money the federal government gives families to buy groceries, but she didn't realize she would become one of their victims. It happened last June when the 42-year-old mother headed out for the big shop she does at the beginning of each month after getting $939 in US food aid for her and her four children. Her vulnerability, as it turns out, was a plastic, government-provided debit card that relies on outdated technology. The government uses Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards to issue food and cash assistance, and cardholders use them at the point of sale to pay for groceries. When Simon checked out at her local Aldi's, her cart full of canned food and vegetables, nothing was left on her card. She paid for what she could out of pocket, but that fell far short of what her family needed. "I cried every day because my 5-year-old has autism and my 17-year-old has ADHD and ODD and they have food sensitivity," said Simon, who works as an assistant manager at a retail store. "I wasn't able to feed them the way they were normally used to eating." A sign noting the acceptance of electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards is displayed at a grocery store in Oakland, Calif. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (Justin Sullivan via Getty Images) Simon's experience, unfortunately, isn't uncommon. It's part of a growing trend of identity theft targeting the 42 million lower-income Americans who rely on EBT cards to receive their government food and cash assistance. "This is a really crummy crime," said Justin King, policy director at Propel, which provides a free mobile app for EBT cardholders. "You're stealing this money from these people, my heavens. This is devastating for folks who are on the edge already." 'Lack of incentive' The ways to safeguard against this kind of theft are simple and mainstream among regular debit and credit cards as long as there is the will to implement them. "There's no profit to be had by doing better for folks in the EBT system," King said. "Unless Congress acts, we're not likely to see progress and modernization in the system." EBT cards which deliver Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and other state-run assistance work like debit cards at stores when buying groceries and at ATMs when withdrawing cash. But they lack a crucial security feature that everyday debit and credit cards carry a small computer chip that is nearly impossible to clone. Instead, EBT cards depend on the old-school magnetic stripe for security. The stripe contains all the information to clone the card, data that can be picked up by an illegal card reader over a legitimate one at a store or ATM when a card is swiped. Story continues EBT cards also lack other security features commonly found on debit and credit cards, such as the ability to lock and unlock a card, check real-time balances, and receive transaction alerts. "There is a lack of incentive in the system to deliver first-class financial services," King said. The back of a New York State benefits card. (Yahoo Finance) 'Beyond overwhelmed' The lack of protections makes EBT cards a particularly easy target. They became even more lucrative to thieves when enhanced aid was distributed through these cards during the pandemic. Once they had a cloned card in hand, the fraudsters simply withdrew any cash assistance through ATMs or spent money on in-demand groceries like baby formula that they could resell. Others made sham purchases at stores that employed accomplices to drain the funds. The run on EBT cards got so extreme that the federal government instituted a temporary reimbursement program that expires at the end of September. According to the USDAs Stolen Benefits Dashboard, the government has replaced almost $62 million in stolen benefits. But 36% of EBT theft victims never filed for replacement benefits because half of them didn't know about the program at all, a survey released this month from Propel found. Another 19% were denied reimbursement including Taisha Simon. "They said they didn't do reimbursements," Simon said when she called her local benefits agency. As a result, Simon had to make some tough choices. She cut back her hours at work so she could avoid paying for tolls and gas traveling from her home in north Philadelphia to the store in New Jersey. Public transportation wasn't reliable enough to get her to work on time. She also had to decide what got paid and what didn't that month. "It's either keep your phone on and don't have food. It's short the electric, the gas, and the water or pay in full and have no food," she said. "So everything had to be cut in half." Propel found that over half of EBT theft victims were forced to skip meals or eat less, while 44% had to borrow money or go into debt. All in all, it took Simon four months to recover financially from the theft. "I was beyond overwhelmed," she said. Last summer, Taisha Simon was a victim of EBT theft, where fraudsters drain government food aid from obsolete debit cards. (Photo courtesy of Taisha Simon) 'I'd rather have that safety' There is some hope that changes can be made as Congress takes up the 2024 farm bill, discussions that offer an opportunity to improve the EBT program. (The US Department of Agriculture oversees the SNAP program.) For instance, Congress could extend the reimbursement program, require chip cards, and provide the funding, King said. If left to the states, some states may balk at the cost of converting to chip cards and decline to do so, creating an environment where thieves flood the states that don't upgrade their EBT security. "If you don't do it everywhere, you're just squeezing a balloon," he said. Additionally, Congress should earmark funding to improve the entire EBT infrastructure to operate like an everyday bank, allowing EBT users to access their balances and transaction history "to the penny and to the minute without fail," King said, and to lock their cards electronically or by phone. Simon wholeheartedly agrees with these improvements, which, to her, seem obvious. She already uses the locking feature on her bank cards. "I hate it because I always got to keep calling over and over again, but it's a security thing and I appreciate it because I don't have time to keep getting robbed," she said. "I'd rather have that safety than have no safety." Janna Herron is a Senior Columnist at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @JannaHerron. Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Reacting to the Exit Polls results predicting a landslide victory for the BJP-led NDA in the Lok Sabha elections 2024, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday termed them Modi media poll and exuded confidence that the Oppositions INDIA bloc is going to win 295 seats. This is not an exit poll. This is a Modi-Media poll. INDIA alliance is getting 295 seats, asserted Gandhi when mediapersons asked him about exit polls. The Congress-led INDIA alliance has rejected the Exit Polls, expressing full confidence of winning the majority. Advertisement Earlier today, Gandhi and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge held a virtual meeting with all the candidates of the party to assess ground situation. Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that after talking to the candidates, they believe INDIA alliance will not win less than 295 seats. Today, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi had a conversation with all our candidates and yesterday INDIA alliance leaders met at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge and discussions were held. Everyone believed that INDIA would not get less than 295 seats, Ramesh said. Calling exit polls psychological games being played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress leader said that a party delegation will meet the Election Commission to put forth their demand for the counting day. We will face the psychological games that are being played by PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah and we will win on 4th June. Today at 4:30 pm, a delegation of the INDIA alliance will meet the Election Commission and put forth our demands regarding the day of the counting of votes, he said. Earlier on Saturday, a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders was also held at Mr Kharges residence. At the meeting, the INDIA bloc leaders concluded they are poised to win between 295 and 310 seats in the general elections. The Lok Sabha elections 2024 were held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1. Counting of votes will take place on June 4 and the results are also likely to be out on the same day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday, held seven back-to-back meetings on a range of issues, including a session to review the agenda for the new governments first 100 days, it is understood. According to sources, the prime minister also held a meeting to review the preparations to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5) on a large scale. The meetings took place at his residence just two days before the results of the Lok Sabha elections were declared. Advertisement Modi held a prolonged brain-storming session on the agenda for the first 100 days of the new government in the wake of the exit polls that predicted a landslide victory for the BJP in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections, the sources said. Earlier in the day, the prime minister chaired the first meeting to review the impact of cyclone Remal. After this, he chaired another meeting to review the situation arising from the ongoing heat wave in the country and the preparedness for the onset of monsoon. Assuring the states affected by Cyclone Remal of that the Centre would continue to extend full support to them, the prime minister issued instructions to the Ministry of Home Affairs to take stock of the situation and review the matter on a regular basis to extend necessary assistance in restoration efforts. At least 36 people were killed in heavy rains and landslides in four of the eight northeastern states after Remal hit the states bringing normal life to a grinding halt. While 27 people were killed in Mizoram, including 21 in a quarry collapse in the Aizawl district, four deaths were reported from Nagaland, three from Assam, and two from Meghalaya. The rains, accompanied by gusty winds, triggered landslides, uprooted trees and electric poles, and disrupted power and internet services. The meeting to review the impact of Cyclone Remal was held at the prime ministers residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. During the meeting, he was briefed about the impact of the cyclone on the affected states, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said in a statement. The loss of human lives and damage to houses and other properties due to landslides and floods in Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura was also discussed. The NDRF teams deployed in these states have carried out evacuation, airlifting, and road clearance operations. During the meeting, it was mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs is in constant touch with the state governments in the matter. The PM said that the Government of India will continue to extend full support to the states affected by the cyclone. The PM also instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the situation and review the matter regularly to extend necessary assistance for restoration, the PMO confirmed in its statement. The principal secretary to the PM, Cabinet secretary, home secretary, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, DG NDRF, and member secretary, NDMA along with other senior officials from PMO and Ministries concerned were also present in the meeting. In another meeting, Modi called for fire and electrical safety audits of hospitals and other public places must be undertaken regularly in the wake of several major fire incidents reported from various parts of the country during the past few weeks. On May 25, seven children were killed in a massive fire at Delhis Baby Care New Born Hospital. Another major fire tragedy in Rajkots gaming zone resulted in 27 fatalities. The prime minister, while chairing the meeting to review the situation arising from the ongoing heat wave in the country and the preparedness for the onset of monsoon at his residence earlier in the day, said proper drills in the prevention and handling of the incidents of fire should be undertaken regularly. He also called for regular drills for the maintenance of fire-line in forests and productive utilisation of the biomass must be planned. The prime minister was informed about the usefulness of the van agni portal in timely identification of forest fires and its management, said the PMO in its statement. During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed that as per IMD forecasts, the heat wave is likely to continue in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the statement said. This year, the monsoon is likely to be normal and above normal in most parts of the country and below normal in parts of Peninsular India. Most states in north and central India are under the spell of an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many cities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that fire audit and electrical safety audits of hospitals and other public places must be undertaken regularly. Several major incidents of fire have been reported from various parts of the country during the past few weeks. On May 25, seven children were killed in a massive fire at Delhis Baby Care New Born Hospital. Another major fire tragedy in Rajkots gaming zone resulted in 27 fatalities. Chairing a meeting to review the situation arising from the ongoing heatwave in the country and the preparedness for the onset of monsoon at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg earlier in the day, the prime minister called for proper drills for preventing and handling incidents of fire must be done on a regular basis. Advertisement During the meeting, Modi said regular drills for the maintenance of fire-line in forests and productive utilisation of the biomass must be planned. The prime minister was informed about the usefulness of the van agni portal in timely identification of forest fires and its management, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said in a statement. During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed that as per IMD forecasts, the heat wave is likely to continue in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, the PMO said in the statement. This year, the monsoon is likely to be normal and above normal in most parts of the country and below normal in parts of Peninsular India. The principal secretary to the PM, Cabinet secretary, home secretary, secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, DG NDRF, and member secretary, NDMA along with other senior officials from PMO and Ministries concerned were also present in the meeting. Most states in northern and central India have been under the spell of an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius in many cities. A day after the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 and the exit polls predicted a thumping majority for the BJP-led NDA, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday held a virtual meeting with all the party candidates to assess the ground situation ahead of the results. Addressing a press conference in Delhi after the meeting, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that after talking to the candidates, they believe INDIA alliance will not win less than 295 seats. Today, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and MP Rahul Gandhi had a conversation with all our candidates and yesterday INDIA alliance leaders met at the residence of Mallikarjun Kharge and discussions were held. Everyone believed that INDIA would not get less than 295 seats, Ramesh said. Advertisement Calling exit polls psychological games being played by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, the Congress leader said that a party delegation will meet the Election Commission to put forth their demand for the counting day. We will face the psychological games that are being played by PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah and we will win on 4th June. Today at 4:30 pm, a delegation of the INDIA alliance will meet the Election Commission and put forth our demands regarding the day of the counting of votes, he said. Most exit polls have predicted landslide victory for the Prime Minister Modi-led NDA alliance. Some of them even predicted the NDA could cross the 400-mark. Speaking on the exit polls, Congress General Secretary K C Venugopal said that the post poll predictions are a bogus poll for the government and that they are confident that the Opposition INDIA bloc will form the government. We have discussed with our PCC presidents, CMs, in-charges and candidates, they are all very confident. This exit poll is a bogus poll for the government. INDIA alliance will get 295 seats and certainly form the government, Venugopal said. According to sources, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and other senior leaders of the party joined the meeting to discuss the assessments and preparations for June 4, the day of the counting of votes. The meeting also comes in the backdrop of an INDIA bloc meeting at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital on Saturday. Leaders from Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) gathered at Kharges residence for discussions and exuded confidence of forming government at the Centre. As India gears up for the worlds largest democratic exercise, the landscape of electioneering is undergoing a seismic shift. Traditional rallies and door-todoor campaigns are being complemented, and in some cases replaced, by a more sophisticated and pervasive strategy: digital campaigning. Messaging platforms like WhatsApp and social media influencers have become the linchpins of political parties efforts to sway voter psychology, an evolution eagerly observed by ad gurus and political analysts alike. Political parties have harnessed the power of social media to broadcast their achievements and rally voter support in unprecedented ways. The use of social media in political campaigns is not a novel phenomenon, but its scale and sophistication in the run-up to the 2024 elections were unmatched. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp became vital tools in the political arsenal. These platforms offer direct access to millions of voters, allowing political messages to be disseminated quickly and efficiently. The immediacy and reach of social media enable real-time engagement with the electorate, a feat that traditional media struggles to match. Political parties are increasingly employing data analytics to tailor their messages to specific voter demographics. By analysing user data, parties can craft personalized content that resonates with different segments of the population, enhancing the effectiveness of their outreach. This targeted approach ensures that political messages are not just widely disseminated but also highly relevant to the recipients. At the forefront of this digital revolution are social media influencers who wield significant clout over their followers. These individuals, ranging from celebrities to micro-influencers with niche followings, have become pivotal in shaping public opinion. Their endorsement of political parties or candidates can significantly amplify campaign messages, lending them a sense of credibility and relatability. While the integration of social media into political campaigns offers numerous advantages, it also comes with inherent challenges. On the positive side, social media democratizes political discourse, allowing a broader spectrum of voices to be heard. Advertisement It facilitates greater transparency and accountability, as politicians and parties are under constant scrutiny from an informed and engaged electorate. Additionally, social media enables rapid mobilization of support and resources, crucial for grassroots campaigning. However, the negative aspects cannot be overlooked. The spread of misinformation and fake news on social media platforms poses a significant threat to the integrity of the electoral process. Echo chambers, where users are exposed only to information that reinforces their existing beliefs, can exacerbate polarization and hinder constructive dialogue. Moreover, the anonymity of social media can lead to toxic behaviour and cyber-bullying, deterring meaningful engagement. The Covid-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the shift towards digital platforms for political campaigning. With physical gatherings and traditional canvassing methods restricted, political parties had to adapt quickly to virtual strategies. This shift has not only increased the prevalence of social media in political campaigns but also highlighted the power of digital influencers in shaping public opinion. Young voters, in particular, have become more engaged with political content through social media during the pandemic. Influencers who address pandemic-related issues, government responses, and social justice movements have seen a surge in followers and engagement. This trend underscores the growing influence of social media personalities in the political realm. One critical aspect of social media campaigning is the potential for influencers to sway public opinion based on their personal biases. When influencers openly endorse a particular political party or candidate, they can significantly impact their followers perceptions and voting decisions. This phenomenon can alter the dynamics of an election, especially if influential figures align themselves with specific political agendas. The power of influencers lies in their ability to humanize political messages and make them more relatable to the average voter. However, this influence comes with a responsibility to provide balanced and accurate information. Biased endorsements can polarize the electorate and create an uneven playing field, potentially skewing the democratic process. Despite the intensive use of social media in political campaigns, voter turnout in Indias elections has not seen a corresponding increase. Several factors contribute to this paradox. Firstly, the digital divide remains a significant barrier. While social media penetration is high, a substantial portion of the population, particularly in rural areas, remains offline or has limited access to digital platforms. This divide restricts the reach of social media campaigns to predominantly urban audiences. Secondly, voter apathy continues to be a challenge. Political disenchantment and a lack of faith in the electoral process can lead to a sense of futility among voters. Even with increased exposure to political content, many remain sceptical about the impact of their vote, resulting in low participation. Lastly, there is often a misalignment between digital campaigns and the actual concerns of the electorate. Despite targeted digital strategies, the issues highlighted on social media may not always resonate with voters daily lives. Effective campaigns must address real-world problems that genuinely matter to the electorate to bridge this gap. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections will be a litmus test for the efficacy of digital campaigning and the role of social media influencers in shaping political outcomes. While these new strategies offer innovative ways to engage with voters, they must be complemented by efforts to bridge the digital divide, address voter apathy, and remove structural barriers to voting. Only then can the full potential of digital democracy be realized, leading to higher voter turnout and a more representative electoral process. The influencers and digital platforms, wielding both positive and negative power, are now key players in Indias democratic narrative, their impact to be closely watched as the nation awaits poll results. (The writer is Chairperson of National Unity & Security Council.) This election season we have heard so many harsh words and invectives used by political parties and leaders against one another that they have almost lost the power to hurt our sensibilities. Sages have always advised us to be extremely careful with the words we speak, because they are like arrows which once shot cannot be taken back. Words are powerful, because each spoken word creates an impact on the listeners mind and changes it. The world therefore is never the same after a word has been spoken. There are some 7,000 languages in the world and they vastly differ from each other in many ways. Some may have 20 different vowel sounds and some only two. In some languages like Bengali or Turkish, the subject precedes the object that precedes the verb (S-O-V order), while those like English may have S-V-O order. While these two structures cover almost 90 per cent of all languages, about 9 per cent follow the V-S-O order, but the other three possibilities also exist. Some languages like Turkish put a lot of information in one long word, and some use very short words, and hence sentences with many words, like the Vietnamese. In some languages, the adjective precedes the noun, in others, it follows. Some like English have prepositions, while others like Japanese have postpositions. But differences apart, languages are often very similar with the same ancestry, and these similarities allow them to be grouped under families. Most European languages like French, English, Italian or Spanish derived from the same parent language, Latin; just as most Indian languages derived from Sanskrit. Both these groups again belong to a common language family known as Indo-European, which includes languages spoken in most of Europe and in nations colonized by Europeans. Hence many words in these languages can be traced to a common origin. Thus, vidya meaning knowledge in Sanskrit derived from vid, meaning to perceive, akin to Veda which is cognate with Latin videre meaning to see. The words video, vista, vision, divide and dividend are derived from this root. Sanskrit manas or mind is cognate with Latin mentis ~ to think ~ which gave us the word mental. Sanskrit mrityu or death derives from mri meaning to die, which is again cognate with Latin mori, from which the words mortality and mortgage derive. Advertisement Sanskrit kaala, from kal, meaning to count is cognate to Latin calculare, from which derive the words calculate and calendar. Even the word cognate which means born together derives from Latin gnatus meaning to be born. It is akin to the Sanskrit root jan from where the word janma ~ to take birth, derives. Jan is also cognate with Latin genus meaning origin, from which the words genetic, generate, generation and even genocide are derived. There are many such interesting examples. Origin of the words often traces humans migration across continents from an unremembered beginning ~ their ancient movements have left permanent footprints in the words that we unknowingly use today. There are myriad ways in which languages form new words out of existing ones, and it is virtually impossible to count the number of words in any language. Like society, languages evolve continually and dynamically. Words have their own structure. Morphology studies how they are composed of smaller, meaningful units, while syntax studies how they form sentences. When words come together to form a sentence, it gives rise to meaning, and here we run into problems, because meanings are often layered. The literal, or semantic meaning of what we say often differs from what we intend to express, which is the pragmatic meaning. Meaning is what leads to complexity and controversies, because meaning cannot be always dissociated from the cultural context, which has led to theories about whether language influences our thinking and shapes the way we perceive our world. One common example that is used in this context is colour names in different languages. Colour is a spectrum of infinite variety. In English we generally use seven major colour names, while there are many words or their combinations to express variations. But there are languages with just three different colour names or even less, but they all inherit common elements. All languages seem to distinguish between dark and light, between black and white. If a language has another colour term, that is invariably red. If theres a fourth colour, that again is always either green or yellow, after them comes blue. Red, green and blue happen to the primary colours in optics, because they are fundamental to human vision. All other colours of the visible light spectrum can be produced by properly adding different combinations of these three colours. We see red more clearly than other colours, followed by green or yellow. Their ordering in all languages thus may be more than mere coincidence. Does it imply that those whose language has a lesser number of colours cannot distinguish between colours for which they have no names? It is easy to conduct experiments to test this, and their results are ambiguous. While people who do not have different words for, say, orange and red, do see the difference, it appears that people who have these words in their language may spot the difference a bit more quickly. So, are the colours that we see influenced by our language? In other words, does language influence the way we perceive the world? The debate is unresolved. One example that is quoted in this context is the number of words the Innuits ~ people who inhabit the snowbound Arctic regions ~ have for snow ~ there are more than 50 words in their lexicon. It would thus appear that language is more than merely a medium of expression, perhaps it also reflects some underlying reality, imparting a universal aspect to languages which may even derive from biology, though this view is often hotly debated. Biology of course plays a role in language, because there are fixed areas in our brains, known as Wernickes area and Brocas area, which control our ability to understand the meaning of words, and to speak those words respectively. Reading languages is another intriguing aspect, because not only do different languages have different scripts or symbols, but they also write differently some write from left to right and top to bottom, and some just the opposite. But regardless of how one reads or writes, apparently all these symbols and scripts are processed in exactly the same area of the brain called the fusiform gyrus, near the respective areas where sounds and visual images are processed. Symbols which have to do with vision have to be stored as close as possible to where we process the sounds of language. Languages are basically concerned with sounds, that is speaking ~ there is no language in the world that is only written and read and not spoken. In the 1940s, the American linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf and his teacher Edward Sapir proposed their Linguistic Determinism Hypothesis, also known as Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, suggesting that language determines the content of thought. Whorf noted that the Hopi ~ a Native American language spoken in northeastern Arizona ~ did not have a past tense for verbs. Therefore, he presumed that the Hopi people could not think about the past. Based on his studies, Whorf claimed that speakers of Hopi and English see the world differently because of differences in their language. While Hopis emphasise events and processes, on how an action is performed rather than when, the English speakers emphasise on things and relations. The English apparently treat time as being broken up into chunks that can be counted in seconds, minutes and hours, and hence they may think about saving, using or wasting them, while the Hopi people think time as a continuous cycle. But this doesnt necessarily imply that language has forced a certain view of time on people. Perhaps language, thought and culture are inextricably intertwined with each other to form an integral, consummate whole. The strong version of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, called Linguistic Relativity, holds that our thinking is conditioned and determined by the language we speak, implying that some thoughts may be easier for speakers of one language rather than another. An even stronger view was taken earlier by the German philosopher Wilhelm von Humboldt in 1835, when he wrote, Language is the formative organ of thought. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis is difficult to put to test, for which an experiment needs to be set up to isolate and measure what is due to language from what is due to thought, which is near-impossible, and many of its conclusions have been hotly contested and proven wrong. If linguistic determinism was true, then learning a second language would have been difficult ~ it would mean changing the way one has thought in native tongue, something that our experience does not support. Linguist Guy Deutscher (Through the Language Glass: Why the World Looks Different in Other Languages Arrow Books, 2010) mocked it rightly, Do English speakers who have never heard the German word Schadenfreude find it difficult to understand the concept of relishing someone elses misfortune? Or think about it this way: If the inventory of ready-made words in your language determined which concepts you were able to understand, how would you ever learn anything new? The hypothesis made our mother tongue a prison house that constrained our capacity to reason. When no evidence came for such claims, the other extreme view was propagated that people of all cultures think fundamentally in the same way. Truth, as always, lies somewhere in between these extreme views. (The writer is an author, commentator and academic) US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin has welcomed an agreement by Defence Chiefs of South Korea and Japan to take measures to prevent the recurrence of a 2018 maritime spat over Japanese patrol aircraft. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik and his Japanese counterpart, Minoru Kihara, announced the agreement on Saturday after their talks held on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, in a deal that could remove a major hindrance to efforts to strengthen bilateral military cooperation between Seoul and Tokyo, Yonhap news agency reported. In a statement, Austin said on Saturday that the deal between South Korea and Japan would strengthen their bilateral defence relationship, including measures to support operational safety and lines of communication. Advertisement Stronger bilateral cooperation between each of our countries helps advance trilateral cooperation among all of our countries, he added. The Defence Chiefs of South Korea, the US and Japan were set to hold a meeting on the sidelines of the security forum in Singapore. The dispute flared up in December 2018, when a Japanese maritime patrol aircraft made an unusually low-altitude flyby over a South Korean warship. Seoul decried the planes approach as a menacing flight, while Tokyo has accused the South Korean vessel of having locked its fire-control radar on the plane. The incident had remained a source of friction for years until Seoul and Tokyos Defence Chiefs agreed to begin working-level talks on the issue at the annual security forum held in Singapore last year, in what marked the first defence ministerial talks between Seoul and Tokyo since November 2019. A high-ranking Yemeni military intelligence official and four of his companions were injured in an assassination attempt on him in the countrys southwestern province of Taiz, a security source told the media. The source said on Saturday on condition of anonymity that unknown assailants targeted the convoy of Brigadier Abdo Qasim Buhairi, director of the military intelligence division in Taiz, with an explosive device as it passed through a road in al-Misrakh district of Taiz, giving no further details on the health condition of the official and his bodyguards. Pro-government military and security services in Taiz have launched an investigation to identify the perpetrators, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement The incident highlighted the fragile security situation in Yemen, where military and pro-government officials remain at risk amid the ongoing conflict and power struggle in the war-ravaged Arab country. Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the Saudi-backed internationally-recognised government out of the capital Sanaa. PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea, June 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A team from Pacific Wrecks discovered one of the most famous World War II aircraft in Papua New Guinea. Two weeks later, Papua New Guinea officials signed a Letter of Intent with Poplar, Wisconsin to become Sister Cities. Pacific Wrecks team at the P-38 Marge crash site. PHOTO: PACIFIC WRECKS/JUSTIN TAYLAN The twin announcements were made on May 31, 2024 during a live event broadcast from Papua New Guinea. The famous P-38 Lightning fighter plane was assigned to America's top Ace, Richard I. Bong. Bong is credited with shooting down 40 Japanese aircraft. He named his plane "Marge" after his girlfriend. The aircraft was found in the jungles of Madang Province, Papua New Guinea. Pacific Wrecks confirmed the plane's unique serial number. The expedition was mounted in conjunction with the 80th anniversary of the crash. Pacific Wrecks led the effort in partnership with the Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center in Superior, Wisconsin. Bong was bestowed the Medal of Honor by General Douglas MacArthur. Upon returning home, he married Marjorie "Marge" Vattendahl. Soon after, Bong died testing a new jet in California. The discovery of "Marge" led to the signing of Papua New Guinea's first Letter of Intent under the Sister Cities program. Poplar, Wisconsin is Bong's hometown, and Madang, Papua New Guinea is the crash site location. "Pacific Wrecks was honored to be entrusted with this important mission and proudly announces the identification of 'Marge'. We're thrilled our shared World War II history bridged two towns on opposite sides of the world," said Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks. "I want to congratulate you and your team on finding this amazing site and identifying it for the world, for aviation historians and enthusiasts and the public," said Russell Lee, Chair of the Aeronautics Department, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. "Our countries have deep heritage around World War II, and for both our nations this remains as a source of pride," said Madang's Governor Ramsey Pariwa. Sister Cities International was created in 1956 under President Eisenhower to foster citizen diplomacy. Today there are more than 2,000 partnerships across 145 countries. Damian Wampler, Head of Public Affairs for the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, thanked Taylan for rallying partners and expressed gratitude to Governor Pariwa for "being the first to engage in this incredible act of citizen diplomacy." "7 for 70" is a Sister Cities International, State Department and White House National Security Council initiative. Wampler added, "I am thrilled to kick off '7 for 70' with Madang and Poplar." Story continues "We are so proud of the Pacific Wrecks team for their efforts in finding and identifying P-38 Marge. That this plane survives in the jungle brings new awareness of the amazing life and legacy of Richard Bong," said Bong Center Curator Briana Fiandt. "I had the privilege of working with Sister Cities International as head of the Ohio-Ukraine Sister State effort," said Pacific Wrecks Program Manager Steve Kleiman. "We knew it would be a win for all stakeholders to parlay those insights and relationships to PNG. Pacific Wrecks is excited to partner with Poplar, Madang, Sister Cities International, the State Department and the White House toward making that a reality." The event can be viewed on YouTube . ABOUT PACIFIC WRECKS Pacific Wrecks ( https://pacificwrecks.org ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to finding America's Missing In Action and leveraging new technologies in the study of past conflicts. Founded in 1995 by Justin Taylan, grandson of a WWII combat photographer who served in New Guinea, Pacific Wrecks operates throughout the Pacific region including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and North Korea. Taylan has personally documented over a thousand plane wrecks. ABOUT RICHARD I. BONG VETERANS HISTORICAL CENTER The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center ( https://bongcenter.org ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit museum located in Superior, Wisconsin. Opened in 2002, the museum is dedicated to sharing the legacy of Wisconsin hero, Richard Bong. The Bong Center plans an exhibit on the crash site. ABOUT SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL (SCI) Founded by President Eisenhower, Sister Cities International ( https://sistercities.org ) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit uniting tens of thousands of citizen diplomats and volunteers through 2,000 partnerships spanning 145 countries. Last October, the United States Department of State and the White House National Security Council announced the "7 for 70" initiative to create seven new Sister Cities in the Pacific Islands in tribute to SCI's 70th anniversary in 2026. Electronic Press Kit (EPK) with photos: https://pacificwrecks.org/epk Available for interviews: Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks; Briana Fiandt, Curator, Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center; James Bong, Richard Bong's nephew. Poplar/Madang Sister City Letter of Intent signed and sealed. LEFT TO RIGHT: Francis Tavatuna, First Secretary for the Governor of Madang; Madang Governor Ramsey Pariwa; Justin Taylan, Director of Pacific Wrecks; Damian Wampler, Head of Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy Port Moresby. PHOTO: PACIFIC WRECKS/JOEL CARILLET Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/discovery-of-world-war-ii-fighter-plane-sets-path-for-first-uspapua-new-guinea-sister-city-302161253.html SOURCE PACIFIC WRECKS In the last mile of 2024 Lok Sabha general elections, two completely divergent narratives have emerged about who is ahead and best placed to form the next government. Though they are not the only individuals on either side of the trenches to have made these arguments, we can, for the purpose of shorthand, call it the Prashant Kishor and Yogendra Yadav schools of thought. I was the first to interview Kishor. We met in Patna, where the political consultant-turned-politicianhis party Jan Suraaj will contest the next assembly electionsset the cat among the proverbial pigeons with his remarks. While there was a lot of focus on his prediction that the BJP will be back, by the same or slightly more, intriguingly there has not been as much debate on his description in the same interview, of the prime minister being, in his words, a brand in decline. Likening it to a century with six dropped catches Kishor has blamed the opposition for poor fielding. He forecasts a weakened prime minister whose main resistance will come from the general public in what he is sure will be Modis third term. Yadav, a supporter of the INDIA alliance, has an entirely different sense of what happens next. In a conversation with me, he underlined that he was not talking about a 1977-style mass wave of anger against the incumbent government, but a return to normal politics where a phase by phase decline, combined with the dip in turn out numbers, has now painted a likelihood of the BJP, maybe even the NDA, slipping below the majority mark. Illustration: Deni Lal Is there a space between these two predictive arguments that we know to be true? I wont hazard any guess on numbers. But here are some observations from my road trip traversing the distance between Kanniyakumari and Kashmircovering 12 states and 12,000km over 40 plus days. Modi remains the dominant political brand across India. There is more incumbency against local MPs of the BJP than against the prime minister. Whatever the eventual outcome, there has been a spirited fight in this election. The election feels more competitive than anyone would have forecast at the beginning of the campaign. Modis own voters want him to dial down religious rhetoric and Hindu-Muslim barbs. The biggest applause for Modi comes on matters of internal security, abrogation of Article 370, infrastructure and Indias stature in the world. One thing voters want Modi to do differently (apart from toning down religious politics) is to focus more on jobs. There is no palpable anger, but in many places, there is despondency and disquietsmall street vendors and shopkeepers spoke often of sannaata hai (everything is still) when I asked about how their businesses were doing. Yet, they did not suggest that they would vote differently than before. Young men are agitated about jobs. The four year cap on Agniveer, the new military recruitment scheme, is a genuine issue of angst in states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana. There is no single emotive issue that defines the election. The Ram temple, while welcomed by millions of devout Indians, does not come up in political conversation. These are disparate, seemingly unconnected observations in whats being called a zero wave election. For the rest, we must have the humility to say the following three wordswe dont knowand wait patiently till June 4. editor@theweek.in Union Home Minister Amit Shah claims there is no greater testament to the removal of Article 370 than the high polling percentages in the Kashmir valley. Then why is the BJP not contesting any of the three seats in the valley? The fact is that the reading down of Article 370the principal boast of the BJPis the key issue in all three constituencies where the main contendersthe National Conference (NC) of the Abdullahs and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of the Muftisare fighting it out. Article 370 is seen as the symbol of the identity and dignity of the Valley inhabitants, as the feisty daughter of Mehbooba, Iltija, who is making her political debut, keeps emphasising. It is also seen as the guarantor of the rights of the Kashmiri people. Most importantly, it is seen by Kashmirs mainstream nationalist parties as their principal shield against the separatists. The National Conferences candidate for Srinagar, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi, a prominent Shia cleric, affirms, For us Article 370 was a pro-mainstream and pro-democracy argument. That is why all candidates of the principal parties contesting, irrespective of their other differences, are committed to advocating the restoration of Article 370, however hollowed out it had become. But the BJP, for all the empty boasts of the lieutenant governor, the home minister, and the prime minister about restoring normalcy by diminishing insurgency and street protests, bringing in lakhs of tourists, and undertaking massive infrastructure works, is hiding behind the skirts of their proxies: Sajjad Lones Peoples Conference, Altaf Bukharis Apni Party, and Ghulam Nabi Azads Democratic Progressive Azad Party, at least the latter two of which are set to lose their deposits. Illustration: Job P.K. The problem with the BJP is that it does not understand at all the psyche of the people of Kashmir and Ladakh and not even of the people of Jammu. Their focus is on hindutva and what they choose to call development, but they do not recognise that man does not live by bread alone. In any case, long before the outrage on August 5, 2019, J&K was far ahead of most states, especially the bastions of the BJPUttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradeshon every indicator of economic and human development (such as education and health), and Central budgetary support to the state. Such largesse had not bought the Kashmiris either before 2019 or after, because while they are all, of course, seeking peace and personal security and getting better-off, like human beings everywhere, they also seek, like human beings everywhere, honour and respect, and value above all else their identity, dignity and rights. Instead of bringing balm to such wounds, the BJP has turned J&K into an open-air prison to instill an atmosphere of fear. .They have also resorted to the colonial practice of divide and rule, most nakedly evidenced in their delimitation commission irrationally joining Anantnag, the fortress of the Mufti family, to Poonch-Rajouri in Jammu over the formidable Pir Panjal range. In my view, this violates the principle of geographic continuity which is enshrined in clause 3 of the Delimitation Act. But, worse, the BJP have deepened the ethnic divide of Pahari from Gujjar and Bakerwal by granting Paharis ST status on the very eve of the election in the face of strident Gujjar-Bakerwal protests. The National Conference have retaliated by naming Mian Altaf Ahmed, a spiritual leader revered by the Gujjars, who has thrice been an MLA and whose father and grandfather have both been elected to the state assembly, as the candidate to oppose Mehbooba. She has deplored such peer-mureed politics, but can she successfully oppose it? Again, the BJP is nowhere in the picture, the final proof of their politics in J&K over Article 370 having failed. When Horatio Bottomley, MP, called in to see Lord Cholmondeley, he told the butler, I wish to speak to Lord Chol-mond-ley. The butler, without batting an eyelid, corrected, Lord Chum-ley, sir. Oh, all right, said Bottomley, who would be a journalist, a journeyman and be jailed for fraud. Tell him that Mr Bumley would like to speak to him. No scene from a P.G. Wodehouse story this, but a real-life encounter that took place in pre-war or inter-war England when old notions of social class and pronunciation were beginning to be challenged. By then Thomas Hardy of the Victorian world had woven a woeful tragedy in Wessex around the dUrberville family, labelling the wealthy branch as dUrberville, and the one to which the miserable Tess belonged as Durbeyfield. Wodehouse of a newer world had made Bertie a simple Wooster instead of a Worcester, and George Bernard Shaw, who would notoriously pronounce ghoti as fish, had staged Pygmalion, which was all about pronunciation and social class. Missed the play? No regrets. Its more delightful filmy version My Fair Lady, starring Rex Harrison and the ever-dear Audrey Hepburn, is still available for downloads and a few LoLs. Missed the plot? I guess many of you have, in all this talk about social class and pronunciation. All right, lets get the speech right. Illustration: Deni Lal How you speak may no longer determine your class, but pronunciation purists continue to haunt the groves of academe. On elite campuses, where pronunciation is believed to mirror scholarship, Chumley-Bumley encounters are still being witnessed, giving mirth to most of us but mortification to its many victims. One such victim is the poor desi sociology scholar Anshul Kumar of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, who had the temerity to mispronounce the name of the black civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois in the majestic presence of Columbia University professor Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak. Spivak, who was taking questions from the audience after her lecture, cut him down saying the name should be pronounced do-boys since he is an Englishman, not French. As a sociologist, Kumar would have read the 19th century French missionary Abbe Duboiss Hindu Manners, Customs and Ceremonies. The abbe had called himself dub-va, but hadnt bothered when the people of Tamilagom called him Dodda Saami. And do pronunciations matter, as long as you have conveyed what you wanted to? So Kumar went on with his question calling Du Bois dub-va, but Spivak wouldnt budge. She insisted that Kumar pronounce the name right, and then only would she entertain a question from him. At which Kumar did a Chumley-Bumley act on Spivak, or what Eliza Doolittle did at the Royal Ascot. He uttered a few uncivil words, made his exit, and trolled Spivak tagging her influential work Can the Subaltern Speak? which critiques the silencing of marginalised voices by patriarchal and imperial forces. Kumars post ignited a debate on social media, setting the groves of academe on fire. Writer Meena Kandasamy, who recounted a similar mortifying encounter with Spivak, argued that correcting pronunciation should be done gracefully, without public humiliation. To snub someone over their pronunciation, in a hall filled to the brim with people, shows insecurity, pettiness, she wrote. Many defended Spivak, saying she was right in insisting on proper pronunciation. What do we, the billion subalterns, do? Watch My Fair Lady and The Kings Speech, go to bed every night with a copy of Daniel Jones, and hope to get upper-classified some day. prasannan@theweek.in My home is not too far from Kalyani Nagar, the scene of the ghastly accident in Pune, when an underage brat, in a swanky Porsche, at 200 kmph, flung two young techies 15 feet in the air, killing the young woman on the spot, while her male friend succumbed to grievous injuries later. Kalyani Nagar is a posh area with several upmarket restaurants, bars, clubs and pubs, frequented by techies who love to party over weekends after putting in long hours at demanding jobs. Most are ambitious out-of-towners, happy to let their hair down in a new city miles away from home. I have frequented these places myself, and keenly observed the scene, especially after midnight, when the roar of Ferraris, Porsches and Aston Martins, racing across the Kalyani Nagar bridge, often drowns out the high-decibel tracks being blasted by DJs as young things dance the night away fuelled by exotic cocktails and stronger substances. If there is an age limit, it is recklessly disregarded by owners of these glittering waterholes as arrogant, super-entitled underage monsters stagger in nonchalantly. The juvenile in Pune had spent Rs70,000 in two bars that fateful evening. Petty change for someone like him, son of controversial real estate developer Vishal Agarwal, and grandson of Surendra Agarwal, a notorious businessman, with links to underworld dons. Both are under police detention, while the juvenile delinquent is in a childrens observation centre for 14 days. The Porsche that hit two young techies in Pune | PTI As a person who loves Pune, none of this is shocking. It has become the Pune way of life, after rapacious builders with strong political backers grabbed tracts of prime land and built gleaming towers, boasting of unimaginably luxurious amenities. Builders and netas ruthlessly conspired to ruin what was once a cultured and refined city known for its high standards of education, and its impeccable legacy of freedom fighters, thinkers and intellectual stalwarts. Todays Pune is like a den of thieves, with uneducated, ridiculously wealthy builders who think it is cool to allow teenage children to run around in cars that cost Rs2 crore and more. So what if one Porsche gets totalled in a careless accident? There are five more equally expensive cars in the garage, just for the enjoyment of kids who like speed. In this case, the matters are far more serious, with attempts to intimidate and bribe the family driver into accepting responsibility for the crime. The brats friends have, however, admitted to the police it was their friend at the wheel of the killer car, while the father and grandfather were busy offering allurements to all and sundry, including two doctors who threw away the brats blood sample into a dustbin and substituted it with a clean one. Both docs have been arrested after public outrage and political pressure escalated. Irony: the brat was too drunk to realise he was beaten up by an enraged crowd who summoned the cops. Friends who live in Pune say the clubs and pubs are pretty empty following the tragedy, as owners wonder how to get back to business without flouting laws. Surely, it is not all that tough? Live streaming of entry and exit points is being considered. But why not do it the way the rest of the world imposes age limitsinsist on legit ID cards and enforce the rule strictly. This case is not just about an out of control car being driven by a drunk juvenile who hit and killed innocents after bingeing with buddies. It is a ghastly reflection of how vitiated Punes social atmosphere has become after the city was captured by the likes of the Agarwal family. Stricter laws are but one way to control those who think they are above justice. Wake up, Pune! And pay up. International Sex Workers' Day is annually observed on June 2 to create awareness about the challenges and exploitation faced by sex workers worldwide. Sex workers are among the most vulnerable social groups in the world, and they often find themselves subjected to exploitation, physical and emotional exploitation, human rights violations, and social stigma from society. As they are ostracized and widely stigmatized by society, they have difficulty obtaining appropriate healthcare, housing, access to financial services such as loans or insurance, and, foremost, finding alternative means of employment except sex work. ALSO READ | Understanding Pride Month: Stonewall riots and emergence of LGBTQ+ rights movement International Sex Workers' Day aims to create discussion about exploitative working conditions and a lack of legal safeguards for sex workers. It also provides an important space for lobbying, policy reforms, and promoting the rights of sex workers. History The inception of International Sex Workers' Day may be traced back to June 2, 1975, when sex workers in Lyon, France occupied the Saint-Nizier Church on rue de Brest and began an eight-day strike. The situation emerged as a result of the police crackdown on sex workers and the increased violence directed at them. The death of two sex workers, along with the government's failure to respond, sparked the protest. The sex workers requested better working conditions, the reopening of the hotels where they worked, a probe into the killings of the two sex workers, and an end to the stigma associated with them. However, the police refused to listen to any of their requests and, after eight days, quickly removed the protesting sex workers from the chapel. Despite the demonstration resulting in no changes to the government's measures, it prompted the beginning of similar rights campaigns and acknowledgement of sex workers' rights throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. Significance "Spanish politician Federica Montseny states that 'Prostitution presents a moral, economic, and social problem that cannot be resolved juridically.'" In other words, just changing the legislation will not eliminate the challenges that sex workers deal with. The difficulties they encounter stem from the pervasive stigma and prejudice they experience as a result of their social status as sex workers. Inhumane working conditions, difficulty in changing professions, and a lack of access to healthcare or financial services have made this an extremely complex issue that has long been ingrained in our society. The celebration of International Sex Workers' Day strives to foster solidarity among sex workers and spark change in all areas of society. A day after exit polls predicted a hat-trick win for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, the Congress on Sunday sought to counter the prediction by getting its state unit chiefs and legislature party leaders to present their estimate of the number of seats the party could win in these polls. In an online meeting moderated by Jairam Ramesh, the AICC General Secretary in-charge of Communications, PCC chiefs and CLP leaders from several states presented their calculation of how many seats the party and the alliance was expected to get. The party has rubbished the exit polls as sarkari survey. Former party chief Rahul Gandhi reiterated that the INDIA alliance would get at least 295 seats, belying the exit polls done by what he termed as Modi media. Significantly, since poll surveys showed the BJP holding on to its dominance in Karnataka, the state PCC chief and deputy chief minister D.K. Shivakumar said at the meeting, which was open to the media, that the Congress would win two-thirds of the 28 seats in the state, or around 18 seats. Rajasthan PCC chief Govind Singh Dotasara said the Congress and its allies were expected to win 11-12 seats. He also said that eight other seats are expected to see a tight contest. According to Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole, the party is expected to win 16 seats and the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi would win 40 seats. At the INDIA alliance meeting yesterday, NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar said he expected the alliance to win around 26 seats. Some Congress leaders have said the alliance could win around 33 seats. Bihar Congress President Akhilesh Prasad Singh said at the meeting that the party could win 6-7 seats, and the alliance could win around 20 seats. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu said the four seats in the hill state witnessed a close fight, but the Congress was ahead in two of them. He also claimed that Union minister Anurag Singh Thakur could lose. Partap Singh Bajwa, the leader of opposition in Punjab, said the BJP will not win a single seat in the state. His assessment is that the Congress will win nine seats, and the AAP will get one. UP Congress President Ajay Rai did not divulge any numbers, but said he expected the INDIA alliance to register a big victory in the state. Haryana Congress chief Uday Bhan said the Congress will win majority of the ten seats on offer in the state. Presenting the assessment for Gujarat, state Congress President Shaktisinh Gohil said the party could win four to five seats. He also said the AAP was engaged in a close contest with the BJP in Bharuch and Bhavnagar. Assam Congress President Bhupen Bora said the party could win seven seats in the state and spoke about growing unrest within the state BJP with regard to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad (KLSE:PETDAG) is about to trade ex-dividend in the next three days. The ex-dividend date occurs one day before the record date which is the day on which shareholders need to be on the company's books in order to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. This means that investors who purchase PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad's shares on or after the 6th of June will not receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 19th of June. The company's next dividend payment will be RM00.18 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of RM0.80 per share. Looking at the last 12 months of distributions, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad has a trailing yield of approximately 4.0% on its current stock price of RM019.80. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad's dividend is reliable and sustainable. As a result, readers should always check whether PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. Check out our latest analysis for PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad Dividends are typically paid out of company income, so if a company pays out more than it earned, its dividend is usually at a higher risk of being cut. Last year, PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad paid out 95% of its income as dividends, which is above a level that we're comfortable with, especially if the company needs to reinvest in its business. That said, even highly profitable companies sometimes might not generate enough cash to pay the dividend, which is why we should always check if the dividend is covered by cash flow. Over the past year it paid out 157% of its free cash flow as dividends, which is uncomfortably high. It's hard to consistently pay out more cash than you generate without either borrowing or using company cash, so we'd wonder how the company justifies this payout level. PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad does have a large net cash position on the balance sheet, which could fund large dividends for a time, if the company so chose. Still, smart investors know that it is better to assess dividends relative to the cash and profit generated by the business. Paying dividends out of cash on the balance sheet is not long-term sustainable. Cash is slightly more important than profit from a dividend perspective, but given PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad's payments were not well covered by either earnings or cash flow, we are concerned about the sustainability of this dividend. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Stocks with flat earnings can still be attractive dividend payers, but it is important to be more conservative with your approach and demand a greater margin for safety when it comes to dividend sustainability. Investors love dividends, so if earnings fall and the dividend is reduced, expect a stock to be sold off heavily at the same time. It's not encouraging to see that PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad's earnings are effectively flat over the past five years. It's better than seeing them drop, certainly, but over the long term, all of the best dividend stocks are able to meaningfully grow their earnings per share. With limited earnings growth and paying out a concerningly high percentage of its earnings, the prospects of future dividend growth don't look so bright here. The main way most investors will assess a company's dividend prospects is by checking the historical rate of dividend growth. PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad has seen its dividend decline 2.7% per annum on average over the past 10 years, which is not great to see. To Sum It Up Has PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad got what it takes to maintain its dividend payments? Earnings per share are effectively flat, plus PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad's dividend is not well covered by either earnings or cash flow, which is not great. Overall it doesn't look like the most suitable dividend stock for a long-term buy and hold investor. Having said that, if you're looking at this stock without much concern for the dividend, you should still be familiar of the risks involved with PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad. To help with this, we've discovered 1 warning sign for PETRONAS Dagangan Berhad that you should be aware of before investing in their shares. If you're in the market for strong dividend payers, we recommend checking our selection of top dividend stocks. 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. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal surrendered at Tihar jail after his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case linked to the excise policy scam ended on Sunday. The top court had granted bail to the Aam Aadmi Party supremo on May 10 to campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. After his surrendering at Tihar jail, Kejriwal was produced before a Delhi court which sent him to judicial custody till June 5. Duty judge Sanjeev Aggarwal passed the order passed the order on an application filed by the Enforcement Directorate, seeking extension of judicial custody by 14 days. Before returning to jail, Kejriwal paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the Raj Ghat, offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place and addressed the AAP leaders and workers at the party office. "I was given a 21-day (relief) by the Supreme Court. These 21 days were unforgettable. I did not waste even a minute. I campaigned for saving the country. The AAP is not important, it is secondary. The country comes first," he said. "I am going back to jail not because I was involved in corruption but because I raised voice against dictatorship," said the chief minister insinuating that the Narendra Modi government was allegedly misusing the central agencies to target its political opponents. Kejriwal also dismissed the exit polls as fake and said they were mind games to guide one into depression. Kejriwal's wife Sunita Kejriwal, AAP leaders, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak, and party leaders Durgesh Pathak, Rakhi Birla and Reena Gupta accompanied him to Tihar jail. "We want to thank the Supreme Court for granting Arvind Kejriwal a bail for 21 days. In these 21 days, he campaigned for several parties of the INDIA alliance because this election was not just for one party. This election was to protect the Constitution of the country. We respect the judiciary, so Arvind Kejriwal has surrendered on the scheduled date," Atishi told the media. The Pema Khandu-led Bharatiya Janata Party government won a consecutive third term in Arunachal Pradesh, winning 37 out of 50 seats which went to polls in the state. In the elections held to the 60-seat Arunachal Pradesh assembly, the BJP won the election unopposed to 10 seats, including CM Khandu. The ruling party has a majority of 46 seats in the Assembly. The Congress won only in one seat Bameng. Congress candidate Kumar Waii won against BJPs Doba Lamnio by a margin of 635 votes. While three independents won in the election, the National People's Party won five seats, the People's Party of Arunachal won two and the Nationalist Congress Party in three seats. Reacting on winning the third consecutive term, BJP National President J.P. Nadda said, Grateful to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for placing their trust in @BJP4India and ensuring a historic win in the state. This remarkable victory is a reflection of their desire for a prosperous and developed Arunachal Pradesh. Nadda added the party is committed to fulfilling the vision of 'Viksit Bharat' and 'Viksit Arunachal' under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP won 41 seats in the 2019 elections. The relentless dedication of our committed Karyakartas, CM Shri@PemaKhanduBJP, and BJP State President Shri @BiyuramWahgeBJPhas made this victory historic, he added. Thanking the people, Modi tweeted, The people of this wonderful state have given an unequivocal mandate to politics of development. My gratitude to them for reposing their faith in @BJP4Arunachalyet again. A handwritten bomb threat note was found on a Mumbai-bound Vistara flight, which departed from the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. A full emergency was declared at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Sunday morning after thre crew reported about the threat note. The crew found the threat note on an airsickness bag at 10.08 am and the flight landed safely in Mumbai at 10.19 am. There were 294 passengers and 12 crew members in the aircraft identified as Flight UK 024. "We confirm that a security concern has been noted by our staff while onboard Vistara flight UK 024 operating from Paris to Mumbai on 2 June 2024," said a Vistara Airlines spokesperson. Following the protocol, we immediately informed the relevant authorities. The flight has landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai and we are fully cooperating with the security agencies for all the mandatory checks, added the airline's representative. This comes a day after a Varanasi-New Delhi Vistara flight received a bomb threat, which later turned out to be a hoax. As the country is all set for the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections on June 4, the opposition INDIA bloc on Sunday strongly objected to the Election Commission changing the rule about the counting of postal ballots. A delegation of the grouping met the EC officials and urged them to ensure that the postal ballots are counted first and their results declared before the outcome of the Electronic Voting Machines is announced. The delegation led by Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi further stressed that the poll panel should issue clear guidelines on the counting process and ensure that those are implemented. "This is the third multi-party delegation visiting the EC during this process.... We spent time with the EC on two-three major issues. Most important was counting the postal ballots and declaring the results first. This is a very clearly stated statutory rule, which specifically says that you should take up the postal ballots first," Singhvi later told the media. The Congress leader said under the existing rule 54-A, the counting of the postal ballots has to be completed in any case before the counting through the EVMs is completed. It is a rule that if the counting of the postal ballots is not completed, the result of the counting through EVMs cannot be declared. This is because the postal ballots can completely swing the results and impact the final outcome, he said. Singhvi further asserted that a statutory rule cannot be changed by a guideline. We are only asking the implementation of the existing rules, he said. The INDIA bloc leaders submitted a letter to the EC in which they claimed that the number of postal ballots has gone up significantly in this Lok Sabha election as senior citizens (aged 85 years and above) and differently-abled persons were allowed to cast their votes through this process. In another letter submitted to the poll panel, the opposition leader complained that even as political parties have put in a lot of effort to train their counting agents, the counting officials often fail to fully understand all aspects of the counting process. CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the leaders have requested the EC to ensure that its own guidelines are implemented. The guidelines include ensuring that the control units of the EVMs are moved through CCTV-monitored corridors and a verification of the date-and-time display of the control units is done. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi dismissed exit poll predictions as mere fantasy and said like rapper Sidhu Moosewalas song, the INDIA bloc will win over 295 seats this Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi, who arrived at the Congress party headquarters to discuss preparations for the counting day, said exit polls were Modi media polls. It is not exit poll, it is Modi media poll. It is his fantasy poll, Gandhi said. When the Rae Bareli candidate was asked how many seats would INDIA bloc win this election, Gandhi said, Have you heard Sidhu Moose Wala's song 295? 295, ANI reported. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, party general secretaries Jairam Ramesh and K.C. Venugopal, along with other senior leaders interacted with the party's Lok Sabha candidates and reviewed the preparations for the counting day on June 4. Dismissing exit polls, Ramesh said, These exit polls are false. INDIA alliance is not going to get less than 295 seats. These exit polls are fake because PM Modi and Union HM Amit Shah are playing a psychological game. They are trying to put pressure on opposition parties, ECI, counting agents, returning officers and creating an environment that they are coming back but the reality is completely different, ANI reported. Ramesh charged, The outgoing home minister called up 150 District Magistrates and collectors yesterday. The results that the exit polls have come up with bear no relation to reality. -with inputs from agencies. The Opposition has dismissed all exit polls predictions and said it is certain that the INDIA bloc will form new government at Centre after the counting of votes on June 4. Dismissing the Exit Polls results, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi managed the exit polls. The outgoing PM, the person who will have to leave for sure on June 4, has conspired all these things and has managed the exit polls. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and results of June 4. INDIA alliance had a meeting yesterday and we had detailed discussions on numbers. it's impossible that INDIA alliance will get anything below 295, ANI reported quoting Ramesh. The Aam Aadmi Party also dismissed the exit polls results and said it was prepared in the Bharatiya Janata Partys office. The exit polls has been prepared in the BJP office. There are many such figures in these exit polls which no one will believe. People are laughing at this. The figures being shown on TV channels do not match the public exit polls at all. We have conducted a survey among the public and it has come out that the India alliance will get more than 295 seats and form the government," AAP leader Sanjay Singh said. Leaders of the INDIA bloc met at Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharges residence on Saturday and discussed preparations for counting. The bloc leaders said they will form the government with 295 seats. INDIA will get 295-plus seats, not less than that. This is our assessment. All the leaders today discussed this before we arrived at this figure. This is people's survey. This is not a 'sarkari' survey where figures are manipulated and their friends in the media hype things up, Kharge had said. The Trinamool Congress said they believe in peoples poll and not exit polls. "Most of the exit polls had predicted a victory for the BJP in the 2021 assembly elections. But we all know what the actual results were -- TMC won a two-thirds majority. We believe in people's polls, not opinion polls or exit polls. The TMC will win more than 30 Lok Sabha seats in the state," party leader Santanu Sen claimed. The CPI(M) in West Bengal too declined to attach much importance to the exit polls. "On most occasions, the exit polls or opinion polls don't match. So, we think that we should wait for the actual results to be declared on June 4," CPI (M) leader Sujan Chakraborty said. Meanwhile, Congress strongman and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said Congress will cross double digits in Karnataka. "I have said that I have no faith in the exit polls. Today also, I'm saying the same thing. Someone called me just now saying that they (channels) are showing that we will get only two or three or four seats in Karnataka. We will get more than double digits, wait and see," Shivakumar said. Former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Bhagel called exit polls a game of TRP".Asked about most exit polls predicting the BJP winning 10 or all the 11 seats in the state, he said in a sarcastic vein that it was "good they did not predict 12 (seats for BJP in the state)". Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut dismissed the exit polls results as 'corporate game'. "This is a corporate game. If tomorrow we are in power and if we have a lot of money then we can also come up with whatever figure we want. INDIA alliance is going to form the government by winning 295-310 seats... In Maharashtra, we are going to win 35+ seats," ANI reported quoting Raut. -with inputs from agencies. In Sikkim, the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) swept the Assembly elections and won in 31 of 32 seats that went to polls in the state. Chief Minister and Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) candidate Prem Singh Tamang, who is contesting from two seats Soreng-Chakung and Rhenock, won both seats. He won by a margin of 7,396 votes at Soreng-Chakung and 7,044 votes in Rhenock. Former CM and Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) supremo Pawan Kumar Chamling lost to SKM candidates in both seats he contested. He lost to Raju Basnet by 2,256 votes in the Namcheybung seat. In Poklok-Kamrang seat, Chamling lost to Bhoj Raj Rai of SKM by a margin of 3,063 votes. The Sikkim Democratic Front won only in one seat, in Shyari. SDFs candidate Tenzing Norbu Lamtha won the election against SKM candidate Kunga Nima Lepcha by a margin of 1,314 votes. Addressing supporters at Gangtok, Tamang said, It is because of the love and trust of the people which we have managed to secure in the past five years in government. Besides, party cadres worked very hard. Now we have the next five years to give our 100 per cent for the people of Sikkim." In 2019, the SKM had won 17 seats and unseated the SDF which ruled the state for 25 years in a row. "I also want to thank the opposition as it is because of them that our party became stronger and more organised," he said. Tamang asked the party workers to maintain calm in the aftermath of the landslide victory. With the exit polls predicting a landslide victory for the NDA, all eyes are on the results that will be announced on June 4. The average of 12 exit polls said NDA will bag around 366 seats, INDIA around 145 and Others around 28. Most states are likely to see a dominance by the BJP-led NDA, with the saffron party opening accounts in southern bastions of the INDIA bloc. Let's take a look at the state-wise figures of exit polls. Himachal Pradesh Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats. Exit polls predicted that BJP, which has fielded Kangana Ranaut and Anurag Thakur, will get three to four seats while Congress will get zero to one seat. Punjab In a four-cornered fight, Congress is predicted to get six to 10 seats in Punjab while BJP might get two to four seats. AAP and SAD are likely to win a seat each. Haryana Most exit polls predicted seven to eight seats for NDA in Haryana out of the 10 seats while Congress is forecast to win one to three seats. Uttarakhand BJP is set win all the five seats in Uttarakhand while Congress is likely to draw a blank, according to exit polls. Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Lok Sabha seats at 80. Exit polls predicted 64 to 71 while the INDIA bloc is expected to get around 10 seats. Rajasthan Eight exit polls predicted more than 20 constituencies out of 25 for BJP in Rajasthan while three said it will get 16 to 19 seats. Only four surveys said the Congress will get up to seven seats, while eight of them predicted less than four seats for the party. Gujarat The BJP is expected to win all 26 seats in Gujarat, making it a hat-trick for the saffron party. It swept all the seats in 2014 and 2019. Maharashtra Exit polls predict 22 to 35 seats for the BJP-led Mahayuti while the Maha Vikas Aghadi is likely to get 15 to 26 seats out of the 48. BJP could get up to 17 seats while Shiv Sena (UBT) is forecast to win nine to 14 seats. Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh has 29 seats and most exit polls predicted 26 to 29 seats for BJP. Congress is expected to win just 1 to 3 seats in the state. Chhattisgarh Of the 11 seats in Chhattisgarh, BJP is poised to win 10 to 11 seats, as per exit polls. Congress is expected to win a maximun of one seat or draw a blank in the state. Jharkhand Jharkhand has 13 seats and the NDA is predicted to win 11 to 13 seats there while INDIA bloc consisting of JMM and Congress is forecast to get 1 to 3 seats, according to most polls. The survey by India Today-Axis My India had a different figure, predicting 8 to 10 seats for NDA and six for INDIA. Bihar NDA is likely to win more than 30 seats in Bihar, as per three exit polls. INDIA was predicted to win 3 to 8 seats by various agencies. West Bengal An average of exit polls predict that BJP might get 23 seats out of 42 while the TMC is likely to get 18. The Congress is forecast to get a maximum of two seats. Odisha Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha seats and BJP is likely to claim 13 to 18 seats while the ruling BJD led by Naveen Patnaik is expected to get three to eight seats. INDIA bloc might get one seat, as per surveys. Telangana Some of the exit polls predicted NDA victory in Telangana, which has 20 seats. Others like ABP News-C Voter said there will be a close contest between the two alliances. Andhra Pradesh The NDA in Andhra Pradesh, comprising TDP, BJP and Jana Sena, is likely to get 19 to 22 seat out of the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies. The ruling YSRCP is poised to get three to six seats while the Congress is likely to draw a blank. Karnataka Karnataka, which has 28 Lok Sabha seats, is expected to see NDA getting 20 to 25 seats while INDIA bloc might win 2 to 7 seats. Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu to expected to see DMK domination with INDIA bloc winning 33 to 39 seats while the NDA is forecast to get one to three seats. Kerala The Congress-led UDF is predicted to clinch more than 15 seats out of 20 in Kerala, while the LDF is expected to get zero to five seats. The BJP could spring a surprise in the state with it first victory in the state. Karnataka Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the sexual harassment allegations against Hassan MP Prajwal Revanna, is hunting for his mother Bhavani Revanna after the officers were unable to find her at her home. Bhavani Revanna, whose husband H.D. Revanna is also an accused in sexual harassment case, had earlier filed a plea seeking protection from arrest. However, it was rejected by a local court on Friday. The SIT had sent a notice asking her to be present at home. After not being able to find Bhavani at home, the SIT dialled her number but it was switched off. The investigators are probing Bhavani for her alleged role in the abduction of their house help. The abducted woman's son claimed that his mother was kidnapped by a man, identified as Satish Babanna, at the behest of Bhavani and Revanna. Babanna who has been arrested had claimed that his uncle Shivanne Gowda was Bhavani's father. Bhavani is planning to move Karnataka High Court for anticipatory bail to avoid an arrest by the SIT. Prajwal, who was arrested in Bengaluru on Friday after he flew in from Germany, was questioned by the SIT for seven hours in one of the sexual harassment cases registered against him. Reports revealed that the MP was not cooperating with the investigators and was giving evasive replies. He also reportedly denied allegations against him and claimed that the case was part of a conspiracy against him. Meanwhile, the SIT is mulling an inquest at the crime spot in Hassan district's Holenarsipura by Monday ahead of the vote counting. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) announced on Sunday that its spacecraft successfully landed on the unexplored far side of the Moon, the South Pole-Aitken Basin. The Chang'e-6 landed at the designated landing area at 6:23 am (Beijing Time) in the South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin, from where it will now collect samples from the lunar surface. This is also the second time a mission has managed to reach the far side, the first too was by China in 2019 with its Change-4 probe. Chang'e-6 consists of an orbiter, a returner, a lander and an ascender. In what China called a historic moment, the Chang'e-6 was launched from Wenchang Space Launch Center on May 3 and has been orbiting the moon for about 20 days, waiting to land. The lander component of the mission then separated from the orbiter to touch down on the far side, a side of the moon which faces permanently away from Earth. The landing itself was a risky process, considering how it is difficult to communicate with spacecraft once they reach the far side of the Moon. According to the state-run Xinhua agency, the probe used an autonomous visual obstacle avoidance system during the descent, which allowed it to detect obstacles. This helped choose a comparatively safe landing area based on the brightness and darkness of the lunar surface. "The lander hovered about 100m (328ft) above the safe landing area and used a laser 3D scanner before a slow vertical descent. The operation was supported by the Queqiao-2 relay satellite," the CNSA said. The Probe touched down on an impact crater known as the Apollo Basin, located within the sprawling, roughly 2,500-kilometer-diameter South Pole-Aitken Basin. "The choice was made for the Apollo Basin's potential value of scientific exploration, as well as the conditions of the landing area, including communication and telemetry conditions and the flatness of the terrain," Huang Hao, a space expert from the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) was quoted by Xinhua. The Chang'e-6 mission will now begin to collect and return samples from the Moon's far side. Over the next two days, the probe will gather samples using two methods; using a drill to collect subsurface samples and grabbing samples on the surface with a robotic arm. The lander will then have to robotically pack the samples in an ascent vehicle that made the landing with it. The ascent vehicle will then return to lunar orbit, where it will dock with and transfer the samples to a re-entry capsule. The re-entry capsule and orbiter will then travel back to Earths orbit and separate, allowing the re-entry capsule to make its expected return later this month to the Siziwang Banner Landing Site in Chinas rural Inner Mongolia region. India became the first country to land near the little-explored lunar south pole region last year when its Chandrayaan-3's lander, carrying the Pragyaan rover successfully landed there. The CNSA announced that scientific instruments from France, Italy and the European Space Agency/Sweden will be on board the lander of the Chang'e-6 mission and a Pakistani payload on the orbiter. This is the first time China has included an orbiter from its all-weather ally Pakistan in its Moon mission. China is reportedly planning to launch two more missions in the Chang-e series as it targets to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. Readers hoping to buy British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:BAT) for its dividend will need to make their move shortly, as the stock is about to trade ex-dividend. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is important as the process of settlement involves two full business days. So if you miss that date, you would not show up on the company's books on the record date. Thus, you can purchase British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad's shares before the 6th of June in order to receive the dividend, which the company will pay on the 20th of June. The company's next dividend payment will be RM00.10 per share, and in the last 12 months, the company paid a total of RM0.63 per share. Last year's total dividend payments show that British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad has a trailing yield of 7.1% on the current share price of RM08.90. If you buy this business for its dividend, you should have an idea of whether British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad's dividend is reliable and sustainable. As a result, readers should always check whether British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad has been able to grow its dividends, or if the dividend might be cut. View our latest analysis for British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad If a company pays out more in dividends than it earned, then the dividend might become unsustainable - hardly an ideal situation. Last year, British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad paid out 93% of its income as dividends, which is above a level that we're comfortable with, especially if the company needs to reinvest in its business. Yet cash flow is typically more important than profit for assessing dividend sustainability, so we should always check if the company generated enough cash to afford its dividend. It paid out 90% of its free cash flow in the form of dividends last year, which is outside the comfort zone for most businesses. Cash flows are usually much more volatile than earnings, so this could be a temporary effect - but we'd generally want to look more closely here. Cash is slightly more important than profit from a dividend perspective, but given British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad's payments were not well covered by either earnings or cash flow, we are concerned about the sustainability of this dividend. Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends. Story continues Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing? Businesses with shrinking earnings are tricky from a dividend perspective. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad's earnings per share have fallen at approximately 17% a year over the previous five years. Ultimately, when earnings per share decline, the size of the pie from which dividends can be paid, shrinks. Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad's dividend payments per share have declined at 14% per year on average over the past 10 years, which is uninspiring. While it's not great that earnings and dividends per share have fallen in recent years, we're encouraged by the fact that management has trimmed the dividend rather than risk over-committing the company in a risky attempt to maintain yields to shareholders. To Sum It Up Is British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad an attractive dividend stock, or better left on the shelf? Not only are earnings per share declining, but British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad is paying out an uncomfortably high percentage of both its earnings and cashflow to shareholders as dividends. This is a starkly negative combination that often suggests a dividend cut could be in the company's near future. Bottom line: British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad has some unfortunate characteristics that we think could lead to sub-optimal outcomes for dividend investors. With that being said, if you're still considering British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad as an investment, you'll find it beneficial to know what risks this stock is facing. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for British American Tobacco (Malaysia) Berhad (of which 1 makes us a bit uncomfortable!) you should know about. If you're in the market for strong dividend payers, we recommend checking our selection of top dividend stocks. 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. Pressure seems to be mounting on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after two far-right Israeli ministers threatened to quit and collapse the coalition government if he agrees to a Gaza ceasefire proposal unveiled by US President Joe Biden on Friday. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said they would oppose any deal that would entail ending the war without the elimination of Hamas. "Such a deal would be "foolhardy, constituting a victory for terrorism and a threat to Israel's national security," the ultranationalist head of the Jewish Power party said on X. Both ministers took to X to clear their stance. While Smotrich said he had already informed Netanyahu he would "not be part of a government that agrees to the proposed outline and ends the war without destroying Hamas and bringing back all the hostages", Ben-Gvir said the deal means the end of the war and the abandonment of the goal to destroy Hamas. Netanyahu himself has vowed not to end the war until Hamas's military and governing capabilities were destroyed and all hostages released. However, the Prime Minister received a lifeline in the form of opposition leader Yair Lapid has pledged to back the government if Mr Netanyahu supported the plan. His Yesh Atid party hold 24 seats. He said Mr Netanyahu "has our safety net for a hostage deal if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich leave the government". This comes as Israel witnessed a massive protest in the last days with demonstrators seeking Netanyahu's resignation. Protestors said they fear he could torpedo the proposal and this could endanger the lives of those held in Gaza. Scuffles had broken out between protesters and police during the protests. What's Biden's ceasefire proposal? As per the new ceasefire proposal, the six-week ceasefire will have the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) withdrawing from populated areas of Gaza. The exchange of hostages will follow this in addition to the surge in humanitarian aid. The deal would eventually lead to a permanent "cessation of hostilities" and a major reconstruction plan for Gaza. Biden said the proposal would "bring all the hostages home, ensure Israels security, create a better day after in Gaza without Hamas in power, and set the stage for a political settlement that provides a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike." Netanyahu said earlier on Saturday that there would be no permanent ceasefire in Gaza until Hamass military and governing capabilities were destroyed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China on Sunday of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming Swiss-organised peace conference on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asia's premier security conference, Zelenskyy said that China is pressuring other countries and their leaders not to attend the upcoming talks. He did not say which ones. Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit, he said at a news conference at the Shangri-La defence forum. Regrettably, this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin. China has staked out what it says is a neutral position on the war, putting it at odds with Ukraine, the United States and most of Europe. Its trade with Russia has grown, easing the economic impact of Western sanctions. And American, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbour. The Swiss had been hoping China would attend the peace conference in mid-June, but Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning signalled on Friday that that was unlikely. China has been calling for a peace conference with equal participation of all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited. There is still a clear gap between the arrangements for the meeting and the demands of the Chinese side, as well as the general expectations of the international community, Mao said. This makes it difficult for China to participate in the meeting. The foreign ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment on Zelenskyy's accusation. The Ukrainian leader said of China's pressure on others, That is not only support to Russia, that is basically support of war. In a speech to the security conference earlier in the day, Zelenskyy urged top defence officials to attend the upcoming talks in Switzerland, saying he was disappointed at the failure of some countries to commit to joining. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun spoke before Zelenskyy at the Shangri-La conference but he did not appear to be in the room when Zelenskyy made his appeal. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine had proposals to make at the summit as a basis for peace, addressing nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Time is running out, and the children are growing up in the Putin-land where they are taught to hate their homeland, he said. At the same time, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us ... to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace." The greater the participation, the more likely it will be that Russia will have to listen, he said. The global majority can ensure with their involvement that what is agreed upon is truly implemented, he said. Zelenskyy said he planned to meet one-on-one with Singapore's prime minister and would urge him to participate in person in the Switzerland talks. The same goes for the countries in the region, Zelenskyy said through an interpreter. "We truly count on you supporting this summit, and that you will be present in Switzerland. Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, who shared the stage with Zelenskyy, did not say whether his country's leaders would attend, but did note Singapore had condemned the invasion and provided Ukraine with military ambulances. We stand with you, and I think your appearance at this Shangri-La Dialogue is the epitome of what we are all hoping for, a rules-based order that guarantees the security and survival of large nations and small, he said. Dong did not specifically mention the Switzerland meetings in his address to the forum, but did say on the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude. He added that China had not provided weapons to either side of the conflict. We have never done anything to fan the flames, he said. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sat in the front row as Zelenskyy talked. In an address Saturday, Austin told the security conference that Putin's war of aggression has provided us all with a preview of a world that none of us would want. We've all been inspired by the courage of Ukraine's troops and the resilience of Ukraine's people, Austin said. People around the world have rushed to help Ukraine defend itself, including countries across the Indo-Pacific.' THE SUN IS SETTING as the roadshow of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Ludhiana slowly makes its way towards the culmination point. It is still intensely hot, but there is a huge crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of Kejriwal. The yellow and blue flags of the Aam Aadmi Party jostle for space as people wave at the AAP leader and many of them hold aloft their mobile phones to take pictures and record videos. Kejriwal is in a black SUV, accompanied by the AAP candidate from Ludhiana, Ashok Parashar Pappi. He is standing up in the vehicle, looking out of the sunroof. A loudspeaker announces his arrival, playing the song Mera Rang De Basanti Chola, which is associated with Bhagat Singh. Kejriwal has often mentioned that the freedom fighter is among his idols. At regular intervals, a voice tells the public in Punjabi that your favourite leader, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, is in your midst. Someone from the crowd hands Kejriwal a framed portrait of Bhagat Singh, which he holds above his head. A while later, a mace is handed to Pappi, to be given to Kejriwal. The AAP leaders devotion to Lord Hanuman is well known, and the mace is the deitys main weapon. As the roadshow approaches its destination, Kejriwal climbs out of the sunroof and stands on top of the vehicle. The mace is handed to him. He holds it aloft and launches into slogans, starting with Bharat Mata Ki Jai and following it up with cries of Inquilab Zindabad, Vande Mataram, Jo Bole So Nihal, Jai Bajrang Bali and ends with Jai Shri Ram. Then in his typical, unpretentious manner of engaging with people, he says, I missed you all when I was in jail. Did you miss me? When the people say yes, he teasingly says, I hope you are not lying. He then shouts out, I love you, and blows a kiss to the crowd. They put me in jail. Do I look like a thief to you? Do I look corrupt? he asks. He then accuses Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government of targeting him because they are afraid of the work done by the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab. Modi ji is afraid of our work. We gave you free electricity. We have set up mohalla clinics for you. We are in the process of improving the school infrastructure, he says. The AAPs main rival in Punjab is the Congress. However, the focus of Kejriwals attack is Modi and the BJP. I have come to ask you to give the AAP all 13 seats in Punjab. We have to unseat Modi who did not allow farmers from Punjab to go to Delhi. He got nails punched into the highway and blocked the roads with bulldozers so that you could not enter Delhi. We will not tolerate this kind of tanashahi (dictatorship), he says. On the backfoot: Police officers escort Kejriwal as he leaves the court after a hearing while in ED custody | Reuters Kejriwals charm offensive as a campaigner is not a new phenomenon. He is the AAPs biggest draw primarily because of his ability to engage with the people. He talks to them in a language that is uncomplicated and he comes across as somebody they can relate to. And the schemes of the AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab are projected as Kejriwals guarantees. It was exactly this connect of Kejriwal with the people which the partys poll campaign had missed after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on March 21 in connection with the alleged scam in the now-scrapped excise policy of the Delhi government. The arrest took place just a few days after the Election Commission had announced the schedule of the Lok Sabha elections. On May 10, the Supreme Court granted Kejriwal interim bail till June 1, allowing him to campaign. The 55-year-old leader, after spending close to two months in jail, has made the most of the reprieve he got from the apex court. According to his party colleagues, his presence has made a huge difference. Second-rung leaders had held the fort in his absence, balancing organisational responsibilities with campaigning. Kejriwals wife, Sunita, had stepped into the public sphere for the first time to be the link between her husband and the outside world. She became the partys lead campaigner in Kejriwals absence. The interim bail had a huge uplifting effect not just on the AAPs campaign, but also on the INDIA bloc overall. The narrative of the INDIA parties that the Modi government has upset the level-playing field by targeting opposition leaders has found validation with the Supreme Court questioning the timing of the arrest. It is a moral victory for us, says senior AAP leader Jasmine Shah. Setting the tone for his vigorous campaign, Kejriwal was unsparing in his attack on Modi a day after his release. Addressing workers at the party headquarters, he accused the prime minister of following a One Nation, One Leader agenda. He attempted to set the cat among the pigeons by asking who will replace Modi when he turns 75, referring to purported retirement age set by the BJP. He followed the scathing attack on Modi with his 10 guarantees of free electricity, quality education, Mohalla clinics for every locality, simplifying GST, freeing land occupied by China, full statehood for Delhi, minimum support price for farmers, two crore jobs annually, breaking BJPs washing machine and scrapping the Agnipath scheme. Kejriwal has held roadshows and public meetings, first in Delhi and Haryana and later in Punjab. He held a joint news conference with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow, and travelled to Mumbai and Jamshedpur to campaign for INDIA bloc candidates. The focus of Kejriwals campaign has been his fight against tanashahi (dictatorship), and he claims that if Modi comes back to power, the Constitution will be in peril and there could be no more elections. According to AAP leaders, the tanashahi narrative has resonated with the people and it takes forward the Jail Ka Jawab Vote Se (reply to jail with votes) campaign the party had launched after Kejriwals arrest. According to an AAP leader, Kejriwal flung himself headlong into the elections after coming out of jail. When we met him, our first concern was his health and well-being because he had lost weight. But he promptly changed the topic, asking us about the election roadmap, and a rough calendar of his campaign in Delhi, Haryana and Punjab was drawn up, says the leader. Also, the strategy has been to not play the victim card. Rather Kejriwal wants his arrest to be seen as a political struggle against dictatorship. The arrest and its aftermath has brought many challenges for the AAP, but it has also provided it with an opportunity to turn the entire focus of the campaign on Kejriwal. AAP leaders feel that after the arrest, the sympathies of the shifting voter in Delhi, who would vote for Kejriwal in the assembly elections and the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls, were with him. The reason for this, according to them, is that a majority of Delhis voters are beneficiaries of the AAP governments schemes. They say the dictatorship argument has resonated with these voters. Kejriwal attended nearly 30 events including roadshows, rallies and public meetings in Delhi, campaigning for AAP and Congress candidates. There were teething troubles though, in the effort to get the workers of the two parties, bitter rivals otherwise, to work together. And there was also the challenge of making supporters of the AAP vote for the Congress and vice-versa. The workers automatically started feeling energetic after he joined the election campaign. Everyone wanted to see him and talk to him. They were also concerned about his health, says Kuldeep Kumar, the AAP candidate from East Delhi constituency. According to Abhay Kumar Dubey, professor at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, the AAP-Congress alliance appears to have worked well in Delhi. This is the first time the saffron party had to face an alliance in Delhi. This could result in consolidation of anti-BJP votes, he says. The BJP had to go back to the drawing board and change the contours of its campaign. From seeking votes on the basis of the Modi governments welfare schemes and Modis image as a leader who has delivered on his promises, the partys campaign shifted to targeting Kejriwal and the AAP on the issue of corruption. The Supreme Court made it very clear that Kejriwal can go neither to the chief ministers office nor to Delhi secretariat. He cannot talk to any officials or witnesses about the scam. It is a matter of huge shame that the elected chief minister of Delhi has, on a bail of Rs50,000, come out for a specified period of time, says BJP leader Manoj Tiwari, who contested from North East Delhi. Apart from Delhi, Kejriwal needs to address the challenge in Punjab, where the AAP is in power since 2022. It is contesting all 13 seats in the state on its own. The Congress, the AAPs alliance partner in Delhi, is its main rival in Punjab. The multi-cornered polls in Punjab are a test of the Bhagwant Mann governments popularity. In 2019, the Congress had won eight seats and the AAP one, while the BJP and the Akali Dal had won two seats each. On May 26, a day after Delhi voted, Kejriwal shifted his campaign to Punjab, where the polls will be held in the last phase on June 1. He participated in at least three public events in a day, including roadshows and town hall meetings. Kejriwals interim bail was in the news for the wrong reasons, too. His long-time party colleague and Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal made the shocking allegation that she was beaten up by his aide Bibhav Kumar at the chief ministers residence. It gave the BJP ammunition to attack Kejriwal and his party, even as Maliwal openly criticised her party for not standing by her. The AAP says the controversy was orchestrated by the BJP for political gain. If we look carefully at the alleged incident, a very shocking thing comes to light. The Delhi Police, which comes under the BJP-ruled Centre, has acted as an interested party from the very beginning, says Delhi cabinet minister Saurabh Bharadwaj. Thousands of calls are made to the numbers 100 and 112 everyday. But immediately after Maliwal called 112, the news was shared with the media. The chief minister has demanded an impartial investigation and said it would not be fair for him to take sides since there were two versions of what had happened. Kejriwals return to jail is imminent, with the Supreme Court refusing to list his bail extension plea. But with his 20 days of blistering campaign, he has set the political temperature soaring. And he may have made a big difference to the INDIA blocs poll prospects. Governor Kathy Hochul is contemplating a ban on smartphones in New York schools as a measure to ensure childrens safety and enhance their focus on learning. She says the proposal is aimed at mitigating the distractions and potential harms associated with social media use during school hours. In a Thursday morning interview on MSNBC, Governor Hochul expressed her concerns about the impact of smartphone usage on students education. Why are our young people on their devices all day long during school hours? How are they learning? she wondered. Hochul highlighted the effects of addictive social media algorithms, which she believes trap young people in an isolating digital space, reducing their real-world social interactions. To address this issue, she suggested a low-tech alternative: flip phones without internet access, allowing parents to communicate with their children in emergencies without the distractions of social media. You dont have to be in the world of social media throughout the day, Hochul said. The governor plans to submit a bill later this year, with the goal of having lawmakers vote on it in the next legislative session. In the meantime, she intends to engage in discussions with parents and educators to gather their input and build support for the initiative. I want to have conversations first, she said. I think talking to the parents, I have already, this is something they would welcome. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia announced Friday he has switched his registration to independent, raising questions about his political plans since the move could help his chances should he seek elected office again in a state that has turned heavily Republican. Manchin, 76, has often been at odds with the Democratic Party and an obstacle to many of President Joe Bidens legislative priorities. But he played a central role in helping Biden get a landmark climate change and health care bill over the finish line in 2022. He had already announced in November that he wouldnt seek re-election to the Senate, giving Republicans a clear path to picking up his West Virginia seat in their bid to retake the majority next year. Manchin has served in the Senate since 2010 and is the chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He said in a statement that over the past 15 years he has seen both major political parties leave their constituents behind for partisan extremism while jeopardizing our democracy. Today, our national politics are broken and neither party is willing to compromise to find common ground, Manchin said. To stay true to myself and remain committed to put country before party, I have decided to register as an independent with no party affiliation and continue to fight for Americas sensible majority. Manchin will continue to caucus with Democrats and keep his chairmanship, according to a person familiar with his thinking who was granted anonymity to share his plans. The move helps Democrats preserve their slim 51-49 majority in the Senate. Still, facing potential retirement from politics, Manchin appears to be keeping other options open. He has long wanted to switch his party affiliation to become an independent, according to a second person familiar with the situation who was granted anonymity to discuss it. But a looming deadline in West Virginia forced the issue. Candidates must file their political affiliation 60 days prior to a Aug. 1 deadline to run in this years election. Now registered as an independent, Manchin still has time to mount another Senate race or a potential run for governor, a position he held from 2005 to 2010. He had gone back and forth for months before announcing he wasnt running for reelection to the Senate. Many questioned whether he could win against the immensely popular Gov. Jim Justice, the Republican Senate nominee who Manchin helped recruit to run for governor as a Democrat in 2016. Justice switched to Republican at a rally with then-President Donald Trump not long into his first term. Should the Senate candidates stumble, Manchin could be poised to try to keep his seat. But a run for governor could be more favorable. Manchin has defeated the Republican nominee for governor, state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, once before, in 2018. That Senate campaign was Manchins toughest in his three-plus decades in West Virginia politics. He defeated Morrisey by just over 3 percentage points. Steve Williams, who is the Democratic nominee for governor and the mayor of Huntington, said last week he doesnt believe Manchin intends to enter the gubernatorial race, adding that theyve been friends for decades. West Virginia Democratic Party officials said Friday Manchin did not give them a heads up he was switching to independent. In a statement Friday, state Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said he was disappointed. While the senator has been one of the most independent senators in the country, and has sometimes opposed the Democratic agenda, well always be grateful for his votes to impeach President Trump, to create the January 6th Commission, and his warning that, if re-elected, Trump will destroy democracy in America, he said. Manchin first entered the Senate after winning a special election following the death of Robert C. Byrd in 2010. The states political tilt has changed dramatically since then. Registered Democrats outnumbered Republicans during Manchins first two Senate campaigns, but those numbers have flipped. Now, about 40% of registered voters are Republicans, compared with 31% for Democrats and about 24% with no party affiliation. Both chambers of the Legislature have Republican supermajorities, and Trump overwhelmingly won the state in 2016 and 2020. Manchin had also flirted with the possibility of running for president as a third-party candidate, but decided against that in February, saying he didnt want to be a spoiler. Manchin, the last in a line of powerful Senate Democrats from West Virginia who promoted coal interests at the national level, has increasingly lamented the two-party system in the past year. During a tour of a Charleston stamping plant in October, he said he identified more with independents than either party. Dont worry about the D or the R, worry about the person who is that person? he said. There can be a good D and a bad D and a good R and a bad R, but the identity I like more the independent identity. (AP) President Joe Biden said Friday that Donald Trump being found guilty in his New York hush money case reaffirms the American principle that no one is above the law, and he said its reckless and dangerous for his predecessor to suggest the legal system was rigged against him. Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself. It was a state case, not a federal case and it was heard by a jury of 12 citizens, 12 Americans, 12 people like you, Biden told reporters at the White House, a day after a jury in New York found Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts in a case stemming from the 2016 election. He added that Trumps jurys chosen the same way every jury in Americas chosen, noted that jurors heard five weeks of evidence and reached a unanimous verdict: They found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts. The president said Trump could appeal the case just like everyone else has that opportunity then pointedly said, Its reckless, its dangerous, Its irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they dont like the verdict. Our justice system has endured for nearly 250 years, and it literally is the cornerstone of America, Biden said. The justice system should be respected. And we should never let never allow anyone to tear it down. As the president left the podium after his remarks, a reporter shouted if he had any reaction to Trump calling himself a political prisoner and blaming the president directly for whats happening to him. Biden stopped and flashed a grin, but did not answer the question. He similarly didnt answer when another reporter asked if he thought Trump should appear on Novembers ballot. None of the developments changed Trumps defiant tone as he looked to galvanize supporters ahead of November. Moments after Biden spoke, Trump sent a fundraising email declaring, I WAS JUST CONVICTED IN A RIGGED TRIAL. I AM A POLITICAL PRISONER! Biden was at his vacation home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, marking the anniversary of the 2015 death of his grown son, Beau from brain cancer when the jury reached its verdicts on Thursday, and he offered no personal reaction to the trial at the time. But he returned to Washington on Friday for an event at the White House with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs, and spoke to reporters about the situation in the Middle East before delivering brief remarks on Trumps case. In comments to reporters at his namesake tower in Manhattan earlier Friday, Trump tried to cast himself as a martyr, suggesting that if he could be convicted, They can do this to anyone. Im willing to do whatever I have to do to save our country and save our Constitution. I dont mind, Trump said. Biden for months had carefully avoided involvement in Trumps legal drama, looking to keep from feeding into his Republican rivals claims that his criminal woes were the result of politically motivated prosecutions. But as the New York trial concluded, Bidens campaign became far more vocal about it. His campaign had released a series of innuendo-laced statements that alluded to the trial to attack Trumps policy positions, and then Biden himself quipped that he heard Trump was free on Wednesdays the trials scheduled day off in a video statement when he agreed to debate Trump head-to-head. With closing arguments underway on Tuesday, Bidens campaign even showed up outside the Manhattan courthouse with actor Robert De Niro and a pair of former police officers who responded to the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection, in what it said was an effort to refocus the presidential race on the former presidents role in the riot. That decision came as the campaign felt its message about the stakes of the election was struggling to break through the intense focus on the trial. Shortly after Thursdays verdict, Bidens reelection campaign sought to keep the focus on the choice confronting voters in November and the impact of a second Trump presidency. A second Trump term means chaos, ripping away Americans freedoms and fomenting political violence and the American people will reject it this November, Biden spokesman Michael Tyler said in a statement. (AP) Google said Friday it has made more than a dozen technical improvements to its artificial intelligence systems after its retooled search engine was found spitting out erroneous information. The tech company unleashed a makeover of its search engine in mid-May that frequently provides AI-generated summaries on top of search results. Soon after, social media users began sharing screenshots of its most outlandish answers. Google has largely defended its AI overviews feature, saying it is typically accurate and was tested extensively beforehand. But Liz Reid, the head of Googles search business, acknowledged in a blog post Friday that some odd, inaccurate or unhelpful AI Overviews certainly did show up. While many of the examples were silly, others were dangerous or harmful falsehoods. Adding to the furor, some people also made faked screenshots purporting to show even more ridiculous answers that Google never generated. A few of those fakes were also widely shared on social media. The Associated Press last week asked Google about which wild mushrooms to eat, and it responded with a lengthy AI-generated summary that was mostly technically correct, but a lot of information is missing that could have the potential to be sickening or even fatal, said Mary Catherine Aime, a professor of mycology and botany at Purdue University who reviewed Googles response to the APs query. For example, information about mushrooms known as puffballs was more or less correct, she said, but Googles overview emphasized looking for those with solid white flesh which many potentially deadly puffball mimics also have. In another widely shared example, an AI researcher asked Google how many Muslims have been president of the United States, and it responded confidently with a long-debunked conspiracy theory: The United States has had one Muslim president, Barack Hussein Obama. Google last week made an immediate fix to prevent a repeat of the Obama error because it violated the companys content policies. In other cases, Reid said Friday that it has sought to make broader improvements such as better detection of nonsensical queries for example, How many rocks should I eat? that shouldnt be answered with an AI summary. The AI systems were also updated to limit the use of user-generated content such as social media posts on Reddit that could offer misleading advice. In one widely shared example, Googles AI overview last week pulled from a satirical Reddit comment to suggest using glue to get cheese to stick to pizza. Reid said the company has also added more triggering restrictions to improve the quality of answers to certain queries, such as about health. But its not clear how that works and in which circumstances. On Friday, the AP again asked Google about which wild mushrooms to eat. AI-generated answers are inherently random, and the newer response was different but still problematic, said Aime, the Purdue mushroom expert who is also president of the Mycological Society of America. For example, saying that Chanterelles look like seashells or flowers is not true, she said. Googles summaries are designed to get people authoritative answers to the information theyre looking for as quickly as possible without having to click through a ranked list of website links. But some AI experts have long warned Google against ceding its search results to AI-generated answers that could perpetuate bias and misinformation and endanger people looking for help in an emergency. AI systems known as large language models work by predicting what words would best answer the questions asked of them based on the data theyve been trained on. Theyre prone to making things up a widely studied problem known as hallucination. In her Friday blog post, Reid argued that Googles AI overviews generally dont hallucinate or make things up in the ways that other large language model-based products might because they are more closely integrated with Googles traditional search engine in only showing whats backed up by top web results. When AI Overviews get it wrong, its usually for other reasons: misinterpreting queries, misinterpreting a nuance of language on the web, or not having a lot of great information available, she wrote. But that kind of information retrieval is supposed to be Googles core business, said computer scientist Chirag Shah, a professor at the University of Washington who has cautioned against the push toward turning search over to AI language models. Even if Googles AI feature is technically not making stuff up that doesnt exist, it is still bringing back false information be it AI-generated or human-made and incorporating it into its summaries. If anything, this is worse because for decades people have trusted at least one thing from Google their search, Shah said. (AP) A fake news report that appeared on Polands national news agency saying that Prime Minister Donald Tusk was mobilizing 200,000 men starting on July 1 was probably the work of Russia-sponsored hackers and was designed to interfere with the upcoming European Parliament election, authorities said. Everything indicates that we are dealing with a cyberattack directed from the Russian side, said Krzysztof Gawkowski, a deputy prime minister who also holds the digital affairs portfolio. The goal is disinformation ahead of (European Parliament) elections and a paralysis of the society. Tusk said on X that it was Another very dangerous hacker attack which well illustrates Russias destabilization strategy on the eve of the European elections. It is increasingly clear how important these elections are for us. Russian authorities didnt immediately provide a reaction to the allegations. The unprofessional-looking urgent report appeared Friday at 2 p.m. (1200 GMT) on Polish News Agency, or PAP, the countrys national wire service. Eight minutes later, the agency killed, or removed, the report and then issued a statement saying that it wasnt the source of the article. The hack was repeated and the fake news was pushed again to the wire and was killed again. Security officials said that their experts were working to find the source of the hack, and also insulate PAP from further attempts to publish fake news on its systems. The government says that Poland, which supports Ukraine in the war with Russia, is being targeted in a hybrid war directed by the intelligence services of Russia and Belarus. Polish authorities say the techniques being used include sending migrants to the border from the Belarus side; sabotage including attempted arsons; espionage cases; and cyberattacks on state administration offices. Gawkowski said that Polands sensitive infrastructure was being subjected all the time to various kinds of incidents and cyberattacks. The European Parliament election in Poland will be held on June 9. (AP) On Wednesday, May 29, a former Seattle man was sentenced to 42 months in prison for three counts of bank fraud in connection with the COVID-19 Pandemic Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Tessa M. Gorman, U.S. Attorney said. 30-year-old Donte McClellon was a resident of Seattle at the time of the crime. In May and June of 2020, McClellon falsified documents and received $500,948 that he used to spend on himself and investments. The negative effects of McClellons crime go beyond the financial loss. His fraudulent applications clogged an overtaxed application system and stole valuable resources from lending institutions working tirelessly to distribute money, U.S. Attorney Gorman said. McClellon even attempted to cut the line in front of actual small businesses. His fraud was not a one-time error in judgment, but rather a calculated attempt to take advantage of the relief systems set up for businesses struggling because of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to court documents, McClellon used three inactive Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) he previously registered in Washington State when he applied for the PPP loans. When he received the money he spent it on rent payments for a Manhattan apartment, Uber rides, gym membership costs, and personal travel. U.S. District Judge Lauren King noted that the societal costs of these crimes are serious, saying that the crimes affected taxpayers and diverted funds from struggling small businesses. Germany joined the United States on Friday in authorizing Ukraine to hit some targets on Russian soil with the long-range weapons they are supplying a significant policy change that comes as depleted Ukrainian troops are losing ground in the war. Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration over restrictions on the use of Western weapons especially as the border region of Kharkiv has endured a Russian onslaught this month that has stretched Kyivs outgunned and outmanned forces. Both Germany and the U.S. specifically authorized the use of weapons to defend Kharkiv, whose capital city of the same name lies only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Russia. Russian ballistic missiles slammed into an apartment building in the city overnight, Ukrainian officials said, killing at least six people. Beyond offering Ukraine a chance of better protecting Kharkiv by targeting Russian capabilities in the region, its not clear what effect the easing of restrictions might have on the direction of the conflict in what is proving to be a critical period. But it drew a furious response from Moscow and warnings it could draw Russia into war with NATO. The German government said Ukraine can use weapons it supplies against positions just over the border, from where Russia launches its attacks on Kharkiv. A day earlier, U.S. President Joe Biden gave Kyiv a green light to strike back with American weapons at Russian military assets targeting the region, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken said Kyiv had asked Washington for permission to use U.S.-supplied weapons against the Kremlins troops amassing on the Russian side of the border for attacks inside Ukraine. Bidens approval was for that purpose, Blinken said at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague. U.S. officials, who requested anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, stressed that the U.S. policy calling on Ukraine not to use American-provided ATACMS or long-range missiles and other munitions to strike offensively inside Russia has not changed. In response, Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy head of Russias Security Council, said Friday that Ukraine and its NATO allies will receive such a devastating response that the alliance wont be able to avoid entering the conflict an eventuality that Western governments have ruled out. Western leaders have hesitated to ease the restrictions on their weapons because of the risk it would provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly warned that the Wests direct involvement could put the world on a path to nuclear conflict. Last week, Russia said military drills involving tactical nuclear weapons had begun. But as Russia has recently gained the battlefield initiative in some parts of the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line, some Western leaders have pushed for a policy change allowing Kyiv to strike military bases inside Russia with sophisticated long-range weapons provided by its Western partners. The Kremlins bigger and better-equipped army is exploiting Ukrainian shortages in troops and ammunition after a lengthy delay in U.S. military aid. Western Europes inadequate military production has also slowed crucial deliveries to Ukraine. The German government statement noted that, in recent weeks, Russia has prepared, coordinated and carried out attacks on the Kharkiv region, in particular from areas just over the border in Russia. Together we are convinced that Ukraine has the right under international law to defend itself against these attacks, the statement said. For this, it can also use the weapons delivered for that purpose in accordance with its international legal commitments, including the ones delivered by us, it added. The question of whether to allow Ukraine to hit targets on Russian soil with Western-supplied weaponry has been a delicate issue since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said Friday he supported lifting the limits on Ukraines use of Western weaponry, saying its a matter of upholding international law Ukraines right to self-defense. Putin wanted to deter the NATO allies from supporting Ukraine. But we are not and we will not be deterred, Stoltenberg said. Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom noted that his country had not restricted Ukraines use of its weapons at all, while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Rome wont let Kyiv use Italian weapons outside its territory. In Moscow, Medvedev repeated Russian warnings that the steps being taken could set NATO and Russia on the path to a nuclear conflict. Its not an attempt to scare or any sort of a nuclear bluff, he said. Russias newly appointed defense minister, Andrei Belousov, claimed Friday that Russian troops are advancing in all tactical directions, including in the Kharkiv region where he said they have pushed Ukrainian forces back by as much as 9 kilometers (5 miles). Russian forces captured 28 towns and villages over the past month, he said. Overall since the start of the year, Russian forces have taken control of 880 square kilometers (340 square miles) of territory, he added. It was not possible to verify his battlefield claims. Overnight into Friday, Russia launched five ballistic missiles at Kharkiv, Ukraines air force said. One of them struck a residential building close to midnight and was followed by another missile 25 minutes later that hit first responders, according to regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov. Six people were killed, according to Syniehubov, and at least 25 were wounded. Ukrainian officials have previously accused Russia of targeting rescue workers by hitting residential buildings with two consecutive missiles the first one to draw emergency crews to the scene and the second one to wound or kill them. Russia used the method in Syrias civil war. Apart from Kharkiv, Moscows troops are pressing in the Donetsk region further south and are assembling a force for an expected attack in the Sumy region further north, according to Ukrainian officials. (AP) A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced legislation Friday targeting Iranian officials involved in the prosecution and death sentence of a rapper who came to fame for his lyrics about the 2022 death of an Iranian woman and his criticism of the Islamic Republic. The proposal would impose sanctions on the judges, prosecutors and investigators of Irans Revolutionary Courts in response to Tehrans continuing crackdown against dissenters including rapper Toomaj Salehi after years of mass protests in the country. It would also codify into law that the U.S. views any judgments issued by Irans courts against political prisoners as violations of human rights. Toomaj Salehi has used his platform to give a voice to the voiceless and bravely speak out against the Iran regimes torture, abuse, and crackdown against the free will of the Iranian people, Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., one of the bills lead sponsors, said in a statement to The Associated Press. Unfortunately, he is just the latest victim of the regimes cruelty. She added that the bill titled the TOOMAJ Act will allow the U.S. to stand side by side with Toomaj and other peaceful protesters demanding basic human rights and take targeted action against the Iran regime. It marks the latest congressional action against the Islamic Republic in recent months as Democratic and Republican lawmakers have united in decrying the countrys human rights record as well as its role in the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, including the Israel-Hamas war. Leading the legislative effort with Kim are Reps. David Trone, D-Md., Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif. News of the death sentence ordered against 33-year-old Salehi by a Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, a central Iranian city, came down in late April. A lawyer for the rapper confirmed the sentence to The Associated Press as Iranian officials have yet to publicly announce it. Revolutionary Courts in Iran often involve closed-door hearings, secret evidence and few rights for those on trial. Salehis lawyer, Amir Raisian, told AP last month that he planned to file an appeal in his clients case. The sentencing comes months after the artist was released from prison in mid-November after spending more than a year in custody. He faces charges, including spreading corruption on the Earth that his supporters say stem from the hip-hop artists music and participation in the protests that broke out in Iran over the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the countrys morality police after being detained for wearing her hijab too loosely. United Nations investigators have said that Iran was responsible for Aminis death and that it violently put down largely peaceful protests in a monthslong security crackdown that killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. Salehi was arrested again a few weeks after his release following a video message that he posted about being tortured during his time in prison. State media at the time released a video showing him blindfolded and apologizing for his words. He had put out several songs and music videos where he rapped about Amini, singing in one video, Someones crime was dancing with her hair in the wind. His music also veered into heavy criticism of the Islamic regime, going as far as predicting the downfall of Irans theocracy. Your whole past is dark, the government that took the light out of the eyes. We go from the bottom of the pyramid and knock to the top. Forty-four years of your government, this is the year of failure, one verse said. Other targets of his music have included the all-volunteer Basij wing of Irans paramilitary Revolutionary Guard and the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Toomaj Salehi was wrongfully sentenced to death by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Iran. His crime? Calling for accountability for the Iranian regime through music, Schiff said in a statement. (AP) Joint British-U.S. airstrikes targeting Yemens Houthi rebels killed at least 16 people and wounded 42 others, the rebels said Friday, the highest publicly acknowledged death toll from the multiple rounds of strikes carried out over the rebels attacks on shipping. Three U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to describe a then-ongoing attack, described the strikes Thursday as hitting a wide range of underground facilities, missile launchers, command and control sites, a Houthi vessel and other facilities. They called it a response to a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over the Israel-Hamas war. The U.S. F/A-18 fighter jets involved in the strikes took off from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, officials said. Other U.S. warships in the region also participated. But the Houthis focused Friday morning on a strike they said struck a building housing Hodeida Radio and civilian homes in the port city on the Red Sea. Their Al Masirah satellite news channel aired images of one bloodied man being carried down stairs and others in the hospital, receiving aid. It said all the dead and nearly all the wounded from the strikes came from there. The Houthis described all those killed and hurt in Hodeida as civilians, something The Associated Press couldnt immediately confirm. The rebel force thats held Yemens capital, Sanaa, since 2014 includes fighters who often arent in uniform. Other strikes hit outside of Sanaa near its airport, and communication equipment in Taiz, the broadcaster said. Little other information was released on those sites likely signaling that Houthi military sites had been struck. One person was wounded in Sanaa. We confirm this brutal aggression against Yemen as punishment for its position in support of Gaza, in support of Israel to continue its crimes of genocide against the wounded, besieged and steadfast Gaza Strip, Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam posted on X. Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi official, threatened both the U.S. and U.K. with further retaliation. We will meet escalation with escalation, he wrote on X. Yemens military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, gave the casualty figures, then alleged without offering any evidence that the rebels targeted the Eisenhower in response with drones and ballistic missiles. Another U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters, said that the aircraft carrier was fine. In the United Kingdom, the countrys Defense Ministry said that Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s conducted strikes on both Hodeida and further south in Ghulayfiqah. It described its targets as buildings identified as housing drone ground control facilities and providing storage for very long-range drones, as well as surface-to-air weapons. The strikes were taken in self-defense in the face of an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. Theres an ongoing threat that the Houthis pose. The U.S. and the U.K. have launched strikes against the Houthis since January, with the U.S. regularly carrying out its own in the time since as well. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthis secretive supreme leader, offered an overall death toll for the strikes up to that point as 40 people killed and 35 others wounded. He didnt offer a breakdown between civilian and combatant casualties at the time. The Houthis have stepped up attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, demanding that Israel end the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians there. The war began after Hamas-led militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. The Houthis have launched more than 50 attacks on shipping, killed three sailors, seized one vessel and sunk another since November, according to the U.S. Maritime Administration. This week, they attacked a ship carrying grain to Iran, the rebels main benefactor. On Wednesday, another U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone apparently crashed in Yemen, with the Houthis claiming they fired a surface-to-air missile at it. The U.S. Air Force didnt report any aircraft missing, leading to suspicion that the drone may have been piloted by the CIA. As many as three may have been lost in May alone. (AP) Embracing Donald Trumps strategy of blaming the U.S. justice system after his historic guilty verdict, Republicans in Congress are fervently enlisting themselves in his campaign of vengeance and political retribution as the GOP runs to reclaim the White House. Almost no Republican official has stood up to suggest Trump should not be the partys presidential candidate for the November election in fact, some have sought to hasten his nomination. Few others dared to defend the legitimacy of the New York state court that heard the hush money case or the 12 jurors who unanimously rendered their verdict. And those Republicans who expressed doubts about Trumps innocence or political viability, including his former hawkish national security adviser John Bolton or top-tier Senate candidate Larry Hogan of Maryland, were instantly bullied by the former presidents enforcers and told to leave the party. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., said shes voting for Trump whether he is a free man or a prisoner of the Biden regime. She also posted the upside-down American flag that has come to symbolize the Stop the Steal movement Trump started with allies before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The swift, strident and deepening commitment to Trump despite his felony conviction shows how fully Republican leaders and lawmakers have been infused with his unfounded grievances of a rigged system and dangerous conspiracies of weaponized government, using them in their own attacks on President Joe Biden and the Democrats. Rather than shunning Trumps escalating authoritarian language or ensuring they will provide checks and balances for a second Trump term, the Republican senators and representatives are upturning longstanding faith in U.S. governance, and setting the stage for what they plan to do if Trump regains power. On Friday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, demanded the prosecutors Alvin Bragg and Matthew Colangelo appear for a June hearing on the weaponization of the federal government and the unprecedented political prosecution of Trump despite the fact that Biden, as president, has no authority over the state courts in New York. What were gearing up for is if Trump wins, hes going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents, said Jason Stanley, a professor at Yale and the author of How Fascism Works. Stanley said history is full of examples of people not believing the rhetoric of authoritarians. Believe what they say, he said. Hes literally telling you hes going to use the apparatus of the state to target his political opponents. At his Trump Tower on Friday in New York, the former president returned to the kinds of attacks he has repeatedly lodged in campaign speeches, portraying Biden as the one who is corrupt and the U.S. as a fascist nation. Trump called the members of the bipartisan House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol thugs and said Biden was a Manchurian candidate, a phrase inspired by the 1960s movie portraying a puppet of a U.S. political enemy. A Trump campaign memo contained talking points for Republican lawmakers, suggesting they call the case a sham, hoax, witch hunt, election interference and lawfare designed by Biden, whom it called crooked. Biden faces no such charges, and the House GOPs efforts to impeach the president over his son Hunter Bidens business dealings have largely stalled out. Hunter Biden is due in court next week on an unrelated firearms charge in Wilmington, Delaware. Joe Biden said Friday that its reckless, its dangerous, its irresponsible, for anyone to say this is rigged just because they dont like the verdict. Asked later at the White House if this could happen to him, Biden said: Not at all. I didnt do anything wrong. The system still works. As for Trumps claims the case is being orchestrated by the Democratic president to hurt him politically, Biden quipped: I didnt know I was that powerful. In the hush money case, Trump was found guilty of trying to influence the 2016 election by falsifying payment to a porn actor to bury her story of an affair. He faces three other felony indictments, including the federal case over his effort to overturn the 2020 election. But they are not likely to be heard before Novembers expected election rematch with Biden. Thursdays verdict came after a jury in 2023 found Trump to be liable for sexual abuse against advice columnist E. Jean Carroll and a judge in a 2024 business fraud case determined that Trump lied about his wealth for years, ordering him to pay a staggering $355 million in penalties. Almost to a person, the Republicans in Congress who spoke out provided a singular voice for Trump. Speaker Mike Johnson on Fox & Friends amplified the claim, without evidence, that Democrats are trying to hurt Trump. Johnson, R-La., said he thinks the Supreme Court should step in to resolve the case. The justices on the court, I know many of them personally, I think theyre deeply concerned about that as we are, Johnson said. The outgoing Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, said he expected Trump would win the hush money case on appeal, but the three senators seeking to replace McConnell as leader echoed Trump with stronger criticisms of the judicial system. South Dakota Sen. John Thune said the case was politically motivated. Texas Sen. John Cornyn called the verdict a disgrace. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said that everyone who calls themselves a party leader must stand up and condemn what he called lawless election interference. Sen. Susan Collins, the Maine Republican who is known as a bipartisan leader, said the prosecutor brought these charges precisely because of who the defendant was rather than because of any specified criminal conduct. With sentencing in the hush money case expected in July before the Republican National Convention, Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said the GOP should move up the convention to speed up Trumps nomination as the partys presidential pick. Republican judicial advocate Mike Davis, a former top Senate aide mentioned for a future Trump administration position, circulated a letter outlining the next steps. Dear Republicans, he said in a Friday post. If their response to the guilty verdict was we must respect the process or we are too principled to retaliate, he suggested they do two things: One was an expletive, the other: Leave the party. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, circulated his own letter in which he suggested it was the White House that made a mockery of the rule of law and altered politics in un-American ways. He and other senators threatened to stall Senate business until Republicans take action. Those who turned our judicial system into a political cudgel must be held accountable, Lee said. (AP) President Joe Bidens son was in federal court, prepared to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax offenses. The culmination of a sprawling investigation, the deal between Hunter Biden and prosecutors was going to spare him a politically explosive trial in the middle of his fathers reelection campaign and likely prison time. But it all fell apart. Now, Hunter Biden is headed to trial on federal gun charges in a case brought by his fathers Justice Department at a time when Americas political and legal worlds are colliding like never before. Dogged for years by investigations, scrutinized over his troubled personal life and vilified by Republicans, the younger Biden is now also confronting the threat of felony convictions and time behind bars. The case opening Monday with jury selection in Delaware is not about Hunter Bidens business dealings, which have been the focus of the yearslong federal investigation and Republicans fruitless impeachment inquiry into the Democratic president. Its about a gun Hunter Biden had for about 11 days a .38-caliber Colt Cobra Special. Prosecutors say he bought it illegally in October 2018 because he falsely swore on a federal form that he was not a drug user. He never fired the gun, according to his lawyers, and it ended up dumped in a trash can. The trial will lack details about his foreign business matters that Republicans have seized on to try to paint the Biden family as corrupt, but it is expected to feature deeply personal and embarrassing testimony about dark time in the younger Bidens life. And it probably will provide new political impetus for Donald Trumps allies, who are eager to distract from the presumptive Republican presidential nominees own legal problems after he was convicted of 34 felony counts in his hush money trial. Allies of Joe Biden are worried about the toll the trial may take on the president, who already is concerned about the well-being and sobriety of his only living son and who must now watch as that sons darkest moments are relived in public. They also are worried that the trial could become a distraction as the president tries to campaign while facing anemic poll numbers and is scheduled to prepare in Wilmington for a June 27 debate with Trump as the trial plays out nearby. THE DEAL THAT NEVER WAS It once looked like Hunter Biden was going to avoid prosecution in the gun case altogether. The deal was announced last June. Nearly three years earlier, Hunter Biden had confirmed the federal investigation into his tax affairs in December 2020, shortly after his father was elected. The younger Biden would have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor tax offenses; prosecutors would have recommended two years of probation. There was also a diversion agreement that would have allowed him to escape prosecution on a felony gun charge as long he stayed out of trouble for two years. But the plea hearing quickly unraveled. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, who was nominated to the bench by Trump, quizzed both sides with concerns about the deal. To her, it seemed unusual and required her to be involved in the case in a way most federal judges are not. The lawyers huddled, trying to salvage the deal. At one point they could be heard yelling at each other. Well, well just rip it up! Chris Clark, Bidens then-attorney, shouted as tempers flared. So what do we do now? the judge later asked the lawyers. Then there is no deal, prosecutor Leo Wise told her. A few weeks later, Attorney General Merrick Garland named David Weiss, the Trump-nominated U.S. attorney in Delaware who was leading the investigation, as a special counsel. Hunter Biden was indicted a month after that on three gun counts. They are punishable by up to 25 years in prison, though first-time offenders do not get anywhere near the maximum and it is unclear whether the judge would actually give him time behind bars if he were convicted. COURTROOM TENSION The bitterness between prosecutors and Hunter Bidens legal team is glaring. Its likely to be on display Monday. Clark withdrew from the case, saying he might be called to testify in a potential legal dispute over the now-defunct deal. Another defense lawyer, Abbe Lowell, has accused Weiss of caving to political pressure to indict the presidents son after Trump and other Republicans blasted the sweetheart deal. The defense has noted that charges related to gun possession by drug users are rare when not in connection with a more serious crime. Mr. Biden is not being prosecuted for any sin that DOJ (the Department of Justice) believes he has committed. He is being punished for the perceived sins of his father the sin of opposing Mr. Trumps election to the president, according to court papers filed by Lowell, who also has represented Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, the former presidents daughter and son-in-law. Prosecutors say Lowells contention is fiction designed for a Hollywood script. Contrary to his assertion, he has not established that the Special Counsel, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of President Biden and his Attorney General, is punishing the defendant for the perceived sins of his father in order to capitulate to a former President because of his tweets, Weiss team responded. Weiss has said political considerations played no part in the investigation. He told lawmakers behind closed doors last year that that no one at the Justice Department prevented him from pursuing charges or taking other necessary steps, disputing claims from two IRS whistleblowers that the department improperly interfered in the tax investigation. A DARK TIME The case stems from a period where, by his own admission, Hunter Biden was addicted to crack. In his memoir Beautiful Things, he described becoming consumed by drugs and alcohol after his older brother, Beau, died in 2015 at age 46 from brain cancer. The brothers were very close, having survived a car crash when they were young that killed their mother and baby sister. Hunter Biden has said he has been sober since 2019. But prosecutors intend to use his memoir to make the case that he knew he was addicted to drugs when he denied it on the form that every person must fill out when buying a gun. They plan to show jurors text messages, videos and photos of Hunter Biden smoking crack, as well details about cocaine residue that authorities say was found on the pouch he used to hold his gun. Im a liar and a thief and a blamer and a user and Im delusional and an addict unlike beyond and above all other addicts that you know and Ive ruined every relationship Ive ever cherished, Hunter Biden wrote in one text message weeks after he bought the firearm, according to prosecutors. Jurors are expected to hear testimony from his ex-wife and other former romantic partners, including Beaus widow, Hallie Biden, with whom Hunter Biden had a relationship after his brothers death. Hallie Biden found the gun in Hunter Bidens truck and threw it in a trash. It was found by a man collecting recyclables who gave it to the police. The defense has suggested it will attack the credibility of the gun shop employees, noting there were changes to the gun-purchase form after the sale. Prosecutors say there were minor additions unrelated to the parts Hunter Biden filled out. His lawyers have suggested they may argue that Hunter Biden did not see himself as an addict when prosecutors say he checked no to the question on the form. The terms user or addict are not defined on the form and were not explained to him, the defense wrote in a recent filing. Someone, like Mr. Biden who had just completed an 11-day rehabilitation program and lived with a sober companion after that, could surely believe he was not a present tense user or addict. The case is expected to last a couple of weeks. He also is scheduled to stand trial in September in California in the case where he is accused of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes over four years. (AP) United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin told a gathering of top security officials Saturday that war with China was neither imminent nor unavoidable, despite rapidly escalating tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing the importance of renewed dialogue between him and his Chinese counterpart in avoiding miscalculations and misunderstandings. Austins comments at the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore came the day after he met for more than an hour on the sidelines with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, the first in-person meeting between the top defense officials since contacts between the American and Chinese militaries broke down in 2022 after then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, infuriating Beijing. Neither side budged from their longstanding positions on Taiwan which China claims as its own and has not ruled out using force to take and on Chinas sweeping claims in the South China Sea, which has led to direct confrontations between China and other nations in the region, most notably the Philippines. While declining to detail the specifics of their conversation, Austin said the most important thing was that the two were again talking. As long as were talking, were able to identify those issues that are troublesome and that we want to make sure that we have placed guardrails to ensure there are no misperceptions and no miscalculations that can spiral out of control, he said. You can only do that kind of thing if you are talking. Addressing the same forum on Friday night, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. bluntly outlined what could be at stake, saying that if a Filipino were killed as China confronts his countrys coast guard and merchant fleet to press its claims in the South China Sea, it would be very, very close to what we define as an act of war and therefore we will respond accordingly. Marcos added that he assumed the Philippines treaty partners, which include the U.S., hold the same standard. In his own speech, Austin lauded how Marcos spoke so powerfully last night about how the Philippines is standing up for its sovereign rights under international law. But when pressed later, he would not say how the U.S. might react if a Filipino were killed in a confrontation with China, calling it hypothetical. He did say the U.S. commitment to the Philippines as a treaty partner is ironclad, while again stressing the importance of dialogue with China. There are a number of things that can happen at sea or in the air, we recognize that, he said. But our goal is to make sure that we dont allow things to spiral out of control unnecessarily. Dong was to speak to the conference himself Sunday morning. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been pushing for more air defense systems from Western allies, arrived unannounced on Saturday evening and will take part in a panel discussion on Sunday. Beijing in recent years has been rapidly expanding its navy and is becoming growingly assertive in pressing its claim to virtually the entire South China Sea. Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles noted that not only had Philippine ships been rammed and hit with water cannons by China, but said a Chinese warplane dropped flares above an Australian helicopter earlier in the year, and in November a Chinese navy ship injured Australian divers in Japanese waters with sonar. In the face of these multiple sources of tension, its even more imperative that every country plays its part in managing increasing strategic risk, he said. In his own meeting with Dong, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara expressed serious concerns about Chinas increasing military activities in the sea and airspace around Japan, including joint exercises with Russia, the Japanese Defense Ministry said in a statement. To counter the Chinese activity, the U.S. has been ramping up military exercises in the region with its allies to underscore its free and open Indo-Pacific concept, meant to emphasize freedom of navigation through the contested waters, including the Taiwan Strait. Chinese Senior Col. Cao Yanzhong, a researcher at Chinas Institute of War Studies, asked Austin whether the U.S. was trying to create an Asian version of NATO with its emphasis on partnerships and alliances, a common Chinese claim. He suggested that could trigger conflict with China, citing ally Russias claim that NATOs eastward expansion was a threat, which President Vladimir Putin has used as an excuse for his invasion of Ukraine. The eastern expansion of NATO has led to the Ukraine crisis, Cao said. What implications do you think the strengthening of the U.S. alliance system in the Asia-Pacific will have on this regions security and stability? Austin said the U.S. is simply cooperating with like-minded countries with similar values and not trying to create a NATO-type alliance, while rejecting Caos interpretation of the cause of the Ukraine war. The Ukraine crisis obviously was caused because Putin made a decision to unlawfully invade his neighbor, Austin said. Expressing the concerns of some in the region, Indonesian academic Dewi Fortuna Anwar said any de-escalation of tensions would be very welcome to this part of the world, but wondered whether the U.S. would allow Chinas assertive military posture to grow uncontested if Washingtons main emphasis was now dialogue. We are also worried if you guys get too cozy, we also get trampled, she said. Austin said that many of those issues were best addressed through talks, but also assured that Washington will continue to ensure that the rights of nations in the region were protected and that they continued to have access to their exclusive economic zones. War or a fight with China is neither imminent, in my view, or unavoidable, Austin said. Leaders of great power nations need to continue to work together to ensure that were doing things to reduce the opportunities for miscalculation and misunderstandings, he said. Every conversation is not going to be a happy conversation, but it is important that we continue to talk to each other. And it is important that we continue to support our allies and partners on their interests as well. (AP) Donald Trumps lawyer told The Associated Press he was surprised at Trumps stoic demeanor as he listened to the verdict that made him the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime. Todd Blanche was sitting to Trumps left in the Manhattan courtroom as the verdict was read the jury foreman repeating the word guilty 34 times. I was shocked at how he took the verdict, Blanche said. He just stood there and just kind of took it. And I think had a lot of appropriate solemnness for the moment that made me very proud to be sitting next to him when it, when it was happening, said Blanche, adding that he thought Trump was still handling himself well on Friday, the day after the verdict, even as the presumptive Republican presidential nominee railed that the trial was unfair. Hes not happy about it, but theres no defendant in the history of our justice system whos happy about a conviction the day after. But I think he knows theres a lot of fight left and theres a lot of opportunity to fix this and thats what were going to try to do, said Blanche, Trumps lead attorney in the New York case and his classified documents federal criminal case in Florida. A jury of a dozen New Yorkers convicted Trump on all counts of falsifying business records, a felony punishable by either incarceration, probation or a fine. As the foreman read the verdict, Trump shook his head slightly, but didnt vent his frustration until he left the courtroom. Trump has vowed to appeal. Speaking to reporters Friday, Trump portrayed himself as a victim of a rigged trial, which he claimed was orchestrated by Democrats to stop his presidential campaign. Afterward, President Joe Biden said it was reckless, dangerous and irresponsible for anyone to say this is rigged just because they dont like the verdict. Blanche pushed back on Bidens comments, saying it was natural for Trump to believe the law was being used unfairly against him. He cited the three other criminal cases pending against Trump: two cases in Georgia and Washington where he is accused of trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election and the one in Florida, where he is charged with illegally possessing classified records after he left the White House. I believe in the justice system, and I always will. And I dont think that that one case should change anybodys view, said Blanche, a former federal prosecutor who left his job at an elite law firm to represent Trump. But if you were Donald J. Trump and you have four indictments you dont think you would say you thought it was rigged? OK. I think its easy to say, Oh, thats dangerous. Just keep on showing up at your four indicted cases, sir. Stop saying its rigged. You know. Nothing to see here. Totally normal. I dont think its dangerous. I think it makes the system better, Blanche said. The jury reached its verdict around 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, just as it appeared deliberations were going to be stretching into a third day. Just a few minutes earlier, Judge Juan M. Merchan had returned to the courtroom to announce that, in lieu of a decision, hed be sending jurors home for the evening at 4:30 p.m. Im a trial attorney and Ive had a lot of trials and I had a lot of verdicts. And this one was by far the most kind of surprising in the timing of it, Blanche said. We were all ready to go home. I think it was pretty clear that they were going to keep on working. There hadnt been any notes. The first note was a pretty complicated one about testimony, and then asking to have the charge read back to them. So thats a jury thats kind of in it for the long haul. Blanche and Trump were having a pleasant conversation as they sat at the defense table waiting out what they thought were the last few minutes of the court day. We were kind of getting our minds right, Blanche said. Having a jury deliberate is stressful for everybody involved, but for sure for President Trump. And so were trying to get his mind right, that everything was proceeding like it should. And then the judge said we have a verdict. Asked about his handling of the case, Blanche said the defense team had done its best. On Trumps decision not to testify, Blanche said that decision ultimately fell to the former president. He definitely wanted to testify, Blanche said. But he said they knew that prosecutors were going to be able to cross examine Trump on areas that are very complicated, because they are the subject of legal appeals. There would have been a lot of sideshows if he were to testify that would have, I think, made it a challenge for him, Blanche said. He was elected president and hes running again, and so he obviously connects with people and connects with voters, and I think certainly can connect with a jury as well. But it wasnt quite as simple as that in reaching that decision. Among the things Trump could have been asked about by prosecutors were a $455 million judgment pending against him in a fraud lawsuit brought by New Yorks attorney general and other judgments against him in lawsuits brought by E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault. Blanche acknowledged there was a chance Trump might be sentenced to jail time. On the one hand, it would be extraordinary to send a 77-year-old to prison for a case like this. A first-time offender who was also president of United States, I mean, I think almost unheard of, Blanche said. On the other hand, Blanche said, this is a very highly publicized case in which some might argue Trump deserves a harsher punishment because he faces charges elsewhere. So its going to be a very, I think, contentious sentencing where were going to obviously argue strenuously for a non-incarceratory sentence. Trumps sentencing is scheduled for July 11. (AP) High-ranking military officials from the U.S. and its top African allies watched intently as dust and flames shot up from pieces of the Sahara Desert hit by tank and artillery fire. They looked up as pilots flew F-16s into formation. And they listened intently as Moroccan and American personnel explained how they would set up beachheads to defend the Atlantic coastline in the event of a potential invasion. The practice scenario was among those discussed during Africa Lion, the United States largest annual joint military exercise on the continent, which concluded Friday in Morocco. Over the past two weeks, roughly 8,100 military forces from nearly three dozen maneuvered throughout Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal and Morocco as part of the war games held this year as militaries confront new challenges in increasingly volatile regions. Generals from the United States and Morocco, which hosted the finale of the two-week event, celebrated Africa Lions 20-year anniversary and how partnerships between the U.S. and African militaries have expanded since it began. This exercise has grown over the years since 2004, not only have the number of multinational service members that we train with, but also the scope of the training as well, which has expanded to more than just security, said Gen. Michael Langley, the head of the United States Africa Command. But despite the spectacle of live-fire demonstrations and laudatory remarks about partnerships by Langley and Col. Maj. Fouad Gourani of Moroccos Royal Armed Forces, parts of Africa are getting much more dangerous. The United Nations earlier this year called Africa a global epicenter for terrorism. Fatalities linked to extremist groups have risen dramatically in the Sahel, the region that stretches from Mauritania to Chad. Since 2020, military officers disillusioned with their governments records of stemming violence have overthrown democratically elected governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and began distancing themselves from Western powers. From 2021 to 2024, militants killed more than 17,000 people across the three countries, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. The United States is holding steadfast to its strategy of coupling weapons assistance and intelligence sharing with initiatives designed to boost civilian populations and strengthen institutions. But it faces new competition. Decades after the end of colonialism, Africa has once again become absorbed in fighting among Great Powers, with Western influence waning and countries accepting more economic and military support from Chinese firms and Russian contractors. At Africa Lion, the U.S. military showcased part of what it offers countries facing instability inside and just beyond their borders. Besides tanks and bombers, the joint exercises included operations and practice in field hospitals, medical evacuations and humanitarian assistance. The exercise emphasized a whole of government approach to addressing the root causes of instability, ranging from climate change to displacement, rather than solely focusing on military might. Its important that we not only be associated with kicking down doors, said Col. Kelly Togiola, a command surgeon who helped set up a field hospital alongside Moroccan doctors as part of the exercise. In times of crises, those relationships that matter. That strategy differs from whats being offered by Africa Corps, the descendent of the Russian state-funded private military company Wagner, whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died last year. Yet its come under scrutiny since military officers with a history of participating in training exercises have risen to positions of power after the ousters of democratically elected leaders in countries such as Guinea and Niger. Cameron Hudson, an Africa expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said regardless of how much the U.S. military broadens its efforts, its continued focus on counterterrorism will keep empowering military leaders throughout West Africa. The nature of security assistance is that its much more visible, impactful and manipulated by the recipient for ill, Hudson said. When we come in with training and toys, we reinforce within societies these power dynamics that in the long run are not helpful to the consolidation of civilian democratic rule. Despite training exercises like Africa Lion, U.S. military leaders face difficulties prolonging their partnerships in places theyve long characterized as strategically critical. Countries such as Niger and Chad which participated in Africa Lion have embraced Russian trainers and paramilitaries and pushed for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The U.S. military officials note their assessment of the threat of malign Russian and Chinese influence but say they can work in countries that accept assistance from geopolitical rivals. To juggle curbing Russian influence while opposing the overthrow of democratically elected leaders hasnt worked everywhere, especially as the U.S. military often attaches strings to how countries can implement training and weapons provided. U.S. law makes governments deposed in military coups ineligible for large portions of assistance, despite the militarys talk of equal partnership and noninterference. Rachid El Houdaigui, a senior fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, said the growing youth populations in west African countries wanted to forge new political identities and were skeptical of the West after years of insecurity. African states consider variety favorable. It allows them to choose and gives them many possibilities, he said of countries in the Sahel that have opened their doors to Russian and Chinese assistance. (AP) The United Kingdom, Canada, and other nations could potentially deny entry to former President Donald Trump if his felony conviction stands. Nearly 40 nations, including Canada and the UK, have strict policies regarding individuals with criminal records. Unless granted special accommodation, Trump would be subject to these standards. Canadas tourist hub states that US citizens or permanent residents with felony convictions may be deemed inadmissible for immigration or even visiting. UK law allows felons to visit Ireland and Scotland with restrictions, but Britain can bar access. Other nations like Israel and Australia have laws regarding felons visiting, which may be interpreted differently if Trump wins the election. Trump will be appealing, but if he wins the presidency before a potential overturn, countries with strict criminal record policies may need to make exceptions for official visits. The convictions impact on Trumps presidential campaign is uncertain, but establishment Republican Karl Rove believes it could cost Trump key swing voters in crucial states. If he is found guilty, lets not underestimate that there is a problem, Rove said. Think about this. Those numbers, like 11% less likely to vote for him, think about Michigan where theyre, in the RealClearPolitics average, Donald Trump is up by one half of 1% or Pennsylvania, where hes up by 2%, or Wisconsin, where hes up by 3/10 of 1%, Rove continued. So in a close race, like were likely to have, having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11% of the electorate less likely to vote for you is a problem. Despite this, Trumps base remains loyal, raising $53 million in campaign donations within 24 hours of the conviction. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Shortly before the start of Shabbos on Friday, Hezbollah announced that it is increasing its technological capabilities in the war with Israel in the next few hours. Shortly later, sirens were heard in Akko, Maalot Tarshisha, Ein Yaakov and nearby yishuvim. The Iron Dome intercepted some of the rockets and drones and others fell in open areas. On Shabbos, Hezbollah continued to launch rocket barrages at Kiryat Shmona, Akko, Maalot, Metula and other yishuvim across the Galil. Several rockets scored direct hits, causing massive fires to break out in several areas and heavily damaging property. On Motzei Shabbos, the IDF said that a Burkan rocket that Hezbollah launched at Kiryat Shmona on Shabbos morning heavily damaged the Gibor Base in Kiryat Shmona. BChasdei Hashem, no one was injured. A second Burkan rocket was found in a supermarket in the city, which was closed. The damage to the base: The IDF responded to the attacks by launching extensive strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. The IDF spokesperson said that over ten Hezbollah terrorists were killed in 40 strikes. (YWNs Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis haShabbos in Israel) Two neighboring residences are built in the Woodland Estates subdivision, pictured on Friday, May 24, 2024, in St. Clair. The development off of Carney Drive is headed by Corcat Properties. Local community, real estate, and business leaders often talk about the regions housing shortage and the plans, incentives, and materials available to manifest solutions into brick and mortar. Some plans are still in the works with builders months or years away from breaking ground. Some await a boost in state funding. However, plenty are also erecting new residential developments and subdivisions to help tackle demand for homes. The following are some of the highlights passers-by may notice this construction season. The upcoming midrise apartments at Lake Huron Woods on May 16, 2024. The buildings are projected to be completed by mid-December. Lake Huron Woods in Fort Gratiot Lake Huron Woods, located at 5221 Lakeshore Road in Fort Gratiot, launched a $40 million expansion project in October, with the goal of building more affordable housing units for senior citizens. Since its groundbreaking last fall, the project has made significant progress. Business Administrator Jenny Loshaw said that as of May 16, the midrise units are 48% complete while the cottages are 15% complete. "The midrise should be complete by mid-December and the cottages are forecasted to be done by June 1 of next year," she said. Once finished, Lake Huron Woods will have 90 new units in total for prospective residents, of which 43 will be one-bedroom apartments, two two-bedroom apartments and the remaining 45 as cottages. Depending on how occupancy is decided, the new 90 units could house between 120 and 180 new residents. The new units already have waitlists. Loshaw said the price for living in the units have yet to be determined. A rendering of the upcoming Grace Senior Living Community of Kimball Township. Grace Senior Living in Kimball Township Grace Senior Living, an assisted living and memory care community, started opening buildings in 2019. Currently, it has buildings in Chesterfield and Sharpsburg, Georgia, with two upcoming locations in Rochester and Kimball Township. The Kimball Township location is anticipated to be completed and opened in May 2025. Once completed, the building will have a total of 79 apartments, with options for studios, one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms. The building could potentially house up to 90 people. The building is planned to be one story high as well. Mark Kincer, managing partner and owner, said with many of the owners being from the area, it made sense to have a Grace Senior Living Community near by. "Being local to the area, having friends and family from here, we felt that we wanted to build something close to home," he said. Currently, the foundation and other underground has been completed. A website for the Kimball location will be launched in June and will showcase building progress. The rent price has not been established yet for the community. However, the price will be competitive based on the market price at the time of opening. Additionally, the Grace Senior Living offers its residents an all-inclusive experience, so residents will not have to pay extra for laundry services, three meals a day, utilities, medicine management or housekeeping. Story continues Grace Senior Living and Memory Care Kimball Community will be located at 25 Range Road. A sign welcomes passers-by to the developing Woodland Estates subdivision on Carney Drive in St. Clair, as shown on Friday, May 24, 2024. Woodland Estates in St. Clair Its been two years since officials in the city of St. Clair signed off on a public infrastructure agreement with Corcat Properties for the Woodland Estates subdivision in the 200 block of Carney Drive, and more than a year since crews broke ground on the new subdivision. Now, a good chunk of the 30 lots penciled in for the subs first phase are at some stage of work or already host to residents in newly completed homes. We have currently eight homes under construction. Five families (are) living in there today, said Paul Muscat, of Corcat and Cortis Brothers Trucking and Excavating Inc. And four of the eight homes that are going up right now are sold. So, four are available. Plans called for another phase that would bring total single-family homes planned for the project to 50 lots. Corcat Properties advertises a variety of housing plans for buyers, ranging both in the number of bedrooms in ranch- and split-level-style residences. Overall, Muscat said houses are going for a range of $330,000 to $450,000, which includes the lot price. He added, At this time, were not selling vacant lots. Woodland Estates homes in St. Clair are shown in different stages of construction on Friday, May 24, 2024. The development has eight homes under construction, as of May, with five families living in other residences. Corcat is partnering with realtor Marcus Cronce for the St. Clair project. Although Woodland Estates is among their most active sites this season, they also have other builds downriver in St. Clair County, including three Clay Township. Everything in Clay Township is pretty much built out, Muscat said. I only have two lots left in one of those developments, and that is Charlie Cordis condos. One of them, were just getting ready to start a house on next week. That project is on Folkert Road. Others in Clay, Stone Road Estates and the Oakdale development, are sold out. We do about 10 to 12 houses year. Its about what we can handle. Were on target for that right now, Muscat said. (We are) finishing up city approvals in the city of Algonac for a 50-lot sub, he added, referring to their Algonquin Woods site at the end of State Street. That hasnt even started yet as far as infrastructure, but we spent last winter clearing land. Plans pinned up at Boddy Construction on Friday, May 24, 2024, show the plats divided up along several new neighborhood streets in the Village of Marysville subdivision. The Village of Marysville Boddy Construction, a local contractor that builds anything from road infrastructure to site developments, has had plans to build homes off Range Road on the edge of Marysville for several years a residential feat that owner Horace Boddy in an interview last week credited his late son, David, with wanting to pursue in the past. Now, theyre over a quarter of the way done erecting homes on a site platted for 80 in a subdivision called the Village of Marysville. According to real estate broker Scott Beedon, that includes 20 sold, two pending, and three under construction. So weve got 25 going or closed on, he said. Were building on Range Road, and then, Horaces company put in (the neighborhood roads of) Oregon, Nevada, and Montana, so all those streets are now open. The biggest thing is the city owns all that, Boddy said of local site regulations. Unlike other new subdivisions, the village has homeowners or condominium association set to guide builders and improvements from future homeowners. A platted address sign shows where a future home could be built on Friday, May 24, 2024, inside the Village of Marysville. As of May, Boddy Construction was over a quarter into the longer-term plan to build 80 homes on the Range Road site. Which makes it nice for folks, Beedon said, chiming back in. If they want to put up a fence, they just go through the city regulations. They also said they believed the front- and backyard drainage helped set the villages residential plats apart from other new emerging housing builds. Boddy said he thought their close proximity to wildlife was a good selling point, too. Lot prices, Beedon said, start at $50,000 and can go up to $70,000 outside of individual builds. He pegged home builds at just over $340,000. Theyre averaging three-bedroom, two-bath houses with basements that are plumbed for an additional bathroom. Those are mostly split ranches, Beedon said, though they have four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath plans. Boddy Construction does most of the builds. But Horace Boddy said, Anybody can build in there. Those looking to learn more could take advantage of recurring open houses held in the subdivision. Those are set from noon to 2 p.m. every Sunday, and 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The sub does have a sales trailer near its main entrance, while Beedon said the open houses have typically been set for 240 Nevada, 290 Montana, and 213 Oregon. Boddy said most buyers appear to be coming in from out of town. The good news that we talk about from a local economic impact that Horace has created with this is the fact that weve got 25 houses going, and we have three St. Clair County residents. Everybody else is coming from Metro Detroit or out of state, Beedon said. So, its interesting for us to see people come in from California, North Carolina, (or) Florida. Macomb County is an easy drive to come up here. Were on I-94, right? But we dont have the traffic of I-94 that theyre used to. So, our 94 is kind of nice. Its an easy ride. Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: These ongoing projects are meeting local demands for new housing The Hezbollah terror group continued to pound Israel with rockets and drones on Sunday, beginning early in the morning. Sirens blared in the Galil as children were on the way to school, forcing them to run off the bus and seek shelter. In the video below, school children run off their bus in a panic as the sirens soar. At the end of the video, the bus driver could be heard saying: Its become routine. Army Radio military correspondent Doron Kadosh posted the video, commenting: There are tens of thousands of residents of the north who were evacuated but we must not forget the tens of thousands of residents of yishuvim who were not evacuated [as they are a bit further from the Lebanese border] who are under constant fire. Sirens are the norm for them. And for some reason, there is still no strong response from the IDF to the incessant fire at non-evacuated areas. You can continue to say that Hezbollah attacks military targets but when these attacks set off sirens in populated areas and send hundreds of Israeli children running to protected areas it cannot be ignored. After multiple drone infiltration sirens sounded in the Galil on Sunday morning, the Upper Galil Regional Council announced that two drones exploded in open areas near Katzrin, causing a fire to break out. Baruch Hashem, the fire was extinguished quickly and no one was injured. Late Sunday morning, Hezbollah launched more than ten rockets at Margaliot and Kiryat Shmona. Five were intercepted and the rest fell in open areas. Hezbollah caused extensive damage to an IDF base in Kiryat Shmona on Shabbos after targeting the city with two Burkan missiles, which carry hundreds of kilograms of explosives. According to a Walla report, the missile caused enormous damage to valuable infrastructure, destroying buildings on the base and even damaging a nearby shopping mall. Hezbollah claimed that it fired around 100 rockets at Israels north over the weekend and shot down a Hermes 900 drone operating in Lebanon. The IDF confirmed the downing of the drone and said that the incident is being investigated. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Israel Police on Sunday lifted a gag order on the arrest of a terrorist in the Old City of Jerusalem two weeks ago. The 31-year-old Palestinian traveled to the Old City of Jerusalem with the intent to murder Chareidim or Israeli police officers. At the last minute, the terrorist, who entered Israel illegally, got cold feet and turned himself into the police. He admitted in his investigation that that evening he stole a knife from a fruit stand in the Old City to carry out a stabbing, hiding it in his pants. He began searching for a Chareidi or police officer to attack but got scared off due to the police activity in the area. It was also discovered that the terrorist received instructions from an accomplice. The terrorist and his partner also planned on purchasing an improvised submachine gun and carrying out a shooting attack in the Beit El area in the Shomron. Three days after the terrorist turned himself in, his accomplice, a 32-year-old Palestinian, was arrested with the help of the Shin Bet and the IDF. On Sunday, the Military Prosecutors Office filed an indictment against the two terrorists. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) In a tense hearing at the High Court of Justice, judges challenged the governments legal counsel, Attorney Doron Taubman, on the issue of conscripting Charedim into the army, pressing Taubman to explain why the government cannot commit to drafting even a small percentage of the approximately 63,000 eligible men. The hearing comes as part the courts response to petitions filed by left-wing organizations demanding that all funding to yeshivos be permanently halted and that the IDF immediately begin drafting Chareidim. The petitions are being deliberated by an expanded panel of nine judges headed by acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman. After the Chareidi draft law expired, the Supreme Court issued an interim order halting funding to yeshivos for bochurim ages 18-26. Sundays hearing will determine whether to continue the ban on funding yeshivos and whether draft notices will sent to tens of thousands of bochurim and avreichim. Acting Supreme Court President Uzi Vogelman referenced Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miaras statement that the IDF does not need to draft every single eligible Charedi man, but rather can do so gradually. Vogelman emphasized that the High Courts 2017 ruling, which deemed mass military service exemptions illegal and discriminatory, must be taken into account. Taubman argued that the government cannot dictate to the IDF and Defense Ministry how to draft Charedi men, citing various considerations such as the armys capacity to absorb soldiers with unique religious requirements and societal effects. However, Justice Noam Sohlberg pointed out that the IDF had previously declared it could accept 3,000 Charedi soldiers, questioning how it could not absorb that number, especially during a time of war. Justice Yael Wilner further pressed Taubman, demanding to know if the government supports or opposes the limited conscription of 3,000 Charedi men. Taubman responded, We have not addressed the conscription of 3,000 men in principle. Ahead of the hearing, Harav Dov Landau urged Charedim across the country and world to say Tehillim during it, beseeching Rachamei Shamayim to allow lomdei torah to continue their lifelong work. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The annual Israel parade was kicking off this morning along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, with tens of thousands of participants and attendees expected. The parade, now officially called Israel Day on Fifth because of the route along Fifth Avenue from 57th Street to 74th Street in Manhattan, will focus on solidarity, strength and resilience, rather than being the usual, more joyous celebration. This is not a mood of confetti and music, said Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council. This is more of a mood of unwavering, ironclad solidarity with hostages to bring them home, and also our unwavering love and pride in our Jewish identity. Despite no specific threats to the parade, city officials are taking all necessary precautions to ensure a safe and successful event. Security will be tighter than usual along the parade route and surrounding areas. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has announced a high police presence, including drone surveillance, K-9 units, bike patrols, fencing and barriers, designated entry points for spectators, metal detectors for all spectators, and a ban on backpacks, large bags, and coolers. Hatzolah from across the citys five boroughs has also deployed a massive amount of resources, including ambulances, EMTs, paramedics, and a mobile command center. Spectators will only be allowed to line the east side of Fifth Avenue, with the west side blocked off by police. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) To an economist, children used to be an income-producing asset, but now they have turned into an expensive luxury item. No wonder they call it the dismal science. Babies, or the lack of them, are becoming something of an obsession in economic circles. In the past, children in many families were expected to contribute financially from an early age. Now, middle class kids are on the parental payroll for decades. Women in Britain and most of the developed world are having fewer of them. Pope Francis said last month that declining birth rates show Europe is 'losing its hope in tomorrow'. Declining birth rates: Babies, or the lack of them, are becoming something of an obsession in economic circles He is not the only one to be concerned. The Economist magazine whose editor Zanny Minton Beddoes is a mother of four recently devoted a leader column to the subject. And commentator Martin Wolf turned his formidable mind to the 'baby bust' in the Financial Times last week. Why the concern? On the current trajectory in the UK, the total fertility rate the typical number of children per woman could drop below one by the end of the 2030s. This implies the population would then halve over a generation if nothing changes, according to economists at HSBC. Not that long ago, people fretted that the world was overpopulated. Even the Chinese government, which for years imposed a cruel one-child limit, is trying to incentivise women to have more babies, to little avail. In the UK, fewer babies coupled with increased longevity means a shrinking working age population and an ugly fiscal picture, with bigger tax bills to fund healthcare and pensions. Governments will be under pressure to borrow more, which is a tax on the future. The prospect of Britain becoming a giant old people's home is not imminent. But the median age in the UK is over forty, making us a middle-aged nation, if not yet an elderly one. The young do not have a monopoly on innovation and creativity, but might an ageing population mean we are less growth oriented and more risk averse? If the baby bust continues, we are likely to see more conflict between parents and non-parents, already a big theme on social media. Expect more office warfare about holidays, flexible working and the like as the childless and the childfree by choice become more numerous and assertive. It's easy to identify likely causes for the baby bust, including the high cost of housing and exorbitant childcare. But solutions are harder to find. Attempts by governments to incentivise women into motherhood with subsidised childcare or cash payments are expensive and don't seem to work. In South Korea, the government has spent 212bn since 2006, but the baby bust persists. Immigration is one obvious answer, but that is politically difficult. There may be hope from an unlikely direction: Artificial Intelligence. I'm not suggesting bot-babies to replace bouncing bundles of joy. However, AI could conceivably pun intended take the edge off labour shortages by carrying out tasks currently done by humans. Technology could also help older people carry on working for longer, which is part of the answer. Better, more affordable childcare would certainly help. But whatever women's reasons for wanting children or not boosting the national economy is unlikely to be high up the list. Chris O'Shea admits he's paid too much but cashes in anyway Bumper pay: Centrica boss Chris O'Shea British Gass owner is facing a showdown with shareholders over plans to hand its chief executive an 8.2million pay and bonus package. Centrica has come under fire from campaigners for giving Chris OShea such large rewards as millions of gas and electricity users are still battling the cost-of-living crisis, including high utility bills. Centricas board will face its investors at the companys annual meeting (AGM) on Wednesday. Pirc a research group that advises investors how to vote on issues including executive pay has urged shareholders to vote against OSheas pay for 2023. OShea has opened himself up to accusations of hypocrisy as he previously said it was impossible to justify the 4.5million he was paid in 2022, then accepted almost double that amount. Centrica has hundreds of thousands of individual investors, many of whom will be annoyed by OSheas latest deal. Amit Vedhara, director at ShareSoc, a lobby group for small investors, said Centricas pay packages for 2023 did not appear to be justified. He said: If this was a one-off and shareholders were also rewarded with a one-off benefit, it would be different. He added that parts of the company had profited from windfalls when energy prices rose - even though many customers struggled to pay bills. OShea, who has led the company since 2020, received a salary of 810,000 last year. His pay also included a 1.4million annual bonus and a 5.9million long-term bonus, as well as pension and benefits. Meters: British Gas used a controversial agency that fitted energy pre-payment meters in elderly and vulnerable residents houses by force A small amount of his bonus was docked following a scandal over the use of debt collectors. British Gas used a controversial agency that fitted energy pre-payment meters in elderly and vulnerable residents houses by force though it cut ties after a public backlash. Tim Bush, head of governance and financial analysis at Pirc, said: Chris OShea has himself said he is paid too much. He blamed badly-designed pay schemes, which mimic those in the US, where executives are paid even more than here. Luke Hildyard, director at think tank the High Pay Centre, said: Good leadership matters but lots of other factors also contribute to companies success, like the economic and geopolitical context or the contribution of the wider workforce or changes in societys tastes and needs. Most high earners arent really the superhuman leaders theyre depicted to be theyve just been given the education, training, networks and confidence opportunity to do a top job. But one top ten shareholder told the Mail they believed OShea deserved the high pay as he went without bonuses in earlier years and managed to navigate the business through some extremely difficult and choppy waters. OShea did not take a bonus in 2019, when he was finance chief. Nor did he accept a payout in 2020 and in 2021, he turned down a 1.1million bonus in solidarity with what he described as the hardships faced by customers. Carol Arrowsmith, chairman of the pay committee, said the company needs to ensure it is set up for success in the long-term and that means attracting and retaining high performing executives who can lead this large and complex business. She added that the way OSheas pay packet is calculated is based on the terms he was appointed on and the structure was approved by shareholders. Investors have already taken aim at a number of bosses this year. But there is a growing debate in the City about whether British bosses should be allowed to receive lavish bonuses and higher salaries that would bring the UK more in line with the US. Leading businesses are calling on Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves to axe the hated 'tourist tax' if Labour wins the election. Bosses of firms including Mulberry, Marks & Spencer, Kurt Geiger and Selfridges have said reinstating tax-free shopping could turbo-charge the economy. It comes days after Reeves said she wants to become the most 'pro-growth Chancellor' in UK history. Rishi Sunak abolished tax-free shopping for international visitors in 2021. Protest: Hotelier Sir Rocco Forte spearheaded a protest backed by more than 500 bosses The Mail and Mail on Sunday have been campaigning for the policy to be reversed. The Conservatives have refused to heed the calls from business to ditch the tax, which is a brake on growth. The levy is costing the economy more than 11billion a year, according to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, as tourists who come on shopping trips also splash out on hotels, restaurants and theatre trips. The Tories asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to assess the tax ahead of the March Budget, but ultimately kept it. The Mail on Sunday understands that Labour does not support ditching the levy. Firms want the party at a minimum to pledge to launch a formal assessment. Hotelier Sir Rocco Forte, who spearheaded a protest backed by more than 500 bosses, said keeping it would make 'a complete mockery' of Labour's growth promises. He added: 'If the Conservatives won't do it, an incoming Labour government should if it really wants to fire up the economy.' Paul Barnes from the Association of International Retail which represents firms including Bicester Village and Harrods implored Reeves to agree to review the Government's forecasts. He said: 'She will be pleasantly surprised by the billions of pounds of additional spending and tax revenues the real data shows will be generated.' Kurt Geiger's boss Neil Clifford said the policy had 'put a big hole in the British economy' by hurting the entire country, not just shops in the West End. Clifford added: 'Brexit was to open us up to the world and then we shut the door on ourselves.' Marks & Spencer's boss Stuart Machin said: 'Cities like Paris and Milan are taking full advantage of the decision to add VAT to tourists visiting our cities and it is felt way beyond retail harming our economy at a time when London's major shopping streets need to encourage shoppers back.' Why are people talking about this? Debate has been sparked by an article in the Economist magazine whose editor Zanny Minton Beddoes is a mother-of-four on policies that encourage women to have children. Korea may even offer 57,800 for each new baby. It's a response to the plummeting birthrate in developed economies, which has many consequences. Time to make babies? Some argue that the choice to have fewer babies is a threat to civilisation Growth is likely to stagnate and there will not be enough young workers to support ageing baby boomers. There may also not be enough people of fighting age to ensure national security. No wonder President Macron of France is developing a 'rearmement demographique' (demographic rearmament) strategy. Some argue that the choice to have fewer babies is a threat to civilisation, a view dubbed 'pronatalism' in the United States. Adherents include the billionaire Tesla boss Elon Musk, who has 11 children. His views are shared by many right-leaning Silicon Valley executives and father-of-five Donald Trump, who would incentivise child-bearing if elected president. Is there really a problem? 'Superwomen' such as Helena Morrissey, who combined a City career with nine children are very much the exception. Women in the fortysomething demographic in the UK have an average of 1.94 children. The replacement level, at which a population remains stable without migrants, is 2.1. The average in the US and other high-income nations is 1.6. Views: Elon Musk's views on baby numbers are shared by many right-leaning Silicon Valley executives and father-of-five Donald Trump Germany, has a fertility rate of 1.58 and Japan's is 1.2 while South Korea is at an even more worrying 0.72. A shortage of K-Pop stars and buyers of their records looms. Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida describes the dearth of babies as the country's 'gravest crisis'. The nation is to spend 17.9billion on allowances to encourage more progeny. Is it an issue the world over? The fertility rate in Nigeria is one of the world's highest at 5.09, though this has fallen slightly. In India it is 2.03. China abandoned its one-child policy in 2016, yet its rate is still 1.1. What is the UK doing on the baby bust? Not enough, according to many critics. The child benefit cap restricts payments to two offspring in a household. Neither the Conservatives or Labour are seeking to overturn this rule as part of their General Election proposals. But the individual limit on earnings to qualify for child benefit was raised to 60,000 this April in response to pressure. The Government believes it can encourage parents into the workplace by offering more help with childcare to those who earn less than 100,000 a year. The state pays for 30 hours of childcare a week for three- and four-year-olds. Two-year-olds get 15 hours and the scheme is set to be extended to babies aged nine months and older. Labour supports this expansion. But the system is complex and only covers 38 weeks of the year. Childcare providers are struggling with rising wages and other overheads, and some are leaving the business, which means that care may not be available. The typical bill for 50 hours a week of nursery care for a child under two is 302.10 a week or 15,709 a year. In London, the annual average is 22,269. Must we pay women to have children? The problem is that this does not seem to work, as the Economist article concludes. Korea has been trying for 20 years, offering subsidised housing, free hospital and IVF bills, with monthly payments of just over 400 with a child of under one. Generous packages in Denmark, Finland and Sweden also seem ineffective; their birthrates are 1.5, 1.42 and 1.67 respectively. Under Germany's Elterngeld (parent money) subsidy package, a parent who stops working during their child's first 12 months receives 65 per cent of their net monthly income up to a maximum of just over 1,500 but that hasn't worked either. So what is the solution? The Economist proposes more technology to lessen the burden of household chores and enable people to work longer. Politicians may be admiring bouncing babes at this election, but they are short on ideas on persuading British women to have more of them. Boeing will take years to recover from the latest safety crisis, its largest customer has warned. Tim Clark, who is president of luxury airline Emirates, has said the aircraft manufacturer will struggle to get back on track following the mid-air blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight. Speaking at a conference in Dubai last night, Clark said: 'This will be a five-year hiatus starting from now. I don't think they will recapture their production line.' Emirates is Boeing's largest customer in terms of jumbo jets. The comments come after Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary warned air fares could jump this summer following ongoing turmoil at Boeing. Long haul: Tim Clark, who is president of Emirates, has said Boeing will struggle to get back on track Its safety record was thrust back into the spotlight in January after a piece of the plane tore off during an Alaska Airlines flight. Investigators said bolts were missing after repair work. The US giant revealed it had burned through 1billion a month in the first quarter of this year after it slowed production and forked out 347m in compensation. Shares have fallen by nearly a third since the Alaska Airlines incident. Looking ahead: Daniel Kretinsky The would-be owner of Royal Mail Daniel Kretinsky has refused to rule out further price hikes for first class stamps. The billionaire nicknamed the 'Czech Sphinx' has suggested costs could continue to spiral in coming years. 'I can't make unconditional commitments. If your circulation is 50 per cent of what it was you either need to go home, or you need to increase the unit price and hope that people will pay for it,' he told The Sunday Times. He added: 'Because if not, you are making losses. You can be lossmaking for a year or two, but you can't be in a loss for 20 years. It's simple maths.' It comes as Royal Mail has periodically increased the cost of stamps to counter weaker demand and spiralling losses. The price of a first-class stamp has risen from 67p in 2018 to 1.35 today. Last week Royal Mail's parent company, International Distribution Services, accepted a 3.6billion offer from Kretinsky after he made a series of commitments, including promises on jobs and the UK-wide six-day service. By law, the 508-year-old company must deliver letters six days a week, at the same price. It must also deliver parcels on five days. But results show Royal Mail is losing around 1m a day in an effort to meet these targets. However, ministers have expressed their concerns about the tycoon. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said regulators should look 'very carefully' at pledges made by Kretinsky, such as the promise to not split up its parent company. The billionaire has acknowledged 'the intuitive concern' about a foreign entity swooping on Royal Mail. 'Any foreign moment is something that is irritating.' But Kretinsky said he is 'convinced that we will help the company.' IDS shareholders will vote on the deal at its annual meeting in September. From May 9 to 10, Ambassador Wang Qing accompanied H.E. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone to attend the Launching Ceremony of 12 MPTA Plant, New Locomotive, and Handing Over of CDA Payment of Leone Rock Metal Group in Tonkolili, and accompanied H.E. Dr. Alhaji Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, to attend the Launching Ceremony of West African Logistics Center and the First Locomotive Operation Ceremony of CRFG in Pepel. Ambassador Wang Qing congratulated on the successful progress of these projects, which have promoted the improvement of China-Sierra Leone practical cooperation in mining industry and many other fields. He expressed that China will implement outcomes of state visit paid by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, expand and deepen practical cooperation, and bring more benefits to the people of two sides. He hoped that Chinese enterprises could continue to make greater efforts to high-quality development and the bright future of the friendly relationship between China and Sierra Leone. H.E. President Bio highly commended the contributions made by the Leone Rock Metal Group to the economic and social development of Sierra Leone, which fully demonstrates the bilateral economic and trade cooperation between the two sides is mutually beneficial and has bright future. He expressed the willingness of Sierra Leone to strengthen cooperation with China, looking forward to new achievements in mutually beneficial cooperation projects to better serve the development of the two countries. H.E.Vice President Jalloh expressed congratulation to the projects, and wished the operation of logistics center and new locomotive will inject new power into the development of mining and logistics industries in Sierra Leone, hoping it will bring more benefits to local people in the future. Qualifying Illinois families with kids 12 and younger in Illinois could get a child tax credit, thanks to the states new budget passed this week. Our Quad Cities News Illinois Capitol Bureau correspondent Theodora Koulouvaris has more on the new tax break. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. A fundraiser has been set up to help a little boy after has was diagnosed with cancer. Logan Gray was diagnosed with a brain tumour in June 2020. After getting surgery and radiation, he was in remission but things changed in November 2022 when a routine MRI "detected changes". To help with the cost of treatment, his family have asked for help. "Our lives have been a rollercoaster since Logan (now 7) was first diagnosed with a brain tumour (ependymoma) in June 2020," said Logan's mum, Ariane on a GoFundMe campaign "After surgery and proton beam radiation he was in remission but things changed again in November 2022 when a routine MRI detected changes. Since then Logan has undergone 2 more surgeries and craniospinal radiation. Some side effects of these treatments (nausea, lack of appetite and fatigue) still affect him day to day," she explained. In December 2023, Logan's oncologist confirmed that he relapsed again. "Unfortunately surgery and radiation are not an option. It was explained to us that chemotherapy would not cure Logan but could possibly give him more time. He underwent the chemo for a number of months but it didn't work very well as Logan was not too well with it and the tumour continued to grow slowly. This had not been an easy time for him and after three months, we made the decision to stop it. "In the meantime Logan's file was reviewed by an oncology hospital near Paris (ranked 3rd worldwide) and following this assessment their team recommended a treatment for him called onc201. We were very lucky to have the help of the Gavin Glynn Foundation to organise the visit to France. The treatment is currently not available in Ireland nor funded by the HSE and could be a number of years before they can consider its approval. However this same treatment has already met the approval threshold in France - however we are not eligible to qualify for funding from the French government. The treatment costs over 2000 each month and will be more expensive as Logan grows. Oscar kids Ireland has kindly paid for 4 months of treatment so we would have time to prepare for future payments." According to his family, since Logan came off chemo, he has been in "better form." "Two weeks ago he even asked to go back on his bike which he had not done much since he first relapsed. It is lovely to see him wanting to do these things again, just like other little boys his age and even if it is at his own pace. "Due to his ongoing treatment, he misses a lot of school but when possible he loves to be there with his friends. The school staff are amazing and so kind and take such good care of him. His classmates and school community are so lovely and love having him around because of his personality and despite his medical condition. "His appetite is still up and down but thanks to the feeding tube he has, we feed him overnight and can give extra water to keep him hydrated. He has been on the new treatment for just over a month and is tolerating it well so far (may it last)." Despite everything he has been through, Logan has not lost his "cheekiness". "He has faced so much and never lost his sense of humour. He is very brave and strong. He still loves astronauts (his favourite is Chris Hadfield), planets, solar system....anything to do with space. He is our shining star and we are so proud of him. He amazes us every day." For many, the main point of investing is to generate higher returns than the overall market. But the main game is to find enough winners to more than offset the losers At this point some shareholders may be questioning their investment in Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad (KLSE:PERSTIM), since the last five years saw the share price fall 38%. We also note that the stock has performed poorly over the last year, with the share price down 30%. Now let's have a look at the company's fundamentals, and see if the long term shareholder return has matched the performance of the underlying business. View our latest analysis for Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad While the efficient markets hypothesis continues to be taught by some, it has been proven that markets are over-reactive dynamic systems, and investors are not always rational. By comparing earnings per share (EPS) and share price changes over time, we can get a feel for how investor attitudes to a company have morphed over time. In the last half decade Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad saw its share price fall as its EPS declined below zero. At present it's hard to make valid comparisons between EPS and the share price. But we would generally expect a lower price, given the situation. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). It might be well worthwhile taking a look at our free report on Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad's earnings, revenue and cash flow. What About Dividends? As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. It's fair to say that the TSR gives a more complete picture for stocks that pay a dividend. We note that for Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad the TSR over the last 5 years was -25%, which is better than the share price return mentioned above. And there's no prize for guessing that the dividend payments largely explain the divergence! A Different Perspective Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad shareholders are down 30% for the year (even including dividends), but the market itself is up 23%. Even the share prices of good stocks drop sometimes, but we want to see improvements in the fundamental metrics of a business, before getting too interested. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 5% over the last half decade. Generally speaking long term share price weakness can be a bad sign, though contrarian investors might want to research the stock in hope of a turnaround. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For instance, we've identified 3 warning signs for Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad (1 can't be ignored) that you should be aware of. Story continues Of course Perusahaan Sadur Timah Malaysia (Perstima) Berhad may not be the best stock to buy. So you may wish to see this free collection of growth stocks. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on Malaysian exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. A Dublin family has been left "overwhelmed" after receiving support for their 17-year-old, who has been diagnosed with an uncurable cancer. Megan Cassin, aged 17 from Dublin 9 was diagnosed with Stage 4 Osteosarcoma on March 17, a rare and uncurable form of cancer. Also known as metastatic bone cancer, it is where cancer has spread from the bone to other parts of the body. Treatment is palliative and aims to improve a persons quality of life. A fundraiser was set up for the fight year student, so she could live like 'any 17-year-old'. "Megan lives with her older sister and Mam who has now had to become Megan's full-time carer. Our aim is to make sure Megan has everything she needs while going through treatment and has the opportunity to make as many memories with family and friends and make her wishes come through," said the organiser of the fundraiser, Niamh Fitzpatrick-Mooney. "Please help us give this young girl everything she deserves like any 17-year-old should have," she said. For late night denizens of the discourse we merely wanted to gather more than a few items on police action, court cases and ALLEGED misdeeds that deserve mention if not more investigation. Check TKC news gathering . . . Pedestrian fights for life after hit and run on Kansas City's east side Police say the pedestrian was possibly crossing 18th Street when they were hit and dragged. Standoff with wanted man ends peacefully after 3 hours in Kansas City, Kansas A standoff with a man wanted on a federal arrest warrant ended peacefully Friday afternoon in Kansas City, Kansas Police continue investigation into Lee's Summit apartment parking lot shooting Police believe a man and woman were involved in a fight before a late-night shooting in a Lee's Summit apartment complex parking lot. Third person shot by police in KC metro this year identified Seven police officers fatally shot at Burk, 41, after he led them in a chase Monday night in a stolen car across state lines. A 21-year-old passenger is in police custody. What $10M verdict means to woman injured, family of man killed by Jackson County deputy Jackson County Counselor Bryan Covinsky said the county had no comment on the case, but plans to appeal the $10 million verdict. Independence: City leaders, neighbors share concerns over park safety The Rock Creek Trail near Rotary Park is the focus of the City of Independence after children were said to be shot at over the weekend. Combating fatal crashes: KCPD offers motorcycle training courses to community In an effort to combat fatal motorcycle crashes, KCPD offering motorcycle training to the community. Developing . . . Right now we respect the world of reality star, biz lady and model hottie Kendall as she inspires our morning peek at pop culture, community news and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Sketching Out Community 'You matter': Kansas City artist sends message of hope with free drawings You might not know Jeff Parson's name, but you've probably seen his artwork. KSHB 41 has talked to him previously about the Chiefs murals he has painted in his front yard. Sunday Serving Of Ham Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes get in on the comedy as KC Big Slick hits a record The Kansas City Chiefs' biggest stars joined hometown hosts Paul Rudd, Jason Sudeikis, Heidi Gardner and more celebrities to raise millions for Big Slick charity. Rock Chalk Mistake Documentation Kansas photographer turns dramatic thunderstorm into stunning backdrop for bride and groom A newly married couple from Kansas posed in front of a dramatic storm looming over the heartland as their photographer captured the stunning scene under the thunderous clouds. Show-Me Tax Blunders Lawmakers clarify some of the confusion about Missouri's senior property tax freeze The bill has yet to be signed by Gov. Mike Parson, but counties are hoping the legislation will provide clarity on how to lock in property tax rates for older homeowners. From One Of KC's Best Photogs Walking The Point Photography Blog Celeb Sisters Kick Out Jams Kendall and Kylie Jenner Giggle as They Sing Along to Billie Eilish in Car - Watch! Kylie Jenner shared a video on Instagram of her and sister Kendall Jenner jamming out to Billie Eilish's song 'L'Amour de Ma Vie' from her new album 'Hit Me Hard and Soft' while riding in a car. White House Demands Action Biden campaign speeds up efforts to get voters to pay attention to the presidential race With the end of Trump's criminal trial, the Biden team now sees a new window of opportunity to try and accelerate efforts to draw in disengaged voters. Plebs Champion MAGA Trump receives thunderous applause at UFC 302 Donald Trump made a thunderous appearance at UFC 302 on Saturday night -- days after he was convicted in a New York criminal trial. The event took place in New Jersey. Tech Last Resorts Against Vlad Robot wars: Ukraine puts faith in drone army to hold back Russia The great hope is that technology will alleviate a severe manpower shortage Holy Land Against Ultimatum Israeli far-right ministers threaten to resign over Gaza ceasefire proposal Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir said they were opposed to striking any deal before Hamas was destroyed. Adult Star Demands Lockup Stormy Daniels declares 'jail him now' as she breaks silence on Trump conviction Speaking for the first time since the former president was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records, the former adult actress has opened up to the Mirror about her experience in a world exclusive El Papa On Loose Talk Pope Francis allegedly tells group of priests 'gossip is a women's thing' Pontiff's alleged remarks in closed-door meeting come two days after apology for using homophobic slur Golden Ghetto Far East Debuts Overland Park ramen restaurant aims to transport visitors to Japan KSHB 41's Ryan Takeo remembers the first time he passed KC Craft Ramen last summer and saw the line stretching out the door. It intrigued him to try the food and tell the owners' story. Grigs With Today's Forecast Rain Chances Return for Sunday through Tuesday Dry conditions expected by midweek Etta James "Sunday Kind Of Love" is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. We wanted to start Sunday by sharing links to local items and nicer stories that don't really fit anywhere else on this blog. For curious www.TonysKansasCity.com readers we humbly offer this latest bit of news gathering that offers a nicer look at this cowtown and locals working diligently to make it a better place . . . Raising KC kicks off June campaign to prevent the biggest problems all kids experience KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Raising KC is dedicated to a mission of ensuring all of our kids have a safe, stable, and nurturing environment and this June it's kicking off a major initiative throughout the metro. Don't miss the Kickoff Rally on June 3, 2024 right here on fox4kc.com. Shining light on mental health struggles in intellectual, developmental disabilities community We've heard many voices highlighting areas of mental health throughout the month of May, now we're hearing from an expert about mental health awareness in the IDD community. A Kansas City man took his daughters to all 50 states and healed his own childhood trauma Chelan David's "Beautiful States of Mind: A Father and Daughters' Pilgrimage to all 50 States" is both a travel guide and a memoir of David's bonding experiences with his girls. Looming in the pages is David's childhood kidnapping by his own father. Six Projects Get More Money Via East Side Sales Tax Six development projects on Kansas City's East Side are getting an additional $2.3 million from the Central City Economic Development Sales Tax. New Arts Center for Kids Opens in Brookside Encouraging children to discover and explore their interest in arts and music is a priority for many parents. Here in Brookside, there is a new locally owned business that can help--HeartBeat Studio. Christi Coffey Founder Christi Coffey offers year round classes at her central Brookside space, including special summer camps. 'It's going to be great': Overland Park tiny pantry makes big move after traffic troubles After considering a move from the front yard of Jennifer Parker's home for almost a year, the Tiny Pantry Times has a new location at Overland Park Christian Church. 'The Biggest Slick we've ever had': KC hosts, guests share excitement, tears, a game Over 50 celebrities are in Kansas City to raise money for Children's Mercy. Here's what they said, and played, at their press conference launching the weekend fundraiser. Guadalupe Centers students bring hidden beauty of Kessler Park into plain sight Students at Guadalupe Centers High School are helping Kessler Park in Kansas City park get a makeover. How Gabe Munoz nails the needs of KCK entrepreneurs Gabe Munoz didn't land too far from his childhood dream: He's the founder of a "go-to resource for small businesses in Wyandotte County. The Prospect KC helps change lives through culinary education The Prospect KC just graduated its second culinary cohort. That's a part of its mission to change lives through culinary education. Swope Health awarded $5 million from Kansas City for new campus The city of Kansas City is rewarding Swope Health $5 million for the construction a new campus. 'We're building a community': Paralyzed advocate offers fit program for people with physical disabilities Working out is one of those activities some people not only try to fit in their day, but find it difficult to make a routine. Kansas City equine show shines spotlight on horsemanship, mental health Dozens gathered in Kansas City's Hale Arena to shine a spotlight on horsemanship as well as mental health in rural America. Saint Luke's oncologist who survived cancer raising money for cancer patients St. Luke's Hospital oncologist and hematologist Dr. Furha Cossor started a fundraising campaign with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which funds research and financially supports patients. New Jersey senior left devastated after Atlantic City casino denies her $2.5 million jackpot Rony Beal thought her prayers had been answered when she hit the jackpot on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine in Bally's Atlantic City Hotel & Casino. I was hoping for $1,000, saying, 'Please God, let me win, the 72-year-old told 6abc Action News. Don't miss Who says you cant beat the market consistently? Meet the team of market experts whose stock picks outperformed the S&P 500 by 12% four years running Car insurance premiums in America are through the roof and only getting worse. But 5 minutes could have you paying as little as $29/month These 5 magic money moves will boost you up America's net worth ladder in 2024 and you can complete each step within minutes. Here's how Never in a million years did she expect the machine to scream jackpot, with one fortuitous spin netting her a life-altering windfall of $2,555,910. Sadly, Beals ecstasy was short-lived. Ballys security staff swarmed over to the crowd celebrating with the Shamong, NJ, resident and after a brief look at the winning machine, they informed Beal it had suffered a malfunction called reel tilt, which voided her whopping win. Instead of paying out the $2.5 million, the casino offered Beal a measly $350. She rejected their petty cash and, according to nj.com, she is now preparing to sue the casino to get the prize she believes she won fair and square. Heres what happened. Slot machine malfunction Beals world turned upside down during a visit to Ballys Atlantic City in February 2024. A longtime lover of the slots, she told 6abc she dropped hundreds of dollars on the Wheel of Fortune machine before it eventually spun in her favor. She won the top prize of $1,277,955, which doubled to the $2.5 million jackpot after a multiplier lit up. Beal claims the casino workers who came over to investigate her win tried to get her to re-spin, citing a tilt message that showed up when they opened the slot machine. Her attorney, Mike Di Croce, believes they tampered with the machine which is housed by Ballys but manufactured and managed by IGT to tamper any evidence of Beals win. They fooled with the machine before anyone else had an opportunity to take a look at this, he told 6abc. You invite somebody to your business, they pay the money [and] they win youre supposed to pay. That didnt happen. Read more: Jeff Bezos told his siblings to invest $10K in his startup called Amazon, and now their stake is worth over $1B 3 ways to get rich without having to gamble on risky public stocks Preparing a lawsuit Before approaching the news investigative team or hiring Di Croce, Beal did try to resolve the matter herself. She returned to Ballys the day after her contested win to speak to the casinos management, but she was given the cold shoulder and asked to leave. Story continues She wanted to try to get an explanation and essentially they escorted her out, Di Croce told nj.com. They told her to leave the casino and not come back, which is a very rude business practice for someone who had been going there for a very long time. When nj.com approached Ballys for comment, the casino distanced itself from the fight and pointed to IGT, which handles the payouts. IGT declined to answer questions but released a one-sentence statement saying it is cooperating with the investigation of this matter. Di Croce described Beal as devastated by the whole saga. Shes a 72-year-old lady who has a heart condition and had a heart attack last year, he said. Imagine your mom or my mom sitting there playing this thing, thinking that she won and I believe she did win with all these people coming up and celebrating behind her. They are planning to file a lawsuit to secure Beals multimillion-dollar jackpot in June. This wont be the first legal case where a suspected wheel tilt has been disputed on a Wheel of Fortune machine. In 2000, a judge and jury ruled against IGT over a similar case involving a Wheel of Fortune machine in Harrahs casino New Orleans. Ultimately, the gaming giant was forced to pay the plaintiff the full $1.3 million jackpot. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. The Security Service of Ukraine's (SBU) special forces destroyed 10 Russian tanks, five air defense systems and eliminated 239 invaders over the past week. According to Ukrinform, the SBU reported this on Facebook. Over the past week, SBU special forces, with the help of strike drones and other firepower, destroyed: 10 tanks, 16 AFVs, 19 artillery systems and MLRS, 5 air defense systems, 167 vehicles, 2 UAVs, 13 communication antennas and 2 automatic surveillance systems, the report says. The special forces also destroyed one boat, 81 enemy positions and fortifications, five ammunition depots and eliminated 239 Russian soldiers. As reported by Ukrinform, the Russian armys total combat losses in Ukraine since February 24, 2022 reached nearly 508,780 troops. On the International Children's Day, at the call of the World Congress of Ukrainians, associations of Ukrainians in France, together with French officials and local deputies, held a march in Paris. According to an Ukrinform correspondent, about 200 people marched from the Place de la Republique to the Place de la Bastille under the slogan "Let's save Ukrainian children". "Everyone in the world should know about the thousands of Ukrainian children taken to Russia, as well as the wounded and war-torn Ukrainian children. Those who remain in Ukraine can be protected by providing Ukraine with more air defence systems. This is what we call on our partners to do," said Jean-Pierre Pasternak, President of the Association of Ukrainians in France. Participants, including many children who ended up in France as refugees, prepared posters with the number of children killed, missing and taken from Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale aggression. They also held a charity fair to raise funds for the needs at the front. As Ukrinform reported, Ukrainians in Paris gathered at Petliura's grave on the anniversary of his assassination. (@FahadShabbir) LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2024) Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has said that the Punjab government is taking important steps in the perspective of "No to Plastic Campaign". In a statement, she said that on the special directions of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a campaign has been launched to protect the masses from deadly diseases being caused by plastic usage. She said that from 5th June, preparations have been made to ensure strict implementation of the mechanism to ban the manufacture, production, distribution and sale of illegal plastic bags. "Plastic usage causes cancer and other deadly diseases and sole usage of plastic is increasing environmental pollution and causing serious health issues. A crackdown will be launched against factories which are manufacturing illegal plastic products," she added. "Earlier, numerous notices have been sent in this regard. From June 5, hotels, restaurants and other eateries will be strictly prohibited from serving food in plastic bags. A complete crackdown will be launched against the owners found involved in violating this prohibition. Legal action will be taken against eatery owners and heavy fines will also be imposed," she added. Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that according to the law, the use of polythene bags of less than 75 microns and single-use plastic utensils have been completely banned. An awareness campaign on the topic of "Plastic is death" will be launched for the general public on non-usage of plastic. Public service messages will go viral through social media. Written messages will be pasted in shopping malls, offices, bus stands, parks, transports vehicles, Daewoo, metro buses and public places with regard to plastic ban. Marriyum Aurangzeb said that instead of plastic bags usage, the production, sale and use of cotton bags or alternative sources will be promoted. "Plastic causes death and we all have to work in unison to avoid its toxic and hazardous effects. The media is earnestly requested to contribute its valuable part for promoting awareness campaign that plastic is death. People should remember while buying plastic bags that they are landing themselves and others into big trouble," she maintained. RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2024) Colonel Dr Helen Mary's promotion to the rank of brigadier was a beacon of hope for the Pakistani Christian community. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release on Sunday, Colonel Dr Helen Mary Robert was another living example of merit and national representation in the Pakistan Army. The founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, while addressing the First Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, said: "You are free, whatever religion, caste or creed you belong to has nothing to do with state affairs." On another occasion, the founder of Pakistan said: "Minorities shall be deemed to be citizens of Pakistan without distinction of caste, colour, religion or creed and shall enjoy all their rights and privileges and the rights of citizenship. " The Pakistan Army made the same decree of the Quaid-e-Azam a slogan and today decisions are made in the Pakistan Army regardless of religious, linguistic and gender discrimination. Colonel Dr Helen Mary recently became the first Christian woman to be promoted to the rank of Brigadier in the Pakistan Army. Col. Dr. Helen Mary Robert has been serving as a pathologist in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps for 26 years. Colonel Dr Helen Meri considered it an honour to serve the country and the nation while living in the Pakistan Army "Colonel Dr Helen Meri is a living example of merit without distinction in the Pakistan Army," the ISPR said. Kitakyushu, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2024) As Japan plays host to a record influx of tourists, one of the country's more private attractions -- the high-tech toilet -- is becoming a must-have in luxury bathrooms worldwide. With their warm seats and precision spray technology, bidet toilets are the norm in Japan, where more than 80 percent of homes have one, according to a government survey. Now sales are surging abroad and especially in the United States, led by A-list bidet fans such as Drake, the Kardashians and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Japanese company TOTO, which pioneered the electric bidets it claims have sparked "a global revolution from wiping to washing", says overseas revenue for toilets has roughly doubled from 100 billion Yen ($673 million) in 2012. The pandemic was a key driver, bringing a home-renovation boom but also germ-conscious consumers desperate for an alternative to toilet paper after shelves were cleared by panic-buyers. Senior TOTO executive Shinya Tamura, who oversees international business, told AFP the brand's growth has been a word-of-mouth success. When people first learn how the toilets' water jets work, with pressure and temperature controls, "there's an image that it's not pleasant". But "we can't explain how good it is with words. You need to experience it", Tamura said. "After a while, most users can't live without it." The company's international net sales for housing equipment are currently less than a third of those in Japan. It wants to boost sales in the Americas by 19 percent over two years to "establish a solid position" there and offset less urgent demand in China. But with more people in the market for a squeaky clean bum, US competitors are challenging TOTO and its Japanese rivals such as Panasonic and LIXIL for their throne. Britain's Labour Party launch their election campaign "Battle Bus" After the first full week of the election campaign, the differences between the two parties vying for Downing Street are increasingly stark. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has emphasised that the direction of travel of a Conservative government would be to bring taxes down. We have already seen the first hint at this in the triple lock plus pledge, which would shield retirees from paying income tax on the state pension. His would-be successor Rachel Reeves, meanwhile, has merely insisted that her partys agenda would require no additional tax rises beyond the ones that Ive said. These include the reinstatement of the pension lifetime allowance, limiting the amount savers could put in their pensions before being hit with taxes, and the imposition of VAT on private school fees. Both policies are already beginning to damage Britain, as people act in anticipation of a potential Labour government. Downham Preparatory School in Norfolk has become the second to announce its closure in the past week, stating that despite charging lower fees than many peers, the parents of its pupils would be unable to afford the additional cost of Labours tax raid. Elizabeth Laffeaty-Sharpe, its principal, told The Sunday Telegraph that many were ordinary parents like plumbers and electricians. Theyre not rich people. They are people who, for one reason or another, want a small, caring school for their child. A third of those studying at Downham had complex needs ranging from autism to social and emotional problems, and will now be thrust into the state sector at a considerable cost to the taxpayer, and indeed to the children who will find their social lives uprooted. Meanwhile, the British Medical Association has stated that doctors are already retiring ahead of Labours plan to reinstate the lifetime allowance, with members fearing potential six-figure tax bills being levied by a new government. It is a potent illustration of the fundamental ideological distinction between the parties. Faced with the twin pressures of the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the Conservatives have raised taxes with reluctance, and aim to bring them down as soon as is possible. It is a basic tenet of the partys economic philosophy that you know best how to use your money, not the state. This is not the case for the Labour party. Tax increases are practically written into the partys DNA: since 1970, no Labour chancellor has left office with the country facing a lower tax burden. There is, to say the least, a degree of scepticism about whether the partys pledge to avoid tax increases will survive contact with fiscal reality. Story continues Regardless of who wins this election, the next Government is likely to face considerable spending pressures. For a Labour party that has made a series of spending commitments from the safety of Opposition, there will be little wriggle room if it is simultaneously to keep these pledges, stay within the bounds of its proposed fiscal rules, and honour its promises on taxation. Taxation as a share of GDP is already on course to reach a post-war high in 2028, and the economy is starting to show the strain of labouring under this burden. Growth has been dire since the financial crisis overseen by the last Labour government, and there is a real risk that stagnation becomes the new normal. This would be practically guaranteed if a Labour government were to add to this burden by further pursuing the sort of anti-aspiration policies it has already outlined. 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. QUETTA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2024) In a landmark development, the University of Oxford has agreed to provide scholarships to students from Balochistan, Pakistan, under the Benazir Scholarship Program. The agreement, in this connection, was signed between the Oxford University and the Government of Balochistan, with Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti and Malala Yousafzai, the global ambassador for girls' education, in attendance. Under this program, talented students from Balochistan will receive full scholarships to pursue higher education at Oxford University, one of the world's most prestigious institutions, said the handout issued by press secretary to chief minister Balochistan. The program aims to provide access to quality education and empower the youth of Balochistan. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti said, "We are proud to provide our students with the opportunity to study at Oxford University, where Benazir Bhutto and other great leaders have studied. Education is key to unlocking the potential of our youth, and we are committed to providing them with the best opportunities." "It is yet another milestone achieved by the incumbent PPP government, striving hard under the supervision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari," CM Bugti remarked. Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel laureate and education activist, praised the initiative, saying, "I am thrilled to see the Government of Balochistan taking steps towards promoting education and empowering the youth of the province." The agreement was signed in the presence of 150 delegates, including Malala Yousafzai, Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar, Aamir Ibrahim, Muhammad Kheshgi, Farooq Sheikh, and Professor Kamal Munir. This historic agreement marks a significant milestone in the journey towards quality education and empowerment for the youth of Balochistan. Kwaximba, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Jun, 2024) A motorcade of honking cars drove around former South African president Jacob Zuma's home province on Saturday to celebrate the graft-tainted politician's surprise general election breakthrough. Supporters of the charismatic 82-year-old sat on the vehicles' window ledges singing anti-apartheid anthems as the convoy swirled around mountain villages, cheered by flag-waving residents. "We voted for Zuma because we have seen his hard work," said Sakhile Shezi, a 31-year-old factory worker. Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party came out of nowhere to win more than 14 percent of votes nationwide in Wednesday's election, according to official figures, with 99.89 percent of votes counted. Founded just months ago as a vehicle for the former national president and ANC chief, it is now South Africa's third-largest party, behind the governing African National Congress and the centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA). In Zuma's KwaZulu-Natal, a key electoral battleground, it emerged as the largest force with 45.9 percent, routing the ANC and pushing it toward the party's worst national result in three decades of democracy. Having slid well below 50 percent of preferences for the first time, the ANC will now have to look for coalition partners to form a national government, and the MK is among various potential bedfellows. - 'Wisdom of the people' - "Now that we have taken over, the real work begins," Musa Mkhize, MK's provincial head of programmes, told supporters as the convoy stopped during its two-hour journey across the semi-rural area of Kwaximba, one of the biggest voting districts. "We are here to celebrate the wisdom of the people of these wards... to celebrate with them that they have brought the power of the people back to them," he added to AFP. Zuma, who was president from 2009 to 2018, was forced out of office under the cloud of corruption, and for many South Africans his rule has since become synonymous with "state capture" by corrupt business interests. But he is still venerated by large swathes of the population in KwaZulu-Natal, where many identify with his Zulu traditionalism. Celebrations in some parts of the province kicked off as soon as results started to trickle in this week. Despite its impressive score, MK has contested the vote tally. On Saturday, Zuma warned the electoral commission against announcing the final results on Sunday as scheduled. "When the official results come out, we will have the majority, that we don't doubt," Thembeka Gwala, 30, said from a moving minibus. Throughout the campaign MK told supporters it was going to win two-thirds of the vote. (@FahadShabbir) Budapest, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 2nd Jun, 2024) Ahead of EU elections on June 9, a deluge of misinformation amplifying the Hungarian government's key talking points on the war in Ukraine has flooded the country's social media platforms. Content creators affiliated with Hungary's opaque Megafon Centre have been behind a tide of well-crafted video clips distributed online. Megafon was created in 2020 with a mission "to amplify the voice of the right and counterbalance the dominance of the left-wing mainstream on the internet", according to its website. But critics say it has become the latest mouthpiece for nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Fidesz party, amplifying its narratives while slamming those critical of the government and most recently the EU. Since the beginning of the year, Megafon has poured more than 650 million forints ($1.8 million) into promoting its content on Facebook, according to estimates by the platform's owner Meta. No other political party in the EU has spent as much as Megafon over the same period, according to AFP. While some clips accuse European leaders of "wanting nuclear war", others suggest that women might soon be forced to produce weapons in factories and children may be sent to the front lines. Several videos also featured remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron on the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine and his proposed debate on the role of the country's nuclear arsenal in Europe. But Macron's remarks were taken out of context and skewed to portray European leaders as wanting "a third world war". An advocate for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia and the Kremlin's closest EU ally, Orban has characterised the upcoming European Parliament elections as a referendum on the war, saying he was now "fighting for peace alone" in the bloc. (UroToday.com) The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in Chicago, IL was host to a kidney and bladder cancers trials-in-progress poster session. Dr. Bassel Nazha presented an ongoing phase II study evaluating the combination of enfortumab vedotin plus pembrolizumab for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic bladder cancer of variant histology. In EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39, the combination of enfortumab vedotin, a Nectin-4 directed antibody-drug conjugate, and pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, was associated with a two-fold improvement in median overall survival, compared to platinum-based combination chemotherapy (32 versus 16 months).1 Notably, this trial allowed for the inclusion of patients with either pure urothelial carcinoma (85%), mixed type (11.6%), or pure variant disease (1.3%). Bladder cancer of variant histology classically accounts for up to 25% of bladder tumors. Patients with variant bladder histology or non-urothelial bladder cancers are largely under-represented or excluded from phase III trials for urothelial cancer (only 1.3% of EV-302/KEYNOTE-A39 cohort). Significantly, Nectin-4 and PD-L1 are both expressed in non-urothelial and variant histology tumors.2 This suggests that these patients may also derive a benefit from enfortumab vedotin pembrolizumab combination therapy. *Slide adapted from Dr. Eila Skinners presentation at ASCO GU 2022. This is a phase II, open-label, single-center trial at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University (NCT05756569). The trial is currently open for enrollment. The study design is illustrated below. This trial is recruiting patients with advanced or metastatic disease with either: (i) non-urothelial bladder cancer, (ii) variant histology bladder cancer, (iii) or mixed histology if predominant histology (50%) is variant or non-urothelial. In the 1st stage, 15 patients will receive pembrolizumab 200 mg IV every three weeks plus enfortumab vedotin 1.25 mg/kg on days 1 and 8 of each 21-day cycle. If a response is observed in 2/15 patients, then the 2nd stage will enroll an additional 10 participants (total n=25). The maximum duration of enfortumab vedotin + pembrolizumab is two years. The enfortumab vedotin dose is capped at 125mg. The primary study endpoint is objective response rate (partial or complete), per RECIST v1.1. Secondary outcomes include: Progression-free survival Overall survival Duration of response Safety Quality of life Frailty Sarcopenia Variant histology bladder cancer: nested, microcytic, micropapillary, lymphoepithelioma-like, plasmacytoid, giant cell, poorly differentiated, lipid-rich, clear cell, sarcomatoid. Non-urothelial bladder cancer of epithelial origin including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma (urachal and non-urachal). Tumors of the ureter, urethra, urachus, or renal pelvis are included. Histologies are defined according to the WHO 2016 Classification Notable exclusion criteria are as follows: Neuroendocrine bladder cancer Non-epithelial cancers (e.g. sarcoma, lymphoma) Prior immune checkpoint inhibitor and/or enfortumab vedotin treatment Active autoimmune disease Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus CHF NYHA Class 3 or 4, unstable angina, serious cardiac arrythmias within 6 months. Presented by: Bassel Nazha, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Fri, May 31 Tues, June 4, 2024. References: (UroToday.com) The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in Chicago, IL was host to a kidney and bladder cancers poster session. Dr. Gliceida Fortuna presented an analysis of treatment pattern changes and attrition rates in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The treatment landscape of metastatic ccRCC has rapidly evolved with the approval of systemic therapy combinations of immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-PD-[L]-1) plus either cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (TKI) inhibitors. Despite the level one evidence supporting these regimens and regulatory approval for their use in clinical practice, clinical implementation strategies to improve the uptake of these agents in real-world practice remain of utmost importance. In this study, the investigators sought to evaluate real-world treatment trends and attrition rates both before and after PD-1 inhibitor approvals in the United States using a large real-world US-based cohort. This was a retrospective analysis using the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record (EHR)-derived de-identified database. The investigators included patients with metastatic ccRCC diagnosed between January 2011 and January 2022 who received systemic therapy. Patients requiring systemic therapy for 2 malignancies were excluded. Based on the approval date of 4/16/2018 for the anti-PD-1 + CTLA4 combination of ipilimumab + nivolumab, patients were categorized into one of two cohorts: B2018 (1 st line treatment received prior to 4/16/2018) line treatment received prior to 4/16/2018) A2018 (1st line treatment received after 4/16/2018) Attrition rate analysis was performed one year after treatment discontinuation to identify patients who died, were alive but did not need treatment, or started next-line therapy. For this purpose, patients who discontinued or started each line of therapy after 1/31/2022 were censored from this analysis. Treatment received in each line of therapy was summarized using frequency counts and proportions/percentages. All analyses were done using R version 4.2.3. Of 12,707 patients identified in the database, 7,923 met the eligibility criteria: N2018: 4,561 patients A2018: 3,362 patients The treatment trends are summarized in Table 1 and Figure 1 below. 1st line systemic therapy for the majority of patients transitioned from TKI monotherapy (79%) B2018 to PD-1 combination therapies A2018 (58%). TKI monotherapy remained the most common treatment in both groups in the post-1st line setting. In the B2018 cohort, 58% of patients received 2nd line therapy, and 32% received 3rd line therapy. In the A2018 cohort, 42% and 16% received 2nd and 3rd line therapies, respectively. In the B2018 cohort, 59% of patients received next treatment, 31% died without further therapy, and 10% were alive without therapy. Correspondingly, in the A2018 cohort, 52% of patients received next therapy, 35% died without further therapy, and 13% were alive without treatment (Table 2). Dr. Galarza Fortuna concluded as follows: Despite the increased utilization of PD-1-based combination regimens since 2018, a significant number of patients did not receive novel combination regimens in the 1 st line metastatic ccRCC setting in a real-world US population. line metastatic ccRCC setting in a real-world US population. With the uptake of PD-1-based combinations in the 1 st line setting, a higher proportion of patients experienced treatment-free intervals or were alive without further therapy at 1-year attrition rate analysis after 1 st line treatment discontinuation. line setting, a higher proportion of patients experienced treatment-free intervals or were alive without further therapy at 1-year attrition rate analysis after 1 line treatment discontinuation. These findings require validation in other datasets and can help patient counseling in the clinical setting. Presented by: Gliceida Galarza Fortuna, MD, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellow, Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Fri, May 31 Tues, June 4, 2024. (UroToday.com) The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting held in Chicago, IL between May 31st and June 4th, 2024 was host to a kidney and bladder cancers poster session. Dr. Michael Atkins presented a subgroup analysis of the phase II LITESPARK-013 trial of belzutifan in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). The first-in-class oral hypoxia-inducible factor-2 inhibitor belzutifan is approved in the United States at a dose of 120 mg once daily (QD) for certain patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease and for patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) following treatment with a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) or programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1) inhibitor and a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI).1 The randomized phase 2 LITESPARK-013 study (NCT04489771) was designed to determine whether belzutifan 200 mg QD demonstrates an improved therapeutic index compared to the 120 mg QD dose in a large sample of patients with pre-treated advanced clear cell RCC: Comparable efficacy was observed between the 200 mg (n = 78) and 120 mg (n = 76) arms Objective response rate (ORR): 23.1% versus 23.7% (1-sided p=0.53) Duration of response (DOR): median of 16.1 months versus not reached Progression-free survival (PFS): median of 9.1 months versus 7.3 months (HR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.631.40, 1-sided p-value=0.39). The objective of this study was to present a post hoc efficacy analysis in the pooled population of LITESPARK-013 (200 mg and 120 mg arms) across patient subgroups based on prior therapy, International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk group, and baseline disease characteristics. End points of this post hoc analysis were ORR, DOR, and PFS per RECIST v1.1 by blinded independent central review (BICR). 95% CIs for ORR were determined based on the binomial exact method. DOR and PFS 95% CIs were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. No formal hypothesis testing was performed. The pooled study population included 154 patients (200 mg arm, n = 78; 120 mg arm, n = 76). At the data cutoff date of February 10, 2023: 39 patients (25.3%) remained on treatment. 115 patients (74.7%) had discontinued study treatment because of: Progressive disease (53.2%) Adverse events (9.7%) Clinical progression (7.1%) Patient withdrawal (3.2%) Physician decision (1.3%) The median time from randomization to the data cut-off date was 20.1 months (range, 14.828.4). The baseline patient characteristics are summarized below. The median patient age was 64 years. 83% had IMDC intermediate- or poor-risk disease. 48% had received 1 prior line of therapy, and 52% had received 23 prior lines of therapy. 51% had received 1 prior TKI and 20% had received 23. As of the data cutoff date, 39 patients (25.3%) in the pooled population remained on treatment. The median follow-up was 20.1 months (range, 14.828.4). In the pooled population, the ORR was 23.4% (4 complete responses, 32 partial responses), the median duration of response was 16.1 months, and the median PFS was 7.9 months. Efficacy outcomes by prior lines of therapy, prior regimen received, number of prior TKI regimens, choice of 1st line therapy, IMDC risk group, and presence/absence of sarcomatoid differentiation are summarized below: The confirmed ORRs are illustrated in the bar graphs below. ORRs were superior for patients following: 1 prior line of therapy: 25% (versus 17% for 23 prior lines) Prior IO-only therapy: 27% (versus 17-20% post-IO/VEGF) No prior TKI: 27% (versus 19% and 16% post- and 2-3 prior TKIs) 1 st line IO only: 35% (versus 19% post-1 st line IO + TKI) line IO only: 35% (versus 19% post-1 line IO + TKI) Favorable risk disease: 30% (versus 22% for intermediate/poor-risk) No sarcomatoid differentiation: 24% (versus 5.6% for those with sarcomatoid differentiation) Kaplan-Meier estimates of progression-free survival are summarized below, with subgroup survival trends mirroring those observed for ORRs: Dr. Atkins concluded as follows: In this post hoc analysis from LITESPARK-013, durable antitumor responses were observed across subgroups in the pooled population of patients with advanced clear cell RCC who were treated with belzutifan at doses of 200 mg QD or 120 mg QD. Results should be interpreted with caution given the post hoc nature of the analysis, potential imbalances when pooling across both arms and the small sample size of some subgroups, leading to wide ORR or PFS 95% CIs. These results suggest that belzutifan is an effective treatment option for pretreated advanced RCC across various subgroups. Additional research may further elucidate the activity of belzutifan in selected patient populations, such as those in the favorable IMDC risk group and/or those who have received fewer prior therapies. Presented by: Michael B. Atkins, MD, FASCO, Deputy Director, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Scholl Professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Medical Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC Written by: Rashid Sayyid, MD, MSc Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) Clinical Fellow at The University of Toronto, @rksayyid on Twitter during the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, May 31st June 4th, 2024 WELIREGM (belzutifan) tablets, for oral use. 12/2023. Merck Sharp & Dome LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA: 2023. References: (UroToday.com) The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting featured a session on prostate cancer, and a discussant presentation by Dr. Gerhardt Attard titled Prognosis is in the Blood discussing the following two abstracts: A clinical-genetic circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based prognostic model for predicting overall survival in men with metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with potent androgen receptor inhibition (Alliance) by Dr. Susan Halabi, and Baseline ctDNA analyses and associations with outcomes in taxane-naive patients with mCRPC treated with 177Lu-PSMA-617 versus change of ARPI in PSMAfore by Dr. Johann De Bono. Dr. Attard started his presentation by highlighting several clinical opportunities for ctDNA: Prognostication: predict the likely outcome independent of treatment Prediction: predict the benefit of treatment A versus treatment B (biomarker-treatment interactions) Response assessment: Early indication of treatment benefit based on ctDNA dynamics Molecular classification: identify patients harboring a drug target, for example BRCA1/2 alterations for PARP inhibition Early detection/risk stratification: requires very high sensitivity for ctDNA detection in PSA-screened populations and validation requires long follow-up Dr. Attard notes that there is a range of prostate cancer ctDNA abstracts at ASCO 2024, as highlighted in the following figure: With regards to ctDNA analysis, Dr. Attard notes that despite high detection rates, we are pushing technology to its limit due to (often) low tumor fractions. One word of caution is that we must beware of bespoke assays/computational pipelines performing differently, especially in challenging technical conditions (ie. low tumor fractions). Historical work dating back nearly a decade has shown us that ctDNA is prognostic: However, there remains several important questions, which may have been answered in the data presented today. 1) How does ctDNA perform in a clinically implementable model including prognostic features? 2) Is ctDNA clinically relevant with recently approved therapies such as LuPSMA? The work presented by Dr. Halabi identified 16 ctDNA genetic factors, with the top predictors of overall survival being: gains in AR and the AR enhancer, MYC, and RSPO2; losses of ZBTB16, PTEN, and MSH6. Time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curves in clinical and clinical genetic models were 0.72 (95% CI 0.72-0.73) and 0.77 (95% CI 0.76-0.77), respectively: Additionally, Dr. Halabi was able to develop the following three- and four- prognostic risk groups for median overall survival: Dr. Attard notes that ctDNA features to improve the C-index, thus it is important for us to understand the ctDNA potential and the biology. However, the model needs to be externally validated with modern-day treatment paradigms, such as after androgen receptor pathway inhibitor + ADT treatment in the mHSPC setting, and in LuPSMA trials. The work presented by Dr. de Bono showed that baseline ctDNA fraction is prognostic in PSMAfore: Additionally, early ctDNA clearance was associated with longer radiographic progression free survival: Thus, the hypothesis is that ctDNA dynamics/burden after one cycle of treatment is an early marker of treatment inefficacy and could inform treatment change. Dr. Attard notes that in this analysis, there are relatively small numbers and the endpoint is radiographic progression free survival rather than overall survival. It is therefore important to support prospective clinical trials where ctDNA fraction informs treatment continuation and change. Dr. Attard then discussed a poster presented at ASCO 2024 by Kwan et al. assessing ctDNA fraction in the TheraP clinical trial [1]. ctDNA fraction was prognostic for progression free survival among patients treated with LuPSMA, but was not among patients that were treated with cabazitaxel: Moreover, undetected ctDNA independently predicted superior progression free survival for LuPSMA versus cabazitaxel (p = 0.035): Dr. Attard concluded his discussant presentation with the following take-home messages: ctDNA testing in important trials captured a significant percentage of (but not all) patients These are important contributions to the ctDNA genomic landscape of advanced prostate cancer ctDNA dynamics are associated with outcome and can improve accuracy of prediction There are different bespoke assays, which limit the inter-trial comparison and future clinical implementation The next steps are to: Conduct trials of ctDNA biomarkers that will result in treatment change and ultimately improve patient outcomes Perform prospective validation with the current management paradigms Presented by: Gerhardt Attard, MD, PhD, University College London, London, UK Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Wellstar MCG Health, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Fri, May 31 Tues, June 4, 2024. References: (UroToday.com) The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting featured a session on prostate cancer, and a discussant presentation titled Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed by Dr. Shahneen Sandhu discussing the following three abstracts: Cabazitaxel with abiraterone versus abiraterone alone randomized trial for extensive disease following docetaxel: The CHAARTED2 trial of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (EA8153) by Dr. Christos Kyriakopoulos, CYCLONE 2: A phase 3 study of abemaciclib with abiraterone in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer by Dr. Matthew Smith, and A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of metformin in reducing progression among men on expectant management for low-risk prostate cancer: The MAST (Metformin Active Surveillance Trial) study by Dr. Anthony Joshua. Dr. Sandhu started by discussing Something Old and the CHAARTED2 trial data. Sustained androgen receptor signaling plays a major role in mCRPC, exemplified by genetic aberrations in androgen receptor driving resistance and underpinning the importance of ongoing suppression of the androgen receptor. Cabazitaxel1 and abiraterone2 improves progression free survival and overall survival in patients with mCRPC who have been previously treated with docetaxel. Moreover, cabazitaxel retains anticancer activity and improves progression free survival and overall survival compared with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor in patients previously treated with docetaxel.3 The CHAARTED2 investigators posit that the combination of androgen receptor pathway inhibitor with cabazitaxel can maximize anti-tumor activity in patients with mCRPC previously treated with docetaxel. This hypothesis is based on the predicate of eradicating heterogeneous castrate resistant subclones given the different modes of action of these agents. Dr. Sandhu notes that androgen receptor signal directly contributes to taxane resistance, thus cabazitaxel efficacy can be improved by simultaneous blocking the androgen receptor in enzalutamide resistant preclinical studies. Enzalutamide given with cabazitaxel induces enhanced apoptosis. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis shows repression of the androgen receptor signaling and several metabolic pathways, including fatty acid metabolism. In CHAARTED2, after a median follow-up of 47.3 (range: 0-61.2) months, median progression-free survival was longer for the cabazitaxel + abiraterone/prednisone arm versus abiraterone/prednisone alone arm (14.9 months [95% CI 9.9-18.6] versus 9.9 months [95% CI, 7.0-12.6], p = 0.049; HR 0.73, 80% CI 0.59-0.90). No difference in overall survival was observed between the two arms in the interim analysis (25.0 versus 26.9 months; HR 0.93, 95 CI% 0.68-1.29; p = 0.67). Additionally, the PSA change from baseline to 12 weeks is as follows: Looking at the PSA analysis by subgroups, the advantage with the combination was more pronounced in patients < 65 years of age (15.6 versus 9.8 months, p = 0.08), ECOG performance status of 0 (20.9 versus 10.1 months, p = 0.01), time to CRPC of < 12 months (12.9 versus 5.1 months, p = 0.006), and absence of visceral metastases (18.1 versus 10.1 months, p = 0.01): With regards to safety, there were no new signals, and grade 3+ adverse events were consistent with what was seen in the TROPIC study [1]. The following table provides insights from other trials with regard to the context of CHAARTED2: Dr. Sandhu then provided several conclusions and takeaway points from the CHAARTED2 trial: There is preclinical, clinical, and biologic rationale that supports the role of cabazitaxel administered simultaneously with an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor in mCRPC The safety profile of cabazitaxel + abiraterone was consistent with each individual component and was generally manageable Unsurprisingly, cabazitaxel + abiraterone with different modes of action was more effective compared to single agent abiraterone, which is reflected in the improved progression free survival, PSA response, and delayed time to PSA progression It is clear that some patients benefit from treatment intensification of chemo-hormones with ADT, such as cabazitaxel + abiraterone, most notably those patients with a shorter response to ADT in mHSPC exhibiting the greatest benefit from treatment intensification in mCRPC However, the treatment landscape has shifted in recent years: androgen receptor pathway inhibitors are widely used for mHSPC with or without docetaxel, therefore these results have limited application in the clinic today Dr. Sandhu then discussed Something New, specifically the CYCLONE 2 trial. The RB/E2F1 cell cycle pathway in tumor suppression is important, and CDK4 and CDK6 mediate the G1-S phase transition through phosphorylation of RB1. Successful inhibition of CDK4/6 signaling relies on an intact cyclin D-CDK4/6-RB1 axis, and cell type specific dependence on CDK4/6. CDK4/6 inhibition in combination with endocrine therapy has been practice changing for the treatment of advanced HR+HER2- breast cancer. CYCLONE 2 was a seamless phase 2/3 adaptive trial with a dose-finding safety lead-in (n = 46). Part 2 (n = 146) was expanded given a radiologic progression free survival advantage of HR < 0.668, and part 3 (n = 201) included enrollment expansion. Key eligibility included mCRPC, visceral metastases allowed (including liver metastases), ECOG performance status 0-1, and continuous ADT. Patients could not have prior treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors, androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, or chemotherapy for mCRPC (prior docetaxel for mCSPC was permitted). Randomization to the abemaciclib or placebo plus abiraterone and predniso(lo)ne was stratified by prior docetaxel receipt for mHSPC, measurable disease, and radiographic progression at study entry. The trial design for CYCLONE 2 is as follows: The primary endpoint was investigator-assessed radiographic progression-free survival per RECIST v1.1 and PCWG3 with the intention to treat population (Parts 1-3). Secondary endpoints included: Radiographic progression free survival by blinded independent central review Overall survival Objective response rate Duration of response Time to symptomatic progression Time to PSA progression Time to worst pain progression Safety Pharmacokinetics This study found that there was limited efficacy from targeting CDK4/6 in mCRPC. In this trial, the primary endpoint of radiographic progression-free survival was not met (HR 0.83; 95% CI, 0.621.11; p = 0.212), with medians of 22.0 months for the abemaciclib plus abiraterone group versus 20.3 months for the placebo plus abiraterone group. Overall survival was a gated secondary endpoint and not inferentially tested (HR 0.93; 95% CI, 0.671.29; 38.9% maturity): Additionally, there is other data to suggest that there is limited efficacy from targeting CDK4/6 in mCRPC and mHSPC, specifically from CYCLONE 14 and Palmbos et al.5: Dr. Sandhu notes that there are several putative mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6: RB loss: up to 10% of breast cancer patients with disease progression on CDK4/6 inhibitors acquire alterations or deletions of both copies of RB1, and loss of RB is common in mCRPC at ~30-60% Aurora kinase A: implicated in both intrinsic and acquired resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors CDK6 amplifications with increased CDK6 expression promote resistance. CDK6 expression is also increased by the loss of PTEN, another common alteration in mCRPC c-MYC is upregulated in CDK4/6 inhibitor-resistant cell lines and acquired mutations in MYC were identified in 5-9% of patients with disease progression on abemaciclib, and MYC upregulation is common in mCRPC RB loss is the major mechanism of pathway disruption in advanced prostate cancer. Recent findings suggest that having RB loss induces distinct downstream E2F cistrome expansion with RB inactivation leading to a distinct transcriptional network that promotes disease aggressiveness Dr. Sandhus key takeaway points from CYCLONE 2 are that (i) the addition of abemaciclib to abiraterone did not significantly improve radiographic progression free survival in patients with mCRPC, and (ii) the molecular underpinnings accounting for the lack of activity from targeting CDK4/6 in prostate cancer is poorly understood and needs to be the subject of future research. Finally, Dr. Sandhu discussed Something Borrowed, specifically the MAST trial in low risk prostate cancer. There is ample retrospective evidence for assessing metformin in this trial and potentially repurposing metformin as an anticancer drug. MAST was a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial carried out in 12 centers across Canada. Eligible patients had biopsy-proven, low-risk, localized prostate cancer diagnosed within the past 6 months, with a Gleason score of < 6 observed in 1/3 of the total cores, less than 50% positivity in any one core, a PSA level of 10 ng/ml, and a clinical stage between T1c-T2a. Additionally, patients chose active surveillance as their primary treatment. Subjects that met eligibility criteria were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive metformin 850 mg BID or placebo for 3 years. All patients underwent repeat prostate biopsy at 18 and 36 months. The primary endpoint indicated was time to progression, defined as the earliest occurrence of primary prostate cancer therapy (ie. prostatectomy, radiation, hormonal therapy) or pathological progression (>1/3 of total cores involved, at least 50% of any one core involved, or Gleason pattern 4 or higher). The trial design for the MAST trial is as follows: There was no statistically significant difference in progression-free survival observed between patients treated with metformin and those receiving placebo with regards to therapeutic + pathologic progression (HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.78-1.50), pathologic progression (HR 1.07, 95% CI 0.76-1.52), or therapeutic progression (HR 1.75, 95% CI 0.99-3.08): Taking a closer look at pathologic progression endpoints, there were no statistically significant differences, although Gleason >= 8 disease was more common in the metformin (12.9%) versus the placebo (4.5%) group (p = 0.082). Patients with a BMI >= 30 had a worse progression free survival probability (HR 2.39, 95% CI 1.20-4.75; interaction p = 0.01) with metformin: Dr. Sandhu concluded her presentation with the following messages regarding the MAST trial: This study raises more questions than answers It is valuable to have a prospective study (despite the results) given much of the literature is focused on retrospective analyses, with metformin use usually being associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus Critically, the investigators have collected serial tumor biopsies which will be subjected to proteomic and metabolomic analyses and likely be quite informative There needs to be further investigation into metformins direct effects on tumor metabolism/microenvironment versus systemic alterations in metabolism that may have impacted on the pathologic differences in groups (ie. is this mTOR/insulin signaling alterations versus complex inhibition of the tumor?) We need to consider if there is a baseline tumor metabolic phenotype that would make metformin more or less likely to benefit or be harmed by this intervention The BMI impact on metformin effect is intriguing: is the increased BMI associated with some advantageous features within the tumor in this context that are altered/attenuated by metformin or is there a bigger impact from metformin on systemic metabolism in those with increased BMI? Presented by: Shahneen Sandhu, Peter MacCallum Cancer Center and the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Written by: Zachary Klaassen, MD, MSc Urologic Oncologist, Associate Professor of Urology, Georgia Cancer Center, Wellstar MCG Health, @zklaassen_md on Twitter during the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, Fri, May 31 Tues, June 4, 2024. References: GLADE SPRING, Va. (WJHL)Many in Southwest Virginia need childcare. Although childcare is available in the region, centers are continuing to look for ways to better serve the community. Thats where Virginia-based non-profit EO is stepping in. Some of these providers need expansion, said EO CEO/President Travis Staton. They need more help; they need more teachers. To assist these providers, EO created a childcare business challenge. The challenge sought to increase the capacity of both existing and new childcare providers. It began with a six-week course teaching the participants the best ways to run their businesses. Both Staton and challenge judge Sandy Ratliff said the challenge was about more than supporting the businesses financially. Southwest Virginia nonprofit making steady progress on new childcare hub That business challenge really gives them that hands-on guidance to help them not just in the classroom or from the curriculum side, said Staton. But more from the entrepreneur side and how to run a business. Maybe theyre working in a childcare environment, said Ratliff. And [wondering], Could I run my own business? And what I love about this program is were taking you through the steps of how you go about starting a business, how do you finance it, how do you market it? How do you manage it? Its one thing to start a business, but theres a lot of things that go into making that business successful. The announcement of the challenge winners took place at the start of May. One of those winners was Allison Burress, owner of Itty Bitties Academy in Glade Spring, Va. She began her own daycare after seeing the need in her life. Itty Bitties started two and a half years ago due to the fact that a personal need of my own for childcare for my grandchildren, said Burress. So I did go back to college, get my childcare credentials, and decided to start Itty Bitties Academy. The academy currently welcomes around 73 children. Burress was awarded $10,000 towards expanding the academy. She said she hopes to add additional spots to her business. Our plans for expansion are a two-year-old classroom, said Burress. And then a kids club, which is our school-age program, a gym-type area next door on an adjoining property. The goal is to add 20 spots to the daycares capacity. Burress said she wants to do whatever she can to help families in need. I wish I could go bigger, Burress said. But right now, were going to go as big as we can to service as many families as we can. Addressing that need is why Ratliff said the challenge was started. Story continues Thats the key, said Ratliff. Thats why we did this. We have a need in Southwest Virginia. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun Sunday issued a stern warning on Taiwan and the South China Sea at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. During his 40-minute-long keynote speech, Dong accused Taiwans government under the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, which favors highlighting Taiwans sovereignty, of "pursuing separation [from China] in an incremental way" while external forces continue to sell arms to Taiwan and maintain "illegal" official contacts with Taiwan. "What they are doing is to embolden Taiwan independence separatists in an attempt to contain China with Taiwan," he told a room full of delegates from dozens of countries, warning that these moves will push Taiwan into "a dangerous situation." He reiterated that Chinas handling of the Taiwan issue is entirely its internal affair and that Beijing remains committed to achieving unification with Taiwan through peaceful means. "Anyone who dares to separate Taiwan from China will only end up in self-destruction," Dong warned, adding that the Peoples Liberation Army remains committed to taking actions to curb attempts to pursue Taiwan independence. Dongs comments came a week after China launched a two-day, large-scale military exercise encircling Taiwan, which Beijing said was a move to "punish" Taiwan President Lai Ching-te for the messages he conveyed through his inauguration speech on May 20, during which he emphasized that neither side of the Taiwan Strait is subordinate to the other. During his Saturday keynote speech to the forum, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin only briefly mentioned the Taiwan issue, reiterating that Washington is committed to upholding the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. In a remark viewed as an indirect reference to Chinas large-scale war games around Taiwan, Austin highlighted the importance of resolving disputes through dialogue rather than coercion or "punishment." "[Russian President Vladimir] Putins war of aggression is a glimpse of a world where tyrants trample sovereign borders, a world where peaceful states live in fear of their neighbors, and a world where chaos and conquest replace rules and rights," he said. Some analysts said Dongs warning over Taiwan reflects Beijings concerns about the trajectory of Taiwans development under the leadership of Lai Ching-te, who Beijing has repeatedly characterized as a separatist. "In Beijings view, Lai is more provocative, and I think Dongs warning shows that his administration will have a hard time ahead," Zhou Bo, senior fellow at the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University in China, told VOA on the sidelines of the meeting. In his view, he said, Beijing will prioritize forceful responses to any development in Taiwan that they view as "provocative." "Each response from China might create a new status quo that neither Washington nor Taiwan wants to see," Zhou said, adding that it is in Taiwans interest not to be so provocative. Reiterating Chinas interest in the South China Sea In addition to the Taiwan issue, Dong reiterated Chinas commitment to uphold what it sees as its South China Sea interests. While claiming that the sea has "seen overall stability," Dong, without naming the Philippines directly, said a certain country has broken bilateral agreements and its promises due to support from external forces. That country "has made premeditated provocations and created false scenarios to mislead the public," he said. Additionally, he accused the Philippines of allowing a certain country to deploy a mid-range missile system to the region, indirectly aiming the criticism at the United States, which placed a mid-range capability missile system on northern Luzon in April as part of joint military exercises. He argued that Manilas move would endanger the security and stability of the region. "China has exercised great restraints in the face of such infringements and provocations," Dong told the foreign delegates, warning that there is a limit to Beijings restraint and hoping the country, naming the Philippines, could return to the right track of dialogue and work with other countries to make the South China Sea more peaceful. In contrast to Dongs solemn message to the Philippines and the United States on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of ensuring the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea that is permitted under international law. "The harassment that the Philippines has faced is dangerous, pure and simple," he said during his keynote speech on Saturday. "We all share an interest in ensuring that the South China Sea remains open and free." Some analysts say Dongs emphasis on Taiwan and the South China Sea reflects his desire to reiterate Chinas position on these issues that Beijing views as its core interests. "His tough stance is aiming at what Beijing views as Taiwan independence forces and the possible interference by external forces," Lin Ying-yu, a military expert at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told VOA by phone. Throughout the course of the three-day conference, the Chinese military held three press conferences, a stark contrast to the lack of interaction with the media from the United States or other Western countries. Lin said these efforts reflect Beijings desire to increase the Chinese militarys engagement with the outside world, which is one of the goals that China has set for its military since 2010. The Chinese military is "showing some relatively soft side during the press conferences while adopting a tough tone during his speech," he told VOA, adding that such strategies show Beijings desire to amplify its positions and ideas in front of an international audience. Despite their differences on issues concerning Taiwan and the South China Sea, Zhou from Tsinghua University said he thinks the United States and China still want to prioritize the importance of maintaining an open line of communication through the Shangri-La Dialogue. "The relationship between Beijing and Washington can never be a smooth one, and since the communication in Singapore is between the two militaries, they are more cautious and they want to stress the importance of open communication," he told VOA. In his view, he said, the primary goal of the 75-minute meeting between Dong and Austin on the sidelines of the conference on May 31, was to prevent the bilateral relationship between Beijing and Washington from "sliding into confrontation." "We have different views about the nature of this relationship but the consensus is not to let our competition slide into a confrontation," Zhou said. Congressional leaders have invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to deliver an address the Capitol, a show of wartime support for the longtime ally despite mounting political divisions over Israel's military assault on Gaza. The invitation from House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, along with Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, has been in the works for some time. No date for the speech was set. Leaders said the invitation was extended to highlight Americas solidarity with Israel. We invite you to share the Israeli governments vision for defending democracy, combatting terror and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region, they wrote. A speech by Netanyahu would almost certainly expose election-year divisions in the U.S., where a growing number of Democrats have turned away from the right-wing prime minister, while Republicans have embraced him. Johnson first suggested inviting the Israeli leader, saying it would be a great honor of mine to invite him. That came soon after Schumer, who is the highest ranking Jewish elected official in the U.S., had delivered a stinging rebuke of Netanyahu. Schumer said in the speech that Netanyahu had lost his way" amid the Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza. Even so, Schumer had said he would join in the invitation because our relationship with Israel is ironclad and transcends any one prime minister or president. The Israel-Hamas war, now in its seventh month after the October 7 terror attack by the Palestinian militant group, has caused widespread concerns in the U.S. and abroad over Israel's conduct and the extensive civilian death toll. As Israel pushes into Rafah in Gaza, the International Criminal Court has accused Netanyahu and his defense minister, along with three Hamas leaders, of war crimes a largely symbolic act but one that further isolates the Israeli leader. President Joe Biden in supporting Israels right to defend itself against Hamas lambasted the ICCs case against Netanyahu, but he has nevertheless grown critical of Israels war plans and has pressed for assurances of humanitarian aid. On Friday, Biden encouraged a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants that he says would lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and could end the war. He urged Israelis and Hamas to come to an agreement to release the remaining hostages for an extended cease-fire, arguing that Hamas is no longer capable of carrying out another large-scale attack on Israel as it did in October. Biden called the proposal a road map to an enduring cease-fire and the release of all hostages. It is unclear if Biden and Netanyahu would meet in Washington. Spain, Norway and Ireland recently recognized a Palestinian state, a move that was condemned by Israel. Slovenia's government also endorsed a motion to recognize a Palestinian state and asked the parliament to do the same. Typically, a high-profile congressional invitation is issued jointly and in consultation with the White House. But in 2015, Netanyahu was invited to address Congress in a rebuff to then-President Barack Obama by a previous Republican speaker during disputes over Iran. On Capitol Hill, the debates over the Israel-Hamas war have been pitched, heated and divisive, amplified during the college campus protests this spring, showing how the once ironclad support for Israel has weakened and splintered. Republicans, including presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, have been eager to display their support for Netanyahu and expose the Democratic divisions over Israel. More recently, Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, became the highest ranking Republican elected official from the U.S. to deliver a speech before the Israeli parliament. Voting has ended in Indias mammoth election with exit polls projecting that Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies will win a big majority in Parliament. Voters cast ballots on Saturday for 57 Parliamentary constituencies in the seventh phase of the polls that stretched over six weeks in the searing summer heat. All eyes are now on Tuesday, when votes will be counted for all 543 elected seats in the lower house of Parliament. As India uses electronic voting machines, results are expected the same day. The elections will test the popularity of 73-year-old Modi whose image of a strong leader and champion of Hindu nationalism has been boosted by a host of welfare measures for tens of millions of poor people during his decade in power. The BJP campaign was dominated by the Indian leader, who crisscrossed the country to hold over 200 rallies. Before elections got under way, the BJP was expected to cruise to an easy victory. The party had set a target of winning a supermajority by bagging 400 seats. According to exit polls broadcast by several television channels, the party along with its allies could win 350 seats or more, far ahead of the 272 needed for a simple majority. That would hand Modi a rare, third straight term in office. "Its a litmus test for Mr. Modi. When elections started, it appeared to be a one-horse race. He appeared very invincible, very formidable and raised the bar very high," according to political analyst Rasheed Kidwai. Many observers had expected an opposition alliance of over two dozen parties that is challenging Modi of cutting into his partys huge Parliamentary majority but exit polls projected that it would not be able to do so and showed the alliance trailing with around 150 seats. However, in the vast, diverse country, exit polls have not always been reliable. "The final numbers will depend on whether the BJP can hold ground in populous northern states where the party has secured huge success in the past," analyst Kidwai said. After polls closed on Saturday, Modi thanked voters and expressed confidence that the "people of India have voted in record numbers" to reelect the government. His comments came after he ended two days of meditation at the southernmost tip of India at a memorial for Hindu philosopher Swami Vivekananda -- images released by his party showed him clad in saffron robes with eyes closed and prayer beads in hand. The oppositions hopes of making gains rest on tapping into growing resentment over high unemployment that faces the countrys huge youth population and rising prices. Congress Party leader, Rahul Gandhi, who was the face of the opposition campaign, focused his campaign on the need to create jobs and growing wealth inequality in the country and said the governments policies have favored the rich at the expense of the poor. The party has promised cash transfers to poor women and a guarantee of apprenticeships for college graduates. It has also raised concerns about democratic backsliding under Modi. The Congress Party has been marginalized over the last decade amid the BJPs rise into a formidable political force under Modi it only holds 52 seats in Parliament. "Much will depend on how the Congress Party and its allies perform in swing states like Maharashtra in the west, Bihar in the east and Karnataka in the south," according to Kidwai. The opposition faces a daunting task. To make significant gains it would also have to fare well in populous northern states, where the BJP is well entrenched and where its Hindu nationalist agenda resonates the most. The BJP, on its part, hopes to expand its influence in some southern states where it has virtually no presence. The election campaign has been called one of Indias most divisive. At rallies, Modi charged the Congress Party of being pro-Muslim and of planning to hand benefits reserved for lower caste Hindus to Muslims if it is voted into power analysts said the polarizing rhetoric was a bid to shore up support among his Hindu base after voting got off to a lackluster start last month. In a letter on Thursday addressed to voters in Punjab, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused Modi of indulging in the "most vicious form of hate speeches that are purely divisive in nature" during the campaign and accused him lowering the dignity of the Prime Minister's office. Punjab was among the seven states and one federal territory that voted on Saturday. Only Indias first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, secured a third straight term in office. The winning party is expected to form the next government by mid-June before the term of the present Parliament ends. Guatemalan police on Sunday transferred more than 200 gang members from a prison where they operated a call center for criminal purposes, raised chickens and looked out on a crocodile-filled lake. Some 400 police were involved in the operation to move 225 members of the Barrio 18 gang out of the prison nicknamed "El Infiernito" or Little Hell, where they enjoyed access to such luxuries as TV sets and fridges, even raising chickens, officials said. "The prison once again belongs to the country," Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez announced on X. He vowed the facility would be stripped down and rebuilt as a "real maximum-security prison," vowing: "These are prisons, NOT holidays." Images of the facility released by officials showed the inmates even had air conditioning at the prison in Escuintla, some 70 kilometers south of the capital. In a previous search, police had disabled a makeshift "call center" from where the gangsters had committed extortion and ordered crimes to be committed. The minister blamed "previous governments" for "handing over control of prisons to criminals." The operation came just days after new President Bernardo Arevalo said some areas of Guatemala City were being held "prisoner" by gangs, as the UN called for a stop to the recruitment of minors by criminal groups. The Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha gangs are fighting in Guatemala over control for territory where they extort money from companies and individuals -- killing those who refuse, according to authorities. Criminal violence claimed 4,361 lives in the country in 2023 -- a rate of 25 per 100,000 inhabitants -- half of them attributed to gang fighting and drug trafficking. The militant Hezbollah group said it shot down an Israeli drone over southern Lebanon and fired rockets at an Israeli military base on Saturday, hours after Israeli drone strikes killed at least one person and wounded several others. Hezbollah said in a statement that its fighters struck the Hermes 900 Kochav drone, saying such aircraft have been targeting militants and civilian homes. The exchange of fire along the Lebanon-Israel border has been intensifying over the past weeks with Israel's military push on Gaza's southern city of Rafah. The Israeli military said a surface-to-air missile was fired toward a drone operating in Lebanese airspace, adding that it was hit and fell in Lebanese territory. "The incident is under review," the military said. The Hermes 900 Kochav is a medium altitude, long-endurance drone that can carry four anti-tank guided missiles. Hezbollah said Saturday that its fighters also attacked an Israeli army base in the border town of Kiryat Shmona with Burkan rockets "scoring direct hits, igniting a fire and destroying part of it." Burkan rockets can carry a warhead that weighs between 300 kilograms and 500 kilograms. The Israeli army confirmed a rocket hit a military base in Kiryat Shmona, without giving details. Israeli media reported the rocket attack on Kiryat Shmona and released images showing significant damage to infrastructure. No casualties were reported. Earlier Saturday, an Israeli drone strike on a motorcycle near the southern Lebanese village of Khirbet Selm wounded two people, state-run National News Agency said. The agency reported another drone strike Saturday afternoon in a village near the southern city of Nabatiyeh. An Israeli airstrike on a house in the coastal village of Adloun killed one woman and wounded several others on Friday evening, the agency reported. Late Saturday night, Israel's warplanes attacked areas west of the northeastern city of Baalbek, slightly wounding two people and causing material damage, the agency said. Such strikes deep inside Lebanon and far away from the Israeli border have been rare since the latest round of fighting began nearly eight months ago. The Saturday night strike was about 100 kilometers from the Israeli border. Hezbollah began attacking Israeli military posts along the Lebanon-Israel border a day after the Israel-Hamas war broke out after the Hamas attack on October 7. Since then, tens of thousands of people have been displaced on both sides of the border. Over the past seven months, more than 400 people have been killed in Lebanon most of them fighters, but they also include more than 70 civilians and noncombatants. In Israel, 15 soldiers and 10 civilians have been killed since October. Since Hamas launched a terror attack October 7 on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages, Israel has embarked on an offensive to eliminate Hamas from Gaza. In recent weeks, Israel says its forces have killed 30,000 people, the majority of them combatants. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says nearly 36,300 people have died, most of them women and children, but does not estimate how many of the dead were combatants. The Maldives government will ban Israelis from the Indian Ocean archipelago, known for luxury resorts, as public anger in the predominantly Muslim nation rises over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The president's office said Sunday that the Cabinet decided to change laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the country and to establish a subcommittee to oversee the process. It said President Mohamed Muizu will appoint a special envoy to assess the Palestinian needs and to launch a fundraising campaign. Israels Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein said in response that the Foreign Ministry recommends Israelis avoid any travel to the Maldives, including those with foreign passports, and those currently there to consider leaving. The recommendation, the Israeli ministry said, includes Israelis with dual citizenship. The ministry said in a statement, "For Israeli citizens already in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, because if they find themselves in distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to assist." Nearly 11,000 Israelis visited Maldives last year, which was 0.6% of the total tourist arrivals. The mediators of the war in Gaza on Saturday called on Israel and Hamas to finalize the deal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden. In a joint statement, Qatar, the United States and Egypt said that "as mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees," they "call on both Hamas and Israel to finalize the agreement embodying the principles outlined" by Biden on Friday. Biden said the peace deal would involve an initial six-week cease-fire with a partial Israeli military withdrawal, and the release of some hostages, while "a permanent end to hostilities" is negotiated through mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his position Saturday, saying that Israels conditions for ending the war had not changed: "the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel." Two right-wing members of his Cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich threatened Saturday to bring down Netanyahus government if he were to agree to Bidens proposal. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to take the deal and offered to support the prime minister if Ben Gvir and Smotrich bolted. "I remind Netanyahu that he has our safety net for a hostage deal," Lapid said on the X platform, the former Twitter. The families of the hostages pressed Israel and Hamas to agree to the deal and rallied again on Saturday in Tel Aviv for the return of the hostages. For its part, Hamas said Friday it was ready to engage "positively and in a constructive manner." But senior official Mahmoud Mardawi said in a Qatari television interview that the group had not yet received the details of the proposal. "No agreement can be reached before the demand for the withdrawal of the occupation army and a cease-fire is met," he said. Hamas terms call for an end to the war and Israels full troop withdrawal from Gaza. US peace proposal Bidens three-phase cease-fire deal would begin with a six-week temporary pause in fighting, which he said would lead to a more permanent cessation of hostilities with Hamas. The first phase would include a "full and complete cease-fire," Biden said in remarks at the White House on Friday. That would mean the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all heavily populated areas of Gaza, the release of some hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded and American citizens, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Additionally, Israel would allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and the return of Palestinian citizens to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north. After the initial six-week pause in phase one, phase two would see Israeli forces withdrawing completely from Gaza, in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, including male Israeli soldiers. "Ill be honest with you, there are a number of things to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two," Biden cautioned. The president said that as long as negotiations continue, the cease-fire would hold, even if talks dragged out past the initial six weeks. He said mediators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar would continue until all parties are in agreement. In the third and final phase, a "major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence, and any final remains of hostages who've been killed will be returned to their families." Many details about the implementation of the agreement remain unclear. Biden envisioned the deal leading to a potential "historic" normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but it is not clear how and when this will be achieved. There is also lack of clarity as to who will govern Gaza, said Gerald Feierstein, director of the Middle East Institutes Arabian Peninsula Affairs Program. Fighting rages In southern Gaza, residents reported tank fire on Saturday in west Rafah and shelling in the east and central parts of the city. In northern Gaza, residents of Beit Hanun were told to evacuate. Beit Hanun is a 15-minute drive from Jabalia where Israeli troops have been carrying out a three-week ground operation, according to reports from Agence France-Presse. Cairo will host a meeting with Israeli and U.S. officials on Sunday to discuss reopening the Rafah crossing, according to Egypts Al Qahera TV. Israel seized the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings in early May. Both are along the Gaza-Egypt border. Kerem has been reopened, Israel says, but the U.N. says little to no humanitarian aid has gotten through. The two crossings are important ports of entry to food, fuel, medicine and other supplies. Since Hamas launched a terror attack October 7 on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages, Israel has embarked on an offensive to eliminate Hamas from Gaza. In recent weeks, Israel says its forces have killed 30,000 people, the majority of them combatants. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says 36,284 people have been killed, most of them women and children, but does not estimate how many of the dead were combatants. VOA United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. This week, we had a notable downtown business announce its final day, a nearby town saw its historic pool renovated and we got a behind the scenes look at a local vineyard. Hello A-J readers! The last week of the month always tends to be the busiest for business news. This week, we had a notable downtown business announce its final day, a nearby town saw its historic pool renovated and we got a behind-the-scenes look at a local vineyard. One of the most-read business articles from the week came from the closing announcement of Burklee Hill Vineyards, 1109 Broadway. The upscale restaurant had been a draw for downtown crowds for four years prior to its closing on June 1. While the physical location closed, the winery will continue its online presence at burkleehillvineyards.com "for some time into the future," according to the announcement. More: Downtown Lubbock winery, restaurant to close this weekend On a happier note, the community of Spur saw a promise completed on Memorial Day. Spur's Swenson Park Pool, which was built on land donated by Erick P. Swenson of Spur Ranch in 1936, reopened Monday after a 15-year hiatus. The pool's renovation was initially promised by Argo Blockchain in 2021 as they built Helios, a bitcoin mining facility in Dickens County. The facility was completed in May 2022, but was soon sold in December 2022 to Canada-based Galaxy Digital Holdings. The new owners upheld Argo's promise, and the pool's reopening had 167 people attend. More: Historic Spur pool reopens after Galaxy Digital Holdings follows through on promise Rounding out the week, we had a feature on Bingham Family Farms and Bingham Family Vineyards. Cliff Bingham explained how his family was among the first homesteaders around Meadow, and their journey into farming over the generations. And, of course, we had to talk about the 22 varieties of grapes and how they became a top Texas wine business. Going into next week, I'll be speaking with a local franchisee of my favorite place to get chili cheese fries. May has ended as well, so keep an eye out for the monthly business roundup. As always, thank you for reading and supporting the A-J. This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock business news includes wine, closures, pool On one side of the classroom, students circled teacher Maria Fletcher and practiced vowel sounds. In another corner, children read together from a book. Scattered elsewhere, students sat at laptop computers and got reading help from online tutors. For the third graders at Mount Vernon Community School in Virginia, it was an ordinary school day. But educators were racing to get students learning more, faster, and to overcome setbacks that have persisted since schools closed for the COVID-19 pandemic four years ago. America's schools have started to make progress toward getting students back on track. But improvement has been slow and uneven across geography and economic status, with millions of students often those from marginalized groups making up little or no ground. Nationally, students made up one-third of their pandemic losses in math during the past school year and one-quarter of the losses in reading, according to the Education Recovery Scorecard, an analysis of state and national test scores by researchers at Harvard and Stanford. But in nine states, including Virginia, reading scores continued to fall during the 2022-23 school year after previous decreases during the pandemic. Clouding the recovery is a looming financial crisis. States have used some money from the historic $190 billion in federal pandemic relief to help students catch up, but that money runs out later this year. "The recovery is not finished, and it won't be finished without state action," said Thomas Kane, a Harvard economist behind the scorecard. "States need to start planning for what they're going to do when the federal money runs out in September. And I think few states have actually started that discussion." Virginia lawmakers approved an extra $418 million last year to accelerate recovery. Massachusetts officials set aside $3.2 million to provide math tutoring for fourth and eighth grade students who are behind grade level, along with $8 million for literacy tutoring. But among other states with lagging progress, few said they were changing their strategies or spending more to speed up improvement. Virginia hired online tutoring companies and gave schools a "playbook" showing how to build effective tutoring programs. Lisa Coons, Virginia's superintendent of public instruction, said last year's state test scores were a wake-up call. "We weren't recovering as fast as we needed," Coons said in an interview. U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has called for states to continue funding extra academic help for students as the federal money expires. "We just can't stop now," he said at a May 30 conference for education journalists. "The states need to recognize these interventions work. Funding public education does make a difference." In Virginia, the Alexandria district received $2.3 million in additional state money to expand tutoring. At Mount Vernon, where classes are taught in English and Spanish, students are divided into groups and rotate through stations customized to their skill level. Those who need the most help get online tutoring. In Fletcher's classroom, a handful of students wore headsets and worked with tutors through Ignite Learning, one of the companies hired by the state. With tutors in high demand, the online option has been a big help, Mount Vernon principal Jennifer Hamilton said. "That's something that we just could not provide here," she said. Ana Marisela Ventura Moreno said her 9-year-old daughter, Sabrina, benefited significantly from extra reading help last year during second grade, but she's still catching up. "She needs to get better. She's not at the level she should be," the mother said in Spanish. She noted the school did not offer the tutoring help this year, but she did not know why. Alexandria education officials say students scoring below proficient or close to that cutoff receive high-intensity tutoring help and they have to prioritize students with the greatest needs. Alexandria trailed the state average on math and reading exams in 2023, but it's slowly improving. More worrying to officials are the gaps: Among poorer students at Mount Vernon, just 24% scored proficient in math and 28% hit the mark in reading. That's far lower than the rates among wealthier students, and the divide is growing wider. Failing to get students back on track could have serious consequences. The researchers at Harvard and Stanford found communities with higher test scores have higher incomes and lower rates of arrest and incarceration. If pandemic setbacks become permanent, it could follow students for life. The Education Recovery Scorecard tracks about 30 states, all of which made at least some improvement in math from 2022 to 2023. The states whose reading scores fell in that span, in addition to Virginia, were Nevada, California, South Dakota, Wyoming, Indiana, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Washington. Only a few states have rebounded to pre-pandemic testing levels. Alabama was the only state where math achievement increased past 2019 levels, while Illinois, Mississippi and Louisiana accomplished that in reading. In Chicago Public Schools, the average reading score went up by the equivalent of 70% of a grade level from 2022 to 2023. Math gains were less dramatic, with students still behind almost half a grade level compared with 2019. Chicago officials credit the improvement to changes made possible with nearly $3 billion in federal relief. The district trained hundreds of Chicago residents to work as tutors. Every school building got an interventionist, an educator who focuses on helping struggling students. The district also used federal money for home visits and expanded arts education in an effort to reengage students. "Academic recovery in isolation, just through 'drill and kill,' either tutoring or interventions, is not effective," said Bogdana Chkoumbova, the district's chief education officer. "Students need to feel engaged." At Wells Preparatory Elementary on the city's South Side, just 3% of students met state reading standards in 2021. Last year, 30% hit the mark. Federal relief allowed the school to hire an interventionist for the first time, and teachers get paid to team up on recovery outside working hours. In the classroom, the school put a sharper focus on collaboration. Along with academic setbacks, students came back from school closures with lower maturity levels, principal Vincent Izuegbu said. By building lessons around discussion, officials found students took more interest in learning. "We do not let 10 minutes go by without a teacher giving students the opportunity to engage with the subject," Izuegbu said. "That's very, very important in terms of the growth that we've seen." Olorunkemi Atoyebi was an A student before the pandemic, but after spending fifth grade learning at home, she fell behind. During remote learning, she was nervous about stopping class to ask questions. Before long, math lessons stopped making sense. When she returned to school, she struggled with multiplication and terms such as "dividend" and "divisor" confused her. While other students worked in groups, her math teacher took her aside for individual help. Atoyebi learned a rhyming song to help memorize multiplication tables. Over time, it began to click. "They made me feel more confident in everything," said Atoyebi, now 14. "My grades started going up. My scores started going up. Everything has felt like I understand it better." The war in Gaza will not end until Hamas is defeated, Israel said Saturday, contradicting terms for a cease-fire endorsed Friday by President Joe Biden and cautiously welcomed by Hamas. Biden said Friday a peace deal would involve an initial six-week cease-fire with a partial Israeli military withdrawal, and the release of some hostages, while "a permanent end to hostilities" is negotiated through mediators. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office on Saturday dismissed any idea that Israel would agree to a permanent cease-fire before "the destruction of Hamas' military and governing capabilities," saying such a proposal is "a non-starter." Two Israeli ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said Saturday they would bring down Netanyahus government if he were to agree with Bidens proposal. Hamas said Friday it was ready to engage "positively and in a constructive manner." But senior official Mahmoud Mardawi said in a Qatari television interview the group had not yet received the details of the proposal. "No agreement can be reached before the demand for the withdrawal of the occupation army and a cease-fire is met," he said. Hamass terms call for an end to the war and Israels full troop withdrawal from Gaza. Israel has said it will only suspend the war temporarily in exchange for hostages and then resume its campaign to eliminate Hamas. President Biden also said the U.S. proposal "creates a better 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power." He did not detail how that might be achieved, and the Iranian-backed Islamist group has given no indication it would step aside or disarm voluntarily. The families of the hostages pressed Israel and Hamas to agree to the deal, as did the three peace talks mediators, U.S., Egypt and Qatar, saying it offers a road map for a permanent cease-fire and ending the crisis. Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani expressed hope Saturday that all parties will deal positively with the principles of Bidens Gaza cease-fire proposal. Al Thani made the remarks during a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Qatar's state news agency said. U.S. peace proposal Bidens three-phase cease-fire deal would begin with a six-week temporary pause in fighting, which he said would lead to a more permanent cessation of hostilities with Hamas. The first phase would include a full and complete cease-fire, Biden said in remarks at the White House on Friday. That would mean the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all heavily populated areas of Gaza, the release of some hostages, including women, the elderly, the wounded and American citizens, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. Additionally, Israel would allow more humanitarian assistance into Gaza and the return of Palestinian citizens to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza, including in the north. After the initial six-week pause in phase one, phase two would see Israeli forces withdrawing completely from Gaza, in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, including male Israeli soldiers. Ill be honest with you, there are a number of things to be negotiated to move from phase one to phase two, Biden cautioned. The president said that as long as negotiations continue, the cease-fire would hold, even if talks dragged out past the initial six weeks, He said mediators from the United States, Egypt and Qatar would continue until all parties are in agreement. And as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, Biden said, the Israelis have agreed to turn the temporary pause into a cessation of hostilities permanently. In the third and final phase, a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence, and any final remains of hostages who've been killed will be returned to their families. While Biden described the plan as a comprehensive new proposal by Israel, except for the maintenance of a cease-fire while talks are ongoing, the plan does not appear to be fundamentally different from a past proposal that Hamas accepted, and Israel rejected. Many details about the implementation of the agreement remain unclear. Biden envisioned the deal leading to a potential historic normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, but it is not clear how and when this will be achieved. There is also lack of clarity as to who will govern Gaza, said Gerald Feierstein, director of the Middle East Institutes Arabian Peninsula Affairs Program. If there is a firm principle that Hamas itself will not be the governing authority in Gaza after Israeli withdrawal, if they're not going to provide security, then who is? What exactly is the nature of a follow-on Palestinian authority? he said to VOA. Since Hamas launched a terror attack October 7 on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages, Israel has embarked on an offensive to eliminate Hamas from Gaza. In recent weeks, Israel says its forces have killed 30,000 people, the majority of them combatants. The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says 36,284 people have been killed, most of them women and children, but does not estimate how many of the dead were combatants. United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some material was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Nigeria's government is cracking down on illegal mining, making dozens of arrests of unlicensed miners since April for allegedly stealing the country's lithium, a critical mineral used in batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones and power systems. The recent arrests come as Nigeria seeks to regulate its mining operations of critical minerals, curb illegal activity and better benefit from its mineral resources. The clean energy transition, a shift away from coal, oil and gas and toward renewable energy and batteries has spiked global demand for lithium, tin and other minerals. Illegal mines are rife in the country's fledging industry as corruption among regulatory officials is common and the mineral deposits are located in remote areas with minimal government presence. Officials say profits from illicit mining practices has helped arm militia groups in the north of the county. In the most recent arrests in mid-May, a joint team of soldiers and police conducted a raid on a remote market in Kishi, in the country's southwestern Oyo State. Locals said the market, once known for selling farm produce, has become a center for illicit trade in lithium mined in hard-to-reach areas. The three-day operation resulted in the arrest of 32 individuals, including two Chinese nationals, local workers and mineral traders, according to the state government and locals. Loads of lithium were also seized. Jimoh Bioku, a Kishi community leader, said there had been "clandestine searches" for the mineral at remote sites tucked away in the bush in the past years by Chinese nationals before "they engaged people to dig for them and turned the market into a transit point." The community was "particularly worried about the insecurity that usually follows illegal mining and that was why we reported to the state government," he said. China is the dominant player in the global EV supply chain, including in Nigeria where China-owned companies employ mostly vulnerable people leaving Nigeria's far north ravaged by conflicts and rapid desertification to work in mining operations throughout the country. China's nationals and companies are frequently in the spotlight for environmentally damaging practices, exploitative labor and illicit mining. There have been at least three cases of illegal mining arrests involving Chinese nationals in two months. President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly blamed illegal mining for the worsening conflicts in the country's north and asked the international community for help to stop the problem, which provides armed groups with the proceeds needed to sustain and arm themselves. The Chinese Embassy in Abuja did not respond to an Associated Press request for comment on the arrests and claims of illegal operations. But in a statement last year following a report by The Times of London alleging Chinese miners were bribing militants for access, the embassy said it "always encouraged and urged the Chinese companies and nationals in Nigeria to abide by the laws and regulations of Nigeria." Nigeria is emerging as a new source of lithium in Africa as the world's largest producers, like Australia and Chile, are unable to fulfill the growing demand worldwide. But illegal activities thrive in Nigeria's extractive sector, denying the government due revenues, said Emeka Okoro, whose Lagos-based SBM Intelligence firm has researched illicit mining and terrorism financing in northern Nigeria. And the combination of conflict and climate change effects, such as once fertile land rapidly turning into useless arid sand in northern Nigeria, has produced a cheap workforce for mining sites. The arrests of "both Chinese nationals and young Hausa boys from conflict-affected regions underscore a troubling pattern," Okoro told the AP. "The socioeconomic strain stemming from conflict and the repercussions of climate change has given rise to a vulnerable demographic desperate for survival." To fight resource theft that causes losses of $9 billion to the government annually, according to the country's extractive industry transparency watchdog, the West African nation has set up a 2,200-strong "corps of mining marshals" earlier in the year. While existing law enforcement agencies are still combating the problem, the new corps is geared at curbing "the nefarious activities of illegal miners," said Segun Tomori, spokesperson for the solid minerals ministry. Before the Kishi raid, the mining corps arrested two trucks laden with lithium on the outskirts of the capital Abuja in April. Later that month, the corps raided a location in Karu, Nasarawa State, near Abuja, leading to the arrest of four Chinese nationals and the seizure of tons of lithium. Tomori said the cases are now in court. On April 22, a federal court in Ilorin, in the north-central region, convicted two Chinese nationals for illegal mining and sentenced them to a one-year jail term, although with an option of a fine. Nigeria has long neglected the solid minerals sector, which allows some communities like the northern-central town of Jos which is tin-abundant to depend on subsistence mining for their livelihood. For those communities where livelihood is tied to mining, Tomori said the government is encouraging artisanal miners there to form cooperatives and operate legally. Nigeria adopted a new national anthem Wednesday after lawmakers passed a law that replaced the current one with a version dropped nearly a half-century ago, sparking widespread criticism about how the law was hastily passed without much public input. President Bola Tinubu's assent to the law comes a day after it was approved by both chambers of Nigeria's National Assembly, which is dominated by the governing party. The federal lawmakers introduced and passed the bill in less than a week, an unusually fast process for important bills that usually take weeks or months to be considered. The Arise, O Compatriots anthem being replaced had been in use since 1978, when it was introduced by the military government. The anthem was composed at a time when the country was reeling from a deadly civil war and calls on Nigerians to "serve our fatherland with love and strength" and not to let "the labor of our heroes past (to be) in vain." The new version that takes immediate effect was first introduced in 1960 when Nigeria gained independence from Britain before it was dropped by the military. Titled Nigeria We Hail Thee, it was written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who was living in Nigeria at the time. The new anthem was played publicly for the first time at a legislative session attended by Tinubu, who marked his one year in office as president Wednesday. Many Nigerians, however, took to social media to say they won't be singing the new national anthem, among them Oby Ezekwesili, a former education minister and presidential aspirant who said that the new law shows that the country's political class doesn't care about the public interest. "In a 21st Century Nigeria, the country's political class found a colonial National Anthem that has pejorative words like "Native Land" and "Tribes" to be admirable enough to foist on our Citizens without their consent," Ezekwesili posted on X. Supporters of the new anthem, however, argued it was wrong for the country to have adopted an anthem introduced by the military. "Anthems are ideological recitations that help the people to be more focused. It was a very sad development for the military to have changed the anthem," public affairs analyst Frank Tietie said. North Korea launched hundreds of more trash-carrying balloons toward the South after a similar campaign a few days earlier, according to South Korea's military, in what Pyongyang calls retaliation for activists flying anti-North Korean leaflets across the border. Between Saturday night and Sunday morning, about 600 balloons flown from North Korea have been found in various parts of South Korea. The balloons carried cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, waste paper and vinyl, but no dangerous substances were included, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said Sunday. The military advised people to beware of falling objects and not to touch objects suspected to be from North Korea but report them to military or police offices instead. There have been no reports of injuries or damage. In Seoul, the city government sent text alerts saying that unidentified objects suspected to be flown from North Korea were detected in skies near the city and that the military was responding to them. The North's balloon launches added to a recent series of provocative steps, which include its failed spy satellite launch and and a barrage of short-range missiles launches that the North said was intended to demonstrate its ability to attack the South preemptively. South Korea's military dispatched chemical rapid response and explosive clearance teams to recover the debris from some 260 North Korean balloons that were found in various parts of the country from Tuesday night to Wednesday. The military said the balloons carried various types of trash and manure but no dangerous substances like chemical, biological or radioactive materials. Some of the balloons were found with timers that suggested they were designed to pop the bags of trash midair. In a statement on Wednesday, Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, confirmed that the North sent the balloons to make good on her country's recent threat to "scatter mounds of wastepaper and filth" in South Korea in response to leafleting campaigns by South Korean activists. She hinted that balloons could become the North's standard response to leafletting moving forward, saying that the North would respond by "scattering rubbish dozens of times more than those being scattered to us." South Korea's Unification Ministry said Friday that North Korea must stop the provocations also including its missile launches and other acts or face unspecified "unbearable" consequences. South Korea's military has said it has no plans to shoot down the balloons, citing concerns about causing damage or the possibility that they might contain dangerous substances. Firing at balloons near the border would also risk triggering a retaliation from the North at a time of high tensions. "(We) decided it was best to let the balloons drop and recover them safely," Lee Sung Joon, spokesperson of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, said during a briefing Thursday. North Korea is extremely sensitive about any outside attempt to undermine Kim Jong Un's absolute control over the country's 26 million people, most of whom have little access to foreign news. In 2020, North Korea blew up an empty South Korean-built liaison office on its territory after a furious response to South Korean civilian leafleting campaigns. In 2014, North Korea fired at propaganda balloons flying toward its territory and South Korea returned fire, though there were no casualties. In 2022, North Korea even suggested that balloons flown from South Korea had caused a COVID-19 outbreak in the isolated nation, a highly questionable claim that appeared to be an attempt to blame the South for worsening inter-Korean relations. The White House sent an unofficial delegation to attend the inauguration of Taiwans new president on May 20. Richard Armitage, former deputy secretary of state, was among the delegates. VOA spoke with Armitage about his trip to Taiwan, U.S. support for the self-governing island, Chinas aggression in the region and its ties with Russia. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. VOA: During your visit to Taiwan, you met with the new president, Lai Ching-te, and other new government officials. What message did you bring to Taiwan? And what did you discuss there? Richard Armitage, former U.S. deputy secretary of state: The obvious message we brought to Taiwan was a bipartisan support for Taiwan's democracy. I had met Dr. Lai before. I had the opportunity to have dinner with him, discuss the situation in the region, and the pressures put forward by the mainland, and obviously also had lunch with [former President Tsai Ing-wen] where we could tell her how happy we were after her eight fantastic years of the presidency. And now she's going to be free. VOA: Three days after President Lai took office, China conducted the military drills encircling Taiwan and called them a punishment for separatist acts. How to interpret the military drills and China's message? Armitage: That type of exercise, punishment exercise, was expected. The inauguration speech of Lai was fantastic. And, in my view, Chinese probably understood one of the many things Dr. Lai said was China must quit intimidating Taiwan. And also, on the other hand, Lai said, we are open for dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and dignity, thereby putting Taiwan on the high road. And I think China was not expecting it, didn't know quite how to respond. So, they did, as they usually do, by a heavy-handed bullying activity. VOA: Given China's growing military might and its proximity to Taiwan, what kind of position does it put the U.S. in in terms of defending Taiwan? Armitage: Taiwans geographic position in the world is the definition of tyranny by proximity, and Taiwan has to live with this. But while China is busy bullying Taiwan, if you look around the world, more and more people are speaking up for Taiwan, even in the WHA [World Health Assembly]. Many people spoke up for Taiwan, I believe, more than ever before. China has not understood that the more China bullies Taiwan, the more international support comes to Taiwan. VOA: Do you think Taiwan should upgrade its military assets? Or what kind of military assets do you think Taiwan should have to deter China's aggression? Armitage: First of all, Taiwan has to concentrate on what we've seen is effective in Ukraine - drones, things of that nature, sort of unconventional, asymmetrical warfare. Air defense, Patriot missiles, things of that nature. And hopefully, the monies that the U.S. Congress voted for Taiwan defense will be used wisely and well. But ultimately, Taiwan has to come up with a way to come up to 100% manning level for their soldiers. The report submitted to the LY [Legislative Yuan] by Taiwan this week shows Taiwan is at about 80% of their needs. So, I think, this means more and more women should come into the force. More and more Taiwan citizens have to be able to respect those who choose to serve for the defense of Taiwan. VOA: Russia's President Vladimir Putin recently visited China after he began a fifth term. How concerned are you about the deepening ties between Russia and China? Armitage: I'm concerned. Because when I look at Russia and China, I also see North Korea and Iran. And facing those four in Asia is a new situation we haven't had before. So, am I concerned? Yes. Am I overly concerned? No. My understanding is, Putin was not entirely pleased with what happened on his trip to Beijing. He didn't get everything he wanted. VOA: Do you hope that China can do more to actually help solve the conflict in the region? Armitage: You're talking about Ukraine? I certainly would like to see China live up to what should be her responsibility for an area of conflict that worries the whole world. But I don't see China in a hurry to do it. China always says that "We always respect territorial integrity and sovereignty," and here, Russia has violated the sovereignty of Ukraine, and China - silent. VOA: The Philippines now is facing a more increasingly assertive China in its behavior and actions in the region. What do you make of China's behaviors in the region? Armitage: China, first of all, has always said, "No one's going to have joint patrols to assist Philippines." They were wrong. China has not clearly understood that in our mutual defense treaty between the United States and the Philippines, Scarborough Shoal, Second Thomas reef, these are areas that fall under our responsibilities. China has to be very careful. Look what's happened in the last year: People who were not very interested historically, in security terms, in the Taiwan Strait have all of a sudden become very interested. Canadians, French, Germans, British and always the United States, were all patrolling around the area. Its been brought about by China. It wasn't brought about by the Philippines, wasn't brought about by Taiwan. It wasn't brought about by Japan. It's because of the behavior of China. VOA: Among all the areas of conflict, which area do you think poses the biggest threat to the U.S. leadership in the world? Armitage: Probably the Russia attack on Ukraine, because we [the U.S.] are so invested in Ukraine. ... But I think any foreign policy specialist in the U.S. would not try to rank things in order of importance. Our attention, our interests are global. And therefore, to put one situation above another is to invite problems in those areas that are not number one. If you remember in 1950, our secretary of state famously said that Korea was outside the defense perimeter of the United States. And what happened? Several months later, North Korea invaded. So, I would say it's bad business to try to put anything in an order. Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report. The final results of a tumultuous South African election were declared late Sunday, confirming that the governing party lost its majority for the first time. A former South African president once boasted that the African National Congress would rule "until Jesus comes back. Theres a joke now doing the rounds in South Africa that Jesus must have returned, given the bashing the party took in general elections this week. In a seismic political shift, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time, getting just 40 percent of the vote. It was a chastened ANC when the partys secretary-general Fikile Mbalula made the first public remarks since the vote, acknowledging that there was nothing to celebrate but It is the will of the people, and that is what we must accept." The African National Congress commends the people of South Africa for once again demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our democracy. The results send a clear message to the ANC. We wish to assure the people of South Africa that we have heard them, we have heard their concerns, their frustrations and their dissatisfaction, Mbalula said. Mbalula stressed that contrary to some reports the party would not be asking President Cyril Ramaphosa to step down. In terms of who the ANC might now go into coalition with, he said they were engaging with other parties, without specifying. David Everatt, a professor at Johannesburgs Wits School of Governance said he suspected almost everything was still on the table in terms of coalitions. The party that got the second largest amount of votes, at over 21 percent, was the Democratic Alliance, or DA, which the business-minded would prefer to see in a coalition. However, some in the ANC might balk at going into an alliance with them as they are seen as a white party, and prefer to go with a radical party like the Economic Freedom Fighters, he said. The political arithmetic is being recalibrated almost hourlywell have final results by the end of today, being Sunday, and after that they have to horse-trade very quickly, because they dont have very long before we have to form, or they have to form, a government, he said. One of the main upsets of the election was newly formed party uMkhonto weSizwe, or MK, led by former President Jacob Zuma. Coming in with around 14 percent of the votes, MK ate into some of the ANCs support. Ironically it was Zuma who made the comment about the ANC governing until Jesus returns. Zuma, 82, has an axe to grind with the ANC, after it forced him to resign from the presidency in 2018 amid corruption scandals. On Saturday, the former ANC stalwart-turned-disrupter called for a delay in the official declaration of results, alleging rigging and demanding a re-count. He provided no proof for this claim, and the election on Wednesday has been widely praised as free and fair. However Zuma intimated there could be violence if the announcement of official results went ahead as planned, said Everatt. This is not a democrat, this is an autocrat who is threatening violence to try to get what he wants, he said. However the electoral commission said while they were dealing with challenges to the vote, the announcement would go ahead Sunday night at a conference center in Johannesburg. President Ramaphosa has confirmed his attendance. The teacher's opening question to students in Stockholm is blunt: "Has joining NATO increased the threat to Sweden?" Sweden became the Western military alliance's 32nd member in March. The abrupt end to the Scandinavian country's 200 years of neutrality following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and officials' warnings about the Russian threat to Sweden itself, worry many. Teenagers are no exception. Masai Bjorkwall helped design a national program to educate students on the history and geopolitics of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after students at Viktor Rydberg Junior High School earlier this year anxiously asked if war might come to Sweden. Their fears had been sparked by comments from the country's top military commander and the civil defense minister that there was a risk of war and that Swedes must prepare. The statements spread quickly, and the national children's help line reported an increase in questions about war. Sweden's last war ended in 1814. "Of course we have to deal with the students' worries about risk for conflict and war, and explain why we joined. We have had the policy of neutrality for so long, several hundred years," Bjorkwall said. "So I have to teach about what has happened in the world, what has changed that made us change our policy." For teens unfamiliar with NATO, war and world politics, Bjorkwall's new syllabus seeks to demystify topics his students see online. One lesson included a discussion of the implications of NATO's Article 5, the alliance's collective defense clause under which an attack against one ally is considered an attack against all allies. The discussion stressed that the clause doesn't lead to an automatic military response. Student Linnea Ekman didn't see any increased threat, pointing out that Article 5 does not require sending troops. Another student, Edith Maxence, was concerned about the world becoming more divided as Sweden takes sides. "I feel safe that Sweden is with NATO, but I feel unsafe that (...) it might start a war," said the 14-year-old. She isn't alone. Children's Rights in Society, which runs the national child help line, has seen increasing numbers of calls from children asking whether NATO membership increases the risk to Sweden. Callers rarely asked about war before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But the secretary-general of BRIS, Magnus Jagerskog, said that nearly 20% of calls were about war in the week after military chief Micael Byden and Civil Defense Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin made their comments in January highlighting the risk. Addressing such concerns is where the program Bjorkwall helped design comes in. Together with UR, a publicly funded civic education agency that creates educational content for teachers and students, he and others produced a series of video programs on NATO along with teaching materials. Launched in March, these programs have now reached an estimated 100,000 Swedish children. For his final-year students, Bjorkwall has a more challenging question: Should Sweden align with authoritarian countries? He uses as examples Turkey and Hungary NATO allies that delayed Sweden's membership for months after Nordic neighbor Finland had joined. The class is divided, with nearly half of the students unsure. "We found it hard to make one conclusion," said 15-year-old Adam Sahlen but acknowledged that "the military gets stronger and better if we cooperate with others, especially Turkey for example." Bjorkwall said he's careful to avoid advocating one position over another: "I want them to be mature, democratic citizens that can vote consciously later on." Tehran summoned Sweden's temporary charge d'affaires over "baseless & spiteful accusations," the foreign ministry said Sunday, after Stockholm's intelligence agency said Iran was "using criminal networks" inside the Scandinavian country to attack Israel and its interests. The Swedish diplomat was summoned by the assistant of the foreign ministry's general directorate for Western Europe, the ministry posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter. Iran's embassy in Stockholm had already denied accusations Friday that Tehran was recruiting criminal gang members as proxies to commit "acts of violence" against Israeli interests in Sweden. That came in reply to Sweden's intelligence agency saying the day prior that Iran was "using criminal networks in Sweden to carry out acts of violence against other states, groups or people in Sweden that it considers a threat." The service, commonly known as SAPO, said these were particularly aimed at "Israeli and Jewish interests, targets and operations in Sweden." Shortly before SAPO's announcement, Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter cited documents from Israel's Mossad intelligence agency as saying the heads of two Swedish gangs had been recruited by the Iranian regime. Iran has previously used violence in other countries in Europe in a bid to silence critical voices and perceived threats against its regime," SAPO said. The diplomatic spat comes two weeks after nighttime gunfire was reported outside the Israel Embassy in Stockholm, and three months after police found a live grenade lying on the grounds of the Israeli compound. "Sweden will not be a platform where state actors use criminal networks to promote their own interests," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said Thursday in remarks emailed to AFP. The Iranian Embassy on Friday rejected the accusations. "Unfortunately, some Swedish media have quoted the false and baseless claims of media and institutions affiliated with this brutal regime (Israel) and published false and fabricated reports against the Islamic Republic of Iran," the embassy said in a statement. The embassy said it "expects the Swedish media not to trust the claims and reports published by the Israeli regime" and to work for "an end to the crimes of the Zionist regime in Palestine." Tensions have flared between Israel and Iran since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7. Emergency power shutdowns were implemented across Ukraine Sunday, a day after Russia pummeled the countrys energy infrastructure with 100 drones and missiles and claimed it made territorial gains in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region. At least 19 people were injured in Saturdays massive attacks. Without adequate air defenses to counter incessant Russian assaults and to allow for repairs on Ukraines energy system in recent weeks, Kyiv has had to enforce nationwide rolling blackouts to compensate for energy shortages during the hot days of summer and the bitter-cold winter. Russia claimed Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Umanske in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region while also making incursions in Ukraines northern Sumy and Chernihiv areas. In Russia, at least six people were injured from Ukrainian shelling in the city of Shebekino in the Belgorod region that borders Ukraine, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Sunday. Gladkov also said that a local official, the deputy head of the Korochansky district, had been killed by detonation of ammunition." In the neighboring Kursk region, three people were injured Sunday when an explosive device was dropped from a drone, according to acting regional head Alexey Smirnov. China spurns Ukraine peace summit China said Friday it would be hard to meet calls for discussions on the Russia-Ukraine war, citing problems with arrangements that seem to indicate Beijings strongly pro-Moscow stance. There is still a clear gap between the arrangements for the meeting and the demands of the Chinese side, as well as the general expectations of the international community, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, without providing further details. Mao said China has informed parties concerned about our considerations and concerns and would keep in touch with all parties concerned. China claims neutrality in the conflict but has strongly backed Russia and recently hosted President Vladimir Putin on a state visit. In an interview with Chinas official Xinhua News Agency released Wednesday, Putin hailed his ties with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, saying, President Xi maintains a respectful, friendly, open and at the same time business-like style of communication. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China Sunday of helping Russia to disrupt a Swiss-organized peace conference taking place later this month on the war in Ukraine. Speaking at Asias premier security conference, Zelenskyy said that China is pressuring other countries and their leaders not to attend the talks, set for June 15-16, but he did not specify which ones. Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit, he said at a news conference at the Shangri-La defense forum. Regrettably, this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin. Despite its proclaimed neutrality, Chinas trade with Russia has grown, allowing Moscow to weather Western economic sanctions. Ukrainian, U.S. and other intelligence agencies also say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbor. Switzerland was hoping China would attend the peace summit in mid-June, but the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson indicated Friday that that was unlikely. China has been calling for a peace conference with equal participation of all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited. Russia also has called Zelenskyys peace plan outlining the Russian withdrawal from Ukrainian territories a non-starter. Zelenskyy was to visit Manila late Sunday, Rappler news site reported, quoting diplomatic sources. There was no immediate confirmation from the Philippine president's office or the Philippine foreign ministry. Zelenskyy would be coming from Singapore, where he made a surprise appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue. This is his second visit to Asia since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. NATO-Russia Separately, NATO's decision to strengthen Europes northern and eastern flank is aimed at securing its borders from Russian expansionism, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Sunday, adding that it should be clear to Moscow that the alliance will be ready to defend itself if necessary. Speaking at the Eastern German Economic Forum that Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte also attended, Scholz said Germany has played a leading role in NATO's presence in the Baltics on Russia's border, stretching back nearly a decade. "And because the threat from Russia will continue, we and other allies decided last year to deploy additional units to the Baltic states and to station an entire brigade there permanently in future," Scholz said, according to a speech manuscript. "But this turnaround in security policy is necessary to show Russia: We are prepared to defend every square inch of NATO territory against attacks." Putin warned NATO members recently against allowing Ukraine to use Western made weapons on Russian territory, after several Western allies lifted restrictions imposed on the use of arms they supplied to Kyiv. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday dismissed Russian threats, saying the alliance had heard them many times before and self-defense was not escalation. Some material came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. Key Insights Using the 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity, Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad fair value estimate is RM1.43 Current share price of RM1.81 suggests Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad is potentially 27% overvalued Analyst price target for MRDIY is RM2.12, which is 48% above our fair value estimate Does the June share price for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad (KLSE:MRDIY) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Models like these may appear beyond the comprehension of a lay person, but they're fairly easy to follow. We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Check out our latest analysis for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad Is Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad Fairly Valued? We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. 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) RM675.0m RM824.4m RM916.5m RM988.8m RM1.05b RM1.11b RM1.17b RM1.22b RM1.28b RM1.33b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Analyst x4 Est @ 7.88% Est @ 6.58% Est @ 5.67% Est @ 5.04% Est @ 4.59% Est @ 4.28% Est @ 4.06% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 10% RM611 RM676 RM681 RM665 RM642 RM615 RM585 RM554 RM523 RM493 ("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St) Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM6.0b Story continues We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 10%. Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033 (1 + g) (r g) = RM1.3b (1 + 3.6%) (10% 3.6%) = RM20b Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM20b ( 1 + 10%)10= RM7.4b The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is RM13b. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of RM1.8, the company appears slightly overvalued at the time of writing. Remember though, that this is just an approximate valuation, and like any complex formula - garbage in, garbage out. dcf The Assumptions The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. If you don't agree with these result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) 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 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.081. 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 Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad Strength Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry. Debt is not viewed as a risk. Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows. Weakness Earnings growth over the past year is below its 5-year average. Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Specialty Retail market. Expensive based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value. Opportunity Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market. Threat Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market. Moving On: Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" If a company grows at a different rate, or if its cost of equity or risk free rate changes sharply, the output can look very different. Why is the intrinsic value lower than the current share price? For Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad, there are three additional factors you should look at: Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 1 warning sign for Mr D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad you should know about. Future Earnings: How does MRDIY's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered! PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the KLSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. In 2021, the Biden administration turned down a meeting request with El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, on a trip to Washington, snubbing the self-proclaimed "world's coolest dictator" for fear a photo op would embolden his attempts to expand his power base. A little more than three years later, it's the United States that's courting Bukele. A high-level delegation led by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and senior White House and State Department officials, attended Bukele's inauguration in San Salvador on Saturday to a second term. The visit caps a quiet, 180-degree shift in Washington's policy toward the small Central American nation of 6 million that reflects how the Biden administration's criticisms of Bukele's strong-armed governing style have been overtaken by more urgent concerns tied to immigration a key issue in this year's U.S. presidential election. "They've realized what he's been doing works," Damian Merlo, an American adviser to Bukele who is registered to lobby on the Salvadoran government's behalf, said in an interview from El Salvador. "If the U.S. is serious about wanting to address the root causes of migration, then Bukele is someone who has actually done it." The 42-year-old Bukele, who was reelected with 85% of the vote, has been wildly popular at home for his frontal attack on powerful gangs, which has converted what was once the world's murder capital into one of Latin America's safest countries. The improvement in public security is credited with a more than 60% drop in migration from the Central American country to the U.S. since Bukele took office in 2019 a stark contrast with a growing exodus of migrants from other parts of Latin America. "We conquered fear, and today are truly a free nation," Bukele said in a speech Saturday to hundreds of supporters from the balcony of the National Palace after being sworn in for a second, five-year term. Cured of what he called the cancer of gang violence, he said that his next term would be devoted to strengthening El Salvador's economy, vowing to apply the same independent, unconventional approach that has characterized his rule and won him admirers from conservatives throughout Latin America. "I'm not here to do what others think I should do. I'm here to do what's best for our country," he said. Until recently, Bukele's crackdown on the gangs as well as political opponents had drawn fire from Washington. A state of emergency originally declared in 2022 and still in effect has been used to round up 78,175 suspected gang members in sweeps that rights groups say are often arbitrary, based on a person's appearance or where they live. The government has had to release about 7,000 people because of a lack of evidence. After Biden took office, the U.S. sanctioned several of Bukele's top aides on allegations of corruption and shifted foreign assistance from government agencies to civil society groups highly critical of Bukele. The about-face, observers say, started a little more than a year ago when Biden sent William Duncan, a career diplomat, to San Salvador as U.S. ambassador. Then, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Salvadoran Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill in Washington. Bukele, who in the past praised former U.S. President Donald Trump and cozied up to China, has also avoided direct confrontation. "Migration trumps everything else," said Michael Shifter, a former president of Inter-American Dialogue in Washington. "The ideal Latin American partner would be effective in its security policy while respecting human rights norms and practices and cooperating with the U.S. on migration. But rarely do all these desirable things go together, which poses tough choices for U.S. policymakers." The U.S. State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But Ricardo Zuniga, a retired U.S. diplomat who handled migration talks with Central America in the early days of the Biden administration, said that Washington may come to regret its recent embrace of Bukele. "Bukele will be in power for many years to come, so you need to have a working relationship," he said. "But you also have to be clear eyed. This is an authoritarian government ruled by a single party that is not sympathetic to U.S. strategic interests." If Hamas agrees to the Israeli proposed truce on Gaza, the United States expects that Israel will accept the plan, said White House national security spokesperson John Kirby on Sunday. "This was an Israeli proposal. We have every expectation that if Hamas agrees to the proposal as was transmitted to them, an Israeli proposal then Israel would say yes," Kirby said in an interview on ABC News' "This Week" program. Peace mediators from Egypt, Qatar and the U.S. have called on both sides to agree to a cease-fire and hostage release deal outlined by U.S. President Joe Biden Friday. Israel's defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said on Sunday that Israel would not accept Hamas continuing to rule Gaza at any stage during the peace process and that it was examining alternatives to the Islamist group. "While we conduct our important military actions, the defense establishment is simultaneously assessing a governing alternative to Hamas," Gallant said in a statement. "We will isolate areas [in Gaza], remove Hamas operatives from these areas and introduce forces that will enable an alternative government to form an alternative that threatens Hamas," Gallant said. Gallant did not elaborate on possible alternatives. Israel's war Cabinet, of which Gallant is a member, was expected to meet later in the day, Israeli media reported, after President Biden presented a framework deal for winding down the war in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Saturday that "Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel." Domestic divisions Netanyahu faces a fractured right-wing coalition government and intense domestic pressure from opposing sides in his country on Israels plan for Gaza and Hamas. Two right-wing members of his Cabinet, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, threatened Saturday to bring down Netanyahus government if he agreed to Bidens proposal. Opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Netanyahu to take the deal and offered to support the prime minister if Ben Gvir and Smotrich bolted. "I remind Netanyahu that he has our safety net for a hostage deal," Lapid said on the X platform, the former Twitter. The families of the hostages pressed Israel and Hamas to agree to the deal. Tens of thousands of protesters rallied again on Saturday in Tel Aviv for the return of the hostages. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said on Sunday he had told Netanyahu, ... I will give him and the government my full support for a deal which will see the release of the hostages." "It is our inherent obligation to bring them home within the framework of a deal that preserves the security interests of the State of Israel," Herzog said in an address at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Palestinian militant group Hamas, meanwhile, said it "views positively" what Biden on Friday described as the Israeli plan. However, senior Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi said Saturday in a Qatari television interview, "No agreement can be reached before the demand for the withdrawal of the occupation army and a cease-fire is met," calling for an end to the war and Israels full troop withdrawal from Gaza. 'Time for the war to end' President Biden said Friday the peace deal would involve an initial six-week cease-fire with a partial Israeli military withdrawal, and the release of some hostages, while "a permanent end to hostilities" is negotiated through mediators. "It's time for this war to end, for the day after to begin," he said. Netanyahu has insisted that according to the "exact outline proposed by Israel," the transition from one phase to the next was "conditional" and drafted to allow it to maintain its war aims. Fierce fighting Across Gaza, the military said Sunday it struck "30 terror targets, including military infrastructure, weapons storage facilities and armed terrorist cells that posed a threat to IDF [army] ground troops." In Gazas southern border city of Rafah, fierce fighting continues despite concerns for displaced civilians sheltering in the city. Before the Rafah offensive began on May 7, the United Nations said up to 1.4 million people were sheltering there. Since then, one million have fled the area, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA. Israeli Apache attack helicopters targeted areas of central Rafah Sunday; a jet fired a missile at a house in the western Tel al-Sultan district and artillery shelling targeted the southern Brazil neighborhood, witnesses said. Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli helicopters fired at targets in Gaza City's Zeitun and Sabra areas, and an airstrike hit a house in the city's east, AFP reporters said. Three people were killed, including a woman and a child, when an airstrike hit a family apartment in Gaza City's Daraj neighborhood, a hospital medic said. Artillery shelling also targeted areas of Deir al-Balah and the Bureij and Nuseirat camps, witnesses said. The Israeli seizure of the Rafah crossing has further slowed sporadic aid deliveries for Gaza's 2.4 million people and effectively shuttered the territory's main exit point. Cairo hosted a meeting with Israeli and U.S. officials on Sunday to discuss reopening the Rafah crossing, according to Egypts Al Qahera TV. Israel seized the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings in early May. Both are along the Gaza-Egypt border. Kerem has been reopened, Israel says, but the U.N. says little to no humanitarian aid has gotten through. The two crossings are important ports of entry to food, fuel, medicine and other supplies. Israel's defense ministry body overseeing civilian affairs in the Palestinian territories, COGAT, also said that 764 Egyptian trucks had crossed into Gaza over the past week through the Kerem Shalom crossing. Hamas launched a terror attack October 7 on Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking roughly 250 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive have killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The health ministry does not estimate how many of the dead were combatants. Some material was provided by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters. High-ranking military officials from the U.S. and its top African allies watched intently as dust and flames shot up from pieces of the Sahara Desert hit by tank and artillery fire. They looked up as pilots flew F-16s into formation. And they listened intently as Moroccan and American personnel explained how they would set up beachheads to defend the Atlantic coastline in the event of a potential invasion. The practice scenario was among those discussed during Africa Lion, the United States' largest annual joint military exercise on the continent, which concluded Friday in Morocco. Over the past two weeks, roughly 8,100 military forces from nearly three dozen countries maneuvered throughout Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal and Morocco as part of the war games held this year as militaries confront new challenges in increasingly volatile regions. Generals from the United States and Morocco, which hosted the finale of the two-week event, celebrated Africa Lion's 20-year anniversary and how partnerships between the U.S. and African militaries have expanded since it began. "This exercise has grown over the years since 2004, not only have the number of multinational service members that we train with, but also the scope of the training as well, which has expanded to more than just security," said General Michael Langley, the head of the United States' Africa Command. But despite the spectacle of live-fire demonstrations and laudatory remarks about partnerships by Langley and Colonel Major Fouad Gourani of Morocco's Royal Armed Forces, parts of Africa are getting much more dangerous. The United Nations earlier this year called Africa a "global epicenter for terrorism." Fatalities linked to extremist groups have risen dramatically in the Sahel, the region that stretches from Mauritania to Chad. Since 2020, military officers disillusioned with their governments' records of stemming violence have overthrown democratically elected governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and began distancing themselves from Western powers. From 2021 to 2024, militants killed more than 17,000 people across the three countries, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. The United States is holding steadfast to its strategy of coupling weapons assistance and intelligence sharing with initiatives designed to boost civilian populations and strengthen institutions. But it faces new competition. Decades after the end of colonialism, Africa has once again become absorbed in fighting among Great Powers, with Western influence waning and countries accepting more economic and military support from Chinese firms and Russian contractors. At Africa Lion, the U.S. military showcased part of what it offers countries facing instability inside and just beyond their borders. Besides tanks and bombers, the joint exercises included operations and practice in field hospitals, medical evacuations and humanitarian assistance. The exercise emphasized a "whole of government" approach to addressing the root causes of instability, ranging from climate change to displacement, rather than solely focusing on military might. "It's important that we not only be associated with kicking down doors," said Colonel Kelly Togiola, a command surgeon who helped set up a field hospital alongside Moroccan doctors as part of the exercise. "In times of crises, those relationships that matter." That strategy differs from what's being offered by Africa Corps, the descendent of the Russian state-funded private military company Wagner, whose leader Yevgeny Prigozhin died last year. Yet it's come under scrutiny since military officers with a history of participating in training exercises have risen to positions of power after the ousters of democratically elected leaders in countries such as Guinea and Niger. Cameron Hudson, an Africa expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said regardless of how much the U.S. military broadens its efforts, its continued focus on counterterrorism will keep empowering military leaders throughout West Africa. "The nature of security assistance is that it's much more visible, impactful and manipulated by the recipient for ill," Hudson said. "When we come in with training and toys, we reinforce within societies these power dynamics that in the long run are not helpful to the consolidation of civilian democratic rule." Despite training exercises like Africa Lion, U.S. military leaders face difficulties prolonging their partnerships in places they've long characterized as strategically critical. Countries such as Niger and Chad which participated in Africa Lion have embraced Russian trainers and paramilitaries and pushed for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The U.S. military officials note their assessment of the threat of "malign" Russian and Chinese influence but say they can work in countries that accept assistance from geopolitical rivals. Curbing Russian influence while opposing the overthrow of democratically elected leaders hasn't worked everywhere, especially as the U.S. military often attaches strings to how countries can implement training and weapons provided. U.S. law makes governments deposed in military coups ineligible for large portions of assistance, despite the military's talk of equal partnership and noninterference. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday urged countries to participate in the June 15-16 peace summit in Switzerland. Zelenskyy, in his keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, emphasized diplomacys role in maintaining Ukrainian efforts in the war with Russia, now in its third year. "Not so long ago, it seemed that the world would always be fragmented, but we saw that most nations truly desire and are capable of cooperation, at least as far as collective security is concerned," he told hundreds of foreign government officials and delegates at the regional security dialogue. He stressed how support from countries around the world has helped Ukraine to maintain its defense capabilities amid aggressive attacks launched by Russia while rescuing some Ukrainian children who had been taken to Russia. "Diplomacy does more when it truly aims to protect life, [and] together with partners, we are defending life and rules-based world order," he said, adding that Ukraines experience has helped to restore "effective diplomacy," which has led to the peace summit in Switzerland. "We are moving into the Global Peace Summit so every leader and every country can show their commitment to peace," he said, stressing that the global majority can ensure that "what is agreed upon is truly implemented" with their involvement in the summit. While reiterating the importance for countries around the world to remain "united" and act in "complete harmony," Zelenskyy also expressed his disappointment in some countries absence from the peace summit. "We are disappointed that some world leaders have not yet confirmed their participation in the peace summit, [and] unfortunately, there are also attempts to disrupt the summit," he said, adding that these attempts would deny the world the opportunity to "decide on war and peace." Zelenskyys remarks came as Ukraine continues to experience heavy Russian bombardment. Ukrainian officials told local media outlets that an overnight Russian attack involving 100 missiles and drones targeted the countrys power grid and injured at least 19 people across the country. It also follows Chinas decision to skip the peace summit. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters May 31 the summit has not met the conditions proposed by China, which is that both Russia and Ukraine should take part in the meeting. "There is an apparent gap between the meetings arrangement and what China stands for as well as the universal expectation in the international community," she said, adding that China has shared its concerns with relevant parties while vowing to keep promoting peace talks in its own way. Several European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, have expressed concerns in recent months about Chinas support for Russias war efforts and urged Beijing to use its influence to facilitate a peace process. Western countries have also repeatedly warned about Chinas ongoing support for Russian war efforts against Ukraine. In May, the British defense minister said that intelligence showed evidence of Chinese lethal aid to Russia. During his keynote address Sunday, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun reiterated that China has not provided weapons to either party in the Ukraine war and strictly controls the export of dual-use items. "We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue," he said. However, when asked to elaborate on Chinas plan for the peace process in Ukraine during the Q&A session of his keynote speech, Dong skipped the question and used his time to repeat Chinas objection to Taiwans efforts to seek independence. Zelenskyy told a press conference that while the United States has confirmed its "high-level" participation in the peace summit and has been encouraging countries to attend, China has been asking countries "not to attend the summit." "These are two different approaches, he said. When asked what he hopes to achieve by coming to Singapore, Zelenskyy said he wants to secure more support from Asian countries and hopes to let Asian countries understand what is happening in Ukraine. "We want Asia to be involved in the peace summit and if we see Asian leaders attend the peace summit, we will know that my trip has succeeded," he said, adding that he has not had any interaction with the Chinese delegation. While he said he does not expect Ukraine to receive defensive support from China, Zelenskyy said he hopes China will support Ukraines efforts to ensure nuclear and food security in the world. "It'll be great if China supports and helps to solve these two issues," he told journalists. Some analysts say Dongs reluctance to elaborate on Beijings plan for peace processes in the war shows it does not consider part of its core interests. "They dont think its a good topic for them, so they are just not going to talk about it," Ray Powell, a fellow at Stanford University's Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, told VOA on the sidelines of the Shangri-La meeting. Powell said that while part of Zelenskyys goal may be trying to rally more countries to join the peace summit, he may have difficulty convincing some Indo-Pacific countries to become more involved in the Ukraine War. "Some Indo-Pacific countries immediate concerns dont go that far out so I think Zelenskyy may just be thinking about keeping certain countries that have been supportive of Ukraines cause at the United Nations close and try to make his case to those governments," Powell said. Zelenskyy said that by joining the event, countries can involve their people in global affairs and unite the world against one war. Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT News Agency/AFP An ABBA reunion without a hologram? Oo, la, la. The band briefly reunited on May 31 for a prestigious knighthood ceremony in Sweden to celebrate their accomplishments in music by King Carl XVI Gustaf. Agnetha Faltskog, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad received the Royal Order of Vasa, given the title of Commanders of the First Class, a title awarded for the first time in 50 years. The band most recently got together to record Voyage in 2021, their first album in 40 years, but havent performed together since 1982. Alongside them at the ceremony, two physicists who won the 2023 Nobel Prize were also awarded with knighthood. Because winning a Nobel Prize is basically the same accomplishment as singing Angel Eyes and inspiring the Mamma Mia movies. Photo: Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images Getting a tattoo for a significant other that you end up breaking up with is a tough spot to be in typically resulting in painful tattoo removal or some kind of cover-up. But Sofia Vergara found a third, more efficient way to deal with the tattoo she got in honor of her now ex, Joe Manganiello. During her appearance on The Talk this week with her son Manolo Gonzalez Vergara to promote their new show Celebrity Family Food Battle, Vergara bemoaned her sons 34 tattoos, so he fired back by pointing out that she herself has some ink. One, she explained, was the initial of her late brother, and the other, on her wrist, is a J. This was Joe Manganiellos initial, but now hes gone, she said to laughs from the audience, before explaining, How lucky can I be that the guy Im going out with now has the same initial, the new guy. Recycle! As long as she only dates guys whose name starts with the letter J, shes good to go. Logistics stalwart United Parcel Service (NYSE: UPS) is a name that investors follow closely thanks to the growth of e-commerce. Its allure, however, transcends its premier logistics company status as it has been steadily growing its robust dividend for 15 years -- an encouraging sign for those looking to supplement their passive income streams. But smart investors know that while the stock's high-yield dividend -- currently 4.7% -- is enticing, it's important to see if the hefty payout is jeopardizing the company's financial well-being. With this in mind, let's see how much UPS plans on paying out in dividends in 2024 to better evaluate the company's financial health. Big Brown delivers big dividends While its history stretches back to 1907, UPS has a much more abbreviated history rewarding shareholders with a dividend, It started to make distributions in 1999. After occasional periods of maintaining the same dividend amount from year to year, UPS began a 15-year stretch -- one that is still running -- of making increasingly larger dividend payments. UPS expects to pay a quarterly dividend of $1.63 through 2024. If it makes good on this outlook, UPS will return about $5.4 billion in dividends to shareholders in 2024. For some context, UPS returned $5.37 billion and $5.11 billion to shareholders in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Currently, UPS stock offers investors a forward yield of 4.7%. Smart investors are often circumspect about high-yielding dividends such as this, since the appealing high payout may coincide with a company's poor financial health. With a payout ratio that averages 84% over the past 10 years, it seems that the company isn't sacrificing its financial well-being to make shareholders happy. Should UPS stock be part and parcel of your portfolio? For income investors, a business logistics leader like UPS is a great consideration right now -- especially considering its price-to-operating cash flow multiple of 10.7. However, it's important to recognize that further scrutiny is warranted before clicking the buy button, to make sure that UPS is a smart buy right now. Should you invest $1,000 in United Parcel Service right now? Before you buy stock in United Parcel Service, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and United Parcel Service wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $671,728!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. Story continues See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of May 28, 2024 Scott Levine has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends United Parcel Service. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. How Much Will United Parcel Service Pay Out in Dividends This Year? was originally published by The Motley Fool Its like looking in a mirror. Photo-Illustration: Illustration: Vulture. Photos: Disney-Pixar, A24 Pixar animators made a huge bet with Inside Out 2, at least thats what theyve told themselves to get into the headspace of the gambling-addicted gems dealer Howard Ratner in Uncut Gems. In an interview with Animation Magazine, director of layout photography Adam Habib explained how the A24 films shaky cinematography inspired its newest emotion, Anxiety (played by Maya Hawke). They explained that the team built static sets during production and then put the digital characters inside those sets and used a virtual camera to film the scenes, fully embodying the panic Ratner gives off whenever he breathes. However, why does the inspiration need to stop there? Is it too late to add Julia Fox as the emotion of Serenity? Or dare I pitch a new emotion: Slay. 10 facts about the Pantheon in Rome 1. The Pantheon was built by Emperor Hadrian The Pantheon in the historic centre of Rome was built by Emperor Hadrian between 119-128 AD. Before that, two buildings had existed on the same site but both burned to the ground leaving little trace, one in 80 AD and the second in 110 AD. Historians estimate that the original building was constructed somewhere between 29-19 BC by Marcus Agrippa, a Roman architect and consul, close friend, son-in-law and right-hand man to Emperor Augustus. 2. The inscription Pantheon inscription in honour of Agrippa. Image RomeArtLover. 3. The columns 4. What is the Pantheon? 5. The Pantheon is a church Pentecost rose petals at the Pantheon. 6. The Rose Petals The Pantheon is located atMon-Sat 09.00-19.30, Sun 09.00-18.00. Last admissions areDuring midweek public holidays, opening hours are 09.00-13.00. Guided visits are not allowed during Masses, which take place on feast days at 10.30 and Sat at 17.00.The inscription at the entrance of the Pantheon reads, in Latin: M.AGRIPPA.L.F.COS.TERTIUM.FECIT. It translates roughly as Marcus Agrippa, son of Lucius, having been consul three times, made it (or Marcus Agrippa constructed this while being consul for the third time). Although Emperor Hadrian rebuilt the Pantheon long after Agrippas death, the inscription remains.Sixteen columns support the arcade above which stands the inscription in honour of Agrippa. The immense columns, which were transported from Egypt, are estimated to weigh 60 tons each.What is the Pantheon? Originally, it is believed to have been a pagan temple dedicated to all Roman gods. The name pantheon has Greek roots and means all (pan) gods (theos). However, some scholars disagree with this hypothesis, claiming that its name is not necessarily proof of its activity but of its size due to the sense of awe that the Pantheon still inspires on those who admire it from up close.In the year 608 AD, Emperor Phocas gave the Pantheon to Pope Boniface IV, who consecrated it as a church in honour of St Mary and the Martyrs. It is still officially a church but no longer a parish church. It can still be visited free of charge but the Italian culture ministry has been in negotiations with the city's diocesan authorities in an attempt to introduce an entry fee beginning in early 2018.The dome has a circular hole at its centre called an oculus. So yes,, which is not a problem due to the well-hidden drainage holes in the floor. What is most interesting about the open ceiling however is that on 21 April, on the celebration of Rome's birthday , the midday sun shines through the oculus on to the Pantheon's door. Also, to mark the annual Christian feast of Pentecost, a mediaeval ceremony revived in 1995 involves tens of thousands of rose petals being dropped through the oculus, symbolising the Holy Spirits descent to Earth. Over the centuries many of the features of Hadrian's Pantheon were sacked by emperors and popes, beginning with the Byzantine emperor Constans II in 663 who ripped the gilt bronze tiles off the roof and took them to Syracuse in order to ship them to Constantinople. They never arrived because they were stolen by pirates on the way. In the 17th century Urban VIII took the gilt from the portico to make 80 cannons for Castel S. Angelo. However he added two campanili, sometimes attributed to Bernini, to the outside of the building. As they never fitted with the design of the original building they were finally taken down in the mid 1880s. In 1870 the new government of the united Italy took over the maintenance of the buiding and it became a national shrine and memorial to the kings of the new kingdom. Jakob Alt painting showing the Pantheon bell towers. 7. The Oculus Pantheon sphere. Image www.aroundrometours.com. 8. Raphael is buried in the Pantheon 9. The Dome The Pantheon's record-breaking dome. 10. World Record Another curiosity about the Pantheons dimensions is that thefrom the floor to the oculus, and theof the dome are the same:. This means that a perfect sphere could fit inside the Pantheon, which is believed to be a symbolic reference to a sacred place, or quite literally, to the celestial sphere.Raphael, who died in 1520, is buried in the Pantheon next to one of his lovers,Gossip has it that he always intended to marry her but postponed the day repeatedly because he was having an affair with La Fornarina, immortalised in his portrait of her which now hangs in Palazzo Barberini. Numerous other painters Annibale Caracci, Taddeo Zuccari, Baldassarre Peruzzi, Pierino del Vaga and Giovanni da Udine are also buried there. The two first kings of Italy are enshrined inside the Pantheon, Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I along with his wife Margherita.The Pantheons dome was the largest in the world for over 1300 years, until the title passed to Florences cathedral in 1436. Today the world record is held by the National Stadium in Singapore however the Pantheon remains in 15th place.The Pantheon still retains a record however: it is the worlds largest concrete dome suspended without reinforcement. This is possibly due to a combination of factors, including the arches contained in the 6m-thick walls supporting the ceiling, the various densities of concrete used in the construction of the dome and its thickness which lessens gradually as it nears the centre. This is why the dome appears slightly flattened from the outside while seeming perfectly round from the inside. By Paola Berner Magalhaes With local and European elections right around the corner and the potential of a General Election towards the end of the year, Waterford Chamber said now is the time to "hammer home" lobbying agendas. The organisation is in regular contact with senior Ministers and Oireachtas members, putting forward ideas and solutions to deliver for Waterford and the wider region. However, a spokesperson for the organisation told Waterford News & Star that over the last month the Chamber increased ita lobbying efforts and invited several Department Secretary Generals to Waterford to meet with business community representatives. "Housing is always a top ticket item, so we were delighted when Waterford native Graham Doyle kicked off our Political Lunch Series and acknowledged the challenges and opportunities across the city and county," said the spokesperson. The Chamber also hosted David Moloney, from the Department of Public Expenditure and John Hogan, from the Department of Finance. During the meeting the CEO of Waterford Chamber, Gerald Hurley, outlined the current economic climate and the opportunities for development going forward, while Michael Quinn, from Waterford City & County Council, gave an overview of the North Quays Project. The CEO of the Port of Waterford, David Sinnott, outlined ambitious plans and the need for funding the move is made towards developing the Waterford City region as a centre for excellence in energy. Other topics discussed included the cost of doing business, using part of the National Training Fund surplus to support parents of neurodiverse children and the importance of equitable funding for SETU. Declan Hughes, from the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, was also given an overview of the economic climate in Waterford with Georgina Carpendale, of Fitzgerald Power, presenting on the cost of doing business, drawing from a white paper document produced by the Waterford-based accountancy firm. Lynda Lawton, from Waterford Chamber, spoke on the work being done in partnership with Autism Friendly Waterford, Waterford Area Partnership and other stakeholders, in creating an inclusive working environment for the neurodiverse community. The series concluded with a meeting with Ken Spratt, from the Department of Transport, during which topics such as Waterford Airport, the Port of Waterford, the N24, city centre traffic management, and public transport were discussed. Commenting after the meetings, Gerald Hurley, CEO Waterford Chamber said: Department Secretary Generals are key influencers in terms of policy and decision making." They were very keen to engage, certainly took points on board and argued back where necessary. Further correspondence with each of our guests post the meetings showed they now having a deeper understanding of the ambitions in Waterford and we look forward to strengthening those relationships. A new Government may be ahead of us, but there is a lot can be done in the interim, and thanks to our members who attended the meetings, the Waterford agenda is now very much to the fore in each of these Departments. 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 Having children has always been part of Carmen Angerers life plan, but she has also thought about the cost of doing so for as long as shes worked. For me, as a younger woman and thinking about my career, I often had to consider where in that space I would be at the best position to have children, Angerer says. Yes, it depends on when is the right time, but you also want to make sure youre at the right place in your career. Because the reality is that you have to take a step back for a time. Women face a prolonged and significant motherhood penalty after having children. Credit: Matt Davidson Children can be a joy, but they dont come cheap. Beyond childcare, schooling, food and clothes, children have an economic impact on the wages and careers of parents particularly mothers. But children are important to the economy theyre the future taxpayers, innovators and workers the country needs. So there are different costs and benefits to having children, depending on whether youre a mother, a family, or the country more broadly. Advertisement The cost to women: the motherhood penalty The majority of Australias gender inequality can be explained by children, researchers from the Department of Treasury found last year, due to whats known as the motherhood penalty. We find a significant and persistent penalty attached to having a child for women, but not for men, the researchers found. A womans earnings fall by 55 per cent in the first five years after starting parenthood, and the impact continues for a decade. For men, there is no financial penalty. The researchers found that while the motherhood penalty was smaller for women with one child than for those with multiple children, there was no significant recovery in wages for women with one child when their offspring started school. Even if the woman was the main breadwinner in a couple, they suffered the same hit to their earnings, with the researchers finding the penalty was significant even in households where the woman out-earns her partner by a significant margin. Advertisement In fact, highly educated women experienced a greater drop in earnings after having children than other women, despite having invested heavily in their own capital. The Treasury researchers said those higher-income earners could be affected by the fact that higher-paying jobs were less flexible. They might also have higher-earning spouses, which could create a disincentive to return to full-time work or make dropping out of the job market financially viable. Angerer says the cost of having children factored into her career planning. She had worked for herself for some time, but decided before having her first child to work for a business so she would have the security of parental leave. Having children affects families at large. Credit: Matt Davidson I felt motivated to push to be at a particular position in my career before deciding to start a family, she says. Those career considerations meant she and her partner, Max Ryan, started their family in their mid-30s. I think we would have started maybe a bit earlier had we not considered the finances, she says. Advertisement The cost to families: Rising stress over work-family balance While women take the financial hit, men also face struggles trying to juggle work and family life. The National Working Families report, which surveyed 6204 parents and carers, found this week that while many workplaces offered flexible work and parental leave, it was still considered less acceptable for men to use family-friendly arrangements, and they had less access to paid parental leave. Loading Australia became the second-last OECD country to implement a national paid parental leave scheme, introducing it in 2011 (the United States remains the only OECD country without a national scheme). While that gives Australians access to up to 18 weeks of leave paid at the minimum wage, which the federal government is increasing to 26 weeks by 2026, not all employers have their own schemes and fewer still have schemes available to both men and women. According to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency, nearly two-thirds of all employers (63 per cent) offer some form of paid parental leave, but of those that do, only 33 per cent have universally available leave that is, leave offered equally to both parents. Advertisement The working families report, conducted by Deloitte Access Economics for Parents at Work and UNICEF Australias Family Friendly Workplaces initiative, found that the well-being of working parents was continuing to suffer because of the difficulties managing work and family demands. Nearly two-thirds of parents said competing work and family demands significantly contribute to stress or tension in all their family relationships, a percentage that has doubled since the previous survey in 2019. Childcare costs added to those pressures. Australia is the eighth most expensive country in the OECD for childcare as a proportion of parents income. For parents working full-time with two children in childcare, the net cost of childcare after subsidies was about 17 per cent of parental income, according to the Paris-based think tank. Thats well below New Zealand (at 37 per cent) and the United Kingdom (25 per cent), but above the OECD average of 11 per cent. Advertisement Its little wonder the prime minister is reverting to childish scare campaigns on nuclear energy. Its just embarrassing that the PM is having to go back to undergraduate activism in his opposition to nuclear energy, Dutton told this masthead. Zero-emissions nuclear energy as part of a balanced mix of technologies gets prices down across the world while reducing emissions at pace. Thats why 30 countries already have nuclear in their mix, and they want more, and another 50 are looking to introduce nuclear for the very first time. The government has ordered nuclear-powered submarines, and they say that theyre all in favour of AUKUS so why is nuclear technology safe for our submariners but unsafe for our citizens? The prime minister said Dutton had promised to look communities that could host nuclear power plants in the eye and engage with them but he hasnt been anywhere near [them]. He has not been within 40 kilometres of a coal-fired power station. And hes saying theyll have six or more sites. Hes been nowhere near any of them in Gippsland, the Hunter, Flynn, Maranoa, OConnor, seats like this, Albanese said. Back in 2007, when he was infrastructure spokesman in the Kevin Rudd-led opposition, Albanese helped lead Labors attack against John Howards plans to build nuclear power plants across the country and he has not forgotten those lessons. At the time, the ALP unleashed a series of damaging TV ads as well as campaign posters that zeroed in on the possible sites for nuclear power stations. A nuclear power plant in Belgium. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton wants to introduce nuclear power generation in Australia. Credit: AP Dutton had initially flagged the nuclear policy would be outlined before last months federal budget, but that timeline has since slipped. This masthead then revealed the Coalition planned to unveil either six or seven sites had been selected to host nuclear power plants in the current parliamentary sitting fortnight but following that report, the opposition pressed pause on the announcement once more. Loading The Coalitions policy announcement has now been pencilled in for the week after next, once parliament has risen at the end of next week, and is expected to take place outside of Canberra. Possible sites for nuclear reactors include the Latrobe Valley 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. All of these locations are on the site of, or near, current or former coal-fired power plants. Coalition sources, who asked not to be named so they could detail internal discussions about the policy, said the six or seven MPs who would potentially host nuclear power plants in their seats had been notified. The Resolve Political Monitor survey conducted in February found that 36 per cent of respondents supported nuclear power, 27 per cent of people did not have a strong view and were open to it, 23 per cent opposed it and 15 per cent were undecided. But Labor strategists believe that once the potential sites are named all of which are expected to be in Coalition seats that will sharpen the political debate and force voters to consider the implications of having a power plant in their own seat. A Dutton-led government, if elected, would face a fight with state Labor premiers including Victorias Jacinta Allan, NSWs Chris Minns and Western Australias Roger Cook, who have all hosed down suggestions their states could host nuclear power plants. Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli, who is widely expected to lead the LNP to victory in a state election in October, has indicated he would not back nuclear power unless it had bipartisan support at a federal level. Albanese said the Labor government opposed the construction of nuclear power plants in Australia for four main reasons. Nuclear reactors are simply wrong for Australia, the International Energy Agency said that this week, they support nuclear reactors but for Australia, given the comparative costs and time frames, it makes no sense given that we have access to the best renewables on Earth, along with hydro, batteries and gas to firm them, he said. In public, Dutton welcomes the idea of Frydenbergs return. In private, every Liberal knows that Frydenberg sees himself as a future party leader. Another concern is that the Liberals are not making enough headway in the economic argument with Labor, even when the cost of living is an enormous pressure point for voters. Those who are unhappy with Angus Taylor as treasury spokesman want to advance Frydenberg as a stronger voice on the economy. Frydenberg is yet to decide whether to declare his interest in Kooyong, which he won in 2010 and held at three subsequent elections, but he is weighing up his options and some Liberals say he would be mad to miss this chance. As a former deputy leader of the Liberal Party and cabinet minister for seven years, including as treasurer during the pandemic, he has widespread support in the party and is almost certain to have the numbers if the party votes on its preferred candidate. The key point, however, is that the party has already elected its candidate. And Frydenberg chose not to run. What changed? The Australian Electoral Commission announced last Friday that it planned to abolish the federal seat of Higgins and expand the seats nearby, which means 30,000 voters move into Kooyong. The AEC draft decision, which could be challenged by political parties before being finalised in coming months, moved about 30,000 voters from Liberal strongholds such as Armadale, Toorak and Malvern and put them in Kooyong. ABC election analyst Antony Green posted estimates late on Friday that suggested Kooyong would be an even tighter contest between the Liberals and Ryan. Liberals have talked about polling over the past year that shows Frydenberg could retake the seat on the current borders, let alone the new ones. Nobody can test these claims. And the idea that 30,000 voters are about to move into Kooyong and give the Liberals a boost certainly needs to be tested. Will these people show any loyalty to the Liberals? Or will they shift to Ryan once she becomes their local member? The way the booths voted in 2022 does not tell us how they will vote with different candidates in 2025. (Yes, or in late 2024). What is lost in all these calculations, is the reaction from voters if the Liberals dump the young woman they have chosen for Kooyong. Charlotte Mortlock, a key figure in the campaign to draft more Liberal women into parliament, is livid at the idea that Frydenberg can set aside the overwhelming vote for Hamer in March. He cant decide, months after the preselection, that now it looks better for him and he wants to throw his hat in the ring, she says. Mortlock, who founded advocacy group Hilmas Network to encourage Liberal women, says Hamer is the sort of candidate the party needed to bring women and others back to the Liberals after several prominent Liberal men lost their seats at the last election. Fiona Martin, who won a marginal Sydney seat for the Liberals at the 2019 election, is also unimpressed. It is not a good idea to push aside a well-educated, professional woman who was preselected only in March in order to recycle a senior Morrison government cabinet minister who had his opportunity, she says. Amelia Hamer, the 31-year-old Oxford-educated grand-niece of former Victorian premier Sir Rupert Dick Hamer, won preselection to replace Frydenberg in Kooyong. Credit: Eddie Jim Martin, who will not renew her Liberal Party membership, believes the party needs systemic change to encourage more women and that bringing back a big personality like Frydenberg will not fix these underlying problems. Ryan won 52.9 per cent of the vote in two-party terms at the last election, with some Liberals saying former Scott Morrison dragged down their vote among women. Frydenberg lost by 6,035 votes against the teal campaign on climate change, public integrity and putting women into parliament. Any decision on Kooyong is likely to wait until the AEC finalises the Victorian changes, which are also expected to weaken the Liberal Partys hold on other Melbourne seats such as Deakin and Menzies. The key decision on Friday, to remove the electorate of Higgins, leaves incumbent Labor MP Michelle Ananda-Rajah in limbo and means the former Liberal member for Higgins, paediatrician Katie Allen, must reconsider her options. The new borders could make the electorate of Chisholm easier for the Liberals to win, raising conjecture about whether they seek an alternative candidate to Theo Zographos, who was elected unopposed in a Liberal preselection earlier this year. Liberals said on Sunday that Allen had not given up on her quest to return to parliament and was a strong contender for Chisholm, which would include about one third of the electorate of Higgins on the new borders. This would also involve dumping a chosen candidate. When Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) released the results of its fiscal 2025 first quarter (ended April 28), the company delivered record results that crushed Wall Street's expectations. However, shareholders were more intrigued by another development. In conjunction with its earnings release, Nvidia's management revealed a sizable 10-for-1 stock split. Since its announcement on May 22, shares have climbed more than 14% (as of this writing), and the stock has already gained 117% so far this year. That clearly indicates that investor interest remains strong, likely fueled by Nvidia's strong ties to artificial intelligence (AI). The stock split is scheduled to take place after market close on Friday, June 7. Does the upcoming stock split make Nvidia a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity? Let's see what the evidence shows. Image source: Getty Images. Stock-split recap A quick recap of the reason behind a stock split can help give this process perspective. If a business performs well over the long term, that performance is reflected in the company's rising stock price, putting the high-priced shares out of reach for some potential investors. To correct this inequity, management can embark on a stock split to reduce the share price. Nvidia noted in its announcement that the move was intended "to make stock ownership more accessible to employees and investors." As a result, everyday investors can afford to buy whole shares rather than the fractional shares offered by some brokerage firms. Once the stock split takes place, shareholders will receive nine additional shares of Nvidia stock for every share they already own. While there will be 10 times as many shares, they will trade at 1/10th of the price, so fundamentally, nothing will change. The same things that drove Nvidia's stock price to its current level will still be in play going forward. Is Nvidia stock a buy? The mechanics of the stock split aside, one quintessential question remains: Does Nvidia represent a compelling investment opportunity ahead of its highly anticipated stock split? Let's dig through the company's recent results. In fiscal 2024 (ended Jan. 28), Nvidia's revenue soared 126% year over year to a record $60.9 billion. At the same time, earnings per share (EPS) of $11.93 surged 586%. CEO Jensen Huang left no doubt as to what was driving the growth spurt. "Accelerated computing and generative AI have hit the tipping point. Demand is surging worldwide across companies, industries, and nations," Huang said. Nvidia's 2025 first-quarter results were more of the same. Record revenue of $26 billion grew 262% year over year, while EPS of $5.98 surged 629%. Management's guidance suggested its growth will continue, as its forecast called for second-quarter revenue of $28 billion, which would represent year-over-year growth of 107%. It isn't hyperbole to say that these are clearly the results of a business firing on all cylinders. Story continues The stunning adoption of AI is driving the results, and most experts agree that demand won't end any time soon. Generative AI reduces time spent on time-consuming, mundane tasks, thereby increasing productivity. This economic boom is expected to add between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion to the global economy over the coming decade, according to research compiled by McKinsey & Company. Since Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) are the gold standard for running AI systems, the company is expected to continue to benefit from the resulting windfall. These secular tailwinds will blow in the company's favor for the foreseeable future. There are those who point to Nvidia's premium valuation as a sticking point, and there's certainly merit to that argument. The stock is currently selling for 63 times earnings, which certainly appears outrageous at first glance. The results aren't nearly as bad when looking ahead, as Nvidia's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio clocks in at 39. For comparison, the S&P 500 has a multiple of 27, so there's certainly a wide gap. That said, this isn't really an apples-to-apples comparison. NVDA Chart Over the past decade, Nvidia's revenue has increased by 2,260%, and its net income has soared 11,530%. These results have driven its stock price up 22,640%, while the S&P has gained just 170%. Clearly, Nvidia stock won't appeal to every investor, particularly those concerned about the stock's valuation. For those who fall into that camp, I would suggest buying the stock on any major pullback or signs of weakness. However, given Nvidia's strong track record of results and the gale-force secular tailwinds blowing in its favor, I would argue that the evidence supports its premium valuation. Taken together, I believe this makes a strong case that Nvidia is a once-in-a-generation investment opportunity. As to the question that kicked off this missive, I don't think it matters whether investors buy Nvidia stock before or after the stock split date, but as I've laid out above, I certainly believe it's a buy. Should you invest $1,000 in Nvidia right now? Before you buy stock in Nvidia, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Nvidia wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $671,728!* Stock Advisor provides investors with an easy-to-follow blueprint for success, including guidance on building a portfolio, regular updates from analysts, and two new stock picks each month. The Stock Advisor service has more than quadrupled the return of S&P 500 since 2002*. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of May 28, 2024 Danny Vena has positions in Nvidia. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Is Nvidia Stock a Once-in-a-Generation Investment Opportunity Ahead of Its 10-for-1 Stock Split on June 7? was originally published by The Motley Fool On May14, Ambassador Wang Qing accompanied H.E. Dr. Alhaji Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone ,to attend the Ceremony of Commissioning of Community Market at Kola Tree and Presentation of Donation towards Community Development along the Wellington-Masiaka Highway of CRSG. The economic and commercial counsellor Du Zijun, Minister of Works and Public Assets, members of Parliament, and people from local communities also presented. Ambassador Wang Qing reviewed the contributions made by Chinese enterprises such as CRSG to promoting economic and social development of Sierra Leone by actively investing and undertaking social responsibilities in recent years. He said that, Chinese-funded enterprises never forget to give back to local society. China-Sierra Leone economic cooperation is always based on mutual respect, equal cooperation, and mutual benefit. China is willing to enhance strategic alignment with"Big 5 Game Changers" and provide as much help and support as possible to development in agriculture, infrastructure and other fields. H.E. Vice Presiden tJalloh highly commended the outstanding performance of CRSG in the construction of projects such as the Wellington-Masiaka highway and thanked for its contributions to constructing market and donating to the community along the road, which made positive contributions to the development of society. He hopes that, the two sides will continue to deepen practical cooperation in varies fields, support each other, and bring more tangible benefits to people of the two countries in the future. Under the lively atmosphere, participants expressed their gratitude to Chinese enterprises for their investment and support to local communities, highly praised the fruitful and practical cooperation between Sierra Leone, looking forward to continue and deepen the friendship of mutual respect and win-win cooperation. (WHTM) Pennsylvania lawmakers are progressing on the state budget with less than a month until its due date, says State Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny). Costa says he believes the state is well-positioned resource-wise heading toward the June 30 deadline. During his appearance on This Week in Pennsylvania, Costa told Dennis Owens that the state will likely have more than $800 million in excess surplus just for this fiscal year. He hopes some of that money can be returned to residents through the budget process. Senate Republicans have called for an income tax cut from 3.07% to 2.8%. Costa says that while thats one option lawmakers can look at, theyre also looking at a one-time lump sum payment that people can use right away. Another option may be similar to the child care/independent care tax credit. We think thats more appropriate, I think its more impactful return of resources to folks. Thats why were looking at that, said Costa. But that has to be coupled with investments and thats what were looking and talking about. Costa pointed toward education as an area for possible investment after the states Supreme Court ruled the system for funding schools is unconstitutional. Pennsylvania offering free potassium iodide tablets for those near nuclear power plants Also joining the show this week is Steve Loney, a lawyer for the American Civil Liberties Union, to discuss a lawsuit filed over date requirements on Pennsylvanias mail ballots. The ACLU had sued arguing those who put the incorrect date on their mail ballot envelope should still have their votes counted instead of being tossed. Every week, This Week in Pennsylvania gives a comprehensive look at the weeks biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania Check your local listings for weekly air times. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ballina local election candidate Joe Faughnan has said he wants to bring fresh, young energy to Mayo County Council. Mr Faughnan is a first-time Independent candidate from Knockmore who is hoping to build on the legacy of Cllr Seamus Weir, who has retired from local politics. I felt the timing was right to stand for election. Cllr Seamus Weir has done 25 years and is stepping down and the opportunity was there to go for it. I feel I can have a very positive approach to the job and I can bring a fresh outlook to the issues of the day facing the people in this constituency and onto the Council. As an Independent candidate, Im willing to work with anyone who can improve the lives of my constituents. Mr Faughnan said he is willing to speak on any issue but highlighted housing, traffic management and emigration as key concerns in this election. There is a chronic shortage of available housing in local areas and that needs to be worked on. Id like to be able to do more for people with pyrite in their homes who have to rebuild. The pressure on them is so tough and we need to make sure there are adequate supports for them, that needs to be a priority. Ballina has a huge traffic management issue that needs to be addressed. People want to improve the roads but also road safety. On the doorsteps, there has been a lot of concern over immigration and whether or not the country has the capacity in terms of services. Emigration out of the country is always coming up and people are very worried about the youth leaving to go to Australia and Canada. Mr Faughnan said he is keen to deliver local amenities that will improve the lives of people living in the entire. As a whole, the area needs to improve its sporting infrastructure. I have been involved in local sport all my life with Conn Rangers and Knockmore and I have seen the positive impact sport has on peoples mental health and on our communities as a whole. It is great news that work will begin in the coming months at the new Knockmore playground. These are the types of projects I would like to prioritise if I am elected. These sorts of projects can make a real difference to the quality of life for the people living in our area and make it a great place to live and raise a family. As global markets navigate through a period of mixed signals and cautious optimism, Japan's stock market exhibits a nuanced landscape with the Nikkei 225 Index experiencing slight declines while the broader TOPIX Index sees gains. In this environment, understanding the potential resilience and growth prospects of companies like Rakuten Group, which boast high insider ownership, becomes particularly pertinent. High insider ownership often aligns leadership interests with shareholder goals, potentially enhancing company performance during uncertain times. Top 10 Growth Companies With High Insider Ownership In Japan Name Insider Ownership Earnings Growth SHIFT (TSE:3697) 35.4% 27.2% Kanamic NetworkLTD (TSE:3939) 25% 28.9% Hottolink (TSE:3680) 27% 57.3% Micronics Japan (TSE:6871) 15.3% 39.7% Kasumigaseki CapitalLtd (TSE:3498) 35.4% 44.6% ExaWizards (TSE:4259) 24.8% 80.2% Money Forward (TSE:3994) 21.4% 63.5% Soiken Holdings (TSE:2385) 19.8% 118.4% Soracom (TSE:147A) 17.2% 59.1% freee K.K (TSE:4478) 24% 82.6% Click here to see the full list of 109 stocks from our Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership screener. Below we spotlight a couple of our favorites from our exclusive screener. Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Rakuten Group, Inc., a diversified company, operates in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications sectors globally with a market capitalization of approximately 1.75 trillion. Operations: The company operates globally, generating revenues in sectors such as e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications. Insider Ownership: 17.3% Rakuten Group is poised for significant growth, with earnings expected to increase by 87.6% annually, outpacing broader market expectations. The company's revenue growth forecast at 7.4% annually also exceeds the Japanese market average of 3.9%. Despite trading at a substantial 78.5% below its estimated fair value, challenges remain as its Return on Equity is projected to be low at 8.8% in three years' time. Recent strategic moves include a $1.99 billion fixed-income offering and revising corporate guidance predicting double-digit operational growth excluding volatile securities business impacts for FY2024. TSE:4755 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Furuya Metal Co., Ltd. specializes in the manufacturing and sale of industrial-use precious metal products and temperature sensors in Japan, with a market capitalization of approximately 105.17 billion. Story continues Operations: The company operates primarily in the production and distribution of precious metal products and temperature sensors for industrial applications in Japan. Insider Ownership: 13.5% Furuya Metal, while trading at a competitive price-to-earnings ratio of 14.6x below the semiconductor industry average, faces challenges with a low forecasted return on equity at 14.1%. However, the company is set to outperform the Japanese market with its revenue and earnings growth forecasts of 10.7% and 21.1% per year respectively, significantly above market averages. Despite this promising growth trajectory, shareholder dilution over the past year and undercovered dividends raise concerns about future value sustainability. TSE:7826 Ownership Breakdown as at Jun 2024 Simply Wall St Growth Rating: Overview: Capcom Co., Ltd. is a global company based in Japan that specializes in the planning, development, manufacturing, sale, and distribution of home video games, online games, mobile games, and arcade games with a market cap of approximately 1.21 trillion. Operations: The company generates its revenue from the sale and distribution of various gaming products including home video games, online games, mobile games, and arcade games across both domestic and international markets. Insider Ownership: 11.5% Capcom, with its recent 2:1 stock split, underscores a strategic move to enhance shareholder value. The company's earnings have grown by 18.1% over the past year, and it is poised for further growth with earnings forecasted to increase by 8.82% annually and revenue expected to rise by 5.7% each yearboth metrics outpacing the Japanese market averages of 8.5% and 3.9%, respectively. However, despite high insider ownership, there has been no substantial insider trading reported in the last three months, signaling a potential area for investor caution. TSE:9697 Earnings and Revenue Growth as at Jun 2024 Seize The Opportunity Get an in-depth perspective on all 109 Fast Growing Japanese Companies With High Insider Ownership by using our screener here. Have you diversified into these companies? Leverage the power of Simply Wall St's portfolio to keep a close eye on market movements affecting your investments. Simply Wall St is a revolutionary app designed for long-term stock investors, it's free and covers every market in the world. Curious About Other Options? This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.The analysis only considers stock directly held by insiders. It does not include indirectly owned stock through other vehicles such as corporate and/or trust entities. All forecast revenue and earnings growth rates quoted are in terms of annualised (per annum) growth rates over 1-3 years. Companies discussed in this article include TSE:4755 TSE:7826 and TSE:9697. Have feedback on this article? 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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) More than a dozen Rubios Coastal Grill locations across San Diego County abruptly closed this week, surprising both workers and customers. In a statement sent to FOX 5/KUSI on Saturday, the Mexican food chain confirmed the closures to 13 local stores, as well as 35 other underperforming locations across California, citing the rising cost of doing business in the state. Making the decision to close a store is never an easy one, a spokesperson for Rubios Coastal Grill said, adding the move came after a thorough review of its operations and the current business climate. WATCH: Mikes Red Tacos opens second San Diego location According to company, the now-shuttered Rubios Coastal Grill locations are: 1480 Eastlake Pkwy Suite 901, Chula Vista, CA 91915 419 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon, CA 92020 1485 E Valley Pkwy Suite A-6, Escondido, CA 92027 9187 Clairemont Mesa Blvd Suite 7, San Diego, CA 92123 910 Grand Avenue, San Diego, CA 92109 8935 Towne Centre Dr., Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92122 9254 Scranton Rd, Ste 105, San Diego, CA 92121 2260 Callagan Hwy Bldg. 3187, San Diego, CA 92136 7835 Highlands Village Pl Suite D101, San Diego, CA 92129 1711 University Drive, Suite 110. Vista, CA 92083 9500 Gillman Drive, Food Ct, La Jolla, CA 92093 1158 W San Marcos Blvd Suite A, San Marcos, CA 92078 437 Hwy 101 #117, Solana Beach, CA 92075 While painful, the store closures are a necessary step in our strategic long-term plan to position Rubios for success for years to come, the spokesperson continued. However, the move has still drawn pushback from purported customers and workers on the chains social media. At least one user who said they were a worker on a recent Instagram post, which has now been cleared of comments, said they were informed on Friday of their stores closure. Known for its fish tacos, Rubios Coastal Grill was founded in Mission Bay in 1983. Since then, the chain has expanded to over 100 stores in California, Arizona and Nevada. According to the spokesperson, 86 stores will remain open after the closures. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Finding a business that has the potential to grow substantially is not easy, but it is possible if we look at a few key financial metrics. Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. Speaking of which, we noticed some great changes in SAF-Holland's (ETR:SFQ) returns on capital, so let's have a look. Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It? If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for SAF-Holland, this is the formula: Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT) (Total Assets - Current Liabilities) 0.14 = 184m (1.7b - 374m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to March 2024). Therefore, SAF-Holland has an ROCE of 14%. On its own, that's a standard return, however it's much better than the 8.4% generated by the Auto Components industry. See our latest analysis for SAF-Holland roce Above you can see how the current ROCE for SAF-Holland compares to its prior returns on capital, but there's only so much you can tell from the past. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering SAF-Holland for free. The Trend Of ROCE The trends we've noticed at SAF-Holland are quite reassuring. Over the last five years, returns on capital employed have risen substantially to 14%. Basically the business is earning more per dollar of capital invested and in addition to that, 57% more capital is being employed now too. The increasing returns on a growing amount of capital is common amongst multi-baggers and that's why we're impressed. The Bottom Line On SAF-Holland's ROCE A company that is growing its returns on capital and can consistently reinvest in itself is a highly sought after trait, and that's what SAF-Holland has. Since the stock has returned a staggering 101% to shareholders over the last five years, it looks like investors are recognizing these changes. In light of that, we think it's worth looking further into this stock because if SAF-Holland can keep these trends up, it could have a bright future ahead. One more thing, we've spotted 2 warning signs facing SAF-Holland that you might find interesting. For those who like to invest in solid companies, check out this free list of companies with solid balance sheets and high returns on equity. 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. Generally, when a single insider buys stock, it is usually not a big deal. However, when several insiders are buying, like in the case of Atlas Pearls Limited (ASX:ATP), it sends a favourable message to the company's shareholders. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether. View our latest analysis for Atlas Pearls The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Atlas Pearls In the last twelve months, the biggest single sale by an insider was when the insider, William Martin, sold AU$104k worth of shares at a price of AU$0.21 per share. While insider selling is a negative, to us, it is more negative if the shares are sold at a lower price. The silver lining is that this sell-down took place above the latest price (AU$0.12). So it may not shed much light on insider confidence at current levels. William Martin was the only individual insider to sell over the last year. Happily, we note that in the last year insiders paid AU$117k for 1.62m shares. But they sold 485.74k shares for AU$104k. In total, Atlas Pearls insiders bought more than they sold over the last year. They paid about AU$0.072 on average. To my mind it is good that insiders have invested their own money in the company. However, we do note that they were buying at significantly lower prices than today's share price. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below! Atlas Pearls is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find small cap companies at attractive valuations, this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket. Insiders At Atlas Pearls Have Bought Stock Recently We saw some Atlas Pearls insider buying shares in the last three months. Independent Non-Executive Director Jose Martins shelled out AU$50k for shares in that time. It's great to see that insiders are only buying, not selling. But in this case the amount purchased means the recent transaction may not be very meaningful on its own. Insider Ownership Many investors like to check how much of a company is owned by insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Atlas Pearls insiders own about AU$10m worth of shares. That equates to 21% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders. Story continues What Might The Insider Transactions At Atlas Pearls Tell Us? We note a that there has been a bit of insider buying recently (but no selling). Overall the buying isn't worth writing home about. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Insiders do have a stake in Atlas Pearls and their transactions don't cause us concern. So while it's helpful to know what insiders are doing in terms of buying or selling, it's also helpful to know the risks that a particular company is facing. Our analysis shows 4 warning signs for Atlas Pearls (2 are a bit concerning!) and we strongly recommend you look at these before investing. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. 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. Cambria Chimeras triumph in Apex Legends Spring Cup and prepare for new 200k gaming complex This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jun 2nd, 2024 The triumphant Cambria Chimeras, all Level 2 and Level 3 learners in Esports at Coleg Cambria, were victorious in the Apex Legends Spring Cup. The three-strong squad Oliver Pearce, Kyle Tarran and Owen Maynard beat opposition from across the country, including college and university teams. British Esports described it as one of the most exciting cups we have ever run. It was an unbelievable final, which followed weeks of strategizing and working together to get through the rounds, said Oliver, from Wrexham. We are absolutely thrilled given how much we put into this and looking forward to competing in future tournaments. Kyle, from Connahs Quay, said to be crowned number one in the UK when there were more than 40 groups to navigate was an unreal feeling having been described as the dark horses of the competition. Pentre Halkyn student Owen added: We all played to our strengths and while there were challenges occasionally and a lot of pressure, we worked hard to win the cup and be the last ones standing. We were up against some big names, colleges that are long established with a lot of backing, so it is a huge achievement for us. The success comes as Cambria prepares to unveil a new 230,000 gaming complex at its Flintshire site this summer. Lecturer Lauren Crofts praised her students for their stellar performance in the Spring Cup and said there are exciting times ahead for the Esports programme. They put a lot of their own time and effort into this, looking at strategies and game play, and worked really well together as a team, she said. I am so proud of them all, they are a credit to Coleg Cambria and already looking forward to the next tournament! She added: The Esports course has been hugely popular over the last few years and this grant investment will see the introduction of two new gaming arenas, one of which will be a Sim Racing performance area. The other will give us more room to look at Shoutcast live media streaming, to develop other skills and game creation, utilising the space and introducing state-of-the-art technology, as well as taking Esports into local primary and secondary schools to explain the wide range of careers out there in this industry. We are getting a lot of positive feedback and interest from prospective students so this will be a major USP for us its going to be amazing. Lisa Radcliffe, Assistant Principal for Technical Studies, added: I am beyond proud of our Esports learners who have shown resilience, cooperation, and collaboration throughout this competition to become champions is an amazing achievement. Throughout the programme we have encouraged social interaction and the development of interpersonal skills in learners who could possibly be socially excluded. It is an exciting programme with our new gaming arena being open this September, ready to breed our new champions. Esports is a booming multi-billion dollar sector and Cambria Chimeras have already received visits from talent scouts representing some of the worlds top gaming organisations and professional teams, such as Excel Esports. Appeal for North Wales volunteers to join vital childrens counselling service This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jun 2nd, 2024 NSPCC Cymru is appealing for volunteers to join its North Wales Childline base to help support their vital work in Wales. The drive is being made during Volunteers Week, which runs from June 3-9, in the hope that more people will sign up to the childrens counselling service at Prestatyn, one of 12 bases, and a virtual base, which take calls from children all over the UK. The 24-hour, seven day a week Childline service can be life-changing for children, giving them a chance to speak out safely about whatever might be happening to them or worrying them. Last year Childline took a call every 45 seconds on average and delivered more than 16,000 counselling sessions a month. The NSPCC is looking for more people of all ages and from all walks of life to become volunteers. It provides comprehensive training backed up by a supportive team of volunteers and supervisors. Among the Prestatyn volunteers are Nia Griffiths (pictured above) and Sandy Collyer. Nia, a former primary school teacher from Holywell, has been a volunteer counsellor for 22 years and says she has learned a great deal about the different problems children and young people can face and how rewarding volunteering can be. She said: Youngsters who have suicidal feelings, eating disorders, gender identity struggles or who are victims of sexual abuse and bullying, contact us online or over the phone. To be a listening ear who is non-judgemental and to be able to offer support and advice is so important for them and so rewarding for me. I have gained a real sense of self-worth and skills such as empathy and patience, while being part of Childline has also given me a feeling of belonging and of giving something back to society by helping young people in need. I would recommend volunteering for Childline in Prestatyn. It gives a sense of purpose; you make new friends and learn important life skills. Sandy Collyer, from Northop, also has a background in education and was a school nurse in Hampshire before working for 21 years with children who struggled with emotional and behavioural difficulties. On moving to North Wales, she worked as Student Services Advisor at Deeside College. Sandy has been a volunteer counsellor at Prestatyn for 12 years. She said: Having someone to talk to, who listens, believes, and doesnt judge, can mean everything. For some young people we may be the first person they have talked to, who has listened, shown interest and cares. For others, it can be easier to talk to someone they dont know, a stranger, who isnt involved in their lives and what theyre going through. Volunteering at Childline has enriched my life. To help someone or simply show kindness and help a child feel a little bit better about themselves or their situation and perhaps empower them to make a decision or tell a trusted adult, is very special. For a child to put their trust in me to talk to is incredibly powerful. I feel very privileged. I have learned so much working at Childline which I can apply to my own life, especially my counselling skills. I think it has made me a better person. Volunteering for Childline is the best thing I have ever done. Volunteer Co-ordinator at Childline in Prestatyn, Sarah Walker, said: Volunteers week is an opportunity to appreciate the amazing people who dedicate their time to have a positive impact on the lives of children and young people and for individuals to consider volunteering themselves. Childline relies heavily on the dedication of volunteers, so Id encourage anyone interested in making a meaningful difference to the lives of children and young people to join us. For more information, go to: www.nspcc.org.uk/volunteer Man dies following incident on Llan-y-Pwll link road This article is old - Published: Saturday, Jun 1st, 2024 Police have sadly confirmed a man has died following an incident on Llan-y-Pwll link road this afternoon. Local police said in a statement this evening, Shortly after 3:30pm today police were called following concerns for the safety of a man who was on the bridge on the A5156 Llan-y-Pwll link road near Wrexham. Officers attended and the road was closed in both directions. Specialist police negotiators attended however the man fell from the bridge. Sadly, despite the best efforts of all involved the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Police enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and the A5156 remains closed at this time. Due to the nature of the incident, North Wales Police have informed the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct). The mans next of kin and the Coroner have been informed. Pop-up art gallery showcasing student talent now open on Eagles Meadow This article is old - Published: Sunday, Jun 2nd, 2024 The vibrant creativity of local students is on full display at the new Pop-Up Art Show, named Quintesse, a unique event celebrating the artistic achievements of young talents from Wrexham University arts degree courses. The gallery, located opposite River Island on Eagles Meadow, saw a private opening by Wrexham AFCs Executive Chairman Humphrey Ker, providing him an exclusive opportunity to experience the future of art firsthand. Featuring a diverse array of artworks including paintings, sculptures, digital media, and mixed-media installations, the Pop-Up Art Gallery is set to transform the Eagles Meadow unit into a dynamic space of inspiration and innovation. The exhibited pieces, created by students from Wrexham University reflect a broad spectrum of themes and techniques, highlighting the exceptional skill and imagination of the artists. As the principal lecturer at Wrexham School of Art, I am immensely proud of our students and their extraordinary achievements showcased in the Quintesse Degree show. This exhibition not only highlights the remarkable talent and creativity of our artists but also demonstrates their dedication and hard work over the years. It is a privilege to see their diverse and innovative works transform the space at Eagles Meadow into a vibrant hub of artistic expression. We are thrilled to share this unique experience with the community and look forward to engaging with visitors and receiving their valuable feedback. This event truly underscores the importance of promoting artistic talent and supporting the next generation of creators. said Steve Jarvis Principal Lecturer in Art & Design. We are really excited to be able to showcase the works from the Wrexham University students said Eagles Meadow Centre Manager, Josh Price. This is another great example of how Eagles Meadow can be a true community asset, collaborating with excellent initiatives to achieve more together. The show is the culmination of years of work for the students and months of planning and building with the Wrexham University Team and deserves to be housed in the best space possible. Opening times 10am -4pm Monday Saturday until June 8, 2024. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work, providing a platform for young creators to engage with the public and receive valuable feedback. Quintesse The Pop-Up Art Gallery is open to all and free of charge, making it an accessible and family-friendly event. Dont miss this chance to witness the next generation of artists and their stunning contributions to Wrexhams thriving art scene. In Florida, the time to prepare for hurricane season is now. Despite the beloved moniker, the Sunshine State is prone to unpredictable and sometimes severe weather, especially in the summer. Scott Shalley Just recently, North Florida experienced record rainfall with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes, damaging homes and offices and leaving more than 200,000 households without power. The Panhandle storms serve as a reminder to Floridians that now is the time to stock up on storm essentials. This hurricane season, it is critical for Floridians to properly secure their homes and make a plan. Luckily, Florida shoppers will save more this year when stocking up on essential storm supplies. The Florida Legislature prioritized cutting costs for Floridians this session, providing $1.07 billion in tax relief in House Bill 7073. The new statute, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis this month, renews four historic sales tax holidays, including the annual Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Floridians will save on eligible tax-free purchases, including radios, batteries, fuel tanks, power banks, tarps, pet food and supplies, and more during the Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Our Florida retailers often provide additional discounts on these essentials to help you save more. Cost savings on disaster preparedness could not have come at a more opportune time, as the latest seasonal forecast by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts an extremely active Atlantic hurricane season. The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday began June 1 and lasts through June 14. Floridians will pay no sales tax on a long list of eligible items as they work to secure their homes and strengthen the resilience of our communities. Our local retail team members stand ready to help families take advantage of these cost savings. Florida families will have the opportunity to save again on eligible hurricane sales at the end of summer. The Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday will return ahead of peak storm season, running Saturday, August 24, through Friday, September 6, 2024. Remember to Find It In Florida and shop local this Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Every dollar spent at local retail bolsters your local economy, generates new job opportunities, and enhances the vitality of Floridas unique neighborhoods. Florida is home to more than 387,000 retailers. More than 4 million Floridians work in the industry, and nearly one-third of all jobs in the Sunshine State are tied to Florida retail. The industry generates $357 billion in economic impact for the state of Florida each year. Story continues Our dedicated retail team members are committed to helping you safeguard your home and loved ones throughout hurricane season, providing peace of mind. Remember to support the retailers who are here to help you before and after the storm. Scott Shalley is the president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tax-free holiday provides savings, peace of mind before storm hits Cole Hauser is back in Montana! After Paramount Network announced that it has resumed Yellowstone production on Monday, May 20, Cole took to Instagram to pay homage to the backdrop of the showthe place he regularly refers to as the most beautiful office in the world. Good morning #montana Ive missed ya old friend! If you are going to rise, you might as well shine, he captioned a photo of the Montana foothills with a rainbow glimmering in the distance. As expected, fans were thrilled to see that Cole was back in his beloved character, Rip Wheelers, home town. Welcome home!!! Weve missed you as well, one fan exclaimed in the comments. You know what that means: NEW EPISODES!!!!!!! another fan swooned. Rainbow shining over the train station, someone else chimed in. Yeah well weve missed you too buddy, we are ready for this, bring on the next installment pronto, yet another fan commented. Currently, theres no set air date for the second installment of Yellowstone Season 5, but Paramount Network has confirmed a November 2024 return. Admittedly, the premiere of part two will be a bit bittersweet, as its the end of an era. But make no mistake: Its not the end of the Dutton family. While Yellowstone is coming to a close, projects are said to still be in the works for 1944 and 2024 spinoffs, as well as 6666, which will set its sights on the Four Sixes Ranch, where Jimmy was sent to learn how to be a proper cowboy. Suffice to say, Taylor Sheridan is eager to keep us entertained for years to come. Heres hoping Cole will be part of the fun. Dutton Family Tree, Explained Photo credit: Danno Nell Cole Hauser Shares Heartbreaking Family News Photo credit: Amy Sussman Everything We Know About the 'Yellowstone' Spinoffs Photo credit: Emerson Miller Luke Grimes Warns Fans about Serious Scam Photo credit: Paramount Network Behind the Scenes of the Show's Filming Locations Photo credit: Instagram/Chief Joseph Ranch Cole Hauser Opens Up about His Future on 'Yellowstone' Photo credit: Emerson Miller When Will 'Yellowstone' Return? Photo credit: Paramount Network Luke Grimes Reveals How His 'Yellowstone' Role Fueled His Music Career Photo credit: Universal Music Group Will Lainey Wilson Return to 'Yellowstone'? Photo credit: Christopher Polk You Might Also Like Can you spot the fossil? asks the bronzed ranger as a gaggle of park visitors circle around her in Badlands National Park. The ground is slick and muddy after the mornings rain, and everyone is staring at the ground, searching. Suddenly an excited child squeals and points at a small fossilized partial jaw bone and teeth. (Kids are apparently the best fossil-spotters, perhaps due to their proximity to the ground.) If the ranger hadnt already been aware of its existence, this would have been one of the four daily fossil discoveries in Badlands National Park. A full-time team of paleontologists would tag it, possibly excavate it, and take it back to a working lab in the visitor center to identify and catalog it. The South Dakota park is one of a handful of U.S. national parks thats focused on not only outdoor recreation, but on the secrets of the ancient world. And visitors are welcome to take part. Buried in time (and rock) Badlands isnt the only national park with a robust fossil and paleontology program or that encourages visitors to not only share their discoveries but also get a closer look at the paleontological process. Fossils of one type or anotherfrom ground sloth skulls to dinosaur footprintsspanning every geologic age have been discovered at 286 national park properties, according to Vincent L. Santucci, senior paleontologist and paleontology program coordinator for the National Park Service (NPS). Dinosaur fossils specifically have been found at least 21. While the history of paleontological discoveries far predates the parks, which werent established until 1916, NPS has since worked with paleontologists, museums, and students via internship programs to collect specimens, data, and publish research on the vast array of fossils found across the parks. [Related: 7 US parks where you can get stunning nightsky views] But they cant do it on their own (NPS only employs a dozen or so paleontologists), so they partner with organizations like The Paleontological Society and the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology to conduct research, help support the management and stewardship of NPS fossils, and expand access to educational resources. An ammonite fossil found at Big Bend National Park. Image: NPS The Paleontological Society does so by providing funding and opportunities for paleontology students, explains Christy Visaggi, chair of the non-profits Paleontology in the Parks fellowship program, so students can get hands-on interaction with fossils and the ability to contribute to important research. Its a win-win: Parks get more young scientists to work with NPS and students get valuable experience and mentorship in the field. But you dont have to be a budding paleontologist to head to a park and experience the wonder of discovery. Explore ancient history at the parks While fossils have been discovered at hundreds of parks, a handful of properties, which Santucci calls Fossil Parks, have been established primarily for their paleontological resources and provide the most robust opportunities to learn about and interact with fossils. This includes: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska Badlands National Park, South Dakota Big Bend National Park, Texas Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado and Utah Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Idaho John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Nevada Waco Mammoth National Monument, Texas One very exciting aspect of the fossil parks are the opportunities to see and discover fossils in a natural setting, preserved within a geologic context, Santucci explains. These experiences allow visitors to better see and understand these fragile remains of past life and ancient environments. But there are more than just informational displays and exhibits at many of these parks. Some offer so much more in the way of hands-on education and experience, including guided fossil walks like the one in Badlands, ranger talks given by educated park staff, even fossil preparation demonstrations and even the ability to watch scientists conduct research and examine and categorize fossils found on site. [Related: How to avoid dying in national parks] Junior Paleontologist activity booklets and badges are also available in most of the fossil-focused parks, which are designed to encourage curiosity and teach kids of all ages about history and science. This includes, Santucci says, the relationship between fossils and the rock layers in which they are preserved, how paleontologists carefully recover fossils, the techniques they use to prepare fossils found in the field to assemble them for displays in museums, and witness fossil research and discoveries made by paleontologists working in the parks. 150-million-year-old dinosaur fossils at the Quarry Exhibit Hall Fossils at Dinosaur National Monument. Image: NPS Research and discoveries that NPS carefully preserves to benefit the field of paleontology and public education. And theres plenty of it to preserve. Collectively, the fossil record of the NPS spans over two billion years of Earths history and tells an incredible story of how life changed, adapted, and in many cases went extinct over geologic time, Santucci explains. Visit a park, learn about fossils You can find a whole list of parks that have discovered fossils on the NPS website. Once youve got your sights set on one (or several), plan a trip and get ready to explore. Santucci recommends researching what fossil programs and education might be taking place during your visit, then planning exploration around fossil-related events. After all, only by visiting can you revel in the immense sense of place and historic relevance that these parks offer as you immerse yourself in history. If you do find a fossil during your visit, follow leave-no-trace principles and leave it where it is, but take a photo and drop a pin on your map app. Find a park ranger and share what you found, including photos and location, with them so they can excavate it if necessary. Then sit back and enjoy the histories and stories revealed with each footprint and bone fragment. View comments Its less than two weeks before schools start to break up and the summer holiday rush begins. If you havent already got organised, dont leave it any longer. Being prepared will save you time, money and stress. Here is our checklist to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Passports This is the first thing you should double check, especially if you are travelling to the EU this summer. Since the withdrawal agreement, new rules have been catching out some travellers. These stem from the confusion around the expiry date of British passports, some of which were renewed so that they have a validity of a few months more than the usual 10 years. However, countries in the Schengen area impose a strict 10-year limit on all passports. They use the date the passport was first issued as the starting point and also require it to be valid at least three months after you plan to leave the area. In short, to be sure, you must ignore the expiry date and check your passport was issued less than nine years, nine months before you plan to return to the UK. Other countries like Egypt and Thailand, require at least six months of validity left on the passport before departure. You can check individual countries on the Government website. The Passport Office says it usually takes three weeks to issue a new passport, but you would be wise to allow longer. House- and pet-sitters For those who prefer to have someone present in their house while they are away maybe because there is a pet to look after it is better to book a house-sitter well in advance, but late bookings are also possible. Agencies providing these services include Homesitters and Universal Aunts. Travel insurance If you havent already got holiday cover, get it now. Travel insurance is normally valid from the moment you buy it so that, if anything goes wrong with your plans, you already have protection in place. Our guide to finding the right policy is here. Holiday protection If you have booked a package holiday which is covered by the Air Travel Organisers Licensing (Atol) rules then your money is protected if the operator or airline goes out of business. If you are travelling independently, it is worth investing in travel insurance which includes additional financial protection (see our guide above). Vaccinations Hopefully, if you are travelling long haul, you will have already got any necessary vaccinations sorted. The NHS recommends seeing your GP or a private travel clinic at least six to eight weeks before you are due to travel because some take time to become fully effective. It has a useful reference site here. Car hire In the summer peak, the earlier you book your hire car, the cheaper it is likely to be. If you havent arranged yours yet, you certainly dont want to leave things much longer. Brokers, which negotiate with local and international suppliers, are usually the best places to start when comparing prices. Zest and Auto Europe are two of the best. But always make sure you are comparing like with like and have included all the extras, especially the cost of waiving the excess (see below). Our full guide is here. Car hire insurance Standard insurance sold with cars doesnt cover the excesses charged on claims and which are often set at 1,000 or more. To avoid the risk, take out additional cover in advance of collecting the car. Most hire companies will try to sell you a policy which either reimburses the excess or reduces it to zero. But independent insurers are normally cheaper. Which? recommends Chew and ReduceMyExcess. Your own car If you are driving to an overseas destination, check that your normal car insurance covers you abroad and print out a copy of the certificate in case you are stopped. You will also need the new UK sticker (rather than the old GB one) and you may want to buy additional breakdown insurance (AA for example). The RAC has a useful checklist for what you need to take with you. If you are driving to an overseas destination, make sure your car insurance covers you abroad - Getty Airport parking It is always much cheaper to book in advance rather than simply turn up at the last minute. In some airports, like Manchester, it is the only option in most of the official car parks (the only car park here available to turn-up customers is the short stay, which costs from 464 for eight days, compared with 92 in advance). At peak times the further in advance you book the better. Airport hotels If you have a flight which requires check-in before 8am, you may be in the market for an airport hotel. Check for options at brokers such as Holiday Extras and Park BCP. If you also need parking its worth looking for deals which combine the two. GHIC The Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) replaced the old EHIC arrangements and gives British citizens access to free or low-cost medical treatment in EU countries. It isnt a substitute for a full travel insurance policy, which generally also covers the potential costs of private medical treatment, emergency repatriation, cancelling your holiday, third-party liability, lost luggage and so on, but it is a hugely reassuring fallback in an emergency. It may also save you money if you have to make a medical claim. The card can be ordered for free. Allow at least 15 days for delivery. Spending money For most destinations, the cheapest way of obtaining cash is to use an ATM on arrival as long as you have a debit or credit card which offers a decent deal. Using that card to pay for things directly will also normally be the most efficient way of paying for things. But make sure you know the terms your card issuer is offering well before you travel, so that you can switch cards if necessary. I use a Monzo card), but our detailed guide is here. Roaming rates Be careful. The automatic ban on roaming charges for using our UK-based phones in the EU has ended. So the data you use and the calls you make may now be charged for, though some contracts and providers do still offer free roaming. Check the details for your destination well before departure and make sure your children are up to speed. Depending on your circumstances, it may be worth investing in an e-sim. Restaurants, events and babysitters You are travelling at the busiest time of year. If you hope to try a special restaurant, get tickets to a show, or visit a popular exhibition, plan and book well in advance likewise if you want to arrange a babysitter for the children. Airport trains Often it is cheaper to book these in advance. Stansted Express singles cost from 9.90 between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport, compared to the normal price of 23. You can book up to six months in advance, but even a few days ahead may save you money. It's generally cheaper to book airport trains in advance - Alamy Fast-track security At peak times say early morning on a Saturday in summer security queues can be depressingly long. If you are prepared to pay to skip them, most airports now offer a fast track pass (typically around 7 per person), which you will have to book through the airport site in advance. Check-in Some airlines allow you to check-in weeks in advance, others only 24 hours ahead. Either way, dont leave it too late better to act when you still have plenty of time rather than when you are rushing to leave. Luggage restrictions Most of us are aware of the swingeing charges made if your baggage exceeds the size or weight limit specified by the airline. Ryanair, for example, charges 24-60 if your cabin bag exceeds these limits and has to be checked into the hold at the last minute. It is nearly always cheaper to add extra bags/weight before you check in, so look up the rules for your flight (they vary widely) and if you think youll be near the limit it may be worth doing a trial pack a week or two in advance. Home security If you dont want to employ a house-sitter, there are other security measures you can take when leaving a house empty. Asking a neighbour or friend to keep an eye on things is the best bet. Leaving a car in the drive and using pre-set timers for the lights and radio is also sensible. Some people even conceal the address on their luggage labels at the airport, in case prospective burglars are hanging about scanning addresses, while others avoid taking taxis to the airport from their home address. Copy documents Taking paper copies of all your documents will save a huge amount of time if you lose them, or something goes wrong. On my phone, I also have a photograph of all the cards in my wallet. If it gets lost or stolen, its a useful reminder of what to cancel and renew. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Abilene Public Library welcomes guests every day, and on the first Saturday of each month, some furry friends join the fun. The south side branch hosts Read to a Dog day to help children improve their literacy skills in a low-stress environment. The setup is simple: kids and parents walk into the room, pick a book, and sign up to read to a dog for about 10 minutes. Kids get to choose which dog they would like to read to, and they have the opportunity to read to more than one. Abilene Public Library Summer Reading Challenge begins June 1st The pups from Abilene Therapy Dogs in attendance today were Wylie the Corgi, Cash the Australian Shepherd, Obi the Poodle, Archie the Corgi, and Ami the Chinese Crested. Librarian Marnie Boyers at South Branch Library said that this helps children feel more comfortable reading and also gain confidence. A lot of times, kids, you know, when youre in the classroom or school, you get called on to read and get a little nervous. Its hard to read aloud in front of other humans, but reading to a dog is a little different, Boyers shared. Theyre not judging you, and theyre very calm; theyll lay in your lap, and theyll let you pet them. So its just a stress-free anti-anxiety way of being able to try your literacy skills and practice reading to someone other than a human. Family-Friendly Fun: Summer activities in Abilene Whats happening in the Big Country this weekend? Boyers enjoys watching the children open up as they interact with the dogs. When they come up to look for a spot to read, theyre very standoffish and very quiet. Then you give them the book, and then you see them go over to the dog, and their whole facial expression changes, and they kind of open up, and theyre smiling. Then, when theyre done reading, theyre petting the dog. Theyre very open. It seems like it just kind of changes the personality a little bit, even if its just for a few minutes, but a lot of fun to see, Boyers expressed. The South Branch Library, located in the Mall of Abilene, hosts this free event every month on the first Saturday from 2:30 to 3:30 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Neenah farmers market opens for the season June 8 Future Neenah will begin its 32nd season of the Farmers Market at Shattuck Park on June 8. The market is open 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays through Oct. 12. There are more than 50 vendors offering everything from flowers, meats, coffee, jewelry, unique crafts, and ready to eat food. Live music each week will be 10 a.m. to noon. The Future Neenah Farmers Market will open June 13 with a focus on food, not gatherings. Kids Days at the Market are scheduled for June 22 and July 20. There will be free themed kids activities from 9 a.m. to noon, such as crafts, face painting, bounce houses and more. The Neenah market offers a loyalty card program. Visit the information booth each week and after five visits, a gift is awarded and after 10 visits, get $5 in market tokens. The market also accepts SNAP food share benefits and there are WIC market vendors. For more information, visit neenah.org or call 920-722-1920. This year's Flag Day Parade puts spotlight on Army Appletons 73rd Flag Day Parade is set for 2 p.m. June 8. This years theme is Rockin in the U.S.A. There are several pre- and post-parade events scheduled. The celebration annually attracts more than 50,000 spectators and participants from throughout the state and nation to Appleton. The day begins at 8 a.m. with the Downtown Appleton Farm Market. A pre-parade concert by the 484th Army Band of Chicago/Milwaukee will be held at noon in Houdini Plaza. At 12:30 p.m., the 1st Brigade Band, a Civil War era band from Watertown, will perform outside The 10th Frame, 618 W. Wisconsin Ave. There is no admission charged, and concertgoers should bring chairs. The parade begins at 2 p.m. at the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and North Oneida Street. The route travels west down Wisconsin Avenue to State Street, south on State Street to College Avenue, then turns east and ends at Drew Street. Each year, the parade honors a branch of the military, and this years event spotlights the United States Army. Escorting the U.S. Flag will be Chip Waters, a Vietnam-era Army veteran who turned a hobby into a way of paying it forward to others who served, according to a news release. On top of regularly volunteering, Waters began Chips Stix as a way to provide walking sticks to veterans organizations. Following the parade at about 4:30 p.m., The Badger Band, featuring members of the University of Wisconsin Marching Band, will play music from the Fifth Quarter in Houdini Plaza. For more information and updates, visit appleton.org/visitors/appleton-parades/flag-day-parade. Day of roller derby action set for June 8 in Appleton Fox Cities Roller Derby will host a full day of action June 8 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center. Teams competing in the Supper Club Showdown are the 920 Honeys and the All Stars, as well as teams from Madison Roller Derby and North Star Roller Derby. The Fox Cities Roller Derby consists of two teams, the All Stars and the 920 Honeys. Five games will be played, ending with an open gender mixer event. There will be a Vendor Village featuring a variety of sellers as well as non-profits offering information on their groups. Doors open at 9 a.m. and the the first game starts at 10 a.m. with FCRDs All Stars facing Madison Roller Derbys The Herd. Tickets are $15 for ages 12 and older if purchased in advance, or $18 at the door. Children ages 11 and younger are admitted free. Tickets are $10 for Lawrence University students with ID. FCRD has four more home events with the June 29, July 20 and Aug. 10 bouts taking place at Skater Edge. Rock Paper Valley Scissors on Aug. 24 at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center will be another five-game event. For more information, visit foxcitiesrollerderby.com. Neenah author releases new childrens book Joanne S. Rupp, (LaBate), a resident of the town of Neenah, has recently published the third book in the childrens Butterscotch Adventure Series. Butterscotch Finds His Inside Gifts and Shares Them on the Outside can be found at Barnes & Noble as well as Amazon. The first two books in the series, Butterscotch Goes To Puppy Academy and Butterscotch Learns To Do Something About Some Things! also are available on Amazon. The books follow the adventures of 8-year-old Darcie and her French bulldog puppy, Butterscotch. A fourth books is in the works. Rupp, a native of Hibbing, Michigan, is a motivational childrens speaker, owned a daycare center for 17 years in Neenah, and has been recognized for her development and writing of preschool curriculum. For more information about Rupp, visit awriterslens.com. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Neenah farmers market opens for the season June 8 Is There A Doctor On Board?: Experts Reveal What Happens If Someone Dies At 30,000 Feet Is there a doctor on board? Those who fly frequently may have heard this question asked at some point on a plane. In-flight medical incidents can range from minor to serious, and sometimes the outcome is fatal. In February, a 41-year-old passenger died after falling ill on an American Airlines flight from the Dominican Republic to North Carolina. Weeks earlier, a 63-year-old experienced a medical emergency and died on a Lufthansa flight from Thailand to Germany. And just this week, a 73-year-old passenger died aboard a Singapore Airlines flight after the plane hit severe turbulence. A death on board at 35,000 feet is one of the most feared situations for flight attendants, often because it follows a medical emergency, which is already very stressful to manage, said Jay Robert, a former flight attendant and the founder of the brand A Fly Guy. When a medical emergency results in death, it can be a very traumatic experience for everyone on board, especially if the passenger is young. Although these incidents receive much media coverage, in-flight deaths remain relatively rare. A 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that over a period of about three years, there was 1 in-flight medical emergency for every 604 flights, and of the 10,914 afflicted passengers for whom there was follow-up data, 0.3% died. That translates to 36 known deaths in that period, or about one per month, with 30 of those deaths occurring during flight. The likelihood of facing a death in the sky increases for crew members working on wide-body aircraft on long-haul routes, Robert said. There are more passengers, fewer opportunities to divert, and passengers are in a pressurized environment, sitting for extended periods, which often can lead to serious health problems. So what happens when one of these problems arises and a passenger dies during a commercial flight? Below, Robert and other experts explain the procedures that crew members must follow to handle the situation with sensitivity and professionalism. The crew must follow emergency medical procedures. Airlines typically develop their procedures in compliance with international aviation regulations and guidelines, Dr. Paulo Alves, the global medical director of aviation health at MedAire, told HuffPost. He named the International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air Transport Association, or IATA, as two authorities that issue such guidance. These guidelines provide a framework, but airlines tailor their procedures to fit their specific operational needs and training programs, Alves said. Although the exact protocols vary from airline to airline, flight crews are typically trained to provide basic life support, notify the pilots and seek assistance from medical professionals. We have AEDs [automated external defibrillators] on board the planes to use if a passenger goes unconscious and stops breathing, and were all trained to do CPR, said Heather Poole, a flight attendant and the author of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet. Well page for a medical professional to help us if we need them, she said. And if theres not one on board, we can contact a physician on the ground. Airlines use services like MedAires MedLink to get guidance from on-call medical professionals during emergencies. IATA guidelines recommend that the crew and any medical professionals on board administer CPR until it becomes unsafe due to turbulence or landing conditions, the passenger has been transferred into the care of emergency services, or the person is believed to be deceased. Crew members cannot declare if a person has died or not, Alves said. But if specific criteria are met e.g., the person is not responding and not breathing, CPR has been performed for 30 or more minutes, and AED is used without return of spontaneous circulation the person could be presumed dead. He noted that a medical volunteer on board might also come forward to provide assistance and, in some cases, determine whether a passenger has died. Gece33 / Getty Images If a passenger is presumed dead, there are best practices for handling them with respect. When a medical emergency arises, the crew must notify the captain, who will decide with the airlines operations center whether to continue to the intended destination or divert to another airport. There are several logistical and humanitarian aspects to weigh during this process. A death on board does not automatically entail a diversion to another airport, said Markus Ruediger, the assistant director of corporate communications at IATA. Diversion to a third country neither origin nor destination of the flight could add further complexities in repatriating the deceased. Furthermore, airlines are required to inform the relevant authorities of the death on board. There are specific procedures for securing the deceased persons body in a way that respects their dignity and shows sensitivity to their travel companions and others on the plane. To handle the body with dignity and respect while ensuring minimal disruption to other passengers, the crew covers the deceased passenger with a blanket, Alves said. Nearby passengers may be moved to other seats if space permits. The body may be moved to a less populated area, such as an empty row, if available. Otherwise, the body is secured in the original seat with the seatbelt fastened to prevent movement during the flight. He added that the crew wears personal protective equipment to maintain hygiene and safety while handling the body. Protocols might be different for lengthier flights with many more hours remaining. When Robert worked for a major international airline that operated some of the worlds longest flights, the on-board equipment included a kit with a body bag and toe tags. If the pilots decided to continue to our destination, we would have to prepare the body for storage, he recalled. This involved moving the deceased to a private area where the body could be stored flat for the remainder of the journey without other passengers noticing and without obstructing an exit. It was essential to keep the body flat, as postmortem stiffening of muscles would start about two hours after death and the flights could still have a long way to go. The aircraft that Robert worked on typically had first-class suites with flat beds and privacy doors, which crew members would use if one was vacant. We were trained to use the onboard wheelchair, which we discreetly wheeled backward through the cabin to move the body to a suitable location, Robert said. Once the body was in the body bag, we were trained to zip it only to the neck, as the person wouldnt be officially declared dead until after the plane landed. We could use a blanket to cover the head out of respect. For the remainder of the flight, the crew must prepare for what will happen to the body after landing. Throughout this process, the crew communicates with ground staff at the destination airport to ensure proper handling upon arrival, Alves noted. When a plane makes an emergency landing due to a medical situation, passengers are advised to remain seated until health professionals board and remove the affected individuals. But the IATA recommends the opposite if the passenger is presumed dead. Disembark other passengers first and make sure the family members stay with the body, its guidelines note. Do not disembark the body until the proper local authority has arrived to take care of the body and that the ground personnel is available to assist the family members. Its important to acknowledge the trauma and emotion of the situation. While flight attendants receive training in basic life support and how to recognize and respond to various medical conditions, they also learn the best ways to offer emotional support during these traumatic situations. A significant part of our training on death on board was how to break the news to the people traveling with the deceased, Robert recalled. We had scripts to follow loosely, and we role-played how to tell someone their travel partner had died. A lot of care goes into this process. Flight attendants handle the deceased persons body with awareness of how distressing the situation is for not just their loved ones, but for onlookers as well. They are prepared to talk to and comfort any passengers who may be experiencing emotional difficulty. A medical emergency is very stressful on crew, Poole said. On my last flight from London to New York, a passenger had a seizure during the middle of the dinner service. One minute we were serving meals, and the next minute we were running for oxygen and paging for a doctor. Twenty minutes later, we were back to serving drinks and picking up trash. It can be very overwhelming at times. Passengers should understand that a medical emergency becomes crew members top priority, so service often stops. I have literally been on the floor trying to keep a passenger alive while other passengers tapped me on the shoulder, asking for drinks, Robert said. Additionally, please keep your phones away during these sensitive times. Not everything needs to be filmed and posted on social media. Someone traveling with a person who dies in flight doesnt need to have the nightmare relived online. Flight attendants do not need to relive the nightmare either. We have resources available to us after an emergency situation that helps crew deal with the emotional stress, Poole noted. Airlines can provide mental health resources like counseling and peer support through MedAire and similar companies.Its essential to acknowledge the professionalism and compassion of flight crews in these challenging situations, Alves said.This post originally appeared on HuffPost. Spiderplay / Getty Images EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso Museum of History (EPMH) kicked off Pride Month with a Family Day event and a new exhibit. On Saturday, June 1, the museum hosted a free LGBTQ event for the community to celebrate different artists and culture bearers in Mexico. Along with hands-on activities and face painting, the museum also debuted its new pop-up exhibit showcasing El Baile De Los 41, an event in 1901 where Mexican police raided a ball where only men were in attendance. During the Porfirian era, what we saw was the rise of what they called liberalism at the time in Mexico. With that came, of course, high society emulating European standards. But there was also the other part where people were very conservative. So, anybody who was from the LGBTQ community had to hide, said Erica Marin, the director of EPMH. They would have clandestine meetings and would rent houses and have parties. One of these parties was found out and people were rounded up, people from high society, as well as people from the working class. It became a big scandal and basically it was called the beginning or the invention of homosexuality in Mexico, Marin said. Marin said events like Family Day are important for communities in order to send a message of inclusivity. I think its important for people to realize that people have always loved who they loved throughout time. So even before the 19th century, queer folk existed. So, this is not necessarily about tolerance, but its about love, Marin said. EPMH will be hosting a Pride Month Conversation at 5:30 p.m. June 13. Various topics will be discussed including El Pasos medical, legal, emotional and social support for the LGBTQ community, according to a news release sent by the City of El Paso. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) Hospice of Southern West Virginia will be hosting Camp Hope at the Resort at Glade Springs. Walls of the Missing: Commemorating soldiers whose remains were never recovered Camp Hope is geared towards children between the ages of 7 and 17 and thanks to grant funding will be completely free. Jeri Knowlton, Director of Public Relations, said the camp provides a much-needed opportunity. Its a real opportunity for us to be able to help children understand how to grieve and what grieving looks like, said Knowlton. The camp will be from June 11 to the 13th at the Resort at Glade Springs. Children will interact with bereavement specialists throughout the three day camp while also getting to participate in more light-hearted camp activities such as kayaking and laser tag. Registration for the camp ends on Wednesday, June 5th. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." As a design-focused commerce editor who's currently in the throes of furniture shopping for my new apartment, I'm pretty up to date on the latest interiors trends. Since I've been in the business for nearly a decade, I've seen many design fads come and gobut a select few have managed to stick around. And one in particular seems to be getting even bigger: I'm talking about boucle. Quite frankly, I am sick of seeing it. There is beaucoup boucle everywhere. Each time I type the word "chair" into Google's search bar, boucle is, without fail, in the first three suggestions. All of which begs the question: Have boucle chairs gone too far? According to not one, not three, but four interior designers, boucle is here to stay. It's unanimous, much to my dismay. "Boucle stands as a truly timeless material, offering a wide spectrum of colors and boasting thicker, nubby textures ranging from softer to coarser feels," says New York-based designer Becky Shea. "This fabric has maintained its quiet luxury since its inception. It's not just a fabric; it's an ambianceit brings warmth, comfort, and sophistication to any space that embraces it." Speaking of boucle's inception, the much-used material has been around since the 1940s, when Italian furniture maker Eero Saarinen debuted his now-iconic Womb chair in the nubby fabric. Later, in the 1960s, Jacqueline Kennedy donned her infamous pink tweed Chanel suit in the same material, bringing it into the fashion sphere. "Ah, Coco Chanel, the epitome of chic!," Shea muses. "She graced us with wool tweed in the 1930s, and by the 1960s, she was both experimenting with and enchanting us with boucle." Design: Becky Shea Design, Photo: Jake Shea Brooklyn-based Emma Beryl shares Shea's love of boucle, but she has some advice for anyone considering upholstering a chair or sofa in the fuzzy fabric. "When choosing this material, you need to ask yourself if you actually like the boucle for what it is or if you just want it because it's trendy. Too much of a good thing makes it boring quickly." She's not wrong. In fact, the reason trends tend to come in hot and exit the premises quickly is because they're overdone and, frankly, just too much to live with longterm. So, if you love boucle and want to embrace it, choose one piece to cover in the material and leave the rest of your furniture alone. Cynthia Lananh, a designer based in San Francisco, offers these words of wisdom when it comes to decorating with the fabric. "Boucle provides a warm and cozy aesthetic while also feeling classic and elevated," she says. "It looks best when layered with other textured and soft fabrics. In serene, neutral palettes, the chunky woven texture of boucle fabric is also a great option to use when blending transitional style pieces with more minimalistic designs." If a pared-down style suits your personal sense of aesthetics, boucle may be the perfect material because it recalls the quiet, soothing spaces of Scandinavia, the unofficial capital of minimalism. Of course, because it is such a versatile fabric, boucle happens to work well with pretty much any look, which is perhaps why it is still very much on-trend. Since the experts have declared it a material with well-deserved staying power, I suppose I'll have to get used to it. If you're already on board with boucle, shop a few of House Beautiful-approved pieces below. Drew Chair Shop Now Drew Chair walmart.com $298.00 Cozy Swivel Chair Shop Now Cozy Swivel Chair westelm.com $799.00 Le Tuco Accent Chair Shop Now Le Tuco Accent Chair crateandbarrel.com $2699.00 Sherpa Accent Chair, Shop Now Sherpa Accent Chair, amazon.com $199.99 Amber Boucle Swivel Chair Shop Now Amber Boucle Swivel Chair castlery.com $599.00 Brycie Armchair Shop Now Brycie Armchair wayfair.com $245.99 Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok. You Might Also Like Her parents split up and she moved all the way across town, and there Michelle Farell stood outside a middle school classroom in Grosse Pointe Woods, 13 years old and scared, hoping the group of strangers inside would somehow make her feel less alone. That was her introduction to Girl Scouts, which became her gateway to Mackinac Island, which thanks to a former Michigan first lady became her launching pad. Now she's 54, and there's a thousand dollars worth of food in her living room she'll be dragging to the island in a couple of weeks so that 49 girls can have a chance to grow and glow the way she did. As a kid, Farell was part of the Mackinac Island Honor Guard marching, raising and lowering flags, greeting tourists, learning, dreaming. As an adult, she told her future husband, Heres the bottom line. You can stay or go, but Im going to Mackinac for one week every year. Are you good with that? He was and is. As for the Honor Guard, it's been around long enough that former President Gerald Ford was in it, back when the program launched in 1929. Michelle Farell, 54, of Canton, holds her old sash with the badges she earned as a Girl Scout in her living room on Friday, May 31, 2024. This is the 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts being allowed to join Boy Scouts as part of the Mackinac Island Honor Guard. This is the 50th anniversary of Girl Scouts getting to participate, and that's a fine benchmark. Equal participation is important in and of itself. What makes the milestone worth noting, though, isn't only that common sense prevailed in 1974, the same year a new law allowed women to apply for credit cards in their own name. It's people like Farell, who looks back at scouting and the Honor Guard and says, "I'm not going to say it saved my life. But it completely directed my life in a different place." Good luck and magic Good fortune and geography put Farell into Troop 327, led by a Grosse Pointer named Betsy Martin who watched Boy Scouts raise flags across the island when the Fort Mackinac cannon blasted at 9:40 a.m. and thought, what is it about this that my girls cant do? Martin somehow connected with Helen Milliken, wife of Gov. William Milliken, who agreed. Within a year, girls were alternating weeks with boys in a program that runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and provides some 30,000 volunteer hours to the Mackinac State Historic Parks. Martins oldest daughter, Cathy Leverenz, aged out of scouting a year too soon to serve on the island. But she knows her way around the scout barracks up the hill from the fort: shes the senior adviser of Mackinac Troop 327, culled from 20 Girl Scout troops across southeast Michigan. Its unclear, says Leverenz, 68, whether her mom initially expected any benefits for her girls beyond joy. But she quickly came to recognize what she called the Mackinac Magic. As I write letters of recommendation for girls going on to college and jobs, Leverenz says, she shares their pride in the skills theyve assimilated while they marched and bonded and laughed. Organization, responsibility, leadership, citizenship Its just amazing. Arriving young, and staying Liz Burt, 54, didnt invoke Mackinac Magic, but she did say the island speaks to your soul. She was able to listen, she says, because of the program. She came to Mackinac Island every year she was eligible as a scout, then found summer jobs there during college that felt more like coming home than her own house in Grosse Pointe Woods did. Her parents, not unreasonably, suggested that it was time to focus on a real job after she graduated from Michigan State with a teaching degree. She decided to spend one more summer as a historical interpreter at the fort, and she was wearing her period-authentic dress when she interviewed for an opening at Mackinac Island Public Schools. She has been on the faculty now for 31 years. This year, shes handling the fourth, fifth and sixth grades but thats nine students, she notes, out of a K-12 enrollment of 75. She met her husband on the island, where he has gone from summer archaeologist to director of public works. Raised two kids there. Bought cemetery plots. The whole trajectory of my life changed, she says, because of Troop 327 and the Honor Guard. And its been a wonderful life. Long drives and high seas Farell also worked summers on the island and then became a teacher. She quit to raise three children with the engineer she didnt scare off with her annual commitment to the Girl Scouts, but still found time to earn a masters in library science and be elected a Canton library trustee. Her younger kids just graduated from high school. Adam heads to the Mackinac barracks with his Boy Scout troop in August, and his twin, Eleanor, will be there with her mom June 15-22. Eleanor is an Honor Guard bugler whose home troop has been No. 327 even though that means a 45-minute drive from Canton for every meeting and activity. In heavy traffic, Farell can remind herself how her Mackinac years were a lifeboat when everything around her was choppy waters. Maybe its not as important to all of them as it was to me, she says, but as she plans and orders seven days of meals for the girls and eight adults, I know Im doing a good thing. She is confident, too, that the girls will do good. Some are obvious stars. Hannah Blakey, a Mercy High grad, was a track standout at West Point and is now a Rhodes Scholar. But Im not necessarily talking about being president, Farell says. Its more that girls know they are valuable contributors to a larger whole. In 1974, the barracks on Mackinac Island opened its doors to everyone. Now girls can go and dazzle and be dazzled, she says, and realize that they count. Neal Rubin was an indifferent Cub Scout who's suddenly wishing he'd tried harder. Reach him at NARubin@freepress.com. To subscribe to the Free Press at discount rates, click here. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Girl Scouts value 50 years on Mackinac Honor Guard for more than tenure Donald Jackson was a resident of Amarillo from 1979 through 2007 and was employed at Pantex. Jackson said when he moved away, he left a piece of his heart here, as well as many good friends. Lately, he has been able to make three African safaris, and here he shares a firsthand account of his first trip for his community back in Amarillo. Anticipating his third visit, he said the De Meyers and their staff are like family now, and he is sure of a wonderful adventure when in their care. Here is his account of these hunting adventures, presented in a three-part series. For anyone who is a serious hunter, the ultimate dream is a hunt in Africa. For most of us, this remains a dream, and I always thought that it would be that way for me. After all, Africa was too far away and a trip there would involve guides, servants and fees, taxes and bribes, making it much too expensive for someone who always carried a lunch box to work and had to watch his expenses. I was wrong on all counts! At the Ducks Unlimited Banquet in 2018, I was the high bidder on a trip for four to South Africa, sponsored by Kuche Hunting Safairs. Two of our friends agreed to go with us, so the party was set. We had three years to take the trip, so we planned to go last year. Due to Covid, we delayed until 2021. We flew there on Qatar Airways flights from Atlanta to Qatar to Johannesburg, South Africa. This was a two-day journey, and we got very tired of sitting in the airplane, but Qatar does everything they can to make it a pleasant trip. You have a choice of entrees at every meal, and their food is tasty and well prepared. Unlimited drinks are included in the price of the tickets, and the stewardesses were always attentive to all of their passengers. The entertainment screen in front of each passenger had movies, TV programs, informative channels like E! and National Geographic, as well as route maps and external cameras that gave you the pilots view. The crew, from left to right: Piet (our tracker), Zander Lawrence (professional hunter), Coebus DeMeyer (staff), and Donald Jackson. We arrived in Johannesburg at 4 a.m. and after collecting our bags went to the police station to collect our rifles. I have never met a friendlier, more helpful group than those policeman and policewomen. Our outfitter, Koos de Meyer of Kuche Hunting Safaris, was on the way to meet us, but due to the curfew was not able to be there when we arrived. The police called him to get his time of arrival and then assisted us in filling out the paperwork for importing our rifles into South Africa. By the time Koos arrived, they had everything processed and had handed us our permits. The termites build mounds to ventilate their underground nests. The tree is not damaged as they eat a fungus that grows underground. Koos told us quite a bit about the state of the animals in South Africa. We have been told that elephants are endangered and near extinction. This is true only in the northern part of Africa. In the Southern portion of the continent, the elephant population has boomed under the protection of the government and the ranchers. There are at least 400 more elephants in Kruger National Park than the ecology can support. As elephants are very destructive feeders, they can quickly deplete the landscape, rendering it unable to support them or any other animals. Because the ranchers had also waged war against lions, the giraffe population, to use one example, has grown so large that they exceed the carrying capacity of the land in many places. It has become necessary to hunt the animals to keep them from overgrazing the land and all starving together. Plus, the natives are fed from the meat that hunters harvest. And the rancher makes enough money to stay in business. There are a lot of abandoned homesteads in South Africa. Most of them were bought by energy companies so that the land could be mined for the vast beds of coal. Most power in South Africa comes from coal fired powerplants. Until about 50 years ago, the ranchers viewed the wild animals as competitors for the available forage, and many were shot just to get rid of them so that the cattle would have more room and feed. Then the safari industry started to bring in tourists with foreign currency, and the ranchers realized that the animals were more valuable than the cattle. Since then, the wildlife have flourished because they can be hunted, thus have value and the ranchers encourage then rather than try to exterminate them. The government figures indicate that the wild animal population has almost doubled in just the last 20 years. I understand that the preservationist organizations need to make us think we are saving the very last animals so that we will send them money, but when it comes to the animals plight I will take the word of the men who are living with the animals every day. Another interesting part of our drive to the compound was seeing all of the businesses along the way. They have KFC there, also Taco Bell! Who would have guessed? We made a rest stop at a convenience store, and learned just how serious they are about fighting Covid. A gentleman in uniform was at the front door with an AK-47, making sure that everyone was wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer. I felt that he would cheerfully use it on anyone who did not comply. We loaded all of our luggage into the back of Koos truck and climbed in. He began the 4 1/2 hour drive to his lodge. We had to descend through the mountains that Johannesburg is in to the flat plain that makes up the Northern part of South Africa. The country reminds me very much of West Texas, with different vegetation. The lodge at Limpopo base camp. The main lodge is located near the village of Steenbokpan, in the portion of Limpopo province that is near Botswana. It is very flat, devoid of hills and valleys but is truly beautiful. Its annual rainfall is only about 21 inches, but it is covered with sweetgrass, which is high in nutrients and feeding value for game. The Shepherds Tree, Boscia albitrunca, is found there in abundance. It is a protected tree and a very distinct element of the bushveld flora. The sky is a most beautiful deep blue and the sunsets a magnificent display of reds and salmon pink. We arrived at the lodge about 1:00. Lunch was available, but I do not recall eating that day, I was too excited. The lodge is sited just off the road and is complete with everything that you could wish. The rooms are like motel suites, there is a swimming pool, a fire pit and a lounge. Honestly, I was too intent on meeting the camp staff and our Professional Hunters to pay much attention. All during our stay we were pampered in every way, and the pampering started immediately. Two ladies took care of cleaning the rooms daily, putting fresh linens on the beds daily and washing and ironing our clothes daily (they have a solar clothes dryer, just like my grandmother used to have). The Limpopo lodge's formal dining room. We presented Roberto with a chef's hat, Chef's knives and whetstone. Pictured are Koos De Meyer, Sharon De Meyer and Roberto Tshuma. Our chef was named Roberto, and he could have cooked in any gourmet restaurant anywhere. He always prepared every meal, from Breakfast to Dinner, and did it up right. We had steak from a different animal every night. Kudu, Sable, Waterbuck, Eland, Impala and Zebra were on the menu, with chicken for those adverse to eating wild game. The wild game was delicious! As were the salads, various vegetables and deserts that accompanied it. Part two will begin with the first morning where Jackson's hunt began in earnest. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Part 1: Former Amarilloan shares hunting adventures in Africa safaris After years of financial troubles, top UConn Health center officials will now be analyzing a series of financial options that call for forming partnerships to attract more patients beyond its relatively small hospital in Farmington. Seeking to improve the health centers financial future, Gov. Ned Lamont hired a respected health care consulting firm that spent nearly six months in seeking the best solutions for the centers future. The health care consulting and investment banking company, known as Cain Brothers, released a detailed, 104-page report Friday that said that UConn needs to generate more money from patient care in order to compete in the health care world of the future. John Dempsey Hospital, outpatient offices in places like Simsbury, and the related faculty physician group have generated cash flow losses averaging $140 million annually over the past four years before any state transfers, the report said. Recent accounting changes beginning in 2024, however, will result in materially reduced fringe benefit expenses for UConn Health because those costs are being absorbed by the state. The report added, UConn Health will still generate a loss after this accounting shift. UConn Healths patient care enterprise is subscale, unprofitable and unable to financially support the academic mission nor fund recruiting or research for the medical school. Financial support from the state has been necessary to fund both the academic mission as well as losses from the patient care enterprise. Compared to other medical centers nationwide, UConn is hindered by a small operation, the report said. UConn has 234 staffed beds, compared to more than 1,000 beds at major hospitals across the country. UConn Health is 20% of the size, in terms of revenue, of the average of select public university academic health systems, the report said. UConn Health has no leverage in the marketplace. It lacks scale to support fixed costs IT, revenue cycle, supply chain, etc. The universitys medical school is rated by U.S. News and World Report magazine as 53rd in research and 70th by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, which the report described as middle of the pack nationally. The Cain Brothers report offered a series of options, rather than making one specific recommendation that should be followed. As a result, Lamont and top UConn officials will not be tied to a specific outcome and will now begin collaborative efforts to study the health centers future. Story continues Those options include combining with another hospital in a joint operating agreement or public-private partnership; leasing space in John Dempsey Hospital to generate money; and creating a partnership in back-office operations to increase scale and purchasing power. Another option is breaking UConn off from the university, creating a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and then allowing UConn to acquire other hospitals. The report was released only two days after UConn announced that it has hired a new leader, Dr. Andy Agwunobi, to guide the health center, including the hospital and the universitys medical and dental schools, into the future. Lamont said that Agwunobi had already read the report before the public announcement of his appointment last week and was prepared to study the issue further. Its on Andys desk, Lamont said when asked by The Courant. Thats why hes here. He knows this hospital well. Its operationally working the best its ever been. Now hes thinking strategically, where we ought to be. Scale, partnerships, how can we make UConn Health be all that it can be? How do we continue to raise the bar? Given the size of the hospital we are right now, its doing very well. Its a lot better today than 10 years ago. Concerning Agwunobi, Lamont said, If we have to do any partnerships along the way, hes the guy to do it. Hes been in five other hospital systems. He knows what hes doing. The report does not call for any drastic realignments. Andy has read it, Lamont said. We asked him about that when he came in. We just wanted to make sure that he was thinking strategically, and he is. Cain is very well regarded, strong regionally. Theyve done some work previously for UConn Health. They had some history, so they could hit the ground running. Union leaders from the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition said the report was done by the corporate-oriented Cain Brothers, a division of KeyBanc Capital Markets, an out-of-state investment banking firm with a vested interest in hospital consolidations. Bill Garrity, president of the University Health Professionals union and former emergency room nurse at Dempsey hospital, said, The clinical, research and academic professionals at UConn Health deliver a vital and unique public good. Expanding this public good is in everyones interest. One of the multiple options mentioned by Cain was merging with another health operation that would shift SEBAC employees to private sector union and benefit structure. In the fast-moving medical world, Connecticut once had 27 independent hospitals and now has only six. The two biggest systems, Hartford Healthcare and Yale New Haven, control about two-thirds of the market, officials said. The report noted that UConn has 449 students in the medical school, 204 dental school students, and 378 in the graduate school that focuses on issues including biomedical science, clinical research and public health. Regarding finances, Agwunobi said, The results at UConn Health are amazing whether you talk about tripling net patient revenue or reducing costs by hundreds of millions of dollars. There are always opportunities to strengthen our finances. Were doing a lot better now than we were seven years ago. So its a trajectory. Concerns raised House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford, who was briefed on the issue during the legislative session, said the 104-page report did not break any new ground and instead highlighted the same financial problems that have existed for years. Were spending money to find out what we already know, Candelora said in an interview. One of my takeaways from the study was that UConn Health has always said that they take such a large Medicaid population that thats one of the reasons why they go into the red. But when you look at the report, their Medicaid population is probably below average than many of our hospitals. Candelora added, Bottom line, we need to have that conversation about the fringe benefits and the unaffordable state benefits that not only take down our hospital but is certainly adding quite a bit to the bottom line for our college institutions. There was nothing in the report aside from the Medicaid issue that really surprised me. I think Connecticut continues to spend money on consultants to delay the difficult decisions. Meanwhile, the taxpayers are picking up the tab. They dont have a Medicaid problem. They have an expenditure problem. UConn Health uniquely has the financial problem with the fringe benefits that no other institution has, but they have the deep pockets of taxpayers to continue to dig into. Behind the scenes While all the top officials were united last week in announcing the UConn Healths new leader, Lamont had received strong pushback from the top leaders of the UConn administration, who said that hiring a consultant was not necessary. Behind the scenes, UConn President Radenka Maric and other top officials had been trying to block the request for proposals sought by Lamont, which was first reported by Hartford Courant columnist Kevin Rennie. Rennie obtained a two-page letter that was written by Maric and three of the universitys highest-ranking officials: board of trustees chairman Daniel Toscano, health center board chairman Sanford Cloud, and medical school dean Bruce T. Liang, who also served as interim CEO at the health center. All these officials appeared together at the celebratory announcement of the new CEO We question the need to issue a broad RFP or RFI, particularly because, as you know, we fear this will cause significant damage to UConn Health, including its schools, its reputation, and most importantly, retention and recruitment of the best and brightest faculty, staff and students, many of whom build their lives and careers in Connecticut, the letter said. The four leaders also said they were concerned about the future of the UConn medical and dental schools that are based in Farmington. We are extremely concerned that if any responses include selling the clinical enterprise, the two schools accreditation and therefore their ability to continue to operate could be in serious jeopardy, according to the letter. During years of previous debates about the future of the health center, Connecticut lawmakers have repeatedly noted that Harvard Medical School does not own its own hospital and students instead learn at hospitals around Boston. But Lamont prevailed, and Cain Brothers began doing their work in December. The financial problems at the health center have been a long-running issue with the legislature, dating back at least to 2000 and have continued for the terms of the past four governors. The health center sought millions in additional funding as lawmakers said for years that the fringe benefits for state employees at the state-subsidized hospital in Farmington have traditionally been far beyond those at similar hospitals. At Lamonts direction, the state will continue funding the legacy costs of pensions and retiree health care. Financial oversight Legislators have questioned the level of financial oversight at the health center, citing a case in which UConn continued to pay an 84-year-old medical school professor, Dr. Pierluigi Bigazzi, after he was dead. Bigazzi was paid for at least five months with 11 biweekly paychecks until his body was discovered by police on Feb. 5, 2018. He was believed to have been killed in his Burlington home at some point around August 2017 and wrapped in black plastic garbage bags with duct tape in the basement. His 70-year-old wife, Linda, was charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence. She pleaded guilty in the case under the Alford Doctrine and could receive 13 years in prison when she is sentenced on June 28. You would hope people would recognize that somebody is not showing up at the office, former Senate Republican leader Kevin Kelly previously said of the case. Later, UConn recovered about $50,000 in wages that had gone electronically to Bigazzis joint bank account that he shared with his wife. The total was reduced by the amount of vacation time that had not been taken by Bigazzi, who was earning about $200,000 per year at the time of his death. He had been working from home on rewriting part of the medical schools curriculum, and he did not answer telephone calls and more than a dozen emails as UConn officials tried to contact him. Long history The health center has a long history of seeking partnerships that never worked out. In March 2007, five major hospitals teamed up and went public to protest UConns plan to build a $500 million hospital in Farmington as behind-the-scenes feuding over the proposed new hospital spilled into public view. UConn said at the time that its then-30-year-old hospital in Farmington was too small and seriously outdated, making it increasingly difficult to attract top faculty for its adjacent medical and dental schools. Competing hospitals countered that a larger hospital in Farmington would siphon off suburban patients with good insurance plans, leaving them with a disproportionate number of poor patients and more severe financial problems. Those particular plans were dropped, and some officials said that Hartford Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Bristol Hospital, Middlesex Hospital, and The Hospital of Central Connecticut should work with UConn to determine the number of new beds that were needed in the region. In 2009, officials talked about a merger between Hartford Hospital and the health center that would create a two-campus university hospital in Farmington and Hartford. That idea fell apart, and the next governor, Dannel P. Malloy, called in 2011 for a bold new plan that was more than double the size of a plan discussed under Gov. M. Jodi Rell. The legislature approved an $864 million multifaceted project to expand the medical and dental schools and generate an estimated 3,000 new construction jobs at the Farmington campus. The proposal called for adding 100 students to the medical school, 48 students to the dental school and about 50 medical researchers overall, as well as a new hospital tower and parking garages. The proposal said the health center, which had been bailed out four times since 2000 under two governors, would break even by 2018. The tower was eventually built in Farmington under Malloys direction. But UConns financial problems have continued. In 2017, the health center hired Cain Brothers after the state legislature required the UConn board to explore public-private partnerships. That led to a report that was sent to the legislature in 2018, but no major structural changes were made. In December 2023, the state hired Cain Brothers once again for the latest report under Lamont. That report will help serve as a baseline to determine UConn Healths future. State comptroller Sean Scanlon, who has gained a reputation for tackling long-running, intractable public policy problems, has been looking at the health care situation for the past year at Lamonts direction and will continue in that role. The next step is weve got a new leader, and a great leader, and he is now going to be looking at this report alongside myself, the governor, the employees, and the board at UConn to evaluate what the best plan for the future of UConn is to continue the important work that they do in our community, but to see if we can do that in a way that is more financially sustainable, Scanlon told the Courant in an interview. Now, weve got to get everyone around a table whether its labor, the doctors, the management there. Were going to work through this together. Andy is going to be the leader of that process, but Im proud to continue being involved in that, and Im excited for what the future holds. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@courant.com UConn Health is in financial trouble. It also has 44 employees who earn at least $500,000 a year, four of them $1M+ Student Success Stores take care of basic but important teen needs in Columbus, Whitehall Fourteen schools in Columbus and Whitehall are home to Student Success Stores, which have school supplies, hygiene products and are available to students who need them. At 14 middle schools in central Ohio, teens whose families can't afford stylish backpacks, hair products or new clothes have been able to concentrate on classes instead of those other things. "It sounds kind of silly, but if you think about being a 13-year-old...," Nicole Hebert-Ford, a former teacher, soon-to-be school counselor and co-founder of Student Success Stores, said she likes to remind people. "We're able to keep those small problems small." Since their start at Champion Middle School, Columbus Global Academy and Mifflin Middle School in 2017, Student Success Stores have opened more branches within Columbus City Schools and Whitehall City Schools buildings with higher percentages of children living in poverty. The stores offer not just dress-code-compliant clothing, they also are stocked with underclothing and socks, coats and hats, hygiene products and school supplies. The items are donated by businesses, collected during support drives or purchased with financial contributions, and they're free to children. The idea behind them first pitched at a 2016 United Way of Central Ohio "Pitch to Ditch Poverty" event is that young people worried about their clothes or hair or other things that adults tell them not to worry about will be distracted from their studies. "Our goal is to help students focus on their learning," Hebert-Ford said. "In order to do that, our goal is to meet students' basic needs." To date, the Student Success Stores have provided more than 37,000 items to young shoppers. There is no eligibility test for students individually; if there's a store in their school, all students are allowed to schedule a visit if their parent or guardian hasn't opted out. Stores are placed in discreet locations inside each school, Hebert-Ford said, and they're carefully set up so young people don't feel like they're rummaging through bins of cast-offs. Clothing reflects students' different cultural backgrounds, and hair products are available for different types of hair. And who decides what styles of clothing will appeal to the young shoppers? "I get a lot of help from our college interns," Herbert-Ford said. rvitale@dispatch.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Student Success Stores offer clothing and supplies for Columbus teens Tall Stacks took Cincinnati back to its flourishing steamboat era of the 1800s Tall Stacks is fondly remembered by many in Cincinnati. The clock turned back to the 1800s and the riverfront was once against bustling with steamboats and the shrill whistle of the calliope. The first Tall Stacks festival was part of Cincinnatis year-long bicentennial celebration in 1988. Over three days in October, 14 riverboats docked at the Public Landing, making for a picturesque view of smokestacks and paddlewheels. People dressed in period clothing strolled the gangplanks. Old-fashioned vendors set up carts hawking goods. Jazz, jug band and folk music played. And thousands of people took riverboat excursions out on the Ohio River, where the majestic floating palaces once again ruled the waterways. The Island Queen runs down river past downtown Cincinnati for the first day of Tall Stacks 1999. The whole idea behind Tall Stacks is that it is really a celebration of the river, Americana, the heartland of America in the 1800s, Susan Becker of Smith-Kaufman Public Relations, which helped publicize the bicentennial event, told The Enquirer at the time. Cincinnatis prosperity was certainly linked to the steamboat era. Our History: How do you get there? The many methods of travel in Cincinnatis early days The first steamboat on the Ohio River Cincinnati was a river town in the Western frontier when the first steamboat, the New Orleans, designed by Robert Fulton, churned down the Ohio River in 1811. On its inaugural journey from Pittsburgh to its namesake destination, the steam-powered boat passed by Cincinnati on Oct. 27, though it didnt stop. The Western Spy newspaper wrote, The citizens of this place were much disappointed in not having an opportunity of viewing her, only as she passed. She made no stops here. From the rapidity with which she passed this place it is supposed she went at the rate of 12-14 miles an hour. According to The First Steamboat Voyage on the Western Waters by J.H.B. Latrobe, the return visit to Cincinnati on Nov. 27 was partially in hope of convincing the incredulous Cincinnatians who thought the steamboat, like traditional keelboats, could not make it back upriver. She was greeted with an enthusiasm that exceeded, even, what was displayed on her descent from Pittsburg (sic). No one doubted now. Faster and more maneuverable than flatboats and keelboats, the steamboat quickly dominated river travel. Boats all docked up at the public landing in downtown Cincinnati for the first day of Tall Stacks 1999. Cincinnati was ideally located for the shipbuilding business. From 1816 to 1880, Cincinnatis shipyards in Fulton (named after the steamboat innovator) produced 900 new steamboats, starting with the Vesta in 1816. The Ohio River became thick with steamboats belching smoke from their stacks. Most had a brief lifespan, as fires, collisions and boiler explosions were common. According to They Built a City: 150 Years of Industrial Cincinnati, records show 2,237 steamboats tied up at the Public Landing in 1835. That was indicative of Cincinnatis exponential growth to becoming the sixth largest city in the nation by 1840. As railroads took away passengers, steamboats lost their dominance. In the winter of 1918, ice floes on the frozen Ohio River crushed several steamboats docked at Cincinnati. The Queen City did have its beautiful Island Queen. The steamer transported guests to Coney Island and back. The first boat was lost to fire in 1922. The larger, more majestic replacement burned in 1947. The steamboat age came to a close in Cincinnati, until Tall Stacks. Steamboat race: Delta Queen vs. Belle of Louisville The last day of Tall Stacks in 1988 featured a classic steamboat race between Cincinnatis own Delta Queen (built in 1926) and the Belle of Louisville (built in 1914). The Enquirers souvenir poster of the riverboats at the first Tall Stacks, Oct. 8, 1988. They were two of the last five authentic steamboats traveling on American rivers that is, still powered by steam. Other riverboats use chains to drive the sternwheels, or are driven by screws or propellers and the inactive paddlewheels are just for show. The two steamboats raced annually during Kentucky Derby Week in Louisville starting in 1963, but this was the first Tall Stacks Race. The hometown favorite took an early lead in the three-mile sprint down the Ohio River when the Belle was late to the starting line. The Delta Queen finished a few feet ahead for the win. (One anachronistic change: During the race, Cincinnati passengers were glued to the boats' TVs to watch the Bengals game.) More than 750,000 people showed up for Tall Stacks that year. It proved so popular the festival returned five times, in 1992, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2006. The 2003 event expanded to a five-day Tall Stacks Music, Arts & Heritage Festival with 17 riverboats and 30 national musical acts. The Tom Sawyer and the Island Queen battle it out during the riverboat race at Tall Stacks in 1999. But the poor economy doomed the 2010 festival due to the difficulty in signing corporate sponsors. It was postponed, then canceled, and never launched again. Something like Tall Stacks is finally headed this way again. The Americas River Roots Festival, announced in April, will run Oct. 9-12, 2025, as a prelude to the celebration of Americas 250th birthday in 2026. A dozen riverboats will dock at Cincinnati, Covington and Newport, celebrating our river heritage. Can you hear the calliope music already? This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati flourished during steamboat era. Tall Stacks celebrated it AKRON, Ohio (WJW) One person is dead and at least two dozen are injured, some critically, after a shooting in Akron, Ohio early Sunday morning. According to a news release from Akron police, several 911 callers reported shots being fired just after midnight in the area of Kelly and 8th Avenues. Soon after, area hospitals reported numerous patients coming into emergency departments with gunshot wounds. As of Sunday morning, Akron police have tallied at least 25 victims, including a 27-year-old man who has died. His identity has not been released. Some of the victims were in critical condition while others had injuries that were not life-threatening, he said. Many of the 15 patients Summa Health System hospitals received have been or are preparing to be discharged, spokesperson Michael Berstein told WJW. Initial reports from authorities indicated there were 26 victims, a total that was amended Sunday morning to 25 total victims with one deceased. This embedded content is not available in your region. Officers recovered a firearm and several dozen shell casings from the scene, according to the release. The investigation is in its early stages, and police offered no other information about the victims or suspects. No arrests have been made. Local media reports indicate a street party was happening in the area before gunfire broke out, according to The Associated Press. During a Sunday evening press conference, officials called on witnesses to come forward with any information about who carried out the shooting. This was a tragic incident which impacts our entire community, Mayor Shammas Malik said. The sheer number of victims is shocking and disconcerting. I want to be very clear: Anyone who was involved in last nights shooting will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Two agencies Summit County Crime Stoppers and the U.S. Marshals Service are offering a total of $12,500 in rewards for information leading to the arrests of suspects in connection with the shooting, Malik said. Earlier in the day, Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding released a joint statement, saying, As with all acts of violence in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones. We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that. For those who have information about this horrific shooting we need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation. This can be done anonymously. PHOTOS: Mans necklace stops bullet that could have killed him, police say Anyone who can offer information on the investigation is urged to call Akron detectives at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2TIP (330-375-2847). Anonymous tips can also be provided by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS (330-434-2677); texting TIPSCO with your tip to 274637, or downloading the Akron Police Department app and texting Tips411 or visiting the police departments website. Akron Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 President Brian Lucey shared his concerns with the FOX 8 I-Team of Nexstars WJW following the shooting. We can always use more police officers, specifically front-line patrol officers, Lucey said. And as for the violence in the city, proactive policing, such as traffic stops and suspicious person stops, is the only thing that will slow it down. 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. We will bring those responsible to justice; Akron mayor speaks out following deadly mass shooting A man is dead and over two dozen are injured following a mass shooting in Akron overnight. In a statement, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and Police Chief Brian Harding the pain and trauma from the shooting reverberates across all of Akron today. They both called for anyone with information on the shooting to come forward. Officers were called to the area of Kelly and 8th Avenues on multiple reports of shots fired just after midnight on Sunday. >> 6-year-old boy hospitalized after being hit by a car in Middletown As officers were on their way to the scene, area hospital staff reported that multiple people were arriving at the emergency rooms with gunshot wounds, WOIO in Cleveland reported. Initially, Akron police believed there were 27 victims in the shooting, but the number was later clarified to be 25. Among them was a 27-year-old man who died from his injuries. Akron police said the ages of the victims range from 19 to 43 years old, according to WOIO. Police told local media outlets that a firearm and several dozen casings were found at the scene. Its currently unclear what led up to the shooting. No arrests have been made at this time. A spokesperson for Summa Health told WOIO that they received 15 patients, 13 of which suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The 27-year-old man was pronounced dead on arrival and one patient is in critical condition, WOIO reported. Several patients with non-life-threatening injuries have already been discharged. Cleveland Clinic Akron General admitted nine patients in connection to the shooting, one of which is in critical condition. Three patients have been released from this hospital, WOIO reported. >> Fire crews spend several hours battling fire at Amazon fulfillment center in Montgomery County You can read Malik and Hardings joint statement in full below: This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers. As with all acts of violence in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones. We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that. For those who have information about this horrific shooting we need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation. This can be done anonymously. Today, and in the days ahead, we will share more information about this horrific incident. Our city government and our Akron Police Department will continue to prioritize public safety as our number one concern as we aim to end gun violence in our community. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip. 1 seriously hurt in Uptown stabbing, MEDIC says One person was hurt Saturday night in a stabbing in Uptown Charlotte, paramedics said. It happened around 9 p.m. on West Trade Street, about five blocks from Bank of America Stadium. ALSO READ: Death investigation underway at Statesville home It happened the same night country music icons George Strait and Chris Stapleton had a show at the stadium. MEDIC said one person was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Its not clear what led up to the incident or if anyone will be charged. No further information was released. (WATCH BELOW: Police search for attempted murder suspect who escaped custody in Monroe) 13 Oregon counties say substance abuse deflection programs will be ready by September Ken Sanchagrin, executive director for the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, talks with lawmakers during an Addiction and Community Safety Response Committee meeting. Twenty of the 23 Oregon counties who committed to being early adopters of the state's new deflection program to assist individuals with substance use disorders and provide an off-ramp to avoid criminal charges have received initial funding. Lawmakers received details on the rollout of funding to establish deflection programs during a recent hearing updating them on implementation of House Bill 4002, which reintroduces criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of drugs. Thirteen counties have said their programs will be implemented by September, when the new misdemeanors for drug possession go into effect under HB 4002. The bill established a Behavioral Health Deflection Grant program to direct funding toward counties and tribes to fund and set up the deflection programs, partnerships between law enforcement agencies and behavioral health entities. Deflection programs expected to be implemented by September A total of $20.7 million was allocated to fund the program. Ken Sanchagrin, executive director of the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission, said the CJC directed $150,000 toward the evaluation of programs, $2 million for tribes, and $18 million toward counties. Sanchagrin said the commission asked each early adopter county to send basic information beginning on April 9 and gave them a two-week deadline to apply for the initial funding. Three early adopters Curry, Josephine and Malheur counties did not apply for 50% funding. The counties that have not yet applied are eligible to apply for the second round of funding. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion model which has been in effect in Marion County for eight years is the type of program most counties will be pursuing, Sanchagrin said. Baker, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Hood River with Wasco and Lane counties identified LEAD as their planned approach. Deschutes and a few other counties will use different approaches, Sanchagrin said. Nine counties are still determining their approach. Weve been very happy with seeing where counties are starting from, but certainly those conversations are ongoing, he said. The CJC will be required to collect data including arrests, charges, and convictions of new charges. HB4002 requires the compilation of deflection program outcomes, with an annual report ready for legislature starting in August 2025. Lawmakers also hear update on pretrial release, Marion County LEAD Lawmakers also heard an overview from Judge Matthew B. Shirtcliff, the presiding judge in Baker County Circuit Court, on changes adopted in pretrial release guidelines for the updated drug delivery and manufacture charges in HB 4002. Oregon Supreme Court Chief Justice Meagan A. Flynn issued an order May 23 reclassifying offenses to hold more individuals charged with serious drug offenses in jail until they appear before a judge. This order allows more people charged with drug crimes that pose the greatest risk to public health and safety to be held until a judge determines whether they can be released with conditions to ensure public safety and future court appearances, Chief Justice Flynn said in a release about the order. It also will allow local presiding judges to tailor additional requirements to address local public safety priorities and resources. The order moved Class B felony delivery and manufacturing of controlled substance charges, including delivery of hydrocodone within 1,000 feet of a school, to hold for judicial review. The order also allows judges to consider overriding circumstances specifically for persons charged with delivery or manufacturing controlled substances. The discretion for judges to choose to use overriding circumstances is an attempt to recognize and address individual community needs, Shirtcliff told lawmakers. Shirtcliff said presiding judges are reviewing and updating their pretrial release orders and crafting those overriding circumstances. Representatives of the Marion County LEAD program, including Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson and LEAD program coordinator Josh Wolf, presented data to illustrate the LEAD model success. Of 76 current and active clients and alumni, 55 were housed, 38 were employed, 22 were in treatment and 28 had been "clean" for at least 30 days. Of those 76 clients and alumni, 15 had regained custody of children and 10 gave birth to "clean babies." The program's criteria for arrest diversion requires a chargeable offense, a history of low-level crime, multiple arrest cycles, no victim with potential restitution, no history of violent crime, and the individual cannot be a sex offender. Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on X @DianneLugo This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Lawmakers updated on law that will recriminalize drug possession AUSTIN (KXAN) On Thursday, the Austin City Council approved a $1 billion enhancement and expansion plan of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the city said in a news release. Construction is set to begin in 2025, according to the city. The plan includes an expansion to add an additional treatment capacity of 25 million gallons per day, as a way to serve population growth. Currently, the existing plant treats 75 million gallons per day, the release said. With these investments, every part of the treatment process will be enhanced and upgraded, and we will be prepared to serve the growing needs of our City, said Austin Water Director Shay Ralls Roalson in the release. The project will also replace the plants current disinfection system. A wall will also be built around the plant to protect it from potential flooding. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The 2 judges overseeing Hunter Bidens trials have a lot in common. For starters, they were both appointed by Trump. WILMINGTON, Delaware For the first time in American history, the son of a sitting president is set to go on trial twice as Hunter Biden faces gun charges next week and tax charges in September. The two federal judges who will preside over the criminal trials Maryellen Noreika of Wilmington, Delaware, and Mark Scarsi of Los Angeles have a lot in common. Both are former President Donald Trump appointees who got the nods of their home senators in blue states. Both have overseen few trials in their short time on the bench and based on their limited records, they appear to be tough sentencers. And both, in an odd coincidence, spent their years in private practice specializing in a relatively obscure corner of the legal profession: patent law. That final similarity suggests that the two judges share a technical eye for detail and, as young lawyers, chose a relatively apolitical area of the law. Soon, however, both Noreika and Scarsi will each be supervising the most politically charged case of their career. On Monday, Noreika will gavel in the trial on charges that Biden illegally bought a gun as a drug user. In Los Angeles, Judge Mark Scarsi will oversee proceedings where Biden is accused of failing to pay his taxes between 2016 and 2019. The tax case had been slated to begin June 20 but was recently postponed until Sept. 5. Noreika and Scarsi have less than 10 years of judicial experience between them. Each has presided over just a handful of criminal trials, according to a POLITICO review of the two judges criminal dockets. But both jurists have handled cases that have echoes of Bidens. Scarsi has sentenced people to years in prison for violating tax laws. And when Noreika sentenced a defendant for a gun charge similar to Bidens, she was even more punitive than prosecutors had hoped. Before all that, Noreika and Scarsi both worked for law firms as intellectual property lawyers, representing corporations in disputes involving patents. The fact that Bidens judges are both former patent lawyers isnt a coincidence. These specialists can be attractive judicial nominees when support from both parties is required due to the Senates blue slip rule, which allows home-state senators to block nominees from their state. Patent lawyers deal with complex, scientific subject matter and they often have distinctive credentials (Noreika has a Masters in biology; Scarsi once worked as an engineer). Compared to prosecutors or public interest lawyers, theyre unlikely to have done politically contentious work. That background makes them ideal for a low-drama confirmation process, even if it would seem to leave them less-than-well-prepared to handle high-profile criminal proceedings like Bidens. Judge Noreika: A meticulous judge who kept a tight ship Based on POLITICOs review, Noreika hasnt overseen proceedings involving the charges Biden faces: illegally possessing a gun as a drug user, and lying on a government form when he bought it by claiming he didnt use illegal drugs. But she recently handled a case that covered similar ground. On May 2, 2024, Noreika sentenced a man for lying on government forms about his address when he bought guns at Delaware gun stores. The defendant, Zhi Dong, pleaded guilty, admitting he had claimed to live in Delaware when he actually lived in Maryland. Prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo that he drove the guns to California and delivered them to a gun store there, which was indicative of trafficking firearms. But it was Dongs first offense, they noted, and he wasnt the brains of the operation. They asked Noreika to give him six months in prison. Instead, she gave him a year. When you see a judge who is willing to basically double the sentencing recommendation of the prosecution, then thats a little bit concerning, obviously, for any defense attorney, said Peter Tilem, a Manhattan defense lawyer who has handled multiple gun cases. At the same time, he said, there are important differences between Dong and Bidens cases. The federal sentencing guidelines recommend higher sentences for crimes involving three or more guns, and Biden allegedly bought only one. Theres also been no suggestion that the gun Biden bought is linked to any other crime. Noreika, who was appointed to the bench in 2018, oversaw one of her first criminal trials in August 2023. (In the federal system, the vast majority of criminal cases are resolved through plea deals before they reach trial.) It was a complex case involving charges against four defendants for running an internet fraud scheme. Three defendants pleaded guilty, and the fourth, Olugbenga Lawal, went to trial and was convicted. One of Lawals lawyers, Richard Sparaco, told POLITICO that he wouldnt have guessed Noreikas experience was so limited. He said her knowledge of the rules of evidence was unparalleled. She kept a tight ship, which I like, because it keeps things moving and it doesnt put the jury to sleep, he added. The trial had a tense moment, he said, when Noreika criticized a prosecutor for failing to correctly provide exhibits for her review. She did raise her voice and created a total silence in the courtroom because she came down on the assistant U.S. attorney for not crossing his Ts and dotting his Is, Sparaco said. It wasnt a major faux pas; it was something that was just a clerical error, probably. There may have been a thousand exhibits in the case, binders and binders of exhibits, and it was maybe a couple of them that were not electronically submitted to the judge. And it caused quite a bit of a stir. Noreikas focus on technical details shouldnt be a surprise, given her patent law background. Maggie Abdo-Gomez, a former IRS lawyer who now handles tax cases in private practice, described patent lawyers this way: Very methodical, very detailed, very You gotta go A, B, C, D, you cant skip a step. Is that good or bad? I dont know. But its that hyper-technicality that scientists tend to have. On April 12, 2024, in another detail-heavy episode, Noreika rejected a motion to dismiss filed by Hunter Bidens team. That motion argued that prosecutors entered a contract with the presidents son in July 2023 when they signed a pretrial diversion agreement promising not to charge him for a variety of issues including anything related to the alleged gun purchase. Noreika dismissed the motion in part because the diversion agreement had a line for a probation officer to sign and the probation officer didnt sign it. Sol Wisenberg, a former federal prosecutor, said that analysis, which Bidens team is challenging on appeal, is what youd expect from a meticulous patent lawyer. They really look at language, he said. Theyre used to looking at contracts. Judge Scarsi: Experience with a newsworthy defendant Scarsi, nominated by Trump in January 2020 and confirmed nine months later, handled a recent guilty plea that has echoes of Bidens upcoming tax case. On Feb. 13, 2023, he sentenced a business owner to two years in prison for filing false tax returns and failing to pay the IRS more than $1.6 million over five years. Scarsi also ordered the defendant, Liang Tai Chen, to pay restitution, which indicates he had not squared up his balance with the IRS at the time of sentencing (his lawyer did not respond to a comment request on this detail). Biden, similarly, faces charges of willfully failing to pay $1.5 million in taxes over four years. An important apparent distinction between Chen and Biden: The presidents son paid his outstanding taxes in full, plus penalties and interest, years ago, according to his lawyers. Still, Chens two-year prison sentence would raise any defense lawyers eyebrows. I would be concerned with that one, said Abdo-Gomez, the former IRS lawyer. Perhaps a slightly better sign for Biden: Last year, Scarsi oversaw a trial on charges that the defendant helped prepare a false tax return. The defendant was convicted, and prosecutors sought an 18-month prison sentence. Scarsi handed down 12 months. Based on a review of cases assigned to Scarsi and cataloged on the legal database CourtListener, he has presided over four criminal trials, with a fifth now underway involving a defendant charged with embezzling from a bankruptcy estate. His first was a four-day bench trial in December of 2021. His second also lasted four days, and ended with the conviction of a post office clerk for processing money orders in a way that defrauded the Postal Service. Scarsi sentenced her to six months and ordered her to pay $111,016 in restitution. Bidens tax case wont be Scarsis first time handling a case in which the defendant is a public figure. On Feb. 14, 2022, he sentenced actor Zachary Joseph Horwitz, who had a number of minor film roles using the stage name Zach Avery, to 20 years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme that netted him more than $230 million. The case and its lengthy sentence drew significant media attention. Michael Kwasigroch, a California criminal defense lawyer who represented a defendant in Scarsis most recent trial, said he found him fair and professional even though the judge ruled against him numerous times throughout the proceedings. I was pleasantly surprised at Judge Scarsis demeanor, his consideration for my client and our arguments, he said. Bluntly, Id try a case in front of him any time. Clients of a Naples family law attorney complained to the Florida Bar that she stopped communicating with them after they paid her for work, and the Bar knows how they feel she didnt answer the Bar grievances filed against her in any way. Denise Gunn, admitted to the Bar in 1997, was disbarred on May 23. A call to Gunns business phone number gets The subscriber you have dialed is not in service. Four out of five emails to her email addresses bounced back. No databases record her death. Online criminal court records from Collier County indicate shes alive. Collier County online court records say on May 24, the day after Denise A. Gunn was disbarred, a Denise Alicia Gunn signed a deferred prosecution agreement after being charged with possession of a controlled substance. The arrest report says on Feb. 29, police found 4.1 grams of methamphetamine in a sandwich bag in Gunns car after stopping her for making a right turn out of the left turn lane when leaving a Walmart. Still, Gunn ghosted clients and the Florida Bar. READ MORE: New fraud or extortion could send Florida mover Shawn Thompson to jail Money for nothing Without Gunns testimony or participation in any way, the report by Judge D. Ryan Felix, the referee in Gunns disciplinary case, echoes the Bar complaints from grievances filed by Trevor Stanislaus and Xavier Gressett. Stanislaus said he signed a retainer agreement and paid Gunn $1,500 of a $4,000 flat fee for a matter in May 2021. Gunn spent May and June ignoring Stanislaus phone calls so, on July 4, 2021, Stanislaus asked Gunn to cancel his money and give him a refund if she couldnt handle the case. Gunn answered she was working on his petition. Hed also requested a copy of the retainer agreement, which she said was in the mail. Stanislaus didnt get the petition, the agreement or a refund, despite repeated requests, but did get a text on Aug. 17, 2021 saying his petition was ready. That was the last Stanislaus heard from Gunn. Two months later, Gressett signed a retainer agreement with Gunn for $3,500. Gunn filed a notice of appearance on Nov. 1, 2021 and attended a hearing on Jan. 5, 2022. Gressett finished paying the $3,500 in April 2022 and Gunn took no further action on his behalf, yet she failed to withdraw from his case. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) Dozens of parents are left scrambling to find childcare after their daycare on Grand Island went up in flames. Crews responded to KinderKiddz daycare facility, located at 2710 Grand Island Blvd., just after 12:45 p.m. Saturday, where heavy heat and smoke were found within the building. Love it here. Great facility, great staff, newer building. Thats why its surprising it went up in flames, said Jordan Paolucci, whose one-year-old daughter attends the daycare. Its kind of tragic and kind of unexpected. Were trying to figure out what to do now, he added. Shellina Patel and her husband opened KinderKiddz in 2021 after seeing a need for childcare in the area. Theres a lot of things that are up in the air but Im really worried for the parents of the children, the children and my staff, she said. Everyone of us is thinking what are the next steps, what we can do. Start back up? Yes wed like that of course, she said to News 4 WIVB. If this can be back to what it was tomorrow, wed restart tomorrow, but it doesnt look like its going to happen tomorrow. You and I and everyone else knows that. Photo: Grand Island Fire Company Crews were fighting the blaze for over two hours and the fire was out by 3:15 p.m. There were no listed injuries in the fire, and damages were assessed at $2 million. KinderKiddz is listed as temporarily closed online as of Sunday morning. The fire is still under investigation and was turned over to the Erie County Sheriffs Office. Grand Island assistant fire chief Don Turner told News 4 WIVB Sunday that there is a working theory the blaze was caused by tablets charging on a countertop unattended. When youre charging devices unattended for long periods of time it can create problems because those batteries can fail and then you have a large fire growth, he said. You see it with cell phones, tablets, laptops and a lot of E-bikes and E-scooters. Its a big thing. This embedded content is not available in your region. Latest Local News Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here. Sarah Minkewicz is an Emmy-nominated reporter and Buffalo native who has been a part of the News 4 team since 2019. Follow Sarah on Twitter @SarahMinkewicz and click here to see more of her work. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The California Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in a case that could invalidate all or part of Proposition 22, the 2020 ballot measure that addressed working conditions for rideshare drivers in the state who are part of the new gig economy. The courts decision, expected by the end of summer, could reopen hotly contested policy debates over fair pay and benefits for Californias hundreds of thousands of gig delivery and passenger drivers. Such discussions require reliable data. We recently released an analysis of over 52,000 delivery and passenger trips by over 1,000 drivers in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Seattle and Chicago metropolitan areas. Its the most comprehensive independent study of working conditions yet to be done in this industry. Our evidence shows that drivers are making well below the applicable minimum wage in each of these urban areas. Many California voters thought they were improving the lot of drivers by passing Prop. 22. They were mistaken and possibly misled. Opinion Our research accounts for all of the drivers time at work and all their expenses. In each metro area we studied, drivers earn well below the minimum wage. In California, for example, rideshare passenger drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft take home $7.12 per hour in median net hourly earnings before tips a fraction of Californias $16 minimum wage. Tips only add another $2 an hour. By comparison, drivers in the other regions we studied averaged $10.62 per hour better, but still not a living wage in any major U.S. city-- and below the minimum wage in each of the cities we studied. When we account for all the employee benefits and taxes which drivers, as independent contractors, must pay for themselves, California Uber and Lyft drivers took home an average of $5.97 per hour before tips. Pay for delivery service drivers for companies like DoorDash was even lower. When voters passed Prop. 22, data of this sort was not available. In the intervening years, other approaches to raising driver pay, such as New York City and Seattles minimum compensation policies and a law enacted in Minnesota just this week, show that the industry can indeed pay drivers a higher wage when required by law. The app companies claim that the drivers should not be paid when they are between trips. But when drivers return to hubs from outlying areas and wait for offers, they are performing an important service for the companies: they are making themselves available on very short notice for a ride or delivery. They should be paid for all their time working. Story continues The app companies also claim that most drivers work only a few hours per week, so their expenses consist only of refilling their tanks. But most of the trips are made by drivers who work 20 or more hours per week and drive upwards of 10,000 or 20,000 miles per year. Their vehicles are experiencing wear and tear and will need to be replaced. These drivers expenses include the cost of replacing their cars, as the Internal Revenue Service recognizes when it sets standard employee reimbursement rates for business use of personal vehicles. Our study suggests a course correction is needed if gig drivers are to enjoy the protections that California has enacted for all the states workers. Unfortunately, Prop. 22 mandates that a 7/8ths majority of the California legislature is required to make any changes to its provisions. That is, by design, a hurdle too high to clear. The industry is currently pursuing Prop. 22-type ballot initiatives in several other states. Californias example should serve as a warning to voters here and elsewhere of the dangers of allowing corporations to write the laws that govern their industries. Workers are losing, and the government can no longer step in to help them. Ken Jacobs is co-chair of the Center for Labor Research and Education at the University of California at Berkeley. Michael Reich is an economics professor at UC Berkeley and co-chair of its Center on Wage and Employment Dynamics. WEST MANSFIELD, Ohio (WCMH) Multiple train cars derailed Saturday afternoon in West Mansfield, causing traffic delays on a county road. The Logan County Sheriffs Office said that a train derailment occurred near County Road 142 between State Route 47 and Township Road 123. No one is injured from the incident with the LCSO stating the train cars were carrying grain and soybeans. Former Amazon worker says she was suspended over Ohio warehouse shooting concerns The train was operated by CSX transportation, who confirmed that 20 railcars derailed at 5:18 p.m. This embedded content is not available in your region. The Sheriffs Office said that residents should avoid the area of the derailment at this time. Courtesy Photo/Aaron Shirk Courtesy Photo/Aaron Shirk Courtesy Photo/Aaron Shirk Courtesy Photo/Aaron Shirk Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Two handguns and shell casings from a variety of weapons, including an assault-style weapon, were recovered as the investigation continued into a shooting early Sunday in Akron, Ohio, that left one person dead and 24 injured when a birthday party attended by more than 100 people spilled into a street where numerous fights broke out, according to police and witnesses. In addition to the handguns, evidence suggests the incident involved a drive-by shooting that may have prompted partygoers to return fire, Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said at a news conference Sunday night. More than 35 shell casings from multiple weapons were recovered from a block-long crime scene, with some rounds being from an assault-style weapon, police said Sunday night. "Based on the layout of the spent shell casings, it appears consistent with someone driving by shooting out of a car. We believe that some individuals at the party may have returned fire based on physical evidence at the scene," Harding said. Harding, who was sworn in as a police chief last week, pleaded with community members to come forward with information about the shooting. "We believe there were dozens of people at the party at the time of the shooting, potentially over 100 people who may have witnessed the incident," Harding said. "Every single person who may have seen something has an obligation to speak up in order to bring those responsible to justice. Even a small detail can help us crack this case and locate the suspect or suspects involved." No arrests have been made and there are no suspects in the ongoing investigation, police said Monday. A reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction has grown to $22,500 with contributions from Summit County Crime Stoppers, the U.S. Marshals Office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The shooting occurred just after midnight in East Akron, followed by numerous 911 calls from witnesses reporting multiple victims were struck by bullets, according to a joint statement issued Sunday morning by Harding and Akron Mayor Shammas Malik. PHOTO: Police investigate a mass shooting that erupted on June 2, 2024, that left one man dead and 24 people injured at a large street party in Akron, Ohio. (ABC News/WEWS) Harding said at Sunday night's news conference that police were called to a private home in the area around 10 p.m. Saturday after getting complaints of noise, including fireworks. He said officers sent to the scene found a large birthday party going on with more than 200 people "taking over the street." Harding said officers dispersed the crowd. But after police left the scene, people returned and the party resumed, he said. Just after midnight, officers responded to the neighborhood again after receiving reports of shots fired and local hospitals reported multiple people arriving at their respective emergency rooms with gunshot wounds. One victim, a 27-year-old man, identified Monday by the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office as Lateris Cook, was killed in the mayhem that occurred near the intersection of Kelly and 8th avenues. Two victims remained in critical condition, authorities said. The injured victims' ages range from 19-43 years old, with most being in their 30s, police said. PHOTO: Police investigate a mass shooting that erupted on June 2, 2024, that left one man dead and 24 people injured at a large street party in Akron, Ohio. (ABC News/WEWS) "This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence," Malik and Harding said in their joint statement. "With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers. As with all acts of violence in our city, our hearts are with the victims and their loved ones." No details were available on a motive. "We will bring those responsible to justice, and we need the help of our community to do that," the mayor and police chief said. "For those who have information about this horrific shooting -- we need you to speak up in order to prevent further violence and retaliation. This can be done anonymously." Witnesses told WEWS that multiple rounds of gunfire sent hundreds of people running for cover. One witness, who would only give her first name, Brittney, said the shooting broke out after the street party devolved into numerous street fights. MORE: Officer, civilian killed, 4 others wounded in Arizona reservation shooting: Police "There were people on the street fighting; women screaming at their men, like trying to pull them away," Brittney told WEWS. "But at this point, it got too much out of hand. There were probably 20 to 30 men fighting in the street. So I wasted no time getting through there and out of there." PHOTO: Police investigate a mass shooting that erupted on June 2, 2024, that left one man dead and 24 people injured at a large street party in Akron, Ohio. (ABC News/WEWS) Another witness told the station that the street party transformed from a fun event to a chaotic one in seconds. "Everyone was wearing white T-shirts; there were women on top of vehicles dancing. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. It looked like everyone was having a good time. On our way back, it was a completely different scene," the witness said. MORE: Police officer dies after being 'ambushed' while responding to Minneapolis shooting call: Officials At least seven patients with gunshot wounds were admitted to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital, including one in critical condition, hospital officials said. Following the shooting and the influx of patients, the hospital put its emergency room on a "hard lockdown" from just after midnight until 3:30 a.m., hospital spokesperson Joe Milicia told ABC News. "That's a common procedure when you have gunshot victims," Milicia said of the lockdown. Summa Health in Akron said it treated 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom had non-life-threatening injuries. One person taken to Summa Health remained in critical condition, hospital officials said. 2 handguns, 35 shell casings recovered in fatal overnight shooting in Akron, Ohio: Police originally appeared on abcnews.go.com About 100 petroglyphs, dating back around 3,500 years, have been discovered in Kazakhstan, several news reports say. However, a scholar told Live Science that this discovery is not entirely new, as it had been kept a secret to protect the site until it could be examined more closely. Petroglyphs are engravings created by chipping away at a rock face. The petroglyphs that are reportedly new were discovered in the Zhambyl (also spelled Jambyl) region, located in southeastern Kazakhstan. They date back to the Bronze or Early Iron ages, according to the Astana Times , a news outlet in Kazakhstan. Exactly how long the Bronze and early Iron ages lasted in Kazakhstan is a topic of debate among scholars, but together they likely date to between 4,000 and 2,500 years ago. The petroglyphs were found during a nationwide volunteer campaign that aims to clean the environment, the Astana Times noted. After the potential discovery was made, local archaeologists were brought in to examine the petroglyphs. Related: 1,500-year-old gold buckles depicting ruler 'majestically sitting on a throne' discovered in Kazakhstan The petroglyphs show animals and people, with examples including double-humped camels, argali (a type of wild sheep) and depictions of people hunting, the Astana Times reported. The petroglyphs are spread across an area that is 66 feet to 82 feet (20 to 25 meters) long and 5 feet to 6.6 feet (1.5 to 2 m) in width, Sauran Kaliyev, an archaeologist who examined the petroglyphs, told the Astana Times. A mountain face with animals engraved on it. However, the site is "not at all new" and is well known among specialists, Viktor Novozhenov , an archaeologist with the Saryarka Archaeological Institute at Karaganda State University in Kazakhstan, told Live Science in an email. Novozhenov, who was not involved with the volunteer project, noted that the site has not been studied in detail and that its petroglyphs have not yet been described in a peer-reviewed journal. When scholars find a rock art site in Kazakhstan, they sometimes prefer to keep its location a secret until it can be properly recorded and published, said Novozhenov, noting that destruction of such rock art sites by vandals or other individuals is sometimes a problem. RELATED STORIES Bronze Age hexagonal 'pyramid' not like anything 'found before in the Eurasian steppe' Bronze Age girl buried with more than 150 animal ankle bones, potentially to help her to the next world 2,700-year-old petroglyphs depicting people, ships and animals discovered in Sweden Novozhenov said that more funding and resources are needed to properly record these rock art sites. "We don't have enough experts and funds for needed analyses and [fieldwork]," he said. The archaeologists and government officials involved with the research described in the Astana Times did not return requests for comment at time of this publication. LAWRENCE, Mich. (WOOD) Three men were arrested and one man is still at large following an early Sunday morning break-in at a dispensary in Lawrence. Around 3:30 a.m., deputies with the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office were sent to True Leaf Dispensary, located at 265 Crandall Pkwy, after the owner saw multiple people inside the building on the companys surveillance cameras. When deputies arrived, they saw people bringing out bags of marijuana and other products to their vehicle. When they saw the deputies, they took off back inside. Three people were able to leave through a back door and run into the woods. The sheriffs office said one person was arrested when he tried to run out of the woods and get into their getaway car. Another man was arrested inside the business. A third man was arrested after he was found walking north on CR 684. He was previously seen walking on I-94 near CR 681 before he took off into the woods when he saw deputies. All three men were between the ages of 18 and 23 and live in the Battle Creek area. The three men are being held in the Van Buren County Jail on charges of burglary, forced entry, larceny in a building, possession of burglary tools and resisting and obstruction police. A fourth man has not been found. Anyone with information is asked to call the Van Buren County Sheriffs Office at 269.657.3101, Crime Stoppers at 1.800.342.7867 or Silent Observer at 269.343.2100. This embedded content is not available in your region. The burglary remains under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. police at the brooklyn museum; protesters unfurl banner from the roof; protester getting arrested Nearly two dozen people were arrested after anti-Israel demonstrators took over the Brooklyn Museum, clashing with police and dropping a banner from the roof, cops said. Twenty-two people were collared yesterday amid the massive Friday rally, including serial protester Alvin Dan, who was slapped with an assault charge along with resisting arrest and obstruction of justice, cops said. Dan, 32, of Staten Island, was previously busted at anti-Israel demonstrations protesting the Met Gala in April as well as last years iconic Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. Seven others were given summonses, according to police, who earlier said 34 people had been taken into custody. During Fridays demonstration, rowdy protesters scaled the building before rappelling down its side with climbing equipment and making their way into the museum, police sources said of the demonstration, which included nearly 1,000 people. Demonstrators then set up an encampment inside, while others scampered to the roof to unfurl a giant bannister reading Free Palestine and Divest From Genocide over the front of the building. Protesters clashed with police and museum security in addition to defacing art. Robert Mecea At least 34 anti-Israel protesters were in custody following a raucous takeover of the Brooklyn Museum Friday. AFP via Getty Images Outside the building, roughly 800 seething protesters continued to mob the area, some of whom scrapped with security guards and hurled slurs at cops. Others tagged the iconic yellow OY/YO sculpture with graffiti, including Free Palestine and Free Gaza. Charges had yet to be determined for those taken into custody, police said. At one point doing the protester, violent demonstrators were caught on film assaulting a pro-Israel motorcyclist wearing an Israeli flag as a cape near the museum, according to footage shared on social media. The aggressive demonstrators surrounded the counter-protester, shouting Free Palestine and I hope you die, before one grabbed the motorcyclists flag and yanked the driver to the ground, video showed. Nearly 1,000 people marched on to the Brooklyn Museum Friday afternoon. Robert Mecea The demonstration appears to have been organized by the anti-Israel group Within Our Lifetime, beginning nearly a mile down the street near the Barclays Center. The organization had demanded its supporters flood the Brooklyn Museum for Gaza, and said in an online flier it planned on occupying the institution until its leaders disclose and divest from any investments tied to Israels war with Hamas in Gaza. Additional reporting by David Spector. $4.1M tucked into newly approved OK state budget earmarked to resolve mental health lawsuit State. Rep. Kevin Wallace looks at the budget on the screen during a budgetary meeting at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City, on Monday, May 13, 2024. A $4.1 million appropriation was quietly tucked away in the state budget in anticipation of resolving a lawsuit alleging Oklahomas mental health agency is not providing timely treatment to county jail inmates. House Appropriations and Budget Committee Chairman Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston, said the funds in House Bill 2929 were allocated to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in the event that the state resolved the lawsuit during the legislative interim. The federal lawsuit filed last year alleges the agency and the Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita have not provided timely court-ordered competency restoration services to inmates in county jails. The plaintiffs, who are the guardian ad litems of four inmates awaiting competency restoration treatment, are not seeking monetary damages, but want the state to develop a remedial plan to reduce wait times for competency evaluations and treatment. They allege inmates state and federal constitutional rights and protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act have been violated. Scores of presumed-innocent Oklahomans who experience severe mental illness are languishing in county jails awaiting competency restoration treatment for prolonged periods that far exceed constitutional limits, according to the lawsuit. Many have waited several months to receive the restorative treatment required by law. Some have waited more than a year. Almost all are indigent. More: Lawmakers give Oklahoma oil and gas industry $50 million in budget agreement Jails, which are not equipped for treatment, have become de facto mental health wards, the suit alleges. During budget negotiations, legislators mentioned that it could cost more than the $4.1 million. The state could be facing significant fines as well, according to the discussions. Projections indicate resolving the issue could cost as much as $45 million over five years, Wallace said in an interview with Oklahoma Voice on Tuesday. But a lot of things have to happen before those funds would be used, Wallace said. That could include requiring a court or a judge to approve a consent decree, Wallace said. A consent decree is an agreement among the parties to resolve the lawsuit. A consent decree could include competency remodeling of county jails and staff training, he said. It could also involve creating a plan similar to the multi-year Pinnacle Plan, Wallace said. The Pinnacle Plan began in 2013 to settle a federal class action lawsuit against the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. More: Lengthy wait for competency reviews increasing jail times and costing taxpayers, trustees told It was designed to improve the states foster care system. Paul DeMuro, a Tulsa attorney, represents the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. I am grateful the appropriation was made, and it is a needed appropriation, DeMuro said. He declined to comment further. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services did not respond to requests for comment. Oklahoma Voice Editor Janelle Stecklein contributed to this report. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OK lawmakers earmark $4.1M in hopes of setting mental health lawsuit Here are the 4 finalists for Columbia fire chief and when you can meet them From left, these four are candidates for Columbia Fire Chief: John Ambra, Brian Schaeffer, Jeffery Heidenreich and Chuck Doss The City of Columbia Fire Department is ready for the public to meet its fire chief finalists. Clayton Farr Jr. retired in April after serving as chief for 18 months. Unlike previous searches, most of the candidates are local to Columbia and half are internal candidates. A public meet-and-greet is scheduled 5 p.m. Jun 6 at the Columbia City Hall conference room adjacent to the main entrance. Candidates are John Ambra, Columbia deputy fire chief; Jeffrey Heidenreich, Columbia assistant fire chief; Chuck Doss, University of Missouri clinical manager with prehospital services; and Brian Schaeffer, Spokane, Washington, assistant fire chief. Ambra, a Hickman High School graduate, has been with CFD since 2004. Prior to that he was and electrician apprentice with South Kansas City Electric and then a journeyman electrician in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Other professional development comes from the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and IBEW/NECA National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. Heidenreich, a Rock Bridge High School, University of Missouri and Columbia College graduate, has worked for the department since 2008. Along with his business administration degrees, Heidenreich also has professional development through fire officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing, peer assessor for Commission on Fire Accreditation International, Commission on Professional Credentialing/Center for Public Safety Excellence, Boone County Fire Protection District, University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute, Missouri Task Force One, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency and National Fire Academy. Doss, graduates of Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Kansas City Kansas Community College, Columbia Southern University in Alabama and Waldorf University in Iowa, has worked for MU Health Care since 2001 and has served on Missouri Task Force One since 2000. Apart from degrees in fire science, fire administration and organizational leadership, Doss has other professional development through Chief EMS officer designation from the Commission on Professional Credentialing, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, Missouri Bureau of EMS, American Red Cross, Federal Aviation Administration, Missouri Division of Fire Safety, University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute, FEMA, National Fire Academy, Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, International Association of Fire Chiefs, SEMA, Missouri Department of Public Safety and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Services. Schaeffer is a Freeburg High School in Illinois, Sterling College in Kansas City, University of Missouri Kansas City and Creighton University in Nebraska and has worked at both the Yakima and Spokane Washington fire departments. He served Spokane from 2005 to 2024. Apart from degrees in fire science, public administration and leadership education, his professional development comes from his Washington State Paramedic License, Fire Service Executive Development Institute, Chief Fire Officer and Chief Emergency Medical Service Officer. Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia names fire chief finalists as public meet-and-greet nears Editors Note: As the 80th anniversary of D-Day nears, the global fight for democracy continues. CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper speaks with World War II veterans and military generals about the worldwide erosion of democratic institutions. D-Day: Why We Still Fight for Democracy premieres Sunday, June 2 at 8pm ET/PT on CNN. Minutes before plunging to their deaths, five airmen successfully dropped 14 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne near their landing mark over Normandy, France from their C-47. It was just after 2:44 a.m. on June 6, 1944. The airmen completed their mission but lost their lives. The remains of the pilot and crew chief were recovered days later but the co-pilot, navigator and radio operator were never found possibly until now. Eighty years after the Normandy Invasion known as D-Day, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, operating under the Department of Defense, is looking for the three missing airmen with the hope of finally bringing them home. They have found what is believed to be the crash site of the downed C-47, along with the possible remains of the co-pilot, 2nd Lieutenant William Donohue; the radio operator, Staff Sergeant David Madson and the navigator, 2nd Lieutenant Albert Brooks. The remaining three airmen from the 304th Troop Carrier Squadron, 442nd Troop Carrier Group, 50th Troop Carrier Wing were never accounted for but never forgotten. Lt. William Donohue and SSgt David Madson. - Waco Army Airfield/Army Air Forces Collection and Fold3 Crew flies mission over France D-Day was the pivotal moment of the war in Europe to tip the balance in favor of the Allied Forces. Commonly referred to as the beginning of the end of World War II, Dr. Eric Klinek, a historian with the agency, said it was the first major attack to move American forces into German-held territory following years of pressure from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to do so. The 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions led the airborne assault in the earliest stages of Operation Overlord, which included more than 160,000 Allied troops landing along the beaches of Normandy to fight Nazi Germany. American paratroopers are shown inside a C-47 in World War II. - Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Paratroopers were instrumental in getting behind enemy lines to cut off German supply routes and expand Allied capability to take over terrestrial targets. If they survived their jump, they would fight on the ground as infantrymen for as long as it took to complete the mission. Their mode of transportation was the C-47, a military version of the civilian DC-3 airplane. Taking off from England at 11 p.m. on June 5 and crossing the English Channel, the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions were to be dropped behind Utah Beach a few hours before the naval invasion, Dr. Klinek said. A C-47 is shown at an unidentified airfield in the United Kingdom. - Defense Visual Information Distribution Service On the morning of D-Day, there were 821 C-47s carrying more than 13,000 soldiers from the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions. Eighteen of them were shot down. Due to poor weather, communication interference and unexpected enemy fire, many of the troop drops were scattered. Some landed in their drop zones and others landed miles away. If a plane got hit, the best option was for the paratroopers to jump wherever they could, Dr. Klinek said. Faced with German anti-aircraft fire from an altitude of less than 1,200 feet, Donohue, Madson and Brooks, along with their fellow airmen: the crew chief, Major McKinley McCanless; and the pilot, 1st Lieutenant Samuel Williams Jr., did not have enough time to bail out or maneuver a successful crash landing after dropping their paratroopers. French eyewitnesses say their C-47 struck the ground and burst into flames, killing all five men, according to agency records. A crash site rediscovered In 2016, the agency received a tip the crash site had been rediscovered on farmland in Normandy. They sent a team in 2019 to evaluate the site and what they found was part of an air speed indicator and part of a C-47 load adjuster, Dr. Klinek said, who was part of the initial evaluation on the ground. We knew based on all the evidence from the French researchers to all the documents we had that this was the plane, he said. Dr. Klinek said the agency only pursues crash sites where missing soldiers could be found, so they launched an excavation site on April 12 with the goal of retrieving every possible piece of wreckage or evidence of human remains. D-Day was 80 years ago and the remains of missing service members continue to be uncovered. - CNN At the excavation site, a team of 25 people conducted labor-intensive work every day for six weeks straight. Using an excavator and shovels to create dozens of grids, they swept the area for high concentrations of metal, then pressure washed and sifted every square inch of soil capable of containing even the smallest piece of evidence. We actually hit the ground running with findings, Capt. Brian Foxworth, the search team leader, said. From potential life support items such as parachute buckles, fragments of headsets, and standard issue flashlights that every service member would be issued and carry on their person, Foxworth explained, to possible osseous material. Crews working at the crash site focus on their duty to "leave no man behind." - CNN Osseous material includes anything related to human remains, Foxworth explained. Whether its bone fragment to teeth, anything that you could potentially link to a person that could provide a DNA sample or provide whats needed to match up dental records, all of those things, thats what were trying to pull back with us to the lab. Foxworth and the agency emphasize the word possible with everything they find to maintain extreme precision and a cautious respect for families who have waited for decades to learn about the whereabouts of their loved ones remains. Even when excavators are certain about specific items, everything must be sent to an agency lab for proper forensic testing before anything can be verified or concluded. Everything is possible, Master Sergeant Raul Castillo, the teams life support investigator, said. Holding a shining key-shaped metal object on a cloth next to five small items caked with dirt, Castillo said, We found this on the surface and its in a pretty good state, its part of a headset its all possible from aircrew members we wont know until we get back. Castillos role is to identify each object being pulled from the ground, some of which may have been life support equipment assigned to the flight crew or paratroopers on the C-47. He was able to confirm each item uncovered so far had been from the 1940s. Searching wreckage for a link The excavation team wrapped up their work at the dig site at the end of May. All uncovered items are being transferred to an agency laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where they will be cataloged and tested by a team of forensic scientists led by Carrie Brown, lab manager and forensic anthropologist. A lot of times with these recoveries from Europe especially if they have been in the ground for 80 years, youre getting fragments of bone, Brown said. She said bones found in Europe are generally well-preserved. Non-biological items such as watches, boots, ID tags, jewelry, those types of things, would get an analyst, Brown said, explaining items such as teeth and skeletal material would be separated, inventoried and assigned to analysts as well. Everything collected at the dig site will be reviewed by experts and labeled. - CNN To test for DNA samples, Brown said a minimum of one gram of dense bone is needed. The results are then compared to a DNA sample from the missing service members medical file. In order to make that identification, you have to get both sides to match up. If I dont have any dental records or medical records or a DNA sample it doesnt matter how much really great data I can collect from what I have in the lab I can never match those up, Brown said. The agency is responsible for doing background research, getting excavation teams out to the field, and conducting lab analysis. The best quality DNA samples are sent to the Armed Forces Medical Examiner Systems DNA identification lab at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to confirm the identification. Once confirmed, the Army Past Conflict Repatriation Branch connects with family members to collect reference samples to potentially match the DNA. An aerial view of the site in France where researches are looking for the remains of the downed air crew. - CNN It can take up to a year and a half from conducting the field recovery to making a positive identification. Brown described herself and her team as civil servants dedicated to returning their nations fallen. Though the processes can be grueling, and each case may have its own obstacles along the way, You cant get past that human component, she said. Youve put all these pieces together and now it links up with a person with a story. Brown said the first thing guests see when they enter the DPAA lab is the part of the Soldiers Creed, which says, I will never leave a fallen comrade. It says everything about us as a nation, it says we are not going to give up. And if youve fallen overseas, we are going to keep searching for you no matter what it takes, she said. Reconnecting across generations The families of Donohue, Madson and Brooks have been notified by the agency they are currently looking for their loved ones remains, and the process may take time. The agency meets with families of missing service members throughout the year at Family Member Updates to brief relatives about their specific cases and answer any questions people may have about recovery efforts. Paul Stouffer knows firsthand the impact the agency has on families of fallen soldiers who are searching for answers about their loved ones. He is the nephew of a World War II fighter pilot named Lieutenant William McGowan, who was shot down on D-Day in a P-47 single-engine fighter aircraft. McGowan was only 23 years old when he died, and Stouffer spent his whole life watching his mother and grandparents pursue details about his death, and where his remains could have possibly ended up. Lt. William McGowan - Courtesy Paul Stouffer After the war, the American Graves Registration Service located the P-47 crash site but did not find McGowans remains at the time. His name was engraved on the Wall of the Missing at the Normandy American cemetery. In 2009, Stouffer heard about other missing service members being accounted for and reached out to the agency to offer his DNA samples for analysis. In 2018, the agency excavated his uncles crash site and recovered human remains, which were identified the following year as McGowan. Stouffer attended his burial service at the American Cemetery in Normandy in 2022 and gave the eulogy for an uncle he had always dreamed about, but never met. It was the phone call that I wish my grandparents had got, or even later, I wish my mom had been alive for that moment as well, Stouffer said. One of the things that really stuck with me is knowing that after my mother was gone, that he would not be forgotten. Stouffer watched during the burial ceremony in Normandy as a rosette was placed on the Wall of the Missing next to McGowans name, signifying that he had been found. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep World War II still has 72,000 American soldiers who are unaccounted for, according to the agency. Its conducting operations year-round in 45 countries, working to recover the remains of fallen U.S. soldiers and uphold the promise of the United States Military to leave no man behind. The agency handles each case of a missing person with dignity and respect for those who gave their lives for their country. They work under strict protocols and protective processes to ensure they get every detail correct, leaving no grain of sand unsifted. When missing service members are identified, the agency gives family members the option to have the remains buried with full military honors back home, or to receive the same honors in a burial abroad where they died. American paratroopers are shown jumping from aircraft in World War II. - Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Photos of the three missing airmen were stationed at the dig site, providing what the team calls intrinsic motivation along their search. Foxworth said after 17 years in the Air Force, this was one of his most important missions. He has been on other recovery efforts with the agency, but says this operation hits a little closer to home. We sign the dotted line knowing what that means. It may require us sacrificing our own lives. One of the mottoes we have is well never leave an airman behind, so this is us fulfilling that obligation. And its an obligation that Im extremely lucky to be a part of, Foxworth said. No matter how long it takes we wont stop. Well keep searching. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com On May 29, the Joint Job fair of Chinese Enterprises in Sierra Leone was successfully held. The job fair was co-sponsored by the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Confucius Institute at the University of Sierra Leone, and hosted by Leone Rock Metal Group. H.E. Ambassador Wang Qing, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of the Parliament of Republic of Sierra Leone, Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Minister of Youth Affairs and Minister of Technical and Higher Education attended the ceremony on invitation. Ambassador Wang Qing introduced the relevant measures taken by the Chinese government to promote high-quality and full employment, and expressed the hope that under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, the two sides will deepen economic and trade cooperation, expand vocational training and promote Chinese language teaching, to create more working opportunities for local people and better contribute to the economic and social development of the Sierra Leone. Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of the Parliament, and other guests highly appreciated the strong support provided by Chinese enterprises for promoting Sierra Leone's economic development and employment growth, and expressed the hope to cooperate with China to gain more fruitful results of practical cooperation in various fields, and bring more benefits to people of the two sides. The job fair will provide more than 2000 working opportunities. And the atmosphere was very lively and friendly. The event was widely reported by local media. Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. But the harsh reality is that very many loss making companies burn through all their cash and go bankrupt. So should Zeotech (ASX:ZEO) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? In this report, we will consider the company's annual negative free cash flow, henceforth referring to it as the 'cash burn'. The first step is to compare its cash burn with its cash reserves, to give us its 'cash runway'. See our latest analysis for Zeotech Does Zeotech Have A Long Cash Runway? You can calculate a company's cash runway by dividing the amount of cash it has by the rate at which it is spending that cash. In December 2023, Zeotech had AU$2.3m in cash, and was debt-free. Importantly, its cash burn was AU$2.6m over the trailing twelve months. Therefore, from December 2023 it had roughly 11 months of cash runway. To be frank, this kind of short runway puts us on edge, as it indicates the company must reduce its cash burn significantly, or else raise cash imminently. You can see how its cash balance has changed over time in the image below. How Is Zeotech's Cash Burn Changing Over Time? In our view, Zeotech doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just AU$755k in the last twelve months. Therefore, for the purposes of this analysis we'll focus on how the cash burn is tracking. As it happens, the company's cash burn reduced by 39% over the last year, which suggests that management are mindful of the possibility of running out of cash. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Zeotech due to its lack of significant operating revenues. So we'd generally prefer stocks from this list of stocks that have analysts forecasting growth. How Easily Can Zeotech Raise Cash? While Zeotech is showing a solid reduction in its cash burn, it's still worth considering how easily it could raise more cash, even just to fuel faster growth. Generally speaking, a listed business can raise new cash through issuing shares or taking on debt. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. We can compare a company's cash burn to its market capitalisation to get a sense for how many new shares a company would have to issue to fund one year's operations. Zeotech has a market capitalisation of AU$49m and burnt through AU$2.6m last year, which is 5.3% of the company's market value. That's a low proportion, so we figure the company would be able to raise more cash to fund growth, with a little dilution, or even to simply borrow some money. Story continues Is Zeotech's Cash Burn A Worry? On this analysis of Zeotech's cash burn, we think its cash burn relative to its market cap was reassuring, while its cash runway has us a bit worried. Cash burning companies are always on the riskier side of things, but after considering all of the factors discussed in this short piece, we're not too worried about its rate of cash burn. On another note, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the company, and identified 6 warning signs for Zeotech (3 are potentially serious!) that you should be aware of before investing here. Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of companies with significant insider holdings, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts) 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. NEW YORK Cheyney McKnight waited years to celebrate Pinkster. On a scorching Saturday morning in May, McKnight put on her tailor-made 18th-century Malian mud cloth dress and trekked 7 miles with a dozen others to partake in a storied tradition. The group rattled shell shakers and tambourines and beat drums, strolling New York City sidewalks from an old farmhouse near the top of Manhattan to the New-York Historical Society, recreating a route free and enslaved Black people would have traveled in colonial times on Pinkster, Dutch for "the Pentecost." The festival, which falls in May or June, follows Easter. It honors the Holy Spirit inspiring Jesus Christ's disciples to initiate the church's missionary work. Pinkster is among an array of lesser-known African American holidays, although historians say it is likely one of the earliest. As the broader U.S. population prepares to honor Juneteenth, a federal holiday marking the day enslaved people in Texas learned belatedly about emancipation, McKnight and fellow celebrants drew the attention of pedestrians and commuters to the celebration of community some New York lawmakers hope may gain official recognition. Theres nothing like family, McKnight told a small crowd that morning, as the day's events began at the farmhouse's porch. Recalling what Pinkster would have been like in colonial New York, she said, These people came together every year to congregate, to just have a good time. This shows their agency. A small crowd gathered at the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum in New York City on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to celebrate Pinkster. About a dozen people trekked seven miles in Manhattan to honor enslaved and free African people who celebrated the holiday in colonial New York. A New York lawmaker has a measure pending at the state Capitol built atop a historic Pinkster gathering space to enshrine Pinkster in state law alongside Juneteenth and Holocaust Remembrance Day. Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, a Brooklyn Democrat who authored the bill, recently learned about the holiday and now considers Pinkster a key part of his state's history. He says it's essential the government recognize Black Americans not just in pain or hardship, but also in joy and family. Even during the hardest moments of enslavement, he said, We still found moments to come together and celebrate our collective history. Cheyney McKnight, manager of the New-York Historical Society's living history program, organized a Pinkster stroll in Manhattan on May 25, 2024, in New York City. She wore her custom-made 18th-century mantua, a loose, draped gown with images of flowers, leaves, sickles and snakes. African American experience: Several Black museums have opened in recent years with more coming soon. Here's a list. Juneteenth, which Black families have celebrated for generations dating back to Reconstruction, became one of a dozen federal holidays in 2021. However, it is not the only African American holiday to gain recognition. There are others, such as Negro Election Day, the day Black New Englanders elected community representatives, predates the American Revolution and is a Massachusetts holiday. Slavery was 'regular part of New York life' The event McKnight organized in Manhattan on May 25 began with songs and dance honoring ancestors, before the first annual stroll through town. In addition to her work with the historical society, McKnight runs Not Your Mommas History, a website with a quarter-million followers on YouTube that offers educational videos and programming about slavery and the African experience in Colonial America and the early U.S. The Pinkster participants walked through the Dyckman Farmhouse, a museum and former home of a Dutch family who held enslaved people. The group moved down Broadway, drumming as they traversed a Dominican business corridor. A man carting recycled cans and bottles bobbed his head to the beat, shouting, En Nueva York! Enslaved Africans arrived in New York just a few years after Dutch colonizers settled there. Thousands came in bondage from the Caribbean and Africa, often from the Kongo or Loango peoples, between the early 1600s and the late 1700s, when the slave trade ended. New York abolished slavery in 1827. New Yorks enslaved population was smaller than plantation economies in the South, however, enslavement was pervasive in the northern city. Enslaved Black New Yorkers often lived in isolation from one another, with only a few people living on farms or in homes. They worked as domestic servants, laborers, tradesmen and dock workers in New York Harbor. In 1730, enslaved people made up about a fifth of Manhattans population. During the 1790 U.S. census, enslaved people accounted for about a third of Kings County, which is present-day Brooklyn. More than 60% of households had enslaved people. Slavery was "really integral to this society, said Andrea Mosterman, a professor of early American history at the University of New Orleans. For more than 200 years, slavery was a regular part of New York life. White New Yorkers heavily restricted and surveilled enslaved peoples movements. They could not move around without travel passes. They were mandated to use lanterns at night, and prohibited from purchasing certain goods, said Mosterman, who wrote a history of slavery and resistance in Dutch New York. In this context, Pinkster, a springtime Christian holiday, gave people a respite from bondage. Slave-owning societies often gave enslaved people a few days off, typically around Christmas or Easter. The premise was that enslaved people wouldn't rebel if they had limited freedoms, according to Myra Young Armstead, a history professor at Bard College in New York. Enslaved African people in New York: Suburb uncovers hidden burial ground as NY studies centuries of African American history To celebrate Pinkster, a small crowd gathered at the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum in New York City on Saturday, May 25, 2024. The holiday honors the day enslaved and free African people celebrated the Pentecost in colonial New York. Pinkster as resistance Pinkster had a broader meaning for Black Americans, Armstead said: It represented resistance. Pinkster evolved into a weeklong secular gathering for enslaved people separated from their family and friends, a place to practice African traditions in community with others. It really does function as a way for the slaves to perform their true selves, their true identities, said Armstead, who wrote a public history on enslavement in upstate New York. To connect with relatives and friends that theyre prevented from seeing. The abolitionist Sojourner Truth, born enslaved in Dutch-speaking New York, described Pinkster celebrations with longing, she recounted in her dictated autobiography. In 1803, the Albany Centinel, a white newspaper, described seeing a Guinea dance and Guinea drum at Pinkster celebrations, and historical accounts mention a Pinkster king who presided over ceremonies, a tradition likely rooted in west-central African traditions that adopted Christianity before the slave trade, according to historian and author Jeroen Dewulf. Other accounts from the 1800s noted the festival included thousands of Black people from New York and New Jersey. Visitors gathered at New York's Philipsburg Manor on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to celebrate the historic holiday, Pinkster, which was the one day off each year where enslaved Africans could celebrate their traditions and commune with loved ones. Pinkster is believed to have been the largest African American celebration in Colonial American and early U.S. history, Dewulf said in an email. Black people organized Pinkster events, but attendees were from different racial backgrounds, he added. By the 19th century, the celebrations dwindled. One key factor in their decline was that New York state in 1811 effectively outlawed Pinkster. Armstead, from Bard, said the ban was prompted by fear among white landowners after the late-18th century Haitian Revolution, in which enslaved Black people revolted against the Caribbean island's dominant white enslaving class. White lawmakers in the U.S. took steps to prohibit Black people from gathering in groups. The last recorded events happened in the mid-1800s, said Lavada Nahon, an author and public historian for the New York state parks office. At the New-York Historical Society, people gathered on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to celebrate Pinkster, meaning Pentecost in Dutch. Pinkster is considered one of the oldest African American holidays, and it has roots in free and enslaved Black communities in New York. Rediscovering Pinkster Reviving the tradition is deeply meaningful, Nahon said, since the holiday honors the humanity of Black people living under bondage. We need to take the shame that other people have placed upon us off by rediscovering things like Pinkster and celebrating them however we choose to," she told USA TODAY. Its vitally important that people went out of their way to remain human in their own eyes. About eight years ago, McKnight, at the Historical Society, saw a group of Black people donning 18th-century clothing near the famed Apollo Theater, in the heart of Harlem, the historic African American neighborhood with a Dutch name. The group members wore West African garments and had drums and a banjo. She didn't know if the group was going to a Pinkster celebration, but that moment inspired her to revive the tradition with a stroll. At the New-York Historical Society, people gathered on Saturday, May 25, 2024, to celebrate Pinkster, considered one of the oldest African American holidays. The event was celebrated in free and enslaved Black communities in New York in the 1700s and 1800s. In the Saturday afternoon heat, the group arrived at the New-York Historical Society, the citys first museum founded in 1804. McKnight envisions Pinkster as a holiday for the Black diaspora, for people from the Caribbean, Latin America, the northern and southern U.S., and Africa in New York City. I just kind of wanted it to be a gift to, you know, Black New Yorkers, she told USA TODAY. Its for them. And it's not about educating white folks or the public about us. It's about us. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is Pinkster? An early African American holiday revived S.Africa's ANC says "nothing to celebrate" after losing majority Secretary-General of the African National Congress Fikile Mbalula waits to speak at an election rally in Verulam JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's ruling African National Congress Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said on Sunday that there was nothing to celebrate after the party lost its controlling majority, although it won the most votes in Wednesday's general election. "The results showed a significant decline in ANC support from previous elections," Mbalula told a press conference, adding that the party would hold discussions with other parties in the coming days. (Reporting by Nellie Peyton and Olivia Kumwenda; Writing by Bate Felix; Editing by Joe Bavier) Ukrainian air defenses shot down 24 of the 25 attack drones launched by Russia overnight on June 2, the Air Force said in its morning update. The drones were reportedly launched from Cape Chauda in occupied Crimea, as well as Yeysk in Krasnodar Krai, and Russian port town of Primorsko-Akhtarsk, located on the coast of the Azov Sea. The town lies approximately 153 kilometers (95 miles) from Kerch, which is located on the Crimean Peninsula that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Aircraft, missile and electronic warfare units, and mobile fire groups of the Ukrainian Air Force intercepted the drones over Mykolaiv, Kirovohrad, Odesa, Khreson, Kyiv, Khmelnytskyi, Dnipropetrovsk, and Vinnytsia oblasts, according to to Ukraine's Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk. No casualties were reported at the time of the publication. Russia also targeted Kharkiv Oblast with an Iskander-K missile launched from Crimea and fired an S-300 anti-aircraft guided missile from the occupied Donetsk Oblast. It is unclear whether those aerial targets were shot down. 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. Overnight on June 1, Moscow's troops reportedly attacked Ukraine with 35 Kh-101/555 cruise missiles launched from Tu-95 bomber planes over the Caspian Sea, as well as four Iskander-M ballistic missiles and one Iskander-K cruise missile from occupied Crimea. Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that energy infrastructure in several regions, including Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad, and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts came under fire by Russian forces. Read also: We took out so many of them: Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. I spent this Memorial Day as a lot of Missourians did: barbecuing and enjoying the sunshine with my family. But as my young children asked about the meaning of the holiday weekend on our way to a tribute event, I struggled with how to express to them the true meaning of Memorial Day. This is what I settled on: The price of something is determined by what you are willing to pay for it. And what is the price of freedom? The men and women we honor on Memorial Day believed the United States of America was worth paying the ultimate price. There are precious few things we as human beings are willing to give our lives for. And yet, I remember the day I swore an oath to protect the United States from her enemies both foreign and domestic and to give my life, if necessary, to do so. On that day, I felt no hesitation. Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, my plans for my future changed, just as so many others did. I put law school on hold, took a commission as an officer in the Army, and swore an oath to defend our Constitution. I volunteered for a combat arms branch of service to take the fight to the enemies of freedom, volunteered to go to Iraq, and did two tours as an Armored Cavalry Officer. I was fortunate to make it back home. Many of my colleagues never did, including one of my soldiers and my best friend from college. That is something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. As I spent Memorial Day attempting to answer my young childrens questions about what this day means, I realized that those who never made it home came to the same conclusion that I did at 21 years old: this nation is worth dying for. After all, Memorial Day is our poignant reminder that freedom is not free. Jesus drove that point home in John 15:13 when he said, There is no greater love than this: to lay down ones life for a friend. He modeled that for us by giving his life for our eternal freedom. And the men and women we honor on Memorial Day modeled it for us by giving their lives for our earthly freedom. It is said that no man can learn how to die until he has learned how to live. The men and women we honor this Memorial Day learned to live in faith. Faith that America is bigger than our ideological differences. Faith that freedom is mankinds most noble pursuit. And faith that God above holds us all in his loving arms. To honor the sacrifice of our fallen, we must ignite a revolution of patriotism, and put America first. We must lead lives dedicated to preserving the very ideals these heroes perished to defend: freedom, liberty, and hope. As I explained to my children, Americans are blessed to live in the greatest country on earth, protected by a system of governance never before seen by mankind. A system of, by and for the people. The same ideals that compelled me to service as a young man, and ignited my passion for the law, are the same ones that make our country worth fighting, and dying for, today. The men and women in uniform knew the cost of protecting America, and they paid it anyway. We honor their sacrifice when we live every day like its Memorial Day. That is what I try to do in memory of my fellow soldiers who never made it home. It is what I try to do in order to leave a better Missouri for my kids. And it is what I try to do every day as your Attorney General. Memorial Day does not have to be only one day per year. We owe it to them to our heroes to live every day like its Memorial Day. Andrew Bailey is a combat veteran and the 44th Attorney General of the State of Missouri. This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Andrew Bailey: Live every day like it's Memorial Day Local law enforcement officers, family members and community members gathered outside the Merced County Administration building on Wednesday, to honor fallen officers during the 19th annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony. The event honors local, state and federal law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty. This is an important opportunity for us in law enforcement as well as the community, to reflect and pay tribute to those peace officers and their families that made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting their communities, said Merced County Undersheriff Corey Gibson. Images of fallen Merced County law enforcement officers are displayed during the annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Law enforcement officers from agencies throughout Merced County during the annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. According to the Merced County Sheriffs Office, a total of 196 law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty in the United States since January 2023. Of those law enforcement deaths, seven of them occurred in the State of California in 2023 and two officers in California have died in the line of duty this year. Since its establishment in 1855, Merced County has recorded 17 peace officer deaths in the line of duty. The names of those 17 officers appear on the Merced County Peace Officers Memorial wall located outside the county building. Speaking during the ceremony, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke said he is proud of the men and women who wear the law enforcement officer uniform especially in Merced County, who go out every single day and take the risk. Were here today to honor those that have gone before us in the line of duty and to remember them as the true heroes they are, Warnke said. During the ceremony, Atwater Police Chief Michael Salvador and Livingston Police Chief John Ramirez read aloud all 17 names of Merced Countys fallen officers accompanied by a single toll of a bell for each name. A memorial stone was unveiled during the ceremony in remembrance of former Livingston Police Chief and Merced County Sheriffs Office Lt. Charles Chuck Hale. According to Undersheriff Corey Gibson, Hale died in May of 2023 from complications from a surgery. Merced County Undersheriff Corey Gibson speaks during the annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. A memorial stone in memory of former Livingston Police Chief and Merced County Sheriffs Deputy Charles Chuck Hale is unveiled during the annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. This memorial stone being revealed to remind the community as well as the current and future law enforcement officers of the significant impacts Chuck Hale had on Merced County law enforcement, said Gibson. A Dos Palos native, Hale graduated from Dos Palos High School in 1994 and was hired by the Dos Palos Police Department in 1995 at the age of 18, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant during this time with the department. Hale joined the Merced County Sheriffs Office in 2002 where he served as a deputy sheriff until 2010 before then serving as a police officer and detective for the Newman Police department for two years. Hale was eventually promoted to the rank of lieutenant within the Merced County Sheriffs Office and in 2021, Hale served as the Interim Chief of Police for the City of Livingston. In 2022, Hale was asked to be the citys permanent chief of police and did so while continuing to serve as a reserve deputy with the sheriffs office. Speaking during Wednesdays ceremony, Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira called upon the community to honor respect and remember those who have been lost. Silveira said there will never be enough words, prayers condolences or ceremonies to truly pay tribute to the law enforcement officers who have lost their lives and what their families have endured. Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silveira speaks during the annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. Beyond placing their lives on the line, these officers put others ahead of their own mental and emotional well-being on a consistent basis. It is not something that we talk about as a society enough, in my opinion, said Silveira. The tragedies that officers have experienced and choose to continue to live with every day so that they can serve us is something that I believe is far too often overlooked, she said. According to Silveira, not only is it important to honor and respect the fallen officers and their families, but to also honor and respect the families of officers who continue to serve to this day. Silveira said that not only has she been fortunate enough to work alongside law enforcement over the past 14 years, but that she has also had the opportunity to meet their families. Both those officers who have been lost and those who continue to serve. I can tell you that nothing is impactful as meeting the loved ones of those who support peace officers so that they can in turn support us, said Silveira. These families are strong, they are compassionate, they are steadfast and they too are truly public servants. We also recognize and pay respect to all of you today. Los Banos resident and United States Navy veteran Rick Toscano, 74, performs Taps during the annual Merced County Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Merced, Calif., on Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The ceremony honors law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty. By Deena Beasley (Reuters) -AstraZeneca and Daiichi Sankyo's Enhertu slows the progression of breast cancer by about five months in women whose disease worsened after endocrine therapy - even if they had very low levels of the mutant protein targeted by the drug, according to trial results announced on Sunday. The findings, presented in Chicago at the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, significantly broaden the range of breast cancer patients that could benefit from Enhertu, an antibody-drug conjugate designed to deliver toxic chemotherapy directly to tumors. The data showed an "unprecedented" improvement in progression-free survival, supporting the thesis that antibody-drug conjugates can deliver their payloads more specifically to cancer cells, ASCO President Dr. Lynn Schuchter said in a briefing with Reuters. Study participants given Enhertu lived for a median of 13.2 months before their cancer worsened, compared with 8.1 months for those given chemotherapy. Results were similar for patients with low and "ultra-low" levels of HER2 - the protein targeted by the drug. About 70% of breast cancer cases are hormone-receptor positive, and are initially treated with endocrine drugs that interfere with hormones like estrogen. If the cancer worsens, the only current option for those patients is chemotherapy. Another 20-25% of breast cancers are HER2 positive, or HER2 "high," and can be treated with drugs like Roche's Herceptin. Enhertu is currently approved as a second-line treatment for HER2 positive and HER2 low breast cancer. Sales of the drug totaled about $2.6 billion last year. If approved for HER2 low and ultra-low breast cancers after endocrine therapy, eight out of out 10 women with metastatic breast cancer could be treated with Enhertu, AstraZeneca oncology research chief Susan Galbraith told Reuters. As tumor mutation testing improves, the number of patients with no HER2 could be so small that Enhertu becomes a preferred choice for almost all patients in approved settings, Jefferies analyst Peter Welford said in a research note on Sunday. Galbraith said Astra is working with global regulatory agencies to submit the latest Enhertu breast cancer data. A number of other trials are underway aimed at moving the drug into earlier lines of therapy. Galbraith said Enhertu is effective at reaching tumors with low levels of HER2 due to the mechanism linking the antibody to the drug. "Our linker is stable in the blood. When it gets to the tumor it gets cleaved and then it can go across the cell membrane," Galbraith said. (Reporting by Deena Beasley, Editing by Nick Zieminski and Will Dunham) Black Magic When the Big Bang gave birth to our universe 13.8 billion years ago, one of the first things to emerge from that nascent cauldron of hot, homogeneous matter was black holes. But they would've been a tad different from the ones we know today. Known as primordial black holes, these ancient objects are thought to be incredibly small perhaps even the size of an atom and extremely numerous. Yet, despite their crucial role in our understanding of the early universe, they remain hypothetical, as astronomers have never been able to actually find any in the cosmic microwave background (CMB), the remnants of the oldest light in the universe. That threatens to poke a few, well, holes in popular cosmological models. Now, a team of researchers says they have an explanation, as detailed in a pair of new studies: there may simply be way fewer primordial black holes than once believed. "... Many researchers feel they are a strong candidate for dark matter, but there would need to be plenty of them to satisfy that theory," said Jason Kristiano, coauthor of the studies and a grad student at the University of Tokyo, in a statement about the work. But despite strong reasons for their abundance, he added, "we have not seen any directly, and now we have a model which should explain why this is the case." Making Waves As Kristiano said, it's tempting to believe primordial black holes are ubiquitous because they could neatly explain the existence of dark matter, the mysterious substance that accounts for over 85 percent of all mass in the universe. Because black holes themselves are invisible and can only be observed via their gravitational influence, primordial ones of such a small scale would be incredibly difficult to detect. For those reasons, many astronomers believe that's where all that dark matter could be hiding. Then again, maybe not. According to the researchers, primordial black holes are created through the collapsing of gravitational waves of short but strong wavelengths. At the time they would've been formed, shortly after the Big Bang, the universe was relatively small, allowing for these powerful, black hole-forming waves to exist. But by applying current understandings of quantum field theory to observations of the CMB, the researchers posit that these waves, too, may not have been as numerous as we thought. "What we have found is that these tiny but strong waves can translate to otherwise inexplicable amplification of much longer waves we see in the present CMB," said coauthor Jun'ichi Yokoyama at the University of Tokyo's Kavli Institute for the Physics and Mathematics of the Universe in the statement. "While individual short waves would be relatively powerless, coherent groups would have the power to reshape waves much larger than themselves," he added. It's a compelling theory, but it won't be until we have gravitational wave observatories in space that we'll have more definitive answers. More on black holes: Scientists Attempt to Explain Why Hundreds of Stars Disappeared From Night Sky ATCEMS: One seriously injured after vehicle-bicycle crash in north Austin AUSTIN (KXAN) One person suffered serious injuries after a vehicle-bicycle crash in north Austin on Saturday, Austin-Travis County EMS said on social media. Around 5:22 p.m., ATCEMS medics responded to East Rundberg Lane and the North Interstate 35 service road northbound. When they arrived on the scene, one adult person was struck by the vehicle. This embedded content is not available in your region. That person was transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with critical, life-threatening injuries, medics said. It wasnt immediately clear what led to the crash, which remains under investigation. No other details were released Saturday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. A South Carolina woman is being held at an Upstate jail following an attack inside a hospital that left a victim with multiple injuries, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Bryana Alexus Oliver, a 28-year-old Lee County resident, was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, SLED said in a news release. The attack happened Wednesday, May 29, at Spartanburg Medical Center, according to an arrest warrant. Oliver was unprovoked when she punched the victim in the face multiple times, the arrest warrant shows. The victim suffered a right orbital bone fracture, a bilateral fracture to both sides of her nose and a cornea abrasion to the right eye, according to the arrest warrant. The injuries could cause permanent disfigurement to her face, the arrest warrant said. Further information on the victims condition was not available. Oliver was arrested following SLEDs investigation that included statements from the victim and witnesses, video surveillance and other physical evidence, according to the arrest warrant. The Spartanburg Police Department asked SLED to lead the investigation, but there was no word why that request was made. Oliver was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center, SLED said. No bond had been set and the Bishopville woman remained behind bars as of Sunday morning, Spartanburg County court records show. The 7th Circuit Solicitors Office will prosecute the case, according to SLED. If convicted on the felony charge, Oliver faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, according to South Carolina law. Including this incident, Oliver has been arrested four times since March on assault charges, court records show. Oliver pleaded guilty to a third-degree assault and battery charge from an April 6 arrest, according to court records. She is still facing jury trials from separate arrests on March 8 and 31 also on third-degree assault and battery charges, court records show. Information about Olivers bond from the two March arrests was not available. Attorneys fight to keep Nassau County cop killer off death row Attorneys defending Patrick McDowell will work to keep him off death row on Monday. Whats called a Spencer hearing is scheduled at 9 a.m. at the Nassau County Courthouse. A Spencer hearing allows McDowells defense team to present more evidence in hopes the judge will not uphold a jurys recommendation that McDowell be sentenced to death. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Read: What I did was cowardly: Patrick McDowell apologizes to family of Joshua Moyers, deputy he killed Patrick McDowell pleaded guilty to killing Deputy Joshua Moyers during a September 2021 traffic stop. After a nearly two-week-long trial in April, a jury recommended the death penalty. Action News Jax will be inside the courtroom for Mondays hearing. Click here to watch it live. Read: Patrick McDowell: Video shows capture of man accused of killing Nassau deputy Joshua Moyers [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Australian trust in US fell, but security alliance vital, says poll Runners jog through a park in front of the city skyline at sunrise in Sydney By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - An annual poll of how Australians view foreign relations showed trust in the United States has dipped, although most (83%) saw the U.S. alliance as important for security, and 63% said it makes Australia safer from attack or pressure from China. Cyberattacks from other nations were seen as the top threat (70%), while concern over potential conflicts over Taiwan (59%) and the South China Sea (57%) also loomed large. Australia has boosted its military cooperation with alliance partner the United States, including in the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, as government concern over the risk of conflict in the Indo-Pacific region rises. The Lowy Institute poll, conducted annually by the foreign policy think-tank for 20 years, found Australians rank Japan highest of all countries in terms of trust (87%). Trust in China to act responsibly in the world was low at 17%, which Lowy said was a sharp drop from 52% six years ago. Levels of trust toward the United States dropped five points to 56% from a year ago. "Australians are far less trusting of China and they are worried about the risk of war in our region. One constant is that they continue to see the alliance with the United States as important to Australia's security," said Lowy Institute executive director Michael Fullilove. Most (83%) of 2000 people surveyed in March said the U.S. alliance was important for Australia's security. Sixty-three percent said the U.S. alliance makes Australia safer from attack or pressure from China, although three-quarters also believe the alliance makes it more likely Australia will be drawn into a future war in Asia. Seventy-one percent said China would become a military threat to Australia in the next 20 years. Asked about the 2024 U.S. presidential election, 68% said they would prefer to see Joe Biden re-elected, compared with a third (29%) preferring Donald Trump. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney. Editing by Gerry Doyle) Battleship New Jersey set to make June 20 return to Camden after maintenance in Philly Less than three months after leaving the Garden State for maintenance in Philadelphia's Naval Shipyard, the USS New Jersey is set to return home. Officials at the Battleship New Jersey Museum & Memorial have announced a June 20 homecoming celebration for the World War II-era warship. The ship left its Camden home after more than two decades in March to be dry docked for inspection and maintenance Onlookers gather to watch as the Battleship New Jersey returns to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a historic dry dock maintenance project on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. After weeks of work by Philadelphia Ship Repair, "Big J" is now due to leave Philadelphia on June 14, museum officials said. The battleship is due to dock in Paulsboro for six days before returning to Camden on Thursday, June 20, officials said. To welcome the USS New Jersey home, museum officials have scheduled an 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. celebration along the Camden Waterfront. Tickets will cost $10 and provide free food and drinks from on-site food trucks, officials said. Children under 12 will be admitted free of charge. NJ Hall of Fame to open at American Dream, and we got a sneak preview. Here's what to know There are now veterans services offices in all 21 NJ counties. Here's where they are The Battleship New Jersey was one of the last four battleships commissioned by the U.S. Navy. All four are Iowa-class battleships. All four are floating museums. The USS New Jersey, however, is the most decorated. During a term of service that started in 1943 and included World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and the Gulf War, the ship earned 19 battle and campaign stars. The Battleship New Jersey returns to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a historic dry dock maintenance project on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Its maintenance in Philadelphia was funded through a $5 million contribution from the New Jersey Historical Commission and a $3.25 million loan from the Camden County Improvement Authority to the Home Port Alliance, which runs the museum. More: Newest USS New Jersey ready to make its debut as the 1943 model goes home The 887-foot-long battleship was not the first USS New Jersey. That distinction belongs to a smaller, Virginia-class battleship built in Quincy, Massachusetts, commissioned in May 1906 and destroyed during U.S. Army bombing tests in September 1923. The Battleship New Jersey enters the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard's Dry Dock #3 for a historic dry dock maintenance project on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The third USS New Jersey was delivered by Newport News Shipbuilding to the Navy this April. A nuclear-powered attack submarine, the third and newest USS New Jersey is expected to be commissioned for service on Sept. 14, after delays postponed a planned April 6 ceremony at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Monmouth County. This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: USS New Jersey set to return to Garden State with June 20 celebration Singapore Saturday evening, a crowd gathered near the doors of the Shangri-La hotel. They were waiting for a speaker, the last one to be announced at the defense conference held there each year, and one not even from the region. Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy entered to this welcome of cameras and cell phones, wearing his usual T-shirt and fatigue-style pants. The next day, he gave the summits final address, casting Ukraine as a global country and Russias full-scale invasion as a war of global concern. We found ourselves in a war that affects everyone, he said. Zelenskyys surprise arrival marked the second year of a trend. The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asias top defense summit, but since 2022, its become more European as officials from the continent see Russias war as an omen. Europe has woken up about the fact that despite the great geographical distance of the Taiwan Strait to Europe, that the impact [of a war] on Europes economy would be enormous, said Bonnie Glaser, an expert on China at the German Marshall Fund. And yet, despite this concern, its not clear that many Asian officials see the same warning or that Ukraine is even the war they care about the most right now. Israels campaign against the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza matters more to some countries in the region calling for a ceasefire. There lies the tension with Zelenskyys visit. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin the day before described a new convergence of countries in the Indo-Pacific that share a set of ideals, such as respect and sovereignty. European officials visiting Singapore share many of those values and are growing more attentive to the region. But the two regions security concerns are still far from converging. An interest in this region Austin himself made this connection in his speech the day before Zelenskyys. The U.S. calls China its top challenge and Austins speech reiterated that hierarchy. And yet, while answering questions after his address, Austin pointed to the many European officials in the crowd. Theyre not in the room because I invited him, he said. Theyre in the room because they have an interest in this region. Countries such as the Netherlands and Germany have temporarily deployed ships to the Indo-Pacific, with a Dutch frigate transiting the Taiwan Strait just before the conference began. Britain also has a more enduring commitment to the region now as part of the AUKUS defense pact, an agreement with the U.S. on nuclear-powered submarines and advanced technology. Zelenskyys arrival was like a crescendo atop these different notes. Austin met with him and a group of Ukrainian defense officials on the sidelines of the conference. According to a Pentagon readout, they discussed U.S. assistance and pledged to stay at Ukraines side. Zelenskyy later wrote on the social media app X that the two discussed air defense and the delivery of F-16 fighter jets, among other issues. Meanwhile, Austin and others at the conference had already been linking Asian and European interests in reference to China, where companies have supported Russias defense industry throughout the war. In a meeting with Chinese Minister of National Defense Adm. Dong Jun, Austin warned that there would be consequences if Chinese companies continued that support. He said quite clearly that if Chinas support for Russias defense sector continues, then the United States with our allies will have to take further measures, a senior American defense official told reporters afterward, declining to elaborate further. A linkage? Several countries in the region also see their interests in Europe. Japan, Australia and South Korea are among the countries that have supported Ukraine during the war, whether through aid, sanctions or equipment. Taiwan sees Russias invasion as a potential harbinger of a potential attack from China, which considers the island a rogue breakaway province. This was a topic of conversation in all of our meetings in Taiwan, whether or not we stand by Ukraine, said Sen. Chris Coons, D-De., who co-chaired a congressional delegation to the island and then Singapore, in an interview. But not all countries in the region agree with this linkage. Taiwan is not Ukraine and neither is China Russia, said Singapore defense Minister Ng Eng Hen in a speech just before Zelenskyys. And while many of the speakers referenced Ukraine, the war in Gaza also loomed over the conference. The president-elect of Indonesia, which has a large Muslim population, said his country was ready to send a peacekeeping force to the strip to maintain a ceasefire. The first question Zelenskyy got after his speech was about Ukraines stance on Israel. Notwithstanding, Zelenskyy continued to argue that the audience should care about Russias war. His speech described the conflict as global, discussing partners supporting Kyiv from outside NATO and also the effects of Russias aggression elsewhere, such as the food scarcity it created for northern Africa. We need the support of Asian countries, Zelenskyy argued. That doesnt mean he expects more countries to send Ukraine weapons. In a Q&A after his speech, he mentioned a peace summit Ukraine is holding in Switzerland later in June as an example of non-military ways to contribute. That said, he didnt seem to be taking it for granted. Ending his speech, he thanked Singapore for the invitation to the conference, and then he addressed the crowd. Thank you for your attention, Zelenskyy said. Bella and Gigi Hadid to donate $1M to Palestinian aid groups, including UN agency with alleged Hamas ties Supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid plan to donate $1 million to support Palestinian relief efforts and have set some of the cash to go to the UNs embattled Palestinian refugee aid agency, whose employees have been linked to Hamas. The funds have been earmarked to be equally distributed among four organizations aiding Palestinian women and children, among them the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid are donating $1 million to charities aiding Palestinians. Getty Images The sisters are planning to donate to a UN agency with alleged Hamas ties. AFP via Getty Images In January, UNRWA announced it had fired nine of its 12 staffers who Israel alleged were involved in Hamas Oct. 7 attack that left roughly 1,200 dead, with another 253 kidnapped. A damning Israeli dossier, compiled through interrogations of Hamas terrorists and documents found in Gaza, estimated roughly 1,200 of UNRWAs staffers had ties to Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The UN aid agency has previously come under fire from US House Republicans for allegedly aiding Hamas with food, fuel and supplies intended to provide humanitarian relief amid the terror groups war with Israel. The United States cut off all funding to UNRWA through March 2025 under the $1.2 trillion spending bill passed earlier this year. Other organizations set to receive the donations from the Hadid siblings are HEAL Palestine, Palestine Childrens Relief Fund and World Central Kitchen. The Hadids, whose father is Palestinian-American real estate tycoon Mohamed Hadid, have been outspoken about their support for Palestinians affected by the ongoing war in Gaza. The US cut off all funding to UNRWA. REUTERS In May, Bella Hadid wrote on Instagram that she was devastated at the loss of the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy coming from the government systems worldwide. Earlier this week, Bella Hadid posted a photo of herself at the Cannes Film Festival wearing a dress with a keffiyeh pattern in a to represent the history, labor of love, resilience and, most importantly, the art of historic Palestinian embroidery. In November, however, Gigi Hadid was criticized for falsely claiming Israel was the only country in the world that keeps children as prisoners of war, while also accusing Israelis of a number of heinous crimes against Palestinians, including rape and murder. Mohamed Hadid, meanwhile, has demonized President Joe Biden as a Zionist criminal and had to apologize after sending a barrage of racist and homophobic messages to US Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY), who is a staunch champion of Israel. Big Boy's 88th birthday reminds me it's been a staple in my life | Letters to the Editor I'm glad to hear about Big Boy Week and the 88th year celebrations near its Southfield headquarters. And I enjoyed reading about its history (with hopefully more locations to open in the near future). Sign me up for a "signature burger" and fries, a shake, and an order of nostalgia. ("Big Boy restaurants celebrate 88 years in business with big specials, birthday party," Detroit Free Press, May 29, 2024.) Big Boy restaurants will always have a place in my heart. I used to stop at one in Northeast Pennsylvania on my way up to college with family and friends. From the iconic statue which greeted us to the impressively broad menu selections, few if any chains have measured up over the years. Big Boy signature burger from Big Boy Restaurants will be celebrated in honor of the chains 88 years in business. Adam Silbert New York City I want to move to Michigan after Kaffer's piece This is just a note to say thank you to Nancy Kaffer in her article about moving to Michigan. I just found this article really insightful, inspiring, and informative as I'm experiencing firsthand the problem with healthcare/Medicaid in Texas. ("Zillow says Gen Z is moving to Texas, but Michigan is way better," Detroit Free Press, Apr 2, 2024.) I'm originally from California and find myself in El Paso, Texas with my two Oaxacan sons after living in Oaxaca for nearly 10 years. This article inspires me to move to Michigan even though all I remember is a really beautiful vacation visit to Mackinac Island when I was twelve. Kenyetta Richardson El Paso, Texas We need to prepare for the Supreme Court to uphold an abortion ban All women across Michigan and the country must start to prepare for the U.S Supreme Court banning the drug mifepristone. Accumulate many prescriptions for birth control in anticipation that this court will eventually ban all birth control for women. Consider surgical options to prevent your future pregnancy before the court bans such procedures. Chemists and biologists with the knowledge should let all women know what combinations of other drugs can be used to terminate a pregnancy. All men who truly care about women should help and support their wives, girlfriends and others to prevent unwanted future pregnancies. John F Frenzel Saginaw The CPA, that sits in the shadows of the Michigan Central Station in Detroit, remains vacant on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Corktown property owners are ruining the neighborhood Thanks to JC Reindl's comprehensive article on the booming for the most part property values in Corktown. Corktown's boom which was accelerated by Ford's Michigan Central development happened after the closure of Tiger Stadium. The vacant parking lots, and driveways, no longer were used for Stadium parking and became prime development parcels. ("Corktown land values and rents have surged, but boom yet to arrive," Detroit Free Press, May 23, 2024.) Unfortunately, we still have property owners like the owners of the CPA Building mentioned in the article. Sequoia Property Owners say that they are going to wait until they know how many workers the Michigan Central rehab brings to the area. In the meantime, I'll put Sequoia into the rogue gallery of owners who simply, buy property, squat on it, suck energy out of the area, and create dead zones until they can reap a financial windfall. That's the last thing we need. Thomas E. Page Detroit Supreme Court Justices need term limits like everyone else Since this country's founding, the Supreme Court has basically ruled to promote honesty and integrity into their decisions. Now in my opinion, we have two rogue justices in Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito. We do not vote for them, and they are appointed for their lifetime. Since when can they take luxury trips paid for by billionaire donors, some of which have cases pending before the Supreme Court? I was under the impression that the Supreme Court was supposed to be fair and impartial. Justice Alito flies an insurrectionists flag outside his home in New Jersey. What gives? How is that impartial and non-political? Jim Jeziorowski Wayne Hollier fiasco should result in limited choices on the ballot With the recent denial of Adam Hollier bid to be placed on ballot for the 13th's Congressional District, the state should revamp how a person is able to get on ballot. There should be sort of a first come, first serve to determine who is on the ballot. ("Hollier knocked off primary ballot to challenge Thanedar, Detroit Free Press, May 21, 2024.) Limit the choices on the ballot to the first three or four candidates who apply first and are qualified with a cutoff date. All others would be handled as write ins. This first come, first serve method would also have an application date that would avoid qualified candidates from having to commit too early. Frank Papp Lincoln Park Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online or in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Big Boy anniversary, Adam Hollier and campus protests: Freep letters When I worked in Atlanta, Georgia, legislators were revising the states public-meetings and open-records laws what we call Government in the Sunshine down here in Florida and some fellow Capitol reporters thought I was just bragging about my home states traditions of open government. Gov. Ron DeSantis gives brief remarks at the end of the 2024 Florida Legislative Session on Friday, March 8, 2024. Oh sure, my ink-stained colleagues would scoff, you could just go to a House committee meeting or read some correspondence in the governors office, and theyll just let you see it all. Yeah, right, next youll want us to believe they even post notices of meeting times and hand out agendas of whats to be discussed. Those seemed like alien, vaguely threatening ideas back when Georgia was still shaking off some of its Old South ways. But what I saw were some entrenched differences in attitudes. In Tallahassee, public business was the publics business and free access was assumed, while politicians in much of the South jealously guarded their power to make decisions behind closed doors. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the conservative Republicans who run Florida government seem to yearn for the era when a few bosses known as pork choppers could divvy up the swag privately. A case is pending at the 1st District Court of Appeal contesting the secrecy of DeSantis method of judicial selection. Stripped of all its constitutional and statutory considerations, the issue between the governor and a citizen identified only as J. Doe is whether DeSantis can assert executive privilege to withhold clearly public information just because he feels like it. It began almost two years ago when DeSantis told conservative commentator Hugh Hewitt he has a covey of six or seven pretty big legal conservative heavyweights who screen potential Supreme Court justices. Plaintiff Doe sought to find out the membership of this brain trust, and the governors office rejected his inquiry, citing a novel legal doctrine of I dont wanna and you cant make me. Attorney General Ashley Moody listens to arguments from the plaintiffs' attorney during a Supreme Court hearing on the 15-week abortion ban in Florida on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. That was good enough for Leon County Circuit Judge Angela Dempsey. Her ruling supporting DeSantis is on appeal, with Attorney General Ashley Moody representing the governor. She sure isnt representing the people of Florida, who elected her to sit next to DeSantis at Cabinet meetings but not to spit seeds when he eats watermelon. We used to have attorneys general like Bob Shevin, Jim Smith and Bob Butterworth who believed the publics right to know meant more than the governors right to make stuff up. But if youre hoping to succeed this governor, as Moody appears to be, its best not to bother DeSantis over picky little details, like laws. This is just one of a handful of sunshine disputes DeSantis seems to relish. His operating principle seems to be that Floridians are entitled to hear whatever he chooses to divulge at his taxpayer-financed public appearances in four or five cities a week, to see any press releases his staff cranks out at public expense and then applaud as he waves, smiles, and says, Thanks have a great day on his way out of an event. If the appellate court reverses Dempsey and says Doe may see correspondence between the governor and the advisers, DeSantis will just appeal to the Florida Supreme Court which happens to be stacked with justices he appointed, on the advice of those big legal conservative heavyweights. If the appellate court sides with DeSantis, a group of open-government advocates (including some of the states major news outlets) will carry on the appeal. This is unfortunate all around. The news media are on hard times and shouldnt have to spend tens of thousands of dollars litigating this stuff. The courts dont need one more embarrassment at a time Donald Trump seeks a divine right of presidential supremacy in the nations highest tribunal one member of which just got caught with an upside-down flag in his yard. And how does this benefit DeSantis and state government? Some confidentiality is normal in any big business, but what harm might befall the republic if we find out who are the learned counselors the governor consults in choosing judges? Executive privilege encourages a free-wheeling discussion among the governor and his top aides involving people, events and issues affecting our lives. If theres an e-mail or phone note saying, Dont appoint that guy, he could hide his own Easter eggs, or maybe, She supported Charlie Crist in 2014 so we dont want her, thats a little awkward but everyone will get over it. Executive privilege didnt work for Richard Nixon when he tried to hide his criminality. It is too high a price for the public to pay, just to protect Ron DeSantis petty, petulant desire to have his own way. Bill Cotterell Bill Cotterell is a retired Capitol reporter for United Press International and the Tallahassee Democrat. He writes a weekly column for The News Service of Florida and City & State Florida. He can be reached at wrcott43@aol.com. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bill Cotterell: Dark clouds in the Sunshine State Black Widows get a bad rap Is it black widow season in California? Heres how to avoid these deadly spiders (sacbee.com, May 28) Its notable that your article, Is it black widow season in California? Heres how to avoid these deadly spiders cites no fewer than three pest control professionals, who have a financial incentive to eradicate spiders, but not a single arachnologist. An oft-cited study estimates that globally, spiders consume between 400-800 million tons of prey annually, including many agricultural pests that threaten crops. And they do this efficiently, without chemicals and for free. As to their dangerousness, despite the estimated 2,200 Black Widow bites annually in the nation, only one known death has occurred since 1983. Experts dont want anyone to know. Gil Elliot Sacramento Reusable bags arent so reusable California lawmakers approve bills to ban grocery, retail stores from offering plastic bags. (sacbee.com, May 22) Just last month during a beach cleanup, my environmental club collected over 4,800 pieces of trash, including many plastic bags. The plastic industry has claimed these bags are reusable; however, the massive amount of waste they contribute to implies otherwise. In 2021, Californians discarded over 230,000 tons of plastic bags. This unnecessary waste harms our terrestrial and marine ecosystems. We need to cut down on our dependence on plastic. Senate Bill 1053 and Assembly Bill 2236 do exactly that: If passed, they would ban single-use plastic bags in grocery stores. As a college student passionate about environmental protection, I am thrilled that these bills have passed in both respective houses and are moving on in the legislative process! The only way to eliminate our plastic waste is to stop it at the source SB 1053 and AB 2236 offer a feasible and powerful step in the right direction. Avalon Kelly Los Gatos DMV needs change, but not that way You can expect shorter DMV lines, wait times in California, Gavin Newsom says. Heres why (sacbee.com, May 24) According to a Bee article, the Department of Motor Vehicles has a new program putting 90% of its transactions online. This is laudable, except it apparently also excludes a person from doing those transactions with a DMV agent at department offices. Oh, but if youre a California State Automobile Association member, you can still do the transactions there. Then a person must have a credit or debit card, online access, ability to use a kiosk or AAA membership. While this makes things easier for the DMV and for some, it is much harder for others. Bill Jurkovich Citrus Heights Remember Memorial Day Memorial Day reminds the living that they remain connected to those they have lost (sacbee.com, May 26) Lets hear it for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue with the grand experiment we call democracy. Somewhere along the line, we have lost our ability to get along with each other. Respect for all to think as they choose. Continuing along the path we have chosen is not working. We must try harder. Barbara Krings Sacramento Goodbye to an Ace See our best photos from this years California Capital Airshow (sacbee.com, Sept. 23) I am not from Sacramento, nor have I ever been to California. This Florida boy would like to thank Sacramento for producing Clarence Bud Anderson, who passed away recently. He was an American hero and a three-time ace during World War Two. He led combat aircraft in Korea and Vietnam. Bud Anderson, an American hero. Don Whisman Stuart, FL EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The Blue 2 Fire remains at 7,457 acres with 54 percent containment on Sunday, June 2, according to a press release sent by the New Mexico State Forestry Division. Blue 2 Fire remains steady, 14% contained As of Saturday, June 1, the fire was reported to be at 7,457 acres with 14 percent containment. Storms will continue in the surrounding areas, causing outflow winds up to 35 mph on the ridge tops to affect the fire area throughout the day, according to the Forestry Division. Firefighters are prepared for the weather to test the containment and remaining open line of the fire perimeter. Successful work on the ground has allowed the progression of increased containment, read the press release. On Saturday, June 1, Solider Mountain has been fully contained and firefighters will remain in the area to ensure that the fireline holds. The Forestry Division said heavy equipment is working on completion of the contingency line towards Buck Mountain. Night shift will continue to patrol around communities and monitor for any new sources of heat. Today, ground crews will stay vigilant in anticipation of forecasted winds where hotspots or spotting could test the fire perimeter. Engines will be near Bonito Lake mopping up and providing structure protection to values at risk. Crews are removing slash from fire lines and heavy equipment is being used to the west of Angus and the Enchanted Forest communities to ensure that the lines hold, read the press release. The Forestry Division said that as warm and dry conditions are experienced, there is potential for more smoke. However, barring any significant fire growth, only periods of light smoke should be seen around Bonito and Capitan. You can view an interactive smoke map at fire.airnow.gov/. Lincoln National Forest issued an emergency area closure for the fire and a temporary flight restriction is in place over the area, according to the Forestry Division. Evacuation levels remain unchanged. Evacuation shelters are expected to stay open over the weekend. There are currently 786 personnel at the site with 17 crews, 33 engineers, eight helicopters, six bulldozers and 10 water tenders. The fire was caused by lightning on Thursday, May 16 and is located in the White Mountain Wilderness area, which is 8 miles north of Ruidoso, according to the Forestry Division. For the latest information on evacuations, 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 KTSM 9 News. We may receive an affiliate commission from anything you buy from this article. British journalist Adam Higginbotham, author of "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster," returns with his exhaustively-researched new book, "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space" (Simon & Schuster), about the 1986 space shuttle disaster. Read an excerpt below. "Challenger" by Adam Higginbotham Prefer to listen? Audible has a 30-day free trial available right now. Flight Control Room One Johnson Space Center, Houston January 28, 1986, 8:30 a.m. The coffee, as usual, was terrible: bitter and thin, the color of tea; almost certainly undrinkable. He filled a cup anyway, returned to his console, and plugged in his headset. It promised to be a long morning. Steve Nesbitt had arrived at his office early, checking for the latest weather updates from the Cape before taking the short walk, out past the duck ponds to Building 30, and up in the elevator to Mission Control. But from what he'd already seen on TV, there was no way they would launch today: it was freezing down in Florida, and there were two-foot icicles hanging from the gantry. Space Shuttle mission 51-L seemed sure to face yet another delay. Nesbitt had been with NASA public affairs for just over five years, and was there for the triumph of the first Space Shuttle launch in 1981 helping to respond to a clamor of press and media inquiries from all over the world. Since then, he had become chief commentator for Mission Control, and delivered the live commentary from Houston on almost every one of the twenty-four shuttle flights. But he was still nervous. Responsibility for translating the bewildering patois of engineering jargon and acronyms spoken by NASA engineers and astronauts into language the public could understand began with the launch countdown commentary that boomed from the loudspeakers at Cape Canaveral. After that once the count reached zero and the spacecraft left the ground everything that happened was on Nesbitt's watch. There was no script, and he knew his words went out live to anyone watching a launch on television either on the three national networks, on the recently launched cable channel CNN, or over NASA's own dedicated satellite feed; he relied instead on his Ascent Events List, which mapped a series of milestones the shuttle would pass on its way to orbit, from the slow roll it would execute as it roared away from the launchpad to the moment its main engines cut out, at the edge of space. The hushed environment of the Flight Control Rooms had been devised to concentrate the minds of each of the flight controllers on their own tasks, and only recently had a TV set been installed near the Flight Director's console, to display images of the shuttle in flight. Nesbitt rarely had time to look at that, as he focused attention on the console in front of him. Here, he had access to real-time information about the spacecraft: on his headset, he could listen in to dozens of audio "loops" connecting groups of NASA engineers and flight controllers on the internal communications network; and on a pair of black-and-white monitors, he could see telemetry data transmitted back to Earth from the shuttle, columns of numbers updated every second describing any one of hundreds of technical parameters of its performance in flight. With a couple of hundred feeds to choose from, Nesbitt had his regular preferences: "Flight Ops Procedures," which included data on the shuttle's engine performance, and the "Trajectory" display, which showed its speed, altitude, and downrange distance. Even with all this at his fingertips, Nesbitt found the live commentary nerve-racking, and practiced often. He took his duty of public service seriously, and hated it when other commentators took flight with flowery language, like Hollywood PR guys. He wanted to play it straight. And yet, suffering from the effects of a cold he'd picked up the day before, even as the final countdown began, Nesbitt would have welcomed another launch delay: his throat was sore, and he wasn't certain he could talk through the whole ascent without his voice straining or cracking. He waited in silence for his cue: for the shuttle engines and the giant solid rockets to light; for his counterpart at the Cape to announce that Challenger had cleared the tower. It was almost exactly 11:38 in the morning when Nesbitt saw the numbers on his screen start to move, and a few seconds later keyed his mike to speak: "Good roll program confirmed. Challenger now heading downrange." At the console position next to him, the flight surgeon a navy doctor in full uniform had her eyes on the big TV set across the room. It was a perfect launch. Challenger was less than half a minute into flight when Nesbitt gave his next update. "Engines beginning throttling down, now at 94 percent," he said. "Normal throttle for most of the flight is 104 percent. We'll throttle down to 65 percent shortly." The flight surgeon watched the shuttle climb higher into the cloudless sky over the Atlantic; Nesbitt kept his gaze on the monitors. "Velocity 2,257 feet per second," he said. "Altitude 4.3 nautical miles, downrange distance three nautical miles." The numbers all looked good; at sixty-eight seconds, he reported the next key moment on the list in front of him. "Engines are throttling up. Three engines now at 104 percent." Ten feet away, down on the next row of consoles, astronaut Dick Covey confirmed the change with the shuttle commander: "Challenger, go at throttle up." "Roger, go at throttle up." The spacecraft was one minute and ten seconds into flight. Four seconds later, Nesbitt heard a loud crackle in his headphones. Beside him, the surgeon saw Challenger abruptly obscured by a ball of orange and white flame. "What was that?" she said. But Nesbitt was staring at his monitors. "One minute fifteen seconds. Velocity 2,900 feet per second," he said. "Altitude nine nautical miles. Downrange distance seven nautical miles." Then Nesbitt looked up, and followed the surgeon's gaze toward the TV set. Something terrible had happened. There was no sign of Challenger, just the expanding fireball where it had once been and the exhaust trails of the shuttle's two booster rockets, twisting in opposite directions across the sky. His console was no help: the data streams had frozen. Around him, the other flight controllers sat stunned, faces slack with shock. No one said a word. Nesbitt knew he had to speak, but he had no information to explain what he was witnessing. His mind raced. He thought of his responsibility to the public, and to the astronauts' families. He thought, suddenly, of the attempt on Ronald Reagan's life nearly five years before: in the confusion that followed, CBS news anchor Dan Rather had announced that White House press secretary James Brady had been killed only to discover that Brady, despite the bullet in his head, remained very much alive. Nesbitt didn't want to make a mistake like that. A few moments of quiet extended into half a minute. An agonizing silence enveloped the NASA commentary loop; an eternity of dead air. On the TV screen, the cloud drifted in the wind; fragments of debris fluttered toward the ocean. The Flight Director polled his team in vain for answers. It was forty-one seconds before Steve Nesbitt spoke again. "Flight controllers here looking very carefully at the situation," he said, his voice flat and impassive. "Obviously a major malfunction." Excerpted from "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space" by Adam Higginbotham. Published by Avid Reader Press/Simon and Schuster. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Get the book here: "Challenger" by Adam Higginbotham Buy locally from Bookshop.org For more info: "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space" by Adam Higginbotham (Simon & Schuster), in Hardcover, eBook and Audio formatsadamhigginbotham.com Netanyahu indicates no cease-fire until Israel's objectives are achieved Biden rebukes Trump's response to New York conviction Douglas Brinkley and the lesson of Trump's guilty verdict Nasrin Rooshan (left) and Sara Tabrizi were deetained at Tehran's Imam airport as they were about to leave Iran last November A British-Iranian woman has been held in solitary confinement in Iran for more than 200 days on charges of meeting with the former queen of the country, according to her family. Nasrin Rooshan was detained in Iran in relation to her meeting with Farah Pahlavi, wife of the exiled former Shah, and also for taking part in rallies in London to protest about Mahsa Amini who died in the custody of morality police. Mrs Rooshan lives in the UK and became a British citizen 25 years ago after moving from Iran, her husband Arash Asiabi said. She returned to her home country to visit a relative who was unwell and was detained at the airport as she tried to leave. She has since been held in solitary jail in the notorious Evin prison which is run by the Revolutionary Guards, her husband said. Mrs Rooshan was detained with her first cousin once removed, Sara Tabrizi, 21, at Tehrans Imam airport as they were about to leave Iran last November. Ms Tabrizi had been released on bail but died in unknown circumstances a few days after, according to Mr Asiabi. Facing three years in prison Mr Asiabi said his wife had been detained for links to the former Shah, who was exiled after the Iranian revolution. Nasrin always wanted to pay her respect to the former royal family of Iran and went to Egypt in 2023 to attend the anniversary of the death of the late Shah, where she met with queen Farah Pahlavi. On her return to Iran to care for her ill aunt she was arrested, he said. Mrs Rooshans family members in the UK and Iran had been told by the Iranian authorities that she would be freed after eight months. But now they say they have been told that she must serve three full years of imprisonment. Since 1982 the Islamic regime in Iran has detained 14 British-Iranian dual nationals on charges ranging from espionage to plot to overthrow the Islamic Republic. Most have since been released after spending from 18 days to nearly 10 years behind bars. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was the most high-profile, and was released in March 2022 after a sustained campaign. Mehran Raouf, a British-Iranian engineer and labour activist, is in Evin prison. He was arrested in October 2020. 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. Editors note: The above video shows KXAN News top morning headlines from Sunday, June 2, 2024. SPICEWOOD, Texas (KXAN) The Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9 (Spicewood Fire Rescue) saved a group of people caught in a flooded roadway Friday evening. The water rescue happened near FM 2147 East and County Road 401 North, emergency personnel shared on Facebook. Occupants in a vehicle traveling along FM 2147 East were swept down Flatrock Creek due to flooding conditions. The Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9 (Spicewood Fire Rescue) saved a group of people caught in a flooded roadway Friday evening. (Courtesy Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9) The Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9 (Spicewood Fire Rescue) saved a group of people caught in a flooded roadway Friday evening. (Courtesy Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9) The Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9 (Spicewood Fire Rescue) saved a group of people caught in a flooded roadway Friday evening. (Courtesy Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 9) Officials said those occupants were able to escape the vehicle and make it safely to a dry spot. Crews used a drone capable of capturing thermal images to detect them and direct crews to their location. Travis County Star Flight assisted in the rescue efforts, transporting the occupants to rescue crews on a nearby bank. Medics checked out the rescued residents before they were discharged and able to return safely home. Its an honor and [privilege] to work along all the area agencies for such a successful outcome, Spicewood Fire Rescue officials said in the post. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Crews in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday continued repairs to a series of water pipes that burst last week and prompted several businesses to close amid water outages and boil water notices. Repairs to the burst pipes began Friday after water poured into the street in downtown Atlanta where three water mains intersect. Another water main break occurred separately in Midtown Atlanta, city officials said Saturday. The breaks impacted services at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Fulton County Jail, Atlanta City Detention Center, and other critical facilities in the city, according to the Atlanta Mayors Office. A stretch of downtown and Midtown Atlanta was subsequently placed under a boil water advisory, and the city handed out water palettes to respondents across the city. Residents were told to limit water usage to allow the pressure in the system to rebuild. The citys first responders were also monitoring high rise residences to check on elderly and other vulnerable residents, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (D) confirmed in a news conference Saturday. Let me just be clear that these people are working tirelessly, they are working as fast as humanly possible and as carefully as humanly possible to resolve this situation as quickly as possible, Dickens said, adding later, My administration understands very clearly how important the citys water supply is. Water is a valuablea criticalresource and cities cant function, and lives cant function without it. As of Sunday, crews completed multiple rounds of repairs to the water main system and were gradually bringing the system back online to allow for the rebuilding of system pressures, the mayors office said. Dickens noted the citys water main system is very old infrastructure, and his office is inquiring the help of engineers to determine the best solution. City officials came under scrutiny for providing slow updates to residents after the city and its water management department sent an update after 8 p.m. Friday and did not send another one for 12 hours, the Associated Press reported. Dickens on Saturday acknowledged the lapse in communication and said the city will provide updates every two hours until the incident is resolved. Overnight, we did not do the best job of communicating. We could have done a better job over the past day, and for that, I apologize, the mayor said. Atlantas Department of Watershed Management will continue its flushing protocols as a precaution and sample the impacted areas to confirm no contamination before the boil water advisory is lifted, per the mayors 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 The Hill. UPPER EAST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11) A 31-year-old bystander was unintentionally shot on an Upper East Side subway in the early hours of Sunday, police said. The suspected shooter was in an argument with another person on a northbound 4 train approaching the Lexington Avenue-86th Street station around 2:30 a.m. when he fired a gun but missed his intended target, according to the NYPD. Man wielding knife shot in buttocks by police in East Harlem: NYPD The bullet instead hit the bystander in the left hand, police said. He was transferred to an area hospital while the suspected shooter ran, police said. Police had not made any arrests Sunday. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. In this file photo, a sign displays an unofficial temperature as jets taxi at Sky Harbor International Airport at dusk on July 12, 2023, in Phoenix. If image is everything, then the one that emerged from pro-Palestine protesters blocking an entrance to Cal Poly was discouraging and not something we want to see on the streets of San Luis Obispo. Not because around 30 demonstrators gathered to protest an impassioned issue. Not because they shut down an intersection. Not even because several of them had to be arrested to clear the area. But because it somehow required a phalanx of sheriffs deputies in riot gear to do it. That was the scene at the corner of California and Foothill boulevards, where protesters gathered the morning of May 23 to oppose the attacks on Gaza and to pressure the university to divest from companies that support and profit from the war. Compared to the mass protests at other college campuses, it was a tame affair. Yet because a handful of activists stopped traffic with makeshift barricades, it was declared an illegal gathering and an order to disperse was issued. Two protesters who chained themselves to the barricades were forcibly removed. A total of eight participants were arrested. It was all over within a few hours. Sheriffs Office: Riot gear is standard equipment At no point was there any hint the gathering would turn violent, yet law enforcement turned out in force. According to a report in Mustang News, the incident began with only eight protesters and around eight campus police officers, for a one-to-one ratio. Later, San Luis Obispo police officers, CHP officers and sheriffs deputies were called in as backup. However, none of the SLOPD officers wore riot gear. None of the Cal Poly police officers armored up. None of the CHP officers did either. The sheriffs deputies, however, arrived suited up in helmets, face shields and vests a show of force that raises the question: Were they there to keep the peace or to intimidate? The Sheriffs Office offered this explanation: The protest involved an unknown number of individuals and was near the railroad tracks, spokesman Tony Cipolla wrote in an email to The Tribune. The railroad tracks contain numerous rocks that can be used as projectiles against law enforcement. What malarkey. This was not an angry mob of students looking to hurl projectiles at police. It was nothing more than a small group of individuals hoping to make a statement by chanting, holding up signs and disrupting morning traffic. Cipolla said the deputies were part of the mutual aid public safety team who were deployed at the request of Cal Poly, and that the gear they wore is standard equipment. Yes, standard equipment for a time that has past. We dont need a riot squad to disperse a peaceful protest. We dont want to see clashes between law enforcement and citizens on our streets. The university is not a political body For its part, the university administration said the protest posed safety concerns that forced law enforcement to make arrests and remove individuals from the intersection. Cal Poly supports lawful protests and demonstrations but will not tolerate illegal activity, Cal Poly spokesman Matt Lazier wrote in the email. The administration also issued a policy statement in response to calls for divestiture. The role of the university is to serve as a content-neutral space for the free exchange of ideas, thoughts and discourse; the university is not a political body, and its role is not to create public policy and foreign affairs strategies, Lazier wrote. Cal Poly may not consider itself a political body, but students are political beings. Especially at this stage in their lives, they not only want to express their beliefs, they also want to act upon them. Sometimes that includes acts of civil disobedience, but assuming that all hell will break loose is an overreaction. Over-policing can make matters worse Cal Poly is not UCLA, Columbia University or even Humboldt State, and applying strong-arm tactics based on what happens elsewhere is unnecessary and even dangerous. Over-policing can exacerbate a situation and incite the violence law enforcement is hoping to avoid. In the wake of Black Lives Matter protests of 2020 where tear gas was deployed against SLO protesters, many law enforcement agencies including the San Luis Obispo Police Department revamped their practices for dealing with demonstrations. Now, those typically emphasize de-escalation, lowering the temperature of any potentially volatile crowd and using caution when choosing to deploy officers in riot gear. Edward Maguire, an Arizona State University criminology professor, suggests using a graded response that ramps up as the need arises. In a graded response, tactical assets are staged nearby but out of sight and can be deployed rapidly if needed, he told The Cap Times, a Madison, Wisconsin, newspaper. If they are visible to the crowd, instead of enhancing officer safety, they may place officers at greater risk by escalating matters. So that means, if someone actually thinks cops need to outnumber the protesters, at the very least, keep the gear stashed in the trunk and only bring it out if its absolutely necessary. With that in mind, we strongly urge the Sheriffs Office to update its response plan for public protests like this. It seems every other local agency has, and it shouldnt be too much to ask that everyone be on the same page. Because calling out the riot squad should be among the last rather than the first resorts. Cal State San Bernardino student found, is safe after being reported missing in Los Angeles A Cal State San Bernardino student who had been reported missing on Saturday has been found safe, officials said. The woman was identified as Nitheesha Kandula, 23, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Nitheesha Kandula, 23, is seen in a photo from the Los Angeles Police Department. Information about Nitheesha Kandula, 23, is seen in a missing persons poster from the Los Angeles Police Department. Kandula was last seen on May 28 in Los Angeles. Loved ones reported her missing two days later. By Monday, however, John Guttierez, chief of Cal State San Bernardino Police, noted she has been located and is safe. The circumstances around her disappearance and the events leading up to her location by authorities have not been released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. This photo released by the The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection shows the Corral Fire burning on Sunday, June 2, 2024, near Tracy, Calif. (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection via AP) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California firefighters made significant progress Sunday to tame a wind-driven wildfire that scorched thousands of acres 60 miles (97 kilometers) east of San Francisco, burned down a home and forced residents to flee the area near the central California city of Tracy. The fire erupted Saturday afternoon in the grassy hills managed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, one of the country's key centers for nuclear weapons science and technology. The cause was under investigation. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said the research center was not under immediate threat from the blaze, dubbed the Corral Fire, which had devoured some 22 square miles (52 square kilometers) by Sunday afternoon. The fire was 50% contained as of Sunday evening. Thousands of people in the area, including parts of the city of Tracy with a population of 100,000, were ordered to leave for evacuation centers Saturday. The evacuation order was lifted to allow residents to return home starting Sunday evening. Tracy is about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of California's capital in Sacramento. CalFire Battalion Chief Josh Silveira said Sunday afternoon the fire burned right up to the homes in the area and destroyed one house. With calmer winds and milder weather Sunday, Silveira said he didn't expect the fire to grow. Two firefighters suffered minor to moderate burns on Saturday and were expected to make a full recovery, Silveira said. The wildfire presented no threat to any laboratory facilities or operations and had moved away from the site, Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien said in a statement to The Associated Press early Sunday. As a precaution, we have activated our emergency operations center to monitor the situation through the weekend, Rhien said. Photos showed a wall of flames moving over the parched landscape as dark smoke billowed into the sky. The wildfire also forced the closure of two major highways, including an interstate that connects the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County in central California. But they had reopened by Sunday afternoon. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services on Saturday issued an evacuation order for areas west of the California Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County and south to Stanislaus County. A temporary evacuation point was established at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy. The county also asked residents to temporarily use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes. Sundays high temperature for Tracy was expected to reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius), with no rain in the forecast. But hotter conditions are on their way. The National Weather Service said dangerously hot conditions with highs of 103 F to 108 F (39.4 C to 42.2 C) were expected later in the week for the San Joaquin Valley, an area that encompasses Tracy. Wind gusts of up to 45 mph (72 kph) lashed the region Saturday night, according to meteorologist Idamis Shoemaker of the weather service in Sacramento. - Peipert reported from Denver. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr., left, and his wife Martha-Ann Alito pay their respects at the casket of the Rev. Billy Graham at the U.S. Capitol in 2018. Alito rejects calls to step aside from Supreme Court cases on Trump and Jan. 6. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press) America, we have a(nother) constitutional crisis on our hands. Amid all the well-warranted attention to Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., who refuses to recuse himself from Jan. 6 cases despite reasonable doubt about his impartiality, spare some also for his equally ethics-challenged colleague Clarence Thomas, whos stiffed similar recusal demands for more than two years. Within weeks, the Supreme Court will decide two cases related to the unsuccessful 2021 insurrection and to Donald Trumps role in events. No matter how the court decides, the outcomes will be widely questioned because of the polluting participation of Alito and Thomas, the courts most far-right members. And thats a problem for a court whose public approval rating is already at historical lows in polls . We now know that both justices spouses the flag-loving Martha-Ann Alito and Stop the Steal foot soldier Ginni Thomas have amply demonstrated their pro-Trump bias in ways that could not, and surely did not, go unnoticed by their husbands. Consequently, Justices Alitos and Thomas impartiality might reasonably be questioned the standard for recusal under toothless federal law in cases involving Trump. Read more: Alito refuses to recuse himself from cases on Trump and Jan. 6 over flag controversy The objectivity of the full court, with its 6-3 right-wing supermajority, is suspect as well. In one of the two pending cases, the one involving Trumps claim of immunity from criminal prosecution, the court has dragged matters out so long that he almost certainly wont be tried before the 2024 election for trying to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 victory. That makes the court complicit in appearance and probably in fact in Trumps unsubtle legal strategy: delay, delay, delay. How much of that foot dragging owes to Alito and Thomas? We cant know, because of the courts secretive inner workings. But we can reasonably question. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. is doing his part to maintain the courts opacity. On Thursday he wrote to Sens. Richard J. Durbin of Illinois and Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island, the chairmen of the Senate Judiciary Committee and its subcommittee on federal courts, respectively, rejecting their request to meet about court ethics. Roberts cited judicial independence and the separation of powers. Read more: Roberts rejects Senate Democrats' request to discuss Supreme Court ethics, Alito controversy The chief cant claim the high ground when his colleagues keep digging from below. First, consider Alito, the scofflaw of the moment. The New York Times has reported that separate flags associated with groups that attacked the Capitol flew over his home outside Washington and at a beach getaway in New Jersey. Alito blames his wife, leaving more bus tracks on her back each time he addresses the matter, and absolves himself. No involvement whatsoever, he said in a brief email to the New York Times, for its first story on the upside-down U.S. flag that waved at his house for days in January 2021, after the attack on the Capitol. Alito gave no response to the newspaper for its second story about a flag favored by pro-Trump Christian nationalists that fluttered at his beach house last summer. Yet he gave friendly Fox News an interview, and claimed his wife was provoked by a venomous spat with an anti-Trump couple on their block an account that couple contradicted in a third New York Times story that was partly corroborated by neighbors, contemporaneous texts and a police report. Read more: Abcarian: Samuel Alito's ethical lapse isn't the Supreme Court's first. This is why it's different When Alito wrote to Durbin and Whitehouse, rejecting their request that he recuse from 2020 election cases, he said hed asked his wife for several days to remove the inverted flag, but she refused. He emphasized his wifes autonomy, her co-ownership of their house and her constitutional rights and his own impotence: There were no additional steps I could have taken to have the flag taken down more promptly. Are justices so used to being catered to that Alito couldnt take it down himself? Now a brief refresher on Ginni Thomas shenanigans, which similarly elicited professions of cluelessness, powerlessness and respect for her independence from her hubby. Read more: Calmes: Will voters get the message that our judicial system is on the 2024 ballot too? For weeks after Bidens election, Ginni Thomas texted White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, forwarding conspiracy theories and imploring him to keep up the fight for Trump: Do not concede. It takes time for the army who is gathering for his back. She contacted Arizona Republicans to promote the fake electors scheme. On Jan. 6 she wrote on Facebook, LOVE MAGA people!!!! She joined in damning the House Jan. 6 committee as a political persecution of citizens who have done nothing wrong. And she condemned then-Vice President Mike Pence for certifying Bidens election. What did Clarence Thomas do? He repeatedly participated in Jan. 6-related cases and invariably sided with the pro-Trump parties. Together the Thomas and Alito scandals underscore the revolting sense of impunity at the court among its life-tenured justices. Most public figures, those answerable to the voters, show some humility and remorse in the face of evident wrongdoing or embarrassment (at least they used to). Not these justices. Read more: Calmes: The Supreme Court's conservatives onstage, unplugged, unrepentant Part and parcel of their impunity is a petulant refusal to be accountable for their partners actions, when those activities cast the justices own fairness into doubt. Journalists can throw this stone: Reporters enter their careers accepting that they cant sport political bumper stickers, lapel buttons, yard signs or flags, and they certainly cant work for political causes. Its not ethical. If a spouse works in politics, the reporter avoids covering stories their partner is involved in. I still live by the limits though I became an opinion columnist several years ago. In the decades I reported on Congress, the White House and campaigns, those in my household respected them as well. Its not too much to expect that justices demand their spouses do the same. Alito and Thomas disagree. And so they, with Roberts, bring disgrace on the court. When the court soon rules on the Jan. 6 cases, its decisions will be historic not only for the substance but for the fact that two such conflicted justices took part. Shame on them. @jackiekcalmes If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Cancer patients often do better with less intensive treatment, new research finds FILE - In this May 25, 2017 file photo, chemotherapy drugs are administered to a patient at a hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C. Scaling back treatment in some cancers ovarian, esophageal and Hodgkin lymphoma can make life easier for patients without compromising outcomes, doctors reported at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in early June 2024. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File) Scaling back treatment for three kinds of cancer can make life easier for patients without compromising outcomes, doctors reported at the worlds largest cancer conference. Its part of a long-term trend toward studying whether doing less less surgery, less chemotherapy or less radiation can help patients live longer and feel better. The latest studies involved ovarian and esophageal cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Thirty years ago, cancer research was about doing more, not less. In one sobering example, women with advanced breast cancer were pushed to the brink of death with massive doses of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. The approach didnt work any better than chemotherapy and patients suffered. Now, in a quest to optimize cancer care, researchers are asking: Do we need all that treatment that we have used in the past? Its a question, that should be asked over and over again, said Dr. Tatjana Kolevska, medical director for the Kaiser Permanente National Cancer Excellence Program, who was not involved in the new research. Often, doing less works because of improved drugs. The good news is that cancer treatment is not only becoming more effective, its becoming easier to tolerate and associated with less short-term and long-term complications, said Dr. William G. Nelson of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who was also not involved in the new research. Studies demonstrating the trend were discussed over the weekend at an American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. Here are the highlights: OVARIAN CANCER French researchers found that its safe to avoid removing lymph nodes that appear healthy during surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. The study compared the results for 379 patients half had their lymph nodes removed and half did not. After nine years, there was no difference in how long the patients lived and those with less-extreme surgery had fewer complications, such as the need for blood transfusions. The research was funded by the National Institute of Cancer in France. ESOPHAGEAL CANCER This German study looked at 438 people with a type of cancer of the esophagus that can be treated with surgery. Half received a common treatment plan that included chemotherapy and surgery on the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Half got another approach that includes radiation too. Both techniques are considered standard. Which one patients get can depend on where they get treatment. After three years, 57% of those who got chemo and surgery were alive, compared to 51% of those who got chemo, surgery and radiation. The German Research Foundation funded the study. HODGKIN LYMPHOMA A comparison of two chemotherapy regimens for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma found the less intensive treatment was more effective for the blood cancer and caused fewer side effects. After four years, the less harsh chemo kept the disease in check in 94% of people, compared to 91% of those who had the more intense treatment. The trial included 1,482 people in nine countries Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia and New Zealand and was funded by Takeda Oncology, the maker of one of the drugs used in the gentler chemo that was studied. ___ 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. Cancer patients often do better with less intensive treatment: new research (AP) Scaling back treatment for three kinds of cancer can make life easier for patients without compromising outcomes, doctors reported at the worlds largest cancer conference. Its part of a long-term trend toward studying whether doing less less surgery, less chemotherapy or less radiation can help patients live longer and feel better. The latest studies involved ovarian and esophageal cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. Thirty years ago, cancer research was about doing more, not less. In one sobering example, women with advanced breast cancer were pushed to the brink of death with massive doses of chemotherapy and bone marrow transplants. The approach didnt work any better than chemotherapy and patients suffered. Now, in a quest to optimize cancer care, researchers are asking: Do we need all that treatment that we have used in the past? Its a question, that should be asked over and over again, said Dr. Tatjana Kolevska, medical director for the Kaiser Permanente National Cancer Excellence Program, who was not involved in the new research. Often, doing less works because of improved drugs. The good news is that cancer treatment is not only becoming more effective, its becoming easier to tolerate and associated with less short-term and long-term complications, said Dr. William G. Nelson of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, who was also not involved in the new research. Studies demonstrating the trend were discussed over the weekend at an American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. Here are the highlights: OVARIAN CANCER French researchers found that its safe to avoid removing lymph nodes that appear healthy during surgery for advanced ovarian cancer. The study compared the results for 379 patients half had their lymph nodes removed and half did not. After nine years, there was no difference in how long the patients lived and those with less-extreme surgery had fewer complications, such as the need for blood transfusions. The research was funded by the National Institute of Cancer in France. ESOPHAGEAL CANCER This German study looked at 438 people with a type of cancer of the esophagus that can be treated with surgery. Half received a common treatment plan that included chemotherapy and surgery on the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Half got another approach that includes radiation too. Both techniques are considered standard. Which one patients get can depend on where they get treatment. After three years, 57% of those who got chemo and surgery were alive, compared to 51% of those who got chemo, surgery and radiation. The German Research Foundation funded the study. HODGKIN LYMPHOMA A comparison of two chemotherapy regimens for advanced Hodgkin lymphoma found the less intensive treatment was more effective for the blood cancer and caused fewer side effects. After four years, the less harsh chemo kept the disease in check in 94% of people, compared to 91% of those who had the more intense treatment. The trial included 1,482 people in nine countries Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia and New Zealand and was funded by Takeda Oncology, the maker of one of the drugs used in the gentler chemo that was studied. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas lawmakers are gearing up for a possible special session from June 17-21. Capitol View host Roby Brock talked with Republican State Sen. Jim Dotson and Democratic State Rep. Vivian Flowers about what is expected, with topics including budgetary issues concerning the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the potential for tax cuts. Arkansas lawmakers plan to hold special session in June Roby then spoke with UA Walton College Business and Economic Research Director Mervin Jebaraj to discuss what is being seen with state and national economic trends. Capitol View airs on Sundays at 8:30 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Pro-Palestinians graduating students pass the flag of Israel while walking out of commencement in protest at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Thursday, May 30, 2024, in Cambridge, Mass. | Charles Krupa Americans have been shocked by the display of antisemitism on college campuses in recent months. Angry campus mobs have called for death to Jews, death to Israel and death to America, while administrations stood by, impotent. This extremism can only be prevented by addressing its root cause: what our schools are teaching about Israel and the Middle East. Support of the terrorist organization Hamas and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement will continue to rage on our campuses until colleges introduce widespread curriculum reform. That reform should be centered in an Abraham Accords approach to the study of the region, which teaches the history of the Jewish people. Normalizing relations between Arab countries and Israel offers more than prosperity for the region. It helps American students differentiate between the Hamas narrative of endless war and the peacemaking approach of Abraham Accords. The two narratives hinge on fundamentally different answers to the question: Are the Jewish people occupiers in the land of Israel? In the Hamas narrative, the Jewish people originated in Europe, and Western powers invaded an Islamic religious empire to facilitate Jewish immigration to the Middle East. Archaeology and history are irrelevant in this analysis, which focuses on power and depends on an arbitrary start date for history. In this narrative, once the Meccan Islamic empire established its province, Jund Filastin, (the military district of Palestine) in the mid-7th century, the territory was forever Arab and Muslim imperial land and could never revert to Jewish indigenous rule again. Indeed, Hamas brutal military tactics on Oct. 7 gave away its imperial intent. In Hamas view, they were re-establishing a religious empire over Jund Filastin by dominating the bodies of indigenous Jewish victims. In the Zionist view, the fundamental question is reversed, and the answer is based in science, history, archaeology and nationalism. Despite the contest between Western and Islamic empires over the last 1,500 years, the State of Israel is a repudiation of empire and is the first successful indigenous national movement. Indeed, the Zionist movement outlasted both the Ottoman and British empires in the 19th and 20th centuries to restore the Jewish people to their one and only indigenous homeland. This is akin to the clause in the 1920 Treaty of Sevres that all parties must recognize Armenia as a free and independent state from the defeated Ottoman empire. Does anyone question Armenias right to exist? The Jewish peoples indigenous presence in the land of Israel from the 13th century BCE to the present is incontestable. It is not the presence of a colony; it is the presence of an indigenous people. The four common elements of all indigenous peoples language, land, calendar and religion are embedded in layer after layer of Israels soil. Zionism restored the Jewish language, Hebrew; it restored the Jewish people to their land; it restored the calendar of the Jewish people with its agricultural and seasonal holidays that make sense only in Israel; and it restored Judaism, the indigenous religion of the land of Israel. Israel has no imperial intentions and is not claiming any land other than the land in which the Jewish people have historically dwelt. So what does this have to do with an Abraham Accords curriculum for American schools? Currently, the Hamas narrative is dominating Americas academic environment. It is not only antisemitic, but it is factually wrong, and it is poor scholarship. And it is warping the minds of American students and inciting them to irrational hatred of the Jewish people, causing entire campuses to shut down. Abraham Accords countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, are ahead of us. They have recognized that in order to live in peace with the Jewish people in their region they need to be educated about tolerance. UAE textbooks teach about the history of the Jewish people in the Middle East, historical tolerance between Muslims and Jews, the legitimacy of Judaism as a regional religion, and the necessity of peace with Israel. The Emiratis are faithful Muslims, and they rejected a religious empire. They decided to seek peace and prosperity in their own borders and allow other regional partners to do the same, including the Jewish state. If Jews and Israelis are to become safe again in Americas schools, and if American students are to be educated rather than indoctrinated, we need curriculum reform now. We could benefit from the Emiratis example. Alan Clemmons is founder of American Patriots for Israel and served for 18 years in the South Carolina House of Representatives, where he authored the first law establishing penalties for those businesses that engage in any discriminatory boycott of Israel. Bart Marcois is a former U.S. diplomat and the former principal deputy assistant secretary of energy for international affairs who now heads a private consulting practice in Washington, D.C. Jason Olson is a U.S. Navy veteran and holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University. The authors views are their own. Case of former Saeima deputy on justification of Russian war crimes brought to court in Latvia A criminal case against former Saeima deputy Glorija Grevcova for justifying Russia's war crimes and inciting national hatred has been brought to court in Latvia. Source: Latvian Prosecutor General's Office, as quoted by Delfi, European Pravda reports Details: According to the indictment, Glorija Grevtsova has posted content deliberately aimed at publicly justifying and denying war crimes and crimes against humanity and peace in Ukraine committed by the Russian Federation. Grevtsova's posts on social media were accessible to a large number of people with unlimited possibilities for further distribution. The former MP posted provocative statements about the war in Ukraine, expressed a negative attitude towards Ukraine and Ukrainians, as well as direct support and justification of the Russian Federation's war in Ukraine. The case will be heard in the Riga City Court. Grevtsova pleads not guilty. She has been convicted in a criminal case for providing false information about herself to the Central Election Commission. Following her conviction, Grevtsova lost her mandate as a member of the Saeima. Recently, due to threats to national security, Lithuania deported Russian citizen Vladimir Vodo, who had lived in Lithuania for 35 years, to Russia. Support UP or become our patron! MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Shelby County Health Department is sounding the alarm in response to an increase in HIV cases in the county. The Shelby County Health Department is encouraging people to get tested. This comes after health officials say the county is experiencing a peak in a six-year trend of increasing HIV and Syphilis infections. The most impacted group are those between the ages of 14 and 35. According to data from the Tennessee Department of Health, HIV rates in Shelby County have increased 36% since 2018. Syphilis rates have increased by 100%. See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South. Sign up for WREG newsletters and have the latest top stories sent right to your inbox. Between 2018 and 2023, HIV rates among those between the ages of 15 to 19 years old increased by 40%. That same age group saw a 150% increase in syphilis rates, according to the health department. Back in May, the Shelby County Health Department revealed certain zip codes have higher STI incidence levels than the county overall. Those zip codes include 38103, which is in the Downtown Memphis area, 38107, which is in the North Memphis area, and 38109 in the Southwest Memphis area. Other zip codes affected include 38105, 38106, 38108, 38114, 38118, 38126, and 38127. All residents of Shelby County should be aware of their health status. Getting tested is crucial for detecting and treating HIV and other sexually transmitted infections early, said Shelby County Health Department Director Health Officer Dr. Michelle Taylor in a statement. The Health Department has a full list of locations in Shelby County where you can get free HIV testing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." A new type of cat coat color has officially been discovered. Named salmiak, or salty liquorice, the cats have hair strands that start out black, and become white the further they grown from the follicle. It turns out the unique color is caused by a recessive genetic mutation, rather than the expression of a gene known to turn cats white. Youve probably heard of spooky black cats, chaotic orange cats, and distinguished-looking tuxedo cats. If youre really into cats, you might have even lesser-known color variants like seal point and ticked tabby. But theres officially a new cat color in town salmiak, or salty liquorice. The pretty black, white, and grey shadenamed for a popular snack food in Finland, where this coat color has been making itself knownis thanks to a fur strand that starts off black near the root, but grows whiter and whiter out towards the tip. The coat was first spotted in 2007, and in 2019, it was brought to the attention of a group of cat experts lead by feline geneticist Heidi Anderson. Since then, the group has been trying to figure out exactly what causes this shade to express itself, and recently, they finally figured it out. A paper on the discovery has been published in the journal Animal Genetics. When youre digging into cat colorsor expressions of genetic traits in general, honestlyyou start with the obvious and work your way out. So, the researchers naturally started by assuming that this new variant was just a fun way for the white-making dilution gene to make itself known. See, technically speaking, cats only come in two colorsblack and orange. Any other color is either a combination of those two colors, a faded version of one of those colors (which is caused by the dilution gene) or both. So, when experts started seeing salt-and-pepper kitties running around, the natural assumption was that these were an interesting new expression of the dilution gene coming into play. Add a little more white than usual to your standard black cat, and you get salty liquorice. But after digging through all the known genetic variations that control the expression of that dilution gene in coat color, the team came up empty. So, they took the next stepsequencing the entire genome of two of these special felines and digging through the whole mess of genetic data to find what was causing these new coats to appear. It turns out that the answer was in what wasnt there. There was a huge chunk of sequence missing downstream from the KIT gene, Anderson told New Scientist, referencing a gene known to affect white patterns in the coats of animals. And these cats were just missing a piece of DNA right nearby. After testing 181 cats to make sure they knew what they were seeing, the team was able to confirm that the missing sequence was in fact responsible for the salmiak coat color. And the mutation was recessivethe cat would only express this color if it inherited the mutation from both parents, which explains why this coloration isnt a common one. Now that theyve solved the mystery, the team is happy to sit back and admire their pretty kitties along with the rest of the world. These coats have aroused a lot of admiration for years, Anderson told New Scientist. Its really exciting that we now have some genetic explanation for it. But theyre not just putting their feet up. According to a blog post written by Anderson, the solving of this puzzle both enriches our understanding of feline coat color genetics and could be valuable for breeding efforts, potentially contributing to the preservation of this trait in our feline companions. Hopefully, well continue to see these fancy felines for years to come. You Might Also Like Central Park Five exoneree Raymond Santana called former President Trumps verdict in his hush-money case karma. For me, it was about karma, Santana said during his Saturday appearance on CNN with anchor Victor Blackwell, highlighted by Mediaite. It was the example of, this is what happens when rich billionaires who stand on white privilege now have to answer, right? So it becomes a surreal moment. It also becomes a moment where you just got to take it in, right? This is the stuff that we had to deal with of 1989: going through trial, hearing the conviction, hearing a guilty verdict. And then, now having to sit there and wait for sentencing. I understand that process all too well. Santana, now an actor, is one of the five Black and Hispanic teens who were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in 1989 in the same courthouse where Trump was tried. Each of them served time in prison until 2002 when DNA evidence exonerated them. Blackwell noted in the segment that the former president paid for full-page ads in newspapers at the time that called for the death penalty to be reinstated in New York following the accusations against the boys, who were aged 14 and 15 at the time. Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his New York hush-money case, getting convicted on Thursday by a Manhattan jury for falsifying business records to hide alleged affairs during his 2016 presidential campaign. Santana said it was a surreal moment witnessing somebody of Trumps stature having a similar experience in court. And, so, I think now, its like, you get to see a person of Donald Trumps stature right, Santana said. Who was a former president, and now you get to see that hes not above the law, that he can be touched. That he can have this experience thats very similar to mine. It becomes a moment that is a surreal moment. Its a full circle moment for me. When he was asked about Trumps sentencing, Santana said that in a perfect world he would love to see the former president go to prison, but stated that the only thing he is thinking about is asking the former president if do you think that we still guilty? Rev. Al Sharpton also invoked the Central Park Five following Trumps guilty verdict. These children had to hear vitriol from people whose anger was incited by a man who spent a small fortune on full-page ads calling for their execution, Sharpton said. Now the shoe is on the other foot. Donald Trump is the criminal, and those five men are exonerated. Im reminded of Dr. Kings proverb that the arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Chad Daybell was sentenced to death on Saturday in a triple murder case, nearly a year after his second wife, Lori Vallow Daybell, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Daybell was convicted of first-degree murder of his first wife, Tammy Daybell, and two of his then-girlfriend Lori Vallow's children, Joshua "JJ" Vallow and Tylee Ryan, as well as for conspiracy in the murders and of insurance fraud. Lori Vallow Daybell was convicted of murder in their three deaths last year and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The case initially drew national attention in 2019 after 7-year-old JJ was reported missing by his grandparents and investigators learned Tylee had last been seen around the same time. Police first arrested Daybell and Vallow during their honeymoon in Hawaii, just weeks after the death of Tammy Daybell. Chad Daybell, Lori Vallow's husband, walks into court for his wife's hearing on child abandonment and other charges in Lihue, Hawaii, on February 21, 2020. / Credit: Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island via AP The children's bodies were discovered buried on Daybell's property months later. The case shone a spotlight on the couple's fringe religious beliefs, which included that evil spirits could possess a person's body, turning them into a "zombie." The jury that convicted Chad Daybell also deliberated on his sentence for the capital charges. Judge Steven Boyce, who presided over both Daybell and Vallow Daybell's Idaho trials, said Thursday he will be sentenced on the insurance fraud charges at a later date. Victims filled the courtroom Friday as nine people, including Tammy Daybell's brother, Tylee and JJ's older brother, and others offered victim impact statements. Daybell, who had not testified in his own defense, also elected not to speak during the penalty phase. Vallow Daybell was extradited to Arizona following her conviction in Idaho, where she is awaiting trial for murder in the 2019 death of her husband, Charles Vallow, who was shot by her brother, Alex Cox. Cox also died Iater that year. Reality, as Trump supporters see it Trump's guilty verdict: A stress test for democracy Cyndi Lauper: Showing her true colors In the dying days of the Second World War, one of Hitlers most brilliant rocket scientists put forward an ambitious plan to strike at America. Eugen Sangers design, dubbed the Silbervogel or Silver Bird, was part rocket, part spacecraft. Shaped like a squashed paper plane, it would blast off from Germany and into low-earth orbit; from there, it would use its flattened shape to skip along the denser gases of the inner atmosphere, then bomb New York, before continuing to Japan to refuel, spinning around and attacking Los Angeles on its way back to Berlin thus strafing the entire American continent. The Silbervogel never moved beyond the graph-paper stage. Yet Sangers outlandish ambition for a reusable space plane, and his design an ungainly, snub-nosed craft designed to slow itself through friction on its return to earth would ultimately form the basis of Americas Space Shuttle programme. In the 1960s and 1970s, the elegant, spindle-like Apollo rockets had taken 12 men to the surface of the Moon; by contrast, the Shuttle was expected to blast off almost weekly, hauling commercial and military payloads into space and taking journalists and dignitaries on jollies. It was, Adam Higginbotham writes, the most complicated machine in history and, flight for flight, it would become one of the most lethal. Higginbothams superb Challenger tells the full, tragic arc of the Space Shuttle programme. Using the same combination of archival research and interviews that characterised his first book, Midnight in Chernobyl (2019), it is authoritative and immediate scrupulous history which has the ripping compulsion of the best reporting. The heart of Higginbothams story is the disaster of January 28 1986. One minute and 15 seconds after it launched from Cape Canaveral, in Florida, Challenger, one of the programmes five operational craft, disappeared in a gigantic fireball. It was carrying seven men and women on board. Witnesses, watching in person and in front of screens across the world, saw a small streak of smoke lick one of the rocket boosters; an instant later, the entire craft was engulfed in flames. Challenger itself seemed to vanish, its crew swallowed in the vast blue dome of the sky. Millions were watching on live television. Just over six hours later, the US president, Ronald Reagan, addressed his nation from the Oval Office. Its estimated that by the end of that day, 95 per cent of Americans had seen the footage. The Challenger disaster became a public tragedy matched only by the assassination of JFK and, less than two decades on, 9/11. Higginbotham forensically unpicks the cavalcade of cost-cutting and back-covering that preceded Challengers destruction. Yet I found his earlier chapters, contextualising the Space Shuttle programme, equally engrossing. He reminds us that the Space Race was never universally popular: many in the US government and wider public considered it costly, wasteful and, above all, pointless. In addition, its unassailable iconography William Anderss Earthrise photograph of 1968, Neil Armstrongs first steps on the Moon in 1969 failed to convince everyone that it was representative of an increasingly diverse America. Such attitudes were captured by African-American writer Gil Scott-Herons poem Whitey on the Moon: Was all that money I made last year (for Whitey on the moon?) / How come there aint no money here? (Hmm! Whiteys on the moon.) Some made their feelings plain in a simpler fashion. A month after Armstrong and his crew returned from space, they were feted at a Hollywood gala attended by then-president Richard Nixon. Protestors hung a banner on a building opposite. It read simply: F--- MARS. The space shuttle Challenger blasts off, January 28, 1986 - BOB PEARSON / AFP As a result of this criticism, Nasa resolved that the Space Shuttle programme would have more diverse crews. Aboard the Challenger, that morning in 1986, were Ron McNair, a polymathic astronaut who was the second black man in space, and the first musician to record in orbit (with a saxophone solo for a Jean-Michel Jarre album). The Shuttle also had two female crew: Judy Resnik, a no-nonsense engineer whod fought for years for the right to fly, and Christa McAuliffe, a social-studies teacher. McAuliffe had been chosen from more than 11,000 participants as part of Nasas Teacher in Space programme, an initiative to open space-travel up to civilians. During her time in orbit, she was to give lessons to Americas children via video link. Among those watching Challengers launch from Cape Canaveral were 350 pupils from McAuliffes school in New Hampshire, flown down to Florida for the occasion. Higginbotham explains that there remains little mystery behind Challengers destruction. From the beginning, the loaded guns are the O-rings, rubber seals inside the rocket boosters designed to prevent the highly explosive gases inside them from mixing. Built by contractor Morton Thiokol, experts warned repeatedly that the O-rings in boosters recovered from previous flights contained worrying signs of erosion. The problem became worse in lower temperatures, and in extreme cold, the rings would sometimes fail to seal entirely. Temperatures on the pad on the morning of January 28 were the lowest ever recorded before a launch. Roger Boisjoy, a Thiokol engineer, argued until the night before Challengers launch that it should be grounded. Fearful of losing their contract, and conscious of Nasas breakneck timetable, senior managers overruled him. The shuttle moments after the booster rocket explosion - Dave Welcher/Hulton Archive/Getty Images The Challenger disaster didnt stop the Space Shuttle programme. It resumed 32 months later, when Discovery successfully launched in September 1988, and even though Columbia and her seven crew were also lost in 2003, the Shuttle disintegrating on its return to Earths atmosphere after the thermal-protection system failed, the flights continued until 2011. But January 1986 was when the dream of routine government-backed space flight began to die, crushed by hubris, incompetence and too many bureaucratic cock-ups. In the end, though, the power of Higginbothams book lies in his focus not just on that body-blow to Americas self-confidence, but on the human toll it took. The families of the crew were relentlessly dogged as, day by day, they were forced to relive the most harrowing moments of their lives. When Alison Smith went to the mall to buy an outfit for a memorial, a wake of silence followed her as strangers hushed in her presence. And weeks after the disaster, June Scobee, wife of the Shuttles late commander Dick, would find herself collapsing when out shopping: she would put her husbands favourite peanut-butter in the trolley, only to realise there was no one home to eat it. And in a grim twist, crash investigators determined in the summer of 1986 that contrary to what had initially been assumed the crew module did not immediately blow apart. Its highly likely that the crew were still alive during their two-and-a-half minute freefall to the Atlantic, 18 miles off the coast. An examination of the crafts instrument panel determined that, as he fell, pilot Mike Smith had been frantically trying every procedure he could think of. He knew he was going to die, writes Higginbotham. But he never stopped trying to live. Challenger is published by Viking at 25. To order your copy for 19.99, call 0808 196 6794 or visit Telegraph Books Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Charlotte woman imprisoned for selling guns to people banned from having them A Charlotte woman has been sentenced to prison for selling guns illegally to people who couldnt buy them on their own. In a news release Thursday, the Department of Justice said 27-year-old Kayrin English will spend two years in prison for her crimes. ALSO READ: Supreme Court to take up challenge to Biden ghost guns rule; what are ghost guns? Federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives found that between February 2020 and August 2021, English applied for 36 firearm purchase permits. She applied for seven more in September 2021, which is when agents approached her to interview her. English admitted to the ATF agents that she would use the permits to buy guns, which she would then resell to people who were banned from owning or buying their own firearms. According to court records, English said she sold 15 to 20 guns since January 2021. She told the ATF that most of the transactions were local, but she had also gone to New Jersey where she sold several guns she had bought in Charlotte. English pleaded guilty on Oct. 31 to dealing in firearms without a license. Shes out on bond but will head to prison when the location is determined. Upon the completion of her prison sentence, English will serve one year of supervised release. (WATCH BELOW: Several guns, including assault rifles, stolen from local gun collector; suspect charged) A Cherokee County man will serve the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced on Tuesday for multiple sexual abuse crimes against a child, officials say. Bryan Lamar Gay, 52, of Holly Springs was convicted on May 16 of two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of aggravated child molestation, and three counts of child molestation. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police say they first became aware of the abuse in January 2023 when a middle school child informed them of the sexual abuse. The child first told her mother, who contacted Holly Springs Police. The child and her younger sibling participated in forensic interviews, along with other family members. TRENDING STORIES: This defendant subjected a family to decades of grooming and sexual abuse of young children. One of these children, who is now an adult, said she would have taken this secret to the grave, had the victim in this case not come forward, said Assistant District Attorney Alana J. Driscoll, of the Special Victims Unit, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the State. This man systematically manipulated people he purported to love, building trust, only to harm innocent children. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: The Chilean parliament votes to join ICJ case against Israel on Saturday - Cristobal Venegas/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Gabriel Boric, the Chilean president, has said his country was joining South Africa in its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in the war against Hamas. Speaking to the National Congress on Saturday, Mr Boric a Leftist student protester turned politician decried the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for a firm response from the international community. Chile will become a party to and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Boric said. The ICJ is considering South Africas case, but in the interim has brought in preliminary measures ordering Israel do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its campaign against Hamas. Last month, the court ordered Israel to halt military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where displaced Palestinians are seeking safety from Israels military offensive. Rafah offensive Before the Rafah offensive began, the United Nations said that up to 1.4 million people were sheltering in the city. Since then, one million have fled the area, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said. Chile has recognised Palestine as a state since 2011. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamass Oct 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the Israel Defense Forces says are dead. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 36,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. 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. Clauddine 'Dee Dee' Blanchard, the mother of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, is believed to have had Munchausen by proxy. Throughout her childhood, Dee Dee manipulated Gypsy and medical professionals into believing that her daughter had a multitude of disorders. As a way out, the now 32-year-old planned to murder her mom with her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn. The plan was carried out in 2015. Following the murder, experts began investigating Dee Dee Blanchard's childhood and revealed some chilling details, similar to how Gypsy Rose Blanchard grew up. The Infamous 2015 Murder Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard Dee Dee Blanchard was murdered on June 14, 2015. Her daughter, Gypsy Rose Blanchard, conspired with her then-boyfriend, Nicholas Godejohn, to kill her. Gypsy had suffered years of abuse under her mother's care, as Dee Dee, who worked as a nurse's aide, had fabricated numerous illnesses and disabilities in her daughter, a condition known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy. Gypsy and Godejohn planned the murder together, with Godejohn traveling to Dee Dee's home in Springfield, Missouri. While Gypsy hid in the bathroom, Godejohn stabbed Dee Dee multiple times, ultimately killing her. Inside Dee Dee Blanchard's Childhood MEGA Beatrice Yorker, J.D. R.N., a Munchausen syndrome expert, was interviewed for Lifetime's "Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard," where she revealed that "some of these manipulative behaviors that Dee Dee had practiced were probably learned in her childhood." According to Gypsy's uncle, Evans Pitre, Dee Dee Blanchard was their mom's favorite. "She enjoyed being the little princess," he claimed something that resembles Gypsy's childhood as she loved Disney and often dressed up as a princess. Both Suffered From Medical Disorders At A Young Age Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard Another chilling similarity between their childhoods -- both were diagnosed with a disorder at a young age. Pite said his sister had a heart murmur, and their mother kept her from "a lot of stuff." "She wouldn't be able to play outside. Maybe that's where part of Dee Dee got that, because she was the sick kid," he told producers. This is similar to how Dee Dee Blanchard treated her daughter, claiming she had sleep apnea when she was a baby, and things snowballed from there. Dee Dee Blanchard Used To Take Baths With Her Daughter Instagram | Gypsy Rose Blanchard When recalling how close she was with her mom, Gypsy Rose Blanchard claimed they used to do "everything" together. "We used to take baths together. We used to sleep in the same bed together," she said in the Lifetime docuseries. "When I hit puberty and I got my first period, I was crying. I was freaking out, and she didn't tell me about pads or tampons, she told me to use diapers," Gypsy claimed. She was 13 years old at the time. What Is Munchausen By Proxy? MEGA After hearing Gypsy Rose Blanchard's side of the story, investigators believe Dee Dee Blanchard suffered from Munchausen by proxy, a mental health disorder in which a caregiver, typically a parent, fabricates, exaggerates, or induces medical problems in someone under their care, often a child, to gain attention, sympathy, or other benefits. The caregiver presents the victim as ill, injured, or impaired, leading to unnecessary and often harmful medical interventions. Some of the key characteristics of Munchausen by proxy include deception, attention-seeking, and frequent medical visits, all of which occurred to Gypsy. For example, the caregiver may deliberately mislead healthcare professionals about the victim's health status and may actually cause physical harm or illness to the victim to support their claims. In this case, Dee Dee was a nurse's aide, meaning she had knowledge of medications and their side effects. How Did Dee Dee Blanchard Convince Doctors? MEGA It is believed Dee Dee Blanchard convinced doctors of certain medical disorders so that she could administer medication to create other symptoms, leading to a multitude of disorders. However, it was later revealed that Gypsy never had these medical conditions, aside from minor vision impairment in her eye. "I was just as much in the dark as much as everyone else," Gypsy stated in the 2017 documentary 'Mommy Dead and Dearest'. "[The] only thing I knew is that I could walk. As for everything else, the leukemia, the epilepsy, I was taking medication that [Dee Dee] said was cancer medicine." Another sign that the now 32-year-old was a victim of Munchausen by proxy is the number of doctor visits. Victims usually have a history of numerous hospitalizations, medical tests, and procedures. In this case, over the course of nine years, Dee Dee took Gypsy Rose to the hospital over 100 times, per medical conditions. The Chang'e 6 lunar probe and the Long March-5 Y8 carrier rocket combination sit atop the launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Site in Hainan By Liz Lee, Joey Roulette, Joe Brock and Eduardo Baptista BEIJING (Reuters) -China landed an uncrewed spacecraft on the far side of the moon on Sunday, overcoming a key hurdle in its landmark mission to retrieve the world's first rock and soil samples from the dark lunar hemisphere. The landing elevates China's space power status in a global rush to the moon, where countries including the United States are hoping to exploit lunar minerals to sustain long-term astronaut missions and moon bases within the next decade. The Chang'e-6 craft, equipped with an array of tools and its own launcher, touched down in a gigantic impact crater called the South Pole-Aitken Basin on the moon's space-facing side at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time (2223 GMT), the China National Space Administration said. The mission "involves many engineering innovations, high risks and great difficulty", the agency said in a statement on its website. "The payloads carried by the Chang'e-6 lander will work as planned and carry out scientific exploration missions." The successful mission is China's second on the far side of the moon, a region no other country has reached. The side of the moon perpetually facing away from the Earth is dotted with deep and dark craters, making communications and robotic landing operations more challenging. Given these challenges, lunar and space experts involved in the Chang'e-6 mission described the landing phase as a moment where the chance of failure is the highest. "Landing on the far side of the moon is very difficult because you dont have line-of-sight communications, youre relying on a lot of links in the chain to control what is going on, or you have to automate what is going on," said Neil Melville-Kenney, a technical officer at the European Space Agency working with China on one of the Chang'e-6 payloads. "Automation is very difficult especially at high latitudes because you have long shadows which can be very confusing for landers," Melville added. The Chang'e-6 probe launched on May 3 on China's Long March 5 rocket from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center on the southern island of Hainan, reaching the lunar vicinity roughly a week later before tightening its orbit in preparation for a landing. Chang'e-6 marks the world's third lunar landing this year: Japan's SLIM lander touched down in January, followed the next month by a lander from U.S. startup Intuitive Machines. The other countries that have sent spacecraft to Earth's nearest neighbour are the then-Soviet Union and India. The United States is the only country to have landed humans on the moon, starting in 1969. SAMPLING THE MOON Using a scoop and drill, the Chang'e-6 lander will aim to collect 2 kg (4.4 pounds) of lunar material over two days and bring it back to Earth. The samples will be transferred to a rocket booster atop the lander, which will launch back into space, tag up with another spacecraft in lunar orbit and return, with a landing in China's Inner Mongolia region expected around June 25. If all goes as planned, the mission will provide China with a pristine record of the moon's 4.5 billion-year history and yield new clues on the solar system's formation. It will also allow for an unprecedented comparison between the dark, unexplored region with the moon's better understood Earth-facing side. A simulation lab for the Chang'e-6 probe will develop and verify sampling strategies and equipment control procedures, China's official Xinhua news agency said. It will use a full-scale replica of the sampling area based on exploration results on the environment, rock distribution and lunar soil conditions around the landing site. Chinas lunar strategy includes its first astronaut landing around 2030 in a programme that counts Russia as a partner. In 2020 China conducted its first lunar sample return mission with Chang'e-5, retrieving samples from the moon's nearer side. The U.S. Artemis programme envisions a crewed moon landing by late 2026 or later. NASA has partnered with space agencies including those of Canada, Europe and Japan, whose astronauts will join U.S. crews on an Artemis mission. Artemis relies heavily on private companies, including Elon Musk's SpaceX, whose Starship rocket aims this decade to attempt the first astronaut landing since NASA's final Apollo mission in 1972. On Saturday Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa cancelled a private mission around the moon he had paid for, which was to have used SpaceX's Starship, citing schedule uncertainties in the rocket's development. Boeing and NASA postponed the company's first crewed launch of Starliner, a long-delayed capsule meant to become the second U.S. space taxi to low-Earth orbit. (Reporting by Liz Lee and Eduardo Baptista in Beijing, Joe Brock in Singapore and Joey Roulette in Cape Canaveral, Florida; Editing by Chris Reese, Richard Chang, William Mallard and Michael Perry) By Gerry Doyle SINGAPORE (Reuters) -China's defence chief Dong Jun slammed "separatists" in Taiwan in an acerbic address on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue, hours before Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy was due to speak at the conference. Wearing the uniform of an admiral in the People's Liberation Army Navy, Dong warned that prospects of a peaceful "reunification" of Taiwan were being eroded, and promised to ensure the island would never gain independence. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and last month staged war games around the island in anger at inauguration of President Lai Ching-te who Beijing calls a "separatist". "Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," Dong said. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Dong's speech covered little new ground. Every year for three years, a new Chinese defence minister has come to Shangri-La," the official said. "And every year, theyve given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the PLAs coercive activity across the region. This year was no different. Dong's speech comes a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told delegates the Indo-Pacific region remained a key focus for the United States, even as it grappled with security assistance for Ukraine and the war in Gaza. "Let me be clear: The United States can be secure only if Asia is secure," Austin said. "That's why the United States has long maintained our presence in this region." Dong and Austin met for more than an hour earlier in the conference. In response to Austin's speech, Chinese Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng said the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy was intended "to create division, provoke confrontation and undermine stability." Some U.S. officials say Beijing has become more emboldened in recent years, recently launching what it described as "punishment" drills around Taiwan, sending heavily armed warplanes and staging mock attacks after Lai Ching-te was inaugurated as Taiwan's president. Zelenskiy, who arrived on Saturday, is scheduled to speak in a forum called "Reimagining Solutions for Global Peace and Regional Stability" on Sunday morning. He is expected to try to drum up support for a Ukraine peace conference to be hosted by Switzerland in mid-June. Russia has not been invited and China has confirmed it will not attend. Zelenskiy has urged U.S. President Joe Biden to attend, but Washington has not confirmed who it will send. In a post on the social media platform X early on Sunday, Zelenskiy said he had met Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta and confirmed his country's attendance at the summit. "I appreciate his support for Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as important UN resolutions condemning Russian aggression," Zelenskiy said. He said he also met a U.S. congressional delegation and Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto. His plans to visit Singapore were first reported by Reuters on Friday. Russia has not sent a delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue since it invaded Ukraine in 2022. Other bilateral meetings are expected on Sunday, the final day of the security summit organised by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies. (Reporting by Gerry DoyleEditing by Chris Reese and Raju Gopalakrishnan) SINGAPORE After meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for the first time, Chinas new defense minister paused in an outdoor hallway to wipe the fog off his glasses. Standing near the press, Adm. Dong Jun smiled. And to a member of the American delegation, he described the best place in China, in his opinion, to go see pandas. It was diplomacy in action. Two days later, Dong had a different tone. He gave a stern, at times strident, speech on the last day of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a defense summit in Singapore that draws officials from across the region. Dong warned that those who support independence for Taiwan a rogue province in the eyes of Chinas leaders will face self-destruction. At another point, he said that the odds of peaceful reunification with the island nation are eroding. These two points in time were representative of Chinas goals for the summit and by extension the reputation it may be seeking in the region. It appears China came to reassure other countries it is acting responsibly; after all, it did resume top military talks with the U.S.. But at the same time, it sent a message of enforcement specifically regarding its interests in Taiwan and the South China Sea. After facing criticism from regional neighbors during the summit, Dongs speech showed Chinas hardened position on sensitive topics. That was the most consistently intimidating speech weve heard from China at a Shangri-La Dialogue, Rory Medcalf, head of the National Security College at Australian National University, wrote on X. Greater scrutiny A U.S. official agreed with the post, calling the speech tone deaf. Countries across the region and around the world continue to have serious concerns about coercive [Chinese] activities in the East and South China seas, in the Taiwan Strait, and beyond, the official said on the condition of anonymity, due to the sensitivity of the topic. The reference was to Chinas military activities around the Second Thomas Shoal, a reef in the South China Sea on which the Philippines has an outpost. China and the Philippines are among several nations asserting sovereignty over local geographic features. Chinese Coast Guard vessels have spent months harassing Philippine vessels during resupply missions at times firing water cannons and disabling ships. Two days before Dong spoke, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned he would consider the death of any Filipino due to such behavior an act of war. That decision could pull the U.S., which has a mutual defense treaty with Manila, into a conflict. But Marcos wasnt the only speaker with harsh words for China at the conference. Austin repeated Pentagon talking points that conflict isnt imminent or unavoidable. And Australias defense minister, Richard Marles, said: As China steps up to a larger role, it must accept, like all great powers, that there will be much greater scrutiny on the way it uses its strength. Two years ago, after then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., visited Taiwan, China ended military talks with the U.S. The break worried some attending last years Shangri-La Dialogue, when Chinas defense minister at the time had declined an offer to meet with American defense officials. Those talks restarted after a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in November, and Dong spoke at length about the value of communication during his remarks. The Chinese military never acts from the position of strength in his relations with foreign militaries, Dong said. At the same time, others should not expect to impose their will on us. Words and actions But as one audience member pointed out to Dong during a Q&A session, those signals often dont match Chinas actions. The week before the conference, China launched a series of military drills around Taiwan, responding to a speech from the island nations new president, who some in Beijing view as a pro-independence official. China labeled these exercises a punishment. In his speech, Dong cited external interfering forces, a euphemism for the U.S. and other allied countries, for tension in the South China Sea and Taiwan. After his speech, the minister wouldnt address questions about Chinas role in the Russia-Ukraine war nor the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. He did, however, speak for more than 10 minutes straight about those he claimed are seeking Taiwanese independence incrementally. They keep testing Chinas red lines, he said, referencing arms sales and official engagements, likely a reference to the members of Congress who recently visited the island. When the moderator at the conference took several critical questions from the crowd, Dong tried a quick joke. I can feel the charm of the Shangri-La Dialogue, he said. Climate change is making hot periods throughout California and the western United States more frequent, more persistent and more lethal. (Gary Robbins / The San Diego Union-Tribune ) Climate change is transforming the character of the West's hottest periods making them more frequent, more persistent and more lethal. For almost all of human history, heat waves have been driven by natural variability or the tendency of weather patterns to veer occasionally from their typical patterns. Now, however, the accumulation of greenhouse gases due to the burning of fossil fuels is increasing the likelihood and severity of such extreme heat events. Although California and the American West will continue to experience cool days and periods of heavy snowpack, scientists say the long-term trend is for the planet to grow hotter with the continued burning of fossil fuels. Since 1880, the global average temperature has increased by about 2 degrees. How is climate change affecting the length and duration of heat waves? How will rising temperatures affect people and ecosystems? How much hotter is it expected to be if current emissions continue unabated? Read more: Extreme heat forecast for Western U.S. may kick off sweltering summer. Here's the outlook Here's what the experts say: How do we know that the planet is warming? The temperature readings in Earth's atmosphere and its oceans are monitored by thousands of weather stations, buoys and ships around the world. Scientists use this data to calculate a global average temperature. Read more: Climate change is supercharging California heat waves, and the state isn't ready "We know that the planet is warming because all these groups are independently documenting a clear, long-term increase in our global average temperature," said Kristina Dahl, principal climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, a national nonprofit organization. "It's a trend that can't be explained by any natural causes, such as changes in volcanic eruptions or solar radiation," she said. "Human emissions of carbon dioxide and methane, two known, potent heat-trapping gases, very clearly explain the trend we've seen." Nineteen of the 20 hottest years on record have occurred since 2000, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The year 2023 was the planet's warmest on record so far. In July, Phoenix recorded 31 consecutive days of temperatures of 110 degrees or higher the hottest month on record for any U.S. city. In 2021, an anomalous and extreme heat wave in the Pacific Northwest killed hundreds of people and an estimated 1 billion sea creatures off the coast of British Columbia. A study of that event found that such heat waves could become 20 times more likely if current carbon emissions continue. Read more: The L.A. Times investigation into extreme heat's deadly toll How much hotter is it expected to be if current emissions continue unabated? Scientists use a range of potential future emissions scenarios to try to discern how emissions choices will affect all aspects of our climate, Dahl said. Here's a sampling of what those scenarios show: If emissions continue at current levels until about 2050, then start falling thereafter, global temperatures would warm by nearly 5 degrees by the end of the century. This is what the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change considers a "middle-of-the-road scenario." With the current policies in place, we'd experience a similar amount of warming in the range of 4.3 to 5 degrees unless those policies are strengthened significantly. California aims to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2045, while the nation as a whole is aiming for 2050. Other countries have longer targets, such as China, which is aiming for 2060. In a worst-case scenario, in which our heat-trapping emissions triple by about 2075, the planet would experience about 8 degrees of warming. This is unlikely, as it implies higher emissions than the path we're on. How is climate change affecting the length and duration of heat waves? For much of the U.S., extreme heat events have been increasing in frequency since the mid-1960s, and the number of high temperature records has been outpacing the number of low temperature records since the mid-1980s. "While there's no one definition of what constitutes a 'heat wave,' we know that cities throughout the U.S. and around the world have been experiencing more intense and longer-lasting heat waves over the last 60 years," Dahl said. "If we look globally, the number of days with heatwaves has nearly doubled since the 1980s. During that time, heat waves have also increased in duration." Read more: Climate change is increasing the frequency and temperature of extreme heat waves What are the potential consequences of rising temperatures for people and ecosystems? Extreme heat is one of the deadliest effects of climate change. Each year, extreme heat kills more Americans than any other climate-fueled hazard, including hurricanes, floods and wildfires, but it gets far less attention because it kills so quietly. A 2021 Times investigation found that California has chronically undercounted the death toll from extreme heat, which disproportionately harms poor people, elderly people and others who are vulnerable. High temperatures can affect the human body in many ways. Heat can cause dehydration, dizziness and headaches, and can worsen underlying health problems such as cardiovascular disease. Health trackers typically show spikes in deaths related to heart problems during and in the days immediately following heat waves. A blistering California heat wave in September 2022 killed 395 people, according to state health officials. Read more: Heat waves are far deadlier than we think. How California neglects this climate threat During Phoenix's record heat in the summer of 2023, emergency rooms also saw increases in people suffering from pavement burns, as concrete can reach 170 degrees or hotter amid high air temperatures. Officials said many burn patients may have passed out on the pavement due to dehydration, intoxication or other factors that lengthened their exposure and complicated their treatment. People who work outdoors or otherwise lack air conditioning are particularly at risk of heat-related illness and death during an extreme heat event. California has established heat standards for outdoor workers, but has not yet done the same for indoor workers. Aside from the health risks, "more frequent, more severe extreme heat also shapes the way we live and experience the world around us, from whether we can enjoy a visit to a national park to whether it's safe to walk a few blocks to get an ice cream cone," Dahl said. A Labor Day weekend crowd descends on Huntington Beach as a heatwave grips Southern California, with valley and inland temperatures reaching high into the triple digits on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times) That includes effects on ecosystems. For example, warming temperatures have enabled pests such as bark beetles to survive through the winter and expand their range, which has decimated Western forests. Avery Hill, a postdoctoral researcher at the California Academy of Sciences, noted that for every 1.8 degrees of additional global warming, up to 40% more trees could die from beetle infestations. Warming temperatures are also implicated in drying out vegetation, which can contribute to larger, faster and more frequent wildfires. What's more, forests that don't recover from severe fires can shift into different ecosystems entirely, which not only affects the range of plants and animals in the area, but can also affect the larger food web, Dahl said. Read more: Earth just had its warmest August and summer on record, spurring dire warnings It's been warm before. Isn't the planet always changing? Earth's climate has always changed and it will continue to change as a result of things like changes in the shape of our orbit around the sun, Dahl said. However, the changes documented over the last 150 years or so are unprecedented. There is now more carbon dioxide in our atmosphere than at any point in the last 2 million years, she said. Sea levels have risen more quickly over the last century than in any prior century for the last 3,000 years. Glaciers and the critical freshwater they contain are retreating at a faster pace than during any period in over 2,000 years. "The source of these changes is very clear: It is us. We are changing our climate because of our thirst for fossil fuels and the energy they provide," Dahl said. From a geological perspective, one could argue that because humans are part of the planet, these changes are natural, or that we shouldn't do anything to fix our changing climate. "But the reality is that humans have never lived through this kind of change before," Dahl said, "and if we want to alleviate the suffering of people, plants and animals that are experiencing this change most acutely, we will have to wean ourselves off of fossil fuels, and sooner rather than later." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Vince Bzdek: 'The biggest undertaking by mankind in the history of the world' On X, Paksoy said the communications head for Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had been notified. On X, Paksoy said the communications head for Turkeys president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had been notified. Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP A CNN Turkey journalist says a supporter of political movement founder Fethullah Gulen attacked him near the self-exiled figures home in Pennsylvania in an encounter that apparently unfolded live on air. In a video posted Saturday, Yunus Paksoy appeared to be filming a live broadcast outside Gulens home, reportedly near the area of Saylorsburg, when a man driving a dark SUV approached him. Paksoy in the video can be heard saying to the driver in English: Pull away! Just pull away! What the hell do you think youre doing here? Are you mad? The driver, who appeared to be a middle-aged man wearing a plaid shirt, then got out of the car and appeared to swing at Paksoy. The live broadcast ended abruptly and Paksoy appeared to yell out: Fuck! In a statement on X, Paksoy said: My condition is good after the attack of the Fetullah terrorist in Pennsylvania. He added that the head of communications for the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had been notified, as had Turkeys ministry of foreign affairs and the Turkish consulate in New York. I gave a statement to the Pennsylvania state police regarding the matter and provided the necessary evidence, he added. Both our state and our channel stated that they will follow the issue until the end. Erdogans head of communications, Fahrettin Altun, released a statement on X condemning the incident. I extend my sincerest wishes to get well soon to Yunus Paksoy, who was attacked by a FETO [Fethullah Terrorist Organisation] member while practicing his journalism profession, Altun said. As I stated to Mr Paksoy in my meeting after the vile attack he was subjected to, no one should have any doubt that our relevant authorities will follow up on this issue and that we will take every step before the US authorities to ensure that those involved in this vile attack receive the punishment they deserve. We will continue to fight against terrorists who are enemies of Turkiye wherever they are in the world. We owe our gratitude to truth-loving journalists for shouldering this struggle. The Guardian has reached out to Pennsylvania state police for comment. Gulen a Turkish Muslim scholar, preacher and leader of a centrist political movement has lived in self-exile near Saylorsburg since 1999, according to media reports. Five coffins wrapped in French flags with the words "French soldiers in Ukraine" written on them have been found near the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The police have arrested three people in connection with the incident. Source: European Pravda, citing AFP Details: Around 09:00 on Saturday, 1 June, three people left five full-size coffins on the Quai Branly in Paris, near the base of the Eiffel Tower. The coffins, a source told AFP, contained plaster. The truck driver who transported the coffins was arrested nearby. He told Paris police that he had been paid 40 euros to drive two other people and their cargo. According to AFP, the driver had arrived from Bulgaria the night before. Two other suspects were later detained on the other side of Paris, at the Bercy bus station, where they were about to board a bus to Berlin. One of the detainees was Ukrainian and the other was German. Their motive is unclear, but the inscription on the coffins likely refers to discussions concerning the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine, initiated by French President Emmanuel Macron. Background: French officials have repeatedly refuted Russian fake news about "French mercenaries" allegedly fighting in Ukraine. According to recent media reports, France may soon send military instructors to Ukraine, despite concerns from some allies and criticism from Russia. Support UP or become our patron! As colleges grapple with how to recover from the Israel-Hamas controversies on their campuses, some have decided the best way forward is to try to back away from hot-button issues. This week, Harvard University and Syracuse University both announced new policies saying school leadership will no longer be commenting on controversial political issues. The move, which is drawing both derision and cheers, reflects a long-running debate over the role of leading academic institutions. I think its kind of a nice line in the sand, said Beth Akers, a senior fellow focused on higher education at the American Enterprise Institute. So much of the energy, resources were caught up in this sort of statement making, I think was misguided. Im really pleased with the stuff from Harvard. The nations oldest university made the decision a month after establishing an Institutional Voice Working Group, which concluded in its report that the school voicing a stance on political issues makes it more difficult for some members of the community to express their views when they differ from the universitys official position. The school, however, is trying to distance itself from the general concept of institutional neutrality. The purpose of the university is to pursue truth. In that pursuit, the university as an institution can never be neutral, because we believe in the value of seeking truth through open inquiry, debate, and weighing the evidence, as opposed to mere assertion or unjustified belief, the report reads. Harvard has previously shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement, flown a Ukrainian flag over the Harvard Yard and released statements regarding the Israel-Hamas war. The concept of institutional neutrality became popular in the 1970s after the University of Chicago put out the Kalven Report, which largely came to the same conclusions as Harvards new one. The idea is that the university is not really capable in our conception of taking positions on issues of the day. Its not the job of the university to be a moral authority. Its the job of the university to be a place for faculty and students to debate the issues of the day, but it doesnt itself have a position, said Tom Ginsburg, faculty director of the University of Chicagos Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression. Its funny because Harvard tried to pretend that their position is really distinct, but the end result is the same, and I think its a good one, Ginsburg added. Stephanie Hall, acting senior director of higher education policy at the Center for American Progress, said that while she supports schools finding ways to foster free expression, she is concerned Harvards policy was brought on by outside influences and worries about how it may be implemented. Wed hate to think that with any kind of neutrality policy that universities are hamstringing their ability to engage with the political or the economic forces that impact them, Hall said. My initial reactions to some of this was, well, how are we defining controversial? How are we defining public policy issues? How do you determine what issue isnt core to the schools mission and thus worthy of an official position? she added. I think all of these things alone could be up for debate. How well this works on the ground is really going to be reliant on how thoughtful leadership and administration are in sorting out the details. Universities have been in hotbeds of political controversy throughout the academic year, with House Republicans holding multiple hearings with the heads of elite schools regarding antisemitism and their policies surrounding free expression and harassment in the wake of Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Those hearings contributed to the resignation of Harvards and the University of Pennsylvanias presidents, both of whom came before the pro-Palestinian student encampment protests that dominated the end of the semester. Ginsburg said it is important to remember the Kalven Report offers general principles and that the University of Chicago has spoken out when issues could directly affect it or its mission, such as when its then-leader released a statement denouncing former President Trumps Muslim ban. And as far as I know, no one inside the university criticized him for that. I think we all agreed that that was an appropriate exception, because it threatened our mission, Ginsburg said. One of the more common demands of protesters who took over parts of dozens of campuses nationwide was for their college to release statements condemning the war in Gaza. But Syracuse, one of the universities that saw such an encampment, became the second school this week to adopt a policy of not commenting on controversial issues, saying it will only happen under the most extraordinary circumstances. The committee charged with creating the new policy spent four months on the initiative, with Chancellor Kent Syverud saying the result reinforces our steadfast commitment to the principles of free expression and free inquiry to ensure free speech and academic freedom flourish. I think that its a shift for schools to adopt because they have previously put out statements on various political matters, said Laura Belts, director of policy reform at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. So when a school does decide to adopt institutional neutrality, it will need to explain to its campus community why its making this change and who is deciding that it will no longer put out those sorts of statements and to assure students that they will be moving forward with this in a principled manner, and that its not just something theyre adopting because of the current conflict. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. From left, Colorado 8th Congressional District GOP primary candidates former state Rep. Janak Joshi and state Rep. Gabe Evans participate in a debate at the Grizzly Rose in Denver on June 1, 2024. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline) A crowd of Republican activists and insiders gathered under the longhorn-skull disco ball at a Denver country music venue Saturday to hear from a slate of candidates hoping to represent two adjacent but starkly different congressional districts centered on northeastern Colorado. The first of the debates hosted at the Grizzly Rose by the Republican Women of Weld and the Lincoln Club of Colorado featured GOP state Rep. Gabe Evans of Fort Lupton and former state Rep. Janak Joshi, who are going head-to-head for the Republican nomination in the 8th Congressional District. The states newest and most competitive district, it was created by an independent redistricting commission in 2021 and is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo of Thornton, a Democrat who narrowly won the seat two years ago. Evans, who holds a large fundraising advantage over Joshi and has won the endorsements of many state and national GOP figures, is a former Army helicopter pilot and Arvada police officer who was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2022. He pitched himself as someone who would never compromise on core principles but can talk to anybody in the battleground 8th District, which includes Democratic-leaning suburbs in north metro Denver as well as more conservative areas in Weld County. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX I live in this district, I work in this district, my kids go to school in this district, Evans said. I can win those moderates that we need to be able to flip the seat and send a common-sense conservative to Washington. Evans told debate moderators his support for former President Donald Trump, the GOPs presumptive nominee for president, was unchanged by his conviction this week by a New York jury on 34 felony fraud charges related to a scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn star. Trump has vowed that on the first day of his second presidential term he would begin the largest domestic deportation operation in American history, and laid out plans in an April interview with Time magazine to use local police departments and the U.S. military to carry out his program. Trump has frequently compared the scope of his plans to a 1954 U.S. government operation named after a racial slur for Mexicans living in the United States, which deported an estimated 1.1 million people to Mexico. The crackdown resulted in conditions on trains, trucks and cargo ships that a later congressional investigation likened to slave ships and led to the deaths of at least 88 deportees. Evans, the grandson of Mexican immigrants, did not answer directly when asked if he supported Trumps plans to deport all of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S. But after prodding, he said he would not ultimately object to Trumps use of the military to enforce his deportation program, though he prefers aggressive measures to force state and local authorities to comply first. We need to go after the sanctuary city and state policies that are handcuffing our law enforcement at all levels, Evans said. After that, then you can look at what else is necessary to protect the territorial integrity of the United States, to include National Guard. That answer and others throughout the debate drew pointed remarks from Joshi. I wont be wishy-washy like that. I will support President Trump, Joshi said to cheers from the crowd. Yes-ish and no-ish Joshi, an Indian immigrant, served three terms in the state House between 2011 and 2017, representing Colorado Springs. He acknowledged during Saturdays debate that he had only registered to vote in the 8th District in February of this year. In response to moderators questions, he denied that he was misrepresenting himself by wearing a physicians coat and stethoscope in campaign materials, despite the fact that he surrendered his medical license in 2008. He said that he could have won the frivolous lawsuit that led to the revocation but chose to retire rather than pay $100,000 or more for his legal defense. Its a very similar situation thats going on with President Trump, Joshi said. The government has an unlimited amount of taxpayer money This government needs to be controlled, they are harassing the citizens. Evans was asked by moderators to explain his responses, in a previous candidate forum, of yes-ish and no-ish to questions relating to whether the 2020 election was stolen from Trump. He said the decision in October 2020 by social media platforms to flag or suppress stories about leaked data from Hunter Bidens laptop amounted to election interference. That information being kept away from the voters prior to the election was an act of interference in that election, Evans said. Media outlets and tech platforms expressed widespread concerns at the time about the veracity of the material, which was provided by close Trump allies to the New York Post. Much of the leaked material has since been authenticated and no evidence of tampering has emerged, but although the laptops hard drive contained salacious material involving Hunter Biden, repeated investigations, including by congressional Republicans, have found nothing on it to corroborate right-wing conspiracy theories involving the Biden family and Ukraine. This district needs someone that reflects them, and will reach out to our neighbors and treat them like what they are not our enemy, someone for us to persuade. Deborah Flora, Republican candidate in the 4th Congressional District Evans has benefited from over $270,000 in outside spending in the 8th District primary by Americans for Prosperity, a deep-pocketed super PAC funded by the conservative billionaire Charles Koch. Evans brushed aside Joshis characterizations of the group as fight(ing) against Donald Trump. Ben Franklin said it best: Hang together or hang separately, Evans said. If Americans for Prosperity wants to help me unseat one of the most leftist members of Congress Im willing to work as a big-tent Republican. Boebert, Lopez absent from 4th District debates Saturdays rumble also featured two debates between candidates in the 4th District, which has been vacant since Republican former U.S. Rep. Ken Bucks March resignation from Congress. But two of the most notable figures in the battles over that seats future were absent from the stage. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, who has moved across the state and switched to the 4th District race after nearly losing her 2022 bid for reelection in the 3rd District, which she still represents, skipped Saturdays event after participating in two other debates last week. Her five rivals in the crowded GOP primary are former state Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, a 16-year statehouse veteran who has been endorsed by many Republican insiders; state Rep. Richard Holtorf of Akron; state Rep. Mike Lynch of Wellington; Deborah Flora, a conservative talk radio host; and Peter Yu, a finance and mortgage consultant. All five participated in Saturdays debate and took frequent potshots at the absent Boebert, who has a substantial financial advantage over the rest of the field and has won endorsements from House Republican leadership and the Colorado Republican Party. The 4th District, which encompasses Douglas County and much of Colorados Eastern Plains, is the states most conservative congressional district, with 58% of voters in the district having backed Trump in the 2020 election, compared to 39.5% for Biden. But all five of Boeberts rivals have said they would not have joined her in voting against certifying the results of the 2020 election in the hours following the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, and only Holtorf on Saturday said he would seek to join House Republicans far-right Freedom Caucus, of which Boebert is a prominent member. Flora said the districts growing suburban population and ranks of unaffiliated voters arent a fit for Boeberts confrontational style. This district needs someone that reflects them, and will reach out to our neighbors and treat them like what they are not our enemy, someone for us to persuade, she said. If youre looking for someone that wants to be on TV, Im not it, said Sonnenberg. If you want somebody thats a work horse, and not a show horse, thats me. The winner of the 4th Districts GOP primary on June 25 will advance to Novembers general election, where they will be the heavy favorite. But before then, the district will be represented by the winner of a special election, also on June 25, contested by candidates chosen by a small committee of party members, including Democrat Trisha Calvarese and Republican Greg Lopez, a self-described placeholder candidate. Lopez was absent from a second debate Saturday between candidates in the special election. Organizers said that he had agreed to participate but pulled out on Friday after demanding that the Republican Women of Weld, one of the groups hosting the event, endorse his candidacy. Calvarese who is also running in the 4th District Democratic primary against two other contenders, Ike McCorkle and John Padora said she would stick up for working class issues in the conservative district. Im pro-families, and Im pro-people who work for a living, Calvarese said. Im not a labels person. Im not an actual politician. This is the first time Ive done this as well. Im doing this because this is the community that raised me, and I want to give back to it. Beside an empty chair reserved for Lopez, Calvarese participated in the debate alongside Libertarian Party nominee Hannah Goodman, who said she wanted to rein in pork belly spending, and Frank Atwood, an Approval Voting Party candidate who said his only goal was to raise awareness of the alternative voting method. My wife has told me that if I win, shell divorce me, so I have no intentions of winning, Atwood said. Primary election ballots will be mailed to Colorado voters beginning June 3. DONATE: SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST The post Colorado Republicans rumble over whos the best fit for 4th, 8th districts appeared first on Colorado Newsline. On May 15, nearly $5 million in awards were announced to various Beaver County community projects as the result of an environmental mitigation fund established to hold Shell accountable for ongoing environmental violations at their facility in Monaca. A total of 21 projects, representing a wide range of organizations and activities, received funds that will enable the continuation or initiation of activities intended to improve the health, environment and quality of life in communities impacted by Shells operations. Projects selected: 21 projects selected for Shell environmental mitigation funding Daniel Rossi-Keen Over the past year, many of you have asked me whether RiverWise, which is the organization I have the privilege of leading, would be pursuing such funds. Once the awardees were announced, even more of you asked about how RiverWise responded to the open call for projects resulting from the mitigation fund. To date, I have not addressed this issue publicly, wishing instead to allow the process to run its course before speaking about such matters. Now that awards have been announced, and in response to the many questions I have been receiving, I thought it might be of some value to spend a bit of time explaining in more detail how RiverWise approached and was involved with the mitigation fund. As I have shared with many of you in conversations, and as the headline to this article makes clear, RiverWise decided not to compete for mitigation funds. This decision was both practical and principled, and emerged after considerable conversation with my staff and board members. Let me first address some of the practical considerations that led to our decision. RiverWise exists to grow community voice and power so that residents of Beaver County can exercise greater agency over the future of the region. Because of this broad mission, RiverWise tends to find itself involved in a wide array of projects in numerous communities. At last count, we have worked with more than 70 different partner organizations in various capacities around the county. Many of these partner organizations did decide to compete for funds. And, along the way, a half dozen or so of those organizations asked RiverWise to serve as a partner on their projects. Given all this relational complexity, it was hard to figure out a good way to decide where and when to get involved. And so, we ultimately decided that recusing ourselves from the process was the best way to maintain healthy relationships with our varied partners around and beyond the county. Another set of practical considerations related to my own ability to help guide the processes that were ultimately set in place to administer such funds. In order to generate that process, a group of informed community advocates was required to assemble a steering committee, generate a protocol for the administration of funds, and adjudicate the merit of nearly 100 proposals that were eventually submitted for consideration. Although the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversaw that process, community stakeholders were significantly empowered to enact procedures and create guidelines at every stage along the way. As a leader who interacts with a wide range of individuals and organizations, I concluded that my value to the community could be best realized by helping to guide this process. So, I ultimately decided to serve along with more than 20 other community members who contributed to the creation of the process that has unfolded over the past 12 months. Beyond these practical matters is a constellation of considerations that are more principled in nature. As many readers may be aware, RiverWise has provided considerable and increasingly public commentary on Shells presence in Beaver County over the years. Personally, I have also spoken out at length about a range of community dynamics related to Shells actions (or inactions) in our community. If your feedback and encouragement are any kind of guide, then providing this kind of ongoing commentary has proven valuable for many of you. Though some readers would undoubtedly disagree, I see this as one of the more substantial contributions that I and RiverWise have been able to offer to Beaver County in recent years. Recognizing the unique role that we continue to play in such public conversations, neither I nor RiverWise wished for mitigation funds to jeopardize public perception about where our loyalties lie. On this front, both my board and staff were adamant. And so, to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, we decided that it was best to refrain from competing for mitigation funds. In making these observations, I wish to be abundantly clear. I am offering no explicit or implicit commentary on decisions made by any other organization related to such funds. The realities and dynamics that made such a mitigation fund necessary are among the most complicated and conflicted matters facing our region and world today. There are no easy answers regarding how to approach such complicated realities. And so RiverWise genuinely congratulates and applauds all those who chose to push back against Shells continued violation of the law by competing for mitigation funds. We look forward with expectation and hope to see what might yet emerge in our communities as a result. Daniel Rossi-Keen, Ph.D., is the co-owner of eQuip Books, a community bookstore in Aliquippa and the executive director of RiverWise, a nonprofit working to grow community power and voice so that residents can exercise agency over Beaver County's future. Reach Daniel at daniel@getriverwise.com. This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Community Matters: Why RiverWise didn't pursue Shell mitigation funds Explorers and settlers couldnt agree on whether they beheld beauty or beast. In 1806, on the banks of the Columbia River, William Clark jotted in his journal that the California condor is a handsom bird, an observation later contradicted by an account in the Sacramento Daily Union describing a huge monster that terrified the residents of a small Nevada outpost. In the same era, Scientific American called them as graceful and majestic as any bird in the world, only to be disputed by Field & Stream, which described the California condor as evil looking, like a cross between an executioner and an undertaker. Bald and hunchbacked, with a head that changes from peach to orange to yellow depending on its mood, and tufts of black plumage that poof out from the base of its wrinkly neck like a fur coat on an elderly woman, Gymnogyps californianus is a bird of contradictions. A symbol of both death and resurgence. The sight of one wheeling overhead signals another animals passing and the vultures next meal but as a species, it has survived multiple brushes with mortality. Photo by The Peregrine Fund In 1982, just 22 remained in the wild. Today, there are about 560. Curiously, the culprit of the condors precipitous decline in the last century and what keeps its numbers dangerously low now measures less than two inches long and weighs less than 10 grams. The lead bullet, the very tool those European settlers used to colonize the West, has placed condors in near-constant mortal peril. While predators, vehicle collisions, electrocution from power lines and forest fires also kill condors, none are as detrimental as lead poisoning, which is the cause of half of all diagnosed deaths annually. Because they constantly feed on carrion, and because they congregate in groups theyre as socially attached to each other as we are a single lead-laden carcass can poison multiple birds at once. It only takes one little lead fragment thats as big as a couple of grains of sand, says Myra Finkelstein, an environmental toxicologist at University of California, Santa Cruz. That has enough lead to kill a condor. To keep the species from disappearing forever, fewer lead bullets will need to litter the West, and scientists will need to continue the project that brought the birds back from the brink. In the 1980s, researchers captured all 22 birds, held them in a breeding facility, and raised their chicks before releasing them back into the wild. As one of the first animals listed under the Endangered Species Act, the condors recovery was deemed a testament to federal wildlife protections. Today, those efforts continue, led by conservation biologists as vehement about the dangers of lead as they are committed to reintroducing more raptors into the wild. Some may seem as contradictory as the birds themselves. I can introduce myself as someone who spent 23 years trying to recover the condor, or I can introduce myself as a lifelong hunter, says Chris Parish, president and CEO of the nonpartisan nonprofit The Peregrine Fund. His choice depends on the audience. Parish, whos goateed and wears a cowboy hat, grew up hunting in a ranching community in the San Joaquin Valley, just outside of Bakersfield. The region is Californias biggest source of oil production. Its also the heart of condor country. In 1950, at the onset of the Korean War, locals revolted against plans for a condor sanctuary in lieu of oil development. And when the Endangered Species Act was passed in 1973, people thought it threatened the way we lived, Parish recalls namely, tightening regulations on hunting and land development. In a 1994 article in Outdoor Life about the legislations renewal, the Sportsmens Coalition for Common Sense Amendments to the ESA suggested that radical animal rights activists are using the law to advance their agenda. The debate had split into a conservationist-versus-hunter dichotomy. Yet, some of the most successful and renowned hunters were the forefathers of ornithology, Parish says, citing European explorers known for their scientific discoveries. Plus, he adds, anyone who shoots an animal with a lead bullet and leaves the cadaver be it cattle, horses, coyotes or ground squirrels is exposing wildlife to lead. Because they constantly feed on carrion, and because they congregate in groups theyre as socially attached to each other as we are a single lead-laden carcass can poison multiple birds at once. Parish now spends a good chunk of his time shooting copper and lead bullets into plastic barrels filled with water bags and ballistic gel. Its a key part of the Non-Lead Partnership he helped kick-start in 2018 to educate shooters about what happens when a lead bullet enters a carcass. Hundreds of tiny shards spray into the flesh, making it virtually impossible for a scavenger to avoid. Copper bullets, on the other hand, retain their shape, splaying open like a flower without shattering. Tim Hauck (left), Brianna Bode and Shawn Farry, self-described Condorks, have spent years introducing condors bred in captivity into the wilds of Marble Canyon, Arizona. | Marlowe Starling for the Deseret News Finkelstein, the environmental toxicologist, has co-authored studies on lead poisoning in birds over the past two decades. Her teams recent work shows it wouldnt take much to tip the scales in the condors favor. Just a 1 percent reduction in lead poisoning would equate to releasing two to three captive-reared birds. Thats significant when condors only produce one chick every other year and dont breed until six to eight years old, making natural reproduction painfully slow. The shooting demonstration has helped nearly 90 percent of the regions hunters, ranchers and other shooters decide to switch to non-lead ammunition or to remove carcasses shot with lead. It doesnt just help condors. Bald eagles, golden eagles and other animals including humans are likewise affected by lead poisoning. Where we fail is not in the science, Parish says. We fail in talking about what the implications from our findings are. On a clear-skied morning in March, biologist Tim Hauck met me on Navajo Bridge in Marble Canyon, Arizona, to watch condors soar and swoop above the turquoise Colorado River. These rust-colored canyons are a magnet for people who are running from something or looking for something, Hauck recalls Parish telling him. An ornithology graduate from Rochester, New York, Hauck wasnt sure what he was looking for when he joined the condor crew 20 years ago. What he did find was a family, The Peregrine Fund condor-recovery team. They call themselves the Condorks. The problem with condors is they hook you, Hauck confesses. His dark beard is now speckled with gray, and his ball cap depicts the endangered bird of prey. Its not hard to fall in love with this species. Marlowe Starling for the Deseret News Still, it isnt easy to convince people to stay in remote Marble Canyon, where the closest grocery store is 45 minutes away and youre forced to be alone with your thoughts. But those who care enough will stick around for decades. Shawn Farry, a veteran conservation biologist who joined us on the bridge that morning, should know. He was around for the first-ever release in 1996. If lead poisoning continues to kill more birds than are born, its possible that in the Condorks lifetimes, they will never see a completely self-sustained population. But thats the goal to work themselves out of a job. We know that canyon, dont we, Shawn, Hauck said to Farry, peering through binoculars. They remember that canyon like a nightmare. The problem with condors is they hook you. Its not hard to fall in love with this species. One year earlier, some of the condors tracking devices suddenly went motionless. It could have meant three things: The trackers fell off, the birds were listless from lead poisoning or they had died. The second option seemed most likely. But as more trackers went still, the crew grew worried. So when Hauck and Farry had spotted a single wing sticking out from the canyon cracks, they assumed the worst. An inflatable National Park Service boat scooped them up, and as they drew close to the motionless carcass, they readied a body bag. But the bird blinked. It was still alive. They were used to seeing lethargic condors with lead poisoning, but this one was worse. Hauck cursed in anger as he carried the sick condor back to the boat, cradling her in his arms, wishing she were dead instead of suffering. They sent her to Liberty Wildlife hospital in Phoenix, hoping for a miracle. She died a day later. It wasnt until they collected almost two dozen sick birds that they found an answer. HPAI, the avian influenza that has spread from poultry to cattle and other animals, had snuck up on condors like a plague. The biologists spent 12-hour days rappelling down cliffs wearing PPE to rescue as many sick birds as they could. In just three weeks, they lost a fifth of the population a setback equivalent to almost 20 years of conservation efforts. It was like the biggest monster that youve ever seen, just rose up out of the depths, out of nowhere, Hauck recalls. There was nothing you can do. A spectator sport, one USDA virologist brutally put it. Unlike the lead threat, they had no control over this one. Eventually, the deaths stopped, and condors became the first animal to be vaccinated for avian flu. But it threatened to wipe out decades of conservation progress in a blip. A condor doesnt just fly; it glides. An adult condors wingspan can stretch as wide as 9.5 feet, and it can weigh up to 26 pounds. Thats a lot of body weight to haul through the air, and yet, they manage to effortlessly soar up to 200 miles in a single day. Masters of aerodynamics, they stretch their wings out straight to gain elevation and curve them inward to swoop down. The edges of their wings span out into a feathery fringe, making a soft, fluttering noise you can hear when they fly overhead. Crane your head up toward the sky, and youll see the white patch of plumage that spreads along the length of each underwing against the black of its body, and between them, the pink dot of its head. Seen by some as "monsters" in the 1800s, California condors have heads that change from peach to orange to yellow, depending on their mood. | Photo by the Peregrine Fund Today, the raptors reign over an impressively wide terrain, from coastal California to northern Mexico, and from the desert cliffs of Arizonas backcountry to southern Utah. But thousands of years ago, the condors kingdom was much larger. Fossil records indicate that its historic range once extended as far southeast as Florida and as far northwest as British Columbia, at a time when megafauna like sabertooth tigers, mastodons and American cheetahs roamed the land we now call North America. Scientists arent sure how many condors existed back then, but its clear that the condors demise started around the same time that Europeans arrived. By the time Lewis and Clark set out on their expedition in 1804, the population was already in decline. Cattle carcasses intentionally poisoned in order to kill predators like coyotes, bird hunting and the lucrative egg trade were likely contributors to the condors demise. But so was lead poisoning. With the lust for gold, timber and Manifest Destiny came lead ammunition. The report that the California condor will soon become extinct is not without foundation, Scientific American reported in 1908. Unless the needed protection is given, this bird will undoubtedly follow the great auk, a penguin-like bird in the North Atlantic that went extinct in the mid-1800s. The raptors reign over an impressively wide terrain, from coastal California to northern Mexico, from Arizonas backcountry to southern Utah. But thousands of years ago, the condors kingdom was much larger. In California, fish and wildlife biologist Steve Kirkland took me to Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, about two hours north of Los Angeles. When we stopped for gas in Frazier Park, a local in his 70s shared a new nugget of information: In the 1960s, dozens of condors would congregate around the gut piles on a nearby turkey farm. It was the first time Kirkland had ever heard of condors in that area. Were learning as we go, he says. Nobody whos alive has ever seen a healthy population. In the foothills of the Coast Ranges, Kirkland and I stood on a picnic table with a pair of binoculars overlooking the expanse of the San Joaquin Valley: the farms, the oil rigs and, barely visible, the Sierra Nevada mountains on the horizon. This valley is the condors 14,000-acre foraging ground. Finally, we spotted one an untagged juvenile sitting just 30 feet away from us. Untagged means wild-born, which is a good sign of natural reproduction. The young bird silently pushed off the ground and beat its wings once, twice, before it was effortlessly riding the wind. The bird climbed higher until it was a mere speck above the mountains, and then, it was gone. After a chick is born in captivity and raised in a facility like the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho, its sent off to Arizona or California for release. Condors, with their razor-sharp beaks and taloned kicks that can bruise, are not easy birds to handle. I found out for myself atop a plateau at Vermillion Cliffs National Monument in Marble Canyon, where I joined the Condorks to prepare adolescent condors for release into the wild. The itinerary was deceptively simple: Capture four condors from a large flight pen by hand and transport them to the release pen and lab where the biologists run health checks and bestow each condor with the brand-new wing tags they will wear for life. Hauck, Farry and fellow biologist Brianna Bode loaded ATVs with empty dog kennels and garbage bags full of frozen calf carcasses a tasty treat for the condors when theyre done. Youre going to watch us look like fools for a few minutes while we try to catch condors, Hauck told me as we approached the flight pen. Inside, Hauck and Farry chased around the raptors as they flocked from one end of the enclosure to the other. They eventually guided four of them into their respective kennels, lifted each kennel onto an ATV, strapped them down securely, and four-wheeled off to the release pen. There, the crated condors sat in silence awaiting their examinations. But inside, the team of three deftly hurried from one task to the next. Hauck and Farry punched holes into vinyl cattle-ear tags that they fashioned into wing tags. Bode labeled tiny vials for blood samples. Hurried hands affixed each tag with a radio transmitter. Owen Davey for the Deseret News One by one, the birds underwent their checkups. One person wrangled a condor into a firm embrace, stood on the scale, and then took a seat, bird in lap, index finger and thumb gently wrapped around its beak. Another biologist ran physicals and drew blood. Wings pierced and tags affixed, each bird was ushered into the release pen to acclimate to their new habitat. In about a week, all four birds would join the others in the Southwest flock. Later that evening, at the base of Vermillion Cliffs, more Condorks joined to observe the progress of the birds that had been released a few weeks earlier. The biologists shadows stretched long as they peered into their scopes. Ive got eyes on 33, one said into her radio. Copy that, Bode replied from the top of the cliff, voice gravelly through the airwaves. If a bird settles in a spot that makes it vulnerable to predators, Bodes job is to scare it off by any means necessary yelling, waving arms, sometimes howling like a coyote in a teaching process biologists call hazing. Another Condork followed 1083 through his scope as the youngling attempted a shoddy landing. My man! he exclaimed, cheering him on for a second attempt. To our right, the canyons turned purple with the sunset. We watched as the birds soared around the cliffs until each found its favorite spot to snuggle in for the night. To the average person, watching floating specks through spotting scopes for hours each evening might seem like a slog. But for as long as lead poisoning remains a threat to their survival, the Condorks focus stays fixed. In a few years, the inexperienced fliers will reach mating age and couple with a partner. Hopefully, they breed a wild chick, one that isnt born in captivity for a change. And soon, the four new birds will join them, wings spread wide above the canyons. This story appears in the June 2024 issue of Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe. Trump doesnt represent Veterans Why Donald Trump Likely Has Strong Grounds For Appeal May 31, (modesto bee) I am wondering why veterans are supporting Donald Trump. This man, as our former president, refused to go to France on Memorial Day to honor American soldiers at Flanders Field. He called John McCain, a loser! Someone who disrespects the people who have and continue to defend our country and the worlds freedom should not be our next leader. Please honor the many who have fought and died to keep us free and safe. Consider someone else to represent us. May Remsing Modesto Be smart about choosing developments One San Jose tiny home shelter is successfully moving people to housing. Can it be a model for other sites? May 29 (modesto bee) I do not like the new suburban and strip mall developments. We ought to learn a lesson from the Rust Belt and realize that these development types, to remain fiscally solvent for both developers and the city, need constant population growth to sustain itself. If a citys population either plateaus or plummets, these developments start becoming a loss and the city starts going bankrupt. These developments are also ecologically damaging! For one they make cars the only viable option to get around, which increases greenhouse gas emissions and they flatten considerably more farmland and wildlife just to house significantly fewer people than say, if an apartment complex was built. If this city is anywhere close to being interested in its long term future then it needs to encourage more dense developments. Reilly Lee Merced Corral Fire in San Joaquin County forces evacuation orders, grows to nearly 10,000 acres (FOX40.COM) A wildfire near Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Site 300, east of Interstate 580, has caused the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services to issue an evacuation order. As of 8 p.m., areas west of the CA Aqueduct, south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County, and south to Stanislaus County should leave now. A temporary evacuation point is at Larch Clover Community Center. [A] large animal shelter is being established at 2271 W Louise Ave Manteca, the SJC OES said on X. The Larch Clover Community Center is located at 11157 W Larch Road in Tracy. Those who live south of Tracy Boulevard should prepare to evacuate as well, SJC OES said. Wildfire Information Zonehaven, CAL FIRE and NIXLE: Websites you can use for wildfire information AlertCalifornia live cams to provide more insight into natural disasters These are the items to include in your emergency kit in case of a disaster Around 10 p.m., CAL Fire said the fire had grown to 9,707 acres and remained only 10% contained. On San Joaquin Countys emergency preparedness website, the zones under evacuation orders are SJC 210, SJC 211, and SJC 215. Additionally, an evacuation warning is in place for those who live near Interstate 580 from Highway 132 east to the Stanislaus County line. Around 7:10 p.m., Caltrans said Interstate 580 from Corral Hollow Road to Interstate 5 was closed in both directions due to the fire, adding that there is no estimated time of reopening on the roadways. Caltrans said there is major smoke and zero visibility in the area. Around 5 p.m., CAL Fire said the Corral Fire, which began southwest of Tracy, was around 450 acres. At 5:34 p.m., the agency said it had grown to 946 acres and was 40% contained. However, around 6:45 p.m., a CAL Fire official told a FOX40 News team member that containment dropped to 10%. At 7:35 p.m., CAL Fires map showed 10% containment, and the fire had grown to nearly 5,000 acres. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services initially gave an evacuation warning for residents near Coral Hollow Road around 5:30 p.m. CAL Fire, the Alameda County Fire Department, the Tracy Fire Department, and the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department are working to contain the Corral Fire. The Tracy Police Department and San Joaquin County Sheriffs Office are assisting with evacuations near the area. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time and the agencies are working to discover if it has caused any injuries. This article will be updated as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. LAKE COUNTY, Ind. Charges have been filed against a correctional officer in Lake County, Indiana, accused of trafficking cellphones to inmates at the county jail. According to Lake County Sheriffs deputies, 56-year-old John Hoch was taken into custody after a warrant was issued for his arrest on Friday, following a months-long investigation. Authorities say Hoch, a Dyer resident, is facing level 5 felony trafficking and level 6 felony official misconduct charges. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Deputies say Hoch was allegedly involved in a scheme to traffic cellphones and possibly other contraband to inmates at the Lake County Jail. 56-year-old John Hoch is accused of having trafficked cell phones to inmates at the Lake County Jail. Hoch had been working at the jail for the last three and a half years, and the investigation has been taking place over the past several months, deputies say. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The sheriffs department takes trafficking at the jail seriously. This kind of unlawful scheme represents a clear violation of the standards and ethics upheld at our facility by the men and women who work tirelessly to maintain the safety and security of inmates and employees. Its important to emphasize that while this was an unfortunate situation, the case does not reflect poorly upon the dedication and professionalism demonstrated each day by the majority of our correctional staff. The actions of this individual should not undermine or overshadow the integrity and commitment of our team, Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez Jr. said in a Facebook post on Saturday afternoon. Deputies say they are still investigating several factors surrounding the case, including how many may have been involved in the alleged scheme. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) Modesto resident Scott Peterson was supposed to spend the rest of his life in prison for the 2002 murder of his wife and unborn child, however, that sentence could soon change if an advocacy group has its way. Video Above: Scott Petersons lawyers asking for new DNA testing Petersons case caught national attention after his pregnant wife, Laci Peterson, went missing on Christmas Eve 2002. Four months later, the bodies of Laci Peterson and their infant son, Connor, washed up to a Bay Area shore. Scott Peterson was convicted in 2004 for their murders and sentenced to death which was later changed to life in prison. Scott Peterson murder case picked up by Los Angeles Innocence Project For over 20 years, Scott Peterson has maintained his innocence and in January 2024 his case was picked up by the Los Angeles Innocence Project, a group that defends inmates it believes to be wrongfully imprisoned. The group suggests that DNA evidence, suspicious activity in the area when Laci went missing, and the likelihood of another suspect, could exonerate the convicted killer. Scott Peterson was convicted in 2024 based on overwhelming circumstantial evidence and although he has been incarcerated for decades, innocence groups have been successful in getting hundreds of convictions overturned with the help of DNA testing. Here are some inmates who got out of jail after receiving support from groups like LAIP: Los Angeles Innocence Project After 38 years behind bars for a robbery-homicide and sexual assault in Inglewood, the Los Angeles Innocence Project reported that DNA evidence exonerated Maurice Hastings. Hastings was convicted in the 1980s and released in 2022 with the help of LAIP. In Hastings case, LAIP argued that DNA from the scene was never tested similar to how the group said crucial evidence from Petersons case has not been examined. I have been incarcerated for over fifteen years for a murder that I did not commit, LAIP said Hastings wrote to the Los Angeles County District Attorneys Office in 2000. The most compelling of the evidence that has not as of yet been examined is the DNA evidence which will conclusively show that I was not the person involved with the deceased at the time of the crime. Innocence Project: Scott Peterson case not a fishing expedition After DNA testing was performed, the specimen led to a convicted sex offender and Hastings was subsequently released from prison after nearly four decades served. The Exoneration Project The Exoneration Project has helped close to 200 people prove their innocence and be freed from incarceration, according to its website. Some clients who were exonerated include Frank Drew, who spent 24 years in prison for homicide; Harold Staten who was incarcerated for 38 years for arson and murder; and Darien Harris who was reportedly convicted for a fatal shooting at a gas station after a blind eyewitness testimony. He was incarcerated for 12 years before the sentence was thrown out. Equal Justice Initiative The Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, according to its website. It aims to challenge racial and economic injustice, and to protect basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society. One of the most notable cases is Marsha Colbey who was wrongfully convicted of capital murder in 2007 and sentenced to life after she reportedly gave birth to a stillborn baby. Colbey went into premature labor and unexpectedly delivered a stillborn baby while at home alone. Her efforts to revive the child were unsuccessful, and she buried him in a marked grave near her home, according to EJI. Initial forensic reports stated the baby was born alive which led to a murder charge, but four years later, new testing showed evidence of life was inconclusive. She was released from prison in 2012. Innocence Project The Innocence Project, not to be confused with the Los Angeles Innocence Project, has been successful in freeing nearly 300 inmates since its inception in 1992. Clients include Kirk Bloodsworth, who was reportedly the first person in the U.S. to be exonerated from death row. He was wrongfully convicted of the assault and murder of a 9-year-old girl in 1993 but released nine years later through DNA evidence. Steven Avery was also an Innocent Project client, who inspired the Netflix documentary series, Making a Murder. Avery was convicted in 1985 for sexual assault and attempted murder. He was exonerated in 2003 through DNA evidence but only remained free for two years. After filing a $36M lawsuit and attempting to expose corruption in local law enforcement, he was charged with murder. Averys case has been controversial, and his legal team continues to advocate for his innocence. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40. Crew Shortage: Several ferry trips to Nantucket canceled Sunday after pilot unable to work Several Steamship Authority ferries between Cape Cod and Nantucket were canceled Sunday due to a lack of crew members. Four round trips between Nantucket and Hyannis have been canceled due to Crew Shortage, according to the Steamship Authority. The pilot of the M/V Iyanough was unable to work Sunday and there were no other qualified personnel available to fill in, a spokesperson with the Steamship Authority said. Passengers will be fully refunded for ticket purchases, or they can use them for passage at another time, the spokesperson said. Joan Pollock says she left New Hampshire early Sunday morning to meet up with friends on the island but was left stuck on the mainland We got here and drove up and they said its canceled for the day, Pollock said. Now theyre sending us to another side of the harbor and theyre saying those reservations are possibly full. RIght now I just paid $22 for parking, said Marc Castillo. The Steamship Authoritys full Sunday schedule for the Hyannis-Nantucket line can be viewed below: All scheduled ferries between Woods Hole and Oak Bluffs on Marthas Vineyard are running and on time. The cancellations come just days after the Steamship Authoritys Board of Governors discussed shuffling the ferry schedules due to a staffing shortage of licensed deck officers. The vote for the new schedule was approved unanimously on Tuesday, May 28. The steamship authority will run four boats on the Vineyard route instead of the usual five, taking the M/V Governor out of service and swapping out the M/V Woods Hole for the M/V Sankaty on the Nantucket route, which has less passenger and vehicle capacity. The Steamship Authoritys last round-trip fast ferry to Nantucket will also be shelved for the second summer in a row. We find ourselves in a precarious situation in that with some, recent, departures of personnel or unavailability of them, that to be able to run the schedule as approved and what were planning on doing. We think its best that we do some modifications, said Nat Lowell, Nantuckets representative on the Steamship Authoritys Port Council. The new schedule will go into effect on June 17 and operate through September 5. Boston 25 News has reached out to the Steamship Authority for more on the cancelations. 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 Cuyahoga Falls man told police he'd kill himself in jail. 15 minutes later, he was dead Craig Hebble, 57, hung himself in a cell inside the Cuyahoga Falls jail in 2020 after being arrested on drunken driving charges. The leading cause of death in U.S. jails is suicides. Sensitive subject warning: This story contains discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis and needs help, you can call the Summit County crisis line at 330-434-9144 or call or text 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Cuyahoga Falls police arrested Craig Hebble for a drunken driving charge a couple weeks before Christmas in 2020. It was the third time in 10 years Hebble faced that charge, this time after wrecking his motorcycle on a side street yards from his home. At the police station, Hebble, 57, was slurring his words, angry and refusing to take a breath test, so officers put him in a jail cell, hoping hed sober up and calm down so they could finish booking him. On the walk to the cell, Hebble told police he planned to kill himself. Fifteen minutes after the cell door locked, police found Hebble hanging from a noose he had tied from a bedsheet. Hebble was one of at least 219 people who died at Ohios local jails between 2020 and 2024, according to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, which tracks those deaths and their causes. Of those, nearly a third 66 died by suicide, which is the leading cause of death at U.S. jails. Many of those deaths often go unnoticed by the public, receiving scant attention in the media, which rarely reports on individual cases of suicide. An analysis by a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice in 2022 called jail suicides an overlooked national crisis for years. Suicide prevention groups are now working with organizations like the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCH) to improve jailhouse screening, staff training and other measures to reduce these deaths. Unlike prisons, where people convicted of serious crimes often spend years or decades behind bars, jails generally hold people for shorter stays people arrested for minor crimes or other awaiting trial or sentencing. Richard Forbus, a former jail commander and spokesman for the NCCH, said many arrive with myriad untreated medical needs, from mental illness to chronic conditions like diabetes. Many, he said, are at high risk for death by suicide. You never know who is coming through that door, he said. 'I'm gonna kill myself,' inmate warns officers A man and woman, their 3-year-old son and their dog were out for an evening stroll Dec. 9, 2020, when they saw their neighbor, Craig Hebble, roar by on his blue Harley Davidson Roadster. A few minutes later, they came upon Hebble sprawled in the street next to his motorcycle where Van Doren Drive dead-ends into Purdue Street on the citys north side. While the woman called police, her husband helped Hebble to his feet and walked Hebble and his Harley home, which was three houses from the intersection. Hebble described by neighbors as heavily intoxicated was drinking a Budweiser and had a small bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey when police arrived at his house and arrested him on a drunk driving charge. Records show he had been arrested dozens of times before on misdemeanor charges in Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and Stow. Almost all of the charges involved alcohol or drugs. At the police station, Hebble was slurring his words. He repeatedly declined to have paramedics assess any injuries from the motorcycle wreck, police said. He also declined to take a breath test to measure the alcohol level in his body, and, police said, Hebble answered most of their questions by responding, [Expletive] you. When Hebble balled up his fists, they decided to move him into one of 10 cells in the city jail, which is attached to the police department, and try to finish booking him after he sobered up. On the walk there, Hebble told police he was suicidal, according to a Cuyahoga Falls police investigation into his death. Im gonna kill myself, Hebble told officers. Im gonna hang myself. Officers would later say they did not hear Hebble threaten suicide, though his words were apparently picked up by surveillance video, an internal investigation revealed. Once Hebble was locked in cell No. 5, he shook the cell door and made another threat: Im gonna bust my skull. That was at 7:41 p.m. An officer who heard that threat about his skull went back and checked on Hebble three minutes later and saw no injuries on Hebbles face, records show. At 7:56 p.m., when a different officer arrived to do an hourly check of the inmates, a man in the cell next to Hebbles told him Hebble sounded like he was choking and fumbling around, police records said. When the officer looked into cell No. 5, he saw Hebble hanging by a white bedsheet tied to his cell door. The officer called for help, but police couldnt reach Hebble until they could cut down his body and open his cell door. An officer used a knife to cut through the sheet, and police tried to revive Hebble with CPR until paramedics arrived and took Hebble by ambulance to a hospital. But it was too late. Hebble, who warned police he would hang himself, was dead. Expert: Police should take self-harm threats seriously Cuyahoga Falls police notified the state the morning after Craig Hebble killed himself, triggering a review. Early the next morning, Cuyahoga Falls police sent an email to the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC), notifying them of the jail death, which triggers a state review. In June, after looking at jail video of Hebble, officer logs, and other reports, the ODRC found that the Cuyahoga Falls police were out of compliance with 17 state standards for jails in its categories. Cuyahoga Falls has 10 cells that can hold inmates up to 12 days. About 223 people were incarcerated there between 2022-2023. ODRC also said the department repeatedly broke its own policies, procedures and practices involving Hebbles brief incarceration. Many of the ODRCs comments are blacked out, particularly its findings on jail policies involving inmates and mental health. But among other things, the ODRC determined Cuyahoga Falls jail officials: Failed to complete an assessment of Hebbles needs before deciding how he should be housed inside the jail. Failed before and after the suicide to perform observation checks of inmates every 60 minutes as required. Failed to take action when an inmate made a verbal complaint. Failed to take immediate action when Hebble was found hanging, saying it took more than two minutes for medical services to be rendered. The police department has since made all changes recommended by ODRC, Cuyahoga Falls Police Capt. Gary Merton Jr. said. The department also met with the city medical director and updated its suicide risk assessment, pre-incarceration questionnaire and visual observation checklist. Merton said police also reviewed the policies and reinforced proper protocol. There has been one suicide attempt at the jail since Hebble's death, and that person was unharmed and taken to a hospital, he said. "We are committed to the well-being and safety of individuals in our jail and continually refine our policies to ensure that their needs are met with care and respect," Merton said. Forbus of NCCH was unaware of the Hebble case but said that anyone who arrives at jail inebriated should be assessed for suicide risk. Alcohol is a depressant, opioids, too, but alcohol especially, he said. Its a huge warning sign when someone comes in drunk. The Cuyahoga Falls jail shares the same building as the city's police department. It can hold people for up to 12 days. If a jail inmate is determined to be at risk, jailers often take away most things they might use to hurt themselves, including bed sheets and their own clothing. Inmates instead wear a suicide smock, a sleeveless gown specially designed to prevent people from using it as a noose. On top of that, he said, jail officials watch that inmate. The other obvious red flag is Hebble telling police he was going to kill himself. He even told them how he planned to do it. Forbus said police should take any threats of self-harm seriously. But they probably just thought, 'Hes just drunk, hes just talking smack,' Forbus said. But if youre getting [suicide prevention] training, its not just talk. Suicide prevention starts with ongoing training and a staff culture that values preventing self-harm. You can have all the policies you want, but culture eats policy for breakfast, Forbus said. When he went to work in Las Vegas as a young corrections officer, Forbus said he had training to prevent jail suicides, but some of the older officers said it was no use. If people wanted to hurt themselves, theyd find a way. It wasnt true, Forbus said. It took a captain at the department whose son had mental health and substance abuse issues to dig in and work for years to change that culture. Its easy to say suicide is not preventable, he said, but we should do everything we can to prevent it. Troubled past leads to tragic ending A couple hours after Hebble was declared dead, a Cuyahoga Falls police sergeant went to his home to notify the woman who owned it. When he told the woman he was there to deliver bad news, the woman asked if Hebble was dead, a police report said. Its not clear if the woman thought Hebble had killed himself or died in some other way. The woman, who described herself as Hebbles landlord, told police there were only two people to notify: Hebbles sister, who lived in Lorain County, and a community service worker. None of them returned messages left by the Akron Beacon Journal for this story. In the weeks and months that followed Hebbles death, there was no obituary, no burial announcement, no lawsuit seeking compensation for Hebbles death in custody. Over the years, Hebble appears to have lived in the shadows, often drunk near Akron, the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous, a group frequently credited with saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Records show Hebble faced 18 charges in Barberton Municipal Court, 14 charges in Akron Municipal Court and 13 charges in Stow Municipal Court since the late 1990s. Hed been kicked out of Akron's Oriana House (where he was treated for substance abuse), Applebees in Stow and St. Thomas Hospital, where he was told not to come back unless there was an emergency. One of his Hebbles earliest run-ins with the law in Summit County was exactly 22 years prior to the date of his suicide. On Dec. 9, 1998, Barberton police arrested him at a bar. Police said he was drunk and broke out the window of a car, records show. Hebble faced numerous misdemeanor charges, including menacing, filed after an officer said he worried Hebble would hurt him. There's nothing in records to show Hebble acted on that officer's fear. And 22 years later, it was Hebble who ended up hurting himself. Akron Beacon Journal reporter Amanda Garrett can be reached at agarrett@thebeaconjournal.com. This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cuyahoga Falls jail suicide prompts changes D-Day memories are still vivid for this 99-year-old RI vet. Mark Patinkin shares his story You would think that after 80 years, the emotions of surviving D-Day would fade, but as Richard Fazzio, now 99, speaks of it, he has to pause, his hands over his face. Fazzio still lives independently in a small apartment in the home of a granddaughter in Woonsocket, the town where he grew up. If youve seen Saving Private Ryan, thats what Fazzio went through. He was in the first wave that landed on Omaha Beach, driving a Higgins boat that dropped off more than 30 soldiers. Many were killed as soon as the ramp dropped, Fazzio almost among them, a bullet striking his upper right side below his arm and exiting his back. He tells me he is unable to sleep when thoughts of the day come back to him. Yet most of the time, Fazzio is an upbeat guy, and he offers a firm handshake as I greet him. Richard Fazzio, now 99, recalls his experiences at Omaha Beach during World War II. He sits back down in a La-Z-Boy, a cane next to him thats all he needs to get around, and often not even that. Hes wearing a dark hat that says WWII Veteran. Of the 150,000 who landed on D-Day, only a few thousand are left. Fazzio is among the final handful in Rhode Island. Just about everyone he knew in the Navy is gone now, including his crew of four who piloted the boat through German shellfire. One of them was from Cumberland, Wally Lawton. We used to visit each other, the four of us, Fazzio said. But the old Woonsocket sailor is now the last one. At age 99, hes got a son, Frank, 70, and daughter, Frances, 74. Both were named after Fazzios older brother Frank who sadly was killed in the war. Frank was a soldier in the Pacific, pinned down in the Philippines, intentionally drawing fire his way to help his buddies fight back, and he paid the price. She was never the same after that, Fazzio said of his mom. I would have stayed in the Navy if it wasnt for that. But I thought Id better get out. For her. Fazzio is a classic Rhode Island story, son of Italian immigrants, raised in working-class Woonsocket, his father, Charles, a handyman and construction guy. Fazzio wanted to get into similar work, so he quit school at 16. I had one subject I liked, recess, he jokes. Richard Fazzio during his days in the Navy during World War II. But he was serious enough to want to enlist in the Navy in 1943, when he was 17. I remember my father, he wouldnt sign for me, Fazzio recalls. But I kept begging him, and finally he came around. He was crying when he signed. I asked if he still remembers D-Day clearly. How can I forget? His job was to ferry infantry the final miles to the beach from a big transport ship. It was pitch dark when the battleships around him there in the English Channel opened fire on the German defenders ashore. It was like the Fourth of July, said Fazzio The sky lit up. Then the American planes began bombing. Patinkin: Colleen Mellor and Paul Gates were together for 33 years. Why now they'll never be alone I said to my crew, This is going to be a breeze. Boy, were we wrong. Because of cloud cover, the bombing mostly missed. Each boat was given different parts of the beach to aim for. Fazzio was to steer toward the white steeple of a church just behind it. Today, thats where the American cemetery is. It includes 99 graves of the fallen from Rhode Island. More: D-Day: Under fire at Omaha Beach experienced in virtual reality. Documentarian's passion project It took about 25 minutes to get in. A few hundred feet offshore, they were hit by a full barrage of German gunfire. Fazzio saw other Higgins boats drop their ramps early while others hit obstacles the Germans had set up. Fazzio watched as the men inside were swamped, trying to swim to shore while being shot at. He kept going, yelling at the men in his boat not to look above the sides or they could catch a bullet. Fazzio found himself thinking of his four sisters, three brothers and parents. Im praying, dont let my mother get one of those telegrams, he told me. But she ended up getting two one for Fazzios fallen brother, a second for what was about to happen to Fazzio himself. Finally, at 6:30 a.m., Fazzios was among the very first American boats driving onto French sand. He was 18. He dropped the ramp. I dont know how many made it, he told me. He saw some fall as enemy bullets pinged everywhere. But they were Army and Fazzio was Navy so he didnt know them to follow up. He wasnt able to back off the beach instantly because one soldier was frozen aboard. Fazzio didnt blame him. Hes seen bodies and guys getting killed, for crying out loud. But Fazzios orders were to only bring back the wounded or the dead. He raised his arm to wave the man off. I felt a sting through my body, he recalled, a burning sensation. He wasnt sure what had happened, but finally, he saw the soldier run ashore. I gave one more look at the beach, put my boat in reverse and I start to come back. As they plowed back toward the convoy miles back to ferry a second load of soldiers ashore, Wally Lawton of Cumberland saw something wrong with Fazzio. What happened, Lawton asked. I think I got shot. Im not sure. They took off his life jacket, laid him down in the boat, and soon, back on the troop carrier ship, the medical team was treating him. I thank God almighty I came out alive, Fazzio told me. A lot didnt. They were getting picked off like ducks in the water, for crying out loud. At that, he stops the story and puts both hands over his face, saying he can still picture it today. Seeing soldiers killed like that, it stays in your mind forever, said Fazzio. And I felt sorry for their mothers. Here in his Woonsocket apartment, I asked if hed been back to Normandy. Just once, 18 years ago. He was brought there with 14 other local D-Day veterans by Tim Gray, Rhode Islands notable World War II documentary maker. That was Grays first film. He has now done 38. Gray had helped set up my interview with Fazzio, and he joined us for it. I asked Gray how he sees D-Day at this point. The United States became a superpower on June 6, 1944, he told me. It was one of the most monumental days in American history. It is poignant that so few who were part of it are left. But Richard Fazzio of Woonsocket, age 99 and still remarkably clear of mind, is among them. Hes more than a witness; he lived it. It was an honor to hear his testimony. mpatinki@providencejournal.com This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: D-Day memories still vivid for Rhode Island veteran after 80 years Sen. Mitt Romney on Saturday accused Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of committing political malpractice by pursuing criminal charges against ex-President Donald Trump . Bragg should have settled the case against Trump, as would have been the normal procedure. But he made a political decision, the Utah Republican and staunch Trump critic told his biographer, Atlantic writer McKay Coppins. Bragg may have won the battle, for now, but he may have lost the political war, he added. Democrats think they can put out the Trump fire with oxygen. Its political malpractice. Sen. Mitt Romney accused Alvin Bragg of committing political malpractice by pursuing criminal charges against the former president. Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg speaks at a news conference following the conviction of former President Trump on May 30, 2024. Getty Images Last month, Romney voiced bewilderment at why President Biden didnt pardon his predecessor as soon as the federal indictments came down, saying he should have fought like crazy to keep them from moving forward. Had I been President Biden, when the Justice Department brought on indictments, I would have immediately pardoned him, Romney told MSNBCs The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle. Because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person [who] pardoned a little guy. Romney, 77, who is set to retire at the end of his term next January, backed both impeachments against Trump in 2020 and 2021, respectively. A Manhattan jury on Thursday convicted Trump of 34 criminal charges of falsifying business records in a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election. The charges were related to a $130,000 hush money payment his former fixer lawyer Michael Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her about an alleged one-night stand with Trump. Donald Trumps presidential campaign says its received a big bump in fundraising support since he was found guilty at his hush money trial. Getty Images Trump, 77, has vowed to appeal, saying hes honored by the legal battle and that were fighting for our Constitution. Braggs office did not immediately return messages. PRIME MINISTER EHUD BARAK AND FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID LEVY IN KNESSET DURING VOTE FOR NEW ELECTIONS. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Former Israeli foreign minister David Levy, whose rise from manual labourer to the international stage inspired fellow Mizrahi Jews of Middle Eastern descent, died on Sunday aged 86. Born in Rabat, Levy was among a wave of Moroccan Jews who moved to Israel in its early years. Many felt sidelined by the mainly Ashkenazi, or European Jewish, leadership - an ethnic resentment that resurfaced in a recent constitutional crisis. A construction worker with a high-school education, Levy clambered from municipal to trade union to national politics, mainly as part of the conservative Likud party, which mobilised Mizrahi support to sweep to power in a 1977 general election. As housing minister in the 1980s, he led projects to improve the infrastructure for poor Israelis. Appointed foreign minister in 1990, he was mocked by rivals for his poor English - though his French was fluent. He served three terms in that role. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, paying tribute to Levy, recounted how he paved his own way and served the public for decades. "On the national level he left his personal mark on political life, while looking after weaker populations who were familiar with hardship," Netanyahu said. "We didn't always agree on everything, but I always appreciated his sense of mission." (Writing by Dan Williams; editing by Giles Elgood) David Martin Jones, who has died aged 73, was a maverick conservative author and lecturer on political theory, militant Islamic movements, geopolitics and what are now called culture wars. In 2015 he argued that the Islamic State was a death cult, a characterisation quickly adopted by many others including Tony Abbott, then Prime Minister of Australia, and Boris Johnson, then an MP. Jones applied the same term to Hizbollah and Hamas. He did not view these groups as freedom fighters, but rather as terrorists enamoured of savagery against others and death for themselves in preference to living in anything resembling a liberal democracy. He looked at what these groups actually said and wrote, finding in them a determination at all costs to impose a Muslim caliphate. These were views he expressed long before the attack of Hamas on civilians in Israel on October 7 last year. He argued that the West had helped to facilitate the rise of such groups by harbouring some of the leaders in London and elsewhere and turning a blind eye to extreme Islamist views in British universities. More generally, he maintained that the West had become complacent after the fall of communist regimes in Europe in 1989/1990. Many thought then that freedom and democracy had won and would inevitably continue in the ascendant. They lowered their guard against totalitarian regimes that had survived that change and those which emerged again afterwards. Meanwhile, the western world was harbouring a nascent totalitarianism of its own making, encapsulated in the title of one of his 11 books, Illiberal Democracy. He saw a western culture of growing statism and compulsory conformity with supposedly liberal or progressive ideas. Jones was out of step with the dominant Left-wing attitudes he found in most universities in the West. His friends argued that his failure to climb the academic ladder was because he held fast to his views. Michael Rainsborough, formerly Professor of Strategic Theory at Kings College London, believed that because the writings of Jones and himself were so at variance with the academic orthodoxy they were regularly denounced and excluded from academic preferment not receiving grants, being criticised in academic reviews, and so on. Martin Jones's 1995 book challenged the view that liberal democracy is the inevitable outcome of economic modernisation In later years, Rainsborough and Jones joked that they were cancelled before it became fashionable. Whatever the truth of this, Jones had to resort to a peripatetic academic life. He had jobs at various times in Toronto, Sydney, Tasmania, Brisbane, Singapore and Budapest, as well as London. He was born in Wales on August 21 1950 and attended Cathays High School in Cardiff, which was then a grammar school. He was one of that generation of grammar-school children who rose from relatively poor backgrounds and progressed to university. He was the first in his family to do so, attending Reading University and completing his PhD on Oaths and Obligations in the English Civil War. He did not have an easy path, teaching at an inner-city comprehensive school in Kilburn to finance his PhD work. As someone who grew up in the 1960s, he initially had hippy tendencies and espoused ideas he would later come to despise. But his intellectual development was profoundly affected when he was supervised at the LSE by Professor Kenneth Minogue, one of the leading conservative thinkers of his time. Joness first teaching post was in Singapore in 1989. He was uncomfortable with the nature of the rule of the prime minister, Lee Kuan Yew, suggesting that the regime wanted to know too much about people and control them too closely. He helped a lecturer, Christopher Lingle, escape from Singapore to Malaysia after Lingle had got into trouble with the Singaporean authorities for impugning the integrity of the judiciary. Jones was himself followed by the secret police. He moved to the University of Tasmania and wrote about south-east Asian terrorist groups, 17th-century political thought and Welsh radicals in Van Diemens Land the early name for Tasmania in the 1830s and 1840s. That last area of study helped inform a documentary on the Welsh in Australia by the BBCs Huw Edwards. Jones subsequently worked at Queensland University in Brisbane and became Visiting Professor in the Department of War Studies at Kings College, London. But after a change of leadership in that department, he became unhappy with the way it was going: with typical sardonic humour he wondered how War Studies became Woke Studies. His services were dispensed with. Most recently he had worked as research director at the Danube Institute, a conservative think tank in Budapest where he was more at home. Jones was an urbane character with a dry sense of humour. What many of his friends did not know was that underneath his congenial and cheerful manner there were dark and depressed thoughts. He took his own life following a breakdown. He is survived by his wife, Jo, and by three stepdaughters. David Martin Jones, born August 21 1950, died 16 April 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. D-Day veterans with Denver charity cross English Channel to Normandy, as they did 80 years ago Portsmouth, United Kingdom (KDVR) They boarded a big ship and shoved off from the coast of England bound for the beaches of Normandy. And for two World War II heroes traveling to Europe with a Denver veterans charity, it wasnt the first time they made this trip. Steven Melnikoff, 104, and Donald Cobb, 99, are veterans of the D-Day invasion, and theyre returning to France for ceremonies commemorating the 80th anniversary of the allied attack on the Germans on the Normandy coast. Family loses everything, 4 kittens rescued in devastating Commerce City house fire Just 23 at the time, Melnikoff said he was considered an old man in the army when he first crossed these waters bound for Omaha Beach 80 years ago. Most of (the other soldiers) were 18 and 19-year-old kids, he told FOX31. Cobb was assigned to the naval destroyer USS Murphy on June 6, 1944. His ship bombarded the enemy from the waters of the English Channel a few miles off Omaha Beach, offering support to the troops storming the coast. I guess it was a little adventure, a little sense of adventure, and a little excitement, Cobb said. Their return to Europe has been met with smiles and questions, hugs and handshakes. On the ferry crossing Saturday, Melnikoff spoke to a group of DDAY reenactors bound for Normandy. They had no idea theyd meet history makers on their way to France. We did not expect this at all, so yeah, its definitely made our week, said Sam Davis, a history buff who owns an old World War II-era Jeep. And the truth is, were Brits, we always think we can do it without you, but we couldnt have done it without the Yanks, said reenactor Dave Perrott. The veterans are traveling with The Greatest Generations Foundation, a non-profit started in Denver that returns war veterans to the battlefields where they served. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Colorado Springs Utilities and the developers of a proposed new housing project seeking city annexation, Amara, are sharply at odds over the impact the massive planned neighborhood could have on the city's ability to fund and operate its utility services. Developer La Plata Communities is asking City Council to annex 3,200 acres south and east of current city boundaries to build neighborhoods of up to 9,500 new homes and 2 million square feet of commercial and other space. Amara would be built in four phases over 24 years, developers have previously said. The City Council is preparing to formally vote for the first time July 23 on the proposal to add the property into Colorado Springs' boundaries. The proposal requires two votes from council; the second will come at a future meeting. "Utilities has seen annexations in the past, but none of these have required infrastructure at this scale over a similar timeframe," Chief Planning and Finance Officer Tristan Gearhart said last month. "Additionally, this annexation comes at a time when we are facing large regulatory and reliability needs for our existing system." Amara could put Colorado Springs Utilities at financial risk and officials may have to delay or reprioritize already-planned capital projects to pay for infrastructure that will serve the new development actions that could negatively impact service reliability and community growth in areas already inside city boundaries, Gearhart said. La Plata representatives, however, contend Amara will benefit the city, the utility and the region. Over the years it will add thousands of ratepayers who will contribute millions in annual revenues to utilities, they said. Other users will benefit from and use the utilities infrastructure and facilities that will serve Amara; and Amara-related utilities costs won't significantly impact already planned utilities increases, they said. Colorado Springs Utilities estimates over the life of the project it will cost between $150 million to $230 million to build the necessary infrastructure like gas service lines, facilities like electric substations, and generate some additional resources to provide electricity, gas, water and wastewater to Amara. Under a draft annexation agreement, La Plata must pay for any needed utilities extensions; only water line extensions are needed to serve Amara, developers said. Assuming Amara builds 400 units a year, Utilities forecasts it will recover its costs in 21 years. Gearhart said utilities capital costs for the development would be the largest in the first year, about $55 million. It will take an additional $2 million to $4.5 million every year to operate and maintain the infrastructure, financial estimates from the utility show. La Plata's Chief Operating Officer Mike Ruebenson said the majority of capital costs Colorado Springs Utilities will incur related to Amara will happen as development progresses. He repeated statements that Utilities has confirmed the cost to develop within Amara "is not materially different" than greenfield development elsewhere in Colorado Springs because La Plata must fund 100% of any utility extension costs. "It has no negative impact to ratepayers for those extensions to be brought from the current city limits into Amara," Ruebenson said. That is a point of contention with Gearhart, who has said ratepayers could see an increased monthly expense under one form of repayment, or that, alternatively, other projects could be curtailed. More than 50% of the projected cost of utilities infrastructure that will serve Amara will benefit the region, Ruebenson said. That infrastructure is needed to support future growth even if Amara is not annexed into Colorado Springs, he said. For example, La Plata and future Amara ratepayers will provide significant funding for projects like the expansion of the Bailey water treatment and Las Vegas sewer treatment facilities, city utilities' 160-acre Advanced Technology Center east of the airport, and others, La Plata said. These contributions will reduce the per unit costs charged to other housing developments while increasing service, they say. At full buildout, Ruebenson said ratepayers living in Amara will generate an estimated $25 million a year in utilities revenues and will contribute more than $1 million a year in surplus payments to Colorado Springs' General Fund. The surplus is essentially an annual payment Colorado Springs Utilities makes to the city in what it would pay in property, sales and use taxes if it were not municipally owned. "New development is not only paying its way, it's also contributing to the overall system," Ruebenson said. However, a utilities presentation shows city ratepayers' monthly bills will increase for several years as the agency pays off its portion of construction to serve Amara and other future growth. Those costs would be on top of base rate increases city utilities expects across its four services over the next five years to pay for other planned capital projects, Gearhart said. The exact base rate projections are not yet available. La Plata estimated utilities' capital costs to serve Amara are about 2% of the agency's five-year capital plan and won't "have a significant impact" on the already planned utility rate increases "which are largely driven by regulatory requirements." Utilities is already paying for about $4 billion worth of assets to provide its four services to Colorado Springs, Gearhart said. The agency proposes a 2025-2029 financial plan that anticipates another $3 billion worth of capital infrastructure inside existing city boundaries to support growth and system reliability, and help the city meet new state regulations for clean energy, among others. Featured Local Savings The timing and estimated cost of Amara's annexation puts other planned capital projects at risk of exceeding the total amount of debt city utilities can afford to incur to pay for those projects, Gearhart told the agency's finance and strategic planning committees at a joint meeting May 17. Exceeding its debt capacity could lower utilities' credit ratings, which would mean "even higher rates for our customers," Gearhart told The Gazette. Utilities' goal is to be less than 56% debt funded. It's currently about 51% debt funded, he said. Gearhart said an additional utility charge not included in standard rates, called a rider, would allow utilities to fund Amara-related costs. Riders don't require long-term debt, allowing the agency to "preserve (its) debt borrowing capability" for work planned inside existing city boundaries, he said. The Amara rider would be in place for between five to 10 years, Gearhart estimated. This mechanism has never been in place for previous annexations and Utilities has typically funded annexation-related work by adjusting utilities base rates, he said. If the council approved using a rider, a city utilities presentation shows the average residential customer could pay $8.29 a month in Amara-related costs during the first year of the development's buildout. It is 3.37% more than the current average residential bill of just under $246 a month. Commercial customers could see their bills rise by about $96 a month for the first year, or 6.66%; and industrial users could pay nearly $4,000 more a month in the first year, an increase of 8.91%. The anticipated rates drop dramatically in the second year and fluctuate over the following 10 years, varying between 85 cents a month to $9.64 a month for residential customers, the Utilities presentation shows. If the council did not approve using a rider, Utilities would reprioritize or delay its planned capital projects and/or increase base rates, Gearhart said. "Delaying or reprioritizing planned projects puts our existing systems at risk of not being as reliable as our customers have come to expect. Additionally, projects to help our system grow inside the already existing city boundaries would have to be delayed or canceled. This could slow growth in some existing areas of the city," he said. Ruebenson said Colorado Springs will continue developing, even if not in Amara, and costs and impact on the utility's debt will be similar. "It's a logical extension that this same debt capacity issue is still going to exist ... whether Amara is there or not. To imply that Amara is the cause of the debt capacity issues is probably not a fair representation of what's happening," he said. Capital projects that will allow Colorado Springs to meet new Colorado energy requirements couldn't be delayed and must happen on strict timelines dictated by the state, regardless of whether the Amara annexation was approved, utilities spokesman Steve Berry said. "Otherwise, we'd be in violation of regulatory standards. ... This is stuff we'd have to figure out how to get done," Berry said. Margaret Radford, a former Colorado Springs councilwoman who served from 2001 to 2009 and was part of the Utilities board that approved construction of the Southern Delivery System, said she's worried by Gearhart's projections related to Amara. "It's either our ratepayers subsidize a single development up front, or if the city doesn't permit (Utilities) to do the rider, then the existing city either loses some projects that it needs to have done, or we go into more debt that threatens our bond rating," she said. Former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, who has always opposed the Amara development since it was proposed in his final term from 2019 to 2023, said the distance of the planned Amara development from Colorado Springs necessitates the large utilities costs. A developer presentation shows the property is about half a mile away from current Colorado Springs boundaries where it is proposed to be annexed along Bradley Road. It is approximately 1.7 miles away from city boundaries at the northern point of where it would be annexed just south of Mesa Ridge Parkway. "The average ratepayer in the city of Colorado Springs should not have to bear such a huge part of that cost," Suthers said. "It's unfair." Ratepayers across the city help pay for needed utilities infrastructure and improvements, whether or not they will immediately or directly benefit from it, developers and others said. The Southern Delivery System that pumps water from Pueblo to Colorado Springs and other Pikes Peak area communities is one example, Councilman Brian Risley said. "Ratepayers paid for (the pipeline) knowing that not only would it benefit current users, but future users as well," he said. Current ratepayers contribute to infrastructure upgrades Colorado Springs Utilities needs to make to meet regulatory requirements and increase service reliability unrelated to annexations, La Plata President and Chief Executive Officer Doug Quimby said. "Everybody's paying fairly for the cost of maintaining the system to serve the whole city. To suggest that one area is subsidizing another area is just incorrect," he said. More than 38 years after the space shuttle Challenger explosion, a new book explores the events leading up to the 1986 disaster and examines the complicated history of the countrys space program. On Wednesday, Adam Higginbotham, author of Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, will discuss his book during a virtual talk hosted by the Dearborn Public Library. In an interview with the Free Press, Higginbotham said the book tells the story of the Challenger in its full context showing how challenging it had been to create the shuttle, the phenomenon the space shuttle program had been in popular culture and the impact the accident had, not only on the families of the crew but also American society as a whole. The core of the story, he said, "is about the gulf that there was between what the engineers and astronauts who worked at NASA understood to be the risks of space flight and the way that the public perceived it." When the Challenger launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 28, 1986, it was the 25th mission for the space shuttle program and had garnered much media attention because a schoolteacher was selected to be part of the crew. Just over a minute into the flight, the shuttle exploded, killing all seven crew members. U.S. space shuttle Challenger lifts off Jan. 28, 1986, from a launchpad at Kennedy Space Center, 72 seconds before its explosion, killing its crew of seven. At the time of the event, Higginbotham said he was 17 and living in Wells, England. He had returned home in the evening after being out with friends and his mother told him what she had heard on the news. "I still remember ... how hard I found it to comprehend what had happened," he said. Higginbotham said that growing up, he was interested in the space program and "was completely convinced that NASA was this almost faultless organization of geniuses that could achieve the practically impossible on a regular basis." Dan Lodge, a librarian at the Dearborn Public Library who will lead the hourlong discussion with Higginbotham, said he was struck by the book's thoroughness, including the detailed recollections of people the author interviewed. There are a lot of family memories, and I was just amazed at how he was able to get them, he said. Lodge said he can remember exactly where he was when the disaster happened: working at the University of Michigan undergraduate library, putting books on a shelf, when he heard news of the catastrophe on the radio. At the time, he said, he was an undergraduate student at the university. Higginbotham's book details other tragedies before and after the Challenger explosion, including the 1967 deaths of three astronauts in a launchpad fire during a test ahead of the first crewed flight of the Apollo mission and the 2003 deaths of seven astronauts aboard the Columbia shuttle as it reentered the atmosphere. An investigation into the Columbia shuttle incident, Higginbotham's book points out, found that many lessons from the Challenger disaster had gone unheeded. A common theme running through the accidents "is hubris and complacency," Higginbotham said. "Success breeding overconfidence that's really what it boils down to." Higginbotham, who also authored the book "Midnight in Chernobyl" about the 1986 nuclear power plant accident, said the obvious lesson that can be drawn from tragedies like the Challenger explosion, the sinking of the Titanic and the Chernobyl disaster "is one of mankind's overconfidence in the promise of technology." The talk with Higginbotham will be held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The public can attend the event online over Zoom or in person at the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn, where the virtual discussion will be shown on the screen in the auditorium. The event is free to the public, but attendees must register online at dearbornlibrary.org or by calling 313-943-2330. Kristi Tanner is a data reporter. Contact her at ktanner@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @midatalove. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Author Adam Higginbotham's talk on Challenger disaster: How to attend Democrats wanted an agreement on using artificial intelligence. It went nowhere WASHINGTON (AP) The Democratic National Committee was watching earlier this year as campaigns nationwide were experimenting with artificial intelligence. So the organization approached a handful of influential party campaign committees with a request: Sign onto guidelines that would commit them to use the technology in a responsible way. The draft agreement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, was hardly full of revolutionary ideas. It asked campaigns to check work by AI tools, protect against biases and avoid using AI to create misleading content. Our goal is to use this new technology both effectively and ethically, and in a way that advances rather than undermines the values that we espouse in our campaigns, the draft said. The plan went nowhere. Instead of fostering an agreement, the guidelines sparked a debate about the value of such pledges, particularly those governing fast-evolving technology. Among the concerns expressed by the Democratic campaign organizations: Such a pledge might hamstring their ability to deploy AI and could turn off donors with ties to the AI industry. Some committee officials were also irked that the DNC gave them only a few days to agree to the guidelines. The proposals demise highlighted internal divisions over campaign tactics and the partys uncertainty over how to best utilize AI amid warnings from experts that the technology is supercharging the proliferation of disinformation. Hannah Muldavin, a senior spokesperson at the Democratic National Committee, said the group is not giving up on finding a consensus. The DNC, she said, will continue to engage with our sister committees to discuss ideas and issues important to Democratic campaigns and to American voters, including AI. Its not uncommon for ideas and plans to shift, especially in the midst of a busy election year, and any documents on this subject reflect early and ongoing conversations, Muldavin said, adding the DNC and our partners take seriously the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. The wrangling comes as campaigns have increasingly deployed artificial intelligence computer systems, software or processes that emulate aspects of human work and cognition to optimize workloads. That includes using large language models to write fundraising emails, text supporters and build chatbots to answer voters questions. That trend is expected to continue as Novembers general election approaches, with campaigns turning to supercharged generative AI tools to create text and images, as well as clone human voices and create video at lightning speeds. The Republican National Committee used AI-generated images in a television spot last year predicting a dystopian future under President Joe Biden. Much of that adoption, however, has been overshadowed by concerns about how campaigns could use artificial intelligence in ways that trick voters. Experts have warned that AI has become so powerful that it has made it easy to generate deep fake videos, audio snippets and other media targeting opposing candidates. Some states have passed legislation regulating the way generative artificial intelligence can be used. But Congress has so far failed to pass any bills regulating artificial intelligence on the federal level. In the absence of regulation, the DNC sought a set of guidelines it could point to as evidence the party was taking seriously the threat and promise of AI. It sent the proposal in March to the five Democratic campaign committees that seek to elect House, Senate, gubernatorial, state legislative and state attorneys general candidates to office, according to the draft agreement. The goal was to have each committee agree to a slate of AI guardrails and the DNC proposed issuing a joint statement proclaiming such guidelines would ensure that campaigns could use "the tools they need to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, while empowering campaigns to safely, responsibly use generative AI to engage more Americans in our democracy. The Democratic committee had hoped the statement would be signed by Chair Jaime Harrison and the leaders of the other organizations. Democratic operatives said the proposal landed with a thud. Some senior leaders at the committees worried that the agreement might have unforeseen consequences, perhaps constricting how campaigns use AI, according to multiple Democratic operatives familiar with the outreach. And it might send the wrong message to technology companies and executives who work on AI, many of whom help fill campaign coffers during election years. Some of the Democratic Partys most prolific donors are top tech entrepreneurs and AI evangelists, including Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, and Eric Schmidt, the former CEO of Google. Altman has donated over $200,000 to the Biden campaign and his aligned Democratic joint fundraising committee since the start of last year, according to data from the Federal Election Commission, and Schmidts contributions to those groups have topped $500,000 over the same time. Two other AI proponents, Dustin Moskovitz, the co-founder of Facebook, and Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, donated more than $900,000 to Bidens joint fundraising committee this cycle, according to the same data. The DNC plan caught the committees off guard because it came with little explanation, other than a desire to get each committee to agree to the list of best practices within a few days, said multiple Democratic operatives who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter. Aides to the Democratic Congressional Campaign and Democratic Senatorial Campaign committees said they felt rushed by a DNC timeline that urged them to sign quickly. Representatives from the Democratic Attorneys General Association did not respond to the Associated Press request for comment. Spokesmen from the Democratic Governors Association and Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee declined to comment. The Republican National Committee did not respond to questions about its AI guidelines. The Biden campaign also declined to comment when asked about the DNC effort. The four-page agreement Guidelines on Responsible Use of Generative AI in Campaigns covered everything from ensuring that artificial intelligence systems were not trusted without a human checking its work to notifying voters when they are interacting with AI-generated content or systems. As the explosive rise of generative AI transforms every corner of public life including political campaigns its more important than ever that we limit this new technologys potential threat to voters rights, and instead leverage it to build innovative, efficient campaigns and a stronger, more inclusive democracy," the proposal said. The guidelines were divided into five sections that included titles such as Offering Human Alternatives, Consideration and Fallback and Providing Notice and Explanation. The proposed rules would have required the committees to ensure a real person should be responsible for approving AI-generated content and be accountable for how, where, and to whom it is deployed. The directive outlined how users should always be aware when they are interacting with an AI bot and stressed that any images or video created by AI should be flagged as such. And it stressed that campaigns should use AI to assist staffers, not replace them. Campaigns are a human-driven and human motivated business, read the agreement. Use efficiency gains to teach more voters and focus more on quality control and sustainability. It also urged campaigns not to use generative AI to create misleading content. Period. ___ This story is part of an Associated Press series, The AI Campaign, exploring the influence of artificial intelligence in the 2024 election cycle. ___ The Associated Press receives financial assistance from the Omidyar Network to support coverage of artificial intelligence and its impact on society. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org ____ The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the APs text archives. The Sumter County Sheriffs Office said a 16-year-old was taken into custody after being accused of killing a teen and injuring an adult on Saturday near Wildwood. Deputies said they responded to a stabbing call around 10 p.m. at 6611 County Road 148. Deputies said upon arrival, they discovered two victims from a stabbing, one adult and one teen. The sheriffs office said that the incident happened during a sleepover that 15-year-old Connor Gill was having. Read: Police: Jacksonville woman arrested for carjacking an elderly couple in Volusia County The suspect, Alexander Hernandez, known to Gill, arrived unannounced and banged on the door; the victim went to unlock the door when the suspect entered the home, investigators said. Detectives said upon entry of the victims home, the suspect stabbed the victim and threatened a third victim. The adult victim came to inspect what was happening and was also stabbed by the suspect. The sheriffs office said both stabbing victims were rendered aid by emergency medical services at the scene and later airlifted to local hospitals for further assistance. Read: Long lines at Mexican Consulate ahead historic presidential election Detectives said while conducting an investigation, they learned that Hernandez was identified as the suspect and had fled on foot. A short time later, Hernandez was taken into custody with help from the sheriffs officer helicopter, deputies said. Deputies said the 14-year-old victim was pronounced dead at 1:19 a.m., and the adult victim is still in the hospital receiving treatment for his injuries. Read: Police: Person dies after a Marion County crash Hernandez was taken to Sumter County Jail and was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill. Deputies said both children had withdrawn from Sumter County Schools and were being homeschooled. The sheriffs office said the investigation remains active and ongoing, additional charges on the suspect are still being investigated. Read: Where brush fires are being reported in Central Florida Investigators said if anyone has information related to this case, contact the Sumter County Sheriffs Office at 352-793-2621. To remain anonymous contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477 Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies are asking the public for help finding a missing Cedar Springs teenager. Penelope Penny Wise, 17, was last seen on Friday around 6 p.m. walking away from her house. The sheriffs office said she hasnt been in contact with her family since, and her family is concerned because she has struggled with her mental health in the past. She is described as 5 feet tall, 120 pounds, with blonde hair and braces. She was last seen wearing a flannel shirt with jeans or shorts. Anyone with information is asked to call the Kent County Sheriffs Department at 616.632.6100 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The front page of the Deseret News on June 2, 1953, with a headline about Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay becoming the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On June 2, 1953, Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at age 27 during a ceremony in Londons Westminster Abbey, 16 months after the death of her father, King George VI. And headlines in newspapers around the world noted the event. The queen shared top billing, though, with a couple of adventurers, as it was announced that Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensing Norgay of Nepal had become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest. More on the Queen Elizabeth II later, but the first ascent of Mount Everest gets its day in the spotlight and in the archives. Because Hillary was subject to the crown, the announced summit was said to have added luster to the festivities. One of the young queens first official acts was to knight him for his feat. Sherpa Tensing Norgay who died in Indian city of Darjeeling aged 72, is pictured, with Sir Edmund Hillary, on May 9, 1986, after their successful attempt to climb Everest. | Associated Press KATMANDU, NEPAL The British Union Jack waved Tuesday where man never had set foot before atop 29,002-foot Mount Everest, the news report read. Hillary and Norgay, his Sherpa guide, had reached the summit on Friday, May 29, and had planted the British flag. The support expedition, on receiving a signal from the pair that all was well, dispatched a runner to Katmandu to relay the word to the world. It took three days for the runner to get the word to the queen. Hillary went on to summit numerous other peaks and complete a variety of expedition. In later years, he said he was more proud of his decades-long campaign to set up schools and health clinics in Nepal, the homeland of Norgay, the mountain guide with whom he stood arm in arm on the summit. Hillary wrote of the pairs final steps to the top of the world: Another few weary steps and there was nothing above us but the sky. There was no false cornice, no final pinnacle. We were standing together on the summit. There was enough space for about six people. We had conquered Everest. Awe, wonder, humility, pride, exaltation these surely ought to be the confused emotions of the first men to stand on the highest peak on Earth, after so many others had failed, Hillary noted. There are even reports that Hillary and his family visited Utah several times, and hiked in the High Uintas. Lynn Arave: When Sir Edmund Hillary of Mount Everest fame hiked the High Uintas twice, and more mountain tales More on Hillary: Everests Sir Edmund Hillary dies Everest conqueror mourned in Utah Utahns on Everest expedition looking for evidence of a summit 29 years before Sir Edmund Hillary Hillary recalls moments standing on top of world A final note: On this day in 2022, Queen Elizabeth II drew wild cheers from a crowd of tens of thousands as she carefully stepped on to the Buckingham Palace balcony at the start of four days of celebrations of her 70 years on the throne. Her reign in Britain would end with her death three months later. Tonight, as we readied for bed, my wife of 33 years came from her wardrobe with a jeweled necklace and two diamond earrings. She smiled sweetly and asked, Remember when you bought me these our first year of marriage? holding them up to her ears. My eyes welled with tears. I shook my head. No. Please tell me the story. I want to remember. She sat on the edge of our bed, her eyes now tearing up. Oh darling, I didnt mean for you to feel bad, she said. I love this story, how you wanted me to have them. She described how I gave them to her when we were on a shoestring budget as newlyweds. I want to remember, I said again, wiping my eyes. I dont want to lose all these memories. We cried together and held each other, the consolation of a marriage of love in our middle ages. My wife has been through her medical problems too, so she doesnt allow me to feel too sorry for myself for very long, which is a good thing. My memory problems began in 2022, but didnt become pronounced or even apparent to me until 2023 while seeing patients. I finished medical training in 1997, and Ive taken care of hundreds of patients with dementia over the following years. But when your doctor begins repeating questions hes already asked, it doesnt make a patient feel very confident. Thats when I needed to get medical help for myself brain scans, a spinal tap, neurology appointments. I met with Jeff Burns, the neurologist at the University of Kansas Health System who told me I had Alzheimers disease. Id sent many patients over the years to the Alzheimers Association, the largest private, nonprofit funder of Alzheimers research, so, naturally, I wound up at that organizations doorstep when I began my personal journey. Its a great community treasure for information, advocacy and help. I was 57 years old when I was diagnosed. Forward to 2024. Today, I check in at the infusion center where I receive my treatments. My nurse for the morning calls the pharmacy to conjure up the medicine that tries to keep Alzheimers disease at bay. Then, she chooses a vein on the back of my hand to insert the needle. Its a dull sting. I receive my infusions every two weeks, so the nurses are starting to learn who I am the retired doctor. My infusion bag arrives a clear liquid, like water. But, unlike water, each bag costs $1,019. Thats $26,500 per year a bit more expensive than water. I suspect infusion centers around the metropolitan area are working to figure out how to get these infusions for all kinds of diseases mixed quickly in a convenient outpatient arena where patients will feel comfortable, each room with its own television and lounge chair. The infusion takes an hour, and then I wait around for 30 minutes to ensure I have no side effects. Every few months I also receive an MRI to ensure there are no microhemorrhages in my brain one of the potential complications as the infusion pulls out the abnormal Alzheimer proteins. The following morning, I head out to buy groceries and supplies. Im the house husband, chief cook and bottle washer. When the weathers nice, I ride my bicycle to my grandsons home staying in shape and seeing people I love. I call my old mentor in Baltimore who regales me with his latest poems. I play piano and guitar, striving to keep on the beat with my internal metronome. I look healthy and I sound healthy, but my brain tires easily. I forget things. I set reminders on my phone to remember this and that. Some days, I want to cry about my loss. But I am so fortunate to have my wife, grown children and my friends to help me along, to stay on task, stay positive and stay engaged. June is Alzheimers and Brain Awareness Month. The Alzheimers Associations message is, Take charge of your brain health. I couldnt agree more. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimers, we know more than ever about brain health, risk reduction and ways to live well with the disease. That is what I am trying to do live well with the disease. If you are like me, navigating Alzheimers, or have a loved one in your family who is, contact the Alzheimers Association at alz.org or call their 24-7 helpline at 800-272-3900. Brent W. Beasley is a retired physician. He lives in Kansas City, Missouri. The Illinois General Assemblys spring legislative session ended in last-minute drama as Democrats barely eked out enough votes to pass a package of tax hikes that mostly affect gambling operations and corporations. But lawmakers in the final days also sent a number of other bills to Gov. J.B. Pritzker that will directly affect the states residents and communities. And, during the course of the four-month session they approved some less significant measures, among them a bill designating Calvatia Gigantea, colloquially known as the Giant Puffball, as the state mushroom. Heres are some of the bills heading to the governors desk: Mobile state IDs Residents would be able to keep digitial versions of their drivers licenses and other state IDs in their cellphones under legislation pushed by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Whether its offering more services online, reducing wait times at DMVs or introducing products like digital drivers licenses, we want to leverage new secure technology to better serve our customers, Giannoulias said in an interview shortly before the Senate passed the measure in a 58-0 vote last week. It also passed in the House without any opposition. Eligibility for a mobile identification card would be the same as for the physical credential and would most likely be accessible through an app, Giannoulias said. According to the bill, it would cost consumers no more than $6 to purchase the app needed to display the digital license or ID on their phone. While the mobile ID would be acceptable in most situations, the legislation requires a person to show law enforcement the physical copy of their drivers license or regular ID upon request. Opposition was voiced by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, which raised privacy and security concerns. ACLU spokesman Ed Yohnka said the bill fails to provide protection from deeper phone searches by law enforcement. We would have liked some additional specific statutory language that would create a consequence if law enforcement used the mobile ID as a pretext to access someones phone, in violation of the usual protections around unlawful search and seizure, Yohnka said. Yohnka said other concerns include potential discrimination by businesses over customer use of one form of ID over the other and the potential safety concerns over collection and storage of the mobile ID information. Giannoulias stressed that having a mobile ID will remain a choice for residents and said that the option could actually bring additional privacy because people could choose to provide those checking the ID only the information necessary to their transaction. Digital IDs offer privacy control options that allow people to verify their age when legally purchasing alcohol, cannabis or renting a car, and it also allows us to do this while hiding other personal information like their address if they wish, Giannoulias said. If Pritzker signs the bill, Giannoulias office will need to work out more details about how his office will implement and enforce mobile IDs. The secretary said he doesnt have a timeline for when they will become available to the public. We know that people in Illinois want this, Giannoulias said. Local journalism protections Lawmakers attempted to give local journalism a boost with a measure that would not allow a local news organization to be sold without 120 days notice to employees and their representatives, the state Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the county government in which the outlet is located and any in-state nonprofit organization in the business of buying local news organizations. Whats happening is big conglomerates are buying up small local news media and whats happening is theyre shipping their own news in, theyre not covering local news, Rep. Dave Vella, a Rockford Democrat and the bills main House sponsor, said during floor debate. And because local news is not being covered, people just dont understand whats going on in their communities. So, what this will do is make sure that any big corporation that tries to buy a local news media, at least we give notice to everybody. Opposing the bill, Republican Rep. Amy Elik said that as a certified public accountant for 29 years who has dealt with the sales of companies, 120 days is a really long time for interested parties to contemplate the impact of the transaction, and could jeopardize its negotiations. At 120 days before the date of a sale, its not even soup yet. Lawyers are still going back and forth setting terms. The value might not even be known yet. I caution this body to accept this (provision) of this bill because I think the unintended consequence here is that 120 days notice is given, employees are going to start dropping off one by one, leaving (and potentially destroying) the value of that local newspaper and now that newspaper will not be able to be sold to anybody. The bill also calls for the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to provide journalism scholarships to students who will work at a local news outlet in Illinois for at least two years. Local news organizations are also likely to see tax credits, which were included as part of the larger budget package, over the next five years. A credit of $15,000 would be available for each journalist on a companys payroll and $25,000 for journalists hired for newly created roles. Any news organization with one full-time reporter would qualify, with the credits for a single news outlet capped at $150,000 per year, and at $250,000 for larger corporations. The number of journalists in Illinois has decreased 85% since 2005, according to a 2023 Northwestern University report, one of the biggest decreases in the nation. Erasing medical debt Lawmakers approved a key Pritzker initiative aimed at erasing as much as $1 billion in medical debt for more than 300,000 Illinois families. It would follow a similar effort launched in Cook County that was on track to wipe out medical bills for around 73,000 residents as of last year. Many walk away with unexpected pain after receiving medical care, Pritzker said at an event promoting the initiative in April. Not only the emotional, physical toll of the crisis theyve been through, but a serious financial toll, too. The state legislation would partner with the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to spend $10 million on buying up and erasing the debt. Medical debt disproportionately affects people of color, Department of Healthcare and Family Services Director Lizzie Whitehorn said at the April event. It can also lead people to reconsider future medical care, she said. However, a study released earlier this year in partnership with the same debt relief nonprofit formerly known as RIP Medical Debt found that wiping medical debt did not improve recipients financial distress or mental health. Pritzker said he was aware of the study but noted it was conducted from 2018 to 2020, and said the organization has changed significantly since then. Artificial intelligence Bills spearheaded by Democratic Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz would protect artists and others in creative fields from unauthorized digital replicas, in line with the national conversation about artificial intelligence in pop culture. One measure heading to the governor would largely ban unauthorized digital replicas produced through AI. It passed in both chambers without opposition following a debate during which lawmakers made references to actress Scarlett Johansson and hip hop stars Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Does this mean Kendrick Lamar could be sued for putting a digitally created version imitating Drake on his song as the two go back and forth talking trash? Republican Rep. Dan Ugaste of Geneva asked during floor debate, an apparent reference to Drakes controversial use of AI in the recent feud between the two artists. Gong-Gershowitz of Glenview said shed need more facts on the hypothetical situation to determine if it violated the law, but that the bill includes exceptions for parody, satire and criticism. The bill is intended to protect artists from misuse while still allowing sufficient exemptions to ensure that appropriate creative use is not stifled, she said. Its also meant in part to prevent situations such as OpenAIs recent use of an AI voice that many including the actress herself thought sounded very similar to Johansson, Gong-Gershowitz said. (OpenAI has said the voice was based off a different actress and put its rollout on pause.) The Glenview legislator noted Johansson issued a letter after the incident calling for legislation to protect individuals from AI replicas. Thats exactly what were doing today, and Im really proud that Illinois is leading on this front, Gong-Gershowitz said. Help for those with limited English State agencies would be required to make sure Illinois residents who speak limited English are able to more smoothly access state government services in their native languages under another bill heading to Pritzkers desk. The Language Equity and Access Act would create a language access policy to be carried out by the governors Office of New Americans and other agencies such as the Illinois Department of Human Services. The legislation was inspired, in part, by the difficulties many Asian-Americans have experienced while trying to access state services such as applying for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Grace Pai, executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago. Pai said that government agencies receiving federal funding are required to help limited English speakers with translation in various languages, but that requirement is not strongly enforced and not all state agencies are federally funded. So the legislation is a way of making sure theres a standard requirement for all state agencies to provide translation or interpretation for the public, if necessary, Pai said. There are dozens and dozens of languages spoken in Illinois and people who may feel comfortable going to the grocery store and speaking English or navigating day to day life in English, that doesnt mean that they can navigate complicated forms or application processes in English, or navigate state services, which can be complicated, Pai said. The bill would require the head of the Office of New Americans to work with state agencies to come up with language access plans, and the measure would also use U.S. census data to determine how many Illinois residents speak limited English but regularly use state services. According to the legislation, a state agencys language access plan would be determined by factors that include the number of limited English speakers who use state services, the frequency in which speakers use these services, the importance of these services and the agencys available resources. The bill also requires translation services of vital documents be made available for groups of limited English speakers. The measure would go into effect with the governors signature, after which the Office of New Americans would have until July 1, 2025 to prepare and submit its first report. Abortion protections The federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act is being challenged in the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices will review whether it is being applied incorrectly when it comes to abortion. The law bars hospitals from transferring or turning away poor patients before they are stabilized, but it is interpreted by some as a protection for doctors who perform abortions on women experiencing a medical emergency. In an effort to increase Illinois already robust protections of abortion rights, lawmakers approved a measure that would in effect provide a state equivalent of the federal law in the event that the high court rules it cant be applied to abortion procedures, according to Democratic Rep. Dagmara Avelar of Bolingbrook, the bills main House sponsor. The bill sparked some tense debate on the House floor. Rep. William Hauter, a Republican from Morton who is also an anesthesiologist, said hes never heard of a case where an abortion was necessary to stabilize a patient. What we have here is confusion from clarity. This is what happens when lawyers try to practice medicine, Hauter said. We are changing decades of guidance and long, clear interpretation of EMTALA that always emphasized reasonable medical judgment, focusing the medical efforts on stabilizing the mother and her unborn. This bill adds conditions, confusion. Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, a Democrat from Villa Park, who noted that she is a lawyer, sought to refute Hauters argument. Just because it hasnt happened in your presence or in your practice does not mean that it does not happen, she said. I practiced law for 30 years. I have not seen everything because thats just not how life works. The bill passed along party lines in the House and Senate and now heads to the governor, who has made abortion rights one of his focal points in supporting President Joe Bidens bid for reelection. 2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Worth a Mint Talk about buried treasure. A Colorado dinosaur hunter is set to rake in millions of dollars after finding an almost complete 150-million-year-old stegosaurus skeleton. The fossil is set to go on auction at Sotheby's this summer, CNN reports, but some dino scholars are grumbling that such a unique find should instead be displayed in a museum. "It is a great shame when a fossil like this, which could educate and rouse the curiosity of so many people, just disappears into the mansion of an oligarch," University of Edinburgh professor of paleontology and evolution Steve Brusatte told CNN. Bone Yard If a paleontologist finds a dinosaur on government-owned land, it belongs to the public first, under US law. If it's found on private land, however, all bets are off, depending on the jurisdiction. In the case of the stegosaurus, nicknamed "Apex," dinosaur hunter Jason Cooper found the skeleton on his private property in Colorado on his 45th birthday in May 2022, according to the BBC. The skeleton is estimated to fetch as much as $6 million at auction. The stegosaurus is not the only dinosaur skeleton that has attracted eyeballs and bags of money. In 2020, rival auction house Christie's put the worlds most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton to bid, garnering an eye-watering and record-setting $31.8 million. Like Apex, paleontologists in academia grumbled about losing out the opportunity to see the T-rex skeleton in a research setting and were dismayed it would instead go into a private collection. Thankfully, The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi has claimed the skeleton and will display it to the public as part of a new museum slated to open in 2025. More on dinosaurs: Awesome Website Lets You See What Dinosaurs Lived Near Your House A Delaware teen who had been missing for several days was found safe in Colorado Springs, according to a Sunday news release. Joselyn Gonzalez, 17, reportedly left Delaware on Wednesday, possibly with a former boyfriend, police said. It is not known whether Gonzalez left home voluntarily. On Friday, the teen spoke on the phone with Georgetown, Del., police. She is believed to have been in Colorado Springs, near Walmart on 3201 E. Platte Ave., at the time of the call. Gonzalez has been in contact with her family in Delaware, police said. No description of the former boyfriend was given. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced a new print and digital awareness campaign to commemorate the centennial. The ads will launch today and run through the end of the month, and will reach Native communities in Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, and Wisconsin through a digital campaign and through print ads in local and national Native-owned publications. While the ads commemorate this important centennial, they also highlight the barriers to the ballot box that continue to persist for Native Americans. They highlight the critical work of Native communities, in partnership with Democrats, to support tribal communities in fully exercising their right to vote ahead of the critical 2024l election cycle. As part of the awareness campaign, the DNC will release and distribute civic engagement and voter protection guides in seven different Native languages; Apache, Ho-Chunk, Hopi, Navajo, Paiute, Shoshone, and Zuni. The guides highlight resources for registering to vote, casting a ballot, and addressing obstacles to voting. On the 100th anniversary of the enactment of the Indian Citizenship Act, we celebrate this historic milestone that granted citizenship to all members of federally recognized Tribal Nations, DNC Chair Jaime Harrison said. As we mark this centennial anniversary, we also recognize that even with the passage of the Citizenship Act, Native Americans were still barred from exercising their voting rights for at least another 40 years. One hundred years later, many Native Americans still face barriers to the ballot box its unacceptable. That is why we are releasing voter education guides to equip tribal communities, in the languages they speak, with the ability to get to the polls this November and make their voices heard in an election that will determine whether we re-elect Joe Biden who is fighting for equal rights, opportunity, and investments in Native communities or if we risk another four years of Trump and his attacks on Native communities rights. As the first and original peoples of this land we have had only a century of recognized citizenship and we continue to face systematic barriers when exercising the fundamental and hard-fought-for right to vote, DNC Native Caucus Chair Clara Pratte said. We need to bring awareness. We must support and invest in culturally relevant resources, such as the translated voting guides which can help ease the gap in participation, but we also need everyone to encourage their relatives and friends to check their voter registration status or register to vote. Indigenous voters are a crucial part of our democracy." In 2021, President Biden signed an executive order directing the federal government to provide nonpartisan election-related information and opportunities for engagement to Native communities, and establishing the Interagency Steering Group on Native American Voting Rights. The following year, the Biden-Harris administration released a report by the Interagency Steering Group that found there is still much work to be done and presented best practices and recommendations to mitigate and eliminate the barriers Native voters encounter. At the direction of President Biden, the Interior Departments two post-secondary schools, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and Haskell Indian Nations University, and two of the Health and Human Services Departments Indian Health Service sites, located in Phoenix, Arizona and Santa Fe, New Mexico, became federally designated voter registration sites under the 30-year-old National Voter Registration Act. About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net Donald Trump Is Banned from 37 Countries as Convicted Felon, Including Major Allies Like Canada and U.K. If elected president again, Trump would need special permission to enter several key countries for maintaining foreign relations AP Photo/Alex Brandon Donald Trump steps off his plane on Aug. 3, 2023, en route to face a judge on federal election subversion charges Donald Trump may face travel restrictions with his newfound felon status, potentially complicating his presidency if he were to win another term in office. Thirty-eight nations, counting the United States, bar felons from entry, according to World Population Review. Those bans stand regardless of whether someone is allowed to retain their passport after conviction. Countries that turn felons away include several of the United States' strongest allies, like the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada the final of which will host the G7 summit of world leaders in 2025. The list also includes a number of nations at the center of pressing foreign policy issues, such as China, Israel and Mexico. Related: Can Donald Trump Vote for Himself? Heres What Florida Law Says About Felons AP Photo/Alex Brandon International governments can, and in some cases would, choose to make an exception for Trump if he requested special permission as president to make a visit. George W. Bush, who was arrested for drunk driving in the 1970s, ran into issues with Canadian travel restrictions during his presidency while planning an official state visit and, after applying for a special waiver, he was ultimately allowed to enter. Win McNamee/Getty Donald Trump leaves the Manhattan criminal courthouse on May 7, 2024, after a day on trial In Bush's case, which still proved tedious, the circumstances were a bit different: the crime happened decades earlier, was only categorized as a misdemeanor and was never tried in a court of law (Bush admitted to driving under the influence upon arrest and got off with a fine and temporary license suspension). It's hard to say whether Trump's new 34 felony convictions would be dealt with in a similar manner. Countries That Deny Entry to Felons Argentina Australia Brazil Cambodia Canada Chile China Cuba Dominican Republic Egypt Ethiopia Hong Kong India Indonesia Iran Ireland Israel Japan Kenya Macau Malaysia Mexico Morocco Nepal New Zealand Peru Philippines Singapore South Africa South Korea Taiwan Tanzania Tunisia Turkey Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States If Trump were elected to another term in the White House and chose to apply for special travel waivers, the irony would not go unnoticed. The former president has often characterized foreigners as "criminals," and has campaigned on a promise to tighten U.S. travel restrictions, which would include shutting down the border and instating travel bans on people of certain nationalities and ideologies. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Former President Donald Trump is now a convicted felon after he was found guilty of all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The 77-year-old was on trial related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. On Thursday, May 30, 2024, the jury read the historical guilty verdict, making Trump the first President to be a convicted felon. Following the guilty verdict, former President Donald Trump has been banned from visiting 37 countries. Jury Reads Historical Guilty Verdict MEGA Following two days of deliberation, a New York jury reached a verdict, finding Trump guilty on all 34 charges linked to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The prosecution concluded that Daniels received the payment as "hush money" in relation to a 2006 encounter with Trump to influence the results of the 2016 election. His sentencing is scheduled for July 11, just days before Republicans are set to pick Trump as the 2024 nominee. With Donald Trump found guilty on all charges in his Manhattan hush money trial, he still faces criminal charges in three other cases, including two for allegedly attempting to illegally overturn the 2020 election he lost to President Joe Biden. Donald Trump Can No Longer Visit Nearly 40 Countries MEGA According to World Population Review, Donald Trump is banned from visiting thirty-eight nations as a convicted felon. To visit another country, one must obtain a visa. Some countries do not allow people with felony criminal records to obtain a visa, so they cannot visit. Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, India, Iran, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Macau, New Zealand, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States are the countries that don't allow convicted felons to enter. The countries that will deny entry if its discovered you are a convicted felon are Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, and United Arab Emirates. Some countries do not routinely check criminal records at the border, but they can deny entry if they find out an individual is a convicted felon. In addition to travel restrictions, the 77-year-old may also be banned from owning a gun, but he can still run for President. The Former President Breaks Silence On Guilty Verdict MEGA Moments after the verdict was read, Donald Trump spoke to the press outside the courthouse, claiming the "whole country is being rigged right now." "We are a nation in decline, serious decline of people pouring into our country right now. From prisons and from mental institutions. Terrorists and they're taking over our country," the former President added. "We have a country that's in big trouble, but this was a rigged decision right from day one. With a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case never. And we will fight for our constitution." The 77-year-old faces a fine of up to $5,000 and up to four years in prison for each of the 34 felony counts he was convicted of. He has since stated he will be appealing. 'Biden Administration' Blamed For Conviction MEGA Donald Trump then blamed the Biden administration. "A political opponent and I think it's just a disgrace, and we'll keep fighting, we'll fight till the end, and we'll win because our country has gone to hell. We don't have the same country anymore, we have a divided mess," he added. Shortly thereafter, Biden-Harris Communications Director Michael Tyler released a statement. "In New York today, we saw that no one is above the law." "Donald Trump has always mistakenly believed he would never face consequences for breaking the law for his own personal gain," he added. "But today's verdict does not change the fact that the American people face a simple reality. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Convicted felon or not, Trump will be the Republican nominee for President." Donald Trump Attends UFC 302 MEGA Two days after becoming a convicted felon, Donald Trump attended UFC 302, which took place at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Trump has attended multiple UFC events in the past as he is close friends with UFC President Dana White. Ive been friends with this guy for 20 years, and when he shows up to the fights The guy is a fight fan. Hes been a fight fan, White said of Trump in February. When the former President stepped into the building, he was welcomed by fans and celebrities. "There is no denying it. He is The Peoples Champion," one X user shared after seeing Trump at UFC 302. "Like a boss," another said. Joe Rogan was also seen fist-bumping the 77-year-old after he arrived. Donald Trump Joins TikTok, App He Had Tried to Ban as President Citing Credible Threat to U.S. National Security Donald Trump gained millions of followers on TikTok in the hours after launching an account on the short-form video app which, when he occupied the White House, he had threatened with a nationwide ban unless Chinese internet giant ByteDance sold control of TikTok to U.S.-based entities. Trumps first TikTok on @realdonaldtrump, posted late Saturday night (June 1), shows the ex-president greeting fans at the UFC 302 fight in Newark, N.J. The president is now on TikTok, UFC CEO Dana White says in the video. Its my honor, says Trump, who is running again for U.S. president in 2024 against President Biden. More from Variety About 13 hours after Trumps TikTok account launched, it had attracted more than 2 million followers. As president, Trump was unsuccessful in attempts to force ByteDance to sell majority control in TikTok to U.S. owners. There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that ByteDance might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States, Trump said in an executive order issued in August 2020. Trumps launch on TikTok came two days after a New York jury found him guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records, making him the first former U.S. president to be a convicted felon. A spokesman for the Trump campaign said it will leave no front undefended and that the launch on TikTok represents the continued outreach to a younger audience consuming pro-Trump and anti-Biden content, per Reuters. Bidens re-election campaign launched an account on TikTok in February. That was just over two months before he signed a new measure into law that would force ByteDance to divest its stake in TikTok to an entity or entities not based in a country the U.S. designates a foreign adversary; if ByteDance doesnt, the distribution of TikTok would be outlawed as early as January 2025. TikTok has sued the U.S. over the law, arguing that it is unconstitutional on its face. The bill passed through Congress with solid bipartisan support. This March, Trump spoke out against a TikTok ban not for First Amendment reasons but because, according to the ex-president, such a move would benefit Mark Zuckerbergs Meta. If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business, he posted on Truth Social, calling Facebook a true Enemy of the People! Steve Bannon, the right-wing media personality and one-time Trump adviser, has accused the former president of flip-flopping in his stance toward banning TikTok because of billionaire investor and major GOP donor Jeff Yass, who reportedly owns a 15% stake in ByteDance and whose company was the biggest institutional shareholder of the special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) that merged with Trump Media & Technology Group, operator of the Truth Social platform. Trump has claimed that when he met with Yass they did not discuss TikTok. Pictured above: Donald Trump attends UFC 302 at Prudential Center on June 1 in Newark, N.J. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has joined TikTok. His first video, posted on Saturday night, shows him arriving at a UFC 302 fight. The move to TikTok comes despite Trump's previous attempts to ban the app as President in 2020. Trumps first TikTok video sees him join forces with UFC CEO Dana White. Joe Rogan, podcaster and UFC color commentator, was also in attendance at the fight, and was seen shaking hands with Trump. In the opening of the TikTok clip, Trump says its his honor to be on the social media platform. The video features a montage of crowd reactions to Trump's arrival, including a spectator taking a photo with the former President, who can be seen pointing and waving at fans. These videos are short slices, seemingly taken on a digital phone camera, with Kid Rocks song American Bad Ass, playing in the background. This is the same song that Trump walked out to when he entered the arena. Trump signs off the video clip by saying, That was a good walk on, right? The former President and current Republican frontrunner for renominations attendance at the UFC fight between Islam Makhachev and Dustin Poirier in Newark, New Jersey, and his arrival on TikTok comes days after he was found guilty in the historic hush-money trial. Read More: President Bidens Campaign Is on TikTok Trump was convicted of 34 charges related to activity around the 2016 election. He was accused of falsifying business records that showed hush-money payments to former porn actor Stormy Daniels. The guilty verdict results in the first-ever criminal conviction of a former U.S. President. Trumps upcoming sentencing is set for July 11. During his presidency, Trump tried to ban TikTok. He signed an executive order to ban the video platform unless it was acquired by an American company, alleging the Chinese government was using the video-sharing service to surveil millions of Americans. He said that apps owned by companies in China threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, in the executive order. Though the executive order never went into effect since it was shot down in federal court, Trump changed his tune earlier this year in March. President Biden signed into law in April a bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if the social media platforms China-based owner doesnt sell its stake within a year. However, Trump has said there could be some utility in keeping TikTok. Read More:Why Trump Flipped on TikTok Frankly, there are a lot of people on TikTok that love it, he told CNBC. There are a lot of young kids on TikTok who will go crazy without it. Many young voters utilize TikTok to receive their news, according to a recent Pew Research study, which found that one-third of American adults under 30 regularly scroll the app for news. According to the study, this number has grown substantially since 2020. In the 2020 elector, a major factor contributing to President Bidens victory over Trump was the youth vote. According to another study by the Pew Research Center, Biden voters were generally younger than Trump voters, with nearly half of Biden voters younger than 50, compared to 39% of Trump voters. Among all U.S. adults, the study shares that the number of those who regularly get news from TikTok has more than quadrupled, from 3% in 2020 to 14% in 2023. Contact us at letters@time.com. Former President Donald Trump has made another social media account days after being found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying court documents. As previously reported by The Blast, Trump faced trial over a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. On Thursday, May 30, 2024, the jury delivered a historic guilty verdict, making Trump the first President to be convicted of a felony. Three days after becoming a convicted felon, Donald Trump joined TikTok and gained over 2 million followers in 13 hours. Donald Trump Claims He Wanted To Testify In Hush Money Trial MEGA After the trial ended, former President Donald Trump claims he "would have testified," per NewsNation. The judge allowed them to go into everything I was ever involved innot this caseeverything I was ever involved in, which is a first. In other words, you could go into every single thing that I ever did [and ask], Was he a bad boy here? Was he a bad boy there? he continued, seeming to indicate that if they investigated further, they would have found more crimes. But you would have been, you would have said something out of whack, like, It was a beautiful sunny day, and it was actually raining out, Trump continued. 'We Have A Divided Mess' MEGA Donald Trump also told the press outside of the courthouse, "We dont have the same country anymore. We have a divided mess. Were a nation in decline, serious decline, millions and millions of people pouring into our country right now from prisons and from mental institutions, terrorists, and theyre taking over our country." "This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound, to hurt an opponent. A political opponent," the 77-year-old added. "And I think it's just a disgrace, and we'll keep fighting, we'll fight till the end, and we'll win because our country has gone to hell. We don't have the same country anymore, we have a divided mess." Donald Trump Attends UFC 302 After Becoming A Felon MEGA Former President Donald Trump attended UFC 302 on Saturday, June 1, 2024, two days after his guilty verdict was read in the New York trial. As previously reported by The Blast, the New York jury, consisting of seven men and six women from New York, reached a verdict after only two days of deliberation. He seemed unbothered by the guilty verdict as he went on with his life, meeting up with close friend and UFC CEO Dana White. As he walked out of Prudential Center in New Jersey, he was greeted with a standing ovation from fans. Shortly after he watched Islam Makhachev retain his title, Trump joined TikTok, sharing his experience at the event. This comes despite previously attempting to get the social media app banned. The Former President Joins TikTok MEGA Donald Trump posted his first TikTok video on his new account, @realdonaldtrump, late Saturday night. The video shows his introduction at UFC 302. The former President, who referred to himself as President Donald Trump in his TikTok profile, was seen greeting fans shortly after the UFC CEO announced, The president is now on TikTok." "Its my honor, Trump added. According to Variety, approximately 13 hours after creating a TikTok, he had gained over 2 million followers. "The Greatest President in the history of the United States," one of his new followers commented. "Fastest I've ever hit the follow button," another said. TikTokers Flood The Former President's New TikTok Video The video has received nearly 40 million views, over 91,000 comments, and 2.5 million likes. "President Trump gained 200k followers in 1 hour just about what a boss," one user wrote. "This is the most American thing Ive seen the whole year," another wrote, adding three American flag emojis. "I'm so ready!! Now Tiktok is gonna get fun!" a third said. Donald Trump Attempted To Ban TikTok MEGA This may shock some, as Donald Trump previously tried to ban the social media app, citing a "credible" threat to U.S. National Security. There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that ByteDance might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States, Trump said, per Variety, in an executive order issued in August 2020. At the time, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said, Today the President issued an order prohibiting the transaction that resulted in the acquisition of Musical.ly, now known as TikTok, by the Chinese company ByteDance." "CFIUS conducted an exhaustive review of the case and unanimously recommended this action to the President in order to protect U.S. users from exploitation of their personal data," he added. Donald Trump Pretends Like 'Lock Her Up' Was Never One Of His Rallying Cries Donald Trump says he never called for Hillary Clinton to be arrested, tried and jailed, despite publicly pleading to lock her up multiple times over the years. During an interview on Fox and Friends Weekend Edition on Sunday, the former president acted like he had nothing to do with the calls to imprison Clinton calls that were so common during his 2016 run for the Oval Office. You famously said, regarding Hillary Clinton, Lock her up. You declined to do that as president, Fox News co-host Will Cain said in an attempt to paint Trump as merciful. Having been found guilty on 34 felony counts by a jury of his peers himself last Thursday, Trump brazenly lied about chants aimed at his one-time political rival. I beat her, Trump said. Its easier when you win. They always said, Lock her up. And I could have done it, but I felt it would have been a terrible thing. And then this happened to me, so I may feel differently about it, he went on. I cant tell you, Im not sure I can answer the question. "I didn't say 'lock her up'" -- Trump, on Fox & Friends and facing possible jail time, tries to distance himself from the ubiquitous "lock her up" chants about Hillary Clinton at her rallies pic.twitter.com/r1YPIbOqkn Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 2, 2024 Shifting the blame to his supporters, Trump added, Hillary Clinton I didnt say, Lock her up, but the people would all say, Lock her up, lock her up. OK. Then we won, and I said pretty openly, Id say, Alright, come on, just relax. Lets go. We gotta make our country great. The Republicans claim was easy to debunk, however. He repeatedly invoked lock her up cries during his 2016 run for president and, at the time, even said he would appoint a special prosecutor to look into accusations Clinton improperly used a private email server during her time as Barack Obamas secretary of state. While Trump did soften his stance a bit after securing his 2016 presidential win, telling supporters they owe Clinton a major debt of gratitude for her service to our country, by 2020 he was back to his old schtick. Responding to chants of lock her up at a rally in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, that September, he told followers, I agree. Though Trump has now been convicted of nearly three dozen felonies, its still unclear if he will face any jail time for his crimes. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled the politicians sentencing for July 11, just four days ahead of the Republican National Convention. Related... Donald Trump sat ringside at UFC 302 on Saturday, two days after a Manhattan jury found him guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump became the first US president to be criminally convicted on Thursday (30 May), but said he would continue to fight the decision. He will have 30 days to do following his sentencing on 11 July. In the wake of the verdict, the former president attended UFC 302 in New Jersey, sitting ringside with UFC president Dana White not for the first time. Trump, 77, has attended numerous UFC events in recent years, including one as recently as March. The American entered the Prudential Center in Newark to the sound of cheers on Saturday (1 June), shaking hands with comedian Theo Von and fans while walking to his seat. Guided by White, a known supporter of Trump, the former president then shook hands with UFC commentators Joe Rogan and Jon Anik. Kevin Holland, after seemingly breaking Michal Oleksiejczuks arm to win their fight via submission, exited the cage and rushed to talk to Trump. The pair previously spoke at UFC 287 in April 2023, after Holland knocked out Santiago Ponzinibbio. Then, after the co-main event, former middleweight champion Sean Strickland posed for a photo with Trump, having outpointed Paulo Costa. President Trump, youre the man. Its a damn travesty what theyre doing to you, Strickland said afterwards, during his in-ring interview. Ill be donating to you. On Thursday, a jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records as part of an election conspiracy that involved covering up a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, whose story of an affair threatened to derail his 2016 presidential campaign. Donald Trump has suffered a significant decline in the polls 48 hours after receiving a guilty verdict in his New York hush money trial. Since the trial concluded, Trump's lead counsel, Todd Blanche, has disclosed that they plan to appeal the judgment "as soon as we can," amid speculations he may not be able to vote for himself because of the felony charge. With the historic guilty verdict, Donald Trump became the first U.S. ex-president to be convicted of a felony crime, seemingly leaving his 2024 hopes hanging on a thread. Donald Trump Takes Significant Hit At The Polls Due To Guilty Verdict MEGA Trump suffered a stunning series of setbacks in three separate polls within the space of 48 hours after he was declared guilty in his New York hush money trial. The former president had been on trial for falsifying business records to hide a $130k hush money payment made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels. According to Newsweek, a YouGov poll showed a massive decline in his approval ratings. Fifty percent of the U.S. adults surveyed said he was guilty, while 30 percent said he wasn't. Another 19 percent said they were unsure, with the poll posing a margin error of plus or minus 2.3 percent. When analyzed further into party factions, 15 percent of Republicans think he is guilty while 64 percent do not, 48 percent of independents believe he is guilty while 25 percent do not, and 86 percent of Democrats believe he is guilty while 5 percent do not. A total of 831 Republicans, 1,114 independents, and 1,113 Democrats were surveyed, as the margin of error of the subgroups remained unclear. More Poll Declines For The Ex-President MEGA According to the news outlet, a Morning Consult poll carried out on Friday further suggested a significant shift in public opinion: 54 percent of registered voters approve of the jury's verdict, while 39 percent disapprove. Party lines evaluation showed that 18 percent of Republicans approve of the verdict while 74 percent disapprove, 52 percent of independents approve while 33 percent disapprove, and 88 percent of Democrats approve while 8 percent do not. A total of 2,220 registered voters were tapped for the poll with a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percent. The data size and error margin of the subsamples remain unclear. Fifty-one (51) percent of the 2,220 people polled said the presumptive Republican party candidate should end his presidential campaign, while 43 percent said he should not. MEGA Trump, however, saw favorable numbers among the majority of the Republicans sampled, as 79 percent were against him quitting his campaign, while 15 percent thought he should quit. In another poll conducted between Thursday and Friday by Reuters/Ipsos, 5 percent of Republicans and 21 percent of Independents noted that they were less likely to vote for Trump due to his guilty verdict. On the other hand, 30 percent of Republicans and 13 percent of Independents said the jury's decision made them more likely to vote for the ex-president. Nonetheless, the majority of Democrats (58 percent), Republicans (55 percent), and independents (58 percent) stated that the guilty verdict had no effect on their decision to vote or not vote for Trump. Donald Trump's Camp Believes The Guilty Conviction Has Caused A Boost In Support MEGA Even with the former president's apparent decline in poll numbers, his camp thinks he has seen a spike in support since the guilty verdict. The Trump campaign revealed that he nearly doubled his single-day fundraising records, raising $34.8 million from small-dollar donors in less than seven hours following the historic verdict on Thursday. According to Newsweek, Trump's campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, said in an email on Saturday that "President Trump has seen an outpouring [of] support, which has led to polling increases and record-shattering fundraising numbers that include close to $53 million in just 24 hours, 30% of those who are new donors." His Approval Ratings Went Up In A Poll Conducted By Daily Mail MEGA Cheung also referenced a Daily Mail/J.L. Partners poll taken hours after the verdict, which showed that Trump's approval rating was up by six percentage points compared to those who disapproved. For the poll, 403 people were surveyed, with 22 percent of likely voters saying they had a more positive view of Trump after his guilty verdict, while 16 percent had a negative view. Thirty-two (32) percent of likely voters who already had a negative view of him maintained no change in their opinion, while 27 percent of likely voters who already had a favorable view of Trump had no change with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percent. During a press conference, Trump also referenced the Daily Mail poll, implying that the effect of the guilty verdict had been positive for him. Donald Trump Plans To Appeal MEGA Trump has since condemned the jury's guilty verdict, calling the trial a "disgrace" while maintaining he's innocent of all charges. "This was a disgrace. This was a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt," he told reporters outside the courtroom. His lead counsel, Todd Blanche, also shared that they'll be appealing the verdict, which could delay his sentencing. Trump is scheduled for sentencing by 10:00 a.m. on July 11, just four days before the Republican National Convention, where he's expected to be formally adopted as the party's official flagbearer for the November election. Sometimes he is insulted, sometimes he is kicked out, and sometimes he is applauded by those who pretend to admire him. This trend, which is changing day after day, has already introduced a new face in Armenia - Bagrat Srbazan Galstanyan, someone who is also known as an agent of the former Armenian opposition leaders. Is he a cleric or a political revolutionary? No one is interested in this. The most interesting thing is the special program that he made or someone made for him to change life in Armenia. The Armenian Archbishop, who raised all of Yerevan through his Tavush for the Motherland movement, has created a deep rift between the government and the people in the country. As the saying goes, A blunt knife is a higher cut risk than a sharp one. Although Bagrat's reputation among the people was not enough at the beginning, today his stubbornness is already starting to create serious risks for Pashinyan. But I wonder if this is really a risk according to Pashinyan, or is he deliberately creating conditions for it? Much to public consternation, Pashinyan is silent for some reason. In addition to showing himself as an ultra-democrat, he also takes a cold approach to many problems that have arisen in the country. For example, in the north of Armenia, in the vicinity of Lori and Tavush, the consequences and the threat of an epidemic after the flood that occurred last week have become a potential threat to the country. Today, about 300 people were evacuated from the area as a result of the destruction caused by the natural disaster. Another issue is the visits of the Armenian Prime Minister to the provinces as if nothing had happened. He appears in public and tries to show that he is in high spirits. However, the situation in Yerevan is completely different. Nikol Pashinyan is in the mood to speed up the peace agreement with Azerbaijan. He said this in his statement to the local press in the parliament earlier in May. "I can say that we have now experienced a significant change in the climate, but it still does not mean that we have reached the finish line; what remains is to sign [the peace treaty]." In addition, Pashinyan said that he based his hopes on the steps to be taken by the Azerbaijani government and hoped for results from the meetings of both foreign ministers in Alma-Ata. Nevertheless, the church is completely against Pashinyan's views. They claim that Pashinyan unilaterally makes decisions in favour of Azerbaijan. However, until the Prague agreement and the Alma-Ata declaration, the opposition forces did not have this opinion. The opposition in the background, and Bagrat Srbazan in the foreground, have already gone so far as to demand Pashinyan's resignation. Pashinyan's extra cold-blooded attitude raises questions about what kind of secret plan he might launch against the opposition, rather than his resignation. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Dozens of protestors on Sunday stood in front of Solid Rock Church in Market Common, hoping to bring awareness about domestic violence and abuse in the wake of Mica Millers death. Holding up signs that read Justice for Mica, the group has been rallying outside of the church since the 30-year-old estranged wife of Solid Rocks pastor, John-Paul, died on April 27. Micas body was found at Lumber River State Park in Robeson County in what investigators ruled a suicide. Timeline: Whats happened so far in the death of Myrtle Beach woman Mica Miller After her death, reports of multiple calls to police by Mica surfaced regarding John-Paul, who founded Solid Rock. She contacted authorities five times, alleging John-Paul placed GPS tracking devices on her and even slashed her tires. John-Paul Miller admitted in text messages with NewsNations Rich McHugh to putting the GPS trackers on her vehicles. He also apologized for the damage he caused her vehicles. He was released from his ministerial duties on May 5. Im sorry for putting a picture of you on the internet, the email reads. It was for less than one hour and immediately taken town. I was hurt that you are telling everyone horrible intimate details of my past sin, and I just wanted to try and hurt you. Please forgive me. It was evil of me to do that. Supporters say they arent going away. Just to let the church know that we are not going anywhere. Were going to be here every Sunday. Even if its not a huge group, theres always going to be people here every Sunday until we find justice for Mica, organizer Alexandra Cuozzo said. With chants of your silence is permission, and some wearing purple-and-white Justice for Mica T-shirts, Cuozzo said she was deeply affected by her death. Ive actually learned a lot about spiritual abuse, and I didnt really know that was a kind of abuse, and when I started learning about it the control and the manipulation it kind of just hit me hard that its here in our backyard, she said. News13 has reached out to John-Paul Millers attorneys multiple times and have yet to hear from them since the day her death was ruled a suicide. * * * 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. * * * Gracie is a multimedia journalist at News 13 and is from Cleveland, Ohio. Gracie joined the team in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Alabama in May. Follow Gracie on Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, & read more of her work here. * * * Adriana Cotero is News13s weekend evening anchor and a morning reporter. She joined the team in July 2023 after working in the island of Guam. Adriana is from Saline, Michigan, and graduated from Central Michigan University. Follow Adriana on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram and read more of her work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Vice President Kamala Harris is making a quick stop in Puget Sound to raise money at political events for this years Democratic ticket. The Vice Presidents visit comes on the heels of President Joe Bidens trip to the Emerald City about three weeks ago where he raised money for his campaign in Medina. Details around Harris trip are very slim, but the White House confirmed the Vice President is speaking at two fundraising events after flying into King County from Los Angeles on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. #BREAKING: Vice President Kamala Harris is in west Seattle to raise money for this years Democratic ticket. The White House says she will be speaking at two fundraising events. This is located on 56th Avenue Southwest. She is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles at 7. @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/2oT8L0WDH5 Louie Tran (@louie_tran) June 1, 2024 Harris arrived at her first fundraising event in a West Seattle neighborhood on 56th Avenue Southwest at about 4:15 p.m. Michael Burke, a neighbor, said his nearby neighbors, Peter and Melissa, are hosting the event. Great family. They have a son and a daughter. Theyre incredibly generous neighbors and really appreciate them as neighbors and friends, he said. I was kind of shocked. You dont necessarily expect somebody in that office to show up in your neighborhood. The White House did not release too many details about Harris second fundraising event but said it is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. KIRO 7 News saw Harris motorcade leave the first event at about 5 p.m. Vice President Harris is scheduled to fly to Los Angeles from Seattle at 7:05 p.m. No parking signs lined the residential streets in the West Seattle neighborhood, stretching for a few blocks. A neighbor told KIRO 7 News that he first saw the signs Wednesday evening. It was surprising of how far, how many parking signs. I kept driving back to my house. Its not ending, no parking signs, said Kim Lowe, a neighbor. Table Mound mobile home park is in Dubuque. (Photo via Google Earth) Terrible road infrastructure, water leaks, overcharging for water leaks and consistent rent hikes are why tenants of two Dubuque mobile home parks are encouraging the city to follow through on its plan to buy the parks, according to city officials. The city is seeking a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). City officials say they hope to purchase the Terrance Heights and Table Mound mobile parks and establish a Community Land Trust. As part of that trust, tenants would own and run the park through a non-profit board similar to a co-op or homeowners association, Dubuque Council Member Danny Sprank said. Tenants could join the board to set rent prices and decide how revenue would be used to maintain the park. Sprank said the horrible treatment of tenants in these parks is what motivated the city to move forward with this decision. Many neighborhoods are being squeezed, Sprank said. Its not right. City officials announced their plans for the $50 million HUD grant in a May 23 special session presentation. Officials in the presentation estimated a cost of $34.5 million to buy the land, $4.5 million to repair mobile homes, $500,000 to build storm shelters, $2 million for running the trust, and $7 million for other improvements in the parks water, sewer and road infrastructure. Table Mound and Terrace Heights mobile home parks are grappling with aging infrastructure, lack of proper maintenance and the rising lot rent rates which have more than doubled since 2018 and could potentially displace long-term residents, the city wrote in its grant application. In their presentation, city officials said they expect to know the results of the application by late 2024. If awarded the grant, 2025-26 would largely be spent establishing the Community Land Trust. After that, the focus would be on replacing dilapidated mobile homes, creating storm shelters and improving infrastructure which could take until 2030. If Dubuque is not awarded the grant, the backup plan would be to find a non-profit like the Minnesota-branch of ROC USA that would help the tenants purchase the mobile home park, Sprank said. Terrance Heights and Table Mound did not respond to calls for comment for this story. Mobile homes outside the parks Efforts to protect mobile homeowners have been underway at the city and state levels for years. In the Iowa Legislature, Rep. Brian Lohse, R-Bondurant, has pushed his Republican colleagues to increase mobile homeowner protections though he said it has largely been unsuccessful. The biggest mobile homeowner protections came from a 2022 law that increased the eviction and rent notification requirement from 60 to 90 days and added protections for when parks fail to provide essential services like running water. (Mobile home park owners) can raise rent more often than what they really should be able to. And when most of these residents are on fixed incomes, that really becomes a problem, Lohse said. Dubuque Council Member Ric Jones, who once lived in a mobile home, said mobile homes offer low-income residents an affordable alternative to traditional homeownership at a time when housing is more expensive than ever. For retirees or young people, mobile homes are a great investment but that dream has been crushed by rising rent costs. Mobile homeowners are particularly vulnerable to the types of abuse seen in Terrance Heights and Table Mound because of the difficulty of moving a mobile home, Jones said. Weve got to take care of these people that are suddenly finding their homes unaffordable, Jones said. Moving a mobile home is more complicated than just attaching the home to a truck and hitting the road. Some mobile homes arent in the proper condition to be moved, different states have different standards for mobile homes which limits options for moving and an expert may need to be hired to prepare and transport the mobile home for a move, according to mobilehomeliving.org. Issues at mobile homes go beyond Dubuque Dubuque isnt the only Iowa city having issues with mobile home parks. A Monticello park provided contaminated drinking water for a year, a faulty sewage system in an Iowa City park contaminated a local creek for more than two years and a Muscatine parks drinking water was the most contaminated with forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, in the state in 2022. Lohse said only time will tell if Dubuques decision leads to positive changes for mobile homeowners. If successful, Dubuque could be used as an example at the Iowa Legislature on how to better protect mobile homeowners. Its a novel approach and hopefully it works out for the best for everyone and maybe hopefully provides a model for either others to do it or for us as a state to look at it, Lohse said. Jones said regardless of the grant applications outcome, the citys actions are a step in the right direction and a sign that the treatment of mobile homeowners will improve. Its just a really, really sad picture, Jones said. We may not be able to do any of this, but this is the first ray of hope weve seen in a long time. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Dubuque plans to buy two mobile home parks to ease tenants rent burden appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. ELKLAND, Pa. (WETM) An Elkland man is facing multiple charges related to a report about child sex abuse. Duane John Williams, 32, was arrested on May 31. According to the Pennsylvania State Police Department, Williams allegedly assaulted a 5-year-old girl in Elkland Borough between July 2021 and September 2023. Alabama man faces charges in connection to Yates County child porn investigation Williams was charged with two counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child (first-degree felony), three counts of indecent assault (third-degree felony), three counts of endangering the welfare of a child (second-degree felony), three counts of unlawful contact with a minor (first-degree felony), and three counts of corruption of minors (third-degree felony). Williams is currently being held at the Tioga County Prison on $250,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 13. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Entire Graduating Class At This Suburban Chicago High School Was Accepted Into College For The 11th Time In A Row The Entire Graduating Class At This Suburban Chicago High School Was Accepted Into College For The 11th Time In A Row | Photo: RODNAE Productions/Pexels The senior class at Southland College Prep Charter High School in Richton Park, Illinois have a lot to celebrate this year. Not only are they graduating, all 133 students were accepted into college. Our students faced unprecedented challenges and they addressed every one of them and more than met them, Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, Southlands CEO, said, according to the school. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Southland College Prep HS (@southlandcollegeprep) It is the 11th time in a row that the school noted such an accomplishment. Students received acceptance letters from institutions such as The University of Chicago, Northwestern, The University of California-Berkeley, The University of Southern California, Vanderbilt, Columbia University, Howard University and The University of Michigan. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Southland College Prep HS (@southlandcollegeprep) I have been accepted to 43 different schools and applied to 51, Lundyn Williams, a graduating senior, told CBS News. The graduating class was also offered $50 million in merit and need-based scholarships, the school announced during its All-In Ceremony on May 2. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Southland College Prep HS (@southlandcollegeprep) Class valedictorian Knyiema Martin has been accepted into 30 schools and has been offered over $5 million in scholarship offers. She was named a Gates Millennium Scholar, a program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which will cover the entirety of college costs. Community members said goodbye this week to the College Hill Reservoir, which has become a staple in Eugene over the past 80 years. Hundreds milled around the cement slabs, eating food from foods trucks, drawing with chalk, enjoying live music, rollerblading, riding scooters and skateboards, and chatting with fellow community members during a special farewell event on Thursday. The Eugene Water & Electric Board organized the event to allow community members one last large gathering at the reservoir, at Lawrence St. and 23rd Ave. Two 7.5 million gallon tanks will be built in its place, with construction to begin this year. The site is set to be closed off to the public shortly. "We really just wanted to celebrate the recreational opportunity that the reservoir has provided for the last over 80 years," said Laura Laura Farthing, EWEB's principal water engineer. "We live in the community. We know that this is a valued place for people. "We really wanted to have a send-off and really honor what it's given the community." Shelley James and the Agents of Unity play popular songs like "Running down a dream" by Tom Petty and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac at a farewell celebration at College Hill Reservoir on May 30, 2024. The reservoir will be replaced by two new earthquake-proof drinking water storage tanks. Farthing said EWEB estimates the project will take about three years to complete. Community members and groups remembered fondly the years that the reservoir has served as a gathering place. Mara Besonen came to the farewell with two children she nannies. She said she had been coming to the reservoir for 20 years. Over the years, Besonen has looked through telescopes and watched fireworks from the reservoir. One of the girls she nannies had learned to ride a bike on the smooth cement. "It's a great place to play," Besonen said. "I feel sad (to see if go)." Amy Goodwin had been frequenting the reservoir for a shorter time but still felt attached to the space. She had been taking her three daughters regularly to roller skate and scooter across the cement for the past year. "We didn't want to miss the last chance (to skate)," Goodwin said. "My kids are gonna have memories of this long after it's gone." Goodwin said the reservoir offers "good clean fun," and is a rare spot in the Eugene community. She said she and her family have tried going to places as far as the Roseburg YMCA for skating. There's nowhere in town that compares as far as space and convenience. She added she would like to see another wide-open, flat surface in the future at the College Hill site. "It's been nice to have a real community," Goodwin said. "There aren't as many community places as there used to be ... Just people having a good time just for the fun of recreation and getting out." Community groups seek new home The Eugene Water and Electricity Board recieves feedback from the community on the new design for the reservoir at College Hill Reservoir on May 30, 2024. With the closure of the College Hill Reservoir, some community groups that have used the wide open space will need to find a new place to gather. The Eugene Astronomical Society has been meeting at the reservoir for decades. Jerry Oltion, a longtime member of EAS, said the group has been gathering there more consistently for the past 18 years, hosting monthly star parties and watching significant cosmic events like the solar eclipse. Oltion said EAS and EWEB have developed a great relationship over the years. "It's very, very rare to have an open public space that doesn't have a whole bunch of street lights lighting it up at night," Oltion said. "Even the cars passing by the light wasn't bad. So this was this was a really unique spot. There's nothing like it anywhere else in town." EAS brought out several solar telescopes Thursday evening. Club members pointed out solar prominences to community members gazing through the telescopes. Oltion said EAS's next two star parties will be hosted at Dexter State Recreation Site, where the club normally goes once a year for a special viewing. He said the park is great for viewing, but it doesn't have the same community appeal. At the reservoir, Oltion said people walking or driving through the surrounding neighborhood can stumble upon the "star party" sign and walk over to check out the group. Dexter State Recreation Site doesn't have the same foot traffic. "It's far enough away that we're not going to get a lot of people," Oltion said. "Anybody who wants to go there, they're either going to have to drive or live in Dexter." Oltion said EAS is looking for a new permanent home in town to host star parties. The group is considering Dorris Ranch in Springfield, but it's yet to be confirmed. The newly founded Eugene Roller Village has also become a regular at the reservoir. Dozens of skaters could be seen weaving between groups on Thursday. Eric Lewy, founder of ERV, said the group encourages play and recreation and also advocates for more roller-rink-style spaces in town. The South Eugene neigborhood mourns the loss of the College Hill Reservoir with a farewell party on May 30, 2024. "We encourage people to just come out and express their authentic selves," Lewy said. The removal of the reservoir will be a big change in the community, according to Lewy, who has been going to the reservoir for the past four years he's lived in Eugene. "It's just going to be a catalyst for our community to find a new space," Lewy said. Lewy said ERV has collaborated with other local spaces such as Xcape Dance Academy, The Spot and Rival Skate Shop. Throughout the summer, ERV can be found at the Farmer's Market Pavilion, where Lewy said he's looking forward to building new relationships. He said the biggest challenge is trying to find an indoor space, especially during the rainy season. For the new community aspect, Lewy said he would like to see some sort of covering, especially if it were retractable. "Clean water builds community," Lewy said. "That's really taken the priority over skating, but we certainly enjoyed up here." All about the reservoir's transformation Construction of the College Hill Reservoir 1930s. A decade ago, the Oregon Health Authority told EWEB that it needed to rehabilitate or decommission the College Hill Reservoir because of leaking roof joints, which creates the potential to degrade the water quality, by the end of 2023. However, EWEB determined that the reservoir, which was originally built in the 1930s, would not sustain a high-magnitude earthquake. Instead of just modifying the top to meet OHA's mandate, Farthing said EWEB decided to create the two 7.5 million-gallon tanks to ensure seismic stability. The tanks are each 212 ft. in diameter and 35 ft. tall, but most of the tanks will be buried underground, according to Farthing. The entire project, including the tanks, some piping, landscaping and historic mitigation, will cost about $34 million. The new tanks include wire wrapping that puts the tank into compression, making them stronger. There will also be an extra five feet of space between the surface of the water and the top of the tank. The original reservoir only had about one foot of space between the roof and the water. Farthing also said these tanks have valves connected to ShakeAlert, which monitors early signs of an earthquake and allows EWEB to close the tanks remotely to preserve the water inside. Shelley James and the Agents of Unity play popular songs like "Running down a dream" by Tom Petty and "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac at a farewell celebration at College Hill Reservoir on May 30, 2024. "These are a proven construction type that is known to last and survive earthquakes of the magnitude we're expected to have in this region," Farthing said. "Having the two tanks allows us to be very flexible with our water system. It also allows us to be able to do maintenance and upgrade projects, because you can take one tank offline, but still maintain water supply. "It really is just a way to make the water system more resilient and allows us to do good maintenance and prolong the life of the facilities." Farthing said these modern drinking water storage tanks will provide water for the community for decades to come. In 2020, EWEB started construction on two new 7.5 million gallon drinking water storage tanks at 40th Ave. and Patterson St. These were created to act as temporary storage for the reservoir site's 15-gallons of water, but will remain as a continued storage space after the reservoir's two identical tanks are completed. The reservoir was fully drained at the beginning of 2024 after EWEB finished the new tanks in South Hills. By the end of the College Hill Reservoir reconstruction in 2027, EWEB will have four water storages, the others being the new South Hills tanks, as well as the Hawkins Reservoir and the Santa Clara Reservoir. Just like College Hill, Hawkins and Santa Clara are not anticipated to be operable after an earthquake, according to Farthing. In the future, EWEB will look into options to decommission and rebuild those structures. Farthing said it's exciting to see Eugene get a full refresh on its water system. Erik Steiner, left, learns how to operate a telescope from Carlos Delgadillo so he can observe sunspots at a farewell celebration at College Hill Reservoir on May 30, 2024. "We're looking 200 years into the future, making sure the community still has safe and resilient water," Farthing said. "You don't get to be a part of these legacy projects every day, especially those with benefits for the health of the entire community. It's pretty amazing the investment we're making for future generations." While the top of the new tanks will not be accessible to the public, other spaces on the site will be, once completed. EWEB is soliciting public input in planning future recreation on-site. Farthing said they have already received over 200 comments. "We recognize how valuable this space has been to the community and we really want, (for) next generations, we want to make sure that we create something that's usable and that is valuable," Farthing said. "We really do believe in involving the community and listening to ideas, because it's the right thing to do." For more information about the College Hill Reservoir Replacement Project or to submit a comment, visit www.eweb.org/collegehill. Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr. This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Eugene says goodbye to 80-year-old College Hill Reservoir As Britain prepares to lurch to the Left, on the other side of the Channel voters in the European elections are poised to move sharply to the Right. In most of the 27 member states of the European Union, a revolt of the masses against the liberal establishment is sweeping across the Continent. Why are the UK and the EU moving in opposite directions? In a word: Brexit. While Europe is still struggling to adapt to a nightmarish world of border anxiety, mass migration and war, the British apparently believe they can afford the luxury of electing the first Labour government for 14 years, led by a woke human rights lawyer. If, as predicted, Right-wing parties make big gains in the European Parliament, the consequences will be far-reaching not least for Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. While few expect the new Parliament to oust her, it will be more hostile than hitherto. A survivor from the Angela Merkel era, the President is a symbol of the crumbling federalist status quo. Suddenly, she looks vulnerable. To save her job, von der Leyen has formed a pragmatic alliance with one of her fiercest critics, the Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. A leading figure in the Right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group in the EU Parliament, Meloni is seen as toxic by the Presidents centrist coalition of her own European Peoples Party and the Socialists and Liberals. Von der Leyen hopes to bring the ECR into her coalition, or at least dissuade them from vetoing a second term for her. But if the balance of power in the Parliament shifts far enough to the Right, the ECR could replace the Socialists in the ruling coalition and install a new Commission President in Brussels who was more in tune with the nationalist zeitgeist. Whatever the result, we can expect the EU to erect tougher border controls, make it easier to repatriate illegal migrants and scrap targets for Net Zero. What of the greatest threat facing Europe, Putins war of conquest in Ukraine? With some nationalists, led by Hungarys Viktor Orban, leaning towards Moscow, could there be a move in the EU to block military aid to Kyiv? A deadlock scenario in the Strasbourg Parliament akin to the US House of Representatives, where Republicans spent six months delaying a package destined for Ukraine, is unlikely. But the attempted assassination last month of Slovakias Russophile Prime Minister, Robert Fico, is a reminder of the passions aroused by this war in the heart of Europe. Were this weeks elections to weaken support for Ukraine in Europe, the stage would be set for Putin to make one last bid to crush Ukraine, or at least consolidate his occupation especially if Donald Trump wins a second term in November. While Ukraines neighbours are mostly preparing to defend themselves, much of Europe still hasnt got the message. Ireland has just one operational naval vessel and still relies on the RAF to patrol its skies. Of course, the notion of a European demos is a federalist fiction: each member state has its own unique political culture, which largely determines the outcome of the Euro elections. Germany, the largest member state, returns 96 seats to the European Parliament. In 2019, the nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) did well. This time, the AfD will probably overtake all three governing coalition parties in Berlin, the Social Democrats, Greens and Free Democrats, though not the opposition Christian Democrats. Such a result would be all the more astonishing given that the AfD has just been kicked out of Identity and Democracy, the most Right-wing group in the EU Parliament. The AfDs lead candidate for the Euro elections, Maximilian Kath, told a newspaper that the SS werent necessarily criminals: Before I declare someone a criminal, I want to know what he did. Such equivocation about the most notorious of all Nazi organisations was too much even for Marine Le Pen. The leader of Frances National Rally (RN) demanded a cordon sanitaire between her party and its extremist former German allies. The AfD is now out on its own in Strasbourg but its influence remains strong. In Berlin a new party led by the charismatic Leftist maverick Sahra Wagenknecht has emerged, wooing voters who are too squeamish to vote for the AfD but share its views on immigration, Net Zero and Russia. In France, the RN is polling far ahead of the field. Le Pens Nationalists are projected to gain at least twice as many seats as the coalition that includes Emmanuel Macrons Renaissance party. She has delegated the task of leading the campaign to her youthful deputy and likely successor Jordan Bardella, who is determined to make his mark on French politics by humiliating the President. For his part, Macron has warned of an ill wind blowing across Europe. Yet its an ill wind that blows nobody any good. In Dutch politics, the bouffant-haired wild man Geert Wilders is now the kingmaker. In Austria, the hard-Right Freedom Party will triumph this week. Even in Poland, where the populist Law and Justice party was defeated last year by a centrist coalition, public opinion continues to lean to the Right and Donald Tusk, the new Prime Minister, has moved with it. When the results are announced next Sunday evening, we will know how far Europe has distanced itself from the offshore islanders. As Britains most Left-wing PM since the 1970s, Sir Keir Starmer would find himself even more out of step with a conservative Europe than he expects. 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. Democratic ex-New York Gov. David Paterson says he would have wanted President Biden to consider pardoning Donald Trump in his hush-money conviction if the prez had the power. Paterson, speaking Sunday on 77 WABC radios The Cats Roundtable, agreed with Trumps gripes that the case was rigged. There are a lot of erroneous qualities to that trial, Paterson said. Some of the people who are involved: A person who worked at the White House somehow wound up in the Manhattan DAs Office. All of it, when it adds up, really looks very much like what the former president describes it as, the top Dem told host John Catsimatidis. Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Steven Hirsch A US president cannot pardon someone of state crimes such as the felony raps involving falsifying business records that Trump was convicted of in Manhattan court last week but if the commander in chief could, he should have considered it in this case, Paterson said. Sometimes when youre a leader and youre willing to put yourself at the center of acrimony and controversy, both sides may come down on you, the ex-gov said, noting former President Gerald Fords pardoning of ex-President Richard Nixon over Watergate in 1974. But years later, upon reflection, Im sure theyll respect you, Paterson said. All of it, when it adds up, really looks very much like what the former president describes it as, Paterson said. Getty Images Trump is also facing federal charges in the Jan. 6, 2021, rioting at the Capitol and for allegedly moving national security documents to Mar-a-Lago both of which would be pardonable offenses if he is convicted. Paterson said Biden should be real careful about gloating, especially with the presidents son, Hunter Biden, now on trial. Follow the latest on Donald Trumps guilty verdict in his hush money trial Hunter goes on trial in Delaware on Monday on three federal counts related to his alleged lying on federal paperwork about his drug addiction when he purchased and possessed a .38-caliber Colt revolver in October 2018. He faces up to 25 years in prison. There was a press release [after former President Trumps conviction] from the White House: No one is above the law. I think President Biden should be real careful. There are investigations on him and his son right now. That dog could come back to bite him, Paterson said. Former New York Republican Gov. George Pataki joined Paterson in blasting the prosecution of Trump and both governors warned it could boomerang on Biden and other Democrats. Former New York Republican Gov. George Pataki joined Paterson in blasting the prosecution of Trump. Christopher Sadowski Pataki said the unprecedented conviction of an ex-president could lead to a tit-for-tat, with conservative prosecutors indicting Biden or other Democrats down the road. When Biden is out of office, what is to prevent the district attorney of some rural county in Texas prosecuting him for millions of dollars for damage done by illegal aliens because he didnt uphold his oath of office on the border?, the former three-term governor said. They have opened a can of worms here that can go anywhere, he said of Democrats pushing for Trumps conviction. Pataki, while worrying that the conviction will cause long-term damage to the justice system, also said that in the short-term, it will have a negative impact on Trumps comeback bid for The White House. He said Americans who have not followed Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs successful prosecution closely will just look at the outcome that Trump is a convicted felon. Pataki also believes the conviction will hurt Trumps re-election chances. Steven Hirsch If youre an undecided voter who doesnt understand Braggs partisan and ideological history; or the judges [Juan Merchan] partisan and ideological history its going to have an impact on this election, which is unfair, Pataki said. Pataki anticipates the Biden campaign running an attack ad against Trump reminding voters that by the way, hes a convicted felon while Trumps appeal of the verdict wont be heard until after the fall election. This isnt about convicting Trump. This is about hurting him in the election. To use our justice system for this partisan political benefit is a disgrace, said Pataki, a lawyer. Trump became the first former US president to be convicted of felony criminal charges when the presumptive Republican 2024 White House nominee was found guilty on all 34 counts by a jury of 12 Manhattanites in the unprecedented criminal prosecution of an ex-president. Trump was accused by Braggs office of illegally trying to cover up a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels part of a scheme to stifle sex scandals that threatened to derail his 2016 campaign. Jurors found that Trump falsified business records throughout 2017 by lying that he was paying his then-lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen for phony legal services when he was actually reimbursing him for the hush money that kept Daniels from speaking out about having sex with Trump inside a Lake Tahoe hotel room in 2006. Former Trump lawyer Joe Tacopina says the MAGA narrative that President Joe Biden was somehow behind the prosecution of Donald Trump in the hush-money case is ridiculous. On a Saturday appearance on Al Sharptons MSNBC show, PoliticsNation, Tacopina took shots at Trump allies in the GOP and Trumps attorneys. To say that Joe Biden brought this case is one of the most ridiculous things Ive heard, Tacopina told Sharpton. We know thats not the case, and even Trumps lawyers know thats not the case. Tacopina: Tim Scott is someone who I used to respect, but I lost a lot of respect from what I just heard To say that Biden brought this case is one of the most ridiculous things I've heard. We know that's not the case, and even Trumps lawyers know that is not the case. pic.twitter.com/eyu7KrXaqV Acyn (@Acyn) June 1, 2024 Tacopina, who previously represented the former president when he was sued by E. Jean Carroll, was initially on Trumps legal team for the hush-money trial but withdrew in January. After seeing a clip of Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) and other Republicans parrot Trumps claims that the trial against him was a politically motivated hoax, Tacopina shook his head in frustration. Tim Scott is someone I used to respect, he said. I lost a lot of respect from what I just heard. Because he sounded so uneducated, unintelligent, and made no sense at all. This is a state case this is not a federal prosecution. Joe Biden, or anyone from his Justice Department, have absolutely zero to do with the Manhattan District Attorneys Office. They have no jurisdiction over him, they have no contacts with him, they have no control, certainly, over him, he said. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Explosion rocks Odesa after report of high-speed projectile moving towards it The map of air-raid warnings issued across Ukraine. Photo: alerts An explosion occurred in the city of Odesa on the afternoon of 2 June after the Ukrainian military reported that a high-speed target was heading towards the city. Source: Ukraine's Air Force; Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne; Odesa Oblast Military Administration (OMA); Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov Details: Ukraine's Armed Forces reported that a high-speed projectile was approaching the city. An air-raid warning had been issued prior to that. Trukhanov then reported an explosion in the city. The Odesa OMA and the mayor's office urged people to take shelter. Support UP or become our patron! FAA says it doesn't 'have a timeframe' for when Boeing will be allowed to increase production of its 737 Max planes again The FAA had a three-hour meeting with Boeing leaders to address safety and quality issues. The agency later suggested it'd be a while before Boeing could increase 737 Max production. Boeing's manufacturing came under scrutiny after a door plug fell off an Alaska Airlines plane. Boeing won't be expanding its fleet of its 737 Max planes anytime soon, according to the FAA's administrator. The airplane manufacturer is still navigating the fallout from a January 5 incident in which a door plug on an Alaska Airlines passenger plane detached during a flight, forcing pilots to make an emergency landing. Though no passengers were seriously injured, the Federal Aviation Administration barred Boeing from expanding production on Max plane models until quality and safety issues were addressed. The incident prompted the FAA to crack down on Boeing and implement aggressive oversight measures that the agency discussed with reporters last week. The FAA hosted a press conference after a three-hour meeting with Boeing leaders at the agency headquarters. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker at a press conference discussing Boeing quality and safety issues. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker answered a question from a reporter who asked when Boeing might be able to expand production of its 737 Max planes. "We don't have a timeframe, but I don't think it will happen in the next few months," Whitaker said in a video shared by CBS News. The FAA grounded 171 Boeing 737-9 Max planes in January before launching its investigation into Boeing's production lines and manufacturing practices. It also halted production of all Max planes that month. "This is about systemic change, and there's a lot of work to be done," the FAA said in a statement to Business Insider. "Boeing must meet milestones, and the timing of our decisions will be driven by their ability to do so." Boeing's safety 'road map' Boeing. PATRICK T. FALLON/Getty Images The FAA also published a news release Thursday that shared details about its meeting with Boeing leaders, who presented an 11-page "road map" for how the company would improve quality and safety. The news release says Boeing developed the proposal over 90 days with "detailed" input from the FAA. A Boeing representative told BI that the proposal fit into four categories of action: Invest in workforce training Simplify plans and processes Eliminate defects Elevate safety and quality culture The plan identified "attention areas" that Boeing would prioritize, which included strengthening its Safety Management System and reducing supply-chain defects. Boeing also identified short- and long-term improvements it would prioritize, such as "improving employee training" and "simplifying installation and build plans." "We listened to our employees, engaged transparently with our regulator, welcomed the findings and recommendations from the FAA's ACSAA panel review, and invited scrutiny from customers and independent experts," the company's president and CEO, Dave Calhoun, said in a statement. The FAA grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max planes. Stephen Brashear/Getty Images In response to Boeing's plan, the FAA said it would continue to review progress and laid out stipulations for the company. "Senior FAA leaders will meet with Boeing weekly to review their performance metrics, progress, and any challenges they're facing in implementing the changes," the news release said. "They also will conduct monthly reviews to gauge Boeing's progress." Other measures included hiring more safety inspectors at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems facilities. The FAA said in its statement that it would ensure Boeing "implements the changes they have outlined." "We will not approve production increases beyond the current cap until we're satisfied they've followed through on implementing corrective actions and transforming their safety culture," the statement said. Read the original article on Business Insider Family of six, more than a dozen pets escape house fire in Murfreesboro MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) Murfreesboro fire officials said a family of six, along with more than a dozen pets, escaped a fire that tore through their home early Sunday morning. According to the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department, crews were sent to the home on Painted Pony Drive at approximately 6:20 a.m. on Sunday, June 2. Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Fire personnel reported that the flames were quickly extinguished, and a crew aboard a ladder had to assist two of the six residents out of the burning home. According to officials, the family of six and their 17 pets, which includes dogs, cats, and a guinea pig, all escaped unharmed. | READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County The Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting the family. Investigators with the Fire Marshals Office are working to determine what led to the fire, officials said. No other information about the incident was immediately released. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Will the far-right win big in the EU elections? A focus on Germany and Portugal Will the far-right win big in the EU elections? A focus on Germany and Portugal Two parties, two countries, one goal; to change Europe from within. Populist rhetoric is expected to score big in the European elections, with polls suggesting far-right and hardline conservative parties will become the third biggest force in the next European Parliament. Germany will elect highest number of MEPs among member states, 96. The country's far-right party Alternative for Deutschland, AfD, aims to have 20 of them. But will they succeed? We need more power to the nation states. We need less competences in Brussels. Hundreds attending Gera's Monday march - Pinna, Monica/ Shrugging off scandal AfD remains in a strong position despite several scandals involving its members. The party was recently excluded from the far-right Identity and Democracy group at the EU Parliament after their top candidate told Italian newspaper La Repubblica that not all the Nazi SS were criminals. Maximilian Krah is still AfDs lead candidate for the European elections. In an interview with Euronews he outlined AfD's vision for Europe: We need more power to the nation states," he declared. "We need less competences in Brussels, and more competitiveness. But we need, a common approach when it comes to trade agreements, customs, and to the guidelines of foreign policy. In the eastern State of Thuringia, AfD is well placed to become the main political force in the new State Parliament, despite being under surveillance for its ties to Neo-Nazis. Bjorn Hocke, Thuringian AfD's leader and top candidate for the state election, has recently been ordered to pay a fine for deliberately using a banned Nazi slogan at a campaign speech. Five years ago, another court ruled he can justifiably be called a fascist. Monday march in Gera. Person wearing a T-Shirt with the slogan: Not interested in immigration- 100% Aryan - Pinna, Monica/ Democracy under pressure According to the experts of the 'Thuringia Project' democracy is coming under pressure all over Europe, as authoritarian populists are trying to change the rules of democracy from within: At State level in Thuringia, an AfD Minister President could abolish public service broadcasting with a signature," says Friedrich Zillessen, editor of the Constitution Blog and of the Thuringia Project. "It could influence cultural policy in schools and set priorities differently. And these are all formally legal options, but they are causing distress to our democracy as a whole, he added. Chega's rise has sparked protests by anti-fascist groups - Pinna, Monica/ From a country with a deeply entrenched far-right vote, I travelled to Portugal where a protest vote propelled the radical right group to the centre stage. In March's general elections, the far-right party Chega won 50 seats in parliament. It became Portugals third political force. For leftists it was a heavy blow in the month that Portugal marked the 50th anniversary of the end of Salazar's nationalist dictatorship. Chega's challenge to the establishment As Lisbon celebrated this historic moment Euronews met Andre Ventura, Chegas founder and leader, in the national parliament. He presented himself as an anti-establishment politician aiming to reform justice and the economic and the political system. He slammed Portugals current democracy: We were never, in fact, a super democratic country. Chega was the first party, in the entire history of democracy [in Portugal] to succeed in breaking the two-party system, said Andre Ventura. The best way to defend Europe is not to dismantle the European Union, but we cannot let the EU destroy the identity of all countries. Anti-Chega campaigners during April 25th March in Lisbon - Pinna, Monica/ Ventura founded Chega, which means Enough!, in 2019. In only five years his party has gone from winning 1.3% of the vote, to 18% at the recent general election. The leader of the centre-right coalition that topped the poll has refused to ally with Chega, but some of the partys populist allies in the European Parliament Identity and Democracy group are enthusiastic. The best way to defend Europe is not to dismantle the European Union, but we cannot let the EU destroy the identity of all countries and define things like immigration, our fiscal policy, our economic policy. What we eat, what we can eat or not. Despite splits and cracks, the European far-right looks like it is here to stay. The question is, will radical parties win enough in the upcoming European elections to influence policies and lawmaking? One thing is for sure, the June poll will be a test for liberal democracy and Europe, as we know it. Click on the video above to watch the episode in full. One of 17 "evacuspots" located around New Orleans for city-assisted evacuations, this one at the Sanchez Center in the Lower 9th Ward One of 17 "evacuspots" located around New Orleans for city-assisted evacuations, this one at the Sanchez Center in the Lower 9th Ward at 1616 Caffin Ave. (Michael Isaac Stein/Verite) NEW ORLEANS Hurricane season presents an annual test of the New Orleans areas collective fight-or-flight response. In the past, emergency managers tilted toward flight, leading evacuations that moved tens of thousands of people to safer ground before storms made landfall. But as climate change throws faster and stronger hurricanes at the Gulf Coast, local leaders say staying put and fighting through whatever comes may be the more realistic option. Were having very rapid storms with very little notice, said Collin Arnold, New Orleans emergency preparedness director. Our [evacuation] plans are terrific. Theyre viable, workable plans. But, like with Hurricane Ida, were not being given the ideal timeline. This years hurricane season will be nothing close to ideal, if forecasts play out. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting its most active Atlantic hurricane season ever, with 17 to 25 named storms forecast along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Between eight and 13 of these storms may reach hurricane strength and up to seven could be major hurricanes, according to NOAA. Click here for Verites 2024 hurricane preparedness guide. Global warming is heating oceans, moistening the atmosphere, and reducing wind shear all ingredients for supercharged storms. Were on the front lines of climate that has already changed, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell said during the citys annual hurricane season press conference this week. The 2024 hurricane season, which begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30, may produce several storms that intensify faster than most cities can evacuate, said Lauren Nash, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in New Orleans. We likely wont have days to decide whether to go, she said. Your neighbors really are your first responders. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell Ida, the last major hurricane to strike southeast Louisiana, leaped from Category 1 status to Category 4 overnight and left no time for mandatory evacuations, Arnold said. The regions main tool for city-sized evacuations involved reversing inbound highway lanes to flow out of New Orleans and other heavily populated areas. But this process, known as contraflow, hasnt been used since Hurricane Gustav nearly 16 years ago. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng doubts future hurricanes will give the three-day heads-up needed to initiate and manage contraflow. I just dont see how contraflow can happen again, she said at a news conference earlier this month. We need 72 hours for contraflow. Its just not even an option for us with rapidly intensifying storms. Option 1: Flee the storm Contraflow is a three-day process requiring a mandatory evacuation in New Orleans and coordination with several local and state authorities, including the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, which must manually change thousands of traffic signals and erect barricades at hundreds of intersections and on-ramps. You cant go to Walmart and buy contraflow off the shelf, DOTD spokesman Rodney Mallett said. It takes a while to institute and we have to do it properly and safely. Contraflow was effective for slow-moving storms like Hurricane Katrina and Gustav, but several more recent storms, including Laura, Delta and Zeta, went from moderate to severe within hours. Ida became a serious hurricane just 30 hours before it struck the Louisiana coast. Thats less than half the time needed to put contraflow in motion. Instead, many local leaders urge residents to leave before a mandatory evacuation is issued. For Lee Shengs family, thats as soon as forecast maps show the New Orleans area in a hurricanes probable track, an area known as the cone of uncertainty. If were in the cone, were leaving, she said. Mallett cautioned against an eastern or western exodus. Too many evacuees want to drive to Houston or pack their beach towels for a mini-vacation in Florida, he said. But mass movement to these destinations clogs Interstate 10 and can keep evacuees in harms way if a New Orleans-bound storm veers slightly east or west. During Ida, it was taking people 15 hours to get to Houston, while the less-traveled route to Dallas took half as long, Mallett said. A northbound evacuation route is by far the best choice, emergency managers say. Itd be a good idea to make friends up north in lovely Monroe or Ruston, Mallett said. Option 2: Hunker down Not everyone can evacuate. Many New Orleans-area residents lack vehicles or cant afford the expense of being away from home for several or even a few days. Before Katrina struck, white and affluent residents in south Louisiana were 20% more likely to evacuate than Black and economically disadvantaged residents, researchers at Cornell University found. Similar trends have been documented after storms in Florida and Texas in recent years. Fleeing a storm can cost a household an average of $177 per day for lodging, transportation, and other expenses, according to research by Texas A&M University surveying Texans who evacuated for Hurricane Harvey in 2017. But staying can be deadly. Destructive winds and floods are the obvious dangers during a storm, but potentially more concerning are the long power outages that often follow, Arnold said. The big challenge for us right now is going to be power loss, he predicted. Of the 26 deaths the Louisiana Department of Health attributed to Ida, most happened after the hurricane. At least nine people died from excessive heat during the lengthy blackouts. Six people died from carbon monoxide poisoning while using gas-powered machines to generate electricity, and at least two people died after their portable oxygen tanks stopped working, according to state health department. Idas lessons Arnold said Ida offered big lessons on how to better cope with post-storm outages. Chief among them was the need to improve conditions at the 68 independent living apartments for seniors in New Orleans, he said. During the blackouts, many of these apartments were abandoned by staff, forcing residents to fend for themselves in darkness and broiling heat. After Ida, the city enacted a law requiring independent living facilities to obtain licenses, develop emergency plans and coordinate with the city during disasters. More than two years after the law went into effect, about a quarter of the facilities have not yet applied for licenses, according to the New Orleans Health Department. The city recently increased fines for out-of-compliance facilities to $100 per day during declared emergencies, a move that should spur change, said Howard Rodgers, executive director of the New Orleans Council on Aging. The pace of compliance has been slow, Rodgers admits, but thats to be expected in New Orleans. Given how things work in this city, getting to where theres a quarter that have not complied is progress, he said. The citys other post-Ida improvement efforts include establishing a central emergency supplies warehouse, which should be ready in a month, and setting a goal of doubling the number of emergency resource centers in park buildings, libraries and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Not all of the proposed 16 centers have been finalized, but each will have generator-powered air conditioners, phone charging stations and other amenities, Arnold said. The New Orleans areas levee and drainage system managers say theyre also nearly ready for hurricane season. Kelli Chandler, regional director for the Flood Protection Authority East, said levees, floodwalls and floodgates are in working order, but four of the authoritys 17 pumps are undergoing repairs that she expects will be finished in early June. The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board has all but 10 of its 99 major drainage pumps operating. One of the drainage systems main turbines is down and awaiting parts that should arrive by the end of June, said Stephen Nelson, the boards superintendent. Arnold said the city and other government agencies can only do so much before and after a storm. Like it or not, much of the burden rests on individual residents to prepare for the challenges ahead. Food, gas, power and some police and other emergency services may be scarce for the first three days after a powerful storm. We say it a lot: The first 72 hours are on you, Arnold said. Thats why city leaders are urging residents to gather supplies, make evacuation arrangements and take ownership of their neighborhoods by clearing out storm drains and checking on neighbors who may need help. Your neighbors really are your first responders, Cantrell said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE This article first appeared on Verite News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. The post Faster, stronger hurricanes outpace the New Orleans areas evacuation plans appeared first on Louisiana Illuminator. A 23-year-old Tacoma woman believed to have been driving under the influence is facing two counts of vehicular homicide after a wrong-way crash on westbound state Route 512 overnight Sunday, according to the Washington Sate Patrol. Those lanes finally reopened about 10 a.m., Trooper John Dattilo said. Two men, one from Georgia and another from Arizona, died at the scene. Both were in their 20s. A third man in that same vehicle was injured and taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. About 2 a.m. Sunday, the Tacoma woman and a 19-month-old baby girl were headed the wrong way east in the westbound lanes of SR 512. Troopers say they crashed head-on into the other vehicle east of Canyon Road. The woman and baby were injured. She was taken to Tacoma General Hospital while the baby girl went to Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital in Tacoma. Both are expected to survive, Trooper Dattilo said. The westbound lanes were closed for seven hours so that emergency crews could respond to the crash and troopers could begin to investigate it, he said. Anthony Fauci, the public face of the governments response to the coronavirus pandemic, will offer his first congressional testimony in nearly two years Monday by a GOP-led committee likely to grill him over alleged misconduct that occurred under his leadership of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Fauci, the NIAID director for nearly 40 years, will testify before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Its his first testimony since leaving government work at the end of 2022. The last time he testified before Congress was in September 2022, when he appeared before the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee to discuss the response to the mpox response along with other health officials. Fauci did return to the Capitol earlier this year for two days of closed-door interviews with the subcommittee. Transcripts of those all-day interviews were published Friday ahead of the hearing. His testimony comes on the heels of two highly contentious hearings before the subcommittee that raised questions over the level of oversight and conduct that went on in his agency, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic that raised him to public prominence. Heres what to know ahead of what could be a testy hearing. Public records controversy Fauci is likely to get tough questions from Republicans about what he knew of efforts by another NIAID official accused of evading public records laws. Over the past month, the select subcommittee has taken testimony from EcoHealth Alliance President Peter Daszak and David Morens, a senior adviser to the NIAID director who worked closely with Fauci. Morenss testimony did little to endear Republicans to Fauci. Previously publicized emails from Morens suggested Fauci knew of public records misconduct at NIAID and sought to detach himself from it. In one email exchange with Daszak, Morens wrote, 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. In another email, Morens told Daszak that Fauci was seeking to protect EcoHealth from scrutiny, though in other emails, he indicated that the former NIAID director wasnt particularly involved in National Institutes of Health grants. Morens testified before the subcommittee that Fauci did not comment when asked in a conversation between them whether he had a hand in getting rid of a grant for EcoHealth. Speaking to The Hill, subcommittee Chair Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) questioned if Faucis leadership as NIAID director had a role in Morenss behavior. Under Dr. Fauci, we see Dr. Daszak from EcHealth Alliance and Dr. David Morens and their willingness to deceive. And you know, they seem to be without scruples. Morens came up sporadically throughout Faucis January interview, though the bulk of questions had to do with whether Fauci dictated how Morens could communicate with the press. Fauci said he left those issues up to the NIAIDs press office. Democrats have routinely accused GOP members of trying to transfer blame for the pitfalls of the pandemic response onto public health officials like Fauci. A partisan hearing Republicans and Democrats on the subcommittee are planning to approach the hearing from different angles. Wenstrup said he plans to ask questions about the grant process, whether Fauci knew of Morenss communications with Daszak and continue to press the former government official on what he believes were the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. I think we need to ask questions about whether he thinks its a good process or not. And Id like to hear what he thinks we should do going forward since he was involved with what I believe to be mistakes or a misguided process, said the chairman. Maybe well get to hear from him on how we can do things better in the future. Throughout his January interview, Fauci repeatedly said he did not recall certain details, though this was often in response to particularly granular questions or whether he remembered speaking to certain people. Fauci himself seemed to anticipate how this would reflect on him. I guess this is going to go into the thing of Fauci said so many times he cant recall, but I cant recall, he said during the second day of interviews. Wenstrup said he hoped Faucis recollection had improved in the months since his interview. But I think there are a lot of things he said he didnt recall, and its probably in his best interest to not recall them, said Wenstrup. Im not a lawyer but it seems to me that might be some lawyerly advice. Democratic committee member Rep. Deborah Ross (N.C.) said she plans to ask what public health guidance Fauci can offer. I will be focusing a lot on what public health has learned, how we can improve things, how to go forward in terms of communicating with the community, said Ross. When asked if she believes Faucis testimony will be worthwhile given the exhaustive interview he gave just months ago, Ross said, It would be worthwhile if we could work together toward a common goal. But I dont think its worthwhile to attack a public health official who did everything that he could at the time with the goal of public health in mind. Faucis interviews Transcripts from Faucis interview with the select subcommittee in January were released on Friday, giving a glimpse into the veteran scientists thoughts about the pandemic and his time as the countrys leading health adviser. Since leaving NIAID, Fauci has avoided interviews or making public comments. In his interview, he restated that he was open to both the natural origins and lab-leak theories about the virus, but leaned towards the natural origins given the current scientific evidence. He also reiterated his stance that federal funding did not reach the Wuhan Institute of Virology to support gain-of-function research, which enhances a pathogens transmissibility to predict how it may mutate in the future. Fauci said that by the strict definition of what gain-of-function research is an experiment meant to cause an increase in the transmissibility and/or the pathogenesis of a [potential pandemic pathogen] he did not believe gain-of-function research was funded by U.S. grants. He also briefly touched on how prior congressional testimonies affected him and his family. Asked about the threats he received during the pandemic, Fauci requested a time out for a second and the interview went off the record. When the interview went back on the record, he linked the threats and harassment he received during the pandemic to prior testimonies. Every time Sen. Rand Paul gets up and says Im responsible for the death of 4 million people, the death threats go up off the wall, the threats against me and my wife and my children go off of the wall, he said. Fauci and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) had numerous heated exchanges during Senate hearings throughout the pandemic. In one 2022 hearing, Fauci accused Paul of distorting everything about me, and adding you just do the same thing every hearing. I dont want to talk too much about it because I dont want to get it, added Fauci. But it was constant threats to me, my wife, and my children, calling up I have three daughters, and theyre, you know, at the time 28, 31, and 33, calling them up and saying I dont know how they got their phone number but calling them up and telling them, We know where you live, we know where you work, and very, very aggressive, violent, sexually explicit threats against them and against my wife. Fauci is scheduled to testify before the subcommittee on Monday at 10 a.m. EDT. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Department of Justice has launched an investigation into incidents of violence in Virginia against both transgender and Latino students at Norview High School in Norfolk. The investigation follows reports of harassment and physical assaults that school officials allegedly failed to address adequately. Norfolk public radio station WHRO reports that the DOJ contacted one mother, Melissa Corrigan, regarding her transgender son, Matt, who faced severe harassment and violence due to his gender identity. According to Corrigan, her son was subjected to escalating harassment that included a sexual assault in a school bathroom and a physical attack during class. Despite Matt reporting these incidents to the school administration, she said no effective action was taken, and school officials did not inform Corrigan. Feeling unsafe, Matt eventually left Norfolk Public Schools and is now struggling with his education outside the traditional school environment. In addition to the violence against transgender students, the DOJ is also investigating attacks on Latino students. WHRO reported earlier this year that Latino students at Norview High School were allegedly targeted and assaulted based on their race. One incident involved Martin Martinez-Bautista, a first-year student who was attacked by a group of 15 middle school students, leaving him injured. The attackers reportedly told him they were targeting him because he was Hispanic, the station reported. Some families of Latino students have expressed frustration over the school officials inadequate response to these attacks, with some fearing retaliation due to their immigration status. Before Matt left the school, Corrigan emailed the DOJ in the spring of 2023, hoping to get help. She initially had a brief conversation with someone from the agency but assumed it was a dead end after receiving no follow-up. However, nearly a year later, an attorney contacted Corrigan in March and met with her and her son for two hours. The attorney informed her that the U.S. Attorneys Office was investigating whether Norfolk Public Schools adhered to protocols for handling student violence. He indicated that the DOJ had found sufficient evidence of non-compliance by the district to warrant a thorough investigation. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia is investigating whether Norfolk Public Schools followed appropriate protocols in dealing with student violence. Norfolk Public Schools Superintendent Sharon Byrdsong declined to comment on the investigation. The districts spokesperson, Madeline Curott, stated that the district is not aware of any Department of Justice investigations regarding concerns from the Hispanic community, without addressing the transgender-specific allegations. The Eastern Virginia District of the U.S. Attorneys Office did not confirm the investigations existence but acknowledged the seriousness of such allegations in an email to WHRO. As the DOJ continues its investigation, the spotlight remains on Norfolk Public Schools to ensure the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their race or gender identity. Fifth-grade teacher placed on paid leave after using racist slur and holding mock slave auction in class A fifth-grade teacher at Margaret A Neary Elementary School, pictured, is on paid leave after using a racist slur and forcing students to participate in a mock slave trade' (Google Maps) A Massachusetts elementary school teacher is on paid leave after using a racist slur and forcing her students to participate in a mock auction of enslaved people. The unnamed fifth-grade teacher at Margaret A Neary Elementary School in Southborough, Massachusetts is now under investigation, according to Gregory Martineau, superintendent of the Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough. The first incident took place in January when the fifth-grade educator held an impromptu mock slave auction during a class about the historical trade of enslaved people across the Atlantic. The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength), Mr Martineau wrote in a statement about the incidents. In a separate incident in April, Mr Martineau said the teacher used the n-word while reading a book out loud to students. The text, however, did not contain the slur and was not an approved part of the fifth-grade curriculum, according to Mr Martineau. A fifth-grade teacher at Margaret A Neary Elementary School, pictured, is on paid leave after using a racist slur and forcing students to participate in a mock slave trade' (Google Maps) Dehumanizing words such as slurs should not be spoken by employees or students, the superintendent wrote. Using such words can harm students and negatively impact an open discussion on a particular topic. The teacher also retaliated against the student who reported the use of the racist slur, inappropriately calling out the student after parents, the principal and the educator had a meeting to discuss the two incidents. Mr Martineau called this response unacceptable. Now, the educator is being investigated while on paid leave. The schools principal, Kathleen Valenti was also placed on paid leave from 6 May to 16 May, Mr Martineau said. I apologize for the events that took place in The Public Schools of Southborough, the superintendent wrote. I acknowledge that there were missteps in this process that further complicated the situation. In response to these incidents, the school district will be creating a professional development plan focusing on culturally competent pedagogy that will be implemented in the fall, Mr Martineau said. The Board of Supervisors got it wrong when it approved the Dana Reserve housing project, despite a valiant effort by South County Supervisor Jimmy Paulding and community groups to get the developer to agree to a reasonable compromise. The 1,470 unit housing project was approved on a 3-2 vote by the Board of Supervisors on April 24, paving the way for development of the 288-acre parcel, removal of 3000 Oak trees, and an increase of the population of Nipomo by about 25%. Pauldings explanation for voting against the project was thorough and well reasoned. During the Board of Supervisors hearing on the project, he stated, Ive never seen this many significant adverse impacts on a significant project. Im simply not convinced that the benefits of approving a project that contains a mere 30% of the type of housing that we need outweigh significant and unavoidable impacts. To be clear, Jimmy Paulding and second district Supervisor Bruce Gibson, who both voted no, and the Nipomo Coalition that came together with a community backed alternative plan, were not opposing development. Instead, they were advocating for an opportunity to reduce impacts and increase the ratio of affordable housing. They believed the project could be modified in a way that achieved a win-win for both the developer and the community. There were many reasons why the Dana Reserve project should not have been approved as proposed, but here are just three main issues that Paulding and Gibson tried to address during the hearing. Housing affordability Only 30% of the proposed 1,470 units meet the states mandate for low-to-moderate income housing. Low-income housing does not require high-end housing for financial feasibility. Over the past few months, the county has approved 384 low-income affordable housing units in Nipomo without building a single luxury home. The argument that this project requires so many high-end homes to pencil out just doesnt hold water. Water The projects water will come from the Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) relying on imported water from Santa Maria. Golden State Water Company, another water purveyor, contends that NCSD is not authorized to allocate this water to new projects outside NCSDs service area. This raises concerns about water security and fairness as other developers have been denied water for their projects within the NCSD sphere of influence. Adverse Environmental Impacts This project has 19 significant unavoidable adverse impacts, in six different categories including, air quality, biological resources, greenhouse gas emissions, land use, population and transportation. Cutting down more than 3,000 mature oak trees in violation of the countys oak woodlands ordinance establishes another dangerous precedent. Special status plants and wildlife species will be significantly impacted. The proposed preservation of non-developable land at Dana Ridge is not a true offset for the loss of oak trees, another dangerous precedent. Opponents of the Dana Reserve project say they are fighting preserve Nipomos last remaining oak woodlands, pictured here. As currently proposed, the project would remove over 3000 oak trees. Despite the serious issues with the project as proposed, a community backed alternative plan was presented to the Board of Supervisors. At the direction of the Planning Commission, a community coalition led by the Nipomo Action Committee, Nipomo Oak Alliance, and the South County Advisory Council developed an alternative map that would have built more than 800 homes while reducing environmental impacts. While maintaining some of the positive amenities in the developers plan, the community alternative would have protected 100 acres of oak woodland and associated rare plants, rerouted a collector road to avoid the old growth oak forest and improved the ratio of affordable housing to high-priced luxury housing. These professionally vetted concepts would significantly reduce multiple unmitigated impacts and avoid the need for costly additional CEQA studies. Support for the community plan represented a broad cross section of the Nipomo community as evidenced by a petition with over 4,000 signatures and several town hall meetings. The community-driven effort was an olive branch, a demonstrated willingness for compromise and a vision for both housing and habitat. Despite this genuine spirit of collaboration, the community alternative map and the community coalition behind it was met by both County staff and the developer with a cold reception and consistent resistance and dismissal. For example: 1) our request to meet with the public works manager regarding road and grading designs was denied; 2) our request to the applicant to share the economic feasibility study for us to respond to was ignored; 3) our experts were denied access to the property during our design stage; 4) once submitted, the staff and applicant made no attempt to clarify questions about the concept map making unwarranted assumptions regarding grading impacts and financial feasibility; 5) Despite a condition passed along by the Planning Commission for the Nipomo Community map to be considered as an alternative at the April 23/24 supervisors hearing (which set into motion hundreds of hours of community work), just before the hearing, county staff stated that the Nipomo community map would not be on the table as part of the boards consideration. Genuine effort would result in a better plan acceptable to the community that is feasible for the applicant. Yet the county staff and developers response to the community alternative map made it clear that no alternatives, even those created and summarily disregarded in the earlier CEQA process, would be seen as reasonable to staff or the developer. While staff and the developer rejected this well-intended effort to collaborate on an improved plan, two county supervisors gave the community alternative plan serious consideration at the board hearing. We are grateful that Paulding listened to his constituents and the experts in fields of urban planning, environmental and biological preservation, health and safety and others who did not have personal or economic interests in endorsing this project. He demonstrated bold leadership in opposing the Dana Reserve as proposed and advocating for the community alternative plan. So, whats next for this highly engaged community coalition that has exhausted all conceivable collaborative measures? After refusing our genuine attempts to compromise, the developer has left us with no other choice but to file a lawsuit against the county and the developer. The Nipomo Action Committee (NAC) and the local chapter of the California Plant Society have joined forces as co-plaintiffs to respond to violations in the county process and stop the project from being developed. While the Dana Reserve project may have been approved by the county, the Nipomo Community Services District still has to approve the annexation of the project in order to supply it with water. In other words, the fight to preserve Nipomo is far from over and NAC and the community coalition wont be giving up. Find out how you can join us at stopdanareserve.com Herb Kandel was the coalition liaison to the county for the Nipomo Community Alternative Map. He is an executive member of Nipomo Action Committee and the Nipomo Oak Alliance and a former South County Advisory Council member. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) DC Fire and EMS said a firefighter was injured and two people were rescued after a house fire in Northwest D.C. on Sunday morning. First responders were dispatched to the 300 block of Upshur Street for a working fire. Crews said a firefighter had a non-life-threatening injury. 1 dead, 24 injured after overnight shooting in Ohio There was no word on the conditions of the two people rescued by firefighters. The fire was knocked down and is under control. Crews said eight people, including a child, were displaced. The Humane Rescue Alliance was also requested to help multiple cats in 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Pink American flamingo in the water at Georgica Pond, East Hampton, New York, first of its kind spotted in the state Its one of the most celebrated visitors to hit The Hamptons in years. An American flamingo in all its pink glory was seen this week in the posh waters of East Hamptons Georgica Pond the first time the elegant creature has been spotted in New York, one expert told The Post. Cathy Blinken first laid eyes on the not-so-fowl animal Friday afternoon, while working remotely at her mother-in-laws home. I was just taking a look out onto the pond and the flamingo was directly in front of me, she said. And I thought, Wait a second, that looks like a strange-looking swan. As soon as it lifted up its neck, I knew instantly it was a lost flamingo. An American flamingo was spotted this week in the posh waters of East Hamptons Georgica Pond. Doug Kunts Blinken, whose husband happens to be the first cousin of Secretary of State Antony Blinken, proceeded to call the East Hampton Star so they could photograph it because she couldnt snap a good picture. The bird, native to the West Indies, northern South America and the Yucatan Peninsula, was still there Saturday afternoon just hanging out. I have a telescope on him and Im watching him all day, she said. He kind of flies and he does a couple of bank turns and he comes back. Hes so sweet. The bird, native to the West Indies, northern South America and the Yucatan Peninsula, was still there Saturday afternoon. Doug Kuntz Hundreds of bird lovers have been flocking to get a glimpse. Hes very well visited. I woke up at like 6 oclock this morning and there were people already out there observing the flamingo and just being very respectful, she said. Theres never been a record of an American flamingo in New York state, said ecologist Jose Ramirez-Garofalo, a PhD candidate at Rutgers University and director of the Freshkills Biological Station on Staten Island. Hurricane Idalia, which slammed the southeastern US in August, could have helped ferry the feathered beast up north, he said. The hurricane essentially brought a whole bunch of flamingos across the United States, Ramirez-Garofalo told The Post. It was pretty unprecedented. Theres not many records of them this far north. Hundreds of bird lovers have been flocking to get a glimpse. Doug Kuntz After the hurricane, the flamingos overwintered in the Southeast, so this bird is probably one of those that overwintered somewhere in the United States, he predicted. It makes sense the bird has remained on the pond, he said. This bird is probably tired. Its looking for food. It can definitely stick around, he said. Theres plenty of food, the temperature is right. There is some precedence to having flamingos on the East Coast stick around for the entire summer season. Blinken hopes the creature will stay. Yesterday, there was a crazy sailboat guy trying to get a closeup and he kept shooing off the flamingo, who was trying to escape the boat, she said. And I thought, Oh God, dont scare the flamingo away!' First Lady Jill Biden made a visit to Pittsburgh to speak at the Pride celebration on Saturday. PHOTOS: First Lady, musicians join crowds of people celebrating Pittsburgh Pride 2024 Dr. Biden was featured at Allegheny Commons Park where the annual Pride Parade came to a close. PHOTOS: Thousands celebrate Pride by marching in parade through the heart of downtown Pittsburgh She stopped to talk to people in the crowd and take photos on her way to the podium. In her speech, she delivered support for people in LGBTQ+ relationships who have ever felt afraid to express themselves. It shouldnt take courage to hold someones hand on the bus, to kiss them goodbye on the sidewalk, to love who you love, Dr. Biden said. She also spoke out against any legislative efforts that are designed to restrict LGBTQ+ rights. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Chad Daybell sentenced to death for the murder of his first wife, then-girlfriends two children Washington Health System officially joins UPMC Pittsburgh Pride 2024 kicks off at Allegheny Commons Park VIDEO: Pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Festival visitors react to propane tank explosion at food court DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts "Flattered and Humbled": Two NASA astronauts inducted into Hall of Fame under Atlantis On Saturday morning, two astronauts were inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame during a ceremony held under Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex a spacecraft of special significance as both had flown on that orbiter. In what would have been a rare coincidence, the maiden flight test of Boeing's Starliner was set to launch shortly after the induction ceremony, and all those in attendance were eager to watch the launch of two fellow astronauts. Organizers moved the start time back and the ceremony was brisk, ending 20 minutes ahead of schedule. Attendees and Hall of Fame astronauts proceeded to the administration parking lot to view the historic launch. However, the crowd was met with uncertainty as a hold was placed at the T-4 minute mark and then a scrub announced. Shortly after, the crowd dispersed Starliner would launch another day. When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees Marsha Ivins and David Hilmers were inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday, June 1. Master of Ceremonies, former space reporter John Zarrella introduced the first inductee, David Hilmers. "What an incredible honor for me to be remembered and inducted into the Hall of Fame. It's really humbling to read the list of astronauts who have been selected before me, and all those who are here today," Hilmers said as he accepted the honor. "I'm sure there are many former astronauts here that deserve this honor more than I do." Hilmers flew in space four times: STS-51-J in 1985, STS-26 in 1988, STS-36 in 1990 and STS-42 in 1992 onboard Atlantis and Discovery. His first spaceflight was on Atlantis the shuttle he stood under as he spoke to the crowd. Saturday, he stated that this ceremony was the first time he had returned to Kennedy Space Center since retiring from NASA in 1992. According to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex press release, Hilmers currently serves as the Chief Medical Officer for Dr. Alice Lees (his wife) non-government organization, Hepatitis B Free (HBF). Based in Australia, the organization is on a mission to eliminate Hepatitis B through prevention, testing and treatment. Next up, Marsha Ivins was inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I am flattered and humbled," said Ivins before thanking the many individuals who brought her to this day. "To Dave Hilmers, it is a privilege to share the stage with someone I consider one of the finest human beings on or off the planet," Ivins said. It turns out that Ivins had seen Hilmers off during one of his spaceflights. Ivins was on the shuttle closeout team that strapped Hilmers in before launch. Ivins flew in space on five missions: STS-32 in 1990, STS-46 in 1992, STS-62 in 1994, STS-81 in 1997 and STS-98 in 2001, flying aboard Atlantis and Columbia. It was during STS-98 in 2001 that Ivins used the robotic arm to install the Space Station Destiny module. She is also a talented photographer, who has taken photos from orbit and assisted with an IMAX film on the ISS. According to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex press release, Ivins currently works at Houston-based company Sophic Synergistics. Hall of Fame astronauts gather after the induction of Marsha Ivins and David Hilmers on Saturday, June 1. To close the event, the two inductees stood by their newly revealed plaques that will hang in the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which sits in the Heroes and Legends building a presentation at KSC Visitor Complex sponsored by Boeing. FLORIDA TODAY spoke with Ivins on her thoughts about being inducted on the same day as the potential Starliner launch. "That's where everyone's attention should be paid right now," Ivins said, speaking before the scrub. "That's what human spaceflight is all about. They waited a long time for this, and I can only send them all my good vibes." Ivins told FLORIDA TODAY she knows the Starliner astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore personally. "You couldn't pick two better people to do a first flight test than the two who are sitting on the launch pad right now," said Ivins. Be sure to follow the FLORIDA TODAY Space Team at floridatoday.com/space for the latest updates from the Space Coast. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Two NASA astronauts added to the Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Center Florida deputy fired after investigation into his killing of a Black U.S. airman The Florida deputy responsible for killing a Black U.S. Air Force airman in early May was fired from his job after an investigation found he violated the sheriffs office policy. On Friday, the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office announced that deputy Eddie Duran was terminated due to the results of an internal affairs investigation. It found Duran did not have a reason to use deadly force when he shot and killed Roger Fortson in Fortsons apartment. This tragic incident should have never occurred, said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortsons actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual. On May 3, Duran was called to an apartment complex after a possible physical disturbance was reported. After being told the unit number, the deputy proceeded to the apartment. READ MORE: Black airman shot to death by a Florida deputy who blitzed wrong apartment: attorneys What happened next, which was recorded on the deputys body cam, led to Fortsons death. Since the shooting, the exact events that led to Duran shooting Fortson were contested. At the time, his lawyer said the deputy stormed the wrong apartment while the sheriffs office said otherwise. On Friday, the sheriffs office also released the objective facts of what occurred as part of the internal affairs investigation. When Doran arrived at Fortsons door he listened for sounds of a possible disturbance, the sheriffs office said. Hearing nothing, he knocked without announcing he was a deputy with the sheriffs office. Doran said he heard something to the effect of its the (expletive) police, the sheriffs office said. Doran knocked loudly two more times, this time announcing he was with the sheriffs office. When Forston opened the door, Doran saw him holding a gun in his right hand. The gun was pointed at the ground sufficiently enough for the former deputy to clearly see the rear face of the rear sight, according to the sheriffs offices account. In its finding, the sheriffs office concluded Fortson did not physically resist in any way and did not point the gun at Doran, which was seen on earlier released body camera footage. Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortsons family, said firing Doran is not enough. The firing of the officer who shot and killed Roger Fortson is a step forward, but it is not full justice for Roger and his family, Crump said. The actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is still conducting a criminal investigation into the shooting. Just as we did for Botham Jean, Atatiana Jefferson, and Breonna Taylor, we will continue to fight for full justice and accountability for Roger Fortson, as well as every other innocent Black man and woman gunned down by law enforcement in the presumed safety of their own home, Crump said. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A now-former dean at a Florida high school is behind bars for multiple sexual offenses against several students, according to the Ocala Police Department. Gregory Ramputi, 42, who worked as a dean at Vanguard High School in Ocala, engaged in several years of misconduct on and off school property, according to officials. Man, woman killed in Tampa downtown shooting, police say In May 2024, a high school senior told their School Resource Officer that Ramputi had inappropriate contact with her and other students throughout her time as a student. Police said four other students came forward, with similar experiences, alleging Ramputi requested them to expose their breasts and made comments about engaging in sexual activity. According to the department, several students said the former dean groped them numerous times, and even had sexual relations with one of the students. Ramputi also asked to see nude photos of a student, which police said he viewed. On May 21, officials said Ramputi resigned from his position. Lakeland nurse accused of stealing patients wallet, using credit card Ramputi was arrested on May 31 and charged with five counts of offenses against students by an authority figure, five counts of unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, three counts of traveling to meet a minor, two counts of lewd or lascivious touching of certain minors, and one count for possession of child pornography. This is an alarming reminder that even some people in positions of power and trust can be corruptible, and it serves as a strong motivator to remain vigilant and ensure that those with such authority are held accountable for their actions, the police department said. Making sure students are kept safe is our top priority and we have zero tolerance for this gross misconduct. Anyone who experienced similar behavior from Ramputi is asked to contact the Ocala Police Department at (352) 369-7000. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Florida Panhandle sheriff on Friday fired a deputy who fatally shot an airman at his home while holding a handgun pointed to the ground, saying the deputys life was never in danger and he should not have fired his weapon. Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden fired Deputy Eddie Duran, who fatally shot Senior Airman Roger Fortson on May 3 after responding to a domestic violence call and being directed to Fortsons apartment. Bodycam footage shows deputy shot airman seconds after opening door Duran shot Fortson, 23, multiple times two seconds after he opened his door. Fortson was holding his legally owned gun in his right hand, body camera video shows. It was pointed directly at the ground. Fortson was Black. Duran, 39, listed himself as Hispanic on his voter registration. A sheriffs internal affairs investigation released Friday concluded that Mr. Fortson did not make any hostile, attacking movements, and therefore, the former deputys use of deadly force was not objectively reasonable. Outside law enforcement experts have also said that an officer cannot shoot only because a possible suspect is holding a gun if there is no threat. This tragic incident should have never occurred, Aden said in the statement. The objective facts do not support the use of deadly force as an appropriate response to Mr. Fortsons actions. Mr. Fortson did not commit any crime. By all accounts, he was an exceptional airman and individual. No criminal charges have been filed, but a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation is ongoing. Duran did not return a voicemail left at a number listed to him. Email and phone messages seeking comment from his attorney John Whitaker were not immediately returned. According to the internal affairs report, Duran told investigators that when Fortson opened the door, he saw aggression in the airmans eyes. He said he fired because, Im standing there thinking Im about to get shot, Im about to die. It is him or me at this point and I need to, I need to act as opposed to react, he told investigators. Lawyer: Deputy who fatally shot Florida airman had wrong apartment Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Fortsons family, said in a statement that Durans firing is a step forward, but it is not full justice for Roger and his family. The actions of this deputy were not just negligent, they were criminal, Crump said. Sabu Williams, president of the Okaloosa County NAACP, applauded Adens action. We appreciate what the internal investigation has shown and what the sheriff has done to this point, Williams told The Associated Press. We dont think this is the end of it, obviously. He said the NAACP has a good relationship with the Republican sheriff. Some of us may have wanted things to happen a lot quicker, but I know due diligence has to take place, Williams said. Duran is a law enforcement veteran, his career beginning as a military police officer in the Army. He was hired by an Oklahoma police department in 2015 after his military discharge. He joined the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office in July 2019, but resigned two years later. He rejoined the sheriffs office 11 months ago. The apartment complex where Fortson lived is about 8 miles from Hurlburt Field, where Fortson was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron as a special missions aviator serving on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. One of his roles was to load the planes 30mm and 105mm cannons during battles. He earned an Air Medal with combat device, which is typically awarded after 20 flights in a combat zone or for conspicuous valor or achievement on a single mission. Hundreds pack funeral for slain airman Roger Fortson The events leading to the shooting began shortly after 4 p.m. on May 3 when a tenant who lived near Fortson in Fort Walton Beachs Elan Apartments called the management office to say she heard what sounded like an argument coming from his apartment. The woman, whose name has not been released, told investigators after the shooting she believed Fortson was in a relationship because she often heard a womans voice coming from the apartment. She said she had heard previous arguments, but none like the one that Friday afternoon. Before it was just, usually banter back and forth, she told investigators. Nothing was ever to the extent it was on (May 3). She also thought a child was present. But Fortson, who had no criminal record, lived alone and had no guests that afternoon. He was on a video call with his girlfriend, who told investigators they had not been arguing. She said Fortson was playing a video game. An apartment complex manager called the sheriffs office at 4:24 p.m. and Duran arrived three minutes later. He met the manager in the parking lot and she directed him to Fortsons fourth-floor apartment, telling him there are frequent arguments, body camera video shows. However, 911 records show deputies had never been called to Fortsons apartment previously but they had been called to a nearby unit 10 times in the previous eight months, including once for a domestic disturbance. When Duran arrived outside Fortsons door, he stood silently for 20 seconds outside and listened, but no voices inside are heard on his body camera. He then pounded on the door, but didnt identify himself. He then moved to the side of the door, about 5 feet away. He told investigators he feared that the person inside might fire through the door or open the door and push him over the rail and to the ground about 40 feet below. He waited 15 seconds before pounding on the door again. This time he yelled, Sheriffs office open the door! He again moved to the side. A muffled voice can be heard on the video Duran said he heard someone cursing at the police. Less then 10 seconds later, Duran moved back in front of the door and pounded again, announcing himself once more. Fortsons girlfriend told investigators that the airman asked who was there but did not get a response. She said Fortson told her he was not going to answer the door because no one comes to his apartment. She said neither of them heard the deputy yell that he was with the sheriffs office. After the third knock, she said Fortson told her, Im gonna go grab my gun because I dont know who that is. When Fortson opened the door holding his gun, Duran said Step back, and then immediately began firing. Fortson fell backward onto the floor. Only then did the deputy yell, Drop the gun! Fortson replied, Its over there. The deputy called for paramedics, but Fortson died a short time later at the hospital. When other deputies arrived, Duran walked into the breezeway outside the unit and struck a wall with his right fist, the internal affairs report said. F-, he yelled. Spencer reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. AP writers Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale, David Fischer in Miami and Jeff Martin in Atlanta contributed to this report. SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) A 16-year-old boy was charged with premeditated first-degree murder, among other charges, after he forcefully entered a home and stabbed two victims, according to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office. Officials said the teen ordered the two weapons online on Thursday. 2 killed after Polk County joyride turns deadly, deputies say On Saturday night around 10:11 p.m., the teen walked nearly six miles to a 15-year-old boys home in Wildwood who was having a sleepover. According to officials, the suspect arrived unannounced and banged on the door. When the 15-year-old answered, the suspect forced his way inside, stabbing the boy. An adult in the home went to see what was happening and the suspect stabbed them, along with threatening a third victim. Sumter County Sheriffs Office Emergency personnel rendered aid to both stabbing victims at the home, who were then airlifted to nearby hospitals. Deputies said the 15-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the hospital at 1:19 a.m. The 48-year-old adult victim is still receiving treatment in the ICU. Child, 7 adults rescued off Florida coast by Coast Guard The motive of the attack is unknown. Thanks to a sheriffs office helicopter, the suspect, who had fled from the scene on foot, was arrested and taken to the Sumter County Jail. The teen is charged with premeditated first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, and armed burglary. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the sheriffs office at 352-793-2621. To remain anonymous, contact Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477. This remains an active investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) A Florida man has been arrested after a discarded fork linked him to the killing of his uncle in Queens 15 years ago, District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Thursday. Anthony Scalici, 41, reportedly stabbed his 64-year-old uncle, Rosario Prestigiacomo, inside his Ridgewood home in 2009, authorities said. 3 men shot at backyard party in Queens: NYPD For 15 years, Scalici had been living in Boynton Beach, Fla. On May 14, authorities apprehended him. According to the charges, in February 2009, police were called to Prestigiacomo s home after a neighbor reported hearing a disturbance. Police discovered the victim in a pool of blood, lying face down. The victim had been stabbed 16 times to his face, neck, torso, lungs, and esophagus. He also had blunt force injuries to his head, torso, and extremities, records show. Officials said the cold case was solved using genetic DNA testing and the citys public genealogy databases. I formed a Cold Case Unit to bring closure to grieving families and seek justice on behalf of victims, District Attorney Katz said. This case is an example of the perseverance and determination of the investigators on this and every cold case and highlights the successful partnership formed between my office and the NYPD Cold Case Squad. Scalici was arrested and extradited to New York City. Evidence Logging: According to documents at the time of evidence logging, NYPD crime scene detectives collected several blood swabs from the location. Swabs from the scene indicated not only a DNA profile from the victim but also an additional unknown male, suggesting the attacker had been injured and was bleeding at the scene. The suspects DNA profile was entered into local, state, and national databases with negative results. In 2022, officials used a private lab to produce a genealogical profile from the suspects blood. A family tree was created to identify possible suspects or relatives of the suspect. The case was turned over to the Cold Case Squad in December 2023. On various dates in January and February 2024, law enforcement conducted surveillance on Scalici and attempted to obtain a discarded DNA sample. Officials were able to get a DNA sample from a fork. The DNA sample matched blood evidence left at the scene, linking Scalici to the crime. Scalici was charged with second-degree murder. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man was arrested as a suspect in his uncles murder over 15 years ago all thanks to a discarded fork, according to prosecutors in New York City. WNBC reported Thursday that Anthony Scalici was indicted by a jury in New York City for the murder of his uncle, 64-year-old Rosario Prestigiacomo. 2 killed after Polk County joy ride turns deadly, deputies say On Feb. 10, 2009, officers found Prestigiacomo in his Queens home dead from 16 stab wounds in the face, neck, torso, and limbs as well as blunt force trauma all over his body. I remember he was killed, said Sam Shahien, the victims former neighbor. There was blood. According to WNBC, investigators recovered DNA samples from the scene that informed them that the suspect was an unknown man who was hurt in the fight, but no government databases could identify him. However, with the help of a private lab, police were able to get a genealogical profile on the suspect, which was the first time a public genealogy database was used to identify a suspect in New York City. After identifying Scalici as a potential suspect, officers with the NYPD and the Boynton Police Department watched him to get a discarded DNA sample. WNBC reported the officers eventually struck gold on Feb. 17, 2024, when they found a fork Scalici threw away. Authorities said the fork produced a DNA sample matching the one found under Prestigiacomos fingernails and a blood sample found at the crime scene. Scalici was arrested in Boynton Beach earlier in May and extradited to New York last Wednesday. Officers have not yet established a motive for the murder. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. said there will be strong appeals to the hush money jurys verdict that found former President Trump guilty last week. A jury found Trump guilty on Thursday of 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a reimbursement made to his ex-fixer Michael Cohen for a payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels to stay quiet about an alleged affair that the former president denies. Vance was asked on NBCs Meet the Press whether the prosecutions hush money case against the former president would be able to withstand an appeal. Well, certainly there will be strong appeals, and there are going to be issues that will be carefully considered by the appellate courts, he said. Trumps team has signaled that they would likely be appealing the guilty verdict. Vance said that an issue has been brought up about some of the charges in the case not being identified when asked what the best grounds were for appeal. But I want to address that, if I can, Peter, you know, thats not thats not necessarily totally unusual New York law, you commit burglary in New York, burglary of a dwelling, where you enter a persons home with intent to commit a crime therein. The jury is not required to find beyond a reasonable doubt what that crime is, he said. But so, so my point is that in other areas of law, this has been sustained, and I think that will be informative and perhaps decisive to the appellate courts as they look at the presidents appeal, he added. To secure a felony conviction in the case, the prosecutors had to convince jurors beyond a reasonable doubt that the hush money cover-up was to conceal or further some other crime. The prosecution did not need to prove that the other crime was committed, aided or concealed. Vance also said that he did not think Trump would be sentenced to jail. If you ask me do I think the court will impose jail in this case, as I said to you I think yesterday, I think not. But ultimately, thats [Judge Juan Merchans] decision, he said. The president has made this a little more complicated by having been found in contempt 10 times during the court, but I think that with the proximity of the Republican convention four days after his sentencing, and then if he is the candidate for the Republican Party, the proximity of the election, I would be surprised that he would be sentenced to any imprisonment, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Donald Trump Says He Is 'OK' With Going To Jail Former President Donald Trump made history as the first President to become a convicted felon. As The Blast reported, the 77-year-old was found guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. The jury read the verdict on Thursday, May 30, 2024, shocking the nation. With the guilty verdict, Donald Trump faces jail time, but he says he is "OK" with being behind bars. Jury Reads Guilty Verdict MEGA Earlier this week, Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in his hush-money trial. The jury, consisting of seven men and six women from New York, reached a verdict after only two days of deliberation. He was on trial for allegedly falsifying business records regarding a payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to keep her quiet about their alleged affair. "If they can do this to me, they can do this to anyone," Trump said during a press conference at Trump Tower on Friday. "These are bad people. These are, in many cases, I believe, sick people. Donald Trump Could Go To Jail MEGA According to CNN, Judge Juan Merchan could sentence Trump to probation or up to 4 years in state prison on each count, with a maximum of 20 years. Im OK with it, Trump told Fox News, as transcribed by CNN, when asked about the possibility of jail time. I saw one of my lawyers the other day on television saying, Oh no, you dont want to do that to the president. I said: You dont beg for anything. The 77-year-old added, I dont think the public would stand it. Im not sure the public would stand for it. I think it would be tough for the public to take, you know, at a certain point, theres a breaking point, he said. The Former President Reacts To His Conviction MEGA Shortly after the verdict was read, Donald Trump told the press that he was innocent, something he reiterated when speaking to Fox News. Im fighting for the Constitution, Trump told the outlet, per CNN. These people are so evil, and at the same time the country can come together." On Thursday, the former President said, "We have a country that's in big trouble, but this was a rigged decision right from day one, with a conflicted judge who should have never been allowed to try this case. Never!" President Joe Biden Addresses Donald Trump's Guilty Verdict MEGA On Friday, President Joe Biden addressed Donald Trump's guilty verdict, calling his accusations against the Biden administration "reckless." "It's dangerous, it's irresponsible for anyone to say this was rigged just because they don't like the verdict," Biden said. The President of the United States was responding to the comments made by Trump on Thursday. "This was done by the Biden administration in order to wound, to hurt an opponent. A political opponent and I think it's just a disgrace, and we'll keep fighting, we'll fight till the end, and we'll win because our country has gone to hell. We don't have the same country anymore, we have a divided mess," the former President said. Donald Trump Jr. Reacts To His Father's Conviction MEGA As The Blast previously reported, Donald Trump Jr. broke his silence moments after the verdict was read. "Obviously [it's] just a sad day for America. Crazy what's going on in this country. Obviously [no one was] probably expecting anything different with this jury, with this biased judge, whose daughter is profiteering from this stuff," he said in an Instagram video. "The Democrats have succeeded in their years-long quest to turn our country into an absolute crap hole," he later added. "They've done that. They've been trying for a long time. There's literally no other way about it at this point." "We are getting exactly what these people have voted for, and it's not going to work out well," Trump Jr. continued. "If you think they can do it to Trump, they can do it to anyone, okay?" What's Next For The Former President of the United States? MEGA Donald Trump's sentencing has now been scheduled for July 11, 2024. Neither the conviction nor any sentence prevents Trump from serving as President. He is, however, banned from visiting 37 countries now that he is a convicted felon. French bulldogs stolen, and theres a search for man wanted on multiple charges, SC cops say Two French bulldogs were stolen and a search is underway for a South Carolina man whos facing multiple charges, according to the Sumter County Sheriffs Office. John Latroy Robinson, 42, is wanted for burglary, stalking and violating a permanent restraining order, the sheriffs office said in a news release. On May 17, witnesses told deputies Robinson was seen burglarizing a Dalzell home where the two dogs were taken, according to the release. Robinson had previously been placed under house arrest and ordered to wear an ankle monitor, which he has failed to charge, according to the sheriffs office. Robinson has a history of harassment and has previously made threats to cause bodily injury, the sheriffs office said. No injuries were reported in the May 17 incident. The sheriffs office described Robinson as a 6-foot-1, 150-pound man with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone who sees Robinson is asked to call 911, CrimeStoppers at 888-CRIME-SC or submit an online tip. Georg Baetzing, Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, waves a pot of incense before communion at the closing service of the 103rd German Catholic Day on the cathedral square in Erfurt. Since Wednesday, the city has been hosting the Christian gathering with around 500 events. Hendrik Schmidt/dpa German Catholics stressed the importance of co-operation with members of other denominations and faiths at the annual conference of the Central Committee of German Catholics (ZdK). On the final day of the meeting in the central city of Erfurt, ZdK president Irme Stetter-Karp said the gathering had been equivalent to a "revolution" in paving the way for ecumenical co-operation. Protestants, Muslims, Jews and secular people were invited to participate in the event, she said. Catholic conferences would in future be measured by this "ecumenical perspective," she said. Georg Batzing, head of the German Catholic Bishops' Conference, also described the event as an "ecumenical Catholic conference." Batzing noted that the head of the council of German Protestant churches had participated for the full five days. "For me, that is a strong signal of connectedness," he stated. Protestant representatives were involved in the preparation of the conference, which sold some 20,000 full tickets, plus a further 3,000 day tickets. Open air events drew a total of 40,000 people over the five days, the organizers estimate. The conference was briefly disrupted by a climate protest during an event with Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday. Police officers mourn their deceased colleague on the market square in Mannheim. A German police officer has died two days after being stabbed at an anti-Islam gathering in the western German city of Mannheim, authorities said Sunday, as police responded to demonstrations held in the wake of the attack. Boris Roessler/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday expressed his shock at the death of a police officer following an attack in Mannheim. "I am deeply shocked that the courageous police officer succumbed to his serious injuries after the terrible attack in Mannheim," Scholz wrote in a post on social media platform X. "His commitment to the safety of us all deserves the highest recognition. In these bitter hours, my thoughts are with his family and all those who mourn him," Scholz added. The officer was stabbed at an anti-Islam event held in Mannheim's market square on Friday and died of his injuries on Sunday afternoon. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said his death made her feel "infinitely sad." She paid tribute to the officer's courageous intervention to save lives. "He died in the service of our security," she added. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the start of the East German Economic Forum at the Theater am See. Monika Skolimowska/dpa The logo of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the German Bundestag. Michael Kappeler/dpa/Symbolbild One week before millions of Europeans are set to elect a new parliament, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party continues to poll in second place despite a serious of recent scandals, according to a new survey. If the European elections were held this Sunday, the party would garner 16% of the votes, ahead of the Social Democrats (SPD) of Chancellor Olaf Scholz who are polling at 14%, according to a survey conducted by the Insa opinion research institute on behalf of the Bild am Sonntag tabloid. The AfD's result was down 1% from 17% in a similar survey conducted by Insa a week ago. Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance was top at 29%, with the SPD's coalition partners The Greens and the pro-business Free Democratic Party at 13% and 4% respectively. The AfD has been rocked by controversies in recent weeks, with the party's lead candidate for the European elections, Maximilian Krah, being banned from making public statements after saying that not all members of the Nazi SS paramilitary force were criminals. The party's second candidate in the European elections, Petr Bystron, has also withdrawn from the campaign after his Berlin home was searched by police. Bystron is under investigation for money laundering and bribery and has links to pro-Russian networks. In addition, German police arrested Krah's former assistant Jian Guo on suspicion of espionage in April. Krah fired him following allegations that the parliamentary aide was spying for China. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) logo is projected onto a curtain at the national party conference. Sina Schuldt/dpa One week before millions of Europeans are set to elect a new parliament, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party continues to poll in second place despite a serious of recent scandals, according to a new survey. If the European elections were held this Sunday, the party would receive 16% of the votes, ahead of the Social Democrats (SPD) of Chancellor Olaf Scholz who are polling at 14%, according to a survey conducted by the Insa opinion research institute on behalf of the Bild am Sonntag tabloid. The AfD's result was down 1% from 17% in a similar survey conducted by Insa a week ago. Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance was top at 29%, with the SPD's coalition partners The Greens and the pro-business Free Democratic Party at 13% and 4% respectively. For their latest survey, Insa polled 1,001 people between May 30 and May 31. The AfD has been rocked by controversies in recent weeks, with the party's lead candidate for the European elections, Maximilian Krah, being banned from making public statements after saying that not all members of the Nazi SS paramilitary force were criminals. The party's second candidate in the European elections, Petr Bystron, has also withdrawn from the campaign after his Berlin home was searched by police. Bystron is under investigation for money laundering and bribery and has links to pro-Russian networks. In addition, German police arrested Krah's former assistant Jian Guo on suspicion of espionage in April. Krah fired him following allegations that the parliamentary aide was spying for China. While the spate of negative headlines is yet to harm the AfD in German polls, it has had consequences for the party on the European level. The AfD was ejected last week from the Identity and Democracy (ID) group, an alliance of populist right-wing parties in the parliament. Citizens from 27 EU member states are set to elect a new European Parliament from June 6 to 9. Voting kicks off in the Netherlands on Thursday, though most countries will hold the polls on Sunday. Klaus Hoffmann, German advisor to the Ukrainian prosecutor general, poses for a picture inb Kiev's Independence Square. A total of around 133,000 cases of Russian war crimes in Ukraine are currently under investigation, Hoffmann has said in remarks published on Sunday. Andreas Stein/dpa A total of around 133,000 cases of Russian war crimes in Ukraine are currently under investigation, Klaus Hoffmann, the German advisor to the Ukrainian prosecutor general, has said in remarks published on Sunday. The figure was "a huge increase," Hoffmann told the Neue Osnabrucke Zeitung. "Many of them are extremely comprehensively documented," he added. The figure is up from 56,000 cases at the end of 2022. Hoffmann pointed to Russia aerial attacks on civilian targets and forced adoptions of Ukrainian children as examples of war crimes. While not wishing to pre-empt a legal judgement, he expressed the personal view that the Russian actions "can only be described as terrorism against the civilian population." Many of the alleged crimes had been documented by the Russians themselves, as the commanding officers responsible received awards for their work. Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, Hoffmann has served as advisor to the Ukrainian prosecutor general. He is currently on secondment from the state prosecutor's office in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. He previously worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in The Hague. German police officers in Mannheim remember their colleague who died after a stabbing incident there two days earlier - Michael Probst/AP A 29-year-old police officer has died two days after being repeatedly stabbed at an anti-Islam rally in Germany. A knife-wielding man attacked and wounded several people on Friday in the market square in the city of Mannheim in south-west Germany. Five people taking part in a rally organised by Pax Europa, a campaign group against radical Islam, were wounded in the attack. The policeman was stabbed several times in the area of the head while trying to intervene, local police said. He underwent emergency surgery and was put in an artificial coma, but died of his injuries on Sunday, police said. Olaf Scholz said he was deeply saddened by the death following the terrible attack. His commitment to the safety of all of us deserves the highest recognition, the chancellor said on X, formerly Twitter. Christian Lindner, the finance minister, told German daily Bild the death moves me deeply and makes me angry about what is happening in our country. Germany on high alert We must defend ourselves against Islamist terrorism with determination, and we will also strengthen the security authorities financially, he said. Nancy Faeser, the interior minister, on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the attack. If the investigations reveal an Islamist motive, this would be a further confirmation of the great danger posed by Islamist acts of violence, she said. A forensics officer at the crime scene in the market square - Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP Germany has been on high alert for possible Islamist attacks since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, with the countrys domestic intelligence chief warning that the risk of such assaults is real and higher than it has been for a long time. The country had also seen a spate of attacks on politicians at work or on the campaign trail ahead of EU elections on June 9. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German president, said last week that he was worried by the growing trend and said Germans must never get used to violence in the battle of political opinions. 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. Germany's President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (2nd R) sits next to his wife Elke Buedenbender (R) and Irmgart Braun-Luebcke during the memorial service to mark the fifth anniversary of Walter Luebcke's death. Luebcke, the head of the public administration of the Kassel region, was killed in front of his home by a shot to the head at close range. Swen Pfortner/dpa German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was shocked at the death of a police officer who succumbed to his injuries after being stabbed in Mannheim two days ago. "I am deeply shocked by the death of the police officer who courageously intervened in Mannheim to protect human life," he said, expressing his condolences to the officer's relatives while thanking all police on duty. Steinmeier also expressed concern about the "brutalization of political debate and the growing willingness to use violence in our country." He said change was needed. "Things must not go on like this. Violence jeopardises what has made our democracy strong," he said. Police officers mourn their deceased colleague on the market square in Mannheim. A German police officer has died two days after being stabbed at an anti-Islam gathering in the western German city of Mannheim, authorities said Sunday, as police responded to demonstrations held in the wake of the attack. Boris Roessler/dpa Police officers secure a human chain by the members of the Antifa as they demonstrate against a rally of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in the aftermath of a knife attack that left several people injured in Mannheim. Thomas Frey/dpa WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a girl was shot in Southeast D.C. overnight on Sunday. Police said that at about 12:05 a.m., they were dispatched to the 1600 block of S Street for a shooting. Firefighter injured, 2 people rescued after house fire in Northwest DC When officers arrived at the scene, they found a juvenile girl who had been shot. She was conscious and breathing. She was taken to a hospital for treatment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Then and now Didnt the Republicans of the 105th House of Representatives impeach a Democratic president for having adulterous sex with a woman then lying about it under oath? - Una Creditor, Kansas City Broken promises Public tragedies are bizarre. One moment, everybody cares. The next moment, nobody does. When I became David Hosiers pastor several months ago, I met someone whod left parts of himself at the scene of a bygone tragedy. On April 26, 1971, Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Hosier died from a gunshot sustained while trying to apprehend a murder suspect. After that tragedy, people said theyd be there for David, his then-teenage son. Especially, those who declared the most fidelity to backing the blue. Nobody followed through. On June 11, Missouri intends to execute David for the 2009 murder of his former lover, Angela Gilpin. Its implied that he also killed Rodney Gilpin. David has maintained his innocence. Even if its all true, the case cant be disconnected from failed back the blue promises. Indeed, the back the blue folks are determined to make anyone with a suggestion of blood on their hands pay the ultimate price. But how could they take such a bloody stance in the case of David Hosier? This is a child of a fallen officer. I thought the pledge was to leave no family member of the fallen behind? - Jeff Hood, North Little Rock, Arkansas Library for all? We temporarily relocated to Delaware, but I had been able to check out electronic books from the Kansas City Public Library until recently. What a disappointment that the library has switched almost entirely to the Libby e-book format, which is readable only on Apple, Google and Amazon devices. I use an inexpensive Kobo reader that cant load Libby books without downloading and running third-party software on a personal computer to convert them. I have no desire to pay one of these behemoth companies for an expensive e-reader. I have seen multiple libraries professing that their main purpose is to serve the society through the record of human thoughts, ideas and expressions by making them available to all. Now many of those records are available only to those willing to pay big companies a lot of money. - Barb Domke, Bridgeville, Delaware In their shoes I recently returned from the Texas-Mexico border, where I attended a one-week program on migration issues. With members of St. Francis Xavier Churchs Refugee, Immigration and Migrant ministry, I met with immigration lawyers, border patrol agents, a migration expert, shelter managers and migrants. We learned that entering the U.S. to seek asylum is not illegal and the asylum process is extremely detailed. Failing to qualify results in deportation. In his May 21 guest commentary Lucas and Biden are wrong about migrants in the US, (7A) Missouri Treasurer Vivek Malek criticized migrants entering the U.S. illegally, a term he failed to define. He says he entered the country the right way from India in 2001, with a law degree on a student visa. On my visit to a shelter, I met a mother of two 12-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl who spent four months walking from Venezuela, where the economy has collapsed, violence is rampant and democracy failed. They endured barbed wire, assault and and hunger on their journey to survive. Ill bet Malek never faced assault, robbery or rape on his plane ride to the U.S. With all his education, Malek apparently never learned the meaning of the word empathy. - Patrick Riha, Kansas City #WearOrange Friday, June 7 is the 10th annual Gun Violence Awareness Day and the first day of the Wear Orange campaign. This year, please consider wearing orange clothing June 7-9 to remember the 23 victims at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl victory celebration, including 11 children and one dead. According to the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, on average in the United States 117,345 people are shot annually and 42,654 people die from gun violence. By wearing orange we can show our support and send a message to our representatives that this is unacceptable and we demand commonsense gun laws and regulations. - Donna Euston, Leawood Dialysis needs After I received a kidney transplant, I wrote a letter to the family of my donor expressing my immense gratitude. My journey with end stage renal disease took a toll, and the transplant marked a new beginning. I moved to Kansas City, began working full time and started a family. I received dialysis a treatment three times per week to replace my kidney function for almost seven years before receiving a transplant. I am extremely thankful for dialysis, but it was exhausting. I qualified for Medicare and Medicaid for the entirety of my dialysis journey, but others rely on private insurance to pay for health care expenses. Surprisingly, the Supreme Court recently opened the door for insurers to push new dialysis patients off of their plans before theyre prepared to navigate Medicare. This brings added financial stress to patients in the tumultuous beginning months of care. Many patients get stuck with exorbitant bills they cant afford. Missouri Rep. Emanuel Cleaver should support the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, which would ensure dialysis patients can stay on their private insurance for the first 30 months of care, a protection granted by Congress for nearly 30 years. - Cole Cato, Kansas City Gov. Abbott is wielding money for our public schools as a weapon. He should beware | Opinion Separate vouchers As a teacher and rancher, I have supported Gov. Greg Abbott on many stances. He has done a good job, with a couple of notable exceptions: private school vouchers and threatening to withhold school funding as a weapon to get his way. Public education needs to be funded, and all students need its benefits not just a select few. Abbott is opening the door for political opponents. Split the bills, fund education and hash out a private school voucher program on a separate bill. If it is a proper program, the voters will let you know. - Gary Danford, Buffalo Southlake reality I appreciate your May 26 editorial Carroll ISD can protect students without going woke (4C). There is another key audience you did not mention: taxpayers. Southlake both is a defendant in several civil rights complaints and is suing the federal government over recent changes to Title IX. Southlake Carroll ISD has barely 8,000 students, which is small compared with surrounding districts. Are your readers aware that students in Southlake pay to ride the school bus because of a lack of funding? Or that teacher salaries are generally less than surrounding districts? At what point does a local school district fighting a complex issue at the federal level abdicate fiduciary duty of taxpayer resources? - Cynthia Bishop, Southlake Not so smart I will soon mark my first year as a middle school teacher. It feels like a much longer journey, but I am thankful for the opportunity to influence the next generation and build relationships with parents and the wider community. People ask: What challenges have you faced? I have encountered several hurdles, but the most prominent is students attachment to their phones, likely provided by their parents. I cant recall being as fixated on anything during my youth as students are with their phones these days. If we fail to confront this issue, the future may look drastically different from what we envision for our children. - Tecle Gebremicheal, Fort Worth Cruising about? I have heard that Sen. Ted Cruz is trying to form clubs called Democrats for Cruz. I guess there are not enough Republicans for Cruz left in Texas for him to be confident of reelection. Would this be like the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel, setting up a foundation for world peace? No, it would be more like Antoine Louis, the designer of the guillotine, funding longevity research. I have a really spacious phone booth I can recommend for the first meeting of such a club. - C.A. Lindsey, Austin GOP devolved By its own actions, the Republican Party is excluding many Texans who want reproductive choice, well-funded public schools and honest state government. These stances benefit everyone, but Republicans fight them. What was on the agenda at the Texas Republican convention? Having a purification rite to cleanse the party of past GOP leaders not as exclusionary as Donald Trump. Texas voters and GOP leadership are not on the same planet. We have politicians presenting themselves as courageous conservatives while lacking the moral character needed for real leadership. - Loveta Eastes, Fort Worth Not democratic Its disgusting that Republican leaders of Texas are denigrating the rightful conviction of Donald Trump. They embody the position that is now the standard for most Republicans: Do not accept any results that one does not agree with. This position is completely antithetical to the basic principle of democracy. They attack the judge and district attorney as being biased but say nothing about the jury, the people who are actually responsible for the convictions. They are typical keyboard cowards and hypocrites. - S.R. DeWees, Stephenville Mexico elects leftist Claudia Sheinbaum as the first female president in its history Claudia Sheinbaum greets supporters early Monday. The U.S.-educated scientist-turned-politician has been elected as Mexico's first female president. (CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images) Claudia Sheinbaum, a U.S.-educated scientist-turned-politician, was elected Sunday as Mexicos first female president, shattering gender barriers in a country known for a culture of machismo and high rates of violence against women. In 200 years of the Mexican republic, I have become the first woman president, she told supporters in her acceptance speech, describing her victory as a win for all women. "I did not arrive alone," she said. "We all arrived." The leftist former mayor of Mexico City, Sheinbaum, 61, will also become the first president of Jewish ancestry in the overwhelmingly Catholic country. She will lead a prosperous but polarized nation that in recent years has been plagued by widespread gang violence. And she will be closely watched to see how she navigates the long shadow of her mentor, outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Sheinbaum was elected in landslide fashion, according to preliminary vote counts, which showed her winning with 58% of the vote compared with 30% for her closest rival, Xochitl Galvez Ruiz. A successful businesswoman, Galvez ran a spirited campaign representing an opposition coalition, but ultimately could not overcome the well-oiled machinery of Morena, Sheinbaum's political party. Trailing in third behind the women was Jorge Alvarez Maynez, a member of Congress. Sheinbaum is the protege and hand-picked successor of Lopez Obrador, who founded Morena in 2011 and who has since transformed it into a political behemoth that has drawn comparisons to the Institutional Revolutionary Party, which ruled Mexico in autocratic fashion for most of the 20th century. Read more: She's likely to be Mexico's next president. Can she save the country from cartel violence? Lopez Obrador, who under the constitution is limited to a single six-year term, is a deeply polarizing figure: Supporters laud him for helping lift millions out of poverty while critics assail him for disregarding democratic norms and failing to curb cartel violence. Candidate Xochitl Galvez Ruiz waves after polls closed Sunday. (Marco Ugarte / Associated Press) Although Lopez Obrador was not on the ballot, many viewed the election as a referendum on his term. Many Sheinbaun supporters said they believed she would advance Lopez Obrador's trademark anti-poverty policies, particularly his government's welfare payments to students and elderly people. Read more: Mexico's presidential race is between two women. So why is everyone talking about one man? "She is going to continue with all the help that the president has given us," said Rosa Maria Velazco, a 52-year-old teacher. "She will continue to support the poorest." Galvez supporters, on the other hand, largely said they backed her because she promised to change the course set by Lopez Obrador. "I'm very angry at this government," said Julieta Jujnovsky, 45, a professor of biology. She said she didn't oppose Lopez Obrador's ideology so much as his style of governing. "He doesn't want any opposition," said Jujnovsky, who described the president's efforts to reform the Supreme Court, slash the number of seats in Mexico's legislature and overhaul the country's elections institute as part of a "deterioration" of Mexico's democracy. "Democracy depends on counterweights and listening to the other side," she said. How Sheinbaum will mange to mend the divisions so evident during Lopez Obradors term is one of the many questions hanging over her presidency. And, while Lopez Obrador has vowed to retire from politics, many wonder whether he will indeed stay away from the political fray that has animated his entire adult life. Indigenous women vote in Zinacantan, in southern Mexico, on Sunday. (Luis Etzin / Associated Press) Sheinbaum, for her part, has dismissed such questions as misogynist. Her victory was a groundbreaking development in a country where women were barred from voting until 1954. Her success is in some way a culmination of years of efforts by Mexican authorities to impose gender equality in a nation where politics was traditionally a male affair. A 2019 constitutional reform set quotas requiring gender parity in all elected posts at the federal, state and municipal levels. Today, more than half of the members of Mexico's congress are women, the fourth-highest rate in the world. Eight of the nation's 31 governors are female and a woman heads the Supreme Court. Read more: Bullets before ballots: Dozens of Mexican candidates have been killed as cartels seek more control Some voters expressed wonderment that Mexico had elected a female leader before much of the rest of the world, including the United States. "Never in my entire life did I imagine that a woman would be president of my country," said Cristina Navarrete Santillan, 76, who voted for Sheinbaum in Mexico City alongside her two daughters and two granddaughters. "I am glad to be alive to see it." Sunday's election was Mexicos largest ever, with voters also choosing a new Congress, eight state governors, the Mexico City mayor and some 20,000 local officeholders nationwide. Preliminary results showed that Morena performed well in the congressional elections, and would, as part of a coalition with two allied parties, likely have a supermajority that would allow it to easily pass legislation. In the United States, which is home to nearly 11 million people born in Mexico, migrants who in the past were able only to vote in Mexican elections by mail could vote for the first time in person at consulates. Long lines of voters stretched for blocks in cities that included Chicago and Orlando, Fla. In Los Angeles, the line at the Mexican Consulate in MacArthur Park wrapped around the block twice, with some people arriving as early as 4 a.m. Voters draped in Mexican flags waited patiently as mariachi music blasted. Laura Torres, who arrived with a group from Oxnard, said she had waited six hours to vote and would wait another six if necessary. The group planned to vote for Sheinbaum. In some parts of Mexico, voters also lined up before dawn. That was the case in the middle-class neighborhood of San Andres Totoltepec, where Sheinbaum, an environmental engineer by training, was reared and where she voted early Sunday. Read more: Soldiers and civilians are dying as Mexican cartels embrace a terrifying new weapon: Land mines As the candidate took her place in a line of about 100 people to cast her ballot, the crowd broke out in chants of "Presidenta!" Sheinbaum spent much of her career as an academic, although she was raised in a highly political family. Both her parents were active in the 1968 student movement, best known for the infamous Tlatelolco massacre in which Mexican security forces killed scores of protesters in the capital. Her first husband was a leftist politican. When Lopez Obrador was elected mayor of Mexico City in 2000, he launched Sheinbaums political career by making her secretary of environment for the capital. Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexico's president, kneels during an Indigenous ceremony during his inauguration six years ago. ( Bloomberg / Getty Images) She later joined his breakaway political group, the National Regeneration Movement, known as Morena, and was elected in 2015 as borough president of Tlalpan, a district in southern Mexico City. Three years later, she was elected mayor of Mexico City and he was elected president in a landslide victory for Morena. Lopez Obrador vowed to put the poor first in a country that he said had been hijacked by a corrupt and conservative elite. Lopez Obrador's approval rating still tops 60%, making him one of the most popular leaders in Latin America. When he departs office in October, he will leave his successor with a strong economy that has been bolstered by the relocation of foreign firms from Asia and elsewhere to Mexico. The Mexican peso has been among the worlds strongest currencies. But the next president will also inherit a number of crises, including dire water shortages, a struggling healthcare system, stubborn inequality and violence from criminal gangs and cartels so severe that the U.S. State Department warns its citizens not to travel to many Mexican states. Lopez Obradors controversial hugs not bullets strategy which prioritizes social programs for the young over direct confrontations with cartels has failed to stop the countrys violence, although homicides have fallen some during the last six years. Security is by far Mexicans main concern, polls show. Read more: Why is AMLO one of the world's most popular politicians? We took a road trip through Mexico to find out While voters were fiercely split on the issues at the heart of the race, many on both sides of the political divide were elated to have the chance to vote for a woman. Fewer than a third of the countries in the United Nations have ever had a female leader, according to a Pew Research Center analysis from last year. Rosa Maria Beltran, a 39-year-old dentist who voted for Sheinbaum, said she was proud of her country. Tell the people in the United States that in Mexico we are going to have a female president before them," she said. Cecilia Sanchez Vidal in Mexico City and Anthony De Leon and Dania Maxwell in Los Angeles contributed to this report. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Guests and delegates use their phone at the formal announcement Sunday, June 2, 2024 of the results in South Africa's general elections at the National Results Operations Center in Johannesburg, South Africa. Humbled by a stinging election result, South Africa's African National Congress was talking to everyone in an effort to form a stable coalition government for Africa's most advanced economy after it lost its 30-year majority. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay) CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) South Africa's election has decided little, other than the African National Congress that liberated the country from apartheid in 1994 has lost its 30-year majority. It remained the biggest party, though. With no one holding a majority, South Africa's party leaders are embarking on coalition talks to form a government. South Africa has never had to do this due to the ANC's long dominance. There are four major political parties and at least eight with significant shares of the vote after last week's election. It'll be complicated. Here's a guide to some of the key figures and what might be coming next as South Africa enters uncharted territory. PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA Once a protege of Nelson Mandela, Ramaphosa, 71, has now overseen the worst election result in the ANC's history. He is under pressure within his own party as well as with voters, but he managed to laugh when an official made a slip Sunday and referred to him as the extinguished president rather than distinguished. I'm not yet extinguished, Ramaphosa said. Ramaphosa's challenge is to guide his party to a coalition he sees as best amid different factions within the ANC. The obvious choice is the main opposition Democratic Alliance. Between them, they would have enough seats in Parliament to govern. But the DA has been fiercely critical of the ANC's policies for years and the marriage wouldn't be an easy one, even if both have said they are open to discussions. Another option for the ANC is to join with one or both of the two other main opposition parties, the uMkhonto weSizwe party, or MK party, and the Economic Freedom Fighters. That could be damaging for South Africa's image with foreign investors given MK and the EFF have both pledged to nationalize South Africa's important gold and platinum mines and the central bank. Ramaphosa's presidency is in the balance given a coalition agreement also has to translate into reelecting him for a second term. South Africans vote for parties in elections to decide how many seats they get in Parliament. Lawmakers then elect the president and the ANC now doesn't have enough lawmakers on its own to reelect Ramaphosa. JOHN STEENHUISEN Steenhuisen, 48, is the main opposition leader as head of the centrist DA and the only white leader among the four main parties. He said his party was also initiating talks with various parties, except MK and the EFF. The DA has drawn a line there and said it will never work with those two over ideological differences. Getting Steenhuisen's DA and Ramaphosa's ANC together is widely viewed as the most stable coalition option by analysts. Some have suggested that other smaller parties could be brought in to create a wider coalition and dilute the ANC-DA mix. FORMER PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA Zuma was the leader of the ANC and president of South Africa until he was replaced by Ramaphosa in both positions. They've become fierce rivals. Zuma, who is 82, was the wildcard of this election after only announcing his political comeback in December. His newly formed MK Party had a huge impact by winning 14% of the vote and taking some of the ANC's support to become the third biggest party in its first election. Zuma's party has demanded Ramaphosa step down as a condition for a coalition, a mark of the personal animosity. The ANC rejected the condition. While it would seem there's little for them to work with to come together, MK does now have a significant vote share and seats in Parliament. Zuma, who has served a prison sentence for contempt of court, is due to go on trial next year on charges of corruption. He was barred from running for a seat in Parliament in this election because of his criminal record. JULIUS MALEMA Malema's EFF party lost support in the election to drop to the fourth biggest party behind MK. Malema is the youngest of the major leaders at age 43 and also has old ties to the ANC as its former youth leader before he was expelled for misconduct. Renowned as a firebrand, his party follows a Marxist ideology but there's some common ground between it and the ANC and the EFF was raised as a logical coalition partner for the ANC before MK overtook it and reduced its significance. Because of their differences, the inclusion of the EFF and MK in any coalition may result in the DA pulling out. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa NEW YORK Donald Trump became the first U.S. president convicted of a crime when a jury found him guilty of felonies this week, also making Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg the only prosecutor ever to secure such a conviction. Bragg had already earned a place in the history books when, in 2021, he was elected the first Black American to lead the Manhattan DAs office in its more than 200-year history. But that was quickly overshadowed by controversy surrounding the Trump probe he inherited when the pair of special prosecutors leading it quit less than two months into his tenure. The high-profile resignations catapulted the new DAs decision not to immediately greenlight charges against the former president into national scrutiny. In his February 2022 letter leaked to the New York Times, former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz called Braggs choice misguided and completely contrary to the public interest. I have worked too hard as a lawyer, and for too long, now to become a passive participant in what I believe to be a grave failure of justice, Pomerantz wrote, later expanding on those sentiments in his controversial memoir about the probe, oft-cited by Trump in efforts to get the case tossed, People vs. Donald Trump: An Inside Account. Pomerantz could not be reached for comment. The fiasco led to an outcry on the left while Bragg fended off nonstop attacks from conservatives for his progressive prosecutorial policies. When he let a grand jury hearing evidence against Trump expire amid intense criticism, the DA who has tried to avoid engaging in political theater stressed the sensitivity of confidential investigations and said hed announce his decision when hed made it. Nearly a year later, a newly impaneled set of grand jurors handed up an indictment against Trump on March 30, 2023, accusing him of 34 counts of falsification of business records tied to his reimbursement to Michael Cohen for paying off porn star Stormy Daniels to stay silent about a 2006 tryst and a conspiracy to win the White House. Trumps indictment only increased the rights attacks on Bragg bombarded with a flood of racist death threats after becoming the defendants primary online target as he faced skepticism from legal pundits about basing the case on a little-tested legal theory. That regarded the charges against Trump being bumped up to felonies as the records were allegedly falsified to conceal another crime, a New York election law outlawing two or more people from promoting someones candidacy through illegal means. At trial, Trumps team argued there was nothing wrong with the payoffs, contending they sought to protect Trumps marriage, not win him the election, and that there was no conspiracy. They said Trump had nothing to do with how his payments to Cohen were classified, focusing mainly on discrediting the former fixer, exhaustively spotlighting his convictions and bitter feud with his longtime boss. But in the end, jurors didnt appear to buy Trumps defense or share the pundits reservations, and they seemed more interested in David Pecker than Cohen, requesting a review of swaths of the media magnates testimony during their deliberations, including about the meeting where he said the conspiracy to hide information from voters began. This case had so much proof, just a mountain of proof, and I think the jury saw that, former head of the Manhattan DAs trial division Karen Agnifilo said at a press briefing Friday. This was not a case where Donald Trump couldnt get a fair trial in New York. If that were the case, this would have been a five minute conviction the jury was out overnight for about 12 hours. A DA spokeswoman declined to comment for this story. At a press conference after the verdict, Bragg noted the extensive hard evidence methodically presented at trial, including a bank statement reflecting Cohens hush money payoff with the handwritten notes of Trumps finance chief tallying up what he was owed. Throughout the trial, the defense argued that Trump did not pay back Cohen for anything, claiming he was compensated for legitimate legal work. Bragg said hed fulfilled his duties when asked about securing the historic conviction after sustained questioning of his approach. I did my job. Our job is to follow the facts and the law without fear of favor. And thats exactly what we did here, and what I feel is gratitude to work alongside phenomenal public servants, who do that each and every day in matters that you all write about and make the press and then lots of matters that you dont, the DA said. The only voice that matters is the voice of the jury, and the jury has spoken. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) defended President Biden for saying last year that his son Hunter Biden did nothing wrong in connection to the federal investigation related to tax and gun offenses. Jeffries backed up Biden on NBCs Meet the Press for his comments regarding the investigation into his son last year when asked if it was appropriate for the president to weigh in on the case at the time. President Biden commented as a loving father, as I would hope any loving father would do. Hunter Biden, of course, is entitled, as was Donald Trump, to the presumption of innocence and to a trial by a jury of his peers, Jeffries said. And this Justice Department is going to proceed in that fashion, present the facts and the law and then well all have to wait for a determination that is made by a jury as to Hunter Bidens guilt or innocence, he added. Biden said last year that Hunter Biden has done nothing wrong in connection to a multiyear investigation into his son. His comments came before his son was indicted on tax and gun charges last year. Bidens son is now headed to trial this week over the federal gun charges in Delaware. The prosecutors said that Hunter Biden purchased a gun illegally because he falsely said on a form that he was not a drug user. Hunter Biden pleaded not guilty to the federal gun charges in October. His bid to delay the gun charges trial failed last month, and previous efforts to get the charges dismissed also failed. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Zohreh Elahian has registered to run following the death of Ebrahim Raisi in May A radical Iranian MP who pushed for executions of protesters has stepped forward to become the countrys first female presidential candidate. Zohreh Elahian has registered to run in the countrys snap elections at the end of June following the sudden death of Ebrahim Raisi, its former president, last month in a helicopter crash. A staunch supporter of Ali Khamenei, the countrys supreme leader, she could potentially become the first woman ever allowed to stand if approved by the Guardian Council, which vets all potential candidates. A physician by trade and former member of the parliaments national security and foreign policy committee, she has been an MP twice, though no woman has ever been allowed to stand for president. Sanctioned by Canada The hardliner was sanctioned by Canada in March for endorsing the death penalty for protesters involved in the Women, Life, Freedom movement as suppression of the hijab rebellion continues to sweep across Iran and state enforcement deepens. Over 550 protesters were killed by state security after the 2022 uprising in the wake of the killing of Mahsa Amini by Irans morality police, and last year alone, over 800 Iranians were executed a record high for Iran amid an executions surge. Mrs Elahian, also a member of the Islamic Council of Iran, now awaits the decision of the countrys Guardian Council, which is in charge of interpreting the countrys Islamic constitution, with the election motto a healthy government, a healthy economy and a healthy society. By law, women are not allowed to stand for president, but her possible candidacy hangs on an interpretation of the Arabic terminology for men and if it is a reference to a more generic term for figures or people. Azam Taleghani, a veteran reformist politician and journalist, registered to run in every presidential election from 1997 until her death in 2019. Rejected every time by the clerics of the Guardian Council, she was branded an Islamic feminist. Mrs Elahian, who was photographed with a sniper rifle last year while on an MP delegation to an arms exhibition, is seen by some women in Iran as the epitome of the misogynistic regime where sexual violence has become a systemic means of punishing women and hundreds continue to be rounded up in violent suppression of hijab rebellion. Dowlat Nowrouzi, the UK Representative of the National Council of Resistance of Iran and opposition group, said: This is merely a ridiculous spectacle of a regime drowning in a quagmire of crises. No one will be deceived by these absurd gambits. The regime in Tehran oppresses and assaults women daily on the streets under the pretext of hijab enforcement. In this regime, elections are meaningless, it is a selection. She said the strict Islamic constitution will not allow a woman to join the ranks. The clerical regime does not even tolerate a single woman in the cabinet. According to Article 115 of the regimes constitution, the president must be among the men. The women of Iran know that the only way to achieve freedom and equal rights is through regime change by the people and the Resistance. Elahian bid unlikely in reality Iranian Maryam Ahadi, who now lives in Dubai, said: It would be fascinating to see a woman run for president but lets be honest, she isnt a woman who would be good for Iranian women. The reality is, however, that the Guardian Council will be very unlikely to let her run, but theyll enjoy the global discussion in the meantime to try and detract from the brutal state-sanctioned oppression of women they are inflicting on Iranian women and girls. Melanie Joly, Canadas foreign affairs minister, announced the sanctions against Elahian on International Womens Day in March, saying that she and Masoud Dorosti, the chief executive of Tehrans metro system, have used their positions of influence to call for or carry out increasingly repressive measures against women and girls in Iran. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the former Iranian president and vocal critic of the supreme leader, was the latest candidate to register his candidacy for the June 28 vote, having been rejected from the ballot twice since his disqualification in 2017. Mrs Elahian has been at the heart of Irans controversial policy-making apparatus. While serving as a member of parliaments national security and foreign policy committee, she was one of 227 lawmakers in Iran who signed a letter requesting the execution of protesters in the wake of the 2022 uprising. Earlier that year, she claimed that if talks to restore the 2015 nuclear deal did not continue in line with the countrys interests after Donald Trump, the then US president, pulled out of the deal, they were not essential. She said at the time that all sanctions must be lifted, and we must certainly obtain a credible guarantee from the United States so that we do not face another withdrawal from the agreement and the return of sanctions. She added: We are waiting for the decision by the American side, and if this process becomes attritional, a decision will be made whether or not to continue the negotiations. Since Joe Biden took office, Iran has continued to accelerate its nuclear programme with Rafael Grossi, the UNs nuclear chief, recently claiming the country is now weeks not months away from a nuclear weapon. 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. Haynes: Memorial Day story reminds us 'The others cant tell theirs' First Lt. Coy Buell Ellison died on Aug. 2, 1944, on a World War II bombing mission over Romania. He was a navigator on a Liberator aircraft that did not return. Seaman 2nd Class Johnny Leo Windom died on Nov. 25, 1944, in the Pacific theater of World War II. He was listed as missing as action before being declared killed. The locations of their deaths were half a globe apart, but they had started out in the same place. They were the first and last of six young men killed in the war during a three-month, three-week period all from the town of McLean, Texas, whose population was just more than 1,400. Ellison, Windom and the other four were remembered this Memorial Day in an annual service at Hillcrest Cemetery on the edge of McLean, whose city limits sign now says it has 665 residents. It was a sunny day with just enough breeze to make the Stars and Stripes flutter. Lucas Webb ties the American flag at half-staff as Cub Scouts and others salute at the Memorial Day service Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. The flag was marched to the cemetery center circle by Cub Scouts and raised to the top of a pole before being lowered to half-staff. The mornings speaker, Don Sanders, noted the scores of other, small, American flags that the Cub Scouts had placed on graves the day before. Its a privilege to see a town that supports our veterans, said Sanders, who served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. He grew up in Stinnett and is a longtime member of Heald Methodist Church outside McLean. Sanders made clear that his faith, his mother and his little sweetheart from McLean, Texas, had helped him overcome demons that haunted him after his Vietnam experience. He had seen fellow Army servicemen undertaking dangerous tasks such as hauling napalm, and a friend from Buffalo, New York, who had your back had returned to the States with irreparably damaged lungs from Agent Orange. A chaplain had told Sanders, Gods not through with you yet. Well all get through this if were soldiers of Christ, Sanders said. I dont know if its good for you to hear this, but its good for me to tell. He referenced those who didnt make it back. Im telling my story, but the others cant tell theirs. Don Sanders, U.S. Army Airborne (Ret.), spoke at the Memorial Day service Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. Sanders was awarded the Bronze Star after serving in the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. Jennifer Evans, my cousin who volunteers with the Hillcrest Cemetery Association and the McLean-Alanreed Area Museum, among other community groups, is researching all 31 known McLean service members who have lost their lives from World War I on. She read short biographies of the six who died in that short 1944 time span. Ellison is buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery in England. Windom is buried at McLean. In addition, Army Sgt. Morse Ivey of the McLean Class of 1936 was killed in action on Aug. 9, 1944, in France. Ivey, who was related to my family, is buried in the Brittany American Cemetery in France. Navy Ensign James Everett of the McLean Class of 1940 was killed on Sept. 10, 1944, while strafing a Japanese landing field in the Philippines. A marker at McLean memorializes his life. Private 1st Class Alton Glenn died on Oct. 8, 1944, two months after being wounded while fighting with the Marines on Guam. He was born in Wheeler County and is buried at McLean. And Private Delmas H. Collie died on Nov. 10, 1944, on Leyte Island after suffering wounds fighting with the Marines on Guam. His grave is at McLean. As remarkable as it is that so many lives from one small town were cut short in less than four months, the impact isnt the numbers but the devastation on each of those six families and on families all over the Texas Panhandle and the nation. Bobby Richardson, left, and Carey Richardson sing harmony at the Memorial Day service Monday at Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. Singer Quin Billingsley waits behind them. Bobby and Carey Richardson, two of several excellent musicians at the Hillcrest service, talked about their late brother, Staff Sgt. Kenny Richardson, who was a member of the Air Force Academys Wings of Blue parachute team and a survival trainer. Kenny Richardson was killed in a parachute accident in 1999, and knowing the sense of loss his brothers feel makes their beautiful harmonic singing even more inspiring. Ive seen them perform Go Rest High On That Mountain at several funerals, and their rendition was no less inspiring on Memorial Day. Mike Haynes A service that included Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art and Far Side Banks of Jordan led by the Richardsons, Kristen Webb, Kendalyn Richardson and Bobby Evans left some in tears, but maybe the Ernest Tubb song, Soldiers Last Letter, sung by Evans, captured the moment best: When the postman delivered a letter, It filled her dear heart full of joy. But she didn't know till she read the inside, it was the last one from her darling boy. Dear Mom, was the way that it started. I miss you so much, it went on. Mom, I didn't know that I loved you so. I'll finish this letter the first chance I get, but now I'll just say I love you Then the mother's old hands began to tremble, and she fought against tears in her eyes. But they came unashamed, for there was no name, and she knew that her darling had died. Mike Haynes taught journalism at Amarillo College from 1991 to 2016 and has written for the Faith section since 1997. He can be reached at haynescolumn@gmail.com. Go to www.haynescolumn.blogspot.com for other recent columns. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Haynes: Memorial Day supports veterans, soldiers of Christ Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Sunday that she will dismiss murder and manslaughter charges against Minnesota State Trooper Ryan Londregan in the shooting death of motorist Ricky Cobb II last summer. Moriarty told the Star Tribune that her unexpected decision comes in response to a prosecution expert's new analysis of video from the scene and recent statements by Londregan's defense attorney. In a court hearing in April, attorney Chris Madel said the 27-year-old trooper feared for his partner's life because he believed Cobb was reaching for a gun. Moriarty said the defense team had not previously raised this legal claim. She said prosecutors and the law enforcement expert reviewed the video and found that as Londregan's partner clung to the passenger's door, Cobb lifted his hand and "you can't see very clearly" what he's doing. Moriarty cited the expert, who said the video reveals "horrible, horrible, horrible" tactics displayed by the troopers. But it shows Londregan used lawful force in the moment because he "could have shot to prevent great bodily harm or death" to his partner, Moriarty said. "We could theoretically prosecute this and just let the jury decide," she said. "However, we ethically can't do that because we don't believe at this point that we can disprove that affirmative defense." "This is not a situation of us backing down," Moriarty said, adding that the killing last week of Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell did not influence her decision. "It is a situation of recognizing that, given all the barriers that are put in place in these types of cases and the new information that came up, we just can't ethically go forward." Bakari Sellers, an attorney representing Cobb's family, said the family could not be more disappointed in the prosecutors. "They got bullied. There's no other way around it," Sellers said. "There was a unique display of cowardice." Londregan's attorney was similarly succinct in his response Sunday. "It's about goddamn time," Madel said. "That's going to be about my only on-the-record comment." The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association continued criticism of Moriarty even as they celebrated her decision. In a statement, Brian Peters called the decision to charge Londregan "political." The association's general counsel and former Washington County prosecutor Imran Ali said in a statement that "damage" from the case will continue. "This prosecutor divided our communities all in the name of politics," Ali's statement read. "Shame on you, Mary Moriarty." The case was also marked with prosecutorial shake-ups as Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Joshua Larson stepped aside and was replaced by outside counsel from Steptoe LLP, a Washington, D.C.-based international law firm with a contract that included an initial $1 million billing cap for its services. In a report issued Sunday, the special counsel recommended that charges be dismissed, and Moriarty said she agreed. The nine-page report says that although the troopers' tactics were flawed in that they failed to de-escalate the confrontation, they were "not demonstrably contrary to their training." "Suffice it to say, the ability of the State to rebut Londregan's justification for his use of deadly force diminished substantially in the months since he was charged," the report says. "As a result, the charges can no longer be proven beyond a reasonable doubt." The decision ends a legal battle that captured Minnesota headlines and tapped into the intense politics surrounding police use of force in America. Sellers said nothing has changed in the videos at the core of the case. "They [prosecutors] articulated to us a very strong case today for voluntary manslaughter," Sellers said. "But they were afraid." Londregan has maintained his innocence since charges were filed in January. Wearing T-shirts and carrying signs calling for the charges to be dropped and Moriarty to be recalled, fellow troopers and other law enforcement supporters arrived by the busload and packed the courthouse before several court hearings. Before a hearing in April, several supporters briefly clashed with a smaller but vocal contingent demanding justice for Cobb. Moriarty said she has been at the center of the criticism since she announced the charges and Madel released a video calling her "out of control." "Open season on law enforcement must end," the defense attorney said at the time. "And it's going to end with this case." Moriarty, a former public defender, ran for Hennepin County's top prosecutor job after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, campaigning on a promise to hold law-breaking police officers accountable. In a lengthy interview Sunday, she said this case was never political for her. She criticized Londregan's defense team, policing organizations and politicians for making comments that were "really inappropriate, really disrespectful to the family to Ricky Cobb." They included Gov. Tim Walz, who publicly expressed his concerns of the handling of the case shortly after the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association asked him to have the Attorney General's Office to take over the prosecution. "The governor has never reached out to me," Moriarty said. "I don't recall him ever intervening in the case of anyone on behalf of the person who's charged." Asked if she believed Walz was preparing to take the case away from her, Moriarty said it was possible. "Who knows, right? And that would be tragic," she said. "I mean, I am capable of doing my job. I am doing it here, right? It will probably have some political consequences for me, but as I've always said, the people didn't elect me to make political decisions. They elected me to make courageous ethical decisions." In a statement after Moriarty announced her decision, Walz said he supported her choice. "This decision is supported by the evidence and multiple expert opinions," Walz's statement read. "While I have expressed some serious reservations about the approach taken and the cost of this prosecution, this is clearly the right call." The charges against Londregan stemmed from a traffic stop on Interstate 94 in north Minneapolis last July, when other troopers pulled over Cobb for driving without taillights but soon learned he was wanted for violating a domestic no-contact order. Cobb, 33, didn't follow commands to exit his vehicle and instead shifted to drive, causing the car to lurch forward as Londregan and a colleague were partly inside trying to remove him. Londregan fired his service weapon, striking Cobb twice. Moriarty said she charged Londregan based on the evidence available at the time, and that the judge affirmed there was probable cause to proceed with the case. Her office offered for the defense to come in and talk about what Londregan will say in court on several occasions, she said, but he refused and other witnesses were uncooperative with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation. She said the prosecution was caught off guard when Madel made comments in the courtroom about fearing Cobb was reaching for a gun. Cobb did have a gun in the vehicle, and Moriarty said there is still no evidence he intended to grab it, but the statements caused prosecutors to reconsider the evidence through a new lens. "They could have told us that before we charged it, they could have told us that at any time," she said. "And that is information that we would have considered and obviously have considered." Star Tribune reporters Kim Hyatt, Liz Sawyer and Josie Albertson-Grove contributed to this story. Homeless Heroes announced last week that it was able to close on its planned purchase of the Astro Motel after many years of fundraising and trying to find a piece of land to create homes for homeless veterans in the area. The purchase comes just over a year after a planned location fell through that would have been donated land for a tiny home veteran community near River Road. Infrastructure, property value, and safety concerns were all cited as reasons for objections to the proposed facility, which would have been outside the Amarillo city limits. Tiffaney Belflower and Christopher Israel of Homeless Heroes stand outside the group's newly purchased facility that will be converted into housing for homeless veterans at the Astro Motel in Amarillo. Tiffaney Belflower has pursued this project for most of the last decade, having a heart to help veterans due to her own family experiences. Little did she know that she would discover a much better logistical location that would need minor infrastructure improvements to accommodate veterans at the Astro Motel, which is located across from the Thomas E Creek Medical Center. The Astro Motel has resources that will be available to its occupants. Within the office area, other resources will be brought to veterans, and a common area will be staffed. After a solid push to raise enough money for the $565,000 needed to purchase the property, Belflower has found a home for her groups project. The current 20-room configuration will be turned into 14 to 15 single or double-person units that will have a full kitchen and laundry for use by each resident. Each room will be HUD (Housing and Urban Development) compliant and will have a sponsor that will work to get every room furnished with all the equipment it requires, so each room could be decorated differently depending on the sponsor. Belflower said that finally reaching this point is a blessing, and it took a lot of effort from her supporters and the community. Rooms at the Astro Motel that will be converted into housing for homeless veterans in Amarillo. It's pretty damn incredible that we finally have a piece of land to develop for this project and, even better, will not have to start from the ground up, Belflower said. It is in a perfect location across from the VA (Veterans Affairs), and to see this finally come to fruition is a dream come true. Now we can create something tangible to help make a difference for these veterans. She emphasizes that there is a lot of work to do and encourages all who said that they wanted to support the project if a proper location was found to step up. We have heard from a lot of companies and individuals that have said they wanted to help, Belflower said. "I hope people keep following our journey, and if they see a need that we may have and are willing to help in those areas, we more than appreciate it. We need help in many ways, not just financial. We have lots of opportunities to help in so many ways, and we would be honored for any community involvement that we get moving forward. One of the current rooms at the Astro Motel will be converted into a unit with kitchen and washing facilities for homeless veterans in Amarillo. Chris Israel, executive director of Homeless Heroes, spoke about the next steps to get the property ready for homeless veterans. Our first priority is to secure the property and make it secure, he said. Then we will work with philanthropic entities that will do the finishing packages on these units with the installation of appliances and other furnishings. They will not pay us but do the work on these units to comply with their needs. We will give them the standards of what we expect, and they will come in and outfit each unit from floor to ceiling. With these entities coming in and working on different rooms, Israel expects that each room will have a slightly different flavor that will reflect the sponsor. Israel says that while the facility will accept married couples, there will be no children residing in the units. All of our veterans will be coming from the street; there are resources and programs readily available for homeless veteran families, Israel said. We will cater to the individual or two-adult families. Christopher Israel, the director of Homeless Heroes, gives a tour of the new facility that will be converted into housing for homeless veterans at the Astro Hotel in Amarillo. The rooms, which are about 350 square feet (about the area of a parking space), will be upgraded to about 500 to 550 square feet (about twice the area of a parking space). Israel says he hopes that the first phase of the project, which will come in three phases, will be complete by Veterans' Day with five units available. These will not be luxury but amenity-driven. They will be better than any low-income housing in town, Israel added. We will get our veterans the help and assistance they need to be eligible for. Many veterans do not know all the benefits and resources available to them. Veterans who stay in the facility are expected to be housed for 12 to 36 months, depending on their situation, until they can get permanent housing. Christopher Israel, the director of Homeless Heroes, talks about the plan to convert the Astro Motel into housing for homeless veterans in Amarillo. Everything from furniture to appliances will be provided so a veteran can just walk into his unit with his backpack on and have a place to live and be off the streets, Israel said. Many will probably get their first sound night of sleep for the first time in months. Those interested in volunteering or donating they can contact the organization at 806-340-3510 or go to the Homeless Heroes website at https://www.homelessheroesofamarillo.org . This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Homeless Heroes secures funds to buy Astro Motel for veterans space Hundreds walk out of U. of C. convocation protesting war in Gaza, one person arrested CHICAGO Hundreds of pro-Palestinian students and faculty walked out of the University of Chicagos convocation Saturday morning, marching around campus before a tense confrontation with police, which led to an arrest. The demonstration came after U. of C. withheld the degrees of four seniors involved with the universitys pro-Palestinian encampment last month. Its the latest in a wave of protests against the war in Gaza, which have swept institutions across the nation. Its so energizing, said Youssef Hasweh, 22, a senior whose degree was withheld, as he led a cheering crowd through Cobb Gate. The fire in the student body is insane. The person who was arrested tried to break through a barrier erected by police, and is unaffiliated with U. of C., according to a statement from the university. Charges are being sought for battery. Several demonstrators were also pepper sprayed by officers. The university said a small number of protesters acted violently. The university is fundamentally committed to upholding the rights of students to express a wide range of views, the statement said. The demonstration began in the main quad, where thousands had gathered for the universitys 538th convocation. After U. of C. President Paul Alivisatos addressed the graduates, the crowd erupted in chants, shouting Let them graduate. The ceremony had only begun about 10 minutes before. Several seniors waved Palestinian flags before marching toward Cobb Gate. Hundreds of students and some faculty followed. Convocation speaker John A. List, a distinguished service professor, seemed to address the walkout as he took the stage. He unfurled a white t-shirt reading I (heart) UChicago 2024 and displayed it on the podium. Theres my sign, List said. As rain poured down, demonstrators gathered on East 57th Street, many holding pro-Palestinian cardboard signs. Others wore keffiyehs over their academic regalia. Hasweh, who is Palestinian, addressed the crowd through a megaphone as his voice broke. He and the other three students have yet to hear any updates on their degrees, he said. The university is complicit in the genocide of my family, he said. Our diplomas dont matter if theirs dont. Flanked by police, the demonstrators marched down South Woodlawn Avenue, weaving through stalled cars. They turned on East 59th Street and stopped at the intersection with South University Avenue, where dozens of officers had formed a barricade. Protesters continued to chant and face officers before both sides began to push against the barrier. Officers then pepper-sprayed several students, and a woman was tackled to the ground. Kelly Hui, 22, another senior who did not receive her degree, said students would not rest until U. of C. divests from funds with ties to Israel and weapons manufacturers. She was set to graduate with honors and three majors it doesnt matter now, she added. Im so proud and honored to stand with all of you today. This is my education, Hui told the crowd. The university is trying to repress and scare us. The demonstrators later marched to another graduation ceremony for students from the Renee Granville-Grossman Residential Commons, about a block away. Protesters stood near the stage, waving Palestinian flags and chanting. One student nearby in academic regalia waved an Israeli flag. Other students and family members expressed frustration that the graduation ceremony was disrupted. I didnt come here to see this, said Bill Ballanger, who had come from Ohio for his grandsons graduation. This is to celebrate those kids. Get them out. Brianna Suslovic, a 29-year-old Ph.D. student, looked over the sea of umbrellas as the rain beat down. She had been pepper sprayed earlier and wiped her eyes. Graduation should be disrupted, given the fact that there are no graduations possible in Gaza, Suslovic said. Well be out here as long as it takes for the university to acknowledge graduation shouldnt go on without the recognition of genocide. Joe Biden and his son Hunter seen leaving St Edmond Church in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Saturday - Susan Walsh/AP Hunter Bidens own admission to smoking crack every 15 minutes around the time he bought a firearm is expected to be used against him as he becomes the first child of a sitting US president to go on trial on Monday. Joe Bidens son faces up to 25 years in prison if found guilty of three counts of possessing a firearm while addicted to drugs, illegal under federal law. The trial is the latest saga for the lobbyist-turned-artist who has for years been consumed by legal troubles and controversies that are said to have plagued his fathers re-election campaign. The trial comes days after Joe Biden said no one is above the law after Donald Trump was convicted of 34 counts of falsifying business records. Republicans are expected to seize upon any lurid details that come out of the trial in a bid to distract from Trumps historic conviction. Hunter Biden revealed his drug use in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things The Democrat leaders only surviving son, 54, has pleaded not guilty to three charges stemming from his purchase of a .38-caliber Colt Cobra revolver in 2018 when he was addicted to drugs. He will go on trial in the familys home town of Wilmington, Delaware, on two counts of making false statements on paperwork for the gun purchase that he was not using drugs illegally. He faces a third charge that he illegally possessed the gun which he had for only 11 days in October 2018. Trump may use the younger Bidens trial in a bid to provoke the Democrat leader during the first presidential debate later this month, said Christopher Galdieri, professor of politics at St Anselms College, Merseyside. I think its going to be a lot like the Access Hollywood tape in 2016, where that broke and I think that same day WikiLeaks started posting Hillary Clintons emails, he told The Telegraph. I think the Republicans are hoping that this can distract... but I dont know that thats going to compete with Trumps felony conviction when Trump is the one who is actually a candidate. The prosecution is expected to introduce evidence, including pictures, text messages and his claim in his 2021 memoir Beautiful Things he was smoking crack cocaine 24 hours a day every 15 minutes, seven days a week despite stating on a federal form that he was not using any illegal drugs when he purchased the gun. Father and son enjoying a cycle ride at Gordons Pond State Park near Rehoboth Beach on Saturday - Susan Walsh/AP The defence team has pushed for narrow definitions of the terms addict and user and requested instructions requiring an acquittal if the jury determines that the defendant did not consider himself to fit those definitions. One of the key witnesses against Hunter Biden is expected to be Hallie Biden, his brother Beaus widow, whom he became romantically involved with after his brothers death. Hunter Biden faces separate tax evasion charges in his home state of California, in a case set to go to trial later in the year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. As Hunter Biden goes to trial on gun charges, here's how his attorneys plan to defend a 'simple case' Federal prosecutors pursuing a conviction of President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden on three felony gun charges have characterized their upcoming trial as "a simple case" -- and the facts presented in charging documents certainly appear to support that claim. According to special counsel David Weiss' office, in October of 2018, Hunter Biden knowingly lied on a federal form about his drug use in order to procure a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver -- conduct that, at face value, would constitute a federal crime. He is charged with two counts related to false statements in purchasing the firearm and a third count of illegally obtaining a firearm while addicted to drugs. But Hunter Biden's legal team believes it can throw a wrench in Weiss' tidy narrative. At a recent pretrial hearing, an attorney for Biden suggested the firearm form at the heart of the case was "much more complicated than [the] special counsel indicates it is." MORE: Special counsel plans to use infamous laptop as evidence in Hunter Biden's firearm trial Jury selection for the trial is set to begin on Monday. And if 12 Delaware residents accept the government's story, the president's only living son could face a prison sentence. The task of fighting that outcome falls to Abbe Lowell, a veteran defense attorney who has represented several other high-profile figures, including Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. How Lowell plans to fight the charges remains somewhat unclear. He has signaled to U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika that the contours of his case would depend in large part on how prosecutors proceed at trial. But in court records and at pretrial hearings, he has offered some tea leaves -- and suggested he will attempt to cast doubt on some of the government's most crucial evidence and witnesses. 'Tampered' or 'annotated'? Lowell has, for example, latched onto revelations in court that two copies exist of the federal gun form at the heart of the case, called an ATF Form 4473. A shop employee created the original document when Hunter Biden purchased the firearm in 2018. It lists Biden's passport as the ID he presented to the shop employee. Years later, however, a copy was made. The copy included a handwritten note, "DE Vehicle Registration," on a line left blank for "Supplemental Government Issued Documentation." Store employees did so in 2021 to rectify a requirement that gun buyers present a form of ID that includes an address, which passports do not. Lowell contends that gun store employees "tampered with" the document, and that it raises questions about "who wrote what on the form, and when." Weiss' office has said the gun shop employees merely "annotated" the document. But they took Lowell's argument seriously enough to re-interview the gun store owner, Ronald Palimere, on May 16. During the interview, according to notes filed on the case docket, Palimere said Hunter Biden's legal tribulations were becoming "a big scandal and there was intense attention on the incident," and that employees at the store "were all scared to death." Palimere "felt it was necessary to annotate the Form 4473 because he felt they were going to get in trouble just for going up against Biden," according to the notes. PHOTO: Hunter Biden departs the House Rayburn Office Building following a surprise appearance at a House Oversight Committee markup and meeting on Capitol Hill, Jan. 10, 2024. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters, FILE) If jurors are persuaded by Lowell's tack, the argument could undermine the credibility of some key government witnesses -- the people who sold Biden the gun -- and potentially create a reasonable doubt that Hunter Biden was the one who actually checked that box. At least two gun store employees, including Palimere, are expected to testify at the trial. The definition of 'is' Lowell may also advance the argument that Hunter Biden may have been confused by the language on the ATF Form 4473. The box he checked "no" asked of the buyer, "Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to" various narcotics. "The issue here is Mr. Biden's understanding of the question, which asks in the present tense if he 'is' a user or addict," Lowell wrote in court papers. "The terms 'user' or 'addict' are not defined on the form and were not explained to him," he continued. "Someone like Mr. Biden, who had just completed an 11-day rehabilitation program and lived with a sober companion after that, could surely believe he was not a present tense user or addict." MORE: Special counsel in Hunter Biden case plans to call his ex-wife, brother's widow as witnesses in upcoming trial Finally, Lowell has raised "an issue of chain of custody" with a leather pouch that allegedly held the revolver Hunter Biden purchased. In court documents filed earlier this year, prosecutors said this pouch had cocaine residue on it. After purchasing the firearm in 2018, Hunter Biden possessed it for less than two weeks before his then-romantic partner, Hallie Biden who is also the widow of his brother, Beau discovered the weapon and the pouch, discarded them in a dumpster. The gun was soon recovered by the authorities, but the pouch was not tested for drug residue until five years later, in 2023. Lowell said at the pretrial hearing that he wants to question witnesses about what happened to the pouch during those five years when it was in police custody to see if it was "tampered with." One of the witnesses Lowell plans to call for the defense is a chemical residue expert. The government's case Prosecutors hope these arguments fall flat, and that jurors rely on the voluminous evidence they plan to present to find Hunter Biden guilty of committing the three felony charges he faces. Prosecutors seem poised to use Hunter Biden's own words against him -- excerpts from his 2021 memoir, "Beautiful Things," and text messages he exchanged around the time of the gun purchase -- to demonstrate that he was in fact a drug user when he filled out the ATF Form 4473 and procured the weapon. In one text message prosecutors included in court filings, Hunter Biden wrote two days after allegedly purchasing the gun: "I was sleeping on a car smoking crack on 4th Street and Rodney," referring to an intersection in Wilmington. Weiss' office also plans to show jurors the original ATF Form 4473, in which Biden represented that "he was not an unlawful user of, or addicted to, any stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance" -- despite allegedly knowing it not to be true. Prosecutors indicated that they plan to call as many as 12 witnesses, including Hallie Biden and Hunter Biden's ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle. MORE: Judge denies Hunter Biden's attempt to dismiss federal gun charges Lowell has not yet decided whether Hunter Biden will testify in his own defense. The trial begins on Monday and is expected to last two to three weeks. If he's found guilty, Biden could face a prison sentence of up to 25 years, though legal experts suggest that, as a first-time and nonviolent offender, he would not likely serve time. Weiss' office also charged Hunter Biden in December 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. The back taxes and penalties were eventually paid in full by a third party, identified by ABC News as Hunter Biden's attorney and confidant, Kevin Morris. Hunter Biden has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial in that case was scheduled to begin on June 20 in California, but Lowell successfully petitioned the judge to postpone it until Sept. 5 -- raising the likelihood that a jury could be deliberating whether to convict the presidents son on several felony counts in the waning weeks of the 2024 election. As Hunter Biden goes to trial on gun charges, here's how his attorneys plan to defend a 'simple case' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The president's son is charged with three firearm felonies related to a gun purchase in 2018. Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, will stand trial this week on charges relating to a 2018 gun purchase. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images) Hunter Biden will stand trial this week in a Delaware federal court on charges that he failed to disclose his drug use on a form when purchasing a gun in 2018. Jury selection is currently underway days after former President Donald Trump was found guilty on 34 charges of falsifying business records. The 54-year-old son of President Joe Biden will be the first child of a sitting president to be a defendant in a criminal trial. With Novembers 2024 presidential election just months away, the trial is expected to provide fuel for Trumps allies following a failed attempt by Republicans to impeach Joe Biden. Heres what you need to know ahead of Hunter Bidens trial this week. What are the charges? In September 2023, U.S. special counsel David Weiss, a Trump appointee, charged the presidents son with three firearm felonies. They include: Lying to a federally licensed gun dealer Making a false claim on the federal firearms form used to screen applicants Possession of an illegally obtained gun Hunter Biden, a first-time offender, pleaded not guilty to all three charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. What did Hunter Biden do? In October 2018, Biden purchased a .38-caliber Colt revolver from a gun store, StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Wilmington, Del. Anyone who purchases a firearm is required to provide identification and fill out a form thats collected by federal authorities. The form asks whether the purchaser is an unlawful user or is addicted to controlled substances, narcotics and other listed substances. The younger Biden, whos been open about his longtime struggles with crack cocaine and claims to have been sober since May 2019, is accused of answering no to that question on the form, despite using drugs during that time. While lying on the form is considered a felony, prosecutions for it are extremely rare. According to a 2018 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, only 12 of the 12,700 referred cases in 2017 were investigated by U.S. attorney offices as of June 2018. The case of the missing gun Hunter owned the gun for 11 days from Oct. 12 to Oct. 23, 2018 before it was recovered in the trash outside Janssens Market in Greenville, Del. It was placed there by Hallie Biden, the widow of Hunters late brother Beau Biden, who Hunter was dating at the time, according to the September 2023 indictment. A leaked 2018 police report, published by Politico in March 2021, revealed that Hallie Biden told police that she found the gun in Hunter Biden's vehicle before putting it in a bag and throwing it in the trash outside Janssens. After telling Hunter Biden about the gun over the phone, he implored her to drive back and retrieve it. When she did, Hallie discovered that the gun was no longer there. Hunter Biden said the gun was for target practice Hallie Biden eventually confessed about the gun drop to a Janssenss store employee, who then called the police. Hunter Biden met Hallie Biden and the Delaware State Police at the store 30 minutes later. He told police that he purchased the gun for target practice but hadnt shot it yet. Police find the missing gun Hunter Biden, Hallie Biden and store employees told police that a homeless man, who routinely collected cans from trash in the area, may have taken the gun. About a week later, officers confirmed the man had found the gun in the trash and stashed it inside a box at his home. The police seized the gun when they found it. What the gun trial will uncover The trial will be overseen by Judge Maryellen Noreika and is expected to explore Hunter Bidens past drug abuse with potentially embarrassing testimony about his 2018 gun purchase. As reported by NBC News, the case may distract or distress Joe Biden amid his presidential campaign while fueling Trumps allies, who are eager to distract from Trumps own legal problems. Whos expected to testify? According to multiple reports, Hallie Biden is expected to testify in the case as well as a former state police officer who wrote the 2018 police report. Gordon Cleveland, an employee of the gun store where Hunter bought the gun, is also expected to testify. Kathleen Buhle, who was married to the presidents son from 1993 to 2017, is another expected witness. Financial woes Kevin Morris, a Los Angeles lawyer who has provided Hunter Biden with millions of dollars in loans over the years, is reportedly running out of money to alleviate the younger Bidens financial woes. According to the New York Times, this potential decrease in funding is likely to add more stress to Hunter Biden's legal team as it may limit their ability to hire expert witnesses or other specialists in the gun case or in his forthcoming trial on tax charges in California. Hunter Biden's separate tax charges The presidents son faces tax evasion charges in a separate California case set for trial in September. In that case, he was indicted on nine tax charges three felonies and six misdemeanors related to $1.4 million in unpaid taxes between 2016 and 2019. While those back taxes have since been paid back, Hunter could still face a maximum of 17 years in prison if convicted in that case. IATSE and major Hollywood studios and streamers have paused negotiations over the unions Area Standards Agreement after the two parties did not reach a deal in their previously allotted time. The crew union updated members on Saturday that the two sides did not come to an agreement in their two-week bargaining period, and that additional negotiations dates were expected to be scheduled for later in June. I want to thank the ASA Negotiating Committee for their thorough work to prepare for these negotiations, IATSE international president Matthew Loeb said in a statement. Their contribution helped ensure we have the momentum we need at the table. More from The Hollywood Reporter Loeb continued, Im hopeful that we will soon reach a tentative agreement that members will want to ratify. The Area Standards Agreement covers around 20,000 members across the U.S. who work outside of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and San Francisco, spanning 23 Locals. Top issues for these Locals in 2024s round of negotiations include instituting major increases to minimum wages rates; a standardized, higher benefit rate that would apply to all Locals; language covering the use of AI; and heightened financial penalties for when contractually obligated rest periods are delayed or missed. IATSE has also stated that it is seeking to include additional holidays in the contract, expand sick leave, change or end certain sideletters and make overtime improvements. IATSE is negotiating both the Area Standards Agreement and the Basic Agreement (a contract that covers 13 West Coast unions and over 60,000 workers) in this years negotiations cycle. In mid-May, the previously scheduled period for Basic Agreement negotiations also came and went without a deal; additional bargaining dates for that contract have been scheduled for Monday through Wednesday. The Area Standards Agreement, like the Basic Agreement, expires on July 31. IATSE has stated that it is willing to call a strike authorization vote if the two parties dont reach a deal by that date. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The president of IATSE told members Saturday that he is hopeful that a deal will be reached soon with the studios on a new agreement for 23 local unions around the country. The union has been bargaining for the last three months on two contracts the Basic Agreement and the Area Standards Agreement that together cover about 70,000 crew workers nationwide. More from Variety The last two weeks of talks have been focused on the Area Standards Agreement, which covers about 20,000 workers in 23 locals, including major production centers like Georgia and New Mexico. Those talks wrapped up on Saturday without a tentative agreement but more negotiation days are expected to be added later in June. I want to thank the ASA Negotiating Committee for their thorough work to prepare for these negotiations, Matt Loeb, the international president of IATSE, said in a statement. Their contribution helped ensure we have the momentum we need at the table. Im hopeful that we will soon reach a tentative agreement that members will want to ratify. The union is returning to the table on Monday to resume talks on the Basic Agreement, which covers 13 locals headquartered in Los Angeles. Those talks are set to run through Wednesday, and could result in a tentative agreement this week. IATSE is focused on a sizable increase in wages, a new funding stream for the pension and health plans, rest periods and meal penalties, and rules around subcontracting. Much of the focus has been on artificial intelligence, and how best to retrain and compensate workers who lose their jobs to AI. The Basic Agreement and Area Standards Agreement are expected to be similar in most respects, though workers based in Los Angeles tend to command higher wages. Teamsters Local 399 and the other Basic Crafts unions, which collectively represent about 8,000 workers, are set to begin their negotiations on June 10. All three contracts are due to expire on July 31. Best of Variety Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. IDF fights on in Rafah as mediators call for agreement on Gaza deal An Israeli military vehicle continues on the border line near the city of Rafah, Gaza. At least 45 people were killed, mostly women and children, and nearly 250 others injured in the Israeli strike on the camp on 26 May. Saeed Qaq/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continued their operation in Gaza's Rafah on Saturday despite extensive international criticism, as the states mediating in the ongoing conflict called for an agreement to end the war. Soldiers found numerous weapons, tunnels and rockets in the town in the south of the Gaza Strip, the IDF said, adding that the army's operations were precise and based on intelligence findings. Israel deems Rafah the last stronghold of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which triggered the current conflict in Gaza after killing hundreds of civilians in Israel on October 7. Many of Israel's allies, however, have adamantly opposed a military incursion into Rafah due to the high number of civilians having sheltered there from fighting elsewhere in the coastal area. Many of them have since fled Rafah again. The latest attacks come one day after US President Joe Biden unveiled a new proposal endorsed by Israel to end the war and secure the release of Israeli hostages. Later on Saturday, states mediating in the conflict called on Israel and Hamas to settle on the agreement. Egypt, the US and Qatar said the parties to the conflict should finalize an agreement that includes the principles outlined by Biden, they said in a joint statement published by Egypt. The proposed agreement unites the demands of all parties, they said. It serves multiple interests and will bring immediate relief to the people of Gaza as well as the hostages and their families, the statement said. "This agreement provides a roadmap to a permanent ceasefire and ending the crisis." While Washington on Friday said that Israel had endorsed the three-phase plan for a ceasefire agreement laid out by Biden, several far-right members of the Israeli government on Saturday threatened to withdraw from the coalition in case the deal is accepted. In a post on X, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he had informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would no longer be part of the government if Israel agreed to the proposal, arguing it would put an end to the war even though Israel's stated aims have not been achieved. Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also threatened to leave the coalition government if the deal, which includes provisions for all hostages to be released, is accepted, arguing the plan would mean "victory for terrorism" and a "total defeat" for Israel. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the ministers over their opposition to the proposal. An outspoken critic of Netanyahu, Lapid said that he had promised the prime minister a political safety net for the deal should Ben-Gvir or Smotrich leave the government. This would allow Netanyahu to continue to govern. Meanwhile fighting also continued in the central Gaza Strip, where dozens of Palestinians have been killed over the past two days. The IDF said they were terrorists. Several key members of Hamas have reportedly been killed in Gaza in recent days, including a man who was involved in planning terrorist attacks in Israel and the West Bank. None of the information could initially be independently verified. In view of the high number of civilian victims and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, Israel is facing mounting criticism abroad, with many condemning the operation in densely-crowded Rafah in particular. A week ago, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to halt the military operation in Rafah immediately. The Hamas-run health authority in Gaza says 36,379 people have been killed in the territory since the beginning of the current conflict. I'm an American who ate at KFC in Japan. The dishes I tried blew away the chain's US offerings. I'm an American who ate at KFC in Japan. The dishes I tried blew away the chain's US offerings. I'm an American living in Japan and I visited a Kentucky Fried Chicken location in Japan. The KFC in Japan had some unique menu items and some classics I especially loved the Choco Pie. The Twisters (chicken wraps) also impressed me and I enjoyed a limited-edition fried chicken, too. As an American living in Japan, I love trying Japanese locations of American-owned fast-food chains. My family moved from North Carolina to Okinawa, Japan, in 2022. Sometimes visiting US chains that have made their way to this side of the world reminds us of home plus, locations here usually have different offerings. Sometimes they're better quality, too. One of my favorites is McDonald's (read about my experience here), which I think is better in Japan than in the US. Recently, I visited a Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) in Japan. It's super popular here, and Japan is one of the largest markets in the world for KFC, just under the United States and China. Here's what it was like trying KFC in Japan as an American. KFC locations here have classic menu items and limited-edition ones, plus things you'll only find in Japan. Kentucky Fried Chicken is popular in Japan. Nickelle Tilley There are over 1,200 KFC locations throughout Japan, and they look pretty similar to ones I've been to in the US. Like McDonald's and Starbucks in Japan, KFC offers limited-time new menu items just about every month. These foods and drinks often follow themes for major local events and celebrations, like cherry-blossom season or the autumn harvest moon. I wish chains in the US would do special releases like these more often. We started with the boneless garlic soy-sauce chicken and the crispy strips. We loved the garlic chicken and crispy strips. Nickelle Tilley The limited-edition boneless garlic soy-sauce chicken had bits of garlic and sesame seeds on its crispy exterior. It was packed with spices, the breading was crunchy, and the chicken was juicy. My family loved it. We got our boneless chicken with a side of crispy chicken strips. The chicken was juicy, and the breading was light, crisp, and flaky. We also got a biscuit as one of our sides. The biscuit wasn't like ones I've had in the US. Nickelle Tilley KFC in Japan offers several side-dish options. In addition to crispy strips, we could choose biscuits, nuggets, fries, coleslaw, or a Choco Pie. Mac and cheese and mashed potatoes, which are two super popular sides in the US, were not available to order. The biscuit I got was doughnut-shaped and a little bit sweeter compared to the one in the US. It was tasty and served with a packet of honey-maple syrup. We also tried the coleslaw. Coleslaw is one of the side options at KFC in Japan. Nickelle Tilley The coleslaw was pretty good, too. It was more finely chopped than what I've typically had in the US, but that didn't take away from the pleasant flavor. The last side we tried was the Choco Pie. The Choco Pie was delicious. Nickelle Tilley I wasn't sure if the Choco Pie was limited edition or not, but I really enjoyed it. It was fun to have such a sweet treat as a side option. The cocoa crust was crispy and flaky, and the filling was gooey and packed with chocolate flavor. I'd definitely order this every time I visit KFC. Of course, we tried the famous fried chicken. Our bucket of chicken looked super crispy. Nickelle Tilley After placing our order, we waited about 30 minutes for our basket of fried chicken. I'm unsure if that's typical or if the chain ran out of what they had prepared in advance, but I liked that it came out hot and fresh. Even though I'm more of a boneless chicken kind of gal, I enjoyed the fried chicken off the bone. The breading was a little lighter and less crunchy than I remember it being in the US, but the meat itself was so juicy and tender. I get why a popular tradition in Japan is to preorder a large bucket of fried chicken to enjoy on Christmas Day. Lastly, I tried some Twisters. I ordered two Twisters from the KFC menu. Nickelle Tilley The KFC menu had a few Twisters, which are actually just chicken wraps. They consist of a crispy chicken strip, cheese, lettuce, and sauce inside a tortilla. Twisters used to be available in the US but haven't been on menus under this name in a decade. Now, they're just wraps. During my visit, three sauces were available: pepper mayo, teriyaki, and basil lemon. The pepper-mayo Twister was my favorite. The Twisters were pretty tasty. Nickelle Tilley I ordered two of the sauce options: pepper mayo, a tomato-based salsa, and basil lemon, a garlicky herb sauce with a touch of citrus. The basil lemon was also delicious with its unique flavor. The herbs and basil had a strong taste but, paired with the lemon, it was just right. My favorite of the two, though, was the pepper mayo, which had the perfect balance of spiciness and sweetness. Overall, KFC in Japan was definitely a hit. I get why KFC is so popular in Japan. Nickelle Tilley After my tasty meal, I can see why KFC is such a big deal in Japan. Like other American-owned fast-food joints, we found the food at its Japan locations to taste a little fresher and less processed than the food in the US. I look forward to ordering a bucket of fried chicken for Christmas. Until then, I can see myself picking up a Choco Pie and chicken Twister next time I crave KFC. Read the original article on Business Insider No one was killed after Hugo Parra directed them to a safe spot as he tells PEOPLE he was "meant to be there" Courtesy of the Parra Family Anacristina Parra, left, with husband Hugo Parra. On the right is their Ford Taurus after a Memorial Day weekend tornado hit in Texas. Hugo Parra doesnt know why he didnt stop his car at the first gas station or the second or the third that he and his family passed on their drive on May 26 after getting word that they were in the path of a powerful tornado. But over Memorial Day weekend, as he finally pulled into a Valley View, Texas, travel station off busy I-35, he somehow knew that was where he needed to be. Why this place? Parra, a father of six, tells PEOPLE. The only answer that I have is God sent me ... to put everybody safely in the restrooms. I was meant to be there." Parra, 50, says he and his wife, two sons, pregnant daughter and son-in-law were traveling from his home in Farmers Branch, Texas, to Oklahoma City to celebrate a quinceanera when he got a call from his mother warning them of a looming tornado. He and his son checked the radar and saw it was coming close, he says. By the time they reached the truck stop near tiny Valley View, about an hours drive north of Dallas, the tornado was bearing down part of a broader pattern of severe weather that killed more than 20 others over the holiday. 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. AP Photo/Julio Cortez Hugo Parra looking at his car after the tornado Locally, the Cooke County Sheriffs Office confirmed that seven people were killed near there, including four children and three adults. But, miraculously, no one was killed when the tornado destroyed the Valley View truck stop, with many crediting Parras quick thinking. Its estimated that upwards of 60 people were in the building, which also houses a restaurant. Parra says he saw everyone sitting inside the restaurant and an employee telling them all just to get away from the glass windows. But Parra felt that would not be enough to save them, he says, and he quickly started yelling for everyone to take cover in the restrooms and a nearby corridor. What we heard was everyone get to the bathroom and that persons voice gave everyone a specific spot to be and that person saved maybe 50-60 lives, one man at the travel station told a local TV reporter. The reporter said he spoke to another man named Ricky who also heard the voice say, Get in the bathroom! And how did Parra, who has lived in Texas for 31 years but never experienced a tornado, know what to do? I watch TV, he says. They say to find a small place to stay down because if you are in an open space, the tornado makes the circulation that takes everything. And everything is what Parra says he and the others saw when the tornado ripped around them in the corridor. It went black as the winds sheared off the walls of the travel stop, leaving very little of the building. Courtesy of the Parra Family Hugo Parra with his grandchildren Parras 17-year-old son, Rafael, held onto him in the restroom, afraid they would all blow away. We saw the glass flying away, the roof, then it was dark, dark, dark. You dont see anything except the noise, like the 18-wheelers outside flying around, Parra says. My son is hugging me hard because he was thinking the air was going to take me. The air wants to take everybody. But it doesnt. It was a very long five or 10 minutes. Parra says his wife asked him during the ordeal if he was afraid. No, he said. He couldnt be. Everyone was crying, yelling and I say, Calm down, calm down. Everything is going to be okay. Just relax,' " he recounts. But you know, how are they going to relax when they see that big thing in their face? Once everyone was able to leave, they saw the swath of destruction around them vehicles battered and mangled, gas station pumps ripped away and barely a building left. A fireman came up to me and asked if I was inside, and I said yes. And he shook his head and almost cried, Parra says. He said, Its impossible you all are alive. It was very, very bad. We lost everything, but we survived. Courtesy of the Parra Family Hugo Parra distributing items to residents of his hometown in Durango, Mexico Parras daughter Cristal, who started a GoFundMe account to help him replace his car, says she wasnt surprised by her dads heroic actions. Hes always the type of person to go where help is needed, Cristal tells PEOPLE. He collects items for school and things and takes them back to his hometown in Durango, Mexico. I'm very, very proud of him, Cristal, who had to pick up her family after their car was destroyed, says. I wanted to cry just because looking at it, I'm like, there's no way that they survived. I'm just glad that I was able to pick them up and take them home instead of picking up bodies. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. (Photo illustration by Jim Cooke / Los Angeles Times; Photo via Getty Images) One of the things Alissa Moore remembers clearly from her time in prison is how the guards taunted her when she asked for a tampon. Sometimes theyd outright refuse. Other times they'd ask her to come to a closet or a back room, where she said, on several occasions, she was sexually assaulted. If she wanted to avoid that humiliation, Moore could buy extra tampons from the commissary. But a box cost $7, and prisoners earned as little as 8 cents an hour in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Sometimes, that meant Moore had to trade food for tampons. Less fortunate inmates resorted to using towels or tissues to absorb the blood. It was hell, she told The Times. Over the past decade, prisons and jails in California and across the country enacted laws and policies making menstrual products free to inmates. But problems remain. In New York, jail officials admitted last year that theyd stopped giving out free supplies. In Texas, women say that sometimes they get challenged by guards when they ask for more tampons or pads. And in California, after passing one bill to address the problem in 2020, several reports have surfaced where women were still denied menstrual products. Now California is trying to fix it for good. State lawmakers are considering proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 1810, to require jails, prisons and juvenile lock-ups to make tampons and pads readily accessible so that women dont have to beg prison officials for menstrual supplies. "We know power dynamics [in prisons] is ripe for abuse," said Ruth Dawson, a legislative attorney for ACLU California Action. "It seems like a small tweak in the law but we think it will have big implications for incarcerated people who menstruate. Last month, the bill unanimously passed the Assembly floor. Its now headed to the Senate with bipartisan support. If passed and signed by the governor, the measure would take effect next year. When California enacted its landmark Reproductive Dignity for Incarcerated People Act in 2020, the measure aimed to remedy an array of problems. In addition to mandating better access to perinatal medical care behind bars and banning the use of Tasers and chemical weapons on pregnant inmates, the legislation required jails and prisons to provide free tampons and sanitary pads. But last year a report issued by California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta who authored the 2020 legislation when he was in the Assembly found that almost all of the jails in the state's 58 counties failed even to create policies to comply with the law. Since then, more than 50 of those counties have fixed their policies. But there are still problems. Since September, the ACLU of Northern California identified eight cases in Los Angeles, Monterey and Bay Area jails where women were denied menstrual supplies. "That is not surprising," said Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles), who authored Assembly Bill 1810. Bryan said some women have reported officers withholding period products from them as retaliation for filing complaints. Other women, he said, reported that guards use requests for menstrual products as a means to coerce them into providing sexual favors. When asked for comment, a state prison official said that menstrual products are made free and available for all inmates. "All incarcerated people receive free basic supplies necessary for maintaining personal hygiene, including menstrual products," said Alia Cruz, a spokesperson for the corrections department. "Items are readily available and replenished every week, or upon request." The CDCR said it does not comment on pending legislation but said that inmates can file complaint forms if they feel they are not being accommodated. To avoid those situations, Bryan's bill would make menstrual products accessible for women to take as needed without asking staff. The estimated cost to the state would be minimal. The first time Moore got her period, she was 11 and living at a school for troubled youth in Mendocino. Shed been arrested on felony and misdemeanor robbery charges and served her three-year sentence at the Catholic reform school instead of at a juvenile detention facility. It was still a difficult place to go through puberty. "Nobody was talking to us about our menstrual cycles or sex, Moore told The Times. "No one is talking to us about our bodies at all. Then you are incarcerated, and one day you have your period. That was fairly traumatizing." At 17, Moore was arrested again. This time, it was a second-degree murder charge for the killing of her boyfriend, who she said had abused her. In 1997, she was sentenced to 15 years to life. As a teenager in a California prison, Moore said her period became a monthly anxiety. She was given about a dozen tampons and a dozen pads each month, though the exact number varied based on supply and was up to the discretion of the guards. When the law passed in 2020, she said during that year, until she was released a year later, officers tried to make it "appear as if they were available to the administration and any outside visitors. But it was all facade, she said. Because of a medical condition, she experienced long periods of bleeding that required her to need more. "It was happening to a large majority of the women," Moore said. "I couldn't say that it was just me." After entering the system as a child, Moore left it behind three years ago. She now works as a reentry coordinator at All of Us or None, a nonprofit organization led by formerly incarcerated people. She remembers clearly the first time she bought tampons from Walmart something she'd never done before. "It was almost like a surreal experience," she said. "I didnt need to stand there and be sexualized for getting a tampon. It took a while for things like that to sink in." The problem is not limited to state prisons. In the Los Angeles jails, inspections show access to menstrual supplies has been inconsistent, sometimes due to an apparent lack of availability and sometimes due to deputies unwillingness to hand out supplies. Two years ago, the countys Sybil Brand Commission reported that people living in some dorms of the Century Regional Detention Facility the primary womens jail couldnt get tampons , for unclear reasons. The following year, the commission found deputies taking it upon themselves to decide if a woman will get an additional napkin if she needs it. Since then, inspections have generally turned up fewer problems with access to menstrual supplies though this year commissioners reported that during an April visit one woman told them she had her period and didn't know where she would get a pad for the next day. The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department in a statement said it is committed to providing free and easy access to sanitary napkins, panty liners, and tampons so women in custody can focus on their rehabilitation with dignity. Officials also said that in most areas of the womens jail, menstrual products are available in common areas. But based on the challenges that the jails most severely mentally ill inmates living in high-observation housing face, department officials said that women living in those areas have to request menstrual supplies. Over the past decade, at least two dozen states have passed legislation to ensure access to menstrual products, according to the Prison Flow Project . Maryland, Delaware and Florida were among those that passed measures in 2018, and since then each year a few more states have followed suit. Most states make those free supplies available only upon request. As a result, many women still face a lack of access that Michele Deitch, director of the Prison and Jail Innovation Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, described as absolutely unacceptable. One of the big problems in addition to limits on the supplies is that in many places they have to request the supplies and sometimes have to show their bloody clothes to an officer as proof that they need them, she said. Any time you put women in a position where they have to request something from staff, it makes them vulnerable to the staff wanting something in return, including sexual favors . Texas prison officials stressed that menstrual products are free for inmates, and that the agency "takes seriously" making sure they are available. "Last year, we began a campaign to educate inmates about the availability of these products," said spokeswoman Amanda Hernandez. But Kwaneta Harris, a 51-year-old doing time in another central Texas prison, said guards have grilled her about why someone her age still needs pads and tampons. If one more guard says to me when I ask for them, Ain't you too old to still be having a cycle? It ain't gonna be pretty, she wrote. I'm sick of explaining that perimenopause means hot flashes AND heavy periods to guards the same age as my kids." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JENNINGS, Mo. A gunman shot an innocent bystander Saturday evening near a gas station in Jennings, police say. The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. in the 9100 block of Halls Ferry Road. Investigators say several people were involved in an altercation that eventually led to shots fired. A man considered to be an innocent bystander was shot at least once. The victim was rushed to a hospital for treatment, though his injuries are considered non-life-threatening. The St. Louis County Police Department is handling the investigation. If you have any information to pass along regarding the shooting, contact county police at 636-529-8210 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (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 FOX 2. Inside the all-expenses-paid degrees for foreign students (and the family can come too) The all-expenses-paid degrees for foreign students and the whole family can come too Hello and welcome to yet another fabulous opportunity, begins Eugene Brown, a YouTube content creator. Tuning in to his video, you might think hes about to introduce you to a set of mansions in the Hollywood Hills or a similarly dazzling investment. But Brown is, in fact, the creator of what he calls the No. 1 Channel for International Scholarships Opportunities. With 75,000 subscriptions, clearly theres an audience for what feels like QVC for university placements. Accompanied by slides on the screen, Brown talks viewers through the fully-funded Scottish Power Scholarship in the United Kingdom which covers your entire cost of enrolment, and means you get about 1,200 monthly. Another opportunity means you also get a flight ticket this is very interesting and also the cost of your visa. Students using a graduate visa are no longer able to bring dependents following changes to immigration rules in January, but there are still opportunities to do this via certain postgraduate courses, such as PhDs. Brown is part of a growing online marketplace advising international students how they can study abroad for free, with videos including Fully Funded Scholarship For All International Students In UK Financial aid. Elsewhere he offers his YouTube audience Premium services and products to help you achieve your dreams of studying abroad, such as an 81.86 Scholarship Application Assistance Package which provides Assistance with Proofreading and Editing among other services. To see more of the funded courses available, one need only go to FindaPhd.com, the worlds largest database of opportunities, where prospective students can scan the web for opportunities. For instance, the University of Glasgows Podcasting and Pedagogy for the Planet is open to students worldwide, this time financed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), a research body sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (aka taxpayers). PhDs allow students to stay for three years (one year more than the graduate visa Sunak sought to clamp down on) and dependents are allowed. Some fully-funded PhDs support dependents too. Take The Gates Cambridge Scholarships (part of The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), which funds 80 full-cost scholarships at the University of Cambridge each year. Two thirds of these go to PhD students and successful candidates are eligible for a Dependent Children Allowance (11,604 for one child and up to 16,548 for two or more children). Gates Cambridge Scholarships feature in another YouTube channel for international opportunities, titled the UK Knowledge Guru. In the video Top 10 UK Scholarships Fully Funded, host Dr Khan runs through a list of similar opportunities, such as Chevening Scholarships. Funded by the British Council, they enable outstanding leaders from all over the world to pursue one-year masters degrees in the UK. Courses on offer include Race, Media and Social Justice MA at Goldsmiths, University of London, Environmental Futures with Climate Change (MA and MSc) at the University of Essex and Queer Studies MA at the University of York. They are not miles away from the subjects funded by The Gates Foundation, which has produced researchers in Multi-disciplinary Gender Studies as well as a scholar who hopes to contribute to the decolonisation of national political economies. Advocates of the Higher Education sector often argue that international students add value as they pay more sometimes tens of thousands than their domestic equivalents. Universities would collapse without their support, is the idea. Yes its true. But how many voters know about those that are fully-funded too? Never mind that its taxpayers sometimes picking up the bill. A Gates Cambridge spokesman said scholars did not receive UK taxpayer cash and were selected on the basis of outstanding intellectual ability and a commitment to improving the lives of others. The School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) in London has equally wacky degrees such as an MA in Transnational Queer Feminist Politics. Fully-funded scholarships are available for the course, such as one for Indian nationals with first-class degrees. Another scholarship aimed primarily at candidates who are nationals of Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Palestine territories (West Bank and Gaza) living in their country of origin is applicable to any full time PhD programme or taught Masters programmes at SOAS. A SOAS spokesman said: We welcome students from across the globe to study law, finance and management, politics and languages and our scholarships enable even more people to benefit from our world-class education. The UKRI spokesman also said: To ensure the continued success of Britains research and innovation sector, we need to both nurture homegrown researchers and attract the very best and most talented researchers to bring their skill and expertise to the UK. But how do British students feel about these trends? Those I speak to do not want to be named, a sign of how hard it can be to criticise the current system. One, a PhD researcher in politics, 26, told me: Occasionally, I like to see if I can apply for an academic grant to ease some financial burden, but the cash-strapped university seems to have multiple pots of money available to attract international students. You have to question, what good is it for Britain that a large proportion of grants and scholarships available are for international students? Another, aged 30 and doing a PhD at a London University, said: I am deeply unhappy that international students can even claim these research grants. They are intended to train British researchers and international students often leave soon after graduation anyway. For PhD level, there is a widely-held belief that to attract the best applicants, schemes need to ensure that candidates can bring dependents. This isnt really true because at the highest levels, academia is not conducive to a social or family life. I know zero PhD students who are married with kids, except for mature students. The student added of UKRI-funded PhDs: Collectively, the full stipend, including course costs and maintenance, comes to just short of 70,000 over the course of three years and they are immensely competitive. The current research agenda, however, is of course to diversify no matter the cost. In my opinion, this ultimately means that the projects and researchers selected are those which match the agenda rather than those who are chosen for their quality. In other words, international students may be part of helping universities to reach diversity targets. Listening to these students, and combing through the data, I wonder when Brits will get some positive action? A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said the Chevening Scholarships Programme had accrued a significant return on money spent attracting business and research opportunities to the UK, as well as highly-skilled workers. Dr Khan told The Telegraph: My YouTube channel aims to provide valuable information to international students about scholarships and university placements, helping them access quality education regardless of their financial background all for free, so they dont get scammed. Its important to clarify that many scholarships and studentships, though sometimes subsidised by taxpayers, offer immense long-term benefits. The competitive nature of these scholarships ensures that only the most qualified and deserving candidates benefit, thereby maximising the return on investment for host countries. Brown was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Labours battle to convince Britain it can be trusted on defence On a cloudy morning in April, Sir Keir Starmer donned a high-vis jacket and hard hat to tour a facility no other Labour leader had visited in more than 30 years. At the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, Britains would-be next prime minister glad-handed workers as he watched the construction of a huge nuclear submarine. Labours commitment to a continuous, at-sea nuclear deterrent was unshakeable, he told them, having remarked just hours earlier that defence was the number one issue for any government. The visit was designed to show the difference between Starmer and his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn. The nuclear deterrent which requires at least one Royal Navy submarine to be on patrol at all times is designed to be the bedrock of Britains national security. Sir Keir Starmer was the first Labour leader in decades to visit BAE Systems in Barrow-in-Furness - Danny Lawson/PA Wire But under Corbyn, Labours commitment to the system was constantly in doubt. The long-time anti-nuclear campaigner refused to say whether he would be prepared to use it and had, on several previous occasions, even called for it to be scrapped. His soft posture on Trident was held up repeatedly during the 2017 and 2019 election campaigns as one reason why voters couldnt trust Labour to keep the country safe. Corbyn also refused to say whether he would honour Britains obligations to go to the aid of its Nato allies. Since replacing Corbyn, Starmer has waged a four-year effort to restore Labours defence credentials and neutralise his partys former vulnerabilities. He has been successful: according to polling company YouGov, voter trust in Labour on security is now virtually level with the Conservatives. But with an election now looming, big questions remain unanswered about what the party would actually do in power. Is Labour prepared to fund a bigger defence budget at a time when experts and politicians say the world is becoming more dangerous? And can Starmer count on the support of his own party to mobilise the military if needed? Against a backdrop of Russias invasion of Ukraine and concerns that China could invade Taiwan, such questions are more pressing than they have been in generations. The range of threats that need to be addressed is dramatically different to when the party last won power during the peace dividend era of the 1990s. Despite Starmers success convincing the public that Labour can be trusted on defence, the Tories clearly feel the opposition is vulnerable on the issue. Rishi Sunak made the claim that Britain will be less safe under Labour a key attack line in the early days of his campaign. The reality is Labours coalition is considerably more divided than the Conservatives on foreign policy, and its voters include larger groups of those with views diverging from the traditional contours of British policy, says Sophia Gaston, head of foreign policy and UK resilience at the Policy Exchange think tank. Its voters are also more inclined to be against military interventionism and support pacificist positions. That is going to place a larger burden on the leadership. Corbyns legacy Labours chaotic position on defence under Jeremy Corbyn was painfully exposed when MPs were asked by former prime minister Theresa May to support the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent at an estimated cost of 31bn. To disarm unilaterally would not make us safer, she told the House of Commons. In fact it would have the opposite effect, because it would remove the deterrent that for 60 years has helped to stop others from using nuclear weapons against us. Jeremy Corbyn broke with cross-party consensus and his own party's history on defence policy - Jeff Gilbert Labour, riven by division over the issue, allowed its MPs to vote with their conscience, with Corbyn and 46 others opposing the renewal. Worryingly, 13 current members of Starmers front bench team were among them, including shadow cabinet members Angela Rayner, Louise Haigh, David Lammy, Ian Murray, Jo Stevens and Lisa Nandy. Another 10 who are now members of Starmers team cast no vote. (A further 140 Labour MPs defied Corbyn and backed the legislation.) Professor Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), says there was serious concern during this era that Corbyn could create a defence crisis if he came to power. Corbyns position was very different from the long-held cross-party consensus on defence policy, which has really been in place since World War Two, he says. It contributed to the perception he was unreliable on issues of national security. Corbyns position was not just a break with the mainstream but also his own partys history. Clement Attlee, the Labour prime minister who took over from Winston Churchill after the Second World War, is regarded as the father of Britains nuclear deterrent, having ensured that the country invested in its own capability. It was also Attlees government that helped to found the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) in 1949. For his part, Corbyn insisted he was not a pacifist and would do everything necessary to protect the safety and security of our people and our country. But in a speech to Chatham House in 2016, he attacked what he described as the malign influence of the military industrial complex, adding: The bomb first, talk later approach to security has failed. I accept that military action, under international law and as a genuine last resort, is in some circumstances necessary. But that is very far from the kind of unilateral wars and interventions that have almost become routine in recent times. Labours perceived weakness on defence damaged the party ahead of the 2017 and 2019 elections, particularly among households with links to the Armed Forces. A particular low point came when Admiral Lord West, a Labour peer ennobled by Gordon Brown, intervened in the 2019 campaign to warn voters not to trust his own partys leader. When it comes to this nations security its defence and the intelligence services you dont have to be a student of politics to realise that Corbyns stance is not just immature but profoundly dangerous to Britains safety, he wrote in an article for the Daily Mail. After a thumping defeat to Boris Johnson in 2019, Corbyn was replaced by Starmer. In his first speech to Labours annual conference, the new party leader promised: Never again will Labour go into an election not being trusted on national security. Labours new front Starmers battle to repair Labours battered reputation on defence has been fought on multiple fronts, with efforts to convince not just the public but also the Armed Forces themselves and industry. The seriousness of the mission was reflected by the appointment of John Healey as shadow defence secretary in 2020. Healey is one of the few shadow ministers with significant government experience, having served in the administrations of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown in various junior roles from 2001 to 2010. Starmer has tasked Healey, centre left, with building voters' confidence in Labour on national security - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Starmer left Healey in no doubt of the mountain they needed to climb when he was given the defence brief, according to a source close to the shadow secretary. He was told that people had lost faith in us on security and that if we didnt get it back, they were not going to listen to us on the NHS, on education, on everything else, the source adds. Fundamentally, voters need to believe you will keep the country safe that is the first duty of the Government. Turning the situation around has involved big interventions from Starmer but also, behind the scenes, a four-year charm offensive in defence circles by Healey and his team, including shadow defence procurement minister Maria Eagle and shadow defence minister Steve McCabe (who is stepping down at this election). While Starmer made clear his unshakeable support for the Nato military alliance and Britains nuclear deterrent, Healey hammered home the points in a series of speeches to defence wonks and at industry events with companies such as BAE Systems, Babcock, Leonardo UK and MBDA UK. In boardrooms, the strategy seems to have worked. One senior defence industry lobbyist says: They really do seem to have changed. Theres been a huge amount of engagement and John Healey and his team seem to really understand the brief. Crucially, Labour is said to have given several big companies reassurances about the continuation of major programmes they are currently involved in, not least the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP, also known as Tempest) which is expected to come up for final Treasury approval as early as this year and the Aukus nuclear submarines pact with the US and Australia. The partys proposals to focus on Made in Britain defence programmes where possible has also, unsurprisingly, gone down well. We definitely think we can work with them, another defence company source says. At the annual dinner of industry lobbying group ADS earlier this year, Alastair Campbell, the former spin-doctor to Tony Blair turned podcaster, stood on stage and asked his audience how many of them thought Rishi Sunak would still be prime minister in a years time. Most of the assembled defence executives sat unmoving. The handful of government ministers who were in attendance made up the majority putting up their hands. Also in the room were eight members of Labours frontbench, a sign of just how seriously the party regarded the industry. Kevin Craven, chief executive of ADS, is careful not to praise one party over another but says the return to a more mainstream position within Labour is welcome: The ability to make sound, pragmatic, geopolitical, tough decisions around how we provide nuclear deterrence is absolutely vital for our society and our nation. And you know, I welcome politicians on both sides recognising the reality that its not a nice world right now and we need the tools to defend ourselves. Healey has been working closely with David Lammy, the shadow foreign secretary. The pair often travel abroad together to deliver a joint message making clear that diplomacy will be deeply integrated with security under a Labour government, says Gaston at the Policy Exchange. Having previously voted against renewing the UKs nuclear deterrent in 2016, Lammy now seems to have undergone a striking conversion on the issue: An article he wrote for Foreign Affairs Magazine earlier this year heaped praise on Clement Attlees decision to acquire nuclear weapons and the Nato alliance. He has championed a pragmatic realism approach to foreign and defence policy, which will see Britain primarily focused on European security but with growing partnerships in the Indo-Pacific where China is rapidly bulking up its military presence. At the same time, Labour has prioritised outreach to the Armed Forces themselves. Under Healey, the membership group Labour Friends of the Forces has been revived and shadow ministers have pledged to renew the moral contact with service personnel who have put up with repeated pay freezes and crumbling accommodation buildings. That, too, now seems to be paying off. A Labour source says the number of party members who previously served in the Armed Forces has increased five-fold under Starmer including at least 15 who will stand as parliamentary candidates for the party on July 4. They include Colonel Alistair Carns, an ex-Marine standing in Birmingham Selly Oak, and Calvin Bailey CBE, a former commanding officer in the Royal Air Force standing in Leyton and Wanstead. On concrete policy commitments, however, Healey and Starmer have been far more coy. In speeches, Healey has promised to improve procurement. Aides point to fiascos such as the Armys Ajax armoured fighting vehicle programme, which originally aimed to produce 589 vehicles by 2017 for 3.5bn but has delivered just 44 so far at a cost of 4bn. He also wants to put a new defence industrial strategy at the heart of the MoDs work, forcing officials to think more about retaining important sovereign capabilities in the UK and buying more Made in Britain kit. We see our steel sector, shipyards, aerospace and materials industries as national assets and will ensure as much of our equipment as possible is designed and built here in the UK, an internal party document seen by The Telegraph says. At the same time, Healey wants to improve the MoDs relationship with the Treasury through a new joint unit that will also look at how to turbocharge economic growth through defence spending. A party source points out the vast majority of the defence industry is outside London, so this will also pump investment into the regions. Policy Exchanges Gaston predicts a Starmer government could forge a distinctly Labour approach to defence, by embracing a national security-led industrial policy, and setting up new funding models leveraging cash from pension funds and venture capitalists. However, whoever wins power in July will be stuck in a financial straitjacket. Last week, the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warned that the next government will be forced to raise taxes or slash spending to meet its fiscal targets. Against that backdrop, the Ministry of Defence will still have to find money for existing big-ticket commitments. The most expensive promise made by both Labour and the Conservatives is to renew Britains Trident nuclear arsenal, which will involve replacing both the existing submarines and eventually the warheads as well. This alone will swallow up as much as 40pc of the defence budget over the next decade, according to RUSIs Chalmers. Another key commitment is the pledge to keep sending Ukraine 3bn a year for as long as is necessary. Other top priorities include plans to replenish UK munition stockpiles, build up the Navys surface fleet, develop a successor to the Typhoon fighter jet and tackle widespread recruitment problems across the three services. It means the competition for the rest of the defence budget is going to be a lot more intense, Chalmers says. Blowing the budget After years of mending its image on defence, Labour feels confident on the topic. But the Tories believe the party is vulnerable. Although Labour has matched a Conservative pledge to spend 2.5pc of GDP on defence, it has so far declined to commit to doing so over the same timescale, by 2030. As a result, this is the key attack now being deployed by the Tories, who argue it will blow a major hole in the MoDs books. One Conservative campaign source points to a National Audit Office report from December, which forecast that the department was on course to overrun its budget from 2023 to 2033 by 16.9bn. After Rishi Sunak committed to 2.5pc spending, that plan is now fully funded, the Tory source adds. So if Labour cant do the same, the question that they have to answer is what capability are they going to get rid of? The dividing line here is whether you want our Armed Forces to be properly invested in. Labour can claim they have changed all they like, but if they dont invest what is needed to keep the country safe and meet our Nato obligations then they may as well still be under Corbyn. Grant Shapps, the Defence Secretary, has gone as far as to accuse Labour of posing a danger to this country. You cant wish your way to more defence spending, he told Sky News last month. The Labour position will send a signal to our adversaries that we are not serious about defence. Separately, he has pointed to the 47 Labour MPs who voted against Trident renewal and Starmers service in Jeremy Corbyns shadow cabinet as proof that Labour cannot be trusted. Many of Starmers immediate team, the people who would form the Government and run our lives, do not support our nuclear deterrent, he said in a video on X, formerly known as Twitter. How is it that just four years ago Keir Starmer was content to support Corbyn abandoning our national security, yet today he says he has changed his mind? Actions often speak louder than words. Labour sources argue that the Conservatives have not properly costed the 2.5pc pledge either. When Sunak announced the uplift, he said it would be paid for by reducing the size of the civil service to pre-Brexit levels again a position described by the IFS as a shot in the dark. The Labour source adds: We are totally committed to 2.5pc but in opposition we simply do not have access to the same information as the Government, so it would be bordering on irresponsible to make the big calls on timing now. The fact is that the budget shortfalls were created by the Tories and their sums on 2.5pc do not add up. They could have announced this spending uplift during the last Budget, when it would have been scrutinised by the Office for Budget Responsibility, but chose not to which tells you everything. Healey has accused the Tories of overseeing 14 years of failure in defence that have seen our Armed Forces hollowed out and underfunded, with the Army shrinking to its smallest size since the Napoleonic era (about 72,500 personnel). Within some parts of the Armed Forces, however, Labour is struggling to make headway. Some are dismayed by the partys response to a Tory proposal for a new form of national service. Earlier this week, a senior Army source told The Telegraph: I think Labours dismissive and belittling response is a mistake and unhelpful. Its too important an issue to play politics with. (The source made the caveat that the Tories have also been shameless.) On Friday a Labour spokesman insisted Starmer knows the first duty of any government is to keep the nation safe and protect its citizens, adding: Labour is proud of our deep roots in defending the country and the part we played in the creation of Nato and our nuclear deterrent. Our commitment to Nato is unshakeable and Labours support for nuclear deterrence is total. We will always do whats required and spend whats required to keep this country safe. Its the sentiment that Starmer and his team will seek to ram home in the coming weeks, as they try to reassure the country it is, in a very real sense, safe to vote Labour. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A basic income program in central Iowa says people mostly spend the $500 monthly payments on food. Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock Iowa recently passed a law banning local governments from providing basic income programs. But one providing $500 a month to low-income residents says it will continue using private funds. Most participants said they spent the money on food and housing in the first year. Conservatives in Iowa voted to ban local governments from sponsoring basic income programs earlier this year. But one program in the middle of the state says it's seeing successful results and will keep going. The "UpLift" program in central Iowa provides up to $500 a month for 110 low-income residents. Though the legislation could threaten its future, its organizers say it will continue for now using private funding. They said the program is showing similar results to other basic income programs around the country: Residents are mostly spending the money on food and shelter. Ashley Ezzio, a senior project coordinator at The Tom and Ruth Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement, which is conducting the study, told The Des Moines Register that most participants are spending the money on essentials. A study of the program, which started last May, found that food and groceries made up about 42% of costs in the first year, Ezzio said. Uplift tracks spending categories and asks participants to take periodic surveys through the University of Pennsylvania and Des Moines University. About 80% of the participants completed the first survey, Uplift said. Last month, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law that bans county and city governments from providing basic income programs. State Rep. Steve Holthave called for the bans, calling basic income programs "socialism on steroids" and "an attack on American values." Guaranteed basic income programs typically offer no-strings-attached monthly payments between $500 and $1,000 to specific groups, like new moms , Black women , or trans people , all low-income residents. They differ from their idealistic cousin a universal basic income. UBI, made famous by Andrew Yang during the 2016 presidential election, would provide a monthly payment to all citizens. UpLift's findings in Iowa mirror those of basic income programs across the country. In Austin, one study found that residents in a program that received $1,000 monthly payments for a year spent the no-strings-attached cash mostly on housing and food. Still, conservatives in Texas are also pushing back against such programs. The state Supreme Court temporarily blocked a Houston-area program in April that gave low-income residents $500 a month after the state attorney general called it "unconstitutional." Read the original article on Business Insider TEL AVIV, Israel Israels prime minister faced growing pressure Saturday after U.S. President Joe Biden announced a proposed agreement to end the fighting in Gaza, with many Israelis urging Benjamin Netanyahu to embrace the deal but far-right allies threatening to collapse his government if he does. Netanyahu called a permanent cease-fire in Gaza a nonstarter until long-standing conditions for ending the war are met, appearing to undermine the proposal that Biden described as an Israeli one. A huge demonstration in Israel on Saturday night, led by families of hostages held by Hamas, urged the government to act now. Mediators the U.S., Egypt and Qatar pressed Israel and Hamas, saying the proposed deal offers a road map for a permanent cease-fire and ending the crisis and gives immediate relief to both hostages and Gaza residents. But far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gvir said they would break up the government if it takes the deal. That could expose Netanyahu to new elections, scrutiny over security failures that led to the war and if he loses the prime minister post prosecution on longstanding corruption charges. Netanyahus statement said that Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent cease-fire is put in place. In a separate statement, Netanyahu accepted an invitation from U.S. congressional leaders to deliver an address at the Capitol, a show of support for Israel while top ally the U.S. shows frustration. No date has been set. Biden on Friday asserted that Hamas militants are no longer capable of carrying out a large-scale attack on Israel like the one on Oct. 7. He urged Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to release about 100 remaining hostages, along with the bodies of around 30 more, for an extended cease-fire. Talks on a deal halted last month after a push by mediators in hopes of averting a full-scale Israeli invasion of Gazas southern city of Rafah. Israel says the Rafah operation is key to uprooting remaining Hamas battalions, even as the militants regroup elsewhere in the territory. Israel on Friday confirmed its troops were operating in central parts of Rafah. Around 1 million Palestinians almost half of Gazas population have left Rafah, and the U.N. World Food Program has called living conditions horrific and apocalyptic as hunger grows. Families of hostages said time was running out. This might be the last chance to save lives, Gili Roman told The Associated Press. His sister, Yarden Roman-Gat, was freed during a weeklong cease-fire in November, but sister-in-law Carmel is still held. Our leadership must not disappoint us. But mostly, all eyes should be on Hamas, Roman said. Families described an aggressive meeting Thursday with Israels national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, who told them the government wasnt ready to sign a deal to bring all hostages home and there was no plan B. Many hostages families accuse the government of a lack of will. We know that the government of Israel has done an awful lot to delay reaching a deal, and that has cost the lives of many people who survived in captivity for weeks and weeks and months and months, Sharone Lifschitz said. Her mother, Yocheved, was freed in November but her father, Oded, is still held. The first phase of the deal described by Biden would last for six weeks and include a full and complete cease-fire, a withdrawal of Israeli forces from all densely populated areas of Gaza and the release of a number of hostages, including women, older people and the wounded, in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. The second phase would include the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third phase calls for the start of a major reconstruction of Gaza, which faces decades of rebuilding from the wars devastation. Biden acknowledged that keeping the proposal on track would be difficult, with details to negotiate to move from the first phase to the second. Biden said if Hamas fails to fulfil its commitment under the deal, Israel can resume military operations. Hamas has said it viewed the proposal positively and called on Israel to declare an explicit commitment to an agreement that includes a permanent cease-fire, a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, a prisoner exchange and other conditions. In Deir al-Balah, where many Palestinians have fled following Israels assault on Rafah, there was some hope. This proposal came late, but better late than never, said Akram Abu Al-Hasan. The main difference from previous proposals is the readiness to stop the war for an undefined period, according to analysts. It leaves Israel the option to renew the war and diminish Hamas ability to govern, but over time, said Michael Milshtein, head of the Palestinian Studies Forum in Dayan Center at Tel Aviv University. It was a very good speech ... it seems that Biden is trying to force it on the Israeli government. He was clearly speaking directly to the Israeli people, said Gershon Baskin, director for the Middle East at the International Communities Organization. Also on Saturday, Egypts state-run Al-Qahera News said officials from Egypt, the United States and Israel would meet in Cairo over the weekend about the Rafah crossing, a crucial aid entry point that has been closed since Israel took over the Palestinian side in May. Egypt has refused to open its side, fearing the Israeli control will be permanent. Hamas attack on Oct. 7 killed around 1,200 people mostly civilians and abducted about 250. More than 36,370 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza by Israels offensive, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Its count doesnt differentiate between civilians and combatants. Two Israeli far-right ministers have threatened to resign from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition government over a cease-fire proposal outlined by President Biden on Friday. Both National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said on the social media platform X that the deal could not be forged unless the Palestinian militant group Hamas is destroyed first and that they would remove their parties from the coalition if the current proposal is adopted. Biden unveiled a new Israeli-led proposal that was submitted to Hamas through Qatar. It includes a three-part road map toward releasing all remaining hostages taken on Oct. 7 and a pathway to a full cease-fire. It would include pulling Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gazas populated areas and include reconstruction efforts for the Gaza Strip. Ben-Gvir slammed the offer, saying the war would end without Hamas being wiped out. This is a reckless deal, which constitutes a victory for terrorism and a security threat to the State of Israel, he said Saturday on X. Smotrich had a similar assessment. We demand the continuation of the war until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages return, he said while also stating that he is opposed to returning displaced Palestinians to Gazas north side. Netanyahu said that the conditions for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war have not changed. Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel, he said on Saturday. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said he would back the hostage proposal if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich leave the government. With both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir parties potentially leaving, the prime minister could lose the majority in the parliament. On the ground, the fighting has continued in Rafah, the city in the south of Gaza. The war, now getting close to eight months in duration, started after Hamas Oct. 7 attack that killed around 1,200 Israelis and resulted in around 250 taken hostage. Since then, Israels bombardment of Gaza has killed over 36,000 Palestinians, according to local health officials. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Stock photo: Office of the President of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit to be held on 13-15 June in the city of Brindisi, southern Italy. Source: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni speaking to journalists, as reported by European Pravda, citing ANSA news agency Details: Meloni said the G7 Summit will be attended by "at least fifteen" countries and international institutions, in addition to the leaders of the Group and the Pope. Background: Earlier, it was also reported that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the summit. The Italian prime minister did not specify whether Zelenskyy will be in Italy in person or join the meeting via video call. Politico had previously reported that President Zelenskyy might also attend the G7 Summit, but there was no official confirmation. The summit, which will be largely focused on the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, is expected to approve the Group of Seven's plan to use frozen Russian assets. Support UP or become our patron! An alphabet rug is shown in a first-grade classroom at Rutledge H. Pearson Elementary School in Jacksonville. Opened last August, it is the first new school building built with the half-penny sales tax Duval County voters approved in 2020. This building replaced a deteriorated earlier school on the same land and with the same name. Calvin Johnsons May 12 letter to the editor reveals that he apparently has no idea of what education is, how it functions and why it is not a business. Businesses deal with manufacturing and delivering products. In a business, if your ice cream company gets a bad batch of blueberries, you dispose of them and replace them with new berries. In professional sports, if your team loses consistently, your less capable players may not get a contract for the next season. Education, however, cannot be compared to business entities. Johnson said, When businesses face a shrinking customer base, they need to downsize to produce a better product. Education is not a for-profit enterprise that can downsize to create better students and eventually better citizens. Charter schools may have a choice whether to accept a student or not, but traditional public schools accept all children. All children are separate, distinct individuals and a traditional public schools task is to help each student be their best. Part of that involves having schools near childrens homes that enrich their community, the children and their families. Thus it is a terrible decision to close a neighborhood school and force the students to travel long distances to seek an education. I suspect that most businesses know that to retain good employees, the employer must pay them adequately for their efforts. Currently, Florida pays its teachers less than only one other state West Virginia. So when Johnson says he thinks Duval County schools could benefit by creating a better product at a lower cost, it would seem to suggest cutting teachers salaries or reducing the number of teachers, which could increase class size exponentially. Letters: Two years after making request, city of Jacksonville sidewalk repair looks worse Johnson says competition produces a better product at less cost, but he obviously has not been grocery shopping lately or put gasoline in his car. Our Mandarin neighborhood has a grocery store on almost every block, but the price of groceries is high at every store. We also have numerous gas stations, but nearly all charge the same exorbitant price for gas. If competition hasnt brought down grocery or gas prices, how would it reduce the price of running a school? In fact, sharing the half-cent sales tax with charter schools has sorely depleted funding for Duval County Public Schools and delayed new school construction. Our children deserve to learn in accredited schools from state-certified teachers in a clean, safe environment, all paid for by the state. By implying that public schools arent as good as charter schools (certified only by a private board), you really seem to be finding fault with the Florida Department of Education. Pat Wojciechowski, Mandarin This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Cutting teacher ranks, other 'business' tactics hurt Florida schools (Bloomberg) -- Jacob Zuma, who led South Africa for almost nine scandal-tainted years before being ousted by the governing African National Congress, may now play a major role in the countrys political future. Most Read from Bloomberg Six years after being pushed from office, Zuma successfully upstaged his successor Cyril Ramaphosa in national elections this week, eating into the ANCs support with his new uMkhonto weSizwe Party. The 82-year-old was feted by jubilant supporters as he walked into the electoral results center north of Johannesburg late Saturday, telling the audience his partys rise shows how people are angry. President Ramaphosa, 71, has remained out of the public eye and deep in talks since the ANC suffered its worst election result in three decades and lost its parliamentary majority, scraping just over 40% of the vote. Zumas MKP seized 14.6% just five months after its launch and wrested control of his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africas second-most populous. The Ramaphosa-led ANCs time is up, they cant stop this momentum, Zuma said during campaigning last month. The time has come for a Black person to rise up, to partake in what is theirs. During his presidency, Zuma spent years fending off allegations which he denies that he took bribes from arms dealers and was involved in siphoning off billions of rands from state transport, power and arms companies. Ramaphosa replaced Zuma as leader of the ANC in December 2017, and two months later succeeded him as president. Now Zuma is a kingmaker, having brought the ANC to its knees in the election. For the first time, the ANC needs a coalition to govern, but a tie-up with Zumas party comes at a steep price - he has one condition to engage with the ANC - that Ramaphosa give up the reins as leader to the organization. This is about a man that has been, that feels that he hasnt been respected as an elder, political analyst Sanisha Naidu said. Zumas party willing to work with the ANC so long as it has nothing to do with Ramaphosa, MKP spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said without giving further details. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter That means Ramaphosa is likely to be pushed into the arms of the main opposition Democratic Alliance, a tie-up favored by investors but which faces substantial headwinds within the ANC as well. Its a far cry from 2012 when Zuma brought Ramaphosa in from the political wilderness. More than a decade later, Zuma wants to see him ousted, despite denying he has a personal vendetta against his former protege and successor. His ANC critics say Zuma, a former intelligence chief and amateur chess player, was quietly building up support for his new party within the ANC partys provincial branch in KwaZulu-Natal right up to the vote, giving him effective shadow control and allowing him the surprise sweeping victory there. It looks like we were marching with Zuma machinery on the ground, Fikile Mbalula, the partys secretary-general said at a press conference on Sunday. Our own research did point to dangers, that the ANC would get 43%. All sorts of factors were against us. Zumas rise is also a mark of how far the ANC has fallen. Voters took their grievances to the ballot box after years of economic mismanagement and corruption much of it under Zumas watch damaged water and power supplies and with unemployment running above 30%. They opted for a range of opposition parties including the populist Economic Freedom Fighters and Zumas MKP, which the ANC concedes it vastly underestimated. Bloomberg Terminal clients can click on ELEC ZA for more on South Africas elections. ANC councilors in KwaZulu-Natal have already indicated that they will quit should the party move toward teaming up with the Democratic Alliance at a national level. That means Ramaphosas favored coalition, which would in theory bring him out of Zumas reach, is extremely dangerous for the ANC, political analyst Lukhona Mnguni said. It would risk ceding even more control of a part of the country thats home to transport corridors, including the major ports of Durban and Richards Bay. The ANC would have to decide whether it bites the bullet and forgets altogether about having the province as part of its structures, Mnguni said. It would probably be the death of the ANC in that part of South Africa. You can follow Bloombergs reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here. --With assistance from Monique Vanek. (Adds context in paragraph five) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The federal gun charge trial against Hunter Biden may be one of national intrigue, but its roots are in a local garbage can outside a well-known grocery store in Greenville. In a downtown Wilmington courthouse Monday, Hunter Biden is set to become the first child of a sitting U.S. president to face a criminal trial. The evidence against him will include testimony about how the gun at the center the case ended up in a trash can outside Janssen's Market, an upscale grocer in Delaware's monied Greenville area. The proceeding will include testimony by a former Delaware State Police official who investigated that incident, as well as the person who trashed the gun: Biden's then-lover and widow of his late brother. It will also include testimony from workers from a gun store on U.S. 202 in Talleyville, a shop that now finds itself at the center of criticisms by Hunter Biden's defense attorneys for seemingly committing a similar paperwork infraction that led to Biden's criminal charges. It all started with an odd incident involving Hunter Biden and Hallie Biden at Janssen's in October 2018, an incident that would escape the public eye for years. How did Hunter Biden's gun end up in the trash? A Delaware State Police investigative report from 2018 included in court filings details the investigation into the incident, as well as interviews with Hunter Biden and Hallie Biden the widow of Hunter Biden's brother, the late Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden. At the time of the Janssen's incident, she was Hunter Biden's lover. The police report isn't clear on who summoned State Police to the grocery store, though it appears from the redacted copy included in court documents that it was a store employee. Police arrived and found Hallie Biden in the store's office. She told officers she took her children to school that morning and returned home and searched Hunter Biden's vehicle, locating the handgun in the center console. Janssens Market She put it in a bag and later drove to Janssen's and threw the bag and the gun in the trash outside the store, she told officers. Hunter Biden had left by the time she returned and she called him to confront him about the gun. She said Hunter Biden became upset and implored her to drive back and retrieve it. But when she returned, the gun was no longer in the trash. She got nervous and approached the store owner to confess. The officer wrote that Hallie Biden "danced around" questions about why she searched Hunter Biden's car and later stated she thought he was "screwing around on me." "She was kind of all over the place," the officer wrote. Recent: Hunter Biden trial begins Monday in Wilmington: What you need to know about the case In the presence of the officers, she then called Hunter Biden and told him the officer wished to speak to him. He arrived half an hour later. He told the officer he was in a relationship with Hallie Biden, sometimes stayed at her home nearby but still lived in Washington D.C. He claimed he woke up at her home that morning and began to drive to Washington D.C. when he noticed the gun was missing and he called Hallie Biden, who admitted to tossing the gun in the trash. He said he purchased it for target practice but had not shot it. The officer wrote that he told Hunter Biden that Hallie Biden was not very forthcoming and asked him if the gun had been used in a crime. "He became very agitated with me and asked if I was intentionally trying to make him mad," the officer wrote. Biden also asked whether he should call an attorney. The officer emphasized that his interest was simply in locating the gun to protect children, as A.I. du Pont High School is right across the street. Vice President Joe Biden holds the hands of his wife, Jill Biden, left, and his daughter-in-law Hallie Biden as they arrive for the dedication of his son Beau in 2016. Attention then focused on who might have retrieved the gun from the trash. Hunter Biden told him Hallie Biden had mentioned noticing a "homeless man" collecting cans and speculated he may have the gun. Employees of the store and officers said they had also noticed the man in the past. The officer wrote that two "Mexican males" then passed them wearing Janssen's Market shirts and Hunter Biden stated "they have some shady people working at the market" and referred to the men as "prolly illegal." The officer later asked if he had told his father about this. Hunter Biden said, "I have never called my dad for anything." He also speculated that Hallie Biden searched his car because she was worried he might harm himself. Eventually, officers would focus on finding the man known for plundering the grocery store's garbage. How did officers find Hunter Biden's gun? About a week later, officers were able to locate the man with the help of a worker at another local store that the man frequented. They watched as he spent about an hour rummaging through trash receptacles in the Greenville Crossing Shopping Center and approached as he loaded the loot into the back of his car. He told them he routinely collects recyclables to trade for cash when he goes to New York. Conversation then turned to someone putting something in the trash that shouldn't have been there recently. "Yes, they did," the man responded. "A .38 special." He then took officers back to his home where he had stashed the gun in a sock inside a box. The officer wrote that the man could not provide a reason why he didn't report the gun to police, but told them he would alert authorities if he ever came across another in the trash. He also gave officers another gun that he said his co-worker had given him many years ago with the understanding that it belonged to his co-worker's brother, "who was in some kind of trouble and needed to get rid of the gun," according to the police report. Millard Green, right, from Delaware State Police is expected to be called as a witness during the Hunter Biden trial. The officer called Hunter Biden to report the gun's recovery and wrote that Hunter Biden was firm that there should be no prosecution in the case. "The whole thing is just stupid," the officer quotes Hunter Biden saying. Prosecutors in the Delaware Department of Justice were consulted and decided the case didn't warrant any sort of criminal prosecution, according to the police report. In addition to testimony from Hallie Biden, Millard Greer, a former state police officer who authored the final investigative report on the incident included in court files, is expected to testify. He has since taken a job as an investigator in the Delaware Department of Justice unit tasked with policing public corruption. Were the Secret Service involved? This incident was first reported by the conservative news website The Blaze in 2020. Their report was built on anonymous law enforcement sources. Politico followed up on the story with a leaked copy of the Delaware State Police report, a document typically kept secret by state officials and shielded by Delaware's restrictive public records law. The Politico story focused on a curious ripple: both state police investigators, as well as the Secret Service, had contacted the Delaware gun shop about the paperwork Hunter Biden filled out in purchasing the gun. This was odd because Joe Biden was in between his term as Vice President and becoming the Democratic nominee for president, so he and his family were not under Secret Service protection, Politico reported. StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply on Concord Pike in Talleyville and its owner are key to the charges Hunter Biden is facing in federal court. In a recent interview with federal authorities, the owner of the gun shop reiterated that both State Police and the Secret Service separately contacted him shortly after Hunter Biden's gun had gone missing. He said they seemed to not be aware of the other's investigation. In the interview, the owner said the request from the Secret Service "didn't feel right" so he only gave the form to State Police investigators at the time. Why is the Brandywine Hundred gun store StarQuest Shooters involved? While the trash can incident explains how the gun purchase came to the attention of federal investigators, it was the actual purchase that has Hunter Biden facing the potential of decades in prison. The gun, a Colt .38 special revolver, was purchased from StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply store on Concord Pike in October 2018, a few weeks before the Janssen's incident. The store is owned by Ron Palimere, who through the years has been quoted in Delaware Online/The News Journal about gun safety laws and doomsday prep. Attempts to reach him through the store and his email were unsuccessful. Prosecutors intend to call another employee of the store, Gordon Cleveland, to testify about the transaction with Hunter Biden. Cleveland is expected to testify that he watched Hunter Biden fill out what is known as ATF form 4473. On it, prosecutors contend that Hunter Biden stated that he was not an unlawful user of or addicted to controlled substances. Prosecutors contend that statement is false and it is the foundation of two of the criminal charges against Hunter Biden. Meanwhile, Abbe Lowell, Hunter Biden's primary defense attorney, last week signaled his intent to call Palimere to the stand to discuss differences between a copy of the ATF form emailed to federal authorities shortly after the purchase and the original that federal officials took possession of three years later. StarQuest Shooters & Survival Supply in Brandywine Hundred, owned by Ron and Stephanie Palimere pictured in 2014. The original that federal officials took possession of more recently had additions including "DE Vehicle Registration" written into a box for supplemental government-issued documentation. There were no alleged changes to the specific portion that Hunter Biden filled out. Why was the form edited? Lowell noted the "doctored" form in a pretrial hearing earlier this month, prompting prosecutors and FBI agents to interview Palimere and include a transcript in court filings seeking to keep what they describe as the "annotated" form out of evidence. Palimere told agents that he also owned a consignment store next door and believed he was called from there to the gun shop when employees recognized Biden as a "celebrity-type customer." He remained in the back of the store and the salesman said Biden wanted to use his passport for identification, not a driver's license, which is typical. Passports don't typically contain a person's home address, but Palmiere blessed the use of the passport, according to the interview report. "Palimere was familiar with Biden's father's not being a gun supporter so Palimere thought it would be bad for Palimere's business to have Hunter Biden seen in his store," the report states. "Palimere wanted to get the sale completed and get Biden out of the store." Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, arrives with his attorney Abbe Lowell, left, for a press conference outside the United States Capitol steps to offer to publicly testify in House Republican's request on Dec. 13, 2023 in Washington, D.C. He added that the fact that the "Biden family home was so well known" and his lack of knowledge about the details of a passport caused him to have incomplete information on the form. He didn't handle the form for three years until a federal agent requested the original be turned over. After he was contacted, he reviewed the form and another employee brought up that it needed to be annotated. "Palimere decided to write Delaware registration in the box," the interview summation states. "Palimere does not know why that was chosen but he knew it had to be an official document and it was all they could think of." It adds that Palimere told authorities he doesn't think that Hunter Biden actually showed his vehicle registration the day he bought the gun. The interview report notes that federal authorities allow for forms to be annotated after the fact, which would typically involve calling the customer and having them show documents regarding their residency. "Palimere was not about to call Biden. Palimere felt they could not have him come into the store," the report states. "Plus, Palimere did not want to contact Biden and tell him he needed to come in and he was being investigated." Lowell has sought to make the annotation a feature of Hunter Biden's defense. In arguing for the edited form to be admitted, he said it speaks to the credibility of those testifying that Hunter Biden filled out the form and is also relevant to explore any benefit the witnesses received by prosecutors disregarding potentially incorrect information they put on the form. In arguing to keep the edited form out of evidence, prosecutors argued it would confuse the jury and changes to the form after the fact are not relevant. As of Friday, Presiding Judge Maryellen Norieka had not ruled whether the annotated form will be allowed into evidence. Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com. This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Hunter Biden trial: The Delaware grocery store, gun shop where it began Jeffries does not say whether he is concerned Trumps conviction will help him win election House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) emphasized there is a strong contrast between President Biden and former President Trump but did not say whether Democrats should be concerned that Trumps conviction in the hush money case will help him win reelection. Well, this election will present a clear contrast between President Biden and Democrats in the House and the Senate who will always continue to put people over politics, Jeffries said on NBCs Meet the Press when asked how concerned Democrats should be that a guilty verdict may help Trumps campaign. Extreme MAGA Republicans are going to continue to lie for Donald Trump. President Biden and Democrats are going to continue to solve problems for hard-working American taxpayers. Extreme MAGA Republicans will continue to lie for Donald Trump, he added. Trump was found guilty of 34 charges of falsifying business records Thursday a jury verdict that Trump and his allies immediately decried. Some Republicans have suggested that the guilty verdict will only strengthen Trumps support, which is an argument that Democrats have already pushed back on. Biden said Friday that Trumps claims that the trial was rigged are irresponsible and reckless. The campaign also reiterated Friday that Trumps response to his conviction should prove he cannot be president. Jeffries continued to try and differentiate the Democrats from Republicans, saying that his party is focused on getting real results. He still did not say whether Democrats should be concerned about Trumps guilty verdict helping the former president. President Biden and Democrats are going to work on delivering real results, as has been the case for the last three and a half months. And were going to see that extreme MAGA Republicans will continue to lie for Donald Trump and present no real vision for dealing with the issues of importance to the American people. Thats a contrast, he said. And Id rather be on President Bidens side of that contrast than on the extreme MAGA Republican side, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Pittsburgh Pride on Saturday June 1, 2024, and took photos with attendees before taking the stage. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star photo) PITTSBURGH First lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Pittsburgh on Saturday to speak at a Pride celebration on the citys North Side, warning the audience of the stakes of the 2024 election for LGBTQ rights. Every June we gather in communities across this country to celebrate how far weve come, to reflect on every act of bravery that are still required to live an authentic life and to honor the courage it takes to stand up for whats right, Biden told the crowd, who waved Biden-Harris placards with rainbows emblazoned on them. But it shouldnt take courage just to be yourself, she continued. It shouldnt take courage to go to school and walk down the hall as the person you know you are. It shouldnt take courage to hold someones hand on the bus, to kiss them goodbye on the sidewalk, to love who you love. It shouldnt, but in too many places, it still does. For the LGBTQ community in 2024, Biden said, rights are being stripped away and freedoms are eroding. More and more state laws are being passed targeting this community, Biden said. We had to fend off 50 anti-gay amendments that Republicans tried to force into the government funding bill. Last fall, Republicans in Congress introduced spending bills across the federal government that would have limited healthcare and weakened protections for same-sex couples; the bills ranged from restricting federal funding for gender-affirming care, to banning the use of federal funds to fly Pride flags over government buildings. And they served only one purpose, Biden said Saturday. To spread hate and fear. Biden said presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump, who was found guilty of 34 felony counts in a New York courtroom on Thursday, was dangerous to the LGBT community. We cannot let him win. We have to meet this moment as if our fundamental rights are at stake, because they are, she said. We will secure a future so that people in all places can feel the freedom and pride that we feel here today. I hope you know that I love you and your president loves you. The Trump campaign did not immediately reply to a request for comment on Saturday. Biden was introduced by Nathaniel Yap, a Pittsburgher who serves on Gov. Josh Shapiros commission for LGBTQ affairs. Yap brought his husband and their two children to the stage, and said he would be voting for President Biden in November, to protect LGBTQ families. President Biden is the guy I trust to make the Supreme Court nominations that we need to protect our families and others like it across our country, Yap said. There were some scattered chants of free Palestine from audience members as Jill Biden spoke on Saturday, but they were mostly drowned out by louder chants of four more years and general applause for Biden during and after her brief remarks. Before she took the stage, she took photos with dozens of visitors to Pride for about 15 minutes, and stopped at several vendor booths at the festival to chat with the proprietors. Biden, a community college educator, began the short Saturday visit to Western Pennsylvania at Erie County Community Colleges commencement, where she delivered the keynote address. She told the audience of graduates that community college should be free. President Biden has proposed expanding free community college in his fiscal 2025 budget. Jill Biden praised the Erie students for their achievements at the relatively young college; Erie County Community College opened in 2021, and graduated its first class of students in 2023. We are so proud of you, she said. When people told you that this city is too small or it will be too hard to start a new school, you fought for one anyway, because Erie doesnt do cant. Pennsylvania is a key battleground state in the 2024 election. Both President Joe Biden and Trump have visited the state numerous times this year so far. Most recently, Biden made a joint appearance with Vice President Kamala Harris in Philadelphia on Wednesday to launch the campaigns Black voters initiative. Trumps most recent Pennsylvania campaign stop was a rally in the Lehigh Valley in April. The Trump campaign will open its first office in Philadelphia next week, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, but no word yet on whether the candidate will attend in person. The Biden campaign has 24 offices across the Keystone State, including in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, which are solidly Democratic, but also in areas that typically favor Republican candidates, such as York and Lancaster. Recent polling shows Trump with a slight edge over Biden. Multiple national ratings outlets, including the Cook Political Report, still rate the 2024 presidential race as a toss-up in Pennsylvania, which has 19 electoral votes on the line. Biden beat Trump in Pennsylvania by just over 80,000 votes in 2020. This report was first published by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, which like NC Newsline, is part of the States Newsroom network. The post Jill Biden tells audience at Pittsburgh Pride event your president loves you appeared first on NC Newsline. Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks at an anti-gerrymandering event at the Hilton Columbus Downtown on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Backers want to place an amendment on the statewide ballot in November to change how legislative districts are drawn. The Statehouse slap-fight over whether Democrat Joe Bidens name will or wont appear on Ohios presidential ballot was likely about something else altogether the probable appearance on Novembers ballot of voter-initiated proposals to: forbid gerrymandering of the General Assembly via a Citizens Not Politicians:" ballot issue; and, via a Raise the Wage Ohio ballot issue, raise the states minimum wage now $10.45 per hour for non-tipped workers and $5.25 for tipped workers to $15 per hour for all workers. (If voters OKd the minimum-wage issue, according to the Greater Cleveland think-tank Policy Matters Ohio, Three in five of the people whose pay [would] go up are women. Raising the wage will reduce gender pay inequity.) Gumming up statewide ballot-issues Taken at face value, GOP maneuvering over Biden and Ohios ballot is just more of todays standard-issue Statehouse bickering. True, in the abstract, denying Biden a place on Ohios ballot, while depriving Ohioans of a choice in November, would be politically secondary: At this writing, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump would likely carry Ohio Nov. 5. Instead, the Biden/ballot fight is arguably GOP camouflage for whats really at stake gumming up those statewide ballot-issue campaigns in expensive, time-eating rigmarole and holding down Democratic turnout. Its increasingly obvious that Ohio voters genuinely shocked Statehouse Republicans last year by passing statewide ballot issues that (a) protect access to abortion; (b) legalized recreational marijuana; and (c) blocked a GOP attempt to make it harder for rank-and-file Ohioans to amend the Ohio Constitution. Blaming Johnny or Joanie Foreigner Accordingly, in various way and to different degrees, the GOP has tried to include in the Biden ballot-fix provisions that to some extent would make it harder for voter-proposed issues to reach the statewide ballot. One move already made: To assign Republican Attorney General David Yost, whom Democrats (to put it mildly) distrust, responsibility for policing foreign campaign donations, something the bipartisan Ohio Elections Commission now does. The pearl-clutching about foreign campaign donors is because the GOP has to blame somebody for its 2023 ballot fiascos, and who better than Johnny or Joanie Foreigner? It isnt like Ohio doesnt have a history on that front. In a move the U.S. Supreme Court later killed, the General Assembly, after America went to war with Germany in World War I, made it a crime to teach the German language in Ohio schools, public or private, below the eighth grade. Take that, Kaiser Bill. What about Sherrod Brown? Moreover, in the unlikely event General Assembly Republicans did keep Biden off Ohios ballot, that might induce some Ohio Democrats to stay home on Election Day, creating two major challenges for their party. Democratic stay-at-homes could threaten the re-election of U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, who is being vigorously challenged by Republican Bernie Moreno, a Westlake entrepreneur. Another challenge could be to Democrats retention of Ohio Supreme Court seats Democrats now hold. Though its hardly a sure thing, the Supreme Court can be a backstop against the General Assemblys partisan antics. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Donnelly, a Greater Cleveland Democrat, is being challenged for re-election by Republican Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan. Another Greater Cleveland Democrat, Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart, is being challenged by fellow Justice Joseph T. Deters, a Cincinnati Republican who was once Hamilton Countys prosecuting attorney and is politically close to Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, whose son is another Supreme Court justice, Cincinnati Republican R. Patrick DeWine. In the third Ohio Supreme Court contest, for a seat Deters now holds but is leaving to challenge Stewart, Greater Cleveland Democratic Judge Lisa Forbes, of the Ohio Court of Appeals (8th District), is competing with the Republican nominee for Deters current Supreme Court seat, Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Dan Hawkins. Thomas Suddes Given Republicans self-interest in GOP-rigged legislative seats, and GOP legislators alliance with business lobbies on the minimum-wage ballot issue, the bonus from General Assembly Republicans perspective of the Biden-on-the-ballot question could be extraneous amendments slipped into the Biden fix to stall or at least complicate the work of the campaigns for the Citizens Not Politicians anti-gerrymandering ballot issue and the Raise the Wage Ohio issue. Thats because the General Assemblys Republican majorities are just fine with the way things are in Ohio. Arent you? Thomas Suddes is a former legislative reporter with The Plain Dealer in Cleveland and writes from Ohio University. tsuddes@gmail.com This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Statehouse pearl-clutching about silencing Ohioans not foreign money VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) As Juneteenth roles around the corner, events in Hampton Roads are starting to be announced, including one in Virginia Beach. On June 15, Virginia African American Cultural Center is putting on a free concert in honor of Juneteenth week. The event takes place during the ViBe Creative Districts Art & Eco Market. The performances features cultures from around the world. Other events like the three day Juneteenth at the Beach, a Jubilee Run 5K and 1 Miler, podcasts, etc. are also coming to Virginia Beach the same week in honor of the celebration. Check with WAVY.com for updates Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a boy was shot and killed in Northeast D.C. on Saturday night. MPD said that at about 10:40 p.m., it was dispatched to the 600 block of 18th Street Northeast for a shooting. When officers arrived at the scene, they found 15-year-old Victor Bolden of Northeast unconscious and not breathing. Firefighter injured, 2 people rescued after house fire in Northwest DC He was taken to a hospital where he died. It is just heart-wrenching to hear this, said Sandra Gilbert, a former advisory neighborhood commissioner for the Rosedale community where the deadly shooting happened. Our children are dying all night, all day. Thats my fear, is that our children are dying before their parents, she continued. Thats so sad. Anyone with information is asked to call MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Labour leader Keir Starmer, who is campaigning to be the U.K.'s next Prime Minister, attends an event at Three Counties Medical School on May 29, 2024 in Worcester, United Kingdom. Credit - Christopher FurlongGetty Images Over a week into the U.K. election race that was called early by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, the opposition Labour Partyled by Keir Starmeris polling ahead of the incumbent Conservatives. After five Prime Ministers in 14 years of Conservative rulewhich saw the right-wing party guide policy on Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic, and contentious immigration reformLabour may well be on course for an election victory on July 4. This wasnt always the case. Labour suffered back-to-back electoral defeats under its erstwhile leader, the left-wing Jeremy Corbyn. This will be the partys first electoral test since being taken over by Starmer, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras and a former lawyer and prosecutor. Starmer has been lucky in the sense that he's become leader at a time when the party he's up against has just basically imploded, Anand Menon, the director of the think tank U.K. in a Changing Europe, tells TIME. For Menon, Labours victory will be comfortable but soft as voters are not necessarily flocking to the opposition party for its policies, but rather to remove the Tories, as the Conservatives are known, from power. As Starmer makes his case to become the next U.K. Prime Minister this summer, heres what to know about the British politician. Keir Starmers background Born on Sept. 2, 1962, to a nurse mother and toolmaker father, Starmer describes his background as working class. Starmer grew up in Oxted, a town located 20 miles south of London and attended a free grammar school. He became the first member of his family to receive a university education, studying undergraduate law at the University of Leeds before pursuing a postgraduate degree from Oxford University. The bulk of Starmers career before politics was spent as a human-rights lawyer, during which time he took on high-profile cases against corporations such as Shell and McDonalds, and acted as legal advisor to the Northern Ireland Policing Board. He eventually went on to lead the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), the public prosecutor for England and Wales. Elected to the House of Commons in 2015, Starmer served as Shadow Minister for immigration under Corbyns leadership. He resigned in 2016 in protest of the then-leader, and replaced Corbyn as head of the party during the partys 2020 leadership elections. Keir Starmers wife and children Starmer married his partner Victoria, a lawyer-turned-occupational health worker, in 2007. The couple have two children, a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. In an interview with British Vogue in February, Starmer said he and Victoria didnt meet under the most romantic of circumstances. Victoria, then working in law, received a call from Starmer to question her on the accuracy of documents. He told the publication that before the call ended, he heard Victoria ask her colleague, Who the f-ck does he think he is? Read More: The Man Who Wants to Fix Britain How Keir Starmer has shaped the Labour Party Menon and Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London, note that Starmer represents stability, both within his party and as an alternative to Conservative leaders. He has also taken the Labour Party from a very left-wing slant to a more centrist position often likened to that of former Prime Minister and Labour leader Tony Blair. Hes dragged the party back into the center ground of British politics, which is where elections are normally won, Bale tells TIME, noting the differentiation Starmer has made in contrast to the ultra liberal policies that Corbyn, a self-proclaimed socialist, was known for. While that moderation has benefited Labour in the polls, it hasnt necessarily translated into significant popular support for Starmer himself. I don't think he inspires people, Menon says. In the polling that we have, he is seen as more competent and a safer bet than Rishi Sunak. But the campaign hasnt been entirely smooth sailing for Labour. The partys internal infighting broke out into public view this week as the Labour leadership was accused of purging left-wing figures from the social democratic party, something it has since denied. There is a kind of authoritarian streak on the right of the party, which seems to encourage some people to want to get rid of anybody on the left who might cause Starmer problems, says Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary, University of London. But thats more noise than signal. What are Keir Starmers policies? Following Sunaks announcement of an early election, Labour has outlined the policies it will focus on if elected. Its key areas of focus are investing in the countrys National Health Service (NHS), which has seen emergency wait times and care backlogs skyrocket. Sustainability, education, and asylum policies are also among the partys cited priorities. Overarchingly, Starmer is a believer in a dynamic capitalist economy, says Bale, noting that the Labour leader is viewed as a classic social democrat in his policies. He's obviously a strong believer in the National Health Service and the need for the state to educate its population, particularly in a kind of knowledge economy, Bale adds. Menon says that Labour appears to be leading its campaign with as few policies as possible. He notes that Labour has outlined its plan to reduce immigration rates by upskilling British workers to carry out the jobs that migrants have historically held. But for medical roles this will require several years of training. The party has also stressed its desire to reduce the number of migrants traveling to Britain in small boats across the English Channela crisis that, according to the Labour Party, sees the U.K. spending 8 million ($10.1 million) a day to house asylum seekers in hotels. The party says it will crack down on so-called criminal smuggler gangs facilitating illegal crossings, and strengthen its border security. What has Keir Starmer said about the Israel-Hamas war? Many protests have taken place across the U.K. calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In the aftermath of a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 that saw around 1,200 people killed, Israel has carried out an extensive bombing campaign in the Palestinian enclave. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 36,000according to figures from the Hamas-led Gaza Ministry of Health, and supported by the U.N. and the U.S. governmentand has caused international alarm. As the death toll in Gaza has soared, Starmer has insisted on Israels right to self defense in a number of speeches. On Dec.1, Starmer issued a statement calling for all sides to return to cessation and encourage the pursuit of a long-term solution to the decades-long conflict. In February, he called for "a ceasefire that lasts. Bale described Starmers stance on the war as fairly non-committal, and while this could give some voters pause, he suggests this will be more noise than signal by July. There is a danger that Muslim and left-wing voters dont support Labour, says Menon, citing cities such as Bristol, Brighton, and Rochdale, where Labour could lose votes to the Green Party. Keir Starmer is lucky partly because Muslim voters tend to be concentrated where Labour have got healthy majorities anyway, he adds, noting that the poll lead should be large enough to secure a parliamentary majority. Write to Armani Syed at armani.syed@time.com. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) defended the Republican Partys move to still nominate former President Trump despite him being convicted in his hush money trial last week. CNNs Manu Raju pressed McCarthy on whether it was a good idea for the Republican Party to nominate Trump as their partys candidate after he was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records last week. Is it a good idea that Donald Trump is the nominee? The answer is 100 percent yes. Will Donald Trump win this presidency? The answer is yes, McCarthy said on CNNs Inside Politics. And its interesting. I was watching the earlier part of your show. And I get the verdict has just come in. The question is should it even have gone to trial? The majority of Americans understand that if Donald Trump did not run for president, this never would have gotten to trial, he added. Trump is slated to officially become the Republican Partys nominee for president during the Republican National Committees convention over the summer. His sentencing hearing in the hush money case is scheduled for July 11, just four days before the convention kicks off. Republicans rushed to Trumps defense shortly after the verdict was read last Thursday, with many of them calling the case politically motivated. Raju asked McCarthy later on whether Republicans should be concerned about losing independent or women voters due to the guilty verdict. Joe Biden is running on, democracys on the ballot, Biden economics. These are the two driving things that people are opposed to. Do people want four more years of this? This is where people are missing really what is going on with the American public, he said, without saying whether he had concerns about losing independent or women voters. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 greatest things in her life were yet to be," Deanna's mother Katherine told WCVB in 2015. "I can't believe she's been dead longer than she's been alive" Friends of Deanna Cremin/Facebook Deanna Cremin In March 1995, 17-year-old Deanna Cremin was attacked and murdered in Somerville, Mass., while she was on her way home from her boyfriend's house. To this day, her shocking murder hasn't been solved. On March 30, 1995, two children who were on their way to school found Deanna's body behind a housing complex, Boston.com reported. Her cause of death was strangulation. According to Boston 25 News, Deanna's boyfriend at the time, Thomas Leblanc, told Deanna's mother, Katherine Cremin, that he walked her halfway home the evening she was killed. "I just want the person who murdered my daughter to know: May every cell of skin on your body crawl, every hair on the back of your neck stand up, because we are very close behind you," Katherine told WCVB in 2015. No suspects have ever been apprehended in connection with Deanna's murder. "The greatest things in her life were yet to be," Katherine told WCVB. "I can't believe she's been dead longer than she's been alive." 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. 29 years later, her loved ones still keep her memory and the unsolved case at the forefront as the hope for a lead in the investigation. On Facebook, a group named Friends of Deanna Cremin posts updates about memorials and mass' taking place in Cremin's memory. There is a $70,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest and prosecution of the person involved in her death. Friends of Deanna Cremin/Facebook Deanna Cremin Deanna's story has been featured heavily on social media in an effort to crack the cold case. Anyone with information regarding Deanna Cremin's unsolved murder is asked to call a confidential tip line at 617-544-7167. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. What to know about the federal gun trial Hunter Biden faces this week Hunter Biden is set to stand trial Monday on felony gun charges in a historic case that could impact President Joe Bidens reelection campaign. This is the first time in American history that the child of the sitting president is going on trial. The indictment was brought by the Justice Department, specifically by David Weiss, the special counsel appointed last year to oversee the Hunter Biden probes. Hunter Biden, 54, is accused of illegally purchasing and possessing a gun while abusing or being addicted to drugs, a violation of federal law. He pleaded not guilty to the three charges, though he has been open about his struggles with alcohol and crack cocaine addiction. The trial could last one to two weeks and is taking place in Wilmington, Delaware. What are the charges? The first two charges in the three-count indictment are tied to the gun purchase itself. When a person buys a gun, they must fill out a form with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and affirm that they are legally allowed to buy the weapon. Hunter Biden has been charged with lying on those forms. These questions include: Have you been convicted of a felony? Are you a fugitive? Are you in the country unlawfully? And, importantly for this case, are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to illegal drugs? Hunter Biden allegedly checked the box that said, No. Count 3 relates to the possession of the gun. Its also against federal law to possess a gun if you are abusing drugs. Hunter Biden had the gun for 11 days in October 2018, before his girlfriend threw it in a dumpster because she was worried about his mental health, according to the indictment and texts made public in recent court filings. Guns present a danger if they get in the wrong hands, and thats the impetus behind these laws, Nabeel Kibria, a Washington, DC-based defense attorney who has handled hundreds of gun cases, told CNN. The evidence seems pretty stacked against Hunter but who determines who is an addict? What are the bright-line rules that must be followed? Who are the witnesses? Prosecutors have said they plan to call about a dozen witnesses for their case. Most notably, theyve lined up testimony from three of Hunter Bidens former romantic partners to testify about his drug use around the time he bought the gun. This includes his ex-wife, Kathleen Buhle and his late brothers widow, Hallie Biden, whom Hunter Biden later dated. Their testimony could bring to life a period that Hunter Biden has described as his rock bottom, during which he was almost always on drugs or trying to get drugs. At his attempted plea hearing last year, Hunter Biden testified that he has been sober since May 2019. Hes going to experience stress and shame at the trial, said Valerie Earnshaw, a social psychology professor at the University of Delaware who researches the stigmas surrounding addiction. It depends on his own recovery journey, but there could be days where he experiences a lot of shame. Its a toxic emotion that eats you up. It does not motivate healthy behaviors. Hunter Bidens lawyers wanted to call an expert who could tell the jury about how people with addictions understand their own struggles. But in a ruling Sunday, the judge blocked the defense attorneys from using that witness because of procedural defects with their disclosures to prosecutors about what the expert might say. His team also has a forensic chemist who could testify about a white residue on his gun pouch that prosecutors say testified positive for cocaine when it was analyzed by the FBI in 2023. Who are the prosecutors? The case was initiated by Weiss, the former Donald Trump-appointed US attorney in Delaware. Attorney General Merrick Garland elevated Weiss to special counsel status last year, after a proposed plea deal with Hunter Biden blew up in spectacular fashion. Hunter Bidens lawyers claimed Weiss only sought the indictment because he caved to a relentless pressure campaign from Republican lawmakers and the former president. Weiss panned this theory as a fiction designed for a Hollywood script, and the judge overseeing the gun case concluded the allegations were nonsensical under the facts here. But many Republicans have criticized Weiss, claiming he offered Hunter Biden a sweetheart deal last year that would have resolved the gun matter and ended a tax probe with a misdemeanor-only plea. (Legal experts told CNN at the time that the proposed deal was reasonable.) Who is the judge? District Judge Maryellen Noreika is presiding over the case. A former patent lawyer, she had the support of Delawares two Democratic senators when she was appointed by Trump. The Senate confirmed her nomination with a unanimous voice vote in 2018. She oversaw last summers dramatic hearing during which both sides asked her to approve a plea deal. But she balked and uncovered through tough questioning that there were grave differences between the parties about the scope of the deal. That hearing ended without a resolution, and the plea discussions later collapsed. Thats when Garland named Weiss as special counsel. Noreikas no-nonsense approach has kept the proceedings moving in a steady fashion. She rejected Hunter Bidens attempts to toss the case or derail the prosecution but has sided with him on several key evidentiary questions. Could Hunter Biden go to prison? If convicted on all three counts, the presidents son could face up to 25 years in prison. However, he doesnt have a prior criminal record, and first-time offenders often get much lower sentences than the maximum. His punishment would be solely up to Noreika. These are federal charges, so Joe Biden has the power to pardon his son at any time. If his son is convicted, the president could also commute the sentence, sparing him from the levied punishment. The White House has explicitly ruled out the possibility of a pardon, but that political calculus could change after the November election. Has this ever happened before? This is a historic moment for the United States and the history of the presidency. No president has ever tried to run the country while watching his own child go on trial. Over the decades, there are plenty of examples of presidential family members getting in trouble. George H. W. Bushs son faced civil penalties for violating banking laws while his father was serving in the White House. Jimmy Carters brother was scrutinized for his foreign lobbying. But nothing has sunk to the level of a criminal trial. CNN presidential historian Douglas Brinkley said that theres always somebody considered a black sheep in the presidential family but that Hunter Bidens sprawling legal issues cut unusually close to the bone because its the presidents son. This trial is an albatross around President Bidens neck and weighs very heavily on his psyche, Brinkley said. For any parent to watch their child go through addiction, and now face possible jail time, its harrowing. You would hope that family would be his comfort zone. But in this case, family is probably his biggest worry of the moment. The family ties have also led to some intriguing divergences between father and son. There is a separate court battle over the constitutionality of the law that makes it illegal for drug users to own a gun. The Biden administration is defending the law and wants the Supreme Court to take up the matter. But Hunter Bidens team argued in his case unsuccessfully that the law violates the Second Amendment. The jury pool Approximately 250 Delaware residents have been summoned for jury service, according to the judge. Theyll be whittled down to a panel of 12 seated jurors and four alternates. Delaware is one of the smallest states in the country, and the Biden family looms large. As part of the selection process called voir dire prospective jurors will be asked whether they can stay impartial regardless of their views about the 2024 election. Theyll also be asked whether they can keep an open mind about Hunter Biden and even whether theyve been eligible to vote in past elections for Joe Biden, who has held public office in Delaware since 1971. Other questions touch on the highly politicized atmosphere surrounding the case, including, Do you believe Hunter Biden is being prosecuted in this case because his father is the President of the United States? or, coming from the other side, whether they think he is not being prosecuted for other crimes because his father is the President. What has Hunter Biden said? Since his indictments last year, Hunter Biden hasnt said much about his legal cases. He spoke out in December amid his fight with the House Republicans who are probing his business dealings and took responsibility for having made mistakes in my life and wasted opportunities and privileges that I was afforded. But he slammed the MAGA right lawmakers who ridiculed my struggle with addiction and belittled my recovery. They have tried to dehumanize me, all to embarrass and damage my father, he said. Previously, Hunter Biden shared intensely personal details about his addiction in his 2021 memoir, which prosecutors plan to use against him at trial. He described his stints in rehab, his relapses, how he bought drugs near the White House, and the stretches of time when he had no plan beyond the moment-to-moment demands of the crack pipe. The laptop, texts and emails One of the most notable pieces of evidence in the case will be messages from Hunter Bidens infamous laptop, which has been at the center of a yearslong political saga. Weiss said the material is real and will be an important part of his case, rebutting past claims from the presidents son that the laptop might be fake or even Russian disinformation. Republican officials and right-wing outlets have seized on the laptops embarrassing emails and sexually explicit images to attack Hunter Biden, while his lawyers say the files were manipulated and sued a repair-shop owner who helped make the materials public. Many on the right celebrated this move by Weiss, even if he hasnt verified their loftier anti-Biden allegations. The New York Post, the conservative tabloid that was first to publish messages from the laptop in 2020, recently took a victory lap on its front cover. In a ruling last month, Noreika said shell let Hunter Biden challenge the authenticity of any messages introduced at trial. Some of the texts contain gut-wrenching arguments between Hunter Biden and his loved ones about his sobriety. Others show him meeting up with drug dealers, including some just a few blocks from the Wilmington federal courthouse. Im a liar and a thief and a blamer and a user and Im delusional and an addict unlike beyond and above all other addicts that you know and Ive ruined every relationship Ive ever cherished, he texted Hallie Biden in November 2018, according to Weiss filings. Prosecutors plan to use the laptop to specifically support their claim that he was using illegal drugs when he bought the gun in 2018. Weiss has not addressed and the case is not about Republicans unproven allegation that emails from the laptop prove that Hunter Biden and his father were involved in corrupt foreign business deals. What about the tax charges? This is just one of two trials Hunter Biden faces this year. The second case is scheduled for September in Los Angeles and revolves around Hunter Bidens troubled finances. He has pleaded not guilty to tax evasion, filing false tax returns and failing to file his taxes on time. Originally, the trials were both scheduled for June, but Hunter Biden got a reprieve from the California federal judge, who agreed to postpone that trial. But the September trial date means that case will coincide with the final stretch of the presidential campaign. CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misidentified a potential prosecution witness. It has also been updated to correct when Hunter Biden sent Hallie Biden a 2018 text. CNNs Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday he had a "very good" meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin in Singapore, as he seeks to rally support for Kyiv while a Russian offensive gains ground, Azernews reports. Zelenskyy met with Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major security forum attended by defence officials from around the world. The meeting came after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on using US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia, which Zelenskyy has hailed as a "step forward". Asked about the meeting by reporters as he left the room, the Ukrainian president said it was "very good". Austin made no comment. A US official travelling with Austin had told AFP the pair would meet to "discuss the current battlefield situation in Ukraine and to underscore US commitment to ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression". What to know about MPS Superintendent Keith Posley and why he could be fired Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley could be fired, or face other disciplinary action, at a school board meeting Monday night. Some community members have called for Posley to resign, or for the school board to fire him, after news broke last week that the district has failed to submit financial reports to the state, jeopardizing its funding. The district's Head Start funding was also suspended last month after federal officials said they discovered incidents of maltreatment, physical abuse, verbal abuse and lack of supervision in the district's programs. Keith Posley, superintendent of Milwaukee Public Schools, speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony at Washington High School May 26, 2023. Here's what to know about what could happen at Monday's school boarding meeting, why the district is in trouble with the state and federal government, and Posley's role as superintendent: What is on the Milwaukee School Board meeting agenda Monday night? According to a meeting notice, the school board will meet Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at MPS' Central Office and streamed online. Board members could discuss Posley's employment in a closed-door meeting, and possibly return to a public meeting to take action. More: Milwaukee School Board could fire superintendent Keith Posley on Monday At the meeting, board members may consider "dismissal, demotion, licensing or discipline" of the superintendent. They may also discuss Posley's compensation and performance evaluation data, and confer with legal counsel, according to the meeting notice. Milwaukee School Board members already convened two closed-door meetings to discuss Posley's employment last Tuesday and Thursday. They didn't share developments from those meetings. The meeting will also include a public hearing on the district's budget, after the board delayed a vote on the 2024-25 proposed budget which would cut nearly 300 staff positions to get more information about the district's finances. Board members also plan to announce the hiring of an outside financial consultant that will help the district get its financial reports in order, a step recommended by the state Department of Public Instruction. More: What to know about MPS budget cuts ahead of possible vote this week Why is MPS in trouble with the state? State education officials are threatening to suspend funding after the district failed to submit required financial reports, some of which were due more than eight months ago. To avoid the suspension, the district must submit a corrective action plan to complete missing reports and meet future deadlines. MPS' failure to provide financial data could impact every school district in the state, DPI said. The state needs the information from MPS in order to estimate, by July 1, the amount of state funding that will go to each district for the 2024-25 school year. In addition to the late financial reports, DPI has said that MPS made errors in its reported costs for the 2022-23 school year, which could result in a "significant reduction" in state aid for the 2024-25 school year. If state aid is reduced, the district could maintain its total revenue by relying more heavily on local property taxes, which could result in a tax hike, according to Rob Henken, president of the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, previously the state superintendent, said he was waiting for more information before judging whether Posley should lose his job. He also said the loss of Head Start funding "doesn't look good." Why is MPS in trouble with the federal government? The district lost that federal Head Start funding for the end of last month after the federal Administration for Children and Families found deficiencies in three areas: appropriate supervision, correction of safety problems and proper training for staff. That suspension of funding could continue if the federal agency finds MPS hasn't corrected its problems. District officials said they are working to "correct issues identified" and will use MPS funds to sustain the program during the loss of federal dollars. The district has applied for another five-year grant and expects a decision in the coming weeks. The district's budget plans show MPS is expecting to get about $10.5 million in Head Start funding for the next school year. Head Start is a free, federally funded preschool program that also offers social services. MPS operates 37 Head Start sites with full-day K3 and K4 programs. Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley speaks as part of the Milwaukee Public Schools trades fair at the Milwaukee Tool offices in downtown Milwaukee on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023. Who is Keith Posley, and how long has he been superintendent? Posley has been the superintendent of the state's largest school district for six years. He started as the interim superintendent in 2018, replacing Darienne Driver. Posley worked in district administration since 2003 before becoming superintendent, most recently as the district's chief school administration officer, according to his bio. He began his career as an elementary school teacher at Benjamin Franklin School in 1990, and later held principal roles in elementary schools. He was named as an exemplary principal by former President George W. Bush. Posley is originally from Mississippi and holds degrees from Tougaloo College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and National Louis University. Rory Linnane contributed to this story. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about superintendent Keith Posley, issues facing MPS Lahaina Teachers Say More Help is Needed for Struggling West Maui Schools This article was originally published in Honolulu Civil Beat. Teacher retention and student safety are top of mind for West Maui families and school and union leaders as an academic year marked by deadly wildfires comes to a close. Since August, enrollment at Lahainas four public schools has dropped by roughly 1,000 students. Some families are still hesitant to return their children to the campuses next year, citing concerns around emergency preparedness and the mental health toll of attending classes near the burn zone. In addition to a declining student population, the teachers union predicts that Lahaina schools may face greater challenges recruiting and retaining educators next year. Some teachers say the Hawaii Department of Education has failed to support its employees after the fires by not offering additional leave and flexibility for teachers who needed to find housing and move out of West Maui. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Lahaina teachers are also asking for more counselors and mental health support for students next school year. The union is now mobilizing to push the superintendent and Hawaii Board of Education to fulfill educators requests, including pay raises for Lahaina teachers and expanded paid leave benefits. DOE had already designated Lahaina as a hard-to-staff location in 2020 due to the areas high number of teacher vacancies and emergency hires. Its just incredibly stressful for so many people, said Jarrett Chapin, an English teacher at Lahainaluna High. Staffing Challenges Even before the fires, hiring teachers in Lahaina was difficult, Chapin said. Housing was scarce, and the cost of living was high even with the annual $5,000 bonus Lahaina teachers have received since 2020 due to severe staffing shortages in the area. The union has asked DOE to raise the annual bonus to $8,000 in response to the rising cost of living on Maui. The department said in March it would not fulfill the request, although superintendent Keith Hayashi said Thursday that its an option hes now willing to consider. Hayashi added that the department has provided mental health support to students and teachers through staff trainings, partnerships with the Department of Health, online platforms and more. Earlier this month, the department was hiring for five teaching positions at Princess Nahienaena Elementary, King Kamehameha III Elementary and Lahainaluna High School. The department said funding for Lahaina schools will not drastically decline next year but did not specify if it will be hiring fewer teachers than usual because of reduced student enrollment. In Wailuku, Iao Intermediate is currently hiring seven teachers for next year, while Wailuku Elementary is hiring four teachers. Schools in other parts of Maui are facing similar hiring needs. Andrea Eshelman, deputy director and chief negotiator for HSTA, said shes concerned more teachers will leave their jobs at the end of the year because of severe housing shortages in West Maui and DOEs lackluster response to supporting faculty after the fires. HSTA previously asked DOE to provide post-disaster leave or mileage reimbursement to teachers who lost their homes in the fires and relocated from West Maui, but the department rejected the requests. In response, HSTA has begun a petition asking DOE to initiate a program that would allow teachers to donate their sick days to Maui teachers affected by the fires. As of Thursday, the petition received over 600 signatures from union members across the state, and over 20 teachers testified at Thursdays BOE meeting asking the department to establish the leave bank and provide additional support for educators. The bank would allow Maui teachers to take paid time off to address the aftermath of the fires. During Thursdays meeting, Lahainaluna teacher Michelle Abad Brummel said she lost her home in the fires and is temporarily living in South Maui. Her family spends nearly $500 each month on gas, and shes resorted to using sick days to visit her home in the burn zone since DOE didnt offer additional leave to teachers affected by the fires. There will be one less good teacher in a school already in need, Abad Brummel said. Ashley Olson, a teacher at Lahainaluna, said DOE should also provide more mental health support to staff and students. DOE has made crisis counseling and mental health providers available to Lahaina staff, but Olson said she would like professionals to consistently check in with teachers and proactively offer their help. Im pretty unimpressed with the progress weve made, Olson said. Do better by all of Maui. BOE members agreed with teachers requests on Thursday and said they would offer more support in the next school year. We heard you loud and clear, said board member Makana McClellan. Alternative Learning Options Before the August fires, the four Lahaina public schools served around 3,000 students. Next year, their combined enrollment is expected to drop to roughly 2,000. In November, DOE estimated that most of the students who had not yet returned to Lahaina campuses had enrolled in other public schools on Maui. A smaller percentage of students had moved out of state or enrolled in Hawaii schools outside of the DOE. Rita McClintock, who lives in Kaanapali, has no plans to return her daughter to Lahaina Intermediate in the fall. In September, McClintock enrolled her daughter in Hawaii Technology Academy, a charter school that began offering hybrid classes in West Maui within a month of the fires. The school initially offered instruction out of the Door of Faith Church in Lahaina but moved into the space formerly occupied by Kapaluas Pineapple Grill restaurant in March. McClintock said she believed DOE campuses had safe water and air quality after the Department of Health completed extensive testing on the schools in the fall. But she worried about whether DOE had adequate safety plans in place if another fire began near the schools. I trusted the science, but I didnt necessarily trust they had a plan in place if they got bad news, McClintock said. Now, McClintock said, she plans on keeping her daughter at HTA until eighth grade. She doesnt want to disrupt her daughters education, she added, and shes found a place that offers her family stability. Ginny Kamohalii-Dew, community coordinator for HTAs Lahaina campus, said they expect approximately 60% of students to return to the school next year. Many families are moving out of West Maui, she added, and can no longer make the commute to campus. The school enrolls roughly 115 students. The charter school placed a strong emphasis on childrens mental health and recovery this year, she said, adding that shes especially proud of students end-of-year projects that reimagined what Lahaina could look like once its fully rebuilt. If our kids leave happy this year, weve done enough, Kamohalii-Dew said. Other families are still unsure about their childrens futures. Before the fires, Miriam Keos two children attended the Hawaiian immersion program offered at Lahaina Intermediate. Since March, Lahainas Hawaiian immersion students have attended classes at the temporary campus for King Kamehameha III Elementary. The department hasnt decided if Hawaiian immersion students can remain on the temporary campus next year, and Keo said shes still considering her familys options for next year. Like McClintock, shes not convinced students would be able to evacuate safely during emergencies but wants her children to remain in the same school as their peers. I just want to keep my keiki wherever the majority goes, Keo said. This story was originally published on Honolulu Civil Beat. Their landlord hiked their rent by 25%, so they applied for the NYC housing lottery. On the 25th try, luck was on their side. A millennial couple won the New York City affordable-housing lottery after applying about 25 times. Brynne McManimie, 35, and Peter Romano, 34, now live in a $2,800-a-month apartment in Brooklyn. "It was unusually fast. I don't think that's the case for most people, but we got very lucky," McManimie told BI. In 2021, Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. Due to the pandemic, they had gotten a good deal on their lease and paid $2,600 in rent each month. But that didn't last long. "After a year, our landlord raised our rent by like 25% and it made us very nervous about staying in that apartment," McManimie, an actor and teacher, told Business Insider. Their new rent was $3,300 a month. "That's when we were like, 'OK, let's just try the housing lottery,'" McManimie added. For Romano, a New Yorker, and McManimie, a West Coast transplant who has been living in New York for 13 years, the affordable-housing lottery was one of those things they had always heard about. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano Matthew Dunivan Photography "It's one of those things that was always talked about in our circle of friends because, as artists, there's also artist housing in New York and we know many people who have lived in those," McManimie said. The decision to apply for the affordable-housing lottery was also sparked by their desire not to give up some of the perks they were already used to in Greenpoint such as having a washer and dryer in their unit. "A lot of these new buildings with the housing lottery are nice and have a lot of good amenities, but they're a lot more affordable and in our price range," McManimie said. "So that prompted us to go for it." A pipe dream for most The living room. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano The affordable-housing lotteries are run by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, or HPD, and the Housing Development Corporation. Although applying is free, each household must meet specific income requirements to qualify for a lottery apartment. These vary across developments depending on unit size and location. But winning the housing lottery is a pipe dream for most applicants: In 2018, The New York Times reported that the odds of winning were 1 in 592 . But luck was on the couple's side. The kitchen. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano "This actually happened very fast for us," McManimie, 35, said. "I think we applied to this building in April 2023. We were contacted in May to submit documents but didn't hear from them until September." By early October, they had already signed the lease and moved in. "It was unusually fast. I don't think that's the case for most people, but we got very lucky," McManimie said, adding that they had applied to about 25 different buildings. $2,800 a month The couple's one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in Clinton Hill came with a balcony. It's a corner unit, so they have neighbors on only one side. According to the latest May data from RentHop.com, the median monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Clinton Hill is $3,750. The apartment has a small balcony. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano "It's definitely smaller than our old apartment," McManimie said. "The kitchen and the living room are all one big room, but everything is brand new. We're the first people to live in this unit." It also had all the amenities they wanted: a dishwasher, a washer-dryer, central AC, and heating. The couple signed a two-year lease on the apartment and now pay $2,800 monthly rent. "Since it's rent-stabilized, they can't raise it like a ton," Romano, an actor and professor, told BI. "Which is honestly really attractive to us, given what happened with our last landlord." Every year, the Rent Guidelines Board decides the percentages by which landlords can legally increase rents for rent-stabilized apartments. In 2023, the board voted to raise rents on one-year leases by 3%, and on two-year leases by 2.75% for the first year and 3.2% for the second year, per The New York Times. A close-up of their film camera collection. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano The day they moved in, it felt like a weight off their shoulders. "I felt relieved, honestly," Romano, 34, added. "Our financial situation with this rent amount was going to feel very good. And I remember when we sat down on the couch after the day, it was like, 'Okay, I can breathe a little bit.'" McManimie felt the same. "I was a little nervous about downsizing even more. But after a couple of days, I didn't really notice," McManimie said. "Our building has a rooftop deck; we have a lounge upstairs to work in with a beautiful view of the city. We have a gym and a giant lobby." A close-up of the couple's bar cart Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano Although the apartment is small about 550 square feet it still feels like they have a lot of space, she added. A work in progress Design-wise, the couple's apartment is bright and colorful with midcentury influences. McManimie is behind the decor, while Romano is the one who's responsible for building their furniture. "Since our space is so small, we looked for furniture with storage. Our coffee table, one of our stools, and our bed has additional storage," McManimie said. "We also store things under our couch and above our cabinets." The bedroom. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano Other furniture pieces are from a vacation home they previously owned in Poconos with McManimie's father. "We sold it before we even applied for this apartment since it made us a little ineligible for a while," Romano said. Those applying for rental units through the housing lottery aren't allowed to own residential property in or within 100 miles of New York City limits. Although they were sad to see it go, it's been nice not to have to manage a property, McManimie added: "I think people don't always realize how hard it is to be a homeowner." Even now, they aren't done decorating their apartment. "Our bedroom is definitely still a work in progress," McManimie said, adding that she's looking for an antique mirror for the space. She also shared that she has an antique desk in storage that she's planning to use as a vanity. The living room. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano A 'life-changing' opportunity Their biggest tip for anyone who wants to apply for the housing lottery is to have all the financial paperwork on hand during the application process. "Your tax returns, your pay stubs they asked for all of that information in quite a quick amount of time to turn around," Romano said. There's also no point in applying for apartments that fall outside your income range since "they're going to weed you out immediately," McManimie said. The bathroom. Brynne McManimie and Peter Romano Applying for the housing lottery requires a lot of paperwork and many people end up unsuccessful in their bids, but it's still worth a shot, she added. "If you're unhappy with your situation or your rent is too high, you might as well try," McManimie said. "You have to decide what your priorities are." Ultimately, the apartment situation worked ouy well for them, she added. "We're really happy and very thankful that New York City has an affordable housing lottery. It's definitely been life-changing," she said. Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you have a story to share, get in touch with me at agoh@businessinsider.com . Read the original article on Business Insider Lara Trump, the Republican National Committee co-chair and daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, dodged answering whether the RNC will support Maryland Republican Larry Hogans run for Senate after Hogan called for Americans to respect the verdict. "I don't support what he just said there. I think it's ridiculous, Lara Trump said when asked by CNNs Kasie Hunt if the RNC will support Hogan on "State of the Union" Sunday morning. The former Republican governor of Maryland, who is facing Democrat Angela Alsobrooks in November, is looking to flip a Senate seat in a deep blue state. Right before the verdict was announced, Hogan tweeted that he urged Americans to accept the verdict regardless of the outcome: At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders regardless of party must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law, Hogan said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. And moments after Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts, Hogan was quickly met with backlash specifically from GOP political strategist Chris LaCivita who replied to his post: You just ended your campaign. Lara Trump and the RNC did not come to Hogans defense afterward. When pressed Sunday on whether the RNC would use resources to support his bid, Lara Trump said she would need to get back on the specifics monetarily but said as RNC chair, Hogan should never have said something like that. I think anybody who's not speaking up in the face of really something that should never again have seen the light of day, a trial that would never have been brought against any other person aside from Donald Trump, doesnt deserve the respect of anyone, Lara Trump added. [Hogan] doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point, and, quite frankly, anybody in America. DENVER (KDVR) U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert is campaigning for a new seat after her move from the Western Slope to Colorados 4th Congressional District. Her campaign messages are much like those from years past, with the congresswoman even releasing a political ad where she said: We need to shut down the border, build the wall and deport them all. Greg Lopez talks priorities should he win election to Congress On this weeks Colorado Point of View, Boebert expands on her positions on immigration, the southern border and getting things done in Washington. Meanwhile, political analysts discuss the historic guilty verdicts against former President Donald Trump, for which he could face prison time as he continues his campaign for the 2024 election. Watch the full episode in the video player above. Colorado Point of View airs weekends on Colorados Very Own Channel 2. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) A battle veteran Keith Romel has been fighting for about a year is finally getting the attention hed hoped. Its brought awareness to the issue, said the east Austin Resident, referring to a recent KXAN investigation highlighting his struggle to get the property tax exemption hes entitled to as a 100% disabled veteran. When Romel sold his east Austin home last year and bought another one, he was upset to find he would not be able to use his 100% disabled veteran property tax exemption immediately. Austin disabled veteran frustrated by misplaced property tax break The Travis Central Appraisal District, or TCAD, ruled the exemption could not be applied to his new condo for the time he owned it in 2023, from mid-May through December. To come up with, you know, $6,500 that I wasnt expecting to have to pay when I bought the house was a little hard, Romel told KXAN Investigator Mike Rush in early May. Disabled veteran Keith Romel said KXAN Investigation helped boost interest with lawmakers in his problem getting his property tax exemption (KXAN Photo/Mike Rush) As a TCAD spokesperson explained to KXAN, property value is appraised based on the state of a property on January first of each year. Regarding Romels new condo, in January 2023, a developer owned the land and was in the process of splitting it into two condos, one of which became Romels. TCAD determined since Romels condo and new address did not exist at the start of the year, he couldnt use his exemption on his new home for the remainder of that year, although the exemption is in effect for 2024 and beyond. I dont think its right, Romel said. Neither does Texas State Rep. Lulu Flores, who represents Romels district. The exemption should go with him and into whatever property he goes into, the Austin Democrat said. Romel believes KXANs investigation helped elevate conversations hed been having for a few months with Flores office. Flores tells KXAN shes committed to coming up with a solution. It shouldnt be rocket science, the lawmaker said. Maybe we need to clarify in the legislation that the exemption travels with the individual. She added, That whatever exemption they have and are entitled to applies to that property regardless of whether it was on the rolls or not. Romels predicament also has the attention of another state lawmaker. In our original report, KXAN spoke with longtime Austin property tax attorney Lorri Michel, who disagreed with TCADs interpretation of the tax code that denied Romel the exemption on his new property for 2023. Im thinking he should have had it, Michel said at the time. After KXAN brought the issue to Michels attention, she reached out to State Sen. Paul Bettencourts office to try to change the law. Quite frankly, if it wasnt for yalls investigative report, we wouldnt have heard about it, Sen. Bettencourt told Rush. Bettencourt, R-Houston, owns a tax consulting company, previously served as the Harris County Tax Assessor for 10 years, and in 2019 authored major statewide property tax reform legislation. The senator said his office is looking into Romels situation and the possibility of tweaking the law. At the end of the day, we may have to clarify this to make it crystal clear, Bettencourt said. If the lawmakers determine the law does need clarification, they would introduce measures next year, when the legislature meets next. While he wont get the money back he spent on property taxes in 2023, Romel supports a change. It will help somebody else from being caught in this situation in the future, he said. Exemption interpretations may differ A spokesperson with the Texas Comptrollers Office tells KXAN local appraisal districts in Texas decide whether to approve or deny exemptions and may have different interpretations of how exemptions are applied. We reached out to neighboring appraisal districts to see how they would handle this situation. In a statement, the Hays Central Appraisal Districts chief appraiser, Laura Raven, wrote: Hays CAD works diligently within the framework of the Property Tax Code to ensure that anyone who applies and qualifies for an exemption receives it. If someone applies for an exemption on a property that didnt exist on January 1 there would not be an account to apply an exemption to. Meanwhile, Williamson Central District Chief Appraiser, Alvin Lankford, told KXANs Mike Rush a veteran in a similar situation there would also not be able to have a 100% disabled veteran property tax exemption applied. The reason would not be just because the property didnt exist at the start of the year, but because the veteran moved during the year. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Letters: Donald Trump has demonstrated that he is unfit to hold office again SIR Donald Trumps tirades on being found guilty in a court of law (report, June 1) confirm what we all know. He is emotional, irrational and unpredictable. The American people cannot again allow the hand of such a man anywhere near the nuclear button. Antony Mackenzie-Smith Abergavenny, Monmouthshire SIR Boris Johnson is wrong to offer his support to the now convicted criminal Donald Trump (report, June 1). Although the hush-money case was the least important of Mr Trumps four indictments, it followed the procedures of New York State law. The trial was conducted fairly and impartially by Judge Juan Merchan, and decided by a jury of 12 of Mr Trumps peers. Mr Johnson says: I believe that Donald Trump at his best could offer the world the strong, confident leadership that it needs. But thats the problem: no one knows which Donald Trump we would get. He is very far from the stable genius that he claims. John Bolton the former national security adviser, who worked for Mr Trump and, in common with many other former administration officials, now opposes his re-election has made clear that foreign policy is considered by him to be exclusively a matter of personal relations between big men. He admires powerful dictators. At a particularly dangerous time in global affairs, it would be foolhardy to put the nuclear codes and the might of the worlds superpower at the mercy of his unprincipled and self-serving whims. Dr John Law Felixstowe, Suffolk SIR I always held an affectionate respect for Nigel Farage, and admired his work in forcing David Camerons hand over the EU referendum. But that respect has dissipated in the light of his adoration of the convicted criminal Donald Trump. Similarly, with that other Marmite politician, Boris Johnson, I always fell into the like camp. He made a lot of excellent decisions as prime minister, and dealt well with the triple-whammy of Brexit, Covid and Ukraine. Yet, for me, his claim that Mr Trumps conviction was a liberal hit job is a step too far. The contempt that Mr Trump displayed towards the court was unconscionable. Mr Johnsons support for this behaviour suggests a deeply flawed moral compass and has led me, at least, to consign him, along with Mr Farage, to the wastelands of irrelevance. A great shame. Simon Dilloway Lopham, Norfolk SIR The United States has a population of nearly 335 million. Surely, among all those people, there must be better options for president than Joe Biden and Donald Trump. Judy Harckham Southampton Labours hard Left SIR On May 6 1981, a nice, sensible man called Andrew McIntosh won the Greater London Council (now the Greater London Authority) for Labour. The next day the Left-wingers called a meeting at which McIntosh was deposed and replaced by Red Ken Livingstone, with predictable results. Do the recent manoeuvres by Angela Rayner and others (Abbott allowed to stand at election after Rayner forces about-turn, report, June 1) indicate a similar fate for nice Sir Keir Starmer? Or will he, once elected, revert to type and become the Ken Livingstone he was just five years ago, when he was actively promoting Jeremy Corbyns far-Left agenda? Michael Tyce Waterstock, Oxfordshire SIR I consider it very irresponsible of Margaret Humphreys (Letters, June 1) to encourage people to go to their polling stations and invalidate their ballot papers. As she rightly points out, we are lucky to live in a country where we are able to vote, and we should not abuse that right in such a childish way. Rosemary Marshall New Malden, Surrey SIR It has long been my view that, by law, there should be a box at the bottom of the candidates list on all ballot papers marked: None of the above. It could prove a serious vote-winner this time. Gregory Shenkman London SW7 SIR Margaret Humphreyss letter reminds me of the count on general election night when I was a Conservative candidate. I argued to the acting returning officer that the sizeable pile of papers scrawled with ripe descriptions of me were actually a strong indication of support. He didnt buy it. Craig Heeley Badminton, Gloucestershire Out-of-touch Church SIR I admire and congratulate Anne Parrie-Smith (Letters, May 30) for her work to support her parish during the Covid pandemic. However, these efforts were only necessary because the leaders of the Anglican Church took a unilateral decision to close our places of worship a move so typical of the out-of-touch mentality among the top tier of the clergy today. Dr Michael A Fopp Soulbury, Buckinghamshire Salcombe in winter SIR I can assure Ian Franklin (Letters, June 1) that if he visits Salcombe in winter he will find plenty of lights on, provided he looks in the right places. As an ex-resident, I know lots of people who still live there. They are all on my Christmas card list. Joy Strawbridge Torquay, Devon SIR My question about holiday homes is: who sold the properties in the first place? Locals, surely. P Farmer Helmsley, North Yorkshire Lord Lucans shopping sir I may have been one of the last people to see Lord Lucan (report, June 1). A few days before his disappearance he ordered a book at Heywood Hill in Curzon Street, where I then worked; I dont remember the title. It was never collected, and subsequently I was interviewed by the police. Professor Elizabeth Archibald Cambridge The value of a degree SIR Michael Deacon (Features, May 30) is correct: Mickey Mouse degrees should be scrapped. However, he appears to misunderstand the value of studying the grander subjects at university. This does not necessarily lie in the subject itself, but in the skills associated with a degree, such as the ability to produce a coherent argument and carry out in-depth research. But a university education is not solely about the course being studied. It also often involves attending other talks, lectures and possibly short courses. Mr Deacon should ask himself why the big four accountancy firms, for example, are keen to employ graduates of non-cognate subjects such as English and classics. It is because they possess the skills outlined above. Dr Annie Boon Wantage, Oxfordshire SIR Fiona Wild (Letters, May 30) rightly fears for the future of music in private schools as a result of Labours proposed VAT on fees. Alas, the subject has long been sidelined in the state system, not just since Covid. Instrumental teachers could once earn a salaried wage visiting several schools on a peripatetic basis. This led to an explosion of youth orchestras, through which youngsters from all backgrounds could enjoy the experience of performing. No longer and most parents in underprivileged areas cannot afford private tuition. Moreover, should universities stop offering music degrees, the result will be a lack of teachers to pass their skills on to the next generation. Ros Groves Watford, Hertfordshire Proper coffee SIR I must disagree with Duncan Rayner (Letters, June 1). Caffe Nero, not Costa, is the best of the high street coffee shops, and home-brewed heaven is achieved by using Taylors of Harrogate Rich Italian beans (strength four). Kevin Duffy Manchester SIR I take issue with Duncan Rayners claim that ground coffee should be stored in an airtight container and never in the freezer. Ground coffee stored in a pantry will only stay fresh for a month unless it is vacuum sealed, whereas in the freezer it will keep for up to six. For decades I have enjoyed delicious home-brewed coffee made from frozen ground beans stored for several months. Ian Statham Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Frances roads are kilometres ahead of Britains Route exceptionnel: a road cuts through vineyards in Alsace, north-eastern France - Alamy SIR Having spent most of the past month travelling by car across the length of France, I was interested to read David Allens letter (Frances flawless roads, June 1). I can confirm that the surfaces are invariably superb, and hold-ups very rare. Indeed, it was a shock to return to the poor surfaces and traffic delays so widely experienced in Britain. I also enjoyed using the French trains on the south coast, many of which were double-deckers designed to increase capacity. I wonder if this option has been considered here. Anthony Cutler Great Malvern, Worcestershire SIR Like Mr Allen, we recently enjoyed a few weeks of pothole-free driving in France until last week, that is, when one appeared in the tiny, remote lane leading to our gite. It was repaired the following day. Howard Stephens Burgh St Peter, Norfolk Junior doctors have a right to expect better SIR Peter Toghill (Letters, June 1) complains that proposed industrial action by junior doctors is contrary to the views of much of the medical profession and most patients. Yet compare the salary of some newly qualified solicitors 150,000, according to your report (May 30) with that of newly qualified doctors (about 40,000). While I have no doubt that most young solicitors work hard, junior doctors not only work long, hard hours, but also make life-and-death decisions day in, day out. It is understandable if they feel undervalued and wonder whether they have chosen the wrong career. Helen Savage Chesham, Buckinghamshire SIR Peter Toghill says he is ashamed of his profession. I have just retired after 41 years of working in the NHS. The crux of the matter is that successive governments have eroded the professionalism and autonomy of doctors. I hear colleagues in their mid-consultant careers saying they cant wait to retire. These are the doctors we desperately need in order to keep the NHS on track. Politicians must get doctors on side. Labours mooted plan to reintroduce the pensions lifetime allowance is a good example of how not to do this. Dr Mike Copp Cheltenham, Gloucestershire SIR Sir Keir Starmer has said he will use spare capacity in the private sector for NHS patients but this already happens. Labour also says it will make NHS staff work at weekends. Perhaps it can explain how overstretched staff can safely work even more hours, further undermining their work-life balance. Rodney Enderby Banbury, Oxfordshire Letters to the Editor We accept letters by email and post. Please include name, address, work and home telephone numbers. ADDRESS: 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0DT EMAIL: dtletters@telegraph.co.uk FOLLOW: Telegraph Letters @LettersDesk NEWSLETTER: sign up to receive Letters to the Editor here Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Penn States cuts to WPSU deal significant blow The recent round of budget cuts by Penn State have dealt a significant blow to one of the most utilized services that Penn State offers. While WPSU-TV understands and appreciates the fiscal difficulties of the university, the 20% cut in the Universitys support the second highest cut across the institution will place a significant burden on the service that WPSU provides. More potential cuts would be very difficult. The three-part mission of the land-grant university originally was described as teaching, research, and service. It was later renamed learning, discovery, and engagement by the Kellogg Commission. Be it service or engagement, WPSU-TV is a primary example for Penn State as it continuously serves a diverse populace with engaging content. WPSU-TV offers programming that expands the minds of children, documentaries that open up new worlds, non-commercialized news programs that keep citizens informed on world and local events and cultures, and programs that expose viewers to science and to music, theater, dance and art. The university indicated that WPSX-TV is one of the few departments that can generate its own revenue to offset the cuts. Its unrealistic that the station can essentially double its fundraising efforts to make up the already announced deficit in just phase one. If you share this concern, please let your voice be heard to the Board of Trustees and to Penn States administration. Public broadcasting is an essential part of our community. To see that diminished is disheartening. Greg Petersen, State College. The author is the chair of the WPSU Board of Representatives. A stark choice In 1651 the English philosopher Thomas Hobbes published Leviathan, in which he argued that a government grounded in absolute authoritarianism, with an associated loss of individual freedoms, was essential to guarantee a stable and safe society. The opposite belief was elegantly stated by Benjamin Franklin in 1755: Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. (The uppercase letters appear in the original Franklin writing.) Franklins quote is sometimes modified to be Those who cede liberty in exchange for safety will soon have neither. In the 20th century, particularly in Nazi Germany, much of the population was convinced to forfeit individual freedom to the government under the belief that theyd receive financial and physical protection in return. A similar model arose in Mussolinis Italy and Francos Spain. America trusted Franklin, and resisted the temptation. At least until now. The upcoming presidential election presents us with a stark choice: the philosophy of Hobbes, as now restated by the MAGA Republicans, or the philosophy of Franklin. Polling reveals that a substantial number of voters are ready to sacrifice at least some of their traditional American freedoms to an authoritarian government led by Donald Trump in the hope of obtaining an ambiguous increase in safety and comfort. Give us unrestrained authority, and we will make America great again. If Trump wins, God forbid, most MAGA Republicans will quickly realize that life isnt what they fantasized American authoritarianism would be! Ed Satalia, State College This year will likely be the last major D-Day anniversary with living veterans in attendance. Organizers are going all-out Editors Note: As the 80th anniversary of D-Day nears, the global fight for democracy continues. CNN Anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper speaks with World War II veterans and military generals about the worldwide erosion of democratic institutions. D-Day: Why We Still Fight for Democracy premieres Sunday, June 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CNN. At 99 years old, Jack Foy is considered the youngster among his group of friends that fought in World War II. But their advanced age isnt going to stop them from making the transatlantic journey to honor their fallen comrades on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. On June 6, Foy a survivor of the Battle of the Bulge and his fellow American veterans will join dignitaries and heads of state from around the world to commemorate the approximately 160,000 Allied troops who, eight decades ago, carried out the largest seaborne invasion in human history. Foy told CNN that he has been to several memorials in France since 2014. The emotional resonance of each trip grows stronger year after year, he said, because these veterans know each trip could be their last. We realize were getting to the end of our time, Foy said. They are not alone. With major commemorations held every five years, organizers and government officials concede that this years event could be the last to involve living veterans, whose stories of the horrors of war have become particularly poignant given that Russias invasion of Ukraine has brought a large-scale ground war back to Europe for the first time since 1945. We are perfectly aware that for these centenarians, this is maybe the last chance to return to the beaches where they landed, where they fought and where their brothers-in-arms fell, said Gen. Michel Delion, the CEO of the French government agency in charge of the French commemoration efforts, Mission Liberation. World War II veteran Jack Foy shakes the hand of the then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley, at last year's D-Day anniversary. - 1st Lt. Katherine Sibilla The various countries putting together the event are now planning what is expected to be the most extensive D-Day commemoration in history both in terms of size and, crucially for elderly veterans, logistics. Approximately 150 American veterans are expected to travel to Normandy about two dozen of whom actually fought on D-Day said Charles Djou, the secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), the independent agency responsible for managing US military cemeteries and monuments overseas. The youngest is 96. Fifteen Canadian veterans, including three or four that fought on D-Day, are traveling with the Canadian delegation, according to John Desrosiers, the director of international operations for Veterans Affairs Canada. Desrosiers said the youngest traveling with the group is 98 and the eldest are 104. The British defense ministry said it expects more than 40 WWII veterans at the various events in Normandy. US D-Day veterans attend an event at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial as part of the 79th anniversary D-Day celebrations on June 6, 2023. - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Those vets will be joined by about 25 heads of state and government, including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Russian President Vladimir Putin was not extended an invitation due to the war in Ukraine, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is planning on attending, according to a French presidential source. With so many heads of state in town, the security measures in place are intense. A massive contingent of 12,000 security personnel will be deployed on June 6, the French Interior Ministry said. Heavy travel restrictions put in place by French authorities will also effectively cut off the Norman coastline and the normally sleepy towns that dot it from the rest of the country. Yet June 6 typically sees these elderly men criss-cross the region to hit a full days itinerary, including national ceremonies held at the American, British and Canadian cemeteries; the big international commemoration put on by France; and then, if they have the energy, more local events. Most veterans also travel with an entire phalanx of medical personnel. The charity that organized Foys trip, the US-based Best Defense Foundation, is bringing three doctors and 10 nurses to accompany the 50 veterans they are flying over from the United States. Each veteran will travel with a personal caregiver typically a family member or a friend. Officials say they are going to incredible lengths to treat veterans like royalty as they are feted by actual royals. King Charles III will be there on June 6 his first overseas trip since being diagnosed with cancer alongside Queen Camilla and Prince William, Buckingham Palace said. Representatives from the royal families of Belgium, Monaco, the Netherlands and Norway are also expected to attend. Delions team has been holding rehearsals and timing wheelchair runs for the French-led international ceremony. They are also considering having veterans enter at the same time as heads of states and other dignitaries to reduce their waiting time. American and Canadian organizers told CNN that they will seat veterans last at their respective national ceremonies to keep them comfortable. The general public at the American event, for example, may need to be seated about an hour in advance due to security precautions. We take care of the veterans who served and made the enormous sacrifices that they did in the Second World War, said Djou. British D-Day veteran Tom Schaffer (left), and companion John Pinkerton study the names on the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer in France ahead of the 79th anniversary of the D-Day landings in June 2023. Schaffer passed away in March 2024, at the age of 97. - Gareth Fuller/PA Keeping the stories alive After being postponed 24 hours due to bad weather, D-Day began shortly after midnight on June 6, 1944, when paratroopers dropped into German-occupied France to lay the groundwork for the incoming invasion. Allied planes and warships began their bombardment at about 6:30 a.m., with troops hitting the beaches shortly after. They landed on a stretch of coastline 50 miles long organized into five beaches codenamed Gold, Juno, Omaha, Sword and Utah. The Americans were responsible for Omaha and Utah. The British led the assault on Gold and Sword, while the Canadians handled Juno. Though 4,414 Allied troops died that day and it would take more than a month to achieve one of D-Days main objectives liberating the strategically important city of Caen the landings were considered a success. Allied troops had successfully made it onshore in France; it was the beginning of the end for Hitler and Nazi Germany. American troops march up from Omaha Beach on June 18, 1944. - Underwood Archives/Getty Images The sheer drama of the event has, for decades, captured the American public imagination, because of both the magnitude of the invasion and the fact that it was a digestible turning point in the war, according to Ben Brands, a military historian at the ABMC. World War II, especially in Europe, becomes this ongoing battle from basically the moment troops land on the beaches of D-Day until Germany ultimately surrenders. The human mind needs to cut that up into digestible stories, and D-Day is a really powerful, discrete event that is so critical for everything that comes after, Brands said. Theres just so many powerful stories that come out of D-Day. US military personnel place US and French flags next to the graves of fallen soldiers at the Normandy American Cemetery on June 5, 2023 in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images As time has passed, veterans have played a crucial role in passing down the stories of D-Day. Their gripping, visceral first-hand accounts are better teachers of history than any textbook. But just a fraction of the soldiers who lived through D-Day are still alive. Of the 16.4 million Americans who served in the military during WWII, fewer than 100,000 are expected to still be alive by the end of the year, according to statistics from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. In Canada, there were just 9,297 living Canadian veterans who had served in either WWII or the Korean War as of March 31, 2023, according to the most recent statistics available from Veterans Affairs Canada. The British defense ministry said it does not keep veteran numbers on hand. Its unclear what the average age of a WWII veteran is. Given that the median age for an American WWII veteran in June 2020 was 93, according to US Census figures at the time, most surviving vets from Allied forces are likely to now be at least in their late-nineties. By the 85th anniversary in 2029, those who are still living will almost certainly be in triple digits. People are realizing this generation is passing and theyre passing rapidly now, and its important to keep their stories alive, to keep the memories of those who died and are buried at Normandy, but also those who fought and survived because they can no longer be with us for that much longer to tell these stories, Brands said. The 80th will be a very powerful event. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The doors to the dam gatehouses operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are usually locked and secured behind "No Trespassing" signs. But in Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the doors to the gatehouses of seven dams in four nearby counties were open. The dams were Dover, Bolivar and Atwood dams in Tuscarawas County; Clendening and Tappan dams in Harrison County; Leesville Dam in Carroll County and Pleasant Hill Dam in Ashland County. Members of the public were permitted to go in. They could explore the rooms where the Army Corps' dam tenders operate the motors that control the gates of the dam. And they could speak with the dam tenders, whose job it is to manage the flow of creeks and rivers during a flood to prevent significant damage downstream. National Dam Safety Day Related: Huff Run tour to include visit to Dover Dam The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which has about 14 dams, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers organized the dam open houses as part of National Dam Safety Day, which was Friday. But the doors to the gatehouses were open Saturday because organizers thought they'd get more turnout during the weekend, said Ethan Zucal, a spokesman for the conservancy district. Zucal himself and his family were among the steady stream of visitors Saturday to the Dover Dam on state Route 800 in Fairfield Township in Tuscarawas County, northeast of Dover and New Philadelphia. The dam, built in 1935 to control the flow of the Tuscarawas River into Dover, New Philadelphia and communities downriver, is the only concrete dam in the conservancy district. Bolivar Dam was part of a tour at seven dams throughout eastern Ohio Saturday for National Dam Safety Day. Visitors for four hours were permitted to climb down a spiraling staircase with 72 steps into the lower level within the concrete structure. They could see the equipment that pushes down a maximum of 18 gates to significantly reduce the flow of the Tuscarawas River in a flood event. Josh Raber, one of the three dam tenders for the Dover Dam, recounted higher Ohio River levels in early April in Marietta prompted the Corps to shut down nearly all of the dam's gates to try to relieve the rising water levels downstream. But the Dover Dam also had to maintain a minimum level of flow to cool the Dover Light and Power plant on the Tuscarawas River, and to ensure oxygen levels downriver were sufficient to sustain fish. Katie Carpenter of Dover speaks with Matt Calder, the Bolivar Dam tender with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, during a visit to the dam Saturday. U.S. Geological Survey water gauges at creeks upstream, such as on the Nimishillen Creek in Stark County, serve as an early warning system. If the water rises to flood levels, U.S. Army Corps staff have to be at the dams in the watershed around the clock. By lowering gates by a certain amount to control the size of the openings the water can flow through, they adjust the amount of water going through communities downriver. Six of the gates can be controlled remotely. But 12 of the gates can only be controlled with manual controls from the dam's lower level, said Raber, a civilian employee of the Army Corps since 2018. "Minor changes in gate setting can result in major effects downstream," said Raber, who said the effects of lowering the dam gates to adjust river flow will be felt in Dover in an hour and in New Philadelphia in about four hours. Further complicating the decisions of how much to adjust the gate settings, debris such as trees accumulates behind the dam during floods, changing the flow of the river. The goal is to prevent a catastrophic flood that could take lives and wipe people, homes and towns away. The federal government working with the conservancy district built much of the area's dam and levee systems in response to the big flood of 1913 that killed at least 467 people in Ohio. In Dover Dam's 89 years, the Tuscarawas River has never risen to the point that water was pouring over the dam, which has a spillway 916 feet above sea level. The highest it's ever gotten was 905 feet above sea level during a 1969 flood, Raber said. Nolan Feller, 8, of Dover looks out a window at Bolivar Dam, which was open to the public as part of a tour of seven dams throughout eastern Ohio Saturday. Among the visitors, Braiden and Brianna Rennicker of Sherrodsville, after walking through the dam's lower level, were on the higher level checking out the Dover Dam with their 5-year-old son James. Calling the dam "really impressive," Braiden Rennicker explained to his son how water from Leeville Lake and Atwood Lake fed into the Tuscarawas River. And when a lot of rain falls, "they try to stop (the water) so we don't flood Dover and keep everyone safe." Brianna Rennicker said, "I think it's awesome. It's nice to see how it works down here." Katie and Doug Carpenter of Dover look around Bolivar Dam which was open as part of a tour at seven dams throughout eastern Ohio Saturday. Bolivar Dam Related: Bolivar Dam repairs running a little ahead of schedule About 8 miles away, a constant stream of visitors were stopping at the gatehouse of the Bolivar Dam in Lawrence Township in Tuscarawas County. The earthen dam, with a paved road on top, controls with six gates the flow of the Sandy Creek from Stark County to the Tuscarawas River. The dam, built in 1935, is east of Bolivar near State Route 212 by the county boundary with Stark County. The open gatehouse window provided a beautiful view 100 feet above Sandy Creek as it entered the dam from the southeast along a meandering course northwest to meet the Tuscarawas River. Children by the creek's banks were throwing rocks into the water. However, the stairs were so steep that to prevent any injuries, the Army Corps decided to keep the stairs closed. Some of the visitors had backgrounds in engineering and mechanical equipment. They were curious how the gates functioned. Doug Carpenter, an engineer, and his daughter Katie Carpenter, an engineering technician for the Canton Health Department, were trying to visit all seven dams in four hours. David Palkey of Jackson Township, a mechanical engineer, said: "It's fascinating to see its structure. ... It's cool to see the machinery." Heather Rowe of Wilkshire Hills came by with her 7-year-old son Reece and 4-year-old daughter Caroline. "I thought this would be something cool because they don't open this all that often," Rowe said. "I never understood how interconnected how everything is. ... You take it for granted. We're going by it (the dam) every single day." Matt Calder, one of the two dam tenders for Bolivar Dam, said the gates are operated by electrical motors that rely on the normal power grid. But the gatehouse does have a backup generator. And if necessary, the gates can be manually lowered without power. He said the equipment has regular inspections and an intense inspection every five years, including of the tunnels underneath the dam. The Corps has to regularly clear debris from the dam and waterways. Calder said if water at Dover Dam rises to 20 feet above its base, then the Bolivar Dam closes its gates to allow waters downstream to subside. He said that took place in early April. But normally the six gates are open and allow for a 2 1/2-foot opening for the waters of the creek to go through. Calder said the dam's base is at 895 feet above sea level. The record crest of flood water was 951 feet above sea level during a flood in 2005. That's about 56 feet higher than the base. Markers on the side of a wall measure over 85 feet above the base, in case the dam ever encounters a truly catastrophic flood. Bolivar Dam was part of a tour at seven dams throughout eastern Ohio Saturday. Reach Robert at robert.wang@cantonrep.com. X formerly Twitter: @rwangREP. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Muskingum Watershed dams open to public for National Dam Safety Day Its been a busy day for Mexican citizens Sunday. They are headed to the polls to decide who will be their next commander in chief. In Orlando, the line stretched for couple of miles outside of the countrys Consulate near West Colonial Drive. This years presidential election is particularly relevant as it could end with the first female president in the countrys history: Climate scientist and former Mayor of Mexico City Claudia Sheinbaum is racing against former senator Xochitl Galvez, whos backed by an opposition coalition of Mexicos PRI, PAN and PRD parties. Read: Marine Science Center in Volusia County set to release 4 rehabilitated green sea turtles Against the two women is Jorge Alvarez Maynez, who gained international attention when 9 people died and 121 were hurt when a stage collapsed at his presidential rally. According to the Latino Policy & Politics Institute - UCLA - as much as 14% of the Latino population in Florida is of Mexican descent. Citizens of Mexico will also elect more than 20,000 congressional and local positions this election cycle, according to the National Electoral Institute. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Maldives has announced it will ban Israeli passport holders from entering the country amid its war on Hamas in Gaza. The presidential office of the Indian Ocean island nation, known for its luxurious resorts and endless white sand beaches, made the announcement in a press release Sunday. Maldivian President Dr Mohamed Muizzu resolved to impose the ban following a recommendation from the cabinet, the release said. The countrys laws will be amended, and a cabinet subcommittee will be established to oversee the efforts, the presidents office said. Following news of the ban, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommended Israelis avoid travel to the island and for Israeli citizens staying in the country, it is recommended to consider leaving, since if they fall into distress for any reason, it will be difficult for us to help. Maldives' President Mohamed Muizzu attends the United Nations climate summit in Dubai on December 1, 2023. - Karim Sahib/AFP/Getty Images The president announced he is appointing a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs and is setting up a fundraiser to assist our brothers and sisters in Palestine with UNRWA, the release said. Muizzu will also conduct a nationwide rally under the slogan Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin, which translates to Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine. The news comes just a few days after the president condemned an Israeli airstrike attack on a displaced camp in Rafah, which killed at least 45 Palestinians and injured more than 200. Together with the government and people of Maldives, I call for an immediate ceasefire, an end to violence and unhindered humanitarian access, the president posted on X last week. This is a developing story and will be updated. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com OBERLIN, Kan. (KSNW) A man was abducted out of Oklahoma and held hostage on Saturday. He was able to escape from his captors north of Oberlin. According to the Decatur County Sheriffs Office, dispatch received a report of a male who had been kidnapped and just escaped his captors. The victim was recovered after escaping at around 11:55 [Saturday], north of Oberlin, said the Red Willow County Sheriffs Office. When crews arrived at the scene, they met with the victim and were able to validate his abduction. The DCSO says the man, whose age was not disclosed, was kidnapped in another jurisdiction and was able to escape while passing through the area. The RWCSO later stated he was abducted from a bar in Oklahoma. The victim was medically cleared and reunited with his family. Wichita man accused of kidnapping school children found competent to stand trial We are asking for the publics assistance in watching for a blue or green older model mini van with Oklahoma plates. The vehicle is occupied by a white male about 56 tall, bald, with a long brown beard and tattoos on his chest, said the DCSO. The second subject is a black male 510 tall, chubby, with a mustache, goatee and face tattoos. The suspected men are considered armed and dangerous. The DCSO says not to approach them but to call 911 with as much detail as possible while keeping a safe distance. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation has taken over the ongoing investigation. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is assisting with the investigation. Other assisting crews include the Oberlin Police Department, Decatur County EMS, and Emergency Management. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. The man accused of ramming his SUV into two Kettering police cruisers earlier this year is pleading guilty to charges. Alexander Love, 24, entered into a plea agreement on Friday, pleading guilty to one count of vandalism and a lesser included offense of attempted failure to comply with the signal or order of a police officer, according to Montgomery County Common Pleas Court records. Love, Alexander Ricardo (06/30/1999) - Held in custody of Montgomery County Jail with booking number 24-000970 on 01/24/2024 at 12:37 AM. First Degree Misdemeanor - Fail To Comply/Order-Sign P O (Pending); Not Formally Charged - Felonious Assault (Pending); Not Formally Charged - Felonious Assault (Pending); >> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man accused ramming SUV into Kettering police cruiser facing formal charges As part of the plea agreement, one count of vandalism was dismissed. A sentencing date has not been set for Love, who faces up to 30 months in prison and up to $7,500 in fines. As News Center 7 previously reported, police officers reported seeing Love run a red light in a gray Cadillac SUV on E. Stroop Road in January. Officers caught up with Love near Pobst Drive. In a Kettering police report, an officer stated they could see Loves SUV swerving outside of its lane of travel. At that point, the officer activated their overhead lights to conduct a traffic stop, but Love allegedly didnt stop. While still on E. Stroop Road, Loves SUV made a U-Turn at the median opening near the Stonebridge apartments. The officer then turned off their overhead lights and stopped following the vehicle. >> RELATED: Residents voice safety concerns after suspect rams multiple cruisers at popular gas station Later, an officer watched the SUV drive north on Woodman Drive and began to follow it from a distance until they saw it turn into a Shell gas station. At that time, officers moved in to stop the vehicle. Dash camera video obtained by News Center 7 showed offices surrounding the SUV, but as officers moved in, Love put the SUV in reverse and hit one of the cruisers. The video shows him put the car in drive and hit another cruiser in front of him. The incident caused front bumper, headlight, and hood damage to one cruiser. The other had damage to the drivers side door. As several more cruisers began to close in on him, Love surrendered. Love is not currently booked in the Montgomery County Jail. WATSONTOWN, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A man from Watsontown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center was arrested after allegedly assaulting a staff member. The Watsontown Police Department released a statement stating on May 25 officers were dispatched to the 200 block of East 8th Street for a report of an assault on a staff member. Police say 42-year-old Doyle Andrews assaulted a female staff member who was providing care to him by forcibly pulling her hand and head towards his exposed body parts. One dead, another hospitalized after crash on Route 220 As stated in the release when the victim attempted to leave the room Andrews tried to prevent her from doing so. Police have charged Andrews with aggravated assault, attempted indecent assault, simple assault, and several other related 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 PAhomepage.com. GATES COUNTY, N.C. (WAVY) A man was arrested and faces several drug charges after a search warrant was executed in Roduco on Friday, deputies said. Sheriff Ray Campbell, several deputies and North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers served a narcotics search warrant at a residence in the area of US 158 in Roduco. Michael Wiggins was arrested and charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the sale of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Wiggins was being held under a $75,000 bond at the Albemarle District Jail. This warrant came at the conclusion of complaints in the area that were thoroughly investigated and after many hours of surveillance. Further charges may be pending. Check with WAVY.com for updates Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. Man charged for shooting at neighbors who were playing music, setting fireworks A man faces felony charges for shooting at his neighbors who were playing music and setting off fireworks, authorities said. ALSO READ: Former Lancaster County solicitor shot in Kershaw, deputies say Deputies were called on May 25 to Little Valley Lane in Iredell County, west of Statesville. The caller said neighbors were arguing and someone fired a gun. The deputies were told 65-year-old Richard Todd Lemons was the man who was shooting. Deputies were called on May 25 to Little Valley Lane in Iredell County, west of Statesville. The caller said neighbors were arguing and someone fired a gun. The deputies were told 65-year-old Richard Todd Lemons was the man who was shooting. When they arrived, deputies found Lemons armed with a handgun. He dropped the weapon when deputies told him to. Neighbors and witnesses told deputies Lemons had gotten angry at his neighbors for playing music and setting off fireworks. They said he decided to fire his gun at the group of people who were outside the home. Deputies said one the victims tried to calm Lemons down by speaking with him, but Lemons pointed the gun at him and continued shooting. One of the victims returned fire but no one was seriously hurt, sheriffs deputies said. Lemons was arrested and taken to the Iredell County jail, where he was charged with six counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and six counts of misdemeanor communicating threats. He was given a $60,000 bond. (WATCH BELOW: Bodies of missing couple found in Iredell County woods) Man on e-bike dies after colliding with double parked tractor-trailer in Manhattan: NYPD MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) A man died following an accident while riding an electric bicycle in Manhattan on Saturday, according to police. Jose Luis Zamora Rodriguez, 38, was riding the bicycle east on West 181th Street near Fort Washington Avenue when he struck the lift gate of a tractor-trailer double parked with no one attending it around 4 a.m., according to police. More Manhattan News Rodriguez was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said. Officials said there have not been any arrests, and the investigation is ongoing. Additional information was not immediately available. 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. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said a man was shot in Northwest D.C. on Sunday morning. Police said that at about 3:00 a.m., they were dispatched to the 1000 block of Connecticut Avenue for a shooting. Girl shot in Southeast DC When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man who had been shot. He was conscious and breathing. The man was transported to the hospital to be treated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. UPDATE 7:47 p.m. Sgt. Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriffs Office told ABC4.com that a helicopter crew was able to land and rescue two men who were stuck on Mt. Timpanogos. The original call for the rescue came in around 2:20 p.m. on Saturday, officials said. The two men both in their mid-twenties were flown down by helicopter around 6:30 p.m., but initial reports indicated that there was only one man who was stranded. Progressively worse: Cracks in Eagle Mountain home growing, family unable to relocate The pair decided to stay where they were after witnessing some small avalanches, snowslides and after hearing the snow field cracking. Two search and rescue teams were hiking to the men, but the men were able to be rescued by a Department of Public Safety helicopter. Officials said that the rescued individuals may have been experiencing mild hypothermia but were otherwise uninjured. Officials said the men were stranded for a little more than four hours. ORIGINAL STORY: Man stuck on cliff at Mt. Timpanogos, rescue ongoing SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) A man is stuck on Mt. Timpanogos and a helicopter rescue is ongoing, according to the Utah County Sheriffs Office. A man is stuck 5-6 miles above a trailhead on the east side of Mt. Timpanogos, according to the sheriffs office. The man is reportedly above a cliff and made a rescue call stating that he was unable to descend due to the amount of snow in the area. Chad Daybell sentenced to death in triple murder trial Courtesy of Google Maps Authorities said the man is worried that an avalanche could send him off the cliff face. Life Flight is conducting a rescue, but has not been able to fly on account of the weather at this time. Officials from the Dept. of Public Safety and the Utah County Sheriffs Office are also responding to this incident. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this article as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Mansfield will celebrate Juneteenth with a parade and festival June 15. This event is free and open to all. The commemoration is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will start with the parade at Marion Avenue and Park Avenue West featuring marching bands, drumlines and dance groups from throughout Ohio, as well as local churches, businesses, organizations and political candidates. 2023: Juneteenth holiday celebrated at downtown Mansfield Following the parade will be the festival in Central Park in downtown Mansfield featuring live music and entertainment, a vendor marketplace, food trucks, community choirs, health screenings, a kids zone, wine tasting, line dancing and more. Mansfield will celebrate Juneteenth with a parade and festival June 15. The event will also raise awareness about health equity, voter education and engagement, economic empowerment and education. Look for a quilt raffle for scholarship, free kids haircuts and book signings featuring authors Effie James, Teana Sykes, Romeo Travis and Obesida Cooke. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 the last enslaved people in the United States, in Texas, learned they had been freed through the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. June 19 became a federal holiday in 2021. This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Juneteenth parade and festival to be held in Mansfield OH on June 15 For many years, the idea of a high-speed rail in the Pacific Northwest felt like a faraway dream. But now, thanks to the efforts of several advocates and some funding from the Department of Transportation, those plans are taking shape. A map for the proposed route was recently unveiled, showing how the high-speed rail corridor would connect Portland, Oregon, to Vancouver, British Columbia, stopping in Seattle along the way and possibly extending south to Eugene, Oregon. According to Newsweek, the "state of the art" trains would take passengers from Seattle to Portland in under an hour, slashing commute times by over 67%. In December, the Washington State Department of Transportation received a Corridor Identification and Development program grant of $500,000 to assist in scoping out the project. Another $500,000 grant was also dedicated to improving existing train services between Vancouver and Eugene. WSDOT "is very pleased to receive federal support for both important passenger rail programs," said Washington State Transportation Secretary Roger Millar. "These two complementary systems would connect with one another to transport people efficiently, reliably, and in environmentally friendly ways. We're planning improvements for current rail passengers, as well as envisioning an even more robust system in the future." Similar projects are happening around the U.S., thanks, in large part, to the Federal Railroad Administration announcing over $8 billion in funding for rail improvement projects in December 2023. From high-speed routes in Texas and California to electric rails in Las Vegas, advocates for train travel are feeling optimistic. These advocates give several reasons for the importance of developing train travel, including but not limited to making commute times significantly lower, creating jobs, and reducing planet-warming pollution. Currently, transportation-related pollution accounts for nearly one-third of all pollution in the U.S.; however, per Our World in Data, the carbon footprint of train travel is approximately one-fifth that of traveling the same distance by car. Would you want a high-speed railway in your state? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind The Cascadia Rail's website emphasizes that for the Pacific Northwest, this project would be beneficial for "workers, quality of life, business, tourism, economic development," and "spoiling Cascadia less with long car trips and congested roads." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the coolest innovations improving our lives and saving our planet. Martin Amis and Christopher Hitchens would have stood up to the protesters trying to silence debate at literary festivals, Simon Schama has said. The Hay Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival have cut ties with sponsor Baillie Gifford after a campaign led by Fossil Fuel Books, which claimed that the asset manager invests in companies with links to Israel, as well as companies that contribute to the climate crisis. Invoking his late friends, Schama told a Hay audience: Book festivals are theatres for listening to each other. I dont want to see festivals being trapped in some sort of purity test. I go back to dear friends. Im going to the memorial service of my friend Martin Amis. Martin and Christopher Hitchens and Clive James and a lot of my friends who are not with us were absolutely committed never to have the hands of writers tied behind them. They were merry pugilists. They absolutely believed that you could disagree spectacularly with each other without requiring the silencing or worse of each other. That is the heart and soul of the Hay Festival and the other great festivals that we have in this country, and I dont want to see them imperilled. All of you, along with me, have to stand up and fight for them. Cosplaying The writer and presenter is a professor of history and art history at Columbia University in the US, where pro-Palestinian students set up an encampment. Jewish students are pretty damn scared, he said. In the weeks after Oct 7, swastikas appeared in the corridors near their dorm lodgings It is an extraordinary and awful thing that has been going on. Schama said: With the demonstrations in London, there are certain things you cant do if youre Jewish in England now. You cant safely go out with a kippah, a skullcap. You certainly cant be seen wearing a Star of David on public transport. Jewish children have been vocally and sometimes physically assaulted on their way to Jewish schools. He said that those who chant for an intifada during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations may simply be cosplaying as revolutionaries and not understand the implications of their calls. Schama said: It is possible for everybody to feel compassion for the victims on both sides. It is possible to hold intense feelings and empathy at the same time. History is like that its often very complicated and difficult to work through. 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. CARENTAN-LES-MARAIS, France (AP) Parachutists jumping from World War II-era planes hurled themselves Sunday into now peaceful Normandy skies where war once raged, heralding a week of ceremonies for the fast-disappearing generation of Allied troops who fought from D-Day beaches 80 years ago to Adolf Hitlers fall, helping free Europe of his tyranny. All along the Normandy coastline where then-young soldiers from across the United States, Britain, Canada and other Allied nations waded ashore through hails of fire on five beaches on June 6, 1944 French officials, grateful Normandy survivors and other admirers are saying merci but also goodbye. The ever-dwindling number of veterans in their late nineties and older who are coming back to remember fallen friends and their history-changing exploits are the last. Watching the southern England coastline recede Sunday through the windows of one of three C-47 transport aircraft that flew him and other jumpers across the English Channel to their Normandy drop zone was like time-traveling back to D-Day for 63-year-old Neil Hamsler, a former British army paratrooper. I thought that would have been the last view of England some of those lads of 1944 had," he said. While theirs was a daytime jump Sunday, unlike for Allied airborne troops who jumped at night early on D-Day, and no one's firing at us, Hamsler said: It really brought it home, the poignancy. Part of the purpose of fireworks shows, parachute jumps, solemn commemorations and ceremonies that world leaders will attend this week is to pass the baton of remembrance to the current generations now seeing war again in Europe, in Ukraine. U.S. President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and British royals are among the VIPs that France is expecting for D-Day events. Looping around one after another, the C-47s dropped strings of jumpers 70 in all, dressed in WWII-style uniforms. Their round chutes mushroomed open in the blue skies with puffy white clouds. A huge crowd many thousands strong whooped and cheered, having been regaled as they waited by tunes from Glenn Miller and Edith Piaf. Some of the loudest applause was for a startled deer that pounced from undergrowth as jumpers were landing and sprinted across the drop zone. Two of the planes, christened Thats All, Brother and Placid Lassie, " were D-Day veterans, among the thousands of C-47s and other aircraft that on June 6, 1944, formed part of what was the largest-ever sea, air and land armada. Allied airborne forces, which included troops making hair-raising descents aboard gliders, landed first early on D-Day to secure roads, bridges and other strategic points inland of the invasion beaches and destroy gun emplacements that raked the sands and ships with deadly fire. The planes took off Sunday from Duxford, England, for the 90-minute flight to Carentan. The Normandy town was at the heart of D-Day drop zones in 1944, when paratroopers jumped in darkness into gunfire, many scattering far from their objectives. Sunday's jumpers were from an international civilian team of parachutists, many of them former soldiers. The only woman was 61-year-old Dawna Bennett, who felt history's force as she exited her plane into the Normandy skies. It's the same doorway and it's the same countryside from 80 years ago, and it's like, Oh my God, Im so thankful I'm not doing this at midnight' she said. They keep saying it's the greatest generation and I truly believe that. Dozens of World War II veterans are converging on France to revisit old memories, make new ones, and hammer home a message that survivors of D-Day and the ensuing Battle of Normandy, and of other World War II theaters, have repeated time and time again that war is hell. Seven thousand of my marine buddies were killed. Twenty thousand shot up, wounded, put on ships, buried at sea, said Don Graves, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Iwo Jima in the Pacific theater. I want the younger people, the younger generation here to know what we did, said Graves, part of a group of more than 60 World War II veterans who flew into Paris on Saturday. The youngest veteran in the group is 96 and the most senior 107, according to their carrier from Dallas, American Airlines. We did our job and we came home and thats it. We never talked about it I think. For 70 years I didnt talk about it, said another of the veterans, Ralph Goldsticker, a U.S. Air Force captain who served in the 452nd Bomb Group. Of the D-Day landings, he recalled seeing from his aircraft a big, big chunk of the beach with thousands of vessels, and spoke of bombing raids against German strongholds and routes that German forces might otherwise have used to rush in reinforcements to push the invasion back into the sea. I dropped my first bomb at 06:58 a.m. in a heavy gun placement, he said. We went back home, we landed at 09:30. We reloaded. ___ Associated Press writers Jeffrey Schaeffer in Paris and Kendria LaFleur in Dallas, Texas contributed to this report. Republican former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said Sunday that everybody should accept the results of the upcoming presidential election. I think Hillary Clinton should accept the 2016 race, he told CNNs Manu Raju on Inside Politics, though Clinton did concede the 2016 race, saying the Constitution requires a peaceful transfer of power. At the beginning of 2021, McCarthy, then the House Minority Leader, gave the green light to an effort by conservative lawmakers to overturn President Joe Bidens victory and ultimately voted in favor of overturning the election results of two states after the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol. A few months later, however, McCarthy repeatedly rejected the notion that he was trying to overturn the election during a news briefing. McCarthy tried to make the case that he was objecting to only two states Arizona and Pennsylvania which he argued would ultimately not have changed the outcome of the election. McCarthy had also backed a 2020 Texas lawsuit to invalidate millions of votes, another effort by Republicans to swing the election to Trump. There is no evidence of any widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election. McCarthy previously said he believes Trump will receive the 2024 Republican presidential nomination and hell support the former president in seeking a second term including as a potential member of the administration. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said it arrested a man on Saturday after he allegedly killed his Parole Officer on Friday afternoon. Emanuel Edward Sewell, 54 a registered sex offender who was released from prison in 2021 was caught while traveling on I-64 near Hurricane, W.Va. Police believe Sewell killed 33-year-old Davis Martinez, his parole officer, during a resident check at his Chevy Chase apartment in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive. Search continues for Chevy Chase man believed to have killed his Parole Officer I mean, its crazy, and this is a pretty quiet neighborhood. Lots of kids and families, said Dan Mauer, a tenant. Its something that I couldnt even imagine happening around here. MCPD responded to the apartment at about 5:50 p.m. after Martinez failed to return to work. They found him dead inside the home, having sustained multiple injuries. The loss of a law enforcement officer who was performing his duties, for the state of Maryland is a tragedy, said Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones. Police: Chevy Chase man wanted in connection to murder of parole officer in Montgomery County Agent Martinez served with distinction and our state is safer because of himour entire state grieves his loss along with those he held dear, Maryland Governor Wes Moore said in a statement. I would like to thank our dedicated law enforcement community for their relentless and successful efforts in apprehending the suspect and for their unwavering pursuit of justice for Agent Martinez, his family, his friends and colleagues. Per the governors order, the Maryland flag will fly at half-staff through the day of Martinezs burial. Sewell was charged with second-degree murder and will be extradited back to Montgomery 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC. Saudi Arabia does not plan to be present at the Global Peace Summit to support Ukraine because Russia will not be there, German news agency DPA reported on June 2, citing diplomatic sources. Diplomatic sources also told the agency that President Volodymyr Zelensky's planned visit to Saudi Arabia on June 1 to to rally support has been postponed until after the summit. The peace summit will be held on June 15-16 in the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland. There has been no official confirmation of Saudi Arabia's decision. Saudi Arabia hosted an international summit on the peace formula in August 2023. The country has also played an important role in negotiating prisoner exchanges with Russia, allowing Ukraine to achieve a major exchange involving nearly 300 people in September 2022. At the same time, Saudi Arabia has maintained close economic ties with Russia, which have strengthened following the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and Russia's subsequent economic isolation from the West. Ukraine hopes the summit will address several key areas, such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of deported children, global food security, and other topics. Earlier on June 2, Zelensky said that more than 100 countries and international organizations are set to attend, though he also accused China of "working hard" to prevent countries from attending. Read also: Zelensky accuses China of working hard to stop countries attending global peace summit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Volunteers fundraising for Ukraine were attacked in central Prague by Russian-speaking foreigners, Czech news outlet Novinky.cz reported on June 2. Millions of Ukrainians have sought refuge abroad since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, fleeing occupied towns and bombardment. There have been several cases of Ukrainians being targeted by Russian speakers in Europe. According to the media report, the clash between the two groups of foreigners took place near a stand on the Old Town Square on June 1. Videos emerged online showing Ukrainian speakers and Russian speakers arguing and engaging in some physical clashes. The police confirmed to the news outlet that they went to the Old Town Square to investigate the conflict that day. "Criminal investigators are investigating all the circumstances of this incident. They are investigating what happened at the scene. No one was restricted in their personal freedom or detained," a police spokeswoman told Novinky.cz. It is still unclear how many people were involved in the incident or who the victims and perpetrators were. Prague has been among the European cities that have welcomed Ukrainians fleeing the war since February 2022. Over 300,000 Ukrainian refugees are said to be living in Czechia, with an estimated 80,000 living in Prague. Earlier in April, two Ukrainian soldiers were stabbed in the town of Murnau am Staffelsee in Germany on April 27, with a Russian man being a primary suspect, German local police and Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said. Details and motives of the murder are being investigated. There was also an attempted murder case in August 2023 of a 10-year-old Ukrainian child in Germany. The motive is said to be for not speaking Russian, according to media reports. Read also: Demographic disaster: Ukraines biggest post-war threat Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. If you have Medicaid in Texas, a big change could be coming to your health insurance Nine-year-old MJ Hernandez has been to a lot of doctors appointments in his young life. He was born at just 27 weeks old, and spent the first six months of life in the neonatal intensive care unit. He was diagnosed with hydrocephalus water in his brain, his mom explains and cerebral palsy, and later with chronic lung disease and autism. With his mom, Breanna Hernandez, hes been to doctors offices and hospitals and different types of therapy across the Metroplex. Throughout his life, much of MJs care has been paid for by a Medicaid health insurance program for children and teenagers with disabilities or other special health needs. But an unexpected change in state Medicaid administration could force MJ and thousands of kids like him in the Tarrant County area to switch their health insurance provider next year. Families, health providers, and Cook Childrens Health Network the regions primary pediatric health system say it could cause chaos for kids like MJ and the health care workers who treat them. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which operates these programs called STAR and CHIP shocked many pediatric providers in Tarrant County in March when it decided not to award Cook Childrens two Medicaid contracts it has had for years. If the commissions original decision stands, more than 124,000 people who get their health insurance through Cook Childrens will have to sign up for a new plan by Sept. 1, 2025. In addition to Cook Childrens, the insurance company Wellpoint was also not awarded a contract. Altogether, almost 80% of the 346,000 kids and families currently enrolled in those programs would have to pick a new insurance provider if the states decision stands. Although these kids and families will still be eligible for Medicaid and CHIP health insurance, the process of switching which company provides that insurance say, from a Cook Childrens insurance plan to one from Molina could cause a bureaucratic mess, critics of the states decision said. Its going to cause a delay in services, said Brenna Kurz, administrator of A-Z Therapy in North Richland Hills. Shes seen this before. More top stories from our newsroom: Trial opens for man accused of killing his adoptive parents in Crowley Tarrant chief deputy over jail says retirement unrelated to deaths First-of-its-kind house is being printed in this Fort Worth neighborhood One of Texas best cafes will reopen a popular restaurant. [Get our breaking news alerts.] Over the last year, the state has been responsible for checking every single person on Medicaid to see if they are still eligible for the program in the wake of the pandemic. During the massive administrative task, the state removed more than 1 million children from Medicaid including some who were still eligible for the program leaving many without health insurance. Kurz said that multiple clients of A-Z Therapy lost their Medicaid, and by extension, their access to expensive health care like therapy. It took weeks or even months before they could get back in the program and back to therapy. We had so many kids lose coverage just from that alone, Kurz said. I dont think they have enough manpower to get these families the proper coverage again. About 40% of A-Z Therapys clients have health insurance through Cook Childrens Health Plan and would have to pick a new health plan next year if the states decision stands, Kurz said. A press officer for HHSC defended the states process for reviewing and selecting which companies get the contracts. Jennifer Ruffcorn wrote in an email that everyone who submitted a proposal for the contract was scored using the same evaluation criteria. Contracts were awarded to insurance providers that received the highest scores, Ruffcorn wrote. This will provide the best value to the state and quality of care and service to all STAR & CHIP members, she said. Cook Childrens has filed an appeal. If the decision is not reversed through the appeals process, the health plan will consider filing a lawsuit against the state, said Karen Love, the director of Cook Childrens Health Plan. How Medicaid works in Texas The decision made by the state government, and the impact it could have on kids and doctors in Tarrant County, is the result of the states complex system for administering Medicaid. Medicaid is best known as the health insurance program for low-income children and adults. Although the majority of Medicaid funding comes from the federal government, state governments get to make many decisions about how Medicaid works locally. Texas, for example, is one of just 10 states that has limited the number of people who can qualify for Medicaid health insurance. In Texas, very few adults qualify for the program. The majority of Medicaid recipients are low-income children and pregnant or postpartum people. In addition to deciding who can qualify for Medicaid, states also get to decide how they provide the health insurance itself. In Texas, almost all Medicaid insurance is provided by private companies hired by the state. The state hires insurance providers known as managed care organizations and pays them a fixed monthly rate per Medicaid enrollee. The providers are responsible for reimbursing doctors, therapists, and others after someone gets healthcare. Medicaid contracts are among the largest awarded by state governments. After existing contracts expire, Texas decides which organizations it will hire to provide insurance to Medicaid enrollees. In March, the states Health and Human Services Commission announced that it would not award two Medicaid contracts to Cook Childrens and multiple other local health plans. Instead, the state said it planned to award the contracts to United Healthcare, Molina, Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Aetna for Tarrant County and five neighboring counties. Cook Childrens Health Plan scored 1,826 out of 2,000 total possible points. Cook Childrens is preparing its proposal for a third contract for STAR Kids, the program for children with disabilities that provides MJ his health insurance. Love, the director of Cook Childrens Health Plan, said she is concerned that Cook Childrens will again lose out on the contract because of the states selection process. Love and the executives of other health plans operated by local, nonprofit providers criticized the states system for scoring proposals, arguing that the state did not give enough consideration to the community benefits provided by local, nonprofit entities like Cook Childrens. A big change looms for Medicaid enrollees in Fort Worth In addition to Cook Childrens Health Plan, the state passed over multiple other health plans that previously had Medicaid contracts in different regions of the state. If the state stands by its original decision, almost half 1.8 million Texans of the about 4 million people currently on Medicaid would have to choose a new insurer next year. In the Tarrant region alone, more than three out of every four people on Medicaid would have to pick a new plan next year. About 33% of kids with Medicaid and CHIP in the Tarrant area receive health insurance through Cook Childrens, and another 46% receive health insurance through Wellpoint. Both groups would need to switch plans next year under the states current decision. This doesnt necessarily mean that any kids or pregnant people are losing their Medicaid health insurance. Changing providers doesnt affect members eligibility for Medicaid, Ruffcorn said in an email. But local providers and families are worried some kids who need to change health plans will temporarily lose their health insurance. For kids like MJ, even a 30 day gap in health insurance coverage can be damaging. During the Medicaid unwinding process, when the state was responsible for checking every single Medicaid recipient to ensure they qualified for the program, MJ was one of numerous kids who was wrongly removed from Medicaid, even though he still qualified for the service because of disabilities. His mom was able to get him re-enrolled in the essential program thanks to the help of Amber Castillo, a nurse and service coordinator with Cook Childrens Health Plan. It was a matter of coordinating between myself, mom, and HHSC to try and get that application back to them, Castillo said. MJ lost his Medicaid health insurance for about 30 days, Castillo said, meaning he had to go without needed care and supplies during that time. Im very concerned about HHSCs ability to administratively transition 2 million pregnant women and children on one day in September 1, 2025, said Ken Janda, a professor of practice at the University of Houstons medical school. Janda was previously the executive director of Community Health Choice, a health plan similar to one run by Cook Childrens, HHSC noted that insurance providers are contractually required to limit disruptions to care for those on Medicaid. Ruffcorn, the HHSC press officer, wrote that the state agency expects the transition to a new insurance provider to be as seamless as possible. HHSCs decision is not yet final. An HHSC executive will respond to the protests filed by Cook Childrens and other health plans. Health plans will get a second opportunity to appeal that decision as well, Love said. After final contracts are awarded, HHSC will conduct a robust readiness review to make sure that insurance providers can fulfill the obligations outlined in their contract, Ruffcorn said. The contract change would also be a massive economic shift for Cook Childrens Health Network. Medicaid contracts bring in billions of dollars for the insurance companies who are awarded them. For the current fiscal year, Cook Childrens Health Plan expects to bring in about $845 million in premiums through its state contracts. Without the state contracts, the health plan would have no business. About 375 people are employed at the health plan. If the health plan is forced to close, Cook Childrens would do everything possible to keep these staff members employed through various roles in the health care system, Love said in an email. The possible change would not threaten the larger Cook Childrens Health Network. The health plan is a subsidiary of the childrens hospitals larger system. Waiting for a decision On a recent Thursday, MJ sat atop a palomino pony, balancing with ease during his weekly horse therapy lesson. He waved his hands in front of him, talking to them, something his mom says he does when hes feeling particularly happy and at ease. Places like All Star Equestrian near Burleson, where MJ has been taking lessons since he was 2, are part of the broader network of doctors, therapists, and other specialists that MJ and his mom have come to rely on to make sure he gets the care he needs. But depending on how the states Medicaid contracts shake out, and how much change it causes for the family, it might be one disruption too many. Hernandez, MJs mom, said shes thought about leaving Texas if Cook Childrens Health Plan dissolves and its difficult for MJ to pick a new plan. At least I would know that the care that those states give might be better quality for my child, she said. For now, MJ and his mom and thousands of other families like them, all they can do is wait as the contract process is finalized. Theyll wait to see whether theyll have to switch insurance providers, and if those insurance providers can follow through on their obligation to provide uninterrupted care. Say hello to Nashville's newest business reporter: Hadley Hitson. Hitson comes to The Tennessean from the Montgomery Advertiser in Alabama, where she covered children's health, education and welfare. Here, her beats are health care and dining as well as trending business news. It's a big job but Hitson's ready for it. The Tennessean's newest business reporter Hadley Hitson. The Alabama Press Association named her the 2024 "emerging journalist" for the state, in honor of her outstanding body of work. Editor & Publisher magazine also named Hitson one of its "25 under 35" top news media professionals this year. Hitson, a Birmingham native, graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and minors in digital media studies and Spanish. After college, she joined the Montgomery Advertiser as a Report for America fellow in 2021, covering community concerns around living near coal ash and a severe lack of adequate sewage in Lowndes County. After her fellowship, she was hired as a staff reporter. Here's more about Hitson, in her words: Can you share a memorable story you worked on at the Advertiser? One of the stories that impacted me the most was about access in a tiny, rural community. For decades, Packers Bend residents heavily relied on a ferry to get them across the Alabama River and to the nearest town with essentials like a doctor and a grocery store. In 2016, the ferry shut down. Ever since, county ambulances and sheriffs vehicles alike struggle to reach the community, and residents report feeling like they lost their sense of safety. How do you see your role as a journalist impacting the community you serve? Whether Im writing investigative stories about access to health care or features on the newest restaurant opening downtown, its all important to understanding the bigger picture of whats happening in Nashville. Thats my intended impact keeping the community informed about the changes happening here every day. As The Tennesseans newest business reporter specializing in dining and health care, what are some topics or issues youre interested in pursuing here and why? Im really interested in tracking the immense growth the city is seeing in both of these areas, with new restaurants cropping up almost daily and innovative companies like Oracle deciding to build headquarters here. In terms of attracting new business, we always hear that companies want to be where their employees want to be. Im excited to figure out what it is that Nashvilles doing right. What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing journalism today and how do you navigate them in your work? A major challenge facing journalism right now is misinformation and distrust. During my time covering rural Alabama, I met many people who were afraid to talk to the media. They didnt know what to expect, so they assumed the worst. On the local level, we get the chance to build trust in the communities we cover with each and every interaction. The only way Ive found to do that is by being transparent, empathetic and leading with humanity. Whats top of your list to experience or eat here in Nashville and why? Right now, a few items at the top of my list are finding the best barbecue in town, the coolest wine bar and going to a Sounds game. I feel like these are essentials. Im still working on getting to know the personalities of all of Nashvilles neighborhoods, so Im open to any and all suggestions. Hadley Hitson covers trending business, dining and health care for The Tennessean. She can be reached at hhitson@tennessean.com. To support her work, subscribe to The Tennessean. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Tennessean welcomes Hadley Hitson as Nashville business reporter President Volodymyr Zelensky will participate in the upcoming G7 summit, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on June 2, according to the Italian news outlet ANSA. Meloni said that at least fifteen guest countries and institutions will be participating, ANSA reported, in addition to the leaders of the Group of Seven. The summit will be held from June 13-15 in Apulia, a southern region of Italy. It was unclear whether Zelensky would be attending in person or remotely. A key topic for the summit is a plan to use profits from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. The G7 finance ministers on May 25 announced "progress" but no concrete deal on how to use future income from such assets to help Ukraine. Ukraine's Western partners and other allies froze around $300 billion in Russian assets at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022. Roughly two-thirds of the amount are held in the Belgium-based financial services company Euroclear. Read also: G7 announces progress on Russian frozen assets but work still to be done Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis Zoo is celebrating the arrival of a baby giraffe who beat the odds after a difficult birth. Kamari, meaning moonlight in Swahili, was born under a nearly full moon in the middle of the night on May 26. According to the zoo, keepers witnessed her mother, Maliki, going into labor and quickly assembled a group to monitor the process through cameras in the barn. Through this, they discovered that the calf was in a breech presentation. Memphis Zoo welcomes baby giraffe This means that instead of being in a diving position, the calf was completely turned around and its hind legs were coming out first, which resulted in a very dangerous situation for both the mom and calf, according to Memphis Zoo. Maliki was lightly sedated to allow the zoo staff to assist in the delivery. Reports say that the birth was successful despite 85% of giraffe calves not surviving when they present in a breech position. Photo courtesy of the Memphis Zoo Photos courtesy of the Memphis Zoo Photo courtesy of the Memphis Zoo Kamari was born at 123 pounds and has very long legs, just like her father, Niklas, according zoo keepers. Both Maliki and Kamari are reportedly doing well. Our incredible veterinary staff and dedicated giraffe team reacted quickly to assist in this difficult birth, said the Memphis Zoo. We congratulate our extraordinary giraffe team, veterinary staff, and mom, Maliki, on this incredible accomplishment. The Memphis Zoo is welcoming Kamari not even two months after the birth of a male giraffe named Fitz. The zoo says Kamari will be on exhibit starting this week. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Men sentenced to prison after inmate directed 2 others to sell guns, drugs in northwest GA Three men have been sentenced to prison for trafficking guns, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in northwest Georgia. According to U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan, beginning around February 2022, James Lewallen Meeks, 39, an inmate at Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo, Georgia, used a cell phone to sell guns and drugs with the help of Jamey Michael Latty, 45, and Mark Anthony Powell, 43. In March 2022, Meeks worked with Latty to sell methamphetamine in Rockmart, Georgia and later sell methamphetamine and a Glock pistol to someone in Cave Springs, Georgia. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Meeks also worked with Powell several times to sell methamphetamine and a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine to the same person in Carrollton, Georgia. Buchanan said Powell also sold ammunition and five guns, including a UZI .22 caliber long rifle with a silencer, under the instructions of Meeks. In April 2022, Latty sold ammunition and four guns, including an AR-style rifle to the same person in Rome, Georgia. Latty was arrested in Hiram, Georgia on June 2, 2022, with about a kilogram of methamphetamine. The same day, Powell was arrested in Carrollton after leading police in a chase where approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine was thrown out of Powells truck window. Police found a pistol and a substance containing fentanyl in Powells truck when he was arrested. After Latty was indicted, he ran to another state and assumed a false identity. Multiple agencies worked together to locate him and Latty was located and arrested by U.S. Deputy Marshals in Collinsville, Alabama. After pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, the three men were sentenced. TRENDING STORIES: Meeks was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release, consecutive to the time he is already serving. Latty was sentenced to 15 years and one month in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Powell was sentenced to 10 years and seven months in prison, followed by eight years of supervised release. While serving a sentence for a violent crime in a Georgia Correctional Facility, Meeks continued his criminal activity by brokering a number of illegal firearm and drug transactions with his co-defendants in Northwest Georgia, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. Meeks will now serve two decades in federal prison after completing his state sentence, and his co-defendants are headed to federal prison as well. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] IN OTHER NEWS: Gen Vannacci was filmed making a 'Decima X' gesture, the symbol of a Mussolini-era fascist commando unit linked to torture and abuse A leading hard-Right candidate for the European Parliament has been condemned for using a gesture in support of Mussolinis fearsome commando unit. General Roberto Vannacci, a novice Italian politician, was filmed urging voters ahead of this weeks election to mark their ballot with a Decima X while crossing his hands. The Decima Mas, or X MAS, was a fascist squad of marine commandos that attacked British and Allied forces in the Mediterranean during the Second World War. Gen Vanaccis brazen reference to them comes amid growing support for the far Right ahead of the elections, which take place from June 6 to 9, as voters look to more radical solutions to deal with the rising cost of living, the energy crisis and illegal migration. General Roberto Vannacci, a novice Italian politician, made the gesture amid growing support for the far Right ahead of the European elections - Claudio Furlan/LaPresse/Shutterstock Meanwhile in France, Jean-Yves Queinnec, a former election candidate for Frances Front National Party, was arrested for making a Nazi salute and shouting Heil Hitler during a debate about immigration. Polls forecast the two radical Right-wing parliament groups, Identity and Democracy and the European Conservatives and Reformists, will add between 30 and 50 seats, to rise to 22 to 25 per cent from their 18 per cent share now. Gen Vannacci, a decorated veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is running as a candidate for the hard-Right League Party. It follows his suspension earlier this year by Georgia Melonis government for publishing a book denigrating immigrants, feminists, homosexuals and environmentalists. Releasing a short video message to voters at the weekend, he said: When you go to vote for the European Parliament elections, make a Decima X on the appropriate card on the League symbol and write Vannacci. After making the X gesture, he added: We will beat everyone with an avalanche of votes. See you soon so we can change this Europe that we do not like. Deeply offensive The video was shared on his supporters social media channels before being picked up by the press. Angelo Bonelli, an Italian MP and spokesman for the Green Europe Party, said the message was absurd and unacceptable and deeply offensive to victims of fascism. Piero De Luca, an MP from the centre-Left Democratic Party, accused the candidate of definitively throwing away his mask to invoke memories of the notorious Second Word War commando unit. Europes lurch to the Right has drawn concerns that Russia and China are using sympathetic MEPs to peddle propaganda and spy on their behalf. One, Maximilian Krah, who was the German AfD partys lead candidate in the EU election, announced he would stop campaigning and step down from his partys leadership board amid an investigation into his links to Russia and China. Mr Queinnec, 69, caused outrage in the Brittany town of Rosporden on Friday night, where he was speaking in support of far-Right politics. He got angry all by himself, said a member of the audience at a cultural centre in the town. His speech started to get very nasty, and when the audience reacted, he gave the Nazi salute and shouted Heil Hitler before storming out. It came just before European Parliament elections which are expected to see huge gains for the former Front National, which changed its name to the Rassemblement National (National Rally) in 2018. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. By Kylie Madry and Valentine Hilaire MEXICO CITY -Claudia Sheinbaum won a landslide victory to become Mexico's first female president, inheriting the project of her mentor and outgoing leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador whose popularity among the poor helped drive her triumph. Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, won the presidency with between 58.3% and 60.7% of the vote, according to a rapid sample count by Mexico's electoral authority. That is set to be the highest vote percentage in Mexico's democratic history. The ruling coalition was also on track for a possible two-thirds super majority in both houses of Congress, which would allow the coalition to pass constitutional reforms without opposition support, according to the range of results given by the electoral authority. Opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez conceded defeat after preliminary results showed her taking between 26.6% and 28.6% of the vote. "For the first time in the 200 years of the republic I will become the first woman president of Mexico," Sheinbaum told supporters to loud cheers of "president, president". Victory for Sheinbaum is a major step for Mexico, a country known for its macho culture and home to the world's second biggest Roman Catholic population, which for years pushed more traditional values and roles for women. Sheinbaum is the first woman to win a general election in the United States, Mexico or Canada. "I never imagined that one day I would vote for a woman," said 87-year-old Edelmira Montiel, a Sheinbaum supporter in Mexico's smallest state Tlaxcala. "Before we couldn't even vote, and when you could, it was to vote for the person your husband told you to vote for. Thank God that has changed and I get to live it," Montiel added. Sheinbaum has a complicated path ahead. She must balance promises to increase popular welfare policies while inheriting a hefty budget deficit and low economic growth. After preliminary results were announced, she told supporters her government would be fiscally responsible and respect the autonomy of the central bank. She has vowed to improve security but has given few details and the election, the most violent in Mexico's modern history with 38 candidates murdered, has reinforced massive security problems. Many analysts say organized crime groups expanded and deepened their influence during Lopez Obrador's term. Sunday's vote was also marred by the killing of two people at polling stations in Puebla state. More people have been killed - over 185,000 - during the mandate of Lopez Obrador than during any other administration in Mexico's modern history, although the homicide rate has been inching down. "Unless she commits to making a game-changing level of investment in improving policing and reducing impunity, Sheinbaum will likely struggle to achieve a significant improvement in overall levels of security," said Nathaniel Parish Flannery, an independent Latin America political risk analyst. The ruling MORENA party also won the Mexico City mayorship race, one of the country's most important posts, according preliminary results. U.S. RELATIONS Among the new president's challenges will be tense negotiations with the United States over the huge flows of U.S.-bound migrants crossing Mexico and security cooperation over drug trafficking at a time when the U.S. fentanyl epidemic rages. Mexican officials expect these negotiations to be more difficult if the U.S. presidency is won by Donald Trump in November. Trump has vowed to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese cars made in Mexico and said he would mobilize special forces to fight the cartels. At home, the next president will be tasked with addressing electricity and water shortages and luring manufacturers to relocate as part of the nearshoring trend, in which companies move supply chains closer to their main markets. Sheinbaum will also have to wrestle with what to do with Pemex, the state oil giant that has seen production decline for two decades and is drowning in debt. "It cannot just be that there is an endless pit where you put public money in and the company is never profitable," said Alberto Ramos, chief Latin America economist at Goldman Sachs. "They have to rethink the business model of Pemex." Lopez Obrador doubled the minimum wage, reduced poverty and oversaw a strengthening peso and low levels of unemployment - successes that made him incredibly popular. Sheinbaum has promised to expand welfare programs, but it will not be easy with Mexico on track for a large deficit this year and sluggish GDP growth of just 1.5% expected by the central bank in 2025. Lopez Obrador has loomed over the campaign, seeking to turn the vote into a referendum on his political agenda. Sheinbaum has rejected opposition claims that she would be a "puppet" of Lopez Obrador, though she has pledged to continue many of his policies including those that have helped Mexico's poorest. In her victory speech, Sheinbaum thanked Lopez Obrador as "a unique person who has transformed our country for the better". But political analyst Viri Rios said she thought sexism was behind criticism that Sheinbaum was going to be a puppet of the outgoing leader. "It's unbelievable that people cannot believe she's going to be making her own decisions, and I think that's got a lot to do with the fact that she's female," she said. (Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz, Sarah Kinosian, Ana Isabel Martinez, Noe Torres, Stefanie Eschenbacher, Diego Ore, Anthony Esposito, Brendan O'Boyle, Laura Gottesdiener; Writing by Cassandra Garrison, Brendan O'Boyle, Drazen Jorgic; Editing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Lisa Shumaker, Will Dunham, Nick Zieminski, Diane Craft, Lincoln Feast and Alex Richardson) Mexicans headed to the polls on Sunday to vote in a historic election, overshadowed by violence, that is expected to return the countrys first woman president. The two leading presidential candidates are women: Claudia Sheinbaum from the leftist Morena party and Xochitl Galvez, from the conservative PAN party, who is representing a coalition of opposition parties. The third candidate is Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the youngest in the race, who is representing the center-left Citizens Movement. Sundays poll is the largest election in the countrys history. More than 98 million voters are registered to cast a ballot in Mexico, and 1.4 million Mexicans are eligible to vote abroad. More than 20,000 positions are set to be filled with an estimated 70,000 candidates vying to become senators, mayors and governors. Violence has loomed large in this election, the bloodiest in Mexicos history. Dozens of political candidates and applicants have been killed by criminal organizations trying to influence those coming into power. While voting was largely peaceful on Sunday, it was suspended in the southeastern Mexican town of Coyomeapan due to violence at the polling centers in the morning, according to state electoral authorities. The poll is seen by some as a referendum on the policies of outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador Sheinbaums mentor whose popular social welfare helped poorer Mexicans, but whose hugs, not bullets policy of not confronting cartels has not led to a substantial drop in homicide numbers. He greeted supporters as he voted on Sunday. Meanwhile, as Sheinbaum made her way to cast her ballot, she called for Mexicans to vote, telling reporters: This is a historic day, I am feeling very happy. Galvez told reporters at a polling station that she was expecting it to be a long day and a very close call. Ruling party presidential candidate Claudia Sheinbaum arrives to vote during general elections in Mexico City, Sunday, June 2, 2024. - Eduardo Verdugo/AP Mexico's opposition presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez outside a polling station in Mexico City on June 2, 2024. - Luis Cortes/Reuters Polls opened at 8 a.m. local time and will close at 6 p.m., according to Mexicos National Electoral Institute (INE). However, on Sunday, some voting stations in parts of the country opened with delays. Long lines were seen in Mexico City, Yucatan, Tuxtla, Cuauhtemoc, and voting centers abroad. One exasperated woman in Mexico City, who had been waiting for 40 minutes for her polling station to open, said she would not be able to vote before the polls closed at 6 p.m. as she had to go to work. In Madrid, Spain, expatriate Mexicans told CNN they waited more than eight hours to cast their ballots. One Mexican voter said she had been in line for 11 hours. Authorities are telling them INE is to blame. Polls were meant to open at 8 a.m. local time in Madrid, but INE posted on social media on Sunday afternoon saying voters waiting in line at embassies in Madrid and Paris could now cast their ballots. They added that the polls will close once 1,500 votes have been cast or everyone who registered votes. CNN has contacted the Mexican Embassy in Madrid for comment. Of the more than 200,000 expatriate votes expected to come from abroad, more than 70% will be coming from voters living in the United States. Outside the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, thousands of people queued up to vote on Sunday as some in the crowd chanted Morena the name of the ruling party. Security concerns on the ballot Whoever is elected will face several challenges, including security, organized crime, energy, and immigration. They will also set the tone for the US-Mexico bilateral relationship. Outside polling stations, voters told CNN that public security was one of their main concerns. A minute of silence was held on Sunday by the advisers of the INE in memory of the people who have been murdered during this electoral period. There have been more than 20 political killings since September according to the Mexican government. By some estimates, that number is even higher, at least 34 candidates murdered, according to Mexican consultancy firm, Integralia. While the murder rate fell in Mexico between 2019 and 2022, in absolute numbers the country is still reeling from historically high levels of homicides of around 30,000 each year, experts say. Both Sheinbaum and Galvez have largely remained coy about their proposals regarding security. Neither has repudiated a nearly two-decades-long approach of relying on the armed forces to tackle organized crime which has coincided with the high numbers of homicides. The central challenge for the next president will be convincing voters that she can end the culture of impunity in Mexico, where around 95% of all crimes nationwide went unsolved in 2022, according to the think tank Mexico Evalua. People wait to vote in San Bartolome Quialana, Mexico, on June 2, 2024. - Jorge Luis Plata/Reuters US officials are closely monitoring the presidential election as it comes at a critical time for the Biden administration. A record number of migrants at the US-Mexico border has been seized upon by Republicans who claim it as proof of the Biden administrations impotence, pushing immigration control to a top election issue. In recent months, the US has relied heavily on Mexico to step up immigration enforcement and help stem the flow of migration to the US southern border. The election in Mexico has raised uncertainty in the minds of some Biden officials about what, if anything, will change with a key partner when it comes to border cooperation. Whether were talking about elections in Mexico or here in the US, it always provokes a level of uncertainty with everyone, generally, but especially in the migrant population, a Homeland Security official previously told CNN. CNNs Gustavo Valdes, Karol Suarez, Priscilla Alvarez and Esha Mitra contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party Claudia Sheinbaum at a rally in Mexico City on 1 March. Presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party Claudia Sheinbaum at a rally in Mexico City on 1 March. Photograph: Luis Cortes/Reuters Mexican voters go to the polls on Sunday in an election that seems certain to deliver the countrys first female president and may also give her party enough power in congress to change the constitution and rewire the democracy of Latin Americas second-largest economy. Frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum, a 61-year-old climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, has vowed to continue the policies of her populist predecessor, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who founded the Morena party and forged a bond with voters who had become disenchanted with democracy. Morena combines progressive and conservative policies in an unorthodox platform pulled together by the charisma of Lopez Obrador and a discourse fixed on Mexicos gaping inequality. It has proved a winning formula and looks set to propel Sheinbaum to victory over Xochitl Galvez, the leading opposition candidate. Not just the presidency, but 20,000 other posts are up for grabs in Mexicos biggest election ever. Related: Amlo promised to transform Mexico, but he leaves it much the same It takes place against a backdrop of violence and deepening criminal control of swaths of the country. Mexico has one of the highest homicide rates in Latin America and hundreds of organised crime groups, ranging from the small and local up to those with international presence and the kind of firepower typically reserved for armies. These groups have diversified from drug to gun and migrant trafficking, and have penetrated local businesses and supply chains, from tortilla stands to avocado farms. This years elections have been the most violent in Mexican history, with more than 30 candidates murdered and hundreds more dropping out as criminal groups vie to install friendly leaders. On Wednesday, the final day of the campaign, a hired killer filmed himself shooting the opposition mayoral candidate Jose Alfredo Cabrera in the town of Coyuca de Benitez, Guerrero, before being shot dead by bodyguards. There is much violence perhaps not in Mexico City, but in the rest of the country, said Vanessa Romero, a political analyst. Tens of thousands of supporters of Morena packed the Zocalo, Mexico Citys main square, on Wednesday for the final event of Sheinbaums campaign. But the mood is less excited than in 2018, when Lopez Obrador broke the grip that Mexicos traditional parties had held on the presidency, winning by a landslide and promising to transform a country racked by inequality, corruption and violence. Outside a barbershop in Benito Juarez, a wealthy neighbourhood in Mexico City, Salim said he voted for Morena in 2018 but wouldnt this time. What changed? Nothing, said Salim. Theyre the same as the others. Only the speeches are different. Rocio, who was visiting from the Yucatan city of Merida, which is governed by the conservative Pan party, took a more understanding view. Mexicos always had corruption, she said. But now it has [big infrastructure projects] like the Mayan Train thats a difference. Yet Morenas appeal is better understood from places such as Maconi, a small community in the state of Queretaro that gets water just a few hours a week. Were with Morena, and Morena is with us, said Don Jose, a 66-year old man who was a migrant worker in the US for many years. This country is changing, and the scoundrels that ruled for decades are on the way out. We would die of thirst before they paid attention to us. Related: Its become a battleground: Mexicos local candidates face deadly violence Over the last three months, Sheinbaum has crisscrossed the country in an effort to rally such voters not just to assure Morena retains the presidency, but to win it a level of political power not seen since Mexico became a democracy in 2000. Morena and its allies already control a simple majority in both houses of congress and two-thirds of the governorships in Mexicos 32 states. The election could, in theory, gain it three more governorships on Sunday though many of the races are too close to call, and the opposition are hopeful of wresting Mexico City from Morenas control. But if Scheinbaums party emerges with a two-thirds supermajority in congress, it would be able to amend the constitution at will. Polling suggests it is unlikely. But Morena already has a package of reforms in mind that includes allowing supreme court justices to be elected by popular vote, which could give it control over the countrys top court. This has led some to sound the alarm. Why do we have to mobilise? Because Claudia is a danger to democracy, said Galvez, the opposition candidate. I think the risk is being exaggerated for electoral reasons, said Romero, who points out that Morena is proposing a democracy with more popular participation. Its not about democracy versus authoritarianism. Its about one vision of democracy versus another. Others are more concerned. Mexico is moving to what some in Morena call hegemonic democracy, which by their definition isnt exactly a representative liberal democracy, but nor is it authoritarian, said Humberto Beck, a historian. Its something else beyond that dichotomy, which is lent legitimacy by popular support. I think this is an announcement of democratic regression, added Beck. North of the border, the Biden administration has been noticeably quiet about Lopez Obradors attacks on Mexicos institutions throughout his term, apparently prioritising cooperation on fentanyl trafficking and migration as it approaches its own election later this year. Donald Trumps former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, spoke to Erin Burnett on CNNs "Out Front" Saturday to discuss his thoughts and concerns regarding Trumps guilty verdict. Cohen, who claims he went to prison in 2019 to protect Trump, told Burnett that "prison takes your soul," suggesting it's only fair that the roles be reversed now that the preemptive GOP nominee could be headed in that direction. "I would like for him to experience what I felt, Cohen said. I would like for him to experience what 51 days of solitary confinement feels like." Cohen went on to express more of his views on the matter, saying that out of respect for the office of the presidency, and based on his characterization of Judge Merchan as a solomonian judge, Trumps punishment might not be wearing an orange jumpsuit while locked away behind impenetrable walls. Instead, he predicts that the former president will probably be put under strict home confinement, "where its the same as being there. Youre not going to have access to the internet, people dont just come in-come out. The only difference is hell have his own food." Cohen continued that his true concerns extend well beyond his desire to see Trump go to prison. He explained that the former president would often divulge information he wasnt supposed to, including national security secrets, despite being warned against doing so during his four-year presidency. Burnett quickly pivoted from Cohens doomsday monologue and asked him if President Biden should pardon the former president, which Cohen vehemently disagreed with. I think that the country deserves to know that no one is above the law, Cohen said. And that includes a rogue former president who has done everything, everything, to violate the constitution the very document that is the foundation of our democracy. During his Saturday interview on MSNBCs "The Weekend," Cohen reiterated the same fears he shared with Burnett, saying, "You have now a Republican-leading candidate who is a felon, who is going to be debriefed on national security issues, knowing how loosely lipped he is My concern is, in a prison situation, he's willing to give away these secrets for a bag of tuna or a book of stamps. And he will do it, because he doesn't care," Cohen says. "If America turns against him, he'd rather see America burn to the ground. And that's who Donald Trump is." Were two days away from the Iowa primary, and Republican Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks wants to keep her job. She faces a primary challenge from David Pautsch for the First Congressional District seat. We introduced you to him last week. Miller-Meeks has a lot more money than Pautsch for the primary. The latest filings with the Federal Election Commission show Miller-Meeks has almost $1.8 million in cash on hand. Pautsch has a little more than $6,000. This will be Mariannette Miller-Meeks first time since going to Congress that she will face a primary opponent. As we showed you, she enjoys a huge financial advantage over fellow Republican David Pautsch. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks joins us for a conversation. I think that all of us know that it just depends upon what the ground game is, how involved someone is, how in touch with their district, Miller-Meeks said. Are they doing the constituent work they need to do? Are they making the visits? Do people see them working in their behalf? To hear more from Miller-Meeks, click on the video. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. As she seeks a third term in Congress, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks is defending her record from attacks by a GOP primary challenger, while Democrats look ahead to a competitive race in November. Miller-Meeks, 68, won her first term in Congress in 2020 by just six votes before winning reelection more comfortably in 2022. The ophthalmologist and former state senator represents the 1st Congressional District in southeast Iowa, including Iowa City, Davenport and Keokuk. She's facing a Republican primary challenge from David Pautsch, 70, a businessman and the founder of the Quad Cities Prayer Breakfast. The primary election is June 4. More: Meet the candidates running for Iowa's 1st Congressional District in southeast Iowa In making her pitch for another term, Miller-Meeks touted her work on veterans issues and bills she's introduced to lower prescription drug prices. She also highlighted immigration, high costs and government spending as priorities to tackle. "Im going to continue to work on those things that are important to people, whether it is border security and immigration reform, whether it is the high prices and the economy, whether it is the level of national debt," she said. "We have to put a check and balance on President Biden. People are not better off than they were four years ago when he was elected." Pautsch said his campaign is focused on supporting families. "Thats the building block of all society," he said. "So you have to make certain that the parents are taken care of, that they can afford to raise their kids." He also said he supports cutting government spending, reducing the deficit and requiring a constitutional amendment to balance the federal government. Democrat Christina Bohannan, far left, and Republican David Pautsch, at right, are seeking the 1st Congressional District seat held by Republican Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks in the 2024 election. Pautsch lobs criticism at Miller-Meeks as she defends her record Pautsch has used his campaign to aggressively criticize Miller-Meeks on abortion, immigration and the national debt, accusing her of being insufficiently Republican. Defending his decision to challenge a sitting member of Congress from his own party, Pautsch said Miller-Meeks is "not part of our party" and called her a RINO, or Republican in name only. "She says oh, you shouldnt primary a Republican. Well, that privilege is reserved for Republicans, not for RINOs," he said. "Not for people who dont have any concerns for the conservative issues of the Republican Party." More: 2024 Iowa election guide: What are the candidates saying ahead of the June primary? Miller-Meeks said she expects criticism of her record during a campaign, but said she's always very transparent about the votes she takes and makes a point to be accessible and open to questions. "I think the most important thing to realize about primaries is that on the Republican side, your primary opponent is going to go to your right and on the Democrat side your primary opponent is going to go to your left," Miller-Meeks said. "And its up to you to be able to explain why you vote the way you vote." Pautsch faulted Miller-Meeks for voting to certify President Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election, which former President Donald Trump falsely claimed was stolen from him. Iowa's entire congressional delegation voted to certify the election results when Congress reconvened after the Jan. 6 Capitol riots temporarily forced proceedings to a halt. He also criticized Miller-Meeks for voting for the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act after leadership removed a Republican amendment that would ban the Defense Department from reimbursing servicemembers for out of state travel to obtain abortions. "She doesnt show any passion for the unborn," he said. Miller-Meeks pointed to her A+ rating from the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. "When it comes to pro-life, Im pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother," Miller-Meeks said. "For some individuals and some Republicans, they believe there should be no abortion and no exceptions. Im not in that camp. And my opponent may certainly be in that camp." On immigration, Pautsch claimed without evidence that Biden "intentionally and maliciously wanted this border open." He accused Biden of wanting to "create instability and chaos" to disrupt the 2024 election. "Im not even certain in many respects if were even going to have an election," he said. "And Im not trying to be hysterical or engage in hyperbole." "War has been declared on us by this fake presidential administration," Pautsch added. "And people just need to wake up." Miller-Meeks said "a wide-open southern border" is one of the issues she hears about the most from voters. She pointed to her vote for H.R. 2, a border security bill that would restart construction on a border wall and make a range of other changes cracking down on illegal immigration. More: Early voting has started for Iowa's June 4 primary election. Here's what you should know: Miller-Meeks has large fundraising advantage in primary Miller-Meeks has a large fundraising advantage over Pautsch. The incumbent had raised nearly $2.7 million throughout the election cycle as of April 1, and had $1.7 million in the bank, according to filings with the Federal Election Commission. Meanwhile, Pautsch had raised $28,000 and had less than $8,000 in the bank by the same date. But Pautsch said his positions are more in line with what Republican voters are looking for. He's relying on a combination of grassroots support and targeted digital advertising to help him to victory. "I think were going to win," he said. "And everyone tells you its difficult because everyone measures difficulty by money. They look at my cash on hand. Well, weve always had enough money to do what we need to do." Miller-Meeks called it "an honor and privilege" to serve in Congress and said she would campaign the same way whether or not she faced an opponent in the election. "My approach to campaigning is the same regardless of whether I have a primary challenger or not," she said. "And that is Im accessible, I travel the district, I meet with people, I do meet and greets." Democrat Christina Bohannan preparing for general election rematch The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Christina Bohannan in the fall. Bohannan, 52, is a former state representative from Iowa City. She's running for Congress for the second time after Miller-Meeks beat her by about 7 percentage points in 2022. National Democrats have placed the race on their list of 33 Republican-held or open districts they hope to flip. Bohannan said she and her team have been knocking on doors all across the district and have a head start over where they were at this point in the 2022 election cycle. "We already have five times the volunteer base that we had at this point in the 2022 election," she said. "People are fired up. They are saying that they have not seen this kind of energy and momentum in organizing in Iowa in a decade or more. So we are very excited about that." Bohannan said she's running to lower costs for Iowans, including groceries, gas and prescription drugs. She said Miller-Meeks has accepted donations from special interests "and has put their needs ahead of everyday Iowans." "Shes taken $170,000 or more from the pharmaceutical industry and voted against capping the price of insulin at $35 and against letting Medicare negotiate for lower drug prices," Bohannan said. "That is an important issue for this district where so many people are on Medicare, so many people need their prescription drugs." Miller-Meeks said it's not unusual for individuals and groups to support candidates who align with their values. She said she believes Democrats' efforts to lower drug prices have not succeeded and have disrupted pharmaceutical companies' ability to develop new drugs. She has introduced legislation that goes after pharmacy benefit managers, which act as middlemen between drug manufacturers and pharmacies. Critics have accused the groups of taking in large profits without bringing down the price of drugs for patients. "Whether or not pharmaceutical companies contribute to me or pharmacy benefit managers contribute to me or independent pharmacists contribute to me, Im still going to work in lowering prescription drug prices for individuals in a way that I feel is consistent with my approach of small government and federal regulation when it is needed, but not overregulation," she said. Abortion, IVF poised to be general election issues Abortion and in vitro fertilization are also poised to be key issues in the campaign. Bohannan has gone after Miller-Meeks for co-sponsoring the 2021-22 Life at Conception Act, which says life begins at fertilization. Bohannan says that would ban all abortions without exceptions and imperil IVF access. More: IVF could be a driving issue in Iowa congressional races. Where do the candidates stand? "This is a key issue for people, including people across political parties," Bohannan said. "This is not just a Democratic issue. Independents care a lot about this issue and I am talking about it far and wide." Miller-Meeks has spoken positively about IVF and co-sponsored a nonbinding resolution that strongly supports the access to and use of IVF treatments across the United States" but it did not offer any legal protections for patients or providers. "I, as a scientist, believe life begins at conception," she said. "Which in no way deters us or prevents or puts any regulation or stipulations on in vitro fertilization." She said she signed onto the Life at Conception Act before the 2022 Dobbs decision overturned the nationwide right to abortion. In the wake of that decision, Miller-Meeks said she thinks decisions about abortion policy should remain at the state level, pointing to Trump's recent comments indicating he believes the same thing. "At this time the decisions been turned back to the states. I think thats where it should remain," she said. "At this juncture Im not aware of a bill thats advanced in the House that would be a federal restriction to abortion." 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: Mariannette Miller-Meeks, David Pautsch face off in 1st District race Millions in police settlements come from KC taxpayers pockets. KCPD needs real reform | Opinion We have a lack of consequences in Kansas City, said Police Chief Stacey Graves. The Star has reported that the Kansas City Police Department has paid nearly $7 million in settlements from February 2023 to February 2024. Nearly $7 million. Let that sink in a moment. Its more than troubling. Steve Young, co-founder of the Kansas City Law Enforcement Accountability Project, told reporter Katie Moore that it was an obscene number. We agree. Moore reported Wednesday that the payouts totaled $6,810,001. The cases stemmed from as far back as 2018. We realize that while those payout amounts were from a one-year period, the incidents they compensate for ranged over multiple years. However, some of the settlements involved an officer who has been named in multiple use of excessive force cases and that must be noted. The largest of the payouts was $5 million and went to the family of Terrence Bridges Jr. Police shot and killed the Kansas City man in May 2019 after officers responded to a reported carjacking. Police had said Bridges resisted arrest and an officer shot him during a struggle. However, his family maintained that Bridges did not pose a threat, was not armed when he was shot and was not involved in a carjacking, Moore reported. Other settlements ranged from contacts with police officers, including traffic stops, a police chase, false imprisonment and use of excessive force. Two of the incidents resulted in deaths. Its not the first time the KCPD has been involved in large settlement payouts. This editorial board wrote about the Bridges case in 2022 when the state-appointed Board of Police Commissioners first agreed to make the multimillion-dollar payment. Despite Jefferson City politicians false statements about defunding the police, the City Council has steadily increased the departments budget in recent years. While that may be needed, it cant be the only solution. (Missourians will have another opportunity to vote on KCPD funding in the August primary election.) As we think about these incidents settled with taxpayer money, we believe community engagement and de-escalation are a double solution to the tension between police and the policed. The board then, and now, is concerned that these settlements continue to show excessive police force and involve public dollars, yet are handled with virtually no public input and accountability. Questions we asked in 2022 are the same questions we are asking now: In the aftermath of these payouts, what changes took place in the department? What discipline was imposed? What new training was implemented, if any? Regarding one of the incident payouts, Kansas City police sergeant Matthew T. Neal left the department after pleading guilty to smashing the face of a 15-year-old boy in November 2019 in front of a restaurant at 51st Street and Troost Avenue following a police pursuit. Officer Dylan Pifer was also identified in that incident but not charged. Months earlier, Pifer shot Bridges in the chest in the case that led to the $5 million settlement. Pifer is still employed by KCPD at the rank of police officer and is currently assigned to patrol bureau, according to a department spokesperson. Is new chief engaging with the community? Police Chief Stacey Graves, hired in December 2022 after all these incidents, has articulated her concerns about crime trends and a desire to make reforms during her tenure. But has it been enough? In January, Graves announced some changes, adding an hour to all 10-hour shifts for patrol division officers. At that time, the KCPD was down roughly 300 officers, and she said the 11-hour shift would ease a critical staffing shortage and deploy more officers on the street during peak times. The new shifts began Jan. 21. She also offered some statistics: Despite a staffing shortage, detectives cleared 73% of homicides in 2023, well above the national average of 52%. Graves also referred to an evidence-based focused deterrence strategy, in combination with the citys Partners for Peace program and multidisciplinary task force. Nearly six months into this shift change, wed like to know how it has helped. Graves released a data-driven crime plan in March. Perhaps the three-pronged strategy (data, deterrence and community engagement) will gain some traction. The plan does note the importance of building confidence in the community and creating police legitimacy: All KCPD members are charged with building strong community relationships and seeking opportunities each day to build public trust. Steps to build on the KCPDs existing community-focused practices began in 2023, including all sworn staff receiving training in Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) and Constitutional Policing. How is the existing training going? What have we learned? Whats missing, perhaps, is a fourth prong showing how to measure the results of training and a no-tolerance policy to deal with officers who use excessive force. Kansas City residents want to trust police in day-to-day encounters without fear of serious injury or death. Settlements like these make it hard to, however, without a way forward. Weve called for transparency in the past. We need it now, more than ever. FILE - The Veranda hotel on May 13, 2014, in Tunica Resorts, Miss., one of two hotels being considered to house unaccompanied immigrant children in northwest Mississippi. The hotels were part of a Harrah's casino complex that closed in 2014. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File) TUNICA, Miss. (AP) Local officials won't support a proposal to house unaccompanied migrant children at two former casino hotels in northwest Mississippi. The Tunica County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Thursday against issuing a letter of support after opposition from Mississippi's Republican state officials and the local sheriff, local news outlets reported. Shantrell Nicks is an attorney working for a company called Rapid Deployment, which wants to reuse the vacant hotels. She said during the meeting a letter of support from the county would have been an important part of the companys proposal to the federal government. WHBQ-TV reported that proposal is due Monday, although it's unclear what happens now. Nicks told people attending the meeting that the facility would hold up to 250 children aged 17 and younger, not the 2,000 previously discussed, WREG-TV reported. She said that the facility would hire local employees and operate up to five years, that there would be no visitors, and that the children and teens would stay contained inside. Theres no strain to the local government as a result of this temporary childrens shelter, Nicks said. We are not going to attempt to enroll these children in local schools." The hotels were part of the Harrahs casino complex, which closed in 2014. The casino was demolished, and other proposals to reuse the hotels have not succeeded. Supervisors took the vote after again debating the plan in a closed session. Both of Mississippi's U.S. senators as well as a number of other Republican officials had opposed the plan. Many of my constituents had raised concerns about this projects impact on the community," U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker said in a statement Friday. It was clear that Tunica Countys health care, transportation, and other services were not prepared for this sudden influx. I am glad this decision has been halted for now, but I am still worried about a similar proposal in the future. Wicker send a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday opposing the plan. Tunica County Sheriff K.C. Hamp said earlier that the county doesnt have resources, including a hospital, to care for immigrants, and they would have to be taken to neighboring communities. Some other local officials said they preferred efforts to redevelop the complex to enhance tourism and gambling in Tunica County. Harrahs opened in 1996 as the Grand Casino and was conceived on a grand scale, topping out with 1,356 hotel rooms across three buildings. Its now-demolished casino floor was the largest between New Jersey and Las Vegas. Tunicas casino market has been in decline for more than a decade, While it was once the nearest gambling destination to parts of the South and Midwest, most of those states now have their own casinos. A casino in West Memphis, Arkansas, has also lured away patrons. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A competitive race is shaping up for the GOP nomination for Missouri governor, and on this weeks edition of 4 The People, were joined by our first candidate of the campaign season. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft joins us to discuss his candidacy, and his views on key issues including a proposal to phase out the state income tax, his views on the failed childcare tax credits championed by Governor Mike Parson, and whether the state should chip in money for Chiefs and Royals stadium proposals. Invitations are also out to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe and St. Sen. Bill Eigel, who are the two other chief opponents in the Republican primary to replace the term-limited GOP Gov. Parson. Read more Politics stories from FOX4 Then, Cornell Ellis, the executive director of Brothers Liberating Our Community (BLOC) shares his organizations efforts to get more Black teachers into classrooms, especially men. The group mentors high school students who have shown an interest in teaching, and provides scholarship support and programs that are designed to help retain those who do enter the profession. Ellis notes that studies have shown Black students are more likely to succeed if they have access to Black educators. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. More evacuations ahead as more rain falls on flooded parts of Germany A resident walks along a flooded street in the town center in Reichertshofen. Sven Hoppe/dpa Thousands of people were evacuated during the weekend and more are set to leave their homes as southern Germany was roiled by severe flooding that left one emergency rescuer dead and at least one more person missing on Sunday evening. Several villages along the Danube and Schmutter rivers were evacuated as an official pointed to concerns about a dam on Sunday evening. People affected were told to stay calm, pack the essentials and follow the instructions of the emergency services. Heavy rains and flooding across two states caused disruption throughout the weekend and more rain was set to come, the weather service said. Near Lake Constance, further floods were expected after a river burst its banks, flooding local streets. Tens of thousands of emergency services have been in constant action as of Friday evening, particularly in Upper Bavaria and Swabia, building sandbag dams, pumping water, cordoning off danger zones and rescuing people from flooded homes. One firefighter was killed, another was still missing on Sunday evening, as was a woman. Meanwhile, people on the Danube are preparing for the impending flood wave and transport rescue services were lining up rescue helicopters equipped with winches, said a spokesman for the ADAC air rescue service. In total, at least 40,000 emergency workers have participated in rescue efforts since Friday, while Germany's army also stepped in to help as rivers in the region swelled. A firefighter died overnight after his rubber dinghy capsized in the Bavarian town of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, which lies some 40 kilometres north of Munich. His three colleagues in the boat were able to pull themselves to safety, but the firefighter's body was found early on Sunday morning, local authorities said. The responders had been on their way to rescue a family in the severely flooded area. There were no details on what happened to the family. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday expressed his condolences on the social media platform X. "The death of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen has shocked me," he said, adding that his thoughts were with the firefighter's relatives and colleagues. Scholz is set to visit the region on Monday. On Sunday, several lawmakers travelled to the affected areas, including Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, Bavarian premier Markus Soder and the state's interior minister, Joachim Herrmann. Soder and others paid tribute to the people who were struggling with the high waters and the help and support shown. "Together we will get through this," he wrote on X. He and Habeck said they were shocked by the firefighter's death. "It's terrible. He died trying to save people from the floods," Habeck said. An employee of an energy company was critically injured after suffered an electric shock in Freising, Upper Bavaria, the police said. There were also concerns about several people missing, amid the extreme rainfall. So far, some 3,000 people in Bavaria were evacuated from flooded areas, a state interior ministry spokeswoman said on Sunday. A fire services spokesman said the flooding in the region was unpredictable and the most extreme seen to date. Earlier, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) said that some regions in southern Germany recorded more than a month's worth of rain within 24 hours. Kisslegg in the south-western state of Baden-Wurttemberg recorded 130 millimetres of rain on Friday alone, the DWD reported. The region normally reports 118 millimetres per month at this time of year. In Bavaria's Bad Worishofen, 129 millimetres fell within 24 hours, by comparison with a monthly average of 101 millimetres. Further rainfall is forecast. Early on Monday, the DWD lifted all existing severe weather warnings but said that showers with the potential for heavy rain were still expected in some areas, particularly in southern Germany. An aerial view of the partially flooded Reichertshofen. Sven Hoppe/dpa An aerial view of the partially flooded Reichertshofen. Sven Hoppe/dpa The Neckar River burst its banks near the historic old town of Heidelberg during a massive flood. Boris Roessler/dpa The Neckar River burst its banks near the historic old town of Heidelberg during a massive flood. Boris Roessler/dpa A car drives across a flooded intersection during a thunderstorm with heavy rain. Monika Skolimowska/dpa Soldiers from the German Armed Forces build a barrier of sandbags together with civilian firefighters. Stefan Puchner/dpa The hot, dry, and windy conditions in the San Joaquin Valley have made it difficult for crews to fight the Corral Fire, which continued to not only burn, but quickly spread near Tracy on Sunday. West wind could blow wildfire smoke over areas south of Tracy, including Patterson and Crows Landing in the neighboring Stanislaus County, according to meteorologist Idamis Shoemaker at the National Weather Service's office in Sacramento. Sustained wind between 10 to 18 mph is expected, with wind gusts up to 25 mph Sunday. However, Shoemaker said there is a possibility of wind gusts up to 35 mph in the area of the Corral Fire. Stockton residents are not likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke. Track California wildfires and red flag warnings here. Sunday's high temperature for Tracy is expected to reach 85 degrees with no rain in the forecast, Shoemaker said, but hotter weather is on the way. The National Weather Service said "dangerously hot conditions" with temperatures between 95 to 108 degrees are expected later in the week in the San Joaquin Valley, which includes Stockton and Tracy. The weather service has issued an excessive heat watch that will be in effect from 11 a.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Thursday. The Corral Fire started on Saturday, June 1, 2024 southwest of Tracy and quickly grew driven by wind gusts in the East Bay. The Corral Fire has consumed 14,168 acres since it was reported at 2:39 p.m. Saturday off West Corral Hollow in San Joaquin County, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire was 50% contained as of Sunday night. Cal Fire reported 400 firefighters are assigned to the Corral Fire. They also reported two firefighters have been injured while battling the blaze. The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services posted on X it is continuing to monitor the situation. "Three OES fire engines have been deployed to assist," the office said. "Cal OES stands ready to send additional resources if needed." The American Red Cross Northern California Coastal Region also posted on X that its offices are "standing by and ready to assist if needed." Know how to check air quality conditions Smoke from wildfires can be unhealthy for sensitive groups, including people with lung disease such as asthma, older adults, children and teenagers, and people who are active outdoors. To track air quality, go to airnow.gov and enter a zip code in the search bar. Stay safe at home and on the go In order for Valley residents to protect themselves from smoke, the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services recommends the following safety tips: Stay safe indoors If youre inside, keep doors and windows closed to avoid wildfire smoke. Stay indoors and keep children and pets inside as much as possible. Use air purifiers if you have them. Turn off ventilation fans or anything allowing outdoor air to enter. Set your air conditioning to reuse air thats already in the house. Dont burn candles or oil lanterns inside. Minimize use of stoves or fireplaces that run on propane or gas. If you need to use a gas stove, turn on the hood fan. Stay safe outdoors When unhealthy smoky air reaches your community, wear a mask that will protect you from small particles. A regular cloth or surgical mask wont help. If you work outside, wear a mask that protects you from fine particles. Look out for others in your community, including your neighbors and loved ones. In an emergency or if someone has difficulty breathing, call 911. Record reporter Hannah Workman covers news in Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at hworkman@recordnet.com or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at https://www.recordnet.com/subscribenow. This article originally appeared on The Record: Hot, windy weather in forecast as Corral Fire blazes near Tracy Photo illustration by Getty Images. For some ninth graders near Fresno, California, the invitation years before theyll don a cap and gown comes out of the blue: Youve been accepted to Fresno State, the letter says. Public universities across the country increasingly are sending such acceptance letters even before students apply to college. In more than a third of states, at least one public university now uses direct admission programs that automatically admit high school students if they meet certain academic criteria. The programs seek to help fill college and university rosters in a time of declining high school populations. They entice high school students by allowing them to avoid the stressful college application process for a guaranteed spot. And they are likely to grow in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision outlawing race-based admissions, as a new way for schools to increase diversity in their applicant pools. Some states, such as California and Texas, have long used guaranteed admission programs, under which high school students who graduate in a top percentage of their class are automatically admitted to certain public universities. Direct admissions programs, though, typically go a step further, proactively reaching out to students and providing information on options, requirements and application steps. For us to be able to say to our ninth graders, you can go to college, and you are conditionally accepted into Fresno State, I cannot tell you the way the kids light up, said Misty Her, deputy superintendent of the Fresno Unified School District. She said 95% of the students in her district qualify for free and reduced-price meals. Under Fresno States Bulldog Bound program, ninth graders from partnering school districts in four counties who meet minimum California State University requirements are automatically accepted, as long as they maintain their grades and fulfill high school graduation requirements. Gone are the complicated applications and fees, standardized tests, and the pressure to stack up extracurricular activities, Fresno State officials said. And the college will make early financial aid estimates. In the meantime, the students get Fresno State IDs, a college email address and access to campus libraries. I believe in my heart that this is the gold standard on how to recruit, how to retain and how to graduate students, said Fresno State President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval, in announcing the program. Im excited that states and institutions are thinking about ways to streamline the pipeline into college, said Taylor Odle, assistant professor of educational policy studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who has studied college admission policy extensively. With direct admissions, The dinner table conversation can be: Do I go or not go? Not Did you fill out that form, did you write that essay? Odle said. For high school students whose families may not have attended college, being able to skip the lengthy admissions process is a real game changer, said Mary Churchill, director of the higher education administration program at Boston University, and an expert in college admissions. If youre offering direct admission to ninth graders, you actually know them and can prepare for them, she said. She said that when colleges know incoming students, the schools can better prepare to serve them and make a seamless educational journey from kindergarten to colleges senior year. However, the programs can have some drawbacks. They can be limiting for students who already plan to go to college but might stop striving for a more selective university once they have received a direct admission offer. Thats called undermatching, Churchill said. Other potential drawbacks include students overlooking the importance of evaluating whether the school would be a good fit, experts said. State programs In South Dakota, where fewer students are graduating high school and fewer of them are enrolling in higher education, a pilot project will begin this fall to inform some high school juniors in Aberdeen, Sioux Falls and Spearfish that they have been proactively admitted to one or more of the states universities. They include Black Hills State, Northern State, South Dakota State and the University of South Dakota, according to the South Dakota Searchlight. In Georgia, a program called Georgia Match, championed last year by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, sent letters to 120,000 high school seniors, saying they are eligible to enroll in one of up to 23 public universities or 22 technical schools without an application fee. The marquee state schools University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia College & State University are not participating. In a dozen states, at least one public university uses the Common App direct admissions program: Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia. The Common App allows students to apply to multiple colleges using one online application, and is widely used among high school seniors. If youre offering direct admission to ninth graders, you actually know them and can prepare for them. Mary Churchill, director of the higher education administration program at Boston University Idaho was the first state to have a statewide direct admissions program, which started in 2015. It offers admission to all Idaho high school graduates. A study published in January 2022, by Odle, found the Idaho program increased in-state undergraduate enrollments by between 8% and 15%, depending on the campus. But the gains were concentrated on two-year campuses, the study said. Connecticut, Hawaii and Minnesota also have begun some state-run direct admission programs. Its more than admissions its a commitment to supporting dreams and building futures, said Phong Yang, associate vice president for strategic enrollment management at Fresno State. Pros and cons The college application process can be a barrier, said Odle, who found in a 2023 working paper studying 1.2 million high schoolers that a quarter of students who start a Common App application to college never finish it. The biggest indicator of whether a student ultimately submitted a college application was whether they completed the essay on their Common App, the paper found. It showed that 94% of students who provided a valid essay response submitted an application, compared with only 43% of non-submitters. The number of completed applications varied widely by student ethnicity and career aspirations, parents educational attainment, school type, and community educational attainment and household income, the paper said. David Hawkins, chief education and policy officer at the National Association for College Admission Counseling, said direct admissions programs can be beneficial both to students and colleges, especially in firing up students to seek the college experience. But he cautioned that students should be careful in evaluating the direct admission offers to see if the college is the right fit. Students with disabilities, for example, need to look into the campuss accommodations, he said. And any student needs to be comfortable with the university. Not all students are going to be the best fit for every school, Hawkins said. A large state university may not be right for a student who doesnt love large crowds. Those students should check out other schools, he said. Counselors could say to them: Have you considered XYZ college? Look elsewhere. Joan Koven, an educational consultant in the Philadelphia area who guides students through college applications and essays, said direct admission programs also help colleges attract a diverse student body. Everybody is looking for ways, after the SCOTUS decision (ending race-based admissions), to help round out the student body, she said in a phone interview. She said the only downside she sees in direct admission is if students get to college and its not what you expect, or you cant do the work and you drop out. You want to find the right blend of getting people eager for a college education and [knowing] what that might look like, she said. This story was originally produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. The post More public colleges admit high schoolers even before theyve applied appeared first on Daily Montanan. Motorcyclist dies following collision along Myatt Drive, Metro police say NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) One day after crashing into a car along Myatt Drive, a motorcyclist died at a Nashville hospital, officials said. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the preliminary investigation shows 27-year-old Case Isenhart, of Christiana, was traveling north on a Kawasaki motorcycle in the 600 block of Myatt Drive on Friday, May 31 when a Honda Accord pulled out of InTown Suites and into the motorcyclists lane. As a result, Isenhart collided with the side of the Honda, leaving him critically injured. Pedestrian hit, killed by train in East Nashville Then, on Saturday, June 1, authorities said Isenhart died at TriStar Skyline Medical Center. Meanwhile, the 24-year-old driver of the Honda sustained non-critical injuries, police reported. Metro police: 1 dead, 2 injured following crash on I-65N According to officials, neither the motorcyclist nor the driver showed any signs of impairment. No additional details have been released about the ongoing investigation into this deadly crash. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A murder suspect was arrested after firing at deputies during a pursuit in San Bernardino County. The suspect was identified as Brent Phillip Soster, 43, from Twentynine Palms, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. On May 28, Mojave County Arizona deputies alerted California law enforcement of an armed and dangerous murder suspect driving a pickup truck in the Needles area. The suspect, Soster, had allegedly driven through Needles while fleeing Arizona. At around 9:30 p.m., deputies spotted Sosters truck on Highway 95, near mile marker 30. Deputies attempted to pull him over but he refused to yield, leading them on a pursuit. The chase headed towards the Joshua Tree area and at one point, Soster threw a smoke grenade toward the deputies and began firing at them. Disturbing video shows Southern California student being assaulted in alleged hazing incident A sheriffs helicopter joined the pursuit overhead and Soster began firing at the chopper as well, said SBSD. Eventually, a lethal force encounter occurred and pursuing deputies disabled Sosters truck and took him into custody. While searching the truck, investigators found several firearms, a tactical ballistic vest, a gas mask, additional smoke grenades and several rounds of ammunition. Soster was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for lacerations. He was later booked at the West Valley Detention Center on attempted murder charges. The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information can call Deputy Joshua Young at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) First responders were called out to the Cumberland River Sunday afternoon to recover a body that was discovered in the water. Metro Nashville dispatch said multiple units from the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) were assigned to a water rescue operation shortly before 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 2, but it ended up being a recovery operation. Crash into Antioch ditch leads to miles-long backup on I-24 According to NFD, a 911 caller reported seeing a body (of a person who was beyond help) floating in the river. Fire officials said crews were sent to that location on the waterway, but the water carried the person swiftly along the Cumberland River. As a result, personnel reportedly had to use the What3words app to keep updating the bodys location until they recovered it. Pedestrian hit, killed by train in East Nashville The scene was eventually turned over to the Metro Nashville Police Department. On Monday, June 3, police confirmed the person was identified as 48-year-old Toby James Douglas. Officials said his cause of death is still under investigation. No additional details have been released about this incident, including the exact locations of where the body was spotted and where it was recovered. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. By Sabine Siebold, Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet PRAGUE (Reuters) -NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Friday dismissed warnings by Russian President Vladimir Putin that allowing Ukraine to use Western weapons to strike inside Russian territory might lead to an escalation. Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Prague, Stoltenberg said the alliance had heard such warnings many times before and self-defence was not escalation. "This is nothing new. It has ... been the case for a long time that every time NATO allies are providing support to Ukraine, President Putin is trying to threaten us to not do that," he told reporters. "And an escalation well, Russia has escalated by invading another country." Putin on Tuesday warned NATO members against allowing Ukraine to fire their weapons into Russia and raised once again the risk of nuclear war after several allies lifted restrictions imposed on the use of weapons donated to Kyiv. In a marked policy shift, U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine using U.S. weapons to strike targets inside Russia that were attacking the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed in Prague. He said Washington's move was a result of a U.S. strategy of adjusting and adapting to the battleground, indicating that Moscow's attacks on Kharkiv have necessitated this. Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, is 19 miles (30 km) from the border with Russia. KHARKIV OFFENSIVE Russian fighter jets flying inside Russia out of reach of Ukrainian air defences have been supporting the offensive by loosing high-precision glide bombs at Ukrainian defence lines and into Kharkiv, where they have caused numerous civilian casualties. Stoltenberg said Ukraine had the right to strike legitimate military targets inside Russia, especially since the border and the front line near Kharkiv were more or less the same, and it was not reasonable to assume Kyiv should not hit back. "Ukraine has the right for self-defence, we have the right to help Ukraine uphold the right for self-defence, and that does not make NATO allies a party to the conflict," he added. "That was the case back in February 2022, that was the case last year, that remains the case." In Berlin on Friday, a German government spokesman said Ukraine could use weapons supplied by Berlin to defend itself against attacks launched from just inside Russia against the Kharkiv border region, in accordance with international law. In Prague, Dutch Foreign Minister Hanke Bruins Slot stressed Ukraine's right to self-defence without imposing geographical limits on the use of weapons. But other allies such as Italy refuse to go this far, with its foreign minister arguing that his country was banned by the constitution from allowing Kyiv to use donated weapons outside Ukraine. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis called on these allies to change their stance since "the time is coming when it will be determined whether we as an alliance are serious ... about assisting Ukraine to win this war". "I have always been of an opinion that Ukrainians are absolutely capable of defining the targets. I have full confidence that they know and understand what is needed, where the threat comes from," Landsbergis told reporters. His comments were echoed by his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski, who stressed that Warsaw had never imposed such restrictions. "We wish Ukraine victory, we wish them the recovery of all the occupied territories ... Ukraine has the right to defend itself according to the rules of humanitarian law." (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Humeyra Pamuk, Jan Lopatka and Jason Hovet in Prague, Alan Charlish in Warsaw and Enrico Sciacovelli in GdanskEditing by Benoit Van Overstraeten, Gareth Jones, Alison Williams and Giles Elgood) John Hood RALEIGH North Carolina is becoming a national leader in expanding choice and competition in education. For some North Carolinians, this is a source of pride. For others, its shameful. Our state ranks fifth on the Center for Education Reforms Parent Power Index. On the Cato Institutes index of educational freedom, we rank 12th. By other measures, North Carolina is middling but poised to leap into the top echelon, powered by recent expansions of our Opportunity Scholarships and surging interest in charter schools. Im not going to deny that theres a partisan dynamic at work. Most states that create or expand programs promoting choice and competition have Republican legislatures, Republican governors, or both. And GOP lawmakers skeptical of educational freedom tend to lose their primaries, while Democratic lawmakers who favor it tend to attract spirited primary opposition (though they dont necessarily succumb to it). But I will have to say that to a large extent, critics of school choice have sidelined themselves by making foolish and counterproductive arguments. Its not as if school choice is invulnerable to criticism. All public policies have pros and cons, upsides and downsides, potential benefits and evident risks. Program design matters a lot. There are better and worse ways of expanding educational freedom, in my view, just as there are better and worse ways of enacting any policy change. Rather than subjecting school choice to normal policy analysis, however, many critics peddle conspiracy theories. They allege that advocates are out to destroy all public schools, or resegregate schools, or use choice programs to instigate a Christian nationalist takeover of America. These allegations are based on willful or reckless misrepresentation of the ideas origins and public support. School choice is a popular idea, embraced by most Americans, not some fringe idea that requires extraordinary explanation. Choice and competition have long been evident in higher education, in preschool education, in health care, and in other fields where government funding plays a major role but producers and consumers are free to make their own decisions about where and how services are delivered. Ive spent all of my adult life around school-choice proponents. Indeed, I spent my childhood around them, too, since both of my parents were public-school educators who strongly favored vouchers and other means of expanding educational opportunity. The caricatures of school-choice leaders presented by progressive critics bears no resemblance to the actual human beings I know, work with, or love. Theres no undercover scheme to be revealed here, no mystery to be solved. People favor school choice because they think it will best serve the interests of students, families, educators, and taxpayers. Academic achievement is certainly part of the pitch. I would submit a fair reading of the empirical evidence shows that as parental choice and school competition go up, so do average test scores and educational attainment. For example, a series of studies by Ludger Woessmann of the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Martin West of Harvard University, and their colleagues found countries that foster competition by directing tax dollars to private schools tend, all other factors held equal, to produce higher scores on Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) tests. Poor students benefit disproportionately. Rather than harming disadvantaged students, they concluded, accountability, autonomy, and choice are mostly tides that lift all boats. Those arent the only outcomes were interested in, of course. One purpose for public finance of elementary and secondary education is to encourage responsible citizenship and community engagement. Choice and competition are helpful here, as well. Authors of a recent Educational Psychology Review study examined four civic outcomes: political tolerance, political participation, civic knowledge and skills, and voluntarism and social capital. They found that, on average, private schooling boosts any civic outcome by 0.055 standard deviations over public schooling. Religious private schooling, particularly, is strongly associated with positive civic outcomes. Still not convinced? Fine. Offer counterarguments. But if you charge policymakers with racism or call them other names, dont expect them to listen. John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His latest books, Mountain Folk and Forest Folk, combine epic fantasy with early American history (FolkloreCycle.com). This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: John Hood writes about school choice, education in NC WASHINGTON With the drama surrounding the state's presidential caucuses far in the rearview mirror, Iowa voters now turn to primaries on Tuesday for the narrowly divided U.S. House as well as the Republican-controlled state Legislature. One race in the 3rd Congressional District may play a decisive role in determining which party will win control of the chamber in November. Competing for the Democratic nomination are Lanon Baccam, a former U.S. Department of Agriculture official and Afghanistan war veteran, and Melissa Vine, a mental health counselor and leader of a nonprofit that supports women who have experienced trauma. They hope to unseat U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, a first-term Republican who barely edged Democratic incumbent Cindy Axne in 2022. Nunn is unopposed for the GOP nomination. Home to the state capital of Des Moines and much of the state's Democratic base, the 3rd District is the most competitive of the Iowa's four U.S. House seats. Voters there gave Republican then-President Donald Trump a slim advantage over Democratic challenger Joe Biden in 2020, 49.2% to 48.8%. The Republican incumbents in the 1st and 4th Congressional Districts have both drawn primary challengers from their right flanks. In the 1st District in southeastern Iowa, U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks faces David Pautsch, an advertising executive, former Army tuba player and Gold Star father. Miller-Meeks entered the final stretch of the primary campaign with nearly $1.9 million in the bank, compared with just slightly more than $6,000 for Pautsch. By mid-May, she had spent about $1.4 million on the race, nearly 50 times hiss spending. The winner will face former state Rep. Christina Bohannan, who is unopposed in the Democratic primary. Miller-Meeks defeated Bohannan in the 2022 general election, 53% to 47%. Voters in the 1st District preferred Trump over Biden in 2020 by a margin of about 3 percentage points. In the sprawling 4th Congressional District in western and northwestern Iowa, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra seeks a third term but first must overcome a challenge from Kevin Virgil, a former CIA officer and retired Army Ranger. Like Miller-Meeks, Feenstra also far surpasses his challenger in terms of fundraising. As of mid-May, Feenstra had spent $3.3 million on the race and had nearly $1.1 million in the bank. At that same point, Virgil had spent about $83,000 and had slightly more than $4,000 on hand. Virgil does have the endorsement of former U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Republican who represented the area for nearly 20 years but who lost his bid for a 10th term to Feenstra in the 2020 primary. The 4th District is the safest congressional seat for Iowa Republicans. Voters there backed Trump in 2020 with 62% of the vote, compared with 36% for Biden. Further down the ballot are nearly two dozen contested primaries for the state Legislature, mostly on the Republican side. Half of the 50 state Senate seats and all 100 state House seats are up for election in November. Republicans have a lock on Iowa's state government, with a Republican governor, a supermajority in the state Senate and a near-supermajority in the state House. Here's a look at what to expect on Tuesday: Primary day Iowa's state primaries will be held Tuesday. Polls close at 8 p.m. The ballot The Associated Press will provide vote coverage and declare winners in contested primaries for the U.S. House, the state Senate and the state House. There are key races in the 1st, 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts and in state House District 34. Who can vote Only voters registered with a party may participate in that party's primary, but any voter may register or change party affiliation on the day of the primary. Decision notes In the 3rd Congressional District Democratic primary, the key county to watch is Polk, home of Des Moines and the district's Democratic base. The rest of the district is made up of smaller, more rural counties mostly along the Missouri border that all went for Nunn in the general election. The places to watch in the 1st Congressional District are Johnson County, home of Iowa City, and Scott County, home of Davenport. In the heavily Republican 4th Congressional District, the biggest sources of votes are Story County, where Ames is located, and Woodbury, Pottawattamie and Sioux Counties along the South Dakota and Nebraska borders. Woodbury is home to Sioux City. In Iowa state primaries, a candidate must receive at least 35% of the vote to win their party's nomination. If not, the nominees are chosen at party conventions. This applies only to races with three or more candidates, which on Tuesday are the Republican primary in state Senate District 38 and the Democratic primaries in state House Districts 34 and 53. Winner determinations could be delayed in these races if a candidate hovers near the 35% threshold. The AP does not make projections and will declare a winner only when it's determined there is no scenario that would allow the trailing candidates to close the gap. If a race has not been called, the AP will continue to cover any newsworthy developments, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory. In doing so, the AP will make clear that it has not yet declared a winner and explain why. Iowa does not have an automatic recount law, but candidates may request and pay for a recount. Candidates do not have to pay for recounts when the margin is less than 1% of the total vote or fewer than 50 votes, whichever is larger. The AP may declare a winner in a race that is eligible for a recount if it can determine the lead is too large for a recount or legal challenge to change the outcome. Turnout As of May 1, there were about 2.2 million registered voters in Iowa. Of those, about 30% were Democrats, 35%% were Republicans and 35% were not registered with any party. In the 2022 primaries, turnout in Iowa was about 7% of registered voters in the Democratic primary and about 9% in the Republican primary. About 25% of Democratic primary voters and 16% of Republican primary voters cast their ballots before primary day that year. As of Tuesday, a total of 15,352 ballots had been cast ballots before primary day, about 42% in the Democratic primary and 58% in the Republican primary. Counting the votes In Iowa's 2022 primaries, the AP first reported results at 8:12 p.m., or 12 minutes after polls closed. The election night tabulation ended at 1:29 a.m. with about 99% of total votes counted. On to November As of Tuesday, there will be 154 days until the November general election. Women hug relatives of the Ukrainian journalist and volunteer combat medic Iryna Tsybukh during a memorial service on Independence square in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sunday, June 2, 2024. Nearly 1,000 people attended a ceremony Sunday honoring the memory of Ukrainian journalist Iryna Tsybukh, who was killed in action while serving as a combat medic a few days before her 26th birthday. Tsybukh was killed while on rotation in Kharkiv area, where Russia started its offensive nearly a month ago. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka) KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Nearly 1,000 people attended a ceremony Sunday honoring the memory of Ukrainian journalist Iryna Tsybukh, who was killed in action while serving as a volunteer combat medic a few days before her 26th birthday. Tsybukh was killed while on rotation in the Kharkiv area, where Russia started its offensive nearly a month ago. She had left a note describing how she wished the ceremony to be held, asking people to sing Ukrainian songs and attend in vyshyvankas traditional embroidered shirts instead of black clothes. I want everyone to sing at the farewell, to learn at least 10 meaningful songs and sing them in unison, to extinguish sorrow with native songs, she wrote. And instead of flowers, she said, she asked people to make donations to the Hospitallers Volunteer Medical Batallion, in which she served. A large crowd gathered in the courtyard of Kyivs St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery, where the memorial service was held. People later joined a column that moved to central Independence Square, a ritual that has become common during funerals of servicemen killed in action. As the wide column went along central Mykhailivska Street, passing the stores and restaurants, people turned to the streets and those who were walking stopped to pay tribute to Tsybukh. Some knelt, including children, and men took off their caps and held them to their hearts. The crowd was chanting Heroes dont die, while wiping away tears. Tsybukhs death sparked wide reaction on social media, where her letter went viral for several days after her death. Today everything is behind me, my life has ended, and it was important for me to live it with dignity: to be an honest, kind, and loving person," she said in the letter that she wrote a year ago while serving in the embattled Donetsk region. Her brother shared it, as she wished, on Instagram. To have the strength to be a free person, one must be brave, she wrote. As the column arrived at Independence Square, hundreds knelt as the closed casket covered with the blue-yellow national flag was placed at the front. Thousands of people wore vyshyvankas, which are usually worn for celebrations, and took turns to approach the casket. Tsybukh's close friends distributed printed lyrics of the songs that she wished to be sung during her funeral, including songs that have become symbolic of Ukraines resistance to Russias armed aggression. We will sing each passing minute, in honor of how she saved the military with every minute, said one of Tsybukh's friends through the loudspeaker. For two hours, people continued to approach the casket to say goodbye. A funeral is scheduled to be held on Monday in Tsybukh's hometown of Lviv. Among those attending the memorial service were many soldiers, activists, journalists and people who followed Tsybukh on social media. I am very grateful to everyone who is here today because it means we are united, we are strong, we will endure, said Tsybukhs friend Kateryna Serdiuk. Her cause will live on because we are alive and we will carry on For the past two years, funerals in Ukraine have become daily occurrences. The realization that our best are dying shatters the heart into pieces that can never be put back together, said Serdiuk. Before Russias invasion, Tsybukh was part of the managing team who implemented reforms of Ukraines public broadcaster Suspilne, she also oversaw educational projects in remote villages in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. She joined the Hospitallers, a volunteer unit, shortly after the outbreak of the war. She had previously completed several rotations since 2014, when Russia first started armed aggression in eastern Ukraine. Tsybukh facilitated the evacuation of wounded soldiers from the battlefield and provided many with first aid. In November she received the Order of Merit, 3rd class, from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. I am a young girl just like any in France or Spain. The only difference is that we have a totalitarian regime on our border that attacked the country I love dearly, she said in interview with Elle in 2022. That is why I defend my country, and I am ready to die to have freedom in my country. At least 91 media workers have been killed since the outbreak of the war, according to the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus aide confirmed Sunday that Israel will accept the U.S. proposal to end the war in Gaza put together by President Biden but only sort of, Reuters reported. Ophir Falk, the chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, claimed that the proposed framework is flawed and in need of work. Biden announced Friday that Israel has proposed a three-part plan that would lead to a total cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages who have been held there for the last eight months. It is time for this war to end, he said. However, the deal is yet to be finalized. National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, emphasized Bidens message Sunday on ABC News This Week, referring to the plan as an Israeli proposal, one that they arrived at after intense diplomacy with our own national security team, and over at the State Department. Falk told Britains Sunday Times that Bidens proposal was a deal we agreed to its not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them. He explained that many details needed to be worked out and that its a no-deal from Israel unless all their objectives are met. These conditions have not changed the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organization. Of the three-phase plan outlined by Israel, phase one includes a truce and the return of hostages held by Hamas. After this, for a second phase, the sides may discuss ceasing hostilities so that the remaining live captives are let go, Biden said, according to Reuters. Biden is not the only pressure for a ceasefire that Netanyahu has to consider. Bezalel Smotrich, the Finance Minister and leader of the Religious Zionism party, and Itamar Ben-Gvir, the National Security Minister and head of the Otzma Yehudit party, both issued statements Saturday that say they will leave the government if the destruction of Hamas demand is not met, The Israel Times reported. Gvir took to X to call the proposal a victory for terrorism that would lead to absolute defeat. He threatened to dissolve the government if Netanyahu agreed to the proposal. On the other hand, Yair Lapid, an Israeli opposition leader, said that Gvir and Smotrichs threats showed a neglect of national security, of the hostages and of the residents of the north and the south. Lapid, who had earlier pledged to support the Israeli prime minister if he accepted the deal, took to X to post There is a deal on the table and it needs to be done. I remind Netanyahu that he has a security network from us for the hostage deal if Ben Gvir and Smotrich leave the government. This article was originally published in New Hampshire Bulletin. This story was updated on May 28 at 5 p.m. Patrick Keefe says he just wanted to teach Toni Morrisons Beloved. The high school English teacher has long included the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about slavery in his curriculum at Litchfields Campbell High School. And in the past, he had questioned students about whether Morrisons themes about the legacy of slavery applied to the present. But after a state law passed in 2021 that regulated how teachers may talk about race and other concepts to students, Keefe became more cautious, he testified in a deposition last year. Any student-led discussion about structural racism might lead to a complaint under the new law, and might cause Keefe to lose his teaching license, he feared. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter On Tuesday, a federal judge cited Keefe and other teachers examples in an order striking down the law, siding with teachers unions and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire and ruling that the law is unconstitutionally vague. In his decision, Judge Paul Barbadoro held that the law, known by opponents as the divisive concepts or banned concepts law, violated teachers 14th Amendment rights because it is too vague for them to follow. The Amendments are viewpoint-based restrictions on speech that do not provide either fair warning to educators of what they prohibit or sufficient standards for law enforcement to prevent arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement, Barbadoro wrote, referring to the statutory changes passed by the law. The law prohibits K-12 public school staff from any instruction that advocates for four concepts: that a person of any race, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristic is inherently superior to another; that any individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive against another for any characteristic; that an individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment for any characteristic; and that people of one characteristic cannot and should not attempt to treat others without regard to one of their characteristics. The characteristics covered by the law are a persons age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, religion, or national origin. The law, which was in part modeled after an executive order by President Donald Trump that applied to federal employees and was repealed by President Joe Biden, was presented by Republican lawmakers as an anti-discrimination statute meant to ensure that all students were treated equally. It came as Republican lawmakers raised concerns about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts implemented in public schools, and argued that teachers were espousing critical race theory in classrooms. The law allowed parents to bring complaints to the states Commission for Human Rights against teachers and school staff who they believed violated the new anti-discrimination statute. And it gave the State Board of Education the power to revoke educators teaching licenses if they were found by the commission to be in violation. But teachers unions and others raised concerns that the prohibited concepts were too unclear to follow and would result in educators self-censoring instruction around certain topics such as race or gender for fear of losing their teaching credentials. In his order Tuesday, Barbadoro sided with the states two teachers unions the National Education Association of New Hampshire (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers of New Hampshire (AFT) who had argued that the law violated their 14th Amendment rights because it did not provide clear guidance of what teachers should or shouldnt teach. Barbadoros ruling grants declaratory relief to plaintiffs, meaning he is ruling that the law is unconstitutional, but it does not grant injunctive relief a stricter ruling that would have stopped the state from carrying out the law. In his order, Barbadoro wrote that he didnt believe he needed the latter relief because he believed the state would respect the ruling and stop enforcing the law. The ruling was a setback for the state, which had argued that the Attorney Generals Office had given teachers sufficient guidance in a Frequently Asked Questions document released in 2021 that outlined scenarios in which teachers would violate or not violate the law. There are no known cases of New Hampshire teachers who have been found by the Commission for Human Rights to have violated the law. But Barbadoro said there were a number of scenarios that the FAQs did not address. One such unanswered question centered on Keefes attempts to teach Beloved. According to his deposition, Keefe had asked for clarity from his schools administration but was told there was none available other than the Attorney Generals Frequently Asked Questions, Barbadoro noted. Barbadoro also noted the example of Jennifer Given, a former high school social studies teacher at the Hollis Brookline High School who felt the need to significantly modify her teaching methods out of fear that [she] would be accused of violating the Amendments, regardless of whether she was actually doing so. And he argued that the uncertainty applied to extracurricular activities as well, citing the testimony of Ryan Richman, a high school history teacher at Timberlane Regional High School. Richman said as a faculty adviser for the schools Model United Nations team, he felt the law hampered his ability to help students for their competition in fear of saying something that might be seen as a violation. Barbadoro used the examples to bolster his larger conclusion. The Amendments are vague not because they subject teachers to severe professional sanctions, but because they fail to provide teachers with sufficient notice of what is prohibited and raise the specter of arbitrary and discretionary enforcement, he ruled. He also said that the vagueness would allow state officials to apply their own arbitrary interpretations to enforcement. Because the Amendments fail to establish minimal guidelines to govern [their] enforcement, officials are free to pursue their personal predilections when applying the law, Barbadoro wrote. The decision was hailed by the plaintiffs; Gilles Bissonnette, legal director of the ACLU of New Hampshire, called it a victory for academic freedom and an inclusive education for all New Hampshire students. New Hampshires banned concepts law stifled New Hampshire teachers efforts to provide a true and honest education, agreed NEA-NH President Megan Tuttle in a statement. Students, families, and educators should rejoice over this court ruling which restores the teaching of truth and the right to learn for all Granite State students. And it was cheered on by Democrats, including the two lead Democratic candidates for governor. Former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig praised the plaintiffs who fought this unconstitutional law. In her own statement, Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington said, Teachers should be free to teach the truth and students should be free to learn. Republicans said they would redouble efforts to pass the bill. In a statement, former state Senate President Chuck Morse, a Republican candidate for governor who had helped push for the law in the Senate, said he was deeply disappointed in the decision but vowed to press on. As Governor, I will work tirelessly with lawmakers, educators, and community leaders to draft and pass a stronger bill that addresses the courts concerns while keeping our fundamental goal intact: to prevent the dissemination of any materials that promote racial superiority or inferiority, Morse said. In a post on X, State Rep. Keith Ammon, a New Boston Republican, wrote: Judge Barbadoro just put stopping Critical Race Theory back on the ballot in November. 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. New Hampshire Bulletin maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Dana Wormald for questions: info@newhampshirebulletin.com. Follow New Hampshire Bulletin on Facebook and Twitter. No way out without bloodshed: the right believe the US is under threat and are mobilizing The posts are ominous. Pick a side, or YOU are next, wrote conservative talkshow host Dan Bongino on the Truth Social media platform in the aftermath of Donald Trumps 34 felony convictions. The replies were even more so. Dan, seriously now, one user wrote in response to Bongino. I see no way out of all this mess without bloodshed. When you can rig an election, then weaponize the government and the courts against a former President, what other alternative is there? Im almost 70 and would rather die than live in tyranny. Thats a common version of how many people on the US right reacted to the ex-presidents verdict, drawing on a mirror world where Trump is seen as the selfless martyr to powerful state forces and Joe Biden is the dangerous autocrat wielding the justice system as his own personal plaything and a threat to US democracy. Calls for revenge, retribution and violence littered the rightwing internet as soon as Trumps guilty verdict came down, all predicated on the idea that the trial had been a sham designed to interfere with the 2024 election. Some posted online explicitly saying it was time for hangings, executions and civil wars. In this case, Trump was charged with falsifying documents related to a hush-money payment made to an adult film actor to keep an alleged affair out of the spotlight during the 2016 election a form of election interference from a man whose platform lately consists largely of blaming others for election interference. The verdict has been followed by a backlash from his followers, those who for years chanted to lock up Trumps political opponents, like Hillary Clinton. On the left, the mood was downright celebratory, a brief interlude of joy that Trump might finally be held accountable for his actions. But there was an undercurrent of worry among some liberals, who saw the way these felonies could galvanize support for him. On the right, in the alternate reality created by and for Trump and his supporters, the convictions are a sign of both doom and dogma evidence that a corrupt faction runs the Joe Biden government, but that it can be driven out by the Trump faithful like themselves. Trumps allies in Congress want to use the federal governments coffers to send a message to Biden that the verdict crosses a line, saying the jurys decision turned our judicial system into a political cudgel. Some Senate Republicans vowed not to cooperate with Democratic priorities or nominees effectively politicizing the government as recompense for what they claim is a politicization of the courts. They echoed a claim Trump himself has repeatedly driven home to his followers: that his political opponents, namely Biden, are a threat to democracy, a rebrand of how Biden and Democrats often cast Trump. For his most ardent followers, the stakes of the 2024 election are existential, the idea that he might lose a cause for intense rhetoric and threats. And, for some, the convictions provide another reason to take matters into their own hands during a time when support for using violence to achieve political goals is on the rise. Indictments against Trump fueled this support, surveys have shown. Some rightwing media and commentators, like Bongino and the Gateway Pundit, displayed upside-down flags on social media, a sign of distress and a symbol among Trump supporters that recently made the news because one flew at US supreme court justice Samuel Alitos home after the insurrection. The terms banana republic and kangaroo court flew around, as did memes comparing Biden to Nazi or fascist leaders. Telegram channels lit up with posts about how the end of the US was solidified unless Trump wins again in November. If we jail Trump, get rid of Maga, end the electoral college, ban voter ID, censor free speech, well save democracy, says one meme in a QAnon channel on Telegram that depicts Biden in a Nazi uniform with a Hitler mustache. Tucker Carlson, the rightwing media heavyweight, waxed apocalyptic: Import the third world, become the third world. Thats what we just saw. This wont stop Trump. Hell win the election if hes not killed first. But it does mark the end of the fairest justice system in the world. Anyone who defends this verdict is a danger to you and your family. Trumps supporters also opened their wallets, sending a record-shattering $34.8m in small-dollar donations to Trumps campaign on Thursday, the Trump campaign claimed. The massive haul came after Trump declared himself a political prisoner (he is not in prison) and declared justice dead in the US in a dire fundraising pitch. Their sick & twisted goal is simple: Pervert the justice system against me so much, that proud supporters like YOU will SPIT when you hear my name, Trumps campaign wrote. BUT THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN! NOW ITS TIME FOR ME & YOU TO SHOVE IT BACK IN THEIR CORRUPT FACES! The real verdict, Trump wrote on Truth Social, would come on 5 November. Posts calling 5 November a new independence day and comparing 2024 to 1776 but a revolution not against the British, but among Americans for the control of the country spread widely. Misinformation and rumors spread as well, with the potential that these rumors could lead to further action by Republicans to avenge Trump. In one viral claim, people say its not clear what crimes Trump even committed (the charges for falsifying documents are listed in detail in the indictment, and have been broken down piece by piece by the media). In another, posts claim the judge gave incorrect instructions to the jury before deliberations, which an Associated Press fact check deemed false. Suggestions that the conviction was an op or a psyop meaning a planned manipulation, a common refrain on the far right whenever something big happens spread as well. Talk quickly went to what Maga should do to stand up for Trump, and about how the verdicts fans, and Democrats in general, would come to regret seeking accountability in the courts. This is going to be the biggest political backfire in US history, the conservative account Catturd posted on Truth Social. Im feeling a tremendous seismic shift in the air. Kash Patel, a former Trump administration staffer and ally, suggested one way forward: Congress should subpoena the bank records of Merchans daughter, he said. The daughter became a frequent target throughout the trial she worked as a Democratic consultant and has fundraised for Democratic politicians. Ohio senator JD Vance called for a criminal investigation into Merchan, and potentially his daughter, whom Vance said was an obvious beneficiary of Merchans biased rulings. Patel also said prosecutor Alvin Bragg should be subpoenaed for any documents related to meetings with the Biden administration. In case you need a jurisdictional hook- Braggs office receives federal funds from DOJ to administer justice- GET ON IT, he wrote. Megyn Kelly said Bragg should be disbarred, without offering a reason for what would justify it. Some Trump allies sought to project calm amid the vitriol, saying they had known the verdict would come down as it did because the process had been rigged, and that people needed to keep focused on winning in November. Steve Bannon, who himself is awaiting some time in prison for criminal contempt, said immediately after the verdict was released that it was not going to damage President Trump at all. Its time to collect yourself and say, yes, weve seen whats happened. Weve seen how they run the tables in this crooked process. But youve got to say, hey, Im more determined than ever to set things right. (NEXSTAR) The American imprint continues to run deep throughout Normandy. American flags line the streets representing the support and commitment for the Allied cause during World War II that remains today. Every American leaves here a little prouder, and every foreigner leaves here [with] a little more respect for America, Normandy American Cemetery Superintendent, Scott Desjardins said. Today, thousands of soldiers who died on the shores of Normandy are buried at the Normandy American Cemetery. All of those guys who are buried there, that was a sacrifice for all of us here in this country, Daughter of Pvt. Roy Talhelm, Donna Allen said. Strategic planning for D-Day began in 1943 while President Frankin Roosevelt and his generals were aboard the USS Iowa on their way to the Tehran Conference. It was there that the Western Allies committed to launching the D-Day invasion, code named Operation Overlord. On June 5, 1944, thousands of ships and close to 200,000 troops began the journey to Normandy, in what would be the largest air, land and naval operation in warfare history. By June 30, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and supplies had landed on the Normandy shores. Fighting by Allied forces on the Western Front, and Russian forces on the Eastern Front, led to the defeat of the German Nazi forces. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) A North Carolina man drowned at Smith Mountain Lake Saturday, according to the Franklin County Sheriffs Office. Authorities say around 7:40 p.m., someone reported that 73-year-old Stephen Sykes of Littleton, North Carolina had fallen into the water at Magnum Point Marina and hadnt resurfaced. Deputies searched the water and found Sykes dead. While they believe his death was an accident, they say it is an active investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. An intensifying military alliance between Russia and North Korea could spell trouble for President Biden in November. Pyongyang already accused of supplying Moscow with vast amounts of munitions for its war in Ukraine in return for military technology is suspected of planning a major provocative military action close to the U.S. presidential election, according to U.S. intelligence and experts. That stormcloud on the horizon comes in addition to an expanded deal between the two countries that could be inked in a few weeks during an expected visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea to meet leader Kim Jong Un. Such a deal would likely further entrench the grinding war in Ukraine and bolster Pyongyangs nuclear aims, increasing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region during an already rocky year for Biden when it comes to foreign policy. This is definitely something that the Biden administration has to worry about, said Harry Kazianis, the senior director of national security affairs at the Center for the National Interest think tank. The alliance between Kim and Putin has been steadily growing since September, when the two first met to negotiate the purchase of North Korean artillery shells, rockets and missiles in exchange for valuable Russian military technology. By November, U.S. and South Korean officials estimated Pyongyang had sent a million artillery shells to Moscow in addition to rockets and ballistic missiles a violation of numerous U.N. sanctions on both countries though North Korea firmly denies those claims. The North Korean missiles have had a deadly impact in Ukraine, according to Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh. Weve seen this deepening of partnership between North Korea and Russia. We know that the munitions being supplied by DPRK to Russia are being used on the battlefield in Ukraine, she told reporters Thursday, referring to the countrys official name of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea. We know that they have been successful in causing damage to infrastructure, causing civilians to be killed. Now, with Putin planning to visit Kim in the next several weeks, experts predict a further solidified military alliance. The union is beneficial for both Russias aim of grinding down Ukraine and North Koreas nuclear and space ambitions, but its problematic for the rest of the globe. The relationship between Russia and North Korea makes Russia a little bit more dangerous and a little bit more problematic, but it makes North Korea a lot more dangerous and a lot more problematic, said Markus Garlauskas director of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council. Garlauskas told The Hill the alliance is likely to embolden Kim into levels of escalation he might not otherwise be willing to take, while also helping North Korea refine their capabilities and give them insights as to how they can use those in real conflicts or full-scale war. Kim, in particular, is reportedly looking to Russia to help North Korea complete final steps needed to launch its first nuclear-armed submarine, as well as successfully get a spy satellite into space. I think theres going to be a lot of talk about a very firm military partnership, Kazianis said of the upcoming meeting. I think the North Koreans are going to formalize their aid to Russia in terms of military hardware, missiles, all that type of stuff. And I think the Russians are going to be reciprocating by offering satellite equipment, [Intercontinental Ballistic Missile] technology, missile technology, helping with advanced artillery equipment. He said such an agreement is extremely dangerous for the Biden administration given North Koreas already potent arsenal that could soon be bolstered by Soviet technology. I think the Biden administration has got to start thinking about what they can do to limit that impact and I dont think they are right now, he added. Russias military, which is eating up ammunition on the battlefield faster than its factories can churn it out, will continue to need help from the outside, likely from North Koreas surplus of old military stocks left over from the Korean War, according to Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). In exchange, North Korea appears eager for a major military boost via Moscow after a series of setbacks, including Mondays explosion of a spy satellite launch just minutes after liftoff the third such failure in Pyongyangs last four attempts to put a satellite into orbit. That failure set off an angry barrage of at least 10 North Korea ballistic missiles fired from Pyongyang into the Sea of Japan on Thursday, according the U.S. and South Korean officials. Russia would not [normally] give important technology to North Korea but because Putin needs this ammunition hes probably willing to provide things that he or his predecessors were not willing to provide in the past, Cha said. The Ukraine war is about the best thing that could have ever happened for North Korea, he added. Its like the candy store has opened upjust because theyve got Putin in a position where he needs North Korea more than North Korea needs Putin. Such an agreement between the two countries definitely complicates the situation for Biden because Putin is now doing things with North Korea that not only affects the battlefield in Ukraine, but affects security in the Indo-Pacific, Cha said. It is quite concerning. Whats more, North Koreas saber rattling could soon ramp up. Data compiled by CSIS shows that North Korea typically increases their military activity in U.S. presidential election years by nearly four times their usual pace. But U.S. intelligence officials are further bracing for the isolated nation to undertake a major military action potentially the largest in a decade close to November, NBC News reported. Kazianis said he fully expects a so-called October surprise from Pyongyang to be a nuclear test as the last couple of years North Korea has fallen off the U.S. media map Hes got to do something really big. The biggest thing he could do that he hasnt done in years is a nuclear test, Kazianis said. The question for Kim is, does he make it a tactical nuclear weapons test thats kind of small but can show a new military capability? Or does he go big and prove to the world that he has the ability to produce hydrogen bombs? That possibility has been bolstered by U.S. intelligence that points to increased activity at one of the North Korean nuclear test facilities. In addition, satellite images from April 2 by Beyond Parallel, a CSIS project, showed activity at Tunnel No. 3 at North Koreas Punggye-ri nuclear facility. Any activity in or around Tunnel No. 3 is always of concern as both the United States and South Korea have assessed North Korea as having completed all the required preparations for conducting a seventh nuclear test from the tunnel, the group noted. Others, including Cha, predicted North Korea will continue its pace of missile demonstrations through the rest of this year, which could include a major ICBM test flight. And North Korea does not appear to be swayed to give up on its military ambitions by any outside prodding. The U.S. has made no significant headway with the Kim regime since Biden has been in office, despite multiple offers to begin talks without any conditions. The one outreach attempt made this year garnered no response, officials told NBC.a Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. North Korea launched about 600 rubbish-filled balloons towards its southern neighbour on Saturday night, hitting South Korea with payloads of cigarette butts, scraps of cloth, waste paper and vinyl. It follows a similar campaign a few days earlier, meaning that since last Tuesday, the North has sent over a total of around 800 trash balloons, spreading rubbish across the South Korean capital Seoul. The office of South Koreas president Yoon Suk-yeol called the balloons dirty provocations no normal country would think of, and vowed that his country would take retaliatory steps that North Korea would find unbearable. South Koreas joint chiefs of staff issued a statement saying the military was monitoring the starting point the balloons were being launched from, and conducting aerial reconnaissance to track down and collect them. It also advised people to beware of falling objects, not to touch objects suspected to be from North Korea, and to report them to military or police offices instead. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damage and the authorities have not found anything hazardous in the rubbish bags suspended below the balloons. In Seoul, the city government sent text alerts saying that unidentified objects suspected to have been flown from North Korea had been detected in skies near the city and that the military was responding to them. A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash and excrement, is seen over a rice field in border county Cheorwon (Reuters) The Norths balloon launches add to a series of provocative actions recently, including a failed attempt to launch a second spy satellite and a barrage of short-range missile launches that the North said was intended to demonstrate its ability to attack the South pre-emptively. A plastic bag carrying various objects believed to have been sent by North Korea lies on a Seoul street (Reuters) On Wednesday, Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, issued a statement confirming that the North had sent the balloons to make good on her countrys recent threat to scatter mounds of wastepaper and filth in South Korea in response to leafleting campaigns by South Korean activists. She hinted that balloons could become the Norths standard response to leafletting, saying they would be scattering rubbish dozens of times more than those being scattered to us. South Koreas unification ministry said on Friday that North Korea must stop the provocations including its missile launches and other acts or face unspecified unbearable consequences. An official collects the debris of a balloon sent by North Korea at a shopping centre in Siheung, west of Seoul, on Sunday (EPA) South Koreas defence minister Shin Won-sik said during a meeting with US defence secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La security dialogue in Singapore on Sunday that the balloons violated the armistice agreement, according to South Koreas military. The two reaffirmed a coordinated response to any North Korean threats and provocations based on the South Korea-US alliances combined defence posture, it added. South Koreas National Security Council standing committee will meet on Sunday afternoon to discuss whether to resume blasting loudspeakers at North Korea in response to the trash balloons, Yonhap news agency reported, citing the presidential office. South Korea stopped blaring propaganda across the border in 2018 after a rare summit with Mr Kim. Additional reporting by agencies North Korea says it is halting sending trash balloons to South Korea after hundreds more float over border North Korea said it was stopping sending trash-filled balloons to South Korea after Seoul reported hundreds more airborne waste deliveries floating across the border. North Koreas vice-defense minister Kim Kang Il said that the country will temporarily halt dropping trash over the border, after claiming to have sent a total of 15 tonnes of trash to its neighbor, according to his statement released by state media KCNA on Sunday. Kim said the balloon were strictly a responsive act to South Koreas years-long practice of sending balloons with anti-North Korea leaflets the other way. Weve let the South Koreans experience enough of how dirty it feels and how much joint effort it takes to clean up spread-out rubbish, Kim said. A South Korean official pledged his country would take unendurable measures against North Korea for sending more trash balloons this weekend, which will be specified in the coming days. The official from the presidential office added that the government will not rule out the issue of resuming [playing] loudspeakers that used to blast propaganda across the demilitarized zone, but had been turned off since a military agreement was signed in 2018. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said no substances harmful to safety were found among the hundreds more balloons that reached the country on Saturday evening unlike just a few days ago when used toilet paper was found in some of the about 150 balloons that crossed the border. The latest photos released by the JCS show a large sack containing what appears to be paper left on the roadside, while other images show officers inspecting the garbage strewn on the ground. Others showed burned-out cigarette butts. According to images released by authorities, the packages are conveyed by large, gas-filled balloons. South Korea said its military is working with the police, local government, safety ministry, and the United Nations Command to safely retrieve the balloons and the debris. The balloons were found in the capital Seoul, as well as the provinces of Gyeonggi and Chungcheong. Some were even spotted more than 300 kilometers (over 185 miles) south of the capital, in Gyeongsang province. Soldiers inspect debris from a balloon sent by North Korea that landed in Incheon, South Korea. - Im Sun-suk/Yonhap/AP The two neighboring countries have been cut off from each other since the end of the Korean War in 1953 with an armistice. They are still technically at war. North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns sister Kim Yo Jong a senior official in the reclusive regime called the balloons sincere presents,. North Korea is almost completely closed off from the rest of the world, with tight control over what information gets in or out. Foreign materials including movies and books are banned, with only a few state-sanctioned exceptions; those caught with foreign contraband often face severe punishment, defectors say. Earlier this year a South Korean research group released rare footage that it claimed showed North Korean teenagers sentenced to hard labor for watching and distributing K-dramas. Restrictions softened somewhat in recent decades as North Koreas relationship with China expanded. Tentative steps to open up allowed some South Korean elements, including parts of its pop culture, to seep into the hermit nation especially in 2017 and 2018, when relations thawed between the two countries. But the situation in North Korea deteriorated in the following years and diplomatic talks fell apart prompting strict rules to snap back into place. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com akela Bureaucrat: The primary, constant goal of an ideal bureaucracy is to define and classify all possible problems and set out regulations regarding each eventuality. Also, an ideal bureaucracy provides an appeal procedure for any complaint. If a complaint reveals an unanticipated problem, the regulations are expanded to cover the new issue, and for this reason an ideal bureaucracy will have an ever-expanding system of regulations. Which one of the following is an assumption the bureaucrats argument requires? (A) An ideal bureaucracy will provide an appeal procedure for complaints even after it has defined and classified all possible problems and set out regulations regarding each eventuality. (B) For each problem that an ideal bureaucracy has defined and classified, the bureaucracy has received at least one complaint revealing that problem. (C) An ideal bureaucracy will never be permanently without complaints about problems that are not covered by that bureaucracys regulations. (D) An ideal bureaucracy can reach its primary goal if, but only if, its system of regulations is always expanding to cover problems that had not been anticipated. (E) Any complaint that an ideal bureaucracy receives will reveal an unanticipated problem that the bureaucracy is capable of defining and classifying. Premises: Conclusion: (A) An ideal bureaucracy will provide an appeal procedure for complaints even after it has defined and classified all possible problems and set out regulations regarding each eventuality. (B) For each problem that an ideal bureaucracy has defined and classified, the bureaucracy has received at least one complaint revealing that problem. (C) An ideal bureaucracy will never be permanently without complaints about problems that are not covered by that bureaucracys regulations. (D) An ideal bureaucracy can reach its primary goal if, but only if, its system of regulations is always expanding to cover problems that had not been anticipated. (E) Any complaint that an ideal bureaucracy receives will reveal an unanticipated problem that the bureaucracy is capable of defining and classifying. Answer (C) ANA PREP BLOG, Private Tutoring Details and Free Trial of Self-Study Products at anaprep.com YouTube Channel: karishma.anaprep Signature Read More The goal of an ideal bureaucracy is to define and classify all possible problems and set out regulations regarding each eventuality.An ideal bureaucracy provides an appeal procedure for any complaint.If a complaint reveals an unanticipated problem, the regulations are expanded to cover the new issuean ideal bureaucracy will have an ever-expanding system of regulations.What would one say is assumed here? Pre-thinking helps in assumption questions if there is a gap. By saying that regulations will keep expanding, we are assuming that unanticipated problems will keep coming through appeals, and hence to cover those the regulations will be expanded.Look at the options:We are given that an ideal bureaucracy provides an appeal procedure for any complaint. We have assumed nothing about what will happen if the bureaucracy achieves its goal. In fact we can infer that an ideal bureaucracy does not achieve its goal (and hence its regulations will be ever expanding) from the argument. Hence this is not an assumption of our argument.We have not assumed it. It is possible that an ideal bureaucracy itself defined and classified a problem, and not in response to a complaint.Correct. This says that there will always be things not covered by the bureaucracys regulations. There will always be complaints about unanticipated problems, and hence to cover those the regulations will be expanded.Illogical statement. If its system of regulations is always expanding to cover problems that had not been anticipated, it will never reach its primary goal.Here "any" stands for every i.e. all.This says that all complaints will reveal an unanticipated problem that the bureaucracy is capable of defining and classifying.Is it necessary to be true? Is it necessary that all complaints will reveal an unanticipated problem? No. Is it necessary that a bureaucracy is capable of defining and classifying every unanticipated problem? No.Hence this is not an assumption.Negation: Not all complaints that an ideal bureaucracy receives will reveal an unanticipated problem that the bureaucracy is capable of defining and classifying.That's all right. Even if there are some complaints that do not reveal an unanticipated problem, its ok. As long as there are some complaints that do reveal an unanticipated problem, our conclusion holds.Discussion on Assumption Questions: https://youtu.be/O0ROJfljRLUA Hard Assumption Question: https://youtu.be/0j4tovGifIg _________________ Following Cyril Ramaphosa's disappointing result from Wednesday's election, the ANC will now need to form a coalition to retain power - OUPA NKOSI/REUTERS South Africas ruling party has vowed not to replace Cyril Ramaphosa, the president, amid calls for him to step down to allow coalition talks to go ahead. Official results from Wednesdays vote show the African National Congress (ANC) has lost its grip on political power for the first time in 30 years. The result means that the ANC must now share power, in the form of a coalition, in order to keep it an unprecedented prospect since the democratic end of white minority rule in 1994. In two weeks time, a new parliament will sit to choose a president, who would likely emerge from the ANC as the biggest party. The partys poor showing has fuelled speculation that Mr Ramaphosas days might be numbered, either because of the demands of a prospective coalition partner or as a result of an internal leadership challenge. Fikile Mbalula, the partys secretary general, said on Sunday the ANC would not bend to pressure from other parties that Mr Ramaphosa, once Nelson Mandelas leading negotiator to end apartheid, must step down. That is a no-go area, he said. COSATU - South Africas largest trade union group and a major ANC ally - also rallied behind Mr Ramaphosa. Matthew Parks, the COSATU spokesman, said: Whats key is that a coalition be led by the ANC and president Ramaphosa. Before Wednesdays vote, the ANC had won every national election by a landslide since 1994, but over the last decade its support has waned. Voters, angry at joblessness, inequality and rolling blackouts, withdrew their support for the legacy party of Mandela to 40 per cent, down from 57.5 per cent in the 2019 parliamentary vote. Fikile Mbalula, the ANC's secretary general, gave a press conference on Sunday saying the party had 'nothing to celebrate' - AP PHOTO Did we commit mistakes? Yes, we did. In governance and everywhere else, Mr Mbalula said on Sunday during the first press briefing the ANC has held since the polls, adding the party had nothing to celebrate. The ANC is committed to the formation of a government that reflects the will of the people, that is stable and that is able to govern effectively, Mr Mbalula added. He said the ANC would be having discussions internally and with other parties to create national and provisional governments that reflect the will of the people and that are able to take the country forward. Counting from the May 29 poll was all but complete on Sunday afternoon, with results in from 99.9 per cent of polling stations. The main opposition party, the white-led, pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA), received 21.8 per cent of votes. uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) spear of the nation in the Zulu language a new party led by Jacob Zuma, the former president, and named after the ANCs former armed wing, managed to take 14.6 per cent, doing most of the damage to the ANC. Despite doing better than expected, MK said it was considering challenging the results in court. The far-Left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, a former ANC youth leader, got 9.5 per cent. The prospect of an ANC coalition with either the EFF or MK has rattled South Africas business community and international investors, who would prefer a partnership that brings in the DA. The leaderships of both the DA and the small Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) were due to meet separately on Sunday to discuss the next steps. Charity McCord, the DA spokesman, said: We will look at the final lie of the land, adding there had been no coalition talks yet with any party. Local media reported that the DA could be open to entering a cooperation pact with the ANC, supporting it in key decisions in exchange for top jobs in parliament. The IFP could also be part of such a deal. Mr Mbalula said the ANCs leadership would meet on Tuesday for discussions on the way forward. 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. PEORIA, Illinois House Speaker Mike Johnson intensified his defense of Donald Trump before headlining a party fundraiser in Illinois on Saturday, as even this deep blue state's Republicans seized on a Manhattan jury's guilty verdict as a rallying cry for the former president. Terrible, Frank Hernandez, a retiree from Caterpillar, said of the verdict while waiting for Johnson to speak at the dinner. The prosecutors, the judge, Biden they were all in cahoots. Johnson, who like many one-time critics of Trump has long since come to his defense and who said immediately after the verdict in Trumps hush money case that the Supreme Court should step in told reporters here Saturday that if he was Trumps attorney, I think I would make an appeal to the Supreme Court. And after an army of online donors poured a staggering $53 million into Trumps presidential campaign, Johnson said it wasnt just Trump raising money off the verdict. House Republicans, too, he said, had a record fundraising day in the first 24 hours after that verdict, though he did not provide a figure. Trump, Johnson said, is not just our nominee, not just an individual running for president. I think now he's seen as a symbol, a symbol of one who is willing to fight back against that corruption, the deep state and all the rest. The full effect of the verdict on the presidential campaign may not be clear for months. Both parties were scrambling Saturday to gain a better read on the electorate, while pollsters were rushing to conduct fast and, for that reason and others likely unreliable polls. Those surveys immediately following the verdict suggested it could become a drag on Trumps White House bid. In a Morning Consult poll , 12 percent of self-reported 2020 Trump voters think he should end his campaign, while a Reuters/Ipsos poll found 10 percent of Republicans and 25 percent of independents say they are less likely to vote for Trump following his conviction. On top of that, its possible that Trump could be imprisoned , though he could also be spared at next months sentencing with a lighter sentence. It was a Democratic prosecutor in New York, not the White House, who brought the case against Trump. And Trump already had significant obstacles to unifying the party, after many moderates defected from him in 2020 and again in the GOP primaries earlier this year. In Illinois, Nikki Haley still got more than 14 percent of the vote in the GOP primary and that was nearly two weeks after she dropped out of the race. But in that same Reuters/Ipsos poll, more than one-third of Republicans said they were more likely to vote for Trump following his felony conviction. And among the GOP grassroots, the trial and the verdict is serving as a call to arms. Hes a fucking criminal, said former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh, who unsuccessfully challenged Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2020. But he will not pay a price for this. In fact, this one will help him. This verdict is going to completely help him. In a MAGA Trump party, he said, its possible the verdict has only unified the party even more. Thats the current consensus among Trump loyalists. Rhonda Belford, an Illinois Republican state central committee member, pointed to Trumps post-verdict fundraising haul, saying it's blowing up like a big cigar on the Democrats, honestly, while Jeanne Ives, a former Republican state lawmaker, said, Youre not going to see those Republicans for Biden signs in front yards. Thats going away. We were divided for eight years, and it has cost us in a lot of different areas, said Jim Rule, chair of the Tazewell County Republican Party that co-hosted the Peoria-Tazewell Lincoln Day Dinner featuring Johnson. Citing anger and what he called a miscarriage of justice, Rule said, I think the Republican Party is understanding the necessity to become one and to get behind Trump. For their part, Democrats have yet to settle on a post-conviction messaging strategy, as was evident in another blue state, Massachusetts, where Democrats held their state party convention. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who sits on Bidens national campaign advisory board and who repeatedly sued the Trump administration when she was the states attorney general, made no mention of the verdict even as she warned that letting the Republican win a second term would be dangerous. Her restraint was in line with the sober approach Biden and many of the partys establishment figures in Washington are taking on the verdict. But Bidens campaign, already with a fundraising advantage over Trump, has been raising money off of the verdict. And on Saturday, other Democrats couldnt resist the subject. Some cracked jokes about the former presidents new criminal record Trumps got 34 problems and being rich aint one, quipped Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). Others used the outcome of the trial to draw a contrast between Trump and Biden. Every time you mention Donald Trump, you should mention convicted felon behind it, Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), who was recently reprimanded for talking about Trumps trial on the House floor, told the crowd of Democratic Party faithful who had packed into an arena in his hometown of Worcester. The crowd was well primed by the time Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), another Biden campaign advisory board member, took the stage toward the end of the convention to deliver a warning. The convicted felon says he wants to be a dictator on Day One, she said. Listen to him. The crowd erupted into chants of Lock him up! Nevada lawmakers passed a law in 1975 allowing courts to charge fees for people represented by public defenders. (Photo: (Photo: Alejandra Rubio/Nevada Current) Policy, politics and progressive commentary Though people have a constitutional right to legal representation, an antiquated Nevada law allows for some to be charged a fee for using a public defender. The law is unevenly applied, state lawmakers were told Friday, and use of it depends on the judge or court. Nick Shepack, the Nevada deputy director of the Fines and Fees Justice Center, called the process the roll of a dice. Our recommendation is to repeal that law and end the public defender fees, which would bring uniformity to the Nevada judicial system and end the uneven practice, he said The organization gave state lawmakers an overview of how courts and judges assess public defenders during an interim Judiciary committee meeting. Alexandra Mork, an intern with the organization, presented lawmakers with an analysis of data from several municipal, justice and district courts. Of the 16 justice and municipal courts I examined, seven charged public defenders fees and nine did not, she said. The use of fees also varies by judges. There were five Clark County judges, she said, who in 2023 assessed fees for over 75% of the defendants before them. There were eight judges who assessed fees on less than 5% of the fees who came before them, she said. The United State Supreme Court ruled in Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963 that people have the right legal counsel, which Shepack said helped established our public defender system throughout the country. But Nevada is one of more than 40 states with laws allowing the assessment of fees to defendants who are represented by public defenders, according to the National Legal Aid & Defender Association. Nevada state lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 70 in 1975 that allowed the courts to charge fees for people receiving public defenders. Going back through these minutes in 1975, the main concern was individuals not being truthful about their income in order to receive public defenders and this was designed to discourage that behavior, Shepack said. However, courts have since established a practice to better determine if people are indigent and cant afford an attorney. Marcie Ryba, the executive director of the Department of Indigent Defense Services, said the Nevada Supreme Court approved an administrative order in 2008 that outlined the process of determining if someone couldnt afford to hire their own representation. According to the court a person will be deemed indigent who is unable without substantial hardship to himself or his dependents to obtain competent, qualified legal counsel on his or her own, she said. If people receive public assistance such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Medicaid, or disability insurance, live in public housing, or earn less than 200% of the federal poverty guideline, they are presumed to have substantial hardship, she said. Mork said the City of Sparks provided data on how two of its judges assessed fees in 2023. While one charged three people out of 913 cases, another charged 58 out of 763 cases. That means if youre in the Sparks Municipal Court and you get one judge, youre 23 times more likely to be charged a fee than if you get the other judge, she said. Even though Mork said public defender fees can trap defendants and families into cycles of debt, collection of these fees are going largely unclaimed. Clark County District Court collected about 8%, or $27,900, of the public defender fees assessed against defendants,, according to the Fines and Fees Justice Center analysis. Washoe County District Court collected $171,541 or about 42% of fees assessed. The analysis doesnt account for all the fees paid by defendants represented by public defenders in Nevada, Mork said. There is no centralized data system, so for some courts we were unable to measure their collection rate percentages because we received only information about either the amount that was collected or the amount that was assessed, but not both, Mork said. Democratic Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen asked about the courts process for collecting the fees and administering the revenue. Is there a collection process for the court system as far as how they are getting the funds, what they are doing to get the funds, and what the cost is to the court system for collecting the funds? she asked. Shepack said collection mechanisms vary by counties and cities. It is very likely that with these low numbers that it is costing more in many courts to attempt to collect these fees than they are actually receiving in the fees, he said. If a person is sentenced to prison, Shepack said there is a mechanism set up through a deduction scheme for anybody who has money deposited on their books by a family member or has a job and gets money deposited on their books from work. The post NV lawmakers urged to stop letting courts charge fees for public defenders appeared first on Nevada Current. NYC Charter Revision Commission chair on Adams: I dont work for the mayor NEW YORK (PIX11) A new, temporary 13-member commission will review New York Citys charter and may propose changes to voters. Carlo Scissura, chair of the commission, sat down with PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino to discuss the commissions purpose, goals, transparency, and the power struggle between Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council. More PIX on Politics Scissura also responded to claims from some elected officials that Mayor Adams has created a tight-knit circle of yes men and yes women. Anybody who knows me will tell you the last thing I am is a yes man. I dont work for the mayor. I am an independent voice, said Scissura. 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. He had a ssscary ssstowaway. A New Yorker crashed a rented U-Haul van he was using to transport a sofa when he discovered a live snake under his seat as he drove across Manhattan Saturday afternoon. Jared, who only wanted to use his last name, was driving through Soho back to his apartment in downtown Brooklyn with his roommate after they picked up a sofa they found on Facebook Marketplace in New Jersey. The 25-year-old trader was driving the van at the intersection of Canal Street and Broadway when he looked down and noticed what he thought was a big toy snake at his roommates feet. Officers hold the snake found in the rented U-Haul van. William Farrington Maybe someone left their toy snake in the car? So I reached down to pick it up, like whats this? Jared told The Post. Jared realized the slithering snake white with yellow stripes and about 3 and a half feet long was actually a live reptile. It was warm and heavy. Then it turned its head and looked at me, Jared said. Jared and his roommate freaked out and started yelling, Oh, fk, he said. Jared, right, and his roommate Will pose after finding a snake in their rented van. Jared called the incident a crazy misfortune. William Farrington There wasnt a lot of coherent thought at this point. I hate snakes. I freaked out. I took my foot off the brake and crashed into the car in front of us, Jared said. After he crashed the U-Haul into the car in front of them, the two roommates still had to deal with the live snake in the truck. I put the car in park, and we had our feet up on the seat. At first, I thought to chuck it out of the window, to get it out of the car, but then I realized we were in Manhattan, there is nowhere for me to really put it. There are pedestrians everywhere, he recalled. Officers search for the big snake in the van. William Farrington A crowd gathered on the sidewalk as multiple officers worked to remove the reptile. William Farrington Two responding female officers didnt want anything to do with the snake, Jared said. Animal control officers eventually arrived and searched the van for the snake before hauling it off in a big, white bag, he said. The snake was found slithering behind the passenger seat of the van. William Farrington Jared doesnt think the snake came from the sofa they bought. We took the couch apart to put it in the truck, so I know there was no snake in the couch, he said. A Post reporter contacted the U-Haul location in the Bronx where Jared rented the truck. A man who refused to give his name answered the phone, but confirmed he reported his harrowing find. U-Hauls are used for many things. I would have no clue how the snake got there. Obviously, Im surprised, the worker told The Post. Jared is just grateful no one was seriously injured. Holy st, what a crazy misfortune. I am so sorry to the girls for hitting their car. I am grateful no one was hurt. It could have been a lot worse. NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) New York Citys 59th annual Israel Day parade kicks off Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on Fifth Avenue, and this year it will include increased security and street closures. The parade is expected to draw more than 40,000 participants, including Israeli dignitaries, celebrities and some of the hostages families. Philippine Independence Day Parade celebrates Filipino culture in NYC The parade in the past was dubbed Celebrate Israel, but organizers said the exuberant atmosphere would be paused this year given the war and Israeli hostages still being held in captivity, as well as outbursts of antisemitism worldwide. The parade is now called Israel Day on Fifth. This is not a mood of confetti and music, said Mark Treyger, CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council. This is more of a mood of unwavering, ironclad solidarity with hostages to bring them home, and also our unwavering love and pride in our Jewish identity. Heres everything you need to know about the 2024 Israel Day parade on Fifth Avenue: Israel Day Parade Route: The parade will kick off on Fifth Avenue and 57th Street and make its way to Fifth Avenue and 74th Street. Where to enter the Israel Day Parade: There are public entry points along Madison Avenue on East 61st, 63rd, 66th, 70th and 73rd Streets, according to the NYPD. Backpacks, umbrellas, lawn chairs, coolers, blankets and large bags are not permitted. These streets will be closed during the Israel Day parade in NYC: 5th Avenue between 52nd Street and 55th Street West 52nd Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue East/West 52nd Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue East/West 53rd Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue East/West 54th Street between Park Avenue and 7th Avenue East/West 55th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue East/West 56th Street between Park Avenue and 6th Avenue 5th Avenue between 52nd Street and 74th Street 5th Avenue between 74th Street and 79th Street East 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue East 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue East 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue East 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue East 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue Security: The NYPD will have increased security Sunday during the Israel Day parade, especially given the huge number of protests across the city in recent months, officials said. Security will include an increased police presence around points of entry and along the parade route, according to Police Commissioner Edward Caban. Police officials said they will also ensure peoples freedom of expression. This Sunday kicks off our parade season and every one of these events is an opportunity for people to celebrate the cultural diversity that makes our city great, Caban said. PIX11s Ben Mitchell contributed to this report. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter from Los Angeles who has covered New York City since 2023. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NYPD calls for cops to arrest trespassing protesters without hesitation at NYC Israel Day Parade: sources The NYPD took a zero tolerance approach to Sunday's Israel Day Parade during spiking antisemitism in the Big Apple. The NYPD took no chances with Sundays Israel Day Parade in Midtown Manhattan, ordering cops to arrest any protesters without hesitation if they cross the police perimeter. An internal police memo obtained by The Post shows that New Yorks Finest were told to bust any intruders on the parade route for trespassing but being careful not to violate protesters free speech. Any spectator who attempts to enter the frozen zone between the barriers or who attempts to go on to the parade route must be immediately arrested for trespass, the memo said. A NYPD officer looks on as people take part in the Israel Day on Fifth Parade in Manhattan on June 2, 2024. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly A NYPD officer stands guard near the parade route. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly NYPD cops with a police dog go on patrol near the Israel Day parade. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly There will be no warnings and officers should not wait for the Legal Bureau personnel to arrive. Still, it added, The extent a spectator is conveying a message that is offensive to participants in the parade or to other spectators, this is protected speech and MAY NOT be the basis for enforcement. The parade is a traditional annual celebration of the Jewish state. Sundays event was marred by one confrontation on Fifth Avenue between pro-Israel supporters and a group of anti-Israeli protesters, including a masked man holding up a sign reading, Kill Hostages Now. The pro-Israeli faction chanted, Bring them home now! as police moved in and separated the two sides. The parade was officially over by mid-afternoon, and the NYPD reported no arrests by that time. The march occurred in a climate of heavy tension in the Big Apple, where antisemitic attacks and anti-Israel protests have been rampant since the Oct. 7 sneak attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists. The deadly assault promoted an Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip that has left thousands of Palestinians dead and even more homeless and starving, according to the UN prompting the protests. People wave Israeli flags as they march on Fifth Avenue. Photo by JOHN LAMPARSKI/AFP via Getty Images A banner calling for Israeli hostages to be released by Hamas is carried along the parade route. Photo by JOHN LAMPARSKI/AFP via Getty Images The protests have taken root in college campuses across the US, including anti-Israeli encampments at Ivy League schools such as Columbia University and other schools in the five boroughs. Taking no chances Sunday, the NYPD briefed its rank-and-file on ramped-up security measures for the parade. Metal detectors were to screen people attending the event with backpacks, umbrellas, folding lawn chairs, blankets, coolers and drones all banned from the route, the internal memo said. The department also prohibited banners or large flags, with a caveat. The NYPD was out in force for Sundays Israel Day Parade, with cops ordered to arrest criminal disruptors without hesitation. G.N.Miller/NYPost Protesters were warned not to cross into the barricaded frozen zone. G.N.Miller/NYPost This year, the parade occurred during heavy tensions in New York City over the Israel-Hamas war. G.N.Miller/NYPost With respect to banner or large flag, the only question is whether it will obstruct the view of others, the memo cautioned. The message of the banner or the meaning of the flag is irrelevant. Palestinian flags have been a common sight at anti-Israeli protests and encampments, while the Hamas terror flag has been spotted at several of the demonstrations, too. UnityPoint Health-Jones Regional Medical Center is a 22-bed critical access hospital in Anamosa, Iowa. It averages about seven inpatients a night and provides emergency services to the small community northeast of Cedar Rapids. (Photo courtesy of UnityPoint Health) Facing ongoing concerns about rural hospital closures, Capitol Hill lawmakers have introduced a spate of proposals to fix a federal program created to keep lifesaving services in small towns nationwide. In Anamosa, Iowa a town of fewer than 6,000 residents located more than 900 miles from the nations capital rural hospital leader Eric Briesemeister is watching for Congress next move. The 22-bed hospital Briesemeister runs averages about seven inpatients each night, and its most recent federal filings show it earned just $95,445 in annual net income from serving patients. Yet Briesemeister isnt interested in converting the facility into a rural emergency hospital, which would mean getting millions of extra dollars each year from federal payments. In exchange for that financial support, hospitals that join the program keep their emergency departments open and give up inpatient beds. It wasnt for us, said Briesemeister, chief executive of UnityPoint Health-Jones Regional Medical Center. I think that program is a little bit more designed for hospitals that might not be around without it. Nationwide, only about two dozen of the more than 1,500 eligible hospitals have become rural emergency hospitals since the program launched last year. At the same time, rural hospitals continue to close 10 since the fix became available. Rural emergency hospitals are required to meet applicable state licensing, staffing, educational training and scope of practice requirements. State legislatures have an important role to play. Iowa enacted a law last year enabling rural emergency licensure. Federal lawmakers have introduced a handful of legislative solutions since March. In one bill, senators from Kansas and Minnesota list a myriad of tactics, including allowing older closed facilities to reopen. Bill would expand federal drug discount Another proposal introduced in the House by two Michigan lawmakers is the Rural 340B Access Act. It would allow rural emergency hospitals to use the 340B federal drug discount program, which Congress created in 1992. The 340B program, named after its federal statute, lets eligible hospitals and clinics buy drugs at a discount and then bill insurance companies, Medicare, or Medicaid at market rates. Hospitals get to keep the money they make from the difference. Congress approved 340B as an indirect aid package to help struggling hospitals stay afloat. Many larger hospitals say the cash is used for community benefits and charity care, while many small hospitals depend on the drug discounts to help cover staffing and operational shortfalls. Currently, emergency hospitals are not eligible for 340B discounts. According to a release from U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Mich., the House proposal would correct this oversight. Backers of the House bill include the American Hospital Association and the National Rural Health Association. In Iowa, Briesemeister said the 340B federal drug discount program can be used for tremendous good. The small-town hospital uses money it makes from 340B to subsidize emergency services and uninsured and underinsured patients who frequent the emergency department, he said. Chuck Grassley, Iowas longtime Republican senator, shepherded the Rural Emergency Hospital program into law. His spokesperson, Gillie Maddox, did not respond directly to questions about why the federal law creating rural emergency hospitals omitted the 340B program. Instead, Maddox said the designation was a product of bipartisan negotiations. A survey conducted by the health analytics and consulting firm Chartis, along with the National Rural Health Association, found that nearly 80% of rural hospitals had participated in 340B and nearly 40% said they reaped $750,000 or more annually from the program. Sanford Health, a largely rural health system headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, considered converting a handful of smaller critical access hospitals into rural emergency hospitals. Martha Leclerc, vice president of corporate contracting for Sanford, said the system analyzed how much revenue would be lost by closing inpatient beds, which is also a requirement of the emergency hospital program, and by being unable to file for drug discounts. In the end, she said, switching did not make a lot of sense. Opponents say drug discount should be reserved hospitals serving vulnerable patients While many rural hospitals are clamoring for the 340B provision to be added to the rural emergency hospital program, opponents have said 340B can be a cash cow for hospitals that dont serve enough vulnerable patients. Nicole Longo is deputy vice president of public affairs for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the nations largest, most influential pharmaceutical lobbying group. She wrote in a recent blog post that hospital systems and chain pharmacies are exploiting the program and said patients have not benefited from the growth in the program. In an interview, Longo said PhRMA supports rural emergency hospitals being able to access 340B because they are treating vulnerable patients in underserved communities and are true safety net providers. PhRMA, she said, wants to encourage a thoughtful conversation about which types of hospitals should be in the program. Last year, PhRMA formed an unlikely pact with community health centers to create the Alliance to Save Americas 340B Program, or ASAP 340B. Vacheria Keys, associate vice president of policy and regulatory affairs at the National Association of Community Health Centers, said, There is a new day of openness, from all parties. Use of the drug discount program skyrocketed after provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, allowed hospitals and clinics to contract with an unlimited number of retail pharmacies, such as Walgreens and CVS, which are paid a fee to dispense the discounted drugs. Adam J. Fein, president of the industry research organization Drug Channels Institute, reports that the 340B program is the second-largest federal drug program, trailing Medicare Part D. The flow of drugs purchased under the 340B program reached $53.7 billion in 2022, about $9.8 billion more than in 2021. In response to the exploding use of contract pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers have restricted the drugs they offer at a discount through the pharmacies. That throttling is affecting rural hospitals like Labette Health, a Kansas hospital whose president asked President Joe Biden for help in dealing with the pharmaceutical companies. Rena Conti, an associate professor of markets, public policy, and law at Boston Universitys Questrom School of Business, has studied the drug discounts for years and said she has significant worries about expanding the 340B program. There is a lot of money being generated in this program that we really cant understand exactly how much that really is and exactly who it is benefiting, Conti said. At the same time, said Conti, a health care economist, giving rural hospitals access to the federal drug discounts makes sense because they are hospitals that are serving particularly vulnerable patient populations. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. The post An obscure drug discount program stifles use of federal lifeline by rural hospitals appeared first on Iowa Capital Dispatch. Two subjects have been taken into custody after an officer and a civilian were killed, and another officer and three others were wounded in a shooting incident in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona early Saturday morning, the FBI said Sunday. Both subjects -- one adult male and one juvenile male -- were identified by the FBI and Gila River Police and taken into custody, authorities said. They are currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained during Saturdays shooting. On Saturday, officers responded to an incident involving a large crowd at a home in Santan, District 4 in the community around 2 a.m. local time, when multiple gunshots were fired, according to the Gila River Police Department. Six people were shot during the incident, including Officer Joshua Briese, who succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, police said. Briese had been with the force for less than a year and was still in field training, according to the police. PHOTO: Gila River Police Officer Joshua Briese (Gila River Police Department) An unidentified person who was shot was also pronounced dead at the scene, police said. An unidentified officer was struck and remains in serious but stable condition at the hospital, according to the police. MORE: Catalytic converter theft in spotlight after fatal shooting of 'General Hospital' actor Johnny Wactor The remaining three civilians who were shot were also recuperating at the hospital, the police said. PHOTO: KNXV Air15 (KNXV Air15) The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing, with the FBI saying on Sunday that it is working on the case with the Gila River PD. There was no timeline for the investigation. The FBI said it will hand the case over to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Arizona for a charging decision when completed. MORE: Police officer dies after being 'ambushed' while responding to Minneapolis shooting call: Officials Braise's father was also an officer who died in the line of duty in a car crash in 2006, according to ABC affiliate KNXV. Gale River Indian Community Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis offered his condolences to the victims. "I know I speak for our entire Community when I say that we grieve for our fallen and injured police officers and every Community member touched by such tragic violence. Nothing cuts deeper than a life cut short. We will pray for our officers and their families, and for every Community member, every loved one, and every family impacted by what happened this morning," he said in a statement. 2 subjects taken into custody following Arizona reservation shooting that left officer, civilian dead: FBI originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The brush fire that started Saturday in rural Osteen and quickly grew to a "major wildfire" is now 90% contained, a Volusia County spokesman said on Sunday. Volusia County Fire Rescue officials said Saturday's wildfire could have broken out from a previous fire that started a few weeks ago near Pell and Maytown roads in Osteen. That initial fire had grown to 905 acres, while Saturday's fire covered 250 acres. Smoke fills the sky near Pell Road in Osteen on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Officials say a 150-acre wildfire is currently burning in the area. No injuries, no structures in danger No injuries had been reported and no structures were in danger, said Volusia County spokesmen Clayton Jackson. Firefighters battling the blaze include units from Volusia and Seminole counties, the Florida Forest Service and the cities of Deltona and Orange City. Bulldozers, helicopters help battle the blaze Fire crews remain at the scene to fully contain the blaze, Jackson said. Florida Forest Service deployed multiple bulldozers to cut lines around the fire to contain it. In addition, two helicopters were employed to drop water from overhead. No information on what caused the wildfire was immediately available on Sunday. Colleen Jones and David Wersinger contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: West Volusia wildfire is 90% contained with no homes in danger Ohio jails house about 300,000 people a year. How does the system work? On any given night, about 16,500 people are held in Ohio's 89 jails and jailers book about 300,000 people each year - though some of them may be booked in multiple times. Jails are not the same as prisons. They are temporary holding facilities for people who are just arrested, awaiting court appearances, held pretrial on bonds or serving short-term sentences. Elected county sheriffs run most of the 89 full-service jails in Ohio. A handful are operated by a regional board or by a city police department. An inmate in the Summit County Jail put up a message to those who were protesting the treatment of inmates outside the jail, Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Akron, Ohio. Where is the largest jail in Ohio? The four busiest jail systems in the state are in Franklin, Cuyahoga, Hamilton and Montgomery counties. Combined, they booked 76,000 people in 2022. Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin closed the downtown Columbus jail, opened a new facility on Fisher Road and continues to operate a lockup on Jackson Pike. Who oversees the Ohio jail system? Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey stands inside the addiction treatment section of the the Hamilton County Jail in Cincinnati while giving a tour on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction inspects jails to make sure they're complying with 181 minimum standards. But the state doesn't investigate misconduct or wrongdoing. The inspection system is more regulatory than enforcement focused. If there is a death in custody, it is required to be reported to state officials within 24 hours. State inspectors, then, check to see if the jail was complying with the standards. Ohio, at least, knows how many people die in its jails and prisons each year. But nationwide, federal authorities have failed to collect data from state and local agencies about deaths in custody. Often the sheriff's department investigates what happened, though in some instances the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is asked to investigate. Who is in jail? The new James A. Karnes Corrections Center will eventually replace two other Franklin County jails. Once it's fully built, the total price tag is expected to hit $500 million, Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said. A national survey by the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics found that in 2021 jail populations are 49% white, 35% Black, and 14% Hispanic. Nearly 87% of those incarcerated are male. Seventy-one percent of those in jail are not convicted of any crime they are awaiting court action or being held for another reason. The average length of a jail stay is 33 days. Jails experience more churn. In Lorain County, for example, the jail holds 422 people: 40% are released within 24 hours, 60% of inmates leave within five days, and 75% of inmates stay less than 10 days. A study found that 37% of the people accounted for 65% of the bookings, meaning many people return to jail. Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio jails house 300,000 a year. How does the system work? Photo: Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation A fire broke out at a Lukoil companys refinery in Komi Republic, Russian Federation; several people have been killed. Source: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet; Russian website Meduza Details: The fire started at an enterprise in the city of Ukhta. Many Russian media outlets report that two people were killed. Officially, the authorities admitted that "there are dead and injured," but did not provide specific numbers. Baza said that "a few explosions" were heard in the tank near the refinery prior to the fire. The tank's roof is partially demolished, but the authorities dismiss the possibility of a drone strike. The head of Komi, Vladimir Uyba, said that the fire "is not related to attacks by unmanned vehicles," and, according to early reports, the reason was "non-compliance with technical safety rules." Support UP or become our patron! STILWELL, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) An Oklahoma man was sentenced on Friday for involuntary manslaughter, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office Eastern District of Oklahoma. Bradley Jordan Eagle-Tate, 31, was sentenced to three years in prison for one count of involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. The release said on June 27, 2022, Eagle-Tate crossed into the oncoming lane of Oklahoma Highway 100 and clipped a vehicle before hitting a second vehicle head-on in a no-passing zone, according to investigators. Stilwell man sentenced to 35 years for sexually assaulting minor The driver of the second vehicle died at the scene and a passenger in the first vehicle was left seriously injured. During a plea hearing, Eagle-Tate admitted he had multiple drugs in his system at the time of the crash and failed to devote full time and attention while driving his motor vehicle, the release said. Eagle-Tate pleaded not guilty to the involuntary manslaughter charge on September 22, 2023. He will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshals pending transportation to a United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence, according to the release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Ukraines Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has appealed to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to investigate videos showing beatings, humiliation, and threats of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers reportedly in the Kharkiv direction. The videos which are spreading on social media show actions that violate the Geneva Conventions and should be used as further proof of Russian violations of international humanitarian law, Lubinets said in his Telegram post on June 2. The Geneva Conventions require the humane treatment of prisoners of war. "Unfortunately, such treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is not an exception to the rules, but a common tactic for the occupiers," Lubinets wrote. Lubinets has previously appealed to the UN and the ICRC to investigate other crimes committed against Ukrainian prisoners of war, including the execution of at least five POWs in Avdiivka in February. As of March 2024, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office collected pretrial information on over 128,000 victims of war crimes. Read also: Prosecutor Generals Office: Over 128,000 victims of war crimes recorded in Ukraine Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. EAST BERLIN BOROUGH, Pa. (WHTM) One person has died after a crash in Adams County. Pennsylvania State Police say on June 1 around 9:21 a.m. a Honda Civic was traveling westbound on West King Street when it crossed over the doble-yellow line. The Civic was struck head-on by a Dodge 5500 and both vehicles came to rest at the point of impact. The Adams County Coroners office says 33-year-old Eric Sterner of East Berlin, who was driving the Civic, died while en route to the hospital. The driver and passenger of the Dodge vehicle both had suspected minor injuries. Coroner Francis Dutrow says Sterner died from multiple blunt force injuries. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. One of Ukraine's assault brigades publishes video from destroyed Vovchansk The Liut (Fury) Assault Brigade of Ukraines National Police has published a video from Vovchansk in the north of Kharkiv Oblast, where battles are ongoing. Source: Liut (Fury) Assault Brigade of Ukraines National Police on Facebook Quote: "Vovchansk. Shots of the city destroyed by the Russians." Previously: On 1 June, Lieutenant Colonel Nazar Voloshyn, Spokesman for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group of Forces, said that Ukraines Defence Forces control around 70% of the city. At the same time, the DeepState analytical project reported that Russian artillery nearly destroyed the northern half of Volchansk within three weeks of the Russian offensive. The project says 50-80% of the city's buildings have been destroyed and cannot be rebuilt. Support UP or become our patron! With the Opening of a New School, New Orleans Is an All-Charter District No More Correction appended June 3 In August, New Orleans Public Schools will open a district-operated school named for Leah Chase, a late civil rights activist and revered matriarch of a culinary dynasty. The school will eventually serve 320 students from pre-K through eighth grade, with an emphasis on the citys culture and history. Located in a historic building, it will replace the failing Lafayette Academy Charter School. As they hire Leah Chases teachers, pick its uniforms and curricula and arrange for transportation and lunches, district leaders are also creating the administrative jobs other school systems rely on to oversee individual buildings. These central office departments will make it easier for NOLA Public Schools to open more direct-run schools, Superintendent Avis Williams says. You read that right: New Orleans love-it-or-hate-it, seven-year experiment as the nations first all-charter school system is coming to a close. Going forward, it will act both as a charter school authorizer and an old-fashioned school district. Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter In principle, the citys charter school advocates are not opposed. I am personally governance-agnostic, says Sabrina Pence, CEO of FirstLine Schools, which runs five schools in the city. We wish the district every success in direct-running its first school in a while. Head of the Louisiana Public Charter School Association, Caroline Roemer says she is confident Leah Chase will be well run. Tulane University professor Doug Harris, who produced numerous school improvement studies that helped shape the unique system, says the decision to create the infrastructure to direct-run schools will give the district flexibility to respond to unanticipated challenges. NOLA Public Schools decision to return to running schools could be a game-changing inflection point in one of the most closely watched school-improvement efforts in history. After Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the city in 2005, the state of Louisiana seized control of most of the schools in what was then one of the lowest-performing districts in the country. In the years that followed, the state Recovery School District created a totally new kind of system in which every school lived or died according to its performance contract. Schools that dont meet those standards lose the charters that allow them to operate an autonomy-for-accountability bargain that remains controversial even as it has led to better outcomes for students. The state returned New Orleans public schools to local control in 2016. Two years ago, the Orleans Parish School Board appointed a new superintendent with a track record of success and no experience with charter schools. The board handed Avis Williams a formidable to-do list that included a dramatic downsizing to address enrollment losses and other sweeping decisions that would shape the next chapter of the school governance experiment. Progress has been halting. In December, tensions surrounding the districts future came to a head when Williams under conflicting pressures from board members and seemingly without understanding the nuances of the system decided not to renew Lafayettes charter. What might in another moment have been missteps in timing and communications instead forced Williams hand on a number of consequential decisions. Related Drinking From a Fire Hydrant: New Orleans New Superintendents Singular To-Do List Declaring charter schools a failed experiment with childrens lives, one school board member who had been pushing the district to return to a more traditional model demanded that Williams begin opening direct-run schools, starting with Leah Chase. The architects of the grand experiment may not be opposed but they are eager for answers to some big questions. How will the prospect of opening new schools impact a lagging, three-year effort to address declining enrollment by closing others? New Orleans faces a singular variation on a common problem. School systems throughout the country are facing the one-two punch of dramatic enrollment losses and the end of federal COVID recovery aid, forcing painful and overdue decisions about shuttering buildings and laying off staff. The politics of deciding how to meet the moment playing out on steroids nationwide is a frequent career-ender for superintendents and board members. Locally elected school boards are easily overwhelmed by community ire and often either prolong the pain by taking piecemeal steps such as closing two or three schools when there are 10 too many or kick the can down the road by leaving the decisions for their successors. As resources dwindle in the remaining schools, student achievement typically falls, fueling further dips in enrollment. By contrast, in New Orleans, an eight-year-old law Act 91 spells out the process of replacing poorly performing schools with better ones. Under the law, the district authorizes individual charter schools, which may be operated by networks or standalone education groups. When a school has underperformed for a certain period of time or has run afoul of financial or regulatory requirements, the district board must revoke its charter. The district can give the charter to another operator or simply close the school. The only way to deviate from the process is by vote of a supermajority of the Orleans Parish board. But there is no provision for the board or superintendent to unilaterally decide to reduce the number of schools. Citywide, there are an estimated 4,000 empty seats. In 2022, the nonprofit New Schools for New Orleans, which serves as a research and innovation hub for the system, warned school and district leaders that schools citywide were nearing a tipping point in terms of enrolling enough students to pay for a full array of academics and services. Post-Katrina, enrollment peaked in 2019 at 49,000, and by 2024 it had fallen by some 4,000 students, the organizations analyses have shown. Birth rates are also in sharp decline, so the number of students will continue to drop in coming years. Because almost all state and federal per-pupil funding in New Orleans is distributed according to enrollment, each school sets its own budget according to its ability to attract and retain students. Too many empty seats in any school, New Schools warned, directly impacts its ability to pay for the staff and programs needed to serve kids well. On average, last year, New Orleans K-8 schools had space for 550 students but enrolled 484, which equals a funding gap of $625,000. In its reports, New Schools has provided examples of the number of educators and programs that would have to be cut to make up that amount. New Schools for New Orleans You cant drain resources out of schools five or 10 students at a time, says Pence. Lose 10 kids, thats a teacher, maybe an art teacher thats always soul-crushing. After New Schoolss first report, Pences FirstLine was one of four charter networks that teamed up to consolidate six underenrolled schools into three buildings, eliminating 1,500 empty seats. The voluntary contraction required the charter school organizations to work together to figure out which schools were most accessible to families and which three networks would run the remaining schools. Charter operator InspireNOLA merged two of its K-8 schools into one building, while ARISE Schools and Crescent City Schools combined a school from each network into a single building to be run by Crescent City. The Collegiate Academies network merged two high schools, Rosenwald Collegiate Academy and Walter L. Cohen Prep, in Cohens brand-new building. The district can reduce some excess capacity by closing underperforming schools instead of giving their charters to better-performing networks. But that alone would be unlikely to address the oversupply. Even if it could, the district needs a master plan to locate high-quality options in modernized buildings in every quadrant of the city. This means establishing how many schools should exist going forward, and how to make closure decisions that are not driven by school performance. There are questions of fairness, says Harris. Some neighborhoods dont have good options. For example, a large swath of the city known as New Orleans East has lots of students but not many schools. Performance is a good and important thing to start with, but you dont want kids traveling 10 miles to school, he notes. You want high performers spread out around the city. What is to stop underperforming schools slated to lose their charters from lobbying to become direct-run schools? New Orleanss system was designed to insulate high-stakes closure decisions from political pressure. In 2015, Louisiana enacted a law spelling out limits on the Orleans Parish School Boards power over charter schools and requiring it to step in when they underperform for long periods of time. Legal parameters in place, the state returned the schools to the district. In 2017, NOLA Public Schools found charter operators for its last five traditional schools. Since then, a small but vocal number of residents have demanded an end to charter schools in the district. A group called Erase the Board has routinely protested closures and backed school board candidates who agree that the state constitution requires the Orleans Parish School Board to operate like a conventional district. They have an ally in state Sen. Joseph Bouie Jr., who has campaigned to overturn Act 91, the law codifying the districts obligations to charter schools. For almost a decade, they had gotten little traction not even after he equated the system to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment with the exception of a change to state law to allow a board supermajority to overrule the superintendents recommendations. Events of the last few months may, however, have allowed charter opponents to breach the firewall. When state report cards were released last fall, several New Orleans schools earned failing grades. In December, Williams recommended closing one and revoking the charters of two others, to be given to other operators. Related All-Charter District Seeks Superintendent By the boards January meeting, though, no network had stepped up to run one of the schools losing its charter, the 500-student Lafayette Academy Charter School, so Williams recommended closing it. The board approved her request, but angrily. In the past, to present an announcement about a closure or change in management with some certainty about families options, superintendents and charter network leaders would have talked beforehand about who should take over the charter and its building. Lafayettes building was freshly renovated and in a desirable location, so normally the superintendents final recommendation to the board would have specified which of the districts 67 schools should occupy it going forward. Earlier, at that same board meeting, Williams had delivered a presentation explaining why the central office was not yet equipped to run traditional schools. To do so, districts typically need departments focused on things like curriculum and instruction, human resources, food service and other tasks performed independently by charter schools. To pay for its responsibilities as a charter authorizer, NOLA Public Schools receives 2% of each schools per-pupil funding, which is not enough to pay for the staff needed to oversee conventional schools. How this will be resolved is unclear, though most local leaders say there is no way the operation of a single school justifies the expense of creating the centralized infrastructure. Unconvinced that the district could not simply open and run schools, the boards new vice president, Leila Jacobs Eames, chastised the superintendent, saying she had asked repeatedly for the district to do so. It makes my blood boil to hear these excuses, Jacobs Eames said. As a superintendent, you really should have come with a plan to direct-run in your back pocket. Jacobs Eames also said it was time to end the all-charter district. I am asking from you for a plan on future direct [run] schools she railed. This experiment with childrens lives has failed. Williams clapped back. She often gets requests from individual members, the superintendent said, but she needs clear marching orders from the board as a whole. Consequently, her highest priority has been creating the portfolio plan the board requested at the start of her tenure, outlining what the district should look like in the coming years. I do feel somewhat attacked by the suggestion I should have had [a plan to direct-run Lafayette] in my back pocket, Williams replied. Because at the end of the day, what I have had in my back pocket has been marching orders from the board that were very specific. Board President Katie Baudouin agreed, in part. We have not, as a board, asked you for a plan for when, how and why you might direct-run a school, she said. We have been clear about the goals for district optimization. Related By Design, New Orleans School Board has Limited Power. Novembers High-Stakes Election May Change That Finally, there was broad unhappiness with the districts communications with families and board members about Lafayettes future. Jacobs Eames was angry that she had learned about the closure several nights before, on the evening news. A few days after the January meeting, the superintendent reversed herself, saying she would shutter Lafayette and ask the board in February to approve the opening of Leah Chase. By then, however, the deadline for the next years enrollment lottery was just days away, and neither the prospective new school nor Lafayette was an option. Confusing communications about the transition, as well as its unfortunate timing, have reverberated among families, but the concern the charter community is left with is whether schools performance contracts can remain a chief driver of accountability. Im afraid that what happened with [the Lafayette decision process] is it opens the door to the politics of closure, says Roemer. I get concerned that from now on, if a charter school is not operating at the level we want it to, the Orleans Parish School Board can step in and direct-run it. Louisiana Public Charter School Association Executive Director Caroline Roemer tells the Orleans Parish School Board that families needed better information about the closure of Lafayette Academy Charter School at January meeting. (Orleans Parish School Board) What happens now? How does the superintendent reshape a district still made up primarily of schools she doesnt control and hold the one she does to high standards? In May, Williams previewed her developing district portfolio plan for the board, which is scheduled to see the comprehensive version in August. To date, it does not detail an optimal number of schools or map where they should be located. Right now, half of New Orleans students attend a school that has an A or B rating on state report cards. Under the plan, the goal is for 80% to be enrolled in a high-performing school by 2028 a rate that must be reflected in every part of the community. At the same time, segregation and racial and economic disparities must be reduced. Other factors, the superintendent said in an interview with The 74, include the need to offer a variety of curricular themes and models, such as Montessori and arts-focused programs, as well as contend with shifting demographics. The number of English learners in the city is increasing quickly, as is demand for offerings like language-immersion schools and programs focused on the arts. We do know that some of those models lend themselves to smaller classrooms or to schools being a certain size, she said. When we think of district optimization, its not a linear thing where all we consider is the number of seats. Any proposal for future direct-run schools will be considered against the same criteria and priorities outlined in the portfolio plan, Williams said. District-operated programs are subject to the state quality standards that govern all traditional Louisiana schools. Related Analysis: New Research on Student Funding & Performance Shows New Orleans Charter Schools Get More Bang for the Buck and Boost Kids Earning Potential I do see where people might be concerned, maybe even confused, about what this looks like for a district-run school in terms of accountability compared to charters, she said. But the accountability measures and standards will certainly be there. This includes financial audits and compliance monitoring for special education and for English learner services. Williams also acknowledged the concerns raised by creating a new direct-run school to replace a chronically underperforming charter. Its very similar to whats happening now with the Leah Chase school, she said. Its not the goal. I want us to be intentional and use data points to make those decisions and not as a workaround. Her goal is not to weaken accountability, Williams continued. I also dont expect this to be our answer to schools not on track to be renewed or schools that are not meeting the mark in terms of academic outcomes, she said. Were dealing with children and families, and they deserve high-quality schools. Like other system leaders, Pence says she has no doubt this is the goal and one shared by the citys charter operators. If the district wants to run schools, great, but were going to have to take some offline, she says. Closing schools, no matter what, is really hard. Everyone loves their school. Correction: The combined ARISE and Crescent City school will be run by Crescent City. Disclosure: The City Fund provides financial support to Collegiate Academies, New Schools for New Orleans and The 74. Opinion: Should We Fear MAGA Riots if Trump Is Locked Up? Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher. Now that Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 charges of falsifying business records the focus turns to his sentencing on July 11. The New Abnormal team discusses on this weeks Bonus Podcast how his MAGA supporters will react if he is thrown in prison. We always talk about how, Oh, if we do this to Trump, theres gonna be riots in the street, co-host Andy Levy says. So few people turned out to be outside his trial and he likes to compare it to the student protests or whatever, which was a hell of a lot more people than turned out to support Donald Trump at his trial. I feel like weve sort of seen this over and over again that every time we hear, you know, we have to be careful, we cant do this, itll make his supporters mad and theyll riot in the streets and then they barely show up. Well dont forget the penis balloons, fellow co-host Danielle Moodie quipped, referencing a Staten Island artist who released 100 pink, penis-shaped balloons featuring the faces of Donald Trump foes like Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg outside the courthouse during the trial. Subscribe to The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Amazon Music, or Overcast. Producer Jesse Cannon commented on how restricted access was last Saturday in downtown Manhattan even on a non-trial day. But thats because of the fear of what he could incite, he said. Plus! Andy Levy talk to Madiba Dennie about her new book, The Originalism Trap: How Extremists Stole the Constitution and How We the People Can Take It Back. Listen to this full episode of The New Abnormal on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and Stitcher. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Editors Note: Chris Good is a producer at CNN, where he produces the daily global affairs newsletter Fareeds Global Briefing. He has reported on and analyzed US politics, government and foreign policy for The Hill, The Atlantic, ABC News and The Economist Intelligence Unit. The views expressed here are his own. Read more opinion at CNN. Former President Donald Trump is a convict. Thursdays decision by a Manhattan jurywhich ruled that Trump had directed hush-money payments to cover up an affair with adult film actress Stormy Daniels to sway the 2016 election in his favorwas a unique event in US history. Around the world, its a different story. The criminal trial and conviction of (mostly former) national leaders has happened in stable, mature democracies, just as it has in former dictatorships. Some of those sagas offer insight into Trumps. They show that a former leader might be down after a criminal conviction, but not necessarily out. The track record of convicted leaders shows just how risky it is to try to predict what will happen. Examples are almost too numerous to list. In Argentina in 2022, then-Vice President and former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner was sentenced to six years in prison on corruption charges stemming from road contracts. (Given her age, it is not expected she will serve time.) In February, former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz received an eight-month suspended sentence for lying to parliament. It was a precipitous downfall for a European conservative wunderkind. Kurz vowed to appeal. In 2017, South Korea impeached and later criminally convicted now-former President Park Geun-hye in a bizarre corruption scandal involving the influence of a friend and confidante. The contexts overseas are all differentand all different from Trumps. Still, questions cry out for asking: Are former leaders helped or hurt, politically, by their convictions? How do their supporters react? Does public faith in a countrys justice system erode, or is it strengthened? The Washington, DC-based think tank Freedom House, which rates countries on freedom and democracy, says that of the countries it deems free, 43% have indicted current or former leaders since 2000. Thats a pretty significant number, and so the prosecution of top leaders is not unusual in democracies, Freedom House Executive Vice President Nicole Bibbins Sedaca told CNN. Thats important for people to know, because quite often people have said this is turning the US into some sort of backwater or backwards country, but this is a sign of this system working, and it works in lots of other democracies. The experiences of three countries, France, Italy and Brazil, are particularly illustrative. France's former president Nicolas Sarkozy (C) arriving at a Paris court for the verdict in his appeal trial in the so-called Bygmalion case in February. - Bertrand Guay/AFP/Getty Images In one of the worlds oldest established democracies, France, former President Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted in 2021 of illegal campaign financing. He was handed a one-year prison sentence, half of which was suspended. He was able to serve the balance of his time outside of prison by wearing an ankle bracelet while under house arrest. France is a really good example of how prosecuting a former leader can go well, Bibbins Sedaca said. In the last 15 years they have prosecuted and convicted two former presidents and one former prime minister on corruption, including Jacques Chirac in 2011 on charges related to 21 so-called ghost jobs during his tenure as mayor of Paris. Some voiced concerns that that would show bias in the system, or ruin the system, but the levels of public confidence in the system remained stable over the last decade, Bibbins Sedaca said. Sarkozy, in fact, faces another case: Next year, he will stand trial on allegations (which he denies) that then-Libyan leader Moammar Gaddhafi illicitly helped fund his 2007 presidential campaign. Italy's former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi waves in March 2013 during a protest of his People of Freedom (PDL) party against what he called "judicial persecution" by politically motivated magistrates. - Yara Nardi/Reuters In Italy, the late brash, billionaire media magnate Silvio Berlusconi faced numerous prosecutions. If the Stormy Daniels episode strikes you as lurid, consider that Berlusconi was accused of paying 24 people, mostly young guests at his so-called Bunga Bunga parties, to provide false testimony in a previous trial where he was charged with paying for sex with a 17-year-old Moroccan nightclub dancer, as Reuters wrote about that particular criminal case. Berlusconi was found guilty in 2013 and received a seven-year sentence for the sex charges. The following year, he was acquitted on appeal in the underage-prostitution case; a 2023 acquittal overturned his witness-bribery conviction in connection to it. Berlusconi also had been found guilty in 2012 of tax fraud in connection with his media firms purchase of TV rights in the 1990s and was sentenced to four years in prison, reduced to one year under a 2006 pardon law. He received a separate one-year sentence after a 2013 conviction for arranging for a newspaper run by his brother to publish leaked police wiretaps of a political rival. As he was over 70, Berlusconi was allowed to serve his time by doing community service, working at a hospice for Alzheimers patients near Milan. None of that kept Berlusconi down. In Italys fractured political landscape, he mounted a comeback and resumed his position as a leading figure on the right. His Forza Italia party surged in 2017 mayoral elections. In 2018s national elections, he led his party to a 14% showing in a victory for a right-leaning coalition that would then govern in partnership with the populist Five Star Movement. On the Italian right, Berlusconi was gradually overshadowed by Matteo Salvini and eventually current Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni but as recently as the 2022 election that propelled Meloni to power, Berlusconi was a prominent figure in the coalition she has helmed. Berlusconi died last year at 86. Brazilian former president (2003-2011) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is carried on the shoulders through the crowd of supporters after being freed following a year and a half behind bars for corruption. - Nelson Almeida/AFP/Getty Images Brazil offers another potential parallel to Trump, but with key differences and an even more stunning comeback. After serving as president from 20032011, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (known as Lula) was convicted in what was known as Lava Jato (or car wash) scheme, a series of kickback and bribery investigations that swept Latin America and shook Brazilian politics. After a scandal emerged involving the state oil company Petrobras, Lula was convicted in 2017 of corruption and money laundering. He spent 580 days in prison, and supporters camped outside his cell. Lula was freed in 2019, and in 2021 his convictions were annulled over a jurisdictional issue. It had also been revealed that the judge in Lulas case had exchanged text messages with prosecutors after that judge later had been made justice minister by conservative President Jair Bolsonaro. A free man, Lula ran for president in 2022 against Bolsonaro and won. Part of Brazilian society saw Lulas conviction as something positive, a sign that the law applies to all, said Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the School of International Relations at Fundacao Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo, in an interview with CNN. Others pointed to procedural missteps and perceived the Lava Jato anti-corruption campaign as politically slanted, targeting the left. And then there were those of the hardcore [Lula] supporters who immediately said this is totally politically motivated, Stuenkel said. Politicization is seen as a weakness of Brazils justice system, Stuenkel explained. Those who supported Lulas initial conviction saw its later annulment as politically motivated. Still, the conviction didnt actually negatively affect Lula during his [2022] presidential campaign against Bolsonaro because by that time, centrist concerns about the threat that Bolsonaro posed to Brazilian democracy were greater than the fears of Lula coming back and allowing corruption to flourish yet again. Because of Bolsonaros extremity as a right-wing populist, Stuenkel said, Lula has been able to sort of recover in the eye of the public. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 30: Former President Donald Trump at his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 30, 2024. - Mark Peterson/Pool/Getty Images Trump portrays himself as a political outsider. He would have the public believe that he is not the problem its the system. Will the public agree? Opinions are split. Initial polling after the Manhattan verdict, done by Reuters/Ipsos, found 14% of Republicans and 58% of independents said they would not vote for Trump if he had been convicted of a felony. Then again, Ariel Edwards-Levy of the CNN polling unit writes that survey questions that ask voters to explain how their choices are affected by a news event are notoriously difficult to answer or interpret, and commonly overstate the potential for movement in public opinion. Views were polarized on partisan lines as to how the verdict reflected on the justice system and the legitimacy or political motivation of the verdict. Trump might prove to be, like Berlusconi, seemingly impervious to scandal. Or he could be like Brazils Lula his conviction might be seen differently by voters according to their degree of partisanship and their personal connection to him. Or he could be like Sarkozy and Chirac, his case merely a matter of the law. Although a criminal conviction may appear likely to dent Trumps political standing, one never knows. Elsewhere, former national leaders have come back even after serving prison time. Trumps supporters have forgiven many sins, Biblical and otherwise, seemingly because they believe he stands for them. To some, that political identity seems to have been more important than any of Trumps provocations, falsities, ill-considered statements, or the bureaucratic chaos of his first administration. As for public faith in the US justice system, Freedom Houses Bibbins Sedaca said an important factor is how other public figures talk about the verdict. The prosecution and conviction of a former president affords an opportunity for political leaders across the spectrum to affirm that we live in democracies where the law applies equally to everyone. That is really the social contract that exists, Bibbins Sedaca said. Political leaders can choose how they will speak about these institutions. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com One by one they offered their loyalty pledge to MAGAs Dear Leader. One by one Republican leaders publicly placed fealty to Donald Trump ahead of loyalty to the United States or the oath they once had made to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. But they were not alone. Other Trump supporters from around the world, including at least one who actively seeks to destroy the United States, not only expressed their support for the mob-boss-who-would-be-king, but did so with language uncannily like that of the MAGA chorus that offered lies and laments in response to the New York jurys unanimous verdict to convict the former president. Mussed-Looking Trump Goes on Wild Free Associative Rant at Post-Conviction Press Conference Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov opined, If we speak about Trump, the fact that there is simply the elimination of political rivals by all possible means, legal and illegal, is obvious. From Hungarys wannabe authoritarian strongman Viktor Orban: Trump is a man of honor. As president he always put America first. (The American people) will make their verdict this November. Keep fighting Mr. President. Italian deputy prime minister and leader of that countrys right wing movement, Matteo Salvini, proclaimed: Solidarity and full support for (Trump), victim of judicial harassment We are sadly familiar with the weaponization of the justice system by the left. Stay strong, British right-wing firebrand Nigel Farage told his newly convicted friend. The global right-wing movement is closely coordinated. Orbans regular visits to speak with CPAC illustrate this, as do Trumps efforts to kowtow to Putin or break bread with the likes of Farage. They take their cues from each other. They use the same language. They are all anti-woke. And racist. And misogynist. And nationalist. And anti-democratic. Recognizing how carefully orchestrated this chorus is offers an important insight that puts the Trump trial and the reaction to it in context much more important than the news media stories trying to divine how much the trial might impact poll results. The assault on the rule of law that came from MAGA-world following Trumps conviction on 34 felony counts was directly related to the assault on the rule of law being carried out by extremists on the U.S. Supreme Court (the place where the real politicization of our judiciary is happening). The attack on our most hallowed institutions that came on Thursday and Friday from Republican Senators and Congresspeople, governors and flacks, after Trumps conviction was no different from the institutional assault on the court by the Federalist Society or on Capitol Hill by the Jan. mob. Attacks on America from within are directly linked to attacks on Americaour ideas and ideals, our friends and alliesfrom overseas. Putin attacks Ukraine as a step toward attacking NATO and weakening the West. And when he does he gets the support of Trump, and Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Tucker Carlson, and Mike Flynn, and the MAGA loonies. Orban weakens Hungarian democracy and spreads antisemitic and anti-immigrant slurs and he is celebrated as a model by Trump, welcomed to Mar-a-Lago, lionized by the American right. Farage attacks the EU and Trump undercuts and degrades our allies and alliances. Putin and Trump both attack fake news. It is, you see, all the same story. It is all one concerted, comprehensive, increasingly successful effort to destroy America and the institutions we have built since World War II from within and from without. And as you watch as our freedoms are stripped away, and as you read about Trumps 2025 plan, and his desire to pull out of NATO and essentially leave Eastern Europe at the mercy of Putin, it should be clear that this global effort, this international right-wing movement, is positioned to do more damage to us and to our allies than did all the armies of Hitler, Mussolini, Japan, the Kaiser, or Soviet Russia and its satellite states. Its happening before our eyes. It is not a conspiracy theory. It is a conspiracy. It is not an imagined threat. It is real and it is taking a toll day-in and day-out from Kharkiv to the British consumers suffering due to the end of Brexit, and to the victims of the radicalized, anti-Constitutional decisions of our Supreme Court. Should we not see it for what it is, should we make Trump the first felon elevated to the Oval Office, we will see much worse. We will not just be getting his corruption and racism; we will be inviting an entire global alliance of our bitterest enemies to take the helm of this country and ultimately seekwith ever greater resources and opportunitiesto realize their dream of bringing us to our knees. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Florida thrives on its natural beauty, which attracts hundreds of thousands of new residents every year. Unfortunately, such massive growth creates the need for more places to live, which in turn drives development into more pristine habitatcreating potential conflicts, including with Floridas iconic black bears. But rather than promote appropriate coexistence measures, HB 87 will open the door to unlimited killing of Floridas black bears. This approach not only threatens a beloved species but has the potential to raise serious legal issues. An inquisitive Florida black bear has triggered a remote camera set by biologists. The bear is in the sand pine scrub of the Ocala National Forest, which supports the highest density population of black bears in North America. Millions of Floridians coexist peacefully with bears each year. However, unless Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes HB 87, someone will be able to kill a bear on their property simply by feeling threatened, with no need to follow any established process that delineates thresholds for taking action, as many other states require. This low bar for lethal action is unnecessary, and this bill directly undermines the progress weve made to strengthen the prospects for human-wildlife coexistence, allowing subjective fear alone to justify killing bears, even when they pose no real threat. Promoting the shooting of bears on sight can be dangerous to public safety and promises to be a nightmare for law enforcement agencies. Untrained individuals could produce chaos and tragedy in their communities due to lack of knowledge concerning wildlife behavior, conflict resolution, and gun safety. This approach puts such individuals, their families, and their neighbors at risk. Beyond safety concerns, HB 87 is simply unnecessary. Its already legal in Florida to kill a bear in self-defense, and to use non-lethal methods to scare bears off private property. In the unlikely event that, non-lethal methods fail to resolve property damage problems, landowners can obtain a permit from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to take lethal measures. In fact, HB 87 faces a significant constitutional hurdle precisely because it would upend the states system of expert wildlife management. Under the state constitution, laws that conflict with FWC regulations are unconstitutional. HB 87 is directly at odds with FWCs existing rules, which properly treat killing as a last resort. If passed, HB 87 is likely bound for the courts where the state will be forced to waste taxpayer money defending a losing case. Human-bear conflicts almost always revolve around food. Bears have an incredibly strong sense of smell, and unsecured trash cans, unsecured bird feeders and pet food left outdoors can lure wildlife in close to human occupied areas. HB 87 does nothing to address this persistent challenge in a proactive and effective manner; it simply allows for the killing of any bear who stumbles into the wrong situation while looking for food. The simple truth is this; we cannot kill our way out of human-bear conflicts and allowing unpermitted killing of countless bears under the guise of protecting safety, or even just protecting property, is no kind of solution. More: Bear legislation is designed to protect the animal and humans Gov. DeSantis should veto HB 87. Instead of advocating for lethal measures, let's focus on educating communities about bears. By teaching people to coexist responsibly and competently addressing attractant issues, we can ensure human safety and the survival of these beloved animals. Let's not succumb to fear-mongering or unconstitutional proposals; instead, lets shift to conflict prevention by prioritizing education and responsible practices all around. Kate MacFall Kate MacFall is the Florida Senior State Director for the Humane Society of the United States. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Send letters to the editor (up to 200 words) or Your Turn columns (about 500 words) to letters@tallahassee.com. Please include your address for verification purposes only, and if you send a Your Turn, also include a photo and 1-2 line bio of yourself. You can also submit anonymous Zing!s at Tallahassee.com/Zing. Submissions are published on a space-available basis. All submissions may be edited for content, clarity and length, and may also be published by any part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Bear legislation is a bad move for wildlife and Floridians Orange Cove gears up for clean energy A utility company is experimenting. Its subjects: A Fresno County citys residents | Opinion As the Mayor of Orange Cove, it is an honor to serve my community. The recent opinion column on Orange Coves hydrogen blending project unfortunately misrepresented how we feel about this exciting clean energy project that will bring great benefits to our community. You refer to the hydrogen blending project as an experiment, calling our community lab subjects. That assertion couldnt be farther from the truth. I know innovators and industry leaders are building clean energy projects, including hydrogen, throughout the Central Valley. This region is proud to continue its role as the energy capital of the state. As a steward of the city, it is my responsibility to seek out projects that will provide ongoing and long-term economic and environmental benefits to the residents of Orange Cove. Thats why we sought out this opportunity; were proud to welcome this hydrogen blending demonstration project. We will not suffer ill health as is stated in your piece. We are excited about and proud of our partnership with SoCalGas. Its time for Orange Cove to position itself as a leader and pioneer in the clean energy transition. Diana G. Silva is the Mayor of Orange Cove Celebrate International Childrens Day Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation Gives Scholarships To Military Children: Its Our Way Of Honoring Our Fallen Heroes! May 26 (fresnobee.com) June 1 is International Childrens Day. It is a day to reflect on ways to protect children and facilitate their well-being and education. There are children throughout the world experiencing unimaginable hardships. As of April 2024, according to the UN, at least 600 children have been killed in attacks and more than 1,350 children have been injured as a result of the Russian war of aggression. UNICEF reports that 2 million children have fled Ukraine, while 2.5 million are internally displaced. According to Ukraines National Information Bureau, 19,546 children were forcibly deported to be forced into adoption in Russia. Fifteen cases of rape of children committed by the invading Russian soldiers have been documented by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine. Human Rights Watch reported that more than 3,790 schools and kindergartens in Ukraine have been damaged or destroyed, interrupting access to education. The Ukrainian National Womens League of America is calling upon people throughout the United States to hold prayers for the children of Ukraine and to have our children make cards for their friends across the globe this coming June 1. Prayer and a show of support are powerful antidotes to the ugliness and hatefulness of war. Victoria Malko Fresno Complexities of Texas power grid Commentary | Houston storm shows downside of forced electrification May 23 (fresnobee.com) I am writing regarding the commentary that ran in the Fresno Bee, Houston storm shows downside of electrification by Diana Furchtgott-Roth. There is vital information that was left out. The first is that these outages are a direct result of the sort of deregulation agenda that the Heritage Foundation, for which Ms. Furchgott-Roth works, actively pushes. The Texas grid is uniquely susceptible to outages because the Texas legislature has long resisted integrating it into neighboring states, as doing so would allow for regulation for safety and reliability. In addition, the increasingly frequent extreme weather events in Texas are a result of destabilization of the climate leading to both increased intrusion of the polar vortex into the southern U.S. in the cooler months of the year and also increased summer heat waves. The Heritage Foundation has actively worked to deny actual climate science in favor of increasing the short-term profits of the fossil fuel companies that fund the Heritage Foundation. If Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, and the Heritage Foundation were honest, they would admit that the failures of the Texas power grid are the direct result of the extreme anti-regulation agenda that they champion, and they want the same for the rest of the U.S. Matthew Armstrong Fresno PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) About $75,000 in grants were awarded to 15 Oregon museums to help aid in collection, preservation, interpretation and heritage tourism. The grants came from the Oregon Heritage Commission as part of the Oregon Museum Grant program. Drew Gordon, former 76ers player, killed in Clackamas County car crash Amounts ranged from $1,052 to $8,000 at museums across the state. There were three museums awarded in Washington and Multnomah counties: Five Oaks Museum was awarded $5,682 to preserve and honor documents, scrapbooks and artifacts related to Patricia Whiting, the first Filipina to serve in the Oregon House of Representatives. Gresham Historical Society was awarded $6,468 to rehouse, assess damages and update records for 75 textiles impacted by a sprinkler during a building fire. Hellenic-American Cultural Center and Museum was awarded $2,700 to collect oral histories and create a video about the Portland Greek Festival. Oregon mussel harvesting closed on entire coast after over 20 people sickened The museum grant program is offered annually by the Oregon Heritage Commission as part of the Oregon Heritage program at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Read more at PortlandTribune.com. The Portland Tribune and its parent company Pamplin Media Group are KOIN 6 News media partners Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. More than 1700 people showed up to walk in the Donate Life Legacy Walk on Saturday. The event at the Liberty Memorial provided food trucks, live music and more to celebrate organ and tissue recipients. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri At the same time, the crowd honored those who gave their organs so that the recipients could have a second chance at life. Midwest Transplant Network told FOX4 that becoming an organ donor can save seven lives, and that donating tissue can help up to 100 people. So, thinking about how many people you can help is inspiring, Sarah Oland with the Midwest Transplant Network said. We just hope that the legacy that is left makes them proud. The night included many people sharing their stories of how a transplant impacted them, like Maxine McMullen, a 2-time kidney transplant recipient. The first time for 18 and a half years, I just received a kidney one year ago, July 31. She was going through dialysis when she found out that she was a candidate for a transplant. It was hard at first because I was scared, McMullen said. But I wanted to make it my mission and my journey to find out and do help others. She said she is active on social media and coordinates with MTN to provide support. She says its an awesome blessing. Another organ recipient, Gary Dixon, has a relationship with his donors family. He received a heart from Chris Hudson Jr. and now, he says he gained more than just a new ticker. Chris was a tender-hearted young man, and that has come through to me. My kids will tell you Im not only different physically but mentally and emotionally, Im a changed person. Chiefs Harrison Butker could be taken off of kickoffs with rule change The connection between Hudson and Dixon goes beyond the transplant. Dixon was put on the heart transplant list the same day Hudson signed up to be an organ donor. Their fathers have the same birthdays, and Dixon says hes even gained some of Hudsons traits. Id get an urge, or Id see something on Facebook and text his mom, shed say howd you know? Id respond, I got your sons heart! He even said hes feeling younger as well. At a certain age you get a little jaded or that type of thing, but hes taken that away and has made a difference in my life. Dixon is walking today, to make sure Hudsons gift of life is celebrated and remembered. Because thats my responsibility to make sure hes never forgotten, Dixon said. He saved seven people that day. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. MELVILLE, La. (KLFY) Approximately $18,600 worth of items were stolen from this Melville residence May 16, and the Melville Police Department is currently investigating the burglary. Authorities said, based on what theyve gathered so far in the investigation, a residence located at 729 Jackson Lane was broken into, and multiple people could be involved, including one suspect at large who has been identified as 32-year-old Rodney Sanders of Melville. A warrant has been issued for his arrest for charges including aggravated burglary, felony theft, criminal damage to property and criminal trespassing. Some jewelry, collectible coins, legal documents, firearms and about $9,000 cash was taken from the home. MPD said the homeowner was in the hospital at the time of the burglary. Several items, including some of the jewelry, coins and 11 weapons were found and recovered at an abandoned home, located at 1108 1st Street in Melville, according to MPD. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The number of people involved and items stolen is unknown at this time. This is an ongoing investigation. More information will be shared when it becomes available. Latest Posts Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Parade of planets on June 3: Heres what itll look like in Middle Tennessee Parade of planets on June 3: Heres what itll look like in Middle Tennessee NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Six planets will align in the sky just before sunrise on June 3 in a rare celestial event known as a planetary parade. The past few months have been exciting for skygazers in Tennessee with many residents capturing space phenomena from their own backyards. GALLERY: Northern Lights across Middle TN In April, millions across North America witnessed the moon block the sun during a total solar eclipse. However, Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky saw a partial view of the eclipse, meaning that the Sun was only partially covered by the Moon. Then, in May, an unusually strong solar storm hit the Earth and produced northern lights across the country, some visible in Middle Tennessee. News 2 viewers captured photos of the phenomenon. How much daylight will Nashville, other cities have on the longest day of 2024? Now, folks are preparing to catch the next big event known as the planetary parade. Jupiter, Mercury, Uranus, Mars, Neptune and Saturn are expected to align in the sky on Monday, June 3. What will I see? Although theres excitement surrounding the celestial event, experts at NASA are urging people not to get their hopes up. According to NASA, only two planets Saturn and Mars will be visible to the naked eye on June 3. The four other planets will be much harder to see. In fact, experts said Jupiter and Mercury will be at or below the horizon in the morning twilight and not visible. However, Uranus and Neptune could be visible with a telescope. The weather forecast The National Weather Service forecast calls for a few showers and possibly some thunderstorms late Sunday night in areas south of I-40. Folks in Middle Tennessee will have some patchy fog Monday morning, which could obstruct the view. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com However, those wishing to see the planetary parade will need to be up by 5:10 a.m., which is about 20 minutes before sunrise. A faintly red Mars and pale yellow dot of Saturn should be visible around that time. However, NASA reports both planets are already visible in the early mornings and will be for much of the summer. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Passenger on killer turbulence plane so badly hurt he may have to give up job Bradley Richards recalls how he woke up with blood pouring from his head - SWNS A passenger on the Singapore Airlines flight hit by severe turbulence that led to the death of a British man believes he will have to change careers after suffering life-changing injuries. Bradley Richards, 29, was left with six fractures in his spine and neck and internal bleeding after flight SQ321, from London to Singapore, dropped 176ft in four seconds. Geoff Kitchen, 73, died from a suspected heart attack while many more were injured, some severely. Mr Richards believes he was knocked unconscious and woke up with blood pouring from his head. The deep cut Bradley Richards suffered to his head in the incident - SWNS After using a pillow to stem the blood flow, he says he immediately felt spinal pain and had to be lifted into a wheelchair when the plane landed in Bangkok. The telecoms engineer from Benfleet, Essex, described the experience as like something out of a movie. He suffered multiple fractures to the spine and neck, a spinal epidural hematoma and a cut to his head requiring 20 stitches. Doctors have told Mr Richards it is unlikely he will able to return to work in his current role as an engineer. He said: Its just gutting Ive worked in that role for seven years and I couldnt imagine doing anything else. Bradley Richards and a friend seen on holiday. He described the plane falling as 'like something out of a movie' - SWNS He has been receiving treatment in a hospital in Bangkok and is currently unsure when hell be able to return to the UK. Mr Richards said: Its not been pleasant, I can assure you that, but I try my best to remain positive and the airline and hospital have been so good to me. The health care is second to none. Early findings by The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) show that the plane experienced a rapid change in acceleration upwards and downwards causing injuries to those without seatbelts on. Mr Richards said: I was asleep or I think I might have been knocked unconscious when it happened. I remember waking up and my head was just pouring with blood, kids were screaming, people running around everywhere, it was so frantic. It was like something out of a movie. I remember I felt the back pain straight away and blood was just pouring from my head. I tried to use my cushion to stem the blood one of the ones they hand out for on the flights. Once we landed, I was near the back of the plane and I remember the medical staff running on and having to step over all the injured people on the floor. They couldnt get a stretcher to me so I was supported off the plane. I told them about my spinal pain and the workers had to pick me up, support me under my armpits and carry me to a wheelchair. It was just all so traumatic I guess they couldnt fit a stretcher right down the back because of the people on the floor or they might not have picked up on it due to all the chaos happening. I was just a bit quiet in the aftermath, to be honest it all felt so surreal. I didnt scream or anything. It was just all so traumatic. When I came round and saw people on the floor, being stretchered like I say, it felt like something from a movie, not real life. Richard was given a makeshift bandage on the plane - SWNS The TSIB preliminary investigation findings reveal that the plane dropped 178ft (54m) in just four seconds. The agency says the likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers. Authorities believe Mr Kitchen, from Thornbury, near Bristol, died from a suspected heart attack after the extreme turbulence. He had been travelling with his wife for a six-week holiday to Singapore, Indonesia and Australia. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man is dead following a collision involving a freight train near East Nashvilles Inglewood area Saturday night, according to authorities. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said officers were dispatched to the railroad tracks half a mile north of the McGavock Pike crossing around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 1. Metro police: 1 dead, 2 injured following crash on I-65N According to officials, the engineer said the CSX freight train was moving around a curve at approximately 30 mph when he noticed a shadow on the tracks between the rails. He reportedly realized the shadow was a person lying on the tracks in dark clothing, but the train couldnt stop before making impact. Authorities identified the pedestrian struck and killed by the train as a 55-year-old man, adding that MNPD chaplains are working to notify his family. The investigation into why the victim was on the railroad tracks is still ongoing, but police said there were no signs of foul play. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Multiple railroad crossings were blocked by the train involved in the incident late Saturday night, with officials telling News 2 the scene would be cleared by Sunday morning. No additional details have been released about this deadly incident. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Excerpt From 2003 to 2020, U.S. newspaper advertising and circulation revenue fell from $57.4 billion to $20.6 billion. As a result, approximately twenty-two hundred newspapers and their websites went out of business between 2005 and 2021. And between 2008 and 2021, forty thousand newsroom jobs were lost at those papers and at the survivors that still had to continue cutting back staff. A new, insidious brand of misinformation has now moved in to fill the breach, resulting in the prospect that another troubling milestone in misinformation and disinformation may soon be crossed. As of the end of 2023, the number of real news websites in the United States operated by real local daily newspapers has declined, while the number of so-called pink-slime news sites has increased to the point that there were about the same number (about 1,200) of each. Pink-slime sites are those that present themselves as legitimate news publishers but have a different, undisclosed mission. They are secretly financed by partisan funders and created to boost their favorite political candidates and tear down their opponents while piously masquerading as independent, nonprofit start-ups launched by civic-minded donors to fill the gap created by the decline of local newspapers. They try to look like long-established independent local newspapers, such as The Copper Courier of Arizona, whose name sounds as if it dates from the copper rush of the 19th century, not its actual founding in 2019 by a left-wing political operation. For those who believe that the independent press the Fourth Estate is fundamental to democracy, this hijacking of the credibility of once-trusted local news sources should be beyond the pale. The hijackers, Democrats and Republicans alike, have acted as if the idea that self-government depends on people being able to count on independent providers of information is a quaint relic and that the new media channels present new opportunities that creative political operatives must seize. In other words, even this core instrument of the democratic process, independent journalism, can and must now be cast aside. An October 2022 NewsGuard report described this hijacking of traditional local newspapers, citing an article that appeared on millions of Facebook and Instagram feeds in Michigan, reporting that the states Republican gubernatorial candidate, Tudor Dixon, said that a 14-year-old girl raped by her uncle was a perfect example of a case in which abortion should not be allowed under the law. The article, designed to mobilize Democratic voters, was posted on Facebook and Instagram by a seemingly local news outlet called The Main Street Sentinel. The NewsGuard report noted, Although the article devoted more space and a positive spin to the pro-choice views of Dixons opponent, it did accurately quote and summarize Dixons position. However, astute Facebook and Instagram users might have noticed that the article was actually an ad that carried a sponsored label in small print above the text, followed by a disclosure that the post touting the article was Paid for by The Main Street Sentinel. That did not mean that the ad was paid for by a benign local news outlet seeking to call attention to its reporting. The ad was instead the work of an influence operation linked to a Democratic strategist and designed to boost the reelection campaign of Michigans governor, Gretchen Whitmer, who was running against Dixon. The purpose of the article was not to appeal to readers of the obscure Main Street Sentinel, of which there were few. Rather, it was set up so that, for $80,000 in advertising on Facebook, it could be displayed on approximately 7.42 million Facebook and Instagram feeds in Michigan and look like a post from a legitimate news publisher touting its work. Nowhere was the articles real pedigree as a Democratic campaign message disclosed. Just the opposite was conveyed. A seemingly real news operation had promoted something negative about Whitmers opponent to those targeted on Facebook and Instagram. The secret, politically motivated financing of these faux news sites is bipartisan. One pink-slime network called Metric Media, which was found running more than a thousand such sites, is funded by Republicans and does the same kind of targeting for its candidates running in state and local elections. On the Democrats side, the most prominent and sophisticated of the pink-slimers is something called Courier Newsroom, which is owned by Good Information Inc. The Courier sites, including The Copper Courier, all have About sections that declare they are independent start-ups meant to fill the void created by the decline of local newspapers. Good Information, launched in February 2021, succeeded Acronym, a dark money Democratic group that provided Courier with its initial funding. Good Information described itself in a press release announcing its October 2021 launch as committed to increasing the flow of good information online to counter disinformation where it spreads, restore social trust and strengthen democracy. According to the press release, it planned to invest in, incubate and scale new business models and smart distribution strategies that are capable of breaking through echo chambers and information silos to reach consumers with trusted information. The billionaire LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman led a multimillion-dollar seed investment for Good Information, according to the companys launch announcement. He was joined in his efforts by his fellow billionaire and Democratic mega-donor George Soros. In June 2022, Hoffman gathered a dozen billionaires over Zoom with the goal of raising tens of millions of dollars for groups described as being able to increase Democratic turnout and dissuade Republicans from going to the polls, The Washington Post reported. Courier uses unabashed, aggressive fundraising tactics, The Washington Post report found. In an August 2022 case study presented on its website to explain how effective its spending is, Courier touted its ad-targeting campaign on a page titled Local Newsroom Proves Ability to Turn Out Voters in Rural Iowa. The group described how its Iowa publication had spent $49,000 on Facebook ads targeting twelve Iowa counties ahead of the states June 2022 primary election. According to Courier, the campaign resulted in thirty-three hundred more votes, presumably for Democrats. The Washington Post report found that during the 2022 election cycle these pink-slime operations spent approximately $3.94 million on ad campaigns running simultaneously on Facebook and Instagram. ... With these ads able to reach highly targeted audiences for a fraction of the cost of other media, they have been featured on Facebook and Instagram feeds more than 115 million times. The operating head of Courier Newsroom is Tara McGowan, a longtime Democratic political organizer and communications staffer. When I interviewed her in 2022, she took umbrage at questions related to her organizations funding, its clearly strategic launch of news sites only in swing states or swing districts, and its apparent tilting of coverage. We are only trying to serve underserved communities, she maintained. She declined to answer when asked about whether the Courier network of sites would ever publish similarly positive coverage of Republicans or critical coverage of Democrats. Asked why Courier does not more fully disclose its political motivations to readers, McGowan said, Courier does not need to give them the full picture. ... Our job is not to cover every single story that merits coverage. She added, We didnt say that were not a progressive organization. ... We never claimed to be fair and balanced. We never claimed to elevate both sides. We have been transparent. McGowan then added this rationale: We are up against a right-wing propaganda disinformation machine that has been building for forty years. In other words, because the other side does it, we can do it. Opinion editor's note: Editorials represent the opinions of the Star Tribune Editorial Board, which operates independently from the newsroom. Minnesota's groundbreaking new state Office of American Indian Health has daunting but vital challenges ahead of it. Nationally, Indigenous people have lower life expectancies than other groups, according to federal health statistics, and "have a high prevalence and risk factors for mental health and suicide, unintentional injuries, obesity, substance use, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), teenage pregnancy, diabetes, liver disease and hepatitis." Minnesota data is no less disturbing. As a state report released this spring noted, "American Indians represent 2.7% of the total population living in Minnesota and yet experience the worst disparities in the state." Two examples: American Indians had the highest infant mortality rate from 2012 to 2022 of any group. And, Indian children here are far more likely to die prematurely compared to others the same age. The mortality rate for Indian children ages 1-9 is 64.1 (per 100,000 population), the highest in the state. The rate for non-Hispanic white children is 11.8. These alarming health gaps are unacceptable but have stubbornly persisted. Ongoing innovation to turn back these trends is critical. The Office of Indian Health is an example of the new kind of approaches urgently needed, which is why its official debut last week merits note and praise. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, health officials and dignitaries from the state's American Indian communities were among those who gathered Wednesday at the Capitol to mark the occasion and share details of the new office's mission. It includes supporting and promoting public health in American Indian communities through "partnerships, targeted initiatives and a broad spectrum of public investments." The work doesn't include delivering medical care but instead "focuses on public health and the systems that protect the health of the entire population, such as reclamation of traditional wellness practices, community health assessments, disease investigation, health communications, and health policies," according to information from the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). Ten staff members will be located throughout the state. The office will distribute over $9 million in state and federal grants to support tribal and urban American Indian community health, according to MDH. It's a sensible approach, one that takes aim at the root of health disparities and prioritizes prevention. Just the office's existence will be beneficial as well, with the institutional heft of a state-level organization creating the awareness and momentum necessary to implement solutions. In interviews with an editorial writer, Flanagan and the office's new director, Kris Rhodes, put a commendable priority on the new office partnering with Minnesota's Indian nations. There are 11 federally recognized tribal nations within the state's borders. Seven are Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) reservations, and four are Dakota communities. Leaders and members are valuable allies, and their collaboration is foundational for success. Tapping Rhodes to lead the office is laudable. She has strong public health credentials, including a master's degree in public health administration and policy from the University of Minnesota. In addition, she served as the CEO of the well-regarded American Indian Cancer Foundation from 2011 to 2021. Rhodes is also an enrolled citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. That heritage will help the office strengthen relationships with the state's Indian communities and ensure that cultural practices are integral to the office's work. Flanagan's advocacy and family ties she is a member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe will aid the effort, too. Just a handful of other states have launched similar health initiatives. Among them: Arizona, Washington and New Mexico, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Minnesota may not be the first, but it is at the forefront, which reflects well on the state. The new office has won praise from Minnesota's American Indian leaders. "The Office of American Indian Health will add opportunities for more streamlined communication and improved understanding on both ends of how sovereign nations and state government can collaborate to better serve everyone. It allows tribes and their leaders, who best know their people, to address health disparities in culturally appropriate ways," said Joanna Bryant, tribal public health administrator and tribal member, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Acclaimed University of Minnesota health researcher Katy Kozhimannil also lauded the office. "The establishment of the Office of American Indian Health at MDH is necessary, important, appreciated and long overdue. Bringing the resources and capacity of the state, in partnership with tribal nations, to focus on the health of Indigenous people in Minnesota is a critical step toward both fulfilling promises to members of tribal nations and their descendants and rectifying the longstanding health inequities faced by Indigenous Minnesotans, including unconscionable rates of maternal and infant mortality," Kozhimannil told an editorial writer. "It is my hope that this office's work is transformative for the health of urban, rural and tribal Indigenous communities across Minnesota, and I am heartened that the office is centered on and led by Indigenous expertise ... This structure is set up for success, and I hope to see continued and sustainable investment and improvement in health equity for Indigenous Minnesotans." The Star Tribune Editorial Board echoes Kozhimannil's call for continued state support. It will take time to address these shameful, longstanding health disparities. The new state office is a significant step toward that goal and offers hope that these gaps can be closed. UPDATE 3:30 p.m. Pittsburgh Police say the missing teen girl was found safe. Pittsburgh police are looking for a missing 13-year-old girl. Police say Aliesha Gentry was last seen in the citys Beltzhoover neighborhood late in the evening of June 1. Aliesha is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown eyes and black hair that was up in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a leopard print jacket and leggings. Police say she frequents Beltzhoover, Mt. Washington and Downtown. Anyone who sees Aliesha or may know where she is should call police at 412-323-7141 or 911. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Mt. Lebanon Police respond to incident involving barricaded person 6-week-old boy dies after attacked by family dog, parents say NSA says iPhone and Android users should take this step to protect their phone VIDEO: Thousands of people visit Pittsburgh to see Kenny Chesney, celebrate Pride, enjoy festivities DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts Planets on parade: Six planets set to align in the pre-dawn sky on June 3. A planetary parade will be visible in the skies over Rochester in early June, but youll likely need more than the naked eye to see this celestial event. Six planets will seemingly align during June -- though the effect should be particularly visible in the predawn hours on Monday, June 3, according to StarWalk.space, the website for astronomical app Star Walk. Saturn, Neptune, Mars, Uranus, Mercury and Jupiter will be arranged across the early morning sky, about 1 hour before sunrise. Sunrise for Rochester on June 3 is 5:32 a.m. Six planets align on June 3, 2024. What will you be able to see? How many planets will actually be visible is disputed, however. Forbes senior contributor Jamie Carter contests all that will be visible with the naked eye will be Saturn and Mars, both dim, while Jupiter and Mars would be tricky to see so close to the sun. Uranus and Neptune would only be visible with assistance from a telescope. Instead, Carter recommends looking at the moon in the predawn sky, with Mars and Saturn visible nearby and a waning crescent which transitions from 42% to just 6% from May 31 to June 4. Meteorologist and science writer Scott Sutherland, in a piece for The Weather Network, recommends June 15 as a better date to see the planetary parade, when five planets will be in alignment and rise higher in the sky before dawn. Even then, however, Uranus and Neptune wont be visible without the use of a telescope. What is planetary alignment? The planets in our solar system orbit the sun in a relatively flat plane, meaning that from Earth, they appear to follow a similar path to the sun and moon across the terrestrial sky. This plane, the ecliptic, means the planets are nearly always aligned anyway, according to EarthSky, an astronomy website. So while its a good opportunity to see several planets at once due to the waning status of the moon and the timing of the planetary rises, the actual alignment is not rare in the way Aprils solar eclipse was, for instance. When will the planets align again? Here's when StarWalk.space predicts the next six- and 7-planetary alignments will happen: June 3: Six planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Aug. 28: Six planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. Jan. 18: Six planets Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune Feb. 28: Seven planets Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. (The last time all seven planets aligned was on April 8 during the total solar eclipse). Aug. 29, 2025: Six planets Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. USA Today reporter Janet Loehrke contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Parade of planets 2024: How to see it, best viewing times in New York Police in Illinois Recovered Bombs From This Mans Vehicle, And That's Not All ... Last month, police in Illinois found a firearm and homemade bombs in a mans car. That wasnt even the most alarming part. Later, an investigation revealed a series of far-right conspiracies including plans to start a Civil War. Lets start from the beginning: Police in Pekin, Illinois pulled over 34-year-old Dalton Mattus on May 17 for a traffic violation, according The U.S. Attorneys Office in Central Illinois. They eventually initiated a search of the vehicle after spotting something suspicious: a bag underneath his seat closed with a padlock. Police told 25 News Now that Mattus objected to the search of the vehicle, repeatedly locking the car doors to prevent their inspection. After the cops asked what was inside the bag (and also the syringes they located near it), Mattus told the officers they needed a search warrant to continue snooping. Within a matter of hours, officers obtained the warrant. Though, were not sure they were prepared for what they were about to find. Read more from Rolling Stone: Police took the bag and let Mattus go, then obtained a warrant from a judge and opened the bag inside city hall. There, they found a .45 caliber pistol and two homemade pipe bombs rigged with BBs, evacuated the building, and called in a bomb squad from neighboring Peoria, according to local reports. Police then went to his home and engaged in a brief standoff before arresting Mattus, according to local media. There, police say, they found three more pipe bombs. Authorities havent disclosed Mattus motive for making the homemade explosives besides his claim he was protecting himself from undocumented immigrants and a corrupt government. However, a Rolling Stone probe into his social media revealed a series of far-right, QAnon, Stop the Steal and other Trump-inspired conspiracies dated back to 2016. As recently as last year, the magazine discovered a TikTok video where Mattus spouted an anti-government threat. To everybody that is disgusted with the way our government is being ran. There needs to be, like, a call to arms. Something needs to happen now, he said in the video obtained by Rolling Stone. Mattus is currently charged with unlawful use or possession of a weapon by a felon and unlawful possession of explosives. A judge ruled he will remain in custody at Tazewell County Jail until his next court hearing after prosecutors argued he may pose a threat to public safety, per 25 News Now. Prosecutors told Rolling Stone they may consider additional charges upon investigating the far-right content. These same conspiracies and ideologies are what led to the fatal January 6 insurrection. Could we expect more of this if we end up in Trumps America once again? For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Crime scene tape blocked off a good portion of the road that night. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. Officers are investigating a deadly shooting that happened Saturday night at a neighborhood block party in Rock Hill. It happened around 10:30 p.m. on Southland Drive. According to the Rock Hill Police Department, officers heard the gunshots and responded to the block party. It was total panic when those shots rang out. One neighbor told Channel 9s Glenn Counts people were banging on her door trying to get inside. Its awful, its awful that people are that senseless and really dont care about other peoples lives, Kamaron Wilson said. ALSO READ: Man charged for shooting at neighbors who were playing music, setting fireworks According to Rock Hill police, a woman and a man were shot and killed. Two more people were hurt. On Monday, the victims were identified as Maricus Kirk, 21, and Montest Mincey, 44. Its not clear if police are looking for any suspects. I seen a dude laying up under the back part of the car, up on the back part of the truck, so I tried to help him out a little bit, but I dont think he made it though, said Antonio White, one of the organizers of the block party. White said the block party has been a neighborhood tradition for more than 10 years. He said there had never been any trouble before Saturday night. Everybody disappointed, shaken up about it, but I think that one right there is the last one, he told Counts. I aint going to say think. I know. Neighbors said they heard between five and 10 shots. The incident happened right in front of Austin Roberts home. ALSO READ: Suspect arrested, accused of shooting man in mouth We were hiding in the kitchen just trying to keep a low profile, he said. A lot of people are disappointed this might be the last block party. Its kind of upsetting that its come to that, Roberts said. I know this is something the community looked forward to, Wilson said. Its sad that you cant do anything positive and fun for the community anymore. Some of the neighbors told Counts the 44-year-old woman was trying to be a peacemaker when she was shot and killed. Police have not confirmed if thats true. Police have not released any further information about what led up to the shooting. Rock Hill police asked anyone with information about the shooting to call the dedicated tip line: 803-325-2678. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. (WATCH BELOW: Police search for attempted murder suspect who escaped custody in Monroe) An 18-year-old was shot and killed at a north Charlotte home over the weekend, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said. Officers were called around 3 a.m. Sunday for a welfare check at a home on Echo Glen Road, in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. ALSO READ: 2 killed, 2 hurt in shooting at Rock Hill block party Inside the home, officers found 18-year-old Bellian Garcia who had been shot. MEDIC was called but Garcia was pronounced dead at the home. Detectives say theyre now conducting a homicide investigation at the house. Crime scene investigators searched through the home and collected physical evidence, according to CMPD. No suspects have been identified at this time. Were working on getting more details on this shooting. Check back for updates. (WATCH >> CMPD: No friendly fire or sympathetic gunfire during deadly police shootout) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Bakersfield Police Department is asking the community to look for a teen who went missing on Saturday, June 1. Irene Castellanos, 14, was last seen in the 2600 block of Mount Vernon Avenue, around 5 p.m. Police say Castellanos is considered at-risk due to no prior history of running away and because of a medical condition. Firefighters put out garage fire on Beech Street She is 5 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs around 140 pounds, according to police. Castellanos has light brown hair, hazel eyes and was last seen wearing a black sweater. She was also wearing a royal blue crop-top, converse shoes and was known to be in possession of a skateboard. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Bakersfield Police Department 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. Policeman dies after being stabbed at anti-Islam event in Mannheim Police officers mourn their deceased colleague on the market square in Mannheim. A German police officer has died two days after being stabbed at an anti-Islam gathering in the western German city of Mannheim, authorities said Sunday, as police responded to demonstrations held in the wake of the attack. Boris Roessler/dpa A German police officer has died two days after being stabbed at an anti-Islam gathering in the western German city of Mannheim, authorities said Sunday, as police responded to demonstrations held in the wake of the attack. The public prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe, the Mannheim police headquarters and the criminal investigation office in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg said the officer underwent emergency surgery immediately after the attack and was placed in an induced coma, but succumbed to his severe injuries on Sunday afternoon. "We mourn the loss of a police officer who gave his life for our safety," they said. "The news shakes me to the core," said Baden-Wurttemberg premier Winfried Kretschmann, adding his thoughts were with the man's family, relatives and colleagues. "This terrible act is a painful reminder to us all of the often incalculable risks police officers are exposed to on a daily basis." Thomas Strobl, the state interior minister, said: "These are moments when the world seems to stand still. The whole Baden-Wurttemberg police force will honour his memory always." The attack occurred on Friday morning during an event hosted by the Pax Europa movement, with five other people also sustaining injuries. The movement's treasurer, Stefanie Kizina, said the attack was specifically aimed at Pax Europa board member Michael Sturzenberger, who sustained serious injuries. Sturzenberger would "definitely carry on" his work with the organization, she said. The motive of the 25-year-old perpetrator, who was born in Afghanistan and was unknown to police, is still unclear. He underwent surgery after sustaining gunshot wounds during his capture, according to police. The man, who lives in the western German state of Hesse and is married with two children, has been accused of attempted murder. Meanwhile, there were violent scenes in Mannheim on Sunday as police responded to two demonstrations held following the attacks. Activists formed a human chain during a vigil organized by a non-partisan alliance under the motto: "Solidarity against violence, hatred and agitation." The vigil, supported by a range of political parties represented on the city council, emerged in response to a planned rally by the youth wing of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The slogan for the youth protest was: "Remigration would have prevented this crime!" The concept of remigration - involving deporting large numbers of people of foreign origin - has been widely criticized across Germany. Videos from the square showed police clashing with a group of Antifa activists, who set off fireworks. The slogan "Nazis out" was also chanted by demonstrators. Candles, flowers and a piece of paper with the inscription "Against Terror" stand at the scene of the crime on the market square. The perpetrator had attacked participants at an anti-Islamic rally on Mannheim's market square on 31 May and injured six people, including a police officer. Uwe Anspach/dpa A forensics officer inspects the crime scene where a knife-wielding attacker in the German city of Mannheim on Friday targeted a gathering by the anti-Islam right-wing group Pax Europa, according to members of the group. Uwe Anspach/dpa Forensics officers stand behind a smashed stall on the market square, where a knife-wielding attacker who injured several people on a market square in the south-western German city of Mannheim has been shot by police. Uwe Anspach/dpa PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A 25-year-old man is facing numerous charges after allegedly kidnapping a 47-year-old woman in Portland, Oregon, in the early hours of Friday, police said. The incident began around 1:40 a.m. when the man reportedly spotted the woman near SE 146th and Division and offered her a ride home. When they reached SE 112th, the woman allegedly opened the strangers car door and tried to get out. But, police said, the driver later identified as Ra Fet sped off and prevented her from leaving. Chad Daybell sentenced to death for killing wife and girlfriends 2 children in jury decision As he drove, the woman fought Fet, who allegedly fought back and punched her in the face, according to authorities. The woman was eventually able to jump out of the moving car and ran off. Police said the woman, who was injured, began screaming for help. Officers found her hiding in a driveway. The woman was treated for cuts and bruises. About 40 minutes later, police said they spotted Fets car and were able to stop and arrest him. He was booked into the Multnomah County Jail for kidnapping, sex abuse, coercion, menacing, assault, reckless driving, and reckless endangerment. Additional details were not released, and authorities said the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Portland 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 Queen City News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Dr. Iton Udosenata, one of the three finalists for the Portland Public Schools superintendent opening, was named superintendent for the Tigard-Tualatin School District. District officials announced Udosenata would take over in Tigard-Tualatin beginning July 1. He currently is the deputy superintendent of the Salem-Keizer School District. We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Udosenata to the Tigard-Tualatin School District. Because of his focus on working as a collective to advance student outcomes and his commitment to centering students in every decision, it was clear to the board that Dr. Udosenata would be the perfect leader for our district, Board Chair Tristan Irvin said in a statement. PPS superintendent finalists meet-and-greet parents Earlier this week, Udosenata took place in a parent/student meet-and-greet with the other PPS finalists, Dr. Kimberlee Armstrong from Vancouver, Dr. Paul Cruz from Austin, Texas. KOIN 6 News reached out to Portland Public Schools for comment. KOIN 6 News will have more information as it develops. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A museum dedicated to everyday life in pre-war Britain will expand its timeframe to include the Windrush Generation as part of a new diversity drive. Open-air living museums recreate daily life from Britains past, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in different historical periods, often from the Industrial revolution to the Edwardian era. The Black Country Living Museum has now expanded its timeframe to include the more recent British history of immigration, and the racism faced by new arrivals. Visitors to the attraction in the West Midlands can now immerse themselves in the post-war period which saw the arrival of the HMT Empire Windrush, the foundation of the NHS and the settlement of South Asian immigrants. Previously, the living museum had spanned the period from 1700 to 1941, with architecture and actors on site primarily reflecting the Black Countrys industrial history during that time. This timeframe has been expanded to 1968 in order to include the stories of diverse new arrivals to Britain, in order to make the site more relevant to modern visitors. Andrew Lovett, chief executive of the Black Country Living Museum, said: We felt that we needed to be more representative of life around us. We are in one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse bits of the country and yet we would readily have admitted that the story we were telling previously wasnt representative of the modern-day Black Country, or certainly not of the modern-day West Midlands. We wanted to tell the whole story. Thera are a number of popular living museums in the UK, including Beamish, spanning Regency to Edwardian eras, the Ironbridge Museum, focused on the Industrial Revolution, Blists Hill Victorian Town, and the more ancient West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village. These sites typically reflect the daily lives of a more distant past, allowing visitors to walk charming high streets and sample old-fashioned pubs, and the decision by the Black Country Living Museum to fast-forward in time is a first for this family of museums. View of Black Country Living Museum site New buildings reflective of the expanded time period from 1941 to 1968 have been added to the 26-acre site, which features realistic streets, factories, shops and pubs. New characters played by actors in period attire have been introduced, including the 1950s figure Fitzroy Barrett, who will tell visitors of his Jamaican heritage and racism faced in the UK. An NHS midwife character, Cicilyn Miller, will tell stories of her Jamaican heritage, and will be based at a new 1960s Infant Welfare Centre. The new character of Mr Singh will inform visitors about his Punjabi heritage as he mans a market stall on the museums 1940s to 1960s high street. The characters are based on the experiences of real people in the Black Country, and have been developed as part of a project titled Forging Ahead, intended to increase diversity at the museum. It is hoped that the inclusion of more recent history will make the museum more appealing to the diverse modern community in the West Midlands. Chief executive Mr Lovett said: Weve been developing buildings, shops, and stories that go through into the Forties, the Fifties, and the Sixties, coming a little closer to contemporary modern life, to make the joining up of dots of history a bit easier. When more people recognise the stories that youre telling, things become more relevant. Patterns of behaviour and why things happen become easier to understand. Striding into these decades we have started to tell stories about migration to the Black Country. Museums across the UK have sought to decolonise and diversity in recent years, with an emphasis on including stories beyond a traditional white British perspective. 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. (Getty Images) In 1977, Bob Schreiber became the owner of Burns Pharmacy in Morrisville. For most of his 42 years in the business, he turned a reliable profit. But around 2016, Schreibers pharmacy reached an inflection point. While his business practices hadnt changed, he was selling drugs at a loss. It was something hed seen coming for years, and what ultimately drove him to sell the pharmacy in 2019. Schreiber blames a sort of middleman in the drug supply chain known as pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Over his time in the pharmacy business, those middlemen grew into some of the most powerful companies in the health care industry. Theyre largely responsible for deciding what drugs are covered by health insurance plans, and how much pharmacies can sell the drugs for to people on those plans. According to Schreiber and 11 other current and former independent pharmacists who spoke with the Capital-Star, those PBMs are responsible for effectively forcing them to sell drugs for cheaper than they can buy them. For years, pharmacists have been warning that this trend could drive community pharmacies out of business. Now, theyre saying that time is here. Last year, more than 50 chain and independent pharmacies closed in Pennsylvania. This year already, according to the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association, over 70 chain and independent pharmacies across the state have closed. It just got progressively worse, Schreiber said. The last two years that I was in business, we lost money, which I had never seen in my 42 years. Schreiber believes PBMs are squarely responsible, and in 2019 he sold his pharmacy. In the five years since, pharmacists say the trend of receiving less and less for the drugs they dispense has continued. While some pharmacies are finding creative ways to work around PBMs, most independent pharmacists across Pennsylvania are facing the same decision as Schreiber: operate at a loss, or get out of the business. Pharmacies are the front line of medical care in many of these small communities, said Pat Lavella, former President of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. For many patients, Lavella said, the fastest way to get quick and professional medical advice is to ask a pharmacist. Its also where many patients get vaccines, directions for taking medications and more. If we go away, those questions dont get answered and those problems dont get treated, Lavella said. Greg Lopes, a spokesperson for the Pharmacy Care Management Association, a Washington, D.C.-based PBM trade group, said Schreiber and other Pennsylvania pharmacists are wrong to blame PBMs. There are many factors for community pharmacy closures, however pharmacy benefit managers are supporting community pharmacies in rural areas, including Pennsylvania, through programs that increase reimbursements, Lopes said. PBMs recognize the vital role pharmacies in Pennsylvania play in creating access to prescription drugs for patients. What is a PBM? Pharmacy benefit managers are contracted by insurance companies to handle the prescription drug side of health insurance plans. Lets say youre insured, and you drop off a prescription for a brand name drug at your local pharmacy. Odds are, youre paying a copay that covers a fraction of what the pharmacy purchased the drug for. Behind the scenes, its your PBMs job to ensure that the pharmacy is reimbursed for the rest of the cost of the drug, plus a small fee to account for the pharmacists time and other costs like storage and pill bottles. If a pharmacy accepts your insurance, that means they have a contract with your insurance plans PBM that dictates exactly how much a pharmacy will be reimbursed for the drug youre taking home. Over time, pharmacists say those reimbursement rates have shrunk to the point that theyre actually losing money for a number of expensive drugs that they dispense. And with the three biggest pharmacy benefit managers CVS Caremark, Express Scripts and Optum Rx representing an estimated 80% or so of all health care plans, independent pharmacists are often stuck with accepting a raw deal or dropping a large number of insurance plans and likely losing their customers that are covered by them. Those three major PBM companies are also part of larger companies that own both competing pharmacy chains and health care plans. For example, CVS Caremark is the owner of Americas largest chain pharmacy, CVS, the largest PBM, Caremark, and in 2018 bought one of the nations largest health insurers, Aetna. One independent Pennsylvania pharmacists contracts with Express Scripts, which were shared under the condition of anonymity out of fear of retaliation, showed rebates have been going down incrementally for brand name and specialty drugs every year for the last decade. According to the pharmacist who shared their contracts, like Schreiber, 2016 was the first year those contracts required them to sell brand name drugs at a loss. While brand name and specialty drugs account for only a small percentage of drugs sold, they make up a massive share of revenue because of their costs. Where many generic drugs cost pennies, its not uncommon for brand name drugs to cost into the thousands. Lavella, for example, said at his Pittsburgh pharmacy, 85 to 90% of all prescriptions he fills are generic drugs, but brand name drugs account for roughly 90% of his revenue. Rob Frankil, the executive director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists, said the Express Scripts contracts shared with the Capital-Star were unremarkable. He says they were exactly in line with what he hears from most pharmacists, and that the majority of pharmacies he represents began losing money for every brand name prescription they filled around the same time. Reimbursements are getting worse and worse, and theyre only going in one direction, Frankil said. I didnt think it would get to be as bad as it is now. At the same time, PBMs are profiting on the other side of the pharmaceutical supply chain. Theyre responsible for creating insurance plans formularies the list of drugs covered by the health care plans they work with. In exchange for placing their drugs on those lists of covered medications, PBMs receive kickbacks from the pharmaceutical manufacturers. Spokespeople for both Optum and Express Scripts replied to questions from the Capital-Star with statements about their commitment to working with independent pharmacies. What can Pennsylvania do? Though independent pharmacists have been warning about the increasing pressure for years, they say the long squeeze now has independent pharmacies closing at an alarming rate, with over 100 pharmacies closing in Pennsylvania since the beginning of 2023. In spite of these warnings, lawmakers have done little to rein in PBMs, and even though there have been bipartisan efforts, its unclear if the legislature has any appetite for change. Ive been listening to pharmacists in these rural communities tell me that they are losing money and theyre not sure how much longer they can stay open for, said Sen. Judy Ward (R-Blair). The reason they cant make their business model work is that theyre not getting proper reimbursement from the PBMs. Ward is one of a small group of lawmakers from both sides of the aisle that has been pushing for PBM reform in the statehouse. Gov. Josh Shapiro has also said that he is interested in tackling the issue. But in the past decade, only a couple of bills have been passed with any intention of reining in PBMs, and neither of them has had a major impact. Are you a pharmacist, patient or doctor who has experience working with pharmacy benefit managers? We want to hear from you. Email reporter Ian Karbal at ikarbal@penncapital-star.com to share your stories and help inform our future reporting on the subject. One of those bills aimed to curb PBMs ability to claw money back from pharmacies after prescriptions were dispensed. Another prohibited PBM contracts from containing what are known as gag clauses, which prevented pharmacists from speaking to patients in instances when paying cash would have resulted in getting cheaper drugs. Now, Ward and a handful of other lawmakers have a pair of bills that they believe can make a larger difference. Those bills are supported by both the Pennsylvania Pharmacy Association and the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists. Those bills would direct the Pennsylvania Insurance Department to create a way to process and resolve pharmacy complaints against PBMs. It would also be much more restricting of PBMs attempting to retroactively claw money back from pharmacies, and block a practice known as spread pricing. Spread pricing is a term for when PBMs bill a health insurance plan at one price for a drug, reimburse pharmacies at a lower one and then profit off the difference. On its face, the bill would also stop a practice called patient steering. All three of the biggest PBMs have their own pharmacies or mail-order pharmacy services. Pharmacists have alleged that patients are sometimes pushed towards those pharmacies with lower copays or promises that it will otherwise limit their out-of-pocket prices. While the Pharmacy Association and the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists support all parts of the bill, national advocacy groups like the liberal-leaning Brookings Institute have warned such measures may only serve as stop-gaps that PBMs will eventually find ways to work around. One of the most important parts of the bill, however, that even the Brookings Institute supports, is the transparency element. PBMs would be required to report rebates and other payments from drug manufacturers in exchange for placing their products on formularies, and to explain where those rebates go. As it stands, PBMs have very little oversight and transparency. PBMs contracts with pharmacies typically contain confidentiality clauses. One viewed by the Capital-Star even claimed exemption from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, even though the contract affects how state and federal funds are spent via Medicaid. Even the Federal Trade Commission, which is conducting an antitrust investigation into the largest PBMs has struggled to get information. FTC chair Lina Kahn recently said that the companies werent cooperating. Ultimately, the fate of the proposed legislation will come down to whether or not leadership in Harrisburg supports it. Nathan Akers, Wards chief of staff, noted that one challenge to getting more PBM legislation passed has been the companies powerful lobbies. The issues are also so complex, he said, that it can be hard for lawmakers not already focused on them to wrap their head around. Its easy for [PBMs] to say, this bill will increase healthcare cost, Akers said. And thats something nobody wants to do. Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) did not answer a question about whether he would support Wards bill, but did say in a statement to the Capital-Star, we are very interested in discussing ways to help ensure continued access to local pharmacies, which are equipped to respond quickly to needs of area residents. Reps. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny) and Valerie Gaydos, (R-Allegheny) are sponsoring a companion bill in the state House. Beth Rementer, a spokesperson for House Majority Leader Matthew Bradford (D-Montgomery) said they would continue to review the bill. Cutting out the middlemen In the meantime, more pharmacists have been looking for workarounds for PBMs. Kyle McCormick, the founder of Blueberry Pharmacy in West View, is one pharmacist who says he found a way. After seeing what PBMs were doing to other pharmacies business, he decided to open a pharmacy that bypasses the middlemen altogether. They serve no function, McCormick said of PBMs. They exist to make money Their role is to provide the best return for shareholders. He dispenses strictly generic drugs which often cost pennies, or fractions of pennies for pharmacists to buy and only charges customers their actual cost, plus a fee to cover his expenses. Without brand name drugs, hes not dispensing anything at a loss, unlike his competitors that work with PBMs. While McCormick says his business model is growing, he understands many pharmacies would struggle to make the switch. Often, Medicaid plans have $0 copays, and Medicare plan copays can be lower than what McCormick charges. This means pharmacists in communities with a lot of customers relying on either program may have a hard time convincing their customers to pay more for their regular prescriptions. A Medicare recipient who sees a zero, $1 or $3 copay thats a significant increase for them, McCormick says. In some cases, however, McCormick says he can actually dispense drugs to patients for a lower price than they could get using insurance. Thats because PBM contracts with manufacturers can often dictate the copay on drugs they put on a plans formulary. For patients who want to support pharmacies like McCormicks, he runs a website where you can find pharmacies in your state operating with a similar business model. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Prescription for trouble: Pennsylvania pharmacists say PBMs are driving pharmacy closures appeared first on Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Pressure is growing on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following US President Joe Biden's proposal for an end to the war in Gaza. President Isaac Herzog thanked Biden on Sunday for his efforts and said that he had assured Netanyahu and the government of his "full support for a deal that will lead to the release of the hostages." "We must not forget that according to Jewish tradition, there is no greater commandment than redeeming captives and hostages - especially when it comes to Israeli citizens who the state of Israel was not able to defend," he said in an address at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "It is our inherent obligation to bring them home within the framework of a deal that preserves the security interests of the state of Israel," he added. Biden presented details of a draft peace deal that foresees three phases of de-escalation, starting with a complete ceasefire for six weeks and a withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas in Gaza. It sets out plans for the release of hostages and prisoners, Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territory and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. While Washington said that Israel had endorsed the plan, several far-right members of the Israeli government on Saturday threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition in case the deal is accepted. Although Israel has agreed to the proposal for an agreement presented by Biden, many details are still unclear, according to Ophir Falk, foreign policy adviser to Netanyahu. He told British newspaper The Sunday Times that many details still needed to be clarified, and that Israel is still aiming to destroy the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Meanwhile, an Israeli official told the Times of Israel that in the offer outlined by Biden, Israel reserves the right to resume fighting at any time should Hamas violate the terms of the proposed agreement. The war was triggered by an unprecedented massacre carried out by Hamas and other extremist groups in Israel on October 7. More than 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage in Gaza. Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive, in which 36,400 people have been killed so far, according to the Hamas-run health authorities in Gaza. Fighting continues in Gaza, and aid organizations have repeatedly warned that there is no safe place in the strip amid Israel's ongoing operations. The UN's Palestinian aid agency said earlier that all 36 of its shelters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah are "empty" due to Israel's continuing military operation. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) wrote on the social platform X that "thousands of families have been forced to flee." It said 1.7 million of Gaza's 2.2 million residents are now displaced in the central city of Khan Yunis and surrounding areas. "The humanitarian space continues to shrink," the agency added. The latest advance by Israeli forces in Rafah has attracted huge international criticism, with aid agencies estimating that around 1 million civilians had taken refuge in the southern city, on the border to Egypt. The UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week ordered Israel to immediately cease its operations in Rafah, but Netanyahu's government has so far failed to heed the ruling. Israel says Rafah is the last stronghold of Hamas fighters in Gaza, with some of the remaining Israeli hostages from the October 7 attacks believed to be in the network of tunnels under the city. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Following the passage of the amendment to protect reproductive care in the Buckeye State, Pro-Choice Ohio is rebranding itself as Abortion Forward. In a news release, the independent Ohio group said it would continue its organizing, advocacy, and electoral work to move Ohio forward. The organization also announced that Kellie Copeland would continue her role as executive director. One future initiative Abortion Forward outlined will be flipping the Supreme Court of Ohio to a reproductive freedom majority in the fall election. 13-year-old accused Marion City Council member of rape in texts to friend Together, Ohioans scored a historic victory for reproductive freedom, but the work doesnt stop there, Copeland said. For Ohioans to have real access to abortion we must have a Supreme Court of Ohio that upholds the promise of the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment. This fall, Ohioans will take back the court so that the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment does not become just a piece of paper. The dignity of every person must be valued. Abortion must be accessible locally without stigma. Financial and political barriers must be removed from Ohios laws. The activists also expressed concern over a possible federal abortion ban that would override the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment. Deputy Director Jaime Miracle, the organizations chief lobbyist in the Ohio Statehouse, noted promoting pro-choice candidates to represent Ohio in Washington D.C. will be a key part of its platform. Anti-abortion forces are hell bent on passing a national abortion ban that would destroy state protections on abortion access including Ohios Reproductive Freedom Amendment, said Miracle. We must elect pro-choice candidates to the White House, Congress, and US Senate to protect our families. We cannot allow anti-abortion extremists to plunge our state and nation into a crisis that will have a devastating impact, not only on those who need access to abortion care but our entire healthcare system. Westerville man gets prison for recording minor with hidden cameras The Pro-Choice Ohio website has been taken down and a new Abortion Forward site is currently active. The group also said it is no longer affiliated with NARAL Pro-Choice America. That group has rebranded as Reproductive Freedom for All. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Prospect of peaceful 'reunification' with Taiwan being 'eroded', China says By Xinghui Kok and Fanny Potkin SINGAPORE (Reuters) -The prospect of peaceful "reunification" with Taiwan is being increasingly "eroded" by Taiwanese separatists and external forces, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun said on Sunday, drawing an angry response from the government in Taipei. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the government there, and last month staged war games round the island in anger at the May 20 inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, whom Beijing calls a "separatist". Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference in Singapore, Dong said Taiwan was the "core of core issues" for China, but Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party is incrementally pursuing separatism and bent on erasing Chinese identity. "Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," he said. After his speech, Dong was asked several questions by delegates but he remained focused on Taiwan and had to be prompted by the moderator to address other issues. He accused foreign powers of interfering in "domestic issues", and "emboldening Taiwan separatists". Dong added that while China was committed to peaceful reunification with Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army "will remain a strong force for upholding national reunification". "We will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds," he said. "We're very confident in our capability to deter Taiwan independence." Taiwans presidential office said China had misrepresented the Taiwan governments position at the forum, where Taiwan was not allowed to send representatives. "China lacks the confidence to engage in dialogue with the Taiwan government, and its irrational remarks cannot gain international recognition," the office said in a statement. Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, which makes policy concerning China, said it deeply regretted the "provocative and irrational" comments, and reiterated that the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island. China has repeatedly threatened force against Taiwan at international venues, and its threats were in violation of the United Nations charter, the council said in a statement. "It is an objective fact that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other, and that is also the status quo in the strait," it said. China has been repeatedly angered by U.S. support for Taiwan and arms sales to the island, even in the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Washington and Taipei. "Every year for three years, a new Chinese defence minister has come to Shangri-La," said a U.S. official. "And every year, they've given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the PLA's coercive activity across the region. This year was no different." Dong called the U.S. arms sales a test of China's "red lines". "They are selling a lot of weapons to Taiwan. This kind of behaviour sends very wrong signals to the Taiwan independence forces and makes them become very aggressive. I think we are clear that the foreign power's true purpose is to use Taiwan to contain China." Andrew Yang, a former Taiwan defence minister, said Beijing has said it will pursue "reunification" by winning the hearts and minds of Taiwanese but "their deeds have yet to match their words". Beijing instead is "holding a big stick" and is "confrontational and contradictory", he said. Yang said he hopes the U.S. will keep to its schedule of arms sales to Taiwan so the island can enhance its self-defence. Taiwan has for the last two years complained of delays in deliveries of U.S. weapons, such as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, as manufacturers supply Ukraine to support it in the war against Russia. Taiwan's president, Lai, has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing, but been rebuffed. He says only Taiwan's people can decide their future. (Reporting by Xinghui Kok and Fanny Potkin; Additional reporting by Idrees Ali, and Liz Lee in Beijing and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Tom Hogue) Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says Friday, May 31, 2024 was the official last day of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program, which has provided up to $30 in discounts on internet bills for eligible families and as much as $75 on qualifying tribal lands. (Photo by Mayur Kakade/Getty Images) WASHINGTON With Friday marking the official last day of the pandemic-era Affordable Connectivity Program, the Biden administration is spotlighting commitments from over a dozen internet service providers to offer plans at $30 or less to low-income households through 2024. This comes as Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the short-term program had to end due to a lack of funding, which both she and President Joe Biden are continuing to urge Congress to restore. For over 23 million households, the Affordable Connectivity Program has provided up to $30 in monthly discounts on internet bills for eligible families and as much as $75 a month for those on qualifying tribal lands. The (Affordable Connectivity Program) filled an important gap that provider low-income programs, state and local affordability programs, and the Lifeline program cannot fully address, Rosenworcel wrote in letters to congressional leaders on Thursday. Millions of ACP households nationwide, and households that may be eligible but have not yet enrolled, are looking to Congress to provide the funding needed to keep the ACP up and running. Separately, the Lifeline program provides a $9.25 monthly broadband service benefit for eligible households, according to the FCC. But the commission said this is not an ACP replacement, and that not all ACP households will qualify for Lifeline, and by statute, many ACP providers are not eligible to participate in the Lifeline program. Rosenworcel has sent monthly letters to congressional leaders outlining the need for additional funding to keep the low-cost internet program running. Her additional letters on Thursday went to the chairs and ranking members of House and Senate appropriations panels, including Reps. David Joyce of Ohio and Steny Hoyer of Maryland and Sens. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and Bill Hagerty of Tennessee. Rosenworcel also sent another round of letters to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sens. Maria Cantwell of Washington and Ted Cruz of Texas, and the chair and ranking member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington and Frank Pallone of New Jersey. In her most recent letter, Rosenworcel said it was regrettable that the FCC must end the most successful broadband affordability program in our Nations history. She highlighted some of the possible impacts of the program ending for many military families and millions of households with school-aged children enrolled in the program. Additionally, Rosenworcel said the end of ACP will also impact approximately 3.4 million rural households and over 300,000 households in Tribal areas. Meanwhile, the administration said over a dozen providers committed to offering their current ACP subscribers and other eligible households a high-speed internet plan for $30 per month or less, with no fees and data caps, until the end of 2024. The providers include: Allo Fiber; Altafiber (and Hawaiian Telcom); Astound Broadband; AT&T; Comcast; Cox; IdeaTek; Mediacom; MLGC; Optimum; Spectrum (Charter Communications); Starry; Verizon; and Vermont Telephone Company, per the administration, which noted that, together, the providers cover up to 10 million households enrolled in the program. In October, Biden asked Congress for $6 billion in a supplemental funding request to keep the ACP funding running through the end of 2024. The post Some providers will offer low-cost internet even as federal program ends, White House says appeared first on Utah News Dispatch. Rally in Germany's Sylt against far right after video shocks nation Participants hold up signs during a rally against far right extremism, following the racism scandal in Sylt. Bodo Marks/dpa Hundreds of people attended a peaceful demonstration against the far right in Sylt on Sunday, two weeks after a racist video on the German island shocked the nation. A video went viral of revellers outside a bar on the upmarket North Sea island singing "Foreigners out - Germany for Germans" to the tune of party hit "L'amours toujours," triggering condemnation and nationwide headlines. There have been several ugly incidents across Germany involving racist chants to the decades-old pop tune by Italian DJ Gigi D'Agostino. Police in several German states have also launched criminal investigations on suspicion of incitement to hatred. Police said 450 people came to Sunday's protest at the Westerland town hall. It was organized by an alliance of left-wing groups as a show of solidarity against racism and right-wing extremism. "We are taking a clear stand: racism and right-wing extremist ideas have no place on Sylt. Whether you are an islander or a tourist, we stand for a colourful island worth living on," a member of the alliance said. Speakers included politicians and the third deputy mayor of the municipality of Sylt, Katrin Kupfer. A small number of people also attended a rally in Keitum. Sunday's rallies came after a day after a small group of punks demonstrated in Westerland. Participants hold up signs during a rally against far right extremism, following the racism scandal in Sylt. Bodo Marks/dpa Maine Democratic Gov. Janet Mills used part of her speech to warn against another Donald Trump presidency at the state party convention in Bangor. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) The 2024 presidential election is a battle for the soul of America, said U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. For Maine Gov. Janet Mills, its a choice between compassion or chaos, decency or denigration. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said the country has to keep President Joe Biden in the White House, otherwise all is lost. Federal, state and local Democratic officials positioned the stakes of the upcoming election as a fight for democracy during the Maine Democratic Party Convention in Bangor on May 31 and June 1. If Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans return to the White House, they have pledged to take a wrecking ball to womens health, to economic justice, to racial justice and to all of the progress that we have made, Haaland told the crowd during the conventions keynote address. Our economy and our democracy are still recovering from the divisions they sowed and the damage they brought and our country simply cant afford another four years of that. Party leaders urged the base to focus Democratic voter turnout efforts on Maines 2nd Congressional District, in particular. Maine and Nebraska are the only two states that split their electoral votes by congressional district, and in the 2020 presidential election, this model gave Trump an edge. While leaders called for party members to focus efforts on voters in this rural swing district, frustration with the Democratic Party and current leadership was evident at the convention as well, with programming on the first night interrupted by protests of U.S. support of Israel in its ongoing war on Gaza. Gordon Street, a member of the Lincoln town council, wants the Democratic Party to focus more on rural voters. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star) A focus on Maines split electoral votes In the 2020 presidential election, Biden carried Maine at large, securing three of four electoral votes. However, Maines rural 2nd District backed Trump by wide enough margins to secure the other electoral vote. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris received 435,072 votes statewide, also winning the 1st District, with Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence receiving 360,737 votes statewide. In light of this history, Maine Democratic Party officials, delegates and legislators repeatedly emphasized the importance of talking to voters in northern Maine. They talk about Maine being a battleground state and its because of that one electoral vote that could come into play, Senate President Troy Jackson said. For all of us in this room, weve heard it for days now, we know what the job is. Its to go out there. Theres no reason why were losing this CD. There is no reason, other than the fact that people have become complacent, people have lost faith. For Gordon Street, a Democratic town councilor in Lincoln, the opportunity for a different outcome this year lies in the rural Democratic vote. It seems to me that if we really pay attention to the rural areas that might be an important piece in trying to swing the election, Street told Maine Morning Star. After getting elected to his otherwise Republican-dominated town council last November, Street began an effort to increase collaboration among rural Democrats. During the convention he passed out pins that read, Im a rural Democrat and I voted. Street said that when he ran for office, he did not run to win, per se. Rather, he aimed to bring greater visibility to rural Democrats and their priorities, which he feels are often left out of Democratic representation in state and federal offices, as those elected officials are often from urban areas. Street sees parallels between his path to politics and his priorities in Jackson, who represents Aroostook County, the northernmost part of the state. During comments to the convention crowd on Saturday, Jackson began by saying that he had not been born a Democrat. Forgive me, I was a registered Republican despite little understanding of what that actually meant, or whether or not it actually reflected my working class values, Jackson said. Similar to Street, Jackson first ran for office because of issues important to his community. I felt like no one cared or was even listening, Jackson said. He eventually joined the party because when he first showed up to Augusta, he said, this was the group of people, Democrats, that seemed to care the most about family and communities like mine. Party officials pointed to past instances of seats flipping from red to blue, such as the state Senate seat previously held by Pingree. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows also underscored the power of mobilizing voters, as evidenced by her prior position in the state Senate, too. When I was first elected to the Maine Senate in 2016, some political observers were surprised because my state Senate district voted for me and also voted for Donald Trump that year, Bellows said. I wasnt surprised because I had done the work. This upcoming election, Bellows said, Maine Democrats cannot expect favorable outcomes without focusing time and energy to engage such voters. We have to do the work when its hard, Bellows said. We have to set aside our fear, our anger, hopelessness, even despondency We cant sit this year out. Frustration over war in Gaza On Friday, the first day of the Maine Democratic Party convention, the Biden administration announced a new development in the Middle East, a three-phase deal proposed by Israel to Hamas militants, which in Bidens view could lead to the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza and an end to the now eight-month war. The announcement did not assuage some Mainers in Bangor, who interrupted the first night of the party convention during a pre-recorded speech from U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, who represents the 2nd District. A delegate rose to announce his disappointment in the conventions lack of focus on Gaza and invited others to join him in walking out. The comments were met with mixed responses from the crowd, some yelling sit down while others built on his critique, chanting Free, free, Palestine! A group of Maine-based organizations (Jewish Voice for Peace, Health Care Workers for Palestine, Maine Students for Palestine) interrupted the state Democratic Party convention tonight in protest of U.S. support of the war in Gaza. @MaineMorninStar pic.twitter.com/dnUA7kRlxm Emma Davis (@byemmadavis) June 1, 2024 A group of Maine-based organizations including Jewish Voice for Peace, Health Care Workers for Palestine, and Maine Students for Palestine organized the demonstration, particularly targeting Golden for not speaking out against Israels actions and for voting in favor of a resolution condemning Bidens decision to pause weapons shipments to Israel. The chanting grew as Goldens video played, only fading when staff asked the remaining protestors to leave the building. Golden did not respond to a request for comment on the protest. Before resuming programming, party chair Bev Uhlenhake said, Voices of dissent are part of what happens in good democracy, so Im actually not disappointed at all by the protest happening tonight. In a statement from the Maine Democratic Party later shared with Maine Morning Star, a representative said the coalition as a whole echoed Uhlenhakes stance. The right to peaceful protest and free speech are core to our democracy, the representative said. Prior to the action inside, protestors had gathered along the street outside the building, waving the Palestinian flag and calling for a ceasefire. Only Ellie Sato, chair of the partys Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee committee, acknowledged the protestors in her speech Friday evening ahead of the disruption. I keep getting told how the protestors are wrong and theyre uninformed, Sato said. But what I dont hear are people listening and taking the opportunity to see the issue from their perspective. We have to start listening to those voters that feel disenfranchised by the party. Brendan Davison, a delegate for Penobscot County and an organizer for the Coalition for Palestine, said the goal of the demonstration was to get people talking and to get voters to think twice about voting for Golden. By no means am I saying they should support Republicans, Davison clarified, but if they are going to vote for Golden, they should at least do so through gritted teeth. Davison said he is not looking to the ballot box for change but is instead focused on getting those in power to listen to the growing body politic that is speaking out in support of Palestinians. However, other Democrats worry protests will pull votes away from Biden, and in turn help Trump, including Brooksville resident Abbie McMillen, who spent the convention urging other attendees to write to Biden requesting he support the latest call from the Alliance for Middle East Peace for a reconciliation movement. This group of 160 Israeli and Palestinian peacebuilding organizations wrote a letter to the leaders of the G7 urging them to center civil society peacebuilding, a strategy they view as a way to support sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians. While at the Democratic convention, McMillen refrained from calling herself a party person. Im a policy person, she said, however she added, I cannot see how we can have a democracy if citizens are not engaged and the parties are the way it happens. Parties can be influenced. Autocracies cannot. A fight for democracy While Maine Democrats spent much of the convention speaking to Democratic priorities and achievements, several speakers also took the opportunity to critique those across the aisle. These comments began Friday evening with former state Sen. Emily Cain, who also previously served as executive director of the political action group Emilys List, which focuses on electing Democratic women who support abortion rights, said shed prepared a pep talk that might not be needed because a jury had a day prior found Trump guilty on 34 counts in the hush money trial. The crowd met Cains comments with cheers. However, she cautioned a pep talk may be needed in the next six months. There is a lot on the line, Cain said. No, everything is on the line, including and especially our democracy. U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (left) speaks with former Maine state Sen. Emily Cain, on a panel about the threat she sees Donald Trump posing to reproductive rights if elected. (Emma Davis/ Maine Morning Star). Bellows, Maine Secretary of State, spoke about the threats she faced after removing Trump from the state ballot in December, a decision she later withdrew following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on a similar case out of Colorado. What came next was unacceptable, Bellows said. Members of my team, most outrageously, members of my family, were targeted with an overwhelming barrage of threatening communications simply because I did my job. Bellows urged the crowd to have courage, which she described not as the absence of fear, but the willingness to do the right thing, regardless of personal or political considerations, adding as an example that courage is 12 ordinary Americans, referring to the jury that convicted Trump. Mills also took a stab at Trump, noting that he is now a convicted felon and particularly focusing on how his climate policies pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement, staffing environmental agencies with fossil fuel leaders would directly impact Maine people, who are still recovering from damage from the back-to-back storms this winter. However, Trump was not the only target of critique. U.S. Senate candidate David Costello used part of his speech to voice his belief that not only Republicans but also independents have stymied Democratic progress. I believe that independent candidates have on ballots undermined and continue to undermine our partys efforts to grow and to succeed and should therefore not be supported, at least not the first choice on our partys rank choice ballot in November, Costello said. Costello, who is running against incumbent Angus King, an independent, also directly criticized his opponent as being too cautious. While I appreciate that Senator King caucuses with Democrats and that hes a safe bet, Costello said, hes been too reticent to pursue the kind of reforms needed to truly fix Washington. Maintaining the state majority Sato, the partys DEI committee chair, said shes heard from many people who have lost hope in the Democratic Party. To those people, Sato says, the hope lies in our Democratic bench here in Maine. The state Democratic Party has been in the majority since 2012 and throughout the convention the partys elected officials made clear their intention to keep it that way. While all of the seats in the Maine Legislature are up for grabs in November, most that do not have an incumbent seeking reelection are currently held by Democrats, outlining a possible path for Republicans to gain more power. Democratic state legislators praised progress made during their majority, including the supplemental budget approved earlier this spring, which added new investments in housing, education and child care, among others, to the biennial budget approved last year. The party majority has not meant all of its priorities have become a reality, however. The conventions two days of programming each began with land acknowledgements, as the event occurred on Penobscot territory. Unlike the other 570 federally-recognized tribes in the U.S., the Penobscot, Houlton Band of Maliseet, Mikmaq, Passamaquoddy collectively known as the Wabanaki Nations are treated more like municipalities than sovereign nations in Maine under the Maine Indian Claims Settlement Act. We will continue to work to ensure that tribal nations here have the same rights and opportunities as all other tribes across the country, Sen. Mike Tipping said while providing the land acknowledgment. We did not accomplish that goal this last legislative term. We will keep working towards it. Mills has continued to oppose sweeping reform of the Settlement Act, though has supported piecemeal changes, including this session signing into law an expansion of tribal authority over prosecuting crimes. Another issue raised by Jackson that Democrats have not resolved is the pay gap between state workers and their private sector counterparts, which the Mills administration has disputed. Echoing concerns about progress still yet to be made, House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross of Portland cautioned that the work goes far beyond electing Democrats. However, she explained to attendees that she views the state-level Democratic majorities as pivotal for that progress to be realized in the future. We must remain the backstop of whatever comes down at the federal level, Talbot Ross said. SUPPORT NEWS YOU TRUST. DONATE The post Rallying base for Biden, Maine Democrats set sights on rural voters appeared first on Maine Morning Star. From left, Jessica Pollema speaks Oct. 19, 2023, at the Military Heritage Alliance in Sioux Falls, S.D. She is a co-founder of South Dakota Canvassing and a leading advocate of getting rid of the machines in favor of hand counting ballots in South Dakota. (Stu Whitney/South Dakota News Watch via AP) Voters in at least three rural South Dakota counties are set to decide Tuesday whether to return to counting ballots by hand, the latest communities around the country to consider ditching machine tabulators based on unfounded conspiracy theories stemming from the 2020 presidential election. The three counties, each with fewer than 6,000 residents, would be among the first in the U.S. to require old-school hand counts, which long ago were replaced by ballot tabulators in most of the country. A number of other states and local governments have considered banning machine counting since the 2020 election, but most of those efforts have sputtered over concerns of cost, the time it takes to count by hand and the difficulty of hiring more staff to do it. Experts say counting the votes by hand is less accurate that machine tabulation. Supporters of the South Dakota effort aren't deterred by such worries. We believe that a decentralized approach to the elections is much more secure, much more transparent, and that the citizens should have oversight over their elections, said Jessica Pollema, president of SD Canvassing, a citizen group supporting the change. Like efforts elsewhere, the South Dakota push for hand counting has its origins in false claims pushed by former President Donald Trump and his allies after the 2020 presidential election. They made claims of widespread voter fraud and spread conspiracy theories that voting machines were manipulated to steal the election. There has been no evidence to support such claims, but they have become embedded in many places that voted heavily for Trump. The citizen initiatives in South Dakota to prohibit tabulating machines are set to appear on Tuesday's primary ballot in Gregory, Haakon and Tripp counties. Similar petition efforts for future measure votes are underway in more than 40 other counties in the conservative state, Pollema said. At least four counties have rejected attempts to force hand counting. Earlier, the Fall River County Commission voted in February to count ballots by hand for the June election, and Tripp County counted its general election ballots by hand in 2022. If the measure passes Tuesday, Gregory County Auditor Julie Bartling said the county will have to increase the number of precincts to lessen the burden of hand counting. That will force it to buy more assisted voting devices for disabled voters. The county also will face the difficult task of hiring more election workers. Bartling, who runs elections in the county, opposes the initiative and said she has full faith in the automated tabulators. Todd and Tripp County Auditor Barb DeSersa said she also opposes attempts to require hand counting of all ballots because the process isn't as accurate. She said the 2022 hand count left election workers exhausted. I know the ones that have done it the last time didn't want nothing to do with it this time, so I think once they do it once or twice, they'll get tired of it, and it'll be harder to find people to volunteer to do that, DeSersa said. DeSersa's office estimated it would cost $17,000 to $25,000 for elections in Tripp County to be counted by hand, compared to about $19,000 to $21,000 using tabulators. Haakon County Auditor Stacy Pinney said she initially estimated hand counting will cost between $750 and $4,500, but overall, an election cost is hard to determine at this point. According to a state attorney's analysis for Haakon County, it would take two election workers using a tabulator three to four hours to count all the ballots. It would take 15 to 20 election workers between five and 15 hours to do a hand count, depending on the number of contested races. The three counties have a combined 7,725 active registered voters, according to a statewide report. Republican state Rep. Rocky Blare, who lives in Tripp County, said he will vote against the measure. They can't prove to me that there's been any issues that I think have affected our election in South Dakota, Blare said. Secretary of State Monae Johnson, a Republican, expressed confidence in tabulating machines, noting they have been used for years. In a statement, she pointed to "safeguards built in throughout the process and the post-election audit on the machines after the primary and general election to ensure they are working properly. The June election will be the first with a post-election audit, a process included in a 2023 state law. It involves hand counting all the votes in two races from 5% of precincts in every county to ensure the machine tabulation is accurate. Johnson's office said there was no evidence of any widespread problems in 2020 or 2022. One person voted twice, she said, and was caught. After repeated attacks against machine-counting of ballots in the 2020 presidential election, Dominion Voting Systems last year reached a $787 million settlement in a defamation case against Fox News over false claims the network repeatedly aired. The judge in that case found it was CRYSTAL clear none of the claims about Dominions machines was true, and testimony showed many Fox hosts quietly doubted the claims their network was airing. Since 2020, only a few counties have made the switch to hand counting. In California, officials in Shasta County voted to get rid of their ballot tabulators, but state lawmakers later restricted hand counts to limited circumstances. Officials in Arizona's Mohave County rejected a proposal to hand count ballots in 2023, citing the $1.1 million cost. David Levine, a former local election official in Idaho who is now a senior fellow with the Alliance for Securing Democracy, said research has shown hand counting large numbers of ballots is more costly, less accurate and takes more time than machine tabulators. If you listen to conspiracy theorists and election skeptics throughout the U.S., one reason the 2020 election was illegitimate was because of an algorithm. Hence, if you take computers out of the voting process, youll have a more secure election, Levine said. The only problem: its not true. While some areas do count ballots by hand, mainly in the Northeast, it typically happens in places with a small number of registered voters. Hand counts are common during post-election tests to check that machines are counting ballots correctly, but only a small portion of the ballots are manually checked. Election experts say its unrealistic to think workers in large jurisdictions, with tens or hundreds of thousands of voters, could count all their ballots by hand and report results quickly, especially since ballots often include multiple races. The issue is that people arent very good at large, tedious, repetitive tasks like counting ballots, and computers are, Levine said. Those who believe otherwise are either unaware of this reality or choose to ignore it. ___ Dura reported from Bismarck, North Dakota. Associated Press writer Christina A. Cassidy in Atlanta contributed to this story. Marcus Wren sits on his porch Wednesday at Will Rogers Courts in Oklahoma City as he talks about the recent killing of his brother-in-law, Anthony Hines, at the complex. The Will Rogers Courts complex has been the scene of three fatal shootings in late May. Marcus Wren, 36, was sitting on the porch of his southwest Oklahoma City home Wednesday, with the sounds of Kendrick Lamars Humble and Dr. Dres Xxplosive playing loudly on a speaker inside of the red-brick apartment behind him and barking dogs gathering around the concrete steps in front of him. Jagged bullet holes were still visible in the screen door to his home, and he pointed at the stains of blood still present on the sides of his porch. He had seen two men including his own brother-in-law, 38-year-old Anthony Hines die on the same porch in recent days. The first death was my brother, Anthony, Wren said of Hines, who died of gunshot wounds May 22. He was a good dude, man. All he did was take care of his daughters, man. He was walking back and forth from here all the way to downtown and the Sheraton Hotel to work as a prep cook, trying to become a chef. Three fatal shootings within six days in late May have shaken the residents at Will Rogers Courts, a 348-unit public housing development on 1620 Heyman St. dating back to the Great Depression. The complex surrounded by South Rotary Park and the Wheeler District and Stockyards City neighborhoods has long struggled with crime and poverty, but even police working the area regularly found the most recent rash of shootings notable. Two at the same address and one about a block over, Oklahoma City police Sgt. Dillon Quirk said Wednesday. (Hines) homicide happened last week, and the other two were from over the Memorial Day weekend, both within just hours of each other. Investigators say Hines was shot after a verbal altercation with a group of at least four men, who had appeared uninvited at a high school graduation party for one of Hines relatives, according to a police affidavit. Several witnesses told police Hines was shot multiple times as he ran into the home. Wren remembered his desperate attempts to keep his brother-in-law awake as he struggled to lift him and walk him to the porch. Marcus Wren walks past bullet holes in his door Wednesday at Will Rogers Courts in Oklahoma City as he talks about the recent killing of his brother-in-law, Anthony Hines, at the complex. He closed his eyes, and I got some cold water and I threw it on him, Wren said. He said, I dont think Im going to make it, and I said, (expletive), dont talk like that, bro. But then he stopped breathing, so I slapped him, like, Wake up, wake up, and he woke up. Im like, Come on, bro, you got it, you got it! And he breathed heavy and was like, I love you, son. Im like, What are you talking about, bro? Wake up, bro, wake up! But he stopped and he didnt breathe no more. Hines is only the latest family member to die. Wrens younger brother was struck by a vehicle while crossing a highway. His older brother died of a drug overdose. His mother died of cancer. Wren realized he could have come close to losing a nephew during the May 22 shooting, as well, but gunshot injuries to that nephews leg and thigh were not life-threatening. I still aint been able to grieve over a lot of stuff, you know? Wren said. You know how many obituaries I can pull out? Related: After multiple shootings at OKC housing complex, police arrest 18-year-old suspect Two other people were also shot and killed at the complex Sunday, May 26. April Coppock, 43, was found dead from gunshot wounds in her duplex that afternoon. Then, later that same night, police were again called to the site of the May 22 homicide, where another man had been shot to death. The Oklahoma City Police Department had not publicly confirmed his identity by Friday afternoon, but said the man died on the same porch as Hines. Wren said officers investigating Hines killing were concerned Wren could have been targeted May 26. In the past he has been shot in the leg, back and even the head, but he has survived. I dont know, but its got to be God, Wren said. Its all kind of crazy (expletive). Its weird, like I dont know, but he keeping me here for something. I dont know. Unclear if three killings are connected as investigations continue Police are investigating whether the arrested 18-year-old is connected to the other two shootings. When The Oklahoman visited Coppocks residence Wednesday, several neighbors declined to be identified. But one woman describing Coppock as a quiet person who minded her own business said she placed flowers in the mailbox next to Coppocks door, while a middle-age man said she was good people who was willing to give neighbors spare change if they ever asked for it. I dont know what happened, but that was messed up, the man told The Oklahoman. She was murdered. Marcus Wren stands on his porch Wednesday at Will Rogers Courts in Oklahoma City as he talks about the recent killing of his brother-in-law, Anthony Hines. He pointed at the stains of blood still present on the concrete sides of his porch. Several witnesses also were afraid to come forward and identify a suspect in Hines killing to police, alleging that the 18-year-old and his gang already had been terrorizing multiple residents in the apartment complex who now feared retaliation, according to the arrest affidavit. Mark Gillett, executive director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority operating the complex, is frustrated by the recent violence but said he would defer to police in their investigation. He is encouraging witnesses to submit reports anonymously to either the police departments homicide tip line at 405-297-1200 or the housing authoritys tip line at 405-232-1041. The residents at Will Rogers Courts do deserve to be able to peacefully enjoy their home, Gillett said. They also ultimately need to feel safe in their actions and not put themselves or their family members at risk. In 2023, the city received a $500,000 grant for planned comprehensive transformation of the Will Rogers Courts complex and surrounding neighborhoods. Overhaul of complex, broader area still years away Gillett also said that improvements are on the way for the Will Rogers Courts community through a $500,000 Choice Neighborhoods program grant study, which is already about four months into its planning stages. The developing action plan involves the city, the housing authority, the business community, police and local residents. After about 18 months of planning, the proposal will be submitted to the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, opening the door for authorities to apply for a major implementation grant that would help completely overhaul Will Rogers Courts and further develop surrounding communities. Those buildings right now were built back in the 1920s and 30s, and so theyre not what we today are used to having as an apartment, and so they would be totally rebuilt, Gillett said. The business community would receive assistance on new ideas that theyre beginning to talk through and development, and then the neighborhood in-between what does that neighborhood need? What does the school system need? What do the recreation areas need? Gillett said the next major visit on the action plan is July 8 and 9, but for residents like Wren, better redevelopment options would be appreciated sooner, rather than later. He said he is trying to stay focused after losing Hines, who had returned only two months before from Minnesota and was also encouraging Wren to pursue the culinary field more deeply. Bullet holes are seen Wednesday in the door to Marcus Wren's apartment at Will Rogers Courts in Oklahoma City. Wren's brother-in-law, Anthony Hines, was shot and killed on May 22 at the complex. The Will Rogers Courts complex has been the scene of three recent shootings and homicides in the last week. He had six daughters, and one son, his stepson, you know what Im saying? Wren said. He was a good person. He wasnt running around here tripping, walking around with guns none of that. My mans was always at my house or talking to women. Just a cool cat. Accepting a cigarette from a nearby friend, Wren laughed as he remembered his brother-in-laws nickname, Cuzz Lightyear, a riff off the popular Toy Story character that Hines adopted as his alter ego in video games. Rest in peace, Cuzz Lightyear, Wren said, smiling with the cigarette tucked into the corner of his mouth. I promise you: Hes laughing at that right now. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC families mourn 'good people' killed in rash of homicides Opinion. Today is the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. Also known as the Snyder Act, the law granted dual citizenship to tribal citizens of federally recognized tribal nations. The Snyder Act was named for Rep. Homer Snyder, a New York congressman, and signed by President Calvin Coolidge on June 2, 1924. With a stroke of the pen, some 125,000 of the 300,000 Native Americans alive in 1924 became U.S. citizens. The other Native Americans were already U.S. citizens because of land ownership, intermarriage, treaties, or court decisions. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. The 300,000 Native people alive in the early 1920s was a far cry from the tens of millions who lived here in North America before European contact in the 15th century. Over the course of several centuries, millions of Native Americans died from the spread of disease, war and genocidal practices by non-Natives. In 1906, some 18 years before the Snyder Act became law, President Theordore Roosevelt wrote the foreword for a book by Edward S. Curtis, the photographer who took over 40,000 photographs of Native Americans at various tribes in the West. In the foreword, Roosevelt praised Curtis for his work because the common thought then was that American Indians were a vanishing people and it was important for historical records to be kept. The Indian as he has hitherto been is on the point of passing away. His life has been lived under conditions thru [sic] which our own race passed so many ages ago that not a vestige of their memory remains. It would be a veritable calamity if a vivid and truthful record of these conditions were not kept, Roosevelt wrote. Throughout history, the federal government maintained various policies to eliminate Native Americans. When it became apparent they could not kill all the Native Americans, the policy switched to assimilation of Native Americans into the general population. One policy that emerged to accomplish the assimilation process was the Indian boarding school era. The mantra was to kill the Indian, save the man. By the time Coolidge, who had become president when President Warren Harding died in office, signed the Indian Citizenship Act, the practice of assimilation was in full motion. Throughout his presidency, Coolidge showed an affinity to Native Americans. Maybe it was his belief that he had some Indian blood in his veins. In his published autobiography, Coolidge claimed that his father had a marked trace of Indian blood. In 1927, he became the first U.S. president to visit an Indian reservation when he visited the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. .. Screenshot_2024-06-01_at_9.42.48_PM.png What makes his June 2, 1924 signature on the Snyder Act remarkable to me is that just one week earlier he had signed the Immigration Act of 1924, which almost entirely forbade aliens ineligible for citizenship from Asia and the Middle East. During the early part of his presidency, Coolidge often said that America should remain Americans. The signing of the Snyder Act came with complexities. Several tribes, including the Onondaga Nation resisted the concept of becoming U.S. citizens because they thought it treasonous. In 2017, Joseph Heath, general counsel of the Onondaga Nation, wrote: the Onondaga and the Haudenosaunee have never accepted the authority of the United States to make Six Nations citizens become citizens of the United States, as claimed in the Citizenship Act of 1924. He continued that accepting citizenship would be treason to their own Nations, a violation of the treaties and a violation of international law, as recognized in the 2007 United Nation Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As I reflect on the Indian Citizenship Act, I believe the signing of the Act was a firm affirmation that the federal governments genocide of Native Americans was officially over. While the signing of the Act did not solve many problems for Native Americans, it safeguarded from being killed by our government. In his new novel Wandering Stars, award-winning author Tommy Orange writes about the Indian Citizenship Act: And in 1924, Indian citizenship will have been granted, even though they will mean to dissolve tribes by giving citizenship, dissolve another word for disappearance, a kind of chemical word for a gradual death of tribes and Indians, a clinical killing, designed by psychopaths calling themselves politicians. For me, and millions of other Native Americans, the Indian CItizenship Act of 1924 became the catalyst for us becoming dual citizens tribal citizens and citizens of the United States. In my case, I am a proud citizen of both the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and of the United States. Each is governed by its own constitution. Each has its own flag. I get choked up at public gatherings when I see the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation flag because of tremendous pride. I cannot say the same thing about the American flag. Given the conduct of the federal government and the actions it perpetrated against Native Americans, I will admit that I have sometimes chosen to remain seated during the national anthem. I guess my allegiance stays core to my essence as a tribal citizen. I get to vote in my tribes elections, and also get to vote in local, state, and federal elections as a U.S. citizen. I pay taxes to the United States, though not to my tribal government. As I reflect back on the past 100 years, I realize that the 300,000 Native Americans who were alive in 1924 were our ancestors. My grandparents, Levi and Ellen Whitepigeon, were alive then. I wonder what they would think about the fact that the Native American population has grown to more than nine million citizens who identify as American Indians and Alaska Natives in 2024. We know the journey for Native Americans has not been easy throughout the history of the United States. There is much work that has to be done to close the gap in the areas of health disparities, poverty, high unemployment, and to eliminate voter suppression of Native Americans. We know one of the longest-serving political prisoners in the United States 79 year old Leonard Peltier (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe) has been incarcerated for nearly 50 years and should be freed from prison. We are encouraged at this centennial that Deb Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna) is the secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior, Chief Lynn Malerba (Mohegan Tribe) is treasurer of the United States, and Charles Chuck Sams III (Confederated Tribes of Umatilla) serves as the director of the National Parks Service. Progress has been made during the past 100 years. But we still have much to do in order to gain parity in the United States as dual citizens. Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related. About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Marian Robinson, the mother of former First Lady Michelle Obama, has died at age 86. The family announced the news in a statement to NBC News on Friday. She passed peacefully this morning, and right now, none of us are quite sure how exactly well move on without her, the family told NBC News. Robinson, who was born in 1937, grew up in Chicagos south side. Thats also where she raised her children, Michelle and Craig Robinson. The Illinois native left her home in Chicago and moved to Washington D.C. when Barack Obama became president in 2009. I felt like this was going to be a very hard life for both of them, Robinson told CBS Mornings in 2018 as she reflected on why she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law. And I was worried about their safety, and I was worried about my grandkids. Thats what got me to move to D.C. Robinsons loved ones expressed deep gratitude for the 86-year-old as they released their statement on Friday. We needed her. The girls needed her. And she ended up being our rock through it all, the family said. She relished her role as a grandmother. And although she enforced whatever household rules wed set for bedtime, watching TV, or eating candy, she made clear that she sided with her grandbabies in thinking that their parents were too darn strict. In her interview with CBS This Morning, Robinson said it was a huge adjustment for her when she moved into the White House because shes used to doing everything for herself. The Chicago native said she had to convince the White House residence staff to let her wash her own clothes. In their statement on Friday, the family said their loved always stayed humble. Rather than hobnobbing with Oscar winners or Nobel laureates, she preferred spending her time upstairs with a TV tray, in the room outside her bedroom with big windows that looked out at the Washington Monument, the family stated. The only guest she made a point of asking to meet was the Pope. Barack Obama echoed a similar sentiment in a previous interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Shes down to Earth and she doesnt understand all the fuss, he said. Michelle Obama often expresses her love for her mother publicly. The former First Lady recently went to social media on Mothers Day to reveal that the family has dedicated an exhibit at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago to honor Robinson. In so many ways she fostered in me a deep sense of confidence in who I was and who I could be by teaching me how to think for myself, how to use my own voice, and how to understand my own worth, the Michelle said in a video announcement. I simply wouldnt be who I am today without my mom. Mississippi was not the only state where a Medicaid expansion work requirement was a hot topic during the 2024 legislative session. South Dakota a more conservative and more Republican-dominated state than even Mississippi debated the work requirement issue during the 2024 legislative session and came to a much different conclusion. In Mississippi, of course, efforts to expand Medicaid to provide health care coverage for the working poor with the federal government paying most of the costs were unsuccessful. While there were several nuanced reasons the Mississippi Legislature did not expand Medicaid, perhaps the primary reason is the insistence of Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and a majority of the Senate where he presides that any expansion plan include a requirement Medicaid enrollees had to be employed. It should be pointed out, though, that it is not clear Medicaid expansion would have passed the Mississippi Senate even with a work requirement provision. But the fact that the Senate demanded a work requirement doomed Medicaid expansion efforts in Mississippi. Since the federal government has rejected approving Medicaid expansion work requirements, many argued there was no reason to pass a Mississippi proposal that would never go into effect because of the stringent work requirement. The South Dakota legislature also debated a work requirement earlier this year and came to a much different conclusion than did lawmakers in Mississippi. Granted, the issues in South Dakota were different than those in Mississippi, but the fact that the two legislatures reached a different conclusion on a work requirement might say a lot about how policymakers from the two states view the importance of a good health care system. South Dakota legislators decided having Medicaid expansion was more important than having a work requirement. On the other hand, Mississippi legislators at least the Senate leadership viewed having a work requirement as more important than providing health care coverage for the poor. They decided having the federal Medicaid expansion stream of money (more than $1 billion annually) for financially strapped hospitals and other health care providers was too important to pass up. South Dakota already had Medicaid expansion when the work requirement was debated there. It was placed on the ballot through a citizen-sponsored initiative and approved by voters. This past session, the South Dakota legislators opted to put on the November 2024 ballot a proposal to allow voters to weigh in on a work requirement. But here is the kicker: Even if voters approve the work requirement, that does not mean it goes into effect. The proposal would give state officials the option to impose the work requirement. And, if the state officials imposed the work requirement and it was rejected by federal officials, then Medicaid expansion still would remain in effect in South Dakota. Under the proposal offered by Hosemann and his leadership team, Medicaid in Mississippi would not have been expanded if the federal government did not approve a work requirement. Many cite the work requirement as a logical fallacy or false issue. After all, Medicaid expansion provides health care coverage for people earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level or about $20,000 annually for an individual or $43,000 per year for a family of four. It is common sense that most people getting health care through Medicaid expansion in the 40 states that have expanded Medicaid are working or they would not be earning money. The federal government has determined that it is a wasteful endeavor to try to enforce a Medicaid expansion work requirement. Studies have shown that Georgia officials, for instance, spent more money enforcing a work requirement than on providing health care coverage. Most of the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid are Republican-led states in the South. Many Republican-led states in other parts of the country have expanded Medicaid. And many of those states are much more Republican than Mississippi. The Mississippi Senate is composed of 36 Republicans and 16 Democrats, while the House consists of 79 Republicans, 41 Democrats and two independents. By contrast, the South Dakota Legislature is composed of 28 Republicans and only four Democrats with one vacancy, and the House consists of 63 Republicans and a mere seven Democrats with one vacancy. Yet, despite that overwhelming Republican majority, the South Dakota Legislature opted not to mandate people be working to receive health care coverage through Medicaid expansion. This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter. By Christoph Steitz and Christian Kraemer FRANKFURT, Germany (Reuters) -A firefighter died while trying to rescue trapped residents and several thousand people were forced to leave their homes as heavy rain caused flooding in southern Germany. The 42-year-old man who died was in a rescue boat carrying four firefighters that capsized late on Saturday. His body was recovered early on Sunday, said a spokesperson for the Bavarian town of Pfaffenbach an der Ilm, around 50 km (30 miles) north of Munich. Municipalities had days to prepare for the flooding but around 3,000 people had to be evacuated in southern Germany as the water cut off some areas, authorities said. "We owe our thanks and respect to the rescue workers and helpers who are battling the consequences of the floods in many places," Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on X. Scholz is scheduled to travel to the region on Monday, where he will meet with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and Bavaria's premier at around 1100 CET to get an overview, a government spokesperson said. Economy Minister and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck pledged support for the affected regions during a visit on Sunday and noted that climate change is causing more severe weather events. "Natural disasters have always accompanied mankind. What we are seeing is that the frequency of these events is increasing significantly. Record floods occur every few years ... record rainfall every few years," Habeck, of the Greens Party, told broadcaster n-tv. Parts of Europe were hit by major flooding in 2021 that killed nearly 200, with Germany bearing the brunt. The disaster was largely blamed on the consequences of climate change and prompted calls for stricter warning and safety measures. (Reporting by Christoph Steitz and Christian Kraemer; Editing by Ros RussellEditing by Frances Kerry and Ros Russell) Entertainment giant Live Nation revealed last week it was the victim of a cyber attack that compromised user data. An analyst report - since removed - alleged the breach occurred through the data cloud platform Snowflake, an allegation Snowflake stringently denies. 560 million Ticketmaster customers may have their details released through a cyber breach, with a massive 1.3 terabytes of customer data - including names, addresses, credit card numbers, phone numbers, and payment details. Hacking group ShinyHunters is claiming responsibility, and what's more, is asking Ticketmaster to pay a ransom of half a million US dollars ($AUD 750,000) or the data will be made public. While details are still coming in, the leak appears to have occurred through a compromised Snowflake data cloud credential. This led to Israeli research firm Hudson Rock asserting Snowflake itself had been compromised, and that Snowflake customers must be wary. Snowflake adamantly denies it has suffered any breach. Hudson Rock has since removed its report, with no trace now found anywhere on its website - but not before news outlets and other analysts ran with it, incorrectly asserting Snowflake itself had been breached. Current thinking is that a Ticketmaster developer's credentials were exposed through a different product, and, alas, without MFA protection on their Snowflake account. Snowflake has stated in no uncertain terms: there is no evidence in any way that the Ticketmaster breach was caused by any vulnerability, misconfiguration, or breach of Snowflake's product Snowflake does not believe it was the source of leaked credentials there is no facility that allows people to exfiltrate credentials from Snowflake in any way, such as an API or other means Snowflake is a public-facing cloud product and any person or company can sign up at any time. If a threat actor obtains a customer's credentials through some breach or the customer itself, then that malicious actor can access the customer's data - as would be the case with any breach of credentials for any other product by any other provider Snowflake continues to remind customers of the value of multi-factor authentication (MFA), something that iTWire also regularly advocates all readers employ for all their accounts across all their products and services. No matter which organisations were involved, it's a timely reminder to Snowflake administrators to review their account security. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) issued an alert on Saturday 1 June 2024 advocating Snowflake customers to ensure they utilise MFA, disable unused accounts, and review user activity. Mark Jones, a Senior Partner at Tesserent, a Thales Australia cybersecurity company also stressed its important for organisations to protect sensitive information, safeguard intellectual property, maintain supply chain integrity, ensure compliance with regulations, and mitigate operational risks. Organisations should not only focus on internal controls, but also put a strong focus on managing their third-party suppliers and understand and assess the security risks they may pose." It's important to note that while Snowflake offers MFA and has a tight integration with Duo, MFA is not automatically enabled on a Snowflake account, and nor can the administrator force it to be on for any specific user. Instead, users must self-enrol into MFA following the instructions here. Administrators can disable MFA if a user loses a device, but the responsibility to turn it on in the first place lies with the user. Although this is not an ideal situation - preferably, an administrator could make MFA mandatory for all their users - it's something Snowflake users can - and should - activate immediately. The investigation into Ticketmaster's breach is ongoing. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay RNC co-chair says Larry Hogan doesnt deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party Republican National Committee (RNC) Co-Chair Lara Trump chastised former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, now the moderate GOP candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, for saying Americans should accept the verdict in former President Trumps hush money criminal trial, regardless of the outcome. I think anybody whos not speaking up in the face of really something that should never again have seen the light of day, a trial that would never have been brought against any other person aside from Donald Trump, doesnt deserve the respect of anyone, Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the former president, said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday when asked about Hogan. He doesnt deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point and, quite frankly, anybody in America, if thats the way you feel. Thats very upsetting to hear that, Lara Trump added, about Hogan. Former President Trump was found guilty Thursday on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to shield potentially damaging information from the American public ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Hogan, in the moments ahead of the guilty verdict announcement Thursday, wrote on the social platform X, Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders regardless of party must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law, the former Maryland governor added. Trump adviser Chris LaCivita soon after responded, You just ended your campaign. Hogan who faces Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks in the November general election to represent the blue state of Maryland in the U.S. Senate struck a markedly different tone from the sentiment expressed by the vast majority of the Republican Party. Many took aim at the trial and made claims that it was politically motivated. Lara Trump on Sunday repeatedly dodged questions on whether the RNC would continue backing Hogans bid for the Senate seat, after he made the remark. Pressed on whether the RNC would use its resources to help Hogan or whether Republicans are willing to cede the Senate seat in Maryland to Democrats, Lara Trump said multiple times that I will get back to you on all the specifics. What I will tell you is that we, of course, want to win as a party, but that is a shame. And I think he should have thought long and hard before he said that publicly, she said. The Hill has reached out to the Hogan campaign for a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rolling blackouts possible on 3 June throughout the day in Ukraine Rolling blackouts in Ukraine may be implemented on Monday, 3 June from 00:00 and throughout the day. Source: Ukrainian National Energy Company Ukrenergo Details: Rolling blackouts may be implemented for industrial and household consumers from 00:00 to 24:00. Limits of energy consumption have been imposed for this time period, and in case they are exceeded, a blackout will occur. Background: Six cruise missiles hit three critical infrastructure facilities in Lviv Oblast during a large-scale Russian attack on the night of 31 May-1 June. On the same night, the Russians targeted energy facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Ivano-Frankivsk oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Romania is considering equipping Ukraine with advanced Patriot defense systems to counter Russian attacks. However, President Klaus Iohannis clarified that such a decision would require an approval from an autonomous administrative authority responsible for coordinating national defense and security activities, the Supreme Council of National Defense (SCND). Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu stressed the importance of involving specialists and making the decision through proper institutional channels, as it impacts Romania's defense and relations with NATO allies. "In the first place, the specialists must speak," Ciolacu said in an interview with Euronews, "This does not mean that if a system covers part of Ukraine, it does not also cover Romania. Here it is about specialists sitting at the table and finding the best solutions, and then the SCND can make the decision with all available information, so that it takes the best decision. So, at this moment, the proposal is under analysis." Romania signed a deal in 2017 to purchase seven Patriot air defense systems from the United States, valued at $3.9 billion. As of 2024, only one of these systems is operational in Romania. President Volodymyr Zelensky has urgently requested 25 Patriot air defense systems to defend against intensifying Russian aerial attacks, including ballistic missiles and Iranian-made drones targeting Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. All the international partners are aware of Ukraine's need for air defense systems, Zelensky said, adding that some of the allies even know where systems must be set. Zelensky said the Patriot's analogs could also be efficient against Russian strikes. Read also: Defense Ministry: Ukraine destroys record number of Russian artillery systems in May Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Rory Stewart has spoken of never wanting to go back into politics, saying he found being a Conservative minister very unpleasant and admitting: I feel like a fraud all the time, in a whole series of ways. Mr Stewart ran to succeed Theresa May as prime minister and Tory leader in 2019 and came to prominence for his amusing and highly personal use of social media. He resigned from the Conservative Party in 2019 after losing the whip from eventual leader Boris Johnson and stood down as MP for Penrith and the Border later that year. The former minister told Saturdays audience at the Hay Festival he felt like he was walking a tightrope all the time (Hay Festival) The former minister and current podcaster, 51, admitted that he struggled to be in three places at once working for constituents, scrutinising legislation in Westminster and tackling wars abroad. He told the Hay Festival audience he was expected to be in his constituency and everybodys expecting me to be 350 miles away from Cumbria in Westminster scrutinising legislation and voting on legislation. Rory Stewart was in the running to become Conservative leader in 2019 (Getty) Im also the minister for Africa, and everybodys expecting me to be in South Sudan worrying about the delivery of aid and how we deal with the civil war. Yet on social media, Im pretending Im in all three at the same time. Im sending out tweets, Here I am in South Sudan with a warlord, Here I am in Cumbria with a farmer, Here I am in Westminster scrutinising legislation, right? And at no time am I actually with my family or going to Pret or doing any of the things that I might want to do. He added he felt like a fraud even talking to the audience on Saturday and still feels like he was walking a tightrope all the time. Stewart takes to Twitter, and is taken to task (Rory Stewart/Twitter) He said: I can chit-chat, I can dance around, I can sell you ideas, I can maybe even make you vote for me, but Im aware that the situation is fundamentally unstable, that at some point, one, or 10, or 20 or a hundred of you are going to wake up and be like, Who is this p****? Why am I listening to him? Hes a fraud, hes a hypocrite. He revealed he even thought briefly about taking his own life in 2010 after telling a journalist that some areas of his constituency were pretty primitive, people holding up their trousers with bits of twine. He quickly dismissed this as a very excessive reaction because most of his constituents didnt really care and thought it was quite funny. The Eton-educated ex-soldier and diplomat insisted that his comments were aimed at debunking the idea that Cumbria was a wealthy area that could afford spending cuts. Stewart is expected to cover the election for Channel 4 alongside Emily Maitlis and fellow The Rest Is Politics podcast host Alastair Campbell. Russian forces attacked ten border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on June 2, firing 19 times and causing at least 46 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported. The communities of Miropillia, Khotin, Bilopillia, Mykolaivka, Krasnopillia, Shostka, Esman, Shalyhyne, Novo Sloboda, and Velyka Pysarivka were targeted. The Russian military struck the communities using artillery fire, cluster munitions, drones, and mortar shelling, while also dropping mines. No casualties were reported. The town of Bilopillia experienced the most attacks, with 24 explosions recorded in the area. Bilopillia, which had a pre-war population of about 15,600 residents, lies just eight kilometers south of the Ukraine-Russia border. Russian strikes against Sumy Oblast have become increasingly destructive in recent months. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered increased evacuations from the region. 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: Zelensky urges US to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with ATACMS missiles Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia reports UAV attack on two of its oblasts Russia has allegedly shot down drones over Kursk and Belgorod Oblasts, as well as over the Sea of Azov. Source: Russian Ministry of Defence Details: As usual, the Russians claimed that all UAVs were shot down and no damage has been caused. Quote: "During the night, two Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed by regular air defence systems over the territories of Kursk and Belgorod oblasts. Another drone was destroyed over the Sea of Azov." Support UP or become our patron! Russian law enforcement officials may prosecute chess legend Garry Kasparov on terrorism charges, state media TASS reported Sunday, signaling a potential expansion of attempts to stifle criticism of the Kremlin. Kasparov, the worlds best chess player in the 1990s and 2000s, has been an outspoken critic of the Russian government. He was arrested in absentia in April for his activity organizing the Free Russian Forum, a conference bolstering political opposition hosted in Lithuania. Russian law enforcement told TASS that there is every reason to prosecute Kasparov under the countrys foreign agent laws. The chess grand master has lived in exile from Russia since 2013. The new charges would likely be related to the Anti-War Committee, another government opposition group founded by Kasparov in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, TASS reported. The group has labeled President Vladimir Putin a mad dictator and strongly opposed the invasion. Kasparov was added to a list of foreign agents in 2022 because of his work with the Anti-War Committee. The list forces anyone identified as having foreign support or influence to register with the justice ministry and declare themselves foreign agents, as well as requiring significant disclosures. The move comes as the Russian government continues a crackdown on domestic dissent as the war in Ukraine continues. At least 50,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far, BBC reported last month. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russian deputy district head killed while inspecting unexploded bomb, local official says A Russian deputy district head has been killed and three other officials wounded after a bomb they were inspecting in Russia's Belgorod Oblast exploded, regional governor Vyacheslav Gladkov claimed on June 2. According to Gladkov, the deputy head of the Korochan district's administration, Igor Viktorovych Nechiporenko, died "as a result of the detonation of the ammunition." Nechiporenko's boss, Nikolay Vasilyevich Nesterov was wounded, along with two rural settlement heads. Gladkov did not specify what type of explosive device they were inspecting at the time but Russia's Defense Ministry claimed two Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight in the Belgorod and Kursk Oblasts, and another four were shot down over Belgorod Oblast during the morning of June 2. Ukraine does not usually comment on reported attacks against Belgorod. The Kyiv Independent could not verify the claims made by Russian officials. Belgorod Oblast borders Ukraine's Sumy, Kharkiv, and Luhansk oblasts. Claims of rocket or drone attacks against the region have become a common occurrence in recent months. Russia reportedly often uses Belgorod Oblast as a launching ground for cross-border missile strikes against Ukraine. Read also: We took out so many of them: Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces began the morning of 2 June by targeting the city of Kherson. Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration (CMA); Kherson Oblast Military Administration (OMA) Quote from Mrochko: "Explosions are heard in Kherson! Russian forces are attacking [the city] from the temporarily occupied left [eastern] bank. Do not stay in the open! Move to safer places!" Details: The Kherson OMA reported that the Russians had injured one civilian in Kherson Oblast on Saturday (1 June). The Russians hit residential areas in Kherson Oblast's settlements, damaging nine houses. Local authorities' buildings, medical facilities, cultural institutions, shops and cars were struck. Support UP or become our patron! (File photo) Any meal in Japan is sure to include some form of chopsticks. Since their invention in ancient China more than 3,000 years ago, chopsticks have been widely used in Asian countries. In Japan, chopsticks are called hashi and are used for cooking and eating all kinds of dishes including rice, raw fish, vegetables, noodles, soup and desserts. At some restaurants, youll even catch locals using their chopsticks to eat French fries. Being an important dining tool, us Japanese usually learn how to use chopsticks before we start walking. Japanese parents take teaching the skill to their children seriously, as it is considered as one of the most important manners in society. As a child, I remember not being allowed to eat unless I used my chopsticks. If I stuck my chopsticks vertically into rice in a bowl a big no-no in Japan my father would scold me severely because that it is a funeral tradition to offer a bowl of rice in this manner to the altar of our departed ancestors. My wife and I also struggled in teaching our daughter how to use chopsticks. At first, she tried to grip it the same way she would hold a spoon, but eventually, with much persistence and patience, she became comfortable enough to pick up food with her chopsticks. Despite chopsticks importance to Japanese culture and tradition, there are still some Japanese people that do not know how to use them correctly. According to a survey by the Cabinet Office (2010), only slightly more than half of Japanese over the age of 18 were deemed to be able to hold their chopsticks correctly. In fact, I often observe some young people using their chopsticks incorrectly and awkwardly. In Japan, youll have plenty of opportunities to master the technique at restaurants or at the home of Japanese friends. As Japanese food gains popularity globally, having chopsticks skills will come in handy when you enjoy sushi, soba noodles and other Japanese and Asian dishes. Just as chopsticks are a unique, beautiful dining tool, a pair can also be an ideal souvenir for your friends and relatives. Many souvenir stores sell novelty pairs with Japanese animated characters like Hello Kitty or Gundam, but you can also find nicer ones made of lacquered wood or bamboo ranging from 1,000 5,000 yen ($840). At restaurants and convenience stores, you may encounter disposable chopsticks, called waribashi. These are made of wood or bamboo and are attached at the top, requiring them to be split apart before use. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Though chopsticks may seem difficult at first, consistently trying to use them will go a long way in ensuring you enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine the authentic Japanese way. Planning a visit to South Korea? Youll notice the differences of Korean chopsticks both in aesthetic and in use. Jeotgarak, is the Korean word for chopsticks. Korean chopsticks are typically made of steel or some other type of metal. This may date back to the Baekje period (circa 18 BC 660 AD) and used to detect poison in royals food. Because metal is slippery, chopsticks are flat and have rough tips to make picking up food easier. For table setting, the chopsticks sit vertically and are paired with a metal spoon. Korean chopsticks are slightly longer than Japanese because of meals are shared and reaching across the table is easier with longer chopsticks. Similarities to Japan Chopstick etiquette is something both cultures take very seriously and teach their children early on. Sticking your chopsticks into a bowl of rice is also a no-no in Korea. Here it is also a funeral rite. Did you know? Tatebashi is a ritual where a pair of chopsticks are stuck upright in a bowl of rice and presented as an offering to newly deceased. Doing this at a table is frowned upon for bringing bad luck. Another blunder to be careful to avoid is passing food directly from one chopstick to another. Much like sticking your chopsticks into a bowl of rice, this also has to do with Japanese funeral rituals. In hashiwatashi, relatives of the deceased use chopsticks to pluck bones from the cremated remains, and then pass the bones from chopstick to chopstick until the remains finally reach the kotsutsubo, or urn. How to use chopsticks Photos by Jun Sakahira 1. Use both hands when you pick up a set of chopsticks. 2. In the same manner you would hold a pencil, hold the chopsticks about one-third from the top. 3. Then, grip the upper stick with your thumb and index finger, while the lower stick rests on your middle and ring fingers. 4. Bend only the upper chopsticks up and down to make the ends of two chopsticks meet (The lower chopstick shouldnt move.) Practice enables you to grip, divide, pinch and even scoop foods with your chopsticks. To hone your chopsticks skills, try picking up beans, shelled peanuts or rice grains when youre comfortable with your grip. No-Nos with chopsticks Because chopsticks have a 3,000-year history, various customs and traditions surround their use. Be sure to avoid the following no-nos as they are considered rude: 1. Dont pass food from one set of chopsticks to another. 2. Dont use only one stick to pierce any food. 3. Dont touch others chopsticks with yours. 4. Dont use your chopsticks to move bowls or plates. 5. Dont put chopsticks into your mouth. 6. Dont stick potatoes or other foods with chopsticks. Instead, hold food by pinching up to help lift it or split the potato into small pieces with the chopsticks first. Russian forces carry out airstrikes in Kharkiv Oblast and undertake unsuccessful assault near Starytsia General Staff report The village of Starytsia in the north of Kharkiv Oblast, in the centre left of the map where the green and the red areas meet, around where the dotted line is. Photo: Screenshot from DeepStateMap As of 19:00 on 2 June, Russian and Ukrainian forces clashed 55 times over the course of the day. Russian forces undertook an unsuccessful assault near the village of Starytsia in Kharkiv Oblast and carried out 10 airstrikes on the Kharkiv front. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 19:00 on 2 June Details: As on the previous day, 1 June, the situation on the Pokrovsk front remains the most difficult, with Ukrainian Defence Forces repelling Russian assaults and holding Russian forces back. Russian occupation forces are continuing to carry out airstrikes on Kharkiv Oblast, which suffered 10 Russian airstrikes over the course of today. Russian forces also bombed areas in and around Shestakove, Veterynarne and Lyptsi, launching strikes from Russia's Belgorod Oblast. The Russians also undertook an unsuccessful assault operation near the village of Starytsia on the Kharkiv front. Ukrainian forces are inflicting significant damage on Russian occupation forces, with the Russians losing 117 military personnel, 2 tanks, an armoured personnel carrier, an artillery system, 8 cars and 2 units of special equipment. On the Kupiansk front, a combat engagement is currently underway in the vicinity of Nevske. On the Kramatorsk front, Russian forces made 7 attempts to improve their tactical positions near Kalynivka and Klishchiivka over the course of 2 June. Ukrainian forces repelled all Russian assaults on this front. A total of 17 combat engagements occurred on the Pokrovsk front, with 4 of them still ongoing. Russian forces are assaulting Ukrainian positions near Netailove and Sokil, but have also lost 358 personnel (both dead and wounded), a tank, 2 armoured personnel carriers, and 6 artillery systems and mortars. Ukrainian forces also damaged another 6 units of Russian military equipment. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces is verifying additional information. Support UP or become our patron! A Russian oil refinery in the northwestern Komi Republic caught fire on June 2, leading to casualties, the Komi Republics Investigative Committee said. The committee said there were both injured and dead in the incident but didn't disclose further details. The incident is just the latest in the series of fires that have occurred at Russian oil infrastructure over the past months. They have been reported amid Ukraine's drone campaign targeting oil facilities across Russia aimed at undermining a major source of funding for Russia's war machine. The oil refinery belongs to Russia's second-largest oil company, Lukoil. It is located four kilometers away from the city of Ukhta, according to the head of the Komi Republic, Vladimir Uiba. Uiba said in a Telegram post that the fire was caused by "non-compliance with safety regulations" and not by a Ukrainian drone attack. The Komi Republics Investigative Committee said it had opened a criminal case into the incident. The regional branch of the Ministry of Emergency Situations said that 74 people and 22 pieces of equipment were involved in extinguishing the fire. As of about 2 p.m. Kyiv time, the ministry said in a Telegram post that three employees were injured. The Kyiv Independent could not independently verify the reports. Read also: Ukrainian drones hit one Russian oil refinery after another Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian troop losses in May amounted to 38,940, the highest monthly figure since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine's Defense Ministry said on June 1. The previous record of 29,970 was set in December of last year when Russian forces lost huge numbers of service people during the battle for the town of Avdiivka in eastern Donetsk Oblast. The Defense Ministry classifies losses as including those who are killed, wounded, missing, or captured. 38,940 russian personnel losses in May 2024. It's the highest monthly number since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. The occupiers in Ukraine have two options: return to their land or be buried in ours! pic.twitter.com/rmozBKqjmu Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) June 1, 2024 Although Ukraine's figures have not been independently verified, they are in line with Western estimates of Russian casualties. Last month, Ukraine said Russia's total losses had passed the grim milestone of 500,000. Leo Docherty, British minister of state for the Armed Forces, said in late April the U.K estimates Russian losses to be over 450,000. We estimate that approximately 450,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded, and tens of thousands more have already deserted since the start of the conflict," Docherty said in parliament. A U.S. estimate reported on Dec. 12 put the total at 315,000. On the same day, the Ukrainian figure was 340,650. A May 31 report from UK Defense Intelligence said reported losses averaged 1,200 a day during May, the "highest reported since the start of the war." Ukraine's Defense Ministry also claimed a record number of 1,160 Russian artillery systems destroyed in May. According to a graph posted by the ministry on X, the previous highest number of destroyed Russian artillery pieces 976 was recorded in March. It's another record. 1,160 Russian artillery systems were destroyed in May. It's the biggest number of artillery losses in two years of the war, the Defense Ministry said, adding that the Ukrainian forces continue to transform Russian weapons into scrap metal. Read also: As Russian losses in Ukraine hit 500,000, Putin buries future demographic risks at home Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Emergency workers dealing with the aftermath of the Russian UAV wreckage crash. Photo: Ukraines State Emergency Service Warehouses belonging to an industrial facility in Kutsurub hromada of the Mykolaiv district caught fire on the night of 1-2 June after the wreckage of downed Russian UAVs crashed to the ground. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Source: Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) in Mykolaiv Oblast Details: As of 08:40, a unit from the SES had extinguished the fire, which had spread over an area of 1,500 sq. m. No one was injured. In addition, the Russians shelled the territory of Kutsurub hromada with artillery at 15:50 and 18:00 on 1 June. One of the shelling incidents caused the grass on the territory of a school in the village of Ivanivka to catch fire. Support UP or become our patron! Hiding behind the attempt to hit the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, Russia once again struck civilian targets, damaging port infrastructure. Source: Public Relations Service of the Command of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook Quote: "Russian so-called media disseminated false information regarding the destruction of Ukrainian naval ships and boats. Thus, under the cover of an attempt to strike Ukrainian Naval Forces ships, the Russian Federation struck civilian targets once more, causing damage to port infrastructure. Russia continues to block sea connections to Ukrainian ports," the statement said. Information regarding any possible casualties among the civilians is being clarified. "Ships and boats from Ukraine's Naval Forces continue to defend the country at sea. We once again ask that you refrain from assisting the enemy and disseminating Russian propaganda. Only trust official sources," the Navy said. Background: An explosion occurred in the city of Odesa on the afternoon of 2 June after the Ukrainian military reported that a high-speed target was heading towards the city. Support UP or become our patron! Russians take inventory of agricultural land in occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Ukraines National Resistance Centre reports that the Russians are taking inventory of agricultural land in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Source: National Resistance Centre Details: The Resistance notes that every village head of the occupation authorities is obliged to submit information about the availability of such land under the jurisdiction of the village council to the fake Ministry of Agriculture created by the Russians. Moreover, the Resistance reported that the collaborators forced the local population to provide title documents for the land they cultivate. Quote: "It doesn't matter whether the owners of the shares have managed to draw up documents in accordance with Kremlin legislation. All the land will be under the control of the enemy. The enemy is systematically pursuing a policy of intimidating the locals. The occupiers, referring to the rules of martial law, are preparing plans to nationalise all movable and immovable property they like." Background: Ukraines National Resistance Center has said that the Russians have invented a procedure for the so-called "nationalisation" of Ukrainians property in the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Support UP or become our patron! Former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, speaks to the media following the second night of the CNN Democratic presidential debate at the Fox Theater in Detroit on July 31, 2019. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI June 2 (UPI) -- A novelist and poet from the island nation of Samoa has been arrested and charged with slaying fellow writer Caroline Sinavaiana-Gabbard, the aunt of U.S. politician Tulsi Gabbard. Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, allegedly stabbed Sinavaiana-Gabbard multiple times and beat her with a hammer after an argument at the GaluMoana Theater in Vaivase-Uta on May 25, the Samoa Global News and Hawaii News Now reported. Figiel fled to a friend's house after the incident and was later arrested on suspicion of manslaughter before her charges were upgraded to murder. "It wasn't until Sunday morning while they were having breakfast that Papalii told her friend what had happened," Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said. Figiel then turned herself in. Sinavaiana-Gabbard's body was later found at Figiel's home, Samoa Global News reported. The New Zealand Herald clarified that Figiel's home doubles as the GaluMoana Theater. The exact motive for the killing remains unclear but both women were highly accomplished for their writing and academics. Figiel's poetry won the Polynesian Literary Competition in 1994 and her bestselling novel Where We Once Belonged won a regional writing prize for the best first book by an author in 1997. Her works have been translated into at least eight languages. Sinavaiana-Gabbard was a retired professor of English at the University of Hawaii and has been credited as the first Samoan to become a full professor in the United States. She had received awards for teaching and her writings were widely published. "Caroline was my best friend as a teenager," Hawaiian State Sen. Mike Gabbard, the brother of Sinavaiana-Gabbard and father of Tulsi Gabbard, told Spectrum News. "She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence." Santa Clara County man was where he most wanted to be when he died on Mt. Shasta: Family Friends of an avid outdoorsman who died climbing Mt. Shasta remember his passion for Californias outdoor spaces and zest for introducing others to the state's rivers and forests. David "Davy" Albert Lopez of Campell was only 49 years old when he died of a heart attack on May 17 at Avalanche Gulch, according to his longtime college friend and climbing partner Garett McDermid of Sacramento. The former Navy Seal called 911 and performed CPR for 45 minutes after Lopez collapsed on the mountain, he said. Climbing rangers also tried to revive him, but Lopez was gone, according to the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office. David Albert Lopez of Campell looks back at his longtime friend and mountain climbing partner Garett McDermid of Sacramento. McDermid took the photo of the 49-year-old at Avalanche Gulch on Mt. Shasta, less than an hour before Lopez died from a heart attack. He died doing what he loved, Lopezs sister, Tina Engel of San Jose, said. "If I asked my brother, How do you want to die,' hed say, Quick, painless and on a mountain. It was just too soon. Lopez had a family history of heart issues, McDermid said, but that didnt stop him from living his life to the fullest. Lopez spent 30 years taking friends on outdoor adventures in California Lopez loved Mt. Shasta and other California recreation sites, and he shared his love of the outdoors with family, friends and strangers destined to become friends, those who knew him said. One of his closest friends, Michael Kim of San Diego, credits Lopez for turning him "a city boy" onto outdoor recreation during their freshman year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1992. The first time I slept in the great outdoors, I went camping with Davy, he said. David "Davy" Albert Lopez of Campell on a backpacking trip. Lopez died on Mt. Shasta in May 2024. The two friends became rafting guides and took climbing, hiking and caving trips together; joined by an ever-growing circle of college friends inspired by Lopez to come play outdoors, Kim said. Lopez volunteered for the campus' outdoor adventure organization, planning and researching trips for students as far away as Costa Rica, including some of the most challenging (level 5) whitewater rafting adventures, according to Engel. "He included everyone else in his adventures, even complete strangers, said McDermid, who also met Lopez at Cal Poly. Lopez spent summer breaks working on a fishing boat in Alaska. His skills learned in extreme outdoor conditions made him indispensable. "He was the guy they sent in the ice cold ocean" to free nets caught on the boat, Engel said. Even with good planning, the wilderness isn't always predictable. McDermid and Lopez joined a college kayaking and rafting trip down the Russian River, which flows south through Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Unusually high rough water flipped McDermid in his kayak, he said, and bucked a few people out of their rafts, prompting a visit from a helicopter search and rescue team. We made the front page of the Sacramento Bee, McDermid said. Davys mom still has" the clipping." Kim and Lopez graduated in 1999 after seven years of school and dozens of outdoor trips. "We took the slow route," Kim said. Lopez took a job as an electrician for Redwood City Group, working on projects all night so he could go camping or whitewater rafting during the day, Engel said. David "Davy" Lopez of Campell and his sister Tina Engel of San Jose take a selfie in May, 2024. Engel took the photo less than two weeks before Lopez died on Mt. Shasta, she said. He tried taking me rock climbing at Castle Rocknear Saratoga Springs, she said. It went well until they began to rappel down the rock face. About 12 feet down, Engel started crying in frustration. Her brother reassured her and helped her down, but from that time on, the siblings went camping instead of climbing, she said. Friends share adventure sliding down Yosemite's Royal Arches At monthly dinners, Lopez entertained his huge family he had 70 cousins and friends with his stories about his latest adventures, according to Engel. Kims favorite memories of Lopez are trips where things went wrong, he said, laughing. In their mid-40s, Kim and Lopez decided to recreate one of their college climbing adventures: An ascent of the 1,400-foot Royal Arches in Yosemite National Park. Its the ultimate beginner climb, Kim said, but this time we were much older, much fatter. While ascending, Kim said he did something he knew he shouldnt. He tossed their water bag to Lopez, who missed it. We never found that bag again, Kim said. The two men made it to the top "much slower" than they did in their 20s, arriving at nighttime thirsty and cold, dressed in shorts and T-shirts. Their muscles cramped from dehydration, but it was too late to descend. So they tried to sleep with their legs stuffed in their emptied backpacks, and they coiled the ropes around their upper bodies to stay warm. We ended up spooning each other for the rest of the night. Every time we laughed, our muscles would start cramping, Kim said. Note to readers: If you appreciate the work we do here at the Redding Record Searchlight, please consider subscribing yourself or giving the gift of a subscription to someone you know. When they descended the next morning, instead of rappelling, they slid down much of the slope to reduce muscle cramps. By the time they reached bottom, their own bottoms were visible, Kim said. We had tattered shorts. We covered our butts with our harnesses" and went to a restaurant to eat pizza, burgers and fries, razzing each other the whole time. Lopez died before fulfilling dream to climb Mt. Shasta Lopez died before he could fulfill one of his lifelong goals: To reach the summit of Mt. Shasta, according to his sister, but he was exactly where he wanted to be when he died. The most popular route up the mountain, reputed to be John Muir's favorite, is a 7,000-verticle-foot climb through rockfall, snow and ice, according to the Mount Shasta Avalanche Center. Best times to climb are usually April to June, when theres enough snow to hold loose rocks in place. Lopez tried to scale the mountain using that route "about two years ago," but his climbing partner injured his knee halfway up, Engel said. At the time, her brother vowed hed be back. Thats what he and McDermid planned to do when they entered Avalanche Gulch on May 17, she said. McDermid described on social media the spot on Mt. Shasta where Lopez died: "I noticed the red hue of the alpenglow on the snowy mountain around us. It was beautiful. Minutes later, it hit me: Davy was gone. In addition to his sister and friends, Lopez is survived by his wife, Megan, their daughters, Sienna, 13, and Scarlett, 11, and his parents, David and Elaine Lopez, all of Campbell. My brother was my dads best friend, said Engel, whose only other sibling, Jenny, died in April. She and Lopez planned a family trip to Yosemite in September, she said. Im still going to do it. I promised my brother Id take his kids. McDermid created a GoFundMe page for her sister-in-law, Megan Lopez, and her two nieces at tinyurl.com/3emjm94d. As of May 31, donors gave more than $7,000 toward the $12,000 goal, according to the online fundraising platform. Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you. This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Davy Lopez of Campbell 'died doing what he loved,' climbing Mt. Shasta Schiff: If you didnt want to be tried in New York, dont commit crimes in New York Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) pushed back on former President Trumps and his allies claims that the hush money trial was politically motivated and slanted against the former president. Schiff responded to Republican National Committee (RNC) co-chair Lara Trumps appearance on CNNs State of the Union, where she criticized the prosecutors for bringing the hush money case against the former president and the judge overseeing the case. Trump was found guilty by a jury in New York last week on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Well, first, in terms of Lara Trumps interview, and her complaining about the case being tried in New York before New York jury, if you dont want to be tried in front of a New York jury, then maybe dont commit somebody so many crimes in New York City. Its pretty simple, he said. Schiff reiterated that Trumps case, including jury selection, was conducted the same way as any other case. And that jury was selected in part by Donald Trump and his attorneys. They vetted each of the jurors. He had every right that every other criminal defendant has in that courtroom. And they found this ordinary jury of peers found him guilty on every single count, Schiff said. So if you dont want to be tried in New York, dont commit crimes in New York. But he got the same due process as any other person and thats exactly the way it should be, he added. His comments echo Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs comments following the verdict last Thursday, who emphasized that the case was also like any other case and that the only voice that matters is the voice of the jury. While this defendant may be unlike any other in American history, we arrived at this trial and ultimately today at this verdict in the same manner as every other case that comes to the courtroom doors: by following the facts and the law, in doing so, without fear or favor, Bragg 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. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said President Biden should campaign off of former President Trumps guilty verdict in the New York hush money case. I think for the president, theres a time and a place for each argument. I think on the day of the conviction, that day thereafter, I can understand the president staying above the fray and demonstrating his respect and expressing his respect for the jury system. But I think the president should be leaning into this going forward, he said. His competitor is a convicted felon. And you can only imagine if the situation was reversed, they would be going after Joe Biden with a vengeance. Theyre making those false claims about Joe Biden, regardless. So I think not only the president, but Democrats need to be making the case forcefully to American people. Trump was found guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records last Thursday. Schiff reiterated that if voters want to get things done, they would not want a convicted felon in the White House. You want the country run properly, you dont want a convicted felon to turn the Oval Office and the federal government into some kind of a racketeering operation. I think thats a powerful case to make and certainly one supported by the verdict here, he said. Following the verdict, Bidens campaign said the only way to keep Trump out of the Oval Office is to beat him at the ballot box. The campaign also labeled Trump as a convicted felon in a fundraising email after the verdict. Bidens campaign was hesitant to directly attack Trump for the hush money case as the trial in Manhattan was underway. However, in the days leading up to the verdict, the campaign held an event with actor Robert De Niro outside the courthouse to make their case as to why voters should select Biden over Trump. Biden said Friday that Trumps claims that the trial was rigged were irresponsible and reckless. The campaign also reiterated Friday that Trumps response to his conviction should prove he cannot be 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 The Hill. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the start of the East German Economic Forum at the Theater am See. Monika Skolimowska/dpa Political violence will not be tolerated in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday, following a series of attacks on politicians. "Whether it's violence directed at left-wing, centrist or right-wing democratic politicians, it is always unacceptable and will not be tolerated by us," the chancellor said while addressing an economic forum in the eastern German town of Bad Saarow, south-east of Berlin. "We will act against all those attempting to use violence to limit democratic spaces," he added, irrespective of whether the violence is motivated by left-wing radicalism, right-wing extremism or Islamism. Scholz issued a warning to all perpetrators of political violence. "Do not underestimate us. We are a democratic state. We will not tolerate it, and will act against you with all the options under the law," he said. Scholz referred to renewed instances of political violence in Germany in previous days, including a knife attack at an anti-Islamic event in the western city of Mannheim on Friday. He noted that a police officer, one of seven people injured in the attack, is still in a critical condition. The chancellor also highlighted an attack on a lawmaker at an election stand in the southern city of Aalen on Saturday. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the start of the East German Economic Forum at the Theater am See. Monika Skolimowska/dpa Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the start of the East German Economic Forum at the Theater am See. Monika Skolimowska/dpa Political violence will not be tolerated in Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Sunday, as police responded to demonstrations held in the western city of Mannheim after seven people were injured in knife attacks. "Whether it's violence directed at left-wing, centrist or right-wing democratic politicians, it is always unacceptable and will not be tolerated by us," the chancellor said while addressing an economic forum in the eastern German town of Bad Saarow, south-east of Berlin. "We will act against all those attempting to use violence to limit democratic spaces," he added, irrespective of whether the violence is motivated by left-wing radicalism, right-wing extremism or Islamism. Scholz issued a warning to all perpetrators of political violence. "Do not underestimate us. We are a democratic state. We will not tolerate it, and will act against you with all the options under the law," he said. Scholz referred to renewed instances of political violence in Germany in previous days, including an attack on a lawmaker at an election stand in the southern city of Aalen on Saturday. The chancellor also highlighted the attack in Mannheim on Friday, which was carried out an event by the anti-Islamic group Pax Europa by a 25-year-old born in Afghanistan. Scholz noted that a police officer, one of seven people injured in the attack, is still in a critical condition. Meanwhile, there were violent scenes in Mannheim on Sunday as police responded to two demonstrations held following the attacks. Activists formed a human chain during a vigil organized by a non-partisan alliance under the motto: "Solidarity against violence, hatred and agitation." The vigil, supported by a range of political parties represented on the city council, emerged in response to a planned rally by the youth wing of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The slogan for the youth protest was: "Remigration would have prevented this crime!" The concept of remigration - involving deporting large numbers of people of foreign origin - has been widely criticized across Germany. Videos from the square showed police clashing with a group of Antifa activists, who set off fireworks. The slogan "Nazis out" was also chanted by demonstrators. Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaks at the start of the East German Economic Forum at the Theater am See. Monika Skolimowska/dpa German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday said he sees an end in sight to the war in Gaza, following a ceasfire proposal presented by US President Joe Biden. In a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Scholz welcomed the deal, which Biden said Israel has accepted. "The German government joins Washington's appeal: Hamas must finally put an end to its murderous activities and release the hostages. With the Israeli offer, there is now a tangible prospect of an end to the fighting and an end to the war," said government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit. Hebestreit said Scholz also encouraged Israel to provide desperately-needed humanitarian support to the people of Gaza. Biden on Friday said the new plan envisaged three phases of de-escalation, featuring a ceasefire, the release of hostages and prisoners, Israel's withdrawal from the Palestinian territory and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. While Washington said that Israel had endorsed the plan, several far-right members of the Israeli government on Saturday threatened to withdraw from Netanyahu's coalition in case the deal is accepted. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has announced in a Dear Colleague letter that the Senate will vote Wednesday on the Right to Contraception Act, timing the vote shortly before the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court decision striking down the right to an abortion. Schumer opened his letter by noting that June 24 will mark the two-year anniversary of the courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization and that at least 20 states now have near-total bans or severe restrictions on abortion. Theres no question in the American peoples minds that Republicans have brought our country to this point. And as Donald Trump reminded us recently, he is proudly the person responsible for the annihilation of Roe v. Wade and the grotesque reversal of womens personal freedoms, Schumer wrote, referring to the reversal of the landmark decision in 1973 that established a national right to abortion. Democrats have been clear we will not stand for these attacks and we will fight to preserve reproductive freedoms. That is why as we return from the Memorial Day state work period, Senate Democrats will be putting reproductive freedoms front and center, he wrote. The Democratic leader began the process for the Senate to consider the Right to Contraception Act sponsored by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.). The bill would guarantee the legal right for individuals to get and use contraception and for health care providers to provide contraception, information, referrals and services related to contraception. It would also prohibit the federal government and any state from administering or enforcing any law, rule or regulation to prohibit or restrict the sale or use of contraception. And it would allow the Justice Department, providers and individuals harmed by restrictions on contraception to go to court to enforce those rights. Members should expect to vote on that legislation on Wednesday this week. And there will be more action to come after that, Schumer announced in his letter. The vote, which is designed to highlight the differences between the parties on abortion rights and womens access to health care follows a messaging vote Schumer scheduled last month on the Senates bipartisan border security deal. Schumer forced Republicans to take a second vote on the border security deal, which was endorsed by the National Border Patrol Council and the editorial board of The Wall Street Journal, after they blocked it in February, when it was attached to a $95 billion emergency foreign aid package. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) was the only Republican to vote for the border security bill in May when it came to the Senate floor for a second time. Democrats are highlighting abortion rights and womens reproductive rights ahead of the November election as polls show most voters trust them more than Republicans in handling that issue. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fun Sized Small, but mighty! Scientists just discovered the largest genome ever sequenced in an itty-bitty Pacific fern. Per the New York Times, the newly-sequenced fern was tracked down by an international team of scientists in the wilds of Grande Terre, a volcanic archipelago in New Caledonia. "It doesn't catch the eye," botanist Jaume Pellicer, who was on the team that sequenced the genome, told the NYT. "You would probably step on it and not even realize it." But when the researchers took the fern called T. oblanceolata back to the lab, they were shocked to find that the unassuming fern's genome was packed with about 160 billion base pairs of DNA. That's over 50 times the size of the human genome, and as the researchers detailed in a new study, the biggest genome currently known to science. This "record-breaking genome challenges current understanding," reads the study, published today in the journal iScience, "and opens new avenues to explore the evolutionary dynamics of genomic gigantism." Ludicrously Capacious As Nature notes, the new record-breaker holds about 11 billion more DNA pairs than the next-closest known plant genome, and 30 billion more than the largest known animal genome. (The former genome belongs to the Japanese flowering plant Paris japonica, and the latter to the delightfully shaped marbled lungfish.) Even more strikingly, according to CBS, the New Caledonian fern's genome is so long that if one of the fern's cells were rolled out, it would be taller than the Statue of Liberty. Why T. oblanceolata's genome is so gargantuan is still unknown. Scientists do believe there's a point where managing that much genetic information becomes unmanageable. In addition to the simple matter of having enough physical space to comfortably house the genetic code, cells need resources like essential minerals to divide, meaning that a genome like T. oblanceolata's is a resource-intensive project. That in mind, the fern's ludicrously capacious genome could speak to the stability of the environment in which it thrives, as opposed to the needs of the plant which, fascinatingly, doesn't even have a real root system itself. Hopefully, future research can answer these questions. In the meantime, let this humble lil' guy be a poignant reminder to not judge a book, or a teeny-tiny fern, by its cover. "The beauty of the plant," Peciller told Nature, "is inside." More on genetics: Mutation Has Led to a New Type of Cat, Scientists Say Search continues for Chevy Chase man believed to have killed his Parole Officer MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The Montgomery County Department of Police (MCPD) said they are still searching for the man believed to have killed his parole officer on Friday afternoon. Police said 33-year-old Davis Martinez, a six-year Maryland Parole and Probation agent, was found dead inside a Chevy Chase apartment. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services believes he was killed by his client, 54-year-old Emanuel Edward Sewell, a registered sex offender. A photo of the suspect, 54-year-old Emanuel Edward Sewell. (Credit: The Montgomery County Police Department) Martinez responded to an apartment in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase to conduct a resident check on Sewell, who was released from prison in 2021. Police: Chevy Chase man wanted in connection to murder of parole officer in Montgomery County When he hadnt returned back to work, MCPD officers went to the apartment and found Martinez inside. Sewell has not been found since then and police believe he is responsible. Officers said Sewell may be armed and is considered dangerous. Police believe he may be driving a gray 2017 Hyundai Elantra with Maryland license plates 93661HT. They also think he has Agent Martinezs badge. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said Martinez is the first Maryland Division of Parole and Probation agent in the state to be killed by a client while on duty. Davis Martinez was a thorough and caring agent who sought to help clients improve their lives, said Parole and Probation Director Martha Danner. The Silver Spring office will sorely miss him because he was a sensitive soul who always helped everyone. In a statement Saturday, Governor Wes Moore expressed his condolences to Martinezs family. Agent Davis Martinez served our state with distinction and our communities are safer because of him, Moore said. My heart goes out to his friends, family, loved ones, and colleaguesour whole state mourns with you after the loss of one our own in the line of duty. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) responded to a water rescue call in the 400 block of Alaskan Way South early Saturday morning. According to the SFD, 911 callers reported that a man was in the water clinging to a pier. Fireboat crews pulled him out of the water and transported him to Fire Station 5 where paramedics took over medical care. Paramedics then transported him to Harborview Medical Hospital in critical condition. Water rescue response off shore of the 400 block of Alaskan Way S. For a person in the water and in distress. Seattle Fire Dept. (@SeattleFire) June 2, 2024 A squadron of military fighter jets on Tuesday soared over Tacoma, the second group of foreign aircraft this year to fly through Joint Base Lewis-McChord on its way to a training exercise in Alaska. The jets flew into the Tacoma area over Memorial Day weekend, Joe Kubistek, spokesperson for JBLMs 62nd Airlift Wing said Friday. The Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force are participating in the training, but Kubistek could not confirm which foreign military stopped at the base this week. More than 100 aircraft from three nations, including the United States, are participating in the exercise, called Red Flag-Alaska, from May 30 to June 14, according to the U.S. Air Force. Its meant to replicate the stresses that warfighters would face in combat deployments and ensure that American forces can integrate with allies in future conflicts. Kubistek said its not uncommon for military aircraft traveling across the United States to stop through JBLM to refuel and rest before pressing on. This is the second iteration of Red Flag-Alaska this year. Tacomans might have heard the roar of Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoons tearing through the sky in early April before the first run of the training exercise. U.S. Air Force Col. Paul Townsend and Italian Air Force Col. Vito Cracas exchanged gifts at Eielson Air Force Base in Alaska before it got underway. An Italian air force Eurofighter Typhoon assigned to the 51st Wing at Istrana Air Base, Italy, lands during a defensive counter-air training at Aviano Air Base, Italy, Jan. 31, 2024. The 555th Fighter Squadron and the 51st Wing completed DCA training over the Adriatic Sea. More than 1,000 people on average and up to 60 aircraft deploy to Eielson Air Force Base, southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska, for each Red Flag exercise, according to the base. An additional 500 people and 40 aircraft deploy to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. Participants are organized into Red offensive forces, Blue coalition forces and White forces that represent a neutral controlling agency, according to Eielson Air Force Base. Red forces are made up of air-to-air fighters, ground-control intercept and surface air defense to simulate threats posed by potentially hostile nations. Blue forces include U.S. and allied tactical and support units. The Red and Blue forces meet in a simulated hostile training environment, so the job of controlling the mock war and ensuring safety falls to the White forces. As many as 70 jet fighters can be operating in the same airspace at the height of the exercise, according to the base. The training moved to Alaska in 1992 from Clark Air Base in the Philippines following the June 15, 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. At the time the exercise was known as Cope Thunder. It was renamed to Red Flag-Alaska in 2006. A third iteration of Red Flag-Alaska is scheduled for Aug. 15-30. Its unclear if that would bring more foreign aircraft through Pierce County skies. NEW YORK (PIX11) A proposed plan to construct a casino near Citi Field has been met with strong opposition from some residents as well as New York State Sen. Jessica Ramos. Instead of building a casino, Ramos is proposing a convention center and hotel near LaGuardia Airport. More PIX on Politics When the poll told me that 75% of our neighbors dont want a casino in our backyard, I listened to them, Ramos told PIX on Politics host Dan Mannarino. 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. Serial punchers, Flame throwers, Estranged ex-boyfriend Stabbings...What's Going on In The Big Apple?! 4 NYC Crime Stories That Left us SHOOK Screenshot: FOX 5 News A series of TikToks by women in New York documenting their experience being punched in the face by a rando has finally led police to their suspect: a Black man who made a bid for mayor. The Manhattan District Attorneys Office accused 40-year-old Skiboky Stora of being behind the punching spree around the borough that left multiple women with injuries to the face and head. Kalyn Womack Read More Screenshot: NYPD New York City is one of the most unpredictable places in the world, and the subway system embodies that capriciousness more than anywhere. The latest incident in the city resulted in an innocent man being doused in flames on the No. 1 train. Kalyn Womack Read More Photo: Twitter (or X) A Harlem family is mourning the loss of their beloved Shirley Rodriguez who police say was fatally stabbed outside her building this week. Relatives were able to get to her before she lost complete consciousness. However, they say she used her last few breaths to name the stabbing suspect. Kalyn Womack Read More Screenshot: NYPD, Citizen (Twitter) After the East Harlem neighborhood discovered a young girl had been struck with a knife, they seemed more prepared to pull up on the suspect than the cops themselves were. Kalyn Womack Read More For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. June is slated to pick up right where May left off in terms of severe weather - active and potentially dangerous for millions of Americans. Strong thunderstorms developed across the center of the nation through Monday night, bringing reports of damaging wind gusts from southern Wisconsin to northeastern Texas, northern Louisiana and central Mississippi. The threat for severe thunderstorms will shift eastward and northward Tuesday, with a large swath of the central U.S. from Minnesota and Wisconsin southward into northeastern Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas in the risk zone. The thunderstorm activity on Tuesday is expected to feature an added boost in atmospheric energy, as cooler air diving out of Canada collides with warm and humid air funneling up from the Gulf of Mexico. "The strongest storms on Tuesday could spin up tornadoes, endangering lives and property. Everyone in these areas should be ready to implement their weather safety plans and download the AccuWeather app and have alerts enabled and audible, especially as some of these storms could occur after sunset," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dan Pydynowski added. The severe weather risk could be maximized across Iowa on Tuesday. The state is no stranger to tornado activity, having observed over 100 tornadoes this year alone. Other areas at risk include Minneapolis and even some of the suburbs of Chicago between Tuesday and Tuesday night. The more general risk of severe thunderstorms will extend from eastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin, southward to northwestern Missouri and northeastern Kansas. The stretch of stormy weather will finally come to an end across the Plains and Upper Midwest by Wednesday, but following that will be strong wind gusts that will sweep through following the passage of a cold front. The advancing cold front across the central United States for midweek will shift the risk for drenching and locally severe thunderstorms eastward as well. Spanning from the Great Lakes to the South, Wednesday's risk could be maximized along this corridor. However, drenching thunderstorms could spoil outdoor plans across the southern and central Appalachians and in many major metropolitan areas from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Roanoke, Virginia, northward to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Conditions will be closely monitored into the day on Thursday as well, this time focusing even farther east along the Interstate 95 corridor. Residents of New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and areas in between are all expected to face the risk for drenching thunderstorms that can cause travel nightmares and impacts to any outdoor plans. May featured the most preliminary reports of tornadoes out of any month in the last five years, notching over 500 reported tornadoes across the country. The last time that happened was back in May 2019, when 510 tornadoes spun up across the nation over the course of the month. Since 2000, only two years featured more tornadoes to date; 2003 and 2011, solidifying May of 2024 within the upper echelon of severe weather reports across the nation. Historically, June is the third most active month for tornadoes across the United States with only April and May typically being more active. Heading into the first full week of the month, the risk for more tornadoes will span a large swath of the central, southern and eastern United States as a multi-day risk for severe weather gets underway. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. With shake-up at defense ministry, Putins chef gets his wish from beyond the grave Removing a long-time defense minister from his post is nothing out of the ordinary. Arresting five of his senior staff, however, is clearly more than just a search for fresh blood especially in Vladimir Putins Russia. After the shock ouster, two weeks ago, of Sergei Shoigu as the minister for defense, a wave of arrests has gutted the defense ministrys top brass under the guise of an anti-corruption campaign. The timing is as intriguing as the arrests and reshuffle. After almost three years of failure on the battlefields in Ukraine, Russia has just gained the upper hand. It has, in recent weeks, launched a largely successful offensive in the north, toward Kharkiv, coupled with victories in the Donbas region in the east, too. Ukraines crippling manpower shortage and dwindling ammunition supplies exacerbated by months of stalling in the US Congress to approve a military support package have also helped reverse Russias fortunes. So the question then is, why shake up the ministry in charge of winning the war now? Analysts who spoke to CNN described the defense ministry as one of the most corrupt in the country. Russian state media has been disclosing military contracts worth eye-watering sums of money and publicly shaming the ministrys senior officials and their lavish lifestyles. But as one analyst told CNN, what we are witnessing is a very complex polycentric game, one that is related to timing and Putins existential search for victory against the West. People gather near the grave of Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin at the Porokhovskoye cemetery in Saint Petersburg, Russia, August 30, 2023. - Reuters Prigozhin message from the grave Hanging over this shake-up is the ghost of Yevgeny Prigozhin, boss of the Wagner mercenary group, who was also formerly known as Putins Chef. Before his death, he had expressed hatred for Shoigu and Russias top general, Valery Gerasimov, through profanity-laden tirades, accusing them and the ministry of corruption and incompetence. Prigozhin led a mutiny on Moscow that was supposed to end with the overthrow of Shoigu and Gerasimov. Instead, he put the president in an awkward position and challenged his authority. Putin responded by describing Prigozhin as a traitor and stripped him of his assets, all before he died in a suspicious plane crash, alongside his most senior advisers. Since then, Putin has kept the inefficiencies of the ministrys weapons procurement, as well as its bungled invasion of Ukraine and corruption allegations, out of the public eye, keen to show he would not make any knee-jerk reactions following the mutiny. Doing so might question his authority and strength to the Russian people. Putin was likely awaiting his reelection by the Russian people in March before making moving in on the defense ministry. The changes came shortly after Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which Putin and Shoigu attended, side by side, in a seemingly amicable appearance. Despite his removal as defense minister, Shoigu will remain in Putins orbit after being moved sideways to a new role as secretary of the security council. In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian president-elect Vladimir Putin takes the oath of office during a ceremony at the Kremlin in Moscow on May 7, 2024. - Alexander Kazakov/AFP/Getty Images Putins interests: Ukraine Tatiyana Stanovaya, Senior Fellow at Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, told CNN that whether Prigozhin may have been right about the officials corruption is not whats important. In Russia, she said, right and wrong doesnt exist in politics only interests matter. Putins interest is in keeping his house in order but, more pressingly, achieving victory in Ukraine. The defense ministry is central to how that war ends. With Putin installing a civilian economist, Andrey Belousov, as the new defense minister, he has signaled he wants the ministry, with its vast budget, to procure weapons more quickly and economically. Russias 2024 budget shows it is seeking to spend 6% of GDP on defense, the highest in modern Russian history, and will outpace social spending a sign of the countrys transition to a wartime economy. The corruption in question Shamarin and Ivanov Mikhail Komin, a Russian political scientist and Visiting Fellow at the European Council of Foreign Affairs based in Vienna, told CNN that Shoigus group, among the Russian elites, is one of the most rent-seeking. More, for example, than some of Putins inner circle. Last Friday, Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, chief of the Main Communication Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, was charged with receiving a bribe on an especially large scale, of 36 million rubles (around $393,000) from a factory that supplies the ministry with communications equipment. In exchange, he is alleged to have awarded the company lucrative government contracts. Lieutenant General Vadim Shamarin, deputy head of the army's general staff, is seen in this image on October 6, 2023. Russian Defence Ministry. - Russian Defence Ministry/Reuters Shamarin has pleaded not guilty, according to Russian state media. Russian state media has also played a role in communicating the Kremlins crackdown on the ministry. Following Shamarins arrest in May, state-run Ria Novosti reported that his wife had purchased a Mercedez-Benz GLE in 2018 for 20 million rubles (about $218,000) at a time when his income was no higher than $34,000. A separate report found her income that year was 872,000 rubles ($9,740). The highest profile of the five officials arrested was Timur Ivanov, the deputy defense minister. He was put under house arrest in late April, also on suspicion of taking bribes. Ivanov had become a focus of the Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded by Alexey Navalny, who was killed in a Russian prison in February. He and his organization exposed the lavish lifestyle enjoyed by Ivanovs partner visiting invite-only jewelers, wearing couture clothing and owning a chalet in the chic ski resort of Courchevel in France. They questioned how she afforded such a lifestyle when her husbands salary was officially $175,000 a year. Russian state media reported that Ivanov maintains his innocence, citing its own source. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu attends a meeting held by defence ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Astana, Kazakhstan on April 26, 2024. - Turar Kazangapov/Reuters There cant be overlap, but corruption will still remain For Stanovaya, the reasons for replacing figures such as Ivanov and Shamarin are simple. Part of Putins logic is that you cant field someone in this position (as defense minister) where there are significant interests of the previous. To help clean up the ministry, Putin has appointed Oleg Savelyev, a former auditor at the Russia Accounts Chamber, as the deputy minister of defense. He will be aware of the corruption that already exists in the defense sector, Komin said. Prigozhins final wish Given the sweeping changes made by the president, rumors have swirled about the position of the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Valery Gerasimov, the other target of Prigozhins rants. Stanovaya said, There are so many rumors now that he [Gerasimov] might be dismissed soon, but the fact he has so far been spared gives Gerasimov a window to start fighting for his own interests, she added. Gerasimov is fighting against his enemies, trying to secure his future, Stanovaya said. Komin agreed that Gerasimov may keep his position for now, as Putin has said he does not intend to make any other changes. Crucially, Komin suggested that Gerasimovs luck may be that there lacks a position, similar to Shoigus where he can publicly be moved aside without completely tarnishing his reputation, its not a big deal to find the new guy. Its more a big deal to find the place for the previous guy. In Putins Russia the president remains laser focused on winning in Ukraine, but recent overtures have shown that the supporting cast may change and the president is ready to be ruthless in his search of victory. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (This June 2 story has been refiled to restore a dropped letter in paragraph 1) By Gerry Doyle SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Ukraine's allies will step up to provide military assistance as the country weathers attacks by Russia, officials said at the Shangri-La Dialogue global defence forum in Singapore, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was a surprise visitor. More than two years after Russia invaded, Kyiv faces renewed assaults on its territory, particularly in the region around the northeastern city of Kharkiv. A greater flow of artillery ammunition has strengthened defences there, but more is needed - particularly surface-to-air missiles, said Germany's chief of defence, General Carsten Breuer. "What we see is that Ukraine needs air defences... and of course, artillery ammunition and weapon systems to fight against Russia and this present attack," Breuer said in an interview on the sidelines of the conference. Experts and defence officials from three other Western countries said air defence systems are particularly critical for Ukraine. Stepped up missile and air attacks by Russia mean Kyiv must work harder to defend not just its military units near the front lines, but cities and critical infrastructure - straining its existing defences. "It has always been a high-priority requirement for a lot of different reasons," said Mick Ryan, a retired major general in the Australian Army. "One, to protect critical infrastructure; two, to protect civilians, who have been targets of attacks all the way through the war; three, to protect critical military capabilities; and four, so Ukraine can use its air capabilities to attack Russian systems." Zelenskiy arrived in Singapore on Saturday to try to gather support for a "peace summit" planned for June 15-16 in Switzerland. At that summit, he hopes to rally friendly countries around the idea of a resolution to the conflict, which began when Russia invaded in February 2022, that includes the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's 1991 borders. "It is very important for us to begin the process of establishing a just peace," Zelenskiy said on the social media platform X. "Russia does not want to end the war. Therefore, we must work together with the entire world to bring peace closer." By Sunday afternoon, he had met U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin; Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto; a delegation from the U.S. Congress; and the president of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta. He was scheduled to meet Singapore's president and prime minister later in the day. There were no new pledges of military assistance announced at the security summit in Singapore. But Austin updated Zelenskiy on Washington's aid to Kyiv and "reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to maintaining the strong support," a Pentagon official said after the meeting, on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte, who has said her country's military will train troops inside Ukraine if needed, called on countries in the Indo-Pacific region to provide more assistance for Kyiv. "Ukraine needs the unwavering support of all nations that cherish freedom," Simonyte said. "This is not a regional issue. This is a global imperative. This is a fight for freedom for all us." In recent days, Ukraine began using U.S. weapons such as High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) to attack Russian forces inside Russia - a development Zelenskiy that said he was grateful for, but that it was not enough. He said Russia was using many airfields to launch attacks on Ukraine "knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no responding systems and no permissions." Many of Ukraine's needs have stayed constant over the course of the war, said Rob Lee, a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Research Institutes Eurasia Program. Because Russia mobilized hundreds of thousands of conscripted soldiers in 2023, however, the need for more Western weapons has become more acute. He noted that the Western gear Ukraine had accumulated since the start of the war was better than the Soviet-era weapons they had started with. Air defence systems in particular, he said, would make an immediate impact. But he cautioned that Russia had a major manpower advantage, which might limit the effects of renewed flows of military assistance. "I dont think the U.S. and Western countries will be able to get Ukraine to parity, but it will affect how likely Russia is to break the Ukraine defences," Lee said. The security conference in Singapore, organised by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies, began Friday and ended Sunday. (Reporting by Gerry Doyle. Additional reporting by Fanny Potkin and Tom Westbrook; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) JOLIET, Ill. Deputies in Will County have arrested a man in connection with a string of shootings that left eight people dead and one injured over two days in Joliet and Will County in January. Following the murder spree, the subsequent manhunt eventually came to an end in Texas when the alleged suspect, Romeo Nance, took his own life. Search underway after 'multiple' found dead in 2 homes in Joliet: police Nance is believed to have been responsible for fatally shooting seven people inside two homes in the 2200 block of West Acres Road in Joliet, and then fatally shooting one man and injuring another in two seemingly random shootings in Will County. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines On Friday, Will County deputies announced that 24-year-old Jon Hansen, a Shorewood resident, was taken into custody and charged with three counts of murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, and one count of aggravated battery with a firearm. Authorities said during an interview on Jan. 27, Hansen allegedly told detectives with the Will County Sheriffs Office that he was with Romeo Nance during the two seemingly random shootings that unfolded on Jan. 21 in Will County, and added that the gun used to shoot one of the victims was the given to him by Nance after the shooting. Jon Hansen, 24, has been charged in connection with a string of shootings that left eight people dead and one injured over two days in Joliet and Will County in January. Deputies also allege Hansen told authorities that he later threw the gun That was given to him by Nance Into the DuPage River near his home. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Nine days after Hansen was interviewed by Will County Deputies, a Plainfield Fire Department diver dragged a magnet along the bottom of the DuPage riverbed on Monday, Feb. 5, and found the gun authorities allege Hansen threw into the river. On Friday, an arrest warrant was issued for Hansen and deputies said he was taken into custody without incident. Hansen is currently being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility while he awaits his initial court appearance. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Q: I bought gas recently at Costco and regular was $3.07 per gallon. How can Costco sell gas for this price and other stations are selling it for $3.41 to $3.49 per gallon? I know Costco is not losing money selling gas at this price. R.P. Answer: Todd McFall, an economics professor at Wake Forest University, explained how Costco can afford to charge less than other gas stations. All Costco purchases, from gasoline to granola bars to grapes, fall under whats known as a two-part tariff. Part One is the membership. That purchase gets customers access to goods and services Costco sells. Costco purports to use those funds to offset lower per unit costs on what it sells, including gasoline. Part Two is where the customer decides to what extent they want to go to incorporate Costco wares into their lives. The more they buy, the lower the per purchase price of the membership becomes, he said. You dont need a membership to buy gas at other stations. You drive in and buy the gas. The most appropriate way to think about Costco gas prices is that each gallon is the advertised price PLUS some additional cost from the membership, McFall said. Does this bridge the difference between Costco and a typical station? That depends on how many Costco purchases the customer makes. McFall said that rewards programs that some stores have for their customers, that offer money off gas purchases are the opposite of membership. The more rewards a customer earns, the cheaper a gallon of becomes, perhaps inching close to the advertised Costco price, he said. BBB issues warning about hotel booking scams Now that the summer travel season is here, the Better Business Bureau is warning travelers of hotel booking scams that they have been hearing about on the bureaus ScamTracker. BBB recommends that people making reservations confirm that the website they are on is the official website of the hotel that you are trying to make reservations at or an authorized booking agency. Scammers are pros at building fake lookalike websites to fool you into giving up your information. Look closely at the URL to ensure you are on the hotels official website or a booking agency you know and trust, BBB said in a press release. Make sure that the website is secure, and that the pages and payment pages are also secure. If you cant confirm the security of the website, do not enter any personal or banking information. One consumer reported this experience on BBB Scam Tracker: When searching the web for a particular hotel, the hotels logo appears on their website. You think that you are contacting the hotel that you searched for, but you are not. They are a third party that operates under the guise of being associated with the hotel. They told me they handle overflow calls for the hotel, not true. In addition to the cost for the hotel, they assess a $16 service fee without advising you, BBB said. To help increase awareness of scams and stop scammers, report a scam when you see it. Go to BBB.org/ScamTracker and click on Report a Scam. A company has been given the greenlight for building a self-storage facility at the corner of Hendricks Avenue and Prudential Drive on the Southbank of downtown Jacksonville, where a Thai food restaurant now stands. The Jacksonville City Council recently approved a proposal to place a self-storage facility at a prominent intersection in the urban core. This was a revealing decision and sounded an alarm residents should heed. It revealed that a council member majority, and by extension the entire council, is untethered to rules and practices that have guided them for years. It also showed that our City Council has an apparent lust for self-storage facilities. The effort to place a self-storage facility at the intersection of Prudential Drive and Hendricks Avenue was a multi-year effort with differing versions of the facility proposed at each stage. Throughout this process, citizens were vocal in their opposition, but to no avail. Approval of the self-storage facility confirmed citizen preferences carry no weight with most council members. Had citizen preferences carried weight, the campaign to place a self-storage at the prominent intersection would have ended long ago. The Downtown Investment Authority and the Downtown Development Review Board staff both asserted self-storage was inappropriate inside the downtown overlay, yet the proposal was approved by the citys Land Use and Zoning Committee and subsequently the City Council as a whole. Thus, it seems that recommendations from the citys own development advisory groups also carry limited weight with this City Council. The downtown zoning overlay clearly stipulates self-storage facilities are not permitted inside its boundaries, yet these prohibitions were ignored. Approval of the self-storage facility illustrated zoning rules and overlays have limited value as quality control mechanisms with this City Council. Approval of the facility also illustrated how a planned unit development can be used to circumvent any zoning rule or overlay, allowing the developer to shapeshift the proposal as needed. The addition of affordable housing units to the self-storage facility gave the council the cover needed to approve the proposal even though it will be an eyesore and out of character for the neighborhood. For many years, decisions regarding building placement in communities were guided by the notion that new structures should complement or enhance the architectural style of existing buildings. Approval of a self-storage facility at the entryway to San Marco illustrated that the City Council is now guided by the philosophy Something is better than nothing. It also suggests that this council feels free to redefine a neighborhoods architecture and its character of a neighborhood. Throughout the approval process, the council routinely ignored District 5 Councilman Joe Carluccis opposition to the development. Apparently the tradition of deferring to the preferences of the council member representing an impacted district is now a quaint notion and a thing of the past. Are you detecting a pattern of behavior for this City Council? The only positive outcome of this multi-year saga was that it yielded a voting guide for upcoming elections. Council members who voted to approve this self-storage facility should have a red flag by their names and two red flags by the name of the projects cheerleader, District 13 Councilman Rory Diamond. Letters: Two years after making request, city of Jacksonville sidewalk repair looks worse Voters would be well-served to question why these individuals are seeking elected office; is it to serve the people or simply for self-promotion? In sum, this process revealed that our City Council now disregards the guideposts and practices that have guided the body for decades. They seem to have a fetish for self-storage facilities that will not be satiated by approval of this facility. What else would explain the willingness of council members to debase themselves as an institution? If you feel this column is an overstatement, monitor the activities of the recently formed special committee to examine the activities of the Downtown Investment Authority. You may find the committee is more of an effort to micromanage and preen than a genuine effort to improve downtown. Cross J. Logan Cross is chairman of the Sierra Club of Northeast Florida Executive Committee. He lives in San Marco. This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Self-storage project shows City Council has abandoned past guidelines 29 combat clashes took place since the beginning of 2 June, Russian forces launched 2 missile attacks with 2 missiles and 8 airstrikes using 11 combat aircraft, and conducted 413 attacks on Ukrainian positions. Source: General Staff Details: On the Kharkiv front, a battle has been going on in the vicinity of Starytsia since the beginning of the day. The situation is under control. Ukrainian defenders continue to take measures to strengthen the defence on the contact line. Based on the updated data, the Russians lost 115 people on this front over the last day, 34 of whom were killed. In addition, the Defence Forces destroyed a tank, an artillery system, 2 air defence systems, 6 UAVs, 14 vehicles and 6 pieces of special equipment of the Russians. An ammunition storage point and eight personnel shelters were struck as well. On the Lyman front, the Russian attack near Terny was unsuccessful. On the Siversk front, five combat clashes took place near Rozdolivka and Vyimka: three attacks were repelled, and two more battles are ongoing. The situation is under control of the Ukrainian Defence Forces. On the Kramatorsk front, three combat clashes took place in the vicinity of Kalynivka and Klishchiivka since the beginning of the day. Two of them are over, and one is ongoing in the vicinity of Kalynivka. The Russian forces are not successful. On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians are trying to advance on Novooleksandrivka and Sokil. Two attacks were repelled and three more are ongoing. The situation is tense. Defence forces are taking measures to stabilise the situation. On the Kurakhove front, three Russians attempts to approach Kostiantynivka have failed. No positions were lost. According to the updated information, Saturday's Russians activity resulted in significant losses, namely: more than 200 of military personnel were killed and wounded, and five tanks, five armoured personnel carriers, one UAV, a vehicle and two ammunition storage points were destroyed. Four tanks and two armoured combat vehicles were damaged. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian attempt to advance on Ukrainian positions near Staromaiorske on the Vremivka front has not been successful. An attempt by Russian forces to advance on the Orikhove front near Mala Tokmachka was also unsuccessful. On the Prydniprovske front, Russian invaders continue to try to force units from the bridgehead near Krynky. Two attacks by Russian forces failed. No positions were lost. The situation is under control. Support UP or become our patron! Island culture at risk Three traffic studies by the state, county and town have failed to address the reality that a lack of alternate routes is creating Hilton Heads congestion issue and out of ignorance declared that a single six-lane bridge to the island will solve the congestion symptom. It cannot. The well-understood Fundamental Law of Traffic Congestion states that adding lanes in a congested area increases congestion. Adding lanes to existing streets cannot substitute for adding avenues. Political prejudice for a six-lane design solution has subordinated engineering logic and ethics. To overcome this prejudice, the Town Council must understand that congestion is not the problem. The concentration of bureaucratic staff on development projects with a lack of in-house understanding of transportation and other utility issues is the problem. The current bridge plan severely impacts the Stoney area, home to the Gulla Geechee community, the center of early island culture. A study focused on this senior community and all island residents lifestyles within a managed tourism industry is sorely needed. The Town Council must recognize this need and reform the town workforce to manage a healthy, but limited, tourism market, and maintain the island cultural vision that Charles Fraser created. Hilton Head Town Council must not approve the current state/county six-lane bridge proposal. A fundamental review and analysis of culture and capacity should be undertaken prior to specific major projects that threaten our island identity. Joseph Kernan, HHI For shame Note: The writer has been a member of the S.C. Bar Association since 1968. Many Republican leaders of our state who are members of the bar have made public statements condemning the verdict of the jury in New York in the Trump criminal case. They have repudiated our judicial system, our fundamental and vital jury trial system, and the cornerstone of our democracy, the rule of law. Shame on them. Joel Collins, Columbia Lowcountry voters beware Note: The writer is former co-chair of the Lowcountry Immigration Coalition. Here in Congressional District 1 we have heard much from two House candidates about resolving the immigration problem in the country; however, we dont live on the Southern border, which does need to be controlled. At the same time, an individual running for president has said he will build a wall and deport up to 11 million immigrants. Watch out, Lowcountry. Much of the lifestyle we enjoy here in our area is highly dependent on immigrant labor. There may be more than 85,000 immigrants working in South Carolina, providing services such as contracting, housing, roofing, stuccoing, food preparation, health care, food service and resort care. Many of these individuals may have been in the Lowcountry for 12-15 years or more (not to mention their American-born children), and who have paid state and federal taxes totaling more than $5 billion statewide in recent years. I fail to see the purpose in millions of such people being deported, not to mention how they will be lined up and shipped away in cattle cars or buses. What does that remind you of? Vote appropriately in the Lowcountry. George Kanuck, Bluffton Stop the deluge The Biden Administration is waking up to a harsh reality of its own making: in the name of saving the climate, theyve driven US manufacturing into the arms of Chinas warm, coal-fired embrace. And we cant blame them. China knew to pursue green technologies, because they knew wed jump through hell and high water if it meant rejoining feel-good agreements like the Paris Accords. Luckily, Republicans have an opportunity to deliver clarity on the climate issue: make polluters like China play by the rules. Make them pay for the costs of labor and environmental compliance that they otherwise face in a true market economy. For too long, weve been complacent in letting China deluge our shores with cheap, pollution-laden goods. Politicians pointed to the price tags on these items and made it seem like we won. Yet, the condition of our workforce, environment, supply chains and global standing clearly indicate the opposite. So, the key question is this: will Congress stand with Senator Graham, former President (and presidential candidate) Trump and the American worker, or are they with the Chinese Communist Party? That is how clear this issue should be. Jay Lester, Inman I must have traveled past that building a hundred times on state Route 91, but I didnt recognize it in the old photograph. Maybe its because the store has been painted blue, the hill has been leveled and a one-story wing has been added. But plenty of readers recognized the picture as one of the oldest buildings in Munroe Falls. We heard from people across the country when I enlisted the publics help in identifying some of the photos from a collection of 26 glass plate negatives from the late 1890s and early 1900s. Lucille Hageman, former vocalist for the Denny Thompson Orchestra, gave the 4-by-5 plates to me nearly 25 years ago, saying they had been passed down to her husband, Harold Red Hageman (1912-1984), an Akron radio announcer. I recently had Halamay Color Lab in Akron develop the nearly 125-year-old images after they languished in my basement for over a decade. Whats in the pictures? Heres what the history detectives found out. J.J. Uplinger offers groceries, provisions and dry goods at his store in Munroe Falls circa 1900. The building still stands on state Route 91. This building at 10 N. Main St. in Munroe Falls dates back to the 1830s. It served as a general store at the turn of the 20th century. Today it is home to Scherer Quality Construction. The barbershop at left is in an addition built in the 1950s. The J.J. Uplinger store Thats apparently Jacob J. Uplinger (1853-1938) standing outside his general store at 10 N. Main St. in Munroe Falls. He had served as grocer and postmaster since the early 1890s after moving from Ghent. According to the Munroe Falls Historical Society, Lyman Beckley reportedly built the structure in 1836. It served as a sash factory in the 1840s before being converted into a general store with a second-floor residence. Charles C. Reid bought the property in 1882 from Martha Cartwright Shannon, and Uplinger operated the store from 1891 to 1912. It later served as the C.P. Dixon store and C.E. McCracken store. Today, it houses Scherer Quality Construction. The Stow Munroe Barber Shop operates in a commercial wing built in the 1950s. Akron librarian Michael Elliott checked genealogy records and learned that Red Hageman was Uplingers great-nephew. Elliott theorized that the glass plate negatives were passed down to Hageman from his aunt Lillian, the widow of Uplingers son, Otto Webb Uplinger. Thanks to Tom Arbour, Randy Bergdorf, Christopher C. Esker, Claudia Wright Grimes, Danny Jenkins, Debra Lape, Mike Lemr, Brian McCormick, Susan McKiernan, Karen Molnar, Rose Monnot, Michael OFlaherty, Ken Summers and Dr. Shirley Wajda for helping solve this one. The Munroe Falls Historical Society helped identify this photo from the early 20th century. This view is looking north on North Main Street (Route 91) near Munroe Falls Avenue. The building at the top left still stands near the railroad tracks. It's the Scissor Room at 21 N. Main St. The Scissor Room at 21 N. Main St. in Munroe Falls is the former Geistweite home, which was built in 1868. Main Street in Munroe Falls Remember the hill in the J.J. Uplinger store photo? Now imagine standing at the top of the steps and looking north. Thats an early 20th century view of Main Street in Munroe Falls. Today, the rural road is bustling Route 91. If you look closely, you can see the Baltimore & Ohio depot along the railroad tracks. The flat-roofed building at the top left is the Geistweite home, which was built in 1868 when the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal was still in operation. The historic home at 21 N. Main St. is now the Scissor Room, a beauty salon and spa. Thanks to Tom Arbour, Claudia Wright Grimes, Debra Lape and Bill Schloman for helping solve this one. This was a really great photo for me because I've seen plenty of shots of the depot but I had never been able to place the exact location, and this photo shows exactly which corner it was located on, Arbour noted. Men relax outside a store in the early 1900s in Portage Countys Freedom Township. The name A.H. Scovill is painted on a window. Arthur Higby Scovill was the proprietor. The A.H. Scovill store J.J. Uplinger had family in Portage Countys Freedom Township. One of them was Arthur Higby Scovill (1858-1924), a merchant and postmaster in Freedom Station northeast of Ravenna. Uplingers wife, Elizabeth, and Arthurs wife, Emma, were sisters, the daughters of Nelson and Catharine Webb. Scovills brick store, identifiable by its sign for Oliver Chilled Plows, was across the street from the Erie depot in the hamlet of Freedom Station. After Scovill retired, Oscar F. Hunt operated the store into the late 1940s. By then, the Ravenna Arsenal had swallowed up 900 acres. The depot was torn down in the 1950s, but the old store still stands. Its now part of a house, said Judy Thornton, president of the Freedom Township Historical Society. The original structure is hidden behind home additions. Were not divulging the location because its private property. A sign says NO TRESPASSING. Thanks to Randy Bergdorf, Michael Elliott, Phillip McCoy, Karen Molnar, Dr. Shirley Wajda and Diane T. Wilson for helping solve this one. Tallmadge Center School stands on North Avenue at the turn of the 20th century. The 45-star flag in the photograph narrows the date range of the photo to 1896 to 1908. Tallmadge Center School We asked: Is it a church, a school or a town hall? The correct answer is school. Tallmadge Center School was built on North Avenue on the site of a three-room school that burned down in 1871. It initially taught pupils in first through eighth grades but later added three years of high school. The high schools first graduating class was 1879. Tallmadge tore down the building in 1912 after constructing an adjacent school complex. The Village at Town Center occupies the site today north of Tallmadge Circle. Bill Schloman pointed out the 45-star flag in our photograph, which narrows the date range of the image to the years 1896 to 1908. Thanks to Michael Gearhart, Brian Matthew Jordan, Debra Lape, Michelle Persons, Erik Rinaldo and Susan Zake for helping solve this one. A worker carries a load of crates on a horse-drawn wagon labeled the Ohio Injector Co., a Wadsworth company that manufactured locomotive injectors at the turn of the 20th century. The building appears to be the Erie depot in Wadsworth. The Wadsworth Depot We have a front view of the Erie depot in Wadsworth among the glass plate negatives. I didnt realize there was also a back view. The photo of the Ohio Injector Co. worker unloading crates from a horse-drawn wagon appears to have been taken at a loading dock behind the train station, Erik Rinaldo noted. The ridge and slope of the roofing seem to match the front view. The depot, which was built in 1897, stood at 383 Main St. for 85 years. Conrail tore down the vandal-plagued structure in 1982. Today the site is a vacant lot. The Ohio Injector Co., a Wadsworth landmark for a century, closed in 1983. Thanks to Bob Hasenyager and Susan McKiernan for helping solve this one. Corporate logos for the Mattie Mitchell Co. and the Torrent Pump Co. are painted on a wooden building on Harvard Avenue in Cleveland. Cleveland companies Ohio author Debra Lape analyzed the photograph of the wooden building painted with corporate logos. She believes the corner structure served as a billboard of sorts for nearby Cleveland businesses. Using vintage maps, city directories, patent documents, newspaper articles and satellite images, she tracked the site to Harvard Avenue in Cleveland. The Mattie Mitchell Co., which made self-rising flour, baking soda and other products, operated on Harvard Avenue from the late 1880s to early 1920s. The Torrent Pump and Fence Co. (what a combination) had a factory on the street. Collins & Co., a coal business, also was there. All three seem to be advertised on the building that is pictured. Its the only verified Cuyahoga County image in the collection. Your singular photo captures the manufacturing history of Cleveland in one square block, Lape wrote. The Munroe Falls Mush Club was devoted to wild mushroom foraging and mushroom farming classes. The Munroe Falls Historical Society identifies the standing women as Mrs. Sam Harris and Mrs. J.J. Uplinger and the seated women as Mrs. McCracken and Mrs. Stromare. Group portraits I doubted that wed be able to identify any of the faces in the group photos, but I was wrong. The Munroe Falls Historical Society owns an identical image of the four women in long dresses. Two are seated and two are standing on a grassy area next to a clapboard building. According to the historical society, these were members of the Munroe Falls Mush Club, a group devoted to wild mushroom foraging and mushroom farming classes. The standing women are identified as Mrs. Sam Harris and Mrs. J.J. Uplinger and the seated women are Mrs. McCracken and Mrs. Stromare (no other names are given). It must have been tough to forage in those high collars and long dresses. A Cleveland Press newspaper from June 1911 is used to document the date of a family portrait. The headline reads KEMPEL SAYS HE TOOK MONEY TO. REP. EVANS. We still dont know the names of the people pictured. Recognize anyone? We still dont know the names of people in another portrait, but we have a better idea when the photo was taken. A Cleveland Press newspaper placed next to the group bears the headline KEMPEL SAYS HE TOOK MONEY TO. REP. EVANS. Its an article from June 1911 about Charles W. Kempel, chief clerk of the Ohio House, acting unknowingly as a go-between in the payment of $100 to Rep. Owen Evans for his vote on a liquor bill. Thanks to Danny Jenkins, Debra Lape and Dr. Shirley Wajda for pointing this out. Who took the photos? Several images have yet to be identified in the glass plate negative collection. Check out the gallery with this story online. Akron librarian Michael Elliott theorized that the unidentified photographer may have worked for Western Union, possibly as a repairman. General stores and railroad depots used telegraph service in the early 20th century. Red Hagemans father, Charles Philo Hageman (1882-1925), and uncle Otto Webb Uplinger (1881-1950) both listed their occupations as telegraph operators, and Uplinger retired from Western Union after 37 years. Elliott might be close to solving the mystery. Who was the photographer? It could be as easy as a 50-50 guess: Charles or Otto. Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Readers identify Ohio photos from early 20th century (Bloomberg) -- South Africas African National Congress has begun talks with rivals to form a government following its worst performance since Nelson Mandela led it to power at the end of apartheid in 1994. Most Read from Bloomberg The ANC obtained 159 of the 400 seats in the National Assembly in the May 29 elections, the electoral commission announced on Sunday, a precipitous decline from the 230 seats President Cyril Ramaphosas party won five years ago. The ANCs slump to just about 40% of the vote comes after years of economic mismanagement and corruption saddled the country with one of the worlds highest unemployment rates and weak growth. The electoral shake-up has pushed Africas most-industrialized nation into uncharted territory, with the ANC now likely to be forced to rely on cooperation from bitter rivals if it is to retain power. We are talking to everybody, Fikile Mbalula, the ANCs secretary-general told a press conference on Sunday before the final results were announced. A coalition is a consequence, when you dont have a majority, you do do that. Sign up here for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter The Democratic Alliance secured 87 seats, retaining its position as the main opposition. A party led by a former ANC and national president, Jacob Zuma, was third it won 58 seats just six months after its launch. Mbalula said his party will assess all options, including the eventuality that a coalition agreement cant be reached, which could necessitate a rerun of the election. It wont, however, entertain demands by Zumas uMkhonto weSizwe party that its support is contingent on Ramaphosas exit from office. Most of the seats lost by the ANC were taken up by Zumas party. Ramaphosa is the president of the ANC and if you come with a demand that he must step down, you must forget, Mbalula said. No political party will dictate terms like that to us. The ANCs top leaders will meet on Tuesday to review what its talks with rivals have yielded. If it chooses to form a minority government, it will still need the support of a rival to appoint a president as that position is voted on by parliament. The electoral commission officially announced the results on Sunday evening, notwithstanding Zumas demand that they delay to review its allegations of voter irregularities. This was a theater of openness, said Sy Mamabolo, the electoral commissions chief electoral officer. Our democracy has spoken, indeed the people have expressed their political choices though the ballot box. We must now act to honor the choice of the voter. Ramaphosa was in a jocular mood at the results ceremony, commenting on a mistake by the electoral official who announced that he was about to deliver results for the 2019 election, before correcting himself. How I wish the statement you made, saying these were the 2019 election results, was true, he said, drawing loud cheers from the audience. He also nodded to speculation that the ANCs loss of support in the election may cost him his job. Another official at the ceremony mistakenly referred to guests as extinguished instead of distinguished. Im not yet extinguished, Ramaphosa said. Bloomberg Terminal clients can click on ELEC ZA for more on South Africas elections Under the constitution, South Africas National Assembly must convene within 14 days to elect a speaker and a president after the declaration of the election outcome. The extent of the ANCs loss leaves it with the choice of turning to the DA, which Ramaphosas allies favor, or seeking an alliance on the left with either Zumas party, known as the MKP, or the populist EFF. The DA agreed on Sunday to open talks with rivals to avoid what it refers to as a doomsday coalition that would group the ANC with Zumas party and the leftist Economic Freedom Fighters. The DAs Federal Executive has unanimously adopted a resolution to initiate exploratory talks with other political parties that share a commitment to the South African constitution, DA leader John Steenhuisen said in an address broadcast on YouTube. DA leaders are leaning toward seeking a formal coalition with the ANC in which they would receive some cabinet posts and control of several parliamentary portfolio committees, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified as the talks arent public. Some DA leaders oppose the idea, the people said, and a decision has yet to be taken. The Inkatha Freedom Party, a small party thats been working with the DA, also organized a gathering of its national executive committee on Sunday. EFF leader Julius Malema, who established the party in 2013 after he was expelled from the ANC, said hes open to cooperating with it. The ANC is considering a wide range of options that would allow it to work with rivals, with people familiar with the situation saying the possibility of appointing a finance minister from outside of the party is being considered. The president can appoint two people to cabinet who arent members of parliament. An alliance with the DA would be welcomed by financial markets as it would likely see the acceleration of economic reforms and privatization initiatives that Ramaphosa has begun to implement. It could also see chronic power and water shortages tackled and action taken to improve the woeful performance of the freight rail and port networks. The voter turnout at 58.61% was less than 66% in 2019. --With assistance from Ana Monteiro, Monique Vanek, S'thembile Cele and Alister Bull. (Updates with details throughout.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, center, arrives at the National Results Operations Center during the announcement of the results in South Africa's general elections, in Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Humbled by a stinging election result, South Africa's African National Congress was talking to everyone in an effort to form a stable coalition government for Africa's most advanced economy after it lost its 30-year majority. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) JOHANNESBURG (AP) President Cyril Ramaphosa called Sunday for South Africa's political parties to overcome their differences and find common ground to form the first national coalition government in its young democracy. His comments came in a speech straight after final election results were announced confirming that no party won a majority in last week's vote. Unprecedented coalition talks were set to start to find a way forward for Africas most industrialized economy. Ramaphosa's African National Congress party had already lost its 30-year majority after more than 99% of votes were counted by Saturday and showed it couldnt surpass 50%. The ANC received 40% of the votes in last weeks election in the final count, the largest share. Without a majority it will need to agree on a coalition with another party or parties for the first time to co-govern and reelect Ramaphosa for a second term. South Africas national elections decide how many seats each party gets in Parliament and lawmakers elect the president later. Our people have spoken, Ramaphosa said. Whether we like it or not, they have spoken. We have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their choices and their wishes. ... The people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs. This is a time for all of us to put South Africa first. The ANC was the party of Nelson Mandela and freed South Africa from the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994. It had governed with a comfortable majority since then, but this election saw an unprecedented slump in its support as voters deserted the party due to its failure to solve widespread poverty, extremely high unemployment levels and problems with delivering basic government services to many in a nation of 62 million. The ANC had said earlier Sunday that it was starting its negotiations with all major parties. More than 50 parties took part in the election, and at least eight had significant shares of the vote. At least 26 of them, including the MK Party led by former President Jacob Zuma, have lodged objections and complaints with the electoral body alleging voting irregularities, which it has promised to address. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said it was open to all negotiations, even with the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which has led the chorus of criticism of the ANC for years but is viewed by many analysts as the most stable coalition option for South Africa. The DA won the second most votes with 21.8%, and the two parties would hold a majority together and be able to govern. DA leader John Steenhuisen said his party was also initiating talks with parties. The ANC won 159 seats in the 400-seat Parliament, down from the 230 it won in the last election. The DA increased slightly to 87 seats. There is some time pressure for coalition talks to progress and for the uncertainty to be minimized, given that the new Parliament needs to sit for the first time and elect a president within 14 days of the election results being declared. Ramaphosa is seeking a second and final term and Mbalula said his position as leader of the ANC was not in question despite the election result. Mbalula said the ANC would not consider the demands by Zuma's MK Party that Ramaphosa step down as a condition for talks. No political party will dictate terms to us, the ANC. They will not ... You come to us with that demand, forget (it), Mbalula said. He said the ANC would not be arrogant, though. The elections have humbled us, they have brought us where we are, he said. South Africa is a leading voice for its continent and for the developing world on the global stage and is due to take over the presidency of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations late this year. Its the only African nation in that group. Everyone is looking to see if South Africa can weather the storm and come out the other side, political analyst Oscar van Heerden said on the eNCA news network. Amid many coalition options, the ANC could also join with MK and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, although they have been cast as partners that would make investors uneasy. Both have pledged to nationalize parts of South Africas economy, including its gold and platinum mines, among the worlds biggest producers. The DA has long said it will not work with the EFF and MK, calling them a doomsday coalition for South Africa. Steenhuisen, the party's leader, repeated that stance Sunday in a speech on national television but said his party was starting talks with others and would approach them with cool heads and open minds. Political analyst van Heerden said an ANC-DA coalition would possibly give stability but there were some within the ANC who would oppose it. Other smaller parties could be involved to dilute it and make it more palatable for the ANC, some commentators said. The DA has approached the ANC as the enemy over many, many years, van Heerden said. The next few days is going to be a very difficult period. People will have to be mature behind closed doors. ___ Imray reported from Cape Town, South Africa. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa A Southern California man was arrested on suspicion of numerous child sex crimes. The suspect was identified as Damien Gieng, 26, according to the Chino Hills Police Department. On May 21, police began investigating reports of inappropriate sexual incidents between a 16-year-old girl and Gieng. Detectives learned the girl met and communicated with Gieng on social media. He was also allegedly aware the girl was a minor, police said. Undercover detectives posed as an underage girl and contacted the suspect on social media. They eventually arranged a meetup at The Shoppes in Chino Hills, a popular outdoor shopping mall. Once Gieng arrived at the meeting location, he was arrested at the scene. Investigators later identified a second juvenile victim who had also been interviewed by detectives. Damien Gieng, 26, is seen in a photo from the Chino Hills Police Department. Officers believe there are additional victims who have yet to come forward. Anyone with information on the case is urged to call Chino Hills Police at 909-364-2000. Anonymous tips can be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. More than a year ago, we set out to find out who is dying in custody of Ohio's local jails and why these deaths are happening. The Cincinnati Enquirer, Columbus Dispatch and USA TODAY Network Ohio reviewed lawsuits, inspection reports, autopsies, obituaries, investigative documents, surveillance videos and other records related to what's happening inside Ohio's jails. We interviewed more than 40 sheriffs, state officials, lawmakers, criminal justice experts, incarcerated people and family members. We toured multiple jails and filed more than 135 records requests. No one locked up in a county jail is sentenced to death. Yet at least 219 Ohioans didnt make it out alive, leaving their loved ones to question what happened. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction provided copies of inspection reports, jail standards and a spreadsheet of reported deaths. We tracked down coroner reports for nearly all 219 deaths that were reported to the state between January 2020 and December 2023. The investigation took more than a year, largely due to delays in receiving public records. Some counties produced jail surveillance footage several months after they received our requests and only after prompting from our legal team. It also took time to earn the trust of those who lost their loved ones behind bars. Many spoke up because they want changes in how jails operate so that other families don't experience the pain they're suffering. [ Reporters with USA TODAY's network of Ohio newspapers spent a year investigating deaths in the county jails. Consider supporting their work with a subscription. ] Dying Behind Bars: At least 220 people died in Ohio jails over 4 years Jul 14, 2023; Mansfield, OH, United States; Lacee Bowersox blames the Richland County Jail for her brother Zachery Marshall's death in December 2021. He had difficulty breathing and called for an ambulance but ended up arrested on an outstanding bench warrant. In jail, he didn't get the medical care he needed, she said. He died less than two weeks later of endocarditis and sepsis. Across Ohio people are dying in local jails. Suicides, drug overdoses, detox and medical issues, on average, claim a life each week. Why is this happening so frequently? Read the full story. Who is dying behind bars in Ohio jails? Maggie J. Copeland, 29, of Mansfield, is seen unresponsive as she is taken on a gurney from the Richland County Jail on May 11, 2022 in this jail security footage. She was pronounced dead less than a half hour later at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital. Every year, dozens of Ohioans die in the custody of local jails. They lose their lives to suicide, drug overdoses, medical neglect, violence, accidents or other causes. One man choked to death on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Another was strangled to death. Two inmates sucker punched a man, rendering him unconscious. In other cases, inmates or jailers provided opioids, which triggered fatal overdoses. Read the full story. Ohio jails house about 300,000 people a year. How does the system work? July 13, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The new James A. Karnes Corrections Center serving Franklin County was dedicated on Wednesday, but the $360 million facility won't open until this fall. Mandatory Credit: Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch On any given night, about 16,500 people are held in Ohio's 89 jails and jailers book about 300,000 people each year - though some of them may be booked in multiple times. Jails are not the same as prisons. They are temporary holding facilities for people who are just arrested, awaiting court appearances, held pretrial on bonds or serving short-term sentences. Elected county sheriffs run most of the 89 full-service jails in Ohio. A handful are operated by a regional board or by a city police department. Read the full story. 2 people were sent to Ohio jails just miles apart. One received treatment. The other died Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey stands inside the addiction treatment section of the the Hamilton County Jail in Cincinnati while giving a tour on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The difference between life and death for people arrested and sent to jail can be a matter of miles and county lines. Ohio has 181 standards for full-service jails meant to ensure a minimum of care for inmates across the state. But a lack of enforcement and deference to local control mean conditions and treatment in a county jail ultimately come down to the priorities of the county sheriff. For example, there is a stark divide between the approaches of the Butler County Corrections Center and Hamilton County Justice Center though the counties neighbor each other. Read the full story. Ohio's jails have long been de facto mental health hospitals. Now they look like them Jails are overrun with people on drugs, struggling with mental illness and poor health. How are sheriffs handling the challenges? Read the full story. Ohio Politics Explained Check back on Monday for a special podcast on our Death Behind Bars series. Our team USA TODAY Network Ohio bureau reporters Laura Bischoff and Erin Glynn anchored the reporting and writing. Bureau Chief Anthony Shoemaker, Cincinnati Enquirer reporter Dan Horn and Cincinnati Enquirer Senior News Director Jackie Borchardt edited the stories. Cincinnati Enquirer Director of Photography Cara Owsley, Columbus Dispatch photographers Courtney Hergesheimer, Doral Chenoweth and Brooke LaValley and Enquirer photographers Albert Cesear, Phil Didion, Liz Dufour, and Kareem Elgazzar took photos and videos. Enquirer visual journalist Mike Nygeres produced graphics and an animated video. Dan Kadar and Keely Brown managed the digital presentation. Jason Bredehoeft designed the pages in today's newspaper. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Inside Ohio's jails, why have 220 inmates died in 4 years? COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) This week on The Spectrum: An innocent man has nothing to hide and thats what Ive held in my heart for the last six years and six weeks, former Ohio Speaker of the House Cliff Rosenberger. The Justice Department closed its investigation into Rosenberger without filing charges. Green Card holders added to Ohio foreign money bill It was not only a political move, but there was a greed also involved, Rosenberger said. Hear why he believes the probe was a setup that set the wheels in motion for the largest public corruption case in Ohios history. State lawmakers in a special session all week long, ordered by the governor to ensure President Joe Biden is on Ohios November ballot and to pass a ban on foreign contributions to ballot-issue campaigns. Hear how both issues are dividing lawmakers. Former Amazon worker says she was suspended over Ohio warehouse shooting concerns More military equipment is on its way to Ukraine after months of negotiations in Congress. We have been with Ukraine every step of the way from independence, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said. Brink said helping the country stop Russia is in Americas best interest. Americans largely split on whether they approve of Trumps conviction: Survey At the roundtable, Republican strategist Jordan Ohler and Democratic strategist Brian Rothenberg weigh in on former President Donald Trump being convicted on all counts in his New York hush money trial. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Alex Monk said each plane he works on has a story to tell - GARETH FULLER/PA An aircraft engineer who restores historic Spitfire fighter planes has said they must be kept flying for future generations ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Spitfires are famed for their role in the Second World War, providing air support for the Allied troops in the Normandy landings 80 years ago. More than 20,000 of the world renowned fighters were built around the war period, but it is estimated just 60 airworthy planes remain. Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar, nestled outside of London, is believed to be the worlds largest Spitfire restoration and passenger flight hangar, and the team are currently working to revive their 17th Spitfire to an airworthy condition since opening in 2011. Alex Monk, 25, who works at the family business, believes that all Spitfires have a story to tell but efforts need to be made before their stories are lost to history. Were at the point now of everything transferring out of living memory, Mr Monk said. The only link that future generations will get to this other than grainy pictures in textbooks will be seeing these machines. Its actually this wonderful object that makes a lot of noise and does something and stands for an awful lot. Seventeen Spitfires have been restored by the crew at Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar - GARETH FULLER/PA At the hangar, which lies on what used to be RAF Biggin Hill, the famous fighter station during the Second World War, several Spitfires are up for repair in the workshop. They all have a story to tell and it humanises it all, Mr Monk said. The Spitfire MK1a P9372 flew in the Battle of Britain and was shot down near Biggin Hill. William Watling, its pilot, survived suffering serious burns to his face and hands. The plane was shot more than 100 times and was excavated from Romney Marsh, in Kent, in the 1970s. The bullet holes have been patched up with the planes debris they had hanging up in the next door workshop to show a little bit of vintage, Gary Woodhouse, the engineer, said. He added Peter Monk, the owner and Mr Monks father, spends his time scouring the globe for parts to restore the machines. The more people want to spend and they want to buy without these parts you couldnt do it, he explained. Things are always out there ... youll find with the older generation, which were now losing, keep these sorts of things in their shed or on their mantelpiece. To them, its prosperity [sic], but now theyre the bits we need. Not your everyday job The 56-year-old from Swanley began working at the hangar six years ago and admits its not your everyday job. Mr Woodhouse added: At first you enjoy the novelty factor, its great, its huge. The interest has always been there with warbirds, with this type of aircraft, and especially the history and the older generation which were losing. You are humble, it is iconic to work around them, it is not your everyday job. Youve got to be proud, you are keeping history alive. Also onsite is a D-Day veteran Spitfire being restored after it had a wing taken off in a crash landing into an oak tree at Biggin Hill about 12 years ago. The Spitfire MK912 was originally flown by Tony Liskutin, a Czech pilot and squadron leader, on June 6, 7 and 8 1944 over the British sector providing ground support. Mr Monk recalled the day Liskutin was reunited with his aeroplane again on a visit to the hangar on March 25 2013. He sees his machine come up alongside and you see the tears and the joy on his face from that, because he wasnt expecting it. That was really great to see, he said. But there arent that many D-Day veteran Spitfires left out there. Theres probably less than 10 that I know of that have got genuine D-Day history. Alex Monk, above, plans to take the Spitfire over to Normandy for the celebrations - GARETH FULLER/PA Franco Tambascia, the chief engineer, has spent 33 years working with old warplanes. Were hoping to run the engine [of the D-Day spitfire] in six weeks even though theres a lot missing, he said. The 49-year-old said its a real privilege to work on the historic planes. He added: If it wasnt for these aircraft and every aircraft like this we wouldnt have won the war. So weve got to keep the heritage going to make sure that [in] the future, everybody, the younger generation would understand what happened and what the pilots went through. The Biggin Hill team are preparing to mark the D-Day anniversary by flying their Spitfire fleet with freshly painted invasion stripes on their wings, in a nod to the efforts in the lead up to the offensive. On painting the stripes, Mr Monk said: Were quite authentic in the way that we do it. If you see any wartime pictures they werent out there with masking tape and spray guns. It was brooms, paint brushes, paint was put on aeroplanes with whatever you could find. Were paying true homage to how it would have been done in period, down to painting them outside. Mr Monk also plans to take the Spitfire in the workshop over to Normandy for the D-Day anniversary. He goes to France every year for the commemoration, where his great, great uncle came ashore and was killed taking the Hillman bunker complex on June 6 1944. He said: For me, every year is as important. I think this one being the 80th is a big thing, but I think itll probably be the last time that youll have many veterans there in physical form. So to get out there and try and meet some that I havent met before and gather the last stories up before they all go out of living memory. This will be a bit of a bittersweet year, I think. 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. SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Rotary Club of Springdale is hosting a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Gerald Harp Treehouse Park on Monday, June 3. The groundbreaking will take place just south of the existing Rotary Adventure Park, located at the southeast corner of Watkins Ave and 48th Street in Springdale. The public is invited to join at 2 p.m. to celebrate and review plans for the park, according to a news release. The treehouses in the park will be interconnected by a series of bridges and will include a treehouse designed for children with mobility issues. The new addition will feature five architecturally designed treehouses built by Natural State Treehouses, as well as a new pavilion and improved pathways within the park. Did you know Arkansas has a state dinosaur? In 2025, the Rotary Club of Springdale will celebrate its 100th year of operation in Springdale. The Gerald Harp Treehouse Park addition will serve as a gift to the residents to commemorate the clubs centennial year, according to the news release. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Since South Africas first democratic election in 1994, the African National Congress (ANC) has won over 50 per cent of every vote. This 30 year streak of dominance has now come to an end. With the final results set to be announced Sunday, the ANC has failed to win a majority. Over the last decade, South Africas murder rate has risen 40 per cent while economic growth has stagnated, with GDP per capita adjusted for purchasing power lower in 2022 than 2012. Blackouts are common and at 28.4 per cent the unemployment rate is the highest reported worldwide. Domestic mismanagement has gone hand in hand with an immoral foreign policy. Historical ties between the ANC and the Kremlin have meant that even as South Africa has maintained an officially neutral stance, the country has conducted joint naval exercises with Russia and China. With the collapse in the ANCs vote opening the door to a reevaluation of foreign and domestic policy, the question is now which way the country turns. A coalition with the second placed opposition party the Democratic Alliance would represent a very different direction. The party is pro-market and its leader has called on the Government to condemn Putins invasion. In contrast, a government in combination with uMkhonto we Sizwe, led by former president Jacob Zuma, and the Economic Freedom Fighters, led by former ANC youth leader Julius Malema, would at best represent more of the same. A statement issued by Mr Zumas foundation has claimed that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was provoked by Nato, while Mr Malema stated last year that we are Putin and Putin is us. After a decade of misrule, this is a golden opportunity for South Africa to change direction. We must hope it does so. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. (Bloomberg) -- Keir Starmer has announced plans to ban employers who break employment law from hiring workers from abroad, in an attempt to shrink net migration numbers. Most Read from Bloomberg The Labour leader is hoping to turn public attention away from his partys infighting and back onto the record of the Conservative government. Britain has seen two years of record-high immigration, a sore political point for the ruling Conservative party who pledged to clamp down on the issue in the 2019 election. Starmer didnt commit to any target figure or date to bring numbers down, telling The Sun on Sunday newspaper, I will control our borders and make sure British businesses are helped to hire Brits first. He said employers had become too reliant on workers from outside the UK. Read more: Starmer Invokes 1970s UK Sitcom to Mock National Service Plan The announcement comes after the first major wobble of the Labour campaign, when left-wing candidates publicly complained of a purge, derailing the partys plans to talk about the National Health Service and the economy. Despite that, an Opinium poll published on Saturday showed the party extending its lead to 20 points ahead of the Conservative party. Conservative Party Chairman Richard Holden responded to the immigration announcement by attacking Starmers fiscal credentials saying, Be under no illusion Labour will have to raise taxes by 2,094 for every household to pay for their unfunded spending plans, taking us back to square one. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt is also seeking to refocus the Conservative campaign, telling the Sunday Telegraph that Labour betrayed pensioners before and will put up taxes on the elderly. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Inviting voters to read my lips has been associated with political lies ever since the first President Bush pledged no new taxes, only to acquiesce when Congress put them up. So Sir Keir Starmers prelude to his promise to cut immigration saying read my lips was appropriate enough. The claim is utter nonsense. Neither Starmer nor his party has the appetite to do what it takes to control immigration. It was Starmer himself who wrote that there is a racist undercurrent which permeates all immigration law. Barbara Roche, a former Labour MP, summed up the mentality when she described being made immigration minister. I was appalled by the very idea of doing the job, she said, explaining that her political beliefs were built on campaigning against racism. This helps to explain why, when it comes to every single visa route, and every single humanitarian crisis anywhere in the world, the Labour response is always to oppose restrictions and demand more immigration. Their response to the Channel crossings is to complain about the time it takes to process asylum claims, not the numbers coming. Their worry is about the danger of the journeys, not the destruction of border security. The reason it is so difficult to remove illegal immigrants and foreign criminals our human rights laws, based on the European Convention on Human Rights is an article of almost religious belief for them. Just four years ago, Starmer wrote a signed letter to the Labour Campaign for Free Movement. Given his claim to be tough on immigration, the content is extraordinary. Declaring he is proud to have served as Jeremy [Corbyns] shadow immigration minister, Starmer boasted he had sued the government to increase benefits for asylum seekers. Complaining that the immigration system aims to deter, not support migrants coming to Britain illegally, he set out several policies. He would close immigration detention centres, allow asylum seekers to work, liberalise family reunion rules, and give some foreigners the vote. This was not the only letter he signed. At around the same time, along with a long list of his MPs and shadow ministers, including supposed moderate Wes Streeting, Starmer backed a letter demanding the suspension of a flight deporting foreign criminals to Jamaica and the suspension of all future charter flights. Among the other demands was that all those due to be deported must be given free mobile phones and better access to lawyers until the last minute before deportation. For around 50 of the deportees, Starmer was granted his wish. In a novel human rights ruling, the Court of Appeal found that a problem with the O2 signal at the detention centres near Heathrow meant they had not had unrestricted access to lawyers, and so must not be deported. Among those allowed to stay in Britain, several were subsequently convicted of serious offences, including assault, stalking, and selling heroin and cocaine. So the idea that Starmer means what he says about immigration is preposterous. But it is hardly the only example of Labours leader playing fast and loose with the truth. Take the saga involving Diane Abbott, who Starmer sought to remove as the Labour candidate in Hackney North and Stoke Newington, only to cave when Angela Rayner and others resisted. Abbott was suspended by Labour in April last year after making light of anti-Semitism. Just two Fridays ago, Starmer refused to comment on her future because of the investigation thats not yet finally resolved. That same day Labour officials briefed that the inquiry was still ongoing, and shadow ministers had been saying the same for months. Yet last week the BBC confirmed that the process had concluded in December last year. The casual dishonesty comes up time and again. Starmer claimed it was not true he had stopped Abbott from standing, but Abbott confirmed, I am banned from standing. Labour claimed the National Executive Committee process was independent even of the party leader, but Starmer had previously claimed credit for tabling a motion banning Jeremy Corbyn from standing as a Labour MP. The dishonesty runs through the campaign. Having promised to abolish the House of Lords while running for leader, only to change the policy to limiting the number of peers and strengthening the quango overseeing appointments, Starmer is reported to have dangled peerages before MPs to encourage them to stand down. The energy policy he once said would cost 28 billion a year he now claims he will deliver at less than one fifth of the cost. The savings he promises the policy would bring consumers appear to be based on sums made with out-of-date figures. Using Rishi Sunaks aspiration to one day abolish employee National Insurance contributions altogether, Starmer is presenting it as an immediate but unfunded policy goal, and so claims it will be paid for by cutting the state pension or increasing the pension age. In fact it is Labour that has consistently questioned the pensions triple lock, and Labour that has refused to back the Tory policy to increase the personal tax allowance for pensioners in line with the state pension prompting the suspicion that Labour plans to tax pensions. As John Rentoul, the Blairite commentator, says this is low politics cynical and wrong. Cynicism is indeed the leitmotif of Starmers leadership. He appears to have observed politicians from Tony Blair and Boris Johnson and concluded that honesty comes at a steep price, while shamelessness wins the day. He is after all the man who called Jeremy Corbyn a friend, only to deny his friendship when it suited him. He promised Labour members he would increase income tax, support the free movement of people with Europe, nationalise the rail and utility companies, scrap tuition fees and Universal Credit, and end outsourcing across the public sector only to junk those policies on becoming leader. Indeed, this was the entirety of his policy pitch to Labour members, but now he erroneously claims that most [of the policies] are still in place. He took his members for fools, and now he is taking the country for fools. We cannot say we have not been warned. Nick Timothy is standing for the Conservatives in West Suffolk 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. Starved, beaten and abused Ukrainian policewoman returns home after two years in captivity Maryana Checheliuk returned home on Friday noticeably frail after years of abuse and mistreatment A 24-year-old Ukrainian policewoman was starved, beaten and abused as a prisoner of war by Russian forces, her mother said as she was released after two years in captivity. Maryana Checheliuk, an investigator with the National Police of Ukraine, was taken prisoner after being caught up in the siege of Mariupols Azovstal steel works. Her full story was recounted to The Telegraph magazine by her family last year, who told how she had been forced through a Russian filtration camp and then blocked from returning home. On Friday, Ms Checheliuk was released in a prisoner exchange, after enduring years of severe mistreatment, including being starved, beaten and abused. She appeared frail as she finally arrived back on Ukrainian soil in tears. In her first phone call to her family after being released, Ms Checheliuk said: Mummy, Im home. Her mother replied: My lovely and dear sunshine, we finally got this day. Russian forces discovered Maryana Checheliuk was an investigator with the National Police of Ukraine during interrogation In March 2022, Ms Checheliuk sought refuge from Russian bombardment with her younger sister in the walls of Azovstal steel works but became trapped by the fighting. On May 1, the sisters left the site, believing a deal had been brokered to extract civilians and escort them to Kyiv-controlled territory. Instead, they were ushered onto buses by Moscows forces and taken 160 miles away to a Russian filtration camp in Bezimenne. During interrogation the soldiers learnt of Ms Checheliuks profession. Alina, her sister, told The Telegraph in February 2023, recalling how the pair became separated. Maryana was so nervous she started shaking, and I got so mad. I started crying, I kept saying, Give me my sister back. Over the course of the next two years, Ms Checheliuk was held in a prisoner of war camp in Olenivka and detention facilities in Taganrog and Mariupol, where her health rapidly declined. Natalya Checheliuk, her mother, said her daughter became very ill and developed bronchitis. Despite treatment her health did not improve. She lost a significant amount of weight, her immune system weakened, her hair began to fall out, and she suffered from amenorrhea [an inability to menstruate], Mrs Checheliuk said. Ms Checheliuk wrote a poem for her mother during her captivity, which she read back on Ukrainian soil. I long to see you mother, to tell you how it was for me there / How I yearned for your eyes, how I wanted to end my life / How I endured all the pain and agony, how I trembled with fear / How every scream and knock made my own name from my head disappear, she wrote. Maybe Ill come back to you, mother / No, I will come back, hear? Ill come at dawn in the morning, in your heart you will feel me near. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Gov. Greg Abbott is declaring victory in his 18-month-long fight for a school choice initiative, which would allocate state money to help families pay for private or homeschooling expenses. His primary challengers against skeptical Republican lawmakers were largely successful, and he appears to now have a majority in the House to pass his priority. The Texas legislature now has enough votes to pass School Choice, said Abbott on social media Tuesday night. Congratulations to all of tonights winners. Together, we will ensure the best future for our children. The primary politics of school choice Abbott faced opposition to his education savings account (ESA) program from every Democrat and 21 Republicans in the House. Most of the Republican opposition came from rural lawmakers who have few private schools in their district, citing concerns the program may reduce public school funding. But Abbott gave them an ultimatum: vote for the bill, or face a challenger funded by his massive campaign war chest. He ultimately defeated 11 out of the 15 incumbents he challenged by endorsing their opponents. This is a huge win for families, said Valeria Gurr of the American Federation for Children. A school choice program gives them access to be able to meet their needs and their dreams and to be able to succeed. AFCs political action committee spent $2 million to support pro-ESA candidates. State of Texas: Election results redraw battle lines for school choice Meanwhile, opponents to the idea remain defiant. State Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, and former public school teacher, echoes his caucus stance that no form of school vouchers will be acceptable regardless of the circumstances. He blamed the influence of Texas megadonors Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. They bought the Governor in the voucher fight, he said. Then, they flooded Texas with lies about pro-public education Republicans despite the onslaught of money and lies, anti-voucher Republicans still won across the state. Where Abbotts big money did succeed, his handpicked candidates are so extreme that they could help Democrats flip competitive seats. Lawmakers will return for the 89th legislative session in January 2025. The final composition of the House is still uncertain, with only a handful of competitive races in November, and the all-important race for House Speaker to be decided by members in January. Current House Speaker Dade Phelan, R-Beaumont, held off challenger David Covey in the runoff race in his southeast Texas district. Phelan overcame an effort to push him out of office that included former President Donald Trump, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton campaigning against him. Two House members have already announced plans to challenge Phelan for Speaker. Cypress Republican Tom Oliverson jumped in the race in March, a few weeks after Phelan failed to win enough votes in the primary election to avoid a runoff. Oliverson was once a Phelan ally, and the Speaker appointed him to chair the House insurance committee. Last week, Rep. Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, announced that she was jumping into the race. She was the lead House sponsor of legislation passed in 2021 that banned most abortions in Texas. Slawson is serving her second term in the Texas House. Texas Supreme Court rejects case claiming abortion restrictions put women in medical danger The Texas Supreme Court on Friday unanimously ruled against plaintiffs in Zurawski v. Texas, a case brought by more than 20 women alleging the states abortion ban puts women with pregnancy complications at risk. The states highest civil court vacated a Travis County trial courts ruling that blocked the state from enforcing the law against doctors. The challenge was led by Amanda Zurawski, a Texas woman who nearly died from septic shock from pregnancy complications after her doctor told her state law does not allow her to provide an abortion. The court held that the medical exceptions in Texas abortion ban are sufficiently broad, and do not require doctors to allow their patients to approach death before intervening. A physician who tells a patient, Your life is threatened by a complication that has arisen during your pregnancy, and you may die, or there is a serious risk you will suffer substantial physical impairment unless an abortion is performed, and in the same breath states but the law wont allow me to provide an abortion in these circumstances is simply wrong in that legal assessment, the court wrote. The ruling evoked emotional reactions from many of the plaintiffs and their doctors who believed the law tied their hands. Today feels like Im reliving my childs diagnosis, said Kaitlyn Kash, whose child was diagnosed in the womb with skeletal dysplasia, a deadly genetic disorder. If you want to grow your family, if you want to have children, you should definitely get out of Texas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton celebrated the ruling on Friday. He initiated the Supreme Courts review by asking them to overturn the trial courts injunction. I will continue to defend the laws enacted by the Legislature and uphold the values of the people of Texas by doing everything in my power to protect mothers and babies, he said. The Texas Alliance for Life, after submitting a brief to the court in support of the abortion ban, praised the ruling Friday. The Texas Supreme Court justices understand that their role is to look at the law and interpret it not make the law, Alliance for Lifes Amy ODonnell said. ODonnell also said the doctors who believed they could not provide medical abortions misinterpreted the law and put their patients at risk, pointing to 81 cases in which doctors performed medical abortions through Dec. 2023 without consequences. Clearly, we see doctors in Texas know that they can intervene, while at the same time we hear cases where some doctors are confused about the clarity and the language of her law, ODonnell said. For that reason, we are in support of the Texas Medical Board providing guidelines for doctors. Dallas Congressman and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Colin Allred condemned the ruling, pledging to advocate for abortion access nationwide if elected. To force someone to carry out a nonviable pregnancy at risk to her own life is outrageous. This decision allows Texas extreme abortion ban to continue to endanger women and deny them the health care they need, Allred said. This ban has gone way too far, and in the Senate, I will fight to restore the freedoms of Texas women. The Courts ruling also provides insight into a similar challenge from Kate Cox, a Dallas woman who asserts her life and future fertility was put at risk when she could not abort a fetus diagnosed with Trisomy-18. Many of those pregnancies result in miscarriage and a majority of the babies who are born with the genetic disorder die before their first birthday, according to the Mayo Clinic. The current law plainly does not permit abortion based solely on a diagnosis that an unborn child has an abnormal condition, even a life-limiting one, the court wrote. Rather, the law examines such a diagnosis in the context of the mothers physical health. An unborn childs diagnosis must be coupled with reasonable medical judgment that the mother has a life-threatening physical condition and that an abortion is indicated to avert her death or serious physical impairment. The Texas Medical Board is currently looking at proposed rules to clarify when doctors can legally perform an abortion. In March, the board put out proposed guidelines to define what qualifies as an emergency medical exception. The board heard public testimony last month, where several doctors and patients criticized the proposal as too vague. The board could put their proposal up for a vote for approval and implementation, or issue a revised proposal. The board is scheduled to meet later in June. Texas releases new, state-owned textbooks aimed to improve student outcomes Wednesday morning, the Texas Education Agency released a new set of state-owned and developed textbooks aimed at increasing student outcomes called Open Education Resources, or OER, textbooks. State legislators directed the agency to develop the material during the last legislative session as part of House Bill 1605, and its already been tested in multiple school districts. The legislation was passed during the last regular session amid a growing effort to ban books that some parents considered inappropriate from schools and public libraries across the state. The law also requires the State Board of Education to curate a list of state-approved instructional materials for school districts. The board announced Wednesday that it will start hearing from the public on more than 140 textbooks that have already been submitted for approval. In a statement, Gov. Greg Abbott said TEAs new educational materials would help students better understand the connection of history, art, community, literature, and religion on pivotal events like the signing of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Movement, and the American Revolution. Senate bill would provide state teaching materials, citing learning gaps and teacher burnout Although the legislature directed TEA to create these educational materials, school districts are not required to use the textbooks or any materials the state board approves. However, districts that use the materials will receive additional state funding up to $40 per student and employment protections for teachers who use them in their classrooms. According to HB 1605, teachers who use materials approved by the state board of education cannot face disciplinary action for complaints related to teaching widely debated or currently controversial issues of public policy. The OER textbooks have already been used on multiple Texas campuses as a part of a pilot program, including schools within Temple Independent School District. Pilot districts and teachers who used the materials also provided feedback and proposed changes. According to Education Commissioner Mike Morath and Temple ISD Superintendent Bobby Ott, after the first full year using the OER textbooks, Temple ISD saw double-digit gains in the percentage of students reading on grade level. Morath said lower-performing students in the pilot program made the strongest gains. Low-income students are moving up much faster, to a point where they that if the trends continue, they will catch up and there will no longer be achievement gaps by race or by class, in the schools, Morath said. The agency published two OER textbooks, one focusing on K-5 reading and language arts and the other on K-8 algebra and math. Morath said during the pilot program, school districts rolled out the OER textbooks over three years starting on a small scale swapping out the instructional materials for an entire campus and then district-wide in the following year. Education advocates, like Monty Exter of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, said some teachers are concerned that OER will take away the thing they love most about their profession: the actual teaching. Meanwhile, Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO Greg Sindelar called the new instructional materials a game changer for stagnant student achievement. Morath said many people were involved in helping create the OER textbooks, including a 10-person advisory board that includes former HUD Secretary Dr. Ben Carson and UT Austin Department of Special Education Professor Dr. Sharon Vaughn. The advisory board also includes Dr. Thomas Lindsey of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, former Texas State Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., and Dr. Andrea Ramirez, a National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference Committee member. Theres no such thing as a silver bullet in public education; you still need very skilled teachers who love kids and know their content, Morath said. But if youre starting from this, this set of instructional materials, youre starting from a very strong foundation. Others are skeptical. State Representative Gina Hinojosa (D-Austin) serves on the House Public Education Committee. After Wednesdays announcement, she posted criticism on the social media platform X. Every single teacher org testified against this canned curriculum, Hinojosa wrote. She added, teachers are professionals & need the freedom to adjust teaching daily to meet the needs of students. Tricia Cave with the Association of Texas Professional Educators echoed concerns that the OER could take flexibility and creativity away from teachers. The concern isnt necessarily the materials themselves. The concern is what this means beyond just a curriculum and saying that we dont need to teach teachers how to teach that we can just hand them something and say, do this, Cave said. Teachers arent robots. Kids arent widgets, Cave added. Woman who caused St. Davids hospital crash was impaired, autopsy shows The woman who drove into St. Davids North Austin Medical Center in February, killing herself and seriously injuring at least five others, had a blood-alcohol level between three and four times the legal limit to drive, along with the chemical compounds of cannabis found in her system, according to an autopsy report released Thursday in response to a KXAN public records request. Michelle Holloway, 57, died from blunt head trauma, according to the Travis County Medical Examiners Office, which lists the manner of death as an accident. She suffered skull and rib fractures and brain bleeding. KXAN Investigates: Preventing Disaster Toxicology results found between 0.25% and 0.30% of ethanol in Holloways system, which a doctor, criminal defense attorney, and law enforcement tell KXAN is the same as a persons blood-alcohol content. That was confirmed by the medical examiners office on Friday. The autopsy said tests for cannabinoid came back presumptively positive. St. Davids declined to comment. KXAN requested the autopsy report, along with other records from the crash, to better understand how it occurred. Requests for 911 calls and police body camera video were denied citing the investigation, or prosecution of an open or pending criminal matter. An Austin police spokesperson later said the investigation into the crash is contingent on the pending autopsy and toxicology results. On Thursday, KXAN sent a copy of the autopsy report to APD asking about the status of the case now. We have not yet heard back. APD also did not immediately comment on the amounts found in Holloways system and whether that may have led to the Feb. 13 crash. Read the autopsy reportDownload Injured family files lawsuit in fatal Austin hospital crash The day after the crash, APD said there was no evidence it was intentional nor the result of a medical episode. New bollards installed at St. Davids North Austin Medical Center (Courtesy Howry, Breen & Herman) According to a more than $1 million lawsuit filed by the Bernard family against St. Davids HealthCare, Holloway arrived at the hospital with her niece to visit a sick family member. According to the lawsuit, Holloway, a passenger, was asked to move the 2016 white Acura TLX, which was parked at the hospitals north entrance. The lawsuit alleges Holloway was unfamiliar with the car and accidentally lost control, crashing into the vulnerable and unprotected ER entrance and into the lobby, running over and seriously injuring all four members of the Bernard family, including their two toddlers. The youngest went through the cars windshield and received hundreds of stitches. The Austin familys lawsuit accuses the hospital of gross negligence for not having any vertical security posts, called bollards, arguing that could have stopped the car and prevented the deadly crash from happening. 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. KXAN began looking into hospital safety after the crash. We found St. Davids North Austin Medical Center did not have bollards at its ER entrance prior to the crash despite having them at some of its other medical facilities. Afterward, the hospital installed a dozen, including five that appear to have been added after KXANs investigation. KXAN investigators visited 34 major area hospitals with emergency rooms across Central Texas. We found 18 hospitals had bollards, nine had partial coverage and seven had none. Our recent investigation revealed hundreds of similar crashes across the country in the past decade that could have been avoided with crash-rated bollards, according to experts. KXAN investigators traveled to Texas A&M Transportation Institute near College Station to watch crash-tests and see, firsthand, how effective they can be at stopping the equivalent of a Dodge Ram pickup truck traveling 20 miles per hour. After our reporting, state and local policymakers are now looking at the possibility of requiring crash-rated bollards at medical facilities. Austin City Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, citing KXANs investigation, said she will introduce a resolution on July 18 requiring safety barriers, known as bollards, to be constructed at any new medical facility in the city. Council Member Vanessa Fuentes office said she would be glad to co-sponsor that. The day after the crash, St. Davids credited a large lobby fish tank for absorbing the impact and saving lives. I thank God for intervening there and giving us that protection, said St. Davids North Chief Medical Officer Dr. Peter DeYoung said. I wish it was thanking God that there were bollards in front of the building, said Levi Bernard, who was injured in the crash. Not the thing that attracted us to the center of the lobby. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA wont always keep it private. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 15 states already require providers to gather information about a patients reason for seeking an abortion, with varying degrees of specificity. Many of those states now have near-total abortion bans or six-week bans, which is before many people know they are pregnant. (Getty Images) Years before the Dobbs decision, providers like Kylie Cooper were already uncomfortable with some of the reporting requirements for abortion procedures in states where they practiced. Cooper was a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for several years in Idaho before she reluctantly left the state in 2023 because of the near-total abortion ban that is now in place. But when abortion was still legal, she was required to fill out a form and submit it to the state with information about the patient and the procedure, including the physicians name and when it occurred. While the law said that the information would be aggregated and could not identify individual patients, Cooper never felt sure about how it would be used or how secure the data would be kept. It was supposed to be anonymous, but they asked for patient identifiers on it, so I was like, Could this get tracked back to them? she said. In April, TIME magazine interviewed former President Donald Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, about his goals in office if he is elected. He was asked whether he would be comfortable with states monitoring womens pregnancies to determine whether someone may have received an abortion despite a ban. Trump responded that it didnt matter if he was comfortable with it or not, because the U.S. Supreme Courts Dobbs decision allowed states to dictate abortion policy. Although it was posed as a hypothetical and limited to states with abortion bans, there are efforts underway at the legislative and congressional levels and in the blueprint for the next Republican presidential administration to track abortion and pregnancy data. Some have already become law, and some are pending in the U.S. Congress, including a bill that would mandate that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collect more abortion data from all 50 states. At the same time, there are renewed concerns about deceptive practices around data privacy at crisis pregnancy centers nationwide, which are receiving large infusions of taxpayer dollars from some state governments such as Louisiana, Arkansas and Kansas. I dont think most people recognize the way that we are currently being surveilled in our health care system, said Jennifer Driver, senior director of reproductive rights for a policy advocacy organization called State Innovation Exchange. People need to be talking to their providers about what information is shared, how its shared, and start reading the forms. Patients misunderstand how protective HIPAA is, researcher says Carmel Shachar, a Harvard law professor with research experience in data privacy and health policy, said people typically think of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act better known as HIPAA as fully protective of medical records, but thats not the reality. HIPAA is protective of whats in your medical records, but its a little more like Swiss cheese than I think people understand. There are a lot of exceptions, Shachar said. Two of the big exceptions are for law enforcement, when it is conducting an investigation, and the other is for public health reporting, she said. Public health data reports can be positive in terms of understanding whats happening in hospitals and clinics, but on the law enforcement end, the exception in the law could be used by state governments with anti-abortion laws to prosecute those seeking and facilitating care in other states. Thats the loophole that President Joe Bidens administration sought to close with a recent rule that was enacted after the Dobbs decision to address patient privacy specifically around procedures related to reproductive care. It does not allow law enforcement to seek those records for that particular type of care if it was obtained in a state where it was legal. But that hasnt stopped one attorney in Texas from trying. Jonathan Mitchell, the states former solicitor general, has filed two petitions seeking legal action against women he says traveled out of state to obtain an abortion. Courts are still considering whether he can proceed with depositions against those women. Meanwhile, 17 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws protecting providers and patients from out-of-state investigations for reproductive health care and gender-affirming care. Governors in Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island have also issued executive orders declaring that state agencies wont cooperate in extraditions or investigations involving reproductive care. Shachar said some laws are also made under the guise of public health reporting when theyre more about political tactics. One example is a recent law passed in Kansas, where voters overwhelmingly rejected abortion bans in a 2022 referendum. Lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Laura Kellys veto at the end of April to pass House Bill 2749, which Kansans for Life asked a legislator to introduce. It requires providers to ask patients for the most important factor in their decision to terminate a pregnancy. Kansans for Life is the same group that led the failed referendum. On May 20, the Center for Reproductive Rights and Planned Parenthood Great Plains announced it is challenging the law in court, adding it to an ongoing case from 2023, according to Kansas Reflector. Although the bill says a patient can decline to answer the questions, Center for Reproductive Rights staff attorney Alice Wang said that isnt enough, because it doesnt require the provider to tell the patient they dont have to answer. Especially now that patients are coming to Kansas for an abortion from states where the procedure is banned and criminalized, Wang said, the bill is designed to intimidate providers in particular, since they are the ones subject to criminal penalties, not the pregnant person. When patients are confronted with these questions, then that raises questions of what this deeply personal information is going to be used for in an atmosphere where anti-abortion extremists have already threatened to come after activities that should be perfectly legal, she said. The list of reasons includes whether the patient already has enough, or too many, children, whether they cannot provide for another child, that the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest or that it threatens their health to be pregnant. The data must be reported biannually to the legislature. Shachar said the reporting of abortion procedures is not in itself shocking, but asking for reasons why is alarming. It feels like its trying to lay the groundwork to separate out good or permissible abortions from bad abortions, she said. One of the reasons listed is that The child would have a disability, but there is no reason in the list for a pregnancy with a fatal or severe life-limiting fetal anomaly. Organizations such as Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Live Action often refer to severe fetal abnormalities as disabilities, even if the patient chose to continue the pregnancy and the infant died hours after birth. According to the legislation passed into law in Kansas, except in cases of medical emergencies, every patient is to be asked what the most important factor was in their decision to terminate a pregnancy from a list of the following: Having a baby would interfere with the patients education, employment or career Patient cannot provide for the child Patient already has enough, or too many, children Patients husband is abusive to patient or their children Patients husband or partner wants them to have an abortion Patient does not have adequate support to raise a child The pregnancy is a result of rape The pregnancy is the result of incest The pregnancy threatens the patients physical health The pregnancy threatens the patients emotional or mental health The child would have a disability If the patient declines to answer, that response would be recorded. Each biannual report shall include: Number of times each reason listed was described as most important Number of times a patient was asked about the reasons listed and declined to answer Patients age, marital status at the time of the abortion, country of residency, race and highest level of education completed Whether in the month before the abortion the patient received services, financial assistance (excluding financial assistance for the abortion), or other assistance from a nonprofit organization that supports pregnant women Whether the patient reported experiencing domestic violence in the past 12 months Whether the patient is living in a place they consider to be safe, stable and affordable Whether the patient made a report of physical, mental or emotional abuse or neglect The method of the abortion performed Abortion survey bill advances in New Hampshire legislature While Kansas law is one of the most recent, it is not a new concept. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 15 states already require providers to gather information about a patients reason for seeking an abortion, with varying degrees of specificity. Many of those states now have near-total abortion bans or six-week bans, which is before many people know they are pregnant. In Oklahoma, before its ban went into effect, reporting requirements included a list of 40 reasons that could be identified, whereas the Kansas list is 11 reasons. Seven other states that asked for reasons in their reporting requirements now have a near-total abortion ban or severe restrictions, including Arizona and Florida. A similar reporting bill is advancing in the New Hampshire legislature, where abortion is still broadly legal, and another failed to pass in the Michigan legislature in 2023. In Indiana a state with a near-total ban an anti-abortion group is suing the state to make abortion records public information. Another misunderstanding of HIPAA, according to Shachar, is that people cant be identified through public health information as long as enough data points are removed. That theory is totally wrong, she said. She pointed to a story from 1997, one year after HIPAA became law, when a computer scientist named Latanya Sweeney was able to identify the medical records of the governor of Massachusetts at the time even though the dataset she was working from had been de-identified. It makes it more difficult to figure out who were talking about, but it doesnt make it impossible, especially if someone is motivated to re-identify the data, Shachar said. Heritage Foundation outlines steps to federal abortion regulation There are also national policy advocates prescribing the next actions to take in the fight over abortion rights. A document produced by conservative interest group the Heritage Foundation called Project 2025 details a wish list of priorities and approaches for many sectors of the federal government to be carried out by the next Republican president. The document, called Mandate for Leadership, The Conservative Promise is 920 pages and references abortion nearly 200 times. Project 2025s advisory board includes staff from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a religious conservative law firm that represented the clients at the center of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v. Wade, and is arguing for the U.S. Supreme Court to restrict access to mifepristone, part of a two-step drug regimen to terminate a pregnancy. The firms senior counsel, Erik Baptist, is listed as a contributor to the document. The board also includes anti-abortion groups such as the Family Research Council, the Family Policy Alliance and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. As part of its overall guidance, the document calls for the next Republican president to remove all references to abortion and reproductive health and appears to suggest a nationwide abortion ban. Driver, senior director of reproductive rights for State Innovation Exchange, said Project 2025 is the foundation for the recent state-level legislation. It would be naive to think this was not a design behind those with Project 2025, Driver said. Even if theres not this conservative federal administration that comes, were already seeing Project 2025 elements and have for a long time at the state level. The plan states that federal abortion reporting data is woefully inadequate. California, Maryland and New Hampshire, where abortion access is broadly legal, do not submit abortion data to the federal government at all. The plans authors contend all 50 states must mandatorily report to ensure reliable public health and policy. Because liberal states have now become sanctuaries for abortion tourism, (the agency) should use every available tool, including the cutting of funds, to ensure that every state reports exactly how many abortions take place within its borders, at what gestational age of the child, for what reason, the mothers state of residence, and by what method, the plan states. Project 2025 suggests rescinding HIPAA rule regarding abortion investigations Republican South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman introduced a bill in Congress in January 2023 about nine months after the Heritage Foundation established Project 2025 that would require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to fulfill those data-tracking plans. Its titled the Ensuring Accurate and Complete Abortion Data Reporting Act of 2023, and contains the exact language used in Project 2025s outline. The bill has 29 co-sponsors and the support of the anti-abortion organizations on Project 2025s advisory board. It has not advanced in the Subcommittee on Health. In a statement, Norman said current data collection severely underestimates the number of abortions taking place and tax dollars are being allocated to family planning programs without clear data. Mandatory factors for reporting would include the pregnant persons age, race, ethnicity and state of residence, the abortion method type, the persons marital status, and the number of times they have been pregnant, including the number of previous live births, induced abortions and miscarriages. Those factors except for the number of previous abortions and miscarriages, which was less common have been part of the data the CDC collected for many years, but the reporting was voluntary. Whats new is that the required data would also have to indicate whether the child survived the abortion. The agency head could also add questions at any time, according to the bill text. All states would have to report this data or lose federal Medicaid funding for family planning services. The documents authors also call for the federal government to rescind the HIPAA rule protecting those who seek abortion procedures in legal states from law enforcement action. Project 2025 calls the rule a politicized statement in favor of abortion and against Dobbs. Crisis pregnancy centers imply they are subject to HIPAA law, but most are not Amid the passage of new laws like the one in Kansas, an organization called the Campaign for Accountability filed complaints in April with attorneys general claiming that crisis pregnancy centers in five states Idaho, Minnesota, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington are using deceptive language about HIPAA. Crisis pregnancy centers are often formed as nonprofit organizations with a stated mission to support pregnant women who are unexpectedly pregnant and a goal of dissuading them from seeking an abortion. Many of the centers have been criticized for promoting or providing false information related to abortion, such as claims that having an abortion increases a persons risk of cancer or future fertility issues, or that the abortion pill is dangerous. The centers almost always offer their services for free, which means they do not bill insurance providers and are therefore not subject to penalties under the federal HIPAA law for disclosing a patients health information. However, some of the centers claim on their websites that they are required by law to keep health information protected. One of the clinics named in a complaint filed with the attorney generals office in Pennsylvania uses the same type of language in the notice of privacy practices portion of the website. There are links to the federal HIPAA informational page, with one reference stating a person can file a complaint with the HIPAA office if they feel their data privacy was violated. Another section states the organization is required by law to maintain the privacy and security of your protected health information with a link to the HIPAA website. The Pennsylvania clinic is part of a network of crisis pregnancy centers called Heartbeat International, one of two organizations targeted by the complaints, with Care Net being the second. Heartbeat has more than 2,000 affiliates in the U.S., and Care Net has 1,200. Heartbeat International told States Newsroom in an email that while the organization could not speak for individual affiliates, all affiliates in the network adopt a commitment to hold client information in strict and absolute confidence and is only disclosed when required by law or when necessary to protect the client or others against imminent harm. Pregnancy help centers provide that protection to their clients, even when the law does not explicitly require them to do so, said Andrea Trudden, vice president of communications for Heartbeat International. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to pregnancy help centers, and the forms women sign before receiving services provide them legal protection of their confidential information. Pregnancy, abortion, STDs/STIs, and other circumstances that might bring a woman to a pregnancy help center or abortion facility should be handled with the greatest confidentiality. Trudden added that the Next Level CMS system uses the same software platforms used by hospitals and doctors offices nationwide. Michelle Kuppersmith, executive director of the Campaign for Accountability, said some of the centers state they can disclose health information for moral reasons. Heartbeat International also maintains a data management system called Next Level CMS for all of its centers, which it says follows privacy standards according to HIPAA law. Our fear is that the data collected at these centers are laddering up to much more sophisticated operations, Kuppersmith said. Every single woman who is thinking about going to one of these places because it seems like a friendly place should know that their personal health information is not required by any federal medical law to be protected, and they should be enormously careful what information they give to these places. The post States are already collecting more abortion data. And HIPAA wont always keep it private. appeared first on Kansas Reflector. What Were Tracking Storms out West Next system arriving Sunday Dry back out by mid next week Temperatures made quite the warm up today, back into the lower 80s with gradual clearing of clouds. Tonight, temperatures fall into the middle 60s with the wind staying light but shifting directions to the Northwest. Thunderstorms near Western Kansas look to develop in the early evening that might make its way to our western counties by late this evening. The majority of this system will stay southwest of us. Sunday will start off mostly cloudy with southwest winds beginning to pick up at 10 to 15 MPH. Another day of seasonable temperatures in the lowers 80s. Our next system arriving late Sunday and lingering into Tuesday. The warmer air will stick around for Sunday as well. An isolated late storm or two is possible, but most of the weekend is looking fairly dry. We are looking at a slow warming trend into next week with temperatures in the upper 80s by Tuesday. KSNT Storm Track Ashton Rizzo Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Straphanger shot on NYC subway train after trying to stop fight between man and girlfriend Cops said they do not have a suspect, and the shooter fled the scene immediately after opening fire. A straphanger was shot and wounded on an uptown 4 train on the Upper East Side early Sunday after he tried to intervene in a dispute between a couple, law enforcement sources said. The 31-year-old victim was hit in his left hand on the train at East 86th Street and Lexington Avenue around 2:30 a.m. Sunday, police told The Post. Cops said they do not have a suspect, and the shooter fled the scene immediately after opening fire. Robert Mecea Police sources said that the suspect and his girlfriend were fighting on the train when the victim intervened. The argument quickly became physical and the suspect pulled out a gun and fired a round. Police said the suspect quickly fled the scene after opening fire. He has not been identified or taken into custody. Two workers at a Krispy Kreme next to the train station where the shooting occurred said they were terrified to hear of the violence because they both take the train down from the Bronx to work. Maylene Sanchez, 33, said she had to take a $20 Uber into Manhattan Sunday morning because the subway was still delayed after the shooting. I wasted $20 on a damn Uber, Sanchez, who is 8 months pregnant and saving everything she can for the baby. It sucks. Its not fair I had to spend $20 but I had to open the store. Both workers complained the MTA has raised subway prices yet they still have to contend with the craziness. Its like the more the price goes up the more dangerous it is, Sanchez said. And it doesnt matter what time of day either. Its always crazy. Her 21-year-old coworker, who asked not to be named, said a group of police officers came into the store early Sunday morning to buy donuts but didnt mention the shooting. This morning five cops came to buy donuts and we wondered why they came, she said. I feel like they shouldve said something. Both women said they were surprised to hear there was a shooting since they always see a lot of cops in the station. Theres always cops in that station. They need to pay more attention, the 21-year-old said. They should remove the homeless from the trains. We pay almost three dollars for the train. Its scary. Were in the city. Were not in the ghetto, so Im surprised, Sanchez added. It was unclear if police officers were in the station at the time of the shooting, but at least five NYPD officers were stationed at subway entrances for both North and South trains Sunday morning. The local train line is currently roped off for scheduled maintenance, the MTA said. The victim was taken to Cornell Hospital by EMS in stable condition. His identity has not been released. The NYPD investigation is ongoing. A portion of Findlay Street near the Findlay Market has been closed off after a man was reportedly shot Sunday afternoon, according to Cincinnati police Lt. John Cunningham. A man is under arrest in connection with a Sunday afternoon shooting near Findlay Market. In a news release, Cincinnati police said Ralph Burnette, 25, is charged with felonious assault. He is accused of shooting a 28-year-old man, who was found with a gunshot wound to the leg near the market in Over-the-Rhine. Officers were called to the 1800 block of Elm Street at 2:38 p.m. for a reported shooting. The victim was found on scene and taken to University of Cincinnati Medical Center where police say he is now listed in stable condition. As a result of the shooting, police closed off Findlay Street between Elm Street and Central Parkway, but it has since reopened and the scene is clear. Active shooter Findlay Market Cincinnati l. Rounds of shots fired as we passed on the peddle wagon with friends. CPD now with guns drawn. #CINCY @ShereeWLWT @MikeDardisWLWT @wlwt pic.twitter.com/YXnFoaQ1Zj Scott Ford (@GreatScottFord) June 2, 2024 Claire Greweling, who works at Gia and the Blooms florist nearby, said her friend who works at the market heard three pops. She and her coworkers first assumed they were construction noises. When they realized they were gunshots, they fled to another location. "I still feel safe, but it's unsettling," Greweling said. Officers were spotted with long guns entering a nearby church where the suspect was believed to have fled, she said. Officers were spotted with long guns after a shooting near Findlay Market on Sunday. Joe Bailey was selling his original artwork and buttons at the market when he heard of the incident. As a longtime member of the Findlay Market community, Bailey also dislikes the narrative of the market being dangerous. "I don't like the stigma of, 'it's not safe,'" he said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man shot in leg near Findlay Market in Cincinnati, police say New study raises concerns as health threat targeting older people expected to double in coming decades: 'This is a question of intergenerational inequality' The number of older people worldwide exposed to dangerous heat conditions is projected to double by 2050, according to a new study. Dangerous heat conditions are those with a heat index which is a measure of what it feels like when relative humidity is factored into air temperature between 103 and 124 degrees Fahrenheit. What's happening? Earth's population is aging rapidly. By 2050, scientists predict that one of every five people will be over 60 years old and subject to extreme heat conditions. By then, 25% of Europe's population, for example, is projected to be 70 or older, as The Guardian reported. Heat-related deaths across Europe have also increased by 30% over the last 20 years, per Earth.org. "Two-thirds of [older adults] will live in low- and middle-income countries where extreme climate events are especially likely," the paper's authors predicted. Why is this trend concerning? As we age, our body's ability to regulate temperature diminishes. Older people are also more likely to have chronic illnesses, including heart and lung problems, that worsen in dangerous heat conditions. Hotspots with high concentrations of older adults and extreme heat, such as Europe and Asia, will become more common, increasing vulnerability. The intensity and duration of last year's heat waves across Europe concerned public health officials, who recommended that health care organizations be more prepared for heat-related illnesses in the future. Younger generations in many countries will have to bear a heavy social burden because of declining fertility rates and a shrinking working-age population. The Guardian noted "the impact on health systems and global inequality will be huge" and that "a large part of the social burden will fall on taxpayers." "This is a question of intergenerational inequality," said Giacomo Falchetta, one of the study's authors. What's being done about it? A U.K. startup has developed innovative clothing that allows the people wearing it to be significantly cooler when temperatures rise. Texas and California found success running their electrical grids on battery power during summer 2023, when Texas had its second-hottest summer on record. At an individual level, you can go in several directions to make an impact. Ensure your home is weatherized correctly to keep your air conditioning running efficiently and avoid breakdowns. If you want to run your AC less, consider investing in solar shades, which offer an eco-friendly way to keep your home cool. Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet. In the late summer of 2013, with Ed Miliband eyed suspiciously by a wary public and evidence that George Osbornes long-term economic plan was having a positive effect on voter sentiment, the former Labour leader had a series of discussions with David Axelrod. The Democrat campaign strategist and linchpin of Barack Obamas two successful presidential campaigns in 2008 and 2012 was, and still is, an almost mythical figure on the Left. Here was a guy who could stare into the eyes of the Right and win with a mixture of hope and hard-headed calculation. Many a Labour Americanophile comes over all misty-eyed at his mention. At vast expense, the party hired Axelrods political consultancy firm, AKPD, to sprinkle some of that Obama-Democrat magic on Miliband a man who would become as famous for not eating a bacon sandwich elegantly as crashing to defeat in the 2015 election on the twin rocks of a surge in Scottish nationalism and an inability to convince voters that Labour could be trusted to run the economy. Discussing the first week of this election campaign with members of the shadow cabinet and senior Labour strategists last week, Axelrods name came to mind. It did so because of something that kept cropping up in conversation an electrical appliance that not many people would imagine mattering much during an election campaign: the humble microwave. Successful political campaigning relies on two things , the macro-message whether that is stay secure with us, the plan is working; or we need change, make it happen and the retail offer, announcements on more nurses or a cut in class sizes. Sitting down with Miliband more than a decade ago, Axelrod said that the problem for Labour was that they were offering too much of the latter random, often low-quality, retail offers such as the energy bill price freeze which people didnt understand or believe and not enough of the former, answering the question why should I trust Labour? Vote Labour and win a microwave, Axelrod told Miliband, was not a convincing plan for government. Labour sense Rishi Sunak is falling into the same trap. In the first week of the campaign, the Conservatives have announced a new national service policy, making it compulsory for all 18-year-olds to train in the Armed Forces or undertake weekend community work; an end to Mickey Mouse degrees, those university courses that are of low quality and appear to lead nowhere when in comes to a career; and a pensions quadruple lock, pledging that state pensions will never be subject to income tax. Each of these policies on their own may be popular and there is some polling evidence that they are and, as the underdog, Sunak needs to do something different and make a noise.But such confetti politics has two major weaknesses which Labour has alighted on, and I want to explain why. First, one-off announcements are rarely heard by the public, who are not as engaged in following politics from day to day as many in the Westminster bubble imagine. Each would have to dominate conversations for weeks to have any effect on the macro-message. As Jack Kane, the Australian politician, said: You cant fatten the pig on market day. Second, even if the policies do achieve cut-through that fabled moment voters actually hear what any of the political parties are saying do they do enough to change minds? And if the demographic you are targeting does happen to stumble across what you are offering does it engender a positive or negative response? For example, asked about the quadruple lock, pensioners may more readily remember that in 2010 they enjoyed a higher tax threshold for their income compared with those under-65. An analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies reveals that the personal allowance has been cut in real terms by 10 per cent since David Cameron became prime minister. Whats more, young people may hear you are all going to be forced into the Army rather than a well-thought-through national service plan for 18-year-olds to contribute more to civic society. Even Sunaks team appear to fear this, hence the social media campaign video last week admittedly quite witty denying that any such thought had crossed the PMs mind. With just over a month to go until polling day, Labour is feeling comfortable, if not assured. The polls are still very much in their favour and there is no sign of any momentum building for Sunak. At the centre of Labours campaign is an anti-microwave strategy. It is the very act of not saying anything new or sparkly that is its point. So on Sunday we had Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary who could be expected to know, resolutely saying nothing very much on what Labours target would be for immigration to the UK. Rather vague promises by Starmer and her to cut the number and train British workers to do the jobs where skills are lacking are at odds with the wealth of economic evidence that if Rachel Reevess plans for better economic growth and fixing the NHS are to work with any rapidity, immigration is going to be essential. The three top occupations for skilled-worker visas are nurses, doctors and social care workers. If global companies are to continue to want to operate here, then the transfer of workers from around the world to the UK is going to continue. This is the economic reality, whatever the policies that need to be put in place to increase the standards of our education, apprenticeships and in-work training all, by necessity, slow and laborious work with few splashy headlines to commend them. Everything for Labour is defined by the macro-message. Starmer can I trust him? Reeves will she look after the economy? Wes Streeting, the shadow health secretary can he fix the NHS? Expect more of the same in the first televised debate between the two leaders tomorrow night. For Labour it means a degree of obscurity that may become an increasing problem for the party as election day comes closer. The public will rightly ask, what is Labour asking a mandate for rather than simply I will vote for them to stop the chaos? As Kelly Beaver, the chief executive of the polling company Ipsos UK, told me, this election will be decided by the undecideds and the persuadables. Free microwaves might not cut it, but steady Starmer is going to need another gear if he wants 2024 to be anything more than a reluctant vote for the other lot. 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. Neighborhoods of triple-deckers, like this one on Pacific Street in Central Falls, were common in cities that saw an influx of factory workers, many of them immigrants, in the early 20th century. Triple-deckers were an oasis for newcomers Recent stories in the Providence Journal present an interesting dichotomy. On the one hand, recurring articles document the lack of affordable housing throughout the state, particularly in our urban centers. And then there is Tom Mooneys story, RIs triple-deckers were efficient housing for generations. Why did we stop building them? (News, Feb. 22). The article presents a thoughtful history of multi-family dwellings in Rhode Island, including how they helped solve past housing crises. One line had heart-touching resonance for me: Triple-deckers were the oasis for newcomers dropped into a new world. That certainly was the case at 77-79 Sycamore Street in Providence, where an ever-changing cohort of Santoros lived in two properties my father owned: one a triple-decker, the other a two-family. My upbringing in our enclave during the 1950s was a godsend. Amid aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, great-grandparents, and family friends, in addition to my immediate family, I learned about sharing, respectfulness, kindness, and responsibility. And if I needed a therapist, I could find one right up the back stairway. While triple-deckers are unlikely to rise again today, as Mr. Mooneys article explained, ours was an oasis for me growing up. Ernie Santoro, Wakefield Support RI's forest protection act Currently, there are NO state laws protecting rare, old, or any state-owned forests. Rhode Island is in fact the only state in New England with no state-owned forests protected from logging. That means any forest on state land could be logged at any time. DEM has conducted clear-cutting in state forests. In 2020, DEM clear-cut in 195 acres of forest in the Arcadia Management Area. The Old Growth Forest Protection Act 2024 H7293, S2299 would create the first state law in Rhode Island's history to protect forests and biodiversity. This bill would prohibit logging in Old Growth Forests which contain more biodiversity and store more carbon than an average Rhode Island forest. It creates a functional natural areas preserve system which will protect from logging rare or ecologically important forests to remain untouched in their natural state. It would also require environmental review before state logging operations to make sure no rare forests or endangered species are disturbed, and it would create the new Rhode Island Natural Heritage Program, which would have the responsibility to designate protected forests and monitor and protect biodiversity in the state. Please support the Old Growth Forest Protection Act to finally create state laws to protect our rare and Old Growth public forests. Nathan Cornell, Warwick The writer is president of the Old Growth Tree Society. A battle for democracy John Anderson blames President Biden for "dumbing down America" (Letters, May 26). It is amazing how Trump supporters can ignore the idiotic statements the former president has made and continues to make while mocking Biden! Mr. Anderson quotes a small part of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's answer as to what defines a woman while ignoring the takeover of the Supreme Court by conservative activist Leonard Leo. Justice Jackson went on to clarify her role as a judge whose duty it is to adjudicate disputes, not taking the bait from Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. Mr. Leo's present "job" is to pour millions of dollars into the Supreme Court to woo justices for Trump with trips and gifts and bribes. Is Mr. Anderson concerned that flying insurrection flags and riding around in expensive RVs give pause when it is a justice enjoying the grift? Is it not troubling that a couple of Supreme Court justices seem to be chanting "Stop the Steal"? SCOTUS is not Q-ANON. We are in a battle for the very democracy we are supposed to uphold. Fabricating nonsense about college students being ignorant about history, lying about the economy and unemployment under Biden (the economy is up and the unemployment is actually down) and backing a candidate who sucks up to racists and fascists and childish name-calling is more in line with dumbing down. Richard Donelly, Providence Disputes can be settled out of court As a certified dispute mediator in private practice, as well as a Rhode Island District Court mediator, I read the article "Judge rules on dog ownership after couple's rocky breakup" (News, May 22) with great interest and wonder: How much time and money did this ordeal cost the parties involved? I have mediated such cases most recently, a custody dispute over a beloved cat shared by roommates who were parting ways. Neither had the money nor inclination to hire a lawyer. Within a week, we were able to schedule the mediation, and in three hours we reached an agreement that both parties could feel good about. It was what we hope for in mediation: a win-win. Lawsuits are not the only answer to settling disputes and even judges know this, often referring cases out to mediation. With the willingness to sit down and hear each other out, both parties can save a lot of time, money and stress through mediation. Phyllis Waldman The writer works with the Center for Mediation and Collaboration RI in Warwick. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Sunday letters: An oasis in a triple-decker; protecting RI's forests More than 30 unhoused were removed Friday from outside of Sunset Sound, the iconic recording studio used by such artists as Elton John, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Van Halen. The long-standing encampment outside of the Hollywood studio has been a source of ire in the neighborhood, while the owner has reportedly complained about sidewalk fires and break-ins. The clean-up was orchestrated by Inside Safe, Mayor Karen Bass initiative to remove the unhoused off of Los Angeles streets and into city-leased housing. More from Deadline Many people living at this encampment have been in the same area on the street for over five years, and now they are finally able to move into housing because of Inside Safe, said Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez in a statement. With 100% of unhoused residents accepting services and housing through this operation, we are proving that when we do the hard work to find sustainable housing solutions, we can bring folks off the streets for good. Fridays Inside Safe at Sunset Sound demonstrates that we can successfully bring people inside when the County, City, and community come together in our shared mission to solve our homelessness crisis, added Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath. Sunset Studio on Sunset Boulevard was created in 1958 by Tutti Camarata, Walt Disneys director of recording. A whos who of artists have recorded at the facility, including The Doors, Paul McCartney, James Taylor, Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Oingo Boingo, Crosby, Stills & Nash, The Beach Boys and Annette Funicello. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R) said it is a terrible idea to have former President Trumps sentencing just four days before the Republicans national convention in July. Sununu said on CNNs State of the Union that the jury did their job in the hush money case, which he described as politically driven. He added that the verdict will be appealed before criticizing the sentencing date in the case. This is not over by any stretch. And I think its a real problem, the fact that theyre going to commit sentencing right before the convention. Thats a terrible idea. I mean, that is a terrible idea thats gonna do nothing but rile everybody up, Sununu said. Its gonna look even more political than it is now. And just cast a shadow of a doubt on this entire case, he added. Sununu, who has openly criticized the former president, also said he will still support Trump despite the conviction. He endorsed Trump for the White House shortly after former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) dropped out of the GOP primary race. A jury found Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a reimbursement made to his ex-fixer, Michael Cohen, for a payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump. Trump has denied the affair and labeled the case as politically motivated against him. Now, Trump is slated to be sentenced on July 11, which is just four days before the Republican National Committees convention is set to start. Trump will likely be officially nominated as the Republican Partys presidential candidate at the convention. Trump and Republicans have already seized on the guilty verdict to raise money and campaign on. The Trump campaign brought in roughly $35 million one day after the verdict in the hush money trial was reached, they announced Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gigi and Bella Hadid donated $1 million to aid groups supporting Palestinians in Gaza. The groups included Heal Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and World Central Kitchen. It comes as violence in Gaza continues and Israelis stage protests calling for hostage releases. Supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid have donated a combined $1 million to aid groups supporting Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Bella Hadid's agent has said. A representative for Bella, 27, told the PA news agency that the money was set to be distributed between four organizations: Heal Palestine, Palestine Children's Relief Fund, World Central Kitchen, and United Nations Relief and Works Agency, per the MailOnline. The sisters, whose father is the Palestinian real-estate developer Mohamed Anwar Hadid, have previously voiced their support for those affected by the conflict in Gaza. The sisters are among the most high-profile celebrity supporters of the Palestinian cause. Following Hamas' October 7 attacks on Israel, Gigi, 29, posted a statement on Instagram that got millions of likes, saying: "My thoughts are with all those affected by this unjustifiable tragedy, and every day that innocent lives are taken by this conflict - too many of which are children." "I have deep empathy and heartbreak for the Palestinian struggle and life under occupation, it's a responsibility I hold daily," the statement continued. "While I have hopes and dreams for Palestinians, none of them include the harm of a Jewish person," it added. In May, Bella, 27, wrote on Instagram that she was "devastated at the loss of the Palestinian people and the lack of empathy coming from the government systems worldwide." She also says in the post that she is the child of a Nakba survivor. According to the UN, Nakba means "catastrophe" in Arabic and is used to refer to "the mass displacement and dispossession of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war." Bella was also recently seen at the Cannes Film Festival wearing a dress resembling the Palestinian keffiyeh. Mohamed Hadid has also used Instagram to make his position on the conflict clear. In a post on Saturday, he called President Joe Biden "the butcher of Gaza" and claimed he would "never vote" for him again. Bella Hadid is seen on the croisette during the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2024. Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images The donations follow a major Israeli assault on the southern Gazan city of Rafah, which led to the deaths of 45 people in a tent camp following an Israeli airstrike, prompting global outrage. Biden has since announced a three-phase proposal to end the war in Gaza. The plan calls for a cease-fire, an exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas of Gaza, among other things. On Saturday, protesters gathered in Tel Aviv and around the world, demanding Israel's leaders accept the proposal. Attendees of the Tel Aviv demonstration said that the protest was the largest since Hamas' October 7 attacks, per The Times of Israel. Roughly 1,200 people were killed in Israel during the attacks, and around a further 240 were taken hostage in Gaza. More than 36,000 Palestinians have died in the following conflict in Gaza, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Read the original article on Business Insider A policeman walks behind a police cordon to a hairdressing salon where four people have been severely injured in shooting incidents in the western German town of Hagen. Justin Brosch/dpa German police detained a 34-year-old suspect who went on the run on Saturday after injuring four people in the western German town of Hagen, a spokesman said on Sunday. Among those injured was the suspect's wife, police in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia said. The four victims have been hospitalized, with two, including the wife, in a life-threatening condition. The suspect was arrested on Sunday at around 2:30 pm (1230 GMT) south of Hagen after tip-offs from local residents, a Dortmund police spokesman said. Police had been searching for him since the incident on Saturday. Police officers work in a cordoned-off street where four people have been severely injured in shooting incidents in the western German town of Hagen. Justin Brosch/dpa German police on Sunday charged a 34-year-old man with attempted murder after he allegedly shot four people, including his wife, in the western German town of Hagen. The suspect was captured earlier on Sunday following a 24-hour police manhunt. He was discovered in a rural area south of Hagen after tip-offs from local residents, a police spokesman from the nearby city of Dortmund said. Among those injured in the shootings on Saturday was the suspect's wife, police in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia said. The four victims have been hospitalized, with two, including the suspect's wife, in a life-threatening condition. Police said the man, of Turkish nationality, shot his wife in the head in a residential building in Hagen, likely due to a family dispute. He then drove to a nearby hair salon and shot three further people before fleeing the crime scene on foot. Dortmund police quickly took over the large-scale search operation and set up a task force. A police helicopter was also used in the search, which initially focused on a nearby supermarket and a wooded area. The man was finally arrested on Sunday, shortly after the police and public prosecutor's office launched a public search with the fugitive's name and photograph. No weapon was initially found on the suspect. However, he reportedly told police where it was after his arrest. No further details on the identities of the three other victims have been released. All four of the victims are being treated at different hospitals. Police emergency vehicles are parked in a cordoned-off street. Several people have been injured in shooting incidents at two locations in the western German town of Hagen, police said Saturday, with the suspected perpetrator reportedly still on the run. Justin Brosch/dpa Police officers work in a cordoned-off street where four people have been severely injured in shooting incidents in the western German town of Hagen. Justin Brosch/dpa German police detained a 34-year-old suspect who went on the run on Saturday after injuring four people in the western German town of Hagen, a spokesman said on Sunday. Among those injured was the suspect's wife, police in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia said. The four victims have been hospitalized, with two, including the wife, in a life-threatening condition. The suspect was arrested on Sunday at around 2:30 pm (1230 GMT) south of Hagen after tip-offs from local residents, a police spokesman from the nearby city of Dortmund said. Officers had been searching for him since the incident on Saturday. Police said the man, of Turkish nationality, shot his wife in the head in a residential building in Hagen, south of Dortmund, likely due to a family dispute. He then drove to a nearby hair salon and shot three further people before fleeing the crime scene on foot. Dortmund police quickly took over the large-scale search operation and set up a task force. A police helicopter was also used in the search, which initially focused on a nearby supermarket and a wooded area. No further details on the identities of the three other victims have been released. Police emergency vehicles are parked in a cordoned-off street. Several people have been injured in shooting incidents at two locations in the western German town of Hagen, police said Saturday, with the suspected perpetrator reportedly still on the run. Justin Brosch/dpa SAN DIEGO (FOX 5 KUSI) Three people were temporarily displaced after an apartment caught fire in the Ocean Beach neighborhood Sunday, said the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. Fire crews responded to the scene in the 4800 block of Orchard Avenue after a 911 call came in reporting a structure fire around 6:40 a.m. Residents of the complex were seen gathered outside the building as firefighters assessed the situation. Two new Trader Joes stores coming to San Diego County: heres where Residents at the scene Water main break prompts road closure in North County Battalion Chief Mark Reece said, Crews arrived to find smoke and fire from the first floor of a two-story apartment complex. Crews attacked the fire, containing it to just one room but they also during this fire attack discovered a possible grow facility, a marijuana grow, in the room. This prompted us to consult with our HAZMAT to make sure there was not other hazards. No injuries were reported. Chief Reece said crews are expected to remain at the scene for a few hours to ensure the apartment building is safe and secured. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) The Murfreesboro Police Department is trying to find several people accused of using a stolen car from Nashville to crash through two locked gates and ram into the front doors of a gun shop before stealing multiple firearms early Saturday morning. Authorities said a burglary alarm alerted them to the incident at Bullseye Gun & Range in the 100 block of Shelby Street around 4 a.m. on Saturday, June 1. When officers arrived, they discovered the stolen car abandoned at the scene. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime news from Middle Tennessee According to police, the preliminary investigation indicates two men went inside the business and stole several long guns and handguns while a third person waited outside in a dark-colored four-door sedan, which is believed to be used as the getaway car. Official said the case is under investigation by detectives from the Murfreesboro Police Departments Criminal Investigations 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 WKRN News 2. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) on Sunday suggested the timing of President Bidens reported executive order on border security is to blame on Republican inaction in Congress, pushing back on GOP criticism that the order is coming too late. Well, look, [Biden] wanted to he thought it would be validated by having Congress do it. Republicans arent going to do it, so hes got to do something, Swalwell said when asked on NewsNations The Hill Sunday if Bidens expected executive order on the border is too late. Biden is reportedly expected to sign an executive order this week that will address immigration and security amid criticism from both parties over his handling of the situation at the border, NewsNation reported last week, citing a border community leader who requested anonymity. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. The White Houses planned action would shut off asylum requests and automatically deny entrance to migrants once the number of people encountered by American border officials exceeded a new daily threshold, The Associated Press (AP) reported last week, citing four people familiar with the matter. Biden could sign the executive order as early as Tuesday, the news wire added. When asked for the expected response from the left flank of the Democratic Party, Swalwell said, We need security at the border. And were not going to be able to address, you know, legal immigration pathways until Americans feel that theres real security at the border because we have a workforce crisis when it comes to hospitality, when it comes to child care, when it comes to agriculture, he said. But Republicans have driven this narrative, and most want us to have a legal immigration flow that addresses that. The executive order, if signed, would come just weeks after Senate Republicans helped sink long-sought border security legislation. Biden last month argued the vote shows the GOP does not care about securing the U.S.s southern border. Congressional Republicans do not care about securing the border or fixing Americas broken immigration system. If they did, they would have voted for the toughest border enforcement in history. Instead, they put partisan politics ahead of our countrys national security, a White House spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill on Sunday. The vote marked the second failed attempt at passing the bipartisan legislation, which would have allowed agencies to hire more Border Patrol agents, immigration judges and asylum officers, while also providing funding for technology to detect and stop fentanyl trafficking. White House officials did not confirm the expected executive order, though the spokesperson noted to The Hill, As we have said before, the Administration continues to explore a series of policy options and we remain committed to taking action to address our broken immigration system. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) argued the executive order is too little too late. Johnson contended Biden is only taking initiative on the issue due to recent polls that suggest immigration is of top concern for Americans. And now he wants to issue some sort of executive order, I guess to show that, Oh he really does care about the issue. The only reason hes doing that is because the polls say that its the biggest issue in America, Johnson 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. Admiral Dong Jun said 'whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will suffer his own destruction' - EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Taiwan separatists will be crushed to pieces, China warned at a defence summit on Sunday. Admiral Dong Jun, used a significant portion of his speech at the Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore to lash out at the incoming administration of Lai Ching-te, the newly elected Taiwanese president, whom Beijing regards as a dangerous separatist. China regards the self-ruling democracy of Taiwan as a breakaway province that must reunify with the mainland. Adml Dong said that his military was ready to forcefully stop attempts by Taiwan from gaining independence. His comments come a week after China held military punishment drills around Taiwan, warning of the risk of conflict after Mr Lais inauguration. The presidents Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was pursuing separatism in an incremental way and erasing Taiwans Chinese identity, alleged Adml Dong. They [separatists] will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history, he told a crowded room of Asia-Pacific, European and US defence and intelligence officials. The Chinese Peoples Liberation Army has always been an indestructible and powerful force in defence of the unification of the motherland, and it will act resolutely and forcefully at all times to curb the independence of Taiwan and to ensure that it never succeeds in its attempts, he said. Whoever dares to split Taiwan from China will be crushed to pieces and suffer his own destruction. After being sworn into office, Mr Lai invited China to engage in dialogue with Taiwan and urged Beijing to jointly shoulder the important responsibility of regional stability. But the Chinese Communist Party, which claims Taiwan as its own territory despite never ruling there, has snubbed his attempts to talk. The three-day security forum in Singapore has been dominated by the strategic rivalry between the United States and China and its impact on the Indo-Pacific region. Adml Dong, who met with Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, for the first time face-to-face on Friday, said that more dialogue was necessary because of the differences between the two militaries. We have always been open to exchanges and co-operation, but this requires both sides to meet each other halfway, he said. But he also criticised Washington for its support for the Philippines, which has a number of territorial disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea, and for Taiwan, which receives much of its weaponry from the United States. We will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold, into our region, he said. We will not allow any country or any force to create conflict and chaos in our region. 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. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) Tampa Theatre leaders just debuted their new micro theatre now open to the public. The micro theatre is the first of several new features at the Tampa Theatre. 3 missing men rescued from Florida waters after launching boat previous day A hallway now connects the smaller theatre to the main lobby, opening the door to seemingly endless possibilities ahead of Tampa Theatres upcoming centennial celebration. Its very exciting, Tampa Theatres President and CEO John Bell said. This is the first expansion of Tampa Theatre in its 98-year history. Now, concertgoers can expect to rock through the main auditorium entrance while movie buffs head into the new John T. Taylor screening room and sit down for a film. The new space has room to seat 43 people. So if you havent heard about the Tampa Theatre you need to come down because its the greatest thing that downtown has, Donor, John Taylor said. Not much has changed since the theatres 1926 opening. As a downtown staple, its going to stay that way. Photo courtesy: Tampa Theatre So we asked what the $20 million of repairs would look like. They come in with the spray guns and spray the entire room a base color and theyll start doing what the artists in 1926 wouldve done, said Jill Witecki, Tampa Theatres Marketing Director. World-class architects will then paint layers upon layers to match the original colors. To get back to exactly what this auditorium looked like in 1926, Witecki said. Cracks in the walls, faded banisters, and broken historical water fountains will all be restored. The Tampa CRA is contributing $14 million to the plan. When we think of Tampa we think of that iconic Tampa Theatre sign, said Erica Moody, Tampas Community Redevelopment Agency Director. Moody said they want to preserve the history. Its kept John Bell coming back for nearly 40 years. Weve always had this big beautiful historic auditorium, Bell said. But with 700 events a year, weve had to say no to a lot of things. Not anymore, with the now complete micro theatre. All of these plans are set to be completed by the fall of 2026 for the theatres centennial celebration. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TCSO find female walkaway inmate, deputies say VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE / KGPE) Authorities in Tulare County say they have found a female inmate who they say walked away from a detention facility, according to the sheriffs office. The inmate was located on Monday after she was reported missing on Saturday. Detectives say they were notified that 35-year-old Tasha Ann Guillermo was missing and was believed to have walked away from the Bob Wiley Detention Facility. The Sheriffs Office says she was an inmate kitchen worker at the facility. Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said Guillermo is not considered dangerous adding that inmate workers, such as Guillermo, are minimum security inmates assigned different jobs while in custody, whether it be in the kitchen or on the farm. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47. A fifth-grade teacher at Margaret Neary Elementary School in Massachusetts is on paid administrative leave months after the educator used children of color to reenact a slave trade and used the N-word during class. Trending The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough system is actively investigating the incidents, according to a letter sent to parents from Superintendent Gregory L. Martineau. The district leader said he learned about the offenses in late April. The letter was sent out a month later, on May 29. It was disclosed that the first incident occurred in January as part of a history lesson about the economy of the Southern colonies. An educator was teaching about the triangle trade, and slave auctions were discussed. During the lesson, the educator held an impromptu mock slave auction. The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength), he wrote. Martineau said that holding a mock slave auction is unacceptable and violates the districts core values. Simulations or role plays when teaching about historical atrocities or trauma are not appropriate, and these teaching methods are not to be used. They are unsound methods of teaching because they trivialize the experience of the victims and can leave students with the impression after the activity that they know what it was like to experience these atrocities. Months later in April, the same teacher detoured from the districts curriculum by reading a book to the class that was recommended by a colleague. She allegedly used the N-word during a discussion about the text with students despite the racial slur not being in the book. Martineau said the use of the epithet was dehumanizing and that it should never be said to students. Parents, Principal Kathlee A. Valenti, and the teacher, met soon after to discuss the two instances. The following day, the educator was accused of confronting one of the kids who reported her actions, which spurred the investigation and subsequent administrative leave. Valenti was temporarily placed on leave between May 6 and May 16, but has since resumed her duties. Martineau not only condemned the teacher's actions, but outlined steps he and the district will take to ensure something of this magnitude does not happen again, and that the children impacted have a "smooth transition to sixth grade." As for the teacher's employment, the superintendent said personnel matters will be kept confidential. I-Team: 2 shot in Sandusky; search is on for suspect SANDUSKY, Ohio (WJW) Sandusky police are searching for a male suspect that shot and seriously injured two men on Saturday evening. Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver told the FOX 8 I-Team the shooting happened in the 200 block of West Market Street in Sandusky at about 11 p.m. Mass shooting in Akron kills 1, injures 26 This embedded content is not available in your region. The victims were transported to the hospital. Both suffered serious injuries, Oliver said. We are attempting to identify the shooter. You feel that? Earthquake confirmed in Northeast Ohio The chief added the incident was not related to the Bike Week event. He said the shooting was a continuation of an incident that occurred inside another business downtown. Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call Sandusky police as soon as possible at 419-627-5863. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A pair of vehicles travel northbound on Orange Prairie Road in Peoria. About 40 lights, mostly along the southbound lanes of the roadway, are not working near the spot where Dunlap High senior Nevaeh Mitchell was in a head-on collision May 4 with a vehicle traveling southbound in the northbound lanes. Peoria police are "looking into every aspect" of a head-on collision that killed a Dunlap High School student in early May, police spokeswoman Semone Roth told the Journal Star. Nevaeh Mitchell, 18, was leaving her job at the Grand Prairie AMC movie theater, driving north on Orange Prairie Road when a car traveling the wrong direction struck her white Nissan Versa around 11:38 p.m. on May 4. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 12:27 a.m. May 5. Police have not announced any charges in the four weeks since the investigation began. Roth recently told the Journal Star that the investigation is still being conducted by the police department's traffic unit, and the criminal division is not involved. As the investigation continues, Roth said police are looking into all possibilities, including lighting. Dozens of street lights are out on Orange Prairie Road near the crash. Investigators are also looking into whether speed played a role in the wreck, as well as awaiting the results of a blood test of the driver who was on the wrong side of the road in a Ford Fusion. Lighting issue in North Peoria A vehicle travels northbound on Orange Prairie Road past the last street light into a section of the roadway that is completely dark. About 40 streetlights are out along the highway, mostly along the southbound lane. Dunlap senior Nevaeh Mitchell died after a head-on collision May 4 with a vehicle going southbound in the northbound lane near this spot. Roughly 40 streetlights on Orange Prairie Road are not working, a majority of which are on a large swath of the southbound side of the road the side the driver of the Ford Fusion should have been on. Streetlights are also out on the northbound side of the road near where the collision happened, extending northward. The Peoria Fire Department noted there was no indication the Ford Fusion had crossed the median on Orange Prairie Road, according to a report obtained by the Journal Star through the Freedom of Information Act. Mitchell died at the scene. The other driver, identified in a police report as a resident of Wyoming, Illinois, was taken to a local hospital with injuries. The city of Peoria had previously allocated $350,000 in its budget for 2025 to repair the streetlights on Orange Prairie Road, citing that rodents had destroyed the conduit for the street lighting. This has been a recurring issue since the lights were installed, according to the project description. More: Important questions remain unanswered in crash that killed Dunlap student in Peoria Jan Craig, a 34-year resident of Dunlap who travels on Orange Prairie Road often, said he and others in the village have been concerned with the lack of lighting on Orange Prairie for some time, worried it could lead to unsafe conditions at night. Yet, Craig said it was reassuring to hear that Peoria has a plan in place to replace the lights. He said he has not ever brought concerns about the lighting to the village of Dunlap or city of Peoria. Peoria City Councilmember Andre Allen, whose 4th District has included that stretch of Orange Prairie Road since redistricting in 2022, said constituents have not come to him with concerns about lighting on that part of Orange Prairie. He did say, however, that the other portion of Orange Prairie Road, south of War Memorial Drive near Charter Oak School, has been brought to his attention by residents who worried about speeding. Allen said speed cameras were added there as a result. More: After tragic wreck in Peoria, Dunlap teenager remembered as 'beautiful soul' Mitchell was a senior at Dunlap High School and two weeks away from graduating when the wreck happened. She had earned a scholarship from Loyola University and planned to attend the school in Chicago, according to her obituary. This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Dozens of street lights out near fatal crash involving teen in Peoria The United Kingdom's domestic counter-intelligence and security agency Mi5 has been ordered to prioritize targeting spies over terrorists due to a significant recruitment drive by Russia, China, and Iran. The ongoing war in Ukraine, the increasing presence of Chinese agents in the U.K., and Iran's use of organized criminals have considerably altered the security service's primary targets, The Telegraph reports. Although domestic and international terrorism remains a priority, MI5 is now allocating more resources to counter-espionage operations against Russia, China, and Iran, according to government sources. Ministers have directed MI5 to "refocus much of their efforts on the espionage threat, especially from China, Russia, and more recently Iran," according to a senior government official. The source emphasized that "counter-terrorism has not been deprioritized, but this has been prioritized alongside it," noting that "their workload has definitely shifted in that direction." The source highlighted that following the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury, Russia "lost a significant number of their intelligence officers overnight" and has been attempting to recruit new assets to fill these gaps. In response to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, Britain expelled 23 Russian spies as part of its "full and robust response." The source further explained that U.K.'s support for Ukraine in the war against Russia has led to an increase in espionage activities. "The more you step out, the more you find yourself in their crosshairs," they said. In May, it was revealed that Russia is recruiting violent right-wing extremists to carry out sabotage attacks in Europe and the U.K., raising concerns among intelligence chiefs. The Telegraph also notes that the number of Chinese agents involved in intelligence gathering in the U.K. is now considered "unquantifiable." Intelligence sources indicated that Chinese agents are active in various sectors, including academia, where both students and lecturers are involved, as well as in business and the arts. In some instances, individuals gathering information may be unaware that they are being used for intelligence purposes by the Chinese state. Read also: G7, EU want to target banks helping Russia evade sanctions, Bloomberg reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A blood test that can detect if breast cancer will return with 100 per cent accuracy has been developed by scientists. The ultra-sensitive test can predict a breast cancer relapse years before it would show up on NHS scans and could allow women to undergo early, life-saving treatment. The test identifies cancer DNA in the blood, known as circulating DNA, that has survived previous rounds of treatment, but are undetectable to conventional scans. Experts said the breakthrough could have a transformative effect on cancer treatment because early detection is one of our greatest weapons for improving survival rates. In a trial by the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London, 78 breast cancer survivors, who had all undergone surgery and chemotherapy to treat their initial cancer, were monitored for five years and had blood tests every six months. The findings, which are being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (Asco) in Chicago on Sunday, revealed that all 11 patients who had cancer DNA in their blood went on to have their tumour return. Cells detected 15 months earlier The test detected the presence of cancer cells in the blood 15 months before there were clinical signs of a relapse on average, with one woman having cancer DNA present three and a half years before a tumour returned. All of those who did not have residue cancer cells continued to live cancer free during the study period, while three women tested positive for cancer DNA but did not relapse during the study period. Dr Isaac Garcia-Murillas, the lead author from the molecular oncology group at the ICR said the test could identify breast cancer cells in the body that are undetectable on follow-up scans. These cells can cause breast cancer patients to relapse many years after their initial treatment, he said. Ultra-sensitive blood tests could offer a better approach for the long-term monitoring of patients whose cancer is at high risk of returning. Detecting the cancer cells early would allow women to undergo closer monitoring and treatment as soon as necessary, drastically reducing the risk that the disease spreads and becomes incurable. There are 55,000 cases of breast cancer in the UK each year, making it the most common form of the disease, with about one in four patients suffering a relapse. Breast cancer that returns is more likely to spread to other parts of the body, making it incurable, with around 11,000 women in Britain dying each year as a result. Women with different types of breast cancer were involved in the trial, including triple negative breast cancer, which is more aggressive and more likely to return after treatment. The blood test, which was developed by US company Personalis, uses whole genome sequencing to identify up to 1,800 mutations in a patients tumour DNA, making it 100 times more sensitive than existing tests. Dr Simon Vincent, director of research at Breast Cancer Now, which part-funded this study, said: Early detection is one of our greatest weapons against breast cancer and these initial findings, which suggest new tests could be able to detect signs of breast cancer recurrence over a year before symptoms emerge, are incredibly exciting. Catching breast cancer recurrence earlier means treatment is much more likely to destroy the cancer and stop it spreading to other parts of the body, at which point it becomes incurable, he said. Breakthroughs like these are urgently needed so that we can stop people losing their lives to this devastating disease. Prof Kristian Helin, chief executive of the ICR, said it was vital to be able to detect signs of recurrence of the disease as early as possible to give people the best chance of survival. These approaches are having a transformative effect on cancer diagnosis. Prof Nicholas Turner, a cancer consultant at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said that the test would allow clinicians to diagnose the return of cancer at the very earliest stage. 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. Taiwan is pursuing independence incrementally and those who support it will end up in self-destruction, Chinas new defense minister warned Sunday in a wide-ranging speech at a security summit in Singapore where the extent of regional tensions was on stark display. Minister of National Defense Adm. Dong Jun made the comments in a roughly 30-minute speech which comes days after Beijing staged major military exercises encircling the island of Taiwan after it inaugurated its new, democratically elected president last month. We will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds, Dong said speaking through a translator, while slamming external interfering forces for selling arms and having illegal official contacts with Taiwan, in an apparent reference to the United States, which maintains close, unofficial ties with Taiwan. China stays committed to peaceful reunification. However, this prospect is increasingly being eroded by separatists for Taiwan independence and foreign forces, Dong warned. His comments come as there has been heightened concern in the region over Beijings military and economic intimidation of Taiwan, which has grown more pronounced under Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In a meeting with Dong on Friday, US defense chief Lloyd Austin called on China not to use Taiwans political transition part of a normal, routine democratic process as a pretext for coercive measures. Chinas ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy as its own, despite never having controlled it and has vowed to reunify with it, by force if necessary. Taiwans new President Lai Ching-te and his party, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), are both openly loathed by Beijing for championing Taiwans sovereignty. Lai has said he favors the current status quo, proclaiming that Taiwan is already an independent sovereign country so there is no plan or need to declare independence. The US also by longstanding policy does not support Taiwan independence nor the unilateral change of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. The DPP authorities in Taiwan are pursuing separation in an incremental way. They are bent on erasing their Chinese identity of Taiwan and severing social, historical and cultural links across the Taiwan Strait, Dong said, reiterating Beijings rhetoric that they would be nailed to the pillar of shame in history. Polls show growing numbers of the islands people especially young people view themselves as distinctly Taiwanese and have no desire to be part of China, an authoritarian one-party state compared to Taiwans democracy. Less than 10% now support an immediate or eventual unification, and only 3% identify primarily as Chinese while 67% see themselves as primarily Taiwanese. Taiwan called Dongs comments in Singapore provocative and irrational. Any coercive actions that disregard public opinion run contrary to democracy and human rights, or any resort to war will eventually be counterproductive, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement. Dong, a former naval commander, is making his debut at the Shangri-la Dialogue security summit after being appointed to his position late last year following a surprise shake-up at the top of Chinas Defense Ministry. The gathering plays out amid a contentious security landscape across the region, where China is widely seen by its neighbors as using its military might to assert disputed territorial claims and bid for military prominence in a part of the world where the US has deep security ties. Chinese vessels and aircraft have been widely documented patrolling and making aggressive maneuvers against others operating in international waters and skies as it asserts disputed claims in the East and South China Seas. But Dong painted a different vision of China in his speech, framing it as a benign power whose military never acts from the so-called position of strength, while taking oblique aim at the US saying, we will not allow anyone to bring geopolitical conflicts or any war, whether hot or cold to our region. A limit to restraint The Chinese defense chief also said there was a limit to Chinas restraint when it comes to provocations in the South China Sea, making an apparent reference to US treaty ally the Philippines, which Dong did not name directly. A certain country was emboldened by outside powers and had made mediated provocations, Dong said, while indirectly referencing the deployment of an American missile system during military drills in the Philippines in April. China has militarized islands in the disputed South China Sea, and in recent months its coast guard has fired water cannons and sought to counter Philippine vessels operating in disputed areas, further ratcheting tensions in the key strategic waterway. China claims historic rights to the bulk of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 ruling at an international tribunal in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines against that claim. Dongs comments come after Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr on Friday denounced illegal, coercive and aggressive actions in the South China Sea at the opening of the same defense forum in Singapore. He also warned that the death of any Filipino citizen at the hands of another country in the South China Sea would be very close to an act of war. The Chinese defense chief also pushed back against concerns voiced by the US that dual-use exports from China are bolstering Russias defense industrial base as it wages war in Ukraine. We have never provided weapons to either party of the conflict. We have put stricter control on the export of dual-use items and have never done anything to fan the flames, Dong said. The issue was raised during a meeting between Dong and US counterpart Austin the first face-to-face talks between US and Chinese defense since 2022, with Austin indicating to China that there would be consequences if Beijing continues to support Russia militarily. Dong said China stays open to exchanges and cooperation with the US military. The annual security forum in Singapore which is hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) is a rare gathering of senior military officials from across the Asia-Pacific region, including those who are geopolitical rivals or view each other warily. It is also a rare opportunity to hear from, and pose questions to, senior Chinese military leaders. Many of the questions directed at Dong from delegates revolved around Chinas increased assertiveness throughout the region, particularly towards Taiwan and in the disputed South China Sea. Robert Ward, IISS Japan chair, told CNN he felt Dongs tone was more shrill than hes seen in previous speeches by Chinese defense chiefs at the gathering. The strategic environment in Asia has actually got more tense and I think we saw that in the Chinese defense ministers speech today, Ward said. The tone was far harder this year than it was last year, he added. Meanwhile a senior US official had the following assessment. Every year for three years, a new Chinese defense minister has come to Shangri-La, the official told CNN. And every year, theyve given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the PLAs coercive activity across the region. This year was no different. CNNs Natasha Bertrand contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Thousands evacuated in deadly German flooding, with more rain to come Thousands of people were evacuated during the weekend and an emergency rescuer was killed amid severe flooding in southern Germany, as heavy rains and flooding across two states caused further disruption on Sunday. Some 3,000 people in Bavaria were evacuated from flooded areas, a state interior ministry spokeswoman said on Sunday. Around 20,000 emergency responders are currently being deployed for the numerous rescue operations across Bavaria and neighbouring Baden-Wurttemberg due to floods after days of continuous rain. In total, at least 40,000 rescuers have participated in rescue efforts since Friday, while Germany's army also stepped in to help as rivers in the region swelled. A firefighter died overnight after his rubber dinghy capsized in the Bavarian town of Pfaffenhofen an der Ilm, which lies some 40 kilometres north of Munich. His three colleagues in the boat were able to pull themselves to safety, but the firefighter's body was found early on Sunday morning, local authorities said. The responders had been on their way to rescue a family in the severely flooded area. There were no details on what happened to the family. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday expressed his condolences on the social media platform X. "The death of a firefighter in Pfaffenhofen has shocked me," he said, adding that his thoughts were with the firefighter's relatives and colleagues. Scholz is set to visit the region on Monday. He is due to visit Upper Bavaria in the morning together with Bavarian premier Markus Soder and the state interior minister, Joachim Herrmann. Soder earlier thanked the emergency responders deployed across the state, Germany's largest by area. "The most important thing is to arrange their relief over the hours ahead," Soder told journalists in Reichertshofen in Upper Bavaria, which lies just to the north of Pfaffenhofen. He expressed concerns for the safety of rescue workers who had been working for too long without a break. A fire services spokesman said the flooding in the region was unpredictable and the most extreme seen to date. Earlier, the German Meteorological Service (DWD) said that some regions in southern Germany recorded more than a month's worth of rain within 24 hours. Kisslegg in the south-western state of Baden-Wurttemberg recorded 130 millimetres of rain on Friday alone, the DWD reported. The region normally reports 118mm per month at this time of year. In Bavaria's Bad Worishofen, 129mm fell within 24 hours, by comparison with a monthly average of 101mm. The Swabian Alps south of Stuttgart, as well as the regions around Augsburg, Nuremberg, Bamberg and Regensburg were reported to be at particular risk from thunderstorms on Sunday. Further heavy rainfall is forecast. The DWD warned of extreme amounts of rain, especially in southern Germany. As a consequence, at least 40 schools in eight of Bavaria's administrative districts cancelled classes for part of the coming week due to the floods, the state education ministry said. The Neckar River burst its banks near the historic old town of Heidelberg during a massive flood. Boris Roessler/dpa The Neckar River burst its banks near the historic old town of Heidelberg during a massive flood. Boris Roessler/dpa A car drives across a flooded intersection during a thunderstorm with heavy rain. Monika Skolimowska/dpa Soldiers from the German Armed Forces build a barrier of sandbags together with civilian firefighters. Stefan Puchner/dpa Utahns gather to celebrate Pride Month during the Pride Parade as it passes through Downtown in Salt Lake City on Sunday. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News They cheered, they partied, they danced, they sang. Parents pushed strollers, kids with colored chalk decorated sidewalks and most everybody swayed to the omnipresent dance music amid a sea of rainbow flags. Male couples, female couples and mixed couples walked hand-in-hand. Underlying the raucous mood of Sunday's Utah Pride Parade in downtown Salt Lake City, though, was a consistent message. "There's still a lot of work that needs to be done" in the fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community, said Alaria Sorensen of Sunset, at the parade with a group of friends. The show of force by members of the LGBTQ community and their advocates, though, "shows we matter, we exist." Troy Leonhardt of Logan was there, watching the parade from a folding chair with friends along 100 South. "I'm bi so I thought I should come support," he said. "Almost now more than ever, we need to show support, especially (for) the trans people, what they're going through. Love's the key. Love's the answer." John Northup of Logan helped carry the banner in the parade for Rainbow Classics of Utah, a car club. The parade, he said, is a way of showing unity. It can be tough being a member of the LGBTQ community, he said, "but events like this, they make it seem a little easier, let us know we're not alone." The parade with marchers coming from the LGBTQ, corporate, government, nonprofit and other sectors comes at the start of Pride month, June, and stands out as perhaps the premiere Pride event in Utah. Utah Pride Center officials, the organizers, were expecting a crowd of around 100,000 and perhaps 50,000 at the parallel Utah Pride Festival, held Saturday and Sunday at Washington Square Park outside the Salt Lake City-County Building. Spectators watch as marchers in the Utah Pride Parade in Salt Lake City on Sunday pass by. | Tim Vandenack, KSL.com While focused on advocacy for the LGBTQ community, though, spectators to Sunday's parade came from a range of backgrounds. Kennyn Roybal of Herriman came with her mother-in-law and two daughters, ages 17 and 8. This year's installment of the parade was her 10th. "I just love to bring them out and show them what love is all about. I think everybody should come out and experience it at least once," she said. "Open-mindedness is the way of the future. You start young." Like Leonhardt and Sorensen, she said more needs to be done in the fight for the rights of the LGBTQ community. "Any opportunity to show our ally support I'm here for it," she said. Bob Gillie of Ogden watched from a shaded area along 400 East, a rainbow flag affixed to his wheelchair. He has 10 kids, he said, and their sexual orientations vary. "We need to be human, and we need to treat each other like humans. We all have the right to live, love and laugh with whoever we choose," he said. Utahns gather to celebrate Pride Month during the Pride Parade as it passes through Downtown in Salt Lake City on Sunday. | Marielle Scott, Deseret News One man walked the parade route, saying to anyone close enough to hear him that homosexuality runs afoul of Christianity. By and large, though, the parade tone was overwhelmingly pro-LGBTQ and celebratory. People in some of the homes lining the route held parties and gatherings. A percussion group parked in a spot along the route, providing beats to those in the parade and spectators. Others lounged in grassy areas, watching parade marchers go by, including Maridalia Perez, there with a contingent as a show of support to the LGBTQ members of their friend group. I think its important to realize love is all around, she said. Thousands gather in Manhattan for 59th Israel Day on Fifth Parade Thousands gather in Manhattan for 59th Israel Day on Fifth Parade MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Thousands of people gathered for the 59th Israel Day on Fifth Parade, the worlds largest celebration in support of the Jewish community. This year, it was not about the music or the festival-like atmosphere. Instead, with heightened security, it was more about showcasing solidarity following the Oct. 7 attack. Bring them home. Bring them home now! Those words echoed all over Fifth Avenue this Sunday Afternoon at the Annual Israel Day on Fifth Parade. I am here for Just one reason: to support the hostages, said one of the spectators. Things To Do Around NYC The blue and white flag fluttered with pride as thousands of participants and spectators demanded the immediate release of the hostages still being held in Gaza. Noa Argamani, 26, is one of them. Her mother is very sick with brain cancer. She was supposed to be here with me. But couldnt be here. Her mother to see Noa even for one time, this is her wish because we dont have time, said Argamanis cousin, Ravid Ohad. She was taken from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7. We will dance again. We will dance again, chanted during the parade a group of people that did make it out of the festival as a symbol of hope. We are nova survivors, and well dance again, said a survivor. Security was intensified both on the ground and up in the air. More Manhattan News Bring them home now. We stand together, united as a state that says, Let these families be in peace. Let them be with their loved ones. Let that happen not a day longer, said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul. Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Chuck Schumer, Mayor Erick Adams, and other community leaders participated in the parade. The parade has been held since 1964, but those who attended Sundays parade said it was more important than ever to be here this year. For Razi Shaley, It was a way of giving some strength to his niece, Daniella Gilboa. Hamas captured a 20-year-old Israeli soldier. Hold on, we will get you released; we will go to the end of the world, Daniella, he said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Three friends filmed in final embrace before being swept away by flash floods in Italy The two women and man, all aged in their 20s were caught in floods in the northern Friuli region Three young friends, including a couple, were filmed in a heartbreaking final embrace before they were swept away by flash floods in northern Italy. Patrizia Cormos, 20, her friend Bianca Doros, 23, and her boyfriend Cristian Molnar, 25, had decided to take a stroll along the Natisone River near Udine in the northern Friuli region when the river surged to dangerous levels after days of torrential rain. The two women and man, all aged in their 20s, were last seen alive on Friday standing thigh deep in the swirling river water on a tiny island they walked to in the middle of the river. Video shared from the scene as rescue efforts were underway showed the trio hugging each other as they remained trapped in the rising torrent unable to reach the riverbank. Bianca Doros Cristian Molnar Patrizia Cormos We threw them a rope, but they were literally swallowed up by the flood waters in front of our eyes. We watched them disappear, Giorgio Basile, the chief of the provincial firefighters in Udine, said. On Sunday two bodies, believed to be Ms Cormos and Ms Doros, a Romanian who was reportedly visiting her family, were found around 1,000 metres (1100 yards) from where they were last seen. As the search continues for Mr Molnar, who is also Romanian, prosecutors opened an investigation into the tragedy. One of the women had made an emergency call to police at around 1.35pm on Friday and firefighters quickly arrived at the scene. One firefighter urged them to stick together from a nearby bridge as emergency workers attempted to throw them a rope but the three were carried away by the swiftly moving current. Firefighters and other emergency workers have been using drones, boats and divers to sweep the river for any sign of the missing since Friday. A handbag of one of the women was recovered reportedly containing the cellphone that made their emergency SOS call. The main element is not so much the rain, it is the power of the river, the very strong currents, Mr Basile said. There are gorges, there is a backwash of water and even for the experts it is a particularly treacherous task. Heavy floods have caused widespread chaos across northern Italy in areas including Milan, Varese and Cremona in the past two weeks. Violent storms struck the Friuli and Veneto regions in mid-May and there is further rain forecast in the north of Italy this week. 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. ITHACA, N.Y. (WETM) A McLean man is facing multiple charges related to an Ithaca burglary. Larry W. Stanton Jr., 34, was arrested on June 1 after police say they found stolen property in his possession. According to the Ithaca Police Department, officers were called to the 100 block of College Avenue for a burglary that the caller believed just happened. The caller reported that their apartment had been ransacked and multiple valuable items were missing. The caller also told police that they saw a person standing in their driveway next to a gray minivan. Police arrived at the scene at about 4:48 p.m. and found Stanton, who matched the description of the person seen in the driveway, near the residence. Police say that Stanton had stolen items and arrested him. Officers then got a search warrant from the Ithaca City Court and searched Stantons vehicle. While searching, officers found more items that were stolen from the apartment. Ithaca man arrested on drug charges after search Stanton was charged with second-degree burglary (a class C felony), third-degree grand larceny (a class D felony), third-degree criminal possession of stolen property (a class D felony), and fourth-degree grand larceny (a class E felony). Stanton was arraigned in the Ithaca City Court and was taken to the Tompkins County Jail. He is being held without bail. The investigation into this incident is ongoing, and anyone who has information about it is asked to contact the Ithaca Police Department using one of the methods listed below. Those who would like to remain anonymous can do so. Police Dispatch: 607-272-3245 Police Administration: 607-272-9973 Police Tip line: 607-330-0000 Anonymous Email Tip Address: www.cityofithaca.org/ipdtips Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. If Crosley Green's never-ending fight for freedom were a movie, someone about now would be uttering something about being "in the endgame." At least that's how it feels as the 65-year-old Titusville man continues his three-decade-long quest for liberation amid dwindling options. If something is going to "give," it's going to have to be very soon. And despite having been turned away by one obstacle after another, Green knows there is no room for uncertainty, even if the pain of incarceration can be seen in his eyes for the first time since I've known him. "There's no place for doubt to be involved. I just want people to continue to pray for me," he said, adding that he didn't want his supporters to let his story get them down or leave them angry. "I just want them to pray for me and carry on living their life." I spent some time with Green in late May at Sumter Correctional Institution in Bushnell, Florida, his latest home since the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower federal court's decision to grant him a new trial or give him his freedom in 2022. While the appeals process played out in frustratingly slow fashion, Green spent two years of relative freedom wearing a state-issued ankle monitor in Titusville. More: What happened to Crosley Green? In the end, the man who had already spent more than 30 years in prison including 20 on Florida's death row for a crime many are convinced he did not commit, was ordered back to prison to finish out his life sentence. His attorneys, incredible champions of justice with Washington D.C.-based Crowell & Moring whom I've known now for 16 years, say the fight is far from over. Crosley Green during an interview with Engagement Editor John A. Torres at Sumter Correctional Institution on May 21, 2024 The parole issue The obvious next step would be a chance at parole, something that was abolished in Florida for most offenders in 1983, but eligibility remained on the books for Capital felonies committed before 1995. Green, who has not one "DR" or disciplinary report in all of his time in prison, would surely be a candidate. His former warden and two corrections officers even gave sworn affidavits on his behalf, testifying that he has always been a model prisoner. And if his two years of freedom were any indication, Crosley is a prime candidate to fit in and become a contributing member of society. He regularly attended church, spent time with his family, fell in love and got engaged and became a model employee at a metal-fabrication shop, where his fellow employees gave him the nickname: "P.P.E." "Pure Positive Energy! That's the name they gave me at my job," Green said, the old familiar brightness returning to his eyes. "It's like they would always ask me: 'man how can you come to work with a smile on your face? Are you happy all the time?'" Green was offered a plea deal before his 1990 murder trial began. The state offered seven years in exchange for a guilty plea. Green refused and has always maintained his innocence in the kidnapping of Charles "Chip" Flynn and Flynn's on-again off-again ex-girlfriend Kim Hallock. Flynn was killed by a single gunshot wound to his right chest. Hallock told police they were carjacked by a Black man at Holder Park and driven to a nearby orange grove where a shootout ensued between the attacker and Flynn. Responding officers found no evidence of a shootout or carjacking and said they believed Hallock was responsible for the shooting. That information was not shared with Green's defense attorney at the time of his trial. Fast forward 34 years. During a hearing to determine Green's parole eligibility after he exhausted his appeals, it was learned the state miscalculated his eligibility date by including 45 additional years for lesser charges. By their own rules, the parole commission should have calculated his parole eligibility based only on felony murder and added zero additional time for the other offenses. The new erroneous tentative parole release date will be in 2054, when Green will be 97 years old. The second time Green's lawyers appeared before the commission, on Nov. 8, 2023, Commission Chairwoman Melinda N. Coonrod voted to grant Green's request to fix the error and even identified on the record the legal precedent that confirms the Commissions actions were wrong. Inexplicably, the other two commissioners Richard B. Davison and David A. Wyant voted to take no action without explanation. I don't even want to start speculating why they would vote to take no action even as the chairwoman confirmed a mistake had been made. But this is the kind of case that can fuel the conspiracy theories in even the most grounded of us. More: Torres: Crosley Green's attorneys file motion to compel Parole Commission to follow law "I can't say I'm angry because everybody makes mistakes, you know?" Green said. "It's just the idea of whether or not they're willing to clean it up and it wouldn't be right for me to judge right now on the merits, you know, I'm gonna wait, give it time and stuff like that. But you can count on me not getting upset about it or being angry with anyone." So, on May 2, Green's attorneys filed a petition for writ of mandamus with the 2nd Circuit Court in Leon County. If granted, this would allow the court to order the commission to properly fulfill its official duties and correct what's known as an abuse of discretion. The state has 60 days to respond July 1. Keith Harrison, Green's lead attorney from Crowell & Moring, is guarded in his optimism. Is Mr. Green eligible for parole? Yes. He has served more than three decades and is eligible," Harrison said. "Would he be a positive member of society if he were released? Yes. During Mr. Greens precious two years of freedom, he showed everyone in his town that he would be an excellent neighbor, employee, and church member. Despite his innocence, hes done more time than the law requires for the crimes of which he was convicted. Hes been a model prisoner for 30 years and he was a model citizen for the two years of his release. There is no reason for his continued imprisonment. The firm supporting Green Crowell & Moring were assigned by the American Bar Association to try and get Green's death sentence commuted. They were successful but stayed on the case pro bono because everyone who meets Green from the firm is convinced of his innocence. "The entire firm has demonstrated unwavering support for this cause every day for the past 16 years," Harrison said. "The team has spent late nights and weekends and countless trips to interview witnesses, write briefs, and argue in court. All of our team members have said the same thing: Keep me on this case. You leave law school with an idea of how our justice system should work. And when it doesnt workwhen it isnt fairyou feel a duty to your core to fight for justice. But thats not all. Once you meet Mr. Green, you realize what youre really fighting for. Someone who deserves freedom, and a family and community that will not truly be free until he is free again. A perfect example is someone I've met numerous times over the years while covering this case: Vince Galluzzo. He started on the case while he was still a law student at University of Florida and has worked on the case his entire legal career, becoming one of the primary lawyers on the case. Even though Galluzzo joined the law firm K&L Gates, he remains active on the team and is committed to seeing Green win his freedom. Now Mr. Greens freedom is in the hands of the Florida Commission on Offender Review. But as Mr. Green often reminds me, his future is in the hands of God, and it is that very faith that continues to keep him going through all of his trials and tribulations," Harrison said. Now we are left with one remaining question: will the Florida Commission on Offender Review care enough about justice to take action? We saw a glimmer of hope in Melinda Coonrods vote. We hope the court will recognize that chairwoman was right and that the law and justice require that Mr. Green be immediately eligible for parole. Crosley Green's personal goals Despite the sadness in the eyes and despite everything that has gone against him in this case, Green somehow remains positive. "I'm in a place where I can really be myself, open up and learn and gravitate with others to get what I want, you know?" he said. "This time is different. I have a goal set right now." More: Torres: Nothing to do with Crosley Green now except enjoy some ice cream. I pressed him to be more specific about what he meant, what his goals are. That's when I learned he was taking classes to earn his high school equivalency or GED. "I'm in school," he said with a smile. "I'm taking education credits. I'm trying to get my GED and to be honest with you, I feel real good about it, you know? I get up every morning and I'm the first one out the door trying to get there because I want to get that GED. They have a lot they can offer me." Green told me he is also enrolled in a faith-based program. "It's a great class. We have a parenting class, development management class and stuff like that. Every little bit helps. These will be able to be a help with me so, the opportunities I can grab hold to, I'm taking it." While he was out of prison for two years, Green fell in love and got engaged to Katherine Spikes. She has been making the drive from Titusville to Sumter County several times a week to visit him. "Kathy is doing great, man, she's hanging in there. She's strong. She's a warrior and I'm so proud to have her on my side," Green said. I asked about wedding plans and whether anything was imminent. "A couple of weeks ago I thought about asking the chaplain about it, you know, to surprise her. And then I thought, 'nah, I can wait 'til I get out of here.' I want to have a nice wedding, not no..." Green said looking around at his surroundings, not finishing the thought out loud. He didn't need to. I get it. Contact Torres at jtorres@floridatoday.com. You can follow him on X @johnalbertorres or on Facebook at facebook.com/FTjohntorres. Support local journalism and become a subscriber. Visit floridatoday.com/subscribe This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Sadness in his eyes, Crosley Green talks marriage and earning his GED Candles, flowers and a piece of paper with the inscription "Against Terror" stand at the scene of the crime on the market square. The perpetrator had attacked participants at an anti-Islamic rally on Mannheim's market square on 31 May and injured six people, including a police officer. Uwe Anspach/dpa Tributes flowed in for a German police officer who died on Sunday, two days after being stabbed at an anti-Islam gathering in the western German city of Mannheim. The officer underwent emergency surgery immediately after the attack and was placed in an induced coma, but succumbed to his severe injuries on Sunday afternoon, according to the public prosecutor's office in Karlsruhe, the Mannheim police headquarters and the criminal investigation office in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The German chancellor and president were among those to express shock and dismay at his death. "I am deeply shocked that the courageous police officer succumbed to his serious injuries after the terrible attack in Mannheim," Chancellor Olaf Scholz wrote on social media platform X. "His commitment to the safety of us all deserves the highest recognition. In these bitter hours, my thoughts are with his family and all those who mourn him," Scholz added. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also said he was shocked and called for change. "I am deeply shocked by the death of the police officer who courageously intervened in Mannheim to protect human life," he said, expressing his condolences to the officer's relatives while thanking all police on duty. Steinmeier also expressed concern about the "brutalization of political debate and the growing willingness to use violence in our country." He said change was needed. "Things must not go on like this. Violence jeopardises what has made our democracy strong," he said. "The news shakes me to the core," said Baden-Wurttemberg premier Winfried Kretschmann, adding his thoughts were with the man's family, relatives and colleagues. "This terrible act is a painful reminder to us all of the often incalculable risks police officers are exposed to on a daily basis." The attack occurred on Friday morning during an event hosted by the Pax Europa movement, with five other people also sustaining injuries. The movement's treasurer, Stefanie Kizina, said the attack was specifically aimed at Pax Europa board member Michael Sturzenberger, who sustained serious injuries. Sturzenberger would "definitely carry on" his work with the organization, she said. The motive of the 25-year-old perpetrator, who was born in Afghanistan and was unknown to police, is still unclear. He underwent surgery after sustaining gunshot wounds during his capture, according to police. The man, who lives in the western German state of Hesse and is married with two children, has been accused of attempted murder. Earlier, there were violent scenes in Mannheim as police responded to two demonstrations held following the attacks. Activists formed a human chain during a vigil organized by a non-partisan alliance under the motto: "Solidarity against violence, hatred and agitation." The vigil, supported by a range of political parties represented on the city council, emerged in response to a planned rally by the youth wing of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg. The slogan for the youth protest was: "Remigration would have prevented this crime!" The concept of remigration - involving deporting large numbers of people of foreign origin - has been widely criticized across Germany. Videos from the square showed police clashing with a group of Antifa activists, who set off fireworks. The slogan "Nazis out" was also chanted by demonstrators. Police officers mourn their deceased colleague on the market square in Mannheim. A German police officer has died two days after being stabbed at an anti-Islam gathering in the western German city of Mannheim, authorities said Sunday, as police responded to demonstrations held in the wake of the attack. Boris Roessler/dpa Police officers stand around members of the Antifa as they demonstrate against a rally of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in the aftermath of a knife attack that left several people injured in Mannheim. Thomas Frey/dpa A forensics officer inspects the crime scene where a knife-wielding attacker in the German city of Mannheim on Friday targeted a gathering by the anti-Islam right-wing group Pax Europa, according to members of the group. Uwe Anspach/dpa Forensics officers stand behind a smashed stall on the market square, where a knife-wielding attacker who injured several people on a market square in the south-western German city of Mannheim has been shot by police. Uwe Anspach/dpa The Trump-aligned wing of the GOP is signaling an impending assault against Republican US Senate candidate Larry Hogan, adding a wrinkle to the battle for control of the upper chamber of Congress. Formerly the two-term governor of Maryland, a decidedly blue state, Hogan has never been an ally of Donald Trump. He supported both impeachment inquiries into the ex-president, distinguishing himself as a member of a small minority of his partys elected officials. The ex-governor also issued a scathing condemnation of the Republican then-president after January 6, during which he sent Maryland police to aid law enforcement at the US Capitol. But it was his statement released on X after the conviction of Trump on 34 felony counts in New York this past week that triggered promises of revenge from two high-ranking members of the former presidents inner circle. Trump was found guilty on Thursday by a jury of 34 felony counts relating to a hush money scheme concocted during the height of the 2016 election. His ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, carried out the effort in which a porn star was paid off to ensure that her story of an affair with Trump was not made public during the presidential campaign. Prosecutors called this effort an illegal attempt to benefit his White House bid. Higan responded with a statement in which he called for both sides to respect the process and the nonpartisan nature of the US criminal court system. Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process, wrote Hogan. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leadersregardless of partymust not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law. But that sentiment was insufficient in the eyes of Trumps allies, who were incensed at Hogans refusal to join other Republicans in attacking the integrity of the judge, the jury, the prosecutors, and the Biden administration, which theyve insisted without evidence is orchestrating the prosecutions of Donald Trump. Chris LaCivita, Trumps 2024 campaign manager, responded to the tweet directly: You just ended your campaign. And Lara Trump, who recently assumed control at the Republican National Committee, lashed out at Hogan in an interview on CNN. He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point...or of anybody, frankly said the RNC co-chair, adding to guest host Kasie Hunt that she would have to get back to you on whether the RNC still supported his candidacy at all. It would have been a stunning moment in past election cycles, but in the new Trump-dominated GOP such demands for loyalty have become commonplace. The ex-president relentlessly attacked his rivals during the 2024 Republican primary and even stated that some of their supporters were no longer welcome in the party. He is also reported to be seeking to surround himself with others who embrace his lies and conspiracies about the 2020 election as he prepares to staff up for a possible second stint in the White House. Hogan now faces a challenge he has never before dealt with in an election year: the de facto leader of his party and the combined Republican establishment openly seething at him and, in the RNC co-chairs case, urging voters against supporting him. The former governor won widespread popularity across the state of Maryland during his two terms in office, which he won in races that took place outside of presidential election years. Hogan has never contended with the prospect of sharing the ticket with Donald Trump; 2024 will be the first time that changes. Former Governor Larry Hogan greets supporters on 14 May ahead of the states primary elections (Getty Images) Remaining firmly in his camp is one important ally: the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), which serves as the campaigning arm of the Senate GOP establishment. Currently headed by Steve Daines, the group finds itself divided this year as it backs both Hogan, a fervent anti-Trumper, and the former presidents avowed loyalists like Kari Lake in Arizona. The NRSC and Senate Republican leadership are thought to have lobbied the ex-governor for months to jump into the race, which is set to be one of the most expensive this cycle. In the Senate, Hogan has promised to become one of the Republican caucus most moderate members, joining the ranks of Lisa Murkowki, Susan Collins and the departing Mitt Romney. But his election to the upper chamber would throw control of the Senate to Republicans unless Democrats picked up a seat elsewhere. That reality has forced Hogan to campaign against the idea of being a rubber stamp for GOP (and Donald Trumps) policies. In his first advertisement of the general election season, the former governor promised to vote for legislation codifying abortion rights into federal law if elected a vow that marks Hogan as a clear outlier among the GOP Senate contenders of 2024. On Saturday, he cemented that against the grain image as he walked in a Pride parade in Annapolis, the states capital. Polling of the Maryland Senate race suggests a competitive race between Hogan and Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, who won a decisive victory in the Democratic primary despite being massively outspent by her opponent. An Emerson College poll released on the eve of the primary indicated an advantage for Alsobrooks. The Independent has reached out to the governors campaign for comment on the Trump teams threats to end national support for his campaign. Will Scharf, an attorney for former President Donald Trump, insisted Sunday that the Biden administration was firmly behind Trump's prosecution even as ABC's George Stephanopoulos pushed back on that idea. Speaking on "This Week," Scharf responded to Stephanopoulos saying, "Of course, the attorney general of Manhattan has nothing to do with the Department of Justice," by arguing in response: "I vehemently disagree that the district attorney in New York was not politically motivated here, and I vehemently disagree that President Biden and his political allies aren't up to their necks in this prosecution." Stephanopoulos answered: "There's no evidence here of that sir. ... I'm not going to let you continue to say that there's zero evidence of that." After some further jousting over the issue, the ABC host tried to steer Scharf back to a question he had asked. "This has nothing to do with President Biden," he said. "Do you want to answer the question about the sentencing process or not?" "I completely disagree that this has nothing to do with President Biden," Scharf said. "With respect to sentencing, as I said before, were going to vigorously challenge this case on appeal. I dont think President Trump is going to end up being subject to any sentence whatsoever." In discussing the appeals process, Scharf made it clear that Trump's appeal of his conviction of 34 felony charges would focus on two areas: Justice Juan Merchan's decision not to recuse himself amid appearances of bias, and Merchan's instructions to the jury. Stephanpoulos pointed out that Scharf himself had praised the jury instructions before the deliberations took place. "I think: Hope for the best, plan for the worst, George. But I think when you look at the totality of the circumstances in this case," Scharf responded, "this is a prosecution that should have never been brought. This was a case tried in front of a judge that clearly should have recused. I think we have a lot of fair complaints with the way this trial was conducted and I think ultimately, President Trump will be vindicated on appeal." In discussing the effectiveness of the defense team's legal strategies, Scharf also said it "would have been dangerous" for Trump to testify on his behalf, but that he would have made an effective witness if he had testified. On Thursday, Scharf sharply criticized the verdict right after it came down. "This is a tragic day in the history of the American Republic," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. "President Trumps conviction proves one thing and one thing only: that Joe Biden and his allies have weaponized our legal system to persecute their principal political opponent. We will speedily appeal, and we will win on appeal because this case is meritless, baseless, and should have never seen the inside of an American courtroom." People react after former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was convicted in his criminal trial, outside of Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on May 30, 2024. The jury convicted Donald Trump on all 34 charges. I recently asked a group of young people whether they trust the system. Most said no. Youthful alienation reflects the generally cynical spirit of the times. Trust is at an all-time low. The Pew Center reported that in 2023 only 16% of Americans trust the government to do what is right always or most of the time. Republicans are less trusting than Democrats. But the atmosphere of alienation is bi-partisan. The Trump trials are a microcosm of the problem. The former president routinely lambasts judges and prosecutors as corrupt. Recently, he falsely claimed that the FBI, under Joe Bidens direction, was seeking to kill him when they searched his compound in Florida. Opinion If Trump is right, this is a badly failing nation, as he has put it. If he is wrong, we are still in the midst of a political disaster given that Trumps party believes that the justice system is wicked and the electoral system is corrupt. It is a wonder, then, that any young person would want any part of such a decadent system. The taint of corruption justifiably turns off decent people. Would any decent young person want to run for office, become a cop, a lawyer, or a judge in such a tainted system? Why would anyone want to serve on a jury, or even bother to vote in a badly failing nation? This leads to the risk of what we might call a decency drain. Who will remain to run the system, if everyone thinks it is broken? As decent people get fed up and leave, those who stay behind get weirder and more extreme. This drives out the remaining normal people, making it easier for even worse oddballs to gain power. Correlated with the decency drain is a cynicism doom loop. Cynicism ultimately empowers cynics, who are not ashamed to take advantage. When smart and decent people abdicate positions of authority, the resulting power vacuum will suck in crooks and con men. This can happen in community groups and entire civilizations. When good people abandon ship, the cynics will pounce and eliminate the last shreds of decency from the organization. The solution is obvious. Decent people need to remain engaged. They must continue to fight the good fight. This is not easy, or pleasant. But it is necessary for organizations, and civilizations, to survive. These problems are ancient. When Plato proposed that virtuous philosopher-kings should rule, he understood this was unlikely. Good people tend to view the ugly tumult of political life with disdain. Platos solution depended on the wise mans sense of duty, which would compel him to engage in politics despite the ugliness. In ancient reality, this did not work out well. Socrates was executed. Plato was imprisoned by a tyrant and sold into slavery. Aristotle was more prudent. But he fled Athens to escape political persecution. Wise and decent people have often been the victims of corrupt regimes. This is another version of the decency drain. When the good guys are all either dead, in prison, or in exile, who will be left to fix things? At that point it is too late. Which is why we must respond before the doom loop cuts too deeply. We must call out the nihilism of the cynics while reaffirming our commitment to basic decency. Young people, especially, need to be encouraged to seek justice, wisdom, and virtue in service to the common good. The future of we, the people depends upon the hope of the citizens of the future. The coming months will likely be difficult for our democracy. There will be even more cynical words thrown around about a corrupt and broken system. It may become tempting at some point to succumb to cynicism, or to opt out entirely. But the system is not as corrupt as the cynics make it out to be. There are decent and honorable people working to do the right thing. And the system wont improve unless good people remain committed to fixing it. We the people must believe that the system is worth fighting for, and that it is in our power to fix it. Andrew Fiala is a professor of philosophy and director of The Ethics Center at Fresno State In an interview on Fox & Friends, filmed 48 hours after he was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records, Donald Trump attempted to rewrite history. Now that he is facing legal consequences for paying hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, the former president is denying he ever said Lock her up about Hillary Clinton, his 2016 opponent. You famously said regarding Hillary Clinton, Lock her up. You declined to do that as president, said Fox host Will Cain, implying that the president has control over who is prosecuted. I beat her, Trump replied. Its easier when you win. They always said, Lock her up. And I could have done it, but I felt it would have been a terrible thing. And then this happened to me, so I may feel differently about it. I cant tell you, Im not sure I can answer the question. He continued, Hillary Clinton I didnt say, Lock her up, but the people would all say, Lock her up, lock her up. OK. Then we won, and I said pretty openly, Id say, All right, come on, just relax. Lets go. We gotta make our country great.' "I didn't say 'lock her up'" Trump, on Fox & Friends and facing possible jail time, tries to distance himself from the ubiquitous "lock her up" chants about Hillary Clinton at her rallies pic.twitter.com/r1YPIbOqkn Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 2, 2024 That is, of course, a lie. Trump not only beamed and nodded from the podium as his rally crowds chanted, Lock her up, he also said it himself, multiple times. He said it on Oct. 14, 2016, at a rally in Greensboro, N.C. As the crowd chanted the line, Trump said, For what shes done, they should lock her up. Trump: Lock up the Bidens, lock up Hillary. Lock them up pic.twitter.com/QCOKUmHwVF Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2020 In fact, he said it numerous times on the 2016 campaign trail, and he carried the line forward during his presidency. He even said it of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in October 2020. When the crowd chanted, Lock her up! about Whitmer, Trump responded with, Lock them all up. And that same month, he told a crowd of the Bidens, You should lock them up. Lock up the Bidens, lock up Hillary. When a crowd chanted, Lock her up! about Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford, the professor who accused Supreme Court Justice Bret Kavanaugh of assaulting her when both were teens, Trump gave the crowd enthusiastic nods and a thumbs-up. As recently as last August, Trump hinted he might attempt to lock up his opponents. In an interview with Glenn Beck, the host asked, Do you regret not locking her up. And if youre president again, will you lock people up? The answer is you have no choice, because theyre doing it to us, Trump responded. Even with his conviction, it is unlikely that Trump himself will be locked up for any period of time. He will almost certainly appeal, and a prison sentence is unlikely for someone convicted of falsifying business records. But even though he faces a vanishingly small chance of time behind bars, Trump is all of a sudden painting himself as soft on crime. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Insights from Politico, New York Times, and CNBC The News Former President Donald Trump joined TikTok on Sunday, gaining 1.3 million followers within hours on a platform he once sought to ban as president. The move follows the Biden campaign, which joined the platform in February. TikTok is currently under scrutiny in the US: Congress has voted to ban the app or force its sale from ByteDance, its Chinese owner, to a US entity over national security concerns. But political strategists see the platform as an essential tool for reaching younger voters in an increasingly contentious presidential election campaign. SIGNALS Semafor Signals: Global insights on today's biggest stories. TikTok may be the biggest winner Sources: Politico, BBC, Associated Press, CNBC The US government wants to force China-based ByteDance to divest TikToks US assets or face a ban, but Trump and Biden joining the app is a major win as it fights back, Politico reported, while some creators criticized the core hypocrisy of it all. Trump tried to ban TikTok in office, while Biden signed legislation in 2022 to block most government employees from using TikTok on their work devices. Trump in particular has changed his rhetoric on TikTok, a sign that both campaigns see TikTok, with its 170 million users in the United States, as a messaging tool worth pursuing regardless of the controversy surrounding the app. TikTok has a base of pro-Trump and far-right content Sources: Politico, Puck News, New York Times TikTok is particularly attractive to Trumps campaign given theres a two-to-one ratio of pro-Trump versus pro-Biden content on the app, one TikTok official told Politico, a ratio first reported by Puck News. A Republican digital strategist told the New York Times that Trump is already outpacing Bidens engagement from an organic standpoint on the app, since there are many TikTok creators who do pro-Trump content for him for free. The trend spans across the Atlantic; in Europe, TikTok accounts belonging to far-right party politicians tend to have stronger engagement with younger users than do those belonging to more centrist lawmakers, and a quarter of European lawmakers on TikTok are linked to right-wing European parties and groups. Strategists predict TikTok could define 2024 elections Sources: Politico, Semafor, Vox The campaign is playing on all fields, a Trump campaign advisor told Politico, citing TikTok as a way to reach out to younger voters who could prove critical to winning what many see as a coin-toss election. More Americans get their news from social media now than in 2020, and reaching out to voters where they are could help move the needle in either direction. Younger voters are feeling disillusioned by politics in general, as Semafor reported, but Trump could spin that in his favor, as voters mistrustful of institutions tend to lean to Trump, Vox wrote. Trump is guilty. But this is no time to celebrate, says former Bucks County solicitor Within an hour of Americas 45th President being found guilty of 34 felonies, a fellow attorney invited me out for a celebratory beer with other revelers. I politely declined. To be clear, I have no illusions that Donald Trump was innocent. Nor do I expect that voters will give him another term in the White House. File -Whether Thursdays historic verdict was the first milestone in Donald Trumps reckoning or, instead, the low point on an arc of redemption remains to be seen. Donald Trump is now a convicted felon: Can he still run for president? But as Central Bucks West grad (and prominent Trump critic) P!NK sang, We got a long way to go. Ive prosecuted hundreds of criminal trials, and every verdict has been important for the parties involved, for the community, and for the justice system itself. Yet as important as guilty verdicts may be, they are still only moments in time. Whether Thursdays historic verdict was the first milestone in Defendant Trumps reckoning or, instead, the low point on an arc of redemption remains to be seen. Dont forget that Trump can (and will) appeal. Just last month I was consoling sexual assault survivors after a New York appeals court overturned the Harvey Weinstein rape conviction that, until then, had been a watershed victory for the #metoo movement. We previously went through this in Pennsylvania with Bill Cosby. If you think its farfetched that the U.S. Supreme Court would break precedent to follow Speaker Mike Johnsons call to step in, take a look at the Dobbs decision (or the pending questions about the impartiality of Justices Alito and Thomas). Of course, Trump wont be sentenced until at least July, leaving him with opportunities to challenge the jurys verdict even before an appeal. Its also too early to celebrate a win against the abuse of presidential power. Although the jurys verdict is historic, it relates to crimes that Trump committed before he became president. Trump has yet to face trial for inciting insurrection in Washington, D.C. or for trying to overturn the election results in Georgia. Even his trial for mishandling confidential documents in Florida remains in limbo. While the New York verdict affirms the rule of law in the United States, we have not yet joined the nations that have successfully prosecuted corrupt heads of state for abusing their offices. Ultimately, its hard to see Trumps loss as a win for democracy while he could still return to power. He is the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party, which has gone from trying to curb his worst impulses to celebrating them. Having prosecuted my share of crooked politicians, I know that the greatest power to hold them accountable is often in the hands of voters, not prosecutors. Trump reacts: 'We'll keep fighting': Donald Trump, first former president convicted of crimes, calls verdict a disgrace Joe Khan, the former Bucks County Solicitor, is a partner at Curtin & Heefner in Doylestown. He served as a federal and county prosecutor for 16 years. None of this is to diminish the remarkable achievement by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, to say nothing of the admirable service of the judge and the jury under extraordinary circumstances. Donald Trump is now a felon, and no presidential pardon can change that. This result should make it easier to hold Trump accountable elsewhere, harder for Trumps enablers to help him skirt justice, and less likely that Trump will swing the general election in his favor. Its what President Biden might call a bigdeal. Biden didnt return to Philadelphia last week to take a victory lap he was shoring up support. He understands there is still work to be done. Thats why his campaign responded to the verdict succinctly: There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: at the ballot box. Sorry democracy lovers, hes exactly right. Theres still a long way to go. So, for now, stay informed, stay active, and get ready to vote. And keep the beer on ice. Joe Khan, the former Bucks County Solicitor, is a partner at Curtin & Heefner in Doylestown. He served as a federal and county prosecutor for 16 years This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Trump is guilty. But this is no time to celebrate: Op-Ed of Joe Khan Onetime president and newly convicted felon Donald Trump joined TikTok on Saturday, despite once trying to ban the app in the U.S. via executive order. Trump launched his account on the video-sharing platform late Saturday night with a single video, apparently filmed at the UFC event in New Jersey he attended that day. In the first frame of the 13-second video, UFC President Dana White appears alongside Trump, who wears his familiar blue suit, red tie, and mussed-looking blond coif. White introduces Trump to the platform. The president is now on TikTok, White declares. Its my honor, Trump adds, before the video cuts to several shots of Trump waving and making his entrance to the UFC event. These shots are interspersed with pans of one of Trumps favorite thingsa large, cheering crowdand end with a last Trump quip. That was a good walk-on, right? he says. The video garnered 1.7 million likes and more than 31 million views within the first 11 hours of its posting. Several top comments from feverish supporters welcomed the felonious former president to the app, voicing their support for the spray-tanned titan. Although Trump attempted to ban or force the sale of TikTok while he was in office in 2020a move that was later blocked in courthe switched his stance abruptly when the Biden administration successfully passed a similar ban earlier this year. The reasons for his flip-flop, however, were as self-concerned as always: he reportedly believed a TikTok ban would ultimately benefit Facebook, which he still blames for his 2020 election loss. Biden Trashes Trumps Unified Reich Clip on TikTok Some Trump campaign advisers had been encouraging a TikTok presence for months, the Washington Post reported in March, believing it could help Trump capitalize on his meme-ability and reach a younger audience of voters. Steven Cheung, the Trump campaign spokesman, confirmed the move was intended to reach young voters in a statement to The Daily Beast. We will leave no front undefended and this represents the continued outreach to a younger audience consuming pro-Trump and anti-Biden content, Cheung said. Of course, Trumps entry onto TikTok means that both presumptive presidential candidates are now active users on an app theyve both tried to ban while in office. It also demonstrates how seriously the septuagenarian and octogenarian candidates are vying for a Gen Z and younger millennial vote, despite recent polling that shows theyre most likely to be double haters of both Joe Biden and Trumpand the most likely age group to say theyre voting for RFK Jr. (Gulp.) If there is a winner in all of this, it may just be TikTok. Even as both camps have expressed concerns over the platforms potential to be weaponized by China, neither candidate wants to campaign without it. For now, the summer presidential race is in the digital arena of the memes. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Trump Joins TikTok And Calls It An 'Honor' After Previously Trying To Ban The App Years after moving to ban the app, Donald Trump has officially joined TikTok. The former president launched his account on Saturday, sharing a video of his appearance at a UFC fight alongside UFC CEO Dana White in Newark, New Jersey, that same day. The president is now on TikTok, White declared in the videos opening. Its my honor, Trump replied before the 13-second clip pivots to a mashup of moments from his night out. By Sunday afternoon, Trumps TikTok debut video racked up over 51.2 million views, while his account soared to 2.7 million followers. Trump puts his fist up for fans during UFC 302 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 1, 2024. He posted his first TikTok video after attending the event. Jeff Bottari via Getty Images While Trump seemed pleased to be on a new platform, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential candidate moved to restrict the Chinese-owned video app through executive action during his time as president, citing security concerns. But in March, he softened his stance, telling CNBC, Without TikTok, you can make Facebook bigger, and I consider Facebook to be an enemy of the people. A month later, President Joe Biden signed a bipartisan bill moving to ban TikTok if the app is not sold to a non-Chinese company within nine months. Prior to Biden signing the bill and its subsequent passing, Trump tried to appeal to young voters by criticizing the presidents support for a potential ban. Just so everyone knows, especially the young people, Crooked Joe Biden is responsible for banning TikTok, he wrote on his Truth Social platform. He is the one pushing it to close, and doing it to help his friends over at Facebook become richer and more dominant, and able to continue to fight, perhaps illegally, the Republican Party. TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance, sued to block the law last month, calling the legislation a violation of the companys right to free speech. Related... MOUNT PLEASANT Five people were arrested Saturday after a fight reportedly broke out at a funeral home on County Line Road, according to the Mount Pleasant Police Department. MPPD officers were dispatched at 11:30 a.m. after a reports of a fight involving 150 people, a man brandishing a gun and shots being fired. The Racine County Sherriff Office, City of Racine Police Department, Kenosha County Sherriff Department, Kenosha Police Department and Caledonia Police Department also provided assistance, according to MPPD. After officers stabilized the scene and spoke to witnesses, the person who allegedly was brandishing the gun and four other people were arrested, according to MPPD. The South Shore Fire Department took one of the individuals who was arrested to the hospital. After being medically cleared, he was taken to Racine County Jail, according to MPPD. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department at 262-884-0454, option 4, or Crime Stoppers at 262-636-9330 or via e-mail at www.racine.crimestoppersweb.com. Trump OK with jail but supporters would be at breaking point Donald Trump said he is OK with being jailed but warned that his followers may reach breaking point if he is sentenced to prison. Trump, 77, became the first US president convicted of a crime on Thursday when a New York jury found him guilty on 34 charges of falsifying documents to cover up an alleged affair. The Republican nominee now faces a punishment of up to four years in prison when he is sentenced on July 11. Legal experts have argued he is more likely to be given a sentence of home confinement or probation, but others claim his campaign of attacks against Judge Juan Merchan, who will decide his sentence, could backfire. Im OK with it, Trump told Fox News, when asked about his potential incarceration in his first interview since conviction. I saw one of my lawyers the other day on television saying, Oh no, you dont want to do that to the president. I said: You dont beg for anything, thats just the way it is. Robert Burck, better known as the 'Naked Cowboy', outside Trump Tower in Manhattan, the day after the guilty verdict - Andrew Kelly/REUTERS But while Trump said he is at peace with the prospect of a prison sentence, he suggested his supporters may not. They ransacked the Capitol when Trump refused to recognise the 2020 election result. Im not sure the public would stand for it, he said of a possible prison sentence. I think it would be tough for the public to take, you know, at a certain point, theres a breaking point, he added. Trumps warning will resonate in a country already concerned about the prospect of unrest and political harassment in the run-up to the November election. He still faces trial for inciting an insurrection. The Telegraph revealed that Secret Service chiefs are working out plans to facilitate Trumps round-the-clock protection if he is sentenced to prison. All former presidents are entitled by law to 24-hour security for life, making the task of finding suitable accommodation trickier. If Trump is given a sentence of up to a year he will likely be sent to VIP west wing of the notorious Rikers Island prison in the Bronx. If he is given a longer stint he will need to be housed in a state prison. During the Fox News interview, which aired on Sunday, Trump also said the trial had been tougher on his family than himself. I have a wonderful wife who has to listen to this stuff all the time, he said. Shes fine, but I think its very hard for her. I mean, shes fine. But its you know, she has to read all this crap. Melania Trump was notably absent from Manhattan Criminal Court throughout Trumps trial. While his children Eric, Don Jr and Tiffany attended days of the hearing to support their father, Mrs Trump and his daughter Ivanka did not. On Sunday Eric Trump said his fathers campaign had raised over $200million since Thursdays conviction. He said his wife Lara Trump, co-chair of the RNC, told him on Sunday morning they had raised well over $70million in small donations. If you add the large dollar donations to it, youre over $200 million, he added. The former president also insisted he is the only person who could endure what he has described as a political witch hunt orchestrated by Joe Biden. A lot of people said, We have no choice but to elect Trump because hes the only one that can withstand this. Dont forget, if it werent me theyd be going into somebody else and I know a lot of the competition, they wouldnt do so well Theyd be saying, Mommy, take me home, I want to go home, this is brutal. It comes as Stormy Daniels called for Trump to be sentenced to prison as she broke her silence on the Trump verdict. I think he should be sentenced to jail and some community service working for the less fortunate, or being the volunteer punching bag at a womens shelter, Ms Daniels told the Sunday Mirror. A $130,000 (102,000) hush money payment to adult film star Daniels was at the centre of Trumps criminal trial. Ms Daniels, who dished salacious details about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump during her testimony, said she was shocked at how quickly the jury rendered its verdict. Trump faces three other criminal trials, including one related to efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election he lost to Mr Biden. 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. President Bidens hold on Virginia appears to be slipping, spelling trouble for Democrats whod felt confident about their standing in the state after winning every presidential contest there since former President Obama in 2008. A Roanoke College survey this week showed Biden and former President Trump tied head to head in Virginia, with 42 percent each. Other polls over the last month have shown Biden with a small lead, and Biden leads Trump in the Decision Desk HQ polling average, 44.1 percent to 43.1 percent. Still, its a significant turnaround from 2020, when Biden won the state relatively handily. And it suggests Democrats could have their hands full this fall in Virginia, a state Biden cannot afford to lose. Biden is certainly not doing as well as he did in 2020, when he won Virginia by 10 percent. But hes probably ahead by a few points at this time, said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics. If Virginia is even competitive in the fall, its a very bad sign for Biden since Virginia is more Democratic than many of the true swing states. Sabato said a number of factors could shake things up in the state, from Trumps guilty verdict in his New York hush money trial, to the first debate between the two candidates later this month. Democrats iron grip on the Washington suburbs in Northern Virginia has helped the party maintain control of Virginia in recent election cycles. Biden beat Trump in Virginia by nearly half a million votes four years ago, and Hillary Clinton scored a 5-point win over Trump in 2016. Strategists note that while the state is not a top swing state, it does have the potential to be competitive. Its on the outside looking in of the top battle grounds, but its right there on the doorstep, said Zack Roday, a Virginia based GOP strategist. In 2021 Republicans scored major victories when Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) won the governors race and the House of Delegates majority flipped back to the GOP. But since 2021, Virginia Democrats have rebounded, scoring a number of special election victories and retaking full control of the General Assembly in 2023. Virginia-based Republican strategist Tucker Martin said he does not believe the state is in play for the GOP at the presidential level, and the close polling is more indicative of Bidens weakness as a candidate. Gravity ultimately wins Virginia for Biden, said Martin, noting how the states population centers favor Democrats. I dont think they should take any comfort in that though because if theyre relying on political gravity to win states like Virginia, heaven help them in the battleground states. If [Biden] is tied at 42 in Virginia then yeah, I would expect that hes down in Wisconsin and Nevada and Michigan, he added. The Trump campaign, on the other hand, contends Biden isnt just weak in Virginia and the traditional battleground states, but also in historically Democratic strongholds like Minnesota and New Jersey. Joe Biden is so weak, and Democrats are in such disarray, that not only is President Trump dominating in every traditional battleground state, but longtime blue states such as Minnesota, Virginia, and New Jersey are now in play, said Trump campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. President Trump is on offense with a winning message and growing his movement every single day. Joe Bidens campaign should be terrified. Trump campaign senior adviser Chris LaCivita told NBC News earlier this month Trump has a real, real opportunity in expanding the map in Virginia and Minnesota. The Biden campaign pushed back on the notion that the president is weak in the state, citing his 2020 victory and Democrats recent victories in Virginia. Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by ten points in 2020 in Virginia, and then Trumps anti-abortion agenda cost Republicans the state legislature in 2023, state Sen. Louise Lucas (D) said in a statement to The Hill. Trump is toxic and has no campaign presence in Virginia, while the Biden campaign is working to win every vote across the commonwealth. Hes welcome to waste his time campaigning here. Some Republicans also express skepticism. They note Trump won just less than 44 percent of the vote in Virginia in 2020 and just more than 44 percent in 2016, suggesting a ceiling for his support. The number that matters is that hes tied at 42, Martin said, referring to the Roanoke College poll. Until you see a poll that has him lets say at 47, 46, I dont think the numbers are there for Trump. But again, this is not a state they need to have. Biden is set to fundraise on June 18 in Virginia and will be joined by former President Clinton, bringing star power to a big donor event. The fundraiser will be hosted by former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who was defeated by Youngkin, in the Virginia suburbs of D.C. The presidents campaign in May opened up a campaign office in Hampton, Va., a critical swing area north of Norfolk, to expand its Virginia outreach. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) joined the office opening, and the campaign at the time touted that Trump has zero campaign presence in the commonwealth. With history on their side, Democrats are optimistic their stronghold in Virginia in the past few cycles will stay in November. One of the most under-reported stories in politics is that in the last twenty years, the Virginia Democratic Party has built the countrys most always-on, battle-ready political machine, said Ivan Zapien, a former Democratic National Committee official. Regardless of what the polls say, they are ready to deliver the state to Biden and Democrats up and down the ticket this year. Still, Republicans say that Bidens lower than usual poll numbers in Virginia could force national Democrats to spend more money than they anticipated in the state. It also could put the states down-ballot Democrats, like Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who is favored to win his reelection bid, on alert. You want to put these kinds of races away, both state and U.S. Senate early, because its always a resource game when you have this large of a map in a presidential year, Roday said. Updated: 10:15 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Donald Trump addressed his conviction on 34 felony charges and claimed that Americans would rise up in his defense should he be thrown in prison during an interview that aired Sunday on Fox News. Taking his first questions after a verdict was reached in his trial on Thursday, Trump spoke to three co-hosts of Fox & Friends Weekends as he turned to the relatively friendly territory of Fox News to give his reaction. The ex-president once again lashed out at prosecutors for bringing the case and wrongly accused President Joe Biden of orchestrating the various criminal prosecutions he continues to face. He also suggested that the American public would reach its breaking point were he to be incarcerated for his crimes. He was found guilty of falsifying business records with the purpose of hiding a hush money scheme involving a porn star at the height of the presidential election, which prosecutors said was an illegal method of aiding his campaign. The former president has vowed to appeal. He could potentially face a maximum of four years in prison for each or any of the 34 counts. I dont know that the public would stand it. You know, I dont ... Im not sure the public would stand for it. I think it would be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, theres a breaking point, said the former president. Theres no evidence that Americans are widely up in arms about the conviction of the former president on criminal charges. A YouGov poll released shortly after the verdict found that about half of all Americans agree with the jurys verdict, while smaller segments of the population disagreed or were unsure about the ruling. Donald Trump speaks at a press conference after his conviction on Friday, 31 May (AP) But Trump is likely hoping that his supporters will continue to put pressure on the legal system as his campaign uses the conviction to rile up the ex-presidents most loyal supporters. Already, his campaign has reported more than $52.8m in donations in the first 24 hours following the jurys decision. His allies on Capitol Hill and in conservative media have relentlessly attacked the integrity of the trial, with some calling for vengeance against the Biden family and other prominent Democrats should Trump be elected to a second term. On the campaign trail, Trumps journey becomes more uncertain as his conviction means more court battles in the months ahead. It remains wholly unclear whether any of the other criminal prosecutions of the former president will begin before the election in November, but he now has an appeal process and sentencing to contend with on top of everything else. Trump attacked his 2024 opponent in the interview Sunday on Fox and argued that the GOP would remain unified with him on the issue of his criminal trials. People get it. Its a scam. And the Republican Party theyve stuck together in this. They see its a weaponization of the Justice Department of the FBI and thats all coming out of Washington, he said. Separately, his daughter-in-law Lara Trump, now chair of the Republican National Committee, made clear what that unity meant in real terms: the cutting-off of any Republican who did not pass Trumps latest loyalty test. That tests newest victim is Larry Hogan, the former governor of Maryland looking to pick up a Senate seat for the GOP in the otherwise Democratic stronghold of Maryland. He doesn't deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point, Lara Trump said of Hogan in a CNN interview on Sundays State of the Union. Where it once looked like Hogan had a clear shot at winning the seat (and thereby almost guaranteeing Republican control of the Senate), it now seems obvious that the ex-governor will be running against not only the Democratic Partys establishment but the GOPs as well as he battles Prince Georges County Executive Angela Alsobrooks for the seat in November. By Susan Heavey WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Donald Trump said on Sunday he would accept home confinement or jail time after his historic conviction on criminal charges by a New York jury last week but that it would be tough for the public to accept. Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, four days before Republicans gather to formally choose their presidential nominee to face Democratic President Joe Biden in November's election. Prison time is rare for people convicted in New York state of felony falsification of business records, the charge Trump, the Republican presidential candidate, faced at his trial. The maximum sentence for such a charge is four years imprisonment. "I'm not sure the public would stand for it," the former president told Fox News of a potential prison sentence. "I think it'd be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, there's a breaking point." Trump has vowed to appeal his conviction by the New York jury, which found him guilty of 34 felony counts over falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. To succeed on appeal, Trump, 77, must demonstrate that Justice Juan Merchan made significant errors overseeing the trial. His lawyers have said they expect to take the case to the Supreme Court. On Sunday, Trump, who tried to disqualify Merchan from the case, repeated allegations of bias by the judge and the district attorney who prosecuted the case. "The United States Supreme Court MUST DECIDE!," Trump wrote on social media. Trump plans to appeal after his July 11 sentencing date, his lawyers say. If an appeal in New York state courts proves unsuccessful, he could appeal to the Supreme Court. Trump's attorneys would have to persuade at least four of the court's nine justices to hear his case. To prevail, Trump would then have to demonstrate that the state prosecution violated his federal constitutional rights and that his legal team followed proper procedures during earlier stages of his legal proceedings. 'SPEAK OUT AGAINST THIS' Trump has used his conviction to step up his fundraising efforts but has not otherwise sought to mobilize his supporters, in contrast to his comments protesting his 2020 loss to Biden that were followed by a deadly attack by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021 on the U.S. Capitol. Asked what Trump supporters should do if he were jailed, Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump told CNN: "Well, they're gonna do what they've done from the beginning, which is remain calm and protest at the ballot box on November 5th. There's nothing to do other than make your voices heard loud and clear and speak out against this." Some Trump supporters have hung U.S. flags upside down following the verdict. The inverted flag has been a symbol of distress or protest in America for over 200 years. At least one Democratic lawmaker expressed concern on Sunday about the potential for Trump's supporters to respond violently to his conviction. "His base listens to him. They don't listen to Lara Trump. And this is another dangerous appeal to violence," Democratic U.S. Representative Adam Schiff told CNN. But U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, said any response must be lawful. "We are the rule of law party - chaos is not a conservative value. We have to fight back and we will with everything in our arsenal. But we do that within the confines of the rule of law," Johnson told "Fox News Sunday." The matter is unlikely to be resolved before the November presidential election, when he will seek to take back the White House from Biden. Opinion polls show a close race between the two men and suggest that his conviction could hurt him with some Republican voters and independents. Trump still faces three other criminal cases, including two over alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 loss, although they are not likely to come to trial or conclude before the election. He denies wrongdoing in all the cases and has called the charges a Democratic conspiracy to prevent him from competing. Biden has sought to defend the nation's justice system, saying it is "reckless" and "dangerous" to call the verdict "rigged." The U.S. Justice Department denies any political interference. (Reporting by Susan Heavey, Jasper Ward, Moira Warburton and David Brunnstrom; additional reporting by Nathan Layne; editing by Nick Zieminski and Stephen Coates) Former President Trump on Sunday claimed he is the opposite of a threat to democracy, pushing back against a longtime argument from President Biden in the wake of his hush money conviction. Now Im leading over this guy (Biden). that cant put two sentences together, thats destroying our country. Look, hes the worst president in the history of this country, and hes a danger to the country, Trump said in an interview with Fox Newss Fox and Friends. And you know, they have misinformation Donald Trump is a threat to democracy its just words. He doesnt even know what it means. But its like their slogan, Im a threat to democracy. Im the opposite. Theyre the threat to democracy, he continued. Trumps remarks come in response to the Biden campaigns longtime assertion that Trump is a danger to democracy, which points to the former presidents rhetoric, impeachments in Congress and four criminal cases, one of which he was convicted for last week. In a historic verdict last week, Trump was found guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying business records in New York, making him the first former U.S. president to become a convicted felon. The charges stemmed from reimbursements made to Trumps onetime fixer and attorney, Michael Cohen, for a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Last week, Bidens communications director, Michael Tyler, pointed to the democracy argument when explaining why the Biden campaign held its first-ever press conference outside the Manhattan courthouse, where Trumps hush money trial took place. We want to remind the American people ahead of the first debate on June 27 of the unique, persistent, growing threat Donald Trump poses to the American people and towards democracy, Tyler told reporters. The Biden campaign pushed back against Trumps assertion on Sunday. Last time we checked, Donald Trump is the only candidate for president who tried to overturn the 2020 election, is promising to be a dictator on day one, and is threatening a bloodbath if he loses in November, Seth Schuster, a Biden campaign spokesperson, told The Hill Sentencing for Trumps hush money conviction is scheduled for July 11, four days before the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. The former president could face jail time, though first-time offenders on charges like Trumps are rarely incarcerated. Despite the former presidents mounting legal battles, he has maintained a razor-thin lead of 1.5 points over Biden, according to a polling index by The Hill and Decision Desk HQ. This article was updated at 11:06 a.m. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Adam Schiff warned that Donald Trump is inciting violence when he said that the American public will reach a breaking point if he is put on house arrest or sentenced to prison. Im not sure the public would stand for it, Trump said during a Fox News interview that aired Sunday. I think itd be tough for the public to take. At a certain point, theres a breaking point. Trump was found guilty on 34 counts last week in New York for falsifying business records. His sentencing is scheduled for July 11. In terms of Donald Trumps comments about whether the public reaches a breaking point if he is sentenced to jail time, this is clearly Donald Trump once again inciting violence, potential violence, when he is sentenced, Schiff said Sunday during an appearance on CNNs State of the Union. This is another dangerous appeal to violence.@RepAdamSchiff condemns Donald Trumps recent comment that it'd be tough for the public to take if hes sentenced to jail or house arrest, and at a certain point, there's a breaking point." pic.twitter.com/RQHZ4RxWj9 State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) June 2, 2024 We see this pattern over and over again, where Donald Trump communicates with his base supporters, making it pretty clear what he wants to see, and then his enablers try to explain it away, Schiff, who is running for a Senate seat in California, told host Kasie Hunt. His base listens to him And this is another dangerous appeal to violence. When Hunt asked Schiff about the sentence prosecutors should seek for Trump, the congressman said that Trumps sentence should be in line with other similar cases. I think what the prosecutors should do, and, for that matter, what the judge should do is look at, what are the sentences given out in New York for like felons, people that have committed felonies of that nature that Donald Trump committed? They should recommend a sentence no greater or no less than any other citizen would get for committing those kinds of crimes. SCHIFF: If you don't want to be tried in front of a New York jury, then maybe don't commit so many crimes in New York City. It's pretty simple. pic.twitter.com/TFfgRQooig State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) June 2, 2024 Schiff continued, pointing out that Trump has not accepted responsibility or showed remorse: Now, I do think the judge should consider, as any judge would against any defendant, has the defendant accepted responsibility? Have they shown remorse? Are they willing to make restitution? In this case, as you can see from the moment he stepped out of that courthouse, Donald Trump shows no acceptance of responsibility, and that ought to be weighed against him, as the judge would against any American whos convicted on a multiple counts and takes no responsibility. He added that Judge Juan Merchan should consider Trumps threat of a public breaking point when sentencing him. This is essentially his threat that, if he gets jail time, that hes going to encourage his supporters to rise up, Schiff said. And we saw the very deadly results of that on Jan. 6. So I dont think the public is going to respond to that call. I hope we learned something from the awful experience of Jan. 6. Its very clear what Donald Trump is suggesting here, Schiff concluded. This is something that the judge needs to take into consideration also, not to be intimidated by that threat, but as of further evidence this defendant not only doesnt accept responsibility, but is willing to endanger people. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone The paternal aunt of former Hawaiian Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was allegedly stabbed multiple times and beaten to death with a hammer in a brutal murder by her protege in Samoa, police in the island nation said. Caroline Sina Sinavaiana-Gabbard, 78, was found dead on May 25 at the GaluMoana Theater in Vaivase-Uta, Spectrum News reported. Sinavaiana-Gabbard allegedly got into a fight with Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, a Samoan poet and writer who was reportedly mentored by the older woman. The fight escalated to lethal blows when Figiel allegedly stabbed Sinavaiana-Gabbard multiple times and struck her with a hammer before fleeing to a friends house, where she was arrested, police said. Figiel was initially charged with manslaughter, but the charges were upgraded to murder after a police investigation, Samoa police commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo told reporters at a news conference. Tulsi Gabbard Says She Rejected RFK Jr.s Veep Offer He added that police had no clear motive for the crime. Sinavaiana-Gabbard, a former University of Hawaii professor, was the elder sister of Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard, who is Tulsi Gabbards father. He expressed his grief at her killing in a statement to Spectrum News. Caroline was my best friend as a teenager, he said. I love her deeply and wish her well as she continues her journey. While I sincerely forgive the murderer of this horrific crime, Im hoping justice will be served, and that person will be punished to the full extent of the law. Tulsi Takes MAGA Makeover to New Level With Mar-a-Lago Event Before retiring, Sinavaiana-Gabbard was an acclaimed writer and scholar who taught Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii for over 20 years. Born in American Samoa, she made history as the first scholar of Samoan descent to become a full professor at an American university. Sinavaiana-Gabbard was also outspoken in her criticism of her nieces politics as Gabbard left the Democratic party and publicly embraced more right-wing views. In 2017, she wrote to The New Yorker expressing her concerns about Gabbards apparent approval of such strongmen as Narendra Modi, Bashar al-Assad, and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (not to mention Trump), and about Gabbards involvement with the Science of Identity Foundation, a controversial religious group that some call a cult. Sina was bold in publicly criticizing far right threats to democracy, even within her own family, Christine Gralow, a friend of Sinavaiana-Gabbards, said of the late poet. Figiel is next expected to appear in court on June 10, the New York Post reported. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. PENN HILLS, Pa. (AP) A shooting at a bar in suburban Pittsburgh has left two people dead and seven others injured, police said Sunday. Allegheny County Police Departments homicide unit said it has responded to a request for help by Penn Hills Police Department after the early morning shooting at the Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar in Penn Hills. First responders discovered the bodies of an adult male and adult female inside the bar around 3 a.m. Sunday. Seven additional victims were found. Some were transported from the scene and additional victims walked in to area hospitals, Allegheny County police said in a statement on social media. One of the victims is in critical condition. The remaining victims all had injuries that were not life-threatening, the statement said. Preliminary information shows an altercation took place inside the bar and multiple individuals opened fire, county police said. The statement did not say whether any suspects were in custody. Anyone with information concerning this incident is asked to call the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. Callers can remain anonymous. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A garage fire in Vancouver prompted response from two different fire departments and displaced homeowners Saturday evening, authorities say. Just before 5:30 p.m., 22 firefighters from both Vancouver Fire and Clark County Fire District responded to reports of the fire in a one-story home at 5700 Northeast 45th Street. Houses, cars, hit by gunshots in Southeast Portland While on their way to the scene, reports came in that the fire was likely spreading to a house next door. On arrival, firefighters noticed flames coming from the garage and began to fight the fire from the outside. Meanwhile, another crew went through the front door, searching for anyone left inside. Officials say the blaze was brought under control in around 20 minutes. No injuries or further building damage were 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 KOIN.com. RACINE Mayor Cory Mason will serve as co-chairman for a planning effort by the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative to attract green jobs and sustainable growth to the Great Lakes region. The Cities Initiative is a group of mayors from the United States and Canada that works collaboratively to protect the Great Lakes and encourage its development as a region, Mason said. The City of Racine became a member of the Cities Initiative in 2006. Mason said Lake Michigan has remained a defining part of Racine throughout the citys history, and that the lake being front and center in conversations regarding economic transformation is a no-brainer. I think its easy to miss this because its so plainly obvious if you live in Racine, but Racine wouldnt be what it is if it werent for Lake Michigan, he said. It makes sense as were trying to figure out how to succeed in the 21st century economically, that Lake Michigan would be front and center in how to think about that. Mason was selected along with fellow co-chairs Mayor Roger Reinert of Duluth, Minnesota; Mayor Valerie Plante of Montreal, Canada; and Mayor Lucas Cleveland of Cobourg, Canada, during the groups annual conference in Montreal last month. The co-chairs work with government, business and nonprofit leaders throughout the Great Lakes region to create a 10-year plan that will debut next May during the Cities Initiatives conference in Milwaukee, according to the city. Were gonna spend the next year really planning it and having conversations, learning about best practices in other parts of the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence Riverway, and, you know, learning and informing from each other, but also encouraging each other on how we can collaborate with other cities to do some of these things, Mason said. The plan will include strategies to attract jobs and companies related to clean water and environmental sustainability, as well as propose ways to promote the Great Lakes for shipping and tourism and keep waterfronts accessible and clean. Mason said the economic transformation committee will focus on four areas: moving cities from carbon-based energy to renewable energy; recruiting green companies and jobs to the area; economic development along the shorelines; and further developing infrastructure and transportation resources to move people and services around the Great Lakes region. According to Mason, many de-industrializing communities dont have the advantage that Racine has in being positioned between Milwaukee and Chicago and sitting on a Great Lake. We just really need to figure out how to leverage that, that geographic gift that weve been given and make sure it creates an opportunity to lift people into the middle class and allow the city to succeed in the 21st century as well as it did in the last one, Mason said. Also during this years conference last month, attendees signed a pledge to promote the Great Lakes regions transformation into a thriving blue-green economic corridor, according to the city. Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee and Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago signed the pledge as well. Racine definitely has some redevelopment challenges that it needs to overcome, Mason said. I just think the fact that we are on Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago, one of the biggest metro regions in the world, really positions us, if were smart about it, for a strong comeback. Two men posing as officers arrested on robbery charges in Milpitas: police (KRON) The Milpitas Police Department arrested two men posing as police officers who robbed a victim, the department announced on its social media. The theft occurred at a shopping center near S. Park Victoria Drive and E. Calaveras Boulevard on Friday. The two posers confronted the victim and demanded his wallet. After the victim complied with the robbers demands, they fled in a silver Ford Expedition SUV. Photo: Milpitas Police Department Two men arrested in truck theft scheme after VINs switched in Vacaville Milpitas police utilized automated license plate readers to identify the probable route the suspects were driving. Police noticed the suspects were heading out of town. Milpitas officers and Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office deputies conducted a high-risk car stop on Interstate 880 near Montague Expressway. The agencies apprehended a 20-year-old man from Kent, Washington and a 19-year-old man from Springhill, Florida. Both suspects were arrested and booked into jail for robbery, false impersonation of a police officer, and conspiracy. According to the police investigation, there have been multiple robberies similar to this incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. UK Defence Intelligence has analysed information on the detention of Russian Major General Ivan Popov on charges of fraud and corruption in its latest report on 2 June. Source: a UK Defence Intelligence report; European Pravda Details: Popov was formerly the Commander of the 58th Russian Combined Arms Army (CCA) and was dismissed in July 2023 after criticising the "competence of Russian defence leadership's decisions relating to the conduct of the war". "Popov subsequently criticised the decision to remove him publicly, describing it as "our senior commander hitting us from the rear, treacherously and vilely beheading the army at the most difficult and tense moment"," the intelligence recalls. The authors of the report wrote that in the Russian army system, "where corruption itself is endemic", punishment for it "is more often a political tool than an attempt to ensure good governance". "It is likely Popov's arrest is a demonstrative punishment for his perceived disloyalty to his superiors," the UK intelligence service states. It adds that Popov, as a commander in the Russian army, "was generally regarded as highly competent and, according to Russian military commentators, was popular among Russian troops". "His arrest is likely to further dismay Russian military personnel and reinforce to his peers in senior command positions that loyalty and obedience to the regime and one's superiors is valued more highly than competence and charisma," the report concludes. Earlier this week, UK Defence intelligence reviewed a newly released magazine in Russia called Politruk, which aims to help educate Russian soldiers. Support UP or become our patron! UK MI5 instructed to focus on spies from Russia, China and Iran MI5, the UK national counter-intelligence service, has been ordered to "refocus" its efforts on spies from Iran, China and Russia. Source: The Telegraph, citing UK government sources Details: The publication says that MI5, despite its priority in the fight against terrorists, should devote more resources to counterintelligence operations against Russia, China and Iran. The newspaper notes that Russia's war in Ukraine, the growing number of Chinese agents operating in the UK, and Iran's use of organised crime have significantly shifted MI5's focus. A senior government source reported that ministers have asked MI5 to "refocus a lot of their efforts on the espionage threat, particularly the state threat from China, Russia, and more recently Iran as well." The source also explained that the UKs support for Ukraine in its war against Russia has also led to increased espionage activity. The Telegraph adds that the number of Chinese agents involved in intelligence gathering in the UK is "unquantifiable" at the moment. Another source reported that up to 20 staff members of the Chinese Embassy in the UK are likely to be working as spies. "But the numbers of agents, civilians who have been recruited by the Chinese intelligence services may run into the hundreds of thousands," the source added. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine has fired US-made weapons at targets inside Russia for the first time, according to Russian sources. Russias ministry of defence and Russian military bloggers have reported that HIMARS, long-range artillery, were fired by Ukraine at Russia on Saturday evening. The enemy has begun using Western-made weapon systems to attack old Russian territory. These are fragments of M142 HIMARS MLRS shells, said the sanctioned Russian war reporter and Kremlin propagandist Evgeniy Poddubny on his Telegram channel underneath a slideshow of several photos. The Russian Armys air defence crews destroyed more than 10 missiles in the sky over the Belgorod region. Ukraine has not commented. The US this week gave Ukraine limited permission to fire US-made weapons at targets inside Russia close to the border with the Kharkiv region. It had delayed handing permission to Ukraine because of fears the strikes would escalate the war. Ukraine, though, said that Russia was massing forces behind the border ahead of attacks and it needed to strike them as an act of self-defence. US permission only covers the area immediately north of the border and only allows Ukraine to fire HIMARS at targets in Russia, not longer-range missiles. 05:35 PM BST Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. The key developments from the day were: Russias defence ministry claimed to have captured a village in eastern Ukraine and said it is advancing in all tactical directions. Volodymr Zelensky criticised Joe Biden for not doing enough in allowing US weapons to be fired into Russia as Ukraine faces the threat of a renewed invasion. He also said he discussed bolstering Ukraines air defence system and the F-16 coalition at a meeting with US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin. Ukraine fired US-made weapons at targets inside Russia for the first time, according to Russian sources. Greece sent the first Nato F-16 fighter jet instructor to Ukraine, Greeces defence-point.gr website has reported. Ukraine imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country on Sunday, a day after Russia unleashed large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure. German chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a speech directed at Vladimir Putin that Nato is prepared to defend every square inch of its territory against attacks. Mr Zelensky will attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit on 13-15 June in Italy, Giorgia Meloni confirmed. The Ukrainian president also said that 106 countries and organisations had so far agreed to participate in a summit in Switzerland in mid-June aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. However, he accused Beijing of working with Moscow to undermine the summit. A 24-year-old Ukrainian policewoman was starved, beaten and abused as a prisoner of war by Russian forces, her mother said as she was released after two years in captivity. Nearly 1,000 people attended a ceremony today honoring the memory of Ukrainian journalist Iryna Tsybukh, who was killed in action while serving as a volunteer combat medic. 05:28 PM BST Greece sends first Nato F-16 fighter jet instructor to Ukraine Greece has sent the first Nato F-16 fighter jet instructor to Ukraine, Greeces defence-point.gr website has reported. Ukrainian pilots have been training to fly F-16 fighter jets at air bases across Europe for the past 12 months, mainly in Romania and Denmark, but have not previously been reported to be in Ukraine. The presence of the Greek airman in the capital of Ukraine is apparently part of the F-16 training coalition initiative, an international coalition, the website reported. The Greek government has not commented on the report. With the permission of the US, European countries have donated several F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and Ukraine hopes that its first pilots trained to fly F-16s will take to the skies in the next few weeks. Last month, France said that it may send military trainers to Ukraine. 04:39 PM BST Nearly 1,000 people honor Ukrainian journalist and combat medic killed in action Nearly 1,000 people attended a ceremony today honoring the memory of Ukrainian journalist Iryna Tsybukh, who was killed in action while serving as a volunteer combat medic. Tsybukh, 25, was killed while on rotation in the Kharkiv area, where Russia started its offensive nearly a month ago. She had left a note describing how she wished the ceremony to be held, asking people to sing Ukrainian songs and attend in vyshyvankas traditional embroidered shirts instead of black clothes. I want everyone to sing at the farewell, to learn at least 10 meaningful songs and sing them in unison, to extinguish sorrow with native songs, she wrote. Instead of flowers she asked people to make donations to the Hospitallers Volunteer Medical Batallion, in which she served. A Ukrainian serviceman cries over the coffin of Iryna Tsybukh - AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka Tsybukh was killed while on rotation in Kharkiv area, where Russia started its offensive nearly a month ago - AP Photo A large crowd gathered in the courtyard of Kyivs St. Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery, where the memorial service was held. People later joined a column that moved to central Independence Square, a ritual that has become common during funerals of servicemen killed in action, chanting Heroes dont die. Tsybukhs death sparked wide reaction on social media, where her letter went viral for several days after her death. Today everything is behind me, my life has ended, and it was important for me to live it with dignity: to be an honest, kind, and loving person, she said in the letter that she wrote a year ago while serving in the embattled Donetsk region. Her brother shared it, as she wished, on Instagram. To have the strength to be a free person, one must be brave, she wrote. 04:30 PM BST In Russia punishment is more often a political tool, says MoD Todays intellience update from the Ministry of Defence. Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine 02 June 2024. Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/nCpOSLSjUs#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/cUtX6y2a23 Ministry of Defence (@DefenceHQ) June 2, 2024 04:05 PM BST Starved, beaten and abused Ukrainian policewoman returns home after two years in captivity A 24-year-old Ukrainian policewoman was starved, beaten and abused as a prisoner of war by Russian forces, her mother said as she was released after two years in captivity. Maryana Checheliuk, an investigator with the National Police of Ukraine, was taken prisoner after being caught up in the siege of Mariupols Azovstal steel works. Her full story was recounted to The Telegraph magazine by her family last year, who told how she had been forced through a Russian filtration camp and then blocked from returning home. Maryana Checheliuk returned home on Friday noticeably frail after years of abuse and mistreatment - krainian Presidential Press Office On Friday, Ms Checheliuk was released in a prisoner exchange, after enduring years of severe mistreatment, including being starved, beaten and abused. She appeared frail as she finally arrived back on Ukrainian soil in tears. In her first phone call to her family after being released, Ms Checheliuk said: Mummy, Im home. Her mother replied: My lovely and dear sunshine, we finally got this day. Read the full story here 03:06 PM BST Ukraine publishes video from destroyed Vovchansk The Liut Assault Brigade of Ukraines National Police has published a video from Vovchansk in the north of Kharkiv Oblast, where fighting continues. The DeepState analytical project reported that 50-80 per cent of the citys buildings have been destroyed and cannot be rebuilt. Vovchansk. The fighting for the city is incredibly intense. : Liut (Fury) Brigade pic.twitter.com/c62dGq2V8J Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 2, 2024 02:55 PM BST Zelensky to arrive in Philippines Volodomyr Zelensky is set to visit Manila and is scheduled to arrive late on Sunday, Rappler news site reported, quoting diplomatic sources. There was no immediate confirmation from the Philippine presidents office or the Philippine foreign ministry. Mr Zelensky would be coming from Singapore where he made an unscripted appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue conference, his second visit to Asia since Russia first invaded Ukraine in February 2022. 02:41 PM BST Italys PM confirms Zelenskys attendance at G7 Summit Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the Group of Seven (G7) Summit on 13-15 June in Italy, Giorgia Meloni has confirmed. Ms Meloni said the G7 Summit will be attended by at least fifteen countries and international institutions, in addition to the leaders of the Group and the Pope. Earlier, it was also reported that Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the summit. 01:44 PM BST Scholz: We will defend every square inch of Nato territory German chancellor Olaf Scholz has said in a speech directed at Vladimir Putin that Nato is prepared to defend every square inch of its territory against attacks. Natos recent move to strengthen its eastern border is aimed at deterring Russia, Mr Scholz said, adding it should be clear to Moscow that the alliance will be ready to defend itself if necessary. Speaking at the Eastern German Economic Forum Mr Scholz said: The threat from Russia will continue, we and other allies decided last year to deploy additional units to the Baltic states and to station an entire brigade there permanently in future. But this turnaround in security policy is necessary to show Russia: We are prepared to defend every square inch of Nato territory against attacks. He said diplomacy would only be successful from a position of strength. 01:22 PM BST Russia captures village in Donetsk Russias defence ministry claims to have captured a village in eastern Ukraine and says it is advancing in all tactical directions. Russian troops have managed to liberate the village of Umanskoye in the popular republic of Donetsk, the ministry said in reference to the Ukrainian village of Umanske, a tiny village home to fewer than 180 inhabitants before Russias invasion. The village lies about 25 kilometres to the northwest of Donetsk, which is the main city of the region and is under Russian control. Ukraines outnumbered and outgunned forces have been under pressure for several months, particularly since Russia launched a new push in early May around the eastern city of Kharkiv. Russian defence minister Andrei Belousov said on Friday Russia had made advances in all tactical directions and that Moscows forces had seized 880 square kilometres of territory this year alone. 12:59 PM BST In pictures: Zelensky meets Singapores leaders Singapore prime minister Lawrence Wong shaking hands with Volodymyr Zelensky - Singapore MCI/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Singapore's president Tharman Shanmugaratnam greeting Volodymyr Zelensk - Singapore MCI/HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock 12:33 PM BST Situation on Pokrovsk front is tense, says Ukraine On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians are trying to advance on Novooleksandrivka and Sokil, Ukraines General Staff has reported. Two attacks were repelled and three more are ongoing, with defence forces taking measures to stabilise the situation, according to online Ukrainian newspaper Pravda. 11:52 AM BST Energy shutdowns hit Ukraine after Russian attacks target infrastructure Ukraine imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country on Sunday, a day after Russia unleashed large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure. The shutdowns were in place in all but three regions of Ukraine following Saturdays drone and missile attack on energy targets that injured at least 19 people. Ukraines state-owned power grid operator Ukrenergo said the shutdowns affected both industrial and household consumers. 11:07 AM BST Zelensky criticises Biden over Atacms ban Report from Nicola Smith, in Singapore: Volodymr Zelensky criticised Joe Biden for not doing enough in allowing US weapons to be fired into Russia as Ukraine faces the threat of a renewed invasion. The Ukrainian president thanked Mr Biden for giving Kyiv permission to strike inside Russian territory with American munitions, but said restrictions including on the use of long-range Atacms should also be dropped. He said: Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions. After weeks of pressure Biden gave permission for Ukraine to use American missiles like Himars to fire across the border north of Kharkiv, where Russian forces are massing. But he blocked Ukraine from using the more advanced Atacms systems. Mr Zelensky said Russia continued to use artillery, long-range fire, and some 300 weapons systems carrying tens of thousands of missiles on its side of the border to target the Ukrainian population. So they have these weapons there and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us, he said. 10:48 AM BST Russia claims capture of village in Ukraines Donetsk region Russias defence ministry has claimed to have captured a tiny village in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, where it has been on the offensive making territorial gains. Russian troops have managed to liberate the village of Umanskoye in the popular republic of Donetsk, the ministry said in reference to the Ukrainian village of Umanske. The claims could not immediately be verified. 10:34 AM BST Watch: Monument to Wagner Group founder Prigozhin unveiled in St Petersburg A life-sized monument to the founder of Russias Wagner private mercenary group Yevgeny Prigozhin has been unveiled at his grave in St. Petersburg. The site was visited by several dozens of people, many of whom laid flowers. Some were dressed in military uniform and were wearing PMC Wagner symbols. Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary group that fought for Russia in Ukraine, waged a long-running feud with the defence establishment that culminated in an outright mutiny in late June 2023. It ended quickly but was widely seen as a serious challenge to President Vladimir Putins almost quarter-century-old grip on power. 10:24 AM BST Zelensky says 106 nations and organisations to attend Switzerland summit Volodomyr Zelensky has said that 106 countries and organisations had so far agreed to participate in a summit in Switzerland in mid-June aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. Mr Zelensky wants the peace summit, scheduled for June 15-16 in Switzerland, to produce a front to support the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraines 1991 borders. 10:15 AM BST Ukraine says it downs 24 Russia-launched attack drones Ukraines air defence systems destroyed 24 of the 25 attack drones that Russia launched overnight, Kyivs air force said on Sunday. Russia also launched an Iskander-K cruise missile towards the Kharkiv region and an anti-aircraft guided missile, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app. It did not say what happened to the missiles. 10:06 AM BST Russia threatens former chess champion Kasparov with criminal charges Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who fled Russia a decade ago for fear of persecution, may face a criminal case in Moscow for violating the Kremlins foreign agent law, TASS news agency reported on Sunday. Russian law enforcement officials, the state news agency reported, said there is every reason to charge Mr Kasparov, without providing further details. The fierce Kremlin critic could face up to two years in prison or a fine if a case is initiated, the unnamed officials said. Russia added Mr Kasparov to the list of individuals acting as foreign agents, which includes dozens of critics of Vladimir Putin, soon after the Russian president launched his full-scale invasion on Ukraine in 2022. 09:39 AM BST Zelensky and Pentagon chief discuss bolstering Ukraines air defence Volodymyr Zelensky said he discussed bolstering Ukraines air defence system and the F-16 coalition at a meeting with US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin. Volodymyr Zelensky and US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin meet at the Shangri-La Dialogue - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE The meeting between the Ukrainian president and the Pentagon chief took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore. We discussed the key issues: the defence needs of our country, bolstering Ukraines air defence system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement, Mr Zelenskyy said. 09:17 AM BST In pictures: Zelensky in Singapore Volodymyr Zelensky and US foreign affairs committee chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) meet at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE Volodymyr Zelensky shakes hands with Singapore's defence minister Ng Eng Hen - NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images 09:13 AM BST Zelensky says being allowed to strike Kharkiv with some US weapons not enough Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he was grateful to the United States for allowing Kyiv to use US-supplied High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in the Kharkiv region, but added that it was not enough. Ukraine is weathering a renewed assault from Russian forces, more than two years after the invasion began. 09:09 AM BST Local official dies in Russias Belgorod as ammunition detonates, governor says A local official in Belgorod died when some ammunition detonated, while six people were injured in Ukrainian shelling of the southern Russian region, Belgorods governor said on Sunday. Igor Nechiporenko, deputy head of Korochansky district administration in Belgorod, was killed as a result of ammunition detonating, Belgorod governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Telegram. I offer my most sincere and deepest condolences to the family and loved ones, Mr Gladkov said. He also said that six civilians received shrapnel injuries during Ukraines shelling of the town of Shebekino and were taken to hospital. 09:07 AM BST Zelensky accuses China of undermining Ukraine summit Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Beijing of working with Moscow to undermine a summit to discuss his countrys peace blueprint. Russia is doing everything to disrupt the summit set for mid-June by using Chinese influence and its diplomats, Mr Zelensky told reporters at the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Earlier, the Ukrainian president gave a keynote speech, appealing for Asian leaders to join the summit to help forge a path to end Russias war. We want Asia to know whats going on in Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said on Sunday. We need the support of Asian countries. It is much needed. China has not immediately responded to the comments. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. For seven days The Telegraph is running a series of exclusive essays from international commentators imagining the consequences if Russia were successful in its war. The full list of essays can be found below. Wouldnt it be easier to just give up Ukraine to Russia? That way the war could end and peace would ensue, some believe. Doing so would grant the Kremlin a frightening gift. I dont mean the political victory in Russia, or even the military triumph of reaching the EUs borders. Im talking about everything that Moscow will come to possess if it is allowed to take full control of its neighbour. Capturing Ukraine would enrich Russia tremendously. This new, richer and more powerful Kremlin would be well-equipped for future aggression and economic blackmail of the West. Russias gas blackmail in the wake of the full-scale invasion is a good indicator of whats to come if Putin gets his way. The shock waves of Russia gaining total control of Ukraine wouldnt just be felt in the immediate aftermath. They would unfurl over years and decades, touching every corner of the earth, and wreaking havoc on the global economy as we know it. Lets look at the short-term first. The immediate impact if Russia came to dominate all of Ukraine would go something like this: Russia takes full control over the countrys Black Sea Ports, through which grain capable of feeding 400 million people is exported. (When Russia launched its invasion, it blocked these very ports, provoking alarm that the most vulnerable on our planet would face famine and starvation). All of the grain harvested by Ukrainian farmers and slated to be sent out of those ports would now belong to Russia. The Kremlin could take it for itself or send it to its allies. It has already sent stolen grain from occupied territories to its friends around the world. Dont support Russias complete occupation of Ukraine? Get in line or watch as your people suffer from a lack of food. Russia would find other willing markets for the grain. Another consequence of a seized Ukraine is that Russia would have full access to the military-industrial complex Ukraine has been building up over the last more than two years. No, not just the Western weapons Ukraines detractors criticise, but the impressive weapons Ukraine itself has been developing. Its 200 or so domestic drone companies that have revolutionised the battlefield, its homegrown Bohdana howitzer, its sea drones that have devastated Russias Black Sea Fleet, and all of the other tightly held state technological secrets that help Ukraine fight Russia. All of that would belong to Russia who, since they have captured Ukraine, are literally at the gates of the EU. Russia and its cronies could sell the weapons and their parts to nefarious actors around the world. And if they felt like using it against Nato, they have that option too. A Ukrainian serviceman drives a British FV103 Spartan armoured personnel carrier in the Donetsk region Oh, and all of the Western assets in Ukraine? They too would now belong to Russia. There is little reason to believe that Putin would respect the property of Western companies, many of whom exited Russia and have thrown their support behind Ukraine. Just look at the asset seizure threats the Kremlin is making against Western companies still operating in Russia if the West seizes Russias frozen Central Bank assets. Putin would have access to the assets of Ukraines domestic agricultural and steel giants Ukraine is the 20th largest steel producer in the world. Along with the Western companies assets, his loyal servants would have their pick of the spoils of war. There is a line of brand-new oligarchs in Russia waiting to be paid back for their loyalty in propping up the Kremlins war machine, as Putin has initiated a new strategy of de-privatisation, seizing assets across all important sectors of the economy. The project is intended to redistribute wealth to a new generation of less powerful individuals and shore up the presidents own position after the shock of the (Yevgeniy) Prigozhin mutiny and the failure to prevail in the countrys war on Ukraine, in the words of Chatham House consulting fellow Nikolai Petrov. In short: if anyone has any illusions they could keep on trucking in Putins Ukraine by making concessions to the Kremlin, good luck his guys are just waiting to divvy up Ukrainian and Western assets. Ports, check. Grain, check. The military-industrial complex and the demilitarisation of Ukraine, check. Physical assets, check. On to Ukraines vast and rich natural resources, which would now also belong to Russia and will be of global strategic importance for decades to come. Ukraine has vast deposits of critical minerals that are needed for everything from high-tech consumer goods like cell phones and hard drives, and necessary components in green technologies like wind turbines and other renewable energy applications. Indeed, the country has 117 out of 120 of the worlds most commercially used industrial minerals and more than half of the raw materials identified by the EU as critical. For instance, Ukraine possesses an estimated 500,000 tonnes of lithium reserves, according to Ukrainian researchers the largest in Europe which is a critical component of electric vehicles. The start of lithium mining was interrupted due to the war. Russia would now have a totally untapped resource to enjoy. The World Bank estimates that demand for critical minerals could increase 500 per cent by 2050 in large part due to the move toward low-carbon economies. To reach its green transition goals, the EU will be a big driver of this demand, and without Ukraine, it would be hard-pressed to source these minerals. Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing Worried about Russia and the Kremlin-friendly China, one of the worlds largest producers of critical minerals, having an upper hand in the race for these desperately needed minerals? They just got a huge start. A victorious Russia, already an energy giant, is also now sitting on Ukraines massive gas reserves and four nuclear power plants. It has already occupied the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, since the start of the full-scale invasion, with Russian forces militarising it and threatening Europes nuclear safety for more than two years now. The electricity sharing that goes on between Ukraine and Europe since the grids were connected in 2022? Those would also be in Russias hands. And then, most importantly, theres Ukraines population: an important source of human capital that would now be subservient to Russia. If they havent been killed by the war, those who have stayed will become increasingly isolated from a world they have grown accustomed to working with since the Euromaidan Revolution when Ukraine turned westward. Rescuers extinguish a fire in an apartment building destroyed by a Russian missile attack in Kharkiv You thought 2022 was a refugee crisis? With the vast majority of Ukrainians wanting absolutely nothing to do with Russia, many of them will flee to the West now that Russia has taken control of the whole country. Nearly six million refugees fled Ukraine after the start of the full-scale invasion, according to UN figures. Current estimates put Ukraines population at anywhere between 30-40 million. Millions, if not tens of millions, of those people will try to leave. I hardly need to tell you what kind of pressure such an influx of refugees would put on states and economies. Giving up on Ukraine would be giving Russia a gift of epic proportions: a depopulated agricultural bastion replete with some of the worlds most coveted resources. Each delay in aid, each kilometre gained by Russia on the battlefield in its push westward, brings the Kremlin closer to that ultimate reward. Liliane Bivings is Business Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She has contributed to the Telegraphs daily podcast Ukraine: The Latest, your go-to source for all the latest analysis, live reaction and correspondents reporting on the ground. With over 85 million downloads, it is considered the most trusted daily source of war news on both sides of the Atlantic. Other essays in the What If Putin Wins? series: 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. Key developments on June 2: Zelensky accuses China of 'working hard' to stop countries attending global peace summit Zelensky urges US to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with ATACMS missiles Russia claims capture of Umanske village in Donetsk Oblast Ukrainian navy denies Russian claims of destroyed vessels Zelensky has accused China of "working hard" to prevent countries from attending Ukraine's global peace summit later this month. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on June 2, Zelensky also expressed disappointment that "some world leaders" would not be present at the event to be held in Switzerland on June 15-16. Ukraine hopes the summit will address several key areas, such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of deported children, global food security, and other topics. "China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit," Zelensky said on June 2. While he said more than 100 countries and international organizations were set to attend, Bloomberg reported on May 23 that Biden is likely to miss the peace conference as it clashes with a campaign fundraiser. China is also reported to have declined an invitation as the terms they required to attend were not met, Reuters reported on May 31, citing several sources with direct knowledge of the matter. One source said China had insisted the summit should be recognised by both Russia and Ukraine and both countries should participate. Publicly, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that attending would be "difficult." "The arrangement of the meeting still falls short of China's requirements and the expectations of the international community, making it difficult for China to attend," said Mao Ning, the ministry's spokesperson. "We are very sorry that the Chinese side does not use the opportunity to present its position on the platform of the summit in Switzerland," a spokesperson of the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing told Reuters. Russia was not invited to the talks, but the Swiss hosts said that Moscow's representatives will have to take part in the process "sooner or later." Kyiv has warned that Russia is attempting to disrupt the summit. Speaking on May 16 at a press conference during Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to China, Chinese President Xi Jinping claimed both leaders agreed that a "political solution" to the war in Ukraine is "the correct direction." Read also: Opinion: Putins China visit was another battle in Russias war of economic endurance Zelensky urges US to allow Ukraine to strike Russia with ATACMS missiles President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 2 said the U.S. should allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia with long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles to protect lives. Zelenskys statement comes shortly after the White House confirmed that it lifted the ban on the use of some U.S. weapons by Ukraine against Russian territory near Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. Washington still prohibits Ukraine from using ATACMS and other long-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes deeper inside Russia, U.S. officials said. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, Zelensky thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the permission but insisted that restrictions including the ban on the use of ATACMS should be lifted. Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm, knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions, Zelensky said, as cited by The Telegraph, in reaction to Washingtons decision. Zelensky said Kyiv was waiting for the approval to strike Russian military airfields, the staging grounds for attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. He added that Russia has about 300 weapon systems loaded with tens of thousands of missiles deployed on its side of the border to attack Ukraine, The Telegraph reported. So they have these weapons there, and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us, Zelensky said. The topic of the Western allies ban on Ukraine attacking Russia using their weapons has gained wide attention after Moscow opened a new front in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast in May, where it was able to ready for an operation without significant Ukrainian cross-border threats. Amid growing calls from Western leaders to allow Ukraine to use foreign-supplied arms to hit targets in Russia, there have been reports in recent days that the U.S. has changed its policy. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 31 that the U.S. had allowed Ukraine to use HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, GMLRS rockets, and artillery against Russian territory. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hinted that Washington may allow Ukraine to hit targets beyond the current limitation in the future." Going forward, well continue to do what weve been doing, which is, as necessary, adapt and adjust," he said at a press conference in Prague on May 31. Read also: Very good meeting with US defense secretary in Singapore, Zelensky says Russia claims capture of Umanske village in Donetsk Oblast Russia's Defense Ministry claimed on June 2 that its forces captured the village of Umanske in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Oblast. In its daily situation report on June 2, the General Staff of Ukraines Armed Forces did not mention Umanske but did say Russian forces were "trying to advance" in the direction of Sokil, a village around 10 kilometers to the north. "Two attacks have been repelled, three more are in progress," the post on Facebook said, adding: "The situation remains tense. Defense forces are taking measures to stabilize the frontline." The Kyiv Independent could not verify the reports. Umanske is located in the Pokrovsky district of the Donetsk region, approximately 30 kilometers northwest of occupied Donetsk. But according to the crowd-sourced DeepState monitoring site, Umanske fell to Russian forces on May 26. This information could not be verified. The Russian independent news outlet Meduza, when reporting the Kremlin Defense Ministry's comments on June 2, said according to its own data. "Russian troops captured Umanske no later than May 9." "It is unclear why the department announced the seizure of the village only now," Meduza added. Russia's Defense Minister Andrei Belousov said on May 31 that Moscow's forces had seized 880 square kilometers (340 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in 2024. Read also: As their parents refuse to evacuate, these Ukrainian children grow up on the front line (Photos) Ukrainian navy denies Russian claims of destroyed vessels Ukraine's navy has denied Russian claims of having destroyed Ukrainian ships and boats in a recent attack on southern regions of the country. The June 2 statement comes a few days after the Russian defense ministry claimed to have destroyed four Ukrainian unmanned boats in the northwestern part of the Black Sea on May 30. "Under the guise of trying to hit the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, the Russian Federation once again struck civilian targets, damaging port infrastructure," the navy said in a Facebook post. "Russia continues to do everything possible to block sea routes to Ukrainian ports." Throughout Russia's full-scale invasion, Russian authorities have claimed to have targeted military facilities each time they launched attacks against civilians in Ukraine. The Black Sea has been a major front of the full-scale war, where Ukraine has had to significantly cut down its exports via its pre-war main trade route due to Russian threats and attacks against civilian port infrastructure. Read also: We took out so many of them: Ukraine stabilizes Kharkiv front after brutal Russian offensive Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian defenders shot down a Russian cruise missile and two Shahed loitering munitions over Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 1-2 June. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Quote: "Our defenders shot down one cruise missile in Kryvyi Rih district in the evening and two Shaheds in the Nikopol district around midnight." Details: In addition, Lysak noted that the Russians continued to target the Nikopol district in the evening. They used kamikaze drones to hit Myrove hromada and struck Marhanets hromada with artillery. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories] Two private houses, an outbuilding and a garage were damaged. In addition, Lysak said the Russians targeted Marhanets hromada and the town of Nikopol once again in the morning. Information about the aftermath of the attacks is being gathered. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's navy has denied Russian claims of having destroyed Ukrainian ships and boats in a recent attack on southern regions of the country. The June 2 statement comes a few days after the Russian defense ministry claimed to have destroyed four Ukrainian unmanned boats in the northwestern part of the Black Sea on May 30. "Under the guise of trying to hit the ships of the Ukrainian Navy, the Russian Federation once again struck civilian targets, damaging port infrastructure," the navy said in a Facebook post. "Russia continues to do everything possible to block sea routes to Ukrainian ports." Throughout Russia's full-scale invasion, Russian authorities have claimed to have targeted military facilities each time they launched attacks against civilians in Ukraine. The Black Sea has been a major front of the full-scale war, where Ukraine has had to significantly cut down its exports via its pre-war main trade route due to Russian threats and attacks against civilian port infrastructure. Read also: Updated: Ukraine strikes ferry crossing, oil depots in Russias Krasnodar Krai, General Staff says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. On 1 June, Russian-speaking foreigners attacked volunteers of the Prague Maidan initiative who were raising money to support Ukraine in Prague's Old Town Square. Source: The Prague police confirmed the information about the clash to the Novinky portal, European Pravda reports. Details: On Saturday, one of the Prague Maidan volunteers posted a video on social media in which a group of men and women speaking Russian were about to attack them. At one point, a man in the video says in German with a Russian accent that he is German. Two russian emigrants attacked volunteers today who were raising funds to help Ukraine in the Czech Republic ( more info in comments ) pic.twitter.com/wZxAIQBk3h Intermarium 24 (@intermarium24) June 1, 2024 The participants of the fight shout at each other in Russian and Ukrainian and fight with an umbrella. Eventually, the Prague Ukraine stand was damaged. One of the Ukrainian activists posted a photo of her bloody hand on X (Twitter) after the fight. She said that Russian-speaking women hit a Czech woman in the head, and a Russian-speaking man told a guy "how good Russia is at killing Ukrainians". The Prague police confirmed that they had arrived at the Old Town Square because of a conflict between "two groups of foreigners". "Criminal investigators are establishing all the circumstances of the incident. They are finding out what happened at the scene. No one was restricted in their personal freedom, and no one was detained," said police spokeswoman Eva Kropacheva. Last year, the Czech police launched an investigation into an attack on a man in the capital's Prague 1 district. He was allegedly beaten because he was mistaken for a Ukrainian. Support UP or become our patron! British Labour Party campaigns across the country in the lead up to the election British Labour Party campaigns across the country in the lead up to the election By Elizabeth Piper LONDON (Reuters) -British opposition leader Keir Starmer pledged on Monday to secure the country's armed forces and nuclear deterrent, trying to reassure voters before an election that the nation would be safe in the hands of a Labour government. Describing Labour as the "party of national security", Starmer turned his campaign focus to defence, seen as a weak spot for Britain's main opposition party under his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, a long-time supporter of nuclear disarmament. With conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, defence is taking centre stage before the July 4 election. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said last month that only his Conservative Party could keep voters safe in an increasingly dangerous world. Standing in front of 14 former military Labour candidates, Starmer told an audience: "The people of Britain need to know that their leaders will keep them safe - and we will." "This Labour Party is totally committed to the security of our nation, to our armed forces and, importantly, to our nuclear deterrent." He made a commitment to a so-called "nuclear deterrent triple lock" - constructing four new nuclear submarines, maintaining a continuous at-sea deterrent and the delivery of all future upgrades needed for those submarines. Even though Labour is far ahead in the polls, officials say they still need to convince thousands of undecided voters to back what Starmer repeatedly calls a "changed party", one which can be trusted on defence, health and tackling immigration. The Conservatives believe they have a stronger defence offering, with a pledge to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP a year by 2030 - a target Labour says it wants to match "as soon as possible". The Labour leader was again asked about his party's stance on the Gaza conflict, after Labour has struggled to hold on to the support of some Muslim voters in local elections. "The best thing ... for everybody concerned is to press for that ceasefire immediately, straightaway," he said. "That has been our position for weeks and weeks and weeks and months." (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Susan Fenton and Alex Richardson) Palestinians inspect the damage to one of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) buildings in Gaza City. Omar Ishaq/dpa The UN's Palestinian aid agency on Sunday said all 36 of its shelters in the southern Gaza city of Rafah are "empty" due to Israel's continuing military operation. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) wrote on the social platform X that "thousands of families have been forced to flee." It said 1.7 million of Gaza's 2.2 million residents are now displaced in the central city of Khan Yunis and surrounding areas. "The humanitarian space continues to shrink," the agency added. Aid organizations have repeatedly warned that there is no safe place in the Gaza Strip amid Israel's ongoing operations in the territory, which began in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas. The latest advance by Israeli forces in Rafah has attracted huge international criticism, with aid agencies estimating that around 1 million civilians had taken refuge in the southern city, on the border to Egypt. The UN's International Court of Justice (ICJ) last week ordered Israel to immediately cease its operations in Rafah, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has so far failed to heed the ruling. Israel says Rafah is the last stronghold of Hamas fighters in Gaza, with some of the remaining Israeli hostages from the October 7 attacks believed to be in the network of tunnels under the city. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Residents in the 29th and Grove area are saying they are still being ignored regarding contamination from a chemical spill that happened decades ago. Union Pacific and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment held an open house Saturday to talk about the cleanup. Some residents of the area say with higher than normal levels of cancer in the area, cleanup officials are still not taking the health of residents in the area seriously by not getting more people out to the cleanup updates. Kansas man arrested for 4 crashes in 1 night But you made very little effort to engage the community, to inform the community, Autanae Bennett said. And get them to testing. Get them to meetings. And get them involved in whats going on. Saturdays meeting included updates on water well surveys to identify private water wells in the area that may be contaminated. They also talked about doing more indoor air testing to see if toxic vapors are present in homes in the contamination zone. To get more information and follow updates, visit this 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 KSN-TV. The only choice left to the American people: Send him to prison or back to the presidency - MARK PETERSON/AFP When the news of the Trump verdict came on the car radio, I almost had to pull over. My thought was: This is Fort Sumter. Just as when the South decided to shell a Northern-held fort in 1861, it felt like the no-turning-back, first shot fired in an inevitable civil war. Why was I so shocked? Weve known this was coming for weeks and the trials of Donald J Trump have barely moved the polls. But the American public has always said a conviction is important, for it changes the nature of the election. Two horrible things can be true at once. Trump governed intemperately, lost the 2020 election, refused to concede and, at the very least, was the inspiration for an insurrection on January 6, 2021. But its also accurate to say hes been the target of a conspiracy to deny him office. The Democrats had every chance to nominate a competent alternative in 2020. Instead they chose Joe Biden, a zombie who they couldnt persuade to stand aside in 2024. Far from uniting the country, he has put Trump back into contention. Uncertain they could beat him at the ballot box, the Democrats turned to the courts, attacking every conceivable aspect of his career from sex to business to his mishandling of White House paperwork across several states. The strategy was absurd. Its usually reserved for gangsters like Al Capone. So, no, I wasnt psychologically prepared for a conviction in New York because the case should never have been brought; tampering business records shouldnt have been linked to election influence; and Stormy Daniels should never have given testimony irrelevant to the case. It all seemed so preposterous. Legal experts now say its highly unlikely that the sentence, to be handed down on July 11, will include prison but if prison is possible, Id put money on it happening. Its clear that the goal of this exercise isnt to prove the banal point that no one is above the law. It is to stop Trump serving another full term. His campaign wont end; he might wind up running for president while being barred from voting. Trump has pledged to appeal: if he makes it to the White House, he cannot then pardon himself as this is a state case, not federal. By that point, Ms Daniels will be the least of his problems anyway. Three fresh criminal trials will probably have started. Trump is hoping the Supreme Court will excuse him from one; his powers of presidential self-pardon will be tested in the others. Either way, given how easy it was to convict him in New York on such silly charges, we can expect him to face ongoing, aggressive legal jeopardy. In short, the November election is crystalised in the mind as not about jobs or war, but a referendum on whether or not Trump should be in prison. Whatever the outcome, America will lose. Either it gets a president with a rap sheet, which would be a national humiliation, or Trump is defeated, cries fraud, does time and there is violence from his supporters. Those who think you can restore normalcy by locking him up are deluded. There was already a riot on January 6, which cast minds back to the worst of the 1960s or the racist Red Summer of 1919. Four presidents have previously been assassinated. White supremacists have blown up buildings and shot school kids. By comparing 2024 to the civil war of 1861-65, I risk not only hyperbole but sacrilege, for the great cause of slavery abolition is absent and the conflict is more difficult to define than Confederate v Union. But it is rural v urban, blue-collar v educated, Christian v secular, with issues such as abortion or immigration that determine identity and defy compromise. The two parts of the nation hate each other. Blame Trump for that, fine. But the Democrats have raised the stakes by calling him a wannabe dictator, implying that a second term would mark the end of the republic. And by now labelling him as a criminal, theyve put him totally beyond the pale. Why theres this special hate for him escapes me. The deadliest thing a president can do is go to war, yet Trump avoided it while George W Bush declared two, killed millions, and is apparently the acceptable face of the Republican Party. Reality is less important than perception. Trumps people attack Biden as a far-Left failure, yet hes copying Trumps policies at the border and the economy is going well. An irrationality is entering Western politics. A recent movie by Alex Garland, Civil War, depicts a United States torn into several factions and has been criticised for failing to say how the conflict started. But the fight is the point. All our mindless anger has to go somewhere, looking for the release valve of sanctioned violence, directed by the logic of wild rhetoric. In the 1850s, America witnessed prophetic killing at John Browns raid or Bleeding Kansas, but it was the election of 1860 that triggered all-out war because the South believed Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln was the devil and his victory an existential threat. Lincoln would have despised Trump, but also recognised in the present danger the death-wish that has haunted his country since its birth. Abe once observed that a country so blessed by geography and talent could never be conquered by outsiders. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Thousands of college students, many of them from the University of Oregon, left trash in and around the waters at Shasta Lake in California over the Memorial Day weekend. About 3000 students, including those from UC Davis, descended on Shasta Lake for an unsponsored and unsanctioned event, said Amelia Fleitz with the USDA Shasta-Trinity National Forest. The students left 17 bags of trash that took National Forest workers six hours to clean up, with more clean up expected as the lake levels drop. Among the items they expect to find when the lake drops are cups, water bottles and wrappers. Madison Beer to Yeat: Seven concerts to see in Portland this June This type of trash, when its left behind, it can just degrade the quality of the habitat for the fish and the wildlife and there is concern of wildlife ingesting the trash, Fleitz told KOIN 6 News. Trash left behind by UO students at Shasta Lake in California, May 2024 (USDA) Trash left behind by UO students at Shasta Lake in California, May 2024 (USDA) Trash left behind by UO students at Shasta Lake in California, May 2024 (USDA) Trash left behind by UO students at Shasta Lake in California, May 2024 (USDA) Amelia Fleitz, spokesperson USDA Shasta-Trinity National Forest, June 1, 2024 (KOIN) She said the scene was different when a group of Oregon State students camped over Mothers Day. At that event, about 40 students stayed behind an extra day and cleaned up their entire site. This kind of trash has happened a few times over the years, but there hasnt been any consideration of banning camping at Shasta Lake. Still, Fleitz has a request for the students and anyone else who camps at Shasta Lake. We encourage the students to use this as a learning opportunity and we encourage them on their future visits to national forests and lands that we ask them the same as all of our other visitors that they leave the recreation areas in a better condition than they found it and that will help the stewardship of the land for future generations, she said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. US should allow Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons against military targets in Russia ISW Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) believe that the United States should allow Ukraine to use US-supplied weaponry to strike all legitimate military targets in Russia's operational and deep rear. Source: ISW Details: Analysts say that the current absence of certainty about US restrictions regarding Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons to target military targets on Russian territory is a lost opportunity to deter further Russian offensive efforts across the border in Ukraine's north. Michael Carpenter, US National Security Council Director for Europe, said the US decision to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US weapons was not limited to Kharkiv Oblast. Meanwhile, Politico reported that US President Joe Biden secretly allowed Ukraine to strike Russian territory with US-supplied weapons, but only near the borders of Kharkiv Oblast. Analysts believe Carpenter's comments and Politico's report indicate ambiguity regarding the US explicitly authorising strikes on targets in Russia, despite hints of potential openness to expanding authorisations if Russian forces initiate offensive operations along other parts of the border. Due to this uncertainty from the United States, Ukraine is missing an opportunity to deter Russia's preparations for offensive operations across the northern border. Ukrainian officials have recently warned that Russia is also building up forces in Kursk and Bryansk oblasts (Russia) across the border in Sumy oblast, and ISW has previously estimated that even a limited grouping would have the desired effect of drawing and locking in Ukrainian troops in the area. Experts once again emphasise that the Kremlin may decide to launch offensive operations in various Ukrainian border oblasts outside Kharkiv Oblast if it considers that it can continue to move troops across the border without being exposed to the risk of Ukrainian attacks. Ukrainian forces would be forced to defend against such offensive operations before the US provides the clear authorisation necessary for cross-border strikes outside Kharkiv Oblast. The increased likelihood of other Russian offensives in Ukraine's north will require Ukrainian forces to reallocate existing resources to deterrence or defence, opening up opportunities for the Russians elsewhere along the war zone to exploit. "US clarity that Ukraine can use US-provided weapons against Russian ground forces concentrations in Russia that appear to be preparing for imminent cross-border operations would likely change Russian commanders' calculations about the wisdom of making such ostentatious preparations," the ISW reported. "ISW continues to assess that the US should allow Ukraine to strike all legitimate military targets in Russias operational and deep rear with US-provided weapons," analysts added. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 1 June: Russian forces conducted a large-scale drone and missile strike mainly targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure on the night of 31 May to 1 June. The current lack of clarity about US restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-provided weapons to strike military targets in Russian territory misses an opportunity to deter further Russian offensive efforts across the border into northern Ukraine. Individual Western governments are stipulating disparate policies about Ukraine's future use of Western-supplied F-16 fighter jets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged that some Ukrainian reserve brigades remain understrength and stated that the slow arrival of US security assistance is complicating Ukrainian efforts to effectively commit reserves to ongoing defensive operations. Russian forces recently marginally advanced near Kupiansk, Chasiv Yar, and Avdiivka. The Russian Ministry of Justice designated the "Way Home" social movement, a movement of relatives of mobilised Russian servicemembers that has been calling for their relatives' demobilisation, as a "foreign agent" on 1 June. Support UP or become our patron! Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik attend a trilateral meeting on sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore SEOUL/TOKYO (Reuters) - The United States, Japan and South Korea agreed to hold new trilateral joint exercises this summer, a joint statement issued by U.S Department of Defense said on Sunday, after a meeting of the three allies' defense ministers. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and South Korea's Defense Minister Shin Won-sik met on Sunday in Singapore on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit there. The three "committed to continue to strengthen trilateral cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula, the Indo-Pacific, and beyond," according to the statement. The three also agreed to establish a Trilateral Security Cooperation Framework this year in an effort to institutionalize their three-way defense cooperation. The top defense officials of the three countries criticized North Korea's recent launches of ballistic missiles and a military spy satellite using ballistic missile technology as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim in Seoul and Kaori Kaneko in Tokyo; Editing by Peter Graff) Video appears to show a MaxxPro armored vehicle resisting Russian attacks in Ukraine. The MaxxPro is part of the US Mine Resistant Ambush Protected program. The US supplied 200 MaxxPros to Ukraine last year. A Ukraine battlefield video appears to show a US-made MaxxPro armored vehicle resisting a series of direct Russian blasts. Despite experiencing at least three powerful explosions, the MaxxPro can be seen successfully weaving its way along a dirt track. The episode occurred in Chasiv Yar area in Ukraine's Donetsk Oblast, reports said, where fighting between Russia and Ukraine has been intense in recent months. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, said on X that the robust MaxxPro was being attacked with mortar and drone strikes. Business Insider could not independently verify where or when the footage was taken. Video of a Ukrainian MaxxPro MRAP surviving multiple UAV and mortar strikes in the Chasiv Yar area.https://t.co/4Kd6JKRwNh pic.twitter.com/WhnSphVu0x Rob Lee (@RALee85) May 31, 2024 The MaxxPro, designed by Navistar Defense and the Israeli company Plasan Sasa, is part of the US Military's Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) program. Ex-Design Director for Plasan Nir Kahn wrote on X, alongside the footage of the vehicle under fire, "I'm very proud of my involvement in the design of the Navistar MaxxPro MRAP. It's saved thousands of lives, now in Ukraine too." The MaxxPro was built to help protect soldiers in Iraq from improvised explosive devices, according to Navistar Defense 's website. It has a "V-shaped" hull that deflects blasts away from the crew and is designed "to withstand ballistic arms fire, mine blasts, IEDs, and other emerging threats." The vehicle has a seating capacity for 12 personnel. Its single turret houses a 7.62 or 12.7 mm machine gun and space for one gunner, Navistar says. MaxxPro mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicle heads out on patrol at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, July 28, 2009. US Department of Defense Last year, the US announced that it would send 200 vehicles to Ukraine as part of a military aid package. The vehicles have since proved crucial to Ukraine's war effort. In June last year, soldiers from Ukraine's 68th Jaeger Brigade became stranded as they tried to advance in the village of Blahodatne in Ukraine's southern Kherson region. While some were killed as they attempted to flee, others managed to escape in a MaxxPro despite facing heavy artillery fire. "The MaxxPros are like a red rag to the Russians. They target it with everything they have," Stepan, a Ukrainian fighter, told The Times. "But they are almost indestructible." One of the vehicles was hit by shelling and another by mortars, but "everyone inside survived. They truly saved our soldiers' lives," Stepan said. Dutch open-source intelligence website Oryx puts visually confirmed Ukrainian M1224 MaxxPro losses at 90. Read the original article on Business Insider Utah public charter school that has welcomed students the world over celebrates its 10th anniversary Students dance during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News It started about 13 years ago when a refugee father walked into the offices of Utahs State Charter School Board and informed the staff that refugee children needed a school. We want a school that is different for our kids. That parent is the one who who got this started and then it grew from there, said Amy Wylie, who at the time was working in the states Refugee Services Office and was among a small group of people who launched the school. On Friday, the school community celebrated Utah International Charter Schools 10th anniversary with an observance that included a fashion show, musical performances, literature readings, dance performances and food from the students home countries and cultures. Alumni Jonathan Amisi and Zamzam Ahmed addressed the schools students, faculty, staff and community members about what the school has meant to them. Amisi, born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, spoke, read and wrote only French when his family was resettled to Utah, and he started school at Utah International in 2017. Switching everything to English was hard, really, really hard, Amisi said. But I remember that every teacher here had my back. They supported me, he said, calling out his teachers by name. Many of those educators and administrators still work at the school. Last year, Amisi earned an associate degree in computer science from Salt Lake Community College. He is in the process of moving to San Diego to work in the tech industry. This school has made me who I am today, Amisi said. If you know that you want to do something big in your life, talk to your teachers, he said, addressing the students. Ahmed, who entered the public charter school as an ninth grader, shared that before relocating to Utah in 2013, her Somali refugee parents had enrolled her in a private school in South Africa. But it wasnt until she started at Utah International that she was in a learning environment among people that looked like me, spoke the same language and wore the hijab, a head covering worn by many Muslim girls and women. In South Africa, I was at a private school on a scholarship and I was the only Black student and only student wearing hijab, she said. On her first day at Utah International, Ahmed said she feared that she would be marginalized. But to her surprise, a teacher welcomed her with a traditional African greeting, which helped her feel at home. Ahmed said she thrived in small classes and with the encouragement of teachers who helped her to believe she could become whatever she wanted to be. She gained acceptance to four universities and received a full-ride scholarship to the University of Utah. She recently graduated from the U. with a bachelor of science of nursing. Next she plans to apply to medical school and serve on Utah Internationals charter school board. I hope to see Utah International grow into a much bigger school, she said. Principal Usha Narra is honored during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Principal Usha Narra said Utah International students have benefitted from a relatively stable faculty. Eight teachers, two paraprofessionals and three administrative staff members have worked at the school for more than eight years. People stay when they come here, she said. The faculty has become expert at explicit English instruction across every discipline taught at the school and its preparation of students for post-secondary education and the workforce. Narra said the school has no individual student desks. Students work at tables, which fosters collaboration skills. The school also strives to develop students critical-thinking skills and diverse global perspectives. Over the past decade, the school also weathered COVID disruptions, and in 2019 was identified for turnaround status due to low performance on state indicators. Such schools are provided additional resources with the expectation they improve academic achievement within three years or face other actions. Utah Internationals turnaround status was lifted by the Utah State Board of Education in fall 2022. The school emerged from those trials stronger. Among its 2019 graduates, 59% enrolled in higher education. In 2021, nearly one-third of its students earned a college scholarship and 97% completed college applications, according to the schools 2022 turnaround presentation to state education officials. The presentation also reflects that 6% of Utah International students had not attended any school before they enrolled at the Utah school. More than half of those who had attended school missed significant amounts of their prior school and 35% who attended Utah International during the 2021-22 academic year were in their first school year in the United States. Reflecting back on a decade, Narra said there is a lot to be proud of at Utah International Charter School, which occupies the former Granite District Hartvigsen School in South Salt Lake. She thanked parents, teachers, the schools inaugural principal Angela Rowland, community partners and the students themselves for their respective roles in the schools collective success. Students, past and present, are the heart of our school. You are all kind, youre respectful. You hold yourself to the highest values. Your curiosity, your grit, your determination to excel are an inspiration and drive us in creating an environment that allows us to help you grow into the leaders of tomorrow, she said. Utah International Charter School was founded with a mission to provide a rigorous and relevant education for secondary students, including recently arrived immigrants and refugees, Narra said. Over the years, weve become experts in working with new arrival students and in making rigorous content accessible to all students. Students experience explicit English language instruction in every single class. It doesnt matter if its math, PE or music. All teachers embed English language instruction into their curriculum. We are proud of the program that we built and consider ourselves to be the experts in this area, she said. The schools success also is a testament to the educators dedication and passion that has inspired and nurtured the lives of students every day, and you deserve our deepest thanks. Your commitment to excellence in education, your unwavering love and support for our students are the foundations upon which our school stands, Narra said. Board members are honored during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Mohammed Amiri applauds with classmates honoring staff during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Mohammed Amiri sings during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Ruth Ditona, Aline Muzuri, Amour Mayo, Belvie Nequinga, Kambai Djacobine, Nyakuer Akok Wal and Nikki Kanyange dance during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Students dance during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Michael Ndakola recites a speech during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Darya Barkesseh recites a speech during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Current students, alumni and staff applaud for staff during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Jonathan speaks during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Current students, alumni and staff gather for a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Current students, alumni and staff gather for a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Current students, alumni and staff gather for a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Students play basketball during a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News Students gather for a reunion to celebrate 10 years of the Utah International Charter School in Salt Lake City, on Friday May 31, 2024 | Marielle Scott, Deseret News This time, I was better prepared. I knew what to expect and leveraged my time better, all while having a ton of fun. This was my second time attending an in-person PyCon US. My first one was in 2019. I remember being awestruck by the ocean of people. I was glad that I had already attended DjangoCon US and some regional conferences. I recognized some people in the crowd, and it made it feel like a smaller event. I am thankful for and proud of my friend Mariatta (PyCon US Chair) who oversaw it. PyCon US 2024 was truly incredible. If you ever have the chance to attend, I highly recommend it. Disclaimer: the content of this post is a reflection of my career journey and not specific to my work at JPMorgan Chase & Co. After a busy day, I was tempted to get some cheap takeaway for supper, but I thought twice, and decided I should enjoy the best this city has to offer. So, I googled best restaurant in Pittsburgh. The top result was Fig & Ash , a short walk away. I went there and had an incredible meal. Standing on a bridge on the Allegheny River with a view of the downtown and one of the many other bridges This was my first time in Pittsburgh, and I didnt know what to expect. Downtown Pittsburgh, with its many steel bridges and brick buildings surrounded by riverfront, was a surprisingly gorgeous scene. I arrived on Wednesday, settled in, and immediately took some time to see the David L. Lawrence Convention Center and the downtown. At the Coiled booth, I learned about using Dask for parallel computing. Dask was a projects cited in the Measuring the performance of CPython. At the PostgreSQL community booth, I obtained some learning resources, including a paper version of PostgreSQL FAQs . As a fellow Lawrence native, Elizabeth seems to be hoping for a Lawrence Django conference as much as I am. :) I missed the Lawrence Technology Conference this year, but hope to make it next year at least, if there is one. At the Crunch Data booth, I met Elizabeth Garrett Christensen. I know of Elizabeth through the talks she has given at DjangoCon US: How to Be a Postgres DBA in a Pinch and Postgres Performance: From Slow to Pro . Crunch Data provides Enterprise PostgreSQL support, including fully managed Postgres as a Service. At Snowflake booth, I learned about Snowflake Quickstarts and using Snowflake tasks for orchestration. At MongoDB booth, I caught up with my friend Mark Smith (MongoDB) and obtained some learning resources from Rita Rodrigues (Director of Developer Relations at MongoDB). At the Oracle booth, Gary Brenner (Oracle Senior Cloud Engineer) told me about Oracle Cloud and self-managing Oracle databases. At the Edge DB booth, Yury Selivanov (Edge DB Co-founder) told me that Django will be supported in a few months and showed me the impressive performance improvement created by Edge DB. Looking forward to learning more! At Datadog booth, Julian Levi Hernandez (Datadog, formerly CockroachDB) gave me a demo of a dashboard using Cockroach audit logs to further drill down into metrics. In the Expo hall, I did a tour of database companies and other fun tools. The night finished with a bear hug from Carol Willing (CPython Core Developer, Python Steering Committee) who told me I am awesome. :) It was so good to see my friend Jess Garson (Elastic, formerly Twitter) at the Elastic booth and meet Philip Krenn (Elastic). Jess and I first met at PyGotham 2019, and she introduced me to many aspects of the Twitter Developer Program. :) I got to hang out with Meagan Voss (Wagtail) and Nic James (DjangoCon US 2019 Chair) and talk about our work. It was a pleasure to chat with Simon Willison (Django Co-founder) again briefly before he left to work on his keynote. I knew he would nail it. After years of following each other on social media, it was wonderful to meet Anthony Shaw (Microsoft) in person. Along with Iqbal Abdullah (LaLoka Labs, PyCon JP), we talked about the CPython Internals book Anthony wrote and my desire to understand CPython better. Anthony later suggested that I submit to the CfP next year, and I have to admit that its tempting. I gave my first conference talk at the first conference I ever attended. It was DjangoCon US 2017 in Spokane, Washington. I distinctly remember that Roger Masse (United States Senate) and Mark Lavin (Nvidia) attended my talk. At the PyCon US 2024 opening reception, while catching up with Jon Banafato (PyGotham Chair), I saw Mark walking by and couldnt resist stopping him to introduce myself and thank him years later for going to my first talk. :) View from the station at the bottom I had all of my travel plans in place to attend PyCon US 2020 in Pittsburgh and planned to ride the Duquesne Incline , but the in-person conference was canceled due to Covid. I finally had the chance to ride it! When I heard that the Heinz History Center has the Mister Rogers set, I had to go. On the way to the Andy Warhol Museum , I saw my friend Andy Knight (Automation Panda), and we walked there together. Andy had given a tutorial def test_crash_course_with_pytest(): . Although they were hard at work, I also got to see Deb Nicholson (Python Software Foundation Executive Director) for the first time again since DjangoCon US 2023, Ee Durbin (PSF Director of Infrastructure), Christopher Ngeuebauer (PSF Board Member), and Mariatta. :) It was good to chat with Mason Eggers (PyTexas Chair), Kevin Horn (Dallas Fortworth Pythoneers Co-founder and PyTexas Organizer), Josh Schneider (PyTexas Organizer), Andy Fundinger (Bloomberg), and Heather Crawford (Bloomberg) again so soon after seeing them at the wonderful PyTexas conference I attended in April. Andy and I first met at PyGotham, another one of my favorite conferences. As usual, Trey had an interesting gaggle of people around him that included Marie Roald and Yngve Mardal Moe ( Turtle Thread ) and Rodrigo Girao Serrao ( Python Math Teacher ). I was thrilled to catch up with some of my DjangoCon US friends: Afi Gbagado (DjangoCon US), Abigail Mesrenyame Dogbe (Technology Chief of Staff and Open Source Founder), Noah Alorwu (Marygold and Co.), Felipe de Morais (AfroPython), Jeff Triplett (RevSys, DEFNA Board Member), Eric Matthes (Author of Python Crash Course ), and Trey Hunner (Python Trainer, Python Morsels). I made a new friend Amanda Viera (AfroPython). Once inside, I soon saw Guido van Rossum (Python Creator and BDFL) walking nearby. He sat down next to me, and I had the chance to chat with him about life and work. I thanked him for spending the time, and he thanked me. Ive had the chance to spend time with him at three conferences now, and its always fun. The Python community is lucky to have a BDFL who actively engages with us and cares. I couldnt resist stopping at the convention center to see what was going on. As I was walking down the riverfront, I saw a man taking photos. He looked familiar. I was pretty sure we had been following each other on social media for a while. I couldnt resist approaching him. It was Peter Wang (Anaconda Co-founder). It was really fun to meet him, and I found out that he and my friend Andy Fundinger had been consultants at JPMorgan Chase years ago. I took the day off to sightsee. After my incredible meal on Thursday night at Fig and Ash, I wanted to do something simple for supper. Based on a tip from another conference attendee, I ended up across the street from the convention center at Condado Tacos . The food was pretty good, but the best part was sitting and chatting with Bloomberg Python Trainers Heather Crawford and Scott Irwin. I met Scott at PyGotham 2018 where I attended a talk he gave Dataclasses are here. Now what? . I met Heather at PyTexas 2024 where she did an awesome talk Python Code Versus Pythonic Code: What Experienced Developers Find Challenging About Learning Python , which she also gave at PyCon US. Abdur-Rahmaan Janhangeer (Python Usergroup of Mauritius (PyMUG)) and I have been following each other on social media for quite some time, but I didnt know what he looked like. Fortunately, he found me and gave me a wonderful gift of Chartreuse tea, the best selling tea in Mauritius. Thank you! Earlier this year, I created a page of favorite conference snapshots . Benedict Kofi Amofah (Python Ghana, DjangoCon US) tweeted to me that hed be in the gallery soon. I took him up on it. :) It was also a pleasure to meet Brianne Wilhelmi (Springboard) and Aaron Clark (Hamilton Beach) at lunch, and see Ashia Zawaduk (Muck Rack) again after PyCascades 2020. I found out that Julia Ferraioli (AWS Open Source) was at the conference. I was ecstatic and hurried over to meet her. I had hoped to meet Julia in person for years. In March of 2021, I reached the final round of a Twitter Open Source Program Manager interview process. I was disappointed when I was not offered the job, but later found out that I had been considered alongside Julie and was honored. In a twist of fate, in August of 2022, Julia kindly met with me via Zoom and gave me excellent career advice. I had the chance to say hello to Sarah Kuchinsky (PyCon US Organizer) for the first time since PyCon US 2019. She was recently the technical reviewer for Al Sweigarts great book about recursion called The Recursive Book of Recursion . I really enjoyed it! It was great to see Andrew Godwin (Django Async Architecture) and Dave Forgac (PyOhio) again. I saw Pablo and Barry together at the PyCon US 2024 Opening Reception. It was wonderful to be able to share with them five years later how my career has taken off. At PyCon US 2019, Pablo Galindo Salgado (CPython Release Manager, Bloomberg) was one of the first people I met as a wide-eyed newcomer. It was the Thursday night before the conference talks began, and I was at the conference hall for the swag stuffing, which is a great place to meet people. Scientists had recently photographed a black hole for the first time. Pablo, a physicist, invited me to a table nearby where he demoed some Python astronomy software for me. I later met Barry Warsaw (Python Steering Committee, Nvidia) at the sprints and talked to him about my career. At the time, I was a part-time open source maintainer of Pinax. Things you can do to help Black Python devs had a goal of sponsoring seven local conferences in Black communities and hoped to raise $5,000 at PyCon US. They raised over $15,300 from 282 donations. Say it loud. Everything they do is out in the open, proudly showing up for each other, saying, weve got this, and celebrating. Supporting a Django Girls event that gave not just Black women devs, but Black girls a wonderful first interaction with the Python community Convening leaders from across the globe at conference lunchtime to help understand the situation happening in Africa and what could be done to assist Converting community sponsorship into tickets for first time attendees who are Black Python Devs members Facilitating four leaders traveling to their first PyCon US The Python community can extend the reach further and Black Python Devs can help change perceptions in communities. The leadership model is diversity by inclusion. Global leaders are represented at the table: from many countries, speaking different languages, 50/50 gender parity. Its members are people who are already around you in PSF, DFS, Djangonauts, Pylades, DjangoGirls. Because the community came from Africa, its leaders do too. They are now officially a non-profit powered by the GNOME Foundation. Five members launched a discord. There are 427 members now. Their only plan was to be there for each other. Jay started working behind the scenes to get as many Black people as possible to PyCon US 2023. There were 3x more than in 2022. They were able to be in the same room together and talk about the experiences they have as Black Python devs that others cant comprehend, not about how to increase diversity. Jay listened to people in the community who had experience running non-profits, starting communities, running conferences: Marlene, Dawn, Kojo. He needed to make the community safe, equitable, accessible. This goes beyond a code of conduct to issues that Black people think about everyday like physical safety in public. He also wants to prevent burnout. Jay decided to create something that would serve as a Wakanda for Black Python devs. Something that would be worth staying for. Its called Black Python Devs . Jay asked, how do we get more black people to experience the PyCon community, build friendship, and become repeat attendees? Many people go to conferences to hang out with their friends. If you dont have that kind of experience, theres no reason to attend. Jay was happy to not be the first Black person keynoting PyCon US. But, at PyCon US 2022, Jay counted only 12 Black people among thousands. He talked to them. They had to have a reason to be there. He thought of the keynoters who came before him. They came, they spoke, they left. He wondered if the juice wasnt worth the squeeze. Jay talked about beautiful moments from DjangoCon US 2023 in Durham, North Carolina: Black leaders, from all around the world, getting on stage, getting in front of their booths. They showed up and showed out for who they were. Jay knows two staff developer advocates who are Black and he is one of them. When he sees another Black developer on stage, its not just another Pythonista. At breakfast, I met Loren Crary (PSF) for the first time after following each other on social media for quite some time and saw Al Sweigart (Author of Automate the Boring Stuff with Python ), one of my favorite authors and presenters, again. I also finally met Tania Allard (Quansight, formerly Microsoft) and learned more about her work, including consulting at JPMorgan Chase. It was a pleasure to meet Daniel Graham (SauceLabs) and Jing Cao (National Microbiome Data Collaborative), too. Breakfast Koushik Krishnan (Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB Engineer) gave his talk Rest Easy with Jupyrest: Deploy notebooks as web services at PyTexas. When I saw during the talk that he works on Microsoft Azure Cosmo DB, I was keen to meet him and did. He gave the talk at PyCon US too. It was a pleasure to have the chance to chat with him about different databases over breakfast. I also had the chance to promote Bar Camp Philly, organized by Tim Allen and now Dawn Wages wife. back to top Simon Willison Keynote Simon talked about Large Language Models such as Chat GPT, Google Gemini, Claude, and Llama. He does not think of them as Artificial Intelligence. He thinks of them as Imitation Intelligence. They predict the next word in a sentence. When they get good at that, its spooky what they can do. He acknowledged that they are flawed, but just because a tool is flawed, doesnt mean its not useful. When evaluating a new technology, Simon asks, what can I build with this that I couldnt have built with it before? LLMs open up new options unlike anything he has ever seen. How can we tell which of these models works best? Vibes. Simon recommends using LMSYS Org Chatbot Arena. You vote on which model gave the best response to a prompt, then they are scored using Elo rating system. Simon is relieved, because openly licensed models are beginning to rank. LLMs can be run on smartphones now, even with no internet connection. An app called MLC Chat will give you access to Mistral, one of the best openly licensed models. Simon has deep respect for what is known as prompt engineering. Its not easy to get LLMs to do what you want them to do. Building something simple is easy. Building something production ready can take months and is much harder than people expect. A few tricks Chat prompting Retrieval Augmented Generate (RAG) Function calling (tools) in a loop Simon coined the term Prompt Injection after SQL Injection. He believes that we are not seeing digital assistants, because no one knows how to build them securely. 99% effective isnt good enough. Never mix untrusted text with access to tools. Simon showed how he gave the LLM a GeoJSON file with different line segments and prompted it to turn it into a single polygon. This side project took 3 1/2 minutes to complete Simon showed how he had created a counter that incremented each time he said AI or artificial intelligence. It took 6 minutes to get to prototype and 20 minutes to get it polished. Simon walked through how he passed structured data from the PSF Board Resolutions page into an LLM to parse it into a structured data table that could be filtered. He used a plugin he had been developing called llm.datasette.io. Simon has been able to use LLM to more quickly build things that he couldnt justify spending the time to build by hand. Tips Ask it to give options (its more likely to give a better answer) It will rarely get the answer right. Ask it to do better. LLMs make mistakes. Its up to you to verify. The tool gets you 90% of the way there. Rather than Generative AI, Simon likes to think of these tools as Transformative AI. Personal AI ethics: Simon came across the term slop and likes it. Similar to spam, ask yourself, am I creating unwanted junk or am I using these tools in a responsible way? Simon pondered if using LLMs is cheating. We care if students cheat, because it hurts them and they have an unfair advantage. LLMs feel different. Simons whole career has been about getting things done more quickly, including by using open source code. A few rules of thumb Never commit any code that you couldnt actively explain to someone else LLMs are good at explaining code. Give it code in a language you dont understand and it will explain it with 90% accuracy Then, help people understand how you did it! He said software engineers are uniquely positioned to take advantage of LLMs, because LLMs are good at generating code, and you can check the code by running it. Simon is optimistic. You need to have a CS degree or spend a lot of time learning to do the simplest of computer tasks. LLMs opens programming up to a much wider community. Simon believes that we have a responsibility to not leave anyone behind. back to top Hallway Track It was wonderful to see Moshe Zadka at PyTexas where he gave a talk Iterate, iterate, iterate and again at PyCon US where he gave me a Moleskin journal from Anthropic for recording convo starters for next-generation AI assistant Claude. Moleskin from Moshe At DjangoCon US 2023, Marc Gibbons gave a wonderful talk called Empathetic testing: Developing with compassion and humility. Not only was it his first conference talk, but after 44 chemo treatments, 15 fractions of radiation, and a stem cell transplant to treat Hodgkin Lymphoma, he had been given a clean bill of health the week before. It was wonderful to have the chance to catch up with him at PyCon US. back to top Overcoming GIL with subinterpreters and immutability Yury Selivanov showed a screen with a single Python process running 10 async IO event loops saturating the 10 CPU cores on his laptop, all sharing memory and exchanging values between them from 1 million keys and values and done fairly efficiently. Yury said it is possible to build fast things with Python. Yury kind of likes the GIL. When he tries to do free-threading or multi-thread programming, bad things happen. Free-threading will take a couple of years to be stable. Python subinterpreters are relatively new. You can run these subinterpreters in the same process, side-by-side, isolated from each other, each with its own GIL and occupying one CPU core, sharing the same memory space. One of the subinterpreters will be the main one and will spawn workers and perhaps can have queues between workers and spawn tasks. What if we could safety share state between the subinterpreters with the potential for lots of it and without using pickle, because its slow? Safe shared state no pickle Yury has created a minimal library called memhive that enables efficient data sharing between isolated subinterpreters. He showed a code snippet. Architecture Level 1: simple protocol that enables you to send Python data across subinterpreter boundary Level 2: higher level API (queues and sychronization primitives) Level 3: async IO bridge Create memhive and define the async workers that will be running in each separate subinterpreter, each with its own async IO loop. They can access shared state, listen to messages, send messages, spawn worker subinterpreters. The main interpreter will initialize the shared state, broadcast signals to all subinterpreters, push work so that one starts working on a task, listen to messages. Rather than how it works, Yury felt it was more important to talk about how its implemented. 3 things to talk about Immutability Efficient immutability How we can benefit from it Immutability Python has immutable types: str, int, floates, bytes, tuples You cannot change an existing object. You have to create a new object out of the existing object. There is no immutable dictionary or mapping in CPython, which Yury says is a shame. Efficient immutability Creating a new tuple out of an existing one is efficient (O(n)), but you are not usually dealing with a lot of records. The same inefficiency would be very bad for a dictionary, because we are potentially putting millions of items in them. Dictionaries can be used as caches, but rebuilding it every time would be unacceptably slow. Fortunately smart people created a nice algorithm that can implement this with O(log n) The trick Yury would show used trees behind the scenes. As keys and values are added to an empty root node of the tree, when a key conflict happens, another node on the second level is created and the key is added to it instead. The tree will get bigger and bigger as items are added. Linking a second level node by reference Imagine that we want to mutate this tree. We run the algorithm to figure out where to put the key, then need to copy the root node (its immutable, so we cant mutate it). This is where the magic happens. We dont have to copy the second level of the tree. We can re-use it. We just need the reference. In a mapping with billions of keys, perhaps five nodes out of 10,000 change. This is called structured sharing. The algorithm is called HAMT (Hash Array Mapped Trie). Yury implemented it in the Python Standard Library. It can be found in contextvars module. The hamt.c file has a 200 line comment explaining in detail how this data structure works. How we can benefit from it All subinterpreters run in the same OS process so they share the same memory space If we want to access this tree from the main subinterpreter, we just look into the memory directly. It is immutable and will not change. If we want to add a key, we dont have to copy the entire tree, we just create the missing new branches and reference others If we have a tree with billions of keys, we just create a couple of tree nodes in a worker subinterpreter, the rest can be re-used. Key: using immutable things, we can access the underlying memory safely without locks, as long as we can guarantee that the data would not be garbage collected. memcopy is used and is really fast. Create tree nodes in the worker subintrepreter and re-use the rest Yury performed a benchmark. Structured sharing is significantly faster than using pickle, potentially 6x to 150,000x faster. Yury talked about some of the implementation details icluding incref and decref. incref keeps Python objects alive when the ref count goes to zero. The data sharing mechanism has to guarantee safety. The hard part of this is implemented in memhive, but some bugs need to be fixed. Do not use it in production. Yury is building this for Edge DB to optimize cloud deployments. back to top Measuring the performance of CPython Measuring the Performance of CPython by Michael Droettboom (Microsoft CPython Performance Engineering Team, Faster CPython Team) I did not watch this full talk, because I left early to go to the PSF Members Luncheon. A few key takeaways from what I did watch: The Faster CPython Team has made Python 3.11 20-60% faster depending on what you are doing This talk was born out of a need to benchmark in order to determine if they were working on the right things to impact Python performance In the Python world, benchmarks are in pyperformance suite (a little over 100 benchmarks, some 30 or 40 years old) Not all benchmarks are created equal Other projects that have aimed to make faster Pythons over the years Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach has a useful chapter for looking at benchmarks and categorizing what they are useful for Toy benchmarks: simple, less than 100 lines of code, cool, but not a common use case Real applications: take some code that runs in production, maybe on a massive scale and running it in a benchmark suite Microbenchmarks (not in the textbook): measuring a narrow feature of the language Sub-topics of real applications benchmarks: Modified application: change it slightly to make it better as a benchmark Application kernel: taking one subsystem of application and benchmarking that specifically back to top PSF Members Luncheon I attended the PSF Members Luncheon. I sat at a table that included Naomi Cedar (Author of The Quick Python Book), Tres Seaver (Zope), Chris Brousseau (PyBay), and Phebe Polk (PyBay Piggies). I really enjoyed the presentation. At the luncheon, I had the chance to chat with Jannis Leidel (Anaconda) again. At PyCon US 2019, I met him serendipitously while I was working at the PyLadies booth. Once upon a time, he worked on Pinax, an open source library that I later helped maintained. I was able to learn more about the history of the project from him. I later went over to Hynek Schlawack (prolific open source maintainer) who remembered we had met at PyGotham 2019 where I attended a talk he gave! While chatting with him, he introduced me to Hugo van Kemenade, the CPython 3.14 and 3.15 Release Manager. It was very cool to meet him, and it turns out that he maintains Pillow package. I am a big fan of Pillow. I used it to create my Twitter art bot which is very special to me. :) back to top Profile Pic My friend Melanie Arbor (OReilly Media) takes great profile pics. At DjangoCon US 2017, she took my pic, and I loved it. Ive used it as my social media profile pic since then, but its getting a bit dated. I saw her at PyCon US and asked her if she would be willing to take a new profile pic of me. It turned out that she had already created a Profile Pic Palooza open space for Saturday at 3 pm. As a bonus, I got to catch up with Chalmer Lowe (Google) for the first time since PyCon 2019. New profile pic :) back to top Juggling Not only does Ned Batchelder (coverage.py Maintainer) maintain a powerful Python package and give popular conference talks (check out People: The API Users Guide), he is also a juggling enthusiast. When I saw his juggling open space in progress, I couldnt resist stopping. I juggled for the first time in probably decades! It was also great to catch up with Paul Ganssle (Google, CPython Core Dev, pytz maintainer), and meet Rob Ludwick (Bank of NY Mellon) and William Higgins (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). Video of me juggling! back to top Hallway Track and Expo Hall It was great to see Jacob Kaplan-Moss (early Django Engineer) and Frank Wiles (RevSys, former DSF President) again. I saw Glyph Kefkowitzs badge and immediately knew he was probably the same Glyph (Twisted Project Leader) Id come across on social media. I learned more about Twisted when Amber Brown gave a keynote at DjangoCon US US 2019 The Natural State of Computers. Glyph and I talked about the role of Twisted in the async world and the possibility of using Twisted for async orchestration. Speaking of my DjangoCon US 2017 talk, Russell Keith-Magee (Beeware Founder, former DSF President, prolific public speaker) was my speaker mentor at the time. At PyCon US 2024, I had the chance to catch up with him before the PyLadies Auction. I congratulated him on the acceptance of PEP 730: Adding iOS as a supported platform. Python now runs on iOS without a patch! Russells Beeware Project enables you to write an app in Python and release it on multiple platforms, including desktop and mobile! Check out his PyCon US 2019 Python Black Swans Keynote) and many Beeware talks. back to top On Wednesday, the Veterans Administration announced that veterans will not need to pay copays on their first three outpatient mental health care and substance use disorder visits each year through 2027. The exemption is retroactive to June 27, 2023, and is in effect until December 29, 2027. Veterans who visited a qualified mental health professional at a VA facility or network provider prior to the announcement will automatically receive a refund for those first three appointments. No action will be required on the veterans part. We want every Veteran, regardless of their financial status, to have access to the mental health care they deserveand thats what this copayment exemption is all about, Denis McDonough, VA Secretary said. We are constantly working to expand access to mental health care, and we wont rest until every veteran has access to care whenever and wherever they need it. According to the press release, the VA has hired over 9000 mental health positions that include psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, licensed professional mental health counselors, peer support specialists, mental health nurses, and mental health physician assistants including 2,000 hires during fiscal year 2024. The copay exemption benefit is part of the Cleland-Dole Act of 2022. For more information on mental health care at the VA, visit the mental health website. 'Very good' meeting with US defense secretary in Singapore, Zelensky says President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a "very good" meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on June 2. According to a post from Zelensky on social media, the pair discussed "the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine's air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement." I met with U.S. @SecDef Lloyd Austin on the margins of the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. We discussed the key issues: the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine's air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement. I am grateful to pic.twitter.com/alXTbe1Nmm Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) June 2, 2024 The meeting came after it was confirmed by the White House that it lifted the ban on the use of some U.S. weapons by Ukraine against Russian territory near Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. Ukraine is still banned from using long-range ATACMS missiles against Russian territory. Zelensky arrived in Singapore on June 1 for the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference and meetings with high-ranking foreign officials, just one day after his visit to Stockholm for the third Nordic-Ukrainian summit. Security assistance for Ukraine is expected to be one of the key issues discussed at this year's conference, which is organized annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an independent think tank. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is also scheduled to join the event. The U.S. will soon finalize a bilateral security agreement with Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported on May 30, citing sources. Over 30 countries have joined the Group of Seven (G7) Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine so far. The U.K., Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Canada, the Netherlands, Finland, Latvia, Belgium, and Portugal have already signed bilateral agreements with Kyiv. Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, said earlier in May that "tangible progress" had been made on a similar agreement with the U.S. Read also: FT: US close to signing bilateral security agreement with Ukraine as relations fray Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Warden at Waupun prison, subject of lawsuits and federal smuggling probe, steps down The warden at Waupun Correctional Institution, a facility that is the subject of lawsuits and a federal investigation into a suspected smuggling conspiracy, has stepped down. Randall Hepp announced his resignation in an email to prison staff Tuesday, the Wisconsin State Journal first reported. A spokesperson for the state Department of Corrections told the Associated Press that Hepp retired, rather than resigned. In the email, Hepp said Brad Mlodzik, who previously worked as a deputy warden, will take over on June 30. Hepp praised employees for helping to improve safety and conditions in the prison. Waupun has been the subject of a federal probe after a DOC sweep last summer uncovered banned items, including cell phones, drugs and other contraband. Five prison employees have resigned or been fired since the investigation began. The state placed 11 employees on administrative leave. The smuggling allegations came at a time when the state's correctional system was under fierce scrutiny from families of Waupun prisoners after a series of in-custody deaths and an extended locked-down period that lasted for nearly all of last year. Dean Hoffmann, 60, died by suicide last June. His family has filed a lawsuit alleging prison staff were deliberately indifferent to Hoffmann's serious mental health needs. The lawsuit says prison workers failed to give him his prescribed bipolar and antidepressant medications more than three-quarters of the time. More: 'I need answers': Mother of Waupun prisoner who died of rare stroke files federal lawsuit In October, 30-year-old Tyshun Lemons died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl. In March, Cameron Williams, 24, died of a rare stroke and fellow prisoners have accused prison workers of ignoring his pleas for help before his death. The DOC is also facing a class action lawsuit, alleging cruel and unusual conditions at Waupun. The department's secretary, Kevin Carr, stepped down in March and was replaced late last month by the deputy secretary, Jared Hoy. Vanessa Swales contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Warden at Waupun prison, which is under federal probe, steps down An apartment building collapsed in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Sunday, killing one person and injuring eight, authorities said. The collapse renewed fears about the resilience of buildings in a city prone to earthquakes. TV images showed firefighters shifting rubble by hand from the flattened five-storey building in Kucukcekmece, on the citys European side. Seven people were initially pulled from the debris, including two who were seriously injured, said Davut Gul, Istanbuls governor, while visiting the scene. His office later said one more injured person was rescued and a body was recovered. The governorship said the 36-year-old structure collapsed at 8.40am (5.40am GMT). The cause was not immediately clear but there was no sign of an explosion or seismic activity. Only the top two floors were being used as residences, with the rest of the building occupied by businesses. Search and rescue operations in the rubble of a building that collapsed in the Kucukcekmece district of Istanbul - Oguz Yeter/Anadolu via Getty Images from a camera across the street showed passengers waiting to board a bus at the time of the collapse narrowly escaping being struck by falling debris. Mehmet Ozhaseki, the Turkish urbanisation minister, posted on X, formerly Twitter, that the apartments had been built without complying to standards and additional storeys had been illegally added later. Ali Yerlikaya, the interior minister, meanwhile, said two people the buildings owner and the owner of a restaurant on the ground floor had been detained. Speaking to journalists at the site, he identified the fatality as a Turkmenistan national, as were several others living in the building. More than 59,000 people were killed last year when a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck parts of southern Turkey and neighbouring Syria. The disaster highlighted the poor enforcement of building regulations in Turkey. Istanbul, with an official population of 16 million, lies near the North Anatolian Fault. A 1999 earthquake centered to the south of the city killed at least 18,000 people. The municipality has said there are 200,000 buildings housing three million people that are in urgent need of improvement. 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. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump said Roger Fortson was executed and that the VP conveyed to his mother what a great debt we owed to her for giving us this American patriot. Vice President Kamala Harris placed a 20-minute phone call to Chantimekki Fortson, the mother of Roger Fortson, the 23-year-old U.S. Airman killed by a Florida officer on May 3. According to civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the Fortson family, the vice president offered words of sympathy and encouragement to the grieving mother of the deceased senior airman. During an interview on The Hill with April Ryan, Crump praised Harris for using the Office of the Vice President to support the families of and speak out against an epidemic of police brutality against Black and brown Americans. The lawyer known as Black Americas Attorney General condemned the shooting death of Fortson, who he described as a patriot and law-abiding citizen. Fortson was fatally shot six times at his off-base residence by former Okaloosa County sheriffs deputy Eddie Duran, who responded to a domestic call at the wrong apartment. Duran was later fired by the sheriffs department. In the shootings aftermath, Crump tells theGrio that Fortsons mother and family are devastated by his death. Vice President Harris called the family on Thursday while traveling on Air Force Two before her commencement speech at the Air Force Academy. Crump said Fortson was executed and that the VP conveyed to Chantimekki Fortson, What a great debt we owed her for giving us this American patriot. Harris also encouraged the Fortson matriarch to seek professional mental health services as she grieves. Among many issues on the vice presidents White House portfolio of priorities is a focus on mental health services for those traumatized by gun violence. Recommended Stories More must-reads: During a special edition of theGrios The Hill with April Ryan, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley says Donald Trumps guilty verdict is one step in the right direction of accountability. U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., spoke exclusively to theGrio on the 34-count felony conviction of former President Donald Trump. During a special edition of The Hill with April Ryan, the progressive congresswoman, who refers to Trump as the former occupant of the White House, said the ruling is one step in the right direction of accountability. However, after the conviction handed down in a New York courthouse, Trump called the verdict disgusting and rigged in multiple instances while talking to the press. Several Republican leaders have defended the Republican presidential candidate, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La. A former Obama Justice Department official, who spoke to theGrio anonymously, called their remarks an attack in essence on the rule of law, adding that it was dangerous. Donald Trump is not someone being politically persecuted. Give me a break, Pressley adamantly offered. Sentencing for Trump is slated for July 11 days before the Republican National Convention, where he is expected to receive the partys nomination officially. In the meantime, Trump vows to appeal the jurys decision. As Trump supporters express outrage over his conviction, many say they are concerned about potential violence, particularly after the Jan. 6 insurrection. Congresswoman Pressley, who was inside the Capitol during the insurrection, tells theGrio of her memory that day: I am always concerned about the rhetoric of Donald Trump who it insights and emboldens. Recommended Stories More must-reads: A crew member walks near a broken water transmission line, Saturday, June 1, 2024, in Atlanta. Much of Atlanta, including all of downtown, has been without water since Friday afternoon after crews began work to repair breaks on transmission lines in the downtown area. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) ATLANTA (AP) Water pressure was returning to downtown Atlanta and nearby neighborhoods on Sunday after a two-day water outage shut down businesses and left faucets dry at many homes. A large swath of the city remained under an order to boil water before drinking it, but Mayor Andre Dickens said in a late Saturday news conference that one of the two major water main breaks affecting the city had been repaired. The first-term Democratic mayor, who faces reelection in 2025, was again apologetic, even as residents continued to savage the city's response. Among the critics: Megan Thee Stallion, whose Friday and Saturday night shows at downtown's State Farm Arena were canceled. Call the mayor! All day theyve been telling us we can perform, the rapper said in a video she posted Saturday. The city said Dickens visited senior centers and other locations Sunday to check on water supplies, while the city continued to hand out bottled water at some fire stations. The outage did not affect the entire city of 500,000 many areas in Atlanta's northern and southern ends never lost water pressure and never faced a boil order. State Farm Arena management said Megan Thee Stallion's Friday night show would take place on Sunday, while the Saturday show was rescheduled for Monday. Other events downtown happened on schedule Sunday, including an Atlanta United soccer match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Centennial Olympic Park turned back on its fountains, where children often splash in bathing suits. Two affected hospitals said they were still providing bottled water to patients, but said they were otherwise ramping back up to normal operations, with regular schedules of surgeries and appointments planned for Monday. Department of Watershed Management Commissioner Al Wiggins Jr. told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that boil orders could be lifted in some areas Monday. The problems began Friday morning where three large water mains intersect just west of downtown. Wiggins said at a Saturday news conference that at least some of the pipes that burst were old and corroded. With pipes coming together in a confined area, it was a tight squeeze to make repairs, with only one worker at a time working in the manhole accessing the junction. Repairs were completed Saturday evening, officials said. Another water main later burst in the city's Midtown neighborhood, which is studded with new office, hotel and apartment towers. Wiggins said Saturday that officials weren't sure yet why that pipe had broken. That leak continued to gush through the city streets Sunday. City officials said Saturday that they were working on ways to isolate the leak from the larger water system and were awaiting a part needed to repair to the pipe. Dickens declared a state of emergency so the city could buy materials and hire workers without following the normal purchasing laws. Faltering infrastructure is a common story in older parts of American cities. Atlanta has spent billions in recent years to upgrade its aging sewer and water infrastructure, including a tunnel drilled through 5 miles of rock to provide the city more than 30 days of stored water. Last month, voters approved continuing a 1-cent sales tax to pay for federally mandated sewer upgrades. The city at one time routinely dumped untreated sewage into creeks and the Chattahoochee River. City workers spent much of Saturday handing out water and setting up portable toilets at several fire stations while checking on senior citizens who live in high-rise residences. Officials were widely criticized for being slow to update citizens on the situation. The city and its water management department sent out an update after 8 p.m. Friday and waited more than 12 hours to update residents again. Dickens didn't address the media until 2 p.m. Saturday, explaining he was in Memphis, Tennessee, when the problem began. Someone in the affected area posted flyers around the neighborhood asking Don't have water? and Help us find our mayor. Some attractions and businesses, including the Georgia Aquarium, reopened on Sunday, although the aquarium warned that the boil water order meant no ice or fountain drinks in its cafeteria. North Carolina State Capitol Photo: Clayton Henkel Senior homeowners seek tweaks to states property tax relief program an image showing small human dolls sitting an an ascending stack of coins By Greg Childress Fast-rising home values, gentrification present big challenges for older residents on fixed incomes In 1982, Mary Patrica Stumpf and her husband Dale bought a home in North Raleigh for $80,000. Forty-two years later, the house on a half-acre in the pricey Country Club Hills community is valued at more than a $1 million. To the casual eye, Stumpf is winning. But such big increases in property value are not always a blessing for aging, retired residents. As property values rise, so do city and county taxes. [Read more...] NC Democratic leaders call on GOP colleagues to address looming childcare crisis young children on a chalk covered patio By Ahmed Jallow North Carolina Democratic legislative leaders called on their Republican colleagues in the General Assembly Thursday to expand funding for childcare providers as federal grant money that helped centers weather the pandemic is set to expire this summer. Childcare providers and state officials have been urging lawmakers to address the funding gap, warning that without intervention, hundreds of facilities may be forced to shut down. [Read more] Trump found guilty on 34 felony counts in NY hush money trial Trump exits the courthouse By Ashley Murray Jurors in New York state court on Thursday found Donald Trump guilty on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star ultimately to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president wrapped up in Manhattan, marking an extraordinary moment in American history not only for a former leader, but for one who is seeking to again hold the Oval Office. Trump, the Republican Partys presumed 2024 presidential nominee, is now a convicted felon. [Read more...] North Carolina Republicans rush to defend Trump following guilty verdict on 34 felony counts By Clayton Henkel Hours after a New York jury found Donald Trump guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to ultimately influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election, Republicans politicians in North Carolina continued to defend the former president. Gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, who Trump has endorsed, called the trial a sham. The Democrats know they cant beat President Trump at the polls so they weaponize our government against him, said Robinson on his Twitter/X account.[Read more] Avian influenza gene found in Forsyth County wastewater discharge; dairy cattle suspected source Dairy cows eating in a barn By Lisa Sorg Detection doesnt mean there is infectious H5N1 virus in wastewater, county health officials say This story has been updated to reflect a third farmworker contracted H5N1, in Michigan, on May 30, according to the CDC. A gene found in a strain of avian influenza H5N1 was detected in industrial discharge from the Forsyth County/ Winston-Salem wastewater treatment plant last month, scientists found, coinciding with an outbreak in a herd of dairy cattle in west-central North Carolina. [Read more] Low-wage states with cheap housing dominated the post-pandemic jobs boom the city of Raleigh skyline By Tim Henderson More than half of the nations jobs created in the past five years have come in two states: Texas and Florida. Theyre at the forefront of a job creation revolution in which states with lower wages and a lower cost of living are gaining the highest share of new jobs, according to a new Stateline analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. North Carolina came in fourth.[Read more] Legislators examine how to fast-track hiring amid chronic staffing shortages a "help wanted" sign By Clayton Henkel Even before the short legislative session got underway, North Carolina legislators heard repeatedly from state agencies about double-digit vacancies and the struggle to fill openings. The State Employees Association of North Carolina (SEANC) has noted that low pay has sent some workers looking for work in the private sector, leaving those remaining under stress and an ever-increasing workload. On Tuesday, the Senates State and Local Government Committee took an initial step in improving the state hiring process by advancing House Bill 223/OSHR/Various SHRA Changes. [Read more.] On World No Tobacco Day, a renewed push to curb e-cigarette use by NC youth a young woman vapes while a smiling friend looks on By Clayton Henkel Tricia Howard never expected her son would take up vaping. As the lead nurse for Durham Public Schools, she knew firsthand the addictive nature of e-cigarettes and the harms nicotine can pose for adolescents. But when Howard found a vape cartridge in her sons room, she confronted him and heard a story thats all too familiar with teen smokers.[Read more...] Protecting the right to protest is how we protect democracy in North Carolina (commentary) Two protesters By Dawn Blagrove and Melissa Price Kromm Vibrant, effective protest movements throughout American history have helped secure the rights and freedom we now take for granted. Without the Civil Rights Movement, for instance, our -children who are Black and white would not be able to attend school together nor receive equal access to quality books or facilities. Everything from the five-day work week to protections for immigrants to marriage equality were won with the help of community-driven protest movements. In North Carolina today, our state legislators are counting on us to forget the successful history of protest in this country, along with the First Amendment, so that they can vote against democracy. [Read more] UNCs retreat on DEI is emblematic of a simple truth the right refuses to see (commentary) an array of paper face cutouts is a variety of colors By Rob Schofield There was a time in American history, after the Revolution and prior to the Civil War, in which many white Americans North and South said it was unnecessary to affirmatively combat slavery or seek to restrict it because it was an obsolete institution that would eventually wither and die on its own. Thankfully, this was not a view shared by abolitionists or, ultimately, President Abraham Lincoln and other union supporters, who eventually came to realize that abolition was the great and ultimate purpose of the Civil War. [Read more] The post Weekend reads: Tax relief, avian influenza, and UNCs retreat on DEI appeared first on NC Newsline. WESTLAKE Steven and Brooke Robertson were among Westlakes first residents, moving from West Palm Beach into the countys newest city nearly six years ago. And they have no regrets. They and their two children, along with hundreds of other residents, enjoyed a communitywide party Saturday called Westlake Fest, which was held to celebrate the city's growing population and showcase the commercial developments rising along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. In fact, according to data, Westlake is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. The free event at the Town Center Parkway featured accordionist and vocalist Dwayne Dopsie and his New Orleans band, the Zydeco Hellraisers. Dopsie is known for his Grammy-nominated album "Top of The Mountain" and his energetic live shows. He recently performed with the Rolling Stones at this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. The event included several booths for kids, including one for face-painting. Steven and Brooke Robertson at Westlake Fest on Saturday, June 1, 2024. The Robertsons were early arrivals to Palm Beach County's newest city. You cant beat this, said Steven Robertson. It is all part of a real sense of community that has developed." More: How Westlake is growing: Festival on Saturday is city's first party since before COVID Dorothy Desrosiers and her daughters Daelle (center) and Delyah (right) are pictured in front of Best Pizza Heaven food truck at the Westlake Town Center for the city's first festival since the pandemic on Saturday, June 1, 2024. Westlake was incorporated in 2016, becoming Palm Beach County's 39th municipality. Minto Communities has built most of the homes at Westlake. According to the latest census figures, Westlake is home to more than 7,400 people, seven times the population in 2020. It is growing at a rate of 27% annually, among the nation's fastest-growing. This year, more than 3,000 families moved into new homes, said John Carter, a senior vice president with Minto. Carter said that about 80% of the homes are occupied by families. In fact, partly because of Westlake's growth, Palm Beach County's school district unveiled plans recently for its newest elementary school, which will serve Westlake and the nearby Arden development. Rarely do new schools serve brand-new communities in Palm Beach County, where a majority of campuses have been built to address growth in existing cities like Boynton Beach, the western Lake Worth Beach area and the neighborhoods west of Boca Raton. Kids wait in line at the bounce house in the Westlake Town Center on Saturday during Westlake Fest. But the new west suburban school will hold 950 students from families who have moved to the nearby communities. The project, originally set to be built in 2026, was accelerated by two years because of the massive growth in the area. As for the Robertsons, they are happy with the area's growth. Eric Proudie gives his puppy Zane some cold water during Westlake Fest on Saturday. We loved it from the beginning, but as more and more people move in, you make more and more friends," Steven Robertson said. "Every new family that comes in is welcomed. This is a very family-oriented community, which is what we wanted. We all have a similar desire to create the community we desire for the future. The Robertsons were in Westlake before the conveniences arrived. But now, the county tax collector has an office, Publix opened a year ago, and the city also has a church. An ice cream food truck is pictured at the Westlake Town Center during Westlake Fest on Saturday. And more is coming: Westlake is approved for more than 2 million square feet of commercial space, and about 630,000 square feet have been permitted. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and transportation. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBC's newest city marks growth of community with Westlake Fest A six-week ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal and plans to reconstruct Gaza are all part of the plan. President Joe Biden is pressuring leaders on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to reach an agreement with a new three-phase ceasefire plan released by the White House on Friday. Over the weekend, an aide for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country had accepted a framework agreement for winding down its ongoing military campaign in Gaza, while insisting that the proposal put forth by Biden was not a good deal and that "there are a lot of details to be worked out." The plan arrives eight months after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks that left an estimated 1,200 dead in Israel. Since then, over 36,000 Palestinians and more than 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the ongoing war, while an estimated 84 people are still being held hostage in Gaza, according to multiple news outlets. Bidens plan calls for a ceasefire, the release of both Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners as well as the reconstruction of Gaza, which has seen 75% of its population displaced because of the war. Heres what you need to know about Bidens three-phase plan and how Israeli and Palestinian leaders are responding to it. Phase 1: A 6-week ceasefire The first phase calls for an immediate full and complete ceasefire lasting for six weeks. It will also demand the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza as well as the release of a number of hostages including women, the elderly, the wounded and several U.S. citizens in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. During this time, humanitarian assistance would surge with 600 trucks carrying aid into Gaza every single day, said Biden, who added that the ceasefire will continue even if negotiations last longer than the planned six weeks. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar will also work together to ensure all the agreements are reached. Phase 2: The release of all hostages and full Israeli withdrawal The second phase calls for the Israeli military to fully withdraw from Gaza in exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages including male soldiers. If Hamas abides by everything outlined in the plan, Biden explained, Israel said it may agree to the cessation of hostilities permanently, meaning that all warfare and violence will be stopped indefinitely. Phase 3: The reconstruction of Gaza The final phase of the plan is for Gaza to undergo a major reconstruction to rebuild its cities including homes, schools and hospitals that were destroyed by warfare, said Biden. Arab nations and the international community would also participate in a manner that does not allow Hamas to rearm. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP) Netanyahu wants all or nothing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said on Friday that it had authorized the text of Bidens proposal. But Netanyahu stressed on Saturday that Israel would not agree to a ceasefire unless Hamass military and governing capabilities are totally destroyed, all hostages are freed and Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. To suggest an immediate ceasefire without those goals is a non-starter, Netanyahu said in a statement on X. Netanyahus chief foreign policy adviser, Ophir Falk, clarified the statement with Britains Sunday Times, reiterating that Israels conditions for a ceasefire have not changed and that while Bidens plan is not a good deal, theyre hoping for a swift solution. Israeli leaders are divided Far-right leaders Israelis Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir agree with Netanyahu that an immediate ceasefire should be contingent on the destruction of Hamas. If the prime minister moves forward with the plan, Ben-Gvir said in a post on X, Israels far-right Otzma Yehudit party would make plans to dissolve the government. Meanwhile, Israels War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz and opposition leader Yair Lapid support the plan and have urged Israeli leaders to discuss next steps as soon as possible, reports the Times of Israel. Gantz had previously threatened to step down by June 8 if no plan for a ceasefire was agreed upon. Benny Gantz, a key member of Israel's war Cabinet and the top political rival of Netanyahu. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP) Hamas views Biden's plan 'positively' On Friday, Hamas said that it viewed Bidens plan positively and that its willingness to move forward with it is solely based on a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to the Washington Post. Who else supports Biden's plan? The United States, Egypt and Qatar released a joint statement on Saturday supporting the plan, saying that it would bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families. Family members of the Israeli hostages held in Gaza have called on Netanyahu to publicly support Bidens plan, reports Al Jazeera, with the Hostage and Missing Families Forum urging citizens of Israel to take to the streets to ensure it happens. On a call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday night, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that Hamas should accept the deal and that every country with a relationship with Hamas should press it to do so without delay. Where brush fires are being reported in Central Florida Channel 9 is monitoring several brush fires burning across Central Florida this weekend. Update: Volusia County fire officials said the fire in Osteen was 250 acres on Saturday, which came from last weeks 600-acre fire. It is 25% contained, and spot fires can be seen up to 300 yards from the main fire. Volusia County Fire Rescue said the main issue was high winds from the east. Crews are opening Pell Road for residents to get back into their homes. Read: NASA provides updates following Boeing Starliner scrub Theyre also working on the containment lines overnight. Fire crews will control burn everything that hasnt burned within those lines. Residents should expect more fire and smoke as that happens. Residents are being told visibility is going to be very poor overnight. Drive slow, stay inside and dont set any fires. Winds have died down, and conditions have improved marginally, but enough for them to do these burns. Previous story: Meteorologist George Waldenberger said the air is very dry, making weather conditions favorable for a brush fire. The Ocoee Police Department said fire crews battled a brush fire near West Oaks Mall earlier on Saturday. Police said businesses near the West Oaks Mall and Clark Road were evacuated. The Ocoee Police Department said the brush fire was near the West Oaks Mall. Read: Dry & hot for the next few days Several fire trucks arrived at the scene. Police had asked residents to avoid the area near the south side, also by the bus stops. A brush fire is also burning in Volusia County near Osteen. Channel 9 is working to gather more details about the brush fire. A brush fire is also burning in Volusia County near Osteen. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. When airlines pledged to slash carbon emissions in 2021, executives were confident that having survived Covid they could tackle the energy transition. But three years on, bosses are beginning to worry. Progress towards the agreed goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 has proceeded at a snails pace, with production of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) needed for the transition nowhere near the rate needed. Virgin Atlantic last year flew the worlds first 100pc SAF-powered flight across the Atlantic to demonstrate the fuels viability. However, Holly Boyd-Boland, Virgins vice president for corporate development, told The Telegraph: As things stand there is not going to be enough SAF to meet our goal of Net Zero 2050. Production will need to be scaled up 80 or 100 times even to reach 10pc SAF by 2030, and that requires urgent government action. The scarcity of SAF and how to address it will dominate discussions at IATAs annual meeting in Dubai, which starts Monday and will be attended by hundreds of airline chiefs, as well as representatives of Airbus, Boeing and other manufacturers. SAF a refined blend of waste oils, animal fats and ethanol from corn today accounts for just 0.2pc of jet fuel use, yet UK carriers must lift that proportion to 10pc by the end of the decade to meet a government mandate. Beyond Britain, the sector as a whole is required to hit net zero by mid century after a 2021 commitment from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Net zero advances in other industries are stoking concerns that airlines are rapidly becoming an outlier, making them an easy target for climate protesters, governments and regulators. Demand for electric cars may have stuttered, but the technology is set to become much more affordable as Chinese brands enter the market. The power sector, meanwhile, is eradicating coal and expanding wind, solar and nuclear output, at least in Western economies. Aviation, by contrast, is at least a decade away from producing a hydrogen-powered short-haul plane, while long-haul flights are likely to rely on fossil fuels well into the second half of the century if SAF is unable to take the place of kerosene. The aviation industry is becoming an increasingly easy target for climate protesters such as Greta Thunberg (fourth from right) - Mark Kerrison/Getty Images The industry is being increasingly challenged, particularly in Europe, says John Strickland, an aviation consultant and former network planner at British Airways. It needs to shout about its value in a way that resonates, whether thats its economic contribution or the importance of interacting with other cultures. Without meaningful change, some fear that young, eco-conscious travellers will shun air travel and opt for more climate-friendly options such as rail. Campaigners like Greta Thunberg have given rise to the flight shaming movement, which highlights the carbon footprint of air travel in an effort to shame people into finding alternative means of travel. Strickland says: Airline CEOs have children and grandchildren themselves, and they understand the feelings people have. Yet the industry is portrayed in some quarters as public enemy number one, as if it has no real personal interest in the future. The fact is that airlines dont make planes, they dont make engines and they dont refine SAF. So you can understand if they are getting exasperated. Virgin Atlantic boss Shai Weiss has been among the most outspoken critics of the oil industry and governments for failing to help airlines keep pace with their commitments. Rolls-Royce boss Tufan Erginbilgic insists that engine makers are moving as fast as they can to build a new generation of net zero engines. The companys proposed Ultrafan model will burn 10pc less fuel than its cleanest engine today, and all of its turbines capable of using 100pc SAF. However, Erginbilgic warns that deriving the quantities of SAF needed from biostocks is all but impossible. Governments and energy companies should devote more attention to producing synthetic SAF using green hydrogen extracted from water via an electrolysis process, the Rolls chief says. Rolls-Royce boss Tufan Erginbilgic warns deriving the quantities of SAF needed from biostocks is all but impossible - REUTERS/Umit Bektas That could be powered by renewable electricity or the modular nuclear reactors for which Rolls-Royce is seeking state backing. Even if the required volume of SAF were available, Mr Weiss warned last month that fares for a return trip to New York would climb by 6pc, or 40, given prices that are currently six times higher than for kerosene. A mechanism to stabilise prices wont be introduced in the UK until 2026, delaying significant SAF production and frustrating executives. Anxiety around the energy transition is brewing just as carriers prepare for whats expected to be a record summer for travel. But like holidaymakers contemplating their return to work before their break is even over, bosses are already fixating on the challenges ahead. 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. June 6 marks 80 years since Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, as part of Operation Overlord, the campaign to defeat the Nazis and liberate Western Europe. Now, a pair of new books one charting the story of the Allied invasion, a second examining another key moment in World War II just two days prior to the D-Day landings reveal the realities, tragedies, challenges and strategic successes of the Allied Forces. US soldiers stand on the bow of the captured German submarine U-505 in June 1944. Public Domain On June 4, 1944, the US Navy captured a Nazi U-505 submarine. It was not only the first and only vessel to ever be successfully towed home to America, but also the first time an intact enemy warship had been seized since the War of 1812 with the British. In Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and the Elusive Enigma Machine (Diversion Books), author Charles Lachman recounts the story of how, after months of hunting, a US Navy Task Force, led by Captain Daniel V. Galley on the aircraft carrier USS Guadalcanal tracked down and captured this deadly killing machine. Captain Daniel V Gallery, Commander of the USS Guadalcanal, which secretly towed the German submarine back to the US. Getty Images The U-505 had been spotted by two of the Guadalcanals fighter planes, running on the surface in the Atlantic Ocean 150 miles off the coast of western Africa, prompting the submarines commander, Kapitanleutnant Harald Lange, to dive his vessel deep before Gallery launched depth charges to force it back to the surface. Fearing his boat was about to break up, Lange ordered his 60-strong crew to abandon ship before readying the 14 detonator charges on board in a bid to destroy it. Scuttling the submarine is the standard order of business for any well-disciplined U-boat crew. Like the US Navys sacred battle cry, Dont give up the ship, the Germans, above all, must keep their vessel from falling into enemy hands, Lachman wrties. But with most of the crew now swimming for their lives, there was nobody left to detonate the charges, and when the sub surfaced it was met with a US boarding party, who not only prevented it from sinking but also captured its crew, technology, its encryption codes and an Enigma cipher machine. It was, says Lachman, one of the greatest intelligence windfalls of the war. Of the U-505s crew, just one was killed in the operation. The other 59 became prisoners of war and were taken across the Atlantic to a POW camp in Ruston, Louisiana. Every now and then, the Guadalcanalrises on an ocean swell, and thats when the POWs catch sight of their beloved U-505and realize shes being towed by the carrier. Most distressing of all, shes flying an American flag. Author Charles Lachman Courtesy of Charles Lachman But as Lachman explains, it wasnt just the Stars and Stripes flying strong. Below Old Glory is a smaller flag the Nazi flag with swastika. In Navy tradition, it is a symbol of victor over vanquished. It wasnt until eight days after Germanys unconditional surrender in May 1945 that the Navy Office of Public Relations finally revealed that the U-505 had been captured. None of the 3,000 sailors involved in the Task Force ever uttered a word about the capture in the 11 months that had passed. Master-at-Arms Leon S. Bednarczyk with his crew during the journey to bring the U-sub back to the USA. Courtesy of the US Navy Indeed, the cover-up was so successful that German high command believed their U-505 was on the ocean floor somewhere off of Africa, along with its crew and intelligence secrets. For Captain Dan Gallery, this is perhaps Codename Nemos most impressive achievement, writes Lachman. The boys did keep their mouths shut, says Gallery. I think this speaks very highly indeed for the devotion to duty and sense of responsibility. Today, the U-505 is on display in Chicagos Museum of Science and Industry. Two days after the U-505s capture, more than 156,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, as Operation Overlord, the campaign to wrest control back from the Nazis in Europe, entered a decisive phase. In When The Sea Came Alive: An Oral History of D-Day (Avid Reader Press) historian Garrett Graff has gathered recollections of more than 700 people involved in this pivotal moment of World War II. June 6, 1944, is one of the most famous single days in all of human history, he writes. The official launch of Operation Overlord marks a feat of unprecedented human audacity, a mission more complex than anything ever seen and a key turning point in the fight for a cause among the most noble humans have ever fought. Author Garrett M. Graff yassine el mansouri While some names are familiar, the majority will feel new. They are soldiers and French villagers, German troops and the housewives left behind, who tell their stories, creating an intimate report of D-Day in often visceral detail. Operation Overlord is a story dominated by historic figures Winston Churchill, Dwight Eisenhower, George Marshall, Omar Bradley and the big, world-shaping decisions they make, writes Graff. Still, he adds, the greatest names, as it turns out, are the ones you dont know. The oral history covers everything from preparations for the invasion to US troops arriving in Britain at the rate of 5,000 each day between 1943 and 1944. One of the tens of thousands of aircraft that flew over Europe during D-Day. Corbis/VCG via Getty Images Operation Overlord was the largest seaborne invasion in history. During the 24 hours of June 6, the Strategic Air Forces with over 11,500 aircraft flew 5,309 sorties to drop 10,395 tons of bombs, while aircraft of the tactical forces flew a further 5,276 sorties. When the invasion launched, over 73,000 US troops landed on Omaha and Utah beaches, supported by nearly 7,000 naval vessels. They were joined by over 61,000 British soldiers who landed at Gold and Sword Beaches and another 21,000 Canadians attacking at Juno Beach. The battle scene was the most awesome terrible thing a human being could ever witness, recalls Seaman Exum Pike, on the submarine chaser USS PC-565. Looking back on that day, after these many years, I have two grown sons and as I have often told them boys I have no fear of hell because I have already been there. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Field Marshal Montgomery, and Lieutenant General Sir Miles Dempsey, and G.G. Simonds examine a map in France after the allied invasion of Normandy. Bettmann Archive Like countless others, Capt. George Mabry, an operations officer with 8th Infantry Regiment, witnessed that hell. Wed been trained that once you hit the beach, you run. Ahead of me was a man carrying ammunition. A round hit the top of his head . . . and this mans body completely disappeared, he says. I felt something hit my thigh; it was his thumb. Sgt. Jerry Salinger, Counter Intelligence Corps, puts it more graphically. You never really get the smell of burned flesh out of your nose entirely, no matter how long you live. General Dwight D Eisenhower talking with American paratroopers in Britain on the evening of June 5, 1944, as they prepared for the Invasion of Normandy. Getty Images Some 4,414 Allied soldiers died on Normandys beaches. When I landed D-Day morning, I had 35 men in my platoon and in my boat, says Lt. John J. Reville, 5th Ranger Battalion. At the end of seven days, there was myself and four men left. By June 30, the Allied forces had more than 850,000 troops, nearly 150,000 vehicles and 57,000 tons of supplies in Normandy, paving the way for victory. Its best summed up by Charles R. Sullivan of the 111th Naval Construction Battalion. Normandy and D-Day remain vivid, as if it only happened yesterday. What we did was important and worthwhile, he says. How many ever get to say that about a day in their lives? Right-wing fundraiser Leonard Leo has floated a very personal theory about the timing of the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Leo, who has close ties to Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, suggested to the authors of a new book that it may not have been a total coincidence that the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson came down on a Catholic holy day with special meaning for him. In an interview with Lisa Lerer and Elizabeth Dias, New York Times reporters and co-authors of The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America, Leo notes that Chief Justice John Roberts would have decided the order of decisions that would come out that dayJune 24, 2022. And I dont think he well, I dont know. Maybe he knew it was the Feast of the Sacred Heart? Leo is quoted as saying. The Feast of the Sacred Heart is linked to a saint who shares a name with Leos daughter, Margaret Mary, who died in 2007 aged 14. Leos words about Roberts and the Feast of the Sacred Heart, along with his comments about his friends Thomas and Alito, underscore his drive to stock the high court bench with right-wing Catholics. That effort, and the events that led up to the court removing the federal right to abortion, are chronicled in the new book, which The Daily Beast obtained ahead of its official Tuesday publication. A co-chair of the Federalist Society, a right-wing legal activist group, Leo has established an immensely powerful position in political fundraising, attracting huge donations but also making him a target for invective from Democratic and progressive figures. He is currently resisting a subpoena from Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which seeks information about gifts to right-wing justices and their families which have fueled a Supreme Court ethics scandal. Leo does not give many interviews but he spoke to Dias and Lerer. In describing what the Feast of the Sacred Heart has come to mean to Leo and his family, the authors wrote that Leo rarely [speaks] publicly of his daughter or the miracles her parents and their friends believed followed her death, [becoming] a sign to Leo of the intervening love of Jesus. Of Dobbs v. Jackson, the authors write that Leo said he never spoke about the case or timing of when it was released with his friends on the court, a reference to Alito and Thomas, the two longest-serving justices who form the bedrock of the 6-3 conservative majority Leo helped establish by shepherding three appointments under one Republican president, Donald Trump. Dias and Lerer continue: The court probably didnt pick the day it was announced to coincide with his daughters holy day, or the Catholic day at all, Leo said. They wrote that he said the timing was most likely related to security concerns, before leaving open the possibility that Roberts, who is Catholic, wasnt oblivious to the significance. The Supreme Court did not comment to Dias and Lerer, or to The Daily Beast. Leo told the Beast: I have no insight into the timing of the release of the Dobbs opinion, but its laughably absurd or insanely conspiratorial to think that the Court intended the decisions release to coincide with a Catholic feast day. From the ranks of Leos opponents, Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, an advocacy group that monitors special interest groups, said: Leonard Leos coziness with Supreme Court justices is inappropriate and should concern every Americanespecially given his central role in the ongoing ethics crisis, which has caused public trust in the Court to plummet to record lows. Dias and Lerer, in their book, also consider the fallout from the fall of Roe v. Wade, prominently including a series of election wins for Democrats campaigning on the issue of threats to reproductive rights. Among anti-abortion activists who knew about the Feast of the Sacred Heart if not the intimate meaning it had for Leo, the authors write, the timing of the ruling in Dobbs was more proof that the fall of was, in fact, a miracle. The importance of that day, commemorating Jesus love for the world, was to them a sort of divine code, yet another sign their God acted to save America and sounded the victory. But in the pattern of the fall of Roe, the date they saw as providential might look to another part of America like a more earthly kind of coded message: a raw expression of political, legal, and Christian might. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. Woman Who Dated Serial Killer Realized Later He Was Drugging Her Repeatedly: 'Oh My God, I Can't Wake Up' Sherry Hopson had no idea Bruce Lindahl was a serial killer, but she did notice dangerous red flags Jose M. Osorio/Getty Bruce Lindahl Living in the typically quiet Chicago suburbs, Bruce Lindahl kept many secrets, including from a woman he dated. Sherry Hopson had no idea the man she was dating was a serial killer. But she did begin to notice startling behaviors from Lindahl during their time together. Hopson tells the story of her encounters with Lindahl on the newest episode of People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer. Lindahl, the killer at the center of the episode, Surviving the Handsome Devil, is known to have killed at least four people, though the true number could be much higher. Lindahl, who died in 1981 after murdering an 18-year-old man, also committed multiple sexual assaults. One of the first red flags Hopson noticed during her time with Lindahl was his anger, which she talks about in a clip from the show shared with PEOPLE. Bruce would get angry very easily whenever I said no, Hopson recalls. He had a temper on him, a very, very quick temper. Hopson recounts one incident in which she found another womans earring in Lindahls car and confronted him about it. He took it out of my hand and he said, Its my sisters earring, Hopson says. And he rolled down the window and threw it out. Hopson was surprised that Lindahl would throw away an earring he claimed belonged to his sister, and says he shot back that his sister didnt need it. 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. There were other alarming signs. Sexually, he got a little rough, Hopson says. There were times where I woke up and never remembered falling asleep. And I'd wake up and I'd be late for work and a couple of times I'd be really groggy and I was like, Oh my God, I can't wake up. Lindahl responded by telling her not to worry, that it would wear off. Now I look back at that and think, the guy drugged me and I didnt know, Hopson says. 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. People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer airs Sunday, June 2 at 9/8c on ID and streaming on Max. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Woman Shot in the Face by Man She Knows After Being Mistaken as Intruder in Chicago Authorities told the 'Chicago Tribune' and CBS News that the woman was hospitalized and critically injured Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Chicago Police vehicle photographed on Oct. 19, 2022 A woman in Chicago was critically injured on Thursday, May 30, when a man shot her in the face after police say he mistook her for someone attempting to break into his home. According to the Chicago Tribune and CBS News, police said the 59-year-old man thought someone was trying to break into his residence on the 6700 block of South Prairie Avenue just before midnight local time. The man fired one shot and struck a 54-year-old woman whom he knew on the right side of her face, per both outlets. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition, and a weapon was recovered from the scene of the shooting. Area One Detectives were still investigating the incident as of Friday, per CBS News, which did not reveal the identities of the man or woman. The Chicago Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for more information on Sunday. Getty Stock image of an ambulance Citing Chicago Police Department figures, local PBS station WTTW reported days before the shooting that 45 people were shot in Chicago including one person who was killed on the weekend of May 18 to May 20, in 31 separate shootings in the city. As for the weekend before the accidental shooting, police told WTTW that nine people total were killed by gunfire during Memorial Day weekend, with 41 people shot in 30 separate shootings. 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. Over 50 people were reportedly shot and 11 were killed in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend in 2023. There are some signs of improvement, but as long as we have the loss of life, or any shooting victim, no politician quite frankly no Chicagoan should celebrate, Mayor Brandon Johnson said during a recent press conference regarding shooting statistics, per WTTW. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Woman shot at, house hit by gunfire in Homewood Pittsburgh police say an investigation is underway after a woman was shot at in Homewood West. Police say a man shot at a woman who was in her vehicle in the area of Upland Street and Lincoln Avenue on Saturday. The woman was not injured but the vehicle she was in was damaged. Police say a nearby home on the 6900 block of Mount Vernon Street was also hit by gunfire. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW TRENDING NOW: Chad Daybell sentenced to death for the murder of his first wife, then-girlfriends two children Washington Health System officially joins UPMC Pittsburgh Pride 2024 kicks off at Allegheny Commons Park VIDEO: Pittsburgh Three Rivers Arts Festival visitors react to propane tank explosion at food court DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Kansas City Police Department reported an accidental shooting on Saturday night that left one boy, under the age of 5, hospitalized with critical injuries. According to KCPD, officers were dispatched shortly after 10 p.m. to the KC Fire Station at the 6000 block of East Red Bridge Road for a shooting call. When they arrived, officers found a young boy suffering from a gunshot wound. One person is dead after four-car crash in Kansas City Saturday night Police said that preliminary investigations revealed the boy had picked up an unsecured firearm and accidentally shot himself. Emergency responders took the boy to a hospital where he is currently said to be in critical condition. The investigation is ongoing, KCPD said, and the identity of the victim and owner of the firearm has not been revealed. Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android This is a developing story. Stay tuned at FOX4 News for the latest updates and information. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused China of "working hard" to prevent countries from attending Ukraine's global peace summit later this month. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore on June 2, Zelensky also expressed disappointment that "some world leaders" would not be present at the event to be held in Switzerland on June 15-16. Ukraine hopes the summit will address several key areas, such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of deported children, global food security, and other topics. "China, unfortunately, is working hard today to prevent countries from coming to the peace summit," Zelensky said on June 2. While he said more than 100 countries and international organizations were set to attend, Bloomberg reported on May 23 that U.S. President Joe Biden is likely to miss the peace conference as it clashes with a campaign fundraiser. China is also reported to have declined an invitation as the terms they required to attend were not met, Reuters reported on May 31, citing several sources with direct knowledge of the matter. One source said China had insisted the summit should be recognised by both Russia and Ukraine and both countries should participate. Publicly, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that attending would be "difficult." "The arrangement of the meeting still falls short of China's requirements and the expectations of the international community, making it difficult for China to attend," said Mao Ning, the ministry's spokesperson. "We are very sorry that the Chinese side does not use the opportunity to present its position on the platform of the summit in Switzerland," a spokesperson of the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing told Reuters. Russia was not invited to the talks, but the Swiss hosts said that Moscow's representatives will have to take part in the process "sooner or later." Kyiv has warned that Russia is attempting to disrupt the summit. Speaking on May 16 at a press conference during Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to China, Chinese President Xi Jinping claimed both leaders agreed that a "political solution" to the war in Ukraine is "the correct direction." Read also: Very good meeting with US defense secretary in Singapore, Zelensky says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday accused China of attempting to undermine a peace conference planned for later this month in Switzerland. Speaking during the Shangri-La Dialogue security event in Singapore, Zelensky said that China, by contrast with the United States, was working to ensure "that countries do not take part in the peace summit," Ukrainian media reported. Russia has not been invited to the conference to be held at Burgenstock near Lucerne on June 15 and 16, and China has indicated that it will not attend. In a previous address to the event, Zelensky said that there were countries trying to obstruct attendance at the Swiss conference, without mentioning China by name. Russia has said that it has no interest in participating in the Swiss conference, a position confirmed by President Vladimir Putin during his state visit to Beijing last month. China, which has put forward its own peace plan, believes that conditions are not yet right. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said in Beijing on Friday that the arrangements did not meet China's expectations or those of the international community. According to Zelensky, more than 100 countries and organizations have confirmed their attendance. The conference would discuss an exchange of prisoners, food and nuclear security, with the aim of presenting a proposal to Moscow, he said. Another aim is to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky has accused Russia of abducting 20,000 children. Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised Joe Biden, the US president, for not doing enough in allowing US weapons to be fired into Russia as Ukraine faces the threat of a renewed invasion. The Ukrainian president thanked Mr Biden for giving Kyiv permission to strike inside Russian territory with American munitions but said restrictions - including on the use of long-range Atacms - should also be dropped. In a rare rebuke of his US ally, he said: Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm, knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions. After weeks of pressure, Mr Biden gave permission for Ukraine to use American missiles, such as Himars, to fire across the border north of Kharkiv, where Russian forces are massing. But he blocked Ukraine from using the more advanced Atacms systems. Mr Zelensky said his government was seeking the green light to hit Russian military airfields used on a daily basis to attack purely civilian infrastructure dams, energy grid, schools, universities, as well as hospitals. He added that Russia continued to use artillery, long-range fire, and some 300 weapons systems carrying tens of thousands of missiles on its side of the border to target the Ukrainian population. So they have these weapons there and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us, he said. The Ukrainian president made his comments at Asias top security summit in Singapore. He made a surprise visit this weekend to appeal to Asia and Pacific leaders to attend a June peace summit in Switzerland where he hopes to forge a path for the just ending of Russias war. Mr Zelensky met with Lloyd Austin, the US defence secretary, as well as the leaders of Singapore, Timor Leste and Indonesia, but not with the Chinese delegation that was led by their defence minister Dong Jun. Beijing has publicly criticised the Ukrainian peace initiative because Russia is not invited, and confirmed that it would not be attending as the arrangements for the meeting falls short of Chinas requirements. It was reported that Mr Zelensky had hoped to engage with the Chinese in Singapore. Instead, he accused China of being an instrument in the hands of Putin, claiming that the country was dispatching its diplomats at Russias behest to persuade countries to snub the summit. Regrettably, Russia using Chinese influence on the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt this summit, Mr Zelensky said. Chinas support will make war last longer Mr Zelensky said with Chinas support to Russia the war will last longer. That is bad for the whole world, and the policy of China who declares that it supports territorial integrity and sovereignty and declares it officially. For them it is not good. He also echoed the US accusation that China has been providing military support to Russia, which Beijing denies. Washington has alleged that Chinas export of dual-use goods to Moscow is bolstering its defence industrial base. Mr Zelensky accused Beijing of undermining its pledges not to arm Russia, saying that today, there are various signals from various intelligence services that somehow, some way, something comes to Russias markets via China. China claims neutrality in the conflict while providing an economic lifeline to Russia, which is subject to international sanctions, and also as the two countries have stepped up their diplomatic partnership. In a speech to the defence conference on Sunday morning, Mr Jun said China had been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude. 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. President Volodymyr Zelensky met with his Singaporean counterpart, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore on June 2. Zelensky thanked Singapores clear stance on the war in Ukraine and discussed prospects of bilateral relations with Shanmugaratnam, the Presidents Office said in a statement. It added that Zelensky stressed Kyivs interest in stepping up its relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to a new level. The Zelensky-Shanmugaratnam meeting came ahead of the global peace summit, which will be held on June 15-16 in the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, where Ukraine is preparing to present proposals on how to achieve just and lasting peace with Russia. Zelensky said 106 countries have confirmed their participation in the event. China is said to have declined the invitation. Zelensky also informed Shanmugaratnam about the preparations for the summit in Switzerland, according to the statement released on June 2. Speaking on the final day of the Shangri-La Dialogue conference, the largest defense forum in the region, Zelensky called on Asian leaders to attend the upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland. "I would really want the leader of Singapore to support Ukraine with his personal participation in the peace summit," Zelensky said, as cited by Nikkei Asia. Ukraine plans for the summit to address several key areas, such as energy security, the exchange of captives, the return of deported children, global food security, and other topics. Zelensky has also met the Prime Minister of Singapore, Lawrence Wong, and the top executives of Singapore's investment companies, according to the President's Office. The businessmen represented firms, including Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC, investment fund Temasek Holdings, Wilmar International, Singapore Business Federation, and construction company Meinhardt Group. Zelensky stressed that the Ukrainian economy is adapting to the new reality and still growing despite the war. He told the businessmen that the technology and innovation field could have great potential in growing the Ukraine-Singapore trade. Singapore has supported Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, imposing economic sanctions against Moscow. Like many Asian countries, it has thus far only provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Read also: Zelensky accuses China of working hard to stop countries attending global peace summit Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zelensky thanks Austin for US easing restrictions on weapons use Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday for recent US moves to provide military assistance to Ukraine in resisting the Russian invasion. "We are very grateful to President Joe Biden and his administration for their continued assistance in the fight for our freedom and independence," Zelensky said. He also expressed gratitude for a decision by the US administration to allow limited strikes with US weapons on the territory of Russia to effectively counter Russia's attempts to expand the combat zone, a Ukrainian government statement said. Zelensky met Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual event organized in Singapore by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). Austin posted on the X messaging service: "The United States' support for Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression will never waver." He reaffirmed US commitment to maintaining a coalition of over 50 countries to help Ukraine defend its freedom. Ukrainian defences are currently coming under increased attack along the border near the north-eastern city of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Ukraine has sought permission to use weapons supplied by the West to strike at Russian bases launching air attacks in the region. Moscow has responded by warning of further escalation in the long-running conflict. According to the Ukrainian government statement, the two sides discussed Ukraine's defence needs, including training and equipping new brigades. They also focused on the F-16 coalition, in particular the joint efforts needed to speed up the delivery of the fighter jets. Zelensky thanked Austin for his work to bolster Ukraine's air defences. "This is the most important track now to protect the lives of Ukrainians, our cities, communities and civilian infrastructure," he said. Zelensky says Chinas support to Russia will extend war in Ukraine during surprise appearance in Asia Chinas support to Russia will extend the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Sunday, as he called on countries across the Asia-Pacific to join an upcoming peace summit he accused Russia of trying to thwart. Zelensky made the comments in Singapore during a surprise appearance at a meeting of defense chiefs from across the Asia-Pacific, including China and the US. It comes ahead of the international peace conference on Ukraine slated to be held June 15-16 in Switzerland. With Chinas support to Russia the war will last longer. That is bad for the whole world, and the policy of China who declares that it supports territorial integrity and sovereignty and declares it officially. For them it is not good, Zelensky said during a press conference. China claims neutrality in the conflict and has said it is a proponent of peace, even as it has emerged as a key economic lifeline and tightened its already close strategic and diplomatic partnership with Russia since the countrys February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The US has also alleged that Chinas export of dual-use goods to Russia is powering the warring countrys defense industrial base and warned Beijing of consequences for such support a claim Beijing has refuted, saying it has not provided weapons to either side and maintains tight export controls on dual use goods. Zelensky alluded to such support in comments Sunday, saying certain elements that make up parts of Russias weaponry come from China. The Ukrainian leader also warned that Russia was attempting to pressure countries not to join the upcoming international peace summit with Chinas help. Russia is trying to disrupt the peace summit and that is true (Russia) is now traveling around many countries in the world threatening them with the blockade of the agricultural goods, of the food products, of chemical products it is simply pushing the other countries of the world so that theyre not present on the summit, Zelensky said after delivering an address at the defense conference. When asked later about Chinas statement it would not attend the peace summit, the Ukrainian leader accused Russia of using Chinese diplomats to disrupt it. Regrettably, it is unfortunate that such big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin, Zelensky said, speaking through an interpreter. The Ukrainian leader added that he had not had any meetings with Chinese representatives in Singapore, despite interest on the Ukrainian side for more dialogue. China last week said it would not send a delegation to the peace summit, saying any international peace conference should have recognition by both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation by all parties, and fair discussion of all peace plans. Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun in an address earlier Sunday said China had been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude. Dong also appeared to respond to US allegations that China is bolstering Russias defense industrial base with dual-use exports, saying in his remarks that China has not provided weapons to either side in the conflict and had put stricter control on dual-use exports. US defense chief Lloyd Austin raised those transactions with Dong during a sideline meeting Friday, where he warned of consequences for any Chinese support of Russias military. When asked about Zelenskys comments dur ing a regular press briefing in Beijing Monday, a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry defended Chinas trade with Russia as above board, adding it was certainly not against the peace summit and there was no pressure on other countries. We also attach great importance to our relations with Ukraine China and Ukraine have maintained communication and cooperation since the Ukrainian crisis escalated, spokesperson Mao Ning said. Time is running out The Ukrainian leaders in-person appeal at the Shangri-La Dialogue comes as Ukraines troops scramble to repel a major Russian advance into its northeast region of Kharkiv amid shortages of weaponry and manpower more than two years into Russias invasion raising the urgency for Kyiv to bolster international support for its peace plan. Zelenskys plan calls for the full withdrawal of Russian forces and a restoration of Ukraines internationally recognized borders. The Ukrainian leader has previously said he wont negotiate with Russia until its forces withdraw. Time is running out including for Ukrainian children taken by Russia, Zelensky told a packed hall during an address on the closing day of the three-day security meeting. The summit, he said, would address three points of his peace formula, including nuclear security, food security, and the release of prisoners of war, as well as Ukrainian children abducted by Russia and enable countries to come to a consensus on peace in Ukraine that could be passed to Russia. The International Criminal Court in The Hague last year issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia. Russia has referred to the peace conference as trickery designed by the United States, with a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson last week saying the real peace formula was for Western countries to stop providing Ukraine with weaponry. So far more than 100 countries and international organizations have committed to join the gathering, Zelensky said. The upcoming peace summit and Ukraines defense were also key topics for Zelensky as he held sideline meetings since arriving in Singapore on Saturday. Those included talks with US Defense Secretary Austin, Indonesias President-Elect Prabowo Subianto, and Timor-Lestes President Jose Ramos-Horta, as well as a delegation of American lawmakers. In his meeting with Zelensky Sunday morning, Austin reiterated unwavering US support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and provided an update on American security assistance to Ukraine, according to a readout from Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder after the meeting. Zelensky said in a post on Twitter that the two sides discussed the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraines air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement. He also thanked US President Joe Biden for an important decision regarding defensive strikes with American weapons, in reference to the White Houses decision, as reported by CNN, to permit Ukraine to use American munitions for limited strikes within Russian territory. This story has been updated with additional information. CNNs Natasha Bertrand, Eric Cheung, Sandi Sidhu and Wayne Chang contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 2 said the U.S. should allow Ukraine to strike inside Russia with long-range Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missiles to protect lives. Zelenskys statement comes shortly after the White House confirmed that it lifted the ban on the use of some U.S. weapons by Ukraine against Russian territory near Kharkiv and Sumy oblasts. Washington still prohibits Ukraine from using ATACMS and other long-range U.S.-supplied weapons for strikes deeper inside Russia, U.S. officials said. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, Zelensky thanked U.S. President Joe Biden for the permission but insisted that restrictions including the ban on the use of ATACMS should be lifted. Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm, knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions, Zelensky said, as cited by The Telegraph, in reaction to Washingtons decision. Zelensky said Kyiv was waiting for the approval to strike Russian military airfields, the staging grounds for attacks against civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. He added that Russia has about 300 weapon systems loaded with tens of thousands of missiles deployed on its side of the border to attack Ukraine, The Telegraph reported. So they have these weapons there, and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us, Zelensky said. The topic of the Western allies ban on Ukraine attacking Russia using their weapons has gained wide attention after Moscow opened a new front in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast in May, where it was able to ready for an operation without significant Ukrainian cross-border threats. Amid growing calls from Western leaders to allow Ukraine to use foreign-supplied arms to hit targets in Russia, there have been reports in recent days that the U.S. has changed its policy. The Wall Street Journal reported on May 31 that the U.S. had allowed Ukraine to use HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, GMLRS rockets, and artillery against Russian territory. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has hinted that Washington may allow Ukraine to hit targets beyond the current limitation in the future." Going forward, well continue to do what weve been doing, which is, as necessary, adapt and adjust," he said at a press conference in Prague on May 31. Read also: Russia launches large-scale missile attack on Ukraine, damaging energy infrastructure Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Zelenskyy believes US should allow Ukraine to strike Russia with ATACMS missiles President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the United States should allow Ukraine to strike military targets in Russia with long-range ATACMS missiles. Source: Zelenskyy during a speech at a security conference in Singapore, European Pravda reports citing The Telegraph Details: The Ukrainian president thanked Joe Biden for allowing Ukraine to strike Russian territory with American weapons, but said the restrictions on the use of long-range systems should also be lifted. Quote from Zelenskyy: "Is that [the permission] sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions." Details: He added that Russia continues to use long-range artillery and about 300 weapons systems with tens of thousands of missiles on its side of the border to attack Ukraine. "So they have these weapons there and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us," the president explained. Background: Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine has so far received confirmation from 106 countries of their attendance at the Peace Summit in Switzerland on 15 June, but Russia is trying to disrupt the event. Source: Interfax-Ukraine news agency, citing Zelenskyy at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore on Sunday; Zelenskyy speaking to the media Details: Zelenskyy said that Ukraine has received confirmation from 106 countries at state-leader level. The president added that Russia is currently travelling to many countries around the globe, threatening the world with a blockade of food, agricultural products or chemicals, with energy prices, or simply pressuring other countries not to attend the summit. Details: The president added that there is "not very good information" that some states have begun to assist Russia in disrupting the Peace Summit diplomatically. Zelenskyy further stressed that the world must be strong and apply political pressure on Russia. He suggested that there is no other way to stop Putin than through diplomatic isolation and strong Ukrainian Armed Forces. Zelenskyy emphasises that all countries should fully understand the need to defend justice and international law rather than trying to balance between Ukraine and Russia. Updated: Later, the Ukrainian president compared the stances of the US and China regarding the Peace Summit and stressed that China is working to disrupt it. Quote from Zelenskyy: "The United States has confirmed its attendance at a high level. We have a chance that the President [US President Joe Biden] will be there. As for China, they have not confirmed their attendance at any level. And the United States has contacts with some states and encourages them to attend the Peace Summit. China, unfortunately, on the contrary, is working to prevent countries from coming to the Peace Summit. There is a big difference between these two stances." Background: Ukraine expects that the attendees of the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland will work together to draw up an action plan on three points: free shipping, nuclear and energy security, and prisoners-of-war swaps and the release of children illegally deported by Russia. The Global Peace Summit will take place on 15-16 June in Burgenstock, Switzerland. Russia has not been invited. Support UP or become our patron! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss Ukraine's urgent military needs. Source: Zelenskyy on social media, as reported by European Pravda Details: The meeting between the Ukrainian president and the Pentagon chief took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore. "We discussed the key issues: the defence needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine's air defence system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement," Zelenskyy noted. The Ukrainian president also thanked US President Joe Biden for making an important decision to authorise Ukraine's strikes on Russian territory with US-supplied weapons. "We appreciate the vital defence and political support for Ukraine from the United States," Zelenskyy added. Background: A number of NATO countries primarily the United States and Germany have authorised Ukraine to strike military targets in Russia with the weapons supplied by them with some restrictions. The European Commission has stated that under international law, Ukraine has the right to defend itself against the aggression unleashed, including by striking military targets in Russia. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also insists that Ukraine has the right to strike Russian territory and emphasised that more and more allies agree with this. Support UP or become our patron! Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, left, looks on as Richard Hartmann, a professor of electrical/electronic engineering technology, demonstrates a robotic arm using AI during a tour of the AI facilities at Stark State College in April. Lt. Gov. Jon Husted visited Stark State College recently to convene a group of local employers to discuss artificial intelligence (AI) for workforce. Large and small employers, from health care to manufacturing, reported that they are already using AI or plan to do so very soon. AI is integrated into many facets of life and work. Type a search term in Google. Chat with a customer service representative online. Scroll through the recommendations on your favorite streaming platform. These innovations are all made possible through AI. Employers are using AI to make their operations more effective, efficient, safer and more appealing to employees. This is especially important in Ohio and Northeast Ohio in light of talent shortages and supply-chain issues. From data analysis to customer service, AI-powered tools can handle routine functions with speed and accuracy, allowing workers to leverage their unique abilities to solve complex problems and drive strategic initiatives. Manufacturers are using AI, automation and robotics to relieve employees of routine, manual, dirty and sometimes dangerous work so they can focus on higher-value work that requires technical skills, creativity and critical thinking. The need for workers with AI skills is on the rise and will continue to grow. Positions in IT and technology, particularly in data science, are among the fastest-growing jobs in our economy. AI jobs are expected to boom outside of the technical sector as well, cutting across a wide range of industries and job functions. The World Economic Forums Future of Jobs 2023 report predicts high demand for skills such as analytic and creative thinking related to AI and big data. Additionally, technological innovation is expected to prompt a 44% shift in workers core competencies within the next five years. AI and machine learning are already revolutionizing our workplaces and jobs of the future. Its not just Silicon Valley or the coasts that need to be ready for this transformation; its our workforce right here in Ohio. As companies like Intel Corp. make historic investments in high-tech manufacturing in our state, we need to prepare workers who are savvy in automated manufacturing, robotics and AI. For 64 years, Stark State College has prepared students for high-demand, rewarding jobs in our region. Recently, we were designated as an AI for Workforce College by Intel. Were among a select group of community colleges across the country focused on accelerating AI for local and regional employers and employees. Stark State College President Para Jones speaks during an AI roundtable held at the college in April. This fall, we are introducing two new AI certificates, developed in conjunction with Intel. These certificates are a way for students to quickly and affordably advance their skills and prepare for jobs that utilize AI. As companies use AI to give themselves a competitive edge in the marketplace, students who have education and training in AI can also gain a competitive advantage when seeking employment in the digital economy. Stark State is proud to be a leader in AI for workforce, providing students with the AI skills needed for high-demand careers in manufacturing, business, IT, health care and other sectors of our economy. The recent AI discussion, led by Lt. Gov. Husted, is the first of many conversations we will continue to have with local and regional employers as we develop more AI courses to meet their needs. As we move forward in this new frontier, its my hope that students, professionals and employers will take advantage of these opportunities and be active participants in the conversation so that our community and state become known as a force in AI adoption and innovation. Para Jones is president of Stark State College, which has campuses in Stark and Summit counties. This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark State College preparing for future with AI programs QinetiQ has been awarded a contract to run TARS blimps that monitor the US's Caribbean coast for smuggling activity - TARS-Program A defence firm dubbed Britains real-life Q-branch has taken a key role in Americas war on drugs, deploying a fleet of radar-equipped blimps that scan for border incursions. QinetiQ, the FTSE 250 defence company, is managing the airship-like craft which is deployed at intervals along the 2,000 mile stretch between Arizona and Florida. The blimps can ascend to altitudes of up to 15,000 feet, with a viewing range of 200 miles allowing them to more easily spot the low flying planes and speed boats favoured by drug runners. QinetiQ was awarded the $170m (133m) Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) contract by the US Department of Homeland Security last November, taking over responsibility for the network of eight blimps and ground stations and more than 200 employees. The TARS fleet was first deployed in the 1980s, when drugs and contraband were typically carried aboard planes landing on dirt runways in an estimated 8,500 illegal flights a year. More than 500 aircraft were seized by Mexican authorities from drug kingpin Joaquin El Chappo Guzman alone, most of them innocuous looking Cessna aircraft, popular because they could operate from a 900-foot airstrip and featured double doors for quick unloading. The TARS balloons, known as aerostats, helped US officers intercept planes or boats illicitly entering US territory and to anticipate where gangs might cross the border from planes landing on makeshift runways still inside Mexico. Today, flows of cocaine, heroin, marijuana and methamphetamine have been joined by fentanyl, the synthetic opioid 100 times more potent than morphine thats spawned a new US drugs crisis, with more than 70,000 overdose deaths reported in 2022. The Drug Enforcement Administration last year seized a record 79.5 million fentanyl pills and more than five tons of fentanyl powder. The task facing QinetiQ and the air and marine arm of Customs and Border Protection, which operates the aerostats, has become even more demanding with the advent of cheap but durable drones. Jonathan Riksen, executive vice president at QinetiQ, said: A drone is obviously much smaller than an aircraft. Thats problematic because not only is it harder to detect, but it can look like a goose or some other larger bird in terms of its radar returns. High-altitude radars are far more effective in identifying targets because they render the background flat, Mr Riksen said, whereas ground-based scans can suffer distortion when an object is viewed against a mountainside or forest. So acute are the TARS radars that they can even spot a drones spinning blades, he said. Their accuracy is especially vital now that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have revealed the potential for drones to be deployed as frontline weapons. Poland last month signed a $1bn (790m) deal with the US for four aerostats that will be used to scan its eastern border for missiles, aircraft, drones and seaborne incursions, and Mr Riksen said the remit of the TARS also includes the detection of potential hostile drone threats. Diesel-powered blimps like those deployed by QinetiQ can stay aloft for as long as a week before they need refuelling, making them ideal for whats known as persistent surveillance, though extreme weather can force them to be grounded. Each balloon is moored with a nylon fibre cable, and raised and lowered with a powered winch. TARS operates from six sites along the US-Mexico border, one that scans the Florida Straits, and another in Puerto Rico, monitoring the north Caribbean area. QinetiQ was created in 2001 out of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, Britains largest science and technology organisation and itself formed out of a number of government bodies that had their origins in the Cold War. The firms name has been taken to be a reference to Q Branch, the fictional MI6 department tasked with developing spy gadgets and weapons in the James Bond films. The company said in a trading update last month it had identified opportunities to grow the value of the five-year TARS contract by 50pc. 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. Chinas Change-6 lunar lander successfully touched down on the far side of the moon Sunday morning Beijing time, in a significant step for the ambitious mission that could advance the countrys aspirations of putting astronauts on the moon. The Change-6 probe landed in the South Pole-Aitken Basin, where it will begin to collect samples from the lunar surface, the China National Space Administration announced. Chinas most complex robotic lunar endeavor to date, the uncrewed mission aims to return samples to Earth from the moons far side for the first time. The landing marks the second time a mission has successfully reached the far side of the moon. China first completed that historic feat in 2019 with its Change-4 probe. If all goes as planned, the mission which began on May 3 and is expected to last 53 days could be a key milestone in Chinas push to become a dominant space power. The countrys plans include landing astronauts on the moon by 2030 and building a research base at its south pole a region believed to contain water ice. Sundays landing comes as a growing number of countries, including the United States, eye the strategic and scientific benefits of expanded lunar exploration in an increasingly competitive field. Samples collected by the Change-6 lander could provide key clues into the origin and evolution of the moon, Earth and the solar system, experts say while the mission itself provides important data and technical practice to advance Chinas lunar ambitions. Change-6 touched down within an impact crater known as the Apollo Basin, located within the sprawling, roughly 2,500-kilometer-diameter South Pole-Aitken Basin, according to Chinese state media Xinhua. It had orbited the moon for about 20 days as part of a larger probe, which is composed of four parts: an orbiter, a lander, an ascender and a re-entry module. It is now expected to use a drill and a mechanical arm to gather up to 2 kilograms of moon dust and rocks from the basin, a crater formed some 4 billion years ago. The probe will spend two days on the far side of the moon, and 14 hours to collect moon soil samples, Xinhua reported. To complete its mission, the lander will need to robotically stow those samples in an ascent vehicle that made the landing with it. The ascent vehicle will then return to lunar orbit, where it will dock with and transfer the samples to a re-entry capsule, according to mission information provided by the China National Space Administration. The re-entry capsule and orbiter will then travel back to Earths orbit and separate, allowing the re-entry capsule to make its expected return later this month to the Siziwang Banner Landing Site in Chinas rural Inner Mongolia region. The technically complex mission is made more challenging due to where it is being conducted. The far side of the moon is out of range of normal communications, which means Change-6 must also rely on a satellite that was launched into lunar orbit in March, the Queqiao-2. China plans to launch two more missions in the Chang-e series as it nears its 2030 target of sending astronauts to the moon. Multiple nations are expanding their lunar programs, with a growing focus on securing access to resources and further deep-space exploration. Last year, India landed a spacecraft on the moon for the first time, while Russias first lunar landing mission in decades ended in failure when its Luna 25 probe crashed into the moons surface. In January, Japan became the fifth country to land a spacecraft on the moon, though its Moon Sniper lander faced power issues due to an incorrect landing angle. The following month, IM-1, a NASA-funded mission designed by Texas-based private firm Intuitive Machines, touched down close to the south pole. That landing the first by a US-made spacecraft in over five decades is among several planned commercial missions intended to explore the lunar surface before NASA attempts to return US astronauts there as soon as 2026 and build its scientific base camp. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Note to readers: The News-Press and Naples Daily News are providing special coverage this week of all things weather in Southwest Florida as a new hurricane season having started on June 1. Its not exactly robots fanning out across the Everglades to destroy alien invaders except it kind of is. Scientists are using Artificial Intelligence to combat habitat-swallowing invasive plants like Brazilian peppers. And though its not metal claw-to-branch combat, it is a tool in a potentially life-and-death battle to keep Florida ecosystems from being overrun. As a changing climate makes storms stronger, more frequent and less predictable, tracking the spread of exotics has become more challenging, since theyre spreading in ways they havent before. Finding them is the first step. Artificial Intelligence can help with that by spotting them and predicting their spread, which can help land managers get rid of them before things get out of hand. Researchers at the University of Florida are trying to understand the way hurricanes distribute non-native plants, something that may become even more urgent as the National Hurricane Center considers changing the start of the Atlantic hurricane to May 15 instead of June 1, two weeks earlier has traditionally begun. That makes sense, though, points out UF spokesman Brad Buck in UF Researchers to Use AI to Predict how Hurricanes Spread Invasive Plants," since Tropical Storm Arthur formed May 16 last year. Since 2003, 15 tropical cyclones have formed before June 1, including two that developed in April, USA Today Network Florida reports. University of Florida researcher and then-PhD candidate Dylan Stewart measures the level of reflection from a Brazilian pepper leaf in order to help artificial intelligence learn to recognize the invasive plants. Stronger hurricanes might turbo-charge invasions A UF research team is using Artificial Intelligence to gather data for a study that combines ground-level research with a technique called hyperspectral sensing. The goal: Understand how hurricanes impact the spread of two of the peninsulas worst invaders - Brazilian pepper and Old World climbing fern. Both appear on the "Dirty Dozen" list of Everglades invaders - species wreaking havoc on the Glades' fragile natural system. According to the National Park Service, "In terms of sheer magnitude, Brazilian pepper is the most widespread invasive plant ... particularly abundant along the fringes of the mangroves. In some instances, individual stands of Brazilian pepper cover 4,000 to 6,000 acres." As its name implies, the fern scrambles up over native habitats, forming green shrouds on trees and can completely engulf the Everglades tree islands that are key habitat for native species and traditional homes for Seminole and Miccosukee people. Its long skirts can become ladders for wildfire, allowing blazes to climb to the top of tree canopies and destroy hugs stands of old-growth forest. It now infests more than 200,000 south Florida acres, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Devastating as both plants already have been to the Big Cypress National Preserve, Everglades National Park and other wild lands throughout south Florida, stronger hurricanes may turbo-charge their damage in the future. Brazilian pepper seedlings invading the Everglades. The plants likely emerged after hurricane Irma and were predominantly invading open areas and moving across the white mangrove forest edge, though invasion was also happening inside the mangroves. Led by Fulbright Scholar Luke Flory, a UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences associate professor of ecology, the team also includes University of Iowas Susan Meerdink, an assistant professor of geographical and sustainability sciences, and Florida professors Alina Zare and Paul Gader as well as doctoral student Dylan Stewart, all with UF's Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. The team intends to examine post-hurricane conditions with remotely sensed data that can be used to map the distribution of invasive plants, Buck says. The idea is to get ahead of the plants by predicting future patterns, then planning a counterattack. If resources can be allocated before or right after a storm, invasions can be managed more effectively and efficiently, Flory says. This is where Artificial Intelligence comes in. It's quite a name, but a method called multitarget multiple-instance spectral match filter looks promising. Abbreviated to MTMI-SMF, it's a machine-learning approach that "allows flexibility in training data (and) can detect highly problematic invaders using multispectral imagery," said Meerdink in the abstract to the paper, "Dealing with imperfect data for invasive species detection using multispectral imagery," published in the journal Ecological Informatics. Also promising: "This pipeline could be readily adapted to other invaders and ecosystems, as well as different remote sensing image sources, and has low computational requirements. Our study demonstrates that remote sensing technologies and multiple-instance learning algorithms can provide managers with critical tools." Brazilian peppertree invasions within a white mangrove forest. How hurricanes help exotic plants spread Hurricanes can shape plant invasions two ways: Storms can make the landscape more receptive to invasives. If saltwater kills native plant communities or big trees fall and allow sunlight to penetrate where it hadn't before, exotics can capitalize on that and move into new places and Storms can spread exoric seeds and spores to new places. Hurricanes can, in essence, create a perfect storm for invasions, Flory says. Beating back exotic invaders: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary passes hard-fought habitat milestone So, how to fight back? The News-Press asked Flory about the team's work and its potential applications. Answers have been edited for length. What are the mechanics of the project? FLORY: Very generally speaking, the goal was to connect data from satellites with data collected on the ground so that, ultimately, satellite-based data (i.e., remotely sensed data) could be used over the very broad scale of the Everglades to better understand the spread of invasive plants (two species in particular) and how their spread was impacted by hurricanes. The approach changed over time due to logistics, from using handheld and near-surface devices to using photos taken by a person (lab manager and PhD student Drew Hiatt) from a helicopter. What, exactly, is remote sensing and how does it work? FLORY: Remote sensing is simply the collection of data from afar which could be from a drone, helicopter, or most often satellite. What is hyperspectral sensing? FLORY: Essentially hyperspectral sensors collect information as a set of 'images', each representing a narrow wavelength range of the electromagnetic spectrum, also known as a spectral band. We had planned to eventually (once data was available) use hyperspectral data to better detect invasive plants because at least some species have a unique detectable spectral signature compared to native species. Weve initially used 'multi-spectral' data, which is similar to hyperspectral except that involves many fewer bands of data. Importantly, it still worked. What are the handheld devices like? When you do the flyovers, is that on a drone? FLORY: No, drones are not allowed in national parks, unfortunately. We ended up mostly using data from a handheld digital camera from the helicopter plus data collected using satellites. Where are you doing the sensing? How big an area are you working in? FLORY: In Everglades National Park they provided funding and a lot of collaborative assistance, including the helicopter flights. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: AI used to fight hurricane-powered exotic invasions in the Everglades On the reconnaissance drones pixelated video feed, a small, four-wheeled robot trundles into view, coming to a halt on top of a Russian bunker before unleashing a powerful explosion. The blast shrouds the area in a cloud of smoke, shredding the leaves from nearby trees as debris rains down on the surrounding trench system. This is the moment the Ukrainian troops have been waiting for. But there is no mass infantry assault or tank charge. Instead, a swarm of explosive-laden FPV drones controlled by Ukrainian soldiers miles away seeks to exploit the chink in the enemys armour, swooping down on the Russians and chasing them through zigzagging trenches that provide little protection against the airborne threat. The devastating attack exemplifies a new type of warfare being pioneered by Ukraine, one that relies more heavily than ever before on unmanned and remotely operated robotic systems. With Kyiv striving to overcome its dire manpower shortages, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, is placing his hopes on an army of experimental robots to turn the tide against Vladimir Putins invasion. The Telegraph was given rare access to information on the new types of robots that are already taking part in the combat in Ukraine. For months, Ukrainian forces have been using the robots for everything from demolishing bridges, transporting supplies to the front line and evacuating wounded troops. Ukraines unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) are the latest development in the drone war that has grown to define the conflict in Ukraine. The great hope is these technological developments will save the lives of Ukrainian servicemen, alleviating the burden of a severe manpower shortage, which experts have warned will get worse before it gets better. Unlike the enemy, Ukraines key is its people. Technology, particularly unmanned ground vehicles, allows for minimising human involvement on the battlefield, preserving the lives and health of Ukrainian soldiers, said Nataliia Kushnerska, chief operations officer at Brave 1, the Ukrainian governments defence innovations platform. Brave 1 has been sifting through hundreds of ideas, blueprints and prototypes put forward by Ukrainian developers that believe they can help. In March alone, more than 50 robots were sent to the front lines, without much in the way of official fanfare. A month earlier, reports surfaced of Russian infantrymen attempting to capture a Ukrainian bunker outside the Donetsk region city of Avdiivka. The invaders came under a hail of intense, accurate gunfire, which wasnt deterred by a flurry of retaliatory mortar and small-arms fire. When the machine-gunner position was eventually overran, the Russians discovered their opponent was no more than a hunk of metal. It was likely one of four combat robots that are being rolled out slowly across the front line. Some are fitted with PKT and PKM 7.62mm calibre machine guns, while others are designed for more heavy-duty operations with 12.7mm Browning machine guns that can hit targets just over a mile away. The UGVs can be fitted with night-vision cameras and added armour protecting them from small-arms fire, matching the description of the gunnery robot that confronted advancing Russians outside Avdiivka. Missions, including assaults, have been carried out with these laptops while their operators are sat in underground shelters some two-and-a-half miles away. The Shablya M2 fixed, remote machine gunner is primarily used to replace the role of the long shifts put in by Ukrainian soldiers on defensive duties. Engineers and developers have also taken inspiration from the Ukrainian armed forces use of one-way suicide drones in the skies and the waves. Unmanned ground vehicles dubbed Ratel-S and Ark-1 can deliver 40kg of explosives under a tank or into a bunker at speeds of 15mph. A reusable version can carry and deploy up to two TM-62 anti-tank mines on Russian positions or logistical routes. Artificially intelligent aiming systems that dont require human interaction are also being developed to counter Russian electronic warfare jammers that sever the connection between drones and their operators. More universal logistics robots that can be repurposed for different tasks have also been tested. The UGVs with ranges of 25 miles can carry loads of up to 600kg to deliver ammunition to front-line positions or evacuate a wounded soldier to safety. Tracked versions are deployed in more torturous conditions, while a wheeled design delivers better performance when speed is of the essence. Our military is already using them on the front line. We have successful examples of using robots for demolishing bridges used by the enemy, delivering supplies to the front lines, evacuating wounded soldiers and inflicting damage on the adversary, Ms Kushnerska said. Drone warfare is seen as the only way Ukraine can overcome the numerical advantage Russia enjoys because of its willingness to absorb mass casualties. The use of aerial, naval and ground drones have been increased in response to the slow deliveries of more conventional Western weapons systems from Kyivs backers abroad. British intelligence officials estimated 500,000 Russians had been killed or wounded in the war, in a social media post published on Friday. Both Ukraine and Nato share an opposition to this level of human waste, something officials in Kyiv believe will eventually see Western militaries adopt its technological creations. At least 21 of the robots being trialled on the front lines are codified according to Nato standards, said Ms Kushnerska. We are confident that unmanned ground vehicles will become the next game-changer in this war, just as drones have already become. This is our asymmetric response to the enemys numerical advantage, she added. 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. Why telling time on the moon is a conundrum for NASA Editors note: A version of this story appeared in CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. To get it in your inbox, sign up for free here. Its easy to take the moon for granted as a silvery orb in the night sky, providing a soft light on most evenings. But have you ever pondered what time it is on the moon? As multiple countries race to establish a human presence on the lunar surface, experts say its time to establish a time scale for Earths natural satellite. Otherwise, things could get confusing. Albert Einsteins theory of relativity decades ago changed the way we understand time, and time even passes differently depending on where a clock is sitting on Earth. Determining a lunar time scale will be even more challenging. The new system of measurement that NASA and its international partners need to agree on will have to account for the fact that seconds tick by faster on the moon. Over time, those seconds add up. But it will be crucial for astronauts living in lunar habitats and scooting around in moon buggies who need to know exactly what time it is. Defying gravity NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore (left) and Suni Williams were prepared to launch Saturday, but officials scrubbed the Boeing Starliner mission moments before liftoff. - Joe Skipper/Reuters Boeing officials scrubbed the highly anticipated crewed maiden voyage of the Starliner spacecraft moments before liftoff on Saturday. An automatic hold was triggered by the ground launch sequencer, the computer that essentially launches the rocket, a few minutes prior to the scheduled launch time of 12:25 p.m. ET, and mission teams are still assessing the cause of the issue. Its possible that Starliner could be ready to launch again as soon as Sunday if the issue can be easily resolved. Veteran NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore remain safe and have exited the capsule, and will be ready for the next Starliner launch attempt when all systems are ready to go. Look up The sunspot clusters responsible for the May 10 solar storm, which painted the skies around the world with colorful auroras, are coming back around. Experts predict that auroras could dance over northern and upper Midwest states on Saturday, but there is also a chance for more dazzling displays over the next week as the sunspots directly face Earth. Meanwhile, a planet parade in which six planets appear to align in the sky will soon occur, with optimal viewing in North America and Europe right before sunrise on Sunday. Expect to glimpse Mars, Saturn and Jupiter, but Uranus, Mercury and Neptune likely wont be visible to the naked eye. And the devil comet will make its closest approach to Earth on Sunday as well, but it will likely only be glimpsed by those in the Southern Hemisphere with the aid of binoculars or a telescope. We are family A digital reconstruction of a Bronze Age woman's face is on display at Scotland's Perth Museum and Art Gallery. - Perth Museum, Culture Perth & Kinross/Chris Rynn About 4,000 years ago, a woman living in Bronze Age Scotland likely took an accidental bump to the head, causing her to die in her 30s. Now, visitors to the Perth Museum and Art Gallery can see a blinking, expressive digital version of her face, thanks to a recreation by Dr. Chris Rynn, a craniofacial anthropologist and forensic artist who studied her skull. Other facial reconstructions on display at the museum include an Iron Age man who could have belonged to a group called the Picts and a young murder victim who lived in medieval Scotland. Additionally, scientists have uncovered evidence that ancient Egyptian physicians attempted to remove a cancerous tumor from the skull of a young man more than 4,000 years ago. A long time ago The remains of 28 horses buried nearly 2,000 years ago at Villedieu-sur-Indre in central France are astounding archaeologists especially because the horses cause of death is still a mystery. The nine graves date between 100 BC and AD 100, and the horses were all carefully laid to rest in the same position at the same time. The adult stallions may have been killed in battle during the Gallic Wars, when Julius Caesar conquered Gaul, or perhaps they were part of a ritual sacrifice, according to the researchers. Separately, an exceptionally complete Stegosaurus fossil is going up for auction this summer, but paleontologists have concerns about where it will end up. Fantastic creatures People first spotted "salty licorice cats with a distinctive white fur pattern in the Finnish village of Petajavesi more than 15 years ago. - Ari Kankainen When people first began to observe cats with striking fur patterns living in the Finnish village of Petajavesi in 2007, scientists sat up and took notice. The cats sported ombre strands of fur that were dark at the root and faded to white. And now, researchers know what creates their unusual fur pattern: a mutation affecting a gene called KIT, which controls hair color. The felines have been dubbed salty licorice cats, named after salmiak, a popular Finnish treat of black licorice speckled with white salt. Curiosities Explore these intriguing new findings: Archaeologists excavating Pompeii in southern Italy have uncovered childrens sketches depicting scenes of gladiators and hunters battling animals, suggesting that young kids watched the violent displays firsthand. Observations of the asteroid Dinkinesh captured by NASAs Lucy mission reveal that a sun-driven quake may have created a baffling double-lobed moon orbiting the space rock. The modern cockroach has a surprising history that began more than 2,000 years ago, and the insects path to becoming a pest involved hitching rides in the lunch baskets of soldiers and travelers. Like what youve read? Oh, but theres more. Sign up here to receive in your inbox the next edition of Wonder Theory, brought to you by CNN Space and Science writers Ashley Strickland and Katie Hunt. They find wonder in planets beyond our solar system and discoveries from the ancient world. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com UW-La Crosse announced the appointment to two new vice chancellors Friday morning. Stacy Narcotta-Welp was made vice chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion while Stephanie Pope was named vice chancellor for Administration & Finance. Interim chancellor Betsy Morgan and incoming chancellor James Beeby appointed the two new vice chancellors after a national search to fill the vacant positions. Narcotta-Welp assumed the Diversity & Inclusion vice chancellorship effective May 21 after serving in the interim position since February. Before serving as vice chancellor, Narcotta-Welp was the assistant vice chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion and director for Student Support Services. Before coming to UW-L in 2017, she served as manager for the Career Leadership Academy New Initiatives at the University of Iowa. Narcotta-Welp also holds a bachelors degree in anthropology from the University of Tulsa and a masters in counseling, rehabilitation and student development in post-secondary education from the University of Iowa. Pope comes to UW-L from Minnesota North College, where she served as vice president for Finance & Facilities for three years. She served in a similar position at the Oregon Institute of Technology from 2019-2021. She is familiar with the Universities of Wisconsin, and served as associate budget planner at UW-Stevens Point from 2013-2017. Pope earned her bachelors in English from UW-Stevens Point and a masters in business administration from Edgewood College. Air India has issued an apology and offered a $350 (Rs 29,203) apology voucher to passengers affected by a significant delay on a flight from Delhi to San Francisco. Originally scheduled to depart at around 3:30 pm on Thursday, the flight was rescheduled multiple times and finally took off at 9:55 pm on Friday, landing in San Francisco at 12:45 pm on Saturday. The typical duration for this flight is around 16 hours. Cause of Delay Air India cited "technical and other operational constraints" as the reasons behind the extensive delay. Klaus Goersch, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Air India, conveyed apologies in a letter to the affected passengers. "Please allow me to sincerely apologize, on behalf of Air India, for the extended delay in bringing you to San Francisco, which was caused by several technical delays and other operational constraints," Goersch stated. Compensation Offered In an effort to compensate for the inconvenience, Air India has provided each passenger with a travel voucher worth $350, redeemable for future travel with the airline. Passengers also have the option to credit the amount instead of using it solely for travel. The delay impacted over 200 passengers, many of whom documented their challenging experience at the airport on social media. The severe heat wave in Delhi exacerbated the situation, causing several passengers to fall ill. Official Response Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the issue, stating, "Making passengers wait for hours, whether in a plane or the terminal, is unacceptable. If the flight delay extends beyond a reasonable period, then you must cancel the flight and reschedule to alleviate the passengers' suffering." Regulatory Action The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to Air India regarding the delays of two international flights AI 183 from Delhi to San Francisco on May 30 and AI 179 from Mumbai to San Francisco on May 24. The notice highlighted the airline's failure to adequately care for passengers during these delays. A Vistara flight traveling from Paris to Mumbai was forced to make an emergency landing due to a bomb threat, with 306 people on board. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a handwritten note was discovered, prompting immediate security measures. The flight, UK 024, was en route from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. According to sources, the bomb threat was found on an airsickness bag, leading to the declaration of a full emergency at 10:08 am. The aircraft landed safely at 10:19 am, carrying 294 passengers and 12 crew members. Vistara confirmed the security concern in a statement, acknowledging the threat discovered by staff on flight UK 024. The airline followed protocol by promptly notifying the relevant authorities. Upon landing in Mumbai, Vistara cooperated fully with security agencies to conduct all necessary checks. The situation was handled with utmost priority, ensuring the safety of all passengers and crew. The airline's response highlights the importance of rigorous security protocols in addressing such threats effectively. New Delhi: The death toll raised to five in an incident in which a pick-van ran over people, officials said on Sunday. This accident took place near Bisauli-Aonla road under Bisauli police station in Uttar Pradesh district. The tragic incident took place on Saturday in which five people were killed after the pickup van ran them over, PTI reported. Budaun District Magistrate Manoj Kumar said on Saturday that the van lost control and ran over the victims, who were taking a rest under a tree near Paigam Bhikampur village. The victims were identified as Prakash (42), Brajpal (35), Dhanpal (55), Netrapal (47), and Gyan Singh (40). The driver of a van was arrested at the Bisauli police station. Earlier, two people were injured and admitted to Budaun Government Medical College hospital, As per PTI. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Bisauli, Kalpana Jaiswal informed that on Sunday morning one of the injured men, Netrapal (47) died. The death toll in the accident raised to five, she added that the condition of the other injured man admitted to the hospital is critical. Andhra Pradesh Assembly Election Exit Poll Results 2024: In a significant forecast ahead of the 2024 Andhra Pradesh assembly elections, multiple exit polls have predicted a strong showing for the NDA coalition. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has contested all 175 Assembly seats and 25 Lok Sabha segments in the state. The seat-sharing arrangement within the NDA coalition allocated 144 Assembly and 17 Lok Sabha constituencies to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), six Lok Sabha and 10 Assembly seats to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and two Lok Sabha and 21 Assembly seats to the Janasena Party. People's Pulse poll predicts that the former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP could win 95-110 assembly seats, while its allies JanaSena might get 14-20 seats and the BJP 2-5 seats. Axis My India exit poll predicts a mixed result, with TDP securing 78-96 seats, YSRCP getting 55-77 seats, JanaSena Party (JSP) winning 16-18 seats, BJP obtaining 4-6 seats, and Congress possibly gaining 0-2 seats. This gives the NDA coalition a projected range of 98-120 seats, while YSRCP is expected to secure 55-77 seats. Centre for Politics and Policy Studies favours the YSRCP with 95-105 seats, while the TDP-BJP-JanaSena alliance is expected to win 75-85 seats. Aaraa Poll Strategies Private Limited has forecast a likely victory for the ruling party, predicting YSRCP to win 94-104 seats and the opposition alliance to secure 71-81 seats. Atma Sakshi SAS poll also projects a win for the YSRCP, giving them 98-116 seats. In the 2019 assembly elections, the YSRCP secured a decisive victory with 151 seats, while the TDP won 23, and the Janasena managed only one seat. Neither Congress nor the BJP won any seats in the previous state elections. As Andhra Pradesh awaits the official results on June 4, the exit polls have heightened anticipation, suggesting a competitive and closely watched electoral outcome. Hyderabad: Hyderabad, one of the bustling metropolitan cities of the country, ceased to be the common capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh from Sunday as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Hyderabad - Capital Of Telangana ONLY Beginning June 2, Hyderabad will be the capital city of Telangana only. Hyderabad was made the capital city of the two states for 10 years when the bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh was carried out in 2014. Telangana came into existence on June 2, 2014. What Is AP Reorganisation Act? "On and from the appointed day (June 2), Hyderabad in the existing State of Andhra Pradesh, shall be the common capital of the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh for such period not exceeding ten years," said the AP Reorganisation Act. "After expiry of the period referred to in sub-section (1), Hyderabad shall be the capital of the State of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for the State of Andhra Pradesh," it added. The formation of Telangana State was fulfilment of a decades-long demand when the statehood was realized on June 2, 2014 following the passage of AP Reorganisation bill in Parliament in February, 2014. Issues Remain Unresolved Even After 10 Years Despite ten long years after separation, several issues such as bifurcation of assets are still unresolved between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Telangana government sought to discuss issues related to bifurcation at a cabinet meeting, but it did not happen as the Election Commission allegedly did not give nod to it in view of the model of conduct for Lok Sabha polls. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had last month told officials to take over, after June 2, buildings like the Lake View government guest house in Hyderabad which were given to Andhra Pradesh for a period of 10 years. New Delhi: Police have arrested one more individual in connection with planning to attack actor Salman Khan's car in Panvel. The arrests were made based on the inputs shared by Haryana Police. On Saturday police arrested four members of Lawrence Bishnoi's gang in the case. The arrested accused has been identified as Johnny Valmiki, 37-year-old, from Bhiwani. Bishnoi and his gang were plotting to kill actor Salman Khan and made significant steps after which Navi Mumbai Police arrested four accused earlier in the case, while the fifth arrest was made today. A gang had plotted to attack actor Salman Khan's car in Panvel and they planned to order weapons from a Pakistani arms supplier to achieve their goal. The FIR has been registered against 17 individuals. The police have informed that there was a plan to order weapons from a Pakistani arms supplier and due to this, the FIR has been registered against more than 17 people including Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi, Sampat Nehra and Goldy Brar. As per the police, they have received information that jailed Lawrence Bishnoi, his brother Anmol Bishnoi who is based in Canada and partner Goldie Brar had planned to kill actor Salman Khan by purchasing AK-47, M-16 AK-92 and other weapons from an Pakistani arms supplier. Police also informed that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang had made this plan a month before the arrest of two shooters for firing outside actor Salman Khan's residence. The detained accused have been identified as Dhananjay alias Ajay Kashyap, Gaurav Bhatia alias Nahvi, Waspi Khan alias Wasim Chikna and Rizwan Khan alias Javed Khan, Navi Mumbai Police said, ANI reported. New Delhi: The Congress and its INDIA bloc allies are trying to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process, the BJP alleged on Sunday and urged the Election Commission to prevent any attempts of "violence and unrest" during the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls on June 4. A BJP delegation comprising Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Piyush Goyal also urged the poll panel to take cognisance of the "systematic attempts" being made to undermine the electoral process and initiate stringent action against those responsible. The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Election Commission (EC) in this regard. "We had to call upon the Election Commission today in light of the repeated attempts by a section of political parties, like the Congress and their INDI alliance partners, and also by certain motivated civil society groups and NGOs who are trying their level best to undermine the integrity of India's electoral process," Goyal told reporters after meeting EC officials. Their efforts against India's "very robust" electoral process are a direct attack on the country's democratic institutions and pose a risk to public order and trust in the electoral system, he said. The BJP delegation urged the EC to ensure enhanced monitoring and security measures are put in place during the counting of votes to prevent "any attempts at violence or unrest". Earlier in the day, a delegation of opposition INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress' Abhishek Singhvi, met the EC and urged it to ensure that all the guidelines, including declaring the postal-ballot results before the outcome of the EVMs is announced, are followed on June 4. Union minister Goyal said, "I think the mandate given by the people of India both in 2014 and 2019 and the likely mandate of the 2024 general elections expected on June 4 has unnerved the opposition parties and certain non-governmental organisations, so-called civil society groups, who cannot accept a popular leader of the masses who has delivered for the well-being of 1.4 billion Indians." Exit polls on Saturday predicted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain power for a third straight term, with the BJP-led NDA expected to win a big majority in the Lok Sabha polls. Terming the exit polls "bogus", the Congress on Sunday said they were a "deliberate attempt to justify rigging" of the elections and part of "psychological games" being played by Prime Minister Modi to lower the morale of the INDIA bloc workers. Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi dubbed the exit polls as "Modi media poll". Goyal said the BJP delegation urged the EC to ensure that every official engaged in the counting process is fully conversant with the "minutest details" of the exercise and engages diligently with all protocols of counting so that there can be no deviation whatsoever. The delegation also urged the poll panel "to ensure safety and security of the electoral process during the counting and announcement of results, including enhanced monitoring and security measures to prevent any attempts at violence or unrest", he said. Goyal said the BJP delegation asked the EC to take cognisance of the "systematic attempts" being made to undermine the electoral process and take stringent action against those responsible. "We also urged the EC to issue a public statement affirming the integrity of the electoral process and warning against any attempts to disrupt the democratic process," he added. Goyal lashed out at Gandhi for terming the exit polls "Modi media poll" and said the Congress leader has passed "very uncharitable comments about the media". "I strongly condemn the effort to put pressure on the media, the effort to try and paint the media black and to undermine the work that the media is doing," he told reporters. Those who are not able to accept Prime Minister Modi's leadership and his government's work in the last 10 years are continuously coming out with a toolkit to undermine India's institutions, be it the Supreme Court, various regulatory bodies or the EC, he said. "The toolkit has now come out with a Delhi resolution of May 28, we don't know who are the parties and the people behind this Delhi resolution, there are no signatories, no names but certain political parties tend to now support such an effort to undermine India's democracy," he charged. "This is a regular sinister attempt carried out by certain bodies in the guise of civil societies who are very often fronting for the opposition," Goyal said adding, "The BJP and the NDA strongly condemn such efforts by the opposition parties and certain civil society groups." The senior BJP leader said Indians are "extremely proud" that for 30 years now the country has had an unblemished track record in which elections are held in a free and fair manner. The world today looks up to India's electoral system as one of the most robust, transparent and high-integrity election systems, he said. "We strongly condemn the Congress and the toolkit and their associates who are working against India's interest and are damaging India's credibility and India's rich tradition of democracy across the world. We are proud of our electoral process," Goyal said. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal is all set to return to Tihar Jail on June 2 as interim bail by the Delhi court for the election campaign ended today. He addressed the press conference on Sunday and said that PM Modi accepted this in front of the country and that he does not have any evidence against me. Reacting to Modi's remark, Kejriwal said that even if he is an experienced thief the PM didn't have any proof against it then how could he arrest without any proof? "PM Modi said in an interview that I believe that there is no proof or recovery against Kejriwal because he is an experienced thief. Let's assume that I am an experienced thief, you don't have any proof or any recovery against me so you put me in jail without any proof?" he said. Kejriwal accused PM Modi of orchestrating dictatorship and said that he is going to fight against it and the country can not tolerate this kind of dictatorship. "I want to say to the people of Delhi that I am going to jail again, not because I have done a scam but because I have raised my voice against dictatorship...PM Modi accepted this in front of the country that he does not have any evidence against me," he further said. Delhi CM also exaggerated that the court had granted him bail of 21 days for the campaign and he used every single minute for various parties' campaigns. "Supreme Court granted me bail for 21 days to campaign for elections. I want to thank SC for that. Today, I am going to Tihar Jail again. I did not waste even a minute of these 21 days. I did not campaign only for AAP but for various parties," he said. Exit Poll Results 2024: The anticipation surrounding the high-stakes battle to claim the throne at the centre is nearing an end on June 4. With the release of exit poll data on Saturday, some believe that the Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP)-led NDA is poised to secure a clean sweep in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Although the BJP seems likely to reach the magic number of 272 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats, it may achieve a surplus compared to the 2019 elections. The final outcome remains undisclosed at present, but according to the exit polls, the BJPs alliance is projected to enhance its vote percentage in the southern states. Below is an examination of exit poll results for five crucial southern states. Breakthrough In Kerela Several exit polls forecast the possibility of the BJP opening its account in Kerela, a region where Prime Minister Narendra Modis party has struggled to make significant gains. Exit poll data from Axis My India shows the NDA (BJP-led) winning 2-3 seats with a probable vote share of 27%. On the same line, News 18 predicted 1-3 seats for the NDA in the state. While Times Now-ETG forecasted one seat for the saffron party out of a total of 20 constituencies. Thriller In Tamil Nadu The National Democratic Alliance is predicted to witness a potential increase in its vote share in Tamil Nadu. The party's anticipated vote share of 22% in the state reflects a notable rise compared to previous elections. However, the dominant force remains the INDIA bloc, comprising the DMK and Congress, which is predicted to win a substantial 3337 seats out of the total 39 Lok Sabha seats. According to the News 18 exit poll, the NDA is projected to secure 1-3 seats in Tamil Nadu, whereas the INDIA bloc is poised to clinch 3639 seats in the state. The predictions of Axis My India showed the NDA securing victory on 2-4 seats. As per Today's Chanakya, the BJP may win between 6-10 seats in Tamil Nadu. Cut-Throat Competition In Telangana Exit polls anticipated a close competition between the Congress and the BJP in Telangana during the Lok Sabha elections, with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi expected to endure significant setbacks. The TV 9 Bharatvarash predicted that the NDA (BJP-led) is poised to win seven seats and the INDIA bloc to win eight seats, with two seats secured by others. Out of the total 17 seats in the state, News18 India forecast the BJP getting victory on 710 seats while the Congress on 5-8 seats, followed by BRS (Bharat Rashtra Samithi) securing 25 seats. Holding Fort In Karnataka According to exit poll predictions, the BJP is poised to continue its strong performance in the state, building upon its sweeping victory in 2019, when it won 25 out of 28 seats. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc is expected to secure 37 seats, indicating a significant presence but not putting any major challenge to the NDA's dominance. News18 Indias exit poll says the NDA may win 2326 seats, while the INDIA bloc is expected to bag 37 seats. NDA may obtain 23 to 25 seats, as per India Today-Axis My India. Tables Turned In Andhra Pradesh The exit polls painted a picture of dominance for the BJP-led NDA in Andhra Pradesh, with predictions suggesting a majority of the Lok Sabha seats could be won by the alliance. On the other hand, INDIA bloc may struggle to open its account in this southern state. News 18 forecasted that the NDA is expected to attain 1922 seats out of a total 25 constituencies. ABP C voter estimated 2125 seats for the NDA. While the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is expected to win 5-8 seats, according to News 18, the ABP C Voter suggests a lower range of 04 seats. The India bloc, on the other hand, is anticipated to draw a blank in both predictions. In 2019, the YSRCP won 22 seats, the Congress secured 3 seats, and the BJP failed to win any seats. New Delhi: The capital city grapples with a severe water shortage amid a heatwave knocking on the doors of Delhiites. Residents are forced to roam the streets with buckets in their hands, waiting for the water tanker to fulfil their daily water requirements. A video shared by ANI on its X platform depicts the ongoing chaos. The footage is of Okhla Phase 2, with residents scrambling for access to a water tanker, some even resorting to queue-jumping and climbing atop the vehicle with their pipes. On Friday, the Arvind Kejriwal administration filed a petition with the Supreme Court, requesting increased water allocation from neighbouring states including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh, prompting a heated political dispute between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Bharatiya Janata Party, which holds power in Haryana, regarding the water shortage. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini replied to these accusations by saying that the AAP government is 'spreading lies to hide its own corruption. #WATCH | Delhi: Due to the water crisis, people are facing problems in many areas of the national capital. Water is being supplied to the people through tankers. (Visuals from Okhla Phase 2 area) pic.twitter.com/uuwQJnooDN ANI (@ANI) June 2, 2024 Meanwhile, levelling accusations against the AAP government in Delhi, Lt Governor V K Saxena alleged that the party habitually blames others for their "inefficiency," "inability," and "inaction.". Saxena labelled the water crisis "mismanagement." Many parts of Delhi, such as Sanjay Camp in Chanakyapuri and the Geeta Colony area, were experiencing severe water shortages. In the scorching heat, residents had to endure lengthy lines to collect water from tanker trucks. (With inputs from agencies) At least two people were injured in collision between two trains in Fatehgarh Saheb on Amritsar-Delhi railway line earlier on Sunday. Reports said, the engine of a goods train derailed and collided with a passenger train. As per news agency PTI, a Government Railway Police official said, " two loco pilots were injured in the accident. Reports said the accident took place when a stationary freight train was hit from behind by another at the Sirhind railway station. #WATCH | Punjab: Two goods trains collided near Madhopur in Sirhind earlier this morning, injuring two loco pilots who have been admitted to Sri Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Hospital. pic.twitter.com/0bLi33hLtS June 2, 2024 Reports stated the collision caused the engine of one of them to flip over to another track and hit a passenger train. "There was no loss of life but loco pilots Vikas Kumar and Himanshu Kumar were injured," PTI quoted an official as saying. The report quoting an official from Fatehgarh Sahib Civil Hospital said Vikas Kumar suffered injuries to his head and Himanshu Kumar to his back. Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Assassination Plot: To stall the extradition of Nikhil Gupta to the United States, his lawyers have resorted to a new tactic. The attorneys of Gupta, who is in jail in Prague for allegedly being involved in the murder plot to kill Khalistan separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, argued that the court must investigate whether Gupta was an agent for the Indian secret service and if he had the option to refuse the order to kill Pannun, reported the Indian Express. He was detained by Czech authorities on June 30 of the previous year on charges of attempting to hire a hitman to kill Pannun, who is designated as a terrorist under Indias Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and is a US citizen. Amid his current custody in Prague the United States has requested his extradition. According to the Indian Express report, Guptas legal counsellors suggested that he, as a soldier sui generis, was executing orders to eliminate a terrorist (Pannun), who posed a threat to Indias security. Gupta's lawyers argued that he might have been acting as an agent of the Indian secret service. According to the Indian Express report, a Czech court pronounced these claims absurd by noting that India is a democratic country that adheres to the rule of law and international treaties. The High Court underlined that India would not resort to such methods to resolve its issues, especially against a citizen of another state. Gupta was detained by Czech authorities at the request of the US government following which the case has been through the Czech Municipal Court, the High Court, and the Constitutional Court. The Municipal Court in Prague initially ruled in favour of the US extradition request on November 23, 2023. Meanwhile, the High Court in Prague upheld the Municipal Courts decision on January 8, 2024. The High Court dismissed the argument that Guptas potential connections to the Indian secret services necessitated compliance with the murder order. The Constitutional Court, on May 22, 2024, dismissed Guptas challenge to the lower court decisions, paving the way for his extradition to the US. However, the final decision rests with the Czech Ministry of Justice. Chinese girls perform during a celebration of the International Children's Day in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan on June 1, 2024. As countries around the globe mark the International Children's Day on Saturday, Pakistan and Chinese children gathered at a hotel hall in Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad to celebrate the important occasion to promote cultural and educational exchanges. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) As countries around the globe mark the International Children's Day on Saturday, Pakistan and Chinese children gathered at a hotel hall in Pakistan's federal capital Islamabad to celebrate the important occasion to promote cultural and educational exchanges. Holding red and green flags of China and Pakistan, and enthusiastically signing "Long Live Pakistan-China Friendship," the children were mingling with each other and learning about Pakistani and Chinese culture. The event, attended by parents, teachers, volunteers and officials, featured art performance, kung fu shows and paintings by both Pakistani and Chinese students. The performances by the children casted a spell on the audience, with attendees cheering loudly every time the children performed on the stage. Talking to Xinhua after performing on a Chinese song, a student named Sara said that Pakistani children are conveying their love for China, its people and culture through various art performances. "Today I feel so happy that I get to perform on the Chinese song. I have been learning the Chinese language at my school and now I can understand the language well. I feel great that both Pakistan and Chinese children are learning about each others' cultures," the 7th grader said. Sara said that she also has participated in the painting competition and won an award. "I painted flags of Pakistan and China, a panda and national monument of Pakistan to express my love for China as well as for my own country Pakistan." Sidra Sajjid, an eight-year-old student who performed the Chinese kung fu during the event, said that she got to learn about the different moves of the Chinese martial arts from her Chinese teacher at the school. "I have been learning kung fu moves over the last few days. Initially it seemed a bit difficult to learn, but in a couple of days I was able to grasp them. When we were performing on the stage, the audience gave us a round of applause," Sajjid said. Highlighting the significance of bringing children together to create harmony and bridging the gap between Pakistan and China, Asma Munir Salman, a school leader of Great Maple School, Rawalpindi, said that such events hold great importance. "Children are the future of Pakistan and China...These children basically are the ones who are going to bring about the change. And instead of creating walls, these children will be breaking the walls and helping each other and taking Pakistan-China relations to new heights," Salman told Xinhua. Ma Bin, president of the China-Pak Educational Cultural Institute, said that as Pakistan and China are celebrating the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations this year, the children from the two friendly countries have the opportunity to celebrate the festival together. "Children are the future of both countries. We hope to let more children know the stories of China and Pakistan and jointly maintain the friendship between China and Pakistan," he added. New examinations of data collected from Venus suggest the planet is more volcanically active than previously thought. The finding is based on radar images captured by Magellan, an orbiting spacecraft that the American space agency NASA operated. NASA officials have described Magellan as one of the most successful deep space missions in the agencys history. The spacecraft became the first to map nearly the whole surface of Venus during a five-year mission beginning in 1989. The orbiter made other discoveries about the planet as well. Venus is similar in structure and size to Earth and is also our closest planetary neighbor. Italian researchers studied radar images captured by Magellan from 1990 to 1992. The effort resulted in the discovery of what the team believes to be large lava flows in two new areas. The research team said the latest finding combined with evidence from past studies means the volcanic activity on Venus is likely comparable to Earths. The team recently published its results in a study appearing in Nature Astronomy. Davide Sulcanese of Italys d'Annunzio University was the lead writer of the study. He told Reuters news agency, "These findings significantly change our understanding of the degree to which Venus is volcanically active. One of the two newly identified areas is near a volcano on Venus called Sif Mons. The volcano which sits near an area called Eistla Regio is estimated to be about 300 kilometers wide. Radar images from the area suggest a lava flow created a rock structure extending for 30 square kilometers. The other big lava flow was discovered in a large volcanic plain in an area known as Niobe Planitia. The researchers said the rock structure created by this lava flow is about 45 square kilometers. Scientists have estimated that both lava rock formations have an average depth between three and 20 meters. The team believes the lava flows were related to volcanic activities that were taking place during Magellans mapping mission. Another co-writer of the study was planetary scientist Giuseppe Mitri of d'Annunzio University. He told Reuters both volcanoes are thought to be shield volcanoes. This means lava from the volcanoes flows easily because it faces less resistance. Scientists say it is important to study active volcanoes to understand more about what happens below the planets surface. Volcanic activity can, they say, greatly affect how a planet grows and develops over time. The new study builds on past evidence of ongoing volcanic activity on Venus. One 2023 study found a volcanic vent in another area called Atla Regio. The area is near the planets equator and contains two of the planets largest volcanoes. The researchers said radar images showed that a vent on the surface had expanded and changed shape over an eight-month period in 1991. The discovered vent is on Maat Mons, the planets highest volcano. But Sulcanese said the latest study "is the first to provide direct proof of lava flows formed during the Magellan mission period. He noted that the additional evidence was identified because the radar images clearly observed changes in surface morphology and radar data. Scott Hensley is a research scientist at NASAs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California. He said in a statement, This exciting work provides another example of volcanic change on Venus from new lava flows that augments the vent changereported last year. Hensley added, This result, in tandem with the earlier discovery of present-day geologic activity, increases the excitement in the planetary science community for future missions to Venus. Im Bryan Lynn Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from NASA, Reuters and Nature Astronomy. Quiz - New Data Suggest Widespread Volcanic Activity on Venus Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz ___________________________________ Words in This Story mission n. a flight by an aircraft or spacecraft to perform a specific task lava n. hot, melted rock that comes out of a volcano plain n. a large area of flat land shield n. something that protects something or someone from something dangerous or unpleasant vent n. a hole in something that lets air and other materials in morphology n. the study of how things are structured augment v. to increase in size or amount in tandem phr. to do something together or at the same time Aboitiz Power Corp. is looking at applying the digital twin principle across its power generating plants to increase efficiency and reliability and manage downtime, its executives said. AboitizPower teamed up with REPCO NEX Industrial Solutions of Thailand to introduce the Philippines first smart power plants as part of the Aboitiz Groups push towards a techglomerate. - Advertisement - The project, dubbed Project Arkanghel, will develop digital twins for AboitizPowers circulating fluidized bed (CFB) coal-fired power plants including the 300-megawatt Therma South plant in Davao City and the 340-MW Therma Visayas Plant in Toledo City, Cebu. Digital twins are a virtual replica of a power plant that mimics its operational processes and systems, giving operators a tool that can simulate or stress-test scenarios and detect faults and glitches earlier and in real time, all within a virtual environment. To answer your question, we can apply this to all of the plants, AboitizPower Thermal chief operating officer of operated assets Aldo Ramos. Aboitiz Data Innovation chief executive David Hardoon said the principle of digital twin requires enough data and asset information. We had to go for a learning program to understand our broilers to build this, that being said, it is applicable to critical equipment, it is also applicable to some point to the balance of plant, for the entire place, Hardoon said. Any industrial operations that uses raw materials can use this, he said. AboitizPower, Aboitiz Data Innovation and REPCO NEX held the ceremonial signing of project Arkanghel in Thailand recently, marking a milestone for the Aboitiz Group as it embarks on a journey of innovation that will transform the future of the Philippine energy landscape and even Southeast Asia. Both assets will serve as pioneer models for future installations in other thermal sites. A digital-enabled power plant will streamline data collection and review for the benefit of asset health monitoring, life cycle management and predictive maintenance. AboitizPower executives said the proactive action spurred by these insights could result in shorter planned and unplanned downtimes, thus increasing plant reliability. AboitizPower chief finance officer Sandro Aboitiz said the Philippine energy landscape is constantly evolving towards transition, while the economy continues to grow at a rapid pace, requiring new sources of dependable and reliable power supply. We also see the impact of the continuing decentralization and digitalization of the energy value chain, supported by enabling policies and technological advancement, he said. First Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group and Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. are studying expanding their liquefied natural gas (LNG) partnership to include LNG procurement and the possibility of building new terminals. Throughout the construction phase, Tokyo Gas was there advancing their share. So, this was just really transitioning from essentially a collaboration where theyre advancing to becoming officially an equity holder in the First Gen LNG joint venture, First Gen president and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno said. - Advertisement - Puno said the two companies are looking at areas of collaboration such as LNG supply sourcing. Obviously, theyre one of the largest. As a gas player from Japan, theyre one of the largest and one of the ones with the highest reputation known globally. So, were hoping to collaborate with them in terms of how we can, in fact, improve our efficiencies, including procurement of gas, Puno said. First Gen LNG Holdings Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen, executed a shareholders agreement (SHA) and share subscription agreement (SSA) with Tokyo Gas Co. Ltd. Tokyo Gas will subscribe to shares and become a shareholder in FGEN LNG Corp., the owner and operator of the interim offshore terminal (IOT) project in Batangas City. Tokyo Gas of Japan is a leading LNG player with more than 50 years of experience in the LNG business. First Gen executive vice president and chief commercial officer Jon Russell said Tokyo Gas supported the company throughout the development and construction of the IOT project. Its part of Tokyo Gas plan to help decarbonize countries in Southeast Asia. This is the first successful development for them. So, I think theyre looking at this as a model for their businesses elsewhere. But I think theyd be keen to grow with us, Russell said. In order to support the development that Mr. Puno described earlier; were going to need more terminals of this kind. So, I think were very happy to work with Tokyo Gas to develop these kinds of projects in other locations outside of Batangas, he said. First Gen and Tokyo Gas signed a joint development agreement for the IOT project in December 2018. Once the agreements become effective, FGEN LNG Holdings will have 80-percent shareholdingd, while Tokyo Gas will get 20 percent in FGEN LNG. FGEN LNG is a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen, one of the biggest independent power producers in the country and the leading gas power generation company in the Philippines with about 2,000 MW in operating gas assets. The Philippines registered $312 million in net outflows of foreign portfolio investments or hot money in April 2024, higher than the $236-million net withdrawals in March, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said Friday. It said that on a year-on-year basis, the April 2024 net outflows were smaller than $352 million net withdrawals in April 2023. - Advertisement - The BSP said despite the net withdrawals in April, the four-month foreign investments yielded net inflows of $65 million, a turnaround from the $680-million net outflows seen in the same period last year. The transactions on foreign investments registered through authorized agent banks (AABs) showed gross outflows of $1.2 billion and gross inflows of $914 million in April 2024. Hot money refers to foreign funds temporarily parked in the equities and money markets to take advantage of short-term interest. The BSP said the $914-million registered investments in April went down 35.1 percent from $1.4 billion recorded in March 2024. About 59.5 percent of registered investments were in Philippine Stock Exchange-listed securities amounting to $544 million, while the remaining 40.5 percent were in peso government securities worth $370 million. Investments mostly came from the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Luxembourg and Hong Kong with a combined share of 87.9 percent. The BSP said the $1.2-billion gross outflows in April also decreased 25.4 percent from the gross outflows in March 2024 amounting to $1.6 billion. The US remained the top destination of outflows, receiving $527 million or 43 percent of total outward remittances. It said that on a year-on-year basis, registered investments in April 2024 went up 28.2 percent from $713 million in April 2023 while gross outflows increased 15.1 percent from $1.1 billion a year ago. Registration of inward foreign investments delegated to AABs by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange (FX) transactions. It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase FX from AABs and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment. The BSP said that without such registration, the foreign investor could still repatriate capital and remit earnings on its investment but the FX would have to be sourced outside the banking system. The International Monetary Fund said Saturday it had reached a preliminary agreement with Niger on periodic reviews of several aid programs underway in the Sahel country, opening the door to more than $70 million in funding. The agreement will require approval by the Funds board of directors, which is set to meet in July, the IMF said in a statement. - Advertisement - This was the fourth and fifth review of the aid program to Niger, allowing for the disbursement of $26.1 million to cover external financing needs. The agreement also covers the first review of the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, the IMFs long-term financing tool to address risks and challenges linked to climate change, allowing the disbursement of another $45.3 million. The IMF noted Nigers ongoing efforts to simplify the tax system, promote the digitalization of revenue administration, and adopt an oil revenue management strategy aiming at insulating the budget from fluctuations in international oil prices. The Fund is one of the few institutions continuing to provide aid to Niger, whose elected president Mohamed Bazoum was overthrown in 2023 in a military coup. The United States, EU, France and Germany have suspended a number of aid programs to Niger, one of the worlds poorest countries. The World Bank announced in mid-May the resumption of several projects in the country. Sanctions and difficulties in the agricultural sector led to a slowdown in growth in 2023, to 2.4 percent, a particularly low level for a country with an average annual population growth of 3.7 percent. But the Nigerien economy was expected to grow 10.6 percent this year, thanks to the lifting of sanctions and strength in the oil sector. Legendary Japanese musician Ryuichi Sakamoto, who passed away from cancer last year at the age of 71, bids farewell to fans in a posthumously released concert film, "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus," created by his son, filmmaker Neo Sora. The film opens in China on May 31. A still image from "Ryuichi Sakamoto: Opus" shows the maestro playing his composition on the piano. [Photo courtesy of China Film Group] At the film's premiere in Beijing on May 27, the atmosphere was somber, with some fans expressing their reluctance to enter the theater, fearing they would be overwhelmed with emotion. In a pre-recorded video shown after the advanced screening, a visibly frail Sakamoto explained to the Beijing audience that his physical condition had deteriorated significantly since his cancer diagnosis in June 2020, making it difficult for him to perform live concerts lasting more than an hour. As a result, he decided to record performances individually and later combine them into a concert film. Sakamoto's 33-year-old son, Neo Sora, brought the project to life at the request of his mother and Sakamoto's long-time manager, Norika. Sora put the pre-production of his own debut feature on hold to complete the film, creating a lasting tribute to one of the world's most influential and celebrated musicians. "Though Ryuichi Sakamoto's physical condition was deteriorating during the filming, he used all of his energy to bring you all this concert film," Sora said via video link at the premiere, addressing an audience moved to tears. "Opus" transcends the boundaries of a traditional documentary, blending 20 tracks from Sakamoto's diverse repertoire into a mesmerizing concert film. Shot over a brief week in September 2022 at NHK Broadcasting Center's 509 Studio in Tokyo, the film offers an intimate glimpse of Sakamoto performing on a grand piano amidst serene surroundings. With crisp black-and-white visuals, this tribute showcases the strength and versatility of his solo piano compositions. Sakamoto, born in 1952, was known for his diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO), a group that significantly influenced and pioneered various electronic music genres. His film scores earned him prestigious awards, including an Oscar for "The Last Emperor" (1987). Other notable works include "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" (1983) and "The Revenant" (2015). British film producer Jeremy Thomas, who produced Bernardo Bertolucci's Academy Award-winning "The Last Emperor," also engaged with the audience at the premiere, reminiscing about the musician. Thomas recalled meeting Ryuichi Sakamoto while working on the epic biographical drama about the life of Puyi, the final Emperor of China's Qing dynasty, for which Sakamoto served as both an actor and score composer. Thomas shared that he had many beautiful memories of their time in China, where they worked closely together and later developed a friendship. "We all miss him, but his music will live on in this final performance in 'Opus.' It truly is a gift for everybody," Thomas said, referring to the film as a "double happiness" for him. "I believe that the audiences in China will appreciate it because I know that China has an incredible relationship with pianos and pianists, and here is one of the best. I hope that many people will now see this and discover the incredible music of Ryuichi Sakamoto, the great man we all tragically lost." In his pre-recorded video, Ryuichi Sakamoto injected a light tone into the otherwise heavy farewell film, saying, "I hope you enjoy this film as if you were attending a normal concert. Let's enjoy!" Kitakyushu, JapanAs Japan plays host to a record influx of tourists, one of the countrys more private attractions the high-tech toiletis becoming a must-have in luxury bathrooms worldwide. With their warm seats and precision spray technology, bidet toilets are the norm in Japan, where more than 80 percent of homes have one, according to a government survey. - Advertisement - Now sales are surging abroad and especially in the United States, led by A-list bidet fans such as Drake, the Kardashians and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Japanese company TOTO, which pioneered the electric bidets it claims have sparked a global revolution from wiping to washing, says overseas revenue for toilets has roughly doubled from 100 billion yen ($673 million) in 2012. The pandemic was a key driver, bringing a home-renovation boom, but also germ-conscious consumers desperate for an alternative to toilet paper after shelves were cleared by panic-buyers. Senior TOTO executive Shinya Tamura, who oversees international business, told Agence France Presse (AFP) the brands growth has been a word-of-mouth success. When people first learn how the toilets water jets work, with pressure and temperature controls, theres an image that its not pleasant. But we cant explain how good it is with words. You need to experience it, Tamura said. After a while, most users cant live without it. The companys international net sales for housing equipment are currently less than a third of those in Japan. It wants to boost sales in the Americas by 19 percent over two years to establish a solid position there and offset less urgent demand in China. But with more people in the market for a squeaky-clean bum, US competitors are challenging TOTO and its Japanese rivals such as Panasonic and LIXIL for their throne. Smartest toilet At a major tech fair in Las Vegas this year, the marketing manager of US brand Kohler called its Numi 2.0which takes spoken instructions via an in-built Amazon Alexathe smartest toilet that exists. Just like top-end Japanese models, the Numi 2.0 has an automatic deodorizer and a motion-activated lid that opens when you enter the bathroom and closes when you leave. Its spray wand has pulsating and oscillating functions, and users can adjust the warm-air dryer in minute detail. But such pampering comes at a price: around $8,500 to $10,000, compared to around $500 for more basic bidet seats. Americans who travel to Japan are often inspired to upgrade their toilet, a salesman at Ardys Bath Collection in Beverly Hills told AFP. They see it in the airport, and they see it in public restrooms, and they use it, and theyre like, wow, this is great,' he said. Bidets are popular everywhere but its still a private experience and weird to talk about for some customers. Although fancy Japanese-style toilets are fast becoming a status symbol, TOTOs executives have long fought prudishness when trying to expand abroad. After the US launch of its Washlet bidet in 1986, the firm struggled to place advertisements, and its pop-up event was kicked out of a high-end mall because other stores complained. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has endorsed a draft treaty between the Philippines and Spain that allows natural-born Filipinos to retain their Philippine citizenship even if they acquire Spanish nationality. The DOJ outlined its position on the matter in a legal opinion dated April 30, 2024. This development could significantly impact Filipinos seeking dual nationality. - Advertisement - Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla explained that, under current laws, Filipinos do not lose their Philippine citizenship when acquiring citizenship from Iberian and Ibero-American countries, as well as the United Kingdom, provided there is a corresponding treaty. The Iberian countries include Spain and Portugal, while Ibero-American countries are those in South America. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) requested this legal opinion to ensure that the draft Agreement on Dual Nationality with Spain complies with the Constitution, Republic Act (RA) 9225 or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act, and Commonwealth Act 63, which govern the loss and reacquisition of Filipino citizenship. Remulla clarified that Commonwealth Act 63 stipulates that acquiring citizenship from Iberian or Ibero-American countries, or the UK, does not result in the loss of Philippine citizenship if the other country reciprocates the privilege and a treaty is in place. Spain, he noted, is such a country, as its laws recognize that Spaniards acquiring Philippine citizenship do not lose their Spanish nationality. Further, Remulla cited the Spanish Civil Code, which states that acquiring citizenship from countries like the Philippines does not lead to the loss of Spanish nationality by birth. The DOJ chief also pointed out that RA 9225 allows natural-born Filipinos who lost their citizenship through foreign naturalization to swiftly reacquire and retain it by taking an oath of allegiance to the Philippines. He believes the proposed treaty with Spain would bolster RA 9225 by facilitating the retention of Filipino citizenship. Should the treaty be finalized, Remulla recommended updating the Bureau of Immigrations Memorandum Circular No. AFF-04-01, which outlines the current procedures for implementing RA 9225. In a significant move to bolster its disaster preparedness capabilities, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas has forged a strategic partnership with TAU Corporation, a distinguished Japanese company renowned for its expertise in disaster response. The formal collaboration, titled the Master Agreement for Services on Affected-Vehicle Removal in times of Disaster, was officially inked recently during a visit by the city delegation to Saitama, Japan. - Advertisement - Per the terms of the agreement, TAU Corporation will serve as the primary partner of Santa Rosa City in times of disasters. The companys core services will revolve around the towing and removal of damaged vehicles from roadways post-disaster, along with providing designated storage facilities for these vehicles. This initiative aims to mitigate the impact of disasters, safeguard critical infrastructure, and swiftly address damages incurred by public facilities and road networks. Arcillas expressed her admiration and confidence in TAU Corp., emphasizing the importance of fostering strong ties with various private sectors, both at home and abroad, to advance the citys objectives and enhance the well-being of its residents. She underscored the significance of the partnership by highlighting Japans longstanding reputation for exemplary disaster resilience and rapid recovery efforts, citing the nations track record of efficiently overcoming numerous natural disasters and setting global benchmarks in disaster management practices. I firmly believe that entering into this agreement is a prudent choice. Japan has long been recognized for its exemplary disaster resilience and rapid recovery mechanisms. It has faced and overcome countless natural disasters with remarkable speed and efficiency, Arcillas stated. In a statement, TAU Corp. CEO Akitaka Miyamoto underscored the multifaceted benefits of the collaboration, noting that besides aiding in disaster recovery efforts, the partnership also contributes positively to environmental sustainability. Miyamoto highlighted the companys commitment to environmentally responsible practices, including the implementation of car triage techniques to determine the most suitable method of vehicle disposal based on the extent of damage. Santa Rosa Citys partnership with TAU Corp. is a crucial step towards enhancing its disaster response capabilities and underscores a proactive approach towards safeguarding the community and its infrastructure in the face of potential emergencies. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A physiologically-relevant frequency of dopamine stimulation (20Hz) does not function as a meaningful reward, however, high-frequency dopamine stimulation (50Hz) functions as a reward that is encoded as a specific sensory event. Top: Histological verification with A) bilateral Cre-dependent ChR2 expression in TH-Cre rats, B) colocalization of TH and virus expression approached ~90%, and C) schematic of minimum and maximum virus expression and fiber placement. Left column: Schematic illustrating the task design using one counterbalancing example, which consisted of D) Pavlovian conditioning, E) Instrumental Conditioning, and F) the PIT test. Rats first learnt that two auditory cues (e.g. click and white noise) led to two outcomes (e.g. dopamine stimulation and pellets), then they learnt to perform two lever presses that led to the two outcomes. Finally, rats were presented with the two auditory cues and given an opportunity to press either lever, without reward feedback. Middle column: G) Rats in the 20Hz group (n=6) showed an increase in food-port entries during the pellet-paired stimulus, but not the dopamine-paired stimulus. These rats showed equivalent increases in locomotor activity across learning to both stimuli. H) During instrumental conditioning, where rats learned to make lever presses for the two outcomes, rats in the 20Hz group showed robust lever pressing responses for the pellets, but not the dopamine stimulation. I) In the final PIT test, when the pellet-paired cue is presented, these rats showed significant elevations in responding on the pellet-paired lever, indicating specific PIT. However, they did not show PIT for the dopamine paired cue. Right column: J) Rats in the 50Hz group (n=5) showed increases in food port entries during the pellet-paired stimulus, but not the dopamine-paired stimulus. Increases in locomotor activity across learning was similar for both the dopamine- and pellet-paired stimulus. K) During instrumental training, the 50Hz group showed robust lever pressing for both the dopamine stimulation and the pellets. L) In the final PIT test, the dopamine- and pellet-paired stimuli both produced robust specific PIT. Error bars =SEM. Credit: Millard et al. The neurotransmitter dopamine has often been linked to pleasure-seeking behaviors and making stimuli paired with rewards (e.g., food, drinks) valuable. Nonetheless, the processes through which this key chemical messenger contributes to learning have not yet been fully elucidated. Researchers at University of California Los Angeles, University of Sydney, and the State University of New Jersey recently carried out a study aimed at better understanding how dopaminergic neurons (i.e., brain cells supporting the production of dopamine) support reward-based learning. Their findings, published in Nature Neuroscience, suggest that rather than representing the value attributed to different stimuli, these neurons contribute to the formation of new mental associations between stimuli and reward (or other neutral stimuli), which help us form cognitive maps of our environment. "Our recent research has shown that firing of dopamine neurons act as the brain's teaching signal," Melissa Sharpe, co-author of the paper, told Medical Xpress. "This occurs whenever something new or salient happens, which helps us learn to associate events together to make a new memory. Critically, we have shown that dopamine neurons do this without making things 'valuable' or 'good' in and of themselves." This work is at odds with past studies that have defined dopamine as the neurotransmitter producing "happiness" or "pleasure." However, if dopaminergic neurons do not carry value signals, they should be unable to attribute positive or pleasurable qualities to specific experiences or actions. "We were wondering, if dopamine neurons don't carry a value signal, then how do they support intracranial self-stimulation, which suggests dopamine neurons carry a value signal?" Dr. Sharpe explained. "Our experiments were thus aimed at answering the question: If dopamine neurons do indeed carry value in the context of intra-cranial self-stimulation, what is the cognitive representation that allows [them] to do so?" To answer this research question, Dr. Sharpe and her colleagues carried out a series of experiments on rats. During these experiments, they employed a Pavlovian-to-Instrumental transfer procedure, a well-known experimental test designed to elucidate the cognitive representations driving animal or human behavior. "We teach rats that a cue (e.g., a tone or click) leads to a particular outcome (e.g., dopamine stimulation or a food pellet)," Dr. Sharpe said. "So, when the tone or click is played, one of these outcomes occurs (e.g., tone > dopamine stimulation). Then, we teach them that they can earn these outcomes by pressing one of two levers. If the tone makes them think of the 'specific' outcome it was paired with (e.g., dopamine stimulation), they will selectively increase pressing of the lever associated with the dopamine stimulation (and not the food)." The experiments run by Dr. Sharpe and her colleagues yielded several interesting findings. First, the researchers found that a physiological firing rate of dopamine neurons did not support intracranial self-stimulation in a way that would suggest dopamine neurons carry a value signal. However, they observed that if they made dopaminergic neurons fire above this physiological rate, the firing of these neurons could function as a sensory-specific goal towards which the animals would exhibit behavior. That is, high frequency of firing in dopamine neurons could function as a reward that ultimately drove the rats to engage in the pleasure-seeking behaviors associated with the so-called Pavlovian-to-Instrumental transfer effect. "This suggests that when dopamine neurons fire in everyday life, they're not making things valuable," Dr. Sharpe explained. "Instead, they function to help us form new memories or how things in our environment are related. In a case where dopamine neurons fire more than they are supposed to (e.g., when taking drugs of abuse), this may be encoded in the brain as a rewarding event that makes us more likely to seek out drugs in future." Overall, this recent study by Dr. Sharpe and her colleagues could greatly contribute to the understanding of dopamine and its role in reward-based (i.e., reinforcement) learning. In particular, their findings suggest that dopamine neurons do not carry value signals that attach pleasure or happiness to stimuli in the environment. In the future, they could pave the way for additional experiments aimed at further validating the team's findings or examining the unique contribution of specific dopamine-producing neural circuits. "Our team is now interested in how different dopamine circuits contribute to different types of learning and how this helps us to create a complex but unified representation of our environment," Dr. Sharpe added. More information: Samuel J. Millard et al, Cognitive representations of intracranial self-stimulation of midbrain dopamine neurons depend on stimulation frequency, Nature Neuroscience (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01643-1 Journal information: Nature Neuroscience 2024 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Children who are sedentary for more than six waking hours a day have a significantly increased risk of severe fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis by young adulthood, a new study finds. The research findings will be presented on Saturday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Boston, Mass and published in Nature's npj Gut and Liver. "We found that this relationship between sedentariness and liver damage is likely causal," said lead researcher Prof. Andrew Agbaje, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D., of the University of Eastern Finland in Kuopio, Finland. "The general public must be aware of this danger of sedentariness on the health of children, adolescents and young adults," said Agbaje, who is also with the University of Exeter in Exeter, England. "Advanced fatty liver disease and liver cirrhosis, which is severe scarring and hardening of the liver, could increase the risk of future liver cancer or require a liver transplant." Fatty liver disease is a harmful fat buildup in the liver. When the condition is not due to alcohol consumption but linked to at least one of five components of metabolic syndrome, it is called metabolic-associated steatotic (fatty) liver disease (MASLD). For this study, Agbaje analyzed data from a long-term study of a large U.K. birth cohort, called the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) or the "Children of the '90s". Included in this study were 2,684 children who had repeated measurements of their movements with a waist-worn accelerometer from ages 11 to 24 years. At ages 17 and 24, study participants underwent a liver ultrasound scan to assess for fatty liver and evidence of liver scarring. They also had bloodwork to measure their liver enzyme levels at those two timepoints. On average, children from the study spent 6 hours a day sitting or otherwise being sedentary, but this time increased to 9 hours daily by young adulthood, the researcher found. In childhood, 6 hours per day was spent in light-intensity physical activity, which neutralized the deleterious effect of 6 hours per day spent sedentary. For each half-hour of sedentary behavior above 6 hours per day, children had 15% higher odds of developing fatty liver disease before they were 25 years old. Any increase of sedentary time above 6 hours a day resulted in a corresponding decrease in the time spent in light-intensity physical activity, therefore 3 hours less daily by young adulthood. However, each additional half hour of light-intensity physical activity beyond 3 hours per day decreased the odds of severe fatty liver disease by 33%. "We believe that this alteration in sedentary time versus time for light-intensity physical activity sets the stage for disease initiation and progression," Agbaje said. The prevalence of MASLD was 1 in 40 participants (2.5 percent) at age 17 and one in five participants (20 percent) at age 24. Agbaje called this finding surprising because the risk of MASLD increased eightfold in only seven years and because a 20 percent prevalence of the disease would usually not occur until one's mid-40s. Half of the 24-year-olds with MASLD had severe disease, or a significantly high amount of excess fat in the liver. One in every 40 young adults already had signs of liver scarring, with three in 1,000 young adults meeting the diagnostic criteria for liver cirrhosis, Agbaje reported. However, he found that engaging in light-intensity physical activity for at least 3 hours a day reversed this premature liver damage. Each cumulative minute of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a day was associated with a slightly lower likelihood of severe MASLD at age 24 but was not associated with a lower likelihood of liver cirrhosis. "The most effective antidote to the devastating health effects of childhood sedentariness is not the much-advertised moderate-to-vigorous physical activity of 60 minutes per day," Agbaje said. "Rather, it is the overlooked light-intensity physical activity of 3 to 4 hours per day." Examples of light-intensity physical activity are outdoor games, playing at the playground, walking a dog, running errands for parents, or walking and biking. More information: Andrew O. Agbaje, Accelerometer-based sedentary time and physical activity with MASLD and liver cirrhosis in 2684 British adolescents, npj Gut and Liver (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s44355-024-00002-y ACCRA, Ghana Meet Ace-Liam Ankrah, a Ghana toddler who set the record as the world's youngest male artist. His mother, Chantelle Kukua Eghan, says it all started by accident when her son, who at the time was 6 months old, discovered her acrylic paints. Eghan, an artist and founder of Arts and Cocktails Studio, a bar that offers painting lessons in Ghana's capital, Accra, said she was looking for a way to keep her boy busy while working on her own paintings. "I spread out a canvas on the floor and added paint to it, and then in the process of crawling he ended up spreading all the colors on the canvas," she said. And that's how his first artwork, "The Crawl," was born, Eghan, 25, told The Associated Press. After that, and with his mother's prodding, Ace-Liam kept painting. Eghan decided to apply for the record last June. In November, Guinness World Records told her that to break a previous record, her son needed to exhibit and sell paintings. She arranged for Ace-Liam's first exhibition at the Museum of Science and Technology in Accra in January, where nine out of 10 of his pieces listed were sold. She declined to say for how much the paintings sold. They were on their way. Then, Guinness World Records confirmed the record in a statement and last week declared that "at the age of 1 year 152 days, little Ace-Liam Nana Sam Ankrah from Ghana is the world's youngest male artist." Guinness World Records did not immediately respond to an Associated Press query about the previous youngest male artist record holder. The overall record for the world's youngest artist is held by India's Arushi Bhatnagar. She had her first exhibition at the age of 11 months and sold her first painting for 5,000 Rupees, or $60, in 2003. These days, Ace-Liam, who will be 2 years old in July, still loves painting and eagerly accompanies his mom to her studio, where a corner was set off just for him. He sometimes paints in just five-minute sessions, returning to the same canvas over days or weeks, Eghan says. On a recent day, he ran excitedly around the studio, with bursts of energy typical for boys his age. But he was also very focused and concentrated for almost an hour while painting choosing green, yellow and blue for his latest work-in-progress and rubbing the paint colors into the canvas with his tiny fingers. Eghan says becoming a world record holder has not changed their lives. She won't sell "The Crawl," planning to keep it in the family. She added that she hopes the media attention around her boy could encourage and inspire other parents to discover and nurture their children's talents. "He is painting and growing and playing in the whole process," she says. These gift boxes for kids are fun and educational 1. Little Passports World Adventures Gift Box 2. Reading Bug Box 3. CrunchLabs Build Box 4. Bitsbox 5. KiwiCo Summer Adventure Series Competition is nothing new to Jacklyn Drake. Shes been competing since she was 6, although in an entirely different arena than her latest event. As a young girl, she raced everything from go-carts to midget cars and took home a lot of trophies. Her latest competition, however, was in the Miss North Carolina for America pageant, but just like her career in racing, she came out a winner, capturing the state crown. Drake, who lives in Mooresville, will now move on to the national pageant in August. Winning a pageant title and wearing a crown wasnt something she entertained a year or so ago. It never even crossed my mind to enter a pageant, she said. Although she was no longer behind the wheel, racing was still her passion. Drake works as a reporter for NASCAR. But when she was approached about competing in the Miss North Carolina for America pageant, she decided to take the plunge. I decided I was going to go for it, she said. Drake said she entered the pageant hoping for a win but was grateful for the experience she gained. And just like in her racing days, she said, she made a lot of friends along the way. She approached preparation for the pageant the same as she does in her job as a reporter. Drake said she read and prepared for the interview portion of the pageant. The interview portion consisted of answering a question from each of the five judges individually and then answering a question on stage. Despite her career of speaking in front of a camera, she said answering a question on stage in front of judges and an audience was a different story. I was so nervous, she said. When her name was announced as the winner, Drake said, she was surprised, and her emotions showed through. I was bawling, she said. I never expected it. Drake, a native of Texas, was the daughter of parents involved in the racing industry, so it seemed like a natural jump for her to compete in that arena. She raced in six different circuits and was successful in all of them, she said. We won over 300 races, she said. It was a lot of fun. After graduating from college, Drake knew she wanted to continue to be a part of the racing business in some respect. That led her to move to Mooresville, and eventually to her current role as a reporter for NASCAR. Juggling her job responsibilities with her new role as Miss North Carolina for America is daunting, but Drake approaches both in much the same way. I am an organized person, she said. She has a color-coded calendar on her phone, with her work assignments in one color and her appearances as Miss North Carolina for America in another. The support of her co-workers is also a big factor in juggling her dual roles. They have been so supportive, she said. It makes you feel so loved. Drake said in her role as Miss North Carolina for America, she is returning that love and support through her pet project encouraging reading. She is collecting books to put in the hands of children who may not have easy access to them. Her next book drive is set for Saturday at Joshs Farmers Market, 630 Brawley School Road, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The next few weeks will be spent preparing for the national pageant in Las Vegas, she said. Luckily, when she learned of the dates for the pageant, she checked her color-coded calendar and discovered the dates were the two weekends she was not working as a reporter. The biggest lesson she learned from signing up for the pageant, she said, is to believe in yourself. And no matter what happens in Las Vegas in August, she said, she is thrilled to be representing Mooresville and North Carolina. I just want to represent these people so well, she said. With the continuous advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, Horgos, a border city located in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has developed closer ties with the world, with the launch of the China-Europe freight trains injecting new vitality into this inland port city. Since the flag-off of the first China-Europe freight train at Horgos station in 2016, over 36,000 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains have passed through Horgos Port. The annual number of these trains has surged from fewer than 400 in 2016 to over 7,000 in 2022. In 2023, 7,762 trains passed through Horgos, marking a year-on-year increase of 9.8 percent. Ye Mengting, a staff member at Xinjiang Zhonglian Haitong International Freight Forwarders Co., Ltd., has been busy lately, handling customs clearance procedures. "Almost every weekday, I go to the Horgos railway port to handle customs clearance for goods traveling via China-Europe freight trains," Ye said. Her job involves checking various details on the international consignment notes, which include information about the consignor and consignee, the name and quantity of the goods, the transport route and the costs. Each container corresponds to an international consignment note, ensuring the goods are properly managed and tracked during transportation, she added. Ye's company handles about 200 consignment notes daily. Ye has been working in this role for more than two years and has seen a significant improvement in the efficiency of handling customs clearance. "With improved customs clearance and streamlined procedures, such as paperless clearance and online operations, we can complete the process in just one to two hours," she said. Previously, she could only handle the paperwork for up to two trains a day, but now she can complete the procedures for about four trains every day. Yu Rong, deputy director of the safety production command center at Horgos Station, China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd., highlighted the dramatic increase in train traffic. Initially, the port handled only two trains per day, carrying a few hundred tonnes of mainly clothing and footwear. Now, it handles over 20 trains every day, transporting more than 10,000 tonnes of goods, with over 200 different types of products, Yu said, adding that the destinations of the trains have also expanded to 18 countries. "Over the years, the China-Europe freight trains have steadily advanced, mirroring the rapid development of this burgeoning port," he said. "Handling more China-Europe freight trains at our station not only means increased cargo checks but also translates to higher earnings," said Yelrik Duysanbe proudly, a grassroots worker at the station. Adilya Saidullaev, hailing from Kazakhstan, echoed similar sentiments as she recounted how she has benefited from the China-Europe freight trains. Having ventured into business in Horgos back in 2016, her company has witnessed remarkable growth over the ensuing years. This success has enabled her to establish multiple duty-free shops and banks at the China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center, the first cross-border cooperation zone established between China and other countries. The China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ), established in November 2023, is the first in China's northwestern border regions and the country's newest. Covering approximately 180 square km, the pilot FTZ encompasses areas of Kashgar prefecture, Urumqi and Horgos. The China-Kazakhstan Horgos International Border Cooperation Center is now a crucial part of the pilot FTZ's operations in Horgos. "Our products are seamlessly transported through the China-Europe freight trains, a service that is more cost-effective than air and road transportation. This has significantly bolstered our business operations at the cooperation center," Saidullaev said. Thanks to the cooperation center, many Chinese visitors can purchase products here without traveling to Kazakhstan, she added. Yang Jiayi has been working in international freight forwarding in Horgos for nine years, specializing in the export of new energy vehicles (NEVs) in recent years. This year, his company's NEV export business has seen a significant increase compared to last year. So far, his company has provided freight forwarding services for over 9,000 NEVs, which are transported to Central Asian and European countries via the China-Europe freight trains. "As a local, I have witnessed the rapid development of the China-Europe freight trains in Horgos firsthand," Yang said. "Over the years, I have seen the establishment of the station and its expansion. The local government has also continued to revise its investment policies, attracting talent from diverse locations and boosting local employment," Yang said, adding that such moves have not only facilitated local development but also accelerated his career growth. Stock markets may reach new heights says market experts post exit poll outcomes. Most of the exit polls gave Modi led NDA government a comfortable win, have enthused market experts. The stock market may open with big gain on Monday but Nilesh Shah, MD Kotak Mutual Fund says Indian stock markets have already factored in the government's continuity, resulting in a premium valuation compared to peers. Shah suggests focusing on quality stocks in private banks, consumer staples, and the manufacturing sector. "Market has discounted continuity of government. Our premium valuation over peers also discount the continuity of the government. We believe it is time to play for quality stocks at reasonable valuation across Private banks, consumer staples and manufacturing sector" says Nilesh Shah Shah further added "It is time to book profit from low floating stock high valuation momentum stocks. While traders may bet upon events like exit polls and elections, we recommend people to be an investor into the journey of becoming a Viksit Bharat". Porinju Veliyath, Founder - Equity Intelligence noted that there might be intense buying on Monday, pushing the Index to new highs, but future corrections are also expected. The short covering by foreign investors could push Nifty above the 25,000 mark. "Smart people could easily predict the election outcome, so equity markets remained strong and richly valued ahead of elections. Of course, there could be some frenzied buying on Monday, and the Index will go to new highs. However, don't rule out corrections in the future. For long-term investors, Indian equity will continue to be a fantastic asset class backed by a fast-growing economy led by the most progressive government in the history of modern India" said Porinju Veliyath. Market experts highlight that the public sector undertakings are now well-managed, and their valuations are expected to match those of blue-chip private firms. Infrastructure and real estate sectors to watch for buying opportunities during corrections. Despite high valuations, Indian equity is valued for good reasons. The Foreign Institutional Investors were in selling mode in April and May, but now after the exit polls experts pointed out that the fresh buying by foreign investors may come in the Indian market but it can also be delayed till the final results and the formation of the new government. The Banking and Market Expert Ajay Bangga said that "FIIs will wait for 4th June confirmation. Expect a gap up on Monday and the first half of Tuesday and then some profit booking. Main FII money that went out on election outcome jitters will wait for new govt composition and July Union Budget and then reinvest". Madhusundan Kela, founder MK Ventures said that the next five years will be a golden period for the Indian stock market. He said "It's golden period for next 5 years - real Amrit Kaal" In the past two occasions when Modi win with formidable margins, the Indian markets have given positive reactions. On the counting day for 2014 general elections i.e 16th May 2014, the BSE Sensex (Bombay Stock Exchange) surpassed the level of 25,000 for the first time, surging 1,470 points intraday to hit a lifetime high of 25,375.63. The 50-share NSE Nifty also breached the 7,500-mark, reaching an all-time intraday high of 7,563.50. Again post 2019 elections, on the counting results day 23rd May, the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 indices surged to record highs after the election results indicated a clear majority for the BJP-led NDA. The Sensex crossed the 40,000-mark, and the Nifty breached 12,000 points. Investors were optimistic about policy continuity and reforms under the new government. Experts believe, markets will react positively on Monday and again on Tuesday, when counting begins. But they also added seeing the strength of the Indian economy, retail investors must invest for a longer duration to derive better benefits with the growth of the Indian Economy. (ANI) A day after voting concluded for the Lok Sabha polls and the exit polls predicted yet another victory for the Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi is slated to join a virtual meeting with all candidates from his party along with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Sunday morning, sources from the party said. Party sources also said that after the meeting at 11 am, Kharge and Gandhi will be holding a virtual meeting with prominent Congress leaders from across the country at 1 pm. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot and other leaders of the party are expected to join the meeting to discuss the assessments and preparations for June 4, the day of the counting of votes. Congress sources said the meeting at 1 pm will be live-streamed. The meeting also comes close on the heels of the opposition-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc meeting at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge in the national capital on Saturday. Leaders from Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar) gathered at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence for discussions. The voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha was held simultaneously with the Assembly elections in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While the long drawn-out voting process spread over seven phases concluded on Saturday, the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is poised for a hat-trick win in Lok Sabha polls with a massive majority, exit polls predicted on Saturday and indicated that the ruling party at the Centre would improve its performance in several states ruled by other parties. A few exit polls predicted that the BJP-led NDA could reach the goal of "400 paar" stated by BJP leaders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. The exit polls predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA is poised to improve its performance over its 2019 record when it won 352 seats. Two polls predicted the BJP also improving its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut. (ANI) Leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party expressed confidence in the Narendra Modi government coming back to power for the third time as the exit polls results predicted a landslide victory for the National Democratic Alliance. Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Raman Singh said that the country will now move on the path of Sanatan which will set the stage for India to emerge as the third largest power in the world. "The kind of results that are being seen across the country, shows that this country will move on the path of Sanatan, which is ancient as well as the most modern. The poor, workers, farmers, and women of the country have put their stamp on the 10 years of development. The third term will be for the glorious development of the country, it will be a start towards making India the third largest power in the world..," Singh said speaking to ANI on Saturday. Slamming the opposition INDIA bloc, Union Minister Giriraj Singh said that people have recognised the real face of the opposition and have accepted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "People have understood the reliability of PM Modi and have recognised the real face of the opposition. The people have understood that the opposition has come to save themselves...The people have accepted PM Modi," Singh said. Meanwhile, as the exit polls predicted the victory of the Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya said that the ruling alliance will gradually emerge victorious in the state Assembly elections and after that in the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. " ...Now nobody can stop India...Uddhav (Thackeray) what will happen to you now? Now, who will go out of India, PM Modi or Thackeray? People of Maharashtra have once again expressed their trust in PM Modi...now Lok Sabha elections, after 4 months, Assembly elections and after 8 months, Mumbai Municipal Corporation elections, PM Modi will have hattrick victory in Maharashtra," Somaiya said. Sive Sena leader Manisha Kayande said that the nation will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi's magic in the poll battle for the third time. "The exit polls are full of hope... The results on June 4 would be even better... We will see Modi's magic for the third time...," he said. The Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena is in alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra and is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance. With the exit polls predicting that the BJP may open its account in Kerala with this Lok Sabha elections, Union Minister V Muraleedharan said that massive anti-incumbency and the antipeople policies by the Left parties in the state paved the way for the success of the BJP. "This time there were two factors that were favourable for BJP and NDA in Kerala. First, there was a massive anti-incumbency, anguish against the ruling regime and the antipeople policies, and the corruption that was being indulged in by the chief minister and his family. All these have made the people vote against the ruling government and its alliance...," Muraleedharan said. Speaking about the good performance of the BJP in the northeast, MP Pabitra Margherita said that in Assam, the BJP will win 12 out of 14 seats. and win at least 20 out of 25 seats in the region. "... Our NDA is crossing 370 seats in every survey. We wholeheartedly welcome this but we are expecting the tally to cross 400... In Assam, out of 14 seats, we are sure to get 12 seats. In the northeast, there are 25 seats and we feel that the people of the northeast will give at least 20 seats to BJP...," Margherita said. The voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha was held simultaneously with the Assembly elections in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. While the long drawn-out voting process spread over seven phases concluded on Saturday, the counting of votes is scheduled for June 4. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is poised for a hat-trick win in Lok Sabha polls with a massive majority, exit polls predicted on Saturday and indicated that the ruling party at the Centre would improve its performance in several states ruled by other parties. A few exit polls predicted that the BJP-led NDA could reach the goal of "400 paar" stated by BJP leaders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. The exit polls predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA is poised to improve its performance over its 2019 record when it won 352 seats. Two polls predicted the BJP also improving its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The Narendra Modi-led BJP is seeking a third term in power, while the opposition INDIA bloc is aiming to wrest power by stopping the juggernaut. (ANI) The incident occurred in the Dhaudai police station area, Narayanpur Superintendent Of Police Prabhat Kumar said, adding that the officials reached the spot and the search operation was intensified. Earlier on May 27, Naxalites set fire to two under-construction mobile towers in Gaurdand and Chameli villages in the Chhotedongar Police Station area in Narayanpur. On May 25, two Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security forces in the forest of Jappemarka and Kamkanar in Bijapur. (ANI) In an initiative aimed at bridging the gap between policy-making and implementation, the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur organized the "Chintan Shivir" from May 31 to June 1. This first-of-its-kind event, spearheaded by Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai's government, sought to impart management skills to Chhattisgarh's ministers, promoting collaboration, innovation, and foresight. The two-day intellectual retreat aimed to bolster the state's vision of building a "Viksit Chhattisgarh" (Developed Chhattisgarh). Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, along with his cabinet, engaged in dialogues with subject experts from across the nation. The event provided a platform for ministers to explore good governance practices and seek expert advice on various issues. The discussions also centered on establishing time-bound targets towards realizing the vision of a developed Chhattisgarh, aligning with the broader goal of 'Developed India' (Viksit Bharat) by 2047. Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo expressed his gratitude for the valuable insights gained during the event. Addressing the event he said, "Certainly these two days will be memorable moments for us ministers. The guides said that Chhattisgarh is a very rich state, there are a lot of mineral resources and forest wealth here, and we can take it much further. The people here have blessed us and have made us sit in the government by giving us a historic victory. It is our duty to live up to their trust and take the state forward in terms of development". "Our government has set up a separate department of good governance. Very important discussions were held on these topics in these two days. We got guidance from our CEO of NITI Aayog, Subrahmanyam ji, former CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant and Dr. Vinay Sahasrabuddhe. All of us ministers listened to everyone like students for two days and understood them. We feel that this two-day Chintan Shivir will help in establishing good governance in Chhattisgarh gaining the trust of 3 crore people of the state and taking the state forward," he added. Former CEO of NITI Aayog and G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant pointed out that Chhattisgarh boasts natural beauty and abundant mineral wealth. He stressed the importance of balanced mineral exploitation to strengthen the state's economy, while also highlighting the significance of developing tourism potential and effective branding. The participation of key ministers, including Tribal Development and Agriculture Minister Shri Ramvichar Netam, Food Minister Shri Dayaldas Baghel, and Finance Minister Shri OP Choudhary, among others, underscored the government's commitment to enhancing governance and driving the state's development. (ANI) After the predictions of the exit polls that say the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will emerge victorious for the third straight time in the Lok Sabha polls, several leaders from BJP in Rajasthan have exuded confidence in NDA getting more than 400 seats in the Lok Sabha. Rajasthan minister Madan Dilawar told ANI that Narendra Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third time. "BJP will win more than 400 seats in the country and PM Modi will become the Prime Minister for the third time," Dilawar said. BJP leader from the state, Madan Rathore said that the atmosphere is completely in favour of the BJP and PM Modi. "We will win more than 400 seats. People have faith in PM Modi's guarantees. Wherever I have been, like Telangana, Delhi, Maharashtra etc., the atmosphere is completely in favour of BJP and PM Modi," Rathore said. Another Rajasthan minister, Avinash Gehlot, said that NDA will cross 400 seats, as the people are with PM Modi. "I and the whole country believe that on June 4, at 4 pm, the number will cross 400, and the people of the country are with PM Modi. This was the people's election and the people are winning it, we will win more than 400 seats," he said. Exit polls predicted that the NDA would secure a clear majority in Rajasthan as well. An aggregate of exit polls shows that out of 25 Lok Sabha seats, the NDA is predicted to win 18-23 seats, while the Congress-led INDIA bloc is expected to win 2-7 seats. Times Now ETG's exit poll figures indicated that the NDA is winning 18 seats, while the Congress-led INDIA bloc is clinching seven seats. The exit poll figures from INDIA TV predicted the NDA getting 21 to 23 seats, while the INDIA bloc is wrapping up with two to four seats. Similarly, News 24 in its exit poll figures predicted 22 seats for the NDA, two seats for the INDIA bloc, and one seat for others. The polling in Rajasthan was held across two phases. Polling for 12 seats was held in the first phase on April 19, and voting for the remaining 13 seats was held in the second phase on April 26. The counting will take place on June 4. For the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP contested all 25 seats under the NDA. Under the seat-sharing arrangement of the INDIA bloc, Congress contested the polls from 22 seats, while its allies Bharat Adivasi Party, CPM, and Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) contested the elections from one seat each. Some key candidates in the state include Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Kailash Choudhary and Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the NDA swept all 25 seats. The BJP won 24 seats, and its ally, the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), bagged one seat. Congress failed to open its account in the elections. In 2014, the BJP also secured victory in all 25 seats. (ANI) Li Xi, China's anti-graft chief, has emphasized the need to carry out Party discipline education with high standards and strict requirements. Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), made the remarks during an investigation and research tour in southwest China's Sichuan Province that began on Wednesday and concluded on Saturday. He urged discipline inspection and supervision agencies nationwide to implement the arrangements made at the CCDI's third plenary session and push forward the high-quality development of related work. While engaging in in-depth exchanges with ethnic minority communities in a village in Leshan City, Li stressed the need for efforts to address misconduct and corruption occurring on the doorsteps of the people, and the need for tightening Party discipline regarding the public. He also visited an aviation company, an underground utility tunnel, the municipal public security bureau and a police station in Chengdu, the provincial capital. He urged strengthened political oversight and anti-corruption efforts focusing on the country's most fundamental interests to facilitate high-quality economic and social development. Discipline inspection and supervision agencies should play an exemplary role in conducting Party discipline education, which is a key task for this year's Party-building work, Li said when addressing a symposium during his tour. He also stressed the need to integrate Party discipline education with efforts to rectify pointless formalities, with the aim of reducing burdens at the primary level. A day after the exit polls predicted the BJP-led NDA to another victory in the Lok Sabha elections, Congress on Sunday held a meeting with the party's Lok Sabha candidates. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, leader Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary KC Venugopal chaired the meeting. Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leaders and Pradesh Congress Committee presidents also attended the meeting via video conferencing. The meeting is being held to discuss the strategy for counting day on June 4. The Congress party has rejected the Exit Poll projections that showed PM Narendra Modi returning to power with a greater mandate. "The outgoing PM, the person who will have to leave for sure on June 4 has conspired all these things and has managed the exit polls. There will be a huge difference in exit polls and results of June 4. INDIA alliance had a meeting yesterday, we did detailed discussions on numbers, it's impossible that INDIA alliance will get anything below 295, " Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh said. Earlier, the India News- NewsX-D-Dynamics released its exit poll prediction for the Lok Sabha election 2024. As per the exit poll, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is slated to win as many as 315 seats of the 543 seats on its own, and 371 seats in alliance with its NDA partners. The Congress, meanwhile, will win as many as 60 seats, and 125 seats in alliance with the other INDI Alliance parties. Other parties that are not in alliance with the NDA or the INDI Alliance are expected to win 47 seats, it predicted. According to India Today-Axis My India exit polls, NDA is predicted to win 361-401 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The INDIA bloc is expected to win 131-166 seats, it said and gave 8 to 20 seats to other parties. The Republic PMarq exit poll gave 359 of 543 seats to NDA, 154 to INDIA bloc and 30 to others. Republic Matrize poll gave 353-368 seats to NDA, 118-113 to the INDIA bloc and 43-48 to others. The NewsX Dynamics gave 371 seats to NDA, 125 to INDIA bloc and 47 to others. According to Jan Ki Baat exit poll on NDTV, NDA is poised to win 377 seats, NDA 151 and others 15. India TV poll gave 371-401 seats for NDA, 109-139 seats for INDIA bloc and 28-38 seats for others. According to News18 mega exit poll, NDA is poised to win 355 to 370 seats, INDIA bloc 125 to 140 seats and others 42 to 52 seats. If the exit poll predictions come true on June 4 when votes are counted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the only PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three successive terms in Lok Sabha polls. The exit polls predicted 'Modi 3.0' with PM Modi having led the BJP's poll effort through rallies and roadshows in various parts of the country. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold seven meetings on a wide range of topics on Sunday, including a brainstorming session to review the agenda for the new government's first 100 days, sources said. According to government sources, the first meeting will be held to review the post-cyclone situation, especially in the northeastern states. Then, he will hold a meeting to review the heatwave situation in the country. He will also hold a meeting to review the preparations to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5) on a large scale. Then he will hold a long brain-storming session to review the agenda for a 100-day program of the new government after the exit polls predicted a massive win for the BJP. The exit poll outcomes were declared after the conclusion of polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. They have predicted that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance is poised for a hat-trick win in Lok Sabha polls with a massive majority and indicated that the ruling party at the Centre would improve its performance in several states ruled by opposition parties. A few exit polls even predicted that the BJP-led NDA could reach the goal of "400 paar" as claimed by BJP leaders in the run-up to the Lok Sabha polls. The exit polls predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA is poised to improve its performance over its 2019 record when it won 352 seats. Two polls predicted the BJP also improving its numbers from the 303 seats it won in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. If the exit poll predictions come true on June 4 when votes are counted, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will become the only PM after Jawaharlal Nehru to win three successive terms in Lok Sabha polls. The exit polls predicted 'Modi 3.0' with PM Modi having led the BJP's poll effort through rallies and roadshows in various parts of the country. According to India Today-Axis My India exit polls, NDA is predicted to win 361-401 seats in the Lok Sabha polls. The INDIA bloc is expected to win 131-166 seats, it said and gave 8 to 20 seats to other parties. The Republic PMarq exit poll gave 359 of 543 seats to NDA, 154 to INDIA bloc and 30 to others. Republic Matrize poll gave 353-368 seats to NDA, 118-113 to INDIA bloc and 43-48 to others. The NewsX Dynamics gave 371 seats to NDA, 125 to INDIA bloc and 47 to others. Lok Sabha elections were held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1 with Prime Minister Narendra Modi steering the BJP campaign. (ANI) Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Sunday extended greetings to the people of Telangana on its Formation Day and said that her party's government in the state will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the guarantee the party has promised before the election. In a video message, Sonia Gandhi said that she wanted to start by paying tributes to the countless martyrs of "mother Telangana". "In 2004, in Karimnagar, I had promised the people of Telangana that the Congress party would fulfill their dreams of a separate state. After this statement, there were disagreements within our party. Some people quit the party. But your patience and resolve gave me the strength to fulfill the dream of Telangana," she said in the video message. "In the last ten years, the people of Telangana gave me a lot of respect and love. You gave our party a mandate to build and develop and prosperous Telangana. I consider to fulfill those dreams as my duty. On this auspicious day, I want to assure you that the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government will leave no stone unturned in fulfilling the guarantees," she added. The Congress government has planned a day-long celebration on Sunday and it has also invited Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi as a chief guest for the celebration but she skipped the event due to health conditions Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy attended Telangana Formation Day Celebrations at Parade Grounds, Secunderabad on Sunday. Attending the celebration, Telangana Governor CP Radhakrishnan urged the people to make a vow that they will contribute to the inclusive development of Telangana and Mother Bharat. "Today we are celebrating the 10th foundation day of our great state Telangana...On this day, we all must take one single vow, that we all contribute to the inclusive development of Telangana and Mother Bharat...We will be free from bribes and never engage in bribes...We will try to keep the administration most transparent so that the poorest among the poor also get benefits of the growth," Radhakrishnan said. Meanwhile, BRS leader KT Rama Rao thanked political parties that have supported the formation of the state. "Today is the 10th formation day of Telangana, a new state that was formed in 2014. Eternally grateful to the people of Telangana for the kind of sacrifice, for the kind of struggle they have put up over the last several decades led by our leader KCR. I think the government took a new turn in 2001 and eventually, the entire parliamentary democracy had come around and supported the formation of Telangana in 2014. Thankful to every single political party that has supported the formation of the state. Today the state continues to lead from the front. The state is a role model to the rest of the country and a beacon of hope for parliamentary democracy," Rao said. (ANI) Recounting the attack on him on the day of the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polling in Bihar, BJP leader Ram Kripal Yadav said that three to four shots were fired at his convoy on the Patna-Jehanabad road. Ram Kripal Yadav is contesting against Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Misa Bharti, daughter of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, from the Patliputra Lok Sabha constituency. Narrating the attack on him, Yadav said, "Yesterday, while I was in my area, I heard about some issues with polling being disrupted at the Kineri booth. Some troublemakers were attempting to interfere with the voting process. I went there to find out more about what was going on. As soon as I left the Kineri village, some people were already there, and they fired three or four shots at me. I kept moving. Then my supporters began protesting." "Never in my life did I imagine that something like this could happen. They are trying to destroy democracy with a revolver, but they won't succeed," he said, directing an attack towards the RJD. Yadav said that the RJD is disgruntled because they know that they are loosing these elections. "They were workers of the the Rashtriya Janata Party, my supporters could easily identify them. All of this is happening out of fear of losing. Prior to this incident, my son was campaigning. A Dalit person was beaten severely to the extent that he had to be hospitalized, simply because he expressed his intention to vote for the BJP," he added. The convoy of BJP candidate from the Patliputra Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, Ram Kripal Yadav, was attacked in Patna and a party worker was injured by unidentified assailants after voting concluded on Saturday, police said. "We received information that on the Patna-Jehanabad road, the convoy of (BJP MP) Ram Kripal Yadav was attacked and a party worker was injured in the incident. A written complaint was filed and we are investigating the matter...," Patna East Superintendent of Police Bharat Soni said on Saturday. Notably, In 2014, after the split between the BJP and JD(U), Ram Kripal Yadav joined the BJP. Riding on the Modi wave, he emerged victorious over Misa Bharti in the last two elections. The seventh and final phase of polling in the largest festival of democracy concluded on Saturday as voting started in the last 57 parliamentary constituencies at 7 am across seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. (ANI) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Sunday that the Narendra Modi-led central government has approved the establishment of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) near Guwahati. Sharing the news CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said in a post on X "Sharing a BIG NEWS! Following our request in 2023, Hon PM Shri @narendramodi ji has given a spcl gift to the people of Assam by approving an Indian Institute of Management near Guwahati, making it among the few cities to house an IIT, AIIMS, Nat'l Law Univ & now IIM." IIM Ahmedabad will mentor the upcoming IIM in Guwahati, the Assam CM added. "Over the last 18 months, we presented a strong case to the Hon'ble Education Minister Shri @dpradhanbjp Ji and the Education Ministry. Assam offered premier land and logistical support for this endeavour. Now IIM Ahmedabad will mentor the upcoming IIM in Guwahati," Sarma said in another post on X. This will be a game changer for Assam, making the State an education hub in Eastern India and also help fulfill our economic aspirations, Himanta Biswa Sarma said in another post. "This will be game changer for Assam, making the State an education hub in Eastern India and also help fulfill our economic aspirations. I envisage these premiere institutes to collaborate among themselves and industry to unleash the power of multidisciplinary education," Sarma said in another post on X. The Site Selection Committee, under the Chairpersonship of Professor VK Paul, Professor, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi has finalized the plot situated in the Marabhita area in Kamrup district near Guwahati for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Director of IIM Ahmedabad, Ministry of Education said. The IIM Ahmedabad is requested to take further initiatives for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for establishment of IIM at Kamrup in consultations with the Secretary, Higher Education Department, and Government of Assam and submit the DPR to this Ministry for further necessary action on the proposal, a letter by the ministry of education stated. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier on Sunday reviewed the impact of Cyclone Remal which claimed three dozen lives and affected more than two lakh people across the northeastern states due to flash floods, heavy rains, and landslides. In a press release by the Prime Minister's Office, Narendra Modi was briefed about the impact of the cyclone on the affected states during the meeting. "The loss of human lives and damage to houses and properties due to landslides and floods in Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura was also discussed. NDRF teams have been deployed as per the needs. The teams have carried out evacuation, airlifting and road clearance operations," the press release added. During the meeting, it was mentioned that the Ministry of Home Affairs is in regular touch with the State Governments. Assuring support to the affected states by the Centre, the PM said that the Government of India will continue to extend full support to the State affected by the cyclone. "The PM also instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to monitor the situation and review the matter regularly to extend necessary assistance for restoration," the press release said. The Principal Secretary to the PM, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, DG NDRF and Member Secretary, NDMA alongwith other senior officials from PMO and concerned Ministries were also present in the meeting. According to government sources, PM Modi will also hold some more meetings on a wide range of topics, including a brainstorming session to review the agenda for the new government's first 100 days. He will hold a meeting to review the preparations to celebrate World Environment Day (June 5) on a large scale. Then he will hold a long brain-storming session to review the agenda for a 100-day program of the new government after the exit polls predicted a massive win for the BJP. Continuous rainfall and landslides have isolated parts of the northeast, submerging railway tracks under floodwaters. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has cancelled express, passenger, and goods trains bound for south Assam, Tripura, Manipur, and Mizoram since Tuesday due to inundated railway tracks throughout the region. PM Modi earlier expressed grief over the situation in the northeastern states amid natural disasters in the aftermath of Cyclone Remal and assured all possible support. He said that the Centre is continuously monitoring the situation, and officials are working on the ground to assist those affected. (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Sunday rejected the exit poll predictions about the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal and urged the party workers to stay strong and not be swayed by these deceptive tactics. "As we witnessed in 2016, 2019 and 2021, exit poll predictions were completely wrong. Why? Because BJP pays hefty sums to the Godi Media to create a wind and manipulate the final outcome. Smt. @MamataOfficial strongly condemned #ExitPolls, urging our party workers to stay strong and not be swayed by these deceptive tactics," TMC said in a post on X. The West Bengal Chief Minister also said that regional parties like those of Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, MK Stalin, and Uddhav Thackeray will perform well in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. "I have observed exit polls in 2016, 2019, and 2021, and none of them matched the actual poll results. I believe that the BJP manufactures these (exit polls) and feeds them to the media. In my opinion, regional parties like those of Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, MK Stalin, and Uddhav Thackeray will perform well," she told a Bengal TV channel. Most of the exit polls have predicted BJP getting more seats than the TMC in West Bengal. The exit poll outcome was declared after the conclusion of polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Saturday. According to the News18 exit poll, the BJP-led NDA is expected to win 21-24 seats in West Bengal. The TMC is set to win 18-21 seats. India TV poll said that the BJP-led NDA may get between 22-26 seats, TMC 14-18 seats, and Congress to get 1-2 seats. The ABP News-CVoter exit poll predicted a landslide victory for the BJP in West Bengal. The BJP is predicted to win 23-27 seats while the Trinamool Congress is expected to get 13-17 seats. The Congress to get 1-3 seats. According to News 24-Today's Chanakya Analysis, the BJP is poised to win 24 seats, TMC to get 17 seats and Congress to get 1 seat. According to the India Today-Axis My India, BJP will get 26-31 seats, TMC to get 11-14 seats and INDIA bloc to get 0-2 seats. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC had won 22 of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state, and the BJP won 18. Congress won only 2 seats. The voting for the 543-member Lok Sabha was held across seven phases. Votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI) Former President Arif Alvi expressed his support for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's 'controversial' post regarding Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on the latter's X account, emphasising that Khan's suggestion to read the Hamoodur Rahman Commission (HRC) report should not be considered 'treasonous', ARY News reported. The Hamood ur Rahman Commission Report was a report by the official commission of inquiry into the reasons for Pakistan's defeat in the 1971 war that led to the creation of Bangladesh out of what was then East Pakistan. Alvi criticised the tendency to label someone a traitor for merely reading a report, praising Hamoodur Rahman as an "honest judge" and highlighting that his son currently serves at the Federal Shariat Court. Speaking at a lawyers' convention, Alvi stressed the importance of stakeholders coming together to resolve issues, suggesting that problems will persist until then. He also called for the release of Imran Khan and the restoration of his mandate. PTI leader Ali Muhammad Khan echoed similar sentiments, stating that the country's system should be entrusted to someone who can advocate for cases like Kashmir and Palestine at the United Nations, akin to Imran Khan's efforts, as reported by ARY News. Meanwhile, PTI demanded the public release of the Hamoodur Rahman Commission (HRC) Report and rejected the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) investigation into Imran Khan's 'controversial post' about Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. The party emphasised the need for transparency and condemned the FIA's potential move to register new cases against Khan under the guise of investigations. The FIA Cybercrime Cell, in a letter to authorities, sought access to incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan to inquire about the 'controversial' post from his X handle. The letter highlighted allegations of anti-state propaganda disseminated through Khan's official social media account, targeting institutions, particularly the Pakistan Army. The FIA deemed the video posted on May 26 as a violation of the PICA Act 2016, aiming to distort facts, incite rebellion among officers and soldiers, and create unrest within state institutions. The agency requested access to Khan for further investigation into the matter, ARY News reported. (ANI) The Ministry of National Defence of Taiwan detected six Chinese naval vessels, four coast guard ships, and two military aircraft around the nation between 6 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday, reported Taiwan News. According to the MND, the two PLA aircraft breached the Taiwan Strait median line of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ) in the northern sector. In retaliation, Taiwan responded by monitoring the PLA activity with planes, naval ships, and coastal-based missile systems. China has been using grey zone tactics more frequently since September 2020, gradually expanding the number of military planes and navy vessels in the region around Taiwan. The 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." This comes at a time when the tensions between China and Taiwan are at an all-time high. Despite never having governed Taiwan, China's governing Communist Party considers it part of its territory and has threatened to conquer it by force if necessary. Earlier on May 27, the Chinese Foreign Ministry strongly opposed the recent visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan. Amid the ongoing visit of US lawmakers to Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing strongly opposes military contact between the US and Taiwan, as well as any attempt of the nation to arm Taiwan. The visit of the US lawmakers to the self-governing island of Taiwan comes days after China conducted 'massive' military drills near Taiwan. (ANI) Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has strongly rejected the reconciliation offer from Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, saying that the party would not hold talks with 'mandate thieves'," reported ARY News. Reacting to the dialogue offer by the Minister for Petroleum Division and PML-N leader Musadik Malik and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, the PTI spokesperson termed the offer, from those who have 'no authority or credibility' to mediate, as ridiculous. Those who promised to hold talks were "imposed through fake mandate," a PTI official said. "National criminals are not entitled to make decisions that serve the interests of the country, nor is there space for reconciliation," the official further stated, according to ARY News. The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the Pakistan People's Party, and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan are examples of "mandate thieves" with whom the PTI has made it clear that it will not negotiate. "Instead of propagating talks offer without having authority, this mandate theft group should apologise to the nation and return the mandate to real representatives," the PTI spokesperson said. Earlier, the Minister for Petroleum Division Usadik Malik had stated that the PML-N leadership consistently advocated for dialogue and reconciliation and that there were always doors open in politics. At the press conference, he stated, "Our party's [PML-N] leadership always stressed the need for a charter of economy and democracy." Additionally, the minister mentioned that his party aspires to advance with all political factions. Malik went on to say that all PML-N leaders, including Khawaja Saad Rafique, Khawaja Asif, and Shehbaz Shehbaz, were imprisoned by the PTI-led government. He bemoaned PTI's "double standards" about dialogue, claiming that they had no interest in engaging in discussions with the PML-N. (ANI) The United States has confirmed its presence at the Ukraine Peace Summit later this month, but it is not certain whether President Joe Biden himself will attend it, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Sunday. Zelenskyy was speaking at a press conference at Asia's premier security summit, Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore. He also said that Kyiv has confirmation from 106 countries regarding participation in the summit. "As of now we have confirmation from 106 countries of the world that will attend Swiss Summit, as of today...on the level of leaders we have now confirmation of 70-75 leaders that is presidents...heads of States," Zelenskyy said at the press conference. He said Ukraine expects President Biden to attend the summit in Switzerland. "The United States have confirmed their participation in the summit on a high level for now we do not have the approval of the president himself, but we expect the president to be... we hope for it but it is important that the United States confirm their participation on the highest level," he added. The international peace conference on Ukraine is scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. President Zelenskyy also raised concerns about China's stand against the conference and alleged that Beijing is calling on countries not to participate in the peace conference. "As regards China, they did not confirm their presence on any level so these are two different positions. The United States of America...they have contacts with certain states where they encourage them to take part in the peace Summit...China, unfortunately vice versa, is working for the countries not to come to the peace Summit so there is a great difference between these two positions," he further said. The Ukrainian President also stressed that Kyiv needs the support of Asian countries towards ending the conflict. He said Ukraine has never demanded weaponry from the Asian nations but only political and humanitarian support. "We need the support of Asian countries. It is much needed we respect each voice each territory each of the countries in the region. We want Asia to know what is going on in Ukraine, we want Asia to support the end of the war, we want Asian leaders to attend the peace Summit," Zelenskyy said. "We know that many Asian countries do not support Ukraine with Weaponry we have never pressured them never demanded it. We always ask for first and foremost political support, humanitarian support," he added. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also warned that China's backing of Russia will prolong the conflict in Ukraine. "With China's support to Russia, the war will last longer. That is bad for the whole world and the policy of China - who declares that it supports territorial integrity and sovereignty and declares it officially. For them it is not good," Zelenskyy said. "Regrettably, it is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin," he added. Earlier, China indicated that it might not attend the Ukraine Peace Summit set to be held in Switzerland in June. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China has informed relevant parties of Beijing's consideration and concerns as there is an "apparent gap between the meeting's arrangement and what China stands for as well as the universal expectation in the international community." Addressing a press briefing, Mao Ning said China attaches great importance to Switzerland organising the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine and always maintains that the international peace conference needs to meet the three important elements of recognition from Russia and Ukraine, equal participation of all parties, and fair discussion of all peace plans. Earlier in April, Switzerland Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis announced that Switzerland will host a high-level international conference in June with more than 100 countries invited to help chart a path towards peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war. The Russia-Ukraine conflict -- that started on February 24, 2022 after Moscow launched 'special military operations' against Kyiv -- has dragged on for over three years and has caused heavy damage to infrastructure and civilian casualties in both countries. (ANI) Maldives on Sunday announced its decision to impose a ban on the entry of individuals holding Israeli passports into the country. Maldives Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihsaan, announced the decision while addressing a news conference at Maldives President's Office on Sunday. In a press release, the Maldives President's Office stated, "President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, following a recommendation from the Cabinet, has resolved to impose a ban on Israeli passports." The press release reads, "The Cabinet decision includes amending necessary laws to prevent Israeli passport holders from entering the Maldives and establishing a Cabinet subcommittee to oversee these efforts." Furthermore, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has decided to appoint a special envoy to assess the needs of Palestinians. He has also decided to start a fundraising campaign to provide assistance to the people of Palestine, with the help of United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees. In a press release, Maldives President's Office stated, "Additionally, in the case of Palestine and Israel, the President decided to appoint a special envoy to assess Palestinian needs. The President further decided to set up a fundraising campaign to assist our brothers and sisters in Palestine with the help of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East and to conduct a nationwide rally under the slogan "Falastheenaa Eku Dhivehin," which translates to "Maldivians in Solidarity with Palestine" to show support." The decision by the Maldives government comes amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Hamas on October 7, with terrorists entering Israel and attacking civilian communities. In response to the October 7 attacks, Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas. At least 36,439 people have been killed and 82,627 injured in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas began in October, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. However, most of the victims are women and children, The Washington Post reported. Earlier on Friday, US President Joe Biden announced that Israel has proposed a "comprehensive new proposal" that provides a roadmap to a ceasefire in the ongoing war with Hamas in Gaza and securing the release of all hostages held by the terrorist group, CNN reported. According to Biden, the proposal, transmitted by Qatar to Hamas, outlines a "roadmap" towards a ceasefire. The initial phase, spanning six weeks, involves a "full and complete ceasefire with the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza" and "release of a number of hostages including women, the elderly, the wounded in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners." This announcement follows Israel's presentation of new ideas regarding hostage and ceasefire negotiations earlier in the week, a diplomatic source familiar with the negotiations told CNN on Tuesday without divulging details regarding these new ideas. Direct talks between Israel and Hamas regarding the release of hostages were paused three weeks ago due to disagreements over certain terms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has maintained that the conflict will persist until Hamas is eradicated entirely. (ANI) The Pakistan Supreme Court on Saturday cited potential political misuse - the probability that the hearings might be misused or exploited for ulterior or personal purposes in the verdict to stop live-streaming NAB laws case, reported Dawn. The top court rejected the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa advocate general's application to live-stream the proceedings of the federal government's intra-court appeals against its September 15 verdict that struck down amendments to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) law. In 2022, amendments to Pakistan's accountability laws were implemented by the Pakistan Democratic Movement-led government. These amendments to the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999 included significant alterations such as reducing the term of the NAB chairman and prosecutor general to three years, limiting NAB's jurisdiction to cases involving over PKR 500 million, and transferring all pending inquiries, investigations, and trials to the relevant authorities. Following these changes, Imran Khan filed a petition challenging the amendments, asserting that they were designed to favour influential individuals and legitimise corruption. The petition argued that the amendments aimed to dismiss corruption cases against high-ranking officials and offered an avenue for convicted public office-holders to overturn their convictions. After 53 hearings, the Supreme Court reserved its verdict on September 5, 2023, with discussions revolving around the power of parliament to enact legislation retrospectively. On September 15, the court ordered the reinstatement of corruption cases against public office holders that were withdrawn following the amendments to the accountability laws, deeming Imran's plea maintainable, Dawn reported. However, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa hinted during an October 31, 2023, hearing that if the requirements of the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 were not met in previous proceedings, the case could potentially be restarted afresh if a solid case were presented. While the apex court declined to stay proceedings in ongoing corruption cases, it instructed trial courts to refrain from announcing final orders until the next hearing of the appeals. The court was confronted with multiple ICAs initiated by the federal government and private citizen Zuhair Ahmed Siddiqui, who was implicated in a corruption case unrelated to the challenges to the NAB amendments. In a May 14 hearing, CJP Isa directed the government to arrange video link facilities for Imran to participate in the proceedings regarding changes to the accountability laws and present his arguments. However, during the May 16 hearing, although Imran appeared via video link, he did not get an opportunity to speak as a petitioner. The lack of live broadcast during this hearing left reasons unclear at the time. In the May 30 hearing, the bench, led by CJP Isa and including Justices Athar Minallah, Aminuddin Khan, Jamal Khan Mandokhail, and Hasan Azhar Rizvi, decided in a 4:1 ruling against live-streaming the proceedings. The decision followed an application by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa advocate general (AG) to live-stream the proceedings. Explaining the decision in a written order released subsequently, the court highlighted concerns about potential misuse of the live-streaming facility for personal or political purposes, including grandstanding. The order emphasised the need to prevent political exploitation during hearings. The court noted that during Imran's speech in the May 30 hearing, he delved into unrelated matters such as general elections, a commission of inquiry, and his incarceration. Such tangential discussions were deemed inappropriate and irrelevant to the appeals. Addressing the AG's application, the court clarified that the decision against live-streaming wasn't discriminatory, as only a few cases had been live-streamed previously. The court highlighted that its decision to live-stream proceedings depended on the significance of the case and public interest. It also pointed out that Imran had not attended several hearings, and neither he nor the KP government had requested live-streaming of the proceedings. Conclusively, the court reiterated that the decision to live broadcast or live-stream proceedings rested solely with the court, emphasising that such matters were within its exclusive domain, Dawn reported. (ANI) A defendant in the Feeding Our Future trial testified Thursday that he doled out food to thousands of children in Bloomington, but wasn't responsible for any of the financial paperwork that resulted in millions of dollars in federal reimbursements. Mukhtar Mohamed Shariff, 33, of Burnsville, was the only one of the seven defendants in the joint trial to take the stand to testify and the only one who called witnesses in his defense. The six others rested their case without any testimony. Shariff's attorney, Frederick Goetz, asked Shariff if he was involved in the dozens of invoices, child attendance rosters, reimbursement claims or meal count forms that the Bloomington company he was CEO of submitted in the federal child nutrition programs forms that prosecutors have alleged were inflated or made up to rake in money. "No, that wasn't my role," Shariff said Thursday, the second day of his testimony, adding that he didn't even review some documents that he forwarded on to Feeding Our Future, the St. Anthony nonprofit at the center of the case. But, he added: "I had no reason to believe there was an issue." Thursday was the final day of testimony in the high-profile six-week trial. Attorneys will give their closing arguments Friday and Monday before the jury starts deliberations. The trial is the first one in a broader FBI investigation that's led to charges against 70 people accused of stealing money meant to fund meals for kids in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prosecutors say it's one of the largest pandemic-related fraud cases in the U.S., with more than $250 million stolen from U.S. Department of Agriculture reimbursements given to schools, daycares and nonprofits for feeding low-income children after school and during the summer. Prosecutors allege the defendants created shell companies to launder money disguised as consulting fees, submitted rosters of made-up children's names and inflated meal claims to receive more than $40 million for 18 million meals at food sites across the state. Shariff testified for about five hours while his mother, wife and other family members looked on. The married father of two was asked by Goetz about the businesses he built pre-pandemic. Were they shell companies, Goetz asked. "Absolutely not," Shariff said. He said he was born in Somalia, immigrated with his family to the U.S. when he was 5 years old and grew up on the East Coast. He later moved to Seattle and worked as a software engineer at Microsoft, then for a technology consulting company. In his free time, he said, he ran his own consulting company to help small businesses and the Somali embassy with digital marketing. When his job went remote in 2020, he and his family moved to Minnesota. At a Bloomington mosque, Shariff met Mahad Ibrahim, who was charged in the same indictment. Ibrahim and other leaders wanted to start a cultural center called Afrique, and they tapped Shariff to be the CEO, he said. They landed about $700,000 in private investments to fund the project, he said. One of those investors, Sulekha Hassan, testified Thursday the last of nine witnesses Shariff's defense team called that she invested $460,000. She said through a interpreter that she immigrated to the U.S. in 2002 and saved up money from working two jobs to buy multiple businesses. She testified she wasn't aware that any federal funding went toward the project and she hasn't been paid back any of the money from the defunct company. On cross examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Walcker asked Hassan about being repaid a $250,000 loan by another person, who used federal money and was charged in the broader case. She said she didn't know where the person got their money. Shariff testified that he had only lived in Minnesota for about a month when Ibrahim asked him to help with meal programs, which he said he knew nothing about. He said Ibrahim, whom he considered to be a mentor, told him to submit forms and run the logistics of the food distribution. "I didn't have much knowledge of the program," Shariff said. "I relied on his knowledge." Shariff said Ibrahim, who was Afrique's CFO, and others put together the meal reimbursement forms, menus and attendance rosters and ordered the food from vendors including Empire Cuisine & Market, the Shakopee restaurant led by two defendants. Shariff said he and his team assembled the juice boxes, oranges, crackers and other produce into grocery bags, loaded the bags into trucks and distributed the bags to families at a Bloomington mosque and nearby middle school every Saturday in 2021. Goetz showed the jury several photos and videos of the food distributions. Goetz asked if the meal count forms showing 2,000 to 3,000 children a day receiving meals in Bloomington sounded reasonable to Shariff given his direct knowledge of the work. Shariff said yes, adding later that there were "tons and tons of food coming in." Under cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson questioned Shariff about dozens of checks to Afrique, invoices and meal count forms. Shariff answered that he didn't know anything about the entities or people including other defendants and didn't prepare the forms because Ibrahim oversaw that as the CFO. "I didn't handle any of the payments," Shariff said, adding he didn't know where the money was coming from or how recipients spent funds. On redirect examination, Goetz asked why Shariff didn't know the details of the forms he submitted. Shariff said Ibrahim handled financials while Shariff focused on the food distributions and worked to secure city permitting and architect designs for the cultural center, which was like a full-time job, he said. Goetz asked if Shariff ever knowingly made a false statement, submitted bribes or had reason to believe the food program money was the result of criminal activity. "Absolutely not," he said. In the past month, prosecutors have called more than 30 witnesses. Shariff's attorneys called nine witnesses Wednesday and Thursday, with several people saying they saw long lines of people outside Bloomington sites receiving meals. Shariff and the other defendants Said Shafii Farah, Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, Mohamed Jama Ismail, Abdimajid Mohamed Nur, Abdiwahab Maalim Aftin and Hayat Mohamed Nur were charged in 2022 with wire fraud and money laundering, among other charges. European High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said Russia's decision to remove buoys marking its international border with Estonia was "unacceptable." File Photo by John Thys/EPA-EFE May 24 (UPI) -- The European Union and NATO on Friday conemned Russia's removal of buoys along a waterway marking its international border with Estonia. "Such actions are unacceptable. The European Union expects an explanation by Russia about the removal of the buoys, and their immediate return," the EU High Representative Josep Borrell said in a statement, in response to Russia's operation along the Narva River. Russian border guards on Thursday removed 24 of 50 buoys placed by Estonia on the 48-mile river, marking sailing routes on the international boundary with Russia. Estonia is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he spoke with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, saying the bloc stands "in solidarity" with the nation "against any threat" to its sovereignty. The Narva River flows north into the Baltic Sea and is the largest in Estonia in terms of discharge. Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg on Friday pledged the organization's full support of Estonia, which is a NATO member. File Photo courtesy of the Ukrainian President Press Office The current border was established in 1985. Earlier in the week, Russia announced it was entertaining a unilateral redrawing of its border in the Baltic Sea. It later deleted the posting without further explanation. "This border incident is part of a broader pattern of hybrid actions by Russia, including on its maritime and land borders in the Baltic Sea region," Borrell said. Russia's proposal was based on the idea that the nautical charts used to establish the border are now out of use. "Estonia's response remains calm and clear-eyed," the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued Thursday. "We treat this as a provocative border incident. We will communicate with the Russian Federation through our border representatives and diplomatic channels that such actions are unacceptable, and demand an explanation about the removal of the buoys and their immediate return." With Great Wolf Lodge conflict between Southwest Florida and Texas, debut has been changed Editor's note: This is the latest in a series on Florida's first Great Wolf Lodge, one of the most significant endeavors in Naples history that's drawing plenty of questions from you. One of Collier County's biggest private workplaces, the 530,000-square-foot retreat and water park is slated as Southwest Florida's third largest employer in tourism, drawing by itself the same number of visitors in a year that all of Collier in its entirety attracts in nearly three months time. While many of you have shared concerns about the Great Wolf resort with potential traffic and other factors we've hit on here, the $250 million project and its massive indoor water park do have a huge den of followers, too, like major enthusiast Palma Calabro Lee. "We just had our first experience in the Great Wolf Lodge in Georgia," she said. "We absolutely loved it and cant wait for it to open closer to home." In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples. "I was thinking about driving to the Georgia one," said Janelle Hernandez, another fan. "So happy theyre making one in Florida. I wanted to go sooner." "Is the Great Wolf Lodge open in Naples yet?" asked Collier County resident Peggy Ross Munson. Not yet, and for those like Hernandez, Lee and others sharing hope Great Wolf would drastically move up its late September Southwest Florida debut at Collier Boulevard and I-75, don't count on it. Here's what to know. In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples. What is Florida's duel with Texas over the rising Great Wolf Lodge? You can blame Texas, if you want to. The Lone Star State and Florida had been neck and neck on which location would open first, and it appears those Texans are winning the Great Wolf race to become the chain's landmark 20th spot in the United States, No. 21 overall and No. 2 in Texas. "We've got the resort that's going up outside of Houston they're making good progress," Vice-President Jason Lasecki. "The wait for families eager to experience the next generation Great Wolf Lodge debuting in Webster, Texas was shortened." Which Great Wolf now opens next? Naples, Florida or Houston, Texas? The Space City area site is now targeted to launch Aug. 29, ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend, which isn't as big a deal here, where the winter months are significant for tourism. "We will need to leave a gap between the two, the one that's in Houston and the one that's opening here," said Lasecki, noting the necessity for a three- or four-week separation. "Operationally, we can't" have it closer. In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples. Resort: Great Wolf Lodge: How many millions of pounds of steel and concrete in Naples? How big? What do a few grandparents say about Great Wolf opening in Collier County? Naples, which had a slight head start on construction prior to Hurricane Ian's disruption, is on track for a Sept. 25 premiere, just before the arriving flock of snowbirds, who are already talking about having grandkids visit more often thanks to Great Wolf. "Cant wait until its completed," said grandma Rose Neidlinger. "I will definitely take my grandchildren." In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction in April 2024 of its first Florida location in Naples. In the Know: What are Kohl's, Five Below plans for Southwest Florida? Reader Karen Jaeger sees the indoor aspect as a plus for the fall and winter days. "As a resident grandmother, (my) littlest grandsons come to visit October to December," Jaeger said. "All the pools are closed off season," she said, and the water at the beaches is already too cold. Based at the Naples Daily News, Columnist Phil Fernandez (pfernandez@gannett.com) grew up in Southwest Florida and has led Pulitzer Prize-winning efforts. He writes In the Know, one of USA TODAY Network's most read local news columns in the state. Support democracy. Subscribe to a newspaper. This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Texas beating Florida in Great Wolf Lodge battle. When do they open? Is Kotek's plan for Oregon's housing emergency working? Lawmakers check progress so far Oregon's effort to address housing and homelessness has made strides in the past year, but more funding, more work and more ideas are needed moving forward, according to presenters who spoke Thursday in a meeting of a state legislative committee. Discussions included presentations on Gov. Tina Koteks policy updates for the states homelessness response and housing production needs, as well as panels dedicated to modular housing and rural housing production and housing stabilization in regard to climate and health resilience. The House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness is expected to take input from the meeting as members consider future legislation. Koteks housing policy updates This past legislative session saw packages of funding and state support doled out for housing production. On Koteks first day in office, she signed an executive order issuing a state of emergency regarding homelessness. The order implemented a few goals: to add 700 low-barrier shelter beds across the state, to rehouse 1,650 unsheltered households and to prevent 8,750 households from experiencing homelessness. Gov. Tina Kotek answers questions from reporters on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, at the Lane County Public Service Building in Eugene, Ore. Im pleased to report that as of January of this year, a year into the emergency, we have exceeded all of those goals, Matthew Tschabold, housing and homelessness initiative director, told the committee. The support agencies helping complete this work are focusing on maintaining those outcomes in the 2023-2025 biennium through an enterprise approach where agencies prioritize ending homelessness by taking all available action within their authorities. The governors office has two separate "frameworks" for homelessness responses and housing production. The homelessness emergency framework stands on four pillars: supporting statewide homelessness outcomes, improving core programs, utilizing population-specific strategies and enacting cross-system alignment for consistent policies and practices. The housing production framework is still in a draft phase and is accepting feedback until June 7. The production framework stands on six pillars: tracking statewide housing production outcomes, maintaining existing housing investments, procuring land and preparing it for housing, reducing complexities and costs associated with housing, funding programs supporting housing and developing a stronger workforce for planning, permitting and construction of housing, Housing production The committee also discussed modular and manufactured housing and rural housing development. Prefabricated housing is built off-site and moved to a permanent location, with modular homes constructed to meet statewide building codes. The Small Home Specialty Codes, set to expire in 2026, will integrate small homes into the State Building Code, making them eligible for the Prefabricated Structures Program. The Housing Production Advisory Council meets Nov. 3 to discuss agenda items and workgroup developments. Gov. Tina Kotek created and tasked the Council with developing policy recommendations for housing production prior to the state's short 2024 legislative session. Erin Skaar, Tillamook County Commissioner, shared the countys successes and challenges in housing development. A local task force identified a wage problem rather than a housing problem, leading to a focus on workforce and affordable housing. We are very challenged in Tillamook County by our environment to be able to build the needed housing, Skaar said. Despite environmental challenges, Tillamook County has added 183 units of workforce and affordable housing in the past five years through legislative support and local programs, Skaar said. Housing stabilization The final discussion topic was the role of manufactured homes in providing stable, low-cost housing. Bethany Cartledge, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County (SvDP), highlighted the work of the Housing Production Options Enterprise (HOPE) Community Corporation. SvDP has rehabilitated eight manufactured home parks and replaced aging homes with energy-efficient ones. Weve been able to pursue and access federal funding from OHCS but notably, some of the funding from OHCS (Oregon Housing and Community Services,) that was meant to last for two years was expended within five weeks, Cartledge said. Despite securing federal funding, the rapid expenditure of funds underscores the significant need for such housing. HOPE Community Corporation, created with $15 million in state funding, is set to produce its first certified homes soon, with more to follow. Looking ahead Moving forward, the House Interim Committee on Housing and Homelessness will be planning tours throughout the summer to developers and agencies conducting the boots on the ground work of housing production. Rep. Pam Marsh, the committee chair, thanked the attending panelists for their presentations about the ongoing work being done in their communities. I think its incredibly insightful and helpful to have people who are out there on the ground actually talk about whats going on, whats working and what the challenges are," Marsh said. "We certainly heard some of the challenges coming forward and we also heard some very inspirational projects where community employers have stepped up and really partnered with local communities." I think this question of how we do these public-private partnerships is one that were going to want to continue to explore because I hear a lot of interest in that. Hannarose McGuinness is The Register-Guards growth and development reporter. Contact her at 541-844-9859 or hmcguinness@registerguard.com This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Lawmakers hear update on Kotek's housing plan for Oregon A Louisiana high school senior experiencing homelessness recently graduated at the top of his class with the highest-earned GPA. Elijah Hogan, 19, was named valedictorian of Walter L. Cohen High School in New Orleans and graduated May 24 with a 3.93 GPA, he told CNN. Hogan, who became homeless a year and a half ago, says he was in disbelief when he learned of his academic achievement. I thought they were mistaking me for someone else, but when I looked at it and I was shown evidence that it was me, I was in awe, like, I was jaw dropped, said Hogan, who was born in New Orleans and raised mostly in Houston. Hogan was one of four Black male students who achieved valedictorian status at their New Orleans schools this spring, CNN affiliate WDSU reported. Hogan, who previously lived with his grandmother since he was 11, says he became homeless after the lease on his grandmothers house expired when the homeowner decided to sell the property. He and his grandmother were given 30 days to vacate the house, according to Hogan. From there, I made the executive decision to live on my own to lighten my grandmothers burden, Hogan told CNN. While his grandmother went to live in a care home for the elderly, Hogan was left without permanent housing. His grandmother told him about the Covenant House, a homeless shelter in New Orleans serving youth and young adults ages 16-22. Hogan has been living at the shelter as part of its transitional housing program since he became homeless, he said. Elijah Hogan, center, proudly holds up his high school diploma from Walter L. Cohen High School. - Courtesy Kewe Ukpolo The program allows young people to stay at the shelter up to 24 months rent-free, giving them an opportunity to focus on education or to save money while working, Covenant House New Orleans chief executive officer Rheneisha Robertson told CNN. It really allows them to get stable and identify more permanent, stable housing, said Robertson, who added the homeless shelter had five other high school graduates this year. Hogan, who addressed his graduating class with an uplifting valedictorian speech last week, said dealing with homelessness while completing his education was challenging but he found support from the homeless shelters employees and his high schools staff. As time went on, I started to open up to people over at Covenant House as well as Cohen, people were there to support me and give me a guiding hand, Hogan said. Without them, I wouldnt (have) become who I am today. He credits his Covenant House case manager, Jarkayla Cobb, with never giving up on him. She helped me get through it even when I was showing a lack of faith in myself, Hogan said. Shes been there no matter what I needed. Hogan, who lost his mother just before he turned 12, says her death encouraged him to push forward with his education for his grandmothers sake. I know thats what (my mother) would have wanted, he said. Hogan plans to attend Xavier University in New Orleans in the fall to study graphic design and has been granted a scholarship to cover his tuition fees, he says. Elijahs accomplishments are worth celebrating. We know that they are a product of his character and the choices he made day after day to pursue his dreams, Jerel Bryant, chief executive officer of Collegiate Academies, which operates Hogans former high school, said in a statement. His success is also a testament to how capable and excellent our Black youth are, in New Orleans and across this country, Bryant said. Hogan offered these words of encouragement for other young people: To any race, no matter what color or accent you have, you are your own guiding light, Hogan said. You are your own storybook that you write. Let yourself be the pen that you write on paper. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com North Korean defector and balloon-launching activist Park Sang-hak is planning to avenge North Koreas manure attack on South Korea but says he would never stoop to match their lows. I will not react to North Korean barbarity with barbarity, Park told The Daily Beast when asked if he would shower the North with manure when he sends 200,000 balloons over North Korea in response to the North sending balloons carrying garbage, including excrement, over South Korea. Instead we are sending them truth and lovethe message hes printed on leaflets hes launching whenever the winds are blowing the right way for them to land in populated areasand also presumably on or near Kim Jong Uns palatial complex near the port of Wonsan on the Norths southeastern coast. The North Korean animals sent manure to South Korea, said Park, but we love the North Koreans. Park, in charge of a group called Fighters for Free Korea, expressed his views in a wide-ranging zoom conversation arranged and interpreted for The Daily Beast by Nam Sin-u, who lives in the U.S. Nam has frequently met Park in South Korea on behalf of the International Coalition for Human Rights in North Korea. A devout Christian since escaping from North to South Korea 24 years ago, Park said hes responding to the Norths manure attack in accordance with biblical teachings, at least for now. Jesus said turn the other cheek, he said, but if theres nothing else to do, we should kill them. North Korea Accused of Launching Floating Poop Balloon Attack Officially, South Korea is promising a somewhat more measured response. Just what is not clear, but the Souths Yonhap Ness quoted an official as saying, If North Korea does not stop its provocative acts, the government will take all measures that North Korea cannot endure. Park does not think the South is doing nearly enough, but the conservative President Yoon Seok-yul is not halting balloon launches as did his left-leaning predecessor Moon Jae-in, whom Yoon succeeded in 2022. The South Korean government does not want to antagonize the North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un, said Park. He does not interfere with balloon launches, but hes not helping either. Although South Korea under Yoon has rescinded a law passed during the Moon administration banning balloon launches, Park believes the government sought to shut him up by jailing him for six months for joining in a protest against demolishing a church to make way for a construction project. The case was not directly linked to the balloon launches, but Park believes there was a connection. It was all politics, he said. I was innocent. No sooner was Park freed three weeks ago than he organized the launch of 300,000 balloonsa barrage that appears to have inspired the North to respond with excrement-laden garbage. Excrement is the worst insult, he said. Koreans used to use human excrement as fertilizer. American GIs called a container filled with it a honey bucket, he saidan historical reminder that added more insult to injury. Park, however, is not changing the basic theme of his balloon attacks, which he has been waging for more than 10 years. All I can do is send the truth about how terrible life is in North Korea to awaken North Koreans. Along with leaflets exposing the evils of the Kim dynasty, founded by Kim Jong Uns grandfather Kim Il Sung in 1945, the balloons will also contain flash drives with popular K-Pop songs and South Korean dramas, as well as candy bars and dollar bills South Korean drama is very popular in North Korea, said Park. North Koreans love iteven though it is banned by the regime, which imposes harsh punishment on those caught watching or listening to any of it. Park attributes the Norths manure attack directly to Kim Jong Un even though his influential younger sister, Kim Yo Jong, may well have had a hand in suggesting it. Yo Jong, noted for acerbic remarks that obviously have big brothers enthusiastic approval, promised dozens more such balloon launches as sincere presents for the South. Little Sister Takes Charge as Kim Jong Un Morphs Into Vegas-Era Elvis Presley All things from North Korea come from the top, said Park. Yo Jong is a puppet. Park believes that South Koreans, as much as Americans and other foreigners, simply do not comprehend the depths of North Korean dictatorship. Hes afraid that South Koreans dont care about whats happening inside North Korea despite persistent North Korean threatsand missile tests. South Koreans are doing so well, they think of nothing but themselves, he said. They are not concerned about these shameful things. They enjoy life. They do not voice anger towards North Korea. I am worried about their lack of response. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get the Daily Beast's biggest scoops and scandals delivered right to your inbox. Sign up now. Stay informed and gain unlimited access to the Daily Beast's unmatched reporting. Subscribe now. South Korea on Sunday pledged it would take unbearable steps against North Korea after the country sent more balloons filled with trash across the border over the weekend. North Korea on Saturday launched hundreds of balloons carrying filth into multiple provinces of South Korea, including areas of Seoul. An estimated 700 balloons were believed to be part of the latest fleet, days after the North sent a first batch of about 260 balloons last Tuesday. The trash balloons contained cigarette butts, waste paper, vinyl and plastic bags, South Koreas Yonhap News Agency reported Saturday, citing Seouls military. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said the balloons did not contain dangerous substances, though residents were told not to touch them and to report them to the military or police. Chang Ho-jin, South Koreas national security director, said Sunday that the nations top officials agreed to take unbearable measures in response to North Korea, calling their actions and alleged GPS signal-jamming absurd, irrational acts of provocation, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Pyongyang said the balloons were in response to a campaign organized by South Korean activists and North Korean defectors who have launched balloons with anti-North Korea leaflets and other items, the AP reported. South Korean officials did not expand on the type of retaliatory measures they expect to take, though observers told the AP the country could resume front-line loudspeaker broadcasts into North Korea that feature criticism of its human rights situation, world news and K-pop songs, the news wire added. The loudspeaker blasts stopped in 2018 after a rare meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, Reuters reported. Last week, the South Korean military said it did not plan to shoot down incoming balloons to avoid escalating already inflamed tensions near the border. [We] decided it was best to let the balloons drop and recover them safely, a spokesperson for South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said last week, per the AP. 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 The Hill. Flash China supports Palestine in playing a greater role within the World Health Organization (WHO), said Chen Xu, permanent representative of China to the UN Office in Geneva and other international organizations in Switzerland. Chen made the remarks in his address Friday at the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA). The WHA adopted a draft resolution on "aligning participation of Palestine in the WHO with its participation in the UN," after a vote with 101 in favor, five against and 21 abstaining. Chen said the UN General Assembly's emergency special session adopted a resolution recently by an overwhelming majority, recognizing Palestine's qualification for full UN membership. China welcomes the resolution, as it reflects the will of the international community, Chen noted. Chen emphasized that China views the two-state solution as the only realistic path to resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, with granting Palestine full UN membership being an important step toward this goal. Chen also urged all parties to recognize the legitimate concerns and needs of the Palestinian people and to maintain an objective and fair stance, ensuring Palestine has the opportunity to make more contributions to the WHO. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A judge in Tampa rejected Florida officials challenge to a federal law allowing children of low-income families to receive subsidized health insurance for a year, even if their parents miss payments. U.S. District Judge William Jung, appointed to the Middle District of Florida by former President Donald Trump, tossed out the states demand for a preliminary injunction on Friday, stating the court did not have jurisdiction over the case against the Centers For Medicare and Medicaid Services. Trump found guilty on all counts: 5 takeaways from the verdict Florida is the only state to challenge the recent law, which shields all children under 19 from losing insurance for at least a year after enrolling in a Medicaid or CHIP program. It is also one of the 30 states that charges enrollment fees or premiums in its program, which is called Florida KidCare. The state cut over 22,000 children from Florida KidCare shortly before declaring its legal challenge against the Biden administration earlier this year. Instead of wasting time and energy trying to evade the law, the State of Florida should turn its attention to keeping children healthy and well through consistent health coverage and do more to ensure that children do not experience harmful gaps in coverage due to procedural reasons, bureaucratic red tape, or deliberate actions by the State, Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa) said in a statement. Castor called for the state to re-enroll the affected children and expand access to Medicaid after Florida rejected federal funds to do so in 2023. It is time for Florida to stop delaying, follow the law and work with CMS to expand CHIP coverage (KidCare) to more children. The State of Florida should immediately re-enroll the thousands of children that they pushed off KidCare since January in violation of the new continuous eligibility protection. When reached for comment Friday, a spokesperson for the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the states main health policy agency, said, the Agency firmly disagrees with todays decision and intends to appeal. Its unfortunate the Court did not address the merits of our case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. The Texas Supreme Court said a medical exemption in the states abortion ban applies only when a person is at risk of death or serious physical impairment, ruling Friday against women who sued the state with claims that the ban had put their health at risk. The states highest court, which is made up entirely of Republicans, reversed a lower courts order that broadened the exception to circumstances in which a pregnancy is unsafe for the pregnant person or when there is a fetal condition making it unlikely the fetus will survive. Because the trial courts order opens the door to permit abortion to address any pregnancy risk, it is not a faithful interpretation of the law, the state Supreme Court said. The ruling came in a lawsuit brought by several Texas women who suffered serious health complications in their desired pregnancies. They alleged the states strict abortion laws put their lives and health in danger when they were forced to wait until their health seriously deteriorated before receiving the procedure or were denied an abortion altogether until they traveled out of state. The Texas Supreme Court said the challengers did not prove the abortion ban, with its narrow medical emergency exemption, violated the state constitution. When the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights in June 2022, a Texas trigger law took effect, essentially blocking all abortions in the state other than those performed when the mother is at risk of death or poses a serious risk of substantial impairment of a major bodily function unless the abortion is performed or induced. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was defending the abortion ban, praised the Friday ruling in a statement. Today, the Supreme Court of Texas unanimously upheld the Human Life Protection Act, one of our states pro-life laws, said Paxton, a Republican. I will continue to defend the laws enacted by the Legislature and uphold the values of the people of Texas by doing everything in my power to protect mothers and babies. The Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed the case on behalf of the women last year, said the ruling did not provide meaningful clarity for doctors. Nancy Northup, the centers president and CEO, said in news conference that the group will continue to pursue every available legal avenue to address the suffering that is happening in Texas. Imagine the trauma of being forced to give birth to a baby who would live only hours. This is happening every day to women in Texas, Northup said. Todays decision means the state of Texas thinks it is perfectly OK. The Texas justices took issue with the trial courts order allowing for an abortion to be performed if a doctor had a good faith reason to believe the procedure was necessary. The high court ruled doctors must hew to the reasonable medical judgment standard in the law, which the ruling described as requiring doctors to identify a life-threatening physical condition that places the mother at risk of death or serious physical impairment of a major bodily function unless an abortion is performed. The state Supreme Court said a fetal condition making a pregnancy unviable was not by itself a reason that an abortion could be performed. As painful as such circumstances are, that the law does not authorize abortions for diagnosed fetal conditions absent a life-threatening complication to the mother does not render it unconstitutional, read the opinion, written by Justice Jane Bland. Amanda Zurawski, a plaintiff in the case who nearly died after being denied an abortion, criticized the ruling Friday, saying it feels like a gut punch. Unfortunately, the Texas Supreme Court has showed us today that they dont wish to help pregnant Texans access health care and they dont want to help doctors practice medicine in the state of Texas, she said. The Supreme Court had the opportunity to provide clarity, but they didnt and we are right back where we started. Anti-abortion activists, meanwhile, praised the opinion and said the Texas abortion ban was clear in allowing exemptions for medical emergencies. The abortion lobby has created confusion on this fact to give the Democrats cover for their extremely unpopular all-trimester abortion agenda, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said in a statement after the ruling. How state abortion bans apply in medical emergencies has been flashpoint in the fallout from the US Supreme Courts 2022 decision that ended the federal right to an abortion. The high court is now considering a Biden administration lawsuit challenging Idahos ban, which exempts abortions when a womans life is threatened but not when she is facing risks of bodily impairment that fall short of being potentially fatal. In Texas, the state Supreme Court previously weighed in on the medical emergency exemption with a 2023 ruling that blocked a doctor from performing an abortion for a Texas woman whose pregnancy complications were putting her health and future fertility at risk. (The woman traveled out of state to receive the procedure.) The ruling called on the Texas Medical Board to issue more guidance to clear up confusion around when the exemption applies. The state board has proposed such guidance; however, critics say its draft rules have not clarified the question. The Texas Medical Board can and should issue guidance that translates the way that the Texas Supreme Court has today interpreted the exception to Texas abortion bans and give guidance to physicians about how to apply those laws in specific medical circumstances, said Marc Hearron, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights. CNN has reached out to the board for comment. This story has been updated with additional details. CNNs Elizabeth Cohen and John Bonifield contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Black Granite Staters dont take voting for granted. And especially for Black women like me, the right to participate tastes even sweeter. As we stare down yet another critical presidential election, one thing is clear: President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are delivering for Black Americans, while Donald Trump keeps trying to push us backward and take away our freedoms. The Hon. Jackie K. Weatherspoon Ive lived in New Hampshire for 37 years, and as a state representative, I helped lead the fight for lawmakers to recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day in our state. Black people know that if we arent sitting at the decision-making table, then were on the menu. We know the hatred of groups like the KKK that have reared their ugly heads in our states not-so-distant history. And we know nonsense when we see it. Black Granite Staters know exactly who Donald Trump is. We know what hes done, we see what hes doing, and hes told us exactly what he has planned for our future. Fortunately, the Biden-Harris administration is a champion for Black Americans in New Hampshire and across the country. From creating millions of jobs for Black workers to directly addressing the racial wealth gap, this administration is making historic investments in the well-being of Black Americans. Lets start with affordable education. For a community that has previously been denied the opportunity to even read, education is precious to Black voters and its an issue close to my heart as a substitute teacher for over 20 years. The challenge of expensive tuition and student loans weighs heavily on our community, where 86% of Black students graduate with debt. President Bidens student loan forgiveness program has canceled student debt for over 4 million borrowers, including more than 11,000 people in New Hampshire, cutting the average Black borrowers payments in half. Nearly $160 billion in student loan debt has been forgiven for borrowers across the country, and the president is continuing the fight to offer more relief. This makes a huge difference in the lives of Black people right here in New Hampshire firefighters, police officers, and teachers whove already given so much to our communities. Still, education is just the start. When it comes to jobs and the economy, President Biden is working directly to increase Black wealth and close the racial wealth gap. While the Black unemployment rate skyrocketed under Trump, President Biden helped create over 2.6 million jobs for Black workers, resulting in record low Black unemployment. Black business ownership is growing at the fastest pace in 30 years, with the share of Black households owning a business doubling since the pandemic. And this administration has helped over 250,000 Black Americans become homeowners, increasing median housing wealth for Black households by $76,000. When it comes to health care, theres simply no comparison between President Biden and Donald Trump. Under President Biden, more Black Americans have health coverage than ever before. But under Trump, 300,000 Black Americans lost health insurance, and hes promised again to repeal Obamacare a signature accomplishment of the first Black president. Trumps obsession with revenge and retribution will rip insurance coverage from over three million Black Americans and raise costs for millions of families. On the contrary, President Biden is fighting to defend and expand Obamacare. And hes tackling the Black maternal health crisis by allowing states to expand Medicaid postpartum coverage impacting approximately 65% of births for Black mothers. We know how much representation matters. So lets not forget that Joe Biden has confirmed more Black women to the federal bench than all other presidents combined including Ketanji Brown Jackson to the U.S. Supreme Court. And like Black voters across New Hampshire, Joe Biden understands the preciousness of our vote. Hes continued to fight for the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to stop voter suppression and the Freedom to Vote Act to ensure access to the ballot. President Biden has shown that he sees us, he knows us, and hes got our backs. This November, Black Granite Staters are going to have his and every day until Election Day, Black Granite Staters must continue working diligently to get out the vote so we send Joe Biden and Kamala Harris back to the White House. To anyone whos ever doubted the power of the Black vote just watch. People died for our right to vote. You better believe well use it. The Hon. Jackie K. Weatherspoon is a resident of Exeter and has lived in New Hampshire for nearly 40 years. She served for six years in the New Hampshire House of Representatives and worked for the U.S. Department of State during the Clinton administration. She was part of three U.S. delegations with first lady Hillary Clinton. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Weatherspoon: Biden is the right choice for Black Granite Staters TOKYO, Jun 02 (News On Japan) - Is it possible to continue living in Japan as global warming progresses? This question brought together over 100 researchers for the inaugural meeting of a project dedicated to studying the impacts of climate change on Japan. The waters around Japan are experiencing an increase in heat carried by the Kuroshio Current from the equator, resulting in sea temperatures rising approximately twice as fast as in other regions. Over 100 experts from more than 20 universities and research institutes, specializing in fields such as meteorology and oceanography, are collaborating to investigate how Japan's climate, weather patterns, and ecosystems might evolve due to climate change. This five-year project is spearheaded by Eitaro Oka, an associate professor at the University of Tokyo. On June 1, the project's first meeting was held at the universitys Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute. Associate Professor Oka stated, As an island nation surrounded by the sea, we have enjoyed a temperate climate, abundant rainfall, and rich marine resources. Our goal is to determine if these conditions can continue to sustain us. Naoto Nakamura, a professor at the University of Tokyo and chairman of the Japan Meteorological Agency's Abnormal Weather Analysis Committee, added, I expect that valuable insights into the future impact of global warming on our atmosphere, oceans, and fisheries will emerge from this project. I encourage young researchers to take the lead in this endeavor. The project will employ a variety of methods, including offshore observations in the Sea of Japan, off the coast of Tohoku, and in the East China Sea, as well as computer model simulations, to forecast future conditions. Source: ANN TOKYO, Jun 02 (News On Japan) - Captain Miki Furuya, an officer in the JASDF, has been in service for 24 years and has been a captain since last year. Unlike other pilots who fly fighter jets or transport aircraft, Furuya operates a flight inspection aircraft. This is the aircraft we use for flight inspections, she said, pointing to the specialized plane she flies. The Flight Inspection Squadron, to which she belongs, has the vital mission of ensuring the accuracy of signals that pilots rely on during poor visibility conditions like night or bad weather. Pilots typically use visual cues to land, but in low visibility, they rely on signals from the airfield. These signals are a lifeline, and the Flight Inspection Squadron flies special planes daily to check them. There are double the number of antennas on both the top and bottom of this plane compared to others, Furuya explained. The screens inside the plane analyze the signals to ensure there are no issues, a process that can take up to two hours of continuous flying. I once tried sitting in the panel operator's seat but got motion sickness and had to lie down the entire time, she added, highlighting the demanding nature of the mission. After her meticulous and grueling work, Furuya switches to her role as a mother, savoring the moments of relaxation and family time. I love the time when I can think about what to have for dinner or what my children have been up to, she shared. On this particular day, Furuya faced an important flight training exercise with her team, including an operator who checks the signals and a supporting squad leader. V1, rotate, she commanded, guiding the aircraft to check for any discrepancies in the signals from the airfield. Strong crosswinds made the mission challenging. A little to the left, she confirmed, maintaining the course despite the wind's interference. The team meticulously checked the signals to ensure their accuracy. Approach, came the command as they neared the airfield. The operator confirmed the signals were within the standards. Understood, Furuya replied, completing another successful mission. This rigorous training ensures that JASDF pilots can perform their duties safely, regardless of the time or weather. I want to continue supporting the JASDF pilots, ensuring they can take off and land safely through precise flight inspections, Furuya said with determination. Source: NEWS SENDAI, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - There are only about a dozen craftsmen left in Japan who make 'shinai,' the bamboo swords used in kendo. Among them, Akihiko Kato, 69, from Sendai City, is Tohoku's only bamboo sword craftsman. Here's his story. Kato explains, 'You split one piece of bamboo into eight, and from that, you can make two shinai.' He started making bamboo swords in earnest after retiring at 60. It was a comment from his master, veteran craftsman Shozo Nishino, that inspired him. Kato recalls, 'When I brought bamboo from Miyagi for the first time over a decade ago, he said, "I've never seen such good bamboo. It's the best in Japan." It would be a waste not to have even one craftsman where this top-quality bamboo is found.' Once, all shinai were handcrafted by artisans. However, due to the influx of inexpensive, mass-produced foreign-made shinai, it is said that domestic ones now account for less than 1% of the market. All the materials, such as moso bamboo, are cut by hand. Though bamboo is typically harvested in the dry winter season, Kato gave us a special demonstration of the process. 'Bamboo becomes very strong after being exposed to wind and snow,' Kato explains. 'The quality, strength, flexibility, and the sound when struck Miyagi's bamboo is the best in Japan. Nothing else compares.' Kato's shinai are fully custom-made, tailored to the client's preferences down to the millimeter. After roughly shaving the bamboo, he moves on to the process called 'tame,' where the bamboo is heated and bent straight. 'It's bent like this, but it becomes straight,' Kato shows. He continues to shave it down through multiple stages. 'When I see the delighted faces of customers receiving their finished shinai, I truly feel it was worth it,' Kato reflects. Orders now come from all over the country, but Kato has a concern. 'There will be no one left in Miyagi to make shinai, so I hope someone will become my successor,' Kato says. Kato himself is a skilled kendo practitioner with a seventh-dan rank. His friends also use his shinai. An eighth-dan practitioner remarks, 'I now use only his shinai.' 'From when I was a novice, they paid to use my shinai,' Kato says. 'I am truly grateful to my friends for raising me.' Pursuing the perfect shinai, Kato continues his craftsmanship with dedication. Source: TBS Flash Qatar, the United States, and Egypt have jointly called on Hamas and Israel to finalize an agreement based on the principles of a U.S. proposal, according to a statement from the Qatari foreign ministry on Saturday. The three countries jointly call on both Hamas and Israel to do so "as mediators in the ongoing discussions to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages and detainees." "These principles brought the demands of all parties together in a deal that serves multiple interests and will bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families," the statement said. "This deal offers a roadmap for a permanent ceasefire and ending the crisis," it added. U.S. President Joe Biden delivered a speech on Friday, in which he revealed a three-phase Israeli proposal that would lead to an end to the ongoing Gaza conflict and the release of all hostages. TOKYO, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - Yuuji Hara, CEO of Extrabold, is revolutionizing Japan's manufacturing industry with a groundbreaking 3D printer. His goal is to make 3D printing technology accessible to small factories, and development is progressing rapidly. Although the technology of 3D printing was invented by a Japanese person over 40 years ago, it failed to secure a patent, allowing the rest of the world to catch up and surpass Japan. Harboring a deep-seated frustration, Hara is determined to reclaim Japan's pride. In an in-depth exploration, novelist Jin Mayama delves into Haras journey. Known for his economic novels and human dramas, Mayama profiles the trailblazer shaping the future. From houses to rockets, 3D printers can now create a wide range of items, potentially transforming Japanese manufacturing from its core. Hara is not new to the challenges and intricacies of 3D printing. The technology, which can create complex designs automatically from computer-generated data, represents a significant shift from traditional mass production to bespoke manufacturing. Hara's largest 3D printer in Japan can print objects up to 1.7 meters wide, making it possible to produce automotive parts, prototypes, and even intricate molds for concrete. In a candid conversation, Hara reveals the potential of his technology. With 3D printers, he envisions a future where personalized manufacturing becomes the norm, allowing for custom-made items tailored to individual needs. This capability is particularly relevant in a society facing an aging population and a shortage of skilled labor. Despite the challenges, Hara remains optimistic. He believes that 3D printing will play a crucial role in reviving Japan's manufacturing industry, providing innovative solutions to long-standing problems. Through his work, Hara hopes to demonstrate that individualized, high-quality production is not only possible but also essential for the future. As Mayama concludes his profile, it is clear that Haras vision for 3D printing extends beyond mere technological advancement. It is about reimagining manufacturing, fostering creativity, and embracing the potential of custom-made products. With pioneers like Hara leading the way, the future of Japanese manufacturing looks promising. Source: BIZ TOKYO, Jun 03 (News On Japan) - AKB48 takes a closer look at digital transformation (DX) in small factories across Japan. How deeply has DX penetrated small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)? AKB48 reports from the ground, unveiling the future shaped by DX. Japan is home to around 3.5 million SMEs. A peek into their operations reveals various levels of digital transformation. This time, AKB48 closely examines 'the best DX at your company.' Is DX already advanced, or is it in the process of development? AKB48 explores the realities of these local factories. One remarkable example is the telescope industry. Telescopes that allow us to observe distant objects as if they were near have undergone significant digital transformation. Imagine a telescope that reaches millions of light-years away! AKB48 discovers the DX behind these incredible devices. Another everyday product undergoing DX is shoes. Have you ever imagined how shoes are made? AKB48 reveals the surprising digital advancements in shoe manufacturing through the investigation of three distinct cases. AKB48 learns about DX from an expert at a small business support organization, who explains that DX is the process of using digital technology to transform society for the better. The team then sets out to investigate further. The first stop is a small factory in Tokorozawa, Saitama Prefecture, famous for its advanced telescopes. Since 1966, the company has been manufacturing telescopes and binoculars, holding a top share in the domestic market and exporting to over 70 countries. The team witnesses the meticulous craftsmanship involved in assembling each part by hand, ensuring high quality. One of the latest innovations is a smartphone-connected telescope that automatically aligns with celestial objects. This advanced technology allows even amateurs to easily locate stars and planets from their balconies. AKB48 moves on to their next investigation site: the shoe industry in Asakusa, a district known for its shoe production. They visit a company that has been innovating in shoe design for 24 years. The company integrates DX by using 3D software to design shoes, which reduces the need for physical prototypes and increases efficiency. The highlight of their visit is the automated cutting machine, which uses data from 3D designs to cut materials precisely, minimizing waste. This DX innovation ensures efficient use of leather and other materials, significantly reducing losses. After these investigations, AKB48 reflects on their experiences. They appreciate how DX not only enhances efficiency and cost savings but also improves the working environment, making tasks more enjoyable and fulfilling. AKB48s journey through small factories showcases the profound impact of digital transformation on traditional industries, highlighting the blend of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. Source: BIZ King Mohammed VI appointed new chiefs in several key energy and logistics institutions. These include the Moroccan agency for sustainable energy MASEN, the electricity and water agency ONEE, Airports authority ONDA, ports agency ANP, and the highways company ADM, a statement by the palace spokesman said following a ministerial council held Saturday in Casablanca under the Chairmanship of the King. Key to Moroccos energy transition efforts MASEN has long been without a Director General since its former head Mustapha Bakoury was removed. Tarik Moufaddal thus succeeds Bakoury to the helm of the agency that has been steering Moroccos renewable energy strategy and to which a key role has been assigned as part of the countrys offer in the field of green hydrogen. The King appointed Mustapha Fares head of the port agency APA, which has been developing different ports on Moroccos Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, tapping into the countrys assets and its strategic position on major maritime routes. The airports authority, which braces for a series of upgrades in different airports, will be chaired by Adil El Fakir, former head of Moroccos tourism promotion office ONMT. The highway agency ADM will be led by Mohammed Cherkaoui Eddeqaqi, while the national electricity and water agency (ONEE) will have Tarik Hammane as new director general. The combined Moroccan-American exercise African Lion 2024 wrapped up on Friday at Cap Draa (north of Tan-Tan), with air and ground military maneuvers involving units from the Moroccan and US armed forces. During the maneuvers, which took place in the presence of Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the South Zone, Lieutenant General Mohammed Berrid, and Commander of the United States Africa Command (US AFRICOM), Army General Michael Langley, military units carried out major ground maneuvers using F16 aircraft belonging to the Royal Air Force. With artillery support, joint ground operations were also conducted against a potential enemy. These maneuvers included the use of HIMARS missile launchers and a Puma helicopter was used to evacuate casualties from the battlefield. General Langley told the press after the air and ground maneuvers that Exercise African Lion is a pioneering multinational exercise that facilitates regional cooperation and partnerships between the various participants. He added that this year is very special as it marks the 20th anniversary of the African Lion exercise involving Moroccan and international partners to establish constructive regional cooperation and reinforce mutual support. He pointed out that this exercise has grown over the years since 2004, not only in terms of the number of military personnel taking part, but also by expanding the scope of maneuvers. For his part, Colonel Major Fouad Gourani of the Royal Armed Forces underlined that the African Lion exercise is one of the most significant aspects of joint military cooperation between the Royal Armed Forces and the US Army, and reflects the distinguished relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America. He added that this years edition marks the 20th anniversary of this exercise, which has achieved its objectives as a basis for military cooperation in the field of training, and as an example of the distinguished relationship between the Royal Armed Forces and the US Army, marked by trust, serious commitment, and efficiency in developing and strengthening common defense mechanisms and the strategic partnership between the two countries. On an international and continental level, he said, African Lion is the largest military exercise on the African continent, and an opportunity for more than 20 countries to raise their level of preparedness to face the challenges that can affect security and peace, both on a continental and international level. In a statement to MAP, Lieutenant-Colonel Imad Idrissi, in charge of logistical support for African Lion operations, said the training demonstrated the importance of operational planning, particularly logistical coordination, which are considered essential elements in the success of these multinational maneuvers. He added that the African Lion exercise was an opportunity to test and apply modern approaches and technologies linked to interoperability, and a means of improving the response speed of logistics support units, particularly in a joint operational framework involving several forces. For his part, Staff Sergeant David Rodriguez, of the US forces, expressed his delight at taking part in this military exercise with his Moroccan counterparts, adding that his participation had enabled him to discover the Kingdom. Colonel Mike Weinsman, of the US forces, said that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the African Lion exercise, which began as a small exercise between Morocco and the United States and has now become the largest maneuver on the African continent. He added that the exercise involves 27 countries from four continents. The combined Moroccan-American exercise African Lion 2024 was launched on May 20 at the Southern Zone Command in Agadir, and took place in several regions of the Kingdom, including Cap Draa in Tan-Tan, Benguerir, Agadir, Akka, and Tafnit, with the participation of around 7,000 members of the armed forces of some 20 countries, in addition to the Royal Armed Forces and US forces, as well as military observers from 7 countries, namely Angola, Gabon, Zambia, Senegal, Cameroon, United Arab Emirates and France. The program for the 20th edition of the African Lion 2024 exercise included joint land, sea and air tactical exercises, both day and night, a Special Forces Exercise and operations for airborne forces, as well as a Task Force operational planning exercise. It also included academic and counter-weapons-of-mass-destruction training, as well as a package of medical, surgical and social services provided by a military field hospital for the people of the Akka region. The African Lion 2024 exercise, the largest of its kind in Africa, contributes to strengthening operational, technical and procedural interoperability between the participating armies, and remains an important event where military executives meet to exchange procedures and experiences, particularly in the field of combined joint training. This twentieth edition bears witness to the sustainability of the cooperation between the FAR and the US Armed Forces, and reflects the strong historical ties that bind the two countries. NEW We recontacted Americans we surveyed during Trump's trial hearing the verdict hasn't changed many minds Most of country says verdict was right and trial fair, but Republicans continue to feel Trump treated unfairly and call charges political https://t.co/aWJyJjHVXG 1/5 pic.twitter.com/av2GwnD2HK Explains CBS News regarding the nationally representative sample of 989 U.S. adults who were recontacted on May 30June 1: In all, we recontacted the Americans we interviewed before the verdict was reached, and hearing the jurys decision hasnt changed a lot of their minds. There are some implications for views of the U.S. justice system as a whole. Most Democrats say its made them more confident in the justice system. Among Republicans, three-quarters say its made them less confident in it. Overall, opinions of the verdict are in line with what views of Trumps guilt or innocence were before the verdict was reached. Among those who thought Trump was guilty before hearing the verdict, nine in 10 now say the jury reached the right verdict and vice versa for those who previously thought he wasnt guilty. In all, the verdict doesnt elicit any one widespread emotion from the country. Democrats feel mostly glad and relieved, but not many say theyre hopeful. Republicans are more disappointed than angry, but not particularly surprised. (Respondents could express multiple feelings.) Despite its longstanding reliance on coal, Australia is steadily transitioning away from fossil fuels to greener alternatives. The government has made ambitious pledges to close the countrys coal mines and expand its wind and solar energy operations. This includes the development of the largest wind farm in the southern hemisphere, as well as massive solar power and battery projects. However, environmentalists worry that Australia may not be as successful at leaving coal behind as it hopes, potentially to the detriment of its green transition. In Queensland, the Spanish renewable energy giant Acciona is currently developing the biggest onshore wind farm in the southern hemisphere, covering around 36,000 hectares. The project is located around 200km south-west of Brisbane in an area that has been plagued by drought in recent years. Many farmers in the region have become more open to using their land for renewable energy projects as a means of bringing in alternative revenue. As farming is hit hard by unpredictable weather and regular periods of drought, solar and wind energy operations offer a stable source of income for many farmers. An increasing number of farmers see income diversification as key to the survival of Australian agriculture. It is thought that farmers are receiving as much as $40,000 annually per turbine from Acciona, which is thought to total around $162 million split between 10 landowners in the region, for a 25-year lease. Further, it does not prevent the farmers from continuing their traditional farming operations on the land, giving them the best of both worlds. Accionas turbines are giant, soaring around 285 metres into the sky and making them visible for miles around. This has led some farmers who are not hosting wind turbines to condemn the construction of the massive turbines on surrounding farmland, suggesting they ruin the landscape. The French energy company Engie is also establishing renewable energy projects in the region, developing a 1.9 GW wind and solar energy project called The Plains in New South Wales (NSW). However, getting support for the project has not been easy, with community complaints having forced the company to cut the number of turbines from 97 to 47. To garner more community support, Engie has said it will offer a $1000 energy bill rebate to the neighbours of its planned wind and solar projects. This includes not just those who live directly next to new projects but also those affected by higher traffic or with visual sightlines. The rebate is only available for consumers who switch to Engie as an energy provider. Anna Hedgcock, the head of portfolio growth and commercial at Engie, explained, Developers have to be on the front foot regardless of what state or federal governments are doing. It is absolutely imperative if you are going to deliver a good project that is accepted by the community. Australia is also rapidly developing its solar energy capacity and gaining support from landowners across the country. In South Australia's Riverland region, many landowners are finding it extremely difficult to earn revenue from land on which nothing will grow. This has led many landowners to make deals with solar energy producers looking to put solar panels on their arid land to produce clean energy. Wine producers in the region are also supporting the development of a wide range of solar projects, from small-scale operations to cover their energy costs to major projects capable of exporting energy to the grid. In 2023, a CSIRO poll of 6,700 people showed that most respondents were willing to live close to renewable energy developments, with solar energy projects gaining the most support at 88 percent of those surveyed. To support the rollout of solar and wind energy projects, Australia also hopes to increase its battery capacity to provide a stable renewable energy supply across the country. In May, RWE, a leading international renewable energy supplier, announced plans to develop Australias first eight-hour battery near Balranald, NSW. The firms eight-hour lithium-ion battery storage will be used at its 249 MWac Limondale Solar Farm, one of the largest solar farms in the country. RWE will connect its BESS to existing grid infrastructure to ensure it can deliver a more stable supply of solar energy at all hours of the day and night. The project is expected to be completed by 2025. While these projects demonstrate the strides made in Australias renewable energy industry in recent years, environmentalists are concerned that if the government doesnt expand the countrys green energy capacity more rapidly it may continue to rely on coal energy for several years to come. Despite big promises that many of Australias coal mines would be imminently shut down, the government appears to be backtracking on its pledges by extending the life of Australias biggest coal mine for at least two more years to 2027. In May, the government agreed with the facilitys operator, Origin Energy, to keep its 2.88-GW Eraring plant running beyond the scheduled closure date of August 2025, with the potential of a longer extension to 2029 if needed. The NSW Premier stated, The people of NSW now have certainty that the NSW government has a plan to ensure we have reliable energy while we transition the workforce and the economy to net zero. This demonstrates Australias continued dependence on coal and suggests that it must rapidly increase its renewable energy capacity if hopes to undergo a green transition. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Russias invasion of Ukraine and the temporary blockage of its Black Sea ports have redirected the flow of grain from "the world's breadbasket". One of the worlds leading producers of wheat, corn and vegetable oils, Ukraine shipped much of its grain internationally prior to the war, with seven of the 10 most important destination markets for Ukrainian grain exports in 2021 located in Asia and North Africa (eight when including Turkey). When the war suddenly stopped the flow of Ukrainian grain, food commodity prices surged to unprecedented levels amid fears of a global food shortage. After five months of war, the United Nations brokered a deal between Ukraine, Russia and Turkey that allowed the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea route. The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed into force on July 22, 2022 and Ukraine's grain exports quickly recovered to pre-invasion levels. Even after the end of the grain deal in July 2023, when Russia refused to renew it, Ukraine and its partners found alternative ways (and routes) to keep the grain flowing. As Statista's Felix Richter highlights in the chart below, aside from exporting cereal by land via its neighboring countries, Ukraine continued to export grain via an alternative Black Sea route. By staying close to the border of friendly states Bulgaria and Romania, the potential for Russian disruptions was successfully minimized. You will find more infographics at Statista According to data from the UN Comtrade database, much of Ukraines grain exports ended up in Europe last year, with Romania, Poland and Hungary seeing particularly large increases in inflows of grain from their embattled neighbor. Meanwhile, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Morocco and Tunisia all dropped out of the top 10, as the war forced them to find alternative suppliers of the vital food commodity. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: In the world of greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide gets most of the blame. But tiny organisms that flourish in the world's farm fields emit a far more potent gas, nitrous oxide, and scientists have long sought a way to address it. Now, some researchers think they've found a bacteria that can help. Writing in this week's Nature, they say extensive lab and field trials showed the naturally derived bacteria reduced the nitrous oxide without disrupting other microbes in the soil. It also survived well in soil and would be relatively cheap to produce. "I think that the avenue that we have opened here, it opens up for a number of new possibilities in bioengineering of the farmed soil," said Lars Bakken, a professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and one of the authors of the study. A pound of nitrous oxide better known as laughing gas, the stuff that relaxes people in the dentist's chair can warm the atmosphere 265 times more than a pound of carbon dioxide, and it can persist in the atmosphere for more than a century. Farmers' heavy use of nitrogen fertilizer drives up the amount produced in soil, and in 2022 it accounted for 6% of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Reducing fertilizer use can help, but crop yields eventually would fall. That's a big problem in agriculture, "so the fact that they have developed a unique strategy to reduce it pretty dramatically was really interesting," said Lori Hoagland, a professor of soil microbial ecology at Purdue University who was not involved in the study. Bakken and his colleagues used organic waste to grow their bacteria, reasoning that many farmers already apply processed manure-based fertilizers, so it could be easily integrated into their routines. Building on past work, they searched for a microorganism that would last long enough to make a real dent in nitrous oxide emissions without staying in the soil so long that it disrupted other tiny life forms that are often vital for crop health. In field trials, they used roving robots to measure nitrous oxide emissions day and night, comparing conditions in soil with and without the bacteria. They found the bacteria reduced the nitrous oxide emissions of an initial fertilizer application by 94%, and a couple weeks later, dropped the emissions of a subsequent fertilizer application by about half. After about three months, there was no difference in the makeup of microbial life forms, suggesting the bacteria wouldn't disrupt the soil. The bacteria they settled on Cloacibacterium sp. CB-01 is found naturally in anaerobic digesters, machines that are used to transform organic waste products such as cow manure into biofuels. The fact that the bacteria is not genetically modified might ease its acceptance and adoption, said Paul Carini, a soil microbiologist at the University of Arizona who was not involved in the research. Bakken said the bacteria could be included in certain fertilizers on farms as soon as three to four years from now if the economics make sense. Carini thinks they do. "Any time you're using a waste product from one industry to benefit another industry, that's pretty cost effective," he said. However, Bakken pointed out that farmers aren't paid for reducing nitrous oxide emissions, and he thinks there have to be more incentives to do so. "The task for the authorities is to install policy instruments that makes it profitable in one way or another," he said. Hoagland, the Purdue professor, said more research in field conditions would likely be needed before the bacteria could be deployed worldwide, as there are many different types of farm soils. "If they can get this to work across soils and things," she said, "it would just have a tremendous impact, for sure." It's a challenge that has long vexed academics as well as major agricultural companies that tried to develop organisms to be added to the soil for beneficial effect, Carini said. He said many inquiries in this direction have been spotty but this one had clearer results. Like Hoagland, he said more work is needed to prove the bacteria's effectiveness. Still, he called the work a blueprint for selecting beneficial organisms that can be added to soil. "I think this is the next frontier in soil agriculture research," he said. How the US government is incentivizing greener manufacturing How the US government is incentivizing greener manufacturing Grants and direct investment Buying green for federal projects How the US government is incentivizing greener manufacturing From chain store parking lots to the sidewalk outside Omahas Orpheum Theater, Nebraskans are being asked to sign a lot of petitions about abortion. Four separate ballot initiatives dealing with abortion have been launched, although only three are actively seeking signatures now. Each of the three is proposing amendments to the Nebraska Constitution, and each needs to gather roughly 123,000 valid signatures of registered Nebraska voters by July 3 to make it onto the November ballot. Its a situation that could produce some confusion for Nebraskans who are approached by circulators. After all, two of those petitions use the word protect in their names Protect Our Rights and Protect Women and Children. And each petition uses wording that doesnt spell out all of its implications. Outside the Orpheum Theater in late May, two of the groups were trying to collect signatures from people attending a performance of Moulin Rouge. Some of the people approached said they had already signed a petition, although a few were a bit uncertain which of the dueling initiatives they had given their support to. Allie Berry, campaign manager for the Protect Our Rights petition, such confusion is fairly common. In those cases, she said, circulators do their best to clarify when and where the signer signed the previous petition, and explain exactly what their petition aims to accomplish. Current Nebraska law bans abortions after 12 weeks based on gestational age. Protect Our Rights would loosen those current restrictions. It would add a section to the Nebraska Constitution establishing the right to abortion up until fetal viability, which is the point when a medical professional deems there is a significant chance of the fetus surviving outside the womb. Typically, this point is reached at about 23 or 24 weeks of pregnancy. Protect Women and Children would add a section to the state constitution banning abortions in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, except for abortions meant to save the life of the pregnant woman. Backed by notable anti-abortion groups like the Nebraska Family Alliance and Nebraska Right to Life, it is aimed at ensuring that Nebraskas abortion laws remain at least as restrictive as they are today. Choose Life Now, a third petition, proposes a different amendment to the state constitution to recognize the personhood of preborn children. By applying that legal status, organizers say, the effect would be to outlaw all abortions in Nebraska, except for those meant to save the life of the pregnant woman. The fourth petition, the Nebraska Human Life Protection initiative, is the only abortion-related initiative that seeks to amend state statute, not the constitution. Like the Choose Life Now petition, it would also ban all abortions, except those meant to save the life of the pregnant woman. However, its sponsor says he has put it on the backburner to focus on the Choose Life Now petition, of which he is also an official sponsor. With a little more than a month to go before the deadline, the three constitutional amendment petitions are racing the calendar to meet the signature requirements. Besides the total requirement, which is equal to 10% of Nebraskas current voting base, each petition must gather at least 5% of registered voters from 38 of the states counties. If an initiative gets enough valid signatures, voters in November will decide whether it should be added to the state constitution. But given that the three proposals all deal with the same issue, if multiple initiatives are on the ballot, the one that receives the most yes votes will be the one to take effect. If that happens, it would be a first. Jackie Ourada with the Secretary of States Office said her office isnt aware of any prior instances of two conflicting initiatives making it onto the ballot, let alone passing. In all, 11 ballot petitions are currently in circulation in Nebraska. The Protect Our Rights petition was started in October as a response to efforts made in the Nebraska Legislature to increase abortion restrictions, including the shift to 12 weeks based on gestational age, which was passed in 2023. Some lawmakers have said they still hope to pass a full ban. By locking in abortion rights as part of the state constitution, Berry said, her groups petition would block efforts to pass a full ban. Protect Our Rights has collected nearly $1.8 million from a range of individuals and advocacy groups, such as Nebraska Appleseed, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Nebraska and the Womens Fund of Omaha. The Protect Women and Children petition was launched as a way to compete with the Protect Our Rights initiative and prevent the states existing abortion restrictions from being loosened. By outlawing most abortions after the start of the second trimester, that would place the constitutional limitation at around 13 weeks of pregnancy which would be slightly later than current restrictions in state law. Karen Bowling, executive director of Nebraska Family Alliance, said the Protect Women and Children initiative would prevent abortion access from being expanded into the second or third trimester but still allow further restrictions to take effect during the first trimester. The language creates a floor, not a ceiling, Bowling said. Protect Women and Children gathered the financial backing of major Republican donors, including the Peed family and U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts, who combined have donated $1.5 million to the campaign. Within the anti-abortion movement, however, the Protect Women and Children effort has drawn some opposition for not being restrictive enough. That led to the Choose Life Now petition. Rose Kohl, a Choose Life Now sponsor, said the Protect Women and Children initiative would make abortions 93% legal, since the vast majority of abortions happen during the first trimester. And Robert Smith, another sponsor, called the Protect Women and Children petition a fraud. Smith also had proposed the statutory abortion restriction proposal, the Nebraska Human Life Protection initiative. He said he was disappointed that he received little support from some of the states major anti-abortion groups. Groups debate what each constitutional amendment would do Randall Adkins, a political science professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said the issue of abortion rights is so broad that there are a variety of opinions within different groups. Its very difficult to throw people into categories, Adkins said. Its true that Nebraskans who oppose abortion are splintered in their individual views of how it should be done, Smith acknowledged. But he contended that the Choose Life Now amendment is simple enough that it should earn broad support. Our petition ought to unite the entire movement, Smith said. That said, Smith described his petitions chance of getting on the ballot as slim. Begun in early May, the effort has no campaign finance reports available yet. Smiths other petition had only gathered $2,400 in contributions by the end of 2023. Meanwhile, anti-abortion critics are sparring with the Protect Our Rights petition backers over how that efforts fetal viability wording would be implemented. Opponents contend it would actually legalize abortions up through all nine months of pregnancy. Bowling claimed medical professionals judging the fetal viability of a pregnancy would likely be biased, and would authorize an abortion to proceed at any time. Protect Our Rights organizers say thats not true. Berry said the petition language was drafted to give trust back to medical providers and their patients, rather than giving control to government officials. Adkins said if any of the initiatives make it to the ballot, he is certain that voters will know exactly how they plan to vote on the issue, regardless of how it is marketed. He said he expects the issue will drive voter turnout across the political spectrum in November. John Sciara, a paid circulator for Protect Women and Children, was one of the people collecting signatures near the Orpheum Theater last week. He said his groups petition represented a less extreme approach to abortion because it would give Nebraskans an option to maintain the status quo, rather than banning all abortions or removing current restrictions. But Sciara also noted that the three Protect Our Rights volunteers working outside the Orpheum had a good marketing strategy that helped them collect dozens of signatures. The rival volunteers were clad in campaign T-shirts, holding signs displaying their position and targeted what they hoped would be a progressive audience. In contrast, Sciara said, Protect Women and Children organizers left it up to him to decide where he would gather signatures, and didnt provide any means to advertise the petition he was circulating. Sciara said hes fine with having competing petition drives about abortion. While he doesnt support the intent of the Protect Our Rights petition, he actually has signed it because he believes voters should have multiple options to choose from. I believe people should be able to put stuff on the ballot, Sciara said. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2024 Rain storms are expected to continue to plague Omaha and eastern Nebraska through Tuesday before three days of dry weather moves into the area. We could be seeing rain lingering into (Monday) morning, Van DeWald, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Valley, said Sunday. On Tuesday, there is a 60% to 80% chance of storms in the afternoon and evening. Theres a chance they could be severe (storms) but thats marginal. Any new precipitation would come on the heels of some pretty heavy downpours Sunday. The weather service issued flash flood warnings for several counties in eastern Nebraska including northeastern Butler County, southwestern Dodge County, northwestern Saunders County and southeastern Colfax County Sunday morning. The thunderstorms produced 2 to 3 inches of rain in many areas, DeWald said. The flash flood warning expired at 9:45 a.m., he said, and no reports of flooding were received. I didnt see all the reports, but I saw one report of 2 inches (of rain) falling in North Bend in Dodge County, DeWald said. There could have been up to 3 inches of rain in many of the rural areas. Damaging winds and localized flooding will be the primary threats if severe weather returns Monday or Tuesday. Temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 80s both days. Wednesday through Friday is looking pretty good, DeWald said. Omaha should be dry with temperatures in the low 80s. Looking ahead, there is a chance for rain again on Saturday. DeWald said that the storms are most likely to fire up west of Omaha. A very wet month of May left Omaha far above its typical rainfall amounts. The city saw 10.92 inches of rain compared to its May average of 4.49. For the year, Omaha has recorded 16.30 inches of precipitation, well above the average of 11.52. Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of May 2024 Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy BLOOMINGTON While the two giant anteaters in Miller Park Zoo roam around their South American habitat, another is being supported by the zoo through a conservation program in Brazil. One of Miller Park Zoo's conservation initiatives this year is to work with the Institute for Wildlife Conservation a nonprofit organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation in Brazil on its Anteaters and Highways project. "It is an animal conservation and resource organization in South America that coincided really well with our South American habitat and our two giant anteaters," said Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte. The conservation institute otherwise known as Instituto de Conservacao de Animais Silvestres in Portuguese, or abbreviated as ICAS is mainly focused on supporting local species like the giant anteater and the giant armadillo in the native Brazilian Cerrado, which is a tropical savanna in eastern Brazil. According to ICAS, the giant anteater is listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and its native biome in Brazil has been converted to pasture or agricultural land. In addition to the damage of its habitat, the remaining habitats for these wild giant anteaters are becoming fragmented and divided by the expansion of the road network in Brazil, which has led to a high number of unnatural deaths of these animals and others caused by vehicular collisions with wildlife. In the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, in Brazil, the Federal Highway Police reported 614 collisions with animals that were fatal or caused injuries between 2007 and 2019, according to ICAS. Pratte said through the Anteaters and Highways project, individuals working with ICAS attach radio collars and GPS telemetry equipment to giant anteaters out in the wild to monitor them and see where these animals roam, while checking their proximity to highways or other areas where they might come into contact with humans. In addition to Miller Park Zoo's captive giant anteaters Chili and Arnaud, the zoo will be sponsoring a 1-year-old wild juvenile giant anteater named Jane in Brazil. The young anteater will be equipped with all the necessary recording equipment to gather data, Pratte said. "Now we're going to be able to learn, along with that research team, what Jane is doing, how she's using the habitat, what threat she might come into and how the team and research and conservation can help her in situ or in the wild," Pratte said. "We're really excited about this." Pratte said the zoo will be working on this conservation program in addition to other efforts, including the Lemur Conservation Network and the Snow Leopard Trust, that provide support and care to these animals. These programs are typically supported by accredited organizations within Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which has been the primary accrediting body for zoos and aquariums for over 40 years. These efforts are also supported by the zoo to remind and encourage visitors and others to educate themselves on conservation practices and to be good stewards to the environment and the animals that inhabitat them. "While we have animals under human care that are unlikely to be able to be released, being able to support these programs where there are researchers and people that are trying to either create safe spaces for the animals, save local populations and provide better protection," Pratte said. "I mean, that's not been just stewards for the animals under our care, that's leading by example and being stewards for the whole planet, which we're responsible for." With the recent relocation of the ring-tailed lemur dubbed "King Julian" to Kansas, Pratte said this program and others continue the conversation surrounding animals and the roles of people to provide safe and nurturing environments. Whether it's creating an enriched and fulfilling habitat for Chili and Arnaud at the zoo or providing a safe environment for Jane down in Brazil, Pratte said it is important to support organizations and facilities that take the time to not only help these animals, but continue to educate the public. "We're trying to teach good stewardship to staff, visitors and anybody that might visit the zoo," Pratte said. "All the choices that they make can make a difference, like where they donate and whether they support accredited reputable facilities." Pratte said updates on Jane the giant anteater will be shared in the zoo's newsletter and on its social media pages. To learn more about ICAS and the institute's conservation efforts, visit icasconservation.org.br. Photos: Miller Park Zoo undertakes upgrades, repairs Check out photos from our journalists' recent visits to Miller Park Zoo. Video: Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte speaks about AZA accreditation Jay Pratte, director, speaks on Friday about the AZA accreditation for Miller Park Zoo. 031724-blm-loc-zoo7 Sage, a snow leopard, watches the crowds on March 16 at Miller Park Zoo. 031724-blm-loc-zoo10 Rojo, the 17-year-old Sumatran tiger, came to Miller Park Zoo in 2015. 031724-blm-loc-zoo6 One of the river otters, Rhett Butler, at Miller Park Zoo on March 16. 031724-blm-loc-zoo3 Greater flamingos enjoy the sunshine at Miller Park Zoo on March 16. 031724-blm-loc-zoo4 Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte speaks about upcoming improvements to the zoo's carousel, which will be removed in May and reinstalled aft 031724-blm-loc-zoo12 Greater flamingos hang out Saturday, March 16, at Miller Park Zoo. 031724-blm-loc-zoo5 A sign outside the enclosure inhabited by Sally, an American alligator at Miller Park Zoo, notes that she has the option to be outside for the 031724-blm-loc-zoo9 Rojo, the 17-year-old Sumatran tiger at Miller Park Zoo, is seen in his enclosure. 031724-blm-loc-zoo2 Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte, right, speaks on March 15 about the upgrades to facilities and practices the Bloomington zoo is implement 031724-blm-loc-zoo Miller Park Zoo director Jay Pratte speaks Friday about ongoing upgrades to practices and facilities to keep up with current zoological standa 031724-blm-loc-zoo1 Rojo, the Sumatran tiger at Miller Park Zoo, is seen in his enclosure on March 16. The 17-year-old animal can choose whether to enjoy the outd 031724-blm-loc-zoo8 Miller Park Zoo Director Jay Pratte speaks about fencing that had to be cleared of foliage and repaired to meet accreditation standards set by President Cyril Ramaphosa has described South Africa's election results as a victory for its democracy, despite his African National Congress (ANC) party losing its majority for the first time. The party, which was once led by Nelson Mandela, won 159 seats in the 400-seat parliament, down from 230 in the previous assembly. It is the ANC's worst election result since apartheid ended 30 years ago - though it still has by far the most seats. The results announced on Sunday represent a sharp drop in support for the party, which now must go into a coalition to form the next government. "Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not, they have spoken," Mr Ramaphosa said. "As the leaders of political parties, as all those who occupy positions of responsibility in society, we have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their wishes." He added that the voters wanted the parties to find common ground. "Through their votes, they have demonstrated clearly and plainly that our democracy is strong and it is enduring," he said. South Africa's political parties have two weeks to work out a coalition deal, then the new parliament will sit to choose a president. The centre-right Democratic Alliance (DA) remains the second-largest party in parliament and has said it is open to talks of a coalition. Former president Jacob Zuma, who now leads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party that came third, did not attend the results announcement and had suggested that he might challenge them. Earlier in the day, Mr Zuma called for an election rerun and said the electoral commission should not announce the final results. On Saturday, he warned the commission that it would "be provoking us" if it ignored his demand for a fresh election, and for an independent investigation into his party's claims that it was rigged. "Dont start trouble when there is no trouble, he said. There are now concerns over how Mr Zuma's supporters may respond to the results. Mr Zuma has been the political wildcard in this election - and he is preparing to flex his muscles as the kingmaker in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal, where the MK party has wrestled a huge chunk of votes from the ANC. Formed just a few months ago, results show that for the national election, it has taken the largest share of the vote in the province - 44% to the ANC's 19%. Local issues could have been a big factor in that shift, with some community members turning their backs on the ANC party because it had failed to fix acute water shortages. Parts of the province, such as Trenance Park, which is a mere 20 minutes' drive from the main city of Durban, have had no tap water for 10 months. Residents rely on water tankers that sometimes do not deliver water on time. People in KwaZulu-Natal hope that now the election is over, the problem will be fixed for good. Source: BBC Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has slammed the Electoral Commission over the use of Ghana Card as the identity card for voting in the December 7 elections. The Electoral Commission proposed for the Ghana Card to be the only identity card to be used in elections. They found the Ghana Card credible to avoid election irregularities and also to rightly and legally identify the voters. But the Commission's proposal was opposed by some parties and individuals, compelling the electoral management body to reconsider their decision. Speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme, Pratt kicked against making the Ghana Card the only identification means for one to exercise his or her franchise. "If I don't have a Ghana Card, should I lose my right to vote? Tell me under what circumstances that if I don't have a Ghana Card, I lose my citizenship and my right to determine who should govern me. Why? That I don't have a Ghana Card, so I cannot vote; where from this? What is the justification for that position?" Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video James Kwabena Bomfeh, popularly called "Kabila", has taken a swipe at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) over their press conference regarding the ambulance purchase trial involving Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, and Attorney-General, Godfred Yeboah Dame. Ato Forson and one Richard Jakpa have been charged at the Accra High Court for causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the State in a deal to buy 200 ambulances for Ghana. According to the A-Gs facts, the late former President John Evans Atta Mills, in 2009, disclosed new ambulances would be procured to improve the operations of the National Ambulance Service. He informed the nation about the decision to buy 200 ambulances but only 30 ambulances were purchased at a sum of 2.37 million. The purchase of the 30 ambulances was spearheaded by Richard Jakpa and Ato Forson who was then the Deputy Finance Minister. Jakpa was a local representative of a Dubai-based company called Big Sea General Trading Limited and, in respect of the transaction, approached the Ministry of Health with a proposal he had arranged for finance from Stanbic Bank for the supply of the 200 ambulances During cross-examination in court before the trial judge, Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe, Richard Jakpa stated that the Attorney-General and himself had met at the private residence of a Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Yonny Kulendi, in a supposed plea bargain negotiation. A-G has on several occasions engaged me at odd hours to help him make a case against A1 and I have evidence for that. If he pushes me, I will open the Pandoras box. I dont understand why the A-G will accuse me of defending A1 when Im here to defend myself, Jakpa said in court. On the trial, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) played a secret audio recording between Jakpa and the Attorney-General which, to them, discredits Mr. Godfred Dame at their press conference. As a result, they call for Attorney-General to resign from office. Discussing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show, James Kwabena Bomfeh, a former General Secretary of the Convention People's Party (CPP), found the NDC press conference unnecessary stating "it's ugly. It's nauseating. It's untidy, disgusting. We should stop this; it's very disgusting". He argued the Attorney-General should not be tried in the court of opinion and that if the NDC nor any person has anything against him, they should use the appropriate forum which is either the Ghana Legal Council or the court. "Is the NDC standing trial? So, what is the business of the NDC in this matter?", he fumed. Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain The working world can be a pitiless one, as competition in the marketplace can put significant pressures on employees. Relentless deadlines, shrinking resources and shifting priorities all take their toll on employees' well-being and mental health. In my home country of Belgium, more than two thirds (66.4%) of individuals on disability for psychological reasons had cases related to depression or burn-out. These worrisome statistics reflect broader trends across OECD countries, where nearly half (47.6%) of workers with mental-health problems have been absent from the office in the past year, compared to just over 30% of those without such issues. Bringing returning employees (gently) back into the fold Studies show that employees who return to work after a mental health-related absence have a high risk of relapse, particularly within the first year. For instance, 90% of relapses occur within three years, with significant numbers occurring within the first 12 months. A successful reintegration strategy not only helps employees return to their roles but also ensures they remain engaged and productive in the long term. For firms, this involves creating a supportive environment that addresses both the immediate needs of the returning employee and the ongoing challenges they may face. Reintegration: Not just between employees and employers Successful reintegration depends on many factors, but one is crucial yet often overlooked: the dynamics between a returning employee and his or her colleagues. For the returning worker to be successfully reintegrated, it's essential for her or his coworkers to understand the importance of their providing support. This understanding is not easy to obtain, because the return-to-work process often involves measures that may appear as "privileges" to others. Often, returning employees initially work part-time, have tailored work arrangements, and stressful or demanding tasks are limited. If all this happens after a long period of absencewhich often increases the pressure on remaining colleaguesit immediately becomes clear that open communication about the returning employee's reintegration with the "whole team" is vital. A key aspect is managing expectations: if it is unclear to the team what they can and can't expect from the returning colleague in each stage of the reintegration, friction can result. This can be exacerbated when the returning colleague and employer seekfor good reasonsto respect the work limits that have been set for the reintegration. That's why it's very important to communicate the reasons behind these measures to the team all the while respecting medical privacy. Managers ought to frame these adjustments as necessary for the long-term health and productivity of the employee and the organization, which ultimately benefits all involved. This also requires clear communication about the returning employee's capabilities and limitations. Colleagues should be informed about the expected pace of reintegration and the importance of supporting their peer. Also think about the best process for work assignments: after an absence caused by stress, it's often wise to have tasks delegated by the employee's direct supervisor rather than making him or her available to all team members. Part of an overarching reintegration policy Many companies still don't have well-developed and sustainable reintegration policies. My advice is a good starting point and will work even better as part of the overarching and taboo-lifting absenteeism policy outlined below: Develop an overall supportive culture : cultivate a workplace culture that values mental health and recognizes the importance of supporting colleagues returning from mental health-related absences. : cultivate a workplace culture that values mental health and recognizes the importance of supporting colleagues returning from mental health-related absences. Provide training : Help managers and team members learn the required skills. These can include recognizing signs of mental-health issues, providing support, and fostering an inclusive environment. Managers play a pivotal role, as their attitudes and actions can significantly influence the success of reintegration. : Help managers and team members learn the required skills. These can include recognizing signs of mental-health issues, providing support, and fostering an inclusive environment. Managers play a pivotal role, as their attitudes and actions can significantly influence the success of reintegration. Promote open communication about individual needs : Transparency helps build trust and reduces stigma, particularly when an employee temporarily leaves the workplace. After his or her return, regular meetings and feedback sessions during their reintegration help ensure that any issues are promptly addressed. : Transparency helps build trust and reduces stigma, particularly when an employee temporarily leaves the workplace. After his or her return, regular meetings and feedback sessions during their reintegration help ensure that any issues are promptly addressed. Implement flexible policies : Adapt policies to accommodate the needs of returning employees, such as flexible working hours or gradual increases in workload. Tailored work arrangements help returning employees ease back into their roles without overwhelming them. : Adapt policies to accommodate the needs of returning employees, such as flexible working hours or gradual increases in workload. Tailored work arrangements help returning employees ease back into their roles without overwhelming them. Leverage peer support: Colleagues who have gone through similar experiences can offer valuable insights and emotional support, helping to normalize the challenges associated with returning to work after a mental health-related absence. Strategic necessity Sustainable reintegration is not only a matter of compassion but also a strategic necessity for employee retention and organizational resilience. By focusing on supportive colleague dynamics and addressing the unique challenges of reintegration, European company leaders and HR professionals can significantly enhance their retention efforts. Understanding and implementing effective reintegration strategies will lead to healthier workplaces, lower turnover rates, and ultimately, a more robust and committed workforce. The responsibility for successful reintegration extends beyond the individual and their direct manager to the entire organization. Creating a supportive, understanding, and flexible workplace environment is key to ensuring that employees not only return to work but thrive in their roles. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The Crosby-Schyen Codex, an important early Christian book containing five distinct texts all copied by the same scribe, is going up for auction in June at Christie's in London. If you have a spare 23 million, don't miss this opportunity to own a key example of the birth of Christian culture and literature. Most news coverage of this 1,700-year-old book focuses on claims that it includes the oldest complete text of two biblical books: Jonah and 1 Peter. But the ancient manuscript is all the more fascinating if you look at the other documents it includes, the social and political context that produced it and the theology it reveals. The codex, currently owned by Norwegian collector Martin Schyen, contains 104 pages and was found in Egypt in 1952 among some other manuscripts buried in a jar in the sand. The book is made of papyrus and written in Coptic, an Egyptian language in which many important early Christian texts are preserved. It was likely produced in one of the Pachomian monasteries in the vicinity of Faw Qibli, near Dishna in eastern Egypt. These monasteries were operational in the 4th century AD. This matches the radiocarbon analysis carried out on the manuscript, as reported by Christian literature academic Hugo Lundhaug. Author and academic Brent Nongbri suggests a date range of 330 to 350 AD for the text. This makes it the oldest book privately owned and not held by a museum. What makes the codex so remarkable, apart from its age and completeness, are its contents. Together, the works preserved in the the Crosby-Schyen Codex shed light into a fascinating, dynamic period of early Christianity that indelibly marked the religion's theology and culture. A unique window into early Christianity The book contains five different texts originally composed by five completely different authors. The oldest is the biblical Book of Jonah, found among the prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible. Jonah was an important figure for early Christians because he was famously swallowed by a huge fish (mistranslated as whale in the authorized version) while reluctantly heeding God's call to deliver his prophetic warning to the Ninevites. Ninevah is depicted as a very wicked city, but Jonah's message of repentance is successful. This is taken as an example of divine mercy, referenced again in New Testament texts such as Matt 12:41 and Luke 11:30-32. The three days Jonah spent in the belly of the fish was read allegorically by early Christians to foreshadow the time between Christ's death and resurrection. A portion of the apocryphal book II Maccabees is also preserved in the codex. The section reproduced details of some vignettes of Jewish resistance to the oppression by Antioches IV Epiphanes, who tried to force Jews under his rule to give up their ancestral customs. In this account, vulnerable people like old men and mothers and their children boldly choose death rather than violate the TorahJewish lawshoping for resurrection as their reward. In contrast to Judaism in the 3rd and 4th century AD, Christianity had developed a reverence for martyrs, perhaps especially in the aftermath of the Emperor Diocletian's reign, which ended with Constantine's legalization of Christianity in 313 AD. The Jewish martyrs in II Maccabees would therefore be attractive early examples of martyrdom for early Christians. 1 Peter, one of the many letters in the New Testament, also appears in the codex. While it's unlikely that Peter himself composed the letter, it nevertheless became an important document for early Christians. It gives encouragement and advice for Christians whose withdrawal from non-Christian public life made them targets, not necessarily for state persecution, but certainly for social isolation. It's easy to see how such a letter would appeal to those living a monastic life. Rise of antisemitism While one of the texts in The Crosby-Schyen Codex is an otherwise unknown piece perhaps a sermonanother is notorious: Melito of Sardis' homily on Passover (known as Peri Pascha). Originally composed between 160 and 170 AD in Asia Minor, this chilling sermon spares no detail in its antisemitic hatred and disgust for Jews. It is explicit in identifying Jews as responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. Beyond this, it argues that Judaism should be destroyed outright in light of the new covenant, Christianity. This text represents the earliest example of a Christian accusing the Jews as a people of deicidethe antisemitic belief that Jews murdered God. The charge of deicide spurred Christian violence against Jews for centuries after Melito's sermon, with far-reaching consequences from Easter pogroms, to the crusades, the expulsion of Jews from Europe (including England) and even current antisemitic campaigns. That this document is included in the codex is curious until we recall that at the time it was constructed, Christianity had been legal for perhaps a decade or two, and in the next few decades was about to become the official religion of the Roman empire. Antisemitism had been growing for some time as Christianity gained more and more gentile (non-Jewish) followers, and Romans were no longer the "bad guys." Another scapegoat, other than Rome, needed to be found for the death of Jesus. Antisemitic ideas like Melito's vicious accusations about Jews solved that problem for many Christian communities, as it seems to have for whoever compiled these diverse texts into a single book. What the Crosby-Schyen Codex gives us is a unique window into the social and theological world of 4th-century Christianity. It preserves a compilation of texts which all speak to the huge changes taking place in the Mediterranean world at that time. From persecutions to the legalization of Christianity, to the construction of the earliest monasteries, early Christianity was undergoing rapid transformations. This priceless book preserves a true moment in time. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In this image from an AlertCalifornia/UC San Diego monitoring camera, smoke rises from the Corral Fire near the city of Tracy, Calif., Saturday, June 1, 2024. Credit: AlertCalifornia/UC San Diego via AP California firefighters aided by aircraft battled a wind-driven wildfire burning Saturday in an area straddling the San Francisco Bay Area and central California, authorities said. The Corral Fire began burning Saturday near the city of Tracy, 60 miles (96 kilometers) east of San Francisco, and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the city of Livermore, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Dark plumes of smoke traveled high into the sky over the fire area comprised mostly of grassy hills, where strong winds were expected to continue overnight. Late Saturday, Cal Fire updated the size of the fire to 15.6 square miles (40.4 square kilometers) with 13% contained, which increased from an earlier report of 13.7 square miles (35.4 square kilometers). Interstate 580, which connects the San Francisco Bay Area to San Joaquin County in central California, was closed in both directions from Corral Hollow Road to Interstate 5 due to the lack of visibility from the smoke, the California Department of Transportation said in a statement. Cal Fire Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter said two fire workers were injured, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services issued an evacuation order, pinpointing the wildfire in an area east of Interstate 580. Residents between Corral Hollow Road and Tracy Boulevard were ordered to leave their homes, with residents south of Tracy Boulevard told to be prepared for evacuation. An evacuation update included areas west of the California Aqueduct south of Corral Hollow Creek, west to Alameda County and south to Stanislaus County. A temporary evacuation point was established at Larch Clover Community Center in Tracy, the county emergency services office said on its website. The wildfire was near the Lawrence Livermore laboratory's Site 300 southwest of Tracy, Cal Fire said in a social media post late Saturday. Lawrence Livermore is a research and development institution primarily focusing on the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile. Site 300, 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of the laboratory's main installation, supports "development of explosive materials as well as hydrodynamic testing and diagnostics," according to the website of Strategic Deterrence, the organization that administers Lawrence Livermore. "Here, our researchers can safely formulate, fabricate, and test high-explosive assemblies to assess the performance of nonnuclear weapon prototypes and components," the website says of Site 300. The wildfire presented no threats to any laboratory facilities or operations and the fire had moved away from the site, Lawrence Livermore spokesperson Paul Rhien said in a statement to The Associated Press early Sunday. "We have been working in close partnership with Cal Fire, Alameda County Fire Dept, and other emergency services partners throughout the evening," Rhien said. "As a precaution, we have activated our emergency operations center to monitor the situation through the weekend." 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The city of Wildwood and its police chief dispute the state attorney general's recent statement that problems with large numbers of teenagers that led to the temporary closing of the Boardwalk during Memorial Day weekend were at least in part due to insufficient police staffing. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin told the media on Friday during an appearance in Seaside Heights, "I don't think we had enough law enforcement officers out in Wildwood last weekend, and we're working to correct that." On Saturday, Wildwood released a statement saying that Police Chief Joseph Murphy and the city "have been made aware of an inaccurate and ill-informed statement" by Platkin. "We were alarmed at such a statement from the chief law enforcement officer in the State of New Jersey especially knowing that he did not directly contact us to understand what resources were in place for the weekend," Murphy said Saturday in a statement from the city. "If an effort were made by the Attorney General to understand the situation in Wildwood, he would have been advised that the police department had in excess of forty (40) law enforcement officers assigned to our boardwalk on Sunday night of Memorial Day weekend alone - when the local state of emergency was declared." On Sunday night of the busy holiday weekend, the city said, it was swamped with calls for help to respond to incidents of rowdy teens and young adults creating disturbances. The city sought help from neighboring police departments and wound up closing the Boardwalk overnight. The city's police department handled 312 9-1-1 calls over the Memorial Day weekend, it said in a Facebook post, and "officers responded to one thousand five hundred and seventeen (1,517) calls for service, issued thousands of curb side warnings to juveniles, and we made forty-seven (47) arrests with more pending upon identification." Seaside Heights also had to deal with a similar incident on its Boardwalk last weekend. Ocean City also had problems with large gatherings of teens on its Boardwalk last Friday and Saturday. Several teenagers were detained and then released to their parents that Friday night after a fight between two female juveniles. The next night, a 15-year-old boy was stabbed. Atlantic City did not report similar problems. Police Chief James Sarkos said the force is concentrating full-time officers on the Boardwalk this summer, and that effort combined with a 10 p.m. curfew for juveniles helped keep order over the holiday weekend. Numerous local officials and police supervisors from Jersey Shore towns, as well as the president of the statewide police union, have blamed a series of juvenile justice reforms New Jersey has enacted in recent years with emboldening teens and giving them the sense that there is little police can do to them if they are caught with alcohol or marijuana. In his remarks Friday, Platkin said Wildwood has hired the fewest law enforcement officers this year than they've ever hired. I don't think we had enough law enforcement officers out in Wildwood last weekend, and we're working to correct that, he said. The city's statement Saturday said Wildwood police "would like to assure the public that the boardwalk was staffed with more uniformed police officers this year over 30 than that of the two previous years. The staffing levels of law enforcement for our boardwalk is developed after thoughtful analysis: examining of the previous years staffing posture, holiday weekends, special events, and current situational intelligence." "Through this process we assessed that additional uniformed law enforcement personnel were needed for the 2024 Memorial Day weekend. Several months ago, we initiated a Shared Service Agreement with the Cape May County Sheriffs Department to ensure those additional uniformed law enforcement personnel would be available to the City of Wildwood." The police's Facebook post concluded: "Chief Murphy would like to commend the men and women of the Wildwood Police Department along with the other law enforcement agencies in their performance this past Memorial Day weekend. Despite the difficult environment they are forced to police in, without hesitation, they placed themselves on the front lines to maintain law and order. We were fortunate to only have one officer injured during the weekend, and he should make a full recovery. We will continue to place public safety as the top priority for our department as we move into the summer season." Press staff and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Mexicos 2024 elections: Nationals spend day casting votes across country Mexico City, Mexico After the finish of the initial flag raising ceremony in Mexico City, nearly 100 million Mexicans across the country will cast their votes throughout the day. With the ceremony of raising and honoring the National Flag, the National Electoral Institute (INE) began the Electoral Day of the Federal Electoral Process and the concurrent processes 2023-2024. Voting began after the flag ceremony in Mexico City Sunday. Photo: INE June 2, 2024. From the esplanade of the Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) headquarters, the Presidential Counselor, Guadalupe Taddei Zavala, said that the electoral authority has been and will continue to be a guarantor of transparency, equity and legality in each electoral process. She called on all citizens to go out and vote with pride and with the certainty that every vote counts. The participation of all is vital to strengthening our democracy and ensuring that our voices are heard, she emphasized. Accompanied by the 11 electoral councilors, she stressed that this act symbolizes not only our love for Mexico, but also our commitment to citizen participation. It is not a simple formality, but a manifestation of the respect we have for our democratic process and for each citizen who participates in it. An official ceremony early Sunday morning marked the start of voting day across Mexico. Photo: INE June 2, 2024. On June 2, Mexicans will vote for new municipal and state authorities as well as a new president. The three running candidates for the upcoming presidential opening are Claudia Sheinbaum, Xochitl Galvez and Jorge Alvarez Maynez. The three presidential candidates are, left to right, Xochitl Galvez, Jorge Alvarez Maynez and Claudia Sheinbaum. Photo: INE June 2, 2024. Article 83 of the Mexican Constitution prohibits current President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, from pursuing re-election for another term. Lopez Obradors presidential six-year term will finish at the end of 2024. He has been in office since December 1, 2018. Second person arrested for attempting to buy Playa del Carmen mayor votes Playa del Carmen, Q.R. Authorities have made a second arrest on allegations of vote buying for the new mayors position for Playa del Carmen. On Saturday, Emiliano Vladimir N was also arrested for allegedly promising money in exchange for votes. The State Attorney General (FGE) reported that an investigation by the Special Prosecutors Office in Combating Electoral Crimes requested an arrest warrant for Emiliano Vladimir N, who was detained in the city of Playa del Carmen. The investigated person was seized from a black vehicle with license plates from the State of Yucatan. In a statement, the FGE said Emiliano Vladimir N was a local deputy for the Party of the Democratic Revolution (PRD) in the XV Legislature. He currently works as coordinator of neighborhood leaders who are dedicated to buying votes for a candidate for the Municipal Presidency of Solidaridad. According to the first investigations, the women hired were instructed to collect 20 voter credentials, which were uploaded to a web platform. For this process, they previously received a username and password from Emiliano Vladimir N. Once the required number was met, they received a cash payment in the amount of 1,000 pesos. Emiliano Vladimir N is the second person arrested in as many days for electoral fraud. On Friday, the FGE announced the arrest of Guadalupe del Rosario N, for the same crime. Local authorities have not said, in either case, who the candidate votes were being bought for. Time for easyJet to reflect on how it deals with passengers Telling large companies how to run their businesses is much easier than actually running one. Nonetheless, allow me to address Britains biggest budget airline, easyJet, and recommend how it could improve. To set the scene: I spent a fair amount of 2021 involved in a long back-and-forth with EU home affairs officials in Brussels about post-Brexit passport validity rules. After the UK voted to leave the European Union, Boris Johnsons government requested that we should become third-country nationals alongside citizens of an interesting range of other countries, including Tonga and Venezuela. It was clear that, when international travel returned at scale after the shambolic tangle of quarantine rules was finally lifted, travellers and the travel industry needed to know what exactly the rules were. Finally, on 10 November 2021, I received sign-off from Brussels on the two EU tests for British passport holders: On the day of travel to the EU, issued not more than 10 years earlier On the intended day of exit, at least three months to run Caerphilly does it: British passport issued on 20 November 2014, expiring on 20 March 2025 (Simon Calder) For example, a British passport issued on 20 November 2014, expiring on 20 March 2025, can be used to travel out to the European Union up to 19 November 2024 for a stay until 20 December 2024. I promptly informed all the leading airlines flying from the UK to the European Union about my findings supplying the lengthy correspondence and contact details so they could conduct their own checks. I stressed that they should not make up nonsense conditions about British passports being valid in Europe only for nine years and nine months pretending that the EU has imposed a limit of 10 years on any UK travel document. As far as I know, British Airways has not put a foot wrong. Jet2 turned one passenger away very early but corrected the error overnight and promptly made good the harm to the traveller. Unfortunately, easyJet and Ryanair made up their own rules, citing bizarre UK government advice that showed ministers didnt understand what they had signed up for. Eventually, I persuaded all three organisations to accept the rules. But occasionally a member of staff goes rogue and needlessly turns an innocent and properly documented passenger away. Jacqui McGeough from Lanarkshire is the latest victim to have contacted me. On 9 April she and her daughter, Eilidh, turned up at Edinburgh in good time to fly off on holiday to Naples. But the gate agent inexplicably barred Ms McGeough from the flight, saying her passport was not valid. Ms McGeough immediately appealed. An airport supervisor confirmed the original, incorrect decision. The holiday was off and the pair were 1,500 out of pocket. Understandably upset, Ms McGeough contacted easyJet. Over the following seven weeks, she was assured five times that the organisation was right and she was wrong even though exactly the opposite was true. A thorough investigation of the fact had been made, she was assured. Arrogant nonsense. An actual thorough investigation of Ms McGeoughs case would take one minute: Look at the passport, and observe it was valid for travel out to the European Union up to 13 May 2024 Look at the travel dates, 8-12 April 2024 Exclaim Oops! Ms McGeough was right all along, so lets open the chequebook to recompense the pair for the cost of their ruined holiday as well as statutory compensation for wrongly denying boarding Yet easyJet repeatedly brushed off Ms McGeough until she contacted me. Once I challenged easyJet, the airline promptly admitted a misunderstanding at the gate of passport validity rules and said it was looking into why they received incorrect information in response to their claim. The vast majority of easyJet passengers turned away from a flight due to passport problems are correctly denied boarding. But when an upset passenger politely and persistently asks to be taken seriously, an airline manager could and should investigate. I shall continue to fly on easyJet for its professional operation, good value and excellent cabin crew. But an organisation that pays more heed to a journalist than to a customer is on dodgy ground. Repeatedly blaming the victim rather than taking a long look at its own procedures has alarming resonances of the Post Office scandal; easyJet is better than that. Simon Calder, also known as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been writing about travel for The Independent since 1994. In his weekly opinion column, he explores a key travel issue and what it means for you. Sleeping dogs do not get to lie. Neither do giant gorillas or oversized reptiles. In the new sci-fi film, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, director Adam Wingard rousts a herd of creatures and pits them against one another. The result is a convention of chaos. Kong, you may remember, is dwelling in Hollow Earth; Godzilla is napping at the Colosseum. As long as theyre in separate corners, everything is OK. Godzilla, however, gets up from his nap, stomps around Europe (making even more ruins in Italy and France) and senses theres a Kong-frontation just waiting to happen. Kong, meanwhile, has an infected tooth and needs help. We know this because Dr. Ilene Andrews (Rebecca Hall) has a daughter (Kaylee Hottle) who can communicate with him via sign language. To set things straight, Andrews assembles a crew (including a conspiracy theorist and a gonzo veterinarian) and zips to Hollow Earth. Sure enough, Kong has a bad bite and another set of monster adversaries. When a battle hurts his arm, the vet (played by Dan Stevens) cooks up a Kong-sized Infinity Gauntlet glove (trademark pending) and gets the big ape moving. All sorts of creatures (prehistoric and otherwise) start checking in. The goal is to settle them and get to Godzilla. But who first? And when? All of the creatures (including one youve heard plenty about but didnt realize was so literal) cause trouble, sending all parts of the world into turmoil. After they do their urgent care bit, the humans are fairly expendable. Still, they stick around to see what happens and give the girl plenty to translate. While Godzilla makes his way to Kong, we start calculating the insurance loss. In addition to ruining ruins in Europe, he levels pyramids in Egypt. Kong isnt as destructive (he just hangs from buildings) but he does have some nasty adversaries. If its Wingards goal to spin them off into other features, were in trouble. There are so many villains in Godzilla x Kong its impossible for anyone to divide and conquer. Thankfully, the film comes to an impasse and the special effects experts are on to something a little less taxing. Interestingly, the effects in this film arent as good as the ones in the low-budget Godzilla Minus One. The monsters look a bit halting. When in doubt, Wingard and company turn up the light. Godzilla x Kong doesnt have a strong script, either, and its work for the humans is marginal at best. Still, if you're craving popcorn, this is your movie. It encourages binge-eating. Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here. Dear Care and Feeding, My mom is the worst. My dad is mostly great when shes not around but doesnt stand up to her when she is. They werent abusive parents, but they werent good ones either. My husband and I know better than to leave them in charge of our kids without our supervision. Recently, we were visiting them and their dog got out. My husband went to coax her back. While he was doing that, our toddler had a nightmare diaper accident, so I went to get him cleaned up. In that 15-minute window of unsupervised time, my mom scooped up our 5-year-old and just drove off. No car seat. No telling anyone shed left. He was in his PJs and it was a cold, rainy spring day. My dad thought my mom was napping. I knocked on all the neighbors doors and eventually, I called 911 because they live in a lakeside area and there have been child drownings there. When we realized the car was gone, I called and texted her repeatedly and she didnt answer. She came home five hours later and I lit into her. She told me I was overreacting, and that she didnt ask if she could take him out because she knew Id obsess (her word) over the car seat. My son said hed called out for me when they left and she told him to hush, that this was a secret. My dad went after me for upsetting my mom. We left and havent spoken since. Im feeling like the next time shell get to see my kids is from her casket. My husband feels even more strongly. But now my dad has fallen and he broke a hip, and I only found out through a cousin. Not being in touch with my mom means I dont get to see my dad, but he keeps trying to reach out in ways that loop her in when I try to talk to him. How do I deal with this? Im furious. But he is in the hospital and not getting younger, so Ill have to face this sooner or later. Furious Mom Dear Furious Mom, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sure I dont have to tell you that you had every right to be furious. (Though perhaps I should tell you that it sounds like your mother may have a mental health disorder, and that she needs professional care. Not that youre in a position to insist on thatbut it might be worth bringing up to your father, carefully and gently, or to someone else who would be receptive and who has some influence on her. The situation you describe does not sound like mere eccentricity or grandmotherly hijinks.) Now that some time has passed, Im wondering if you might want to reconsider the complete banishment of her from your life. Certainly, Id never leave her alone with the children (not even for five minutes). But are you sure you want to cut her out of yourand theirlife for the rest of hers? Advertisement Perhaps you are. If so (and Im not going to judge you for thatthis experience on your last visit might well have been her latest affront, and cutting ties with her has been long coming), you may have to face the fact that you will lose your father too. Can you live with that? Its clear that he cant bear the situation as it currently exists. He wants his wife and his daughter to have a relationship. And its true, hes not the one who gets to decide that. But if he wont let up on trying to connect you with your mother, if you are adamant about not wanting to have anything to do with her, you may have to make a choice: Give him up too, or let her back in. You dont want to demand that he make a choice between the two of you. Ive witnessed this, and I know how devastating it is to a child (yes, even a full-grown one) when a parent, asked to choose, chooses their spouse, not their child. Advertisement Advertisement Want Advice on Parenting, Kids, or Family Life? Submit your questions to Care and Feeding here. Its anonymous! (Questions may be edited for publication.) Dear Care and Feeding, My sister was a single mom by choice. We both grew up in a loving, stable family and stayed close, even though we lived far apart. Unfortunately, the timing of our pregnancies and the pandemic meant that I never got to see her parenting her son (except over FaceTime). She died in a car accident when Silas was 2 and we adopted him. Once he made it through the grief and the transition, he wasand isa sweet and friendly kid. His big sister, our bio-daughter, adores him. A few months ago, he fell at daycare and had to get X-rays. They showed healed breaks from the past that werent in his medical records. I felt very weird about this. Then, last week, I took him to the dentist, who is a family friend. She pulled me aside to tell me that Silass dental X-rays showed clear signs of a high fever that had gone untreated early in his life. Warping and mis-forming in molars, she said, can be a sign of early childhood medical neglectso she had to go through the mandated reporter process. Because of the adoption records, our interaction with CPS was perfunctory, but it was still horrifying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im grappling with the idea that my sweet and loving sister abused her son. Im scared about what else might pop up, and how it could hurt him later on. I thought I knew my sister, and I feel so scared and angry and mixed up. My husband is in pain too for Silas, and neither of us knows what we should be doing. Up to now, Ive tried to keep the memory of his mother alive for him. How should we be talking to him about her if she harmed him? Id like to have the kids pediatrician do a full exam in case there are other hidden health issues as a result of abuse, but I have no idea how to ask for that in a way that doesnt make it sound like Im trying to dodge abuse allegations. Should we put Silas in therapy, even though he seems fine right now? Is there something else we should or could be doing? Sad and Angry Dear Sad, Advertisement Advertisement I am so sorrythis is an awful thing to have learned. Im afraid youll likely never know the full truth about the first two years of your sons lifeor the full truth about your sister. But I do think you need to ask your pediatrician to do a prior-abuse screening, which will include a head ultrasound, an abdominal CT scan, and a scan for skeletal trauma beyond the presumably limited area of the X-rays already taken. The more information you have about Silass early experiences, the more youll be able to help him as time passes, as early trauma puts him at risk in various ways, not only now and in the near future but well into adulthood. Advertisement Advertisement I know this is a terrifying thing to contemplate, particularly as it cannot be completely separated from your shock and horrorand confusion, and griefabout your sister. But for Silass sake, you must press on. Tell your pediatrician everything youve told me. I doubt youll need to explain why its important for you to have a more complete picture of what your child may have experienced at the hands of his first mother (or, possibly, by others in her life), and/or the extent of the neglect he suffered. If the thought of talking to your current pediatrician about this makes you so uncomfortable or afraid you dont think you can do it, you need to change pediatricians. Their doctor should be someone you trust and feel at ease with, and with whom you can have a difficult conversation. Advertisement As to psychotherapy for Silas: Dont wait until he doesnt seem fine. What you know about his early care (or lack of care) alone makes it important for him to have the widest net of support possible (even if he doesnt consciously remember anything about his life before the age of 2). Those first years of a childs life are crucial ones for development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Take the time to find the right therapist for him. Youll want to find someone who specializes in children Silass age and who has training and experience treating children with a history of abuse/neglect in early childhood. You will also want it to be someone you find it easy to talk to, someone your instincts tell you is a good fit. And I know I always mention this when I talk about therapy for small children, but I urge you to find someone who is trained in play therapy. Youll get through this. Silas has you nowhe has you and your husband; he has a sister. He is surrounded by people who love him and who will take care of him. But if I may, Id like to make one more suggestionwhich is that you get help dealing with what youve learned (and whatever else you may learn). You have a lot to process and try to make sense of. Dont neglect yourself while you move forward to do everything you can to help your child. Advertisement Catch Up on Care and Feeding Missed earlier columns this week? Read them here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, Ive gotten the ick about the mother of one of my 10-year-old daughters friends, and its made me not want to trust her with my daughters care anymore. The woman is very sweet and caring and I felt only sympathy when she recently lost her job and her marriage broke up (her husband then moved far away for a job, though he returns each month to see his daughter). For more than a year, shes told my wife that the handsome father of another classmate is about to leave his wife, though to all appearances that couple is solid. I raised my eyebrows about these constant reports of an impending breakup that never happened, but it didnt worry me. My discomfort arose when we were recently talking about the war in Ukraine. She has Eastern European roots, though from a country not traditionally friendly to Russia. She revealed herself to be pro-Putin and wouldnt even agree with me that it would be better for Russia to be a democracy. My wife wasnt too bothered by this but to me it was a whats up with this person tipping point. It revealed values that are just too hard for me to understand, and a character thats got more going on than her sweetness suggests. Now my wife and daughter are mad at me that I dont feel comfortable about my daughter going to her house for a sleepover. I dont know if my ick is rational, but its not going away. The Ick is Real Dear Ick, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its your ick, not your kids. Unless you have reason to believe that her pro-Putin stance puts your 10-year-old at risk, I dont think its reasonable to forbid sleepovers at her house. (If Id applied the political purity test to the parents of all my daughters friends throughout her childhood, Im not sure she would have had any friends.) If you dont want your kid to be indoctrinated (and who does?), just make sure she knows you disagree vehemently with her friends mom and why. But I doubt very much that this woman you dislike is going to talk politics to the kids or that theyd pay any attention to it if she did. Or are you assuming that her political beliefs (as well as all the other things that didnt bother you before) mean she cant be trusted to house and feed your daughter overnight? I dont see why. And I dont see why your ickrational or notshould affect your daughter. Let her play. Think of it as practice for when shes a teenager and young adult and you dont like her choice of friends or romantic partners. Your ick is irrelevant. Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, Last year, my niece came on the monthlong road trip my family took. Her mom had just died and I thought it would be a distraction for her. She is the same age as my daughter and the girls are very close. The trip was good for her, and she has spent a lot of time with us over the course of the year. Living full-time with my brother and her stepfamily hasnt been easy for her. Among other things, she hasnt been doing well in school since her mothers death. Advertisement My brother and his wife are having a lot of issues, and I dont think the marriage is going to survive. I thought it would be good (not just for my nieceand my daughterbut for my brother and his wife too) to get her out of their house this summer. Were driving cross country country to visit my in-laws, and Ive offered to take her along. Advertisement Here is where my sister-in-law stuck her nose in. She is offended that we have never offered to take her two kids on any of these tripsjust my niece. But the thing is, her kids are fine when she is there to supervise them, but are completely out of control once her back is turned. The few times we have babysat them were exhausting. I shudder in horror at the thought of traveling cross country in an RV with them, especially with the younger one constantly wandering off without a care. So I told my brother that five kids was too much for my wife and me to handle. He has been wavering back and forth about allowing my niece to come with us. How do I convince him? My sister-in-law usually rules the roost and has always had a chip on her shoulder. I just never thought she would be this petty, and punish my niece over it. Uncle in Arizona Dear Uncle, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your sister-in-law has decreed that her stepdaughter cant go unless her non-step two kids (your brothers stepchildren, I assume, and not his children with her?) get to go too, I agree that shes being willfully hard-hearted, even cruel. Your niece has lost her mother; the other children havent. This isnt unfair special treatment; its a kind and loving gesture from a devoted uncle and aunt. Advertisement But well, a couple of things. You havent said that your sister-in-law made this decree (only that your brother seems to have decided that it may come down to that). And you say that shes angry that you have never offered to take her two kids on any of these trips [emphasis my own], which makes me wonder if the practice of inviting your niece and not her siblings, to whom you dont consider yourself related, long predates the death of your brothers former wifein which case it may be that your brothers current wife feels that you have never fully welcomed her into the family. And I think that may be true. The fact is, if these younger kids are your brothers childrenstep or otherwisethey are part of your extended family, but you dont refer to them as such. I certainly get the sense that you dont much like their mother, or at least not as much as you liked the woman your brother used to be married to. Now, I dont know the backstory here (I bet its complicated!), and you are under no obligation to love your brothers current wife, but it does behoove you to treat her respectfully (bonus point for compassionately). Advertisement Advertisement So when you talk to your brotherwhich you should, because I am absolutely in favor of your taking your niece along on this trip, and I do want to help you convince him to let her godont be stingy with your empathy. Especially if you have slighted these other children over the years, but even if you havent. Tell your brother you understand how his wife feels. But remind him that his daughter is grieving; that she has lost her mother, which is one of the worst things that can happen to a child; that you and your wife want only to offer her support and love. Youre not excluding his other children from a fun vacation this summer; youre actively trying to help one of his children during an extraordinarily difficult period. If that doesnt convince him, then there is way more going on in the family dynamic than youve let me in on. Michelle More Advice From Slate I messed up. My 4-year-old loves the scary displays at the mall, so I took him to a haunted house that I thought was kid-friendly but was less David S. Pumpkins and more Saw. I shielded his eyes and ran out as soon as I could. However, the damage was done. Coastal Connecticut was unseasonably warm last May as my Metro-North train rattled past the familiar landscape of my youth. Church steeples, colonial white houses, and country club greens whizzed by in a nostalgic blur as I looked around for a window to open. It wasnt the weather that was getting to me, though. I was on my way to have sex with a woman for the first time since the Clinton administration. Gazing out the window, I thought back to that long-ago encounter. I had been 17, a virgin and determined not to be. I gave it my best go with a female classmate, even employing the hot tip Id received from a more knowledgeable friendsomething about forming the letters of the alphabet with my tongue. The whole thing was decidedly not for me, and I never did it again. The next year, I fell in love with a fellow tenor in my all-male a cappella group at Yale, easily the gayest thing Id done to date. In the decades since, Ive come out to my mother, marched against Californias draconian Proposition 8, and begun moisturizing dailyconfidently identifying as a gay man. Yet, a subtle attraction to women persisted. MMF pornographyfeaturing two men and a woman, often in a bisexual configurationbecame a cornerstone of my fantasies. I once gleefully described the genre to an older gay man in Greenwich Village as a Neapolitan ice cream sandwichthe best of both worlds. He curtly dismissed the revelation as self-loathing nonsense. OK, boomer wouldve been an apt reply, but I let it slide. Especially in older gay circles, men are often expected to be either gay or straight. Rarely do they acknowledge what lies between. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then came Gen Z, which seems to consider sexuality anything but binary. According to a 2024 survey from the Public Religion Research Institute, fully 28 percent of them now identify as LGBTQ+, seven times the rate of the eldest generations. But only 5 percent say they are strictly gay or lesbian. Fifteen percent are bisexual, and 8 percent say theyre something else. What that something else entails seems not to matter. Younger generations are ditching labels in favor of a more fluid perspective that refuses to be boxed in. I noticed this myself during a recent Euphoria binge. The rawness of the characters unbridled exploration as they grappled with the mess of being human was exciting, unnerving, and strangely familiar. I saw a distant yet aspirational part of myself in them. Maybe I, a 45-year-old gay man, could be something else as well. Advertisement MMF. Those three letters stood poised atop my Grindr profile for years, like a defective bisexual bat signal that had thus far failed to conjure even one lousy bat. But then, last April, a man named Emilio tapped and messaged me to inquire if he and his wife could have sex in my bed. He wanted me to watch and eventually take over. Advertisement Absolutely, I replied in a flurry of excitement. Seemingly without a shred of internal deliberation, I blurted out, Lets do it. I have two tanks of Costco rose in the fridge. The unease hit straight away. I hadnt taken over anything with a woman in the bedroom for decades. And even then, I had only gotten up to the letter K. What exactly were they expecting me to do? Advertisement My virginlike consternations led me to Paul Nelson, a sex therapist at Maze Mens Health in New York. Unlike my catty colleague in Greenwich Village, Nelson reassured me that my orientation anxietyand my unexplored interest in womenwas perfectly normal. The idea that you would go through life never changing, expanding, or exploring your sexual expression is an unrealistic assumption, he told me. Youre not confined to being homosexual, heterosexual, or any-sexual. Youre uniquely Brian-sexual. Advertisement Then he suggested I try something called surrogate partner therapy, an experiential practice pioneered by sex researchers William Masters and Virginia Johnson in the 1970s. Originally intended to help people navigate sexual dysfunctions like premature ejaculation and low libido, the practice employs a hands-on learning approach to building physical and emotional intimacy skills. Sessions are priced in the talk therapy range, and treatment periods range anywhere from a few weeks to many years. During that time, surrogate partners practice a number of relational and nonsexual exercises with their clients to build foundations for healthy connections with themselves and others. They demonstrate how to develop healthy relationships, understand social cues, flirt, give and receive touch, manage eye contact, verbalize boundaries, process body shame, and use appropriate etiquette on dates. Sometimes sex is involved. Far more often it is not. SPT tends to be pretty effective at treating sexual dysfunction either way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Occasionally, SPT is also employed to help orientation-curious clients: people like me who may be attracted to certain genders but need some guidance exploring what that means. This facet of SPT has become an increasingly large part of Nelsons practice. Often, he pairs hetero-curious gay men with female surrogate partners and homo-curious men with male surrogates. (Other therapists do this for female clients and surrogates too). Nelson offered the example of one of his clients, a fiftysomething man with a wife whose medical problems limit her sexuality. He requested they open the marriage, but his wife was worried hed fall in love with any woman he started to see. The client had mentioned to Nelson he always regretted never having sex with a man. He now wondered about the possibility of connecting sexually with onepreferably a man who would respect his boundaries and not desire any sort of emotional connection. Advertisement Advertisement To his surprise, his wife felt scarcely threatened by the idea of him experimenting with a trained professional, so Nelson sent him to a male surrogate in New York, with much success. A lot of people had to pick a side a long time ago, he explained. Suddenly, theyre feeling the freedom to scratch a lifelong itch. Advertisement Nelson partners with several surrogates in New York and recommended I see a woman named Ana Cortez (her chosen name for SPT work). On an introductory Zoom call, Anas kind smile, apple cheeks, and playful brown curls reminded me of my second grade teacher. Her easy greeting came with a polite but stern disclaimer: This is not conversion therapy, she said, referencing the discredited and justifiably maligned homophobic practice that falsely claims to be able to change a persons sexual orientation through intense (and now widely illegal) therapy. Advertisement The goal is not to become straight, she told me. That would be a stupid goal. From what Im hearing, youre just trying to fully expand your sexual expression and enjoyment. I assured her that I wasnt looking to be any less gay and would be thrilled to sing the complete 1974 studio album of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as proof. I was simply underprepared to have sex with a woman. Ana seemed well equipped to help. I texted Emilio and his wife that Id be out of town for a month visiting family back east but was looking forward to connecting upon my return. Gulp. Advertisement Advertisement My train left me in the heart of a picturesque New England village, with a 10-minute uphill walk to Anas doorstep. She runs her practice out of a tastefully furnished corporate studio apartment. Upon my arrival, she greeted me with the warmth of an Airbnb superhost, running me a shower, offering an iPhone charger, and casually asking if I liked steamed milk and sugar in my coffee. Advertisement Advertisement That reminds me, I said, supplying a negative STI testa prerequisite for all her clients to take advantage of the complete array of choices. As I looked at a large chest of drawers filled with every type of condom conceivable, my mind fixated on a much more provocative notion: If everything went according to plan, Id soon engage in unprotected doggy-style sex with my therapeutic referral. A queen-size bed dominated the space behind her, its implications unavoidable. Advertisement Advertisement Typically, surrogates dont launch into conversations about sex with their clients right away. Instead, they start by building a genuine connection and assessing how secure or frightened their client may be by the prospect of intimacy. They take things very slowly until the client feels comfortablethis models healthy behavior and teaches them how to ease into an interaction with trust and care. Being a journalist, however, I couldnt help but steer the conversation in that direction. I had questions about what we were going to do, and Ana was ready with answers. Compulsively nibbling on the assorted nuts provided, I listened as she told me that although wed remain fully clothed today, subsequent sessions could become more intimateif I wanted them to. Advertisement Advertisement Delicately, she then brought up the topic of transference, or how clients sometimes develop attachments to their therapists (and vice versa), projecting unmet needs and desires onto them. The relationship can even begin to feel like a boyfriend/girlfriend dynamic, but in SPT thats by design: For clients to learn real skills around sex and relationships, they must develop trust, vulnerability, and intimacy with their surrogates. Nelson had primed me for this. The whole idea of partner surrogacy is that you get an ally who creates a safe space for you to learn what a healthy, happy, intimate relationship looks like, he explained. It would be extraordinarily difficult for you to walk up to a woman in America and say, Hi, Im gay, but can I have sex with you? You may even get arrested. In other words, some semblance of a relationship has to formjust like it would in the wildbut its still important for both parties to remember that it will end. Rest assured, Ana said with a smile, were not gonna run off into the sunset together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As promised, the intimacy intensified on the second day. Nudity and nongenital touching were on the docket, and I soon found myself standing shoulder to shoulder with Ana in front of a full-length mirror. We wore matching fluffy white bathrobes with nothing underneath. Ready? she asked, loosening the tie on her robe. Not sure ready is the best word for what Im feeling, I said. But lets do it. We dropped the robes from our shoulders, letting them slip into puddles at our feet. Then we stood there, just looking at ourselves. Our reflectiontwo bare beings, arms dangling, similar but differentbrought to mind a high school anatomy depiction of the male and female forms. People toss around the word surreal, but standing naked with your kinda-therapist in front of a mirror as part of a midlife sexual awakening is certainly the sort of experience that qualifies. Advertisement Advertisement The feeling began to fade when I noticed how gray my pubic hair had become. With a pang, I also gently reminded myself that it takes more than a month of intermittent fasting to achieve meaningful results in the midsection. Ana seemed to sense my inner dialogue. This can unsettle some folks, she said. We all carry insecurities about our bodies. Even me. I got a breast enhancement way back in my 20s, and cant help but feel a sort of odd apology for them. Advertisement No need to I mean, you dont I stammered, eyes pinned to her nipples. I think theyre great. And I did. In fact, I couldnt stop staring at her breasts. I wasnt expecting to have such a visceral reaction. Advertisement Earlier, Ana had playfully challenged me to seize a spontaneous moment for a kiss. With a surge of anticipation, I closed my eyes and leaned in. We exchanged breath, then I remembered to also move my lips. Kissing a woman after three decades reignited more memories. The gentle touch of her lips stood in stark contrast to the ruggedness and stubble of previous male partners. But gradually, I found myself easing into the moment. It was hardly romantic, but kissing a woman felt authentic. I had unlocked something. In the next session, Ana explained why SPT goes so heavy on the nongenital, nonsexual touch exercises: It takes away the pressure to perform, establishes comfort between the client and the surrogate, and helps to create a safe environment in which clients can explore intimacy while gradually building an emotional connection. At the same time, moving slowly with someone you trust can feel so safe that long-held anxieties and traumas sometimes bubble up. Without the pressure of impending sex, these feelings can be processed with the surrogate as they arise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lying face down on the bed, I became acutely aware of Anas presence as she hovered over me and traced the curve of my elbow with her finger. The gentle brush of her wild curls against my back offered another sensory contrast to decades of clean-cut male partners. Five minutes in, we reversed roles. While running my fingers over the entire backside of Anas body, I became keenly aware of the differences in texture and shape, particularly between the male and female ass. Ours has always felt utilitarian, almost functional in form. Anas curves were a revelation, generously sculpted and fluid. What I had anticipated as terror and helplessness was instead a novel challenge blending bemusement and wonder. Advertisement Advertisement To regain my composure, I followed Anas advice to count the moles or other distinctive features. Like adding up sheep to doze off, focusing on something mundane can serve as a relaxant, easing the anxiety of a sexual encounter. A moment of solace presented itself in a small tattoo along her bikini line. She had had it done when she was 19, during her brothers battle with cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Thats so strange, I said softly. My little sister also got a tattoo when she was 19. I almost died that year too. The traumatic brain injury I survived in 2012 wasnt something I typically disclose in carnal moments, but Id already shared parts of myself with Ana that Id never said out loud, and something about the vulnerability felt right. We were silent for a moment, lying there together on a cloudlike bed in a beige suburban apartment, the hum from an air conditioner filling the space with a calming drone. The setup may have been contrived, but the connection felt righthowever surreal. In SPT, a licensed therapist supervises every step of the client-surrogate process, and both are required to check in with the therapist after each session to determine next steps. On the train back to my brothers house, at the halfway point in the two-week intensive, I told Nelson that it felt as if I had been finally granted permission to explore out-of-bounds territory. The weight of social constraints was lifting; scolding voices grew softer every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPT often extends beyond physical intimacy to enhance social skills outside the bedroom. Thats how I found myself on a date with Ana at a nearby coffee shop so she could assist me in capturing a womans attention in public without coming off as a complete psycho. I took the opportunity to ask her about the legal status of SPT, which is currently undefined in the U.S. and most countries around the world. Generally speaking, there are no laws regulating the profession, though organizations such as the International Professional Surrogates Association govern it, provide ethical guidelines, and offer professional training. Surrogates do not have to be part of IPSA to practice SPT, but they do have to work with a licensed therapist. In fact, all of Anas clients are referrals from Nelson. Advertisement Advertisement This more institutionalized format is one of many factors differentiating SPT from traditional sex work, which often involves immediate sexual gratification and short-term relationships. By contrast, surrogate partners teach clients nuanced sexual and relational skills over a much longer period, and their interactions rarely progress to sex. In fact, some studies estimate that only 13 percent of a surrogate partners job is devoted to sexual activities. The vast majority of what they do mirrors what a healthy relationship looks and feels likeincluding taking their clients on mock dates. Advertisement Sitting across from Ana, I realized that I hadnt been on a prescribed encounter like this in years, a fact I found both humorous and absurd. I was a middle-aged man feeling nervous about having overpriced coffee with a woman, when I was hardly ever nervous around anyone. In hindsight, the initial sessions and mock dates were rife with impostor syndrome, whispering doubts about whether I even belonged in these situations in the first place. Advertisement Over two weeks, my sessions with Ana transitioned from nurturing, nonsexual touch exercises (hand-holding, observing, stroking of nonerogenous zones) to more intimate activities, including mutual genital exploration. Occasionally, my curiosity swerved us into an almost clinical, impromptu female anatomy lesson, as when I found myself captivated by the intricate details of the labia. And like any fumbling teenager trying to feel his way to the promised land, there were missteps. Once, I pinched the flesh of Anas back in an attempt to unclasp her halter bra. No, ouch, no, she playfully corrected, then demonstrated the hook-and-eye function, like Jane Goodall giving a precocious chimpanzee a tutorial on human tasks. Here. And here. See? See? Good. Good. Advertisement Patiently, Ana navigated us through a progression of intimate encounters, including digital penetration, eyes-closed digital penetration, oral sex, and, as promised, penetration-penetration. I began to realize that what truly mattered wasnt the act of sex itself (and least of all the position). I was authentically connecting with another person while maintaining a receptive presence. Warm orifices being what they are, gender ended up not mattering much at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sense of bemusement and wonder permeated our final sessions, and Ana kept things focused on my goals. Aware of my threesome aspirations, she would say things like Emilios wife will probably start getting wet at the bottom here, so youll wanna bring that moisture up, demonstrating a fluid wrist motion that I determined would require more practice on the plane. Advertisement Toward the end of our final meeting, I gathered the courage to ask Ana if she thought I could pull this off. Relax, she assured me. Youre good at this. Landing back at LAX with newfound confidence, I approached the planned rendezvous with an unexpected serenity that felt like the true proposition of SPT for people like me. Contrary to initial fears, my interaction with Emilio and his wife was passionate and satisfying. Moments of panic still arose, like when two breasts unexpectedly landed on my nose, but the Count the moles and other distinctions technique I had learned from Ana proved remarkably effective at reducing anxiety. It turns out that taking over is fun and, lets face it, pretty easy. Im an able-bodied man with normal testosterone levels who lives alone in the Hollywood HillsI may have been overthinking all of this. That feeling of granted permission has persisted in the months since, including an additional MMF date with another couple. Its been fun to catch a womans attention as I stroll down the streets of North Hollywood now that its within the realm of possibility that well smash one day. (Im learning straight-bro lingo too.) Ive even swiped right on a few solo women, but I have yet to meet any in person. Meanwhile, Im still very interested in men. Grindr remains a well-worn app on my phone. This experience was never intended to turn me straight, and thankfully, it hasnt. But it has opened my mind to a future in which my life partner might not necessarily be a gay man. Their gender is suddenlyand thrillinglynot very relevant. Oh, and if youre wondering, I did update my dating profile: 45-year-old bisexual man. This is One Thing, a column with tips on how to live. I always saw myself as a forgiving person whod exonerate othersafter they expressed regret. I even forgave the college roommate who slept with my boyfriend, once she explained theyd been on magic mushrooms at the time, offering remorse. Yet I rarely apologized well. If something I did upset someone, Id say, Sorry if I hurt you, or I never realized that offended you, or I didnt know you were so sensitive, throwing out selfish, passive-aggressive apologies that made everything worse. Then an important mentor of 15 years screwed up and refused to admit his errors. I emailed him how distraught I was. When he responded, Im sorry for the imaginary crime you think I committed, I wanted to commit a real crime. His betrayal haunted me, inspiring my book The Forgiveness Tour: How to Find the Perfect Apology. I interviewed people whod experienced wrongs never righted and asked doctors, therapists, and religious leaders: Can you forgive someone who wont apologize? Related From Slate I Have Two Rules for Doing Laundry. One Is That I Never Do My Husbands. Read More A Hasidic colleague explained, Jewish law requires you to ask heartfelt forgiveness three times. If the injured party wont respond, the sinners forgiven, but the non-forgiver has to seek forgiveness for not forgiving. A Muslim chaplain said, Allah is merciful, but only after repentance. An Episcopal reverend felt that Jesus Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do was all-forgiving, but a Presbyterian minister clarified that, in Christianity, if you dont repent, hells a place of eternal torment with no second chances. After I told a Hindu-born psychiatrist about my mentor, he opined: Theres something missing from your story, and had me imagine a commuter enraged about a woman whod stopped her SUV in the middle of the street to get something in the backseat. The furious driver couldnt see that her infant was choking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six months after our falling-out, my mentor asked to meet. His wife had had surgery to remove a tumor that ended up being malignant. Hed lost a whole year, he confessed, apologizing profusely. I hope our bad blood is finished. In moments, it was. Im so sorry to hear, I heard myself saying. Mesmerized by the magic of his mea culpa, I went on a forgiveness binge, fixing relationships that my own insensitivity had ruined. When my friend Isabelle sent me her memoir about surviving cancer, Id been too busy. Now I texted, Im so sorry I wasnt there for you when you needed me. Will you show me what you wrote? Susie, Id love to, she replied, using my childhood nickname, cancelling out the bad juju. Advertisement Upset by something Id published about his family, my brother ghosted me. I wrote his wife: Im sorry I fucked up. I never meant to hurt either of you. If I had it to do over, I would have kept my big mouth shut. He put me back on his email list for Republican propaganda. I was in again. I learned how incredibly importantand rarefull-fledged repentance was. Indeed, in Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy, founders of SorryWatch.com, hilariously analyzed defective, weaselly, and poisoned apologies in the news. In A Good Apology, Molly Howe shares four elements of successful apologizing: understanding the injury, expressing regret, taking responsibility through restitution, and establishing a plan to never repeat the breach. Studying forgiveness taught me a superpower. I learned to apologize to people more frequently and fully, acknowledging their hurt, establishing that I wouldnt repeat my transgression, offering reparations to fix what was brokeneven when I wasnt sure Id done anything wrong. That mattered less when words of contrition could heal someone I cared about. Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio hits a three-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Sunday, June 2, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) MILWAUKEE (AP) Jackson Chourio hit a three-run homer and the Milwaukee Brewers extended Chicago's slide to a season-high 11 games Sunday with a 6-3 victory over the White Sox. Gary Sanchez had a two-run single and left fielder Christian Yelich threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the eighth inning as the NL Central leaders completed a three-game sweep. Milwaukee (36-23) has won a season-high five in a row and eight of 10 to move a season-best 13 games above .500. We're a work in progress, for sure, manager Pat Murphy said. Guys are getting comfortable in their roles. We're set up now to understand how the season is going to be. Chicago has dropped 15 of 16 and owns the worst record in the majors at 15-45. Paul DeJong homered and drove in two runs for the White Sox, who are on the longest losing streak in the big leagues this year. Freddy Peralta (4-3) struck out seven over five innings for his first win since April 30 against Tampa Bay. Batting ninth, Chourio sent a first-pitch slider from starter Nick Nastrini (0-5) into the second level of seats in left field for the prized rookie's sixth home run. The drive followed an RBI double by Jake Bauers and gave the Brewers a 4-2 lead in the second. DeJong hit a solo homer in the fourth, trimming it to 4-3. Chicago threatened with one out in the eighth but failed to score when Yelich caught Corey Julks' flyball and fired a strike to catcher William Contreras to nail Tommy Pham at the plate and preserve the one-run lead. Words were exchanged after Contreras bounced up from the play and looked back at Pham. I really wasn't paying attention to what he had to say," Contreras said through an interpreter. I didn't know what he was saying in my direction. Pham had a different take on the pivotal play. It was a shallow flyball to left field. You would expect the left fielder to throw the baserunner out on that play, he said. The third base coach (Eddie Rodriguez) sends you, you've got to go. I'm nailed out at home by a mile. I'm going to the dugout. I hear the tough guy (Contreras) with all the hoorah (stuff). I never start anything, but I'll be prepared to finish it. Sanchez blooped a base hit off John Brebbia with the bases loaded in the bottom half to make it 6-3. Peralta was 0-3 in his previous five starts and struggled through the first when the White Sox pushed across two runs on three consecutive hits and DeJongs sacrifice fly. Peralta retired the next seven batters before DeJong connected on a 1-2 fastball in the fourth for his ninth home run. He gave up the two runs, then shut it down from there, Murphy said. That's more pitches than I'd like to see him throw in five innings, but good start. Peralta allowed three runs on four hits and a walk. Enoli Paredes picked up his first major league save with two innings of scoreless relief. Nastrini gave up four runs and three hits over four innings in his fifth start. Got two across the board," White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. Got out of that first inning and gave four right back. Chicago center fielder Dominic Fletcher robbed Contreras of a three-run homer in the seventh with a leaping catch at the wall in right-center. TRAINER'S ROOM White Sox: OF Andrew Benintendi (left achilles tendinitis) was placed on the 10-day injured list. He was batting .195 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 51 games. OF Oscar Colas was recalled from Triple-A Charlotte and started in right field. He was hitting .244 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 46 games. 1B Andrew Vaughn missed his third consecutive game with a finger strain sustained while sliding into third base Wednesday against Toronto. UP NEXT White Sox: RHP Chris Flexen (2-5, 5.50 ERA) opens a two-game series Tuesday against LHP Shota Imanaga (5-1, 1.86) and the crosstown-rival Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Brewers: Begin a three-game series Monday in Philadelphia against RHP Zack Wheeler (6-3, 2.32 ERA) and the NL East-leading Phillies. Milwaukee had not announced a scheduled starter. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrates after his team defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in baseball game action in Toronto, Sunday, June 2, 2024. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP) TORONTO (AP) Daniel Vogelbach had two hits and two RBIs, Chris Bassitt pitched five innings to remain unbeaten in five career starts against Pittsburgh and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Pirates 5-4 on Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Davis Schneider each had an RBI and Daulton Varsho scored twice as the Blue Jays took two of three from Pittsburgh. The way were playing right now is good and theres always room to get better, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. Bassitt (6-6) allowed three runs and eight hits, extending his winning streak to three starts. He walked one and struck out seven. The Pirates put at least one runner on base in every inning against Bassitt but the right-hander pitched out of jams, escaping a bases-loaded situation in the second. That ended up being the game, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. We left eight guys on in the first (four) innings. We had the ability to capitalize. Pittsburgh finished 3 for 16 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners stranded. Bassitt is 4-0 with a 2.10 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates. Chad Green, Trevor Richards and Nate Pearson each pitched one inning of relief. Yimi Garcia pitched around Rowdy Tellezs two-out RBI single in the ninth for his third save in four chances. Tellez reached base four times and drove in all four runs, but the Pirates lost for the fourth time in six. Recalled from Triple-A to face the Blue Jays, Pirates right-hander Quinn Priester (0-5) allowed four runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Priester walked none and struck out three. When I missed my spots, thats when they were able to capitalize, Priester said. Guerrero started at third base for the first time since the final game of his rookie season in 2019. He had made just two appearances at third since then, playing just four innings there. Its not a position change by any means, Schneider said. I think it just offers some flexibility. Guerrero fielded the only two balls hit his way Sunday, retiring Nick Gonzales for the first out of the seventh and getting pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal to begin the eighth. I signed as a third baseman so it is my favorite position, Guerrero said through an interpreter. But Im the kind of player who thinks that if you can play both corners, first and third, the right way, that will give your manager and your team more options. Guerrero, who won the AL Gold Glove at first base in 2022, moved to first base in the ninth inning Sunday. Isiah Kiner-Falefa went from second to third. In a pregame interview with MLB Network Radio, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Guerrero could make some starts at third in an attempt to add more offense to Torontos struggling lineup. The Blue Jays entered play Sunday with the third-fewest runs scored in the AL. TRAINERS ROOM The Pirates opened a roster spot for Priester by putting infielder Alika Williams (right wrist) on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 30. UP NEXT Pirates: Right-hander Jared Jones (3-5, 3.55 ERA) is expected to start Tuesday as Pittsburgh hosts the Dodgers in the opener of a three-game series. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (6-3, 3.04) is scheduled for Los Angeles. Blue Jays: Right-hander Kevin Gausman (4-3, 4.14 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday in the opener of a four-game series against Baltimore. The Orioles had not announced a starter. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers get back to winning with a 4-1 victory over the Rockies Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) celebrates with starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) as they walk back to the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies in Los Angeles, Saturday, June 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) LOS ANGELES (AP) Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one run over six solid innings, and Jason Heyward and Will Smith had RBI doubles in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. Kike Hernandez also drove in a run for the Dodgers, who have won four of five after dropping Friday's series opener in Colorado's first win at Dodger Stadium since 2022. Shohei Ohtani stole the 100th base of his major league career, becoming the fourth Japanese-born player to reach 100 steals in the majors. Ezequiel Tovar had three hits for the second straight night for the Rockies, who lost for only the second time in six games. Yamamoto (6-2) rebounded impressively from his first loss in 10 starts since his major league debut, limiting the Rockies to seven hits and a walk. He struck out seven while throwing a season-high 101 pitches and battling out of trouble in his last inning. It was good to see him get that last hitter with the tying run at the plate, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. I thought the fastball was commanded real well tonight. I thought the split was good at times, and the curveball usage picked up those last couple of innings. It was good to see him get through six. It was a really good deal for him. Three Dodgers relievers threw one scoreless inning apiece. Evan Phillips pitched the ninth to earn his ninth save in his first appearance since returning Friday from a hamstring-injury absence of nearly four weeks. Not going to lie, it was a very frustrating injury, Phillips said. It took a lot of extra effort, but I just tried to do everything to stay in that groove I was in. I was just excited to be out there with the team. Cal Quantrill (4-4) gave up four runs on nine hits and two walks while failing to get out of the fifth inning of his first loss since April for the Rockies. Colorado went ahead in the second when Brendan Rodgers hit a leadoff double and scored on Brenton Doyle's sacrifice fly, but Teoscar Hernandez singled for Los Angeles in the bottom half and then motored around to score when Colorado made two throwing errors while trying to retire him after Gavin Lux's grounder to first. Andy Pages singled moments later and scored on Heyward's double into the right-center gap. Not every day are we going to get 10 runs on the board, Hernandez said. But were trying to (capitalize) on every single thing to make us better. Were going to have ups and downs, but our starting pitching right now is keeping us in the game, giving us the opportunity to score runs. Ohtani walked and stole second in the third inning but Quantrill picked him off second base, which cost the Dodgers a run because Freddie Freeman singled moments later. Roberts said Ohtani and the Dodgers were attempting to take advantage of a tendency of Quantrill's. That's a calculated risk we took, and I've got no problem with it, Roberts said. Ohtani and Ichiro Suzuki are the only Japanese-born major leaguers to compile 100 homers and 100 steals. Pages singled in the fourth and scored on a single by Hernandez, who drove in his first run since May 20. Freeman then tripled to left in the fifth and scored on Smith's full-count double, chasing Quantrill. Yamamoto allowed two hits in the sixth, but stranded both runners in scoring position by getting Elehuris Montero to ground out with his final pitch. My pitch count was high and I had some runners on base, but I was just focusing on getting through the inning, thats all, Yamamoto said through his interpreter. TRAINER'S ROOM Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (strained left elbow) and RHP German Marquez (Tommy John surgery) both threw pregame bullpen sessions in LA. Freeland is still at least three weeks from returning, while Marquez is targeting early July. Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw threw an inning of live batting practice, facing six hitters. He will throw two innings next week in his comeback from offseason shoulder surgery. UP NEXT In the series finale, Gavin Stone (5-2, 3.16 ERA) goes for his fourth victory in five starts Sunday when he takes the mound for the Dodgers against Austin Gomber (1-2, 2.76), who allowed just two earned runs in four starts over 26 2/3 innings in May, but was scratched from his previous scheduled start due to arm soreness. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/bosnia-supplies-ukraine-with-weapons-through-third-countries---president-1118743670.html Bosnia Supplies Ukraine With Weapons Through Third Countries - Republika Srpska President Bosnia Supplies Ukraine With Weapons Through Third Countries - Republika Srpska President Sputnik International Authorities of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina produce and supply weapons to Kiev, reselling them through several countries, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik told Sputnik on Sunday. 2024-06-02T06:50+0000 2024-06-02T06:50+0000 2024-06-02T07:07+0000 military bosnia ukraine bosnia and herzegovina nato weapons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/06/0e/1096313109_0:41:3001:1729_1920x0_80_0_0_3090eaf8d24ecc804d8d3ce07a910b27.jpg "We can see what is being supplied, where and keep track of it. The biggest customers lately have been NATO countries, as well as countries in the Arab world. That's how we found out that Spain was reselling. But they never do it first-hand from Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, to Switzerland, and from there to Ukraine. No, they arrange three or four resales," Dodik said.In March, Stasa Kosarac, Bosnia and Herzegovina's minister of foreign trade and economic relations, asked the country's authorities to inspect the defense companies Pretis and BNT Novi Travnik. At the time, photos of Ukrainian soldiers with Bosnian-made ammunition for 82 and 120 mm mortars appeared on the Internet. The request for inspection was ignored.Earlier, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Defense Minister Zukan Helez mentioned in the media that the country had started the production of kamikaze drones for delivery to Ukraine, without giving any details. When Security Minister Nenad Nesic was asked to explain which enterprises were in question, he did not answer.Republika Srpska prevents direct arms supplies from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Ukraine, Milorad Dodik added.The Kremlin has consistently warned against continued arms deliveries to Kiev since the start of Russia's military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, saying it would lead to further escalation of the conflict. In April 2022, Russia sent a diplomatic note to all NATO countries on the issue of arms supplies to Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons for Ukraine would become a legitimate target for Russian strikes. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240529/ukraine-used-western-weapons-on-several-occasions-to-attack-russia---report-1118679790.html bosnia ukraine bosnia and herzegovina Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International bosnia supplies ukraine, republika srpska president milorad dodik, supply weapons to kiev https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/chile-joins-south-african-icj-case-against-israel-1118742318.html Chile Joins South African ICJ Case Against Israel Chile Joins South African ICJ Case Against Israel Sputnik International Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced his country's intention to join the case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice on Saturday. 2024-06-02T01:30+0000 2024-06-02T01:30+0000 2024-06-02T01:31+0000 world benjamin netanyahu palestinians israel south africa international court of justice chile hamas israel-gaza conflict https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/15713/50/157135097_0:600:2724:2132_1920x0_80_0_0_3d12d6bec7914d0f942a2c2bb74e5077.jpg President Gabriel Boric announced his countrys intention to join the case during a speech, accusing the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) of using indiscriminate and disproportional force.South Africa brought the case against Israel last year, accusing Israel of committing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, a charge that Israel denied. Chile is the latest in a growing list of countries that have joined the case. Earlier this week, Mexico announced that it would support South Africa. Nicaragua, Colombia, Libya, Maldives, Namibia, Venezuela, Egypt, Bolivia, Turkiye, Ireland, Belgium, Indonesia and the Organization of Islamic Countries which has 57 members, have all either formally joined the case, announced their intention to, or expressed support for it.Germany is the only country that has said it will intervene on behalf of Israel and The United States declared its opposition to it.Chile hosts the world largest community of Palestinians outside of the Middle East.In January, the ICJ issued a preliminary ruling saying that it was plausible that Israel was committing genocide and ordered it to take action to prevent genocide from happening in Gaza while allowing aid to reach needy Palestinians.Last week, the ICJ issued another ruling, ordering Israel to stop its campaign on Rafah, the southern Gazan city where more than a million Palestinians were sheltering after Israel declared it the last safe zone in the enclave. Three days later, Israel bombed a tent camp of refugees in Gaza, sparking a fire and killing more than 50 people, many of whom were burned alive.Israel initially said was carefully targeted to hit Hamas leaders, but after hellish images and videos of the attack spread across social media, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a tragic mistake. The attack received widespread international condemnation.At least 35,984 Palestinians have been killed since Israel began its campaign against Gaza in October, including more than 15,000 children, according to the local authorities. More than 80,634 Palestinians have been seriously injured and at least another 10,000 are missing. Including Hamas October 7 attack and subsequent deaths during the fighting, at least 1,139 Israelis have been killed and more than 8,730 have been injured. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240526/icj-orders-israel-to-halt-military-offensive-in-rafah-1118637426.html israel south africa chile Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino chile, icj case against israel, chile stance on palestine, genocide in gaza https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/democrats-lawfare-makes-trump-look-like-martyr-not-crook-1118741910.html Democrats' 'Lawfare' Makes Trump Look Like a Martyr, Not a Crook Democrats' 'Lawfare' Makes Trump Look Like a Martyr, Not a Crook Sputnik International Former President Donald Trump was convicted on Thursday of 34 felony accounts related to falsifying business records, but will it have the effect Democrats are hoping for? 2024-06-02T00:57+0000 2024-06-02T00:57+0000 2024-06-02T03:11+0000 analysis donald trump george w. bush barack obama cia new york democrats us trial donald trump's indictment https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/1f/1118719731_0:0:3348:1884_1920x0_80_0_0_28466c86e11bb0f045fb06087b30ac2c.jpg Trump, the first former US president to be convicted of a crime, will face sentencing on July 11, where he could face jail time.The charges against Trump, falsifying business records would typically be a misdemeanor and past their statute of limitations in New York, but because the court alleged they were used to cover up another crime, in this case, to interfere with an election or get a candidate elected, the charge was upgraded to a felony and therefore was not past the statute of limitations.According to the letter of the law, Trump was likely guilty of the crime the court found him guilty of. Once the jurors came back and asked questions about Mr. Pecker and Mr. Cohen about the initial events, it was pretty clear that they had decided that Trump was part of the conspiracy, explained California lawyer John Burris on Sputniks The Critical Hour. That he was part of it at the very beginning, and that he delegated the control of the nuts and bolts to Michael Cohen. That turned out to be the death knell for him in this case.After his conviction, Trump decried the case as rigged and the judge as corrupt, as he did for most of the trial. He proclaimed that the real verdict will be on November 5, by the people. And they know what happened here and everyone knows what happens here.While pollsters are rushing to get information on how this all looks to voters now that the former president has been convicted, previous polling revealed a collective meh from voters.According to a poll released a day before the verdict, 67% of voters said a guilty verdict would make no difference in their decision on election day. Of those who said it would, only slightly less, 15%, said it would make them more likely to vote for Trump than those who said it would make them less likely to vote for Trump, 17%.The Democrats are hoping that the voters at the margins will be enough to sway a close election toward current US President Joe Biden, but as the poll above shows, it will be an extremely small swing, if it has any effect at all. It has also energized Trumps base, leading to his campaign raising $52.8 million in the wake of the conviction.While the conviction makes legal sense on paper, it also comes off as selective punishment considering the history of recent Presidents. Former President George W Bush ran a blatantly illegal torture campaign, using the dubious legalese reasoning of administration lawyer John Yoo, and that is to say nothing about how the administration lied to Americans to start a war in Iraq.But when Barack Obama came into office, he declined to prosecute any Bush administration officials, despite a committee report that made clear the CIA agents who tortured people and administration officials who ordered it violated the law.In 2014, Slate published an article defending Obamas decision, citing the appearance of political prosecution as the most significant reason.Notice that Posner does not qualify that it would only reflect authoritarian leaders if the accusations are false. On the contrary, Posner admits earlier in the piece that Bush administration and CIA officials were likely guilty of torture.Posner also pointed out at the time that doing so would be very dangerous for the country. The prospect of criminalization of political behavior raises the stakes for elections because if you or your boss loses an election, you not only lose the trappings of office but gain the prospect of being investigated for the rest of your life. This will encourage officeholders to take ever more extreme actions to stay in office.But the evidence of selective prosecution doesnt end with Obamas decision to move forward after the Bush administrations torture campaigns. It is also blatantly apparent looking at the same election that Trump was convicted of trying to illegally influence when he falsified business records.In 2022, the campaign for Hillary Clintons failed 2016 presidential bid and the DNC were fined by the Federal Election Commission for lying about how they spent money that was used to create the discredited Steele dossier that accused Trump of being entangled with the Russian government.That dossier was funded by payments totaling over $1 million from the Clinton campaign. They classified those payments as legal advice and services.Noting that he has long advocated against the rich and powerful being shielded from legal consequences, Greenwald argues that this is not the case here. I would be applauding this if I thought this was fairly applied, he began. The reality is theres only one person in all the United States who would have been charged with 34 felonies, or even one felony, for having done this and that persons name is Donald Trump.This will make Trump appear to be a political martyr, even though him deserving sympathy is a matter of question. During his first term, Trump filled his cabinet with political lifers and former business executives, the same type of politicians he railed against when he was campaigning, including Mike Pompeo, John Bolton, Thomas Bossert, Sean Spicer, Steven Mnuchin and Rex Tillerson, among others.But ultimately, the move to weaponize the legal system will have implications further down the road, something Democrats used to understand when they stood by Obama for not prosecuting Bush officials on much more serious crimes.If the Biden administration can indict a former president for, effectively, not much, and make it a huge thing, then that opens the door potentially to everybody else in the business world if they rub up against the administration the wrong way in terms of their political speech or their behaviors, argued the host of AM Wake Up and Slow News Day, Steve Poikonen while appearing as a guest on The Critical Hour. Were in an era of lawfare. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/trump-raises-53mln-in-24-hours-after-conviction-averaging-2mln-per-hour---campaign-1118727000.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20230626/us-must-apologize-provide-judicial-resolution-for-torture-at-gitmo-un-special-rapporteur-1111480514.html new york Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ian DeMartino Ian DeMartino News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ian DeMartino donald trump conviction, will being convicted stop trump, was the trial of trump fair, lawfare, political prosecution https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/hezbollah-targets-israeli-iron-dome-battery-with-uavs-day-after-downing-idf-drone-1118747255.html Hezbollah Targets Israeli Iron Dome Battery With UAVs Day After Downing IDF Drone Hezbollah Targets Israeli Iron Dome Battery With UAVs Day After Downing IDF Drone Sputnik International The Lebanese militia and political movement has downed three multi-million dollar IDF drones since February amid raging border tensions in the face of Israels war in Gaza. Hezbollahs leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, warned this week that the militia has a doctrinal, ethical and religious responsibility to fight Israel to the end. 2024-06-02T13:21+0000 2024-06-02T13:21+0000 2024-06-02T13:52+0000 world sayyed hassan nasrallah middle east israel golan heights lebanon hezbollah israel defense forces (idf) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/02/1118747098_0:66:3406:1982_1920x0_80_0_0_1dae6d6f725e123ec541dc33ecf8157b.jpg Air raid sirens sounded over northern Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Sunday morning as Hezbollah drones flew across the border undetected and proceeded on to their target an IDF Iron Dome battery.Israeli media said at least three drones were involved, with one of them shot down over Metula, a small settlement running right up against the border with Lebanon. Two more apparently evaded air defenses made their way to Katzrin, the unofficial capital of the Israeli-occupied portion of the Golan Heights.The explosive-laden UAVs reportedly crashed down in open areas outside the settlement, one of them sparking a blaze. The Israeli military deployed forces to the area to search for debris. No injuries were reported.The Israeli Air Force announced overnight strikes Saturday and early Sunday morning against suspected Hezbollah compounds in Beqaa, Bint Jbeil, Qana, and Baraachit in response to the groups shootdown of a $6 million Israeli Hermes 900 heavy drone near Deir Kifa, southern Lebanon.Along with the drone shootdown, Hezbollah fired a pair of 500 kg Burkan rockets into northern Israel on Saturday, with Israeli media reporting that one of the rockets landed a direct hit on the Gibor Military Base near Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel.Clashes between Hezbollah and the IDF broke out last fall in the aftermath of the dramatic escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict last October, when a surprise Hamas raid into southern Israel from Gaza sparked a massive Israeli bombing campaign and ground offensive into the besieged 365 square km strip of land.The fighting between Hezbollah and the IDF forced Israel to keep a substantial portion of its military in the north, and has caused hundreds of casualties on both sides. Nearly 200,000 Lebanese and Israeli civilians have been displaced from border areas by the fighting, with at least 89 Lebanese, 10 Israeli, and 15 Syrian civilians killed to date.* Terrorist groups outlawed in Russia and many other countries. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/hezbollah-shoots-down-another-6-mln-israeli-hermes-drone-over-southern-lebanon-1118739276.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20231110/scott-ritter-explains-why-israel-cannot-beat-hezbollah-on-its-own-1114869549.html israel golan heights lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov is hezbollah powerful, can israel beat hezbollah, does hezbollah have drones, does hezbollah have missiles https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/houthis-attack-us-aircraft-carrier-destroyer-in-red-sea---military-spokesman-1118742664.html Houthis Attack US Aircraft Carrier, Destroyer in Red Sea - Military Spokesman Houthis Attack US Aircraft Carrier, Destroyer in Red Sea - Military Spokesman Sputnik International Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as Houthis, attacked a US aircraft carrier, destroyer and a number of ships in the Red Sea, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said. 2024-06-02T02:04+0000 2024-06-02T02:04+0000 2024-06-02T03:46+0000 world yemen houthis houthi red sea crisis uss dwight d. eisenhower https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/104203/66/1042036654_0:25:2100:1206_1920x0_80_0_0_75d03487b8a8c16f6c00d9030147e3dd.jpg The Houthi navy, missile units and drones have conducted six operations, the spokesman said. The movement's forces struck ships in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean that "belong to companies that violated the decision to ban passage to [Israeli] ports," the spokesman added.The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement that it had shot down one Houthi uncrewed aerial system and two anti-ship ballistic missiles in the southern Red Sea that had been fired in the direction of USS Gravely destroyer and were destroyed in "self-defense."Houthis vowed in November 2023 to attack any ships associated with Israel until it halts military actions in the Gaza Strip. Amid the Houthi attacks, some companies suspended shipments through the Red Sea. The attacks prompted the United States to form a multinational coalition, which includes the United Kingdom among others, to protect shipping in the area of the Red Sea, as well as to strike Houthi targets on the ground. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/houthis-red-sea-blockade-makes-russias-northern-sea-route-attractive-to-desperate-west-1118736407.html yemen Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International yemen ansar allah movement, houthis, uss dwight eisenhower under attack, houthis attacked us aircraft carrier dwight eisenhower, attack on uss ship in red sea, red sea crisis escalation https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/israel-accepts-not-good-gaza-ceasefire-deal---netanyahu-advisor-1118746667.html Israel Accepts 'Not Good' Gaza Ceasefire Deal - Netanyahu Advisor Israel Accepts 'Not Good' Gaza Ceasefire Deal - Netanyahu Advisor Sputnik International Israel has accepted the framework new deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahs chief foreign policy advisor said on Sunday. 2024-06-02T13:22+0000 2024-06-02T13:22+0000 2024-06-02T13:22+0000 world us israel palestine-israel conflict hamas gaza strip palestinians benjamin netanyahu joe biden https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/02/1118746357_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_ae3f34bc9fdc50e91a6b783199b758c9.jpg Israel has accepted the framework new deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahs chief foreign policy advisor said on Sunday.The plan, revealed on Friday by US President Joe Biden, was "a deal we agreed to it's not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them," Ophir Falk was cited by The Sunday Times as confirming.He added that, "There are a lot of details to be worked out," and Israels conditions regarding "the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organization" remain unchanged.Falk doubled down on the Israeli prime minister's stance that "there will not be a permanent ceasefire until all our objectives are met."Gaza ceasefire mediators the US, Qatar, and Egypt issued a joint statement that called on both Israel and Hamas to finalize an agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Biden.Hamas on Friday said it provisionally welcomed the proposal of US President Joe Biden on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.The Hamas Islamic Resistance movement welcomes idea of the speech of US President Joe Biden ... in his call for a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of occupying forces from the Gaza Strip, the reconstruction [of the Gaza Strip] and the exchange of prisoners," the movement said."Biden's speech included positive ideas, but we want this to materialize within the framework of a comprehensive agreement that meets our demands," senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera.Biden, whose administration has been playing both sides shipping weapons to its ally Tel Aviv while seemingly engaged in a flurry of mediatory activity revealed a new comprehensive proposal to wind down the Gaza war.Israel has offered a roadmap to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages," the US president stated in his Friday press conference.The proposal, transmitted by Qatar to Hamas, embodies three phases. The first phase would last for six weeks and include a temporary ceasefire, full withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza, and the release of a number of hostages by both sides.A permanent ceasefire to end to all hostilities would be negotiated during the second phase, which could include the release of all remaining hostages and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza if Israel's security guarantees are satisfied. A major reconstruction plan for Gaza would begin during phase three.What is seen as a sticking point for realization of the deal is that it implies continued Hamas involvement in the arrangements alongside the mediators. However, at no point has Israel agreed to back down from its goal of eliminating Hamas.Suffice it to recall the previous ceasefire proposals over the past months, none of which have come to fruition. A February truce mediated to halt fighting by the Islamic holy month of Ramadan that began on March 10 did not materialize.As for Hamas, it has been insisting that only a permanent ceasefire would ensure the release of all the hostages.Netanyahu is under pressure from his own coalition government, where both far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich of the Religious Zionism party and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party have indicated that they will resign if the proposed plan to end hostilities without destroying Hamas and returning all the hostages is agreed to. The two have the power to dismantle the governing coalition. At the same time, Benny Gantzs centrist National Unity party wants the deal to be considered.While the bargaining continues, an estimated 36,439 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip and 82,627 wounded since October 7, according to the Palestinian enclaves Health Ministry. The World Health Organization (WHO) stated that practically no health services remain in Rafah after the al-Helal al-Emirati hospital closed. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/palestinian-movement-hamas-welcomes-bidens-proposal-for-ceasefire-in-gaza---statement-1118726861.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240529/israel-on-path-to-make-gaza-unlivable-while-seeking-to-destroy-hamas-1118688979.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/egypt-us-israel-planning-to-discuss-reopening-of-rafah-checkpoint-on-sunday---reports-1118738187.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko biden's gaza proposal, framework new deal to secure a ceasefire in gaza and the release of hostages, what is biden's gaza plan, palestinian movement hamas, hamas hostages, gaza strip ceasefire in, biden gaza palestine pease plan, gaza genocide, is israel committing genocide, whats happening with gaza, israeli genocide against palestinians, will israel be charged with genocide, whos backing israel, un hearing on gaza, current developments in gaza, whats happening to palestinians, us military aid to israel, us arms supplies to israel, us violating international law, what weapons is israel getting from us, israeli strikes, israel strikes gaza, israel kills civilians, operation in rafah, incursion into rafah, palestinian statehood, palestine independence https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/russian-forces-take-control-of-umanskoye-village-in-dpr---mod-1118745468.html Russian Forces Take Control of Umanskoye Village in DPR - MoD Russian Forces Take Control of Umanskoye Village in DPR - MoD Sputnik International Units of BattlegroupTsentr have taken control of the village of Umanskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. 2024-06-02T09:49+0000 2024-06-02T09:49+0000 2024-06-02T09:49+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russian defense ministry russia ukraine kharkov d-30 buk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/0c/1118398049_0:0:3078:1731_1920x0_80_0_0_77aaae120b38885a3a1f052927a9e4fd.jpg "As a result of successful actions of units of the Center grouping of troops, the village of Umanskoye in the Donetsk People's Republic was liberated," the ministry said.Units of Battlegroup Sever advanced deep into the enemy's defenses, repelling seven Ukrainian counterattacks and eliminating up to 190 servicepeople over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.Kiev lost up to 190 servicepeople, two armored personnel carriers, including a US-made Stryker armored personnel carrier, three vehicles and a Buk missile system, the ministry stated.Meanwhile, a Bohdana wheeled self-propelled howitzer, a Polish-made Krab self-propelled artillery mount and a D-20 howitzer were hit in the course of the counter-battery fire, the ministry added.Russia's Battlegroup Zapad has defeated four Ukrainian brigades and repelled three counterattacks over the past 24 hours, resulting in the loss of 465 soldiers on Ukraine's side, the ministry said.In addition, Zapad repelled three counterattacks by assault groups of the 63rd mechanized brigade of Ukrainian troops near the village of Dibrova in the Lugansk People's Republic, according to the statement."The Ukrainian armed forces lost up to 465 servicepeople, a tank, three armored combat vehicles and five pickup trucks in a day. In addition, a 155-mm UK-made AS90 Braveheart self-propelled artillery mount, a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer and a Grad MLRS combat vehicle were hit in counter-battery fighting," the statement read.Russia's Battlegroup Tsentr grouping of troops repelled five attacks by the Ukrainian armed forces, eliminating more than 360 servicepeople over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said.In this direction only, Kiev lost over 360 servicepeople, two vehicles and a US-made M777 howitzer, as well as a Msta-B howitzer, three D-30 howitzers and two Rapira anti-tank guns, the ministry noted. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240531/ukrainian-military-loses-over-35000-troops-in-may---russian-defense-minister-1118711758.html russia ukraine kharkov Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian forces, russian defense ministry, donetsk people's republic https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/saudi-arabia-will-not-attend-peace-conference-on-ukraine-as-russia-is-not-invited-1118748900.html Saudi Arabia Will Not Attend 'Peace Conference' on Ukraine as Russia is Not Invited Saudi Arabia Will Not Attend 'Peace Conference' on Ukraine as Russia is Not Invited Sputnik International Saudi Arabia will not attend the Swiss-hosted peace conference on Ukraine in June because Russia will not be represented, German news agency DPA reported 2024-06-02T16:52+0000 2024-06-02T16:52+0000 2024-06-02T17:22+0000 world ukraine saudi arabia russia dpa https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103986/29/1039862994_0:239:2529:1662_1920x0_80_0_0_086fe8be48bda56508f110356a828441.jpg Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Saudi Arabia, scheduled for past Saturday, may now take place after the "peace conference" in Switzerland, the report read. Riyadh has not yet officially announced its decision not to attend the conference.Switzerland will host the summit on Ukraine not far off from the city of Lucerne from June 15-16. In April, the spokesman for the Russian Embassy in Bern, Vladimir Khokhlov, told Sputnik that Russia was not invitied to the summit, adding that Moscow had no plans to participate in the event even if invited.China and Brazil have also refused to take part in the conference. Even Washington, despite being its main proponent, cannot say who will represent the US. President Joe Biden is due to attend a Hollywood fundraising gala for his re-election campaign instead.Since the start of the special military operation in 2022, Moscow has said many times that it was ready to negotiate with Ukraine. Russian and Ukrainian delegations held several rounds of peace talks in the early days of the conflict, but the negotiation failed, with Kiev legislating a ban on further peace talks. Western countries have been calling on Russia to engage in negotiations with Ukraine, by at the same time the West keeps ignoring Kiev's continuous refusal of dialogue. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240531/ukraine-russia-peace-talks-now-impossible-under-zelensky---opposition-politician-1118723249.html ukraine saudi arabia russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International peace summit on ukraine, ukrainian peae, who wins in ukraine, saudis do not support ukriane, switzerland ukraine summit https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/scholz-and-pistorius-bicker-over-how-to-make-germany-fit-for-war-as-ukraine-drains-coffers-1118744803.html Scholz and Pistorius Bicker Over How to Make Germany 'Fit for War' as Ukraine Drains Coffers Scholz and Pistorius Bicker Over How to Make Germany 'Fit for War' as Ukraine Drains Coffers Sputnik International Tension is brewing between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his defense chief Boris Pistorius over country's military spending as Ukraine support drains coffers. 2024-06-02T10:51+0000 2024-06-02T10:51+0000 2024-06-02T10:51+0000 world germany bundeswehr berlin boris pistorius olaf scholz ukraine crisis https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/02/1118744363_0:147:3116:1900_1920x0_80_0_0_d5b6ac01fdde774e9aa0cfd9f8d8c58b.jpg Tension is brewing between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and his increasingly pugnacious defense chief Boris Pistorius, Bloomberg reported.The dispute between the two is rooted in their different visions for how Germany should rebuild its armed forces and revitalize its defense. Pistorius tub-thumping war rhetoric is fraught with potential trouble for his fellow Social Democrat Scholz ahead of next years elections, the outlet noted.Public messaging from the two sees Scholz using plying the word peace more often. Campaign posters for Junes European elections featuring Scholz emblazoned with the word "Frieden" ("Peace"). Pistorius, on the other hand, is avidly beating the war drum.The Bundeswehr needs to get "ready for war, Pistorius said in an interview last year for Welt am Sonntag.Not that the two men are not on the same page when it comes to supporting the Kiev regime. Germany is one of the biggest cheerleaders of NATOs proxy war in Ukraine, sending over 10 billion euros in military and economic support to Kiev. But its own Bundeswehr is both aging and shrinking. Modernizing the armed forces and covering maintenance costs for military equipment have become a challenge.This is where the war rhetoric comes in. Pistorius has been arguing the alleged Russia threat to urge the chancellor to dramatically hike up military spending. His language has been peppered with militaristic language that has not been heard from a German politician in the decades after World War II.Scholz announced a "Zeitenwende" or "historic turning point" in 2022 when the Ukraine crisis escalated. He pledged to revive Germanys military, but ambitious plans have since been mired in spending squabbles and the need to pump weapons and cash to the Kiev regime. Accordingly, the chancellors 100-billion-euro ($109 billion) defense fund has already been fully allocated and will have been spent by 2027, the publication noted.In January 2023, Pistorius told the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper that the fund would not be enough for Germany to modernize its troops and called for an increase of 10 billion euros per year in the German defense budget. The defense minister has so far been unable to secure the extra funding.Recently, several public disagreements have shone light on the growing distance between the two men. Scholz again rejected Pistorius request for greater defense spending, with Robert Habeck, vice chancellor from the Greens, and Finance Minister Christian Lindner all opting for belt-tightening. It should be noted that Germany has a so-called debt brake that restricts the federal deficit to 0.35 percent of GDP. Pistorius argued that expenditure for defense and civil protection should not be included in those rules. His statement was made during a trip to the US.As Scholtz said in a podcast on May 17, We all have to sweat the minister of defense has my support for what he is planning and what he is doing.The chancellor also dismissed Pistorius proposal to reintroduce conscription, which was abolished in 2011. Its a good thing that we wait until theres a well-considered idea, Scholz said.The German Armed Forces lack equipment and personnel, with stocks overall depleted by military deliveries to Ukraine, parliamentary commissioner for the Bundeswehr, Eva Hoegl, said last year. A total of 181,514 people were serving in the armed forces as of the end of 2023, with the average age of a German soldier being 38.8 years.Amid dwindling troop numbers, Berlin has debated ways to broaden the recruitment net. Pistorius eventually ditched plans for military conscription in favor of a watered-down version of an optional military service, heavily doused with discounts and free courses enticements for student, Spiegel reported.Pent-up frustration reportedly led Pistorius to threaten to quit his post during a closed-door meeting in the ministry last month. However, he thought better of it, telling reporters that, Im still burning for this job, and you wont get rid of me that quickly.As the tensions between the two German politicians simmer, it should be noted that Boris Pistorius is currently Germany's most popular politician, according to a survey cited by Bild am Sonntag at the end of 2023. Some 42% of people surveyed by the political research group INSA wanted Pistorius to have more influence in German politics. The chancellor's own rating plunged even more, with Scholz receiving a 26% approval rating. Meanwhile, German media reported earlier this year that the rating of the ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), of which incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz is a member, had fallen to a record low, with only 13% of the total population willing to vote for it. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240312/german-army-short-of-everything-partly-due-to-supplies-to-kiev---official-1117287141.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240514/scholz-expresses-desire-to-stay-in-office-as-german-chancellor-after-2025-elections-1118420671.html germany berlin Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko scholz and pistorius differ on ukraine, is there a rift between germany's chancellor olaf scholz and minister of defence boris pistorius, defense chief pistorius on ukraine, nato, ukraine crisis, ukraine crisis, russia-ukraine war, russian aggression, russian intervention, russian invasion, ukraine in nato, nato membership, member of nato, nato member, scholz on ukraine, german army, german armed forces, how big is germany's army, size of the german army, is german army underfunded, is germany's army combat ready https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/unrwa-17-mln-displaced-to-other-areas-of-gaza-due-to-israels-rafah-operation-1118747794.html UNRWA: 1.7 mln Displaced to Other Areas of Gaza Due to Israel's Rafah Operation UNRWA: 1.7 mln Displaced to Other Areas of Gaza Due to Israel's Rafah Operation Sputnik International About 1.7 million people have been displaced to the city of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip and central sectors due to Israel's Rafah operation, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on social network X. 2024-06-02T15:02+0000 2024-06-02T15:02+0000 2024-06-02T15:02+0000 world philippe lazzarini middle east israel gaza strip rafah united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east (unrwa) the united nations (un) hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/07/1118304358_0:160:3073:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_50e189773613c63de0be5f8f2d137c3d.jpg The UN humanitarian mission in the Gaza Strip says the Israeli assault on Rafah has forced nearly 2 million refugees to flee once again.UNRWA noted that all 36 shelters in Rafah where people sought refuge are now empty.UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini also stressed that the agency has had to suspend medical and other essential services in Rafah due to the ongoing hostilities.The agency noted that the humanitarian space "continues to shrink."Earlier, Lazzarini said Israel was delegitimizing the UN agency and threatening the work of its staff.Over 36,200 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities. More than 100 hostages are still believed to be held by Hamas in Gaza. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/egypt-us-israel-planning-to-discuss-reopening-of-rafah-checkpoint-on-sunday---reports-1118738187.html israel gaza strip rafah Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International unrwa, khan younis in the southern gaza strip, united nations relief and works agency for palestine refugees in the near east https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/us-pacific-deployments-force-other-nations-to-choose-sides--chinese-general-1118745689.html US Pacific Deployments Force Other Nations to Choose Sides Chinese General US Pacific Deployments Force Other Nations to Choose Sides Chinese General Sputnik International Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, told a Singapore security summit the aim was to create an "Asia-Pacific version of NATO" to maintain US hegemony. 2024-06-02T12:42+0000 2024-06-02T12:42+0000 2024-06-02T12:42+0000 china singapore nato us lloyd austin military aukus https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/11/1116220428_0:62:2001:1187_1920x0_80_0_0_4edfef8a7c0064022d9f884ea0029b8f.jpg The US is ramping up its military presence in the Pacific region in a bid to bind Beijing's neighbours to the war-wagon, a senior Chinese general has said.The true motive is to converge various small circles into a big circle that is an Asia-Pacific version of NATO, to maintain American hegemony," Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng, deputy chief of the Joint Staff Department of China's Central Military Commission, told a security summit in Singapore.He also called the US the greatest challenge to regional peace and stability. Jing said Washington's Indo-Pacific strategy aims to bring division, provoke confrontation and undermine stability.Jing's speech came in response to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's statement that war with China was neither imminent nor inevitable. Jing accused the US of seeking a NATO-like alliance in Asia.The US has recently sought to deepen cooperation with all possible allies in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to support its own interests and contain China. Together with Australia and the United Kingdom, the United States formed the AUKUS political-military alliance under which it is expanding its nuclear-powered submarine fleet. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240528/china-urges-us-to-respect-sovereignty-of-neighboring-nations-amid-tensions-1118662520.html china singapore Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International lieutenant general jing jianfeng, asia-pacific version of nato, security summit in singapore https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/watch--learn-from-the-best-pentagon-announces-purchase-of-books-on-russian-military-strategy-1118744551.html Watch & Learn From The Best: Pentagon Announces Purchase of Books on Russian Military Strategy Watch & Learn From The Best: Pentagon Announces Purchase of Books on Russian Military Strategy Sputnik International The Pentagon has announced a tender for the purchase of books on Russian military strategy written by Western authors, according to the government's System for Award Management (SAM) website on Saturday. 2024-06-02T07:30+0000 2024-06-02T07:30+0000 2024-06-02T07:32+0000 americas us russia pentagon book us air force https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/07/1100517404_0:234:3072:1962_1920x0_80_0_0_9de663060c054bc12e43e65bbbcc8a40.jpg The report says that the purchase will be made for training pilots at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama, where the Air Force Historical Research Agency and Air University, a prestigious military school hosting the National Security Forum, are located. The tender touches upon six books, including Strategiya: The Foundations of the Russian Art of Strategy by lecturer at Kings College London Ofer Fridman, Russian Grand Strategy in the Era of Global Power Competition by Andrew Monaghan, and Samuel Ramani's work on the Ukraine conflict. Books on China (The Seven Military Classics of Ancient China, translated by Ralph D. Sawyer), artificial intelligence (I, Warbot: The Dawn of Artificially Intelligent Conflict, by Kenneth Payne), and space strategy (Understanding Space Strategy: The Art of War in Space, by John J. Klein) are also included in the list, the website said. The Pentagon plans to buy 600 copies for each book option. Tender fulfillment is scheduled for mid-June, the query added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240529/how-us-is-flirting-with-idea-of-limited-nuclear-conflict-with-russia-and-china-1118682784.html americas russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian military strategy, pentagon has announced a tender, western authors https://sputnikglobe.com/20240602/zelensky-pitches-ukraine-peace-conference-to-asia-pacific-defense-chiefs--1118743401.html Zelensky Pitches Ukraine Peace' Conference to Asia-Pacific Defense Chiefs Zelensky Pitches Ukraine Peace' Conference to Asia-Pacific Defense Chiefs Sputnik International Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Singapore to persuade Asian-Pacific leaders to support his upcoming Swiss-hosted peace conference. 2024-06-02T08:21+0000 2024-06-02T08:21+0000 2024-06-02T08:21+0000 world ukraine volodymyr zelensky asia-pacific region indo-asia-pacific region singapore joe biden china russia international institute for stragetic studies (iiss) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/02/1118743198_0:144:2735:1682_1920x0_80_0_0_c18e3969698ef6ccdb71ddc9cb421b5a.jpg Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky got the begging bowl out again on Saturday as he arrived in Singapore on a surprise visit. This time around, his soliciting is aimed at Asia-Pacific leaders gathered for their premier defense summit.The Shangri-La Dialogue gathering, held from May 31 until June 2, is organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). With 45 countries in attendance, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin and Chinese Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun, it's no wonder Ukraines by now "illegitimate" president made a bee-line for the event.Zelensky descended upon Singapore as the Kiev regimes forces are scrambling to fend off a steady advance by the Russian military, especially near Kharkov. At the same time, the Ukrainian leader's much-touted so-called peace conference hosted by Switzerland has failed to draw critically important attendees like US President Joe Biden and Chinas leader Xi Jinping, let alone Russia.With his Defense Minister Rustem Umerov in tow, Zelensky held talks with Lloyd Austin on Sunday on the sidelines of the conference. The US defense chief "reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining the strong support" during the meeting, a Pentagon official was cited by media as saying.Zelensky boasted on the X social media platform of having met with Singapores President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Indonesia's President-elect Prabowo Subianto, Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, and a US congressional delegation. He said Ramos-Horta had agreed to attend the peace summit.China, however, remains adamant. In an address to delegates on Sunday, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun said his country has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude.""We have never provided weapons to either party of the conflict. We have put strict controls on exports of dual-use items, and have never done anything to fan the flames. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue," he said.Earlier, China explained why it would not partake in the event:"There is a clear discrepancy between the conference agenda, China's demands and the general expectations of the international community, making it difficult for China to participate in this meeting," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Friday.China's demands for a peace conference that is fair and impartial and not directed against any party are reflected in the consensus on a political solution to the Ukraine crisis recently released jointly with Brazil, and they express general concerns of the international community, especially developing countries, the diplomat said, adding that such a conference could be recognized by both Moscow and Kiev.Moscow earlier said that the June 15-16 summit was conceived as another effort to "push through Zelenskys unworkable 'peace formula' that ignores Russian interests." It added that the gathering will be "absolutely futile" without Russias participation.Furthermore, the summit comes after the US, UK, and other NATO allies lifted formal restrictions limiting Ukraines use of Western-provided long-range missiles on attacking targets inside Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned NATO nations that they should realize "what they are playing with" when enabling Ukraine to strike inside Russia. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240531/swiss-conference-on-ukraine-differs-from-chinas-demands-world-expectations---beijing-1118712672.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240527/ukraine-sonference-will-be-propaganda-exercise-to-cover-up-zelenskys-illegitimacy--analyst-1118649380.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20240601/biden-letting-ukraine-strike-russia-risks-moving-from-proxy-to-real-war---ex-us-diplomat-1118735361.html ukraine indo-asia-pacific region singapore china russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko zelensky in singapore, why is ukraine's zelensky in singapore, what does zelensky want from asia-pacific leaders, who is going to the ukraine peace conference in switzerland, zelensky foreign policy, ukrainian foreign policy, west supportfor zelensky, ukraine us relations, russias special military op in ukraine, special military operation, ukraine crisis, ukraine conflictvolodymyr zelensky is not a legitimate president, volodymyr zelensky's presidential term expired, Hanover Raceway kicked off its 60th season of harness racing on Saturday, June 1 with a 10-race card dominated by driver J Harris. Harris started the meet at Hanover on the right foot, winning the first race of the day aboard Century Havana ($9.60) with a first-over grinding victory by three parts of a length over pacesetter Watch My Honeydrip (Ryan Desroche) in 1:59.2. After winning just one race on the front half of the card, Harris dominated the back half. He watched as Jimmy Whispers ($4.20) won the first Prospect Series dash for three-year-old pacing colts with a wire-to-wire win in 1:58.3 for driver Jason Ryan, trainer Mike Kwietniowski and breeder-owner Adelina Leonardis of Maple, Ont. in the second race. He then returned to visit track photographer Tiffany Fortney in the second Prospect Series division, carded as the sixth race, with Moonwalker ($3.60; pictured above) in 1:58.4 for trainer-owner Patrick Dillon of Port Hope and co-owner Patti Hoskin. Harris heated up from there, connecting for a natural hat trick in the last three dashes on the card. He won the eighth race with Rose Run Vortex (1:59.4; $2.30), the ninth courtesy Delightful Magic (1:59; $3.40) and the finale aboard Rambaran Rose (1:59.3; $4.40). The 2024 season at Hanover has started off very differently for Harris, who posted just three wins at the track in all of 2023. Last year, he posted a 3-2-5 summary in 21 starts over the Hanover oval. After just one card, his 2024 summary stands at 5-0-0 in eight starts with cheques in all eight attempts. With the Saturday five-bagger, Harris boosted his seasonal totals to 65-61-46 in 489 starts. Career-wise, the Guelph, Ont. resident boasts 2,294 victories with more than $14.6 million in purse earnings. For the 2024 meet, Hanover Raceway will host a total of 15 Saturday race dates running through Sept. 14, with the exception of Aug. 10. Post time will be 1:30 p.m. for all programs except for the 2024 Dream Of Glory program on Aug. 3 with first post at 5:30 p.m. To view the results from Saturday's card, click the following link: Saturday Results - Hanover Raceway. (Standardbred Canada) Upsets were the order of the day in both of the major races on the Saturday, June 1 card at Century Downs. Both the Alberta Sires Stakes (ABSS) Alberta Marksman final and the Preferred Pace featured upsets during a race card that was otherwise generally friendly for favourites. Public choices took six of the 12 races on the docket. In the $54,800 Alberta Marksman final for three-year-old colts and geldings, Tzilacatzin converted a perfect pocket trip with Chris Brown at the lines to catch One Hot Minute (Brandon Campbell) in the shadow of the wire to win by a head in 1:54.4. Tzilacatzin set a new lifetime mark in the process. One Hot Minute had set opening fractions of :28.2, :57.3 and 1:25.2 before grudgingly yielding in the final strides. Brown also trains the son of Captive Audience out of the Lil Dude Starrbuck mare Legs Like Tina for breeder and owner Jennifer Clark of Ponoka, Alta. Tzilacatzin paid $54.30 to win in notching his first win from nine starts this year. The brown gelding has won two times in 15 lifetime outings and has now banked $42,435. In the $25,000 Preferred Pace, trainer-driver Nathan Sobey guided Icy Blue Scooter around the Rocky View oval for a wire-to-wire victory. Icy Blue Scooter established a new season's best with a final time of 1:52.4. Sobey co-owns the 11-year-old bay gelding with Diane Bertrand of Edmonton, Alta. and Robert Gilhespy of Lake Country, B.C. It was the first win in nine starts this year for the veteran son of Blue Burner. Icy Blue Scooter has now visited the winner's circle 44 times in 217 lifetime starts and has amassed earnings of $414,296. To view Saturday's harness racing results, click the following link: Saturday Results - Century Downs. (Standardbred Canada) Beginning on Saturday, June 8, Harrahs Hoosier Park will host Breakfast at the Hop to accompany the Saturday morning qualifiers during the month of June. Guests can enjoy complimentary danishes and coffee in the outdoor recreational area on the north end of the track apron while watching the sports future stars take to the track during qualifiers for two-year-olds. Breakfast at the Hop will have something for guests brand new to the sport, as well as those already familiar with racing. From 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Harrahs Hoosier Park on-air analysts Emily Gaskin and Jacob Rheinheimer will be joined by various horsemen to explain what horsemen are looking for from their young pupils on the track, and how that will translate to racing under the lights. This background will accompany various giveaways taking place throughout the session, sponsored by the Indiana Standardbred Association. Should rain impact affairs, Breakfast at the Hop will be hosted in the Terrace Showroom Suites located in the grandstand area below Pegasus Bar. Saturdays in June will also feature to the return of the Hop Be-Bop concert series. Every Saturday from 7-10 p.m. in the Hop, guests will find a local musician along with a food truck, corn hole and other outdoor activities. The Hop Be-Bop will kick off on Saturday, June 1 with musician Frank Bradford. (Harrahs Hoosier Park) WINDHOEK, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Cai Dafeng, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, visited Namibia from May 30 to June 2 at the invitation of the Namibian National Assembly. During the four-day trip, Cai held talks with Namibian Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Hitjitevi Katjavivi, and Chairperson of the National Council Lukas Sinimbo Muha. Cai said that China and Namibia have been good friends and partners since the establishment of diplomatic ties 34 years ago. The two sides have maintained sincere friendship, treated each other as equals through thick and thin, and forged ahead together. He said that China will continue to be Namibia's companion on its road to development and revitalization, to further advance the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and achieve new results. Cai briefed the Namibian officials on China's modernization drive, the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, to be held in Beijing this autumn, as well as China's push for national revitalization through science and education. The Namibian side thanked China for its selfless support during its struggle for national independence and nation-building, reiterated its adherence to the one-China principle, and highlighted the important role of working together through the Belt and Road Initiative and forums such as FOCAC. The Namibian officials also expressed the hope to learn from China's development experience and its advanced technologies, and to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in various fields. During his stay in Windhoek, the Namibian capital, Cai also visited the Independence Memorial Museum, which focuses on the country's resistance against colonialism and its national liberation movement. A nature reserve in Inner Mongolia has welcomed some surprising guests -- black storks. With just around 1,000 of these birds in China, they are often referred to as the "panda of the bird world." Discover what has drawn them to the reserve... KHARTOUM, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan on Sunday held talks with South Sudan's Presidential Advisor on National Security Tut Gatluak on the resumption of South Sudan's oil transportation through Sudanese territories. "South Sudan's oil transportation line has been affected by the war in Sudan, and it is currently suspended due to the continued military operations at the areas alongside the line," Gatluak was quoted as saying in a statement by the sovereign council. He said it has been agreed that a meeting will be held between the oil ministries of the two countries to discuss solutions to this issue, noting that, "Oil constitutes a lifeline for the citizens of both countries." Gatluak also delivered a written message from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit regarding the development of bilateral ties, said the statement. In March, the Sudanese government announced the suspension of South Sudan's oil exports through Sudanese territories due to a fault in the transportation lines. According to the Sudanese authorities, the fault was the result of a blockage in an underground pipeline situated at areas controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, north of Sudan's White Nile State. Oil exports constitute the main source of South Sudan's national revenue, and the country heavily depends on Sudan, its northern neighbor, to transport oil to international markets. As the United Methodist Church (UMC) recently made decisions at its general conference regarding the ordination of homosexual pastors, among other issues, it has stirred repercussions in Korea. Among Korean-American Methodist pastors, there are divergent reactions. On the one hand, some pastors within the Korean Methodist Church argue that the church should sever ties with the UMC. Voices advocating for this stance have been growing within the Korean Christian Holiness Movement (KCHM), including the Methodist Holiness Movement Conference (MHMC), the Movement to Rebuild the Methodist Church (MRMC), and the Wesleyan Holiness Movement Headquarters (WHMH). In a statement issued after the UMC General Conference, they expressed, "Homosexuality cannot be accepted until the Lord returns. This is not an emotional issue but a matter of unchangeable truth. Homosexuality is clearly a sin." They further stated, "This is an issue concerning the sanctity of life that the church must teach correctly, without compromise. Therefore, the Korean Methodist Church cannot continue to associate with the United Methodist Church, which supports homosexuality." Demanding that the Korean Methodist Church clearly express its opposition to homosexuality through administrative procedures, they warned, "Otherwise, both internally and externally, the Korean Methodist Church will inevitably be treated similarly to the United Methodist Church." Recently, the MHMC held an Emergency Seminar and Meeting in Response to the UMC Crisis at Incheon Sungui Methodist Church, where Pastor Nak-in Kim (retired from Lord's Church in Southern California) lectured, highlighting the pro-homosexual trends within the UMC. Stay informed with The Christian Daily Newsletter Sign up On the other hand, pastors from the Korean-American UMC Conference expressed concerns about recent decisions at the UMC General Conference while suggesting considering the different circumstances in the U.S. and Korea. Currently, there are approximately 220 Korean churches within the UMC, with around 800 Korean pastors and about 30,000 Korean congregants. One Korean-American pastor from the UMC Conference mentioned that most Korean pastors within the UMC either received their ordination from the UMC after studying in Korea or were ordained in Korea before coming to the UMC. He explained, "In other words, pastors trained according to Korean church tradition are serving within the UMC." He emphasized the need to consider the situation in the U.S., likening it to the passage of anti-discrimination laws in 2015, which made it a legal requirement not to inquire about one's sexual orientation. He argued that "the recent decision at the UMC General Conference regarding homosexuality is not about promoting or instigating homosexuality but rather removing discriminatory language aimed at prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals." "While it's true that deleting this clause removes questions about sexual orientation, it doesn't necessarily lead to an increase in homosexual pastors or have a significant impact on Korean churches." He added that "even in this situation, Korean churches can surely uphold the traditional faith we have maintained and protect the church, as laws have been passed to support this within the UMC." At the recent General Conference, the UMC allowed individual churches to refuse the appointment of homosexual pastors and to autonomously decide on the hosting of same-sex marriages or related ceremonies. Expressing his main concern, he said, "What we are most worried about is still the possibility of turmoil and division within Korean-American Methodist churches, which could threaten and divide the church. The exploitation of this UMC General Conference decision for malicious purposes cannot be overlooked." UMC held its General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina, from April 23 to May 3. During this period, decisions related to sexuality were made, including supporting the equal rights, freedoms, and protections of all people regardless of sexual orientation (amendment to social principles), removing the mandatory penalty of unpaid leave for over one year for clergy convicted of performing same-sex marriages or ceremonies, and removing the prohibition on the ordination of homosexual pastors. This General Conference was overshadowed by many churches within the denomination leaving over the past four years due to perceived pro-homosexual tendencies within the UMC. It is reported that the number of churches that have withdrawn so far amounts to approximately 7,600, about a quarter of UMC churches in the U.S. Originally published at Christian Daily Korea. Translated and edited by Christian Daily International staff. All eyes on 500kV transmission line to keep the lights on By Vienam News Sun, June 2, 2024 | 11:29 pm GMT+7 The completion of the Quang Trach-Pho Noi 500kV transmission line will help increase power transmission capacity from the central region to the North from 2,200 MW to 5,000 MW, something which is critical to solving power shortages in the northern region during peak summer months. A pylon on Quang Trach-Pho Noi line being erected. The transmission line is expected to be operational by the end of June to ensure power supply for the north this year and beyond. Photo by Vietnam News. All eyes are on the construction progress of the 500kV transmission line from Quang Trach (Quang Binh province) to Pho Noi (Hung Yen province) to ensure power supplies are reliable as the hottest period of the summer approaches. At a meeting on May 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked for every resource to be used to put the transmission line into operation by the end of June, emphasising that this is a priority task which requires drastic efforts and determination from all sectors and levels. The National Power Development Plan (PDP8), approved in May 2023, points out that the country will need around $1.48 billion per year to upgrade grid infrastructure from 2021-2030. One of the key projects is the circuit-3 500kV Quang Trach-Pho Noi line and four component projects. The line will be 519 km long and run through 211 communes of 43 districts in nine provinces, with a total of 1,177 pylons and an investment of VND22.3 trillion ($876 million). The completion of the project will help increase power transmission capacity from the central region to the north from 2,200 MW to 5,000 MW and help tackle electricity shortages during the peak summer months. The PM stressed that Quang Trach-Pho Noi transmission line is an urgent key national project that plays an important role in ensuring the countrys energy security and requires the engagement of ministries, departments and authorities of all localities through which it runs. There is great pressure that comes with this goal, requiring strong determination, great efforts, and drastic action, he stressed. A miracle May 27 marks the 30th anniversary of the circuit -1 500kV North-South line which was considered a miracle back in 1994 for uniting the power network across the countrys three regions and contributing to ensuring national energy security. The line, nearly 1,500 km long, was completed in two years. The PM said that now, with better technology and experience, the construction of the circuit-3 line must be quicker. The construction of the 500kV Quang Trach-Pho Noi line started in October last year. According to a note from the Government Office on May 25, a large amount of work of the project has been basically completed, including the handing over of all 1,177 foundation locations and 478 out of 513 anchorage points. More than 53% of electricity pylons have already been put up. The Vietnam General Confederation of Labour and the projects developer Vietnam Electricity (EVN) launched a 120-day labour emulation campaign for the circuit 3 line project which will run to the end of June with five of the best: fastest progress, best quality, safest - most economical, most innovative, and best living care. According to Truong Huu Thanh, deputy director general of the National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT), about 800 technical workers from EVN are installing poles. EVNNPT is also working with other corporations, including Viettel, VNPT, and PetroVietnam Power Corporation to speed up the construction. The wiring is expected to be completed by June 20. Other efforts Workers of EVN check an electric transmission system in Binh Thuan province. Maintenance to ensure efficient operation of the transmission system is important to power supply. Photo by Vietnam News. In addition to the circuit 3 500kV Quang Trach-Pho Noi line, PM Chinh also asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to speed up transmission projects to import electricity from Laos. Plus, it was asked to propose policies to encourage private investments in power transmission projects with the spirit of harmonising benefits and sharing risks. To ensure a stable power supply for 2024 and beyond, the PM asked for accelerated efforts to diversify power sources, even imports, if necessary, but the focus must be on making the most of domestic sources. The Ministry of Industry and Trade must ensure an effective combination of different power sources, including thermal, hydro, solar, wind and biomass power, and prevent incidents due to reasons other than force majeure. The Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited (TKV) and Dong Bac Corporation must strengthen coal exploitation to ensure supplies for thermo-electric plants, and efforts must be made to reduce coal imports and prevent coal smuggling. Priority must be given to supplying gas and oil for power generation in the peak months of June and July. The PM also asked for a reasonable roadmap for adjusting electricity prices, stressing that prices must be affordable for people and enterprises, and take into account Vietnam's economic situation. With regard to the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA), the Ministry of Industry and Trade has submitted a draft decree to the Government for approval. A wind and solar farm in Ninh Thuan province. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the Ministry of Industry and Trade to ensure an effective combination of different power sources, including thermal, hydro, solar, wind and biomass power for adequate power supply. Photo by Vietnam News. The DPPA mechanism is expected to promote investments in renewable energy, as well as the development of a competitive retail market. At a recent conference, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien asked investors in gas-fired power projects to report on their progress and propose solutions to achieve commercial power generation before 2029. According to EVN, the total electricity output, including imported power, reached 142.2 billion kWh in the first five months of this year, representing an increase of 12.1 per cent over the same period last year. As of the end of May, water stored in reservoirs was equivalent to an electricity output of 7.8 billion kWh, 2.1 billion kWh higher than the plan. The TKV has supplied around 20 million tonnes of coal for electricity generation since the beginning of this year. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said that these combined efforts meant the power would stay on this year. Vietnam among ASEAN leaders in green transition By Vietnam News Mon, June 3, 2024 | 12:02 am GMT+7 In the midst of an ongoing global shift towards sustainability, Vietnam has emerged as one of regional leaders in Southeast Asia's green economy transition. This leadership is not just about setting ambitious goals, but also about demonstrating measurable progress. A pole in the circuit-3 500kV Quang Trach-Pho Noi line being erected. The transmission line is expected to go operational by the end of June to ensure power supply for the north this year and beyond. Photo by Vietnam News. The Southeast Asias Green Economy 2024 report, recently released by Bain & Company, GenZero, Standard Chartered and Temasek, underscores Vietnam's advancements, highlighting the nation's leap in the green economy index. Vietnam climbed five places on the index, reflecting substantial improvements to its roadmap for a green economy. This is testament to the country's commitment to bridging the gap between green aspirations and actual progress. At the heart of Vietnam's green agenda lie robust commitments. The nation has set ambitious climate targets, including a non-binding net-zero goal by 2050, with a 2030 emissions target of 781 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, up from 458 in 2020. Vietnam's progress includes expanding forest land, reducing emissions per capita to 4.7 tonnes, achieving 43% renewable energy in power generation, attaining 3% battery EV sales, and curbing tree loss by 14%. To accelerate this transition, several mechanisms are in place. The Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), introduced in May 2023, outlines a comprehensive strategy to phase out coal by 2050, while significantly increasing the contribution of solar, wind and hydroelectric power to the national grid. Another critical component of Vietnam's strategy is the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which plans to draw $15.5 billion in investment. This partnership emphasises the importance of public-private collaboration in accelerating the green transition. Additionally, the country is developing carbon pricing instruments and an Emissions Trading System, slated to become operational by 2028. This initiative, led by the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, is a critical step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a market-driven approach to carbon reduction. Emissions reporting is currently mandatory for all sectors, but there's a lack of a permitting process for renewable energy. Vietnam also lacks a carbon market registry and voluntary carbon market standards. Initiatives like developing a carbon tax and incentives for EVs, solar power, and green buildings are underway, yet challenges persist in attracting sufficient private investments. Despite requiring a capital investment of $34 billion for its green transition, Vietnam secured only $200 million in private investments in 2023. An acacia plantation in Hoa Vang district, Danang. The city is considering planting native forest trees as part of Vietnam's afforestation efforts. Photo by Vietnam News. Vietnam experienced a dramatic 79% decline in private green investments in 2023. This drop is largely attributed to delays in executing major national roadmaps and the high cost of capital, which ranges from 10% to 12%. This financial strain underscores the urgent need for timely policy implementation and the creation of a favourable investment environment. Regulatory uncertainties further complicate the situation. Delays in the implementation of key policies such as PDP8 and JETP have hindered large-scale investments. Additionally, Vietnam provides fewer financial incentives and subsidies for decarbonisation compared to other regions. This lack of support affects corporate willingness to invest in green technologies. In response to these challenges, Vietnam is making strategic adjustments. The country is updating its feed-in tariffs for wind and solar projects and offering incentives for EVs and green building construction. The Ministry of Planning and Investment is also spearheading an initiative to transform 563 industrial parks into eco-friendly zones by 2030. This move aims to engage companies focused on decarbonisation and to create sustainable industrial hubs. Additionally, in 2023, Vietnam launched its first voluntary carbon exchange, marking a key step in its carbon reduction efforts. By 2025, the country plans to pilot a comprehensive carbon exchange system to create a robust platform for carbon trading, enhancing its ability to meet emission targets and foster a carbon credit market. Vietnams progress compared to ASEAN peers. Singapore leads the way with a robust sustainability framework, including a carbon tax and strong incentives for green technologies. It climbed four spots on the green economy index. Thailand has made notable progress in solar power but faces similar regulatory and financial obstacles. Indonesia and Malaysia have seen mixed progress, dealing with regulatory ambiguity and high capital costs, each moving up by two spots on the index. The region is faced with a significant investment gap, requiring $1.5 trillion to finance its green transition by 2030. Urgent collective action from governments, corporations, and investors is essential. Standardising regulations, mitigating investment risks, and fostering a conducive environment for green investments through regional collaboration are crucial. Southeast Asia's success in its green transition relies on collective efforts to embrace commercially viable green technologies, while unlocking economic benefits for a sustainable and prosperous future. (TBTCO) - Gia xang dau trong nuoc hom nay (10/10) uoc du bao co the uoc ieu chinh tang manh. Theo o, gia xang trong nuoc co the tang tu 950 - 1.250 ong/lit; gia dau diesel co kha nang tang khoang 820 - 1.050 ong/lit. Tren thi truong the gioi, gia dau giam sau khi du lieu cua Hoa Ky cho thay luong dau tho du tru tang, nhung muc giam bi han che boi rui ro gian oan nguon cung cua Iran do xung ot Trung ong va con bao Milton o Hoa Ky. Saudi oil giant Aramco has announced the sales of more than $10 billion worth of shares in its second public offering, involving 1.545 billion ordinary shares by the Saudi government. This offering, representing 0.64% of Aramcos issued shares, is set to raise up to $13.1 billion. The price range for the offer shares has been set between SAR26.7 and SAR29 per share. The Saudi government currently holds 82.19% of the companys issued shares. Upon closing of the Offering, the government will hold 81.55% of the issued shares if the over-allotment option is not exercised, or approximately 81.48% assuming the over-allotment Option is exercised in full. For the share sale, the kingdom has added four more banks including Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia and BNP Paribas.as the advisers began taking orders on Sunday for the sale. The Saudi government may sell up to a 0.7% stake in the world's top oil exporter. The banks on the deal will take orders through Thursday and it will price the following day, with the shares expected to start trading next Sunday on Riyadh's Saudi Exchange. For the purposes of allowing the sabilizing manager to cover short positions resulting from any over-allotments, the government has granted the stabilizing manager an option or greenshoe, pursuant to which the stabilizing manager may purchase from the Government up to 10% of the number of offer shares, at the final offer price. M. Klein and Company and Moelis are independent financial advisers for the deal. The share sale is the companys second, after Aramco first entered public markets in 2019 and offered 1.5% of the company to investors. That sale raised a record $29.4 billion, historys largest IPO to date. Aramco is the worlds largest oil company in terms of both daily crude production and market cap. The Offering will be made to institutional investors in Saudi Arabia as well as those located outside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who are qualified in accordance with the Rules for Foreign Investment in Securities to invest in listed securities and eligible retail investors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other GCC countries. Outside the Kingdom, the Offering will be made in compliance with Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In relation to the Offering, Saudi Aramco intends to conduct a series of meetings with institutional investors starting from today (June 2) to June 6. Citigroup Saudi Arabia, Goldman Sachs Saudi Arabia, HSBC Saudi Arabia, JP Morgan Saudi Arabia Company, Merrill Lynch Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Morgan Stanley Saudi Arabia and SNB Capital Company are acting as joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners for the Offering. According to Aramco, Al Rajhi Capital, Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia, part of UBS Group, EFG Hermes KSA, Riyad Capital and Saudi Fransi Capital are acting as domestic joint bookrunners (Joint Global Coordinators). BNP Paribas, BOCI Asia Limited and China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited are acting as foreign joint bookrunners (residing outside of the Kingdom) for the Offering (together with the Joint Global Coordinators and the Domestic Bookrunners). SNB Capital Company is acting as the Lead Manager of the Offering. Alinma Bank, Al Rajhi Banking and Investment Corporation, Arab National Bank, Banque Saudi Fransi, Riyad Bank, Saudi Awwal Bank and The Saudi National Bank are acting as the receiving entities for the Offering. Merrill Lynch Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is acting as the stabilizing manager for the Offering. The deal kicks off as the Opec+ group of oil producers is set to meet on Sunday to determine output policy, with some ministers meeting in Riyadh, according to Opec+ sources. The de facto Saudi-led Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, together known as Opec+, is currently cutting output by a total of 5.86 million barrels per day (mbpd), equal to about 5.7% of global demand. The curbs include a 1 mbpd voluntary cut by Saudia Arabia. While the moves by Opec+ have helped support crude prices this year, Brent settled below $82 a barrel on Friday, down nearly $10 from a six-month high in April.-TradeArabia News Service Leading government officials, regional and global experts, project managers, professionals, decision-makers, and thought leaders from across the globe are in Riyadh to take part in the third session of Global Project Management Forum (GPMF) which kicked off today (June 1). A mega industry event, GPMF is being organised by the Project Management Institute (PMI) under the theme 'Achieving the Dream: Leadership, Empowerment, Sustainability.' PMI, the world's leading authority for project professionals, plays an integral role in Saudi Arabias vibrant project management landscape. With the kingdom on an economic overdrive following the announcement of their ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, PMI is tasked with equipping the national Saudi workforce with the requisite skills to envision and successfully implement mega projects crucial to the countrys long-term strategic goals. The event, being held under the patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, and the minister of Transport, Saleh Al Jasser, will run until June 3. The Forum aims to further empower the economic diversification strategy of the Saudi government by bringing together industry leaders to share the latest trends, emerging technologies, and innovation within the global and local project management ecosystem said the event organisers. The active participation of global experts makes GPMF a vibrant event for the project management ecosystem to support professionals with the successful implementation of the countrys ambitious mega-projects, they stated. During the 2024 GPMF, PMI will take part in masterclasses, keynote addresses, panel discussions and host technical and interactive sessions on an array of topics. Lenka Pincot, Chief of Staff to the CEO of the Project Management Institute and executive leader of PMIs thought leadership teams, enterprise project management office and transformation management office co-facilitated a workshop on I have a project in Trouble, HELP AI! focused on building the business case for both preventive and remedial measures fostered by AI tools. Pincot believes that the transformative power of GenAI presents an unique opportunity to augment human ingenuity with AI innovations to drive the future of project management. "Im confident that a collaborative process between the C-suite and project managers to shatter the GenAI adoption barriers will poise GenAI to maximize project success with a positive impact on our world," she stated. Americo Pinto, Managing Director of PMOGA - PMI will lead a workshop on How can Mega Projects Not Fail! Best Practices According to World-Class Organizations along with Mohammed Hammad, VP of Training Strategy, PMI-KSA. Americo believes that forums such as GPMF are crucial to drive innovation by bringing together a diverse group of industry experts and government leaders to ensure we are on the same transformative path that will pay rich dividends to the local communities. On June 2, Benjamin Breen, Global Director of Construction at PMI, will take part in a panel discussion on Opportunities and Success Factors in Giga projects followed by a keynote address by Pincot, in which she will share insights from the latest PMI research on AI transformation of project management. Ike Nwankwo, Board of Directors, PMI, will be part of a panel discussion on What Got You Here Will Not get You There An Analogy of AI for PM,. Ike believes that project management is undergoing a revolution with technology and AI automating tasks, offering detailed predictive data insights and augmenting the effectiveness of project management activities. "While core project management skills, especially power skills, will continue to remain important, success will also depend on embracing these new technologies and on adopting flexible ways of working. This will empower todays project managers to stay ahead of the curve to deliver exceptional results," he stated. On the final day of the Forum, Abdullah AlQahtani, VP of Training Strategy, PMI KSA Chapter, will be part of a session on Reports on Project Performance, How Impactful is your Organization Transformation. Americo will conduct a technical session under Projects and Organizational Strategy Coming Together on PMOs Reimagined: Emerging Trends and Future Directions. LuAnn Piccard, Chair, Board of Directors, PMI will be part of a panel on What can Training & Development offer to Enhance Project Success? During the panel discussion she will talk about how training and certifications can enhance project success with a huge focus on PMI: Next Strategy. LuAnn pointed out that along with the appropriate tech skills, today a successful project manager needs to have a well-rounded skillset to enable them to integrate risk management and sustainable practices along with timely implementation and execution of a project. All these skills are crucial especially in the context of mega projects of scale and complexity, he stated. PMI and PMI KSA Chapter will conduct a roundtable discussion on Innovative Solutions for Menas Urban and Infrastructure Expansion along with organisations such as Public Investment Fund (PIF), Aramco, Qiddiya, PwC among others, to highlight the notable successes of mega construction and infrastructure projects in Saudi Arabia, which are significantly contributing to the Kingdom's transformative economic growth and improving quality of life. Engineer Badr M. Burshaid, President, Global Project Management Forum, PMI KSA Chapter said: "We are excited to once again host this prestigious forum that brings the best-in-class practitioners to Saudi Arabias vibrant economic ecosystem." "Our commitment to the local project management industry over the years has ensured that we are successfully realizing our futuristic vision," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Kuwaiti-Saudi higher steering joint committee has given the go-ahead for a feasibility study on the rail link project between Kuwait City and Saudi capital Riyadh, which is set to open new horizons for logistic services between the two GCC oil-producing nations, said a report. The approval from the joint steering committee came during its sixth meeting held in the presence of Kuwait's Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Municipal Affairs Dr Noura Al-Meshaan in the capital city. "The endorsement of the Kuwait-Riyadh rail link project reflects a shared desire by the two sisterly countries to build a sustainable and coherent future for the people of the Gulf region," Dr Al Meshaan told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). "This project will definitely open new horizons for logistic services between the State of Kuwait and the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and benefit the peoples of both countries," she added. Kuwait-based Public Authority for Housing Welfare (PAHW) has awarded contracts worth KD173.5 million ($564 million) for the construction of roads and other infrastructure works related to the 13,812 residential units coming up within South Sabah Al Ahmad City, located 80 km south of Kuwait City. The first contract worth KD93.7 million was awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited for the construction and maintenance of road and infrastructure networks for 7,623 residential units for the suburbs (N5, N7, N9, N10), while the second one for the works related to 6,189 residential units for the suburbs (N4, N6, N8) was clinched by Sinohydro Corporation after both the Chinese firms emerged as the lowest bidders. Announcing this, Deputy Director General for Oversight and Information Systems Affairs, Amina Abdul Karim Al Awadhi, said the entire work will be completed by both companies within a period of 900 days. The scope of work includes implementation of rain, sewage, irrigation, treated water and fresh water networks in addition to implementing the traffic works necessary for the project. Also it will see the implementation of civil works for telephone networks, road lighting, electrical cable crossings, and irrigation tank buildings and substations, she stated. The duo will also implement the first, second and surface asphalt layers for secondary and collector roads in residential suburbs as part of the project infrastructure work. Al Awadhi said the tender for the third contract for the infrastructure of the remaining residential plots for the suburbs was currently on the table. The scope of work includes construction and maintenance of road and infrastructure networks related to 6,568 plots, thus bringing the number of plots in the city to 20,830, she added.-TradeArabia News Service New Murabba Development Company, a unit of Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF (Public Investment Fund) recently hosted a key partnership forum for a diverse group of vendors and partners to explore the vast opportunities within its ground-breaking destination, New Murabba, in Riyadh. The inaugural New Murabba Partnership forum unveiled this revolutionary destination's ambitious scale and timeline. With full operations commencing in 2025, New Murabba will feature 18 unique communities surrounding the iconic Mukaab. The landmark event comes in line with NMDC's strategy to actively pursue the public-private partnerships (PPP) to develop essential utilities, transportation, and social infrastructure to achieve this vision. The landmark event, held at the Intercontinental Durrat Al Riyadh, provided a platform for in-depth discussions and collaboration on the future of New Murabba, the ground-breaking destination of NMDC which is set to become the most transformative downtown in Riyadh. Attendees were presented with a comprehensive overview of the visionary masterplan, which set the stage for the transformation of downtown Riyadh, said the organisers. The masterplan outlines the development's ambitious goals, including developing a world-class smart city with innovative infrastructure, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable practices. The company also announced an upcoming smart cities implementation study, set to be released within six months. This comprehensive study will focus on developing an innovative hub for seamless mobility by integrating autonomous vehicles, robotic parking, and EV recharging. Furthermore, it will explore renewable energy solutions, urban-specific energy efficiency, and cutting-edge technology for food production, including vertical farms and sustainable farming practices, they stated. "We are thrilled with the overwhelming response to the New Murabba Partnership forum," said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba Development Company. "The forum was a resounding success in bringing together a diverse group of partners and stakeholders who share our vision for the future of Riyadh. We are confident that this collaborative effort will make New Murabba a world-class destination, driving economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all," stated Dyke. On the forum's second day, Mukaab took centre stage, an extraordinary destination that promises to transcend dimensions and captivate all who enter. This architectural marvel is a 400-m cube featuring a central tower with state-of-the-art technology experiences and four corner towers, all beneath a 330-m-diameter dome soaring 357 m high, stated Dyke. Mukaab is envisioned as an iconic landmark, a symbol of Riyadh, and a place where visitors and residents can forge a deep connection with the city, he added. According to Dyke, the New Murabba represents a significant investment in Riyadhs future, and the Partnership forum underscored the importance of collaboration in bringing this vision to life. By engaging with vendors and partners early in the process, New Murabba aims to foster a transparent and efficient procurement process that will enable the timely delivery of this world-class destination.-TradeArabia News Service Colife, a UAE-based smart-rental startup that operates as a full-cycle property management company, started the expansion into the Asian market, beginning with Hong Kong in May 2024. From the start Colife has been revolutionizing the rental market, providing seamless solutions for purchasing, managing, and renting properties in Dubai since 2022 and in Istanbul since 2023. Now, the firm has set its sights on expanding further into the Mena and Asia regions. These markets represent significant untapped potential for Colife's growth. By 2028, the group plans to establish a presence in 10 major cities, leveraging our innovative approach to redefine urban living and investment opportunities, said a statement from Colife. The launch was accomplished by a core team of three employees: a Senior Project Manager, a Legal Manager, and an Operations Manager, said the statement. They were remotely supported by six specialists, including members from Colife Dubai, ranging from an Interior Designer to the CEO of the company. This strategic approach ensured a smooth and efficient entry into the Hong Kong market, it added. At Colife we budget up to $350,000 to launch a new region. This budget primarily covers company setup, local marketing, team expenses, and apartment renovations, remarked its CEO Ilnara Muzafiarova. "With these resources, we can launch 3 to 10 first units, depending on the cost of the region. During the first year, we continue to invest, totaling about $2 million. This is enough to see if the model works in the region," she stated. "Unlike in Dubai, where Colife focuses mostly on apartment rentals, our strategy in Hong Kong is centered around creating co-living spaces. This is the rental format with fully furnished rooms featuring stylish interiors and functional common areas," explained Muzafiarova. "Currently, we offer unique mid-term rentals of apartments and rooms in the Causeway Bay, Sheung Wan, and Happy Valley areas of Hong Kong Island. All services, support, and community events are included in the rent, making it effortless for young professionals and digital nomads to start their lives in the metropolis without sacrificing comfort or the desire to live in beautiful apartments within prime locations," she added. The plan for the year is to launch individual apartment rentals, create more than 100 units in co-livings (rooms and bed spaces), and find a building to open a full-scale co-living house for about 60 units, where common spaces for residents will not only include a living room, kitchen and bathroom, but also coworking areas, reception, meeting rooms, and more. Hong Kong is an up-and-coming business city that attracts expats for career opportunities and students due to its excellent universities. It boasts a stable economy and is a strong financial and economic center in Asia. High rental costs in Hong Kong directly impact the margins of the co-living model. On one hand, high costs directly affect the rent-to-rent model's profitability. On the other hand, there are a lot of unique challenges for our team here, such as limited apartment sizes, the use of the Imperial measurement system, and a deposit system for everything from utility re-registration to the rentals themselves. "Our mission is to improve the Net Promoter Score (NPS) for rental experiences in iconic cities across Asia and the Mena region," said Muzafiarova. "We aim to democratize rental living for young professionals in major cities where stylish housing is hard to come by and forming a community is challenging. Hong Kong fits all these criteria: poor user experience, lengthy processes with no quick and quality service, but exorbitant prices," she added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain will host the next edition of the Sustainability Forum Middle East in January, focusing on Mobilising Action and Investment for Climate and Energy Resilience. The Forums third edition, on January 28-29, 2025, will highlight ongoing progress in achieving MENAs climate commitments and the journey ahead including further action to accelerate the transformation required for regional and global decarbonisation including the MENA regions unique role, said a statement. The forum expects to welcome over 400 business leaders, sustainability experts, and senior government officials, and dignitaries. The two-day event will feature some 50 high-level speakers and changemakers from the MENA region, Europe, the US, India, and beyond, who will share insights and engage on the necessary actions, collaborations, and solutions, as well as the investments and regulations needed to support change. The Forum will also feature a day of practical learning workshops aimed at advancing understanding and building the capacity required to move sustainability and climate more effectively up the agenda of private and public organisations. Workshops will be delivered by leading global and regional consulting and advisory firms with strong ESG and Climate practices. The January 2025 Forum will also review outcomes of COP29 that will have recently taken place in Azerbaijan and examine the road ahead to the much-anticipated COP30 in Brazil, where nations, including MENA countries, will deliver their next round of nationally determined contributions in line with the Paris Agreement. On the occasion of launching the forums third version, Bahrains Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina, reiterated the kingdoms keenness to host events and initiatives that serve to achieve climate goals to protect the planet earth and secure a more safe and sustainable future for the next generation. This includes forums and events to achieve sustainable development goals and enhance climate security, providing an ideal platform to exchange information and experiences among international energy and environment experts, he said. Laila Danesh, Managing Director of FinMark Communications, the Forums founder and organiser, said: Were excited to announce the next edition of Sustainability Forum Middle East set for January 2025 in the Kingdom of Bahrain. In its third year, the forums success lies in the support of its many public and private sector partners committed to sustainability and climate action. In particular, we are grateful for the continued support and guidance of the leadership of HE Dr Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina. We look forward to building on the rich and meaning engagement being witnessed across the region on climate and to welcoming leaders and changemakers from the public and private sectors to engage in two days of learning and high-level exchange. While the region continues to make progress on its climate commitments, experts will shed light on the significant and ongoing work required to really achieve resilience and enable the MENA region to move towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. Leading up to the forum, a number of regional roundtables will be held through its Decarbonisation Roundtable Series with the most recent event in Riyadh on Regenerative Tourism Destinations That Go Beyond Net-Zero on Emissions to Nature Positive. The roundtable series forms a core part of the Forums efforts to drive engagement and bring together experts to discuss key issues and industries, intrinsic to MENAs climate journey and the road to net zero, the statement said. TradeArabia News Service Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the launch of its new Dubai Commercial and Logistics Land Transport Strategy 2030 aimed at doubling the direct contribution of the land transport and logistics sector to the emirate's economy to AED16.8 billion ($4.5 billion). Unveiling this today (June 2), Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the RTA, said it has identified 17 projects that will contribute to supporting the sector's and companies' growth, increasing its competitiveness through digital markets and platforms. The strategy focuses on using data and technology to support the development of companies with high potential, cooperating with the commercial transport sector to operate modern vehicles with better performance, and encouraging the adoption of innovative methods and future technologies. The list of projects to be implemented in the future includes developing digital platforms supporting the commercial transport and logistics sector, value-added permits, no objection certificates, heavy freight services platform, driver behaviour monitoring, aftermarket platform, construction equipment rental platform, road freight data centre, and updates to heavy and light truck fleets, said Al Tayer. The strategy focuses on regulating and governing the commercial transport sector in the emirate, identifying growth opportunities as well as prospects for investment and partnerships with the private sector. It also aims to reduce carbon emissions by 30%, increase the rate of technology adoption by 75% and improve operational efficiency by 10%, he stated. It considers the application of international best practices and increasing the competitiveness of the sector compared to developed countries to achieve three main objectives: cost efficiency by measuring the total cost per km, adopting modern technology in infrastructure and the average age of the fleet, and achieving safety and security by reducing the annual accident fatalities of the sector, explained Al Tayer. "The new strategy contributes to achieving RTA's strategic goals by removing barriers to doing business, simplifying regulations and requirements, upgrading the fleet to zero-emission vehicles, improving driver behaviour and vehicle performance by raising the efficiency and safety of operational operations, supporting SMEs in the business market, providing affordable technologies, and enhancing the sector's readiness to accelerate the adoption of new technologies for future modes of transport," he added. Along with a roadmap and associated projects, this strategy has been approved by the Dubai Executive Council, chaired by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council. "The goal of the strategy is to double the direct contribution of the land transport and logistics sector to the emirate's economy to AED16.8 billion, increase the rate of technology adoption in the infrastructure by 75%, reduce carbon emissions by 30%, and improve operational efficiency by 10%," said Al Tayer. According to him, the Strategy was developed in collaboration with key partners, private businesses, distributors, and retailers in commercial transport. The commercial transport sector in Dubai, he stated, was experiencing significant economic growth, mainly due to the rapid expansion of e-commerce in the last two years. Dubai's central position as a logistics hub for shipping and distribution in the region has contributed to this growth. "There are currently 351,000 registered commercial vehicles and 9,699 companies in this sector. Over the past five years, the commercial transport sector has seen a compound annual growth rate of 34%. In 2021, the direct contribution of this sector to Dubai's economy was AED 8.5 billion, accounting for 3% of the emirate's GDP in 2022. Additionally, the sector has created approximately 242,000 jobs," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain's The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has won the Champion Award within the United Nations World Summit awards on the Information Society (WSIS), in recognition of its work on the revamp of the National Portal (bahrain.bh). The iGA work was selected from among more than 1,000 submissions globally under the eGovernment category as part of "ICT Applications: Benefits in All Aspects of Life categories" for its standout features. These include user profile 'Personalization', a favorite eServices list, 'Government Notifications' for various government entities, a transaction history spanning six months, and a smart assistant 'Chatbot'. The portal supports multiple payment methods, including BenefitPay and Apple Pay, and provides secure options through a "Saved Cards" feature, enabling users to easily store bank or credit cards. On behalf of iGA, the Champion award was received at special ceremony held in Geneva, Switzerland, by a representative from the Kingdom of Bahrain's Mission to the United Nations in Geneva. Lauding the key features, iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed said this was done as per the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT) in bid to enhance the National Portal and digital channels, and also improve access to government services, and enhance user experience. Following several development stages, the portal offers information on 1,300+ government services, 680+ eServices, seamless electronic integration with more than 40 public and private entities, with monthly visits that surpassed 1.5 million visits. Al Qaed, presenting the National Portal's standout features, underscored the iGA's mission to continuously develop eServices since the portal's launch in 2007, in line with technological advancements and the needs of citizen and resident. He commended the portal users from the citizens and residents for their significant contributions towards this achievement, emphasizing their cooperation with the iGA and their feedback and suggestions through various interactive channels. The WSIS is an annual event held in the Swiss city by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to spotlight digital projects that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is co-organised by ITU, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, technical personnel work Sunday at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing. A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. Jin Liwang/Xinhua via Associated Press In a photo provided by the China National Space Administration, the lunar lander of the Change-4 probe is seen in a photo taken Jan. 11 by the rover Yutu-2. China National Space Administration BEIJING A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. The landing module touched down at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time in a huge crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the China National Space Administration said. The mission is the sixth in the Change moon exploration program, which is named after a Chinese moon goddess. It is the second designed to bring back samples, following the Change 5, which did so from the near side in 2020. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The moon program is part of a growing rivalry with the U.S. still the leader in space exploration and others, including Japan and India. China has put its own space station in orbit and regularly sends crews there. The emerging global power aims to put a person on the moon before 2030, which would make it the second nation after the United States to do so. America is planning to land astronauts on the moon again for the first time in more than 50 years though NASA pushed the target date back to 2026 earlier this year. U.S. efforts to use private-sector rockets to launch spacecraft have been repeatedly delayed. Last-minute computer trouble nixed the planned launch of Boeings first astronaut flight Saturday. Earlier Saturday, a Japanese billionaire called off his plan to orbit the moon because of uncertainty over the development of a mega rocket by SpaceX. NASA is planning to use the rocket to send its astronauts to the moon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In Chinas current mission, the lander is to use a mechanical arm and a drill to gather up to 4.4 pounds of surface and underground material over about two days. An ascender atop the lander will then take the samples in a metal vacuum container back to another module that is orbiting the moon. The container will be transferred to a re-entry capsule that is due to return to Earth in the deserts of Chinas Inner Mongolia region about June 25. Missions to the moons far side are more difficult because it doesnt face the Earth, requiring a relay satellite to maintain communications. The terrain is also more rugged, with fewer flat areas to land. The South Pole-Aitken Basin, an impact crater created more than 4 billion years ago, is 8 miles deep and has a diameter of 1,500 miles, according to a report by Chinas Xinhua News Agency. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Leading low-cost carrier flydubai has become a major player in the regional aviation industry in its 15 years of operations with a network of over 125 destinations in 58 countries across the globe. It is also a key contributor to Dubais socio-economic development, said a top official. "Today, on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of flydubai, I would like to congratulate the team at flydubai on the success they have achieved since their inaugural flight to Beirut on 01 June 2009," stated its Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum. "It has been inspired by the success and ambition of Dubai, which has been and continues to be a key contributor to the success of the airline," he stated. According to him, the vision of the UAE leadership has been a guiding principle; enabling the airline to grow, expand and adapt to the changing market requirements and further support trade and tourism. "From its home in Dubai, flydubai has created a network of more than 125 destinations served by a fleet of 87 aircraft. Since commencing operations in June 2009, flydubai has been committed to removing barriers to travel, creating free flows of trade and tourism and enhancing connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network," said Sheikh Ahmed. On its key milestones, the Dubai budget airline said it created a network of more than 125 destinations in 58 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, the Indian Subcontinent, and South-East Asia. Also the lowcost airline opened more than 90 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai, it added. Operating a single fleet-type of 87 Boeing 737 aircraft - comprising 29 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800, 55 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 03 Boeing 737 MaxAX 9 aircraft - it has carried more than 100 million passengers since launch of its operations in 2009, said Sheikh Ahmed. "Looking to the future, I am confident of the further growth and success of the airline in line with Dubai Governments efforts to further enhance Dubais position as a leading global aviation hub," he added. Bahrains Domain Hotel and Spa took part in the Riyadh Travel Fair 2024, which took place last week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promoting its luxurious facilities and the Kingdom as a destination. "This was an exciting opportunity for us to connect with new market segments and further build brand awareness for our award-winning 5-star boutique hotel," said Frank Normann Eikeland, Executive Chairman of The Domain Hotel and Spa. The Domain Hotel offers luxurious accommodations, fine dining experiences, and top-class leisure facilities such as a spa, gym, and indoor pool. The hotel is adult-friendly, welcoming guests aged 16 and above. The hotel's team met with Saudi travellers, tourism operators, and online travel agencies at the fair to showcase what makes The Domains facilities and services. "Bahrain's tourism industry has seen impressive growth in recent years, and we were honoured to be a part of promoting the Kingdom of Bahrain as a vibrant, diverse, and welcoming destination," Eikeland continued. "Through our participation in the Riyadh Travel Fair, we were able to forge new partnerships and introduce even more visitors to the hospitality and cultural richness that Bahrain has to offer. TradeArabia News Service Turkiyes flag carrier Turkish Airlines (TK) has announced the signing of a new freesale codeshare agreement with Chinese national airline Air China, transitioning from their long-standing blocked space partnership. The agreement, initially covering flights between Istanbul and Beijing, marks a significant milestone in the strategic collaboration between the two airlines and lays the groundwork for future expansions in their strong partnership, said a statement from the Turkish carrier. This new freesale model will allow both airlines to offer greater flexibility and more travel options to passengers, enhancing connectivity between Turkiye and China, two nations of substantial strategic importance. This agreement underscores the commitment of these flag carriers to facilitate seamless travel experiences and strengthen bilateral ties. Furthermore, the new arrangement is expected to bolster tourism and economic exchange between the two countries, offering passengers not only enhanced travel convenience but also new opportunities for cultural and business interactions, said the Turkish Airlines. Both airlines anticipate that this collaboration will contribute to a significant increase in passenger traffic, fostering mutual growth and benefiting the wider aviation industry, it added.-TradeArabia News Service New York-based soca artiste Yankey Boy (Kevon Heath) has issued a musical call to action: Only Soca should be played at Caribbean carnival parades in the diaspora. The catchy Cdonia-produced track, which features on the newly released Carnival 2025 Radio Active Riddim, is already sparking debate among Caribbean music stakeholders. The riddim also features Rayzor, Leonce, Spine and Kerry John. Criminologist Dr Randy Seepersad says the rise in influencers covering disenfranchised communities in Trinidad and Tobago that have become associated with gang violence has potential to be both a positive and negative development. On one hand, he said these videos may give a voice to people in these communities, which academic literature shows are often not widely understood by policymakers and the public. Amegy Bank will take about 40,000 square feet of space at 300 Convent St., an office building in the heart of downtown San Antonio. The building is shown here in 2016 when it was lit up by computer-controlled LED lights. TOM REEL/SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Amegy Bank is moving its Central Texas headquarters from San Antonios North Side to downtown, providing a ray of light for the citys struggling urban core. The Houston-based bank is leasing about 40,000 square feet on the 21st and 22nd floors and opening a banking center on the ground floor of the 300 Convent St. building, which was formerly the Bank of America Plaza and housed some USAA offices. Amegy said it will accommodate 100 offices and workstations as well as conference and meeting rooms. The move represents an expansion for the bank, which currently leases about 26,000 square feet at 10001 Reunion Place near San Antonio International Airport. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Our new space, situated at the cornerstone of the community and commerce, will allow us to stay on pace with serving San Antonios rapid growth for years to come. We couldnt be more excited to join downtowns dynamic business ecosystem and talent, Amegy Bank-Central Texas CEO David McGee said in a statement. The move comes as downtown continues struggling to rebound from the pandemic and office vacancy rates that soared last year to the highest level in a decade. Leisure travelers are returning, but the convention business has not fully bounced back and visitors are navigating a maze of construction. Office buildings have emptied out as companies have reduced their footprints due to remote work or opted to lease space closer to where their employees live. USAA vacated about 565,000 square feet of space at One Riverwalk Place and 300 Convent St. in 2022, leaving a sizable hole in the market. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A flurry of hotels and residential high-rises are under construction, including Weston Urbans apartment projects at 300 Main and the Continental Hotel block, and Trailbreak Partners and Scarlett Hotel Groups conversion of the former Wyndham San Antonio River Walk to an InterContinental Hotel. City leaders said Amegys presence will boost the citys efforts to revitalize downtown by drawing more activity and residents to the area. About 85% of the roughly 538,000-square-foot 300 Convent building is empty and the vacancy rate across offices in the central business district is 18%, according to real estate data company CoStar. Downtown San Antonio is ushering in a new era of growth, and we are thrilled to have Amegy spearhead these developments as we look to expand on the momentum shaping our community and city, Trish DeBerry, president and CEO of downtown advocacy organization Centro San Antonio, said in a statement. Mayor Ron Nirenberg called it a transformational addition to our growing downtown, expanding critical access to industry-leading financial solutions and counsel for the communitys businesses and families. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Opposition Leader cited figures that showed the official entertainment for the Office of the Prime Minister moved from a revised estimate of $240,000 in 2024 to an estimated expenditure of $30 million in 2025. This is an increase of 12,400%. PHOENIX Gov. Katie Hobbs wont use her power to direct the state Department of Transportation to scrap a proposal that could put a new interstate highway next to Tucson Mountain Park and through a special corridor set up to ensure wildlife migration. The governor told Capitol Media Services she is not surprised that environmental groups have taken the state to court over plans for Interstate 11 and, specifically a controversial option on where to build a segment. Every project is battling environmental groups, she said. We have to balance progress and sustainability, the governor said following the announcement of a new Canada trade office in Arizona. The road is supposed to be part of a new link through the state between Mexico and Canada. And were working really hard to do that. But Hobbs balked when it was pointed out that ADOT continues to include that alternative west of Tucson, through the Avra Valley, when there is another option that doesnt involve a new highway through the area: co-locate I-11 along existing stretches of Interstates 10 and 19. I can get back with you with more specifics on it, the governor promised. She never did. Instead, her press office directed ADOT to send out a response about the work being done and how that option through Avra Valley was and remains in the plan Carrying both a west and an east option forward allows ADOT to make a more informed decision after completing detailed environmental and engineering studies in Tier 2, the next phase of the plan. But beyond that, the agency said it cannot comment due to ongoing litigation. For the moment, that leaves in place the decisions about building the road that had been blessed by her predecessor, Doug Ducey, who had been a supporter of the highway. He told Capitol Media Services at the time that the highway would really benefit our state and allow us to be the player that were going to be in terms of economic growth and development in trade. But that doesnt leave Hobbs powerless. The decisions, including that option through Avra Valley, was made under John Halikowski who was the ADOT director. Hobbs, on taking office last year, replaced him with Jennifer Toth. And that gives her the power to tell the agency to either scrap that option or at least reconsider it before the project moves forward or before the lawsuit goes to trial. But that isnt going to happen. Shes fine with letting the process play out, said gubernatorial press aide Christian Slater. But time for gubernatorial intervention may be running out: The latest maps from ADOT show a route through Avra Valley as the recommended alternative, though the agency insists that no final decision has been made. A spokesman said keeping The lawsuit, filed in 2022, asks U.S. District Court Judge John Hinderaker to quash or at least modify a proposal by ADOT to construct I-11 from Nogales to past Phoenix. The eventual plan is to have the highway hook up with an existing stretch of I-11 that already has been built in Nevada. The Coalition for Sonoran Desert Protection, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Friends of Ironwood Forest, and the Tucson Audubon Society filed suit, contending that the Federal Highway Administration, which is handling the project for ADOT, ignored better alternatives to the path through the Avra Valley. One option that ADOT started with, in essence, is to co-locate I-11 along existing stretches of I-19 and I-10, at least through the area of Picacho Peak. At that point, a new highway would be built to the north and west. But there also is the option the one ADOT lists as recommended one that parts ways with I-19 north of Green Valley, with the road then heading west around the San Xavier Reservation and then cutting north near Tucson Mountain Park and Saguaro National Park. It also runs directly through whats known as the Tucson Mitigation Corridor. That corridor is not new. It actually was goes as far back as the 1980s as part of the development of the Tucson leg of the Central Arizona Project. Part of the reason for its creation was to minimize disruption to wildlife during aqueduct construction. But it also prohibits future development in the 4.25 square mile area to preserve this fragile desert habitat from urbanization and maintain an open wildlife movement corridor. ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration, which is providing funding, are fighting opposition. They already have tried to get the lawsuit thrown out of court without having to go to trial. They argued that litigation is premature and that no final decisions have been made on exactly where to place the new road. But the judge handling the lawsuit in federal court refused, saying thats not what the evidence shows. Hindeaker said it is clear that the Federal Highway Administration, which makes the initial determination, already concluded that neither the Ironwood Forest or Sonoran Desert national monuments qualified for special consideration under federal law that would require it to study whether the highway should be placed elsewhere. And he said there was no analysis done on the ecological impacts to Saguaro National Park or Tucson Mountain Park based on the agencys conclusion that neither property was a wildlife or waterfowl refuge. Problems continued even after initial review, Hindeaker said. He said that documents show that properties ADOT and the Federal Highway Administration had designated as not being entitled to protection as highway placement determinations are made actually kept their unprotected designations even after feedback from the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and Arizona Game and Fish, among others, all of which had concerns. What makes all that relevant, the judge said, is that it appears that some decisions actually already have been made despite protestations to the contrary from the state and feds. By not designated certain properties as protected or unprotected under (the federal law), defendants finalized certain legal obligations, or lack thereof, Hinderaker wrote. In fact, the judge said, the evidence appears to show that the Federal Highway Administration foreclosed any alternatives outside the corridor unless new conditions arise. And he said the formal Record of Decision by the agency seems to acknowledge that the project, and the selected alternative corridor, will move forward notwithstanding objections from agencies following the draft and final environmental impact statements. All that, he said, entitles the legal challenge to the route to go forward now, before there is a final decision. That, however, still leaves the option for Hobbs to simply tell ADOT that at least part of the plan the option to put the road adjacent to Tucson Mountan Park, through the mitigation corridor and through Avra Valley should be taken off the table. That is what is being urged by Wendy Park, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity. ADOT has proposed I-11 to be constructed alongside Saguaro National Park and two national monuments, she said. That should enrage every Arizonan. The problem, she told Capitol Media Services, is that the states transportation system is stuck in a rut, planning $10 billion projects like this she said would simply encourage urban sprawl that would worsen climate pollution and groundwater depletion while lining the pockets of the rich real estate developers that have driven the project. And that, Park said, is where the current governor could play a role. To get out of that rut we need leaders like Gov. Hobbs to push divestment from pollution highways and increase investment in green transportation infrastructure that integrates multimodal transportation systems, she said, a term that includes everything from rail to public transit. Slater said the governor had no comment on what Park said. It isnt just the options of where the road is located in Southern Arizona that are at issue. Park said a stretch between Casa Grande and Buckeye also would affect recreation areas as well as habitats for various endangered species. And she said there also would be environmental effects from the final stretch from Buckeye to Wickenburg. A loose dog watches Joe Valadez as he delivers mail on his East Side route. Jerry Lara /Staff photographer Postal worker Joe Valadez, keeps an eye on a tied-up dog while delivering mail on his East Side route. In 2020, there were 36 dog attacks reported by postal workers in San Antonio, putting the city in the top 10 cities for dog attacks, the U.S. Postal Service reported in June. Jerry Lara /Staff photographer Things are looking up slightly for San Antonio in this years dog bite national rankings released by the U.S. Postal Service. While dog attacks in San Antonio have often made headlines in the past year, the city ranked No. 16 in the U.S. for cities with the most reported dog attacks against postal workers. The Alamo City had 26 total dog attacks last year. The ranking is an improvement from the previous year, when San Antonio was No. 9 with 32 reported attacks in 2022. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Texas as a whole still ranks high when it comes to reported attacks. The state ranked No. 2 with 411 attacks in 2023. The state also ranked No. 2 the previous year with 404 attacks. The Texas city with the most reported attacks was Houston, which ranked No. 2 with 53 attacks. The city ranked No. 1 with 57 attacks the year prior. The U.S. Postal Service said more than 5,800 Postal Service employees were attacked by dogs while delivering mail last year. Dog bites have easily become one of their top safety concerns alongside scorching heat and long mail routes. Letter carriers are exposed to potential hazards every day, none more prevalent than a canine encounter, Leeann Theriault, USPS manager for employee safety and health awareness, said in a statement. All it takes is one interaction for a letter carrier to possibly suffer an injury. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Pet owners have a responsibility to control their dogs during mail delivery, the Postal Service said, as most homeowners know the exact time when mail is delivered to their home. Jesse Colunga, a San Antonio postal worker for about two decades, told the San Antonio Express-News in 2021 that homeowners will typically tell postal workers that their dogs dont bite despite their threatening behavior. They always say, He doesnt bite but I always say, He doesnt bite you, Colunga said. They know their owner. They see us as a threat because we are going into their territory. The average cost per insurance claim for a dog bite is $64,555, the Postal Service said. A pet owner could be responsible for medical bills, lost wages, uniform replacement costs, and pain and suffering for the employee. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A homeowners mail service also can be stopped until the mail carrier feels they are safe. State-owned lenders Vietcombank, VietinBank, BIDV and the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) on Saturday signed a credit agreement to provide ACV with a syndicated loan worth US$1.8 billion for the execution of the third component of the big-ticket Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. The third component of the first phase of the airport project, whose investor is ACV, includes essential facilities. The loan is equivalent to some 45 percent of the third components total capital, with $1 billion set to come from Vietcombank, $450 million from VietinBank, and the rest from BIDV. Nguyen Thanh Tung, general director of Vietcombank, said that the project has secured the biggest loan in the banking industry. Also, this is the first project to be offered a medium-term dollar loan by state-owned banks with more favorable lending conditions than loans provided by international credit institutions, he said. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated that the Party and state see building a synchronous infrastructure system as one of the three strategic breakthroughs to develop Vietnam. In particular, a focus on a traffic infrastructure system of expressways, railways, and airports is the cornerstone of the countrys strategy to drive up socio-economic growth, ensure national defense and security, and enhance diplomatic activities and international integration. Representatives of Vietcombank, VietinBank, BIDV and ACV sign a credit agreement to provide a syndicated loan of US$1.8 billion for the Long Thanh International Airport project in Dong Nai Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: VCB The prime minister believed that the syndicated loan provided by the three lenders would be a prerequisite to encourage commercial banks to offer loans to other key projects. This is the first time that state-run banks have joined hands to arrange a loan worth $1.8 billion to such a key project, PM Chinh underlined. The Long Thanh International Airport project is a national key project and will play a strategic role in advancing the socio-economic development of the southern region and the aviation industry once it becomes operational, said the government leader. Long Thanh International Airport is expected to contribute 0.98 percent of the countrys gross domestic product growth in 2030 and create 200,000 jobs. The first phase of the Long Thanh International Airport project needs an estimated investment of some VND110 trillion ($4.3 billion). The project includes four components with the third carrying a price tag of over VND99 trillion ($3.9 billion). The entire project requires an investment of some VND336.63 trillion ($13.3 billion) and will be the largest airport in the nation with an annual capacity of 100 million passengers and five million metric tons of cargo. The prime minister urged ACV and the Ministry of Transport to speed up work on all components of the project, while mobilizing as many resources as possible to develop a series of strategic infrastructure projects, especially highways, high-speed rail lines, airports, and seaports to attract investors and increase production capacity. The Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Vietnam were asked to mobilize capital to bolster investment in strategic infrastructure projects. He hinted at reviewing suitable policies, and encouraging commercial banks and credit institutions to offer loans with favorable lending conditions in order to channel capital into key projects. The prime minister believed that the technical operations of runways at the Long Thanh International Airport project would start before April 30 next year, three months earlier than the planned progress. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien held bilateral meetings, focusing on defense cooperation, with many officials of different countries at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue, which kicked off in Singapore on Friday. Deputy Minister Chien, who is also a member of the Central Military Commission, led a Vietnamese defense delegation to attend the event from May 31 to June 2. The dialogue, which is Asias annual premier defense summit, gathered some 550 delegates from 40 countries around the world to discuss serious security challenges facing the region and the world in general, according to the Vietnam News Agency. Chien attended the first plenary session of the event on Saturday morning and had a bilateral meeting with Dr. Bastian Giegerich, director-general and chief executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the organizer of the event, later on the same day. The Vietnamese official told Giegerich that Vietnam highly appreciates the role of Shangri-La Dialogue in strengthening regional security and safety, affirming that the country will continue to participate in the event in the future. The annual event provides opportunities for defense and military leaders of countries to meet and engage in bilateral discussions on cooperation, as well as connect with their partners, Chien said. The deputy minister proposed that the Singapore-based IISS-Asia office promote research cooperation and academic exchange with Vietnamese research agencies, including the Hanoi-based Institute for Defense Strategy. The IISS leader agreed to Chiens proposal and suggested that the two sides discuss specific details of the cooperation in the near future. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien (C) poses for a photo with Vietnamese and Singaporean officers at Singapores Information Fusion Centre (IFC) on May 31, 2024. Photo: Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People's Army) newspaper At his meeting with Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Ministry of National Defense Chan Heng Kee, Chien requested that both sides promote the agreements made since last year's defense policy dialogue. He also urged enhanced cooperation in personnel training, search and rescue operations, and digital transformation within the military. Chien proposed extending the working period of Vietnams liaison officers at Singapores Information Fusion Centre (IFC). Agreeing to Chiens proposals, Chan said Singapore would discuss them in detail in the coming time. Earlier on Friday, the Vietnamese deputy minister and his accompanying officials visited the IFC at Changi Naval Base, where they encouraged the liaison officers of the Vietnam Peoples Army working there. Chien and IFC leaders exchanged views on the IFCs organizational structure and tasks, and discussed future maritime information exchange. Vietnam has so far dispatched 22 officers to work at the IFC center, all of whom have been lauded for their performance. Over the past two days, Chien has also met with numerous defense officials from various countries, focusing on steps to enhance defense cooperation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Catch up on the news in Vietnam today: Society -- Police in Hanoi on Saturday arrested a South Korean man for allegedly murdering a female compatriot at a hotel in the capital city after the woman refused to have sex with him. -- Vietnam's first horse riding academy meeting international standards was opened in Hai Phong City, northern Vietnam on Saturday. -- One to two storms and tropical depressions are forecast to lash the East Vietnam Sea this month, said an official from the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. -- At a regular cabinet meeting on Saturday, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ordered the mobilization of an additional VND100 trillion (US$3.9 billion) from government bonds for strategic infrastructure projects. -- Vietnam recorded 36 food poisoning cases in the first five months of this year, hitting over 2,100 people with six of them dead. The numbers of food poisoning cases and deaths fell 10 and 46 percent, respectively, over the same period last year, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen said on Saturday. -- Khanh Hoa Province in south-central Vietnam, home to the famed Nha Trang City, welcomed some two million international tourist arrivals in January-May, surging 290 percent year on year, according to the provincial Department of Tourism. Lifestyle -- The Southern Fruit Festival started at Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City, a district-level administration unit under Ho Chi Minh City, on Saturday, featuring a wide variety of fruits from regions across Vietnam. The festival is scheduled to last until August 31. Sports -- Real Madrid won their 15th European Cup at a raucous Wembley on Saturday when they delivered another late surge to claim a 2-0 victory over a Borussia Dortmund team who had threatened an upset win after dominating the first hour," according to Reuters. World News -- Talks aimed at reaching a global agreement on how to better fight pandemics will be concluded by 2025 or earlier if possible, Reuters reported, citing the World Health Organization on Saturday. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Foodies packed Le Loi Boulevard in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday evening to explore a wide array of delicious dishes as part of the citys second River Festival held between May 31 and June 9. Featuring 24 booths, the cuisine event offers visitors a taste of typical dishes, cakes, fruits, and products of many locales from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily from Friday to Sunday this week. As the second day of the culinary event fell on a weekend, it drew huge crowds including both international visitors and the locals. Minh Diem, residing in Phu Nhuan District, joined her friend to explore the food space where she sampled a variety of tasty dishes and experienced the festive vibe of the place. Tran Quang Khai, the owner of a food stall offering Vietnamese rice pancakes, revealed that he sold around 450 pancakes on Friday and more than 650 on Saturday. Khai praised the event organizer for the better set-up and compliance with food safety rules than the previous events. Tran Quang Khai, the owner of a food stall offering Vietnamese rice pancakes at a cuisine space of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, offers 20 free-of-charge pancakes to security guards and sanitation workers who are on duty at the food event. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre A food stall offering southern Vietnams traditional sweets draws a huge crowd. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre A YouTuber is seen filming a scene of the culinary event held along Le Loi Boulevard in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Minh Diem, residing in Ho Chi Minh Citys Phu Nhuan District, joined her friend to explore the food space held along Le Loi Boulevard in District 1, where she sampled a variety of tasty dishes and experienced the festive vibe of the place. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Walkways at the culinary event are crowded with visitors. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Apart from sampling various dishes, visitors can enjoy river-themed music performances. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre A group of British visitors explore the vibrant atmosphere of the culinary event. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre Visitors experience a waterway tour along the Nhieu Loc - Thi Nghe Canal on May 31, 2024 as part of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City River Festival. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre The organizer of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City River Festival set up a floating market to serve visitors. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre The organizer of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City River Festival set up a floating market to serve visitors. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre The organizer of the ongoing Ho Chi Minh City River Festival set up a floating market to serve visitors. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre The food event offers a wide range of food specialties. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Food lovers wait for their food orders. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre The culinary event offers foodies a chance to savor a taste of typical dishes, cakes, fruits, and products of many locales. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre The culinary event opens from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm daily from May 31 to June 2, 2024. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre The culinary event offers foodies a chance to savor a taste of typical dishes, cakes, fruits, and products of many locales. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre The culinary event offers foodies a chance to savor a taste of typical dishes, cakes, fruits, and products of many locales. Photo: T.T.D. / Tuoi Tre Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Bahamian-flagged cruise vessel Resorts World One with nearly 2,200 passengers on board arrived in Con Dao, an island district off Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam, on Sunday. After their arrival on the island, the cruise ship passengers visited plenty of destinations for eco and spiritual tourism including Con Dao Museum, the prison camps of Phu Truong and Phu Son, Con Dao Market, and Con Dao National Park. The passengers also embarked on high-speed boat tours to Hon Bay Canh and Hon Cau, two islands in the Con Dao region, where they explored turtle nesting areas and mangrove forests, went diving to admire the stunning coral reefs, and enjoyed kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. The vessel is scheduled to leave for Malaysias Redang Island on Monday and return to Singapore on Tuesday. International cruise passengers receive a warm welcome upon their arrival in Con Dao, an island district off Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam, June 2, 2024. Photo: Nhu Binh / Tuoi Tre Since this is the largest cruise ship by capacity to come the Vietnamese island after 25 years, Saigontourist Travel Service Company, a subsidiary of Vietnams leading tourism corporation Saigontourist Group, in coordination with the Con Dao administration and the management authority of the Con Dao National Park held a ceremony on Sunday to welcome the cruise ship, which is currently operated by Singapore-based cruise line Resorts World Cruises. Nguyen Thanh Luu, general director of Saigontourist Travel Service Company, stated that the company has served international visitors aboard the Resorts World One cruise ship at least once a month this year. The vessel has visited popular Vietnamese destinations including Ho Chi Minh City, Hue City in Thua Thien-Hue Province, Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa Province, Da Nang City in the central region, and Ha Long City in Quang Ninh Province. Due to the large size of the Bahamian-flagged cruise vessel Resorts World One, which has a capacity of up to 2,600 passengers, smaller boats were used to transport them from the ship to the shore. Photo: Supplied Michael Goh, president at Resorts World Cruises, said that the cruise line opted for Con Dao as a new destination of the ships voyage in order to offer its guests a chance to explore more pristine places. Vietnam is absolutely one of the top destinations that tourists should not miss out on in Southeast Asia," Goh remarked. Your country boasts a wide range of cultural heritage sites, tasty local dishes, natural stunning places, and countless exciting activities to try. The president of Resorts World Cruises added that many Vietnamese cities are easily accessed by cruise ships, making them popular destinations for cruise lines. International cruise visitors explore Con Dao, an island district off Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province in southern Vietnam, June 2, 2024. Photo: Supplied The Resorts World One vessel has a gross tonnage of 75,338 metric tons, measuring 268 meters in length and 32 meters in width. The 13-story vessel is capable of carrying a maximum of over 2,200 guests and has 928 bedrooms, 17 restaurants offering a vast array of dishes, as well as various recreational, sports, wellness, cultural services to cater to visitors of all ages. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Sakshi Srivastava, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: Indias scorching heat waves coincide with political pledges on climate change in the worlds largest democracy. As parties unveil ambitious plans, a closer look reveals the nations evolving stance on environmental challenges. As India awaits the results of the worlds biggest-ever democratic election, it also grapples with more than just political tensions severe heat waves have people across the country sweltering under a scorching sun. Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) is enduring an intense heat wave, with a weather station in the capital reporting an astonishing 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29. However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has yet to verify the readings accuracy, as officials suspect it may be due to a sensor error or local factors given its significant disparity from temperatures at other stations. According to an IMD press release, the severe heat wave in Northwest and Central India is expected to gradually ease from May 30. Severe conditions have affected regions like Haryana, Chandigarh-Delhi, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh since mid-May, with Churu in Rajasthan recording 50.5C. Maximum temperatures ranged from 46-50C in many areas. A decrease of 3-4C is anticipated over the next few days. Heat wave conditions will persist in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, with a gradual reduction from May 30. Support TwoCircles What Do Political Parties Manifestos Say? The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s election manifesto, spanning 69 pages, marks a significant shift in focus towards environmental and climate concerns. In contrast to the mere paragraph, addressing environmental issues in the partys 1999 Lok Sabha elections manifesto, the current document dedicates three pages to these topics under the section titled Modi Ki Guarantee for Sustainable Bharat. Notably, the term climate change was absent from both the 1999 and 2004 BJP manifestos, highlighting a notable evolution in the partys priorities over time. Central to the BJPs environmental agenda is the ambitious pledge for India to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, a commitment echoed by short-term goals aimed at strengthening non-fossil fuel-based energy sources. The party aims to increase the share of non-fossil fuels in the energy mix to 50% and reduce the emissions intensity of the economy, while simultaneously enhancing carbon sinks such as forests by 2030. In its pursuit of diversified energy sources, the BJP manifesto underscores a renewed focus on expanding Indias nuclear energy capacity, alongside a robust push for renewables. Notably, the party champions its rooftop solar scheme, offering increased subsidies for households adopting rooftop solar modules and plans for the establishment of mega solar and wind parks, albeit acknowledging the challenges inherent in their implementation. Given the acute air pollution crisis witnessed in Delhi and other northern Indian states during winter months, the BJP commits to achieving National Air Quality Standards in 60 cities by 2029 through the National Clean Air Program (NCAP), recognizing the significance of addressing this pressing issue. The manifesto also outlines plans to enhance the electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, citing the successful induction of over 30 lakh EVs on Indian roads and pledging to expand EV fleets while establishing more EV charging stations nationwide. Additionally, the BJP places emphasis on ethanol blending in petrol and green hydrogen as key components of its environmental strategy, despite acknowledging challenges such as potential implications for food security and the nascent stage of green hydrogen technology. Amongst its array of promises, the BJP vows to launch a National Atmospheric Mission, dubbed Mausam, aimed at enhancing Indias weather readiness and climate resilience. Other commitments include flood management initiatives in the North East, measures to mitigate the impacts of floods in Himalayan rivers, and comprehensive efforts to improve the health and cleanliness of major rivers, along with the introduction of the Green Aravali Project to combat desertification and preserve biodiversity in the region. In the Congress partys 2024 election manifesto, a substantial portion is dedicated to addressing environmental concerns, climate issues, disaster management and water and sanitation-related matters. Past Lok Sabha election manifestos from the party reflect a consistent emphasis on climate change and environmental sustainability, according to an analysis conducted by the Centre for Policy Research in 2022 . The manifesto outlines the Congress partys intention to launch a Green New Deal Investment Programme, focusing on renewable energy, sustainable infrastructure and the creation of green jobs. Additionally, it emphasizes the National Clean Air Program (NCAP) and proposes the establishment of a Green Transition Fund to facilitate Indias transition to a green economy, with the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2070. Recognizing the significant loss of forest cover in India, the manifesto pledges to work with state governments to increase forest cover, redefine forest and forest cover based on modern scientific standards and involve local communities in afforestation efforts. The vision document also addresses the issue of landslides in hill districts, promising to evolve measures to prevent landslides and constitute an independent Environment Protection and Climate Change Authority to establish, monitor and enforce environmental standards. However, some earlier promises, such as green budgeting and the launch of Green National Accounts, have been dropped from the 2024 manifesto. Additionally, the grand old party refrains from making claims regarding the addition of forest cover, a statement included in its 2019 manifesto. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M)s manifesto presents a comprehensive stance on environmental issues, emphasizing the need for effective, transparent and time-bound processes in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Clearances. They advocate for the repeal of the EIA Notification 2020 and the issuance of revised guidelines to ensure accountability and the absence of conflicts of interest. Furthermore, the manifesto underscores the importance of economy-wide measures to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a focus on promoting renewable energy sources like solar and wind. It proposes the development of a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) through a participatory approach, involving all stakeholders, particularly states, to address the impacts of climate change on various sectors such as agriculture, urban infrastructure and coastal areas. In addition, the CPI(M) calls for the formulation of sustainable and climate-friendly development strategies for ecologically fragile regions like the Himalayas, Western Ghats and the North-East. It highlights the need for a thorough revision of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) to swiftly and effectively reduce air pollution in urban areas. Lastly, the manifesto stresses the urgency of implementing measures to prevent the degradation and destructive development of riverbeds and flood plains, particularly in urban areas. Current Climate and Environmental Trends in India Indias climate action faces challenges despite progress in renewable energy. As per the Climate Action Tracker (CAT) report, Indias targets and actions are rated Highly insufficient for the Paris Agreements 1.5C goal. Current policies, while improving, still fall short. The Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 50% non-fossil capacity target, conditional on support, is deemed insufficient as India may surpass it without additional efforts. Plans for coal expansion conflict with climate goals. Indias 2070 net zero target is rated Poor. To align with 1.5C, India must phase out coal by 2040, strengthen targets and seek international support. The State of Indias Environment Report 2023, jointly launched by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth (DTE) magazine, provides a comprehensive assessment of various environmental and developmental issues plaguing the country. One alarming finding of the report is the rampant encroachment on water bodies across the country, with over 30,000 water bodies being encroached upon. Additionally, India generates a staggering 150,000 tonnes of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) daily, with more than half of it ending up in landfills or remaining unattended, aggravating environmental pollution. Air pollution emerges as a significant concern, with the report highlighting that on average, individuals in India lose almost five years of their lives due to air pollution-related health issues. Surprisingly, rural India is experiencing a higher toll from air pollution compared to urban areas, underscoring the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure in rural regions. The report also sheds light on the prevalence of environmental crimes, with courts grappling with 245 cases daily to clear the backlog. Moreover, India has witnessed an alarming increase in extreme weather events, with over 2,900 lives lost between January and October 2022 alone. In terms of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Indias overall global ranking has slipped over the past five years, now standing at 121. The country faces challenges across various SDGs, including zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, gender equality and sustainable cities. Plastic waste management remains a pressing issue, although the report notes positive developments in cities adopting waste-wise practices such as source segregation and plastic minimization. On the agriculture front, there is growing evidence of the efficacy of traditional and regenerative farming methods, offering a ray of hope amidst environmental challenges. However, the report highlights the dark truth of forest losses, even as communities demand rights over forest resources, which are gradually being granted. Whats the Way Ahead? Sunil Kumar Aledia, executive director of the Centre for Holistic Development and a social worker working with Delhis homeless population for years, critiques the governments approach to climate and environmental issues, highlighting concerns about its preparedness for future. He points to the recent Delhi floods as evidence of the governments lack of readiness for such occurrences. The government fails to address environmental concerns, as evidenced by the unchecked conversion of urban areas into concrete jungles and the alarming decrease in the Yamuna Rivers water levels, he stated. Aledia further stresses the growing homeless population, particularly in the face of urban poverty and extreme weather conditions. Despite these issues, he observes a reluctance on the part of the government to address criticism and take decisive action. He suggests that while the government prioritizes superficial beautification projects, concrete actions to address pressing environmental and social challenges seem lacking. Aledia doubts the governments capability to address the situation effectively because it focuses more on talking than on implementing practical solutions. The elections for the 543 seats in Lok Sabha have been completed, spanning from April 19 to June 1, conducted in seven phases. The results are scheduled to be announced on June 4. Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, posed for a portrait in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer The Presidential Medal of Freedom that was presented to Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, was seen in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer A framed clip from the San Antonio Express-News about Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, was seen in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer A framed photo of President George W. Bush and Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, was seen in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer A framed certificate honoring Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, was seen in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer A cane that was made to honor Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, posed for a portrait in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer Paul Rusesabgina, former political prisoner and activist who was made famous in the movie Hotel Rwanda, and his wife Tatiana posed for a portrait in his home on April 30, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher Lee/Christopher Lee/Staff photographer Paul Rusesabagina flew from Dubai thinking he would be doing good works in the days ahead speaking out at churches in the East African nation of Burundi against government oppression and human rights abuses. But as he boarded a charter plane for the trip nearly four years ago, he was walking into a trap set by the regime of President Paul Kagame, who's ruled Rwanda since 2000 and has repeatedly clashed with Rusesabagina. Rusesabagina saved more than a thousand people from genocide in his native Rwanda in 1994 by hiding them in a luxury hotel he managed in Kigali, the capital city. His heroism brought him international acclaim, which grew exponentially with the 2004 release of the movie "Hotel Rwanda," starring Don Cheadle as Rusesabagina. Advertisement Article continues below this ad He fled Rwanda in 1996, fearing for his safety. The 69-year-old, who became a Belgian citizen but also holds permanent residency status in the United States, settled in San Antonio's far Northwest Side in 2009. But he has remained a force in Rwanda's politics as one of Kagame's most dogged critics. From abroad, he founded an opposition party in Rwanda in 2006. Kagame, in turn, has accused Rusesabagina of plotting and financing terrorist attacks carried out in Rwanda, which borders Burundi to the south. On board the jet purportedly en route to Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, a flight attendant offered Rusesabagina a glass of champagne. I tasted the champagne and immediately slept, he said. "I kind of jumped up when the plane landed, the tires on the ground. And when I woke up, I saw the control tower of the airport of Kigali." "When I saw it, I immediately kind of my heart was almost stopping but I said to myself that if I jump up, then they are going to kill me immediately." Advertisement Article continues below this ad The date was Aug. 31, 2020, and it was the start of a period of fear and uncertainty that ended with his release from a Rwandan prison in 2023, the result of intense American and international political pressure on Kagame's government. Rusesabagina recently talked about the episode and its aftermath in several interviews with the San Antonio Express-News. After he regained consciousness and was dragged off the plane, he yelled, Im kidnapped! Im brought back to Rwanda! They have kidnapped me! Nobody came to his rescue. On the tarmac, masked men with guns hog-tied him, pulled a hood over his head and threw him in the back of a pickup. He could barely breathe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Rusesabagina doesn't know where his captors drove him, but he wound up in a dark room where he was beaten on his stomach and legs for four days. One of the men repeatedly shocked him with a cattle prod and pressed his military-style boot against his neck. He was 66 at the time and denied access to his blood pressure medication. His health was deteriorating. "I was almost dead," he said, adding that he was hospitalized three times during his imprisonment. He said he suffered what appeared to be a stroke that left one arm partially paralyzed. Four days after taking him from the plane, the masked men moved him to another location a police station where the beatings continued for 18 more days. "I call it the slaughterhouse, or the butchery, because that is where you hear other people who have been kidnapped or are being tortured like you from the neighboring room," Rusesabagina said. "Just shouting, talking very loudly, for one hour, for two hours, for three hours. And after a certain time, maybe three hours, you hear the voices slowing down, getting lost, and those people are dead. And you say to yourself, who is next? Advertisement Article continues below this ad "Is it not me?" From the police station, he was moved to a huge prison in a Kigali suburb. He would remain in captivity a total of 939 days. 'Obsessed with Paul' Rusesabagina was tried and convicted on nine terrorism-related counts. He was sentenced Sept. 20, 2021, to 25 years in prison for offenses ranging from financing terrorism to recruiting child soldiers. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Nearly 20 other defendants were also convicted on related charges in the case. After his sentencing, Human Rights Watch said Rusesabagina had been unlawfully detained and that Rwandan officials had committed "multiple violations of the right to a fair trial." Rusesabagina had been brought to this low point by a Burundi bishop named Constantin Niyomwungere, who told a Rwandan court in March 2021 that he collaborated with the Rwandan Investigation Bureau to trick the human rights activist into boarding the charter plane, the Associated Press reported. Niyomwungere said in court that he'd befriended Rusesabagina in Brussels in 2017 and that the "Hotel Rwanda" exile had allegedly admitted that rebels backed by his opposition party had carried out an attack inside Rwanda, the AP reported. Rusesabagina told the Express-News the pastor had tricked him into believing he would be on a speaking tour of Burundi churches. He recalled Niyomwungere saying, "'I have heard you talking about justice. I have heard you talking about the truth. I have heard you talking about reconciliation through dialogue. Me as a man of God, as a pastor, as a bishop, I'm inviting you to come to Burundi and talk to my churches. Please.'" Niyomwungere could not be reached for comment, and the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not return phone calls. Rusesabagina said he suspects the only reason he wasn't killed upon landing in Rwanda was that his wife, Tatiana Rusesabagina, had called Niyomwungere and knew they were together. That Kagame's government would go to such lengths to imprison Rusesabagina wasn't a surprise to Kathleen Tobin Krueger, a longtime friend and supporter of his and a New Braunfels resident. She's the widow of Sen. Bob Krueger, a Texas Democrat who died of congestive heart failure two years ago at 86. Sen. Krueger served as ambassador to war-torn Burundi from June 1994 to September 1995, and Kathleen Krueger saw firsthand the sectarian violence that roiled the region then. She said the fighting sometimes unfolded within earshot of the ambassador's residence. "Kagame has been obsessed with Paul for over two decades," Krueger said. "The time and effort he expends to monitor, harass, threaten and finally kidnap, torture and imprison Rusesabagina are nothing short of bizarre and maniacal." Words as weapons If Kagame was unstoppable in his pursuit of Rusesabagina, it was because of the latter's international standing. He'd become famous for his heroism during one of the 20th centurys worst acts of genocide. In 2005, the year after the release of "Hotel Rwanda," President George W. Bush presented him with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for saving 1,268 Hutu and Tutsi refugees during the slaughter carried out from April 6 to July 4, 1994. As many as 1 million Rwandans were killed in that period as Hutus, the country's majority ethnic group, fought Tutsis, the minority group, and the Rwandan military targeted Hutus. Rusesabagina a Hutu married to a Tutsi used his job as general manager of Hotel des Mille Collines in Kigali to hide and shelter potential victims. Rusesabagina had been groomed in European management schools, could tell a Bordeaux from a Burgundy and a good scotch from a great one, managed a large payroll and handled the five-star hotel's most difficult guests. He had lived a quiet, contented life with Tatiana and their four children. They later adopted the two daughters of his brother-in-law and his wife, both of whom were killed in the genocide. As the massacre intensified, Rusesabagina said, he watched trucks filled with bodies passing in front of the hotel, and he decided to act. "I was already involved, but I could see those trucks carrying dead bodies," he said, adding that he'd been hiding neighbors in his home. In his memoir, "An Ordinary Man," Rusesabagina explains how he saved people he'd hidden in the hotel, saying it came down to words. "I used words in many ways during the genocide to plead, intimidate, coax, cajole, and negotiate," he wrote. "I was slippery and evasive when I needed to be. I acted friendly toward despicable people. I put cartons of champagne into their car trunks. I flattered them shamelessly. I said whatever I thought it would take to keep the people in my hotel from being killed." Words also had poisoned Rwandan politics, whipping up ethnic animosities and creating an environment ripe for violence. Listening to a popular radio station, he wrote, "I began to hear the racial slur 'cockroach' so frequently that it lost whatever power it had to shock. I heard myself being lumped in with those who were considered less than human." When the worst of the massacre was over, he found the bodies of his wife's mother, siblings, nieces and nephews. The youngest victim was 4 years old. He broke down. It was the only time he cried during that period. "He had made a vow to God on the hillside overlooking his in-laws bodies butchered and thrown into a pig sty adding deep insult to grotesque injury that he would fight injustice and genocide no matter where it occurred or who was doing it," Krueger said. Surviving But little in his history had prepared Rusesabagina for the two and a half years he spent in the Kagame regime's clutches. He said his torture ended when he arrived at Mageragere Prison, but his psychological suffering continued. The prison teems with thousands of inmates in Rwanda's capital. Rusesabagina lived there in solitary confinement, mostly in darkness until his jailers turned on a single light bulb in the center of his cell for brief periods. He was under constant surveillance, a pair of video cameras recording his every move. He couldn't talk with other inmates. "I was going out one hour a day between 10 and 11. And whenever I was taken out, all the other prisoners in my block were locked in," Rusesabagina said. "And the directorate of military intelligence guys who were following me. I had seven of them, plus their leader, who was a major in the army. "So you can imagine living that kind of life not talking to anybody, not seeing anybody, no one talking to you," he said. Rusesabagina's prison meal of corn and beans came once a day. But his family sent money for extra meals that included potatoes and casaba melons, a popular fruit in Rwanda. Still, he lost 22 pounds in captivity. He talked with his family once a week, the phone call lasting five minutes. Tatiana arranged to get all six of their children on the call, and she added others as the weeks and months turned into years. His family also sent him books to devour. He built a library from the dozens of books, including biographies of Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. He also had five Bibles, one written in French. (He speaks Rwandan, Swahili, French, German and English.) Pressure campaign works International pressure for Rusesabagina's release mounted quickly. The Biden administration said Rusesabagina had been wrongfully detained and convicted, and it made sure Rwanda's government knew the matter was a priority for the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken personally raised the case with Kagame during a visit to Kigali. In Washington, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, repeatedly called for his release. A resolution introduced by Castro and Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., said Rusesabagina should be freed on humanitarian grounds. It was passed overwhelmingly by the House in July 2022. Rusesabagina said he eventually realized that Kagame would not kill him because of the international attention his kidnapping and imprisonment had garnered. But there was no guarantee he'd be released from the prison before completing his 25-year sentence. Before carrying out the scheme to bring him to Kigali, Kagame's regime had attempted "to buy Paul's silence even offering him an ambassadorship," Krueger said. "But Paul refused." The efforts to bribe him continued in Kigali. At one point, Rusesabagina said, two men wearing masks entered his cell, lit a candle and asked if he knew who they were. He didn't. One identified himself as the secretary general of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, and the other said he was the prosecutor general. "They told me, 'We have come to see you, tell you that if you want to cooperate and tell us how you came to know all of those foreign politicians, that in a matter of time we are going to release you. Tell us how you came to get in touch with those foreign politicians and what you have been doing with them,'" Rusesabagina recalled. "I said, 'OK, let me think about that.'" They left after 15 or 20 minutes, snuffing out the candle and leaving him again in the dark. Despite the isolation and uncertainty, Rusesabagina said he didn't lose hope. "I did not give up, and also the international community, my family, everybody was speaking up," he said. "More than speaking up, fighting, and that's what scared Kagame." The Rwandan government announced March 24, 2023, that it had commuted Rusesabagina's sentence as well as those of 18 other prisoners who were convicted alongside him. Soon after his release, he spent a short time in Brooke Army Medical Center's rehabilitation program for former prisoners of war. Balancing security and freedom The Rwandan regime's willingness to go to great lengths to track and stifle its enemies is never far from Rusesabagina's mind. Even as Rusesabagina sat in prison and diplomats worked to free him, allegations exploded in San Antonio that the Rwandan Embassy in Washington, D.C., had eavesdropped via Zoom on a St. Mary's University class discussion April 6, 2021, about Rusesabagina's abduction and imprisonment. The speakers included Rusesabaginas son Tresor, daughter Anaise Kanimba, Tatiana and Krueger. Krueger said one of the participant's IP address was traced back to the Rwandan Embassy. "This intrusion by a member of President Kagames diplomatic corps into a St. Marys class shows the paranoia of President Kagames administration in seeking to quell a rising chorus of international outrage over its kidnapping of Mr. Rusesabagina," university President Thomas Mengler said in a statement after the incident. Rwanda's ambassador, Mathilde Mukantabana, rejected the claim that her embassy had listened in on the talk. Why would we want to spy in a classroom? she asked during a DreamWeek panel discussion in San Antonio in January 2023. Rusesabagina doesn't feel entirely safe, even though he and his family live in what appears to be a secure community an upscale, gated subdivision in San Antonio. The gates close too fast for a car to slip into the subdivision after another one enters it. At a guard post, security personnel run checks on visitors before allowing them to drive in. He said he and his wife decided to move to the area partly because of their close friendship with Krueger. After being freed from prison, Rusesabagina decided to not make any speeches or pen any commentaries for about a year. He broke his silence April 6, the 30th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, with a guest column in the New York Times. His message: Rwanda, seen in some places as a modern, inclusive society, is actually home to a ruthless regime that kidnaps, imprisons and murders its foes. "Independent journalists, human rights advocates and opposition political parties are nearly absent from the landscape of Rwandan civil society today," he wrote. "This is not a reconciled or inclusive society; it is an authoritarian state. The rest of the world should stop looking the other way." Rusesabagina said he's ready to go back on the speech circuit, though he won't return to Africa anytime soon. He plans to participate at an event in Oslo, Norway, and would welcome invitations to speak at universities in the U.S. In the meantime, he's writing a book on his kidnapping ordeal. Sidra Fatima, TwoCircles.net New Delhi: Muslim women feel their religious freedom is under threat in the wake of rising Hindu nationalism across the country. The increasing incidents of hijab removals from public and governmental settings, justified under the guise of security concerns and uniformity, have emboldened their belief. For them, its a systemic discrimination and gross violation of their rights. Support TwoCircles They say this disturbing trend is widening over the past few years making the society turning hostile toward their cultural and religious identity. There is scrutiny and prejudice in public spaces, which are supposed to be safe and inclusive. Alleged aggressive rhetoric and biased policies of the ruling party have led to more overt and widespread harassment and exclusion. Ifrah Ghayas, a 23-year-old resident of Jamshedpur who studies at Delhis Jamia Millia Islamia, narrated an incident which she recently witnessed at a local Passport Seva Kendra. I saw a man being asked to remove his skullcap for a photograph. He argued that his previous photo was in the skullcap, his claim was dismissed citing new rules. They told him his skullcap would hide his hair increasing the chances of tampering with his identification. However, as far as I know, hair is not important for identification. I sensed right there that I too would be asked to remove my hijab, she said. Religious and cultural identity has of late made Muslims vulnerable, she alleged, adding that social norms and state machineries exert pressure on the community women to conform to a narrow interpretation of national identity, making it increasingly risky for them to wear hijab or veil at public places. This alarming trend, she said, not only violates individual freedoms but also erodes the pluralistic fabric of Indian society. I had priorly gone through the rulebook, including the Consulate General Of India, wherein it was clearly stated that covering of head for religious reasons is allowed. They agreed to click my photograph the way I like; however, they cautioned me that my application would get rejected if I didnt remove my headscarf and I would have to redo everything, she said. These incidents are not isolated or limited, she said and added, it occurs in passport offices, examination centres, airport security checks and even school and college campuses. Sumaiya Khatoon, a psychology student, was asked to remove her hijab at an examination centre for identification purposes. I was told that I wouldnt be able to appear in the examination if I didnt get my photograph clicked properly. It was back in 2023 when everyone was writing their CUET papers. It was already late, and I feared missing my paper; therefore, I immediately complied and removed my hijab in front of four men for the sake of my career. Only later, I realised that I had rights which I was deprived of exercising, she alleged. Systemic Discrimination The increase in such incidents, the women said, coincides with the rise of Hindu nationalist sentiments under the current dispensation. The political climate in the country, according to them, has rationalised discriminatory practices against religious minorities particularly Muslim women who bear the disproportionate targeting. The hijab ban in Karnataka in 2022 and the Chembur College controversy highlight this trend, further legitimising public discrimination. It has given rise to an environment where Muslim women are often humiliated, forcing them to compromise their religious beliefs, they argued. While Sumaiya said she felt humiliated and disrespected while removing hijab in front of dozens of men, Ifrah added the passport office officials provided her a small cabin to get her picture clicked. Psychological and Emotional Toll They said the psychological and emotional toll on them is profound. Forced hijab removal often robs women of their agency, dignity and sense of belonging. It reinforces negative stereotypes and erodes social cohesion, they added. Both Ifrah and Sumaiya claimed they felt violated and marginalised. It wasnt just about removing a piece of cloth; it was about stripping me of my identity and self-respect, said the former, adding that she began wearing a hijab only a couple of years ago. Andaleeb Hussain, 24, who was once asked to remove her hijab before entering into an examination centre, said, Facing this is extremely disturbing for the women who have been wearing hijab from a very young age. Voices of Defiance Despite the challenges, many Muslim women are rising against such alleged injustices. Human rights activists and community leaders are demanding stricter enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and greater awareness of the rights of religious minorities. According to them, security and social harmony can only be ensured by respecting diversity and the rights of every individual. At an examination centre, a female staff asked me to remove my hijab to confirm I am not carrying any electronic device hiding it in my hair. I firmly told her this should have been done during the security check. They started forcing me to remove it, but I refused. Eventually, we agreed that a female staff member would check my hair in a private room, and I then was allowed to enter the examination hall. It was embarrassing as everyone looked at me like I was at fault, said Andaleeb, who is a final-year law student. I know if I hadnt been firm, they would have forced me to remove my hijab in front of all the students. I wonder how many other students have had to remove their hijabs, she said. The alleged persecution of Muslim women has significantly worsened in the recent past. Back in July 2021, an app called Sulli Deals surfaced where women were subject to a vicious form of harassment. The pictures of Muslim women were publically displayed on this app describing each one as the deal of the day and allowing men to bid on these profiles. These women were prominent professionals, including journalists, social workers, students and social media influencers. The app was hosted on GitHub, where nothing was sold but sought to name and shame the women. The application caused a public outcry, with Github suspending the account eventually. However, the Delhi Police allegedly reluctantly investigated into the incident. Later, another similar application Bulli Bai surfaced on the same platform, carrying images of Muslim women, including those in their 60s and 70s, with derogatory content. Public anger was reignited, more so because not a single arrest was made in the case of Sulli Deals. Under tremendous pressure from the netizens and multiple complaints, the police managed to arrest six persons in connection with both apps. All of them have since been released on bail. These incidents, from app-based harassment to forced hijab removal, among others, allegedly reveal a serious pattern of discrimination and hostility faced by Muslim women in India. Forced hijab removals both in public and governmental settings underline deep-rooted discrimination. I wanted to cry. Even my relatives who wear abayas only had to expose their ears to get their passports, so I knew it was not at all necessary to remove my hijab. I was about to retort, but my father, who was already yelled at by another official, told me to just give in. I was red, but managed to stay calm for my father, who signalled that arguing wouldnt help since these officials always get their way, stated Zaina Shahid Khan, who faced a similar discrimination as Ifrah in the passport office. My father did what he thought was right; for him, it might just be a piece of cloth. But a man can never understand how it feels to remove that one piece of cloth from your head. It feels like they were robbing me of my identity, she shared. Atika Sayeed, TwoCircles.net Kolkata (West Bengal): In the rich tapestry of Indian politics, discussions often range from economic policies to social justice. However, one significant topic remains conspicuously absent: the role of atheism and agnosticism. Despite the presence of atheists and agnostics both in the general population and within political parties, no political entity has ever acknowledged this group. In a nation that prides itself on diversity and secularism, this silence is particularly notable. The reluctance of politicians to address atheism and agnosticism could stem from the deeply religious nature of Indian society. Religion influences both personal and professional affiliations, including political party membership. Major political organizations, whether secular or theocratic, tend to avoid isolating their religious followers. Consequently, political conversations often marginalize atheistic and agnostic worldviews, which reject the existence of deities. Government statistics and independent surveys cited by AP News, most of Indias 1.4 billion people identify with a religion. These categories often overlook those who are atheists, agnostics, or culturally religious without practice. Stephanie Kramer, a senior researcher at Pew Research Center, noted that many without religion might not appear in these surveys due to societal norms or biases. Out of thirty thousand people interviewed by Pew, only thirteen identified as unaffiliated with any religion, highlighting the societal tendency to marginalize non-believers. Including atheism and agnosticism in political debates could enrich discussions and promote a more rational approach to policy-making. Atheistic and agnostic perspectives, grounded in scientific temper, secular education, and rationalist thought, could lead to policies based on logic and facts rather than faith and tradition. Addressing these viewpoints during elections could show inclusivity and acknowledge the diverse beliefs of the Indian voter base. Talking about atheism and agnosticism can also empower non-religious individuals, providing them with a sense of belonging and recognition in the political sphere. This inclusion could foster a greater acceptance of freedom of thought, leading to better understanding and social cohesion. Support TwoCircles Insights from Indian Youth A student from the Department of Hindi of the Presidency University, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his views on atheisms long standing presence in Indian society. He noted that belief systems, whether theistic or atheistic, are constructs responding to each others existence. He argued that atheism is as much a construct as theism, relying on the latter for its relevance. He however added, Indeed, belief systems have been constructed over time. A particular school of thought suggests that humans have invented the concept of God, attributing their joys and sorrows to this creation. From my perspective, both theism and atheism are not inherent; they are responses to each others existence. Atheism, by definition, opposes theism, thus defining its own existence in opposition. This opposition negates various religious doctrines. I contend that atheism is as much a construct as theism. Atheism relies on theism for its relevance, and without theism, atheism loses its significance. Ultimately, it appears that nothing fundamentally changes. Discussing community faith, he observed that while atheism might face pushback, theism is also under scrutiny. He noted that there is little organized effort to include atheism in political agendas, despite the presence of individual atheist politicians. He emphasized the need for philosophical thought to be more integrated into Indian society before it can influence politics. When asked about agnosticism, he described it as an open, uncertain attitude that neither rejects nor fully accepts beliefs. This openness contrasts with the often rigid stances of theism and atheism. Political Dynamics and Religious Politics Zaheen Lakhnavi, a poet and a philosophy student, discussed how political parties focus on religious issues to garner votes, especially near elections. He criticized the governments use of religious politics, despite constitutional prohibitions against it. He noted that mainstream parties increasingly seek votes based on religion and caste. He pointed out that atheists often face civil and social conflicts, with families and society labeling them as kaafir (infidel or nonbeliever). He emphasized the need for political parties to recognize and include atheistic and agnostic perspectives to foster a more inclusive and rational political environment. Intersection of Atheism, Agnosticism and Politics The interplay between atheism, agnosticism and political dynamics, especially during elections, reveals several important insights. The increasing significance of secular voters necessitates political parties to address concerns about the separation of church and state, scientific principles in policy-making and human rights. Younger generations are more likely to identify as non-believers, necessitating different political approaches to attract their votes. Atheists and agnostics often support policies based on reason and empirical evidence, influencing campaign platforms and state decisions. While the number of secular voters is rising, atheism and agnosticism still face prejudice in some areas. This can affect elections, as religious voters may oppose atheist candidates. The evolving political landscape will require understanding and addressing the concerns of nonreligious voters to achieve political success in an increasingly diverse society. By Tom Westbrook SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Australia has asked for military talks with China and is comfortable growing closer to the Philippines, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit. China and the Philippines are locked in confrontation in the disputed South China Sea and their encounters have grown more tense as Beijing presses its claims to shoals in waters that Manila says are well within its exclusive economic zone. Australia has stepped up its presence in the region and a joint amphibious exercise with the Philippines at Palawan island in August was Australia's biggest outside its own borders last year. Australia has also said its recent encounters with China's military fell short of being safe and professional, and Marles said he discussed the issue with Chinese defence chief Dong Jun on the sidelines of the conference on Saturday. "The substantive request that we had out of the meeting with China was to grow the defence dialogue," Marles told Reuters. "We really want to get it ultimately back to where it was before it was stopped, and that would be at the level of our chiefs of defence force and our secretaries of defence meeting annually." Chinese defence officials met their Australian counterparts in Canberra last year in their first formal meeting since 2019. Since then, Australia has complained of a close encounter with a Chinese jet over the Yellow Sea and sonar being deployed while Australian divers were in waters close to Japan, which it said was dangerous. "They could have led to a very significant negative result. That would be a very bad thing if that ever happened, and we've got to avoid it. That's why it's really important," Marles said. China has said it took necessary steps to warn Australia over the jet incident and denied one of its navy destroyers operated sonar close to Australia's divers. Marles also held talks with Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. "We definitely think that this is a moment where our relationship with the Philippines is really being taken to a level it's never been before, and we very much welcome that," said Marles. "What we're now seeing is a strategic dimension to that relationship being put in place, and that's something that we greatly welcome, and we see this as growing even further." (Reporting by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) FILE PHOTO: A man in a wheelchair passes near Israeli flags and pictures of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Hamas, in Tel Aviv JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel's defence minister said on Sunday that Israel would not accept Hamas continuing to rule Gaza at any stage during the process to wind down the war, and that it was examining alternatives to the Islamist group. "While we conduct our important military actions, the defence establishment is simultaneously assessing a governing alternative to Hamas," Yoav Gallant said in a statement. "We will isolate areas (in Gaza), remove Hamas operatives from these areas and introduce forces that will enable an alternative government to form an alternative that threatens Hamas," Gallant said. He did not elaborate on the possible alternatives. Iran-backed Hamas, which is sworn to Israel's destruction, has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007, a year after it won parliamentary elections and following a brief civil war with security forces from the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. Israel's war cabinet, of which Gallant is a member, is expected to meet later in the day, Israeli media reported, after U.S. President Joe Biden presented a framework deal for winding down the Gaza war. Hamas has provisionally welcomed the initiative but has given no indication it might step aside or disarm voluntarily. Gallant, in a statement from the IDF southern command headquarters, said that Israel's military operation, together with creating the potential for governing alternatives will allow the removal of Hamas' authority and the return of hostages. "We will not accept the rule of Hamas in Gaza at any stage in any process aimed at ending the war," he said. (Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Ros Russell) A balloon believed to have been sent by North Korea, carrying various objects including what appeared to be trash and excrement, is seen over a rice field at Cheorwon By Hyunsu Yim SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea said on Sunday it would stop sending balloons carrying trash over the border to South Korea but vowed to resume the practice if anti-North Korean leaflets are flown over again from the South. South Korea has had enough experience of how unpleasant it is and how much effort it takes to collect trash after North Korea sent 15 tons of it using 3,500 balloons, the North's vice-minister of defence Kim Kang Il said in a statement carried by state media outlet KCNA. South Korea said it would take "unendurable" measures against North Korea for sending the trash balloons over the border, which could include blaring propaganda from loudspeakers directed at the North. The announcement from President Yoon Suk Yeol's office followed a meeting of his National Security Council on a response to what Seoul said were more than 700 balloons carrying trash that Pyongyang sent over the heavily fortified border to annoy its neighbour. The council condemned the balloons, and simultaneous GPS jamming, as an "irrational act of provocation". Seoul did not rule out resuming the loudspeaker blasts, which it stopped in 2018 after a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a senior official at Yoon's office told reporters. The democratic South and the communist North remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Seoul is a firm U.S. ally whose sophisticated military regularly holds drills with the U.S., while Pyongyang is developing missile and nuclear technology that Seoul and Washington say violates U.N. resolutions. North Korea has said its balloons were in retaliation for a propaganda campaign by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea, who regularly send inflatables containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, medicine, money and USB sticks loaded with K-pop music videos and dramas across the border. The North Korean balloons carrying garbage such as cigarette butts, cloth, paper waste and plastic were found across the capital Seoul from 8 p.m. on Saturday to 1 p.m. on Sunday (1100 GMT on Saturday to 0400 GMT on Sunday), South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. They said the military was monitoring the starting point and conducting aerial reconnaissance to track down and collect the balloons, which have large bags of trash suspended beneath them. South Korean officers with rifles were picking up and bagging what appeared to be trash from the balloons in cordoned-off areas, local media footage showed. North Korea on Wednesday sent hundreds of balloons carrying trash and what was labelled as manure across the border as what it called "gifts of sincerity". Seoul responded angrily, calling the move base and dangerous. North Korea has not commented on the weekend balloons. South Korean Defence Minister Shin Won-sik told U.S. Defense Secretary Austin Lloyd at a conference in Singapore on Sunday that the balloons violated the armistice agreement, according to South Korea's military. The two reaffirmed a coordinated response to any North Korean threats and provocations based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance's combined defence posture, it said. Emergency alerts were issued in North Gyeongsang and Gangwon provinces and some parts of Seoul on Sunday, urging people not to touch the balloons and to alert police. (Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Editing by William Mallard, Michael Perry and Giles Elgood) An American Airlines employee photographs elected and airport officials giving an update on the bid for a nonstop flight from San Antonio International Airport to Washington Reagan National Airport, the closest airport to Washington, D.C., on May 24, 2024. (Kaylee Greenlee Beal/Contributor) KAYLEE GREENLEE BEAL Three new nonstop routes are taking flight from San Antonio International Airport this month, bringing its total of nonstops to 45. The airport officially added its eighth international destination Saturday with the launch of service to Torreon, Mexico. The Viva Aerobus service is available on Tuesdays and Saturdays, making San Antonio one of just two U.S. cities to offer nonstop flights to Torreon, the airport said. Its the Mexican low-cost airlines fifth nonstop destination from the Alamo City. The one-and-a-half-hour flight departs San Antonio at 12:05 p.m. and lands in Mexico at 12:35 p.m. local time, according to data from Google Flights. Return flights depart at 1:35 p.m. and arrive in San Antonio at 4:10 p.m. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Beginning Tuesday, Southwest Airlines will begin offering a direct flight from San Antonio to Hollywood Burbank Airport in California. The route will run daily, departing at 12:10 p.m. and arriving in Burbank at 1:05 p.m. Pacific time. Return flights from the Los Angeles County airport depart at 1:50 p.m. Pacific time and arrive in San Antonio at 6:45 p.m. The flight is just under three hours. Texans looking to escape summer heat can also opt for milder weather in Pennsylvania with American Airlines' new service to Philadelphia. Its first flight to the nations birthplace is set to depart Wednesday. Daily flights will leave San Antonio at 1:07 p.m. and arrive in Philly at 5:50 p.m. Eastern time. Return flights will depart from the East Coast at 9:37 a.m. Eastern time and land in San Antonio at 12:27 p.m., with a flight time of three and a half hours. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These new destinations are important to both our business and leisure travelers, Jesus H. Saenz Jr., the citys director of airports, said in a statement. The new routes come as San Antonio International Airport celebrates 12 straight months of record passenger numbers. In April, the airport reported a 7% increase in passengers compared with last year, marking the busiest April in its history, with more than 911,000 passengers. More people are flying than ever before and were constantly working on adding even more destinations to meet that demand, San Antonio Chief Air Service Development Officer Jacob Tyler said in a statement. In May, Condor Airlines began nonstop service to Frankfurt, Germany, making history as San Antonios first nonstop flight to Europe. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (Reuters) - Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who fled Russia a decade ago for fear of persecution, may face a criminal case in Moscow for violating the Kremlin's "foreign agent" law, TASS news agency reported on Sunday. Russian law enforcement officials, the state news agency reported, said there is "every reason" to charge Kasparov, without providing further details. The fierce Kremlin critic could face up to two years in prison or a fine if a case is initiated, the unnamed officials said. Russia added Kasparov to the list of individuals acting as foreign agents, which includes dozens of critics of Vladimir Putin, soon after the Russian president launched his full-scale invasion on Ukraine in 2022. Kasparov's media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the law, a foreign agent is a person who receives support from foreign states or is under foreign influence and is engaged in political activities in Russia. The foreign agent law, broadly condemned by the European Union and Washington, requires anyone identified as having foreign support or influence to register with the justice ministry and declare themselves foreign agents. The law also subjects those registered to onerous bureaucracy and disclosures. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Tom Hogue) BELGRADE (Reuters) - Serbia's ruling party defeated the opposition on Sunday in a vote for Belgrade city council and partial local elections across the country, marked by scuffles between opposition supporters and those of the populist President Aleksandar Vucic. According to an unofficial vote count by the pollster CESID, the alliance led by Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) loyal to Vucic, won 52.9% of votes in the capital city. The Kreni-Promeni (Move-Change) centre-right movement led by lawyer Savo Manojlovic came second with 17.2%. The leftist green Biram Beograd (I Choose Beograd) was third with 12.5%. The rerun in Belgrade came after months of protests that followed Dec. 17 parliamentary and partial local elections which the opposition and international observers said were marred by irregularities, including media bias and vote-buying. Around 20% of Serbia's 6.7 million people live in Belgrade and the position of a mayor is seen as the fourth most important in the country, after president, prime minister and parliament speaker. Partial local elections were also held in 88 of Serbia's 145 municipalities. Earlier in the day, opposition supporters clashed with SNS activists in Belgrade and in the northern city of Novi Sad. Vucic declared victory and said his party would have a majority in the 110-seat Belgrade city hall. "This is ...an incredible victory," he said. Manojlovic said his alliance would not recognise the results. "These were most irregular elections ever," he told supporters. Serbia's opposition and rights watchdogs accuse Vucic and the SNS of stifling media freedoms, violence against opponents, corruption, and ties with organised crime. Vucic and his allies deny these allegations. Serbia is a candidate for membership in the European Union, but before it joins the bloc, it must make rule of law and media freedom reforms, root out corruption and tackle organised crime. It must also mend ties with Kosovo and align its foreign policies with those of the EU, including the introduction of sanctions against Russia, over its invasion of Ukraine. (Reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Ros Russell) John Steenhuisen the leader of the Democratic Alliance during an election rally in Benoni John Steenhuisen the leader of the Democratic Alliance during an election rally in Benoni By Joe Bavier and Wendell Roelf CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Looking out of his window at Cape Town's False Bay, Nick Searra acknowledges that things do work better in South Africa's second biggest city, a stronghold of the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA). But that doesn't mean he is ready to see the party or its 48-year-old leader John Steenhuisen running the rest of the country. "Imagine an old white man as the president of South Africa," said Searra, a 44-year-old white Johannesburg native who moved to Cape Town in 2022. In a seismic shift, voters this week dismantled the majority which the African National Congress (ANC) has held since the end of white minority rule in 1994, leaving the party of the late Nelson Mandela little choice but to seek a coalition with a major rival. Despite their own lacklustre performance, an improvement of just one percentage point from the last vote in 2019, the DA and Steenhuisen suddenly find themselves in an unprecedented position. The ANC remains the largest party despite the damage done by an upstart rival led by former President Jacob Zuma, and is therefore expected to retain the presidency. But as the second biggest political force with 21.8% of votes, the DA is one of three parties with the clout to help it form a new majority and potentially shape the future of the nation. "We've said for the last 30 years that the way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC majority. We've done that," Steenhuisen said as the outcome of Wednesday's vote became clear. Yet in a country with a painful history of codified racism - apartheid - where white South Africans make up just 7% of the population, the DA is struggling to shake off an image as a party of rich whites and prove it reflects the make-up and aspirations of all. For political analyst Melanie Verwoerd, the problem is as much ideological as racial. Steenhuisen, a champion of economic liberalism, has vowed to end a racial quota system for employers established by the ANC to redress decades of apartheid discrimination and wants to loosen labour laws. And, in a country of 62 million people where 24 million survive on welfare, he is pushing for a smaller role for government. "I don't believe that they set out to be a party of white privilege," said Verwoerd. "But they end up being that." That's a common accusation the DA has repeatedly rejected. 'BETTER THAN OTHER PROVINCES' In contrast to South Africa's broader economic stagnation, crisis-level unemployment and crumbling infrastructure, Western Cape - the province the DA has controlled since 2009 - has done measurably better. It boasts the country's lowest jobless rate. Its main city Cape Town is a major tourist destination. Even the country's notorious power cuts are less severe. According to one opinion survey, Western Cape and Cape Town are viewed as by far South Africa's best governed province and major city. "It's better than the other provinces," said Lauran Musgrave, 31, a Cape Town resident and DA supporter. "They are the guys that should be ruling the whole country." But in a city that remains heavily segregated - a lingering legacy of apartheid's legal separation of the races - not everyone agrees. Black tour guide Theo Makhaphela, 39, frequents both the immaculately maintained seafront and poor crime-ravaged townships where the army has in the past been deployed to quell deadly gang violence. "They talk a good game. But on the ground, if you're from here, you know what's on," he said. Solly Malatsi, a Black DA leader, says the party is making progress with Black voters. "Our support among Black voters is on an upward trajectory," he said, claiming the party had improved its scores in predominately Black areas in Wednesday's election. In Western Cape, DA officials say the Cape Town and provincial governments spend more on services for poorer areas than wealthy ones. Zwelivelile 'Mandla' Mandela - the grandson of Nelson Mandela and a traditional tribal leader - doesn't buy it. "As much as they can claim successes, those successes continue to be only for the few," he told Reuters. "The poorest of the poor are still living without any access to clean drinkable water, without any proper sewer systems." A POLITICAL HOME FOR ALL? When Phumzile Van Damme joined the DA, she thought she'd found a political home. Elected to parliament in 2014 and made the party's national spokesperson, she was among a crop of young Black lawmakers - including a new national leader, Mmusi Maimane - focused on making the DA more inclusive. "It was an exciting time," Van Damme told Reuters. "The messaging was really about building a home for all South Africans." For a while at least, it looked as if things were heading in the right direction, she said. That changed after a disappointing 2019 election in which the DA lost a portion of white Afrikaans-speaking voters. "There was a fear of all these Black people coming in ... Look at how much they're changing the party," Van Damme said. Maimane, the DA's first Black leader, resigned, accusing some within the party of undermining his efforts to court Black voters. He was replaced by Steenhuisen. The Black DA mayor of Johannesburg also stepped down and was followed by other DA lawmakers in the following years, including Van Damme. She said she does not consider the DA to be racist. It simply reflects the country's broader struggles with race and, to her as a Black lawmaker, it no longer felt like a welcome home. "While individuals are entitled to versions about their own experiences, I think nothing could be further from the truth," Malatsi told Reuters, responding to Van Damme's assertion that the DA had become unwelcoming. Helen Zille, another senior leader, pointed to the DA's 452 Black public representatives as proof of its commitment to inclusion. Seven of the 13-member national leadership, however, are white, including Zille who was once suspended from the party for writing on Twitter that the legacy of colonialism was not entirely negative. Zille, once a prominent anti-apartheid journalist, later apologised for the comments. "The only party that's demanded to have diverse leadership is the DA, and we're the only one that does," she told Reuters when asked about the leadership composition. "And we're the only one that keeps on getting criticised." (Reporting and writing by by Joe Bavier in Johannesburg; additional reporting by Tannur Anders; editing by Jason Neely) By Xinghui Kok and Fanny Potkin SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's unscheduled appearance at Asia's biggest security conference dominated proceedings on Sunday after China's defence chief slammed "separatists" in Taiwan, drawing a sharp response from the government in Taipei. Dressed in his trademark olive green T-shirt, Zelenskiy addressed the last day of the Shangri-La Dialogue forum in Singapore, asking for support and participation at a summit in Switzerland later this month aimed at bringing peace to his war-ravaged nation. "We are convinced that our world wants to be united and be capable of acting in complete harmony," he said to a ballroom packed full of delegates in formal business wear and military uniforms. Reuters was first to report that Zelenskiy would make an unscripted appearance at the conference, his second visit to Asia since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Zelenskiy told a news conference that he was not able to meet the Chinese delegation at the conference and was disappointed that Beijing would not attend the summit. "China, unfortunately... is working for countries not to come to the peace summit," he said. Earlier, China's defence chief, Dong Jun, warned that prospects of a peaceful "reunification" of Taiwan were being eroded, and promised to ensure the island would never gain independence. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, over the strong objections of the government in Taipei, and last month staged war games around the island in anger at the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who Beijing calls a "separatist". "Those separatists recently made fanatical statements that show their betrayal of the Chinese nation and their ancestors. They will be nailed to the pillar of shame in history," Dong said. He added that although China was committed to peaceful reunification with Taiwan, the People's Liberation Army "will remain a strong force for upholding national reunification". Taiwan's China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said in response that it deeply regretted the "provocative and irrational" comments, and reiterated that the People's Republic of China has never ruled the island. China has repeatedly threatened force against Taiwan at international venues, and its threats violate the United Nations charter, the council said in a statement. A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Dong's speech covered little new ground. Every year for three years, a new Chinese defence minister has come to Shangri-La," the official said. "And every year, theyve given a speech at complete odds with the reality of the PLAs coercive activity across the region. This year was no different. Dong's speech came a day after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told delegates the Indo-Pacific region remained a key focus for the United States, even as it grappled with security assistance for Ukraine and the war in Gaza. "Let me be clear: The United States can be secure only if Asia is secure," Austin said. "That's why the United States has long maintained our presence in this region." Dong and Austin met for more than an hour on Friday on the sidelines of the conference, their first face-to-face meeting. (This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Volodymyr in paragraph 1) (Reporting by Xinghui Kok, Fanny Potkin, Tom Westbrook and Idrees Ali in Singapore, Liz Lee in Beijing and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan; Editing by Gerry Doyle) Welcome Guest! You are here: Home 2024 Assembly Poll Results: BJP sweeps Arunachal, SKM bags Sikkim The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has registered a landslide victory in the Arunachal Pradesh 2024 Assembly elections winning 46 of the total 60 seats whereas SKM won 31 seats in Sikkim Sunday June 2, 2024 3:06 PM , ummid.com News Network New Delhi: The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has registered a landslide victory in the Arunachal Pradesh 2024 Assembly elections winning 46 of the total 60 seats. In Sikkim on the other hand, Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) won the 31 of the total 32 seats. Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Election Result 2024 The BJP had won 10 seats of the Arunachal Pradesh unopposed. Polling for the remaining 50 of the total 60 seats was held on April 19, 2024. Counting of votes began today morning and election results were announced by afternoon Sunday. According to the election result announced Sunday, the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has won 46 of the total 60 seats in Arunachal Pradesh. The National People's Party (NPP) won 05 seats whereas the Congress bagged just 01 seat. This is the 3rd consecutive victory for the BJP in the border state. In the 2019 Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Elections, the BJP had won the majority with 41 seats, while the Congress had bagged just 04 seats. Sikkim Assembly Election Result 2024 Polling for the 32 member Sikkim Assembly was also held on April 19, 2024. After the counting of votes Sunday, the ECI said SKM has won 31 seats whereas 01 seat went to Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF). In the 2019 Sikkim Assembly elections, SKM had won 17 seats whereas SDF had bagged 15 seats. Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim were held along with the 2024 Parliament elections. Besides, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha also went to polls to elect new assembly. Counting of votes in the two states will be held on June 04, 2024. The Parliament elections were held in 7 phases with polling for the final and 7th phase held on June 01, 2024. Counting of votes for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections were held on Tuesday June 04, 2024. The result will also be announced on the same day. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. As Israel slaughters children: Irish MP in emotional speech on recognition of Palestine In an emotional tone, Thomas Gould while speaking at Irish Parliament Dail talked about the massacre whilst shaming Israelis and their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday June 2, 2024 11:07 AM , Dr Marwan Asmar Irish MP Thomas Gould speaks at the Dail, the countrys Parliament on Irelands recognition of the Palestinian state on 28 May, 2024. His speech was just days before the horrific tent massacre in Rafah in which 45 Palestinians were killed and 249 injured by Israeli planes and labelled as a heinous war crime. In an emotional tone, Thomas Gould talked about the massacre whilst shaming Israelis and their Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The speech is slightly edited for brevity. The photographs, the pictures and the videos that come from [Rafah whilst] you hear the screams of people, screaming as the Israeli government burned men, women and children alive. and the world stands by while 15,000 children are being slaughtered, 35,000 men and women and children, he said in front of the Irish parliament. its unbelievable, the genocide that is happening, a child with no hate. A child with no hate. And the Israeli government say its a mistake. A mistake, in reference to the tent massacre in Rafah, he added. I hope Benjamin Netanyahu burns in hell for these children and their families. I hope, him and his generals and the Pharoah government in Israel that when, Dear God finally brings him to the resting place, that he put to deserve to burn in hell, he pointed out in a voice that was cracking and emotional. Because what is happening now, not alone is it apartheid, not alone is it atrocity and war crime. Its just horrific. Its just horrific what they [the Israelis] are doing. Where is their soul. Where is the soul of the Israeli people that allows their government to do this to children. Where is their humanity? Watch The Full Speech Israel burned men, women and children alive. And the world stands by. Its unbelievable the genocide that is happening. A child with no head! And Israel says its a mistake. I hope that Netanyahu burns in hell! Irish politician Thomas Gould pic.twitter.com/U9IQ7CgPav sarah (@sahouraxo) June 1, 2024 The Israeli people, the Jewish people, after everything the Jewish people have suffered down over the decades [and] to do this to other human beings, human beings. But in the eyes of Netanyahu and this far right Israeli government, Palestinians are [not] human beings. But today here, the Irish people say, we recognize Palestine, we recognize they are human beings just like every one of us. Shame on Israel, Shame on what youve done and it will never be forgotten. [The writer, Dr Marwan Asmar, is based in Amman, Jordan, and covers Middle East Affairs.] Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home BTS K-Pop stars donate $6 million to Palestine In a touching gesture, BTS popular South Korean boy band, has donated $6 million to Palestine through United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Sunday June 2, 2024 6:02 PM , ummid.com News Network In a touching gesture, BTS popular South Korean boy band, has donated $6 million to Palestine through United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). BTS K-pop stars raised the fund for the relief of Palestinians, who are facing brutalities at the hands of the Israeli Occupation Forces (IoF), through their LOVE MYSELF campaign. The Love Myself campaign featured an exclusive music video and anti-bullying booths at different concert venues. Proceeds from merchandise and albums also contributed to the initiative. This, combined with contributions from their fans, has supported the violence eradication program #ENDviolence. Through these campaigns, BTS popstars aimed to convey a heartfelt message about the importance of self-love and the elimination of violence. In recognition of their ongoing partnership with UNICEF, BTS and Big Hit Music have also been chosen to endorse UNICEFs #OnMyMind Initiative for the mental health of children and adolescents worldwide as the second phase of the Love Myself campaign. Watch 'Love Myself' campaign video The BTS donations for Palestine through UNICEF comes at a time when UN and other international forums including WHO are under intense pressure from donors by the anti-peace Zionist lobbyists. The Israeli Occupation Forces have killed more than 15,000 children in Gaza since October 07, 2023. The far right regime in Israel is continuing its brutal military campaign in Gaza despite the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering, and the UN General Assembly passing a resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in the besieged enclave. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. Nigerian delegation to Hajj 2024 urged to portray the country in good light Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the Nigerian delegation to Hajj 2024 to portray the country in good light through their conducts and utterances Sunday June 2, 2024 8:30 PM , ummid.com News Network Abuja: As the airlift of pilgrims for this years Hajj pilgrimage enters into its final stage, a faith-based Civil Society Organization (CSO), Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR), has called on the Nigerian delegation to Hajj 2024 to portray the country in good light through their conducts and utterances. Hajj ritual this year will begin on Friday 08 Dhul Hijjah, corresponding to June 14, 2024, and culminate on Wednesday 14 Dhul Hijjah, corresponding to June 19, 2024. IHR said both pilgrims and officials travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj should know that whatever they do will reflect on how the international community perceives Nigeria and its citizens. Every pilgrim or official is an ambassador of the country and our dear religion of Islam. They must therefore, exhibit a high degree of decorum and patriotism while observing the Hajj rites and staying in the Holy Land, IHR said in a statement on Sunday, signed by its national coordinator Ibrahim Mohammed. The CSO particularly calls on officials to know that their duty transcends everyday civic responsibility because they are serving the guests of Ar Rahman, adding, Anything they do with the fear of God will be highly rewarded by the almighty. While we acknowledge that officials deserve commensurate pay in line with Public Service Rules, public servants working during Hajj operations should focus more on getting high rewards which cannot be quantified. To the pilgrims, we urge you to know that you have left your homes to travel for Hajj as enjoined by Allah SWT. Therefore, your focus should be solely devoted to your mission of achieving Hajj Mabroor, the reward of which is Aljalnah Firdausi. Know that the Hajj journey is not about enjoyment, in as much as you pay for services and expect to be served, therefore, where services are not according to your expectations, consider such as part of the trials of undertaking the Hajj. Do not allow challenges to make you miss your mission, IHR said. The CSO also urge all service providers to ensure that they meet their contractual obligations without cutting corners. Nigerian pilgrims paid for all services inclusive of service charges to ensure that they are comfortable while fulfilling their religious obligations in the holy land. Every dime earned in a Haram way in the name of Hajj is capable of taking one to Jahannam. Everyone involved should never lose sight of this. Nothing in this world is worth going to hell fire for, IHR added. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. San Antonio parks are among the best in the nation, according to a national report. Abigail Im, Monte Bach San Antonio has shown marked improvement in giving its residents more access to parks, according to a national report. The report, by the Trust for Public Land, said San Antonio improved its ParkScore ranking from 57 to 53 within the last year. Dallas ranks 38 and Houston ranks 68. San Antonios access to parks has steadily increased over the last five years, according to the report. In 2019, 42% of San Antonio residents lived with a 10-minute walk of a park. Now, 52% of residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ALSO READ: Texas lawmakers ready to crack down on cannabinoid retailers According to the report, San Antonio saw the following improvements: 23% increase in park accessibility. Residents in low-income neighborhoods have 31% more park space per person than those in high-income neighborhoods. Residents in neighborhoods of color have the same park space as those in white neighborhoods. Successfully closed the equity gap in park space over the last five years. Above-average amenities like adult and senior centers, community centers and permanent restrooms. Among the highest in park acreage. Homer Garcia III, Parks and Recreation director, said he was excited to see the citys ParkScore improve to its highest level ever. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Noah Rodriguez, 8, right, and Samuel Rodriguez, 10, left, explore Espada Park with their family, now that school is out, on Friday, May 31, 2024 in San Antonio. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News OTTAWA The Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce recently held a conference in Montreal City to introduce medical researches and the medical technology companies planning to access the Vietnamese market. Lawyer Nguyen Trung Hieu, Managing Director of Med Novum, said there are opportunities and demand for digital health in Canada and Vietnam. He noted that the North American country possesses science and technology but faces difficulties in terms of production cost. Its businesses need a destination for their new medical technologies and equipment, and Viet Nam is a good choice, especially when the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to which both countries are parties, already came into force. Besides, Viet Nam is amending the regulations on the health sector to facilitate the development of highly interactive digital health, Hieu said, adding its digital health market has attracted many domestic and foreign companies since the Vietnamese Government made commitments on promoting digital health. Nam Hoang, CEO of the Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has a number of big partners, and its now good time for connecting the two countries, particularly after the opening of an Export Development Canada office in Viet Nam. Digital health is one of the sectors growing strongly in both countries. The conference, which was attended by many influential representatives of Canada in the fields of healthcare, education and technology, aimed to seek ways for them to access Viet Nams digital health market in the time ahead, he said. The Canada-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce, gathering many large Canadian businesses planning to expand operations to Viet Nam, has made substantial contributions to bilateral trade, which surpassed US$10.3 billion in 2023. VNS NINH THUAN The People's Committee of the south central province of Ninh Thuan on Saturday coordinated with the Indian Consulate General in HCM City to organise a meeting to connect tourism businesses in Ninh Thuan and Indias Kerala state. Seventy delegates representing authorities, tourism businesses and media of the two sides attended the meeting, during which they exchanged information about the potential, and tourism products of Kerala state and Ninh Thuan Province. Founder of Indias WebCRSTravel Company, Neelkanth Pararath, who is head of the Indian tourism business delegation, said that Ninh Thuan is a beautiful land with a lot of tourism potential, adding that there are more opportunities for cooperation between the two sides as direct flights from India to Vietnamese localities have been launched. He raised tourism products and business activities as two aspects Indian tourists are interested in Viet Nam and Ninh Thuan in particular. He said tourism businesses need to provide good accommodation facilities and diverse experiential activities, especially dishes suitable to Indian traditions, while information about destinations should be in English and Indian. Vice Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee Nguyen Long Bien said that to promote cooperation between Ninh Thuan and Kerala state in the coming time, the Indian Consulate General, tourism businesses and Ninh Thuan agencies need further connections and create favourable conditions for Indian investors to learn about and invest in the province. The province will continue improve its investment climate, mobilse resources to develop tourism infrastructure, boost tourism promotional activities, preserve cultural values and raise the quality of human resources training. At the meeting, India's WebCRSTravel and Ninh Thuan provincial Tourism Association and Hoan My Resort signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on their cooperation, paving the way for tourism development opportunities for tourism businesses and the two localities. In the 2014-23 period, eight non-governmental projects worth US$1.87 million sponsored by the Indian Embassy in Viet Nam were implemented in Ninh Thuan. Besides, the province carried out activities to promote its tourism in the Indian market together with cultural exchange activities. VNS HCM CITY Ba Ria-Vung Tau and ong Nai provinces have become magnets for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the southeastern region. According to the Vietnam Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province topped the country in FDI attraction with newly registered FDI of more than US$1.52 billion in the first four months of this year, accounting for 16.4 per cent of the country's total FDI capital, more than 12 times higher than the same period last year. The provincial Party Committee Secretary Pham Viet Thanh highlighted local advantages, saying that the province has a particularly important strategic position, and is a gateway to the East Sea of the southeast region and the whole country, along with favourable natural conditions, hospitable people, and a quality workforce. Under its development master plan by 2030, Ba Ria-Vung Tau will have 24 industrial parks with an area of 16,052 ha. In addition to 13 operating industrial parks, the Long Son Oil and Gas Industrial Park has been granted an investment registration certificate while two industrial parks are undergoing investment procedures, and seven others have been added to the planning. Matsumoto Nobuyuki, chief representative of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) in HCM City, said that Ba Ria-Vung Tau is one of the localities that JETRO has advised businesses to invest in. According to him, the province habours advantages such as Cai Mep Thi Vai port, Long Thanh international airport which is under construction, oil and gas resources and LNG warehouses, plus a stable electricity supply source. It is next to ong Nai and Binh Duong two localities with factories ensuring sufficient supply for production. Meanwhile, ong Nai province has been considered a "magnet" to attract investors, especially global leading companies and corporations for many years, as a series of transportation infrastructure projects have been invested and will be put into operation in the next few years such as Long Thanh international airport, Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway, and HCM City Ring Road 3. According to Director of the provincial Department of Planning and Investment Nguyen Huu Nguyen, ong Nai is focusing on developing high-tech industry, trade, and logistics. It offers incentives and support policies for investors in the fields of supporting industries, high technology, and others. Besides, ong Nai is paying attention to environmental issues and high-quality workforce. Chairman of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial People's Committee Nguyen Van Tho said apart from promoting its advantages, the province pays attention to addressing bottlenecks in the mechanism, reviewing and simplifying administrative procedures so as to create favourable conditions for businesses. Ba Ria-Vung Tau strives to develop an economic axis linked to Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport, the inter-port transportation system and National Highway 51. Moreover, the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau expressway and HCM City Ring Road 4 will form a dynamic economic axis of industry-logistics. The province also strives to develop large-scale industrial-service-urban complexes in the new city of Phu My. In addition to two industrial parks in Vung Tau City and at o district, the province's entire area for industrial park development will be located in Phu My and Chau uc districts. Industrial parks in this driving force axis attract selective investment in industries with high and advanced technology such as electricity - electronics, robot production, integrated automatic operation and remote control equipment, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, production of means of transport, pharmaceuticals, and biological products. Secretary of the ong Nai provincial Party Committee Nguyen Hong Linh said that entering a new stage of development, the province requires FDI enterprises to use modern technology and apply digital transformation. The province targets to be one of the country's important growth poles by 2050, leading the nation in developing high-value industries, with focus on green economy and circular economy to reach the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Up to 65 countries and territories have registered to invest in Binh Duong. To seize new opportunities, especially after Viet Nam upgraded its partnership with a series of large economies such as the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, and Australia, Binh Duong province has been proactive to come those countries to call for investment. VNS Just roll with it Your browser does not support the audio element. The sight of a foreigner cooking and selling banh xeo and nem lui on the street of Ha Noi sure is a little unusual to say the least. But his skills and dedication are no joke. Falling in love with the culture, Moritz from Switzerland returned to Viet Nam to immerse himself deeply in Vietnamese lifestyle. And what better way than volunteering at a restaurant. The HCM City disbursed only VN6.55 trillion (US$267.1 million) of public investment in the five months of this year, or only 8.3 per cent of the year's target, according to the City's State Treasury. NINH THUAN - The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the south-central province of Ninh Thuan in collaboration with the Consulate General of India in HCM City organised a programme to mark the 10th International Day of Yoga on June 2. Director of the department Nguyen Van Hoa said the event is a practical activity in celebration of the 10th International Day of Yoga themed "Yoga - Empowering Women", offering a good chance for members of yoga clubs and groups in and outside the locality to exchange and share experience, contributing to promoting the development of this sport. The event also contributed to promoting cultural exchange and strengthening the solidarity and friendship between the people of Vietnam and India, and helped Ninh Thuan introduce the image of natural beauty, culture and people to domestic and international tourists, thus attracting more visitors to the locality, Hoa said. The yoga training movement has developed rapidly in Ninh Thuan in recent times with over 50 clubs being established, attracting thousands of practitioners. On December 11, 2014, the United Nations General Assembly, by consensus, declared June 21 to be celebrated as International Day of Yoga every year, showcasing the immense popularity of Yoga worldwide and the universal acknowledgement of its benefits. Since then, the Embassy of India has been organising International Yoga Day celebrations in Vietnam in close cooperation with local authorities and various socio-cultural organisations. - VNS By Le Huong The art of tuong (classical drama) has been revered throughout the country for centuries, with many of its most famous actors and actresses hailing from the beautiful central province of Binh inh. Many of the characters of this ancient theatre are expected to wear vivid and highly stylised make-up, meticulously painted on to form part of the act. War veteran Tran Ngoc Van, 60 something, from Quy Nhon City, Binh inh, has spent many years creating masks of the various stage characters as souvenirs. He bases his mask on the detailed face pain of this theatre tradition. Though he has not been trained as a painter or an artist, he has grown his passion for the performances, since childhood, when he often accompanied his father to tuong performances. Working as a tourist guide, a cameraman, and a photographer, he has had many chances to watch the revered shows. "Many times I brought tourists to an exhibition of tuong masks and live performances at the provincial museum, which they loved, he said. Many of them wanted to learn more about the art. This gave me the idea to make tuong art souvenirs for foreign tourists. Three generations of Van's family have been working as artists in traditional theatre. His grandma performed, while his parents fell in love on the stage, and his mother even performed when pregnant. Officials from the provincial Culture and Information Department have implemented many intangible projects, including developing local traditional opera, he said. I have a new vision for my homeland and its special arts that have not been realised to the full. Van is among those who have compiled dossiers seeking "Master Performer" titles for various local tuong artists. I have seen the artists sacrifice too much for the art, he said. Some have spent 50 years performing before being eligible to be recognised as Meritorious Artists or Peoples Artists. They are the source for me to do something to preserve Binh inhs traditional culture, and to harness the art as a tourist product. Van has travelled to HCM City and various ceramic handicraft villages to research and choose the best material for his masks. He ended up choosing composite plastic, due to its long durability and stable background for holding colours. He has also consulted many tuong artists in efforts to perfect masks. For Van the most challenging stage is making the moulds for the masks, which are painted with vivid features to highlight the nature of the many characters. His masks bring the stories alive, with each colour having a specific meaning. The tuong artists in Viet Nam use three colours for face makeup, he said. Red, white and black express the various characteristics. Red symbolises loyalty of the characters to the country and the people that are ready to sacrifice for the nation. White is for mandarins with dishonest characteristics. Black is used for fierce characters. Our Vietnamese theatre has special designs for costumes and make-up. Young artist inh Thi Thu Duyen is also fascinated by the mask-making process. She is a keen student of Van and is eager to learn more about this art form. The most challenging thing when drawing such a mask is expressing the character's soul, Duyen said. A bad character should have a fierce face, and a good character should look gentle at a glance. It is important to know how to mix colours and combine lines and patterns so that an audience, who doesnt understand colours and the wider art, still understands the soul of the characters. Thats what Im still learning from Van." Visitors to the province also often try their hand at decorating their masks. Van and his students hope this ancient craft will never fade away, so he hosts training classes for making tuong masks with local children and foreign tourists. Luther Fernandez from the Netherlands is excited by the small masks that he draws under Vans guidance. Its interesting to me, Fernandez said. I did not know that each colour could express a different character. I think the art of tuong is unique and artists spend lots of time to make up their faces, which helps show the roles they play. Van hopes to take his work one step further, and has a plan to find more materials for his products like using spathes of areca palms and coconut trees, which are more environmentally friendly. VNS by Viet Dung Banh xeo is a crispy, stuffed rice crepe that many Vietnamese are all too familiar with, so I was a bit surprised when someone suggested I try out a Nang Citys banh xeo, which is considered a regional specialty. I was in a Nang for a trip when I asked a local about what dish should I a visitor from HCM City sample there. I was expecting some weird dishes that I had never tried before, like some interesting noodle dishes or something similar, but to my surprise, they told me to try out the banh xeo here. Looking up banh xeo shops, there were plenty to choose from, so I just picked a popular one called Banh Xeo Ba Duong, or Mrs Duong's Banh Xeo Shop in Hai Chau District. The shop, which has been around for several decades, is tucked in a small alley in Hoang Dieu Street, and my wife and I counted ourselves lucky for having travelled here on a motorbike instead of a taxi, otherwise it would have been an extra 100m walk. I was admittedly a bit worried when I first encountered the shops tiny green gate, but entering inside I was pleasantly surprised by how big and clean the inner area was. However, while the space itself is quite big, it is packed with many tables crowded with local and foreign diners alike. Everyone can still be seated very comfortably, but dont expect space for children to run around. We glanced at the menu plastered on the walls and quickly ordered a portion of banh xeo, some grilled Vietnamese fermented pork sausage (nem nuong) and two bottles of corn milk. The banh xeo was brought out quite quickly, and both my wife and I were surprised by how small it was. Our plate consisted of four pieces of golden and crispy rice crepe, each cut in half to fit in a palm, very different from the cakes I usually eat in HCM City, which are as big as a normal pan. Along with the banh xeo was some lettuce leaves, aromatic herbs, cucumbers, and pickled vegetables, and a plate of dew-soaked rice paper, a form of rice paper well-liked by foodies for its milky white colour, gummy texture and slightly salty taste, different than the usual rice paper that I tend to have. We were told by the waiter to wrap a piece of banh xeo with the rice paper, adding vegetable to our liking, and dip it in the shops special brown-looking sauce. The smaller size of the cake made it really easy to roll. While preparing my roll, I pondered why a Nang banh xeo and this shop, by extension is so beloved by many, why this place is frequently among the top eateries to visit in this city according to many online listicles. Personally, banh xeo is a pretty nice dish, but I have had it plenty of times before, and I have never considered it my favourite. It cant be that good this time, right? I immediately realised how wrong I was from the first bite. This banh xeo was much crispier than all of the banh xeo I have ever eaten, while the chunky meat and shrimp fillings made it simply delightful to chew through. What elevated the dish was the thick dipping sauce, with its rich and creamy taste of pork, peanut and other seasoning, adding a whole new irresistible flavour to our banh xeo. The sour tang of pickled papaya was also a welcomed addition for my wife to offset the dishs rich taste, but as a lover of crunchy fried food myself, I had a great time just eating the banh xeo by itself with the sauce, no vegetable needed. The nem nuong wrapped with rice paper and vegetable was a nice meal, but it was simply outclassed by the main star of our lunch the banh xeo. Despite the shops crowdedness, our orders were taken and served pretty quickly, although I imagine this place must be even more crowded during peak holiday periods. A plate of banh xeo was VN80,000 (more than US$3), and together with other items like the nem nuong and corn milk added up to around VN140,000 a very affordable and tasty lunch for us. a Nang has plenty of delicious and interesting specialty dishes, and if you want a quick and satisfying meal, you cannot go wrong with Banh Xeo Ba Duong. We certainly would visit this place again when given the chance. VNS by Nguyen My Ha The iconic image of a Vietnamese lady wearing an ao dai (traditional long dress) with long pants and a conical hat is known worldwide. Some Vietnamese women today think it's a cliche and want to change that image, which they believe does not truly represent modern womanhood. The debate that has divided both parents and students is over when it is a must for female teachers in primary, secondary and high schools to wear the traditional costume on important occasions throughout the year, such as the first and last day of the academic year, the first day after the Tet (Lunar New Year holiday) break, and all-school flag salute rituals on Monday morning, among others. Students in primary and secondary schools do not have to wear the ao dai on any occasion, though some parents clad them in it on the first day back to school after Tet break. High-school girls, however, have to follow their school dress code to wear all white ao dai for school on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The majority of public schools in the cities require female students to wear the traditional outfit, though some public high schools do not have this rule. Some public high schools in Ha Noi now have three sets of uniform: a week-day uniform, ao dai for special occasions, and sportswear. While the rest of the uniform receives approval from most people, the ao dai is a topic of some contention. The first issue is that the design of ao dai is too tight, and not comfortable enough to wear in class. Secondly, when students travel on motorbikes, the back flap can get caught in the wheel, causing accidents. The pro ao dai group, yours truly included, say that if it's a school rule, then you must follow it. When you wear it, you can still function normally, most of the time, except if you want to look rebellious in your peers' eyes and perform high kicks or something. As a student, you only wear it from home to school, then back, so it's manageable. Adolescence is a delicate time of life. If a child feels she has been forced against her will, she can easily explode. If a talk can be held equally with teachers listening to their desires and opinions, they may be reluctant to follow rules, but at least their voices have been heard. Sometimes, a rebellious child only needs to be listened to. But not all students want to abolish ao dai, and some girls love the attire and feel comfortable wearing it on bicycles and motorbikes. A white ao dai has often been associated with innocence, tenderness and carefree youth. But as the saying goes, the outfit doesn't make the monk. Not everyone wearing a white ao dai is innocent or carefree, but white is both fashionable and pleasing to the eye on a hot summer's day. While many students and families opt to use polyester as the material for the school ao dai (it's convenient, and easy to dry after rain) a silk white ao dai can be a treasure a mother or grandmother can gift to their daughter or grandchild. If more schoolgirls use silk as fabric, then traditional silk-making villages may not be in danger of losing their age-old craft. In Viet Nam the traditional outfit has not been associated with religious belief, or part of any spiritual teaching. Many locals maintain tradition against an invasion of Western ideas, comfort and hygiene standards. What we try to maintain as tradition today, may not be the same values that our grandparents wanted decades ago. Then they wanted to keep the men's hair in a bun, wear long sleeves, and have long nails on literary men who didn't help their wives and children with the housework. Today we want to keep the women's habit of wearing long dresses, and not everyone knows that today's ao dai came out of the creation of fashion designer Cat Tuong, alias Le Mur, who made it to rebel against the stiff clothing codes of the 1930s. He wanted to liberate women's bodies by showing the curves under just one layer of thin fabric instead of several layers as was traditional. As parents, we want our children to learn and maintain traditional values during their years in high school. When they come of age and get full voting rights at 18 years old, they can be as rebellious as they want. For high-school students who do not want to wear white dresses, there are still schools that do not make it a dress code. If they pass the exam to go to these schools, they can be free to wear only regular uniforms as they wish. VNS At a panel discussion titled From brown to green Innovating in transition held by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) last week, Jonathan Back, CFO at ACEN Corporation, a Philippines-based energy firm under Ayala Group, said that Southeast Asian countries had fast growth rates and were increasingly embracing the green economy, but the pace of change in Vietnam made it a stand-out example. Sustainability standards must be adhered to for companies to maintain supply chain status With its policy of reducing dependence on coal-fired power plants and promoting renewable energy, the Vietnamese government has many preferential policies for renewable energy project developers, including feed-in tariff prices, which have been appreciated since the very beginnings of the energy transition, Back said. The transition from brown to green is a process of reducing dependence on fossil fuels and creating green energy sources for replacement, especially amid a surge in power demand, with Vietnam said to be making great strides. Electricity consumption has been increasing remarkably every year, and the countries that have presence in Vietnam, such as Indonesia, India, and Australia, have many favourable opportunities in the renewable energy sector, Back said. Over its six years of operating in Vietnam, Ayala has built seven renewable energy plants in Vietnam, thanks to the numerous policies for renewable energy development put forward by the Vietnamese government. A year ago, it completed the purchase of nine solar farms from Super Energy to become the largest renewable energy developer in the country. Discussing the green energy transition in Vietnam, Nguyen Hoa Cuong, deputy director of the Central Institute for Economic Management under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said, The northeastern province of Quang Ninh is an outstanding case. It has specific advantages in coal production and developing coal power plants. However despite this, local authorities are making great efforts to switch to green energy and pursue a circular economy. Over the last five years, Quang Ninh has stood at the top of the provincial rankings in terms of its business environment, competitiveness, and digital economic development. Businesses are also on board with transforming to a more green and digital environment to be competitive in the global economy and deeply partake in supply chains, as it is increasingly a mandatory requirement. Claudia Anselmi, general manager of Hung Yen Knitting & Dyeing Co., Ltd, and vice president of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices were a key part of her business. To have a certain position in the supply chain, sustainability standards must be followed, which is a requirement for us to move towards green and digital transition. If we dont do this, we will fail. She revealed several obstacles in practising ESG and sustainable development strategies, as not all businesses had the resources or suitable personnel to carry such ideas forwards. The initial investment cost is too high for machinery, tech, and energy equipment. It is a complex system, requiring a lot of capital, calculating the returns, and taking a lot of time before putting things into operation, Anselmi said. Additionally, accessing green financial capital in Vietnam is difficult. Capital flows for green credit only account for about 4-5 per cent of the entire markets credit capital, which is very small. This is a real challenge for businesses because capital is a prerequisite for any investment, business, and development decision. The support of the entire system is needed, from finance and accounting to legal regulations. This is a long journey that requires significant support, Anselmi added. AI changing teaching and learning During a panel discussion themed "Innovative Teaching for Accounting and Finance: Technology and Beyond" held by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on May 29, experts from various universities in the region discussed and recommended ways of using AI in teaching and studying. Gains for the workforce clear through partnership The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has signed an MoU to provide training and improve VIBs human resource capacity. Ren Varma, head of mainland Southeast Asia for the ACCA, talked to VIRs Linh Le about the dynamic and evolving finance and accounting landscape in Southeast Asia, while also addressing challenges such as the need for skilled professionals and compliance with international standards. Crucial facets of talent can help companies adapt The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) emphasises the role and responsibility of auditors in ensuring professional quality and creating value for businesses. ACCA chief executive Helen Brand covered the companys role in line with sustainable development goals with VIRs Vy Vy. Region is integrating at speed with outlook on sustainability Environmental and sustainability issues have gained significant importance in a wide range of industries and organisations globally. Pulkit Abrol, regional director for Asia-Pacific at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), told VIRs Nguyen Thu his vision for sustainable development and how to drive positive change. Three people were killed in vehicle accidents overnight Sunday, according to San Antonio police. kali9/Getty Images/iStockphoto Three people were killed early Sunday in vehicle accidents in San Antonio, according to police. The first accident happened around 1:30 a.m. in the 3700 block of Highway 90. San Antonio police said a man traveling at a high speed in a Toyota Camry crashed into a traffic attenuator, or crash cushion, that divided the main lanes from the exit ramp. Police said he was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified. Advertisement Article continues below this ad No other passengers or vehicles were involved in the crash, police said. Minutes later around 1:50 a.m. in the 400 block of Historic Old Hwy 90, police said a 50-year-old man walking on the street was struck by a white SUV. The driver of the SUV fled the scene before EMS arrived. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified. Around 2 a.m. in the 1400 block of Interstate 10 East, a man driving a Lexus at a high speed was killed after he crashed into a metal structure off the highway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Police said that for an unknown reason, the man drifted off the highway into a grassy median before crashing. He was pronounced dead at the scene. He has not been identified. The association (ACCA) at its Asia-Pacific Dialogue last week signed an MoU on cooperation with businesses and training institutions such as Vietnam International Bank (VIB), Hanoi Vocational College of Technology, and Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism. Under the plan, ACCA members and students have the chance to be considered for special admission based on the level of completion of the ACCA certificate. The signing ceremony acknowledged the cooperation in human resources development between VIB and the ACCA through the ACCA Job Fast Track programme. Head of Human Resources of VIB Tran Tuan Minh said that the bank understands that human resources are a key factor in sustainable development strategy. This focus allows us to lead the way in technological innovations, dominate the market in key business segments, and consolidate our position as the leading retail bank in Vietnam, he said. According to Helen Brand, chief executive of the ACCA, redefining the role and responsibilities of accountants to address the changes in technology and the challenges of sustainable development are the focal point of the ACCAs new development strategy. Incorporating AI and new technologies in data management requires accountants to enhance their skills and expertise to contribute more effectively in the modern business environment, where data-driven decision-making is crucial, Brand said. Accountants not only have to ensure professional quality but also create value for businesses and help them become more responsible in their operations and towards the surrounding community. In 2023, the ACCA signed an MoU with the Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET) in Vietnam, encouraging colleges to embed the ACCA diploma in accounting and business RQF Level 4 into their degree programmes. The deal marked a significant milestone for the ACCA, supporting the innovation and advancement of vocational training in accounting and business in Vietnam and reinforcing its commitment to the profession in this country. Pham Vu Quoc Binh, director-general of the DVET managed by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs, stated that developing a skilled workforce has been a special priority for Vietnam in the past few years. With the increasing demand for economic development and integration, the number of foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam has been rising, leading to a series of human resource recruitment needs. Accounting, finance, and management are crucial positions that are mandatory in the operational machinery of businesses, Binh said. The annual enrolment scale for accounting and auditing majors in vocational colleges is about 17,600 people, according to the registration certificate for vocational education activities, Binh stated. He added, However, there is still a shortage of accounting and finance professionals with skills and quality that meet the demands of the international labour market. This is also a challenge for the vocational education system to update and innovate training programmes in accounting, finance, and management. According to Pham Van Tien, vice chairman of the Vietnam Association for Vocational Education and Training and Social Work, the lack of interaction and synchronisation in training programmes, faculty, equipment, and training methods is a current issue in vocational education institutions. Therefore, integrating international training schemes poses difficulties for these training establishments. Quality of graduates is also a major challenge. According to a survey conducted by an international organisation, approximately 60 per cent of graduates do not work in the field they were trained for, including accounting and auditing majors, Tien noted. According to data from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), more than 2,200 auditors have been granted certification to practise at over 210 auditing firms as of the end of last year. Meanwhile, more than 420 accountants have been granted certification to practise accounting services, and 200 accounting service firms have been recognised as meeting the business requirements for providing these services. The effective activities of accounting and auditing professional associations, both within and outside the country, not only contribute to the consolidation and development of human resources in accounting and auditing but also significantly improve the work of accountants and auditors in Vietnam, the ministry said. According to the MoF, around 50,000-60,000 graduates from vocational colleges and universities specialising in accounting enter the domestic and international job market every year. In addition, the number of students awarded a masters degree in accounting is approximately over 3,000 individuals. ACCA Asia Pacific Dialogue raises conversations on a sustainable future The ACCA Asia Pacific Dialogue 2024 held in Hanoi on May 28-29 aims to foster a platform for innovative thinking and strategic dialogue among key stakeholders in the accounting and finance sector, focusing on sustainable finance, digital transformation, and regulatory developments, reflecting the most pressing trends and challenges in the region. Balancing digitalisation and greening the economy Digitalisation, if not carefully managed, could cause significant damage to sustainable development, so the deployment of new technology must go hand in hand with sustainable development principles. ACCA and VIB form a strategic partnership on human resources and business programmes The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and VIB have agreed on a memorandum of understanding as part of the ACCA Asia-Pacific Forum. ACCA and vocational colleges to enhance business training The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) signed MoUs with Hanoi Vocational College of Technolgy, and Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism on May 29. AI changing teaching and learning During a panel discussion themed "Innovative Teaching for Accounting and Finance: Technology and Beyond" held by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on May 29, experts from various universities in the region discussed and recommended ways of using AI in teaching and studying. In June, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) will organise an event with the participation of over 30 banks in the market to discuss the subject of how to refinance sustainable reporting among banks. They will also share the requirements that banks require the companies when they ask for sustainable financing or refinancing. Listed companies are being helped to improve their capacity to access green finance, Photo: Shutterstock To Quoc Hung, country director of ACCA Vietnam, said, We organised workshops with the involvement of the experts and the local banks. They sit down together to share the vision that you have, what they expect from sustainable reporting, and what they expect from regulators in helping them in this area. For listed companies, this is the 12th year the ACCA organised those sustainable reporting awards. Early on, we used the international criteria to score the awards are great the awards, but later, we made adjustments to suitable for Vietnamese corporations. Thats what we have done so far to help listed companies to improve their capacity to access the green finance, Hung said. In addition, the ACCA is partnering with various parts and various governments in ASEAN to support that capability. Two years ago, it launched climate finance in collaboration with the CFA Institute. The ACCA also translated for International Financial Reporting Standards in December, deemed a significant step towards understanding international financial data across different systems when it comes to supporting the language of raising campaigns and working on them. Vice chairwoman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam Claudia Anselmi, who is also general director of Hung Yen Textile and Dyeing said, There are three major challenges that businesses face when making a giant green transition: a lack of knowledge of the subject, high initial investment costs, and the ability to access green finance. The green credit sector in Vietnam, growing at an average rate of 23 per cent in 2017-2022, demonstrates a higher growth trajectory compared to the national average. This surge is driven by businesses increasingly complying with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, boosting the demand for green credit. Government initiatives and regulations further bolster this sector. With the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce methane emissions by 2030, the demand for Vietnams investment in projects that minimise environmental impacts will grow, Anselmi added. In addition to public resources, Vietnam mobilised resources from the private sector and international organisations through the formation and development of green financial markets. To access green finance, board of directors must be determined to reach sustainable targets through methodical and detailed action plans. Agro-food company The PAN Group signed an MoU with Standard Chartered Vietnam to collaborate on the implementation of ESG financial solutions and services at COP28 in December 2023. Nguyen Thi Tra My, CEO of The PAN Group, told VIR that it is not easy to access green finance. Green capital will just come when the companies show their good performance. One of the most important factors is the determination and consistency of the board of directors with sustainable targets, My said. For example, not all our member companies are aware of the importance of practising ESG, as well as green and low-emission productions, because they do not export goods. However, the board tried to convince and spread the sustainable spirit until they all understand. The most difficult thing for banks to approve the disbursement of green credit capital is measuring the impact of action programmes of businesses, My added. The government also has yet to have clear announcements about the impact of businesses sustainable activities. Thus, the important thing is that corporations and businesses themselves must have a way to explain to banks and investors what they are doing, My said. ACCA and vocational colleges to enhance business training The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) signed MoUs with Hanoi Vocational College of Technolgy, and Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism on May 29. AI changing teaching and learning During a panel discussion themed "Innovative Teaching for Accounting and Finance: Technology and Beyond" held by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) on May 29, experts from various universities in the region discussed and recommended ways of using AI in teaching and studying. Gains for the workforce clear through partnership The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has signed an MoU to provide training and improve VIBs human resource capacity. Ren Varma, head of mainland Southeast Asia for the ACCA, talked to VIRs Linh Le about the dynamic and evolving finance and accounting landscape in Southeast Asia, while also addressing challenges such as the need for skilled professionals and compliance with international standards. Crucial facets of talent can help companies adapt The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) emphasises the role and responsibility of auditors in ensuring professional quality and creating value for businesses. ACCA chief executive Helen Brand covered the companys role in line with sustainable development goals with VIRs Vy Vy. Region is integrating at speed with outlook on sustainability Environmental and sustainability issues have gained significant importance in a wide range of industries and organisations globally. Pulkit Abrol, regional director for Asia-Pacific at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), told VIRs Nguyen Thu his vision for sustainable development and how to drive positive change. Deals to assist with auditing standards The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is supporting workers in accessing strong job opportunities, while promoting sustainable development of accounting and auditing human resources at the same time. BIM is the holistic process of creating and managing information for a built asset. Based on an intelligent model and enabled by a cloud platform, BIM integrates structured, multidisciplinary data to produce a digital representation of an asset across its lifecycle, from planning and design to construction and operations. Attracting delegates from various departments, committees, sectors, BIM experts, and representatives of local enterprises, the event marked a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between Autodesk and ICE. It also showcased the strong commitment of both parties to promoting digital transformation and BIM application within the construction industry in Vietnam. The event in Hai Duong was the first in a series of workshops, aimed at raising awareness about BIM, which is included in an MoU signed between Autodesk and ICE in September 2023. This follows the success of the first MoU signed in 2015, which aimed to disseminate a BIM application roadmap and raise awareness of this technology nationwide. Autodesk will act as a strategic partner, supporting ICE in promoting BIM adoption and digital transformation in the construction industry, contributing to the realisation of the BIM adoption roadmap approved by the PM in March 2023. With the aim of promoting a modern construction industry, the workshop programme focuses on key topics ranging from an overview of BIM, principles and policies of BIM implementation in Vietnam, and the digitisation of workflows for deployment, submission, and approval of BIM, to successful BIM applications in Vietnam, integrating BIM-GIS in urban planning and smart city construction management. Sharing with the delegates at the workshop, Ta Ngoc Binh, head of the Investment Economics and Digital Construction Research Department under ICE, emphasised the importance of BIM in enhancing the state's management capacity in construction, as well as improving the efficiency of the industry. Digital transformation in the construction industry is an inevitable trend, where BIM is not only a technology but also a new working method. It helps optimise the design, construction, and management processes of projects, minimising risks and saving costs. However, the implementation of BIM within state economic sectors still faces numerous challenges. To address this, the government issued Decision No. 2500/QD-TTg in 2016 which designated ICE as the standing agency of the BIM Steering Committee - Ministry of Construction. The outcomes of the project have been materialised through numerous activities, most notably the policy directions that facilitate the early adoption of BIM and contribute to establishing a solid legal framework for development. Also at the workshop, a representative from Autodesk Vietnam shared insights into what BIM is, data standards, and BIM implementation processes based on successful experiences in Singapore. They also introduced various BIM applications in project management, design, construction, and facility operation. With our technological foundation and extensive experience, Autodesk is committed to partnering with Hai Duong province in particular, and the Vietnamese government and strategic partners in general, in driving the digital transformation of the construction industry. We believe that BIM will be a powerful tool to help Vietnam achieve its sustainable development goals," the Autodesk representative affirmed. The workshop aimed to enable the effective application of BIM in the near future, in accordance with the roadmap set forth by the government. The initiative demonstrates the province's determination to lead the digital transformation of the construction industry. The workshop also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to share experiences, address concerns, and collaboratively develop effective BIM implementation plans within the province. Speaking at the workshop, Nguyen Tan Vinh, president of ICE, expressed his trust that Hai Duong will become one of the leading provinces in the application of BIM in Vietnam. He also emphasised the importance of digital transformation and BIM application in the construction industry, while affirming the key role of ICE in coordinating with local construction departments and partners like Autodesk to drive this process forward. "We hope that the BIM adoption roadmap in Hai Duong will not only be confined to today's workshop but will continue to be vigorously implemented in the future with the commitment and collaboration from all parties," Vinh stated. As the strategic partner of the Institute of Construction Economics, Autodesk's representative in Vietnam, Truong Thuy Linh also expressed her confidence in Hai Duong's success in pioneering BIM's application. "The workshop in Hai Duong is not just a standalone event, but the beginning of a series of collaborative activities between Autodesk, ICE, and localities across the country. Following Hai Duong, similar workshops will be organised in Haiphong, Quang Ninh, and many other provinces. With extensive experience and advanced technology, Autodesk is confident in standing alongside ICE, governmental departments, and Vietnamese enterprises to build the BIM future in Vietnam," affirmed Linh. With the determination of the government, the support of Autodesk, and the efforts of localities like Hai Duong, it is expected that the application of BIM in construction in Vietnam will soon make significant strides, contributing to the development of a modern, efficient, competitive, and sustainable construction industry. Autodesk's role in shaping a sustainable AEC industry and green manufacturing in Vietnam Autodesk aims to aid Vietnam in achieving its ambitious green manufacturing goals and positioning itself as a tech investment hub in Asia. Speaking to VIRs Celine Luu, Nicolas Mangon, vice president of AEC Industry Strategy at Autodesk Inc., shed light on the firms deep commitment to Vietnam's rapid technological and sustainable advancement, especially in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors. Autodesk to assist Ministry of Transport in accelerating digital transformation With its advanced technologies and experience cooperating with various governments and enterprises around the world, Autodesk will support the Ministry of Transport in the application of Building Information Modelling (BIM), thereby promoting the digital transformation and enhancing efficiency. The investment licences for VSIP Thai Binh, VSIP Quang Ngai II and Becamex-VSIP Binh Thuan were awarded to companies held by Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Company (VSIP JV Co). VSIP JV Co is Sembcorps 49.3 per cent-owned joint venture company with Vietnam state-owned enterprise Becamex IDC Corporation. Sembcorps effective shares in the three new projects range from 24.6 per cent to 49.3 per cent. These new projects build on VSIPs extensive presence in the northern, central, and southern regions of Vietnam, where each region presents unique locational advantages for the manufacturing industry. With increasing government spending on infrastructure such as highways, ports, and airports to improve accessibility and connectivity to global markets, these regions are attracting investments and trade from foreign-invested enterprises. Including the new projects, Sembcorp has participated in the development of 18 VSIPs with total licensed land area of 11,588 hectares. With the rising importance of incorporating sustainability practices into business operations, manufacturers are gradually transitioning towards green factories and adopting decarbonisation and energy efficient solutions. Lee Ark Boon, CEO of Sembcorp Development, said, As a master developer and growing renewables player in Vietnam, Sembcorp contributes to the development of low-carbon industrial parks through our comprehensive suite of solutions. These include solar energy, battery energy storage systems, as well as carbon management solutions such as the provision of verified renewable energy certificates. By partnering our key stakeholders, including tenants and the government, to incorporate our solutions into the operations of our low-carbon industrial parks, we will continue to support Vietnams industrial transformation and energy transition goals. Singapore's Sembcorp spends $160 million to acquire majority stakes in Gelex's subsidiaries On November 10, Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sembcorp Solar Vietnam Pte Ltd, has reached an agreement to acquire majority interests ranging from 73 per cent to 100 per cent in various subsidiaries of Gelex Group Joint Stock Company (Gelex). Sembcorp secures investment licence for VSIP Ha Tinh On December 29, Sembcorp Development, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), announced the addition of Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park Ha Tinh (VSIP Ha Tinh) to its portfolio. Vietnam has rapidly grown over the last 20 years, averaging around 6 per cent growth per year, and the Vietnamese government has a stated ambition to reach high-income status by 2045, requiring 6 per cent growth each year to hit this target. However, a key question and ambition will be if Vietnam can become richer before it gets older, and move up the value chain. Iain Frew, British Ambassador to Vietnam I have seen first-hand the dynamism in the economy here since being British ambassador, with businesses growing and the economy growing with it. Tourism has rebounded helping in part to drive the economic growth in Vietnam, as has manufacturing and processing which has helped growth. When people discuss emerging markets such as Vietnam, the focus is often on the headline growth figures; how GDP and incomes are accelerating. But what should not be lost in these stories is that rapid growth needs to be propelled by an equally strong investment in human capital, education, and professional capability. This is particularly true in services sectors like accounting and finance, where the technical expertise within the profession is constantly evolving. Professional services including in the accountancy, finance, and audit sectors have helped to drive growth in Vietnam. I am an accountant by trade and have seen first-hand the value of the profession to the economy and to economic development. Regarding Vietnams role in the Asia-Pacific region, the country has achieved impressive economic success over the past 20 years. International trade and the shift towards a manufacturing economy has in a large part made this possible. Vietnam maintains impressive trade surpluses with the UK, US, and the EU, and has a diversified range of free trade agreements to support exporting sectors. Vietnam also has high ambitions to move up the value chain into higher tech manufacturing over time. When it comes to the UKs trade and economic strategy for the region, it is estimated that we trade 122 billion ($155.87 billion) with Asia-Pacific annually. The UK, like Vietnam, is therefore also committed to an international facing and integrationist approach and has found partners across the region to do free trade agreements with, including with Vietnam. The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement is the primary basis of our bilateral trade relationship and it has grown rapidly, doubling over the course of the last decade to 6 billion ($7.66 billion). The UK has also now ratified our own accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), alongside Japan, Singapore, and Chile. I am optimistic that Vietnam will soon follow and that we will then be able to use the UKs access to the CPTPP to trade with Vietnam by the end of this year. The CPTPP aligns our economy with some of the fastest growing economies in the world in this region. Including the UK, it is almost 15 per cent of global GDP at over 12 trillion ($15.33 trillion). And through the CPTPP, we will have free trade deals with Malaysia and Brunei for the first time, whose economies alone were worth $434 billion in 2023. There are also gains above our bilateral agreements bringing new opportunities, for example for certain agriculture products from the UK to Vietnam. Indeed, the UK has tilted towards the Indo-Pacific region, as we see the vast majority of economic and trade growth coming from Asia-Pacific for the foreseeable future. As a result, we have signed over 70 agreements, including new ones with Australia and New Zealand, and a digital economy agreement with Singapore. We are also engaging more with regional dynamics, including with ASEAN as the newest ASEAN dialogue partner. In 2021 alone, ASEAN was the fifth-largest economy in the world, and we expect this to grow over time. A UK focus here will be supporting an economic integration scheme under our flagship $32 million UK-ASEAN Economic Integration Programme to support inclusive economic growth across the region. British businesses eye Vietnam's renewable energy sector In a week-long visit to Vietnam, a delegation of 14 British businesses specialising in technology and renewable energy services earlier this month scouted for collaborative opportunities, eyeing the nation as a priority destination to expand their footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. Voluntary British medics on craniofacial trauma mission to Vietnam A unique medical mission focusing on craniofacial trauma surgery for children will go to Vietnam from the UK to work with three major hospitals in Hanoi from November 16-30. Vietnamese agri-exports to UK continue forward motion Vietnam is boosting exports, especially agro-forestry-fishery products, to the British market thanks largely to a bilateral trade deal. I heard a nice story recently about a man who lived on the side of a steep hill. When bringing home his turf from the bog with his ass and cart, he would have to take off half the load as he neared home. The hill was too steel for the ass to pull the full load. I got two things from the story; the mans pace of life and his respect for the ass. The story also reminded me of a time when most small Ox Mountain farms had an ass. The ass was the poor mans pony in the same way as the pony was the poor mans horse. Ass or Donkey Ass or donkey is there a difference and if so, what is it? One theory is that the word donkey was first used as slang for the animal then only called an ass. Another line of investigation suggests that the ass and the donkey are indeed the same animal, Equus Asinus. The term donkey may even come from the Irish, meaning little dun-coloured animal. A final suggestion, and its not a bad one, is that domesticated asses have become known as donkeys. All in all, things point to the ass being first and the donkey being second. I like to use the word ass. It is more local and strikes an earthier tone. Encyclopaedia Britannica takes us back to the original wild ass and sets the scene. It is a desert scene and one that is a long way removed from the steep boreens of the Ox Mountains. Desert dwellers, wild asses often inhabit very arid regions that cannot support other large mammals. African wild asses are territorial, mature males (stallions) maintaining areas in which they are dominant over other asses. The only strong social bond is between the female and her foals, herds being formed only when individuals travel together casually. The Donkey Sanctuary, the well-known UK charity, provides an infinite amount of information on the origin and history of the ass. A bit like the African and Asian elephants, it seems the ass had two separate origins. There are two distinct species of wild donkey; the Asiatic branch of the species came from an area stretching from the Red Sea to Northern India and Tibet where the ass had to adapt to different climate, terrain and altitude. The African branch of the species was found in North Africa between the Mediterranean coast and the Sahara Desert to the south of the Red Sea. Our modern domesticated donkeys are all descended from these African wild-ass ancestors. Arrival in Ireland The ass was first domesticated around 6,000 years ago in North Africa and Egypt for meat and milk no mention of an Irish bog at that point. Around 2,000 years ago, asses were among the draught animals used to carry silk from the Pacific Ocean to the Mediterranean along the Silk Road. The journey ended in the Mediterranean ports of Greece, Italy, and the Middle East. In Greece, the ass was found to be an ideal animal for working on the narrow paths between the vines again, no hint yet of having to cart turf in the windswept West of Ireland. The Romans were responsible for the arrival of the ass into Northern Europe. The Romans used them in their new vineyards, appearing as far north as France and Germany. The ass came to England with the Roman invasion of Britain in AD 43. After the mid-17th century, Oliver Cromwell's invasion of Ireland saw the arrival of asses here, when they were used to transport the trappings of war. Eventually, increasing numbers of asses were introduced to the country, opening opportunities for poorer Irish farming families to keep a cheap, working draft animal. The ass was eventually introduced to Irish bogs and the tedious task of drawing home the turf. It was a long way from the sweet-smelling paths of the Silk Road. Maybe it is no wonder the ass developed the reputation of being obstinate. The Thick Ass Most small farms in rural Ireland had an ass. This was before the days of small tractors when the pace of life was easy and slow. No more than the Honda 50, the ass found a ready-made home in Ireland. The poor ass could not have been happy with the climate but at least he was no longer being chased by lions and tigers. The jobs best suited to the ass were light farm tasks such as snigging cocks of hay, putting out turf with a pair of creels on his back or bringing milk to the creamery. If you asked an ass to do too much he would just refuse to pull. He seemed to know his limitations and no amount of persuasion, gentle or otherwise, would change his mind. Training an ass was a job for a strong, fit man. A young ass could be spirited and give no end of trouble when being harnessed for the first time. Not a single ass that ever I knew from childhood was properly trained there was always a flaw. One had no reverse gear, another couldnt pull in a straight line and another might bite the fingers off a small child. You might have a lazy ass or a kicking ass. To find one that was reasonably straightforward was almost impossible. Sam and Diamond We had an ass at home. His name was Sam and as asses go, he was a big one. My father could manage him fairly well. He could get Sam to trot nicely when the cart was empty and he could get him to back. Backing or reversing an ass and cart is a real art form. It is a bit like forcing an elephant backwards in a cage where you must push and punch and elbow the elephant into position, while at the same time alternating words of encouragement and foul-mouthed abuse in the direction of the unfortunate beast. I found it an impossible task whenever I was asked to do it. Failing to get either Sam or his cart into the correct position would then draw my father upon me. At this point, I came in for treatment very similar to that which the ass received. Backing Sam was a very, very stressful manoeuvre. Eventually, Sam got old and was replaced by a newer model. The next fellow was called Diamond named after the man who sold him to my father. Diamond was a bad ass. My father fancied himself as a bit of an ass whisperer but his own aging process, coupled with the youthful exuberance of the new ass did not make for a successful campaign. My father and the ass fought with each other for about a week and then Diamond got his marching orders. That was the end of us and asses. Hats off to the little ass, he served us well for long enough. If he was a bit thick at times, maybe he was well entitled to be, for he had ended up in a harsh place a long way from his working apprenticeships on the Silk Road. Sadly, the only place I have seen asses working in recent times is on the streets of Gaza. They seem out of place on bombed-out city streets ferrying destitute and frightened families trying to escape the terror or war. The asses too look frightened as they scurry along pulling overloaded carts of basic belongings amid scenes of utter carnage. The inclusion of the ass in these scenes reflects a certain downtrodden tone; a people who have little more than an ass and cart and simple possessions. How easily disposed they are, how easily terrorised. Of all the places on earth that the ass or the donkey has served mankind, this must be the very worst. China warns of limits to its restraint on US provocation in South China Sea Chinas defense minister has warned the US over the deployment of ballistic missiles in the Asia-Pacific region, stressing that there are limits to Beijings restraint in dealing with such acts of provocation in the South China Sea. #China #UnitedStates @PressTV WtR Children play in the surf before a scheduled launch of Starship on Monday, April 17, 2023, at Isla Blanca Park in South Padre Island. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer With nearly 370 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, choosing the perfect beach for a summer getaway can feel overwhelming. But dont fret, USA Today has got you covered. The media company has released its top 10 Texas beach destinations of 2024. To create the rankings, an expert panel nominated its top picks and then readers voted for their favorites. Topping the list is Isla Blanca Park on South Padre Island. The ranking celebrated the beachs soft white sands, turquoise waters and vibrant beach culture. Beachgoers of all ages can enjoy activities from snorkeling in the warm Gulf waters to playing beach volleyball. Plus, theres an abundance of convenient amenities like beachfront pavilions and rentals. Advertisement Article continues below this ad In second place is Rockport Beach, the Lone Star States first designated Blue Wave Beach that prides itself on its clean, crescent-shaped stretch of sand." Its calm, shallow water is preferred by families, and its shaded picnic areas, grills, playgrounds and walking path offer recreational opportunities year-round. Boca Chica Beach, an expanse of blinding white sand situated next to SpaceX Starbase in Cameron County, came in third. The first Corpus Christi beach to make the list landed in fourth, with USA Today praising Malaquite Beach for its family-friendly swimming area free of public driving and its location near a pavilion with a visitor center, observation decks, showers and restrooms. A parking lot is next to the visitor center. The fifth best beach in Texas, according to the list, is I.B. Magee Beach Park in Port Aransas. Located on the northern end of Mustang Island, the 167-acre shoreline offers beachgoers the ability to camp on the soft sand and enjoy fresh gulf seafood from the Horace Caldwell Pier. Ranked in sixth, Surfside Beachs four-mile coastline offers the perfect fishing, surfing, horseback riding, swimming and sunbathing opportunities to Houstonians looking to escape the city, which is 60 miles away. Another Corpus Christi favorite, Whitecap Beach, was listed seventh and applauded for often being among the least crowded beaches in the area despite being one of the most picturesque. It also hosts a variety of activities including surfing, kayaking, dolphin watching and jetty fishing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Just six miles away is Mustang Island State Park, which was ranked eighth. The popular park is dog-friendly, great for beach camping with drive-up campsites and firepits and paddling trails along the barrier islands coast. The 60 miles of undeveloped shores of Padre Island National Seashore also broke into the list at number nine. With driving and RV and tent camping allowed on the beach, it is a popular getaway for those looking to escape the busy beaches of South Padre Island. Social media takedown artists had a field day taunting MAGA lovers and other Donald Trump supporters threatening civil war after the former president was convicted of 34 felony counts in his hush money case to cover up sex with a porn star ahead of the 2020 election. "Oh ho ho the chowderheads are in their feelings today, man," said one extremely harsh critic in a TikTok video. Aside from a couple of "psychos out there," as for civil war "you're too f---ing comfortable to sacrific anything. You guys barely take the stairs," he added. 2016: Hillary wins - Civil War! 2017: Border Wall or Civil War! 2018: Repeal Obamacare or Civil War! 2019: Impeach Trump - Civil War! 2020: Biden wins - Civil War! 2022: Lose midterms - Civil War! 2023: Indict Trump - Civil War! 2024: Convict Trump - Civil War! _ (@SundaeDivine) June 1, 2024 Many of the skewering quips in the trending "civil war" chatter were visual: MAGAs preparing for Civil War...pic.twitter.com/1bfbxEH9C5 Molly Ploofkins (@Mollyploofkins) March 19, 2024 Trump would like you to have a civil war now, Americaso he can avoid prison pic.twitter.com/CgpTCzKr6K Luke Zaleski (@ZaleskiLuke) May 30, 2024 Uh oh. MAGAs are hankering for a Civil War againpic.twitter.com/NIoJSNMRaj Thank you Joe Biden (@IvanasStairCam) May 31, 2024 How's the civil war going? pic.twitter.com/p63MQVeuY5 Voice of Reason (@raggapegs) June 1, 2024 MAGA getting ready for civil war. pic.twitter.com/FKnm3kGeko Dittie (@DittiePE) January 26, 2024 Not everyone was amused. They pointed out the violence of the insurrection on Jan. 6, 2021 and terrorism. One commented about a past civil war threat from Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene: "Your laughter will not save you." A local radio station reported that Mattus told police he made the bombs as protection from undocumented immigrants and a corrupt government. 'Ready for civil war': Cops find conspiracist's car packed with pipe bombs https://t.co/Ix5I7WvmaV Lauren Ashley Davis - OG Meidas Mighty (@Meidas_LaurenA) May 24, 2024 The exit poll survey conducted by ABP News and CVoter projects a decisive victory for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, predicting 353 to 383 seats for it out of the total 543. The figures show the BJP-led NDA is poised to form a government with a full majority for the third consecutive time. This projection misses the ambitious 400-seat mark, the target that the ruling alliance had set for itself, but the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alone is predicted to win 315 seats, up from its 2019 tally of 303. This comprehensive exit poll survey provides an insightful projection of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections verdict, to be declared on June 4, indicating a robust performance by the NDA across various states and regions. In contrast, the ABP News-CVoter exit poll figures show the I.N.D.I.A, despite the concerted effort of numerous parties uniting to challenge the BJP-led NDA, appears to have fallen significantly short of its goal. The data reveals the alliance appears to have failed to secure a foothold in key states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Strong local leaders, such as Mamata Banerjee and Jagan Mohan Reddy, also seem to have failed to secure their turf. The results underscore the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA's continued dominance. In terms of vote percentage, the NDA is projected to receive 45.3%, and the I.N.D.I.A bloc 39.9%. The exit polls suggest that while the BJP alone may win 315 seats, its alliance partners will secure 53 seats. The Congress, meanwhile, is expected to win 74 seats, up from 52 in 2019, with its alliance partners adding 19 more seats to the I.N.D.I.A tally. Parties not fully aligned with the I.N.D.I.A bloc are expected to secure 74 seats. Interestingly, there is a 5.4% difference in the vote share between NDA and I.N.D.I.A, translating into a difference of 201 seats. A Big Southern Gain Likely For NDA A notable gain for the NDA is anticipated in Andhra Pradesh, where the BJP, in alliance with Chandrababu Naidus Telugu Desam Party (TDP), is projected to win 21-25 seats. This would leave the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which won 22 seats in 2019 and currently rules the state, with only 0-4 seats. In Karnataka, the NDA appears stable, with predictions showing the alliance retaining its strength by winning 23-25 seats. In the other states in the South, the I.N.D.I.A bloc seems to be leading. Data from the ABP News-CVoter exit polls indicates that the NDA may open its account in Kerala by securing 1-3 seats. Tamil Nadu is likely to remain with the I.N.D.I.A bloc, which is projected to win 37-29 seats. Telangana's 17 seats are expected to be evenly split between the two alliances, similar to the 2019 results, with the ABP News-CVoter exit polls predicting 7-9 seats each for both, and one seat potentially going to the AIMIM, represented by Asaduddin Owaisi from Hyderabad. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, the NDA is expected to maintain its stronghold with projected wins of 21-23 and 26-28 seats, respectively, closely matching its 2019 results. Gujarat, with its 26 seats, is also expected to largely remain with the NDA, though there might be a slight loss of one seat. The NDA is showing a strong presence in Sikkim, and other Northeastern states, according to the exit poll data, which is projecting 10-12 seats for the alliance in Assam against I.N.D.I.As tally of 2-4 seats. Big States A significant attention is on Maharashtra's 48 seats, where the exit polls indicate a major setback for the NDA. The ABP News-CVoter survey suggests the NDA's tally could drop to 22-26 seats, down from 41 in 2019, when the BJP and Shiv Sena contested together. The BJP's individual tally in 2019 was 23 seats, which may decrease to 16-18 this time. However, the NDA's losses in Maharashtra could be offset by gains in West Bengal and Odisha. According to the exit polls, Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal and Naveen Patnaik in Odisha are suffering significant defeats in direct contests against the BJP. In West Bengal, the NDA is expected to increase its 2019 tally of 18 seats to 23-27 seats. Similarly, in Odisha, the exit poll predicts a big improvement for the NDA, with an estimated 17-19 seats, up from 8 in 2019. In Bihar, out of the 40 seats, the NDA is projected to win 34-38 seats according to the ABP News-CVoter exit polls, reflecting a strong hold similar to its near-complete sweep 39 out of 40 in 2019. In Delhi, the ABP News-CVoter exit poll survey projects a closely contested battle, with the NDA tally predicted to come down. I.N.D.I.A is expected to secure 1-3 seats, against the NDAs projected range of 4-6 seats down from a clean sweep of 7-0 in 2019 and 2014. In Haryana too, the forecast is of a dip in the tally for the NDA, which had won all 10 seats in 2019. It is likely to win 4-6 seats this time. Small States and Union Territories In Goa, which has two seats, both the NDA and the I.N.D.I.A are expected to win one seat each. The NDA is projected to secure victories In the UTs of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. I.N.D.I.A, on the other hand, is likely to take Lakshadweep and Puducherry. Exit polls provide an indication of potential outcomes, but they are not definitive. Exit polls are projections based on surveys and statistical models, and the actual results of the election may differ from these predictions as they depend on the official counting of votes. Methodology: The current survey findings and projections are based on CVoter Exit Poll / Post Poll personal interviews conducted on the polling day and after polling day among 18+ adults statewide, all confirmed voters. Survey date: 19 April-01 June, 2024 Sample size - 431182 LS Seats Covered: 543 VS Seats Covered: 4129 MoE (Margin Of Error): State Level - .+_/_- 3% MoE (Margin Of Error): Regional Level - .+_/_- 5% Confidence Level: 95% The jailbreak genre is underutilized in Bollywood. Amitabh Bachchan's escape scene in Majboor (1974) was a hoot. So were the brief escapades in Ghayal (1990), Gumrah (1993) and Gupt (1997). An entire movie on jailbreak is somewhat a novelty factor for Hindi cinema. Savi attempts the same and ends up reasonably successful. Savitri (Divya Khossla) is shattered to find her hubby (Harshvardhan Rane) jailed for the murder of his snooty boss. She plans his escape from the high security prison, taking help from an ex-convict (Anil Kapoor), who had once broken out of there... Director Abhinay Deo, whose Delhi Belly (2011) had me in splits, chooses a unique subject but isn't able to translate Savi in to a high octane thriller, which it ought to be. The Liverpool locales are competently shot and the movie has the technical finesse. What it lacks is the edge of the seat feel!! On the positive, Anil Kapoor is earnest as ever. His character has multiple shades (as well as get-ups) and he keeps us hooked. Harshvardhan Rane is okey dokey. Raageshwari Loomba brings back the nostalgia of the '90s. Finally, Savi belongs to Divya Khossla, who infuses her jaan in to the titular role. Whether it is spending blissful moments with her family or turning to crime to get her fake documents, Divya is in total control of her character and gives it her best shot. Cheers to that!! Ratings on some key aspects* : 1. Acting : 4/5 2. Direction : 2.5/5 3. Music : 3/5 4. Story, Screenplay and Dialogue : 2.5/5 5. Cinematography : 4/5 6. Editing : 3.5/5 7. Costume Design : 4/5 8. Special Effects and VFX : NA 9. Action : 3/5 10. Production Quality : 4/5 #SNRating for #Savi : 3 stars out of 5. - Sumeet Nadkarni Liked the review? Click on the link below to subscribe : https://m.facebook.com/SNRatings You can also follow us on X handle : @sumu76in * - The overall film rating is not a simple average of all ratings on key aspects but a weighted average of the ratings where some crucial aspects (like direction, acting, story and screenplay etc) are assigned more weightage than others. #Savi #Jailbreak #HindiMovie #Bollywood #DivyaKhossla #AnilKapoor #HarshvardhanRane #BollywoodReview #BollywoodNews #Filmreview #TheatricalRelease #OTTRelease #Netflix #SNRatings #SNRatings barometer: 1 star = Poor 1 & 1/2 star = Below average/ Avoidable 2 stars = Average 2 & 1/2 stars = Above average/ Risk it 3 stars = Good enough/ Endurable 3 & 1/2 stars = Definitely worth a watch 4 stars = Very good 5 stars = Masterpiece/ Outstanding. 2024 SNRatings. About Sumeet Nadkarni: Sumeet Nadkarni is a Chartered Accountant by profession and a self-styled film critic by passion. He reviews Bollywood movies and OTT releases on his popular personal blog #SNRatings. His film-related articles have appeared in leading publications in India. With a keen eye for cinematic detail and a knack for insightful critiques, Sumeet brings a unique perspective to the world of Indian cinema. Follow him for the latest Bollywood insights and unbiased film reviews. #FilmCritique #BollywoodReviewer Over 37 cities across various states in India recorded temperatures over 45C this weekend. The scorching heat wave has left people sweating across the country with no relief in sight. The Sleep Company , Indias leading comfort-tech brand, aims to rescue people during this tough time ensuring everyone gets the basic privilege of a good night's sleep. High temperatures and humidity filled rooms make cozy environments sweaty and stinky, leading to allergies, nausea and sleeplessness, thereby impacting the overall health of individuals. Experts believe that deep sleep is only possible when the body temperature is low. The Sleep Companys Smart Luxe SnowTec mattress is designed in such a way that the mattress regulates body temperature by managing heat and humidity, creating a cool sleeping environment. With over 2500+ air channels to enhance airflow, the SnowTec cooler technology feels 4-6 degrees cooler. Its thermal conductivity is specifically designed to absorb extreme levels of heat and water vapour. Patented with the SmartGRID technology combined with the cool SnowTec fabric, the mattress gives 25% extra cooling, giving 10+ more hours of undisturbed sleep. Besides, it intelligently adapts to the body shape and is soft where one needs comfort and firm where one needs support. To help more people access this cooling technology, The Sleep Company has launched #BeatTheHeat campaign. Through this, the company is offering discounts based on the previous days highest temperature. The Sleep Company will monitor yesterdays highest temperature and it will be captured.on their system and on placards in the retail stores across Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. Customers can walk in or place an order through the website to enjoy these exciting offers throughout the day. Priyanka Salot, Cofounder of The Sleep Company said, We deeply understand the challenges posed by the ongoing heat wave in India. The extreme temperatures, reaching over 45C in many cities, significantly impact the quality of sleep and overall well-being of individuals. With the #BeatTheHeat campaign, we aim to make this technology accessible to everyone, offering discounts based on the highest temperature of the previous day. This initiative reflects our commitment to helping people combat the adverse effects of extreme heat and prioritize their sleep quality and overall well-being. Get rid of the heatwave and avail the discount on the Smart Luxe SnowTec mattress in The Sleep Companys store or website. Boeing's first astronaut flight on the company's Starliner capsule was scrubbed in the final minutes on Saturday. The two NASA astronauts were strapped in for the journey to the International Space Station when the countdown stopped at 3 minutes and 50 seconds, the Associated Press reported. With limited time to fix the problem, the flight was called off. Technicians hurried to the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to remove astronautes Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the capsule above the Atlas V rocket. The launch problem was not immediately revealed. NASA experts planned to discuss what went wrong at a press conference Saturday afternoon. It's the second time Boeing and NASA has had to call off a launch attempt since May 6 when a flight was halted for rocket repairs. The report said another attempt could come as soon as Sunday. One woman is dead and another jailed following an argument and gunfire at a Tuscaloosa County gas station. Tuscaloosa police and sheriffs deputies responded at 10:40 p.m. Saturday to the Shell station at 1300 Crescent Ridge N.E. Two women had been shot and were taken to the hospital. Lashonda Leigh Street, 46, was pronounced dead there a short time later. The Tuscaloosa Violent Crime Unit took over the investigation. Capt. Jack Kennedy said investigators interviewed witnesses and reviewed video footage and determined that the two women had gotten into an altercation with each other in the parking lot. The other woman 43-year-old Rosanna Latrice Wilson - then shot Street. Kennedy said Wilson was also struck, but said her injuries were minor. Wilson is charged with murder in Streets death. She is being held without bond in the Tuscaloosa County Jail. Decatur City Council President Jacob Ladner at a Friday afternoon press conference announced plans to vote on an independent, comprehensive review of the Decatur Police Department to be conducted by Huntsville-based Green Research & Technology. Last Tuesday, I think I was pretty clear that it was on me, now, to do something, Ladner said, referring to comments he made at the last council meeting. I tried to move as quickly as possible to get this out. Its been 10 days, and my intention is that we work toward a contract. Well be voting on it, hopefully, in June or early July. Ladner said hes met with the CEO of Green Research & Technology, Tory Green, and his team. Green is a former Huntsville police officer and Secret Service special agent. Since Green is based in Huntsville, Ladner was able to vet him by speaking with people who know Green. They all said Green is a man of high character. We expect them to provide an independent, comprehensive review of the policies, procedures, practices and culture of DPD, Ladner said. I did look into other options. Of course, weve had people reaching out to us for months wanting to do a review like this. Ladner and Councilman Kyle Pike expressed strong support for a third-party review of DPD at least as early as November of last year. At the time, Ladner said a review would be on a future agenda for council consideration. Ladner on Friday said he was aware that Green already met with Mayor Tab Bowling, Chief Todd Pinion and some DPD captains last year after Steve Perkins was shot and killed by a now-former Decatur police officer on Sept. 29. Pinion said he couldnt remember the date of the meeting. I was not in the meeting, so I cant really speak to the details, Ladner said. Im not sure why we didnt pursue it at that time, but all I can speak to now is how we move forward. The Decatur Daily asked DPD about the results of that meeting but received no response Friday. Ladner said he expects the review will take some time. He pointed to Mobile as an example: Mayor Sandy Stimpson implemented a third-party review of the Mobile Police Department following four deadly encounters between citizens and police last year. After the review, police Chief Paul Prine was placed on administrative leave before the City Council voted unanimously to terminate him in April. Why did they do an independent third-party review? Ladner said. Because their mayor said, Were doing this. He did it two days after an incident that they had. I dont know that Mayor Bowling wanted to do that, and so that leaves a big void. Theirs took over three months. I believe the price tag was over $300,000. These are not cheap to do, and they shouldnt be. Im not concerned about that. Ladner said the review is necessary to provide answers to many claims and assertions made about DPD. My expectation is that there will likely be things to improve on and, also, strengths to build upon, he said. Ladner was clear that the review is not about Perkins death; rather, its a holistic look at DPDs policies and culture. For several reasons, for the last eight months, weve kind of been treading water, he said. Theres one incident here, this happens, theres this video, this news report, etc. What became clear to me it shouldve been clear probably prior to two weeks ago it became clear that, although I dont think its the councils responsibility, necessarily, somebody had to do something. Pinion and DPDs spokeswoman, along with Perkins widow, Catrela Perkins, and members of Standing In Power watched the press conference. Bowling did not attend. Ladner said he informed Pinion and Bowling about his planned announcement two days prior. He said Bowling was generally positive about it. Ladner expects the city attorneys office to meet with Green in the near future to hash out the details of the review. For the review to go forward, the council will have to approve it with a majority vote. I think, no matter your view on everything thats going on, I hope we all have a common goal to help us move forward, which this will do I have no doubt, he said. I expect all five members to support this. After the announcement, Pinion handed out a brief written statement to reporters. I welcome the City Council proposal to hire Green Research, it said. As Ive stated before, I will always support any initiative that brings the potential of improving our day-to-day efforts of the police department. We believe this is one more step in our promise to become more transparent and communicate more effectively with our community in Decatur. Catrela Perkins said, while she wishes a review had been implemented sooner, shes glad theyre finally getting on board to get things fixed. Danny Saafyiah, Standing In Powers strategy adviser and mediator, said SIP completely supports the review. Through communication, we knew that this was coming from Ladner, he said. So, I want to commend him on communicating with us and also stepping into a leadership void left by Bowling. Saafiyah said whether the results of the review are favorable to Perkins supporters or Decatur police, everyone should accept them as they will come from a neutral third party. Mike Stovall, SIPs community outreach liaison, said he thinks the review is a step toward removing Pinion from his position. He pointed to recent revelations of unprofessional behavior by some DPD officers and lax handling of an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency critical incident video of Perkins death. I think its going to be confirmation of what the gag order hearing already showed us, he said. Its a shame that the council had to take lead on this, because the mayor just refused to do it. Somebody had to take a step and show some leadership so that we can get accountability and transparency. And I think the council just knew what was best. SIPs cofounder Aneesah Saafyiah said DPD already had the chance to do what was right the first time they met with Green last year. She claimed Green was disrespected by DPD captains at that meeting. I wish Pinion could have been a better chief and allowed it in the very beginning, because we could have had so much more progress, she said. But I am excited about the council stepping in and taking over. david.gambino@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. ___ (c)2024 The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) Visit The Decatur Daily (Decatur, Ala.) at www.decaturdaily.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. An argument between a man and woman turned deadly Saturday night in Birmingham. Birmingham police on Sunday identified the victim as Jerry Bailey. He was 32 and lived in Birmingham. The citys North Precinct officers were dispatched just before 7:30 p.m. to a call of a person shot in the 3500 block of Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North. Once on the scene, they found Bailey in a grassy field just off the roadway and adjacent to a trucking company. He was dead on the scene. Officer Truman Fitzgerald said investigators believe the victim was involved in a domestic disturbance with his girlfriend. It appears the shooting took place outside of the vehicle in which the couple had been traveling. Both front doors were open, and the victim was just feet from car. The citys North Precinct officers were dispatched just before 7:30 p.m. , Saturday, June 1, 2024, to a call of a person shot in the 3500 block of Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North.(Carol Robinson) We do believe the girlfriend is the shooter, he said. She remained on the scene, and she might have even been the 911 caller. The girlfriend is being held in the Birmingham City Jail on a 48-hour hold. Well try to pinpoint what happened tonight, Fitzgerald said. Bailey is the citys second homicide on Saturday, and the 60th of 2024. Of those, five have been ruled justifiable and therefore arent deemed criminal. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 83 homicides including the 60 in Birmingham. In Saturdays predawn hours, a 31-year-old man was fatally shot in the Tom Brown Village public housing community. Anyone with information is asked to call Birmingham homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. June marks the beginning of meteorological summer in the Northern Hemisphere. And in Alabama it marks the first month of a long, hot stretch that usually lasts well into September. Undoubtedly the temperature forecast for Alabama for June will be warm. But could it be warmer than usual? NOAAs Climate Prediction Center has offered up a prediction about temperatures and rainfall for the upcoming month. The temperature outlook (shown at the top of this post) is a mixed bag. The northern two-thirds of the state has equal chances of above-average or below-average temperatures. Most of south Alabama has slightly increased probabilities (33-40 percent) of above-average temperatures. And coastal Alabama (Mobile and Baldwin counties) has even higher odds of warmer temperatures, 40-50 percent. That doesnt mean every day will be really hot; there could be some cooler days mixed in as well. But the overall outlook for the month for south Alabama is warmer. The precipitation outlook for June is predicting slightly increased probabilities (33-40 percent) for above-average rainfall for the state. Northwest Alabama has slightly higher chances, about 40-50 percent: The CPC thinks there are slightly increased probabilities for above-average rainfall across Alabama over the month of June.CPC What are average temperatures and rainfall for June in Alabama? Heres a look at typical June stats from the National Weather Service for a few Alabama cities: Birmingham: average high 88.1; average low 68.5; average rainfall 4.78 inches Dothan: average high 91.3; average low 70.8; average rainfall 5.08 inches Gadsden: average high 87.8; average low 67.9; average rainfall 4.56 inches Huntsville: average high 89.1; average low 68; average rainfall 4.06 inches Mobile: average high 89.4; average low 70.8; average rainfall 6.55 inches Montgomery: average high 91.5; average low 69; average rainfall 4.08 inches Muscle Shoals: average high 88.9; average low 67.9; average rainfall 5.05 inches Troy: average high 88.6; average low 8.7; average rainfall 5.11 inches Tuscaloosa: average high 91.6; average low 72.3; average rainfall 4.17 As far as short-term temperatures go, heres the six- to 10-day temperature outlook from the Climate Prediction Center for June, which covers June 7 through June 10: Cooler than average temperatures in June? It could be possible for north Alabama.CPC Northern Alabama has a higher probability of below-average temperatures (with higher probabilities as you head north), while south Alabama has a better shot at above-average readings. As for precipitation, the six- to 10-day outlook is predicting near-average rainfall for parts of west Alabama and a slightly increased probability of below-average rainfall in the rest of the state: Eight restaurants and eating establishments in Jefferson County scored 84 or below on their health inspections during May -- a threshold that triggers a reinspection within 60 days. One of those establishments -- the lowest rated in the county last month -- already had its reinspection before the calendar was flipped over. Violations ranged from flying gnats to dead insects. Multiple establishments didnt have signs telling employees they must wash their hands, and one -- again, the lowest rated in the county for May -- had workers who came back from trips to the dumpster without using hot water and soap. Here they are those eight establishments, in descending order: Bessemer Food Mart 2800 9th Ave., Bessemer Score: 84 Inspection date: May 1 Chicken wings that were cooked an hour before the inspection were out of temperature. The ceiling vents throughout the sales floor had an accumulation of dust. The establishment did not post a sign notifying workers to wash their hands by every hand sink. Bos Kosher Cafe 3960 Montclair Rd., Birmingham Score: 84 Inspection date: May 22 Two cooking pans were found soiled with food debris. The floor was soiled with debris and residue while liquid spots were observed throughout the kitchen area. There were no paper towels in the hand sink. Irondale Chevron/Sneaky Petes 1804 Crestwood Blvd., Irondale Score: 79 Inspection date: May 2 Live insects were observed along the window of the seating area of Sneaky Petes. Several dead bugs were spotted in light fixtures in the back room of Sneaky Petes. Pizza, corn dogs, Philly cheesesteak and bacon, egg and cheese were out of temperature. The floors were dirty in both Chevron and Sneaky Petes. There was no soap in the hand sink at Sneaky Petes next to the three-compartment sink. China Way 5220 Oporto Madrid Blvd., Birmingham Score: 78 Inspection date: May 7 Lettuce, chicken and shrimp were out of temperature. There was no toilet paper in the employee unisex restroom. Interior of several reach-in coolers were soiled with residue and debris. Hot Spot 5429 Beacon Dr., Irondale Score: 78 Inspection date: May 13 A can opener was soiled with black grime on shelving underneath the prep table. Several aluminum pans were soiled with residue and food debris while two slicers were soiled with grease. The inside of the reach-in coolers were dirty. Air ducts were dusty and the ventilation hood had heavy grease and grime. Purple Onion 1545 Montclair Rd., Irondale Score: 72 Inspection date: May 8 No employees had food handler certifications at the time of the inspection. Cheese was out of temperature. A heavy accumulation of ice was spotted on the floor and walls of the walk-in freezer. Shelving in dry storage was soiled with rust, dirt and grime. Pans were stacked wet. N&S Food Mart 1601 Pinson Valley Pkwy., Tarrant Score: 70 Inspection date: May 7 Gnats were flying throughout the facility, mostly in the back room near soured mops. The coffee, drink and slushie machines were soiled with residue. The handwashing sink did not have soap. It also did not have a sign notifying employees to wash their hands. The establishment could not provide a health policy stating what actions workers must take if they have symptoms of diseases that can be transmissible through food. El Patron Mexican Restaurant VII 325 Walker Chapel Plz., Fultondale Score: 53 Inspection date: May 1 *Note El Patron was reinspected May 3 and was given a 93 score upon reinspection. A roach was found in the microwave next door to the kitchen. Employees did not wash hands after trips to the dumpster, picking items up the floor or after changing tasks. Several ingredients and foods were out of temperature. Cheese grinder was stored with cheese debris still in it. The deflector shield on the ice machine was soiled with mildew. This is a conversation between Birminghams first poet laureate, Salaam Green, and AL.com columnist John Archibald. John Archibald: Hi Salaam. Youre the first poet laureate of Birmingham, Alabama, a Black woman, a native of the Black Belt, where some pretty amazing writers grew up. I always thought so many Alabamians found words or their voice some other way because of all our states contradictions. We are sweet and bitter, easy and hard, hospitable and downright mean, if you look at, say, the Legislature. Alabama is beautiful and sometimes not. Do those things make us, as a state, who we are? Salaam Green: Hi, John. Alabama is Americas Classroom. Like any classroom there are micro and macro aggressions. Alabama tends to lean toward this in a way that is both passive and pastoral. Growing up in the Black Belt felt hard and soft, tender, and sweet, the sour way justice felt in Greensboro as a child in a school system still segregated shaped my view of Alabama. Both in good and bad ways. The stigma of rural Alabama fueled from its past of racial tension always looms, however the beauty of family and home is also important. Rurality for me as a black woman felt like connectedness to a space, a people, and a place that gave me kinship to myself. My home and family were my first introductions into poetic life. Rurality allows me to transcend those realities. Alabama and Birmingham especially is the classroom that keeps on teaching the lessons. Archibald: Youve been going around talking to people, asking them to describe -- in a poetic way -- their Birmingham and Alabama experiences. What have you learned? Green: I have found that Alabamians are in a very pure way tied to the land. The red clay and the oak trees, the way the interstates stretch across the state. Sometimes the land divides us and Alabamians, or the folks I am speaking with, want to talk about those divides. Race comes up a lot. Maybe its because I am a Black woman. People assume I feel some kind of way. But most of the conversations begin and end with hope and bring us into a space of who we can be now that we see each other. Archibald: Ive heard you talk about how you used to watch your grandmother on her front porch, and how you determined to be a witness to the world, like her. How does that how does she affect what you write? Green: My writing and poems are lessons or teachings. Some fire, some rain, some good, some about the fragility of our state. I became a certified listener poet, basically someone who sits with people, listens to their stories and writes a poem to reflect what is witnessed. This work has given me insight into what I am positing reparative poetry poetry that seeks to tend or mend something. I am wanting to mend the American South, through witnessing the human voice and offering poetry as resonance to those stories. Maybe that is way too arrogant of me to believe that poetry can be a force to change the world and better yet transform the Souths two-faced challenges, or that I, a country girl from rural Alabama and now the first Birmingham poet laureate, could be a conduit for this to happen, but here we are. Archibald: You sort of have to be a little arrogant to take it on. Its wild out there. Not a day goes by that people dont tell me they love this place, but they are worried for children or friends or family who are targeted because of race, sexuality, politics, whatever, by a Legislature that pulls people down instead of bringing us all up. They talk about a love/hate relationship with the state, and many tell me they dont think they can stay. Green: Yes. The contradiction to stay or go as a young person are normal themes. Young creatives often tell me they cant create where there are barriers to change. I say thats when we create best. Staying and experiencing a state that seems to not care about life and livelihood is a challenge. We must find joy all of us. We must decide what that feels like and set our bones free to the joy. Archibald: How does all that color what you write? And how you live? Green: I feel that Black American writers often are expected to write about the mortal wounding of the world rather than just writing some pretty poem about the birds and the way the land speaks to them. However, I do believe as a poet and creative writer my job is to speak to the consciousness of people, culture, and the world. I find myself writing a lot about liberation. I believe freedom is what others can give you and liberation is what you give yourself. For example, we may have free speech and that is a given freedom, but using my story to liberate myself and others is something I can give myself. Archibald: I know I focus too much on things that go wrong. The threats and challenges and corruptions and politics and AI and technological changes that seem to threaten the things I value -- liberal arts education, the written word, storytelling, truth, etc. And you can give me such joy talking about fruits and vegetables and such. Heal me. Green: Thats what we can do with poetry: we can reimagine the world we want to live in and want our children to thrive in. The land, the food, the way we nourish and care and gather ourselves. Those elements of survival are just as present as safety and violence and political corruption. What is alive in you must be cultivated. Then a poet comes to call forth the hidden and the invisible and integrate the memory of them all. I have a poem entitled Little Girls of Birmingham a wish and prayer to the four little girls who were killed in the 16th Street bombing in Birmingham, Alabama. In that poem I challenge readers to witness and to really reimagine what we want the world to be and believe that it can be. We owe it to those girls, we owe it to Birmingham, we owe it to America to reimagine and then to create it. It only takes a critical mass to change the world. Start with our neighbors and our neighborhoods and loving each other. Archibald: I think going to integrated schools was one of the most important and formative things in my life. I came to see similarities and differences, and learned to appreciate both. It has stayed with me my whole life, not just about race but in appreciating different cultures and foods and music and customs and people who do things or think things differently than I do. I worry that we have resegregated ourselves and have lost some of that. Thoughts? Green: For me as a Black woman, going to a school where I had Black teachers and was taught Black history and Black life was honestly my saving grace. Remember Black people didnt ask to be segregated. Segregation and inclusivity wasnt our problem or issue. We werent the problem. Our history and culture was under attack. We got inclusive ideas from everywhere. School and our home was the only place we got our truths; the purity and essence of that came from brave Black teachers. I learned the Black national anthem. It was the only way I could pass Alabama history. It wasnt in the thin Alabama history book. But Mr. Brinson made sure I knew this poetic revolutionary battle cry. We all did. This hymn now softens my vitriol against the attacks on Black history today. Without those lessons I wouldnt know who I am. It allowed me to go to a liberal arts college with a 7% minority population in 1994 and flourish as a whole person and also appreciate the storied narratives of others. I am grateful for both spaces. My understanding about Black life was preparation and protection from the sting and stigma of segregation and my life in inclusive spaces taught me fellowship with others. Archibald: We are at a different place in time now. Those institutions were essentially broken, and we resegregated in a different, perhaps more detrimental way than before. Now we have legislative efforts to edit history so that people dont feel uncomfortable, to legislate what libraries can do, to reshape the narrative to make it read like one of those old Know Alabama fourth-grade history books that said Slaves were happy so whats the big deal. I just dont know if we, as a state and a region, have ever been honest with ourselves. And I dont know if we will progress until we are. Green: Its maddening. My 78-year-old mother says everyday we are going back to the 60s. She is a retired teacher and taught early reading. She also said she is grateful she learned and knows how to teach without the systematic structure of a society that hates. But not everyone does. We have to put poets in positions to recharge these systems. Our legislators are not faithfully responsible for humanity. Archibald: This is why I am so leery of AI and efforts to make education purely about job skills. The humanities are key to humanity. And art -- who said this? -- is the highest form of hope. Green: Trust poets not politicians. Basically the humanities are probably going to save us. Our fight is to get to the libraries before the books are all gone. That begins with truth, education, and poetry and artists fighting through their words. No change in our world systems have occurred without poets at the helm and poetry igniting the frontlines. Archibald: So really poetry is looking at the world honestly. And honesty is both beautiful and terrifying. Green: Hell yes. Its scary as shit being a Black woman in Alabama. But it also brings me so much pride. Poetry allows me to speak about the pride of my past and the proud nature in which I live and people live daily. Poetry doesnt suffocate the truth, it just illuminates it. For me I write and speak about both. But mostly I am so proud of my people and myself and how poetry allows me to be me! Archibald: I love that. What brings you comfort? Green: I am most comforted by witnessing the earth and the people. I am a poet in residence in Harpersville, Alabama, at an old Wallace house plantation. I am doing poems based on the enslaved descendants of that space and town. What I witness the most between cotton fields and the sounds of cicadas is the importance of remembering. Memory is what shall heal us. Nothing is more racially reconciliatory than the truth. And the truth is comforting and confronting. Salaam Greens works are published in the Alabama Arts Journal, Southern Womens Review, Glass House Journal. She is to debut a full length poetry collection this year with Pulley Press. One city in Shelby County is considering forming its own school system, following others in the county in the last decade. Residents and members of the Calera City Council will hear from educational consultant Ira Harvey Monday night about whether its feasible for the town to move to a city school system. Harveys presentation will be during the city councils June 3rd meeting. However, a Facebook post from the city of Calera emphasizes that the presentation is merely informative. There wont be a vote on the issue at this meeting. Last fall, the city council authorized the school feasibility study, which cost around $85,000, according to Fox 6. The study is meant to show if Calera, which has a population of around 18,000 people, can financially support its own school system or if it should remain part of the Shelby County School District. Some residents on social media seemed to be against breaking away from the county school system. Calera residents need to understand the current issues in our schools are not because of the teachers or school system, one resident commented on Facebook. Its student behavior and lack of parental guidance/support. Other residents seem to support the study. Even though Im a senior and its not going to affect me much because Ill be gone by the time anything does happen, I do have a younger brother thats in the 9th grade and I do want him to go throughout high school and see a change, Aubrey Stewart, a senior at Calera High School, told Fox 6 last fall when the study was authorized. Shelby County was the 13th-fastest growing county in the state in 2023, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. In 2014, Pelham split from Shelby County to form its own school district. Alabaster City Schools formed in 2013. The family of Tayy Dior Thomas say they hope the 17-year-olds shooting death last month in Mobile sparks a change in Alabamas hate crimes law. Thomas was shot and killed May 7 on Darwood Drive in Mobile. Family members say that Thomas, a transgender woman, was killed by her romantic partner for fear of their relationship being exposed. Carl Mitchell Washington, Jr. was arrested and charged with Thomas death. He is being held at Mobile Metro Jail without bond on charges of murder and discharging a weapon into an occupied vehicle, according to court records. Washington allegedly fired 18 shots into Thomas vehicle, according to court records. Mobile police said officers responded to a report of shots fired around 3:30 a.m. on May 7. When police arrived, they discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a home, and Thomas was dead in the front yard. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 17. Rolanda Carl, Thomas grandmother, remembered her as a kind, giving person who loved children and was always willing to watch her four younger siblings or cousins. Thats the thing that I get the most from her personality. She was a giving person, Carl said. That trusting and loving nature got her killed. Thomas and Washington had been in a relationship for more than a year, Carl says, though they kept it a secret. Carl believes that when Washington realized their relationship could be exposed, he killed Thomas. When [her family] went to see [her] at the funeral home, (Thomas) still had the dried-up tear marks on [her] face, Carl said. I want [Washington] to have enough time in there to think about what hes done, to have some sense of empathy and remorse. Carl says she hopes that Thomas death will receive national attention and lead to changes in the law that would allow Washington to face charges under state hate crime law. Alabamas hate crime statute does not provide enhanced penalties for crimes motivated by sexual orientation or gender identity, according to the NAACP. A 2023 study by the Human Rights Campaign, a national advocacy group for LGBTQ people, found that more than 20% of transgender and gender-expansive people with known killers were killed by a romantic, sexual or intimate partner. Thomas was the sixth transgender or gender-expansive person to be killed in the U.S. in April and May of this year, according to HRC. Court records used Thomas deadname and initial news reports, including a report by AL.com, misgendered Thomas. AL.coms initial report was based on a police statement saying the victim was a male but did not use Thomas deadname. Thomas name was not given by police at the time of AL.coms initial report because the victims family had not yet been notified, a police spokesman said on May 7. Washington has pleaded not guilty. Attorneys for Washington did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication. When the Republican-dominated Legislature passed a bill in March to protect in vitro fertilization (IVF) services in the state, legislators said they planned to form a commission to study the issue further. Almost three months later, that commission has yet to form. I dont really have an update right now. I think over the next couple of weeks, were going to actually tour some IVF centers and get more information, said Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, who carried the bill in the House, after the bills passage in the Senate. More from Alabama Reflector Following a Feb. 16 Alabama Supreme Court decision that declared frozen embryos children, the Legislature moved quickly to protect IVF clinics from criminal and civil liability. After critics called the legislation a Band-Aid fix, Republican legislators signaled they would study the issue further. The courts ruling stemmed from a lawsuit regarding the unauthorized destruction of frozen embryos at a Mobile clinic in 2020. It decided that the parents could seek damages under an 1872 state law for the deaths of their children. Following the ruling, several IVF programs closed due to legal risks to patients and providers. The Mobile health care system that provided in vitro fertilization (IVF) care said the clinic will stop the services at the end of the year, citing lawsuits over the fertility treatment. Collins, who sponsored Alabamas near-total abortion ban in 2019, said that there are a few different groups that will tour the clinics, but she did not name groups or individuals involved. Its been different people that have been able to meet the different times. I dont know whos going to go to each of the meetings, Collins said. She also did not say who would be in the study commission. I dont know who will be a part of the entire thing no, I dont, Collins said, adding that once those meetings happen and they start to talk about legislation, shell know better whos going to be a part of it. Charles Murry, spokesperson for House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, R-Rainsville, said in a text the office should have an announcement on that in the next week. Betsy Campbell, chief engagement officer at RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, said that Collins has been in contact with the organization and is interested in making sure that access to IVF is protected in Alabama. We havent had any detailed conversations, Campbell said, and added that the organization offered to be a resource as they explore a more permanent solution for full and permanent protection of IVF in the state. The court also based its decision on a 2018 Sanctity of Life amendment to the Alabama Constitution, passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2017 and approved by voters in 2018. The amendment says that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, including the right to life. House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville filed an amendment to address the issue by another constitutional amendment. It was co-sponsored by all 28 Democratic House members, but it did not come up for a committee vote. Daniels did not return a request for comment. Campbell said the legislation was designed to be a short-term solution to ensure access to IVF, but everyone agreed that it didnt address the underlying issue of the [state] Supreme Court ruling that embryos have the same rights as living children. That issue still needs to be addressed, or theres a shadow hanging over patients and providers during IVF that could still impact the standard of care, she said. She said she hopes the issue is resolved next year, as the uncertainty around the temporary solution could hurt people and providers. We want to make sure that whatever legislation that passes is not passed in haste, but really done thoughtfully. At the same time, you dont want this to drag on and have patients concerned about whether they should embark on this medically necessary treatment in their home state, Campbell said. Tesla CEO Elon Musk has been accused of reaping about $3 billion in illegal profits through insider trading of the company's stock. A shareholder lawsuit alleges that Musk sold more than $7.5 billion worth of Tesla stock because he knew the electric vehicle maker would miss its fourth-quarter production and delivery goals in 2022, according to reports Friday. The world's richest person who's reportedly spoken with former President Donald Trump about a potential advisory role if Trump beats President Joe Biden in November allegedly made the trades in November and December 2022 before the numbers were made public on Jan. 3, 2023, prompting a plunge in Tesla's share price. If Musk had waited until then, he would have netted "less than 55% of the amounts realized from his November and December 2022 sales," plaintiff and shareholder Michael Perry said in court papers filed Thursday in Delaware Chancery Court. "Musk exploited his position at Tesla, and he breached his fiduciary duties to Tesla," Perry alleged. The lawsuit, which seeks to recover the money Musk made on the trades, also accuses the company's directors of breaching their duties by allowing the billionaire to sell his stock. Musk and Tesla didn't respond to requests for comment, Reuters said, and Musk lawyer Alex Spiro didn't answer an email inquiry, according to Bloomberg. Musk, whose wealth is estimated at $210 billion by Forbes, sold the stock to bolster his $44 billion purchase of the social media company Twitter, now called X, in October 2022, Bloomberg said. The lawsuit against Musk was filed two weeks before Tesla shareholders are set to vote on his $56 billion-a-year pay package, which was voided in January when a judge ruled that he improperly controlled the process that set the amount, according to Reuters. It also came a day after Musk agreed to testify in connection with a Securities and Exchange Commission probe into his purchase of Twitter stock before the company's board accepted his offer to take the company private in April 2022. Musk has called the regulatory action an attempt to "harass" him through unwarranted investigations. King Charles III will take part in his official birthday celebrations in a little over two weeks, as the monarch eases his way back into public duties while continuing to undergo cancer treatment, Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday. The news came amid reports that Prince Williams wife, Kate, will miss a public rehearsal for the event as she, too, receives treatment for cancer. It remains unclear whether the Princess of Wales will attend the main ceremony, known as Trooping the Colour, on June 15, Britains Press Association reported. Kate has revealed few details about her illness or treatment since announcing her cancer diagnosis on March 22. Charles had been returning to public duties before Prime Minister Rishi Sunak last week called a snap election. That forced the king to postpone engagements that might divert attention from the campaign, raising questions about whether he would attend the birthday celebration. Trooping the Colour is a 460-year old tradition in which troops in full dress uniform parade past the king with their ceremonial flag, also known as their colour. Charles is likely to travel to the event by carriage with Queen Camilla and is expected to watch the Trooping ceremony seated on a dais, rather than on horseback as he did last year. An all new episode of When Calls the Heart is set to premiere on the Hallmark Channel Sunday, May 26 at 9/8c. During episode nine of the new season, Rosemarys newspaper article creates waves when she questions Lucas judgement. Meanwhile, Allie discusses her birth father with Nathan and Elizabeth realizes Little Jack is growing up, according to the episodes description. Where can I watch When Calls the Heart season 11? Though airing on the Hallmark Channel, those without a basic cable set up can still watch new episodes of When Calls the Heart on Sundays with either Philo or Fubo. Both streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers. However, Philo is the cheaper streaming option at $25 a month after its 7-day free trial. What is the difference between Philo and Fubo? Philo is considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $25 a month after its free trial. Popular channels offered with Philo include the Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more. Meanwhile, Fubo is also an alternative to a regular cable subscription, but with more exclusive channel options that Philo does not offer such as ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, FOX and more. While Fubo considers itself a sports-focused streaming service, its standard streaming package comes with over 100 TV live channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial. What is When Calls the Heart about? The official series description of When Calls the Heart is as follows: Elizabeth Thatcher is a young teacher accustomed to high society, so she experiences culture shock when she gets her first classroom assignment in Coal Valley. Life in the small mining town is filled with challenges. A recent explosion has killed more than a dozen of the towns miners, compelling the widows of those men to work in the mines to earn money. One of them - Abigail Stanton, whose husband was foreman at the site of the tragedy - welcomes Thatcher and tries to help her adjust to frontier customs. Constable Jack Thornton is not as welcoming, though, because he believes Thatchers wealthy father doomed his career by assigning him to Coal Valley so he could protect Elizabeth. Janette Okes books about the Canadian West inspired the program. Jewish history is like a tapestry. You tug at a thread from a thousand years ago and a similar thread will be felt hundreds of years later. What happened on October 7, 2023 in Israel is merely another point in the long history of the rabid hatred of the Jewish people. A single thread connects the persecutions of Haman, Hitlers Holocaust, and the brutal atrocities committed by Hamas. But in 2024 we have a resurgence of such vile reprehensible deeds that one can easily despair of civilization. The Jewish holiday Purim depicts the evil of Haman, a Persian vizier who sought to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day. It began in the ancient country of Persia but the incantation of anti-Semitism thrives in modern day Iran. Hamas, Hezballah, and other proxies of Iran seek to obliterate Israel. The mainstream media has yet to adequately publicize the wickedness and atrocities perpetrated against Israelis. Who will weep for the captives held by Hamas? Who besides those who knew them will mourn the irreparable loss of these people? Who will shut down the corrupt International Court of Justice in The Hague (ICJ) which openly sides with those who want Israel to halt its military offensive? Take a close look at the young female victims of Hamas whose lives (if they are still even alive) are beyond comprehension. Raped, beaten, tortured, mutilated, possibly impregnated -- their dreams totally destroyed. Each individual stands for a human soul, a Jewish soul who has grievously suffered. Equally upsetting is the fact that young Americans are not taught about evil. Nothing is more important than the study of good and evil. When it comes to evil, the ignorance is enormous, often almost total. For example, according to Pew, about half of Americans ages 18-39 cannot identify Auschwitz or any other Nazi death camp. In other words, a true depiction of the evils of the 20th century would mean the end of the two pillars of left-wing ideology: secularism and big government. This is why young people know almost nothing about evil. And the neo-Nazi Left keeps brainwashing the young and naive. In fact, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei understands that while Iran cannot defeat the U.S. militarily, it can strive to erode its foundations through propaganda. Khamenei himself directs the propaganda activity aimed at linking the American students support for Gaza with the destruction of the U.S. itself, using these students. This cognitive activity is preplanned and intended to generate support for the Palestinian cause among Americans at large and others who do not understand or have a personal connection to the issue. Sadly, even many Americans fail to understand a traumatized nation facing genocidal foes. Israelis realize that a state in Gaza, as well as one in Judea and Samaria, controlled by genocidal terrorists and their morally equivalent political rivals -- the Palestinian Authority and the Fatah Party -- could place the entire country in danger. And then there is the latest news that the And then there is the latest news that the FBI has gone from fighting Islamic terrorists to taking orders from them! Never Again has become Yet Again" as ignorant and hateful American university students side with the Islamic jihadists. Hamas leader abroad Khaled Mashal thanked the great student Flood emerging from American, European, and Western universities. Mashal called for a financial Flood supplying Palestinians with food and other supplies, as well as weapons for the mujahedeen. He called for a media Flood spreading the Palestinian narrative and a legal Flood [.] Indian Islamic scholar Maulana Salman Hussaini Nadwi called for Muslims worldwide to attack Israel, eliminate this worm, and destroy Tel Aviv. Muslim leaders emulate Hitlers recruitment of children soldiers. Consequently, Hizbullah-Affiliated Lebanese academic Sadek Al-Naboulsi said in a May 15, 2024 interview that was uploaded to Tafasil on YouTube that Hitler's Germany recruited child soldiers. He asked: Why shouldn't we do the same? Al-Naboulsi said that there is nothing shameful about raising children to sacrifice their lives. Martin Luther King Jr. said In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. What is more depraved -- these unspeakable acts or the worldwide support they are receiving. Instead of uniformly condemning the most barbaric atrocities in modern history, the Biden regime means to reward these savages with aid and a state. Palestinian civilians laughed while they raped and butchered Israelis. But Norway, Spain and Ireland now recognize a state of Palestine. In 2014, Sweden, became the first EU member in western Europe to recognize a Palestinian state. This occurred despite contemporary anti-Semitism brought by Muslim migrants. The imported form of antisemitism we are witnessing in Sweden is not about criticizing the Israeli government, nor is it about a call for peace, a call to return the hostages, or finding solutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, its about From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, a call for the elimination of Israel and the denial of the Jews to exist as people in their own homeland. This imported Middle Eastern antisemitism is deeply rooted in Jew-hatred, whitewashed by pretending to call for a ceasefire. In 1941 the mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini told Hitler that the Arabs were Germanys natural friends because they both wanted to see the extermination of the Jewish people. The Islamization of Europe continues to embolden Nazi/Hamas ideology and destroy a continent which has so easily forgotten the horrors of the Holocaust. Released hostage Amit Soussana recounts the horrors she endured at the hands of Hamas kidnappers. Israeli President Isaac Herzog said that Soussana speaks for all those who cannot speak. She speaks for all the victims of Hamas despicable sexual crimes and abuse. She speaks for all women everywhere. But where are the outcries from womens groups regarding the inhumane attacks on Israeli women? As the United Nations promotes an awareness campaign ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25, chilling accounts from survivors and first responders who witnessed Hamass October 7 massacre of 1,200 Israelis paint a horrifying picture of systemic sexual assaults perpetrated against women and girls of all ages. Yet many feminist and womens rights organizations worldwide have remained conspicuously silent -- and some are even questioning the veracity of the accusations. The feminist movement has lost its moral compass because of its indifference to its Jewish sisters. This year, in the Jewish homeland, we were truly not safe as the evil ones destroyed the sanctity of our homes, the innocence of our children, and our sense of security. To those who parrot the lies of Hamas, please note that Israeli Arabs have full rights. The charges against Israels various occupations represent -- and are plainly intended to be -- a damning indictment of the entire Zionist enterprise. Moreover, they are also grossly false. In 1948, no Palestinian state was invaded or destroyed to make way for the establishment of Israel. Moreover, Israels disengagement from Gaza occurred in 2005. The yearning for Zion or Israel has been a constant in Jewish prayer. The word Jerusalem appears in the Hebrew Bible 669 times and Zion appears 154 times. The Koran makes no mention of Jerusalem. Indeed, Jews are the indigenous people of the region. Israel must win and terminate the evil ones. The West must finally gird itself against the Islamic jihadists who despise liberty and seek a global caliphate. America and freedom-loving countries must eradicate those who delight in the wickedness of Jew hatred. Eileen can be reached at middlemarch18@gmail.com Image: Ted Eytan Israel is receiving patently inconsistent treatment from the Biden administration. Theres a reason for the chasm between Bidens promises and the governments conduct, and its not just Bidens effort to placate the American people (who support Israel), while getting votes from the Muslims (who dont). Biden claims he will have Israels back forever, but he wants to leave Hamas standing in Gaza, and its desire for a two-state solution sets up future kinetic warfare as the default condition for the Jewish state. Biden guaranteed a constant supply of arms to Israel, only to place limitations on quantity, type, and permitted use. The Biden administration insists that there can be no mass exit from Gaza for Muslims. Not only that, it continues to insist on Gazas racial-religious purity of Gaza because any suggestion of Jews resettling Gaza as a mechanism to keep it pacified is greeted with absolute horror and blood-vessel-exploding anger. Moreover, Biden demands that Israel is responsible for staunching the outflow of the Arab population by organizing relief efforts while it fights against Hamas. Image: AIs take on the bureaucrats view of the world Now, a new idea is making the rounds in Washington. We hear that the US Department of State is preparing to import a few hundred thousand Gazans into America. Wouldnt importing angry Muslims increase the anti-Jewish feeling that is sweeping college campuses and make life for Jews here even more uncomfortable than it already is? For an administration that claims to support Israel, isnt this a strange policy that will add fuel to an already out-of-control fire unless conflict and destruction are, in fact, the desired results? Weve seen the same type of thing when it comes to Americas domestic policiessuch as the failure of our southern border, printing money almost without limit, and raising of taxes on individuals and businesses. In each case, the policies are at diametrically at odds with the rhetoric. Perhaps President Biden is too mentally impaired to expect logic. He has already been judged too incompetent to be legally responsible for mishandling highly classified government files. However, the Democrat party views him as competent enough to run for another four years as president. That seems to be not-quite-right! With an even mildly mentally incompetent president, who will be taking responsibility for the outcome of government policies? Who will be held to account through our election system for upcoming disasters? Therefore, we may need to conclude that Democrats are retaining an incompetent candidate precisely because he is incapable of fulfilling a leadership role. The professionals in our government seem to be saying, Look, we can function without an elected president to lead us! The state has become independent of the people it rules and may no longer require the electorate to support it. The state is omnipotent and can rightly expect and demand the citizens passivity even in the face of the peoples loss of government control. Id like to argue, though, that things are even worse than they seem. I put the word state in quotation marks because there really is no such thing as the state or the government! These are abstract, shorthand terms for amorphous entities that are constantly shifting in meaning, purpose, and authority, depending on who holds power. Moreover, neither can be held responsible for its actions because it has no collective conscience or morality. Put another way, a state or government is merely the collection of the individuals who interact to structure the blurry abstract constructs. Individuals can be held to account, not abstract constructs. The American governments policy was different under Obama versus under Trump. No matter how big the state gets, power comes from above. Importantly, though, when a large group of people draw their paychecks from the state, they will develop two collective consciousnesses. The first is to do the least work for the most money, and the second is to keep those paychecks coming. With that understanding, we can see why America is victimizing Israel in the current Middle East war. The first reason is that its simply easier to victimize Jews than their enemies. Engaging in anti-Semitism uses far fewer calories than opposing submission to Islam. The second reason for professional government employees to victimize Israel is that the more conflict in the world, the more secure the positions are for those who make their living by addressing conflict. Certainly, most State and Defense Department employees would have difficulty finding other positions as generous to secure their daily bread and fat pensions. If the world were more peaceful, each unneeded government employee would not only lose a paycheck but would also have to expend energymore energy than a job that allows the least work for the most money. Thus, the contingencies of reinforcement predict that people in the State Department will preserve themselves by instigating conflict, even if it means sacrificing others. They make their living by creating conflict, not resolving it. If the Jews were meaner and angrier than their Muslim Arab enemies, Israel would be placated instead of victimized. The best example of this phenomenon is Iran, whose people march about screaming Death to America and Death to Israel. They have made billions from their real and faux anger. The abstract state employs bureaucrats who are just ordinary people out to make an easy buck, if at all possible, and to maintain job stability. And so the real people in the abstract state have a vested interest in penalizing Israel and maintain conflict in the Middle East. Supply chain disruptions were one aspect of the post-COVID chaos the world was subjected to. Politicians were gobsmacked to learn that shutting down the global economy caused markets to function erratically. They believed that markets operate at their pleasure. By the snap of a finger or wink of an eye they could shut down the global economy and by the same wink or snap markets would restart uninterrupted. One might call this the King Louis XVI syndrome, defined as the irrational belief by political elites that establishing unclever policies will result in predictable, poignant, popular outcomes. Their inevitable response to the unpopular outcome is the classic retort attributed to Marie Antionette, let them eat cake. We live in an era in which American government has been grown into a monster that devours the treasure and liberty of its people. If the government is of, by, and for the people, political factions have trained the monster to consume itself. Sadly, many subscribe to the notion that no problem, existent or imagined, is too big or small for the government to solve. An analyst at a conservative news outlet seemed disappointed that Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, didnt snap his fingers to solve the supply chain crisis. The supply chain crisis was a result of poor government policy. Why would anyone look to the government to solve it? Government action to correct a problem often makes the problem worse or creates new problems. For instance, the supply chain crisis was a symptom of the COVID virus which likely, originated in a Chinese government-controlled lab. To make matters worse the leaky lab received funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH). But wait, theres more! On May 16th Dr. Lawrence Tabak admitted the NIH funded gain of function research at the same leaky Chinese lab. Virology Blog explains, Gain of function (GoF) research gives an organism a new property or enhances an existing one. While attempting to improve the health of Americans, the NIH gave a leaky Chinese lab tax dollars to make a harmless virus lethal. As a result, millions may have died, billions were sickened, and trillions were spent by governments globally. The NIH contributed to the Wuhan Institute of Virology: to improve the health of Americans. to fund the Chinese Communist Partys development of biological weapons. because it had so much money it tossed hundreds of thousands of dollars to a leaky lab in China. All the above. Funding GoF research in a substandard lab wasnt enough to placate the NIH. Based on the science du jour, the government forced ineffective vaccines and masks on people. The NIH worked to take down scientists and doctors who offered viable medical alternatives to the governments official policy. Government scientists then engaged in a strategy of denial and obfuscation to cover their tracks. There is no other entity on the planet that can toss huge amounts of money around as frivolously as the government of the United States. In 2010 the Obama Administration decided the federal government could more efficiently administer student loans than banks. By doing this the government would save taxpayers billions of dollars, for college affordability and deficit reduction. NPR reported in 2022, From 1997 to 2021, the Education Department estimated that payments from federal direct student loans would generate $114 billion for the government. But the GAO found that, as of 2021, the program has actually cost the government an estimated $197 billion. Like Obama, Biden has no business acumen, but he does know how to win elections. He has held federal office for 47 of the last 51 years. In 2022 he thought it would be good politics to forgive the same student loans Obama placed under federal control. This action would cost the taxpayers $400 billion. Bidens electoral strategy was reversed by the Supreme Court in June of 2023 when they ruled 6-3 to strike down Bidens student loan forgiveness program. The President should have listened to Speaker Nancy Pelosi who said in 2021, People think that the President of the United States has the power for debt forgiveness. He does not. He can postpone. He can delay. But he does not have that power. That has to be an act of Congress." For some odd reason Pelosi thought Biden should follow the Constitution, which says, All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. Biden was unperturbed. He immediately developed another ruse to bail out student loans in July of 2023 which will cost taxpayers $475 billion. In April of 2024 he hatched yet another scheme that will cost taxpayers an additional $84 billion forgiving a total of $559 billion of student loans. Whats the point of being President if you cant buy a few votes? Americans are taught that there are three coequal branches of the federal government. The current leader of the executive branch (and by proclamation the free world) thumbed his nose at the legislative and judicial branches by forgiving student loan loans three times after the Speaker of the House said he shouldnt and twice after the Supreme Court said he couldnt. Sometimes legislation flies in the face of constitutional authority. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was enacted in 1978 to authorize electronic surveillance and other extraordinary methods of obtaining information related to foreign actors. FISA was expanded in the aftermath of 9/11 to include the tremendous amount of data available from phone and internet communication. When government agencies use technology to gather information related to millions of conversations related to foreign entities, they inevitably capture private information belonging to Americans. The Fourth Amendment protects us against such infringement, The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. The FBI used the FISA court to illegally obtain warrants to spy on Carter Page in an effort to dig up dirt on Donald Trumps 2016 Presidential campaign. Benjamin Franklin advised, Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. The American Revolution was fought to assure the people enjoyed the God-given right of liberty. The purpose of government is to protect the peoples rights, not usurp them. The government has become a bloated bureaucratic behemoth more intent on protecting its own agency than serving the people. Political factions use the government to obtain and consolidate power. They use this power to defy the Constitution and trample the rights of the people. Franklin warned us, Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters. We must draw on the virtue of our national character, reject the machinations of political faction and the expectation that government can solve our problems. Its time for the people to solve the problems the government has wrought on our nation. Image: Goya We all know Robert De Niro despises Donald Trump. With a vengeance. I was curious to know why. So I googled trump de niro and got a lot of hits of quotes and video clips of De Niro spouting vitriol but very little in the way of reasoning. Not surprisingly, I did find this: De Niro claims Trump is racist. But not just racist but a real racist. Being a racist is a good reason to oppose someone politically. But what exactly, I wanted to know, had Trump said to deserve De Niro labelling him as such? Try as I might I didnt find any instances or quotes from De Niro as to why he concluded that Trump is a real racist. I was left to speculate. Arguably, the instance of Trump as racist claim was The Squad incident. This is a reference to Trumps now infamous tweet that read (in part): Why dont they go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came. Of course, Trump also added that, once accomplished, they should come back to the U.S. and tell us how its done. That part of the tweet, curiously, was omitted in most mainstream media accounts. Perhaps De Niro read accounts of Trumps tweet and confused him with another world leader. It was the Dalai Lama who, unlike Trump, said that immigrants should not only be sent back to where they came from but should stay there. A month earlier than Trumps tweet, the Dalai Lama said that Europe is for Europeans and that if Europes refugee influx was not held in check then the whole of Europe [will] eventually become Muslim country. After the inevitable backlash, what did the Dalai Lama do? Why, he doubled down and insisted they return to their own countries, stay there, and rebuild those countries. Virtually the exact opposite of what Trump said. I cannot say for sure whether the Squad/Tweet is responsible for De Niros conviction of Trumps racism and maybe my research wasnt complete and De Niro has given other reasons. But I couldnt find them. Theres only so many Google pages one can scroll through. But I did find this gem from De Niro: Even gangsters have morals, and they have ethics. They have a code, and you know when you give somebody your word, its your word, because its all you have is your word. (Trump) doesnt even know what that means. Yes, Mr. De Niro, words have meaning and consequences. Here is what Robert De Niro said regarding the Jewish People back in 1983: (Jews have) turned this world into garbage for 5,000 years. Pretty damning, eh? On the face of it, there is not a soul on the face of the planet who would not conclude that De Niro was both an anti-Semite and, dare I say it, a real racist. But thats not the whole story. The above quote attributed to De Niro is from the February 7, 1983 issue of People Magazine in a piece on Jerry Lewis and his role as Jerry Langford in The King of Comedy, the movie in which De Niro starred, playing the role of Rupert Pupkin. And, it turns out, the anti-Semitic epithet he hurled at Lewis was meant to pump up Lewiss anger immediately prior to a scene in which Lewiss character had to display rage at Pupkin for barging into Langfords country home uninvited. So, De Niros racist comments werent actually racist at all; they were some sort of method acting ruse to get Lewis in a state of mind conducive to creating great cinema. But for half an hour -- or whatever time frame it took Lewis to realize De Niros racist words were only uttered for arts sake -- Lewis genuinely felt he was at the receiving end of a Nazi-inspired tirade aimed at his Jewish heritage. You know, Nazi-like, kind of like when De Niro compared Trump to Hitler. Taken out of context, words can have devastating effects. Ive tried to find De Niros reasoning for labelling Trump a racist and have yet to find them. I can only conclude that at least one of those reasons is the Squad/Tweet incident. After more than half a century of being in the public spotlight, De Niro more than anyone should understand how the media works, the risk of ones words being taken out of context, and how Trump not only didnt mean the real racist words ascribed to him but he didnt actually say what was ascribed to him. Unless of course Mr. De Niro suffers from Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect. Shall we label Robert De Niro a virulent anti-Semite? Because if the same selective citation process experienced by Donald Trump during the Squad/Tweet incident is visited upon Robert De Niro, the answer is clear. Image: David Shankbone via Wiki Yet his methods persist in New Yorks courts. Stalins notorious henchman Lavrentiy Beria famously said that if you identify a person to him, hell surely be able to find a crime to accuse him of, and after the usual show trial, that person would then be eliminated as a problem. Beria was so feared within the Communist Party that when Stalin died, Khrushchev called a meeting of the top dogs of the Politburo including Beria. Standing behind a curtain in the meeting room were two army generals, holding pistols. When they convened, the generals stepped out from behind the curtain, took Beria under arrest, and put him in front of a firing squad. Neither Stalin nor Beria was an ethnic Russian they were Georgians. And Stalin kept Beria busy snuffing out his opposition. Stalin was a jealous person, and whenever someone began to rise up within the party ranks, possibly as a rival, his life became seriously more dangerous. In the same way, Trump is a political threat to American petty tyrants who just happen to be Stalin wannabes. Hence the grotesque farce of the hush money trial. As an American, Im embarrassed. In previous political campaigns, tactics involved leaked innuendos stoking unfavorable rumors about opponents. This has been common practice in all kinds of competitive endeavors. Now the gloves are off, because Trump scares them so much that they cant afford to be careful. Volumes have already been spoken about the obvious defects in the trial. It really wasnt a trial, but rather a clumsy spectacle. As a result, Mr. Trumps supporters are even more militant and committed to his re-election. Legalities notwithstanding, Mr. Trumps martyrdom will live in history as a turning point, or at least I hope so. Stalin went out feet first. Subsequently, the USSR took on a slightly less obnoxious persona. It was still an enemy of civilization, but it wasnt as scary especially to its own people. The petty tyrants trying to keep Trump out of the White House have few tools to work with, since they cant just snuff anyone in their way, so this trial and its derivatives are just about all theyve got. We now call it lawfare AKA war by other means. We have always relied on judicial resolution of disputes, and now that is uncertain. In a civilized society, disputes need to be resolved equitably or else other means must be employed. This hush money trial may be an outlier rather than a turning point. The strong reaction in Trumps favor is indicative of the latent resentment over government oppression felt by much of the populace. Meanwhile, nonsensical agendas are being pushed by authoritarians all around us. Bernie Sanderss Vermont just enacted an assessment against the petroleum industry because of weather events, irrespective of any evidence confirming actionable cause and effect. Californias Senate has just enacted a requirement that all new cars sold after 2032 have governors that make it impossible for them to break the speed limit. Governor Hair Gel, who has already advocated amending the U.S. Constitution to drastically change the Second Amendment, will probably sign it should the assembly follow suit. Space does not allow for anything near a complete list of these proposed assaults on personal freedom, but suffice it to say that Trumps conviction has provided a well needed rallying point for the non-totalitarians to form ranks and reverse this trend. And that seems to be really happening. Stalin would not be pleased. Image via Picryl. In 2005, the majority of Israelis favored the establishment of a Palestinian state. By 2013, just over 50% of Israeli Jews still favored a two-state solution, despite a growing wave of Palestinian terror attacks. Just weeks before the horrors of Oct. 7, 2023, according to a Pew poll, it was already down to 32%. According to a new poll, released by the Pew Research Center on May 30, 2024, only 19% of Israeli Jews believe that it is possible to live alongside a Palestinian state. It would be interesting for Pew to hold a specific poll among the peacenik residents of the Gaza kibbutzim about their change in attitude toward accepting a Palestinian state both before and after Oct. 7. I would anticipate that the vast majority -- at least 80% -- would acknowledge they wanted a two-state solution before Oct. 7. It would be interesting to learn what they think today. My instincts tell me it will be below 15%. The result of these polls should be an eye-opener to the Biden administration and the European governments who have rushed to embrace recognition of a Palestinian state with emotions still red raw in Israel. As of March 30, 2024, 76% of Jewish Israelis say Israel will achieve its goals -- the military elimination of Hamas and the return of the hostages -- only in the current war, and not by negotiations. Barry Shaw is a Senior Associate for Public Diplomacy at the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies. Image: Pexels // Pexels License There is something vital and profoundly disturbing missing from Alvin Braggs prosecution of Donald Trump: police involvement. Its possible some police officers were assigned to the prosecutors office, but if so, their names do not appear in the indictment (available here), nor, according to The Hill, there were no police officers among the 20 prosecution and two defense witnesses. Ive been unable to find any evidence of police participation. Graphic: YouTube Screenshot So, no cops were apparently involved. So what? The police are an essential initiator of criminal charges. Theyre also a multi-layered filter for false and/or political charges against the innocent. Among their many duties, police supervisors are charged with ensuring every charge made by an officer is legitimate, untainted by laziness, personal animus or political dirty tricks. Supervisors at the rank of Lt. and Captain serve as further filters, reviewing all paperwork submitted to prosecutors to ensure police integrity. Tainted, bad cases blow back on every police officer, making an already difficult job harder and more dangerous, and professional agencies take preserving their integrity seriously. The criminal justice process is supposed to begin with the police, with a predicatea reasonto investigate any crime. The predicate may be a citizen report of a crime, which followed up by detectives yields a suspect. It may be information from informants, but in that case, the police are careful to confirm that information; they dont just take any informants word. Or a police officer may simply witness someone committing a crime. It's essential this process is followed. Without it, officers may decide, without a predicate, someone needs to go to jail. Supervisors at every level may fail in filtering. Failing to involve the police also wastes their training, knowledge and experience. Normally, a crime is initially investigated by a patrol officer, then forwarded to a detective. If the detective finds a suspect and enough evidence to constitute probable cause, they send an affidavit to the prosecutor, listing their name, position and experience and describing, in detail, why they believe a specific crime has been committed and why they believe a specific person committed it. Notice, the legitimate process always begins with a crime. It's then up to the prosecutor to determine whether there is enough evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. Prosecutors do not conduct investigations. They arent trained to do that, theyre not competent nor do they remotely have the time, particularly in a major city. If additional evidence is needed, they ask the detective involved to find it. If a criminal case goes to trial with no police involvement, something has gone wrong. In the Trump case, Alvin Bragg ran for office on the promise to get Donald Trump. His predecessor, Cyrus Vance, refused to prosecute the case, as did every level of the Federal Government, refusing even a civil effort. Bragg initially refused the case, but decided to pursue it when a former assistant prosecutor wrote a book about it. The indictment reads: THE GRAND JURY OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, by this indictment, accuses the defendant of the crime of FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN THE FIRST DEGREE, in violation of Penal Law 175.10, committed as follows: The defendant, in the County of New York and elsewhere, on or about February 14, 2017, with intent to defraud and intent to commit another crime and aid and conceal the commission thereof, made and caused a false entry in the business records of an enterprise, to wit, an invoice from Michael Cohen dated February 14, 2017, marked as a record of the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, and kept and maintained by the Trump Organization. The remaining counts simply add check or voucher numbers. No another crime is identified, nor is any police officer/investigator mentioned. Its possible an officer testified before the grand jury, but if so, they would have been essential to establish a foundation for at least some evidence at trial, and no officer testified there. Grand juries do not investigate crimes. They hear only the evidence presented by prosecutors, which is the origin of the old saw: a prosecutor can get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. The third ranking lawyer at the federal DOJ helped Bragg prosecute the casean enormous voluntary demotion--and innumerable assistant prosecutors were involved. It appears no investigation was necessary. They had their man, and they invented three uncharged and unproven crimes, part and parcel of an unprecedented, novel legal theory. Even though they were apparently not involved, the police will suffer for this perversion of the criminal justice system. We all will. Mike McDaniel is a USAF veteran, classically trained musician, Japanese and European fencer, life-long athlete, firearm instructor, retired police officer and high school and college English teacher. He is a published author and blogger. His home blog is Stately McDaniel Manor. Vermont recently passed legislation that will punish oil companies for producing oil, by forcing them to pay a share of damages allegedly caused by "climate change." In doing so, the Green Mountain State has effectively criminalized the extraction and production of petroleum and, therefore, petroleum products. Per the Associated Press: Under the legislation, the Vermont state treasurer, in consultation with the Agency of Natural Resources, would provide a report by Jan. 15, 2026, on the total cost to Vermonters and the state from the emission of greenhouse gases from Jan. 1, 1995, to Dec. 31, 2024. The assessment would look at the effects on public health, natural resources, agriculture, economic development, housing and other areas. The state would use federal data to determine the amount of covered greenhouse gas emissions attributed to a fossil fuel company. To say this is insane is to seriously understate things. Assuming that greenhouse gases are in some way detrimental, how could it be possible to apportion blame amongst companies, industries, individuals, groups, organizations, vehicles, appliances and the government? Nonetheless, typically timid GOP Gov. Phil Scott managed to be missing in action long enough for the bill to become law without his signature. The Pine Tree States chief invertebrate then actually wrote a letter to lawmakers in which he said, I understand the desire to seek funding to mitigate the effects of climate change that has hurt our state in so many ways. Invertebrate --noun--: an animal lacking a backbone, such as an arthropod, mollusk, annelid, coelenterate ... or establishment Republican. See also, RINO. The oil companies should go along with the insanity. Not one drop of oil should be directed towards Vermont. Let Vermonters freeze to death in the winter or die of heatstroke in the allegedly rapidly warming climate. No affordable gasoline to power your vehicles so you can go to work, the hospital, out to eat, or on vacation? Too bad, dumbasses. Think about that and the myriad of other products that are made from petroleum -- the next time you are going to vote. Penalizing companies that deliver lifesaving (and enhancing) goods and services by extorting money from them over and above the regular rate of taxation is a recipe for societal disaster. Unfortunately, this is of a piece with penalizing farmers for producing the food we need to survive. (While were at it, lets also penalize the waste management companies that pick up and haul away our garbage. I mean, my God, they literally trash Mother Earth by inserting refuse into her by way of landfills!) Heres hoping Vermonts politicians are held responsible for the damages this legislation will cause. This is Atlas Shrugged writ large. By the way, who is John Galt? Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Convicted killer Chad Daybell was sentenced to death Saturday for the grisly slayings of his first wife and the two youngest children of his second wife, imprisoned-for-life "Doomsday Mom" Lori Vallow Daybell. Daybell, 55, sat with his hands in his lap and showed no reaction as Judge Steven Boyce announced the jury's unanimous decision in Boise, Idaho, the Associated Press reported. The punishment came two days after the self-published author of doomsday fiction loosely based on Mormon teachings was convicted of conspiracy, first-degree murder and related crimes in the killings of 49-year-old Tammy Daybell, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan and 7-year-old Joshua "JJ" Vallow. Prosecutors alleged that Chad Daybell was motivated by a "desire for sex, money and power." During the penalty phase of his trial, relatives of the victims made emotional statements, with JJ's grandmother, Kay Woodcock tearfully describing how the boy would often softly touch others and ask if they were OK. "I can't express just how much I wish for more time to create memories," Woodcock said as she began weeping. Vallow Daybell's oldest child, Colby Ryan, also told jurors that it was "like a nuclear bomb dropping" when his siblings were killed three years after his father died. "My three kids will never know the kindness of Tylee's heart or JJ's silly and goofy personality," he said. "It's not an overstatement to say that I lost everything." Chad Daybell didn't testify during either the evidence or penalty phase of his trial, CBS News said. Lori Vallow Daybell, 50, was sentenced last year to life in prison without parole for murdering her two youngest kids and conspiring to kill Tammy Daybell, who was found dead of asphyxiation in her home in October 2019. The children disappeared a month earlier and their remains were found buried in Chad Daybell's yard the following summer. Lori Vallow Daybell told a friend she believed they'd been possessed by evil spirits and turned into "zombies." Both she and Chad Daybell, her fifth husband, tried to blame all three killings on Lori Vallow Daybell's brother, Alex Cox, who died in late 2019. Lori Vallow Daybell still faces trial in Arizona over the fatal shooting of her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, who was JJ's father. The president of the United States, Joe Biden, went in front of the cameras at the White House on May 31 and presented a multi-stage process for an end of war in Gaza that would release all the hostages, declaring it to be an Israeli peace plan. So bizarre to have this coming from the American President, not the Government of Israel: https://t.co/dton6d7sWl Victoria Coates (@VictoriaCoates) May 31, 2024 It would be interesting to learn from Biden which Israeli came up with this plan. Bidens Israeli plan sounded comprehensive but it wasnt, and it didnt sound right. According to Biden we would get all our hostages after we release several hundred merciless killers and accepting a ceasefire that would become a permanent cessation in fighting. But no word about the defeat of Hamas and its leaders. In other words, Bidens Israel plan gifts a victory to Hamas. Our officials have negotiated with any partner, friend or enemy, to get our hostages back for months, but the thought that Hamas would emerge armed and dangerous was never on the cards. In fact, this detail has split a part of Israeli society who want the hostages home even if Hamas is left to repeat the horrors of Oct. 7, but they are a vocal but small part of the population. This part also wants to remove Netanyahu as Israels leader. These are led by the malcontents that had split Israeli society up to the day that Hamas attacked on Oct. 7. Prior to that day they included notable, some would say malevolent, former leftist politicians and retired IDF and air force commanders who were telling reservists not to turn up for duty as long as Bibi was prime minister. For many, these are the people that created the atmosphere in Israel that encouraged Hamas to strike. Now these people are seen as dividing the suffering families of the hostages. They have returned to their public streets with all the equipment but different signs and are using the hostages, and the length of the war, as their cover to have Netanyahu removed. Israel has a war cabinet comprising both members of the government and opposition to manage the conflict. All, apparently, have the same unified goal that Hamas must be utterly defeated. This is particularly felt by our volunteer soldiers who are dedicated, to the point of self-sacrifice, to eliminate Hamas. All are motivated by the horrific events of Oct. 7 and are fighting under the pledge of Never Again! So for Biden to spell out the conditions of a hostage deal that leaves Hamas alive and killing, and present it as an Israeli plan, did not sound right. In his words: After intensive diplomacy carried out by my team, my many conversations with leaders of Israel, Qatar and Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries, Israel has now offered a comprehensive new proposal. Its a road map to an enduring ceasefire and the release of all hostages. Israelis are angry that after sweeping through Gaza City and Khan Younis, the IDF completely withdrew from Gaza as a precondition imposed by Hamas for the release of hostages. Hamas broke their agreement. Israel does not engage in negotiations for the release of our hostages in front of the media. Lives are at stake and families expectations can easily be dashed. But Biden broke that sacred bond in a cynical political manner, saying: I need your help. Everyone who wants peace now must raise their voices and let the leaders know they should take this deal. For Israelis, it sounded like the U.S. president was calling on the international community to dump down on us. It sounded as if Biden wanted to deepen the rift within Israeli society to bring down our elected prime minister, and to do it during an essential war when the fate of our living hostages is at stake, made it appear an egregious cynical political ploy. Our hostages should not be expendable pawns in particularly ill-considered publicity event. Proving that his plan was not Israeli, but his own, Biden said: Israel will want to make sure its interests are protected but the proposal says should the negotiations take longer than six weeks for phase one, the ceasefire will still continue as long as negotiations continue. An Israeli reading implies that after Hamas plays their psychological time games and extends agreed deadlines, Israel would be obligated not to respond militarily but to sit by and do nothing until someone can persuade Palestinian Hamas to live up to Bidens expectations. No Israeli would have come up with that egregious proposal. Then Biden said: Phase two, after an exchange for the release of all remaining living hostages, including male soldiers, Israeli forces will withdrawal from Gaza and as long as Hamas lives up to its commitments, temporary ceasefire will become, in the words of the Israeli proposal, cessation of hostilities will be permanent, end of quote. It continues: Finally, in phase three, a major reconstruction plan for Gaza would commence and any final remains of hostages whove been killed will be returned to their families. Thats the offer thats now on the table, and what weve been asking for. Its what we need. This is unacceptable by Israel. We know that if we withdraw Hamas will emerge out of their tunnels and hiding places and history has shown us, we can whistle goodbye to remaining hostages. IDF soldiers, Hadar Goldin and Oren Shaul, were captured by Hamas ten years ago and havent been seen since. Hamas has given zero information to Israel and their families for a decade of their fate or whereabouts. Ethiopian Israeli Avera Mengistu, and Bedouin Arab Israeli Hisham al-Sayed, were seized by Hamas alive in 2014 and 2015. Where are they? Hamas wont say. But, according to Biden, the reconstruction of Gaza begins before the remains of our dead hostages, murdered by Hamas, or these individuals held by Hamas, will be returned home to their families. Does Biden really trust in Hamas to do the decent and humane thing? This U.S. president has zero knowledge or empathy for basic Jewish values. Israel will not stop pursuing Hamas until we reach the last of the living and the last of our dead so they can be brought home to their families for proper burial in Israel. And what of Hamas? Biden doesnt say. They mysteriously disappear from Bidens script which, he claims, was written by Israel. But, according to Bidens script, they will remain alive and killing after an enforced Israeli withdrawal. But then, Biden let it slip that it was not an Israeli plan after all with a giveaway line; Ive urged the leadership of Israel to stand behind this deal despite whatever pressure comes. Israels IDF is in the final phase of the war to militarily defeat Hamas and annihilate its leadership. If Israel had not been stopped by intense international pressure the war would truly be over by now. We trusted Biden, we trusted the international diplomatic community. They lied to us. They left our hostages to suffer for additional months because we lost valuable time to give peace a chance. It didnt work. It will never work as long as Hamas exists. The Israeli prime minister does not issue official international statements on a Shabbat, but Benjamin Netanyahu broke that holy tradition by making Israels position crystal clear. Israel will continue its war against the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza until all three objectives are achieved: return of all the hostages abducted by the terrorists on October 7, 2023, and in 2014; destruction of the Hamas terrorist organization as a military and governing entity; and taking steps to ensure Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel. To emphasize Israels position, the Prime Minister added: The actual proposal put forward by Israel, including the conditional transition from one phase to the next, allows Israel to uphold these principles." ...and... Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter. Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: The destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Until the prime minister or the war cabinet, or the Israeli Government Security Council, release any other official statement, this is the position of Israel in its war against Hamas with a primary goal being the release of the hostages, some of whom are American. If there are differences of opinion within the war cabinet, dissenting members may resign from the cabinet to be replaced by others that share the basic principles of the just war that was imposed on Israel by Hamas. Israel strongly urges the United States and the West, to stand affirmatively with Israel in this war, a war we are fighting justly and correctly, despite false accusations. Barry Shaw is a Senior Associate for Public Diplomacy at the International Public Diplomacy Associate at the Israel Institute for Strategic Studies. Image: Israel Defense Forces, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 We recently reported that OnePlus is planning to release the OnePlus Pad 2 sometime in the second half of 2024. But according to a popular Chinese leakster, Digital Chat Station, the OnePlus Pad 2 release has been delayed. This isnt the only device that wont be released on its expected release date. According to the leakster, the Oppo Pad 3 and OnePlus Watch 3 are also delayed. Oppo Pad 3, OnePlus Pad 2, and OnePlus Watch 3 to arrive later than expected The OnePlus Pad 2, expected to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, was initially anticipated for release sometime between July and December 2024. However, according to DCS, the launch date has been pushed back with no information on the new release date. In addition to the OnePlus Pad 2, several other IoT products will not be released on their expected release dates. These include the Oppo Pad 3, the OnePlus Watch, a new color option for the OnePlus Buds 3, and the Oppo Enco X3 true wireless earbuds. Among all these postponed devices, the delay of the Oppo Pad 3 is most surprising. This is due to earlier rumors suggesting it was going to be released this month in China. Expected features of these devices In addition to reporting the delay, Digital Chat Station also shed light on the tablets processing power. According to DCS, both the Oppo Pad 3 and the OnePlus Pad 2 will feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor. The Oppo Pad 3 will also feature a 3K resolution display with a 144Hz refresh rate that offers a peak brightness of 900 nits. It will also have an all-metal body and a 13-megapixel camera on the back. Youll get an 8-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The tablet will run on Android 14 and will come with a 9510mAh battery with 67W fast-charging support. In terms of storage, youll get 16GB of RAM along with 512GB of internal storage. Unfortunately, there is not much information available about the OnePlus Pad 2 other than its processor. The OnePlus Watch 3 is expected to come with the Snapdragon Wear 5 SoC. While the processor will be the same as its predecessor, the OnePlus Watch 2, the new watch may feature the W5 Gen 2 processor, which has not been announced by Qualcomm yet. A new artificial intelligence tool (AI) developed in the UK can rapidly rule out heart attacks in people attending A&E and help tens of thousands avoid unnecessary hospital stays each year, according to its creators. Known as Rapid-RO, the AI tool has been found to successfully rule out heart attacks in over a third of patients across four UK hospitals during trials. Professor James Leiper, associate medical director at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), which funded the study, said: This research demonstrates the important role AI could play in guiding treatment decision for heart patients. By quickly identifying patients who are safe to be discharged, this technology could help people avoid unnecessary hospital stays, allowing valuable NHS time and resource to be redirected to where it could have the greatest benefit. Blood tests are generally used to confirm diagnosis when a patient arrives at hospital with a suspected heart attack. These tests measure levels of a protein called troponin which rises when there is damage to the heart muscle. However, this increase may not be reliably seen until hours later so people are often kept in hospital for further troponin tests and monitoring. Some of these patients will eventually be discharged without needing treatment after a heart attack is ruled out. Dario Sesia, a PhD student supported by BHF at Imperial College London, developed Rapid-RO to identify patients who are at very low risk of heart attack. Rapid-RO was trained using data from over 60,000 patients across the UK and then tested on more than 35,000 patients. It works by combining the data from the initial troponin blood test with other patient information collected during hospital admission, which is then analysed by the algorithm. Patients are then identified as either being in a very low risk group for having a heart attack, or not. Rapid-RO was able to successfully rule out heart attacks in 36% of patients, compared to 27% ruled out by troponin blood testing alone. It was also found to be more accurate at identifying heart attack cases. Troponin tests missed four times as many heart attacks (108 cases) compared to the AI tool (27 cases), the researchers said. It was also effective regardless of ethnicity, sex and whether patients had Covid-19, they added. Dr Amit Kaura, postgraduate clinical research fellow in cardiology from Imperial College London, said: Current methods for ruling out a heart attack combine a clinical assessment with a blood test measuring troponin, a blood marker of heart muscle damage. Many patients require multiple troponin tests to confirm theyre not having a heart attack, resulting in longer hospital stays and increased costs. We developed an artificial intelligence-based model, using age, the first set of blood tests including troponin and other basic health information, to help doctors to rule out heart attacks quicker compared to current methods, whilst maintaining high accuracy across different ages and in patients with different health conditions. Our study shows how artificial intelligence can assist doctors in making more timely decisions about patient care, preventing unnecessary hospital stays, all while maintaining patient safety. As part of the next steps, the researchers are hoping to turn Rapid-RO into an app that could be used by doctors. Professor Leiper said: We look forward to more research to understand how Rapid-RO could in future be used to accelerate clinical decisions, improving patient treatment and care. The findings were presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester. Comedian Alex Mitchell paid tribute to former rugby league star Rob Burrow, after his stand-up routine in the final of Britains Got Talent. The teaching assistant with autism, who won a place in the final after embracing his tics during his routine, called the late athlete a hero. Leeds Rhinos, the former club of Burrow, who was known for raising awareness of motor neurone disease after his own diagnosis, announced his death, at the age of 41, on Sunday. During his routine Mitchell joked that his biggest achievement before reaching the final was fitting three Creme Eggs into his mouth. He also left a final message and said: To every school teacher, to every kid Ive ever taught, we did it. Once again from me, love will always win. Judge Alesha Dixon told the comedian he has something really powerful to say. I love how off the cuff you are and natural, youre a bit edgy, which is brilliant. More importantly you have something really powerful to say and I think youre going to inspire so many people and for that I commend you. Paying tribute to Burrow, Mitchell then said: About an hour ago, before I came on stage, I got the sad news and itd be remiss of me not to mention it. I know they wont be watching, but to the family of Rob Burrow he is a hero. The first finalists to take to the stage on Sunday were Japanese double-dutch dance group Haribow, who were praised by head judge Simon Cowell. I dont know what to say because it was so brilliant, he said. I mean your first audition was one of the best auditions we saw this year. I thought your semi-final performance wasnt as good as your audition, and then on the night that it mattered you pull it out the bag with one of the most incredible performances. Elsewhere on the show Ghanian dancing duo Abigail & Afronitaaa were told the entire audience had fallen in love with them after their high-octane dance performance. During the final, they performed to a medley of songs, which included popular Afrobeats track Antenna by Fuse ODG. The judges were left open-mouthed with a trick from magician Trixy which culminated in the reveal of Peter Andre, hidden behind a playing card on stage. The finalists are competing to scoop the 250,000 prize, as well as a spot on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance. Last year Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn won the prize with his high-vis inspired routines. Labour must shift the dial on reforming Stormonts devolved structures if it wins the General Election, the leader of the Alliance Party has said. Naomi Long warned that the powersharing institutions in Belfast remain as fragile now as they were just prior to their last collapse, as she expressed concern that another implosion could herald the end of devolution in Northern Ireland. She claimed the DUPs current backpedalling on its endorsement of the Government deal on post-Brexit trading barriers, which led to the restoration of devolution in February, could place fresh question marks over Stormonts stability. Ms Longs cross-community party has long campaigned for reform to remove the veto power to collapse the institutions held by the biggest unionist and nationalist parties. Since 2017, both Sinn Fein and the DUP have pulled the plug on powersharing, meaning Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government for five of the last seven years. Acknowledging that both parties may be reluctant to voluntarily give up that veto, Ms Long said there is a responsibility on the UK Government to take action. Naomi Long urged Hilary Benn to make Stormont reform a priority if he becomes Northern Ireland Secretary after the election (Liam McBurney/PA) In a pre-election interview with the PA news agency, Ms Long also said: Alliance remains fully focused on Stormont, despite her as leader, and deputy leader Stephen Farry, both aiming to be Westminster MPs come July. The partys main priority in the election is retaining Dr Farrys North Down seat. She claimed the party will not be disappointed if that is the only seat it wins, but expressed belief it could secure more, claiming Alliance is in contention in three to five other constituencies. Sinn Feins decision to stand aside in four constituencies, a move that could bolster support for Alliance in those areas, came as a surprise. Alliance never contemplated stepping aside in any constituencies. Ms Long said the party is committed to giving all voters the opportunity to vote for something distinctive and different to traditional orange/green politics. She views the expansion of the party in the west of Northern Ireland as a long-term project, as she acknowledged its vote could be squeezed in constituencies west of the River Bann where it is not seen as a potential seat-winner. Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, Stormont has a governance system that incorporates mutual veto powers, enabling blocs of unionist and nationalist MLAs to stop moves that otherwise command majority support and, in extreme circumstances, pull down the institutions and prevent them operating. The mechanisms were introduced during the peace process as a way to protect minorities in Northern Irelands divided society. However, Alliance insists the structures no longer reflect modern-day Northern Ireland and wants changes to voting systems within both the Assembly chamber and at the Executive table to ensure votes cast by MLAs who consider themselves neither unionist nor nationalist are given the same weight as others. Buoyed by series of election successes in recent years, Alliance has established itself as the third largest party in Northern Ireland a rise reflective of the growing middle ground in the region that does not vote on traditional orange and green lines. Last year, Ms Long, who serves as Justice Minister at Stormont, warned she was prepared to test the legality of the existing devolved structures. Ahead of the General Election, the party leader told PA she has spoken to Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn on the issue of reform. Stormont is as stable now as it was the day before it collapsed, she said. People tend to take Stormont for granted. When its actually sitting, people assume that everything will be fine. But we know how quickly things can unravel. Were in a honeymoon period at the moment with the Executive, but that is already being tested. Alliance leader Naomi Long warned that the powersharing institutions in Belfast remain as fragile now as they were prior to their last collapse (Liam McBurney/PA) Ms Long said the Ulster Unionists decision to vote against the administrations recent budget showed all was not well in the four-party mandatory coalition. So Stormont needs reassurance that its going to continue because people are optimistic for the future, she said. They want to see us make a difference. They want to see their lives get better. And they believe that Stormont can do that. So we need to make sure that it does and that nobody can detract from it again. Turning to the DUP, she added: Having gone back into Stormont on the strength of their Safeguarding The Union document in their deal with the Conservatives, we now see them backpedalling madly away from a deal that they signed up to. What does that mean in the long term? Does that mean if they get into conflict with the Government in the future around the (Northern Ireland) protocol and its implementation and the Windsor Framework, will we be back in a situation where theyre again threatening to pull down the institutions in order to get what they want? Who knows where that thread will eventually lead to if we start to unravel it? So, for me, its really important that we keep the issue of reform on the agenda. Ms Long is running in East Belfast, where she hopes to win the seat from outgoing MP and DUP leader Gavin Robinson. She said it is important to act on reform before another devolution crisis flares. Its not good enough to say Well, its OK, were back now, she said. What trust will the public have in politicians who said that before, and then pulled things down? We have never said we would take it off the table simply because devolution was restored. We need that reform to happen so that devolution continues to function. Sir Keir Starmer meets an Alliance Party delegation at Stormont in 2023 (Liam McBurney/PA) She added: I think whats happened, generally speaking, is when secretaries of state have left Northern Ireland, they have said with the benefit of hindsight that they should have done more on reform. So, what Ive been saying to Hilary Benn is dont wait for hindsight. Of course, there will be caution. I have spoken with the Irish Government about this as well, because they are very much a part of the discussion around reform. And there will be caution, because the institutions are a delicate balance that were able to sustain us over the last 25 years. And we certainly dont want to do anything that will upend those institutions. But the biggest threat currently to the arrangements under the Good Friday Agreement are these repeated cycles of crisis and collapse. And the best thing we can do is find ways of bringing that to an end and changing the structures so that they reflect the change in society. One of the most amazing things thats happened over the last 25 to 26 years is just how different Northern Ireland is, how much more integrated, how much more free people are in terms of their identity. The change in culture in Northern Ireland has been incredible. And yet thats not reflected in institutions that still see everything very much as black and white, green and orange, unionist and nationalist, and nothing else. Northern Ireland is a very different place and the institutions need to be able to flex to represent that challenge that we have now. She added: Its something that were very ambitious in terms of what were able to do. And Ive had those conversations with Keir Starmer, Ive had them with Hilary Benn, and I will continue to do that. But I will also continue to passionately advocate with other parties and other MPs because we need to build momentum behind that change. I want to do it at a time when there isnt a crisis. Because if we wait for the next crisis, it will be too late. I dont believe Stormont will be able to withstand another collapse. She suggested that while the DUP and Sinn Fein might agree to some changes, she expressed doubt they will back substantive reform. I think theres some things that we need to do that will require the Government to shift the dial, she said. And I think that thats just the reality. She added: Weve got to be willing at certain stages in the process to nudge the process forward. And thats what were asking to do. A Labour MP has defended his partys decision to parachute candidates into safe seats in Wales, insisting there was local input in the decision. Concerns have been raised after think tank chief and former Labour aide Torsten Bell and Alex Barros-Curtis, executive director of legal affairs for the party, were selected as candidates for Swansea West and Cardiff West on Friday. Former Labour MP for Cynon Valley Beth Winter accused the party of imposing candidates following the expedited process, which she branded an insult to Wales. Director of the Resolution Foundation, Torsten Bell, who is standing as a Labour candidate in Wales (Jonathan Brady/PA) Mr Bell appears to have no connection to the country, while Mr Barros-Curtis went to school in North Wales. But Stephen Kinnock, who is standing for Labour in Aberfan Maesteg, has insisted the decision was taken with the local partys input. He told the BBCs Nick Servini on Politics Wales: There were constituency Labour Party members on both of those selection committees. There was input from the local party membership in both cases. I know Torsten well, he is one of the smartest people on the scene in terms of understanding where we are on the public finances, in terms of developing policy that is going to take our country forward. Hes an incredibly talented person. Mr Kinnock did not answer when questioned if Mr Bell had ever been to Swansea. Leader of Plaid Cymru, Rhun ap Iorwerth, said the decision was a worrying sign about what Labours attitude in government would be towards Wales (Peter Byrne/PA Wire) However, he added: What Torsten will do is work his socks off to show that he is completely committed to the people of Swansea West. He will build trust and a strong relationship with his party members, as I would like to think that I have done, and in the end, people want a name, an MP that delivers they want an MP who is a strong national voice and an active local campaigner, and that is what both Torsten and Alex will be. Speaking with the PA news agency on Saturday, Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, said the decision to parachute in members was a worrying sign about what Labours attitude in government would be towards Wales. He said: Were seeing a slashing on the number of MPs in Wales from 40 to 32. If among those 32 you have parachuted in candidates who are not there because they want to play any part in Welsh politics, thats a dilution of the Welsh voice. Its insulting to the Labour Party members themselves in those constituencies, but its also insulting to Wales to do this at the last minute. When the candidates were announced a Welsh Labour spokesperson said: Were pleased that despite the expedited process, the panels were formed by representatives from the Welsh Executive Committee and local members. Torsten brings a wealth of experience in economic policy and tackling child poverty. He will be real champion for Swansea West. Alex has extensive legal experience and is a campaigner for social justice issues. David Atherton on The Great British Bake Off - Mark Bourdillon/Television Stills Authentic croissants should be straight rather than curved, a top pastry chef has said. David Atherton, a former Great British Bake Off champion, claimed that according to French culture the pastries should not be rounded at the ends. A survey revealed over half of the British public (59 per cent) believe food tastes better in its traditional form. Mr Atherton, who has teamed up with bagel company the New York Bakery Co, also said when it comes to a Cornish pasty, diners should look out for distinctive crimping down the sides which served as a handle for miners hands. An authentic pasty is filled with mince, potato, swede, and onion. The beef should make up 12.5 per cent of the filling with vegetables making up a quarter. OnePoll stats have revealed some 46 per cent of Brits believe authenticity is synonymous with good quality and the food options are the best thing about going on holiday. A crescent-shaped croissant - Cris Cant/Getty And, Brits eat food from three different cultures each week on average. Atherton said that true Italian pasta should only ever contain durum wheat, water and salt occasionally an egg. And, a New York bagel one of the foods that New Yorkers hold in high regard should always be boiled before being baked to create a distinctive soft texture while retaining a good chew and a golden crust. Meanwhile, the ingredients on an authentic ketchup label should always list vinegar. The stats further revealed more than a third (35 per cent) of Brits have researched the origins of food to make sure what they are eating is correct. And, when on holiday more than a quarter (27 per cent) like to ask locals about their cuisine to brush up on their facts. A straight croissant - Anna Kurzaeva/Getty Alastair Unite, from New York Bakery Co, said: As a brand synonymous with the best bagel shops and delis in New York, were on a mission to champion authenticity. Thats why weve teamed up with David Atherton as the nations Chief Authenticity Expert. Our bagel know-how, combined with his baking expertise, means together we can show people what to look for when buying bagels as well as other favourite foods such as pizza, pasties and pies. Bagels are an absolute breakfast favourite, but not all bagels are created equal. Among the factors to consider are history and heritage bagels are synonymous with New York. Then there are iconic flavours and the baking method (think boiled and baked) to provide top-tier texture as David said, that golden crust, generous taste and chew. Our message is clear: if it isnt a New York bagel, it isnt a bagel. There is no substitute. Some 46 per cent of Brits would like to travel to Italy to try an authentic pizza and 31 per cent want to visit New York to try a famous bagel. Mr Unite added: This campaign proves how Brits want to eat authentic quality food. Weve developed this handy guide to help remind shoppers what to look out for. The Chilean parliament votes to join ICJ case against Israel on Saturday - Cristobal Venegas/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock Chilean president Gabriel Boric has said his country was joining South Africa in its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of genocide in the war against Hamas. Speaking to the National Congress on Saturday, Mr Boric a Leftist student protester turned politician decried the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and called for a firm response from the international community. Chile will become a party to and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Boric said. The ICJ is considering South Africas case, but in the interim has brought in preliminary measures ordering Israel do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its campaign against Hamas. Last month, the court ordered Israel to halt military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where displaced Palestinians are seeking safety from Israels military offensive. Rafah offensive Before the Rafah offensive began, the United Nations said that up to 1.4 million people were sheltering in the city. Since then, one million have fled the area, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has said. Chile has recognised Palestine as a state since 2011. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamass Oct 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the Israel Defense Forces says are dead. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 36,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territorys health ministry. A notorious Canadian serial killer who allegedly fed his victims to his pigs was fatally assaulted by a fellow inmate at the maximum-security prison where he was serving a life sentence. Robert "Willie" Pickton, 74, died of injuries inflicted on May 19 in the Port-Cartier Institution in Quebec, the Correctional Service of Canada said in a statement Friday. An unidentified 51-year-old inmate is reportedly suspected in the attack. Pickton was convicted in 2007 of murdering six women and butchering their remains at his pig farm in the western province of British Columbia, according to Reuters. He was also charged with killing 20 other women but prosecutors dropped those cases after he was sentenced in those cases following his 2007 conviction. During his trial, star prosecution witness Andrew Bellwood testified that Pickton described strangling his victims and feeding their remains to the pigs on his farm in the Vancouver suburb of Port Coquitlam, according to the Associated Press. The allegation led health officials to warn neighbors who might have bought pork from Pickton's farm to avoid eating the potentially tainted meat. Pickton's victims were among more than 60 women who disappeared from Vancouver's drug-infested Downtown Eastside neighborhood during more than a decade before Pickton was arrested in early 2002. Authorities said they found the remains or DNA of 33 women on his farm and he allegedly bragged to an undercover police officer that he killed 49 women. A 2016 book reportedly written by Pickton claimed he was innocent and had been framed by the police. It was briefly available for sale on Amazon until the publisher asked that it be removed and apologized to the victims' families, Reuters said. Paksoy works for CNN Turk, launched in 1999 as the local affiliate of the US channel CNN. Photograph: X A Turkish journalist for a pro-government channel says a supporter of Fethullah Gulen, the US-based Muslim cleric accused by Turkey of instigating a failed 2016 coup, attacked him near the self-exiled figures home in Pennsylvania in an encounter that apparently unfolded live on air. In a video posted on Saturday, Yunus Paksoy appeared to be filming a live broadcast outside Gulens home, reportedly near the area of Saylorsburg, when a man driving a dark SUV approached him. Paksoy in the video can be heard saying to the driver in English: Pull away! Just pull away! What the hell do you think youre doing here? Are you mad? The driver, who appears to be a middle-aged man wearing a plaid shirt, then gets out of the car and appears to swing at Paksoy. The live broadcast ends abruptly and Paksoy appears to yell out: Fuck! Paksoy works for CNN Turk, a Turkish pay TV channel that was launched in 1999 as the local affiliate of the US channel CNN. In a statement on X, Paksoy said the head of communications for the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, had been notified, as had Turkeys ministry of foreign affairs and the Turkish consulate in New York. I gave a statement to the Pennsylvania state police regarding the matter and provided the necessary evidence, he added. Both our state and our channel stated that they will follow the issue until the end. Erdogan and the Turkish government accuse Gulen of orchestrating an attempted coup in July 2016, in which rogue soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets, bombing parliament. More than 240 people were killed in the violence. Gulen, who has lived in the US in self-exile since 1999, denies the accusations. His compound is patrolled by a team of uniformed private security guards, some of them armed with handguns. Erdogan has repeatedly demanded that the US extradite Gulen to Turkey, straining relations between the two Nato allies. Washington has asked for more compelling evidence of Gulens involvement in the attempted coup. In the aftermath of the failed coup Turkish authorities rounded up his alleged supporters. Ten of thousands of suspected Gulen supporters have been dismissed from jobs in the judiciary, armed services or media, and many have been imprisoned. Erdogans head of communications, Fahrettin Altun, released a statement on X condemning the incident. I extend my sincerest wishes to get well soon to Yunus Paksoy, who was attacked by a Feto [Fethullah Terrorist Organisation] member while practicing his journalism profession, Altun said. As I stated to Mr Paksoy in my meeting after the vile attack he was subjected to, no one should have any doubt that our relevant authorities will follow up on this issue and that we will take every step before the US authorities to ensure that those involved in this vile attack receive the punishment they deserve. We will continue to fight against terrorists who are enemies of Turkiye wherever they are in the world. We owe our gratitude to truth-loving journalists for shouldering this struggle. The Guardian has reached out to Pennsylvania state police for comment. From the US, Gulen has run an extensive social network in Turkey, promoting interfaith dialogue and providing social services. It operated in partnership with Erdogans Justice and Development party (AKP) until the relationship between the two men soured in 2012 and then turned to enmity the following year, when a corruption scandal erupted implicating the presidents closest associates and family. Erdogan blamed Gulen for planting the allegations. The Turkish government has since described the Gulen movement as a terrorist organisation. Diane Abbott has vowed to win as a Labour MP - Jeremy Selwyn Diane Abbott has insisted she will stand for Labour in the election as she denied she had been offered a peerage to stand down. The hard-Left Labour MP also said she would not accept a seat in the House of Lords, following reports that she and other Left-wingers had been offered them to make way for supporters of Sir Keir Starmer. The denial came after her close friend, former shadow attorney general Baroness Chakrabarti, suggested that she may choose not to stand in the election. Writing on X, Ms Abbott described reports she was considering pulling out as factually incorrect. She said: I have never been offered a seat in the Lords, and would not accept one if offered. I am the adopted Labour candidate for Hackney North and Stoke Newington. I intend to run and to win as Labours candidate. Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday that she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate. However, some on the Left believe the Labour hierarchy would still prefer Ms Abbott to stand aside. One senior figure on the Left said: My guess is that is what they were trying to broker with Starmer saying free to go forward. In other words: she can, on the proviso that she wont. He said he believed it had been the plan all along that she would not stand, but that the deal had unravelled when senior Labour figures briefed the deal to a national paper. Her future has dominated Labour campaign Another figure on the Left said: The irony of it all is that I heard they had a deal that shed step down, but then they went all triumphant and briefed it. If theyd let her go quietly with a bit of grace, this probably wouldnt have happened and shed have retired anyway. The question of the political future of the former shadow home secretary has dominated the early stages of the Labour election campaign. However, she will not be able to stand if she fails to get approval from the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) on Tuesday. On Sunday morning, Baroness Chakrabarti told the BBC: I hope she will take some time to consider what she wants to do, and thats what Ive suggested to her, as a friend. She said the question of whether Ms Abbott should stand should not be decided by fans or detractors of my dear friend. She criticised the Westminster bubble game and said there had been a sordid week of unauthorised anonymous briefings by overgrown schoolboys in suits. The advice from Baroness Chakrabarti, the former head of campaign group Liberty, comes after a week of muddle at the top of the Labour party over whether the hard-left MP should be allowed to stand in her north London seat. She has been under investigation for more than a year over a letter she wrote suggesting the prejudice faced by Jewish people was not racism. Meanwhile, Yvette Cooper, the shadow home secretary, denied suggestions in The Sunday Times that Ms Abbott and others had been offered peerages to stand down and make way for allies of Sir Keir. The paper said a number of Left-wingers have been told they will be elevated to the House of Lords if they make way for moderates in the Commons. It is not the way the system works But Ms Cooper told Sky News that she had heard of no such plan. She said: No party can do that, its not the way the system works. Theres a whole process with the independent committee that will vet nominations, there have to be processes in terms of the numbers of nominations, designated by the prime minister and so on. So, no party can do that or make those sorts of commitments. Asked if Sir Keir had promised anyone a seat in the Lords, she replied: Thats not the way the system works. The thing that we do know is weve seen a series of quite shocking Conservative resignation honours lists from Boris Johnson to Liz Truss, and Keir has already said that he would change the way that he approaches all of those things. Indeed, hes said that he wouldnt have a resignation honours list as well because its been so distorted by the way that the Conservatives have done that. Ms Cooper also said she believed that Ms Abbott would end up standing for the party in Hackney North and Stoke Newington. She added: I assume so, yes. I mean Im very glad its been resolved for Diane. She continues to be a very important figure in the Labour Party, all the things that shes done the campaigning work that she continues to do, so Im glad this has been resolved. Ms Cooper told the BBC that she would obviously support her if she decides to stand but it has to be Dianes decision. She said: This is for Diane to decide and I completely support that. Follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments 08:02 PM BST Thats it for today Thanks for following along. Were back tomorrow but until then here are some key developments from Sunday on the campaign trail: Diane Abbott has insisted she was intending to run and to win as a Labour candidate, and would reject any offer of a peerage instead. Police are examining claims of election fraud after Tory MP Robert Largan was accused of pretending to campaign for both Labour and Reform UK. Axed Labour candidate Faiza Shaheen scolded the party for sending canvassers to her doorstep to ask for votes. The Scottish First Minister John Swinney vowed to continue pushing to become an independent country, claiming it is one of the core concerns of the public, as he kicked off the SNPs campaign 10 days late. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer were largely absent from the campaign trail as they focused on preparing for Tuesday nights head-to-head TV debate. Wes Streeting revealed that he no longer travels on public transport after he received death threats over his position on the war in Gaza. Sir Keir Starmers personal popularity has grown since the general election campaign began, a new poll revealed. Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said three of the partys election candidates were no longer going forward following reports of inappropriate comments. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper did not rule out asylum seekers being sent to other countries to have their claims processed, as she said Labour would look at what works, but she refused to put a number on how much Labour would cut net migration by. The Conservatives promised to free up 20 million more GP appointments by the end of the next Parliament. 07:55 PM BST Police looking into electoral fraud claim after Tory MP mimicked Labour Police are examining claims of election fraud after a Tory MP appeared to campaign for other parties. Last night, Derbyshire Constabulary posted on social media that they had received multiple concerns around marketing material and would be reviewing the matter. It comes after Conservative MP Robert Largan was accused of pretending to campaign for both Labour and Reform UK in adverts published on social media. On Saturday morning, Mr Largan published an image on Twitter in red Labour colours which said Labour for Largan. Read more here The graphic was posted on X 07:50 PM BST I wont forget about independence, Swinney vows John Swinney said Scots want us to demonstrate the relevance of independence to their lives. The Scottish First Minister, speaking at the partys Westminster campaign launch in Glasgow, said: If we dont then we are not likely to get much of a hearing in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and, to be frank, nor would we deserve to. So, when we talk about independence we need to demonstrate again, and again, and again, that we are talking about peoples core concerns like raising living standards and protecting the NHS. That laser-like focus on the daily concerns of people is our guiding star. There are some people telling me to forget about independence at this election. But you know what? After looking at Keir Starmers serial U-turns in the pursuit of power, I think people are crying out for political leadership that sticks to its principles. 07:33 PM BST In pictures: Campaign trail latest Jacob Rees-Mogg said on social media that 'canvassing has been renamed Mogg Networks' as he posed in front of a van for the fibre optic installations company The Labour London mayor Sadiq Khan out with canvassers in Wimbledon, south London Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner out with candidate Primesh Patel in Harrow 06:31 PM BST Liz Truss out on the campaign trail The former, and short-lived, Prime Minister Liz Truss has been out canvassing with Tory activists this afternoon. Her main campaigning topics arent dissimilar to those she focused on in 49 days in office: taxes, borders and values. She wrote on X: Out and about in Northwold, Methwold, Weeting and Southery talking about the new QE Hospital and the Downham Market banking hub I have secured. Im campaigning for lower taxes, controlling our borders and traditional conservative values. Liz Truss out with activists on Sunday 06:27 PM BST Grammar gremlins go for George Galloway flyer The minister for London has taken issue with the grammar on a leaflet distributed by George Galloways Workers Party. Greg Hands, the Tory candidate to be re-elected in Chelsea & Fulham, said there was no place for their politics of division in the constituency. Not only is George Galloway's Workers Party standing a candidate in Chelsea & Fulham, they've even put out a leaflet There is no place for their politics of division in Chelsea & Fulham. And their grammar needs some work too. pic.twitter.com/uZKsPs713n Greg Hands (@GregHands) June 2, 2024 06:15 PM BST Diane Abbott insists she is standing Diane Abbott has vowed to run and win as a Labour MP, quashing speculation that she would stand down in return for a peerage. The question of the political future of the former shadow home secretary has dominated the early stages of the Labour election campaign - and proven a major headache for Sir Keir Starmer. The Labour leader has said she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate ahead of candidates behind decided by the partys governing body on Tuesday. But on Sunday morning, her ally Baroness Chakrabarti suggested that she may choose not to stand as a Labour MP, telling the BBC: I hope she will take some time to consider what she wants to do, and thats what Ive suggested to her as a friend. In response, Ms Abbott posted on X: This is factually incorrect. I have never been offered a seat in the Lords, and would not accept one if offered. I am the adopted Labour candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington. I intend to run and to win as Labours candidate. 05:55 PM BST TikTok election battle escalates Britains political parties have all been trying to up their game in recent days on TikTok, the social media app that many young people use as their primary source of news. Reform has surged in terms of popularity on TikTok, analysis has revealed, with 132,000 followers to Labours 142,900, the most of any party. Both parties are well ahead of the Conservatives, who are languishing behind on 41,500 followers. But it seems that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is trying to change that, with his latest video an attempt to mock Labour for, as he sees it, lacking a plan for running the country after July 4. Cool or cringe? Watch it below and tell us what you think in the comments. 04:30 PM BST Labour canvassers doorstep their partys axed candidate The row involving an axed Left-wing Labour candidate has taken a new twist. As we reported earlier, Faiza Shaheen was blocked from standing for the party at the general election after she allegedly liked a series of social media posts that downplayed anti-Semitism accusations. On Sunday, she suggested that she would run against Labour as the independent candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green in north-east London. Now, she has taken to social media to express her fury that Labour canvassers turned up on her doorstep on Sunday to campaign for the candidacy she has been barred from. To be clear, when you use Labour Party app you see the names of who lives there Im livid, she wrote on X. Other social media users criticised her for taking a photo of the local canvasser. Read more here. Asking me for my vote?!!!! Wtaf pic.twitter.com/bYHbbaspUJ Faiza Shaheen (@faizashaheen) June 2, 2024 04:09 PM BST Rishi Sunak brings out the sambas again You might recall how Rishi Sunak apologised to wearers of Adidas Samba trainers after being accused of ruining their credibility as a fashionable shoe by putting them on in Downing Street. The Prime Ministers footwear choice sparked a backlash from fans, even prompting British GQ magazine to publish an article: Can Rishi Sunak leave the Adidas Samba alone, please? Well, it seems hes at least a little unrepentant, as hes only gone out and worn them again on the streets of Pimlico in central London this afternoon. As far as campaign controversies go, this has got to be up there? 03:26 PM BST Independence is core concern for Scotland, SNP claims The Scottish first minister has vowed to continue pushing to become an independent country, claiming it is one of the core concerns of the public. They want a party that puts their interests first. They want a party that puts Scotlands interests first, John Swinney said of the Scottish people at the SNPs campaign launch. And for the SNP - as the party of independence - there is a clear task theyve set for us: to demonstrate why achieving independence is relevant, indeed vital, to their core concerns. So, let me take each of those in turn: removing the Tory government, putting Scotlands interests first and winning the decision-making powers that come with independence. Scotland rejected independence by 55 to 45 per cent in 2014. 03:24 PM BST John Swinney kicks off his campaign 10 days late The SNP was caught somewhat on the backfoot when the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the general election on May 23. The party had just emerged from leadership turmoil and several scandals north of the border from iPad expenses to finances, so was hardly ready to enter campaigning mode. Now, Scotlands new first minister is finally formally launching his partys campaign this afternoon, 10 days after the election was called and many days after other parties launches. Speaking at the launch in Glasgow, John Swinney told the crowd that the people of Scotland want rid of this disastrous, chaotic Tory government. Despite a controversial record in office for his party to date, he added: Your SNP government has transformed lives in Scotland. And we have a record to be proud of. John Swinney at the launch of the SNP general election campaign - Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images 02:50 PM BST Nigel Farage drops in for a pint or two Now thats one way to win over the youth vote. Reform UKs honorary president was spotted on Saturday at The Ship, a popular watering hole for twenty-somethings in Wandsworth, south London. A few pints in South London. The campaign continues. pic.twitter.com/OACyD0H283 Nigel Farage (@Nigel_Farage) June 1, 2024 02:28 PM BST SNP general election launch gets underway A retiring SNP MP has claimed the party remains Scotlands largest. Stewart Hosie, who is retiring ahead of the general election, told the partys election campaign launch in Glasgow on Sunday afternoon that the SNP is larger than all of our opponents combined. Mr Hosie claimed that leader John Swinney is the SNPs secret weapon and that his approval ratings have gone through the roof while our opponents are languishing in the weeks since he became First Minister. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross shows the red cars to Scottish independence - Garry F McHarg/Shutterstock 02:01 PM BST SNP desperate, says Labour Labour has accused the SNP of resorting to increasingly desperate and dishonest attacks on its plans because the SNP doesnt have any of its own, following comments by Stephen Flynn (see post below). Ian Murray, Labours shadow Scottish secretary, said: The SNP has missed its green jobs targets and slashed its green jobs funding - but Labour will make Scotland a clean energy superpower. While the SNP changes its position on oil and gas every week, Labour will tap into the vast skills and expertise of our energy industry to bring the jobs of the future to Scotland while continuing to support oil and gas for decades to come. These transformative plans - driven forward by a publicly-owned GB Energy company based here in Scotland - will deliver 69,000 new green jobs, lower bills and energy security. 01:55 PM BST SNP calls Labours net zero plans extremely dangerous A Labour government would be extremely dangerous for all of Scotland, the Scottish National Party (SNP) has claimed. On Skys Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips, Stephen Flynn, the SNPs Westminster leader, was asked about Labours plan to stop renewing oil and gas licences if the party comes into power. Mr Flynn said: If we want to talk about energy, its not the SNP thats saying theres going to be 100,000 job losses as a result of the Labour Partys policies. This is industry investment experts who are saying that, and its not just to do with ending new licences, its to do with removing investment allowances and its to do with extending taxation upon the industry. If you take away those 100,000 jobs, you are no longer in a position to end net zero... What the Labour Party are proposing is extremely dangerous, not just for the north-east of Scotland, but right across Scotlands economy. 01:27 PM BST Quieter day on the campaign trail Sunday is the day of rest, right? It seems so for Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer who are having a more lowkey day ahead of a busy week on the campaign trail. The Prime Minister and Labour leader will go head-to-head in the first televised debate of the campaign on Tuesday, which will air at 9pm on ITV. However, senior party figures have been on the round for the Sunday political shows, including the Health Secretary Victoria Atkins, Labours shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, the Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay and Daisy Cooper of the Lib Dems. Meanwhile, Ms Cooper has been donning the hi-vis jacket in Putney, south-west London, meeting apprentices at the SGN gas network. Yvette Cooper on the campaign trail on Sunday - Lucy North/PA Wire 01:16 PM BST Diane Abbott may choose not to stand as Labour candidate, suggests ally Diane Abbott may choose not to stand as a Labour MP, a close friend has suggested. The question of the political future of the former shadow home secretary has dominated the early stages of the Labour election campaign. On Sunday morning, Baroness Chakrabarti told the BBC: I hope she will take some time to consider what she wants to do, and thats what Ive suggested to her as a friend. The former shadow attorney general said the question of whether Ms Abbott should stand should not be decided by fans or detractors of my dear friend and criticised a sordid week of unauthorised anonymous briefings by overgrown schoolboys in suits. Read more here 01:12 PM BST Another Labour candidate row As were reporting at the top of this blog, Labour has been hit by another spat over candidates on the left of the party. The latest one concerns Faiza Shaheen, an economist and academic who had been selected to be Labours candidate in the north-east London constituency of Chingford and Woodford Green. But on Wednesday night, she found out that she would not be endorsed by the party. She had allegedly liked a series of social media posts that downplayed anti-Semitism accusations. She insisted she did not remember liking one of the social media posts, which alleged that anyone critical of Israel is assailed by professional organisations who inflict non-stop harassment and accuse you of anti-Semitism. Ms Shaheen, an economist and academic, is now considering standing as an independent candidate ahead of the deadline for nominations closing at 4pm on Friday. She told LBC on Sunday: I should be able to stand up for myself and for my community... This is not right. Read more here 12:42 PM BST Lib Dems on unashamedly pro-EU ticket The Tories have absolutely destroyed Britains relationship with the EU, according to the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told BBC One Scotlands The Sunday Show of the Lib Dems hopes of getting Britain back into the heart of Europe. Describing the Liberal Democrats as proud Europeans, he says his party would attempt to rebuild the countrys relationship with the EU and encourage free movement. 12:30 PM BST How to prepare for the July 4 election Britain will head to the polls on July 4 for the general election, the first national vote since Boris Johnson triumphed for the Conservatives in 2019. Here, The Telegraph sets out everything you need to know about how to vote before heading to the polling station in your area, from how to check if youre registered to vote and what time polling stations open. Read the full story. 11:55 AM BST Pictured: Prime Minister canvassing in Pimlico, London The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak goes canvassing in Pimlico - Edward Massey/CCHQ 11:40 AM BST Streeting: I do not travel on public transport alone following death threats over Gaza stance Wes Streeting has revealed that he no longer travels on public transport after he received death threats over his position on the war in Gaza. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, the shadow health secretary said: I have had to change the way I do things, change my movements, change my routine. It means I dont travel at the moment on public transport alone. Its really upset me not so much the fear for my safety, but for the last nine years I have really prided myself on the fact people see me on the Central Line into work; that they can walk up to me in Tesco and have a chat. He added: I dont mind scrutiny. I dont mind disagreement. Thats democracy. But no one should be subjected to threats and intimidation. Ive had a death threat since the war in Gaza broke out, and Ive had threats of violence. The irony is Ive been highly critical of Israel. I have been a long-standing advocate for an independent Palestinian state. Where I draw the line is I dont think that to be pro-Palestinian is to excuse or justify in any way the barbarity of Oct 7. 11:24 AM BST Pictured: Tom Tugendhat and Gillian Keegan campaigning near Chichester yesterday Gillian Keegan with Tom Tugendhat campaigning in Lavant, Chichester - Gillian Keegan /Twitter 11:15 AM BST Starmer popularity versus Sunak grows - new polling Sir Keir Starmers personal popularity has grown since the general election campaign began, a new poll has revealed. The Labour leader is 14 percentage points ahead of Mr Sunak in a recent poll by Savanta asking voters who they believed would make the best prime minister. His lead has extended by four points since Mr Sunak called the election. NEW Best PM rating Starmer's biggest lead over Sunak ever in Savanta polling Starmer 44% (+4) Sunak 30% (-1) Don't know 27% (-2) 2,239 UK adults, 24-28 May (Changes from 17-19 May) pic.twitter.com/agHUmciL0t Savanta UK (@Savanta_UK) June 2, 2024 10:56 AM BST Green Party candidates no longer going forward following reports of inappropriate comments Green Party co-leader Adrian Ramsay said three of the partys election candidates were no longer going forward following reports of inappropriate comments. Mr Ramsay told the BBCs Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: The Green Party takes any suggestions of antisemitism, or indeed any form of racism, very seriously. Any suggestions that have been made of inappropriate comments in recent weeks are being investigated by the relevant people. He added: In the last couple of weeks, there were three candidates who had been selected who are no longer going forward. I understand theres a small number more who are still being looked at. Mr Ramsay said the Green Party was planning to get at least four MPs elected to push the new government to be bolder. He said the party had a fantastic chance of winning the constituencies of Bristol Central, Waveney Valley, North Herefordshire and Brighton Pavilion. 10:45 AM BST Starmer will say what he thinks people want to hear say Tories The Conservatives have hit back at Labour over its record on migration, claiming that Sir Keir Starmer will say what he thinks people want to hear during an election. James Cleverly, the Home Secretary, said: Keir Starmer has a track record of supporting high immigration levels and helping foreign criminals stay in Britain because he believes all immigration law is racist. This is yet another day where Starmer will say what he thinks people want to hear during an election because he lacks conviction to say what he believes. A Labour government would allow open door immigration, making the UK a magnet for illegal migrants. He added: Only Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives are committed to cutting migration and stopping the boats. We have a record of taking bold action to cut migration to secure Britains future. 10:27 AM BST Conservative MP appears to stand for other parties A Conservative candidate has posted an election advert on social media which appears to make him look like he is standing for Labour, Will Hazell reports. Robert Largan, who is seeking re-election as in High Peak, Derbyshire, posted a picture of himself in front of a red background with the words Labour for Largan. He also posted a similar blue advert which says Reform for Robert and uses Reform UKs party colours. Read more on this story here 10:11 AM BST Robert Jenrick: Starmer doesnt want to reduce immigration or stop the boats Read my lips? Judge Starmer on his record: The man who said "there's a racist undercurrent" to all immigration laws. And fought to stop foreign criminals being deported. He doesn't want to reduce immigration or stop the boats. Never did. Never will.https://t.co/7pNtPu4mwV Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) June 2, 2024 10:07 AM BST Labour will betray pensioners again, says Hunt Labour will betray pensioners again, Jeremy Hunt has warned as he vowed to protect voters retirements with a new pensions tax guarantee. The Chancellor has pledged that a Conservative government will not raise any taxes on pensions nor introduce new ones for the duration of the next parliament. The ability to draw down 25 per cent as a tax-free lump sum will also be protected and pension tax relief will remain at the marginal rate. In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Hunt says that people will never forget Gordon Browns 118 billion raid on pension funds and promises that the Conservative party will always have their back. Read the interview here 09:58 AM BST Labour does not rule out sending asylum seekers to other countries to process claims Yvette Cooper did not rule out asylum seekers being sent to other countries to have their claims processed, as she said Labour would look at what works. Asked whether she could rule out the possibility, she told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg: Keir has always said we would look at what works and there are different kinds of I think theres the offshore processing arrangements and things that have already been used at different times in the past. For example, the Dublin Agreement did mean that under that scheme, some people were returned to France or to Germany or other countries so to have their claims processed there. Ms Cooper categorically ruled out Labour adopting the Rwanda scheme, but said of broader plans to send asylum seekers to other countries for their claims to be processed: Thats certainly what used to happen as part of the Dublin scheme and well look at what works. 09:43 AM BST Tories promise to free up 20 million more GP appointments by end of next Parliament The Conservatives would free up 20 million more GP appointments by the end of the next Parliament, the Health Secretary has said. The party last night unveiled plans to expand its Pharmacy First programme to allow patients to see their pharmacist rather than a GP for a range of health concerns, which they claimed would free up 20 million appointments once fully scaled. Asked by Trevor Phillips on Sky News by when this would be achieved, Victoria Atkins said: By the end of the next Parliament. 09:32 AM BST Labour refuses to put figure on how much they would reduce migration by Yvette Cooper has refused to put a number on how much Labour would cut net migration by, despite saying that it must come down. The shadow home secretary was asked at least five times to say by how much her party would slash migration, to which Ms Cooper refused to provide a figure. Ms Cooper told the BBCs Laura Kuenssberg: Were not setting a target and the reason for that is because partly to be honest, every time the Conservatives have done this, frankly, then they have just ended up being totally all over the place, ripping it up and discredited the whole system. She also said that there were variations year on year on migration numbers, citing the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Asked again for a figure, the shadow home secretary added: I understand the question and I know that youre effectively trying to suggest I set a target or a broad target, Im not going to do that. We are going to be clear: net migration must come down. 09:03 AM BST We think net migration should come down, says Labour Yvette Cooper has said that net migration should come down, as she blamed the Conservatives for a fundamental failure to tackle skills shortages in the labour market. The shadow home secretary told Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: We think net migration should come down and thats the plan that Keir is setting out is in order to bring that migration down. It has trebled in the last five years under the Conservatives and right at the heart of that is a big increase in work migration and thats because theres been a fundamental failure to tackle skills shortages to deal with some of the problems in the labour market. She added: And just to give you one example, which just to me sums it up is engineering. Apprenticeships have halved and engineering visas have doubled, and that is because weve had a long-term failure under the Conservatives on both the economy and on migration. And thats why we are setting out new plans which will mean that training and workforce plans are triggered where there are high levels of overseas recruitment. 08:53 AM BST Yvette Cooper: It is fair that private schools pay VAT It is fair for private schools to pay VAT like other organisations do, Yvette Cooper has said. The shadow home secretary was asked about reports of a school closing down ahead of Labours planned VAT raid. Ms Cooper told Trevor Phillips: I think it is fair for private schools to pay VAT like other organisations do, and for us to put that money into recruiting 6,500 more teachers for our state schools across the country in making sure that we can get mental health professionals into our schools to deal with the mental health crisis that is haunting many of our young people as well. We know that many of these organisations have put their own fees up quite substantially over the last few years. thats for them to deal with. But I think its really important that we have a system that says, look, this is just about fairness, and were going to put that money into investing in the education and the life chances for all young people. She added: What were saying is that private schools should pay VAT like other organisations do, thats what organisations do right across the economy, right across society. 08:43 AM BST Yvette Cooper defends accepting backing from ex-Tory MPs Yvette Cooper has defended the Labour Party accepting the backing of former Tory MPs Natalie Elphicke and Mark Logan, saying that the party wants people to change their minds. She told Sky News: We want people to change their minds, thats what politics is about. We want to persuade people to change their minds, and we want people to vote Labour. Asked about the suspensions of ex-Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle and former candidate Faiza Shaheen, she said: Yes, its true. We have clear standards and complaints processes around having standards for candidates and yes, its true that Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party after the 2019 election and right that he should do so. That is why we are now here as a party ready to be in the service of working people across the country. 08:36 AM BST Yvette Cooper: I assume Diane Abbott will stand for Labour Yvette Cooper has said that she believes Diane Abbott will stand for the Labour Party. When asked by Trevor Phillips on Sky News whether Ms Abbott would be the candidate for Hackney North & Stoke Newington, the shadow home secretary said: I assume so, yes. I mean Im very glad its been resolved for Diane. She is continues to be a very important figure in the Labour Party, all the things that shes done the campaigning work that she continues to do so Im glad this has been resolved. Yvette Cooper on Sky News 08:22 AM BST Tories to fund millions more GP appointments by culling NHS managers Tens of millions of extra GP appointments and local tests will be paid for by reducing the number of NHS managers, the Conservatives have promised, Henry Bodkin reports. In an election campaign pledge, Rishi Sunak said he plans to expand the services offered by high street pharmacists in order to free up doctors time. Womens services, such as contraceptive advice and menopause support, will increasingly be available at pharmacies under the scheme, along with help for conditions such as acne and chest infections. The plan would free up 10 million additional GP appointments, the Prime Minister said. Read more on this story here 08:16 AM BST Starmer: Read my lips - I will bring immigration numbers down Sir Keir Starmer has told voters Read my lips - I will bring immigration numbers down. The Labour leader unveiled new plans to curb net migration, among them a promise to ban bad bosses who break employment law by, for example, failing to pay staff minimum wage from hiring workers from abroad. He also pledged to force employment sectors applying for foreign workers visas to train British people to do the jobs first. The Labour leader took aim at the Conservatives record on rising immigration, which hit 685,000 last year. Sir Keir told The Sun: Read my lips - I will bring immigration numbers down. If you trust me with the keys to No10 I will make you this promise: I will control our borders and make sure British businesses are helped to hire Brits first. This is a changed Labour Party, back in the service of working people. That means not just talking about sky-high migration but acting on it. He added: The Conservatives repeatedly say they are going to cut these numbers. They have never done it. They have completely failed. They have never had a strategy to deal with it. 08:15 AM BST Good morning! Good morning and welcome to Sundays general election liveblog, guiding you through day 11 of the campaign. Sir Keir Starmer has promised to bring migration numbers down, while Rishi Sunak has pledged to fund tens of millions of extra GP appointments by cutting the number of NHS managers. Starmer and Sunak will go head to head in the first of various TV election debates on June 4 The first head-to-head election debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will take place at 9pm on Tuesday, ITV has confirmed. The broadcaster is set to host the first televised event with both major political party leaders on June 4 exactly one month before the general election takes place. The debate will set the tone for further debates taking place in the weeks leading up to the general election on July 4, including an ITV broadcast featuring representatives from all seven main political parties in a multi-party discussion. The BBC will broadcast the first of its election debates on June 7, with leading figures from the seven main parties. On June 20 there will be a Question Time special with leaders from the four parties. The schedule builds up to what is expected to be the final televised debate of the election campaign, which will be a head to head between Sir Keir and Mr Sunak on June 26, a week before the nation goes to the polls. On June 13, senior representatives from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru will all have an opportunity to make a lasting impact on the latest opinion polls. The announcements from ITV came after the Tories pressed Sir Keir to take part in a record six debates during the six-week election campaign. Labour headquarters had indicated instead that their leader would take part in two head-to-head debates, matching what Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn did in the 2019 election campaign. Conservative sources had dubbed the Opposition leader the knight that wont fight and Sir Fear Starmer after he failed to sign up to their weekly debate demand. However, more debates are expected between different party leaders, with Sky News, LBC, Channel Four and GB News all believed to be bidding for some form of debate or audience question session. Live TV election debates have been held in the UK since 2010 and will take place in the weeks running up to polling day. When is the first leaders TV debate? ITV has confirmed the specifics of the first general election debate, which will be held on June 4 and titled Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate. Taking place exactly one month before the UK will head to the polls, the programme will last for an hour and start at 9pm. Michael Jermey, ITVs director of news and current affairs, said: Millions of viewers value the election debates. They provide a chance to see and hear the party leaders set out their pitch to the country, debate directly with each other and take questions from voters. ITV is pleased to be broadcasting the first debate in this years election campaign. What time is the Sunak v Starmer debate? ITV has confirmed the debate will be broadcast at 9pm on June 4. It will be moderated by Julie Etchingham, the ITV News anchor, and take place live in front of a studio audience. Ms Etchingham previously moderated general election debates in 2015, 2017 and 2019. The programme will be made and produced by MultiStory Media, part of ITV Studios. Who will take part in Sunak v Starmer? As the name suggests, the debate will see Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer go head to head, although other parties expressed desire to get involved. Nigel Farage, the honorary president of Reform UK, had attempted to get involved, challenging Mr Sunak to a live TV debate on immigration. But the Tories declined the challenge. A party spokesman said: We respect Nigel but theres only two people who can be prime minister at the end of this campaign, Rishi or Starmer, and thats who should be up on stage debating each other. The party leaders in 2017, Theresa May and Mr Corbyn, skipped the TV debates and were criticised for it. Mrs May, who eventually lost her majority in the election, later said she regretted not taking part. In 2015, the party leaders held a debate that was shown on Sky News. Separately, there was a live television interview with Jeremy Paxman and the Conservatives Lord Cameron and Labours Ed Miliband. It was jointly broadcast by Channel 4, Sky and the BBC News channel. In 2010, when the first election TV debates were held in the UK, Labours Gordon Brown, Lord Cameron, and Nick Clegg debated three times on BBC, ITV and Sky. When are the BBC debates? The first BBC televised debate programme will be held on Friday June 7, and will feature leading figures from the seven biggest political parties in Britain. Less than a fortnight later, there will be a Question Time Leaders Special on June 20, featuring leaders of the Conservatives, Scottish National Party, Liberal Democrats and Labour Party. The BBC will host what is likely to be the final TV debate of the campaign, with a head-to-head between Mr Sunak and Sir Keir to be held on June 26 that will be hosted by Sophie Raworth in Nottingham. Sir Keir agreed to the head to head debate with the Prime Minister, but Labour confirmed he would not be attending the debate involving seven party leaders on June 7. When is the following ITV multi-party debate? After Sunak v Starmer has taken place, the channel will give other five political parties the chance to have their say in a larger debate involving all seven of the main parties. The debate will be followed immediately by The ITV Election Interviews presented by Anushka Asthana at 10.10pm. What time is the wider party debate? The programme will start at 8.30pm and run for 90 minutes, also involving moderation from Julie Etchingham, who is set to oversee Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate. The debate will also take place in front of a live audience. Who will take part in the larger ITV debate? Leaders or senior representatives from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Reform UK, Green Party and Plaid Cymru will all take part. This means that Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer might not appear in this debate following their own head-to-head sparring session. There was also a debate involving the seven main parties in 2019. What channel are both debates on? ITV confirmed it will broadcast the programme on ITV1 and STV and its streaming services, ITVX and STV Player. Its has also previously broadcast significant events, such as PMQs and political speeches, live on its YouTube channel. Will the debates clash with any football fixtures? The BBC has managed to avoid a clash with any Mens European Championship fixtures with its debate schedule. England will play Denmark on June 20, the same day as the Question Time Leaders Special, but at an earlier kick-off time at 5pm. ITV have had to move the England Womens Euros match with France, which had been due to air on ITV1, to ITV4 as a result of a clash on June 4. Football fans and politics watchers will however be torn on June 7, when the BBCs debate with the seven parties clashes with Englands international warm-up with Iceland on Channel 4. When is the general election? It was confirmed that the UK will head to the polls on July 4 by the Prime Minister, who made the announcement on May 22 in a raid-sodden speech outside No 10. Both he and the other party leaders have been on the campaign trail since then trying to win over voters. However, the polls currently make for grim reading for the Tories given Labours 20 percentage point lead. Ursula von der Leyen, right, worked closely with Meloni on a deal reforming EU asylum rules. Photograph: Roberto Monaldo/AP When she became Italys prime minister in October 2022, Giorgia Meloni looked like Brussels worst nightmare. Until then, the fiery leader of the Brothers of Italy a party with neofascist roots had seemed anything but EU-friendly. For years, railing against the bloc had been Melonis stock in trade: the euro amounted to enslavement, the European Commission was effectively a loan shark. Bring down this EU! she urged the 2019 conservative CPAC conference in the US. As she took up office in the Palazzo Chigi, far-right parties across Europe hailed her victory, expecting the new leader in Rome to promote their nationalist agenda and join the likes of Hungarys Viktor Orban in battling Brussels bureaucracy. To the surprise of many, she didnt. Italys new prime minister has proved, at least superficially, to be a constructive European, partly because Italy needed billions in post-Covid EU recovery funds, and partly (perhaps) because Meloni is playing a longer game. After European elections next weekend that are likely to see considerably more national-conservative and far-right MEPs in the parliament, her influence in the assembly, and potentially over the executive could be a lot greater. Courted by both the resurgent, if deeply divided, hard right and by the centre-right commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Meloni has emerged as a possible kingmaker who could end up swaying the EUs direction on several key issues. Even opponents admit she has played it cleverly. Her first foreign visit as prime minister was to Brussels, where she engaged positively. Since then, she has been instrumental in securing a long-awaited deal on the reform of EU asylum rules. She travelled with Von der Leyen on three occasions to north Africa, signing deals with Egypt and Tunisia to help slow migrant departures. Meloni has talked openly about changing the European picture and building a different majority in the parliament Crucially, Meloni has also offered constant support for Ukraine and unstinting criticism of Russia. That alone marked her out from the likes of Frances Marine Le Pen and other far-right figures who traditionally have been Moscow-friendly. And she has been invaluable in helping get Hungary on board, becoming known as the Orban whisperer. All that has enamoured her to Von der Leyen, who, given the expected rise in the hard rights representation in parliament, may well need the votes of some of them to secure her second five-year term. Von der Leyens centre-right European Peoples party (EPP) should remain the largest in parliament, followed by the centre-left Socialists & Democrats and liberal Renew group, but not all MEPs from that grand mainstream coalition will back her. She has repeatedly ruled out working with some radical right parties, such as Le Pens National Rally, Geert Wilderss Dutch Freedom party or Austrias FPO, all of which sit in the parliaments far-right Identity and Democracy group. But she is relaxed about working with Meloni and some fellow members of the rival, more normalised European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR). Ive been working very well with Giorgia Meloni, who is clearly pro-European, Von der Leyen has said. That has led the socialists, liberals and greens, who fear Meloni could demand a watering-down of EU climate measures in exchange for support, to warn they will torpedo Von der Leyens reappointment if she cuts any far-right deals. The commission chief, then, may face a choice. But so will Meloni. For two years, she has been a model of respectability on the EU stage, while pursuing her culture wars against independent journalism, same-sex parents and LGBTQ+ rights at home. As one EU diplomat put it, Meloni may have shown herself to be a pragmatist, but shes a conviction politician and her politics are still hard right. As if to underline that fact, she spoke (online) at a great patriotic convention in Madrid last month. Le Pen, subsequently backed by Orban, last week called on Italys prime minister to unite Europes nationalist and far-right forces in a parliamentary supergroup. Given their intense factional rivalries, notably over Ukraine, that is very unlikely. But some constellation of parties from the national-conservative ECR that might be palatable to much of Von der Leyens centre-right EPP is certainly imaginable, at least on some big issues, and such a constellation would clearly be led by Meloni. So far, she has kept her powder dry, refusing to speculate on an alliance with Von der Leyen or Le Pen, but she has talked openly about changing the European picture and building a different majority in the European parliament. If she can successfully build a bridge between Europes conservatives and at least part of its hard right, Meloni could effect quite a radical change in the EUs direction on issues as vital as climate change, enlargement and immigration. Maybe thats her plan. Charles, the 9th Earl Spencer, was speaking at the Hay Festival in Wales - PAUL NICHOLLS Earl Spencer has said that justice may well catch up with the woman he has accused of sexually abusing him at prep school in the 1970s. The Earl alleged in his memoir that he was molested by an assistant matron at Maidwell Hall, in Northamptonshire, describing her as a voracious paedophile. He claimed that the unnamed young woman also abused other pupils while they were in their dormitory beds. In March, Northamptonshire Police said it was investigating the claims. Speaking at the Hay Festival, Earl Spencer claimed: The woman who sexually abused me is alive. I used to look her up occasionally on the internet and then the scent on her went completely cold. I assumed one of two things: that she was either living abroad or that she had died. But I now know she isnt dead and I know where she is. He told the audience that he had not named the woman in his memoir, A Very Private School, because I didnt want to be responsible if she did something to herself. It has been very difficult because since then people have said, You have got to name her. There has got to be justice. I feel a responsibility He said the woman would now be aged in her 70s and he hoped that justice may well catch up with her. The Earl added: I do feel a responsibility, actually. In an earlier statement, Maidwell Hall said it had made a referral to the local authority designated officer. A spokesman for the school urged any other pupils with similar allegations to come forward and report them either to the school, the local authority or the police. The book also contains a series of allegations about other members of staff including the late headmaster, John Alexander Hector Porch, who meted out brutal corporal punishment with a slipper or cane. Maidwell said in its statement: It is difficult to read about practices which were, sadly, sometimes believed to be normal and acceptable at that time. Within education today, almost every facet of school life has evolved significantly since the 1970s. At the heart of the changes is the safeguarding of children, and the promotion of their welfare. A participant jumps a hedge during the Old Surrey Burstow and West Kent Boxing Day annual meet in Chiddingstone Tony Blair has notably described the Hunting Act 2004 as one of the domestic legislative measures which caused him greatest regret. By his own admission, the former prime minister failed to grasp the role that one of this nations most misunderstood pursuits plays in rural life, communities and traditions. Yet Labour is now promising to double down on this mistake. An honest assessment of the legislation would expose how poorly written and harmful the ban has proved to be. Concerns raised in the early 2000s that it would be near unenforceable unless the police significantly distorted their priorities fell on deaf ears. Yet studies have since shown that officers often have only a very limited understanding of the ban and there are obvious difficulties in proving offences, with investigations absorbing police time that many would prefer was spent tackling serious crime. Though activists maintain that animal welfare is under threat, research indicates that fox populations have plummeted since the 2004 Act, as farmers have resorted to other means of control. The modern Labour Party does not share its former leaders remorse. Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed has said Labour would close loopholes in the existing ban that allow some types of hunting to go on, namely trail hunting, where dogs follow a pre-laid scent rather than a wild animal. Although this activity is considered by many as benign, the mere sight of horses and hounds in rural England seemingly remains offensive to urban-based class warriors. Tim Bonner, the head of the Countryside Alliance, has described the proposals as absurd. The impact of restrictions, he says, would be devastating. In a similar vein to the proposed punitive VAT levy on independent school fees, Labour may hope that revisiting the hunting issue will help the party portray the Conservatives, and the Prime Minister, as preoccupied with the concerns of a privileged elite. But just as many parents who choose to educate their children privately do not conform to the Lefts stereotype hunting is very mixed, socially. After 14 years in power, the Tories have done little to reverse Blairs restrictions on rural culture. More often than not, proposed free votes on the foxhunting ban have been dropped. If Labour triumphs on July 4, hunting will be outlawed once and for all. Rishi Sunak has a golden opportunity to put his party on the side of rural Britain and let sleeping foxes lie. The vandalised Chingford and Woodford Green Labour Party HQ - SWNS A Labour Party office in London has been vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti. The partys Chingford and Woodford Green HQ was defaced with the message Israel Lobby Out. Work 4 Us. UK MPs Work For UK. Not Israel. scrawled across the windows. It comes after Left-winger Faiza Shaheen, who had been selected as Labours candidate for the constituency, was blocked from standing. She had allegedly liked a series of social media posts that downplayed anti-Semitism accusations. Ms Shaheen subsequently accused the party of a systematic campaign of racism, Islamophobia and bullying. She claimed that she had been singled out for unfair treatment, such as being banned from speaking about racism she suffered within the party and being told to curb the attitude when she suggested Labour wasnt sufficiently addressing concerns of the Muslim community. Passers-by first noticed the vandalism on Saturday morning and images posted on X, formerly Twitter, showed people working to remove the graffiti on Saturday afternoon. The incident was reported to the Metropolitan Police, and an investigation is underway. A spokesman said: Police were called to the premises in Hatch Lane shortly after 9.10ams on Saturday, June 1. Officers are investigating. There has been no arrest. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers, quoting CAD 2106/01jun. Shama Tatler, who replaced Ms Shaheen as Labours candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, said: This shameful vandalism is not just an attack on our campaign - its an attack on our whole community. Together, we will defeat the forces of hatred and anti-Semitism and take our positive message of change to residents here in Chingford and Woodford Green. Reform UK press conference attended by Richard Tice and Nigel Farage A poll on Friday showed the Reform Party up three points on 15 per cent, way ahead of the Lib Dems and just six points behind the Conservatives, who in a difficult week for Labour advanced a mere one point. With 46 per cent, Labour has a ten-point lead over Reform and the Conservatives combined; so even if Reform didnt exist and all of its supporters switched to the Conservatives, the right would still be thrashed at the election. Making mischief last week Nigel Farage, Reforms President, said he was open to a Conservative approach about a realignment on the right. He knows no such realignment will happen before the election; but he and others in Reform and among Conservatives think it may come after 4 July, for one very good reason: unless the conservative vote in Britain reunites, the chances of a right-of-centre government in 10 or 15 years time, let alone five years, are negligible. As well as being sure of the Conservatives impending thrashing, Reform believes the honeymoon period for a Labour government would be remarkably short. It will lack money to engage in traditional Labour practices, such as spending on welfare and public services, leading to attacks from its core vote and the trades unions. Reform has been trumpeting its hard-line policy on immigration, a subject likely to prove even more problematical for Labour than for this Government. Labours foreign policy will also be difficult, with governments across Europe moving to the right, demands for higher defence spending to present a firm front to Russia, and the growing possibility (whatever his criminal record) of Donald Trump back in charge of Britains main ally. And pressure from the Left for a Labour government to recognise a Palestinian state will be overwhelming, highlighting the partys sectarian divisions. It is therefore entirely possible that within a year, if not sooner, a Starmer administration would be in trouble; yet a hollowed-out Conservative opposition would be in no position to threaten it. Reform, however, is likely to use a decent vote share at the election to build an ever-bigger grass-roots party, as UKIP did. While the Conservatives squabble over a possible new leader (which could take months), Reform would start a long campaign on the need to control migration, cut spending on benefits, improve policies on law and order, boost defence, and use the tax system to incentivise growth. These are all things a Conservative party should be doing indeed, should have been doing for the last 14 years and the more Reform talks about them, the more glaring the Conservative failure to address them while in office becomes. Mr Farages talk of realignment is likely to become dead serious after the election, and driven by many Conservative voters disgusted and disillusioned by their partys dismal performance since Brexit. Reform is already like the conservative party many Conservatives would like to have. If the Conservatives cannot govern again without Reforms voters, it will have to embrace the policies to win them back. However, no realignment can start unless and until Reform is offered something. After all, as Mr Farage keeps saying, he did not run candidates in 2019 and that helped secure a big Conservative win then. He got nothing in return, and that wont happen again. Those planning to run for the Conservative leadership after an election defeat would be advised to have as one of their big ideas how to bring Reform into a shared tent. Otherwise, Labour as with the Conservatives at the last three elections can do abysmally, yet just keep on winning. South Korean soldiers check North Korean trash from balloons that crossed the border, on a street in Seoul, on Saturday - AFP North Korea said it would stop sending balloons carrying rubbish over the border to South Korea but vowed to resume if anti-North Korean leaflets are flown over again from the South. South Korea has had enough experience of how unpleasant it is and how much effort it takes to collect the refuse after Pyongyang sent 15 tons of it using 3,500 balloons, the Norths vice-minister of defence Kim Kang Il said on state media outlet KCNA. Seoul said it would take unendurable measures against North Korea for sending the trash balloons over the border, which could include blaring propaganda from loudspeakers directed at the North. The announcement from President Yoon Suk Yeols office followed a meeting of his National Security Council on a response to what Seoul said were more than 700 balloons carrying trash that Pyongyang sent over the heavily fortified border to annoy its neighbour. The council condemned the balloons, and simultaneous GPS jamming, as an irrational act of provocation. Seoul did not rule out resuming the loudspeaker blasts, which it stopped in 2018 after a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a senior official at Yoons office told reporters. A balloon with trash sent by North Korea in Incheon, South Korea on Sunday - Incheon Fire Headquarters The democratic South and the communist North remain technically at war since the 1950-1953 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty. Seoul is a firm US ally whose sophisticated military regularly holds drills with the US, while Pyongyang is developing missile and nuclear technology that Seoul and Washington say violates UN resolutions. North Korea has said its balloons were in retaliation for a propaganda campaign by North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea, who regularly send inflatables containing anti-Pyongyang leaflets, food, medicine, money and USB sticks loaded with K-pop music videos and dramas across the border. The North Korean balloons carrying garbage such as cigarette butts, cloth, paper waste and plastic were found across the capital Seoul from 8pm on Saturday to 1pm on Sunday (1100 GMT on Saturday to 0400 GMT on Sunday), South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff said. Peter Land and son Hayden at the Myuna coal mine, which was not part of the extension. Many workers now have got no idea where they will go in four weeks time. Photograph: Brydie Piaf/The Guardian For Scott King, last weeks announcement by the New South Wales government to extend the giant Eraring power station for at least another two years was a mixed blessing. Its certainly not the longevity that people were hoping for but it does give [us] breathing space, says King, a plant operator who has worked 18 years at the nations biggest coal-fired power station. Of course, people prefer that wed never close. The owner, Origin Energy, tried to sell the 40-year-old plant back to the Coalition government in 2021 for $544m, according to documents revealed this week. When that gambit failed, Origin set an August 2025 closing date seven years earlier than scheduled prior to the extension, dimming prospects for Erarings 230-odd employees. Despite the uncertainty, King, who is a delegate with the Mining and Energy Union, says he knows of only one person who left the plant for another job. He cites a survey predicting workers leaving the sector would cop a 60% to 70% pay cut: To face that is quite confronting. Related: Extending life of Australias biggest coal-fired power station is deeply disappointing, green groups say Eraring, which supplies one-fifth of NSWs electricity, is now obliged to generate half that share or 6 terawatt-hours a year until August 2027. It may then run for another 20 months but without state support. The period of limbo will linger for many in the Lake Macquarie region, including green groups who fear the legacy of Erarings 35m tonne coal ash dam, and authorities and firms working to prime the economy for a post-coal future in one of Australias fastest growing population centres 120km from Sydney. On the scrap heap Intervention by the Minns Labor government may have granted Eraring a temporary reprieve but so far there is no reprieve for 1,000 workers at the two nearby coalmines. Origin is negotiating with Centennial Coal over contracts expiring at the end of June. The Myuna mine has no other outlet for its coal, while Mandalong exports half its output and cant lift shipments through Newcastle if the Eraring deal falls through. Peter Lands dad started work at Mandalong when it opened, and his 20-year-old son Hayden is now a first-year apprentice training for Myuna, making it potentially three generations supplying Eraring. Theyll essentially be thrown out on the scrap heap even before their first year of training ends, Land says of his son and two other apprentices gathered at Myuna this week. Miners had hoped the government would demand Erarings traditional mines also benefited from the extension. Instead, Mach Energys Mt Pleasant and New Hopes Bengalla mines in the Hunter Valley look set to fill the void. Myunas staff and many at Mandalong now have got no idea where they will go in four weeks time, Land says. Car loans and mortgages too will be in jeopardy. Related: Origin Energy offered to sell Eraring power station to NSW government for $544m Origin posted a 17-fold increase in profit and secured a deal for the state to absorb 80% of any Eraring losses as much as $450m for two years. It now wants to squeeze miners, says Belinda Giblin, lead organiser of the Collieries Staff & Officials Association. Do they have to have a social conscience and accept that there is a cost to doing business and [do] the right thing? Giblin says. An Origin spokesperson says negotiations with Centennial are ongoing and we are hopeful of reaching an outcome. It would be wrong to imply a commercial outcome cant be reached. Guardian Australia understands rival mines are offering prices Centennial will struggle to match. Government data estimated Myunas coal price as about $175/tonne and Mandalongs $297/t, and officials say they wont interfere with Erarings commercial decisions. Other interventions or their absence will be closely watched by environmentalists. Health and environmental risk Abigail Boyd, the Greens MP who initiated a 2019 upper house inquiry into remediation of coal ash dams including Erarings, says the government has a conflict of interest within themselves. Tighter regulation of pollution entering the environment via smoke stacks or the ash dump will increase plant costs. The risk-sharing arrangement means taxpayers could be on the hook for much of any additional losses. These privatisation deals that were done by the previous [Coalition] government sentenced the people of the Central Coast to additional decades of health and environmental risk, Boyd adds. Had governments acted on the inquirys recommendations in March 2021, the health picture might have been clearer, says Gary Blashchke from Future Sooner, a local group. One recommendation called on NSW Health to immediately undertake an epidemiological assessment of the health of residents near coal ash dams to establish the health impacts of coal ash and publish by 31 December 2022. The Coalition government declined, saying NSW Health would instead propose alternative study types which are better able to address the communitys health concerns. Related: CSIRO stands by nuclear power costings that contradict Coalition claims Blaschke, who underwent three years of immunotherapy after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, says there has been little response from NSW Health or the Environment Protection Authority. We have 1142 kids in Wyong and Gosford hospital with chronic asthma [or] acute asthma, he says. Separately, two children at the same preschool recently developed brain cancer and two teenagers died with spinal tumours. It sort of got me thinking, what the hells going on? he says. In 2017, the government examined the safety of eating fish and crustacea caught in Lake Macquarie, a common activity, particularly near the outlet canals for cooling water from Eraring and the Vales Point coal-fired power station. The EPA recommends limiting crab consumption because of elevated levels of cadmium, a toxic metal. Selenium, lead and mercury are other contaminants. An EPA spokesperson says the agency is working on a comprehensive and independent assessment of environmental impacts of coal ash dams. It expects to release its finding by mid-2024, including monitoring of the lakes water quality. Health minister Ryan Park said NSW Health was working closely with partner agencies to assess the impact of this on the health of communities, and I look forward to reviewing their findings in due course. NSW Health commissioned a review of environmental data to determine whether people living close to power stations and coal ash dams were exposed to potentially hazardous chemicals through air, water, soil or local fish and seafood. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water has prepared a draft report on possible pathways and likelihood of exposure to coal ash and other pollutants of concern, the spokesperson said, adding the report would be subject to further community consultation when completed in coming months. Coal ash neednt remain in the landscape forever. It can be reused as an ingredient for concrete and road foundations, an economic activity encouraged by David Antcliff, director of development at the Lake Macquarie city council. Planning restrictions often curb councils ability to grow but Antcliff says his region has enough zoned land for housing for the next 20 years. Rather, the council is desperate to access land for industry such as for offshore windfarm developers to generate jobs once the mines and power stations close. Mining lands is actually the big story here, he says. These occupy thousands of hectares that for decades and decades had provided a huge amount of economic prosperity but thats very much coming to an end and very soon. Complicated rules have slowed their repurposing, in some cases by two decades. Its illogical for me to be approving development applications on virgin bushland and knocking it down when Ive got disturbed industrial land next door thats literally having trees grown on it, Antcliff said. The regions test case is the Black Rock Motor Resort atop a former Rhondda underground colliery dormant since 1970, being developed by Tony Palmer. The $95m race track, Australias second-longest at 5.25km, will have luxury accommodation, a function centre and provide more than 220 jobs when it opens in June 2026. Electric vehicles and innovative fuels will feature in the project. With all of the incentives that are thrown in the directions of the miners, theres zero coming back over the fence to the developers that have a vision, Palmer says. Attempts at seeking support are just not worth the paper its written on and a waste of air. One man is dead and nearly 24 people were hurt, two critically after a mass shooting early Sunday morning in Ohio. Akron police responded to several 911 calls about the shooting just after midnight, WOIO-TV reported. Soon after, victims started showing up at area hospitals. Police said a 27-year-old man was killed and another 26 people were suffering from gunshot wounds. The conditions of the victims was not immediately available. There were no immediate arrests. Photos from the crime scene showed scores of evidence markers placed where bullet shells littered the road. A firearm was recovered at the scene, according to the Akron police. It was unclear if it was the gun used in the shooting. Police later said they were worried about a possible retaliatory attack and asked for witnesses to come forward. A $22,500 reward was posted in connection with the case. Keir Starmer with student nurses and trainee medics at a campaign event in Worcester last week. Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA In an overheating hall on the banks of the Clyde, Keir Starmer leaps out of his seat into an even warmer embrace and whispers into the ear of Lorna Downie, an apprentice welder who has just delivered her first ever public speech. Although she was feeling really nervous before, I told her shed absolutely knocked it out of the park, he recalls later as he heads home. For her to do that in front of the nations press and all the cameras was incredible. I loved it. Starmer has himself, of course, sometimes felt uncomfortable in the hot glare of the spotlight under which he has placed himself. But there is a similarly uneasy relationship between all this apparent empathy and decency and an image that crystallised further last week: one of a cold-eyed and ruthless Labour leader determinedly changing his party. Campaign coverage over recent days has been dominated by claims that he is purging leftwingers including Diane Abbott, who was reportedly being blocked as the candidate in the Hackney seat she has represented for 37 years. He has never stated that publicly, instead sticking to the ugly formulation that no decision has been taken and an insistence that he was not directly involved in taking it. And, within an hour of his own speech in Greenock on Friday, he was back in front of the cameras trying to draw a line under the controversy by announcing she was free to stand. Abbott had been re-admitted to the parliamentary Labour party a few days earlier after a lengthy suspension for suggesting in a letter to the Observer that Jewish, Irish and Traveller people had not experienced racism in the same way that she had. Although there had been delays while conversations were had about whether this might be the time for her to retire with dignity, nothing had ever been agreed. But a briefing to the Times on Tuesday night that the veteran leftwinger would be blocked from standing in the election blew that out of the water. On his flight back to London on Friday evening, looking forward to seeing his family and having a night in his own bed for the first time in almost a week, Starmer tells me that the anonymous briefing against Abbott infuriated him: Its always a Labour source when that person could have been a number of people in a number of places. Ultimately, he concluded he didnt want a dispute about the arcane details of the selection processes running on for days and distracting him from his central purpose in this campaign of addressing issues that matter a whole lot more to voters. He knew it would mean Tories and leftwingers alike would claim he had been forced into a humiliating retreat. But the sight of Starmers predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, standing against the official Labour candidate in Islington North, as well as a clutch of his supporters being banned from representing the party in this election, would suggest the left is still losing the war. Starmer argues that Abbott is worth treating as an exception. Although I disagree with some of what she says, in terms of the battles shes been through and the terrible insults she has had to rise above, Ive actually got more respect for Diane than she probably realises, he says. She was the first Black woman MP and has always had to fight for everything. Shes not like any other candidate. Among those imposed as candidates last week were two of his closest allies in politics: Georgia Gould, the leader of the London borough of Camden, where he lives, and Chris Ward, formerly one of his closest aides. But campaign staff dismiss any suggestion that this has all been motivated by left-right infighting within the party. They point out that a number of MPs, including Nick Brown and Conor McGinn from the centre-right of the party, have been blocked from seeking re-election after falling foul of strict disciplinary rules. Starmer himself doesnt seem to have much regret about a process that has seen him establish a ratchet-like grip on who will represent the party. This is the completion of a two-year exercise to make sure weve got the right people in the right places, he says. I dont usually get involved in individual selections but what I did say at the beginning is that I want only the highest-quality candidates. The last few days is only a version of whats being going on ever since, where every other weekend thered be a row about who was being selected. He says that, if he becomes prime minister, were going to have to do really hard things, were going to have to do them at pace, adding: I need an absolutely top team, a reliable team, a team who understand the tough decisions were actually having to take. The row about Abbott is not enough to be classed a proper wobble and will probably be forgotten soon enough. Even so, the messiness of the dispute has taken the shine off a positive start to the campaign for Labour before the first set-piece TV debate against Rishi Sunak on Tuesday, and Starmer is braced for Tory attacks on him personally intensifying. The oft-trailed dossiers on his record as a human rights lawyer or as director of public prosecutions before he became an MP are expected to start appearing in rightwing newspapers over the next few days. Theyre looking for some sort of gamechanger, he says about the debates. I will just try to keep it calm and measured. Referring to the over-used comparison of Labours lead to a fragile Ming vase, he says, having carried it around for a while now, Im going to avoid the temptation to start juggling it. This version of the Labour leader as no-drama Starmer is a deliberate contrast to the strategy being pursued by his opponent. I see Sunak sort of flailing around trying to put any old idea on the table. He cant fight on the Tory record of five PMs over 14 years and he cant pay for whatever hes proposing now, probably because he thinks he wont have to. It looks a bit desperate. Starmer has been doing debate rehearsals for some time now under the watchful gaze of Matthew Doyle, his head of communications. The role of Sunak has been played by Tom Webb, a policy adviser who has played a similar role in his preparations for prime ministers questions. But the Labour leader thinks the debates wont be like these formulaic I-ask-he-answers weekly jousts. Instead, he believes the unfiltered Q&A campaign hustings with voters on the campaign, or the press conferences where he usually goes through a long list of journalists rather than picking questions from a chosen few, are as good a preparation as anything. In some recent events, he has dispensed with written texts for speeches and now relies just on bullet points. I feel a bit freer that way. He has been following the court case where Trump was convicted on 34 charges last week, prompting the former president to dismiss the verdict of what he called a rigged trial by a conflicted judge who was corrupt. When youre serious about being in power you have to work with whoever other countries have as their leader Keir Starmer Starmer pointedly says it is important to maintain respect for the judicial system and rule of law, because if you lose that, you lose everything. As a public prosecutor, he had to take difficult decisions about sending MPs and newspaper executives for trial in the expenses and phone hacking scandals. He therefore feels a certain amount of sympathy for the judges and lawyers involved in this case, though he adds with a shake of the head that this is such a different scale off the charts more the kind of thing youd find in fictional books than real life. Then he stiffens up again because, as with rows over Labour selections, this isnt just about winning votes in the heat of a campaign. At the end of the day, its up to the American people to choose who they want as their president, he says. When youre in the depths of opposition, you can make all kinds of pronouncements, but when youre serious about being in power you have to work with whoever other countries have as their leader. Its part of being ready for government. Conservatives have tried to paint him as Sleepy Starmer, in an echo of Trumps attacks on Biden. But on the flight back to London, even as one of the Labour leaders aides could be seen snoozing, mouth open in full fly-catching mode, his boss was saying he relished the pace of it all. Im up for this and theres fantastic energy around this campaign. You know me, I just keep going. Ive always done it. Keir Starmer: The Biography, by Tom Baldwin, is published by William Collins (25). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply Joe Biden, the US president, has issued a plan to end the war after mounting frustration with how long and violent it has become - Michael Reynolds/Shutterstock The White House has said it expects Israel to say yes to a Gaza peace plan despite so far rejecting it. Joe Biden, the US president, has issued a three-part plan to end the war after mounting frustration with how long and violent it has become. His proposal would start with a six-week ceasefire that would see Israeli forces withdraw from populated areas of Gaza and include the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Appearing on ABC News This Week on Sunday, John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, said the deal is an Israeli proposal, and one that they arrived at after intense diplomacy with our own national security team, and over at the State Department. He added: Where we are right now is that proposal, an Israeli proposal, has been given to Hamas. It was done on Thursday night our time. Were waiting for an official response from Hamas. We would note that publicly, Hamas officials came out and welcomed this proposal. Mr Kirbys comments appeared at odds with the Israeli prime ministers position as of Saturday. In a statement, Benjamin Netanyahu said a permanent ceasefire is a total non-starter, adding: Israels conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamass military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said: 'Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel' - Brendan Smialowski/AFP His Right-wing coalition has also threatened to dissolve the government if Mr Netanyahu does not continue with its aim of eliminating Hamas. Bezalel Smotrich, the minister of economy, said that we will not agree to the end of the war before the destruction of Hamas, nor to a serious damage to the achievements of the war so far through the withdrawal of the IDF and the return of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip, nor to the wholesale release of terrorists who will return, God forbid, to murder Jews. Israel argues that the tunnels linking the Philadelphi corridor, between Gaza and Egypt, where the Israeli army is currently in full operational control, can still be used by Hamas to gain access to a ready supply of weapons and funding from its allies abroad. However, in the interview on Sunday, Mr Kirby said that US intelligence suggests Hamas has been militarily degraded to the extent that it can no longer repeat an attack such as that which its fighters conducted on Oct 7. Official response Mr Kirby said: Weve not said that they dont still represent a viable threat to the Israeli people. Of course they do. But they dont have the military capabilities to do what they did. Were waiting for an official response from Hamas, he said, adding that the US hopes that both sides agree to start the first phase of the plan as soon as possible. Mr Kirbys comments appear to signal that the US wont countenance the war running as long as Israels National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi suggested this week that it might - for at least seven months more. The death toll in Gaza has exceeded 36,000, according to Hamas, and international pressure is becoming impossible to ignore, with orders from the International Court of Justice ordering the operation in Rafah stop immediately. One of the last surviving Second World War veterans in Northern Ireland has recalled Sword Beach during the D-Day landings as a slaughter house. The beach was one of five landing points in Normandy where thousands of US, British and French troops arrived on June 6 80 years ago to turn the fortunes of the allies around. George Horner, 97 from Carrickfergus, was a member of G company of the Royal Ulster Rifles. He was following in the footsteps of his father who fought in the First World War when he signed up to serve. A view of the beach in Ouistreham, Normandy, France, known as Sword Beach (Gareth Fuller/PA) Of his six brothers, two also served with the RAF and one with the Royal Navy. While following a strong family tradition, Mr Horner also admitted it was an opportunity to have a hot meal every day, at a time he said money was scarce. My father had served in the 36th Ulster Division during World War One when I was growing up, I heard my father talk about his service and he constantly said he kept his head down, I always remembered that, he said. I had six brothers, out of all of us, four served in the forces during World War Two, two in the RAF, one in the Navy, and myself, a foot soldier. On signing up, Mr Horner said: I think I wanted a change from what I was doing and also there was the opportunity to have a hot meal everyday because money was scarce in those days. George Horner said he remembers marching past Winston Churchill (Liam McBurney/PA) Upon joining the Royal Ulster Rifles, Mr Horner completed training in Omagh, Co Tyrone where he learned morse code, and was also sent to Catterick in Yorkshire for further training in signals. Memories of June 6 1944 are sad and emotional for Mr Horner who recalled the scene on Sword Beach as a slaughter house, with some good lads lost there. We went in by sea, it was rough too getting on the shore, there was plenty of landing craft, some of them were sinking around us due to shells from shore coming down on us, he said. I had a bazooka, used it to hit tanks or blow-up buildings. It takes two to carry the bazooka. I would carry a few shells, the other boy would have carried the bazooka. I carried the radio too. We were always told to aim for the tracks, when they were hit, unless they put up a white flag to surrender, you just rained it down on them. George Horner holds the D-Day 80 Torch of Commemoration with Mason and Sophie from Forge Integrated Primary School and Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots (left) in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings (Liam McBurney/PA) Towards the end of the war, Mr Horner moved into Germany. He said: Getting into Germany was tough going, I remember one time, myself and three other guys were in this village square, we were pinned down with heavy fire coming from the corner shop, I called for tank support, the tank duly fired upon the corner shop and with that the firing from the shop ceased. Upon approaching the ruined building, I got an awful shock. The ones doing the shooting from the corner shop were just kids, all I could say was My God, they are just children towards the end of the war, the Nazis were throwing up kids to fight, anybody at all in fact, that they could get to walk in a uniform, they gave a gun to. These Hitler Youth actually proved to be fanatical fighters defending their homeland. Mr Horners war ended just outside Berlin. We could have been in Berlin first, but they held us back for political reason, they wanted to let the Russians go in first, the Russians were a rough crowd, he added. Mr Horner also remembers marching, along with the rest of the Royal Ulster Rifles, past then prime minister Winston Churchill during the victory parade in London. Mr Horner said he came home to Northern Ireland with an injury but it was due to a friend. I got shot in the foot by one of my mates, I was raging, he said. He was a loose cannon, a headcase. He was holding his rifle and he hadnt the safety catch on and the bullet hit my foot, I wont tell you what language I used at the time. We did remain good friends though. Mr Horners service was recognised by his local council with a poppy silver trophy. Seeing the Online Safety Act as a job done would be a disaster, a bereaved father has said as he called on the next government to commit to updating legislation to tackle harms affecting children. Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life, said bold measures are needed to reassure parents of real change when it comes to internet safety and their children. In 2022, a coroner ruled schoolgirl Molly, from Harrow, north-west London, died from an act of self-harm while suffering from depression and the negative effects of online content in November 2017. Molly Russell took her own life aged 14, having views harmful content online (Family handout/PA) The Online Safety Act passed into law in October, and regulator Ofcom is working on codes of practice to help it enforce the rules, although they will not begin to take effect until next year. The legislation requires social media companies to curb the spread of illegal content on their platforms and protect children from seeing potentially harmful material, with large fines among the potential penalties for those who breach the new rules. But Mr Russell said while the Act has laid really important foundations, a new government will need to work out how to keep on top of developments in the fast-changing world of tech. The Molly Rose Foundation the suicide prevention charity set up in his daughters memory has published a five-point plan which it said would build on regulation and fast-track much-needed change. Mr Russell told the PA news agency it would be wrong to forget about the Online Safety Act, or to think of it as a piece of legislation that only hit the statute books towards the end of 2023 and so its done. He added: Its not done because its so new, its not done because it will need revising, its not done because tech moves at such a pace that, even if we were to catch up in terms of legislation and regulation, tech would have moved on and wed have to adapt it to catch up with tech again. So this is a constantly evolving thing and it would just be a disaster if the next government starts to regard the Online Safety Act as a job done. This isnt finished, they need to complete the work and need to work out how to keep on top of it. He said it must be made clear to tech firms that the cost of entry to the UK market is childrens safety as he called for a fundamental reset of the relationship between such companies and children. The plan laid out by the foundation includes calling for tech companies to have an overarching duty under the Act, and a requirement that the regulator focuses on measurable harm reduction with Mr Russell giving an example of annual surveys to track the amount of harm found online and how individual tech platforms algorithmic systems promote harmful content. Ian Russell has been a vocal campaigner calling for stronger regulations and legislation on online safety (Yui Mok/PA) It also calls for tech giants to have a legal duty to report on exposure to online harms in their corporate accounts, a one-off harm reduction windfall tax, a statutory code for app stores and operating systems leading to high-quality, well-designed age assurance and parental controls on childrens devices, and investment in education and mental health support. The foundation does not support calls for phone or social media bans, saying these would risk a slew of unintended consequences and may cause more harm than good. Mr Russell said: Political parties should commit to bold measures that can reassure parents real change is on the way. Regulation is evidently the best solution to a complex issue, not bans or restrictions that would punish children for the failure of Big Tech. Politicians should commit to transform childrens lives with a new Online Safety Act and a set of ambitious measures to take on Big Techs harmful business model. Musician Paul Weller has said he does not see much difference between the Prime Minister and Sir Keir Starmer, whom he called a slightly softer version of the Tory party. The 66-year-old, known to fans as the Modfather, reflected on the upcoming July 4 General Election, which was called by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in May. Speaking about Labour leader Sir Keir, the former singer and guitarist with The Jam told The Big Issue: Hes just a slightly softer version of the Tory party, isnt he? Paul Weller recently released the album 66 (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA) Hed be well served to remember who built the Labour party, trade unions and communists. So, I dont see much difference between him and Sunak and all that mob. The fact that hes a Sir puts me off a little bit in the first place. Weller, who recently released 66, his 17th solo album, also reflected on the issue of homelessness in London, which is explored in his new music video, I Woke Up. He said: With the matter of homelessness, its: How do you fix this? You cant just keep moving people off and to another area. Its sweeping it under the carpet. Why dont we try and fix it? Im not saying its an easy thing to fix. Some of the homeless people round my way, some I chat to, its a mixture of things some people have definitely got mental problems and they should be helped and looked after, some people have drug problems and could go through a programme. But then you need a support system so that once they go through that programme they cant go back on the streets. They need work to help stop that. But thats in an ideal world. Because of all the cuts, thats not going to happen. Its f***ed. The black and white music video for the song follows a day in the life of a homeless man in London and it ends with a call to help St Mungos, a charity which helps to give rough sleepers a bed. It was partly filmed where the old homeless settlement known as cardboard city stood, near Waterloo Station between the late 1970s and 1990s. Paul Weller said it should be remembered who built the Labour Party (Ian West/PA) Director of the music video Johnny Harris told The Big Issue: The stairs that (the lead character in the music video) walked down to the place where hes begging, that was the old cardboard city. Theres lots of that kind of stuff. I wanted to go around and kind of pay homage to that history. But theres a sadness today, as youre filming in those places, and youre thinking it hasnt really changed. He added: How is this happening, what is the root of this problem? I dont really trust the politicians to have the answers. The answers lie within these places like St Mungos, like The Big Issue. Sir Keir Starmers representatives have been approached for comment. Pub owner Liberation Group has revealed a jump in sales, boosted by growing demand for its accommodation business. Bosses at the hospitality firm said it has benefited from customers moving to its high quality pubs with rooms following price hikes by a number of budget and mid-range competitors. Liberation, which runs more than 130 sites, has also launched its Butcombe Boutique Inns offering amid hopes to grow its accommodation business further. The company, which is focused in southern England, reported that revenues grew by 20% to 144.4 million over the year to January 7. It added that like-for-like earnings across its managed pub business grew by 19% year-on-year. The firm, which is owned by Caledonia Private Capital, was partly aided by its acquisition of 22-strong pub operator Cirrus in December 2022. The company said its UK managed pub business saw like-for-like growth 8%, with a 11.6% increase within accommodation. It added that sales have continued to grow in more recent months, with a 6.5% like-for-like increase over the 13 weeks to April 27. Liberation said it believes its focus on high occupancy levels for sites with rooms has also helped to bolster its food and drink trade. Jonathan Lawson, chief executive officer of the group, told the PA news agency that investment into its accommodation has supported growth across the whole company. He said: Demand has been really strong for rooms across our pubs. We have been prudent with our pricing and seen really strong occupancy. I think there are definitely people who have seen some in the more-budget hotel space increase prices and make the decision to pay slightly more for a really high quality stay. Mr Lawson said the group has over 400 rooms across its current operation and sees an opportunity to increase this to around 700 within its current estate through conversions and new developments on existing sites. Looking forward, we remain optimistic for the year ahead as we start to see a calmer cost environment and are excited by the plans that we have for growing the existing business. In accommodation, we have progressed rapidly in the last five years and the launch of Butcombe Boutique Inns presents an exciting next step. Members of the royal family and veterans are preparing to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings over the coming week. The King, Queen and Prince of Wales will travel to Normandy to attend a number of commemorative events on Thursday, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak due to join Charles and Camilla at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. On the eve of the anniversary, hundreds of Armed Forces personnel will parachute into a historic D-Day drop zone in France to recreate the airborne liberation of Normandy 80 years ago. The sun rises over Juno beach near Graye-sur-Mer in France (PA) The RAF said Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft are not expected to fly in D-Day commemorations amid an investigation into the death of pilot Mark Long in a Spitfire crash near RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire last Saturday. Some of the Normandy veterans are heading for northern France to mark the anniversary, with Second World War veteran Richard Aldred saying: When I go to Normandy, Ill guarantee to you I will shed a tear. A number of them turned, or will be turning, 100 this year, including Jim Miller, who was surprised and delighted to be invited to Buckingham Palace where he was presented with a birthday card from the King. A series of commemorative events are planned for the days leading up to the anniversary. Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft are not expected to take part in the D-Day 80 commemorations (Aaron Chown/PA) On Monday, D-Day veterans will meet local schoolchildren at an event in Portsmouth the nerve centre of D-Day operations 80 years ago before they are shown around Southwick House from where General Dwight Eisenhower directed operations back in 1944. On Tuesday, veterans will set sail from Portsmouth across the Channel mirroring their pivotal journey 80 years ago to attend events in France, with Royal Navy vessels in Portsmouth Harbour set to sail past in formation. The following day, on the eve of the anniversary, Charles, Camilla and Mr Sunak will attend the UKs national commemorative event in Portsmouth where, later in the evening, there will be a light show calling to mind the treacherous sea crossing taken 80 years ago. The Princess Royal, Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Regina Rifles, will unveil a statue of a Second World War Canadian Royal Regina Rifleman in Normandy and attend a reception with members of the regiment. The King presented D-Day veteran Jim Miller with a card to mark his 100th birthday at Buckingham Palace (Chris Jackson/PA) She and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, will also join the Royal British Legion service of commemoration at Bayeux War Cemetery. In West Dulwich, south London, a blue plaque will be installed at the childhood home of Joan Clarke portrayed by Keira Knightley in the 2014 film The Imitation Game a code-breaker who played a key part in decrypting German messages during the Second World War. On Thursday, with the King, Queen and Prime Minister attending the UKs national commemorative event at the British Normandy Memorial, William will go to the Canadian commemorative ceremony at the Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer, before joining more than 25 heads of state and veterans from around the world at the official international ceremony at Omaha Beach, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. Bletchley Park, the wartime headquarters of the Government Code and Cipher School (PA) In the UK, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are to attend the Royal British Legions service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum and there is to be an 80-strong boat Flotilla parade in Falmouth. Teams of climbers are to scale all four of the UKs highest peaks and light beacons to symbolise remembrance, with people set to summit Ben Nevis in Scotland, Scafell Pike in England, Mount Snowdon in Wales and Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland. Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer will go head to head in a General Election debate on the BBC, the corporation has announced. The debate between the Prime Minister and the Labour leader will be hosted by BBC newsreader Sophie Raworth and take place in Nottingham, airing on BBC One and BBC News on June 26. It comes as Mr Sunak and Sir Keir prepare for their first televised leaders debate of the election campaign, which will air on ITV on Tuesday, June 4. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a General Election for July 4 (Lucy North/PA) Elsewhere on the BBC, Mishal Husain will host a June 7 debate between leading figures from the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party (SNP), Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Reform UK. The audience and members of the public will have the chance to ask questions during the debate in London. Also included in the BBCs election coverage is a two-hour long Question Time leaders special, hosted by Fiona Bruce, on June 20. The leaders of the four biggest political parties the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats and SNP, will answer questions from the studio audience for 30 minutes each. The PA news agency understands that both Mr Sunak and Sir Keir have signed up for the final debate, as well as the Question Time special, with the corporation awaiting confirmation of those attending the first debate. BBC journalist Nick Robinson has invited the leaders of the seven biggest political parties in Britain to be interviewed for Panorama specials, airing over the next four weeks. Additional dedicated debates will also take place in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. Jonathan Munro, deputy chief executive of BBC News, said: TV debates have become a key part of elections in the UK, giving voters the chance to hear leaders and senior politicians debate policies and ideas directly with each other, which rarely happens on the campaign trail. The BBC brings people together. Providing a shared space for people to debate and discuss is a vital part of our mission, so Im delighted were holding this series of debates and election specials, hosted by such talented presenters. The seven-handed election debate will be broadcast on the BBC from 7.30pm to 9pm on Friday June 7. The Question Time special will be broadcast from 8pm to 10pm on Thursday June 20. The prime ministerial debate will air from 9pm to 10pm on Wednesday June 26. All three programmes will air on BBC One, BBC News and will be available on BBC iPlayer. The Tories have absolutely destroyed Britains relationship with the EU, according to the Scottish Liberal Democrats. Party leader Alex Cole-Hamilton told BBC One Scotlands The Sunday Show of the Lib Dems hopes of getting Britain back into the heart of Europe. Speaking with host Martin Geissler, he said the Liberal Democrats are proud Europeans and that his party would attempt to rebuild the countrys relationship with the EU and encourage free movement. The Conservatives have absolutely destroyed our relationship with Europe, there is no trust there right now at all. We had one of the hardest possible Brexits and were still paying the price for that in terms of the goods that we buy in our supermarkets, but also the absence of the skilled workforce that we used to enjoy. He added: Lib Dems care passionately about removing the friction, rebuilding bridges, getting back into things like Interpol, moving forward to the free movement of people, reducing those pressures and the frictions that exist and getting us back into the heart of Europe Lib Dems are passionate Europeans, always will be. Mr Geissler poised to the party leader that what the Lib Dems really want is to win over voters in pro-EU cities in the south of England, using the idea of rejoining the EU as political leverage. Mr Cole-Hamilton refuted his claim, stating EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen shares his values. He said he cares passionately about getting Britain back into the heart of Europe, stating it is necessary for Britain because we live in a scary world. He added that Britain is living in the days of a new cold war. He continued: When that happens, isolationism wont cut it. You need to build bridges with your nearest partners and Liberal Democrats, my goodness, above all parties care passionately about that and youll be seeing more about this from us. Scottish Conservative candidate for West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, Andrew Bowie said: Alex Cole-Hamilton unapologetically doubled down on the Liberal Democrats reckless anti-oil and gas stance. Like the SNP, Labour and the Greens, the Lib Dems want to turn the taps off in the North Sea, costing tens of thousands of skilled jobs and devastating the North East economy. The Scottish Conservatives are the only party standing up for oil and gas workers and communities across the North East, because we recognise the crucial role the sector will play in our energy mix for decades to come. Officials in South Korea say hundreds more trash-filled balloons launched by North Korea have landed in their country. More than 700 balloons have been found in various parts of South Korea in the last days. The balloons have carried waste paper, cigarette butts and scraps of cloth, but nothing dangerous, the Associated Press reported. The balloons are reportedly in response to South Korean activists flying anti-Pyongyang propaganda leaflets via their own balloons across the border. The first wave of balloons started last Tuesday. "This move by North Korea is a clear violation of international law and seriously threatens the safety of our people," the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. "We issue a stern warning that it must immediately stop its anti-humanitarian and low-level actions." North Korea has long criticized South Korea for allowing its activists to release balloons into the country carrying items ranging from anti-regime leaflets and electronic devices to medication and bibles. Along with the balloon launches, the government in Pyongyang has reportedly simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea and jammed GPS navigation systems. South Korea's national security director said Sunday that top officials plan "unbearable" measures against North Korea in response. The response could include loudspeaker broadcasts over the border that would include criticism of North Korea's government, world news and K-pop songs. Atlantas mayor has declared a state of emergency following a massive water main break that left parts of the citys downtown district without water and prompted a major hospital to transfer patients elsewhere. The significant disruption to water service in Georgias capital is the latest dramatic example of how aging infrastructure throughout the United States has impacted electrical grids, bridges and roadways, dams and other vital systems, inconveniencing millions of Americans or placing them in danger. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens on Saturday declared a state of emergency just a few hours after crews repaired one of two major water main breaks in the citys downtown area. The other, in the Midtown neighborhood, is still undergoing services with no estimate on when it will be repaired. Repair crews have made significant progress in localizing the repairs as they continue to address the broken water main at the intersection of West Peachtree Street and 11th Street in Midtown, Atlantas Department of Watershed Management said early Sunday. Video from CNN affiliate WANF showed water gushing from a pipe onto a blocked-off portion of West Peachtree Street as crews worked to address it. Atlanta Watershed reported another possible water main break in the city earlier Sunday and announced emergency repairs on a 6-inch water main near the Candler Park neighborhood were complete by late Sunday afternoon. Water service was restored to 35 nearby homes and four hydrants, the city agency said. The issues began Friday after breaks on a 48-inch and 36-inch transmission line that carries large volumes of water to the metropolitan area, according to Atlanta Watershed. The water main breaks left parts of downtown Atlanta without water and under boil water advisories, shuttering tourist attractions and forcing events to be postponed. After repairs to the initial water main break downtown were completed, crews fully restored water service to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Fulton County Jail, Atlanta City Detention Center and other facilities, the city agency said. Crew members look at a broken water transmission line on Saturday, June 1, in Atlanta. - Mike Stewart/AP On Sunday, the city distributed water at two city fire stations, limiting cases to one per resident amid ongoing water issues. We are currently working on getting more water delivered to all stations, the City of Atlanta said in a post on X. Meanwhile, the citys Emory University Hospital Midtown and its ambulances resumed normal operations Sunday after the hospital experienced water pressure issues due to the water main breaks on Saturday, according to Janet Christenbury, director of media relations. The disruptions prompted the hospital on Saturday to transfer dialysis patients to other hospitals and divert ambulances from its emergency department, except for people with urgent heart concerns, a hospital spokesperson told CNN in a statement. Tomorrow, we will operate on regular schedules for outpatient doctors appointments, procedures and surgeries, Christenbury said in a statement. The hospital said it brought in around 58,000 gallons of water in six tanker trucks to use in chillers and cooling towers on Saturday and distributed bottled water to patients for drinking and personal care needs. We will continue to provide bottled water to patients, visitors and staff while the hospital remains under a boil water advisory, like many of the affected areas in Atlanta, Christenbury said. Urgent surgeries were not affected on Saturday, the hospital said. Boil water advisory in still effect Dickens apologized on Saturday for the citys response to the water main break that began creating concerns Friday morning. I know it has been a tough and frustrating day for many of you, Dickens said. We all take this matter very seriously. The issues prompted the closure of tourist attractions and the rescheduling of events including Megan Thee Stallion concerts Friday and Saturday. The incident also left many without water or with inadequate water pressure. The Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, two of downtowns biggest attractions, remained closed Saturday. Atlanta United, the citys soccer team, said it planned to play its match against Charlotte FC on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but there would be limited food and beverage options due to the citys boil water advisory, which remained in effect. We ask all fans to utilize hand sanitizing stations around the stadium as an added precaution for health and safety, the team said in a statement on X. Officials say a decaying pipe that collapsed due to water pressure was the main cause of the break downtown. We were actually able to repair the fitting that was leaking, said Al Wiggins Jr., Commissioner for the Department of Public Works, during a news conference on Saturday. We spent a significant amount of time removing pressure from the system in order for us to be able to conduct the necessary repairs, he said. Crews are slowly pressurizing water flow to ensure no additional damage is done to the water network. Atlantas Grady Memorial Hospital, which reported low water pressure on Saturday, is expected to return to normal operations Monday after water service was restored and water pressure has significantly increased, Gradys administration announced Sunday. Al Wiggins Jr., Atlantas Commissioner for the Department of Public Works, speaks at a news conference in Atlanta on Saturday, June 1. - WANF The hospital, which said it remained fully operational on Saturday, said it would also continue providing patients and staff with bottled water Sunday amid the ongoing boil water advisory. Water issues have impacted Atlanta before. In June 2020, a water main break on the Georgia Institute of Technologys campus led to outages and a boil water advisory in the city. Emory University Hospital Midtown used bottled water then. Patient care was not affected. Atlantas woes are part of a larger issue of aging infrastructure throughout the US. Here and in Canada, around 260,000 water main breaks cost $2.6 billion each year, according to a December 2023 study from Utah State University. The study noted the average age of failing water mains is around 53 years and that 33% of US and Canadian water mains are over 50 years old. CNNs Ray Sanchez and Rafael Romo contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Soccer icon David Beckham exchanged beekeeping tips with King Charles, he said, when the pair met ahead of the former England captain being named ambassador for The Kings Foundation. Beckham met the King at Highgrove Gardens in the Cotswolds, England, where he also met students of the Kings Foundation, who practice skills such as woodworking and embroidery in specialized workshops on site. It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majestys Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens and compare beekeeping tips, Beckham said in a press release from the foundation. The former soccer star has discussed his passion for beekeeping in public before. The 2023 Netflix documentary series Beckham began with him harvesting honey into an old jam jar. In his work with The Kings Foundation, Beckham will be hoping to spread awareness of the charitys mission. The Kings Foundation was originally called The Princes Foundation, and came into existence after a number of Charles charitable projects merged into one group in 2018. The foundation provides holistic solutions to challenges facing the world today, its website says, and runs education and training programs in subjects such as traditional arts, architecture, design, science, engineering, horticulture, wellbeing and hospitality. Beckham visited students at the Snowdon School of Furniture, one of The King's Foundation's specialist workshops. - Courtney Louise Photography/The King's Foundation/PA Wire The charity became embroiled in a cash-for-honors scandal over allegations the then-chief executive of Charles charity, Michael Fawcett, helped nominate Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz for an honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) title. A spokesperson for Charles at the time maintained that the Prince of Wales had no knowledge of the alleged offer of honors or British citizenship on the basis of donation to his charities. Last year, Londons Metropolitan Police said no further action would be taken in its investigation. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Justin Metcalf, middle, stands with Panther, West Virginia residents Ernest "Little Man" Blankenship and Eric Blankenship after Metcalf and members of his Mars Hill church delivered a grist mill to the West Virginia community. MARS HILL - A Mars Hill man has made fans the world over in producing videos of him working on mills at his home along Metcalf Creek Loop Road. Now, Justin Metcalf has won the hearts of hundreds of Southern Appalachian residents after he and his church delivered food to rural families in West Virginia. On May 18, Metcalf led members of his California Creek Baptist Church to a remote area outside of Panther, West Virginia, where residents were dealing with a food desert situation in which the nearest store carrying food was roughly a 90-minute drive. "It's kind of below Wells, West Virginia. It's back in the mountains, right in the corner between Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia," Metcalf said. "The coal mines went out, and everybody that could move out did, and everybody is just left there, and they don't have anything to eat and nowhere to work." When Metcalf heard members of his church at California Creek Baptist Church were headed to West Virginia for a mission trip, he knew that the trip would align perfectly with his calling: to aid Appalachian communities by bringing back healthy foods and restore the sense of community that community grain mills provided. Metcalf is building another grist mill, which he helped deliver to the West Virginia residents, and from there he plans to teach the residents how to make their own food. The mill is part of Metcalf's Grain Mills for Communities project. "I'm going to haul a ton of corn up there so they can grind corn meal and maybe some grits," Metcalf said prior to his trip. "The first week I went up there, when I decided to build this grist mill, was in late January." And now that he's back in the shop full-time, he's as energized as ever, he said, as he's purchased a three-phase motor to operate one of his other mills. "I'm excited. This is the first time I've done anything with an electric motor, and I can set the speed exactly where it needs to be. It's just really efficient," Metcalf said. Metcalf also works to help other millers restore their mills, and has even met with other millers throughout the country, including some in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. As for his source for acquiring crops to mill, Metcalf found a man named Sammy Phillips who was in Boonville in Yadkin County. At the time of their meeting, Metcalf said Phillips was 95 years old and still leading him up and down staircases throughout a three-story milling operation. When he started his YouTube page in 2021-22, where he uploads videos talking about grain mills, he heard from residents across the globe praising him for teaching them about mills and the history of community mills. "In the olden days, every community had a grain mill," Metcalf said. "People couldn't travel long distances, they couldn't run to town to the grocery store to get products like that. If they lived in town, they might have been able to get them, but most likely there was still a grain mill in town. "When things got centralized and commercialized, grain mills faded out because commercial products that were ground in a big commercial operation somewhere, they took over that. It was easier just to go by the store and buy a sack of flour or corn mill. That's what started the decline of community grain mills." Mars Hill resident Justin Metcalf readies his grist mill prior to showing The News-Record & Sentinel reporter Johnny Casey an instructional video on how to operate the mill. As a result, some of the healthiest ingredients of the foods were removed from the product to keep the goods on the shelves longer. So, there's a health advantage to using grain mills too, Metcalf reminds his viewers. "Like on wheat, they took out just the endosperm, the biggest part of the wheat," Metcalf said. "All the bran, all the other stuff where the good nutrition and fiber is at, they took that away and separated it out. So, when you get back to a community grain mill, you get back to eating whole grains. That's what's best for us: fresh stone-milled whole grains. "I've had many people say to me, 'Justin, why don't you just go to the store and buy a loaf of bread?' But that's because they've never tasted what a loaf of bread tastes like when it's made with a fresh-milled grain. This commercial food has kind of gotten folks off the track of knowing what good food is. If you know what good food is, it's well worth the time and effort to obtain that food." Metcalf has more than 16,000 followers on his YouTube page, Appalachia's Metcalf Mills. "It's going to make a bigger difference in their lives than I ever thought it would for anybody," Metcalf said of the Panther mill. "Some of them still have dirt floors and no plumbing in their house." According to Metcalf, the region was stricken with flooding a few years back, and the local water source is now contaminated by coal from the mines. "Their water up there, the sulfur from the water has contaminated their water. The average lifespan is just 54," Metcalf said, adding that he and the church group brought a water filtering system to the West Virginia town May 18 as well. According to healthdata.org, men in West Virginia's McDowell County, where Panther is, live an average of 63.5 years, well below the national average of 76.5. Women in McDowell County live an average of 71.5 years; the national average is 81.2. But the grist mill for the West Virginia residents is just the first of many in his Grain Mills for Communities project, Metcalf said. "When I started that project, I had no idea what a blessing and what it would mean to a community," he said. "I had hopes and dreams, but I am amazed at how it is going." Mars Hill resident Justin Metcalf is pictured here in his Mars Hill shop with his daughter, Charlotte. The family tradition Building and using mills was a family tradition among the Metcalf men. "When I was growing up, Daddy would tell me stories about going to the mill on Saturday with my Grandpa and his brother Elmer, who ran a little community grist mill and would grind people's corn on Saturdays," Metcalf said. "Dad was just a littl boy, maybe 8 years old, and they'd be grinding and he said he'd stick his hand under that spout and that corn mill would be coming out of there, and he said it'd be warm from warming up and coming out of them stones. "He said he'd eat it right out of his hand, and talked about how good it was, and he just got me interested in it, and that just got in my thinking." Now, years later, after caring for his ailing parents before they died last year, Metcalf is back to his calling. "I was trying to get everything set up, and then my parents got sick, and I just couldn't do it," Metcalf said. "I had to be at the house. I'd come down here and try to work, and a little while Dad would call needing something, and I finally just said, 'I can't do both. I'm going to have to just stay here and take care of both of them, and that's what I'd done.'" Justin Metcalf stands beside the grist mill he delivered to a community in Panther, West Virginia in May. The importance of community The connection among people is a big motivation for Metcalf in his project, as the mills tend to band a community together in an age of distractions and disconnect, he said. Metcalf first met with the West Virginia residents in January, and immediately returned home to work on the grist mill for the Panther community. There may have been a component of "as fate would have it" to the story of Metcalf meeting with the Panther residents. On the day prior to the January trip, one of Metcalf's friends at California Creek suggested he accompany the team on the trek to West Virginia, as Metcalf had just broken up with his girlfriend the day before. "If that hadn't have happened, I wouldn't have went on that trip," Metcalf said. "We've got to go on. Hard things happen to us, and we just have to persevere." Metcalf is no stranger to grief, which is partly what fuels him to give back to others and to celebrate loved ones and friends. "When my parents passed away, that's the hardest thing I've ever been through," he said. "I lost my older brother in 2008 of a heart attack. He was 19 when I was born, so he's like a second dad to me, with my dad being sick. Me and him were really close. He died of a heart attack on my mother's birthday." Metcalf's hand-built grist mill could potentially feed more than 600 people in the remote West Virginia area, as the device grinds corn into corn meal and wheat to be prepared for healthy food. "If we take a ton of corn up there, that'll allow each family about 5 pounds of corn meal a week to eat on," Metcalf said. "I'm trying to figure out how to make it sustainable." While visiting West Virginia, Metcalf met with two residents named Ernest "Little Man" Blankenship and Eric Blankenship. "Little Man" is a lifelong resident of the area, and donated his old library to be used for the grain mill to feed the community. Metcalf said he plans to train both to be millers and mill grain for their community, and the impact was felt right away. "Eric was the happiest I have ever seen him the day we delivered the grain mill," Metcalf said. In a lot of ways, the feeling is reciprocal, as the West Virginia community is helping bring more joy back to Metcalf, too. "After my parents had just passed away, I got really down and out, kind of depressed, and I couldn't do everything I was needing to do," Metcalf said. "I was trying to keep work going and raise my two daughters. But, I couldn't do this. It wasn't time, until I went into that school in West Virginia. "If I was going to build these grist mills just to sell, with all these people supporting and helping, that didn't feel right to me. I wanted to give back somehow. When I went into that school in West Virginia, I knew this is how I'm going to give back. These people need this." This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Mars Hill's Metcalf delivering food, hope to Appalachian communities Authorities in Akron, Ohio, are appealing for the public's help in identifying those responsible for a shooting that left a man dead and 24 people injured early Sunday during a large street party. Akron Police Chief Brian Harding said at a Sunday evening news conference that officers broke up a birthday celebration of around 200 people after it took over a street and prompted complaints around 10 p.m. Saturday. The party eventually got restarted, and shortly after midnight calls arrived at the police station about gunshots at that same location on Kelly Avenue in southeast Akron. The violence that unfolded had the makings of a drive-by shooting, with some partygoers returning fire, Harding said. Investigators still don't know how many shooters or weapons were involved, though they have recovered two handguns and believe a rifle was also used. The scene was littered with spent shell casings, mostly pistol-caliber rounds, Harding said. He did not identify the person killed but said he was a 27-year-old male, adding that two other victims are in critical condition and that those injured ranged in age from 19 to 43, with the majority in their 30s. Police said they received multiple 911 calls about the shooting, and that many victims arrived at hospitals via private vehicles. Police have responded to multiple shootings in the area over the past several months. With no suspects and nobody connected to the incident in custody, police are calling for witnesses to provide information. Harding said as many as 100 saw what transpired. We are imploring the community to come forward with anything that you might know regarding this terrible incident,'' Harding said. "We have concerns about the possibility of retaliation and are taking steps to prevent that, and we need the communitys help. At the news conference, Mayor Shammas Malik said those involved in the shooting and anyone who retaliates for it will be brought to justice, and he lamented the prevalence of violence as a means to resolve disputes. "The level of violence in our community and frankly in communities across the country is out of control; the availability of weapons, the casualness with which some people use weapons,'' Malik said. "Something that in the past may have been a fistfight now turns into a deadly shooting like this. We have to hold people accountable when they commit violence.'' Police tape is tied on a street sign where a memorial from a different incident that happened on 8th Ave looking towards Kelly Avenue at the site of a mass shooting in Akron on Sunday, June 2, 2024. Gunfire erupts at Allegheny County, Pa., hookah bar Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, police early Sunday began investigating a shooting at Ballers Hookah Lounge and Cigar Bar that killed two people and injured seven others. The shooting in the Penn Hills area east of Pittsburgh happened shortly before 3 a.m., and investigators say several victims walked to nearby hospitals, where one person remained in critical condition. "Preliminary information indicates an altercation took place inside the bar and multiple individuals opened fire," Allegheny County police said in a statement. How many mass shootings have there been in 2024? According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been more than 180 mass shootings in the U.S. so far this year, as defined by a minimum of four victims either shot or killed, not including the shooter. That's a lower level year-to-date than some recent years. In 2023, there were 655 mass shootings nationally, 644 in 2022, and 689 in 2021, according to the archive's definition. Contributing: The Akron Beacon Journal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mass shooting in Akron, Ohio, leaves 1 dead, 24 injured "Words cant express how heartbroken I am," Brooks wrote in a post on X, announcing that her niece was murdered on May 31 getty; Caroline Brooks/x Caroline Brooks (left) and her niece Real Housewives of Dubaistar Caroline Brooks' niece has been murdered. The TV personality, 38, announced the death of her unidentified niece in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, June 1. "My niece was murdered last night. Words cant express how heartbroken I am. Shock is an understatement," she began the post. "Packing up and heading to America. will take a pause from socials. Congrats to my cast on season 2 of #RHODubai. I dedicate my second season to my niece." Caroline Brooks/instagram Caroline Brooks' tribute to her niece Brooks also wrote a tribute to her niece on her Instagram Stories on Saturday, including two photos of the young woman. "This isn't real. There is no way. I want everyone to leave me alone forever. Rest in peace little P. Before I moved to Dubai I spent every moment of my life with my family," she wrote over the first photo, showing two young women posing in pajamas. "My niece is gone and I am in shock. You were my baby. I can't breathe. I'M COMING HOME." She also included what appeared to be a more recent photo of her niece in the statement on X and in the second Instagram Stories slide. Caroline Brooks/instagram Caroline Brooks' tribute to her niece 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. "My sweetie pie. My baby! I bathed you, did your hair, made your lunch for school everyday. Someone took you away from me. I don't have words. I will never be ok," Brooks wrote over a photo of her niece wearing a green top and black skirt. Chris Haston/Bravo Caroline Brooks Brooks' announcement came just one day before season 2 of Real Housewives of Dubai premieres on Bravo on Sunday, June 2. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter! Read the original article on People. Donald Trump fans are adopting upside-down flags in a show of support since the former president was convicted last week of 34 felonies in his hush money trial. The flag represents a sign of distress that has been embraced by Jan. 6 insurrectionists and those who baselessly argue that the 2020 election was rigged. Trump supporters are posting photos and videos of themselves with the flags, including Georgia GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Trump's one-time national security adviser and pardoned convict Gen. Michael Flynn. Country music star Jason Aldean posted an image of an inverted flag to his 4.4 million followers on Facebook after Trump's verdict Thursday. "Scary times in our country right now, man," he wrote. "When a former POTUS gets treated like this by our justice system, what does that mean for the rest of us?" The upside-down flag has become more widely known since the banner was photographed flying from the Alexandria, Virginia, home of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito after the Capitol insurrection following Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election. Alito claimed he knew nothing about the flag flying from his home, saying his wife had run it up their flagpole during a political spat with neighbors over Trump and the election. Alito was asked by lawmakers to recuse himself from decisions involving the Jan. 6 insurrection and Trump's appeal for immunity in his attempts to overthrow the election, citing an apparent bias. He has refused. Dozens of the upside-down flags hung outside a library in Monrovia in Los Angeles County for Memorial Day were turned upside down overnight Thursday by mystery Trump backers, KTLA reported. "The city was very surprised to learn someone inverted the flags, which were set up in honor of our community's veterans. We were able to reset them correctly with the help of staff and community members," Monrovia City Manager Dylan Feik told CNN. The Heritage Foundation flies the upside-down flag. So the American Right, which has in recent years fetishized the flag, now desecrates it. Im sure theres a whole sociological or psychological literature on how fetishizing by unstable people so easily turns to loathing. pic.twitter.com/1xbU23Mq9k Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) June 1, 2024 The conservative Heritage Foundation think tank also posted an image appearing to show the American flag hanging upside down at it Washington, D.C., headquarters. Republican National Committee (RNC) Co-Chair Lara Trump chastised former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, now the moderate GOP candidate for U.S. Senate in Maryland, for saying Americans should accept the verdict in former President Trumps hush money criminal trial, regardless of the outcome. I think anybody whos not speaking up in the face of really something that should never again have seen the light of day, a trial that would never have been brought against any other person aside from Donald Trump, doesnt deserve the respect of anyone, Lara Trump, the daughter-in-law of the former president, said in an interview on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday when asked about Hogan. He doesnt deserve the respect of anyone in the Republican Party at this point and, quite frankly, anybody in America, if thats the way you feel. Thats very upsetting to hear that, Lara Trump added, about Hogan. Former President Trump was found guilty Thursday on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a scheme to shield potentially damaging information from the American public ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Hogan, in the moments ahead of the guilty verdict announcement Thursday, wrote on the social platform X, Regardless of the result, I urge all Americans to respect the verdict and the legal process. At this dangerously divided moment in our history, all leaders regardless of party must not pour fuel on the fire with more toxic partisanship. We must reaffirm what has made this nation great: the rule of law, the former Maryland governor added. Trump adviser Chris LaCivita soon after responded, You just ended your campaign. Hogan who faces Democratic candidate Angela Alsobrooks in the November general election to represent the blue state of Maryland in the U.S. Senate struck a markedly different tone from the sentiment expressed by the vast majority of the Republican Party. Many took aim at the trial and made claims that it was politically motivated. Lara Trump on Sunday repeatedly dodged questions on whether the RNC would continue backing Hogans bid for the Senate seat, after he made the remark. Pressed on whether the RNC would use its resources to help Hogan or whether Republicans are willing to cede the Senate seat in Maryland to Democrats, Lara Trump said multiple times that I will get back to you on all the specifics. What I will tell you is that we, of course, want to win as a party, but that is a shame. And I think he should have thought long and hard before he said that publicly, she said. The Hill has reached out to the Hogan campaign for a response. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) re-upped his vow to boycott war criminal Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus address to Congress and again slammed the leaders handling of the Israel-Hamas war. Benjamin Netanyahu is a war criminal, Sanders said in a statement released on Saturday. He should not be invited to address a joint meeting of Congress. I certainly will not attend. Sanders rebuke of Netanyahu and Israels bombardment of Gaza comes as he was officially invited to address Congress, The Hill first reported on Friday. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent Netanyahu a formal invitation that was also signed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.). The address is expected as soon as the next eight weeks or soon after August recess, a source familiar told The Hill. The progressive Democrat previously said he would not attend any speech by Netanyahu in Congress, saying last week that Israel created the worst humanitarian disaster in modern history. That week, Johnson was pushing to get Netanyahu to address Congress. Schumer, who previously slammed the prime minister and called for new elections in the country, said he was open to signing the invitation. In his statement on Saturday, Sanders said it was a sad day for the U.S. that Netanyahu was invited by leaders of both political parties. He reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself following Hamas Oct. 7 attack on the southern part of the country where around 1,200 Israelis were killed and around 250 were taken hostage. But, the Vermont senator, strongly criticized Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip, slamming it for the number of civilians killed, the damage to the infrastructure and the destruction of the health care system in the region. Israel does not have the right to kill more than 34,000 civilians and wound over 80,000 5% of the population of Gaza. It does not have the right to orphan 19,000 children. It does not have the right to displace 75% of the people of Gaza from their homes, Sanders said. It does not have the right to annihilate Gazas health care system, knocking 26 hospitals out of service and killing more than 400 health care workers, he continued. It does not have the right to bomb all 12 of Gazas universities and 56 of its schools, or deny 625,000 children in Gaza the opportunity for an education. He also said Israel does not have the right to block humanitarian aid and the Jewish state is in violation of the American and international law. It does not have the right to condemn hundreds of thousands of children to death by starvation, he said while also voicing his support for International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan seeking arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The ICC is right, Sanders said. Both of these people are engaged in clear and outrageous violations of international law. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Robert Irwin, the son of famed conservationist Steve Irwin. Monica Schipper/Getty Images Scammers are using deepfake celebrity videos to steal from fans. Fake photos of police arresting Robert Irwin were used to set up a fake investment opportunity. Scams like these have stolen over $8 million in Australia alone. Scammers in Australia are using deepfake photos and videos of celebrities to steal from people in increasingly creative ways. Australians have lost up to $8 million to scammers using online investment platform scams this year, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. The scammers use fake news articles and deepfake videos to trick people into believing that a celebrity is asking them for a large sum of money. In one example, scammers shared fake photos of Robert Irwin son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin in handcuffs, accompanied by an article titled "Is this the end of his career? Robert Irwin didn't know the camera was still recording." The fake article tells readers that a bank has filed a lawsuit against Irwin over comments he made about a crypto trading platform. It then promises to make readers rich if they invest $375 in that platform. "We are urging Australians to take their time and do their research before taking up an investment opportunity particularly those seen on social media," ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said in a statement. Eye-popping investment opportunities in bogus online crypto trading platforms, especially ones that claim to use "artificial intelligence or other emerging technologies," are an increasingly common scam tactic, the ACCC says. At least one Australian man lost over $50,000 in cryptocurrency after registering his details through an online form that he saw in a deepfake interview of Elon Musk on social media, Lowe said. Last month, the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission also warned about a sham cryptocurrency exchange using deepfake videos of Elon Musk, which also claimed to leverage AI in its software. The FTC says most scams in the United States start on social media, with scammers trying to get victims to pay for investments in bitcoin so their crimes can't be traced. "Investment scams are one of the top ways scammers trick you into buying cryptocurrency and sending it on to scammers," the FTC says. "But scammers are also impersonating businesses, government agencies, and a love interest, among other tactics." "Deepfakes" use AI to replace the likeness of a person in a video or audio clip. One quick way to spot a deepfake is to do a reverse image search and check the true source of an image. The best way to avoid a crypto scam is to never trust someone who will only accept payment in crypto or who is promising big profit returns on an investment, the FTC says. Read the original article on Business Insider The two women and man, all aged in their 20s were caught in floods in the northern Friuli region Three young friends, including a couple, were filmed in a heartbreaking final embrace before they were swept away by flash floods in northern Italy. Patrizia Cormos, 20, her friend Bianca Doros, 23, and her boyfriend Cristian Molnar, 25, had decided to take a stroll along the Natisone River near Udine in the northern Friuli region when the river surged to dangerous levels after days of torrential rain. The two women and man, all aged in their 20s, were last seen alive on Friday standing thigh deep in the swirling river water on a tiny island they walked to in the middle of the river. Video shared from the scene as rescue efforts were underway showed the trio hugging each other as they remained trapped in the rising torrent unable to reach the riverbank. Patrizia Cormos, Cristian Molnar and Bianca Doros We threw them a rope, but they were literally swallowed up by the flood waters in front of our eyes. We watched them disappear, Giorgio Basile, the chief of the provincial firefighters in Udine, said. On Sunday two bodies, believed to be Ms Cormos and Ms Doros, a Romanian who was reportedly visiting her family, were found about 1km from where they were last seen. As the search continues for Mr Molnar, who is also Romanian, prosecutors opened an investigation into the tragedy. One of the women had made an emergency call to police at around 1.35pm on Friday and firefighters quickly arrived at the scene. One firefighter urged them to stick together from a nearby bridge as emergency workers attempted to throw them a rope but the three were carried away by the swiftly moving current. Firefighters and other emergency workers have been using drones, boats and divers to sweep the river for any sign of the missing since Friday. A handbag of one of the women was recovered reportedly containing the mobile that made their emergency SOS call. The main element is not so much the rain, it is the power of the river, the very strong currents, Mr Basile said. There are gorges, there is a backwash of water and even for the experts it is a particularly treacherous task. I told her not to go Ms Cormos was a student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Udine and she had asked her mother if she could join her friends for a drive on Friday after finishing an exam. The three friends drove to Premariacco Beach near Udine and walked down to the river. Ms Doros, who was studying economics in Bucharest, had arrived in Udine a few days earlier to visit her parents while her boyfriend, who was also Romanian, had travelled from Austria to see them. The families of the victims had not made any public comment late Sunday but the mother of Ms Cormos was quoted in the Italian daily, Corriere della Sera, before her daughters body was found. I had told her not to go, because she was tired, her mother reportedly said in tears. But she said we are just going to hang out for a bit and take some photos. Come on mum, dont be angry. Michele De Sabata, mayor of the nearby town of Premariacco, expressed his sympathy on behalf of the community. They found themselves in an unpredictable situation. Those who live in Premariacco know the river and how conditions can change quickly. The three kids arrived when it was sunny. They could not have known what was about to happen. It only took minutes. Heavy floods have caused widespread chaos across northern Italy in areas including Milan, Varese and Cremona in the past two weeks. Violent storms struck the Friuli and Veneto regions in mid-May and there is further rain forecast in the north of Italy this week. 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. Will Scharf, a member of Donald Trump's legal team, said Sunday that the former president will appeal his conviction on 34 felony counts in New York but will comply with a pre-sentencing investigation in the meantime. Trump's conviction, centered around allegations he covered up a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election, will be the subject of an investigation from the Probation Department, which will include interviewing Trump. A report following the inquiry's conclusion will provide Judge Juan Merchan with a sentencing recommendation, experts have told ABC News. "The president's going to cooperate with the pre-sentence investigation. And we're going to speedily appeal this unjust verdict. I think this case is replete with reversible error. We plan to vigorously defend President Trump's rights in the appellate courts all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary," Scharf told ABC's "This Week" anchor George Stephanopoulos. Trump and his legal team have repeatedly panned the case against him as thin and the ensuing trial as a "sham," with particular enmity reserved for Merchan, who Scharf, Trump and the former president's allies have described as biased, citing a $15 donation he made to President Joe Biden in 2020. The barbs grew to such an extent that Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from commenting on the judge's family, witnesses, jurors and others involved in the trial. MORE: Half of Americans think Trump's guilty verdict was correct, should end campaign: POLL In the days since the conviction, Trump has escalated his attacks on Merchan, including calling him a "devil." "These are all things that President Trump absolutely has to comment on. I think the fact that he labored under a gag order for as long as he did was manifestly unjust. So yes, absolutely. President Trump needs to be carrying his message to the American people," Scharf said Sunday. Scharf also pointed to Merchan when explaining why Trump didn't testify himself, arguing that the judge's bounds of what the former president could've been asked on the stand were too wide. "I think in light of Judge Merchan's decision about the scope of allowable cross-examination, which I believe was wildly wrong... I think it would have been dangerous for President Trump to take the stand. But I think had President Trump taken the stand, certainly on direct [examination] he would have been a compelling witness," he said. Beyond being historical in its own right, marking the first time a former president has ever been convicted of a felony, the conviction also offers a rare chance to potentially alter a race between two men with nearly universal name recognition that Trump has, so far, been seen as leading. Democrats have speculated over the past few days that the news could sway undecided voters to not vote for Trump, and that even movement on the margins could alter the results in key swing states. Republicans, meanwhile, boasted that the conviction will supercharge Trump's base -- a claim Biden surrogate and Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., rejected. "The American people have just gotten a bird's eye view on how, over the past months, how these two individuals deal with trials. You know, you look at President Biden and the trials that he has had to deal with, things like deadly storms in the Midwest... And on the other side, you see Donald Trump, who has been dealing with trials, as well, except those trials had been his own," Moore told Stephanopoulos on Sunday. "Those trials have been criminal convictions. And I think that you're seeing a very clear example of what it means to have a president who is focusing on our future, on our freedoms. And on the other side, you see Donald Trump, who's, frankly, spending this time focused, focusing on his own freedoms and his own future." MORE: Now that Donald Trump has been convicted, what happens next? When pressed on an ongoing debate among Democrats over how much to focus on Trump's conviction, Moore pivoted, knocking Trump over his past claims that Black voters can relate with him more due to his legal troubles. "I hear the argument that people are saying that him being a convicted felon is actually going to help him and, particularly, how that's going to help him in communities of color, in African American communities... This is a very -- it's a deeply problematic and a deeply offensive argument," Moore said. "What is going to resonate with the African American community, what's going to resonate with the community as a whole is having a person, having a president like we have [in] President Biden, who's actually focusing on our futures. The fact that President Trump is now a convicted felon does not make him resonate with any community, does not make us more, more connectable to anybody else." Trump attorney says legal team will appeal conviction, comply with pre-sentence probe originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Hanging the United States flag upside down, a move that is supposed to signal distress and that has ensnared Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in controversy, is now being practiced by supporters of Donald Trump to protest the former presidents conviction in his hush money trial. Prominent Trump supporters such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and former national security adviser Michael Flynn posted pictures of upside-down flags on social media soon after a New York jury found Trump guilty Thursday. Flynn, a retired three-star general, made the image his profile picture on X. By Friday, pro-Trump social media accounts were awash with images of inverted flags hanging on porches and lawns across the country. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, posted an image appearing to show the flag hanging upside down above its Washington, DC, headquarters. In California, dozens of American flags that were placed outside a library in Monrovia in Los Angeles County to commemorate Memorial Day were turned upside down overnight Thursday, local news station KTLA reported. It is not clear who was responsible for the stunt. The city was very surprised to learn someone inverted the flags, which were set up in honor of our communitys veterans. We were able to reset them correctly with the help of staff and community members, Dylan Feik, Monrovias city manager, told CNN on Saturday. The practice of inverting the Stars and Stripes has received renewed scrutiny after The New York Times revealed last month that an upside-down US flag was seen outside the Alito household in January 2021 at a time when the practice was a symbol for Trump supporters who falsely claimed widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Justice Alito said his wife hoisted the symbol of discontent in response to a neighborhood dispute. Respect for the flag is outlined in US code, which states, The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. Over the weekend, however, the trend seemed to be gaining steam. Country music star Jason Aldean no stranger to political controversy posted an image of an inverted flag to his 4.4 million followers on Instagram after the verdict Thursday, writing, Scary times in our country right now, man. When a former POTUS gets treated like this by our justice system, what does that mean for the rest of us? By Saturday, the post had almost half a million likes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The population of a small Panamanian island is being relocated to the mainland due to rising ocean levels blamed on climate change. About 300 families are in the process of moving from Gardi Sugdub. There are about 38,000 people in 62 other communities along Panama's Caribbean and Pacific coasts that may need to be moved due to rising oceans in the coming years. "The islands on average are only a half-meter above sea level, and as that level rises, sooner or later the Gunas are going to have to abandon all of the islands almost surely by the end of the century or earlier," Steven Paton, director of the Smithsonian Institution's physical monitoring program in Panama told the Associated Press. The government has built a $12 million new community of homes for them. Each family will get a two-bedroom house, drinking water and electricity, according to the Telegraph. They previously had to have water delivered from the mainland. "We're a little sad, because we're going to leave behind the homes we've known all our lives, the relationship with the sea, where we fish, where we bathe and where the tourists come, but the sea is sinking the island little by little," Nadin Morales, 24, told the Associated Press. The relocated citizens will have to adapt from living on the sea to living in a forest. Some residents have opted to stay until they will be forced to move by flooding waters. A recent study estimated that Panama would lose about 2% of its coastal territory by 2050. KANYAKUMARI: Visiting the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, I feel a divine energy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, as he concluded his 45-hour meditation and left Kanyakumari for Delhi on Saturday. At about 2.45 pm, Modi, clad in a white shirt and dhoti, left for the Thiruvalluvar rock memorial. He placed a rose garland at the feet of the 133-feet-tall statue of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar and bowed before the statue. He then proceeded to the mainland from where he reached the travellers bungalow premises, where an Air Force helicopter was ready to fly him to Thiruvananthapuram. After refreshing himself and a change of dress, Modi left Kanyakumari at 4 pm. BJP leader and Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a post on 'X' said: On completing his meditation on the Vivekananda Rock Memorial PM @narendramodi writes: Visiting the 'Vivekananda Rock Memorial' at Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India, I feel a divine energy. Furthermore, the PM said: It is on this rock that Mother Parvati and Swami Vivekananda had meditated. Later, Eknath Ranade transformed this rock into a Shila Smarak' that brought Swami Vivekananda's thoughts to life. Swami Vivekananda, a leader of spiritual renaissance, has been my ideal, my energy, and the source of my spirituality. Years ago, after traveling across the entire country, when Swami Vivekananda meditated here, it was here that he envisioned a new direction for India's revival. It is my fortune that today, after so many years, as India embodies the values and ideals of Swami Vivekananda, I too have had the opportunity to meditate at this sacred place. Sitting at the feet of Ma Bharati, I once again reaffirm my resolve that every moment of my life and every particle of my body will always be dedicated to the service of the nation, Modi said, according to Sitharaman. On May 26-27, 2024, the 9th Trilateral Summit was held in Seoul with the participation of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and Japanese Prime Minister Fujio Kishida after a long gap of more than four years. Such supposedly annual summits of the three East Asian economic giants had begun in 2008, with Chinese participation at the level of Prime Minister, downgrading its status and keeping the focus on economic cooperation. The joint statement issued after the summit does not have much notable content except that the three countries will speed up negotiations for a trilateral FTA. It may be noted that these three countries are members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership under the auspices of Asean. The statement hopes that the three countries would strive to hold such summits annually. There was emphasis on boosting people to people exchanges with a target of 40 million contacts by 2030 through tourism, education and cultural groups. In his public remarks, the Chinese PM urged Japan and South Korea to reject protectionism and uphold the principles of free trade. Undoubtedly, these three countries have perhaps been the biggest beneficiaries of the present WTO-led foreign trade regime in the past three to four decades, running huge trade surpluses with most major economies. The three countries have robust trade with each other being part of global supply chains through their MNCs with the United States, Europe and Asia as the final destinations for their products. With both the US and the EU pushing back against perceived Chinese overcapacity in the manufacturing sector, more protectionist measures against Chinese exports are expected. In this background, China is working to shore up its long-existing economic linkages with its two major trade partners. Prime Minister Li Qiang spoke also against turning trade and economic differences into political games or security matters. Analysts have noted a trend of some shift away from the South Korean foreign trade dependence on China. The United States emerged as South Koreas top export destination in December 2023, surpassing China for the first time since 2004. Also, in 2023, South Korea had a $18 billion trade deficit with China, the first such bilateral deficit in 31 years. South Korean exports to China in 2023 were $125 billion, 20 per cent less than exports in 2022. Similarly, South Korean imports from China in 2023 were $143 billion, a drop of eight per cent over imports in 2022. There have been heavy investments by South Korean chaebols in the United States, mainly in the automotive industry, including car batteries. South Koreas ministry of trade, industry and energy has announced a strategy designed to stabilise South Koreas supply chains and reduce dependence on any product from China to less than 50 per cent by 2030. China continues to be the largest trading partner of Japan. Japans exports to China in 2023 were $163 billion, with a share of 21.6 per cent in its total exports. Japanese exports to the US were worth $136 billion, with a share of 17.9 per cent. The joint statement called for the de-nuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula and pledged to make positive efforts for the political settlement of the issue. This is only a statement of intent and no concrete follow-up action is expected. North Korea continues on its path of periodic missile tests and attempts to launch spy satellites in space. North Koreas President Kim Jong Un keeps his own counsel and has gradually come close to President Vladimir Putin on strategic cooperation in defence supplies and space technology. While China is unable to pressure North Korea to halt its nuclear programme, it is worried about the likely reaction in South Korea and Japan, which have the option to go in for their own nuclear weapons. An iconoclast future Trump administration may be no respecter of NPT! Recent opinion polls in South Korea have revealed about 71 per cent of South Koreans would support developing their own nuclear weapons or the return of US nuclear artillery with US forces in Korea, which was removed by President George Bush in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union and end of the Cold War. Japanese strategic thinkers are also watching with concern President Vladimir Putins threat to use nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war and the increasing Chinese nuclear arsenal, which is estimated to rise to 1,500 warheads in 2035 from the present number of about 400. However, public opinion in Japan is still overwhelmingly opposed to the development or deployment of nuclear weapons by Japan. Both South Korea and Japan watch with alarm the expansionist actions of the Peoples Republic of China in South China Sea and its hostile exercises around Taiwan straits. In bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Kishida reportedly expressed serious concern on the situation in the South China Sea in the backdrop of almost daily stand-offs between an intimidating Chinese Coast Guard and the relatively small Filipino fishing and supply vessels. The strongly pro-American orientation of South Korea led by President Yoon and Japan under Prime Minister Kishida has been clearly laid out in the Camp David Spirit adopted by the two along with President Joe Biden in August 2023, projecting China as their strategic adversary in the Indo-Pacific region. China is therefore biding its time and focusing on shoring up its trade and investment relations with its two longtime economic partners South Korea and Japan -- as more protectionist headwinds against China are expected both from a future Trump administration and the European Union worried about dumping from Chinese manufacturers. Given Chinas growing economic heft, no decoupling should be expected of the Chinese economy from both the South Korean or Japanese economies. Poised on the brink of electoral uncertainty, India defended Palestines rights last week with a shade more confidence than before. Yet, by making the future dependent on direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel, Indias ambassador to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, fell into the trap of making peace and justice hostage to the Israelis, who are the problem in West Asia rather than the solution. But then, she must be loyal to Prime Minister Narendra Modis fervent declaration that the people of India firmly stand with Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus recalcitrance makes it clear that if a solution does emerge, it will be not because -- but in spite of -- Israel. Todays fashionable phrase is again a two-state solution with secure borders for an independent Palestine as well as cast-iron guarantees of Israels security. True, this is the only realistic answer to the problem created by Zionist land-grabbing camouflaged in myth and mysticism. But US secretary of state Antony Blinken is wrong to call Hamas (human animals for some Americans) and Iran its worst enemies. The real opponents are not Muslim terrorists but fanatical Jews who never stop reliving the Holocaust and seem determined to make Palestinians pay for Nazi sins. Mr Blinken was reminded that Mr Netanyahu presents formidable objections to the two-state solution when he calls the West Bank, where the bulk of Palestinian refugees live, Judea and Samaria, the Jewish homeland of Biblical times. Even the language suggests eternal and inalienable possession. With US President Joe Biden gushing that if there were not an Israel, we would have to invent one to make sure our interests were preserved, it is no surprise that the Zionists are confident of American backing. Bilateral talks, as demanded by the United States and repeated by Ms Kamboj at the UN, will only give them the power of veto over the future. President Bidens latest proposal for a temporary six-week cease-fire leading to negotiations to end the war and rebuild Gaza must be scrutinised in that light. Israeli propaganda suggests that the war began with the horrors which Hamas perpetrated on October 7, 2023. Even Ms Kamboj referred to a conflict of over seven months. At least 76 years would be nearer the mark for the October 7 terrorist raid into Israel marked only another milestone since the Naqba -- Catastrophe -- whose anniversary the Palestinians mourn every year on May 15. That was the day in 1948 when Palestine was ethnically cleansed of some 800,000 Palestinians so that Israel could be carved out of the ruins of a once flourishing community. Actually, Zionist terrorists had launched the process of displacing Palestinians long before May 15, 1948. In fact, by then, half the total number of Palestinians had already been expelled. That process still continues in Mr Netanyahus Judea and Samaria. Making a solution to this tragedy dependent on Israels goodwill is to equate murderer and murdered. An Israel that has already killed more than 36,000 Palestinians in Gaza cannot be the solution. The solution can only come from the US. It is clear too that Mr Netanyahu is battling as much to save his own career as to defeat Hamas. Adversaries like Benny Gantz, a member of Israels War Cabinet and touted as the next Prime Minister, will renew their attack over pending charges of corruption, breach of trust, bribery and fraud as soon as the crisis ends. President Bidens invitation last month to Mr Gantz to Washington may have improved his prospects. There is no legal reason why Israel, with its own smash-and-grab lineage, should have any say in Palestines future. But as the de facto occupying power, although without de jure sanction, Israel exercises the authority of legitimacy while dismissing the more than 140 governments that now recognise Palestine as irrelevant. But with Sweden, Norway, Ireland and Spain joining the list, and the European Union calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, cracks have appeared in the Western facade. Even the US is worried that post-war Gaza might be rudderless like Afghanistan after the American pullout, which is why Mr Blinken stresses that Israel must focus on what the future can and must be to avoid anarchy and a vacuum thats likely to be filled by chaos. He may also have in mind the duplicity of an Israel that financed Gazas Islamist movement to counter the Palestinian secularists led by Yasser Arafats Fatah, which dominated the Palestine Liberation Organisation. An offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas was formally established with Israels support soon after the first Intifada in 1987 opposing the Israeli occupation. The twofold objective was to split the nationalist Palestinian movement and, more fundamentally, thwart the two-state proposal. Israel calculated that the rise of a rejectionist Islamist group would undermine the two-state formula and curb Western support for an independent Palestine. Victor Ostrovsky, a Mossad whistleblower, revealed in The Other Side of Deception that this was part of Mossads general plan for an Arab world run by fundamentalists whose rejection of any negotiations with the West would leave Israel as the only democratic, rational country in the region. The immediate question is: Who will rule Gaza now? Warning that he opposes Israeli control, Yoav Gallant, Israels defence minister, wants Mr Netanyahu to publicly rule out Israeli governance and to disclose his post-war plans. Only Palestinian entities under international supervision can provide an alternative to Hamas, he says, calling on Mr Netanyahu a to declare that Israel will not establish civilian or military control over the Gaza Strip. Mr Gallants remarks came as questions were being asked about Israels long-term strategy with military officials warning that the lack of one would mean repeating the Gaza tragedy again and again. Mr Netanyahu says that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority can provide acceptable governments, and that he will not replace Hamastan with Fatahstan, meaning Fatah. As for the US, Mr Blinken does not support and will not support an Israeli occupation but he doesnt support Hamas either. There needs to be a clear and concrete plan, and we look to Israel to come forward with its ideas. Israel is the tail that wags the American dog that has tied not just its security but its very existence to the Zionist state whose government is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. Many more Palestinians will die as Israel continues to bomb indiscriminately and prevent adequate aid from entering the devastated enclave that is still home to more than two million victims of racist imperialism. A community in Jiangxi wanted images of the Irish priests who served it between the 1920s and 1950s to appear on the stained glass windows in the renovation of its parish restored after long being a kindergarten. Including a martyr killed by Communist militias, whose grave is still a place revered by local Catholics. Milan (AsiaNews) The centenary celebration's of the Council of Shanghai is in recent weeks an opportunity to relaunch reflection on the topic of the face of the Catholic Church in China. Even in the recent conference held at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, one of the central themes was the question of the relationship between the Western missionaries present in China in the turbulent first half of the 20th century, the colonial powers and local Chinese culture. This question becomes even more topical given the very strong emphasis placed today by President Xi Jinping on the question of the "sinicization" of religions. But outside of readings of history linked to today's political events in Beijing, how does a small Catholic community in a Chinese province actually look at the missionaries who came from Europe who carried out their ministry there until their forced departure in the 1950s? An interesting testimony in this sense can be read in the latest issue of Far East Magazine, the magazine of the missionaries of Saint Colomban, an Irish institute that has a long history of apostolate in mainland China with ties that continue today. It is the story of a trip made in recent months by some of these missionaries to Nanfeng, in the province of Jiangxi, where the priests of the institute had been present for more than twenty years. Here, something apparently small, but important from a symbolic point of view, recently happened: in the renovation of the local neo-Gothic style church - built at the beginning of the twentieth century and returned just about fifteen years ago, after having been used for years as a nursery for children - in the new windows the current parish priest also wanted the three missionaries of San Colombano who carried out their ministry in Nanfeng to be depicted. Two years ago, while restrictions on Covid-19 were being eased in the Chinese province of Jiangxi, the Catholics of the parish of Nanfeng developed plans for the necessary renovation of the Church of the Sacred Heart - writes Fr. Dan Troy, who has lived in Wuhan for some years -. Fr Dominic Zhang drew on his experience to negotiate the initial stages of the project with a local builder. The first phase of the project was the reroof of the church, which had remained intact for approximately 100 years. In addition to the new roof, it was decided to design and install new glazing. Fr Dominic wanted the history of the parish to be reflected in the new stained glass windows. This involved installing images of three priests of Saint Columbanin the windows. Each of them had served in the parish or in the surrounding area during some of the years from the end of the twenties to the beginning of the fifties" (those - precisely - of the Council of Shanghai and its controversial implementation ed.). The missionaries in question were Fr. Tim Leonard (arrived in 1928 and died a martyr here a year later), Fr. Jerry Buttimer (also buried in Nanfeng, where he died in the 1948 heat wave) and Fr. Paddy Dermody (who after his expulsion from China continued his ministry in the United States and then in Ireland). It should be underlined that Fr. Leonard was killed by communist militias: in July 1929 a group of guerrillas entered the church while he was celebrating Mass. A few days later he was tried and accused of being a foreign spy and of promoting religion: he was killed with a pickaxe. His tomb in Nanfeng - surmounted by a Celtic marble cork with an inscription in Chinese characters - is still a place visited by local Catholics. The Chinese people - comments Fr. Troy - has a deep respect for history, whether it is the history of the nation, a district, or the history of a family. Many say their family has written records dating back a few hundred years. The Catholics of the Sacred Heart Church in Nanfeng wanted to include the images of three priests in the new windows, in order to enhance their history. These windows remind Catholics in the area and many visitors that the history of the Church in this part of China is linked to the sincere efforts made by the missionaries of Saint Columba in ancient, unpredictable and challenging times." Our visits to the tombs of Fr. Leonard and Fr. Buttimer - the Irish priest continues - were an opportunity to see how they continue to bear witness to a part of the missionary history of the Church in central China. We also celebrated Mass in the Church of the Sacred Heart. With images of three priests of St. Columba looking out at us from newly installed stained glass windows, the gentle echoes of history seemed to unite us in a way that affirmed how God can faithfully connect the history of the Church in China across generations. ECCLESIA IN ASIA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES IN ASIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY SUNDAY, CLICK HERE. by Stefano Caprio A series of video-documentaries circulated by Masa Pevcik, one of Naval'nyj's best-known contributors, shift all the blame and responsibility for what is happening today onto the bandits and corrupt people who prevented the development of a free and democratic society in the 1990s. Putin propagandists and opposition publicists, older and the younger generations, all cloaked in guilt and resentment, speak to those years. In this delicate phase of the world war - from Ukraine to Palestine to the scenarios related to the upcoming elections in Europe, England, America, Georgia and around the world - Russians feel more and more like victims and losers, and a word that used to define the condition of the Russian population in the 1990s resonates more and more in public discussions, on social media and in semi-clandestine interviews from abroad: the poterpevsie, those who lost. Back then it referred to the frustration of the losers of the Cold War, which had led to the end of the USSR and the deep economic crisis of the Gorbachev years. As Radio Svoboda columnist Sergei Medvedev recalls, I first heard this word at the delicatessen, when a pensioner was complaining about the meagre salami ration he had been given, and the saleswoman resignedly told him: Stop complaining like a potato peasant, graciously giving him an extra slice, when salami was scarce even in Moscow, and in the provinces it was just a myth. The Russians feel defeated not because of the harshness of the Putin regime and the political repressions, not because of the stagnant course of the war in Ukraine and the sacrifice of the young men at the front, and not even because of the tax reform that will suck up avalanches of money to maintain the war industry. The lament is still for that humiliation of more than thirty years ago, for the suffering of the nineties, the original sin that does not leave consciences in peace despite all the subsequent world upheavals. All the blame goes back to that unhappy historical passage, and the trigger for the new wave of victimhood was given by a series of video-documentaries released from mid-April by Masa Pevcik, one of the best-known collaborators of the martyr Aleksej Naval'nyj, entitled Predateli, Traitors. Filmed in the typical scandalistic style of the Navalnist movement of the Anti-Corruption Fund, the stories shift all the blame and responsibility for what is happening today onto the bandits and the corrupt who have prevented the development of a free and democratic society, eventually handing Russia over to the czar of oligarchs, the mafia godfather Vladimir Putin. In recent days, the debate has been resoundingly revived by an interview conducted by one of the most followed video-bloggers, Jurij Dud, with one of the great protagonists of the Yeltsin period, the oilman Mikhail Khodorkovskij, who later became Putin's opponent and his victim in a prison camp for a decade, only to be amnestied at the end of 2013 and exiled abroad, where he represents one of the most followed voices of the liberal opposition. He too has taken up Pevcik's accusatory tones, especially against politicians who organised the transition from Yeltsin to Putin, such as Anatoly Cubajs, the great puppet master who, since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, has abandoned Russia and now lives in Israel, after having miraculously escaped the classic poisoning by the secret services. The saying that the Russians are not suffering for Kharkov, but for Cubajs has become widespread, in a month of terrible bombings in Ukraine between Cernigov, Odessa and Kharkov with deaths and exterminations, while in Russia the choices of the oligarchs of thirty years ago are discussed. In Kharkov, forensic doctors take DNA samples from children to try to recognise the bodies of their parents torn apart by Russian bombs, while the Russians pay lip service to the truth of the 1994 financial auctions, of the privatisation of Svyazinvest in 1997 that began the collapse of the financial pyramids, and of the roles of the Yeltsin family who at the turn of the century were frolicking in the palace of Osennyj Bulvar in Moscow, only to leave power in Putin's hands in exchange for total immunity, which his daughters and heirs still enjoy in their gilded exile in London. Pevcik's serial is actually the realisation of Naval'nyj's own political testament, which he expressed in the text released from the lager My fear and hatred in August 2023, when he first lashed out at the politicians of the post-Soviet decade. Apart from the reasons and wrongs, it is astonishing to see the enormous interest with which all Russians, waking up from a state of total ataraxia and indifference to events at home and abroad, set out to dissect the bones of those now distant years. Both Putin propagandists and opposition publicists, boomers and zoomers, old-timers and youngsters, all wrapped up in the guilt and resentments that make them feel victims of every evil of times near and far, of the West and the East, of the Cold War and its predecessors, from the Napoleonic invasion to the medieval Tatar yoke, talk about the 1990s. Medvedev calls this attitude the morality of slaves, the vindictive hatred of the humiliated and offended person, to borrow Dostoevsky's terms, of the person who feels powerless in the face of the ruin of personal and communal destiny, and tries to shift all blame onto the evil coming from all sides. The man from Dostoevsky's underground, who lived in a basement in St Petersburg after a series of humiliations received from the authorities and local society, dreamed of destroying the Crystal Palace in distant London, the seat of the Evil One on which he poured his claims for revenge. It is the accursed question expressed by the father of 19th-century Russian revolutionaries, Aleksandr Herzen: kto vinovat?, whose fault is it?, addressed in sequence to the Tatars, the landowning boyars, the nemtsy (Germans or foreigners in general), the Jews, the Anglosaksy, the tsars and the Soviets, and now to the savage nineties of the oligarchs. The protagonists of that time are long dead like Yeltsin and Gajdar, or are scattered in exile like Khodorkovsky and Cubajs, yet the anger towards them not only does not die down, but is fuelled more and more, evidently unable to lash out at the caste currently in power to avoid unpleasant consequences. It is a kind of therapeutic hatred, meaningless now and without consequences, but it allows one to channel frustration and reconcile oneself with an otherwise unbearable present, attributing an identity to those who feel excluded from world reality. Retropolitics', after all, is a traditional Russian characteristic, which idealises the brief periods of openness by discussing them in the endless times of stagnation, as happened in Brezhnev's time after the few years of the chrushevik thaw, in the cellars where the samizdat dissidents gathered, or in the circles of exiled intellectuals who argued constantly, or shut themselves away in the hermitage of their disdainful solitude, like Solzenitsyn in the Canadian chill of Vermont. It is a cycle that has been repeating itself for centuries: before the Bolshevik revolution there was the Silver Age, an explosion of creativity between 1905 and 1917, after the victory over Napoleon there was the Magnificent Decade between the 1830s and 1840s, with the great debate between Slavophiles and Westernists, and so going all the way back to the seventeenth-century schism between the reformers and the Old Believers, or the dispute between the pauperist and statist monks at the end of the fifteenth century, to reaffirm a correspondence of the Russian soul with the atmospheric times, which provide for short springs and endless winters. In these fleeting openings and windows to the outside world, Russia manages to swallow up the cultures, religions, scientific discoveries and social transformations of the peoples of Europe, Asia and other continents and then suddenly reject them, retaining only its own deformed and hysterical version, as can be resoundingly seen with the religious renaissance, the rediscovery of the faith that animated the people of the 1990s in a sincere search for spirituality and meaning, only to sink into the patriotic and militant Orthodoxy that blesses war and massacres, with a criminal arrogance that makes even the preaching of the medieval Crusades pale. This drift also applies to politics and economics, morals and culture, schools and every institution of present-day Russian society. In recent days, a new magazine has even been published under the title Politruk, the political leader (Politiceskij Rukovoditel) of Soviet memory, a manual of military instruction in which alongside every officer and every soldier there must be an instructor and political prompter, who by his inspired word and example of unreserved dedication to the service of the Fatherland may cement the spirit of the military collectives, as the introduction by the deputy defence minister, General Viktor Goremykin, puts it. Moreover, the Politruk had already been reintroduced in February by Putin himself in all state bodies with a reserved decree, whereby each office must be matched by a deputy director for political and social functions, as was the case in Stalin's time. The aim is always to strengthen patriotism and ensure an adequate and in-depth understanding of state policy, extinguishing any vague desire to rediscover the Russia lost in the 1990s, and in the fog of past histories. RUSSIAN WORLD IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO RUSSIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY SATURDAY, CLICK HERE. A Pennsylvania man faces assault, reckless endangerment charges and cruelty to animals after a violent incident involving an 18-month-old boy and a dead Chihuahua. Altoona Police Department officers found the dead dog and the injured toddler in a portable crib/playpen after responding to a report late last month about a man assaulting a young child. A witness who could look into the apartment reported seeing the man, identified by police as Bryan Morales Gracia, 34, repeatedly hitting the child before throwing the child into the playpen. Arriving officers found the dead dog and the injured toddler with red marks on the child's cheeks, back, and forehead, as well as what also appeared to be two partial fingerprint marks on the toddlers forehead. Police determined that the child and Chihuahua are often placed into the portable crib together and the child was thrown into it with such force that it fatally wounded the little dog. Morales Gracia told police the little boy often hits the dog and he smacked the child to reprimand him, the Altoona Mirror reported. He reportedly claimed to have placed the child on top of the dog by mistake. Morales Gracia was arraigned and sent to the Blair County Prison in lieu of a $25,000 cash bail. He is due back in court on July 5. The child was treated at a local hospital. His condition was not released. The condition of the child was not released. 2 June 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more Sometimes he is insulted, sometimes he is kicked out, and sometimes he is applauded by those who pretend to admire him. This trend, which is changing day after day, has already introduced a new face in Armenia - Bagrat Srbazan Galstanyan, someone who is also known as an agent of the former Armenian opposition leaders. Is he a cleric or a political revolutionary? No one is interested in this. The most interesting thing is the special program that he made or someone made for him to change life in Armenia. The Armenian Archbishop, who raised all of Yerevan through his Tavush for the Motherland movement, has created a deep rift between the government and the people in the country. As the saying goes, A blunt knife is a higher cut risk than a sharp one. Although Bagrat's reputation among the people was not enough at the beginning, today his stubbornness is already starting to create serious risks for Pashinyan. But I wonder if this is really a risk according to Pashinyan, or is he deliberately creating conditions for it? Much to public consternation, Pashinyan is silent for some reason. In addition to showing himself as an ultra-democrat, he also takes a cold approach to many problems that have arisen in the country. For example, in the north of Armenia, in the vicinity of Lori and Tavush, the consequences and the threat of an epidemic after the flood that occurred last week have become a potential threat to the country. Today, about 300 people were evacuated from the area as a result of the destruction caused by the natural disaster. Another issue is the visits of the Armenian Prime Minister to the provinces as if nothing had happened. He appears in public and tries to show that he is in high spirits. However, the situation in Yerevan is completely different. Nikol Pashinyan is in the mood to speed up the peace agreement with Azerbaijan. He said this in his statement to the local press in the parliament earlier in May. "I can say that we have now experienced a significant change in the climate, but it still does not mean that we have reached the finish line; what remains is to sign [the peace treaty]." In addition, Pashinyan said that he based his hopes on the steps to be taken by the Azerbaijani government and hoped for results from the meetings of both foreign ministers in Alma-Ata. Nevertheless, the church is completely against Pashinyan's views. They claim that Pashinyan unilaterally makes decisions in favour of Azerbaijan. However, until the Prague agreement and the Alma-Ata declaration, the opposition forces did not have this opinion. The opposition in the background, and Bagrat Srbazan in the foreground, have already gone so far as to demand Pashinyan's resignation. Pashinyan's extra cold-blooded attitude raises questions about what kind of secret plan he might launch against the opposition, rather than his resignation. --- Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1 Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 16:57 (UTC+04:00) BAFCO Invest LLC has completed the construction of a shoe factory in the Aghdam Industrial Park, where imported equipment from Germany is installed, Azernews reports. The company made products in a test mode. It is assumed that the production process will begin in the near future. Aynura Hasanova, companys marketing & PR manager, said that the company, located on an area of 2.5 hectares in the Aghdam Industrial Park, specializes in the production of protective shoes with an iron toe and sole, designed for use in shoemaking, construction and other industries for various purposes using advanced German technologies. 120 jobs will be created at the enterprise with investment value of more than 10 million manats. The products offered by BAFCO Invest are the ideal choice to ensure maximum safety and comfort for employees in various industries. The shoes produced under the name "Made in Azerbaijan" will be sold both on the domestic market and abroad. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 17:14 (UTC+04:00) Fatima Latifova Read more Armenia has not only invaded Azerbaijan's territories but also attempted to illegally appropriate its history rich in heroism, its culture, cuisine, and traditions. Azerbaijanis take pride in their rich culture and music and simultaneously are cautious about any attempt to misappropriate their cultural heritage, especially by western neighbour - Armenia. This is an undeniable fact that Azerbaijan produced the first opera and ballet in the Muslim East and has peculiar music combining various elements of traditional and Western music synthesis. Of special sensitivity is the issue of plagiarism of Azerbaijani music by neighgouring Armenia. For decades, Azerbaijanis have accused Armenians of appropriating their music with dozens of Azerbaijani composers filing lawsuits against their Armenian counterparts. Armenias plagiarism attempts have covered music genres ranging from folk songs, traditional ashug music, compositions by Azerbaijani classics as well as folk dances. Armenians to this date believe that famous "San Galmaz Oldun" song by Azerbaijani composer Alakbar Taghiyev written to the lyrics of Madina Gulgun is an Armenian song composed by Armenian musician Civan Gasparyan. Today, Taghiyevs track is being promoted around the world as an Armenian song, while Armenians accuse Azerbaijanis of stealing this song from them. Even the most unlikely music pieces are being plagiarized by Armenians. Armenians plagiarized Uzeyir Hajibeylis "Chirpinirdi Qara Deniz" (the Black Sea was Fluttering) and produced it under the name "Kamancha" and named it "Song of the Year" in Armenia in 2019. Recently, Azerbaijan's Republic Day was celebrated at Azerbaijan's Embassy in London. During the event, Azerbaijan's folk music was played for guests. The Armenians, who had already reached the limit of shamelessness, reacted inappropriately to the music and claimed that it belonged to the Armenians. It is interesting that while Armenia, deprived of the occupied Azerbaijani lands, has declared that it wants to sign peace with Azerbaijan, it is now coveting the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan. It is clear that the Armenian lobby, which is gnashing its teeth outside the South Caucasus, is trying to express its anger through theft and shamelessness, as it cannot find another excuse. With that, they aim to get more enmity between the two nations. Currently, peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia remain outstanding. At such a moment, Armenia's inappropriate attitude towards the historical and cultural heritage of Azerbaijan is an obstacle to future peace in every sense. In a word, to ensure a peaceful and secure future, Armenia should stop such provocations and treat the territories and cultures of neighboring states with respect and sensitivity. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) According to the bilateral military cooperation plan signed between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Kyrgyz Republic, a meeting was held between representatives of both countries at the Medical Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. At the meeting, the acting head of the Medical Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant Colonel Anar Ismailov, and the head of the Medical Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Kyrgyzstan, Colonel Amanbay Matisakov, exchanged views on the prospects for the development of cooperation in the field of military medicine, and also discussed other issues of mutual interest Then the representative of Kyrgyzstan visited the Main Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense, the Central Military Clinic, the Central Dental Clinic, the Center for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control, the Center for Forensic Medical Examination and Pathological Anatomy and got acquainted with the activities of doctors serving in the field of military medicine. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Education Alumni Fair has been organized in Azerbaijan for high school and university students, as well as their parents, interested in pursuing education in the US, Azernews reports. Speaking at the event opening ceremony, US Charge d'Affaires in Azerbaijan Hugo Guevara spotlighted the importance of choosing an educational program. I thank the fair organizers. It's quite difficult for parents to choose a higher education institution for their children. Over 900 Azerbaijani students studied in the US in the 2022/2023 academic year. This is an increase of more than 25 percent from the previous years. At the exhibition you will get answers to all your questions in this area," he said. Additionally, Jordan Troisi from the American Councils for International Education Azerbaijan pointed out that during the 2022-2023 academic year, 45 percent of Azerbaijani students in the US received education at the master's level, and the rest at the bachelor's level. To note, the US Embassy in Baku, in collaboration with American Councils for International Education, has organized the EducationUSA Alumni Fair as an exceptional opportunity for high school and university students, as well as their parents, interested in pursuing education in the US. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The fair featured representatives from more than 35 US universities along with US Embassy exchange programs. Additionally, the embassy consular staff shared information about student visas. 2 June 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) In pursuance of the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan declaring 2024 as the Green World Solidarity Year in Azerbaijan, the National Defense University held an event according to the instructions of the Defense Minister, Azernews reports. The event, organized jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, was attended by the leadership, officers, teaching staff, and cadets of the National Defense Universitys Baku Military College, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources. The event commenced with commemorating the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev and martyrs, who sacrificed their lives for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The National Anthem of the Republic of Azerbaijan was performed. Speeches on the Green World Solidarity Year were delivered, and a video on this topic was screened. In the end, a tree-planting campaign was held in the territory of the military college. Servicemen, professors, teachers, cadets, and students participated in planting various types of trees and carrying out landscaping works to contribute to the protection of nature, make the environment healthy, increase the greenery, help restore the ecological balance, and enrich the atmosphere with oxygen. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 10:35 (UTC+04:00) On June 1, a delegation from Maohi Nui (French Polynesia) visited the Media Development Agency of Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. During the meeting, Ahmad Ismayilov, Executive Director of the Media Development Agency, provided insights into how the media environment has evolved in Azerbaijan to address modern challenges. He highlighted the Agencys efforts in various activities aimed at adapting media practices to modern trends, enhancing the financial independence of media entities, improving the professionalism of journalists, and the media literacy of the general public. Ahmad Ismayilov outlined the Law On Media of the Republic of Azerbaijan and other relevant legislative acts governing this field. He also emphasized the importance of journalists adhering to professional ethics codes and spoke about efforts to enhance institutional development in Azerbaijan's media sector. The representatives from French Polynesia expressed their interest in Azerbaijans experience in media field development, including how the country supports media entities and journalists while fostering independent media. They also shared their views on potential forms of cooperation in the relevant field in the future. During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on supporting the implementation of various projects aimed at developing the media sector in Polynesia. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 11:06 (UTC+04:00) In accordance with the annual action plan approved by the Minister of Defense, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, a familiarization visit to the one of military units was organized for foreign countries military attaches accredited in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports. First, flowers were laid in front of the bust of the National Leader of the Azerbaijan people Heydar Aliyev, erected in the military units territory, and the memory of the Great Leader was honored. Then 26 representatives of offices of the military attaches, representing 22 states, were given a briefing on the military units establishment and combat path. The guests got acquainted with the personnels new military uniforms, daily food provision, living conditions, and some combat equipment available in the armament of the military unit. During the visit, the guests visited the Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum and Museum, the Ganja State Philharmonic named after Fikret Amirov, the Shah Abbas Mosque, the Goygol National Park, as well as residential buildings destroyed in October 2020 during the Armenian armed forces missile attack on Ganja city. The military attaches expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Ministry of Defense for the visits high-level organization, as well as for the attention and hospitality shown. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 11:40 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan leads the future of cybersecurity amid rising cyber attacks, Azernews reports, citing Adele Trombetta, senior vice president of Cisco company, as she telling at the III National Cyber Security Forum held in Baku. Trombetta noted that the Azerbaijan government develops the country at a high level in the field of cyber security and digital: This is my first visit to Azerbaijan. The potential of this country fascinates me. To my mind, the cyber security of the future is precisely in Azerbaijan. The III National Cyber Security Forum dedicated to the "Green World Solidarity Year" is being held in Baku. The event was organized by the Association of Cybersecurity Organizations of Azerbaijan (ACOA) and the main partnership of "Azerconnect Group. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 13:25 (UTC+04:00) Within the framework of the 77th session of the World Health Assembly, a meeting was held between the head of the Azerbaijani delegation, Minister of Health Teymur Musayev and the Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Azernews reports. At the meeting, Teymur Musayev emphasized the importance of close cooperation between Azerbaijan and the World Health Organization and expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the WHO to Azerbaijan during the past period. For his part, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highly appreciated the importance of cooperation with WHO by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. The Director General of the WHO expressed confidence that the organization's joint projects with Azerbaijan will be successfully implemented in the future. Congratulating on the fact that our country will host the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), the WHO Director General expressed his gratitude to the Government of Azerbaijan for the invitation to participate in the prestigious event. Emphasizing that Azerbaijan always organizes important international events at the highest level, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that he is looking forward to his participation in COP29 to be held in November. At the end, opinions were exchanged on other issues of mutual interest. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Former President Donald Trump's historic conviction in the Stormy Daniels "hush money" case could keep him off the ballot in Washington state where some residents are reportedly eager to see it happen. A state law that dates back to 1865 allows registered voters to challenge the candidacy of anyone "convicted of a felony" which hasn't been reversed on appeal, the Seattle Times reported Saturday. Seattle lawyer David Vogel told Seattle Times columnist Danny Westneat that the law was all but certain to be invoked against Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee to challenge President Joe Biden in November. "I have clients lined up who are going to be all over pursuing a ballot challenge in this case," said Vogel, a former King County prosecutor who was involved in a failed effort to bar Trump from the March 12 GOP primary. Trump overwhelmingly won that contest with more than 76% of the vote and beat runner-up Nikki Haley nearly 4-to-1. But it's unclear if the Washington law covers candidates for federal office, Westneat said, adding that he asked the Secretary of State's Office about it. "Whether that provision applies would be a question for courts to decide," the office responded. Regardless of whether Trump appears on the Evergreen State ballot, it's unlikely it would affect his chances for a second term in the White House. In 2020, Biden easily beat Trump in Washington, 58% to 38.8%, and the state's voters haven't favored a Republican since 1984, when they helped President Ronald Reagan win reelection in a landslide, a 49-state victory over former Vice President Walter Mondale, according to the 270 to Win website. Trump, the first former president to be prosecuted on criminal charges, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison following his Thursday conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to Daniels shortly before the 2016 election. During his trial in New York City, the porn star testified that she had a 2006 affair with Trump, who denies the claim and has vowed to appeal. Trump is scheduled for sentencing on July 11, just days before his expected nomination at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. 2 June 2024 12:55 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has send letter to President of Italy Sergio Mattarella on the occasion of the countrys Republic Day, Azernews reports. The letter reads: "Dear Mr. President, On the occasion of your country's national holiday Republic Day, I am pleased to convey my sincerest congratulations and best wishes to you, and through you, to your friendly people, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan-Italy strategic partnership is gratifying. Our relations in political, trade-economic, energy, defense, humanitarian, and other areas are accompanied by multifaceted cooperation. Our successful cooperation in the energy sector, which is one of the priority directions of our cooperation, plays a significant role in ensuring Europe's energy security. I wish to underscore the high level of mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Italy, encompassing diverse fields and steadily enriched with new content. Italian companies, as vital economic partners, actively contribute to Azerbaijan's economic landscape. The effective operations of Italian firms in the restoration and reconstruction of liberated territories are commendable. All these indicate the high level of our cooperation and our determination to further diversify our existing cooperation. We always support and keep this cooperation in the center of our attention. I also want to highlight the close humanitarian ties that bind our nations, particularly our fruitful collaboration in the fields of science and education. The successful collaboration between ADA University, one of the leading Azerbaijani higher education institutions, and Italy's leading universities serves as a clear testament to this. Undoubtedly, by leveraging existing potential and new opportunities, we can broaden our multifaceted relations and significantly enhance our cooperation in the non-oil sector. Azerbaijan's presidency of COP29 this year and Italy's presidency of the G7 create new avenues for our cooperation. I am confident that by further fortifying Azerbaijan-Italy friendship in line with the interests of our peoples, we will continue our joint efforts to deepen cooperation both bilaterally and within the framework of the European Union. On this momentous occasion, I extend to you my wishes for good health, success in your endeavors, and enduring prosperity and peace for the friendly people of Italy. Sincerely, Ilham Aliyev President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Baku, 30 May 2024" --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 17:38 (UTC+04:00) This year, the areas of cotton cultivation in Bilasuvar region have increased, Azernews reports. To implement cotton planting this year, the farmers signed an agreement with "MKT Ishtishalat Kommersiya" LLC, "Azerpambik ASK" LLC, "P-AQRO" LLC, "Azerpambik ASK" OJSC's Experimental Trial Farm, and "Cotton Tradee" LLC. It should be noted that there are 52 thousand hectares of irrigated land in Bilasuvar district. In the last economic year, cotton was planted on 6,745 hectares of land in the region. 27 quintals of crops were obtained from each cultivated hectare. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 23:59 (UTC+04:00) The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned the attack in the US by supporters of the FETO terrorist group on CNN Turk correspondent Yunus Paksoy during his reporting from Pennsylvania, Azernews reports. "We condemn the assault on Mr. Yunus Paksoy, the US Representative of CNN Turk TV channel, while reporting live about the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO). We are taking the necessary steps before the US authorities to ensure that the perpetrators and instigators of this attack are brought to justice," reads the statement. Paksoy was attacked on June 1 during a live broadcast. He was reporting near a mansion where he said members of the FETO organization, which Ankara considers terrorist and responsible for the 2016 coup attempt, were living. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 2 June 2024 23:14 (UTC+04:00) EDITORIAL Some time ago, analytical comments were published in the press that the Israeli-Palestinian war would occasionally affect the regions, especially the South Caucasus. As the conflict deepened, the forces that abused it began to emerge. Thus, in recent months, the anti-PR campaign against Azerbaijan targeting SOCAR by some groups in Turkiye resulted in an attack on the company's office in Istanbul a few days ago. According to reliable sources, it was established that this attack was organized by groups rooted in Turkiye and supported by Iran. The same groups have been campaigning against Azerbaijan for months in the Turkish segment of social networks, under the pretext that "SOCAR sells oil to Israel". The aim is to tarnish and discredit SOCAR, which is another symbol of the Azerbaijan-Turkiye brotherhood, and brotherly Azerbaijan as a whole in Turkish public opinion. According to verified information, SOCAR does not sell oil to Israel, these are false and fake news. All companies in the world oil market sell their goods to trading companies. However, the companies can't monitor or control the traders selling the oil. It seems that the purpose of this information manipulation is to cast a shadow on the Turkish-Azerbaijani fraternity as a whole by targeting SOCAR, and to harm the reputation of Azerbaijan in Turkish public opinion. It should be noted that until 2024, SOCAR made its biggest investments in Turkiye. This figure reached 18.3 billion dollars during the 15 years since he started investing. SOCAR is thus the largest foreign direct investment company in Turkiye. The consequences of the bloody conflict between Israel and Palestine, which began in October of last year, are already affecting the borders and beyond. Pro-Iranian forces, especially in the Middle East and nearby countries, use it for their own purposes and use it against the countries they target. The goal is not to suppress conflict, but rather to create conflict out of conflict. Therefore, the mentioned forces could not stand the unbreakable fraternal relationship between Turkiye and Azerbaijan and resorted to such a seditious trick. The state of Azerbaijan, which has suffered from more than thirty years of conflict, has expressed its attitude to what has happened since the beginning of the conflict and called both sides to peace for the sake of the security of civilians and mostly children. Undoubtedly, war has never brought good to any side. There have been hundreds of wars in the world that today have been resolved at the state level. However, even after centuries, the peoples who suffered from this cannot forget the bitter consequences of the war. Moreover, using the ongoing conflict for the purpose of manipulation and directing the conflict towards other states, and creating new sources of conflict is nothing but an international crime. The state of Azerbaijan has always been sensitive to such situations and strongly condemns such provocations as always. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz Pop artist Charli XCX has said she has never really felt accepted into the British music scene. The Cambridge-born performer, real name Charlotte Aitchison, said some of her previous collaborators have thought of her ideas as silly or childish. Speaking to The Observer, she said: The industrys changed a lot. Ive been told for so long that Im an outsider and I never really felt accepted into the British music scene. The press has perpetuated that narrative of me. Im this girl who straddles the underground and pop music, and that, for some reason, is really difficult for some people to wrap their heads around. Aitchison discussed the influence of PC Music on her, a record label, which stopped releasing new music after 2023, that was known for putting out songs incorporating heavy use of auto-tune, abrupt tempo changes and experimental drum patterns. Thus far any collaborators Id worked with had at points thought of my ideas as silly or childish, or not eloquent, she said. It took some people who were willing to think quite drastically outside the box to make those ideas reality, and that was what I found in PC Music. Alison Oliver and Charli XCX on stage to present the award for best dance act during the Brit Awards 2024 (James Manning/PA) People were so perplexed by PC Music, but its unbelievably simple as a concept, she added. The 31-year-old, who has collaborated with the likes of Lizzo and Troye Sivan, also reflected on the role of feminism in the media landscape and said it has become a popular marketing tool. Weve got past the point of the media always pitting women against one another, she said. In the mid to late 00s, it literally sold magazines and papers: Britney versus Christina, Paris versus Lindsay. Then feminism became a popular marketing tool. In the music industry, it was distilled into this idea that if you support women, and you like other women, then youre a good feminist. The reverse of that is, if you dont like all other women who exist and breathe on this earth then youre a bad feminist. If youre not a girls girl, then youre a bad woman. Thats just such an unrealistic expectation of women, she said. Relationships between women are super-complex and multi-layered. You can like someone and dislike them at the same time; you can feel jealous of somebody but they can still be your friend; you can have the best time of your life on a night-out with someone but not be that close to them at all. You can pose with your arms around a person at an awards show, but in reality youre feeling not worthy, or small or really cocky, or confident, or a huge multitude of different emotions. One day you can feel completely on top of the world; the next day, you can feel like your careers over. Speaking about her song Girl, So Confusing, which features on the track list of her forthcoming album Brat, she said the song is saying sometimes its really confusing to be a girl, and thats fine. Charli XCX attending the Brit Awards 2024 (Ian West/PA) The pop artist, who won the visionary award at the Ivor Novellos in 2023, also reflected on the expectations put on artists by record labels. These days, labels are really desperate for their artists to be liked and the currency of niceness is really important in selling records, otherwise youre bad, evil and wrong, she said. You cant separate yourself from your fans. Unless its extremely drastic and distant and then that almost becomes the culture itself She added: Persona is intrinsic to the modern-day artist, unless you completely reject it and do something alien-like and cold I cant wait for somebody to do that, actually. I cant wait for someone to be really cold and mean and icy. But were not in a place where any major artist could do that. I hope someone dares. The family of controversial former secondary school teacher Enoch Burke have staged a protest in Belfast. Burke was suspended from his teaching position at Wilson's Hospital School in Co Westmeath, after he objected to referring to a student using the pro-noun they in 2022. However, throughout his suspension Burke continued to arrive at school premises, leading to the school seeking the interim injunction seeking to prevent him from teaching or being on site. He was later arrested in September 2022 and was formally dismissed from his teaching position in January 2023. He is currently in prison following a hearing in December in which Burke declined to purge his contempt or to confirm that he would obey a court order, Appearing outside St Annes Cathedral in Belfast on Sunday afternoon, where a service was taking place to mark the 120th anniversary of the cathedral, the family including Martina Burke, Enochs mother, were seen holding signs stating: Enoch Burke, 377 days in Mount Joy Prison. Enoch Burke protesters outside St Annes Cathedral in Belfast on June 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) During the protest, Mrs Burke is heard claiming her son upheld the Christian ethos of the school. "That God made them male and female. However it was demanded of (Burke) by the principal of that school, Niamh McShane that he affirm transgender ideology. That he will use the they pronoun it was the principal of the school that was promoting transgender ideology, she said. This is beyond imagination, that the principal of a Church of Ireland school doesnt want to have a Christian, Enoch Burke, working there. That is why we have travelled from the west of Ireland today to stand outside this building, because we need answers, that a young man, a man of integrity, an excellent teacher, a serious Christian is locked up today in Mount Joy Prison she added, referring to her son. "He is not a murderer, he is not a child molester, he is not a sexual abuser, hes never taken drugs in his life. His crime is that he will not affirm transgender ideology. Its a disgrace, and a stain upon Ireland today. Mrs Burke then goes on to target the Christian beliefs of the Archbishops involved in the service and calls upon them to make a statement about Burke who Mrs Burke claims is languishing in a prison cell. Enoch Burke protesters outside St Annes Cathedral in Belfast on June 2nd 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott) Another supporter is heard echoing Mrs Burkes remarks, and said Burke has committed no crime. Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast and Green Party councillor, Aine Groogan said she was filmed and shouted at by members of the family, writing on X, formerly Twitter: "Its a shame my last official engagement as Deputy Lord Mayor was marred however by having to run the gauntlet of this lot who filmed (and) shouted nonsense at me, with the PSNI having to get them to backoff so I could safely get into my car. Didnt have this on my bingo card for today. The appearance of the Burkes in Belfast comes just weeks after a religious conference in Co Armagh was briefly suspended by members of the family. Proceedings were halted for 45 minutes after Mr Burkes mother Martina and brother Josiah publicly challenged church leaders on an event which took place on the second day of the Church of Ireland synod. Video footage from the incident showed Martina Burke entering the room with a microphone in hand as Bishop Storey was speaking. She questions Archbishop McDowell directly on why Enoch Burke was suspended from Wilsons Hospital School for upholding the Church of Ireland ethos while her son Josiah Burke is seen unfolding a poster of his brother which states: "Enoch Burke 354 days in prison. They later left the event but held a subsequent protest outside the venue for over an hour outside. The PSNI said at the time they attended a protest and no arrests were made. The Burke family, which consists of parents Martina and Sean Burke and their ten children: Ammi, Elijah, Enoch, Esther, Isaac, Jemima, Josiah, Keren, Kezia, and Simeon, are well known fundamentalist evangelical Christians in the Republic and have often involved protested events they believe contradict their strong beliefs. They have previously protested LGBT events and matters related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier on Sunday, supporters of Burke where also seen confronting a canvass by Taoiseach Simon Harris in Castlebar, Co Mayo. A video shared widely on social media appeared to show the Irish premier running down a street where he is confronted by a man shouting about Burke, before he enters a shop after he leaves, the protestor appears to continue to follow Mr Harris. News Catch Up: Wednesday 29th May 2024 South Africa's African National Congress party lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since the historic 1994 election that ended the country's racist apartheid system, according to official results released Sunday. The ANC won just 159 of 400 seats in South African's National Assembly, the Independent Electoral Commission said, Reuters reported. The vote left the party in control of fewer than 40% of seats, and will usher in a new era of coalition government as South Africa struggles with deep poverty and inequality that helped lead to the ANC's defeat. The party was formerly led by the late President Nelson Mandela, who became the country's first Black leader after he was released from prison in 1990 following 27 years behind bars for opposing minority white rule. South African law requires the National Assembly to meet within 14 days to elect a president. The ANC will have to find one or more partners to remain in government and give President Cyril Ramaphosa a second and final term, the Associated Press said. "We can talk to anybody and everybody," ANC Chairman Gwede Mantashe said Saturday after it became clear the party would lose control. Opposition politicians celebrated the results, with John Steenhuisen, the leader of the Democratic Alliance party, saying: "The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC's majority and we have done that." Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, also said the ANC's "entitlement of being the sole dominant party" was over. More than 50 political parties participated in the election, with many winning tiny shares, AP said. The three main opposition parties won the lion's share of the vote, led by the Democratic Alliance with about 21%. It was followed by the the new MK Party of former ANC leader and ex-President Jacob Zuma and the Economic Freedom Fighters, which won about about 14% and 9%, respectively. Although they won a total of about 44% of the vote, it's highly unlikely the opposition parties will all work together, AP said. Famous site was marking occasion with two services Some of those who attended the service at St Annes Cathedral Belfasts St Annes Cathedral marked its 120th anniversary over the weekend with two services on Sunday celebrating the significant milestone of the completion of the nave back in 1904. Despite its historical significance and role as a focal point in Belfasts Cathedral Quarter, the Very Reverend Stephen Forde, Dean of Belfast, emphasised that the future of our great cathedral is not guaranteed and described the celebration as an opportunity to plan for the future. Dean Forde, said: This very special service is an opportunity for our current generation of clergy and people to celebrate 120 years of ministry and Christian witness at the heart of these three dioceses, and for the city and province which St Annes was built to serve. The world of 2024 is entirely changed from that for which St Annes was built in 1904. Then, the Christian Church was self-confident and church attendance assured across the population. The world which we face today, and tomorrow is radically different. The place of Christianity can no longer be assured. The future of our great Cathedral is not guaranteed. We can no longer depend on wealthy industrialists to finance our upkeep. Instead, we must ensure that the population of our city takes this Cathedral to their hearts, because our Christianity is relevant, creative and visionary. The Cathedral has identified plans to establish a BC120 campaign which will seek new sources of funding and new partners to offer their expertise and their commitment to Belfast Cathedral, helping to sustain its daily operation and to fund the new projects and developments. Some of those who attended the service at St Annes Cathedral The first service provided an opportunity for civic, church, political and community leaders to celebrate that 120 years of ministry and Christian witness across the city and wider Northern Ireland. The Church of Ireland Primate and Archbishop of Armagh Most Rev John McDowell dedicated 500 new chairs to the cathedral during the service. The chairs are said to have been donated in memory of family members, members of the cathedral community, and from companies that supply the cathedral. It will cost just over 95,000 to replace all 500 chairs in the nave, more than half of which has been raised in advance of the Service of Dedication. The Dean of Belfast said: For 120 years, the naves original wooden chairs have served to seat capacity congregations and individuals seeking prayer and solace. Sturdy and robust, they have seated soldiers going to war and civic dignitaries attending services. But they have never been considered comfortable and are difficult to move for concerts and events which provide the cathedral with vital income. The new chairs 200 cushioned and 300 wooden seats will be easier to move and stack. St Annes Cathedral The afternoon service invited clergy and representatives from every parish in the dioceses of Connor, Down, and Dromore. Archbishop McDowell, who was the guest preacher for the day, praised positive leadership in society, stating: Every democracy will only be as good as the civic forces that sustain it. He emphasized the importance of community leaders and members in fostering peace, trust, and collaborative progress beyond the political sphere. The Archbishop explained: A cathedral is first and foremost a place for those who love Jesus and who have felt the beauty of his eternal love for them, to come together to worship him and to witness to his love. It is also a space for civic society the leadership in society beyond elected representatives which makes the peace after the ending of wars. These friendships create a body of traveling companions who have grown to trust one another despite their deep differences, as they contemplate the next steps in the journey. He also referenced the 2008 financial crisis and the climate crisis as examples of how the past can catch up with us. He remarked: It was only in our grandparents time that someone was valued for what they produced. In a fatal turn we took during the 1980s, we are now valued by what we consume. We have bigger barns and smaller consciences. Noting the maritime origins of the word nave, he commented that the people of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the whole island are in the same boat facing a common reality with so many challenges and threats that it is impossible for any one person or one tradition to carry it alone. George Horner was a member of G company of the Royal Ulster Rifles (Liam McBurney/PA) One of the last surviving Second World War veterans in Northern Ireland has recalled Sword Beach during the D-Day landings as a slaughter house. The beach was one of five landing points in Normandy where thousands of US, British and French troops arrived on June 6 80 years ago to turn the fortunes of the allies around. George Horner, 97 from Carrickfergus, was a member of G company of the Royal Ulster Rifles. He was following in the footsteps of his father who fought in the First World War when he signed up to serve. A view of the beach in Ouistreham, Normandy, France, known as Sword Beach (Gareth Fuller/PA) Of his six brothers, two also served with the RAF and one with the Royal Navy. While following a strong family tradition, Mr Horner also admitted it was an opportunity to have a hot meal every day, at a time he said money was scarce. My father had served in the 36th Ulster Division during World War One when I was growing up, I heard my father talk about his service and he constantly said he kept his head down, I always remembered that, he said. I had six brothers, out of all of us, four served in the forces during World War Two, two in the RAF, one in the Navy, and myself, a foot soldier. On signing up, Mr Horner said: I think I wanted a change from what I was doing and also there was the opportunity to have a hot meal everyday because money was scarce in those days. George Horner said he remembers marching past Winston Churchill (Liam McBurney/PA) Upon joining the Royal Ulster Rifles, Mr Horner completed training in Omagh, Co Tyrone where he learned morse code, and was also sent to Catterick in Yorkshire for further training in signals. Memories of June 6 1944 are sad and emotional for Mr Horner who recalled the scene on Sword Beach as a slaughter house, with some good lads lost there. We went in by sea, it was rough too getting on the shore, there was plenty of landing craft, some of them were sinking around us due to shells from shore coming down on us, he said. I had a bazooka, used it to hit tanks or blow-up buildings. It takes two to carry the bazooka. I would carry a few shells, the other boy would have carried the bazooka. I carried the radio too. We were always told to aim for the tracks, when they were hit, unless they put up a white flag to surrender, you just rained it down on them. George Horner holds the D-Day 80 Torch of Commemoration with Mason and Sophie from Forge Integrated Primary School and Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots (left) in the Great Hall at Parliament Buildings (Liam McBurney/PA) Towards the end of the war, Mr Horner moved into Germany. He said: Getting into Germany was tough going, I remember one time, myself and three other guys were in this village square, we were pinned down with heavy fire coming from the corner shop, I called for tank support, the tank duly fired upon the corner shop and with that the firing from the shop ceased. Upon approaching the ruined building, I got an awful shock. The ones doing the shooting from the corner shop were just kids, all I could say was My God, they are just children towards the end of the war, the Nazis were throwing up kids to fight, anybody at all in fact, that they could get to walk in a uniform, they gave a gun to. These Hitler Youth actually proved to be fanatical fighters defending their homeland. Mr Horners war ended just outside Berlin. We could have been in Berlin first, but they held us back for political reason, they wanted to let the Russians go in first, the Russians were a rough crowd, he added. Mr Horner also remembers marching, along with the rest of the Royal Ulster Rifles, past then prime minister Winston Churchill during the victory parade in London. Mr Horner said he came home to Northern Ireland with an injury but it was due to a friend. I got shot in the foot by one of my mates, I was raging, he said. He was a loose cannon, a headcase. He was holding his rifle and he hadnt the safety catch on and the bullet hit my foot, I wont tell you what language I used at the time. We did remain good friends though. Mr Horners service was recognised by his local council with a poppy silver trophy. Sue Gray to miss meeting with Stormont leaders as she demands more money causing bedlam in Number 10 The Taoiseach has dismissed any suggestion he could push for an earlier general election on the back of favourable opinion poll numbers. Simon Harris, who has previously made clear he would like to see the Government run full term into next year, said his position in relation to the timing of an election has not changed. He was asked whether the results of the latest Ireland Thinks poll for the Sunday Independent had made him think about calling an early election. The poll suggests a slide in support for Mary Lou McDonalds Sinn Fein (Brian Lawless/PA) The poll indicated Fine Gael and Sinn Fein are now neck and neck on 22% with Mr Harriss party experiencing a three point increase in support in the last month, compared to a sharp seven point drop for Sinn Fein. Fianna Fail was up one point to 17%. The largest grouping was represented by independents on 23%. Mr Harriss personal approval rating increased to 48% level with Fianna Fail leader and Tanaiste Micheal Martin while Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonalds approval rating dropped four points to 36%. The poll came ahead of Fridays European and local council elections in Ireland. There will also be a vote for the first directly elected mayor of Limerick. Friday will be the first time Ireland goes to the polls in four years. Sundays opinion poll asked voters how they would vote in a general election if it was called tomorrow. Speaking to reporters in Co Mayo, Mr Harris said he was advising his party faithful not to focus on opinion poll results and instead concentrate on the real elections. Of course, its always better to be up in a poll than down in a poll, but theres a poll taking place on Friday, he said. The only thing I want Fine Gael members and supporters to do in relation to the poll this weekend is not pay any attention and keep the eye on the fact that polls will open on Friday and therell be an opportunity for people to go out and vote in the local elections and in the European elections right across the country. In relation to the likely date of a general election, he added: The position in relation to the timing of the next general election certainly hasnt changed. This Government has a lot of work to do. Ive tried to hit the ground running in terms of making progress on a number of issues. When it comes to housing, were now seeing 350 homes every working day be built in Ireland. Weve managed over the last couple of weeks to take a number of steps including trying to improve services for children with a disability with additional investment into assessments of need. Weve managed to make some progress on issues that people have been talking about for a long time in terms of recognising the state of Palestine. Weve also managed to take I think a more balanced approach to migration in terms of taking a number of important decisions as well. We have a lot of work to do and Im fully focused on it. Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin both scored an approval rating of 48% in the opinion poll (Damien Storan/PA) Asked to respond to Sinn Feins apparent slide in the polls, Mr Harris claimed the electorate was seeing through the partys noise and negativity. He also accused the main opposition party of consistently failing to explain to voters how they would achieve their own plans. They have one gear Sinn Fein come in, shout and roar, thats not going to help fix the challenges in our country, he added. Mr Harris faced disruption while canvassing in Co Mayo on Sunday. He was challenged by the family of Enoch Burke, the secondary school teacher currently in prison for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from the school where he worked. Mr Burke was dismissed by the school amid a row linked to a request for him to use they/them pronouns when addressing a student. The Taoiseach also faced barracking from protesters in Castlebar about state provision of asylum seeker accommodation in the county. Mr Harris dismissed the incidents when asked by reporters. Protest has an important role to play in any democracy, he said. Ive be protested at and I have been on protests during my political during career. But theres a difference between protest and an attempt to, I suppose, significantly disrupt. But I think as people know about me, it takes an awful lot to disrupt my energy, and I certainly enjoyed continuing to talk to people in Castlebar, calling into cafes, calling into shops, getting out the message. And, look, if people want to people want to participate in democracy theyre very welcome, we have an election on Friday. The wreckage of the Chinook helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre, killing all 29 on board (Chris Bacon/PA) The wife of a man who was killed 30 years ago to the day in an RAF helicopter crash has said prosecutors must investigate the disaster. Susan Phoenixs husband, detective inspector Ian Phoenix was killed in the 2 June 1994 Chinook helicopter crash, where the RAF aircraft crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in foggy weather. All 25 passengers and all four crew members aboard the RAF Chinook ZD576 were killed. Among the passengers were several Northern Ireland intelligence experts. It is considered one of the RAFs worst disasters. Ms Phoenix has since written to the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain, accusing the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of a cover up and unacceptable behaviour. In the letter, which was also sent to the Scottish Government, Ms Phoenix wrote: I feel the Scottish Authorities are best placed to help with what I can only describe as the MoDs unacceptable behaviour over the years, both towards the bereaved families and the deceased pilots. This falls woefully short of acceptable standards, as does that of legal authorities, who have not seen fit to order any investigation into the deaths despite evidence of illegal acts having emerged over a period of years. All of this information has been publicised and placed in the public domain most recently by a BBC documentary exposing a cover up akin to what we have seen in The Post Office situation and the NHS Blood Scandal. The current situation means families remain in limbo and legally the MOD seem untouchable. She claimed Lord Alexander Philip had agreed the helicopter was not airworthy, despite this being mandated upon the RAF, and that the crew were not informed of this at the time, and claimed that this information was withheld from a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) that followed. She said: Had he been told this, my husband, and no doubt his colleagues, would have asked why no alternative transport was being arranged. He was sent to his death by a conscious decision to ignore legal obligations. The wreckage of the Chinook helicopter which crashed on the Mull of Kintyre, killing all 29 on board (Chris Bacon/PA) Following the latest media reports summarising the evidence concealed from the Fatal Accident Inquiry, could you please explain why no investigation has been ordered? The Crown Office has been in possession of the fresh evidence, withheld from all Inquiries, for some years. She claimed MoD witnesses serially misled a sheriff during the FAI and later the House of Lords select committee on the disaster. She wrote: This is a serious matter which has served to extend the heartache for all 29 families. She added: I have tried not to dwell on the loss of my husband and his colleagues, who were also my friends, as I sought to rebuild a life for myself and family. However, now in my mid seventies, I feel entitled to know what happened? MoD was content to blame the pilots for 17 years, and legal authorities had a valid reason not to act as the guilty were deceased. But now they have been cleared one must ask why has the case not been re-opened? She called upon the Crown Office to make an official statement as the tragedy marks 30 years, and claimed that if the FAI was not misled, further action could have prevented subsequent loss of life in the subsequent tragedies that plagued the RAF. She wrote: The continual obscure and dishonest replies to my requests for FOIs (Freedom of Information) to the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, over the years, are glaring in their dedication to close down further questions. I will be on the Mull of Kintyre with my ex RAF pilot son on the anniversary this year at the very kind and considerate invitation of the local church and Royal British Legion. The people of the Mull have always supported us as a family and also deserve a proper explanation for the disaster that devastated their beautiful Island for a very long time. I believe that the time is long overdue for justice to be done in this case and that it is within your remit and Scottish justice, to ensure that this can happen to help right a grievous wrong. A spokesperson for the MoD said: The Mull of Kintyre was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. In 2010 the Mull of Kintyre independent review was carried out and the findings were fully accepted. The review did not find new evidence to suggest mechanical failure, and no safety issues with the Chinook mark 2 were raised in the report. A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: We respect and value correspondence from bereaved families and will address the concerns raised by Dr Susan Phoenix in a reply to her letter. The Scottish Government declined to comment. Young girl farmer explains how shes taken Co Down family business in a different direction with new shop Its time a mum won it: Autism activist and model eyes Miss GB Belfast glory Three-time Miss Derry Amy Doherty all set for final, before abseiling Europa to raise funds for her two chosen charities Amy Doherty John Toner Sun 2 Jun 2024 at 08:00 A mother-of-two hoping to be crowned Miss Great Britain will abseil down Belfasts Europa Hotel as part of her preparation for the beauty pageant. Lyra McKee murder: New IRA chief Thomas Mellon calling shots during fateful Creggan riot Phone records reveal armchair general in contact with dissidents during disorder Thomas Mellon Ciaran Barnes Sun 2 Jun 2024 at 08:00 New IRA leader Thomas Ashe Mellon will be portrayed as an armchair general at the trial of three men accused of murdering journalist Lyra McKee. Solicitors letter warning Sunday Life over reporting on paedophile showed folly of overturned sex offence law Legal firm wrote to us after we named reverend who abused boy for three years Rev William Neely Christopher Woodhouse Sun 2 Jun 2024 at 07:00 A legal firm warned Sunday Life and the Belfast Telegraph that they may have broken the law by reporting abuse committed by a deceased Church of Ireland reverend, it can be revealed. Hongdae 33 will be offering a BOGO specialfor Fathers Day. Jenn Duncan Mothers Day is always a significant event for restaurants, with diners flocking to celebrate. But lets not forget Dad. Houston restaurants are rolling out meal and drink specials, as well as brunches for Father's Day, which falls on June 16 this year. Here are some top spots to eat, drink, and celebrate Dad in Houston this Father's Day: Pappas Bros Steakhouse Dads and Cabs at Pappas Bros Steakhouse, Houston. Giant Noise/Jane Yun Pappas Bros Steakhouse is hosting a "Dads and Cabs" event for Father's Day on June 13 at the Galleria location and June 14 at the downtown location. This event features a selection of Cabernet Sauvignon wines, curated by their sommelier team, showcasing wines from regions such as Napa Valley and Bordeaux. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Arnaldo Richards' Picos Restaurant Carving board at Picos Restaurant brunch. Picos Restaurant The Upper Kirby Restaurant will have a Fathers Day brunch buffet from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 16. The buffet will include various seafoods, Mexican delicacies, omelets, desserts and more. Prices are $54 for adults, $44 for seniors, $25 for children over 8, and $10 for children under 8. From June 13 to 17, Picos is also offering Fathers Day specials with a variety of charbroiled meats, including 22-24 oz. cowboy steaks, 36-42 oz. tomahawk for two, filete con tuetano for two, 16 oz. veal chop and 16 oz. lamb chops. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Backstreet Cafe Menu items at Backstreet Cafe Courtesy photo Backstreet Cafe will be serving a special three-course menu for Father's Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16. The cost is $56 per adult and $16 per child. The restaurant will also offer a full bar and wine list, with live music by Bob Chadwick. Reservations are highly recommended. Brennans of Houston Brennans of Houston will celebrate Fathers Day with a special brunch. Julie Soefer Brennan's of Houston will host a Father's Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16, followed by a special dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Brunch will feature Creole favorites like Eggs Brennan and Crawfish Enchiladas, while dinner will offer dishes such as Gulf Fish Pontchartrain and Grilled Berkshire Pork Chop. Online reservations are not available for this holiday. To make a reservation, call 713-522-9711. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Caracol Father's Day brunch offering at Caracol. Courtesy photo On Fathers Day, Caracol will offer its Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 for $55 per adult and $15 per child. Guests can enjoy a full bar, award-winning wine list, and live music by Icaru from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended. 2200 Post Oak Blvd.; caracol.net Advertisement Article continues below this ad Casa Do Brasil Casa Do Brasil will host Feliz Dia Dos Pais for Father's Day. Casa Do Brasil Caso Do Brasil will host Feliz Dia Dos Pais from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 16. The special menu for Father's Day will include unlimited cuts of fire-roasted USDA prime aged beef, chicken, lamb, pork and grilled shrimp. Caso Do Brasil plans to gift every dad who dines at the restaurant that day with a $25 bonus card to use on their next visit. 2800 Sage, Ste A100; casadobrasil.com Duck N Bao Duck n Bao locations will celebrate Father's Day. Jenn Duncan Duck N Bao locations in Cypress, Memorial and Rice Village will offer a complimentary order of dumplings with the purchase of an entree on Father's Day. The offer is limited to one per table and is available on a first come, first served basis. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Duchess Uptown Park Father's Day dish at Duchess Uptown Park. Abante Photography The coastal-inspired restaurant is offering a special Father's Day menu featuring three lamb lollipops, Brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, and their signature Old Fashioned, all for $45. 1131 Uptown Park Blvd Ste 1; duchess-houston.com Eddie Vs Prime Seafood Eddie Vs Prime Seafood's 11 oz Wagyu Strip and Blanton's Exclusive Eddie V's Barrel. DouglasScaletta22022 Eddie Vs will be offering 11-ounce Snake River Farms Gold Label Wagyu strip steaks, available in-restaurant for Fathers Day. Guests can get a special pour of Eddie Vs single barrel select Blantons Bourbon and receive a collectible Blantons topper by request. Eddie Vs will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 16, with live music in the V Lounge from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the full dinner menu available all day. Etoile Cuisine et Bar Etoile Cuisine et Bar's brunch offers. Courtesy photo Etoile Cuisine et Bar will be open on Fathers Day, offering a special brunch menu from award-winning Chef Philippe Verpiand from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16. Guests can enjoy their meal at the restaurant or order curbside pick-up. The restaurant will also be open for dinner until 9 p.m. Full bar and patio seating are available. Reservations are recommended. 1101-11 Uptown Park Blvd.; etoilecuisine.com Hongdae 33 Interior design details at Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ, a new restaurant in Asiatowns Dun Huang Plaza, 9889 Bellaire. Jenn Duncan On Fathers Day, Asiatowns Korean barbecue restaurant is offering a meaty feast, paired with BOGO beer and soju. First come, first served. 9889 Bellaire Blvd Ste D-229; hongdae33kbbq.com Hugos Brunch items at Hugo's. Courtesy photo Hugos will be open for brunch on Fathers Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16, featuring a Sunday brunch buffet for $55 per adult and $15. Viento will perfrom live music from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner will be served from 5 to 9 p.m. with an a la carte menu. Full bar, creative cocktails and wines are available. Reservations are highly recommended. For parties of six or more, call 713-524-7744. Loro Loro Father's Day prime rib dinner special. Courtesy photo The Asian fusion restaurant and bar is offering a Father's Day dinner special from June 14th-16th, starting at 4 p,m. The menu includes smoked prime rib with yuzu-horseradish cream, charred Chinese broccoli and brisket jus. The dinner is available in-store only for $29.95. 1001 W 11th; loroeats.com/locations Molinas Molina's Fathers Day customizable to-go packages. Jenn Duncan On Father's Day, Molinas will be offering $8.50 margaritas all day for dine-in, along with its classic menu. For those who prefer to celebrate at home, the restaurant will have customizable to-go packages featuring margaritas by the gallon and fajitas with all the fixings. Phat Eatery Dads will dine for free at Phat Eatery on Father's Day. Jenn Duncan Phat Eatery is offering dads a complimentary Malaysian entree and a pint of draft beer with the purchase of an entree of equal or greater value on June 16. This offer is limited to one free entree and beer per table and is available for dine-in only. 23119 Colonial Pkwy suite B-2, Katy; phateatery.com The Capital Grille Fathers Day offers from The Capital Grille. Courtesy photo The Capital Grille is offering a special Father's Day menu with dry-aged, hand-cut steaks. Dads can enjoy a 22-ounce prime bone-in ribeye with caramelized shallot jus and truffle butter, and Caymus 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon by the glass. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June16, with the full dinner menu available all day. Thirteen by James Harden Father's Day special at Thirteen by James Harden. Courtesy of Thirteen By James Harden The Midtown restaurant, founded by NBA All-Star James Harden, is offering a special Father's Day dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. on June 16. The event features a prix fixe menu including a 32oz prime tomahawk steak and 7oz lobster tail, prepared by internationally acclaimed Chef Sidd. The dinner also includes a handcrafted Uncle Nearest Old Fashioned and a hand-rolled cigar from AI Cigar Bar for $110. A brunch will also be available from noon to 4 p.m. Riverhouse Houston The view from the covered patio at Riverhouse. Alison Cook/Staff Riverhouse Houston will host Coffee, Cars and Cigars from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Father's Day. Attendees can enjoy classic cars, brunch bites, and premium cigars. Car enthusiasts can also register their vehicles for $20 for the East River 9's Show N' Shine. Sylvias Enchilada Kitchen Menu items from Sylvias Enchilada Kitchen. Courtesy photo Sylvias Enchilada Kitchen will be open at both locations for in-house dining and curbside takeout on Fathers Day, June 16. The restaurant will offer its full menu, including the popular Tampiquena. Additionally, there will be a special three-course Fathers Day menu for $34.95. Curbside pick-up is available, and margaritas to-go can be ordered. The restaurant features a full bar and wine list. Reservations are recommended. 6401 Woodway and 1140 Eldridge Pkwy; sylviasenchiladas.com Uchi Houston Father's Day dish at Uchi Houston. Courtesy photo The contemporary Japanese spot from Austin's Tyson Cole, is offering a special menu on June 16. The menu includes lamb loin with edamame mint soubise, Tokyo turnips, and pistachios; grilled black tiger prawns with Thai basil oil and pickled tomatoes; and Australian ribeye hot rock with yuzu kosho, lemon, and ponzu. The price is $350 for two people. 904 Westheimer; uchi.uchirestaurants.com Uchiko Father's Day Omakase Father's Day special at Uchiko Houston. Courtesy photo Uchiko is offering a Father's Day special menu featuring sunomono, madai and kurodai, masu crudo, soft shell maki, grilled shishitos, hirame melon, chu toro and otoro, lobster tom kha, dry-aged ribeye with A5 fries, and s'mores. The price is $300 for two people. 1801 Post Oak Blvd; uchiko.uchirestaurants.com Urbe Baked goods at Urbe. Courtesy photo For Fathers Day, Urbe is offering a brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16, for $42 per adult and $15 for kids. The in-house bakery will make special pastries and cookies, and a variety of coffee drinks, cocktails, mocktails, and juices will be available. 1101 Uptown Park Blvd.; urbehouston.com Xochi Feliz Dia de los Padres! Brunch items at Xochi. Alese Pickering Xochi will offer its award-winning Sunday brunch buffet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 16 with live music by Sol y Son from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The cost is $55 per adult and $15 per child, plus beverages, tax, and gratuity. Guests can enjoy wine, cocktails, and mezcal offerings, patio seating, and a location next to Discovery Green. Reservations are recommended. Dong Jun warns that there are limits to Beijing's restraint in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Chinese Minister of National Defense Dong Jun launched an acerbic attack Sunday on what he called the hegemonic powers behind tension in the Asia-Pacific, a clear swipe at the United States and its allies. In an address to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Adm. Dong said that people in the Asia-Pacific were independent and self-reliant and against any attempt to turn our countries into vassal states or draw us into bloc confrontations. Our people have firmly rejected infiltration, sabotage and coercion by outside forces, the minister said, adding that regional countries despise those who attempt to bolster themselves by taking orders from hegemonic powers. Dong also said China had exercised great restraint in the face of what he called infringements and provocations but warned there is a limit to our restraint. Beijing has repeatedly accused Washington of assisting Taipei and Manila to stand up to its assertive actions in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. The Pentagon last month deployed an intermediate range missile system in the Philippines during the annual Balikatan military drills, which Beijing condemned as bringing huge risks of war into the region. The U.S. House of Representatives has recently passed an U.S. $8 billion package to help Taiwan boost its defense capabilities against China. Dong said that some external interfering forces keep hollowing out the One China principle with the salami slicing strategy. They have cooked up Taiwan-related legislation and continued to sell arms to Taiwan and have illegal official contacts with it. The minister, who took office five months ago after his predecessor was removed over suspected corruption, went on a lengthy tirade against Taiwanese leaders who he called Taiwan independence separatists. China considers the democratic island one of its provinces and Dong said that China will take resolute actions to curb Taiwan independence and make sure such a plot never succeeds. Cadets gather during an open day at the PLA Naval Submarine Academy in Qingdao, Shandong province, China, April 21, 2024. [Florence Lo/Reuters] Defense analyst Malcolm Davis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, or ASPI, said that Dong made clear a willingness for China to use force to prevent independence and respond to any external forces involved in supporting Taiwan. It was a fairly predictable speech and very much the 'party line' with little in the way of new comments, Davis said. China has singled out the Philippines But Dongs tone did seem more combative than that of his predecessor, Li Shangfu, he added. On the South China Sea, he issued a warning that China won't rule out the use of force specifically in relation to the Philippines and the support of the United States, the Canberra-based analyst said. That suggests to me that China does intend to escalate the crisis, and has singled out the Philippines as their focus with the goal being to coerce Manila to capitulate to Chinese interests. A Chinese academic praised Dongs speech and said his attendance at the conference helped bring Chinas real voice to the world. The Shangri-La Dialogue as a major security forum bears a great relevance to China, said Gao Zhikai, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization and chair professor at Chinas Soochow University. It is important that Chinas voice, which is increasingly in sharp contrast to that of the U.S., be heard. Several other Chinese delegates also promoted Beijings views at the forum in a forthright manner known as wolf warrior diplomacy. The term, adopted from the title of a Chinese movie, describes an assertive, even aggressive, approach to international relations. Chinese delegate Maj. Gen. Xu Hui asks a question at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, May 31, 2024. [Edgar Su/Reuters] Maj. Gen. Xu Hui, president of the International College of Defense Studies at Chinas National Defense University, confronted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after the latters keynote speech on Friday, saying that Manila risked ruining the long-earned, long-lasting peace within ASEAN by responding to Chinese vessels activities in the disputed South China Sea. On Saturday, another Chinese delegate, Senior Col. Cao Yanzhong, a researcher at Chinas Institute of War Studies, questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin about the U.S. alliance system in the region which Beijing compares to an Asian version of NATO. During a session on Maritime Law Enforcement and Confidence Building on Saturday, Senior Col. Ge Hanwen, associate professor at the College of International Studies at Chinas National University of Defense Technology, blamed the Philippines for dramatically raising tensions in the region and Japan for using water cannons first in a confrontation at sea. Austin and Dong met for about an hour at the conference on Friday for talks aimed at improving their communications, a U.S. official said. New regional order A Western observer at the forum, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Radio Free Asia that the Chinese delegates are on a mission to spread Beijings messages and their statements are pre-scripted and pre-approved by the [communist] party. Beijing-based Gao denied that. It is only normal that people from all walks of life, including military officers, talk about the topics of their interest, Gao said. China attends a lot of international forums because we believe in having our voice heard by as many people as possible. Dong acknowledged that different countries had different security interests and goals but he implied that China had a leadership role, said the ASPIs Davis. He kept pushing the implication that China speaks for the region in terms of shaping the future of Asia-Pacific security order, Davis said. China is clearly setting the basis for trying to assert its dominance over ASEAN, and if it can get [the] Philippines to submit to Chinese power through military coercion, then Beijing will expect other ASEAN states to also accept China's interests, said the Australian analyst. By default, China would then dominate the region. Over the past decade, the Chinese military has become more powerful, with its rapid growth bringing a new confidence, especially in relation to the United States. The Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a recent report that China is the worlds largest shipbuilder with a capacity some 230 times larger than that of the U.S. One of Chinas large shipyards, such as Jiangnan Shipyard, has more capacity than all U.S. shipyards combined, the center said in its report. China is way ahead of the U.S. in many aspects and the Chinese economy is soon to be larger, too, Gao, who served as a translator for Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping during the 1980s, told RFA. The Americans are worried about a rising China, that Beijing will impose its ideological and political system on the U.S., he said, while adding that in his opinion, that fear was unfounded. No one can really decouple from China and the best Washington can do is to deal with China on an equal footing. Lyle Goldstein from the U.S. think tank Defense Priorities said that Beijing was not reckless or aggressive, and despite the threats, it had not used force since the 1980s. Despite a downward spiral in U.S.-China relations, Goldstein suggested that the two countries and their militaries should meet halfway and resolve disputes through diplomatic compromise. Radio Free Asia, a news organization affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report. Police in Phuket have charged more than 100 people, including 67 Russians, suspected of breaking business laws in a crackdown on the multi-million-dollar property sector thats seen a surge in prices since Russians flocked in after their government's invasion of Ukraine. The tourism ministry said 767,210 Russians arrived in Thailand in the first four months of the year, and last year, 1.61 million Russians visited. Many of those Russians head to the island province of Phuket for its beaches and nightlife, and police say nearly 60,000 Russians are living there on Thailands Indian Ocean coast. Some parts of Phuket feel like a Black Sea resort with Russians soaking up the sun on the beach while nearby signboards in Cyrillic advertise Russian restaurants, bars and other businesses including real estate agencies and tour companies. Thats a problem for some Thais, angry with what they see as Russians taking jobs and opportunities without proper work visas and business permits. Police said the government called for a crackdown in response to such complaints, and after raids last month they came up with a list of 135 people -- 67 of them Russian -- and 100 companies suspected of breaking the law. "Phuket residents complained to the prime minister about a land and residential grab by foreigners causing hardship, so we ordered the operation, Police Lt. Gen. Jirapob Puridej, chief of the Central Investigation Bureau, told a press conference at the bureau's Bangkok headquarters on Friday. None of the suspects had been detained but they had been summoned to appear in Bangkok to hear charges of breaking business laws, police said. Police declined to identify most of the suspects, citing privacy protection. Radio Free Asia was not able to track down any of them for comment. Col. Krit Woratat at the Economic Crime Suppression Division, who organized the raids, told RFA that the investigation had revealed a Thai accountant in league with a Russian to set up joint ventures without legal requirements, and getting work permits through those bogus companies. Jobs in the service sectors are almost exclusively reserved for Thais. Thailands Foreign Business Act 1999 sets out jail of up to three years and a fine of 2 million baht (U.S. $54,500) for those convicted of violations. Property and business laws are restrictive in Thailand, and any foreigner hoping to start a business or find a job usually has to go through a tortuous application process. Foreigners can buy flats but cannot own land. They can set up a joint venture with a Thai partner but are not allowed to hold more than a 49% stake. In 2023, more than 1,600 Russian-linked companies were registered in Phuket, compared with an average of 30 in each of the previous seven years, police said. Scaring off investment? According to the Real Estate Information Center, land prices in Phuket have risen by 40% this year, much higher than the national average, and house and condominium sales to the tune of 31.5 billion baht ($859 million) are expected. Police seized deeds for land and condominiums worth 1.2 billion baht ($33 million) in their raids, along with 318 million baht ($8.7 million) in cash deposits and 108 work permits, which were being checked. Bank accounts suspected of being used to defraud Thai customers with investment scams were frozen, police said. One disgruntled Phuket native, who asked that he be identified as Chai, welcomed the police action. Its as if they own the country, Chai said of Phukets Russian visitors. Theyve bought up so much land, pushed up property prices, and some unruly Russians cause social disorder, said Chai, who owns a small retail business. The government has to purge all illegal activities. But some Thais are worried that the raids could scare off foreign investment. Maetapong Upatising, president of the Phuket Real Estate Association, said Russians were the top investors in Phukets real estate this year, followed by Chinese and French, and the authorities should not ruin the investment sentiment. Amid competition, land prices rise and so do shady businessmen, Maetapong told RFA. Actually, our association has called for a government investigation into fraud but it should not put off foreign investment. Maetapong said some rich Russians had been investing at the top end of the market, buying luxury villas priced around 25 million baht ($730,000) and up. The well-off can secure long-term resident visas that let them stay for years through an elite visas scheme, he said. Before COVID-19, Thailand welcomed a record 40 million tourists, with Chinese accounting for more than a quarter. The sector has been recovering - there were more than 28 million visitors last year - but not as quickly as hoped, with Chinese tourists yet to flock back. Since November, Thailand has included Russians tourists in a visa exemption scheme in a bid to boost arrivals. The scheme has been extended to July. Radio Free Asia, a news organization affiliated with BenarNews, produced this report. 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. Elizabeth Freeman Center Executive Director Janis Broderick, shown in early 2020, worries that cuts in federal funding to crime victim support will be "devastating" to efforts in the Berkshires. Broderick joined other advocates in the state on a Zoom call to urge full funding of $20 million in "bridge" funding from the state. From left, tigers blood, mangonada and Strocone boozy snoballs are visible Thursday, May 30, 2024 at East End Hardware on Leeland Street in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer In Houston's East End, an unassuming bar has gained a reputation for offering a boozy version of a childhood treat, a snow cone. East End Hardware is the place to be in the summer if you want an icy alcoholic drink, unlike other frozen cocktails in town. Its "boozy snoballs" are made with a SnoWizard machine that creates fluffy shaved ice native to New Orleans. The snoballs come in seven set flavors: Tiger's Blood, Pina Colada, Strocone, The Dude, Jon Snocone, Screwdriver and Strawberry. And there are rotating flavors as well, currently they offer a Mangonada. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Owner Laura Jordan came up with the idea for boozy snoballs before she even opened the former hardware store as a bar in 2017. She grew up in Southeast Houston's Clear Lake area, where she had plenty of snow cone treats. "I had never seen snow cones with alcohol before, and I didn't know why nobody else had done them, so we started and have been doing them ever since," Jordan said. Owner Laura Jordan fills a glass with shaved ice as she prepares a boozy snoball Thursday, May 30, 2024 at East End Hardware on Leeland Street in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Owner Laura Jordan dribbles tigers blood syrup over a glass filled with shaved ice as she prepares a tigers blood boozy snoball Thursday, May 30, 2024 at East End Hardware on Leeland Street in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Owner Laura Jordan prepares a mangonada boozy snoball Thursday, May 30, 2024 at East End Hardware on Leeland Street in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Owner Laura Jordan stands at the entrance to East End Hardware Thursday, May 30, 2024 on Leeland Street in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer At first, she didn't know if it was possible to put alcohol over the shaved ice without it melting. She even discussed this concern with SnoWizard, but they didn't know either. It was all a big experiment. Jordan found if she pre-made the syrups with the alcohol and kept them cold, the ice would keep its integrity when she poured on the syrup. She created most of the syrups with real fruit and juices. At the start, a friend who had worked at a shaved ice stand in Hawaii helped her formulate the syrups. Although some, like the Tiger's Blood and Pina Colada, are made with traditional concentrates sold for those snow cones. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On occasion, she comes up with new flavors herself. Last year during March Madness, she held her own Sweet 16 competition among new snoball flavors. The winning flavor: Mangonada, followed by Vietnamese Iced Coffee. The snoballs are kind of East End Hardware's shtick, she said. Owner Laura Jordan dribbles tigers blood syrup over a glass filled with shaved ice as she prepares a tigers blood boozy snoball Thursday, May 30, 2024 at East End Hardware on Leeland Street in Houston. Kirk Sides/Staff photographer When a customer orders, they can see the ice shaved fresh in front of them, syrup flavors added in three layers and finally, an umbrella tops it off. Eat with a spoon or slurp it up, but the alcohol, whether it's gin like in the blackberry lemon-flavored Jon Snocone or rum in the fruity Strocone, comes through immediately. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Australian actress Rebel Wilson has said the idea that only straight actors can play straight roles and gay actors can play gay roles is total nonsense. The Pitch Perfect star, 44, spoke to radio presenter Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 4s Desert Island Discs and was asked if women can get away with different jokes compared to men. Advertisement Ive definitely said a lot of edgy jokes, and said them sometimes in very public places like the Baftas, she said. Rebel Wilson attends the UK premiere of The Almond and the Seahorse. Photo: Ian West/PA. Yeah I dont think theres a different standard, its more this thing about if you are something then now youre allowed to joke about it. Advertisement So say, if you are overweight, you can say jokes. But if youre not (you cant) thats kind of whats currently happening. So its not really gendered. Reflecting on whether this is a good or bad thing, she said: I think thats hard. Its going into this territory of like saying, Well, only straight actors can play straight roles, and gay actors can play gay roles, which I think is total nonsense. I think you should be able to play any role that you want. But I always think, in comedy, your job is to always flirt with that line of whats acceptable. Sometimes you do step over it, but at the end of the day, you are trying to entertain people. Advertisement She added: If people are just always being safe and protective, youre not going to get good comedy from that. Advertisement Bridesmaids actress Wilson also discussed her relationship with fiancee Ramona Agruma, who she proposed to in Disneyland last year. On coming out to their respective families, Wilson said: Im lucky in my case, even though I come from a very conservative background, it went very, very wellMy grandparents who are in their 90s, just so chilled and cool with it. Ramonas family, not as much. Her mum has luckily come around now, her father still doesnt talk to her, but were hoping that will change. Wilson said she had been in the process of using a surrogate to have a child when she met Ms Agruma having to tell her just three months into their relationship. Advertisement Rebel Wilson and Ramona Agruma attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party (Doug Peters/PA) Id already been planning to use a surrogate to have a child and Id done several rounds of IVF and I had one embryo transfer, which sadly didnt work, Wilson said. Almost right at meeting Ramona, I was planning on the second embryo transfer and I was like, Babe I dont know how to tell you this, but Im going to have a child kind of around November. She added: Ramona just looked at me and said, Well, I love you and if you have a child, Im going to love your child exactly the same way. The TV presenter and actress added that she hoped her daughter Royce, born in November 2022, had her work ethic and always feels loved. The full interview with Wilson will broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday at 10am and will also be available on BBC Sounds. Taoiseach Simon Harris was forced to cut short a canvassing event in Castlebar, Co Mayo, due to a vocal protest involving members of the Burke family. He was challenged by the family of Enoch Burke, the secondary school teacher currently in prison for contempt of court for refusing to stay away from the school where he worked. Advertisement Speaking after the incident, Mr Harris criticised thinly-veiled thuggery and toxicity from a small number of people across the country. Mr Burke was dismissed by the school amid a row linked to a request for him to use they/them pronouns when addressing a student. The Taoiseach also faced barracking from protesters in Castlebar about state provision of asylum seeker accommodation in the county. Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, European election candidate in Midlands-North West Maria Walsh, Mayo TD Michael Ring and former taoiseach Enda Kenny were also present. Advertisement Mr Harris dismissed the incidents when asked by reporters. Protest has an important role to play in any democracy, he said. Ive been protested at and I have been on protests during my political career. But theres a difference between protest and an attempt to, I suppose, significantly disrupt. Advertisement But I think as people know about me, it takes an awful lot to disrupt my energy, and I certainly enjoyed continuing to talk to people in Castlebar, calling into cafes, calling into shops, getting out the message. And, look, if people want to people want to participate in democracy theyre very welcome, we have an election on Friday. A spokesman for Mr Harris called for a full Garda investigation. What happened in Mayo today was not protest. It was thuggery, he said. Advertisement The Taoiseach would like to thank An Garda Siochana for their professionalism. A member of An Garda Siochana was hit during the scenes and the Taoiseach was pushed and jostled by a small number of people. It is not representative of what has been a really healthy canvass for the majority of politicians across the country as people in Ireland are decent and law abiding. Although it was a very small number of people, todays behaviour cannot be accepted and should never be normalised and a full Garda investigation should be carried out. The people of Mayo were warm and welcoming today and the Taoiseach really enjoyed meeting so many people across much of the county and thanks them for their time. - Additional reporting from Press Association Government and opposition politicians are "giving in to the far-right playbook", while anti-immigration demonstrations have become more aggressive since the Dublin riots, according to the director of the Hope and Courage Collective. The Hope and Courage Collective, previously the Far Right Observatory, is a national civil society organisation "that works with community groups, advocacy groups, trade unions, activists and academics to stop hate organising in our communities and workplaces". Advertisement The group works to "support communities and civil society to stay grounded, caring and resilient in the face of far-right hate, bigotry and extremism". Speaking at a recent Joint Policing Committee, Garda Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis said there has been a fall in anti-immigrant protests in Dublin. However, she noted the level of aggression at demonstrations has increased. Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at the Hope and Courage Collective Niamh McDonald told BreakingNews.ie that the group has noticed this trend, adding that anti-immigration demonstrations have become more organised. "We have noticed a change since the Dublin riots. It's a change in the dynamics of the activity around these protests. We would concur that there is a drop in the numbers of people coming out, but the tactics have changed. We see the likes of blockades or encampments outside centres that have been copied across the country since January. Advertisement "It creates that scenario for increased tension, for violence, and for real division in communities. It means gardai have to attend for people to get into their homes, because for people seeking asylum these are their homes that are being blocked." Niamh McDonald, Director of Advocacy and Community Engagement at the Hope and Courage Collective. Government and opposition parties, particularly Sinn Fein, have been accused of moving in a more right-wing direction around immigration issues recently, and Ms McDonald said they are not doing enough to oppose anti-migrant rhetoric. She said they had allowed the Overton Window to shift to the right. The Overton window is the range of policies politically acceptable to the mainstream population at a given time. It is also known as the window of discourse. Advertisement It essentially means politicians do not have to gain success electorally to change acceptable public discourse. A frequently used example is how the likes of Nigel Farage and the Ukip party helped to deliver the yes vote in the UK's Brexit referendum. The Government, Sinn Fein and other parties are falling for the far-right playbook. "The Government, Sinn Fein and other parties are falling for the far-right playbook. This is what we've seen before in the UK and other places where the Overton Window shifts. Brexit was eight years ago and that hasn't solved the migration issue or their other problems. "Recent research in the EU has shown that when centre left parties or centre parties start taking on the narrative of the far-right, they lose votes in their own base. The more they chase the far-right, the more votes they will lose, and they will just cut their own legs off instead of sticking with their own values. Advertisement "Politicians are playing a dangerous game in appeasing the far-right. We need brave political leadership that's going to stand up for progressive policies in this country, to talk about public and affordable housing, healthcare, safer migration pathways for people and how as a country we can do better." She also feels the Government's approach in moving refugees from areas such as the encampment outside the International Protection Office on Mount Street, and the Grand Canal, does not address the issue. 'Reactive, reactive, reactive' "The railings on the Grand Canal are taking a public amenity away from everybody. More importantly, those people coming into the country should have a safe roof over their heads, as everyone in this country should. It's about planning. This is all reactive, reactive, reactive. "Government and opposition's reaction is playing into the far-right playbook. It's a dangerous game. We can see Hungary and Poland, where the far-right government has now been voted out, but that doesn't mean the sentiment is gone... it's like the genie is out of the bottle per se. Advertisement "We need to ask the Government and opposition for a progressive narrative and to stop punching down on people seeking asylum, and lift everybody up, not pushing certain groups in society down. "They need proper accommodation, the right to work, and be part of Irish society. The more people are locked away, the more they are othered. It's a dehumanising process." A person jogs along the Grand Canal in Dublin, where fences have been erected to prevent tents from being pitched by asylum seekers. Immigration has become a central topic in debate around the local and European elections which take place on Friday, June 7th. Ms McDonald said it is being used to avoid debate on core issues such as housing and healthcare. "The narrative around it [migration] is quite negative, but it's also a distraction in many ways from the real material issues that everybody in our society faces... no matter who you are, whether you've lived here your whole life or arrived yesterday. We all need a roof over our heads, care when we're sick, and safe communities. "We can see the use of negative terms around people seeking refuge and people seeking safety being weaponised. That has happened in numerous European countries and in places like the US and Brazil for the ends of hate and extremism. "It's used as a distraction and to bait politicians into taking reactionary positions and the chill effect to stop people running. We see it as an attack on our democracy, the way it's being framed [migration], because it's trying to pigeonhole people into this negativity instead of talking about the real material issues facing everybody across the country." Gardai have noted rising aggression at anti-immigration protests. Photo: PA Images She also expressed concern about attacks on politicians while canvassing. "There has been an increase in political violence right across the country. We can also see there have been women of colour running in the elections specifically targeted in Clondalkin and Limerick. A woman in Wicklow's posters were ripped down. This kind of intimidation of politicians is a key tactic of hate and extremism. "It's part of their rhetoric and playbook of how to gain power through violence... to intimidate candidates, directly attack our democracy." Ms McDonald highlighted the welcoming nature of local communities throughout Ireland which the Hope and Courage Collective have worked with. Well-publicised anti-migration demonstrations broke out in the East Wall area of Dublin in 2022, but she said this negativity has now been replaced by local community groups who have helped to integrate asylum seekers into the community. Ms McDonald said her organisation carried out a research project called 'Something to Fight For' in March. It surveyed 3,000 people with five questions, which each included central far-right anti-immigration views. "Only 1.1 per cent of Irish society held all five extreme far-right views," she explained. She said far-right groups exert an outsized influence because of their coordinated use of social media. The Hope and Courage Collective has identified around 40 private Facebook groups across the country which are "all hyper local and can share disinformation at speed". She expressed disappointment at Coimisiun na Mean's recent Online Safety Code publication because it rowed back on a previous recommendation to remove the recommender system from social media algorithms. This uses the personal data of individuals to recommend groups and threads, which can often serve as an echo chamber for extremism. "Social media companies have reduced their numbers of content moderators as hate and extremism grows online. We can see very little content moderation which lets hate and extremism dominate the recommender system, spreading it across people's feeds. "It's not about free speech, with the recommender system off this content wouldn't be amplified." Ahead of Friday's elections, and the general election, Ms McDonald called on Government and opposition parties to show "political bravery" to combat the far-right and extremism. "We need progressive policies. We have seen the less inequality there is, the less growth there is of hate and extremism. "A positive narrative, positive engagement with communities, progressive policies, then the far-right have no space to grow, no issues to weaponise to create anger and resentment." Snow geese are shown Jan. 17, 2002 in Katy. Doug Pike/HOUSTON CHRONICLE Katy has a fascination with snow geese. So how did a species native to Canada and named for a cold weather phenomenon come to be the unofficial mascot of a city in the Texas coastal prairie? Advertisement Article continues below this ad The answer lies in the city's history. A snow geese statue marks the entrance to downtown Katy on Highway 90 on Thursday, May 30. 2024. Claire Goodman/Staff writer Katys rice fields draw migrating geese A statue of snow geese welcomes visitors to the Katy city limits at the Interstate-10 entrance on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Claire Goodman/Staff writer The discontinuity may confound visitors to the city now, but it was once an obvious choice, according to Mary Anne Piacentini, president and CEO of the Coastal Prairie Conservancy, an organization dedicated to restoring, conserving and advocating for the lands around Katy. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Katy is in the direct line of the birds migratory patterns, Piacentini said, and their silhouettes once blanketed the skies. Nearly 6 million geese flocked to Katy in the 1970s, she said, seeking food and nesting grounds in the rice fields that were the primary area crop. "In the '80s, Katy was a real destination for all the geese coming from Canada to spend their winters," said Kay Callender, emeritus member for Keep Katy Beautiful, a division of the City of Katy focused on beautification efforts in the city. "You always knew with the first cold snap you were going to hear that honking in the morning and see those V's in the sky. It was just an amazing sight." Loss of rice farming means fewer geese Katy, TX water tower. Craig Moseley/Staff photographer Rice farming put Katy on the map, in the 1890s, but 100 years later, the local crop would wane in popularity. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Katy began to shift to a residential community in the 1990s as developers snatched up the land for residential homes. As rice farming waned, so too, did the numbers of geese that flew through Katy. There are between 200 and 600 acres of land in Katy that are still used for rice farming, Piacentini said, but in the 1970s, there were around 75,000 acres of land used for rice production. It definitely was the loss of rice that stopped bringing them to Katy, Piacentini said. Without the rice, less and less water was being pumped into the wetlands, so they faced a combination of loss of habitat and loss of food. This statue, shown on Thursday, May 30, 2024, is one of many throughout the Katy area. Claire Goodman/Staff writer Advertisement Article continues below this ad The future of geese in Katy No Label Brewing Co.'s newest beer "Downtown Dusty" pays homage to Katy Mayor Dusty Thiele and his efforts to revitalize the downtown area. Courtesy/No Label Brewing Co. Thats not to say that the birds are struggling, said Glenn Olson of the Texas Audubon Society. Their numbers still thrive, he said, but theyre not coming to Katy anymore. We do not have as large a population of wintering snow geese now as we did 20 years ago, even though the overall population of the species is at an all-time high, he said. This is due largely to loss of the rice farms that once dominated the Katy area. Thousands of snow geese make the Katy Prairie their temporary nesting place in this October 2003 photo. Doug Pike/Houston Chronicle Piacentini believes that efforts to conserve the Katy prairie and coastal wetlands could bring the birds back in droves. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Coastal Prairie Conservancy is partnering with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to create waterfowl sanctuaries in the Katy area through the Texas Coast Waterfowl Sanctuary Program. The program involves incentivizing landowners to voluntarily flood their agricultural fields or wetlands and create no-hunting zones for the geese to offer safe migratory resting spaces for birds, the projects mission statement states. If were able to provide a sanctuary for dispersed ducks and geese and provide access to agricultural related food sources, I think we could see the geese numbers increase in Katy again, Piacentini said. Thats our goal. An aide to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that Israel had accepted a framework deal for winding down the Gaza war now being advanced by US president Joe Biden, though he described it as flawed and in need of much more work. In an interview with The Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, said Mr Biden's proposal was "a deal we agreed to it's not a good deal, but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them". Advertisement "There are a lot of details to be worked out," he said, adding that Israeli conditions, including "the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organisation" have not changed. Mr Biden, whose initial lockstep support for Israel's offensive has given way to open censure of the operation's high civilian death toll, on Friday aired what he described as a three-phase plan submitted by the Netanyahu government to end the war. The first phase entails a truce and the return of some hostages held by Hamas, after which the sides would negotiate on an open-ended cessation of hostilities for a second phase in which remaining live captives would go free, Mr Biden said. That sequencing appears to imply that Hamas would continue to play a role in incremental arrangements mediated by Egypt and Qatar - a potential clash with Israel's determination to resume the campaign to eliminate the Iranian-backed Islamist group. Advertisement Mr Biden has hailed several ceasefire proposals over the past several months, each with similar frameworks to the one he outlined on Friday, all of which collapsed. In February, he said Israel had agreed to halt fighting by Ramadan, the Muslim holy month that began on March 10th. No such truce materialised. The primary sticking point has been Israel's insistence that it would discuss only temporary pauses to fighting until Hamas is destroyed. Hamas, which shows no sign of stepping aside, says it will free hostages only under a path to a permanent end to the war. A Better 'day after' In his speech, Mr Biden said his latest proposal "creates a better 'day after' in Gaza without Hamas in power". He did not elaborate on how this would be achieved, and acknowledged that "there are a number of details to negotiate to move from phase one to phase two". Falk reiterated Netanyahu's position that "there will not be a permanent ceasefire until all our objectives are met". Advertisement Netanyahu is under pressure to keep his coalition government intact. Two far-right partners have threatened to bolt in protest at any deal they deem to spare Hamas. A centrist partner, ex-general Benny Gantz, wants the deal considered. Hamas has provisionally welcomed the Biden initiative. "Biden's speech included positive ideas, but we want this to materialise within the framework of a comprehensive agreement that meets our demands," senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan told Al Jazeera on Saturday. Hamas wants a guaranteed end to the Gaza offensive, withdrawal of all invading forces, free movement for Palestinians and reconstruction aid. Israeli officials have rejected that as an effective return to the situation in place before October 7th, when Hamas, committed to Israel's destruction, ruled Gaza. Its fighters precipitated the war by storming across the border fence into Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. In the ensuing Israeli assault that has laid waste to much of the impoverished and besieged coastal enclave, more than 36,000 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza medical officials say. Israel says 290 of its troops have died in the fighting. Humbled by a stinging election result, South Africas African National Congress was talking to everyone in an effort to form a stable coalition government for Africas most advanced economy, after it lost its 30-year majority, a top party official said on Sunday. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the party was open to all negotiations, even with the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which has led the chorus of criticism of the ANC for years but is viewed by many analysts as the most stable coalition option for South Africa. Advertisement The ANC won just over 40% of the vote in Wednesdays election, to lose its long dominance of South African politics. The ANC remained the biggest party but it means the country will probably have to form a coalition government for the first time since it achieved democracy with the end of the apartheid system in 1994. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greets ANC supporters at a rally in Johannesburg (Jerome Delay/AP) Advertisement The DA won the second most votes with 21% and the two parties would hold a majority together and be able to govern. That does not mean it will be easy to marry them, with Mr Mbalula conceding that the two were like oil and water considering their ideological differences. But he indicated that the ANC could be flexible. The ANC was talking to everyone, Mr Mbalula said, with two other main opposition parties and several smaller ones all in the mix. A coalition could involve several parties to foster unity. Advertisement Mr Mbalula said that the ANC was only beginning talks about talks. There is no party we are not going to talk to, Mr Mbalula said. We are looking at the scenarios, we are looking at the options. South Africans voted in an election seen as their countrys most important in 30 years (Nardus Engelbrecht/AP) Advertisement The election results were to be formally declared later on Sunday by the Independent Electoral Commission, a rubber-stamping of an outcome that was already clear. There is some time pressure for coalition talks to progress and for the uncertainty to be minimised, given South Africas new parliament needs to sit for the first time and elect a president within 14 days of the election results being declared. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC, is seeking a second and final term. South Africa is a leading voice for its continent and the developing world on the global stage and will take over the presidency of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations late this year. It is the only African nation in that group. Advertisement Everyone is looking to see if South Africa can weather the storm and come out the other side, political analyst Oscar van Heerden said on the eNCA news network. The ANC is the party that led South Africa out of the brutal apartheid system of racial segregation under Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela. STATEMENT BY ANC SECRETARY GENERAL ON OUTCOME OF 2024 ELECTIONS The African National Congress (ANC) commends the people of South Africans for once again demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our democracy.#ANCThanksSA pic.twitter.com/oPgOrU5vD4 African National Congress (@MYANC) June 2, 2024 This election saw an unprecedented slump in its support, with voters seen to be deserting the party due to its failure to solve widespread poverty and extremely high unemployment levels, as well as problems with the delivery of basic government services to many in a nation of 62 million. The elections have humbled us, they have brought us where we are, Mr Mbalula said, adding the ANC respected the will of the South African people. We have heard them, he said. Mr Mbalula said the ANC would not consider the demands by the MK Party of former president Jacob Zuma that Mr Ramaphosa step down as a condition for talks. No political party will dictate terms to us, the ANC. They will not. You come to us with that demand, forget (it), Mr Mbalula said. Amid many options, the ANC could also join with MK and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, although they have been cast as partners that would make investors uneasy. Both have pledged to nationalise parts of South Africas economy, including its gold and platinum mines, among the worlds biggest producers. Mr van Heerden said an ANC-DA coalition would possibly give stability but there were some within the ANC who would oppose it. Other smaller parties could be involved to dilute it and make it more palatable for the ANC, some commentators said. The DA has approached the ANC as the enemy over many, many years, Mr van Heerden said. The next few days is going to be a very difficult period. People will have to be mature behind closed doors. A German police officer has died of injuries suffered during a knife attack that left five other people injured in the central square of Mannheim, officials said on Sunday. The officer, 29, was stabbed several times in the head and neck by a 25-year-old immigrant from Afghanistan and underwent emergency surgery after the attack on Friday, officials said. Advertisement He was placed in an artificial coma but died on Sunday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he was deeply grieved and that the officers commitment to the safety of us all deserves the highest recognition. Es besturzt mich zutiefst, dass der mutige Polizeibeamte nach dem furchtbaren Angriff in #Mannheim seinen schweren Verletzungen erlegen ist. 1/2 Advertisement Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) June 2, 2024 Two dozen of the officers colleagues paid tribute to him, removing their hats during a gathering on Sunday at the site of the attack. Advertisement The suspect was shot and wounded by another officer. He remains in hospital and a judge has ordered him held on suspicion of attempted murder. Police and prosecutors have not provided a motive for the attack, saying the suspect was not in a condition to be questioned. The attack took place during an event held by Pax Europa, which describes itself as an organisation that informs people about the dangers posed by the increasing spread and influence of political Islam. Michael Sturzenberger, 59, an anti-Islamist activist who is one of the groups leading figures and has spoken at its events, was among those wounded. Advertisement The other victims were four men aged 25, 36, 42 and 54. The 54-year-old man suffered injuries that were initially life-threatening, but he is now out of danger. South Africa announced its final election results on Sunday, which confirmed no party won a majority, and unprecedented coalition talks were starting to find a way forward for Africas most advanced economy. The African National Congress party had already lost its 30-year majority after more than 99% of votes were counted by Saturday, and showed it could not surpass 50%. Advertisement The ANC received about 40% of the votes in last weeks election in the final count, the largest share. Without a majority it will need to agree a coalition with another party or parties for the first time, to govern South Africa and re-elect President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term. STATEMENT BY ANC SECRETARY GENERAL ON OUTCOME OF 2024 ELECTIONS The African National Congress (ANC) commends the people of South Africans for once again demonstrating the strength and vibrancy of our democracy.#ANCThanksSA pic.twitter.com/oPgOrU5vD4 Advertisement African National Congress (@MYANC) June 2, 2024 South Africas national elections decide how many seats each party gets in parliament and lawmakers elect the president later. Advertisement Our people have spoken, Mr Ramaphosa said. Whether we like it or not, they have spoken. We have heard the voices of our people and we must respect their choices and their wishes. The people of South Africa expect their leaders to work together to meet their needs. This is a time for all of us to put South Africa first. The ANC was the party of Nelson Mandela and freed South Africa from the apartheid system of white minority rule in 1994. It had governed with a comfortable majority since then. Advertisement The ANC said earlier Sunday that it was starting its negotiations with all major parties in an attempt to form South Africas first national coalition government. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the party was open to all negotiations, even with the main opposition Democratic Alliance, which has led the chorus of criticism of the ANC for years but is viewed by many analysts as the most stable coalition option for South Africa. The DA won the second most votes with about 21% and the two parties would hold a majority together and be able to govern. The formal announcement of the results was made at the National Results Operations Centre in Johannesburg (Jerome Delay/AP) Advertisement There is some time pressure for coalition talks to progress and for the uncertainty to be minimised, given South Africas new parliament needs to sit for the first time and elect a president within 14 days of the election results being declared. Mr Ramaphosa, the leader of the ANC, is seeking a second and final term and Mr Mbalula said his position as leader of the party was not in question despite the election result. Mr Mbalula said the ANC would not consider the demands by the MK Party of former president Jacob Zuma that Mr Ramaphosa step down as a condition for talks. No political party will dictate terms to us, the ANC. They will not. You come to us with that demand, forget (it), Mr Mbalula said. South Africa is a leading voice for its continent and the developing world on the global stage and will take over the presidency of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations late this year. It is the only African nation in that group. Everyone is looking to see if South Africa can weather the storm and come out the other side, political analyst Oscar van Heerden said on the eNCA news network. Amid many options, the ANC could also join with MK and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters, although they have been cast as partners that would make investors uneasy. Both have pledged to nationalise parts of South Africas economy, including its gold and platinum mines, among the worlds biggest producers. Mr van Heerden said an ANC-DA coalition would possibly give stability but there were some within the ANC who would oppose it. Other smaller parties could be involved to dilute it and make it more palatable for the ANC, some commentators said. The DA has approached the ANC as the enemy over many, many years, Mr van Heerden said. The next few days is going to be a very difficult period. People will have to be mature behind closed doors. Donald Trump said he would accept home confinement or jail time after his historic conviction by a New York jury last week but that it would be tough for the public to accept. "I'm not sure the public would stand for it," the Republican presidential candidate told Fox News in an interview that aired on Sunday. "I think it'd be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, there's a breaking point." Advertisement Mr Trump did not elaborate on what he thought might happen if that point is reached. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 11th, four days before Republicans gather to formally choose their presidential nominee to face Democratic president Joe Biden in November's election. Asked what Trump supporters should do if he were jailed, Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump told CNN: "Well, they're gonna do what they've done from the beginning, which is remain calm and protest at the ballot box on November 5th. There's nothing to do other than make your voices heard loud and clear and speak out against this." Mr Trump has used his conviction to step up his fundraising efforts but has not otherwise sought to mobilise his supporters, in contrast to his comments protesting his 2020 loss to Mr Biden that were followed by a deadly attack by his supporters on January 6th, 2021 on the US Capitol. Some Trump supporters have hung US flags upside down in the wake of the verdict. The inverted flag has been a symbol of distress or protest in America for over 200 years. Advertisement The RNC and the Trump campaign raised $70 million in the 48 hours after the verdict, Lara Trump said, a figure that Reuters was not able to independently verify. Asked how much would be used to pay legal fees versus running the campaign, she declined to say. At least one Democratic lawmaker expressed concern on Sunday about the potential for Mr Trump's supporters to respond violently to his conviction. "His base listens to him. They don't listen to Lara Trump. And this is another dangerous appeal to violence," Democratic US representative Adam Schiff told CNN. But US House speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, said any response must be lawful. Advertisement "We are the rule of law party - chaos is not a conservative value. We have to fight back and we will with everything in our arsenal. But we do that within the confines of the rule of law," Mr Johnson told Fox News Sunday. Mr Trump has vowed to appeal his conviction by the New York jury, which found him guilty of 34 felony counts over falsifying documents to cover up a payment to silence a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. The matter is unlikely to be resolved before the November presidential election, when he will seek to take back the White House from Mr Biden. Opinion polls show a close race between the two men and suggest that his conviction could hurt him with some Republican voters and independents. Trump attorney Will Scharf told ABC News' "This Week" that he does not expect Mr Trump to "end up being subject to any sentence whatsoever" and planned to ultimately take the case to the Supreme Court. Advertisement Mr Trump still faces three other criminal cases, including two over alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 loss, although they are not likely to come to trial or conclude before the election. He denies wrongdoing in all the cases and has called the charges a Democratic conspiracy to prevent him from competing. Mr Biden, meanwhile, has sought to defend the nation's justice system, saying it is "reckless" and "dangerous" to call the verdict "rigged". The US Justice Department denies any political interference. "There's one candidate standing up for the rule of law, standing up for our democratic institutions, defending our Constitution, defending our democracy and that's Joe Biden," Biden campaign spokesman Michael Tyler told Fox News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged a group of top defence officials at Asias premier security conference on Sunday to attend an upcoming conference on ending the Russian war on Ukraine. Mr Zelensky told the group of more than 500 delegates from about 40 countries that he was disappointed some world leaders had not yet confirmed attendance at the conference in Switzerland in about two weeks. Advertisement He did not specify any country by name, but the possible participation of China, Russias most important ally, has been seen as a key issue. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky (Vincent Thian/AP) Chinese defence minister Dong Jun spoke earlier in the day at the Shangri-La conference but he did not appear to be in the room when Mr Zelensky made his appeal. Advertisement In his own address to the forum, Mr Dong did not specifically mention the Switzerland meetings but did say: On the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude. He added that China had not provided weapons to either side of the conflict. We have never done anything to fan the flames, he said. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue. US defence secretary Lloyd Austin also attended the conference and sat in the front row as Mr Zelensky talked. Loading Medicare claims for labiaplasty and vulvoplasty more than doubled from 707 in 2002-03 to 1584 in 2013-14. This was despite there being no increase in genital abnormalities. A crackdown in 2014 means that Medicare can only be claimed now if the procedure is to repair female genital mutilation or correct an abnormality. However, those who want genital cosmetic surgery can pay to have it done in the private sector, which does not require reporting of statistics. Female genital cosmetic surgery can be performed by anyone with a medical degree, and no formal training is required. Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis, author of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners guidelines on female genital cosmetic surgery, says while the number of procedures is not recorded in Australia, she has no doubt they are increasing. The incidence has not declined, its continued to steadily climb from the American stats and what you find online and in the chats, Simonis says. Young women are often concerned about how they look in bikinis or leisurewear. Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis. Credit: Chris Hopkins There is a phrase that is used to describe what fleshy genital appearance looks like through clothing, and its camel toe. And there are all sorts of derogatory comments around that, Simonis says. Forty to 50 per cent are dissatisfied with their bodies anyhow. So all you have to pick on is a particularly sensitive private area and focus the attention on that, and that becomes quite a significant concern for young people. What young women choosing to have labiaplasties often dont realise, Simonis says, is that genital tissue shrinks as women go through menopause. Removing that tissue can have significant implications for sexual function and pleasure down the track. In 2015, Simonis was the lead author of a national study of 443 GPs. The research found 54 per cent of GPs had seen patients requesting female genital cosmetic surgery. Of these, a third had received requests for labiaplasties from girls under 18. This did not even enter a lot of womens minds as a mainstream cosmetic surgical issue and then all of a sudden, Brazilian waxing became really popular, and I think thats really what uncovered what a lot of women didnt know about themselves, Simonis says. Many GPs at the time of the study felt their knowledge was inadequate to deal with requests for female genital cosmetic surgery. Simonis was commissioned to write guidelines for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, which recommend GPs educate patients about genital diversity, consider mental health and relationship abuse issues, and refer patients for a gynaecological assessment. Loading The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists warns there is no evidence that cosmetic vaginal procedures are effective, enhance sexual function or improve self-image. It says the risks of potential complications such as scarring, permanent disfigurement and altered sexual sensations should be discussed in detail with women seeking such treatments. In October 2016, the Medical Board of Australia advised that girls under 18 receive mandatory counselling and a three-month cooling-off period if they were seeking cosmetic vaginal procedures. But Simonis believes this does not go far enough. She says Australia should match the UK Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists position that surgery be avoided under the age of 18. Theres just so much misinformation around the diversity of genital anatomy, and no ones being taught about this. A Victorian Education Department spokesman says department resources support schools to provide students with sexuality education that includes realistic and age-appropriate diagrams of genitalia. But Sharp says while the correct terms for female genitalia and the role of genitals in reproduction are often taught, young people concerned about how their genitals look are unlikely to have their concerns assuaged. I think if its taught in a body-image education program, then it has context for celebrating diversity rather than focusing solely on reproduction, Sharp says. She and her team at Monash University have developed an age-appropriate video to help promote a positive genital body image. The video does not include any explicit images. It uses artistic representations of vulvas such as cupcakes and medical illustrations to show the diversity of genital appearance. Cupcakes are used to illustrate the diversity of female genitalia in Associate Professor Gemma Sharps educational video on genital self-image. Credit: Elisabeth Palatiello No two vulvas look alike, the video says. Even though there is a great variety in how we can look down there, theres usually only one type of genital appearance we see online, in social media, and even in our biology textbooks. Its smooth, hairless and symmetrical and the labia minora are completely hidden. The funny thing is, this appearance is not common at all. Dr Justine OHara, a plastic surgeon who performs up to five labiaplasties a week, says for women whose labia cause pinching and infections and restrict their activities, the procedure has the potential to change the quality of their life. However, she refuses to carry out labiaplasties on women who have normal genitalia but seek a Barbie anatomy, telling them the risk of surgery and potential for complications outweigh any benefits. My great concern is that if you shorten the labia, women are more likely to tear when they have babies and this is very difficult to repair, OHara says. She says young women often have an unrealistic idea of what female genitalia should look like due to exposure to pornography. She refers them to the Labia Library, a photo gallery of unaltered photos of womens genitalia developed by Womens Health Victoria, to show them the diversity of what is normal. Ive had mothers bring young patients to appointments who are very anxious and I reassure them they are completely normal and nothing needs to be done, OHara says. University of Melbourne researcher Emma Barnard conducted a pilot study aimed at understanding why a growing number of young girls, some as young as 11, were seeking cosmetic surgery on their genitals. The study followed a spike in girls and young women referred to the Royal Childrens Hospital in Melbourne because of concerns about how their labia looked even though the hospital does not carry out cosmetic surgery. Barnard interviewed 11 females who sought consultation with a health professional when aged 13-19, five of whom went on to have labiaplasty surgery. Unanimously, the participants recounted that when they sought consultation for genital appearance concerns and female genital cosmetic surgery, they did not know that a range of normal genital appearance existed, Barnard wrote in an article published in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2023. Kate* was 16 when she worried her labia didnt look normal. We didnt know if [genital abnormality] was a thing because you know, my mum was different [to me]. Isabelle*, who was 17 when she sought help from a medical professional, said her boyfriend started remarking on her physical appearance: One day, there was a comment of hamburger flaps and it was something that his friends were saying as well. [Genital appearance concern] was still weighing heavily on my mind, so I started reading and researching and I started to see labiaplasties come up in general. Barnard asked participants if they had learned anything about genital diversity at school. A few participants did say I got sex education about reproduction and contraception and STIs but none of them, as far as I can recall, had any education around what genitals should look like, what is considered normal, that sort of thing. Associate Professor Gemma Sharp with some of the resources she uses to demonstrate the diversity of female genitalia. Credit: Jason South In 2020, Sharp showed the vulva video to 343 girls aged 16-18, as part of a study published in the journal, Body Image. The video improved girls genital anatomy knowledge, and there was a small increase in satisfaction with their own genital appearance. There was also a small decrease in the likelihood of them considering labiaplasty in the future. The study participants suggested younger girls could benefit from watching the video and that it be taught to all genders. A study of 125 parents published in Body Journal this month examined whether they would consent to their 13- to 15-year-old sons and daughters participating in genital body image education. Nearly a fifth of about 150 former immigration detainees freed following the High Courts landmark decision in November have since been charged with state offences. Just a third of 39 sex offenders released from detention were required to wear ankle monitors. One detainee went on to allegedly bash an elderly woman. Another detainee released under a different set of Labor rules has allegedly committed murder. Its a sorry sight for the Albanese government just a year away from a federal election, as it scrambles to respond to a slew of offences committed by those released from immigration following a High Court ruling last year that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful, overturning a 20-year precedent. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is facing opposition calls to resign. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen In November, the government acted swiftly to quell community safety concerns about the release of detainees who had served time for committing crimes, including some with serious convictions. Labor imposed curfews and employment restrictions and enforced the use of electronic monitoring devices in moves that left Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for more and tougher restrictions, while legal experts lambasted the human rights violation of non-citizens who had served their full sentences, plus the extra years of unlawful detention, and were now subject to more punitive and invasive measures. Since then, two former detainees allegedly bashed an elderly woman, Ninette Simons, in Perth in April, including one offender released after the High Court ruling who was not required to wear a surveillance bracelet. She said long periods in isolation caused significant psychological damage in children many of whom came from disadvantaged backgrounds, already distrusted authorities, and were not engaged with education and health institutions. Detention in those circumstances doesnt reduce reoffending. In fact, its likely to increase offending because theyre coming out worse off, Hayes said. She said rehabilitation required consistent intensive support, which in turn required extensive government investment. All the investment is going to policing, not prevention and early intervention, Hayes said. She believes a concerted effort is needed to fully assess and address the needs of children identified as serious repeat offenders so they can be put on a productive path. At the moment, theyre just forgotten kids, they fall between the cracks, Hayes said. Under pressure over a perceived rise in youth crime, the Queensland government has introduced a raft of controversial laws ahead of the October state election. Contingencies allowing children to be kept in police watch houses and adult prisons were controversially passed, over-riding the states own human rights act. The Child Death Review report released in March revealed Queensland locked up more children than any other jurisdiction. Loading And there are fears the youth incarceration rate will skyrocket after the governments decision this month to scrap detention as a last resort. Children already sit in a watch house for days before being transferred to detention, where they face long hours in isolation, Cairns-based Youth Empowered Towards Independence chief executive Genevieve Sinclair said. Some of these kids have been locked down over a month, often [its got] nothing to do with their own behaviour just because its understaffed, she said. As a result, they come out of detention angrier and angrier. In Townsvilles Cleveland Youth Detention Centre, insufficient staff meant children could not be moved to classrooms for education programs, Sinclair said. Additional staff had helped the situation, but Sinclair said absenteeism and attrition was high. The Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville had insufficient staff to accompany children to classrooms. Credit: Google Maps Children may have access to self-directed learning material when isolated, but Sinclair questioned the efficacy of such paperwork being slipped under the door to a young person with intellectual disabilities and low literacy levels. While the government spruiked funding for vulnerable young people and those in detention, Sinclair said: The reality is, its not being delivered if youve got no workforce. The Voice for Victims advocacy group has marched on parliament calling for an even tougher stance on youth crime. But youth workers find calls to lock up juvenile offenders frustrating because it needs to come with rehabilitation, the opportunity to understand what they have done and its impact on others, and the development of emotional skills. The Voice for Victims advocacy group has called for an even tougher stance on youth crime. Credit: Courtney Kruk Otherwise, youre just sending children out that are angrier and more traumatised than before they went in, and then they come out and inflict more harm on the community, Sinclair said. If we lock children up without any rehabilitation, we actually just drive crime and thats whats happened, and there are no plans to stop it. The capacity of Queenslands youth detention system is set to almost double with the construction of an 80-bed facility in Woodford north of Brisbane by 2026, and another to be operational in Cairns a year later. The 76-bed Wacol Youth Remand Centre is also on track to be completed by the end of the year. But despondent youth workers who want to engage in rehabilitation say building more detention centres wont help. An artists impression of the 80-bed youth detention centre being built at Woodford. Sinclair regards the number of Indigenous children incarcerated in poor conditions as an international shame, claiming there would be outrage if it was happening elsewhere. There are no other countries locking up Indigenous kids like we are in Queensland in the sorts of conditions we are, she said. The Elsternwick bowling club will close after 125 years after members accepted a controversial $15 million offer from Glen Eira City Council. The vote came just six months after the club rejected the sale to the council which was shrouded in secrecy at the time when a large minority of members raised concerns about the process and future of the venue. The historic Elsternwick Club. Credit: Wayne Taylor Members of the Elsternwick Club, in Melbournes south-east, voted on the sale at the annual general meeting on Sunday. Glen Eira City Council CEO Rebecca McKenzie said the council was delighted the Elsternwick Club board and members decided to offer their club site on Sandham Street, Elsternwick, for sale to the council. A priest blesses followers in the temple during Janmashtami, an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of the Hindu God Lord Krishna at ISKON of Houston on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. Karen Warren/Staff photographer Rabbi Pamela Silk, from right, Rabbi Oren Hayon, Cantor Rollin Simmons and Rabbi Joshua Fixler lead a Kol Nidrei service in the Barish Sanctuary at Congregation Emanu El in Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart holds a special service for Ash Wednesday. Raquel Natalicchio/Staff photographer A detail of Lady Buddha statue at Thanh Long Tu temple. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer Everyone knows Houston is diverse, but what about the religious landscape? Well break down religious attitudes in Houston and Texas, referencing the Public Religion Research Institutes American Values Atlas as well as other data sources. What is the religious breakdown of Texas? The American Values Atlas found the top religious affiliations as: Hispanic Catholic 21% Unaffiliated 20% White evangelical Protestant 14% White mainline Protestant 12% Black Protestant 9% Hispanic Protestant 9% White Catholic 9% Advertisement Article continues below this ad Non-white Protestants made up 2%, while other non-white Catholics, as well as Jews, Jehovahs Witnesses, Mormons, Buddhists, Hindus and New Age religions each were 1%. The Pew Research Centers Religious Landscape Study, which last surveyed Americans in 2014 (learn more about the changing survey methodology landscape here), found 77% of Texans were Christian, 18% were unaffiliated and 4% were non-Christian faiths (Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.). How often do Texans attend religious services? According to the Public Religion Research Institutes American Values Atlas, 30% of Texans attend services once a week or more, compared to a national average of 25.4%. Twenty-five percent of Texans attend once or twice a month or a few times a year (21.9% nationally), and 45% attend seldom or never (compared to 52.7% nationally). What about the Houston metro area? According to Pew, 73% of adults in the Houston area are Christian, with Evangelical Protestants making up just under a third of that percentage. Twenty percent are unaffiliated, and 7% are of non-Christian faiths (2% Jewish, 1% Muslim, 1% Buddhist, 1% Hindu). Advertisement Article continues below this ad What percentage of Houstonians believe in God? Two-thirds of the people in the Houston metro area, or 67%, are absolutely certain they believe in God, 21% are fairly certain they believe, 5% believe in God but are not at all certain and 6% dont believe in God. Why arent you using any Census data for this? Good question. The U.S. Census does not actually directly ask Americans about their religion. Congress expressly forbade it in October 1976 after public debate. What are some religious organizations in Houston? A few listed here (Big disclaimer: This is far from a complete list of all the religious organizations Houston has to offer.): Advertisement Article continues below this ad Trial by Water, Episode 2 is available right now. Click here for access the episode. If you were in Australia after about 2005, youll probably remember the Robert Farquharson case. He was the dad who drove his three sons into a dam on Fathers Day. He got out of the car, but the boys didnt. All three of the children drowned. The case was in and out of the courts for years. And for the whole time, Robert Farquharson insisted it was an accident. Police were equally sure he drove them into the water deliberately. In 2010, Farquharson was convicted of triple murder. But 14 years after the gate slammed on Farquharson, he and a small band of supporters continue to insist hes innocent. In the past few years, a group of scientists, lawyers and doctors has joined them. Theyre suggesting that the evidence doesnt stack up, and asking: what if the system got it wrong here? This question, and many others, are the basis of Trial by Water, a new five-part podcast investigation from The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Farquharson told police he coughed and passed out in the lead up to the crash a condition called cough syncope which meant he was unconscious when his car drove into the dam. Lawyers for Farquharson have flagged a new appeal later this year, under a Victorian law introduced in 2019 that allows prisoners to present fresh and compelling evidence to the court where a conviction constitutes a substantial miscarriage of justice. Farquharsons lawyer, Luke McMahon, said this was a high legal bar which places the onus back on the accused, and was not really an examination of how things unfolded. Since the convicted person is often in prison, the appeal mechanism also often requires lawyers to work pro bono, or without pay, to take on cases. Arabia said that in the vast majority of cases, that is not enough to address problematic cases. The Academy of Science has called for a standing tribunal like those in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Norway, which employ dedicated staff to identify and investigate possible miscarriages of justice. Known as a Criminal Cases Review Commission in the UK and New Zealand, these bodies can examine cases where there are developments in scientific or other evidence, then refer them, with advice, back to the courts or the government. Asked if the Farquharson case would be a lead candidate for such a tribunal, Arabia said the medical evidence of cough syncope would be considered new evidence that should be assessed by something like a Criminal Cases Review Commission to see if it meets a threshold to reopen and re-examine this case. It should not be beyond the realm of possibilities to establish a criminal case review commission in Australia and to resource it adequately. After all, this enables the delivery of justice to the Australian people. It should be a bare minimum requirement as part of our justice system, she said. Australia really is an outlier in this area. Police involved in the Farquharson case declined interviews, but Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said in a statement that Victoria Police stands behind the rigorous investigation which led to the 2010 conviction of Robert Farquharson. We consider this matter finalised and will not be commenting further. In the event of any appeal by Farquharson, we will respond as required, he said. Loading A recent book by Stephen Cordner, the head of international programs at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, and retired physician Kerry Breen, said the UK case review commission had referred 657 cases to the court of appeal over 22 years, with 441 convictions quashed. Translated to Australia, that would mean eight or nine wrongful convictions a year, they wrote in their book, Wrongful Convictions in Australia. In the United States, the Innocence Project had overturned more than 350 cases. False confessions, inaccurate eyewitness evidence, misleading forensic evidence, police misconduct and bad defence were key errors, they wrote. Arabia has also called for changes to the treatment of expert evidence. Currently, people accepted as experts can give their opinions in court based on their knowledge, but they are selected by the parties prosecution and defence and are not always the most qualified people, Arabia said. How do we get the right experts before our judges and juries, selected for the right reasons, not ... because theyre good presenters in court, but because they are the best possible expert who has the best available knowledge? Arabia said. The Academy of Science also wants a reliability standard, so that courts do not admit expert evidence unless it can be demonstrated that it is reliable. In the absence of such a standard, Arabia said, pseudoscience and junk science can be admitted into court, and juries and judges will consider that as part of their deliberations. I think most people would ... be shocked by that. Arabia said accomplished scientific experts often did not want to give evidence in courts because it is such a hyper-adversarial situation, and what ends up happening is that those experts are asked about matters that are well beyond their area of expertise. We have scientists who come to the Australian Academy of Science, having been expert witnesses in a case, thinking theyre doing the right thing, who have felt so cornered or manipulated in that process that they will never do it again, she said. What a great loss for our justice system, that some of the most reliable and best minds in our country feel that that is a forum where they cant present their best, their knowledge. Arabia said reform would require attorneys-general at the state and federal levels to roll up their sleeves and commit to looking at improving the systems so that they can deliver justice for everyone equally. Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes declined requests for an interview on the academys proposals. In a statement, a departmental spokesperson said: Victorias justice system has processes in place to ensure the quality and reliability of forensic evidence presented in court. The government was monitoring the effectiveness of these processes, the statement said, and was reviewing any opportunities for improvement, including discussions with other states and jurisdictions. NSW Attorney-General Michael Daleys spokesperson said there were existing mechanisms in place to allow the states courts to consider scientific evidence and also for ad hoc inquiries into convictions, as occurred with the 2022 Folbigg Inquiry. The states experts code of conduct said their paramount duty is to assist the court impartially. Federal Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus declined to comment. Loading Arabia said courts were doing their best, but advances in science made it difficult to be across all the detail. In the Farquharson case, Arabia said she was concerned by medical evidence about cough syncope which painted the condition as extremely rare, and the traffic reconstruction evidence, in which police experts said the car was subject to three conscious steering inputs by the driver, who therefore could not have been unconscious. She said there were also questions about the memory evidence of two key witnesses. One, Dawn Waite, did not come forward until four years after Farquharson drove into the dam. Another witness, Greg King, told how his memory of a conversation incorporated more features over time of events that had subsequently occurred. We know scientifically that memory evidence is quite unreliable. And memory can be open to change based on external stimuli, things like media reporting, things like discussion, things like looking at photos, dreams, Arabia said. 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 When Robert Farquharsons car was dragged from a dam near Winchelsea on the night his three sons drowned, police noticed something strange the headlights, ignition and fan on the heater were all switched off. Farquharson is serving a 33-year sentence for the triple murder of his children but has always maintained his innocence. A number of scientists and experts, including the Australian Academy of Science, have now voiced concerns that the evidence against him might be unreliable. Police at the scene were suspicious of Farquharsons claim that he coughed after turning the car heater on and passed out before driving into the dam by accident. One of the key elements prompting that early suspicion was that the headlights, the ignition and the heater fan were all off. If he had the time and the presence of mind to switch these off, didnt he have the time and mental capacity to at least make an effort to rescue the boys? Senior Sergeant Jeffrey Smith, the acting head of the major collision investigation unit, wrote in a notebook, tendered at both of Farquharsons murder trials, that night: Not happy with this job; a number of troubling aspects such as lack of skid marks, instruments in off positions etc. At Farquharsons first trial in 2007, prosecutor Jeremy Rapke suggested it was incriminating evidence. When you and your family are drowning, you might think that the condition of the ignition switch and the headlights will be the last thing youd have on your mind, he said. In the retrial in 2010, prosecutor Andrew Tinney said, sarcastically: So what do you do [when you are floating in a dam]? Well, of course you turn off the ignition and you turn off the headlights, and with them the dashboard lights, because the last thing you would want out there in the middle of this dark dam is any light. Advertisement The juries in both trials found Farquharson guilty. In the Court of Appeal after the second verdict, the judges said of the headlights and ignition that the jury were entitled to conclude that these were deliberate acts of the applicant, done at some point after the vehicle left the road. These facts were relevant to the critical issue of the applicants intent, the three judges found, vindicating prosecutors decision to present that evidence at the trial. Police quizzed Farquharson on these questions, but he said he could not give an explanation. I honestly dont remember. I dont know what happened, he said in his formal interview, conducted two days after the crash. About 18 months after Farquharson crashed his car into the dam, there were some remarkably similar features in another tragedy. Three SAS soldiers died when their car went into Port Phillip Bay, just off Swan Island, a military training base near Queenscliff in Victoria. The men were on a training course that was described in a subsequent military commission of inquiry as being for senior, experienced soldiers. On the Saturday night, five soldiers went in two hire cars to the pub for a drink. In the early hours of April 9, 2007, the five were returning to the base when the first car, containing three soldiers, missed a turn and drove off the road into the bay. The second car, following about 30 seconds behind, stopped, and the two SAS soldiers got out and waded and swam after their mates to try to help them escape the car. One of those two men told the inquiry the water was about two metres deep at the point where the car was found. Advertisement Despite their efforts, which ultimately included breaking the cars back window with a large rock, the two SAS soldiers outside the car could not help their colleagues, and the three inside the car drowned. The commission of inquiry revealed that when police retrieved the car from the water, they found the gearstick was in the park position and the handbrake was on. The ignition key was broken off in the lock and the rest of the key ring was lying in the drivers footwell. The two key investigating officers who attended the SAS soldiers crash, from Victoria Polices major collision investigation unit Senior Constable Glen Urquhart and Sergeant Brad Peters had also investigated the Farquharson case. The tragic crash at Swan Island had one strange similarity with Robert Farquharsons case. Credit: Nine At the military commission, Urquhart was asked about the handbrake and gear selector. He said: I couldnt possibly hypothesise as to what was occurring, but from the time the vehicle was travelling to when it was recovered, an occupant within the vehicle has either deliberately or inadvertently put the handbrake on and put the gear in park. He was also asked why he thought the soldiers, from inside and outside the car, could not save the three who died. I just cant offer as an explanation as to why no one was able to escape the vehicle, he said. Peters said that opening the doors in a sunken car was a fairly arduous task that theyre trying to perform. Asked if there was any reason that the three senior SAS members might not have been able to get themselves or their mates to safety, he said: Im afraid Id have to say that in respect to that your guess is as good as mine. Advertisement Urquhart told the military inquiry that the video test conducted by the homicide squad in Farquharsons case had shown that once a door was opened, the vehicle sank in about three seconds; it sank very, very quickly once the water came in. This issue of how long Farquharson had to get his children out of the car was an important one for police. The homicide squad investigator in Farquharsons case, Senior Sergeant Gerard Clanchy, told a documentary crew after Farquharson was ultimately convicted and sentenced that in the case of a car with closed doors: You had time where you could collect your thoughts. Collect the boys, work out a plan and say, Well, this is how were going to get out. He could have saved at least one of the boys. In the Swan Island case, the military commission of inquiry found that speed and alcohol consumption had been factors in the crash. The mens funerals were conducted with appropriate regimental and other military and DCO support. The soldiers families received compensation because their deaths were connected with the soldiers defence service. Nobody suggested they had committed a crime. The Swan Island incident happened on April 9, 2007, and the commission of inquiry reported in September 2008. The inability of the soldiers to survive, and the facts about the handbrake, gearstick and ignition key were not referred to in Farquharsons second trial, which took place in 2010. Advertisement Psychologist and trauma specialist Rob Gordon said actions such as turning off headlights and the ignition were consistent with automatic behaviours that come into play during a traumatic situation. Loading I can think of a lot of automatic actions people undertook in bushfires and floods, he said. Scientist and lawyer Chris Brook, who has published a number of peer-reviewed articles on the intersection of science and the law, has written a book, Road to Damnation, questioning the evidence in the Farquharson case. He said the Swan Island incident was really a tragic illustration of the reality of the Farquharson situation. Clanchy and other investigators from the case declined interview requests for this story. Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said in a statement that the organisation stands behind the rigorous investigation which led to the 2010 conviction of Robert Farquharson we consider this matter finalised and will not be commenting further. Advertisement The federal government has cancelled the visas of child sex offenders, drug dealers and violent assailants in urgent decisions to overturn tribunal rulings that let them stay in Australia, ahead of tougher rules to deport convicted criminals who are born overseas. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles signed more cancellations at the weekend to bring the total to more than 20 after days of Coalition attack on a federal rule that allows tolerance for foreign-born criminals with strong links to the Australian community. Immigration Minister Andrew Giles has cancelled 20 visas in response to AAT decisions. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The government is preparing to overhaul the regime within days by dumping the controversial rule, known as Ministerial Direction 99, to put the greatest priority on community safety and to reduce the importance of links to Australia. While the government expects criticism from New Zealand because more criminals born in that country will be deported there under the tougher rules, ministers want to redraft the rule to remove key provisions regarded as being lenient towards convicted felons. Phonely is one of the first 20 Australian start-ups to be selected for the three-month intensive Y Combinator program, and its co-founders will soon travel to California where they will receive a $US500,000 ($750,000) investment, as well as mentoring and connections. Getting there wasnt easy: the pair had to navigate a 3am Zoom interview with Y Combinator just hours after pitching their start-up onstage at a Startup Victoria AI event, where they won the peoples choice award. It was absolutely insane, Bodewes said. We had been working on Phonely for seven months, and we had just been trying and trying, and nothing was taking. In that week leading up, we had four different investors turn us down, and we were trying to figure out how we were going to be able to get this thing to work. You always hear stories of things like this happening, and those opportunities always seem to happen to other people. So, to be on the other end of that, after all the stress and anxiety that has gone into it, we have a chance of building exactly what we want to build, which is a really big company that has a big impact. Phonelys launch comes at a time of heightened anxiety around the potential job losses that might follow in AIs wake, particularly given its use can often be cheaper than employing humans to do the same job. Jerusalem: An aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that Israel had accepted a framework deal for winding down the Gaza war now being advanced by US President Joe Biden, though he described it as flawed and in need of much more work. In an interview with Britains Sunday Times, Ophir Falk, chief foreign policy advisor to Netanyahu, said Bidens proposal was a deal we agreed to its not a good deal but we dearly want the hostages released, all of them. People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government and call for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group in Tel Aviv, Israel. Credit: AP There are a lot of details to be worked out, he said, adding that Israeli conditions, including the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as a genocidal terrorist organisation have not changed. Biden, whose initial lockstep support for Israels offensive has given way to open censure of the operations high civilian death toll, on Friday aired what he described as a three-phase plan submitted by the Netanyahu government to end the war. I think that a lot of people feel that way about him: that he is old news, said George Arzt, a longtime political and media consultant who has known Trump for decades and who worked for Mayor Ed Koch, who died in 2013 and was one of Trumps nemeses. Many New Yorkers, Arzt said, would like to push him out of the headlines. Trump, at a Trump Tower news conference on Friday, criticised the 34-felony verdict sharply and said that he planned to appeal. But he also seemed to acknowledge that the charges he had been convicted of falsifying business records hit at the heart of his image as a master of financial dealings. It sounds so bad when they say falsifying this, thats a bad thing for me, he said. Ive never had that before. The criminal trial, like the civil fraud case, pulled back the curtain on many of Trumps business practices, as prosecutors dived into his penny-pinching and his refusal to pay debts including initially stalling to pay a porn actor, Stormy Daniels, the $US130,000 sum at the centre of the case. Such a tale sex with a beautiful woman might once have fit perfectly with the image of Trump as a bachelor playboy, which was burnished by the citys tabloids. But Daniels testimony was anything but flattering to the former president. Sex with the married Trump was brief and unmemorable, she said, and was followed by requests for more encounters, which she rebuffed. (Trump denies having had sex with Daniels.) Republicans were furious about the verdict, with conservative leaders urging Republican district attorneys and attorneys general to indict the left while other supporters of Trump called for a boycott of New York City. Trumps Republican allies in Congress called Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and one of the prosecutors who worked on the case, Matthew Colangelo, to testify there. Much of the outrage among conservatives was met with outright joy in many corners of New York City. I woke up with a smile on my face, said Robert Clark, 63, a photographer who lives in Brooklyns Williamsburg neighbourhood and who had spent the morning hunting for a copy of The New York Times to add to his collection of famous front pages. I want to see the cover! Others were even more blunt. His legacy is just beyond trash, said Mark Samuels, 70, a retiree who worked in advertising and grew up on Staten Island. That was not always so, he added. For a time, he said, Trump made a certain garish sense in the New York of the 1970s and 80s. Those days are long over, Samuels said: Were in one of the most important cities on Earth and he came and he fell. Its his rise and fall. Trump has his supporters among the citys 8 million-plus residents. There are more conservative neighbourhoods in all five boroughs, and a Republican stronghold and member of Congress on Staten Island. On Friday, in front of Trump Tower, his supporters filled the sidewalks, engaging in shouting matches with anti-Trump protesters. They carried handmade signs and flags, including one seen in front of a Prada store reading Trump or Death. Protesters outside Trump Tower as Donald Trump spoke. Credit: Bloomberg Colleen Ortiz, 50, who was on her way to work, said she felt the Democrats and the powers that be do not want him in office. I personally feel this is going to backfire and he is going to win in November, added Ortiz, who lives in the Bronx. Inside, Trump, who had been giving remarks in a courthouse hallway every day during the trial, seemingly sought to regain some glamour during the news conference, in the buildings marble-and-brass atrium. On his way to the lectern, he passed the escalators that carried him down to his 2015 announcement of his first run for president. Standing in front of a row of American flags, he gave a rambling speech, attacking the case, the judge and Democrats, and expounding on baseless conspiracy theories about US President Joe Biden orchestrating the Manhattan case, and a nefarious plot to rid the nation of cars. He called the trial very unfair and a scam. He left without answering questions. Former US President Donald Trump speaks at a news conference at Trump Tower. Credit: Bloomberg At Trump Village Estates, an apartment complex in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn that Trumps father, Fred Trump, built, Vernon Schlamowitz, 89, said it was not surprising that 12 Manhattan residents had convicted the former president. Just like the judge, hand-picked. All Democrats, Schlamowitz said of the jurors. (The jurors identities have not been made public, and their party affiliations are unknown.) Some New Yorkers seemed to recognise that the city itself with its make-it-there, make-it-anywhere ethos and constant capitalist churn had helped to create Trumps identity. I suppose New York allowed some of it to flourish, said Sarah Williams, 72, a semiretired psychiatrist for the city who has lived in Brooklyn for 36 years. She sighed. Thats New York, she added. I think more and more were all just about money. Which is really unfortunate because I love New York. Still, for many city residents, the verdict itself seemed to vindicate their distaste for the 45th president. Lennox Hannan, 63, a writer who lives in Williamsburg, said he was overjoyed and compared Trump to a mafia boss, Richard Nixon and even more unsavoury characters. He also said the verdict also swelled his pride as a New Yorker, saying the beginning of his downfall had happened in the city. Now in its 23rd year, the AMAs are run by Key Media and supported by Mortgage Professional Australia and Australian Broker. Westpac will again be the event partner for the 15th consecutive year. Peter Warren is a general assignment reporter for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at peter.warren@houstonchronicle.com. Peter previously lived in Dallas, where he covered the sports as a freelancer for the Dallas Morning News and other outlets. He has been published in Texas Highways Magazine, DMagazine.com, the Star Tribune and Bowlers Journal International. Peter graduated from Northwestern University in 2021. Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 11:27PM Photo: ReadWrite HubSpot's stock price surged 8% on Tuesday, May 28, fueled by CNBC's David Faber reporting that Google's parent company, Alphabet, is considering an all-stock acquisition offer. Faber confirmed ongoing discussions between the two tech giants, stating, "My understanding is absolutely true, all-stock deal for Alphabet to acquire HubSpot." Talks of a potential Google-HubSpot deal have been circulating for months. HubSpot, an AI-powered customer relationship platform for small and medium businesses, aims to streamline operations across various departments like marketing, sales, content, service, and commerce. This potential acquisition, with HubSpot's market cap reaching around US$33 billion, would be Alphabet's biggest to date, surpassing the US$12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility in 2011. While no official offer had been made previously, Faber's report suggests significant progress in recent weeks. HubSpot remained tight-lipped, with a spokesperson stating their usual policy of not commenting on speculation. However, the stock price surge reflects investor confidence in the deal's potential. If finalized, this acquisition could significantly strengthen Google's position in the cloud computing space, helping close the gap with competitors like Microsoft and Amazon. Source Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 9:59PM Image: Khan Academy Great news for K-12 educators in the US! Khan Academy's AI assistant, Khanmigo, is now free thanks to a new partnership with Microsoft. Previously costing US$4 per month, Khanmigo will be accessible through Microsoft's Azure infrastructure, reducing teacher workload and boosting learning experiences. Khan Academy, renowned for its educational videos, is making Khanmigo free for teachers but will continue to charge school districts and other users for student access. But it is looking for ways to reduce costs. Khanmigo goes beyond a simple chatbot. It offers AI-powered tools for generating quizzes and assignments, drafting lesson plans, and formulating letters of recommendation, among others. Khan Academy founder Sal Khan emphasizes the potential time savings for teachers, aiming to reduce prep work from 10-20 hours to just one to five hours. The rise of AI in education initially sparked concerns about students using it to cheat. However, Khanmigo and similar tools act more like patient tutors, guiding students through problems and improving writing skills without completing the work for them. Microsoft and Khan Academy are also teaming up to develop better AI-powered math tutors using Microsoft's Phi-3 small language models. These models are cheaper to run than large language models and potentially usable on local devices. Khan Academy will contribute sample problems and detailed answers to refine the models' math capabilities. Additionally, Microsoft assures that Khan Academy user data won't be used for training these models. Microsoft will integrate more Khan Academy content into its AI tools, providing educational value when users seek information. Khan Academy sees this as a positive way to make quality educational content readily available. Source Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10:37PM Image: Microsoft Currently stuck in a sidebar, Copilot will soon be a regular Windows app you can resize and move around freely. This means easier access and multitasking. Instead of a disappearing sidebar, a click on the new Copilot icon in the taskbar launches a movable window. Microsoft explains it this way: "With this change, users of Copilot will get the benefits of a traditional app experience such as resizing, snapping, and moving the window." If you're getting one of the Copilot+ PCs (recently unveiled at the Build conference), a single click on the dedicated Copilot key on your keyboard will launch the app. And Microsoft 365 subscribers will still enjoy separate "web" and "work" tabs within Copilot, ensuring data security. Microsoft hasn't revealed an exact release date, but they're rolling it out gradually. You can see the early version in the latest Windows 11 Insider build (Canary channel). But we can expect the full-fledged app in the Windows 11 2024 Update scheduled for later this year (H2 2024). Source Flight crews from the Tennessee Army National Guard, based at Joint Base McGhee-Tyson, performed two air evacuation missions for hikers suffering from medical emergencies in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park during the afternoon and evening on Friday. Shortly after 2 p.m., the Tennessee National Guard and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency were notified of a hiker suffering from respiratory distress in the park and in need of medical assistance and rapid transport to a nearby hospital. The hiker was in a remote area, near Mount LeConte Lodge, southeast of Gatlinburg. Once TEMA was notified of the possible mission, the Tennessee National Guardsmen assigned to the 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion, in Knoxville, assembled a flight crew, readied a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for flight, and prepared to rescue the hiker. Fifteen minutes after the mission was approved, the aircraft departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson and flew directly to Mount Leconte Lodge. The Tennessee Army National Guard flight crew consisted of two pilots, Maj. Hulon Holmes and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Luke Hargrove, the crew chief, Sgt. Daniel Bandy, and two flight paramedics, Sgt. 1st Class Nolan Ogle and Giovanni DeZuani. Fourteen minutes after launching, the aircraft arrived at the lodge and the crew quickly located the hiker and park rangers with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, who were rendering first aid. Shortly after 4 p.m., the aircraft crew chief, Daniel Bandy, lowered Nolan Ogle and Giovanni DeZuani, the fight paramedics, to the ground by hoist to do a quick medical assessment and prepare the hiker for transport. After a few minutes rendering aid, the hiker was hoisted into the Blackhawk helicopter hovering above. Ogle, DuZuani, and the patients wife were also hoisted into the aircraft where they continued giving aid to the patient. Once everyone was safely on board, the aircraft flew to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. At approximately 4:30 p.m., the aircraft landed at UT Medical Center where medical personnel rushed the patient into the emergency room. Once the patient was safely in the care of medical professionals, the aircraft returned to Louisville and landed just before 5 p.m. Just over two hours later, at approximately 7:30 p.m., the Tennessee National Guard received another notification of a hiker in possible cardiac distress near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the Alum Cave Trails. The mission was quickly approved through TEMA and the crew began preflight procedures. Around 8:15 p.m., the aircraft departed Joint Base McGhee-Tyson and flew directly to the Alum Cave Trail area, which is also southeast of Gatlinburg. The Tennessee Army National Guard flight crew consisted of two pilots, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian Spotts and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Brasfield, two crew chiefs, Staff Sgt. Ryan McKnight and Sgt. Daniel Bandy, and two flight paramedics, Sgt. 1st Class Nolan Ogle and Giovanni DeZuani. Fifteen minutes after launching, the aircraft arrived along the trail where the crew radioed park rangers who were rendering aid to the hiker. The rangers then initiated smoke canisters to identify their location to the aircraft, which flew to an area very close to the site where they could safely hoist to. Shortly before 8:45 p.m., the aircraft crew chief, Ryan McKnight, lowered Nolan Ogle, the fight paramedic, to the ground by hoist where he met with the park rangers, did a medical assessment of the patient, and then prepared the hiker to be hoisted. After a few short minutes on the ground, Ogle and the hiker was hoisted together into the Blackhawk helicopter hovering above where he continued aid along with the other paramedic and crew chief. Once the patient and paramedic were safely on board, the aircraft flew to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. At approximately 9:10 p.m., the aircraft landed at UT Medical Center where medical personnel received the hiker and rushed the patient into the emergency room. The entire rescue mission took less than an hour. Skeletal remains found in a wooded area of Chattanooga in January have been identified as those of a missing 20-year-old Alpharetta woman. Maury-Ange Faith Martinez was reported missing by her family on Aug. 28 of last year. The family said she was last seen leaving jail. It was later learned that the last sighting of her was in Cobb County near Powers Ferry Road. There was a report on Jan. 5 of human remains being found near the Volkswagen plant. The Hamilton County medical examiner confirmed that it was the remains of Ms. Martinez. Army Sergeant First Class Christopher Celiz was a native of Summerville, S.C. He was Junior ROTC at Summerville High School, where his leadership skills became apparent. While his future wife Katie was also a Summerville High student, they met while working in a local grocery store. After graduation, Chris entered the Military College of South Carolina (The Citadel). Determined to serve our nation sooner rather than later, he enlisted in 2007 before graduation. He and Katie were married a year later, and they became parents to a daughter, Shannon, in 2010. SFC Celiz was first assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, where he would then become team leader of Company C, Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. He was tapped for the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2013, and he served as the battalion master breacher and engineer until 2017 when he became the Company D mortar platoon sergeant. He deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and then twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It was on his fifth deployment, July 12, 2018, that he distinguished himself in battle near Paktia, Afghanistan, earning a Medal of Honor for placing himself between enemy forces fire and a MEDEVAC helicopter under fire as it loaded his wounded men. Of SFC Celizs actions, his Medal of Honor citation notes in part: As the leader of a special purpose unit comprised of partnered forces and members of the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment [SFC Celiz] led an operation to clear an area of enemy forces and thereby disrupt future attacks against the government of Afghanistan and allied forces. Shortly after his team reached their final objectives, a large enemy force attacked, placed effective fire on him and his team, preventing them from maneuvering to counterattack. Realizing the danger the attack posed to his team and the operation, Sergeant First Class Celiz voluntarily exposed himself to intense enemy machine-gun and small-arms fire to retrieve and employ a heavy weapon system, thereby allowing U.S. and partnered forces to regain the initiative, maneuver to a secure location, and begin treatment of a critically wounded partnered force member. As a medical evacuation helicopter arrived, it was immediately engaged by accurate and sustained enemy fire. Knowing how critical it was to quickly load the casualty, [SFC Celiz] willingly exposed himself to heavy enemy fire to direct and lead the evacuation. As the casualty moved from a position of cover and out into intense enemy fire, [he] made a conscious effort to ensure his body acted as a physical shield to his team carrying the casualty and the crew of the aircraft. As the casualty was loaded and Sergeant First Class Celizs team returned to cover, he alone remained at the aircraft, returning a high volume of fire and constantly repositioning himself to act as a physical shield to the aircraft and its crew. With his final reposition, [SFC Celiz] placed himself directly between the cockpit and the enemy, ensuring the aircraft was able to depart. As the helicopter lifted off, [he] was hit by enemy fire. Fully aware of his own injury but understanding the peril to the aircraft from the intense enemy machine gun fire, [he] motioned to the aircraft to depart rather than remain behind to load him. Throughout the entire engagement, [he] significantly changed the course of battle by repeatedly placing himself in extreme danger to protect his team, defeat the enemy, and it ultimately cost him his life. CPT Ben Krzeczowski, pilot in command of the MEDEVAC mission that day, observed, Courage, to me, is putting your life on the line to save the life of another, as demonstrated by SFC Chris Celiz, who died protecting my crew. Another member of the mission that day, 2LT Garrett White, noted: He was selflessly body blocking that litter team and that helicopter crew as they were loading the casualty on the bird under a tremendous amount of fire. He put himself last and everybody else first. SFC Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on Dec. 16, 2021, along with SFC Alwyn Cashe (Iraq, posthumous) and MSG Earl Plumlee (Afghanistan). In 2022, Chris Celiz was awarded the second posthumous degree ever presented by The Citadel. Then-Citadel President Gen. Glenn Walters (USMC, Ret.) noted: Chris was the guy who made everyone part of the team. His classmates wondered if he slept. All Citadel alumni knew go-to guys in their company they could always count on. Chris was one of these in spades. He was, by all accounts, everything you wanted in a comrade and classmate. SFC Christopher Andrew Celiz: Your example of valor a humble American Patriot defending Liberty for all above and beyond the call of duty, and in disregard for the peril to your own life is eternal. Greater love has no one than this, to lay down ones life for his friends. (John 15:13) Read more Profiles of Valor here. Semper Vigilans Fortis Paratus et Fidelis Pro Deo et Libertate 1776 Join us in daily prayer for our Patriots in uniform Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen standing in harms way in defense of American Liberty, and for Veterans, First Responders, and their families. Please consider a tax-deductible gift to support our hometown National Medal of Honor Sustaining Fund. Make a check payable to NMoH Sustaining Fund and mail to: Patriot Foundation Trust, PO Box 407, Chattanooga, TN 37401-0407. Visit the National Medal of Honor Heritage Center at Aquarium Plaza. (https://www.MOHHC.org) Mark Caldwell photo by Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD photo by Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD photo by Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD photo by Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD photo by Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD photo by Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD photo by Dallas Bay Fire and Rescue photo by Dallas Bay Fire and Rescue Previous Next A home in Hidden Harbor was damaged by fire early Sunday morning. A smoke detector activated the homeowners alarm system notifying Hamilton County 911 Communications. At 3:04 a.m., Dallas Bay Volunteer Fire Department responded to 1942 Light Tower Circle in the Hidden Harbor subdivision. A Hamilton County Sheriffs Office deputy arrived first on the scene reporting a fully-involved garage fire and it wasunclear if anyone is home. Dallas Bay VFD arrived on the scene and confirmed a garage fire with two vehicles in the garage. Firefighters conducted an interior attack to knock the fire down while another crew search the home for any victims. Moments later, fire officials confirmed no one was home. While extinguishing the fire, both vehicles in the garage exploded due to fire and heat reaching the gas tanks. Chief Markus Fritts, Dallas Bay VFD, said, We had a hazard to work around. A live power line fell in front of garage. Due to the large amount of gas in both vehicles leaking, we had a challenge putting out the fire. Dallas Bay fire officials reported the homeowner was out of town camping in Georgia. No injuries were reported but HCEMS was on the scene for potential injuries to the first responders. Damages are $100,000+. Hamilton County Sheriffs Office will be conducting the cause of the fire. Dallas Bay VFD requested mutual aid for additional manpower. Soddy Daisy Fire Department responded to the scene. We are utterly amazed why those that own or manage STVRs so adamantly oppose Geno Shipleys resolution. Those for this resolution have never opposed the owners personally as portrayed or implied. The opposition is what the businesses bring into the neighborhood due to the nature of the business. The constant change of renters, sometimes several different ones a week; the influx of traffic; fights, even shootings; strangers walking their dogs (Parvo the issue) for potty breaks on properties that do not belong to the property owners but the neighbors yard instead; and late night arrivals with renters going to the wrong house because someone else made the reservation for them, shining flashlights around someones front porch and garage door looking the for the key yet the owners are asleep inside their home, etc. Why should someone that has been on their land since 1958 or those that have been in their homes 15, 20 or 30 plus years have their property rights stripped? Everyone that has spoken at the Commission meetings gives their names and addresses as required. It is obvious that only a couple of owners even live in the unincorporated area of Hamilton County. This resolution only pertains to the unincorporated areas of Hamilton County. If they do not live here, it does not affect them unless it is for the financial reason of them operating a business in these residential areas. And if that is the case and they are already operating, why should they care? They will be grandfathered in. It was stated so others could follow behind them and do the same. If others follow imagine what happens to neighborhoods, they will be overrun with rentals unless this resolution passes. Even the analysis of this statement does not make sense, as why would they want competition that would cut into their bottom dollar, and it is obvious that dollar is what they want more than anything. If you do not believe it just look at the rates charged. They want it so much that not only do they not live within the unincorporated areas, but the majority live in either protected municipalities or HOAs; others have been from Georgia and even Arkansas. Yet they have been given the green flag to steal our quality of life by implanting these commercial businesses into our neighborhoods that have absolutely no governing body to fight for us except the entire body of the County Commission. We have a wonderful Sheriffs Department in Hamilton County, yet he cannot enforce the Commissions rules unless they are in Tennessee Code Annotated. The rules and regulations set by the Commission, the sheriff himself cannot enforce. The officers respond, but there is little they can do except ask the people to adhere. Once the officer leaves, they can go right back to what they were doing before. Most of these owners do not live next to or close to them (with a couple of exceptions), but they feel we should have to. The owners and managers are the same ones that have spoken repeatedly but have never been talked down to by respectable commissioners by being the same faces with the same words as has been done by one commissioner several times to those in support of this resolution. Yet they are the same faces with the same words. Every angle imaginable has been used to make residential property owners that own the surrounding homes look to be the aggressor, yet nothing is further from the truth. Represented at these meeting are homeowners from the unincorporated areas of East Brainerd where the shooting took place last year at a rental, as well as residents from the unincorporated areas of Harrison, Birchwood, Hixson, Soddy Daisy, Sale Creek, etc. Never in our lifetime of working for county government could we have imagined such rude behavior from a sworn public officer during a meeting. We have remained polite and professional, as hard as it has been, even through all the wrong data and information. As the saying goes, if they tell a story long enough, before long they believe it themselves. We have heard the opposition to this resolution talk so much we know their names before they say them. We also know their stories such as: the operation of a rental provides them with a retirement income; a single mom raising two kids now 22 and 26 years old; a chance for newcomers to see what Chattanooga has to offer. If the latter is true, then why should the unincorporated areas matter as it is at least a 30-minute drive to Chattanooga from most of the unincorporated areas? Yes, they make a great income, for example at one property on the water they are charging $579 per night, an optional docking slip for $50 per night as well as canoe and kayak rentals for $50 plus a $150 non-refundable pet fee. A 5-day vacation for two adults and two children - the cost is $3,487 non-refundable and refundable is $3,855 and that does not include the boat slip or canoe/kayak or pet fee if applicable. Then there is the property manager that now oversees 30 or more rentals whose personal home is in a protected HOA. None of this information is false, it is on the videos of every County Commission committee meeting on this topic. The majority do not personally live in a neighborhood which allows a STVR. They live in restricted subdivisions, in the city of Chattanooga, in Georgia or even other states. We are not against the rentals, there is a place for them, but that place is not in a residential area where your family can be put at risk. What has been forgotten and is rarely brought up is that those of us that live here have rights too. It has become obvious from the opposition at repeated meetings these individuals have no regard for the surrounding property owners and their rights. They do not care that someone has land that was purchased by their late family during challenging times in the 1950s and then passed on to the next generation that now call it home. Land where they built a home by working hard themselves on that land while they also worked jobs beginning when they were teenagers to retirement age just to live a peaceful retirement life. After being able to retire, we are now being told we do not have the right for a peaceful life in our unincorporated area of Hamilton County, that the owners of rentals have more rights than those that reside in their own home. It is not only the owners telling us this, look at a few on this County Commission. The majority of our County Commission live in incorporated areas that are municipalities that are governed by the laws of their municipality, yet they vote for what they think should be in the unincorporated areas. Those commissioners that are protected should take heed and listen to the commissioners that have the unincorporated areas in their district and what that majority feels would be best for their constituents. All in all, it comes down to one very important fact. Property owners that live in Hamilton County vote in Hamilton County and in their districts, those are the ones paying the commissioners' salaries. If this cannot be taken into consideration, please explain why the citizens of the unincorporated areas (Apison, East Brainerd, Birchwood, Georgetown, Harrison, Hixson, Signal Mountain, Lookout Mountain, Lookout Valley, Soddy Daisy, Bakewell and Sale Creek) of Hamilton County do not matter. Why is it that those that do not even physically live in these areas let alone our county or state, matter more than your own citizens? Cindy and Frank Triplett * * * Responding to Cindy and Frank Triplett as someone deeply invested in real estate: they're totally correct. I understand the libertarian, "it's my house, I can do with it what I want," but our houses aren't all islands. Allowing short term rentals in residential property to any extent whatsoever is a clear, open violation of the social contract we signed on that deed when we bought the property. No, that house bought for "Airbnb" is not a hotel/motel property and absolutely should not be allowed to be used as one. If investors want to be in the motel business, they should go get into the motel business and keep it out of our neighborhoods. The difficulty is the enforcement mechanism. I propose if tenants are changed out more than once every 90 days, it's a zoning violation and/or a nuisance property. The property ought to be condemned and a full condemnation hearing held so the sleazy fake-landlord speculator is hauled in to explain why he didn't approach his neighbors about a zoning change for his wannabe crap-tel. Cindy and Frank and I and thousands of others specifically bought houses *not* next to hotels and it's the county's job to ensure hotels aren't moved in next door without our consent in a public hearing, by whatever means necessary. This issue has been going on for years and it's time we bury it for good by banning all short-term residential rentals. Chris Wicker * * * I wholeheartedly agree with the other two writers, as do the 1,544 individuals who have signed the petition to keep short-term vacation rentals out of residential and agricultural zones. It is perplexing that STVRs, which are required to obtain a business license and contribute to the hotel and motel tax, are permitted in these zones. If a Hilton, or even a boutique hotel like The Dwell or Moxy, were to request to establish a hotel in a residential zone, the zoning board and commissioners would undoubtedly refuse. Why, then, are STVRs, which are a form of transient lodging, treated differently? Despite their obligation to pay hotel and motel taxes and their recognition as businesses by the county, they are still allowed in residential and agricultural areas. This discrepancy undermines the integrity of our zoning regulations and disrupts the character and tranquility of our residential and agricultural communities. I urge the commissioners to vote to keep our residential and agricultural zones for our families and communities and free from commercial business. Colleen Kirk * * * It is said that a mans home is his castle. When I google the definition of home I got the following: Home is a place blessed, where you and your family can be secure, have all you need, and share your sadness and happiness. When we bought our home 38 years ago in the outskirts of unincorporated Hamilton County, we never dreamed that someday we would be fighting to keep our quiet rural home and neighborhood free from commercialism. Now today we are standing by to see if our peaceful quality of life will be destroyed. Our fate lies in the hands of the 11 county commissioners. We have no other governing body to protect us like other residents in Hamilton County that live within the governance of municipalities. We who live in unincorporated Hamilton County are asking the commissioners to restrict any further development of STVRs in our areas. The properties that have already received a permit to operate a STVR will be grandfathered and be allowed to continue to operate. What Resolution 624-5 will do for those of us living in our homes/neighborhoods located in unincorporated Hamilton County is stop any further infusion of STVR businesses in our neighborhoods. I am not against STVR. I agree that they have a place in the tourist industry if located in the right zoning. However, A-1, R-1 and R-2 in unincorporated Hamilton County is not an appropriate location for these investment ventures. By description short-term vacation rentals are "Furnished self-contained apartments or houses that are rented for short periods of time. They are usually seen as an alternative to hotels." Who wants their home located next to a hotel? When I asked one commissioner who is a proponent of STVRs, if he would want one next door to his home, his response was a firm No. However, he recently indicated he was going to vote against Resolution 624-5. Why? Why would he want me to live next to something he is not willing to live next to? My neighbors and I have worked hard for our homes. We have a right to feel safe, secure and happy within the confines of our homes and neighborhoods. We dont want to live next door to a hotel. If we wanted this type of life we would have stayed in the city! But wait, the city has rules protecting their residents. STVR are not allowed in residential neighborhoods. Why should unincorporated Hamilton County residents not have the same protection? I sincerely hope when it comes time to vote on Wednesday, June 5, the commissioners will listen to the people who live here, actually live in the home they are trying to protect and vote for Resolution 624-5. Cathy Faulkner * * * I agree with the above comments regarding STVRs in the unincorporated areas of our county. We currently have them in our neighborhood, and I have no desire to have more become established here. It does not support the type of neighborhood I desire, nor the type I bought into 28 years ago. None of the homes here have ample parking areas for the number of vehicles that typically come with the renters, which is only one of the issues with these rentals. We are not new to having STVRs within an area we own. We have a cabin in a small community that sits in a small sliver of land between the GSMNP boundaries. We have never rented our cabin, nor do we desire to do so. We used to know our neighbors there, but no longer. Now with all the rentals, the complexion of our community has drastically changed. I do not wish the same to happen around my home, my place to feel safe and enjoy my surroundings. Those that support STVRs in the county, and have spoken at commission meetings, say they arent getting rich with their rentals. If they are not making a profit, why continue? The bottom line is they are in the hotel business, and conducting that business within our county neighborhoods with no respect for the continuity of a neighborhood and rural communities. I sincerely hope our commissioners will vote in favor of Resolution 624-5 tomorrow. Lynn Ownsby * * * I agree that STVRs should only be in commercial areas. One of the many problems is parties. One of the STVRs was rented for a late night party that started at 10 p.m. and ended around 4 a.m. There were over 20 cars and two limos parked at this house. After hearing a loud argument, I called HCSO. The deputy who responded said they were all drunk and he asked them to be respectful of the neighbors and keep the noise down. He came back to my house and said all he could do was ask them to be quiet. The other problem is that they all left after several hours of drinking and endangering everyone on the roads. The next morning, I had beer bottles and other trash thrown in my yard, something my neighbors would never do. Please vote to put them in commercial areas only. Steve Roark Originating in European folklore, the basilisk is a fearsome monster that can strike its victims dead with just one look. The legend of the basilisk dates back to ancient times and has been referenced in Greek and Roman literature. Since then, it has appeared in several stories throughout history and even shows up in popular culture today. The earliest known mention of the basilisk comes from Pliny the Elder in Natural History, an encyclopedic work that he published in 79 C.E. He described it as a small, serpent-like creature about twelve fingers in length. It had the ability to kill by sight alone, but its deadly powers didnt stop there. Pliny claimed that the basilisk could wreak havoc on the surrounding landscape just by its mere presence. It destroys all shrubs, not only by its contact, but those even that it has breathed upon; it burns up all the grass, too, and breaks the stones, so tremendous is its noxious influence. It was formerly a general belief that if a man on horseback killed one of these animals with a spear, the poison would run up the weapon and kill not only the rider but the horse as well, Pliny wrote. The Romans believed that basilisks transformed the once-lush Sahara into desert. The basilisk had just one weakness, which happened to be a weasel. When a weasel is thrown into the hole of a basilisk, the animals odor kills the serpent. However, the weasel also dies in the process. Medieval interpretations of the monster differ slightly. During the Middle Ages, the legend of the basilisk evolved. It was depicted as a hybrid creature called the cockatrice, part snake and part rooster. It also had a whole new set of powers. The cockatrice was thought to be born from a roosters egg and incubated by a serpent. At that time, the basilisks toxic odor was blamed for starting a plague in Rome and spreading a fainting sickness around Vienna. Across Europe, people slaughtered roosters that were found laying eggs. Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox. Home News Catholic priest forced to resign amid conspiracy to conceal criminal background of church employee A respected priest from the Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, has been compelled to resign after an employee at a church cemetery was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a minor. The diocese has also initiated an investigation with local authorities into what they suspect was a conspiracy to conceal the employees criminal history. Bishop Larry Kulick asked Fr. John Moineau to resign and the diocese is now collaborating with the Westmoreland County Detective Bureau in its probe into allegations of a conspiracy to conceal the criminal background of the implicated employee, Shon Harrity, WPXI-TV reported. Harrity, who worked as a maintenance worker at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Irwin, was charged last week with eight felonies, including the sexual assault of a minor unrelated to the church. Despite his troubling criminal record, which includes charges of indecent exposure, open lewdness and drug offenses, Harrity was employed in various roles across the parishes for over a decade. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe I am outraged that he was permitted to be employed at our parishes, and I am beyond disappointed that our tireless efforts to raise the bar on safe environment training were blatantly disregarded, Kulick said in a video message. The Catholic Accent noted that the Diocese of Greensburg appoints a safe environment coordinator at each parish, school and diocesan office tasked with implementing policies that protect children. This coordinator, in collaboration with the pastor, is responsible for ensuring that all employees complete mandatory child abuse training and successfully pass three distinct criminal background checks. At Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in North Huntingdon, where Harrity previously worked, the safe environment coordinator compiled a file on Harrity that included an FBI Fingerprint Check, which explicitly disqualified him from employment. This file was electronically sent to Immaculate Conception Parish Cemetery when Harrity was transferred in 2023. Despite this, the coordinator at Immaculate Conception failed to act on the disqualifying information, the Accent said, adding that a recent audit revealed that several essential clearance documents were absent from Harritys file. Fr. Moineau had previously certified the completeness and accuracy of all required clearances within his parishes by signing a letter to the bishop confirming his personal review of these documents. Fr. Moineau allegedly overlooked critical gaps in the background check process, despite his longstanding reputation as a community pillar. I personally met Father John 40 years ago ... hes just an unbelievable person, not just as a priest but as a person he would never put somebody in harms way, ever, if he had knowledge of it, Dave Reese, a parishioner at Immaculate Conception, was quoted as saying. Linda Hixson, an Irwin resident, said accountability is crucial. Its a shame he had to retire and leave, but if he knew something and didnt report it ... then Im sorry that was wrong on his part. Stand up for your church and keep your church safe, Hixson was quoted as saying. The diocese has announced immediate and sweeping changes to prevent future oversights. These measures include a mandatory review of employee and volunteer files by all priests and administrators within a week, a comprehensive audit of clearances across all 78 parishes and 12 Catholic schools scheduled for this summer, and mandatory safe environment training for all staff. Home News Movie director Andrew Hyatt on not losing Sight of our true heroes There have been so many stories over the years about someone defying the odds to achieve some level of greatness in their lifetime. So many that experts have dug quite deeply in a pursuit to find the common threads that define why someone is driven to seek high-performance and uncommon results. While the research is sometimes conflicting, all can agree that a person who defies the odds has developed a range of coping skills, personality traits and supports, in home, school, and community that help them overcome adversity. Dr. Ming Wang is one such person. A poor Chinese immigrant who grew up in 1970s rural China, Dr. Wang faced persecution and despair at every turn. But with the support of his family and his own unwavering determination, somehow, some way, he found his way to America to attend Harvard and MIT. And through his research, Dr. Wang developed an innovative technology that subsequently restored sight to millions of people. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Dr. Wang is the subject of a new movie from Angel Studios called Sight. Starring Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear and Terry Chin, the film explores Dr. Wangs traumatic past and celebrates his ability to not only defy the odds but to go beyond his natural abilities to find solutions that would make the world a better place. He faced obstacles at every stage, says Andrew Hyatt, who directed Sight. Not only obstacles that were emotional or physical, but truly like there's no way forward there. It's not happening. Its amazing how he even got to America, got to MIT, all these incredible things, and then to develop these technologies that have helped so many people around the world. Its simply incredible. Hyatt not only directed this movie but also co-wrote the script. His award-winning resume also includes films like The Blind, Paul, Apostle of Christ and Full of Grace. It is his desire for Sight to inspire others to look within themselves for the passion to pursue their dreams. I think his story is so inspiring that it at least causes me to look at my own life and say, OK, where are the moments? reflects Hyatt. I've been a little bit, oh, woe is me. It's not working out the way I thought it would. And instead say, no, put your head down, work hard, and keep going. I love that about Dr. Wang. Hyatt joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about this relentless pursuit of excellence when everything seems to be working against you. Listen as he explains why, in our desperate need for heroes, we should look no further than to those who have dedicated their lives to helping others in humble, non-attention seeking ways. Listen now: Home News Over $130K raised for missionary couple killed in Haiti More than $130,000 has been raised through online campaigns for Davy and Natalie Lloyd, American missionaries who were killed in Haiti by gangsters and whose remains were flown back to the United States on Saturday. The couple, along with the Haitian director of their mission, Jude Montis, 45, fell victim to an ambush at their mission compound on May 23. Davy, 23, and his wife, Natalie, 21, were known for their commitment to providing education and religious services for children in Haiti. They were part of the Oklahoma-based group, Missions in Haiti, which was established by Davys parents in 2000. Natalie was the daughter of Missouri state Rep. Ben Baker. Two official fundraising campaigns were set up to cover the funeral expenses and transportation costs for transporting the couples remains back to the U.S. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe A GoFundMe campaign organized by a family friend, Chris Slinkard, and Missouri state Rep. Dirk Deaton, raised nearly $74,300. Please pray for MO State Representative Ben Baker, wife Naomi Baker, and their family, as well as the Lloyd family their children, Natalie and Davy Lloyd, were serving as missionaries in Haiti and were killed by gangs, it reads. The second campaign, started by the familys Pastor Jeremie Bridges, raised $56,115 by early Sunday. Davy and Natalie tragically lost their lives while serving children in Haiti. The goal of this fundraiser is to provide funds to assist with funerals and the transportation costs of returning them to the U.S., states Bridges on the fundraising page. The family is so grateful for all the prayers and condolences. Thank you for considering giving. On Saturday, Slinkard shared an update, saying, Natalie and Davy are back home in Neosho, MO. Before the remains of Davy and Natalie were flown back to the U.S., Cassidy Anderson, a family spokesperson, said, Transport has been completely secured for Natalie and Davys remains to come home! There will be no release of information regarding specific timeline, airline, or airports being used to ensure the highest level of security. After the family learned about the tragedy, Rep. Baker expressed his profound sorrow on Facebook, saying, My heart is broken in a thousand pieces. Ive never felt this kind of pain. According to Missions in Haiti, the couple and Montis were attacked by three truckloads of armed men, resulting in a chaotic scene. Davy was reportedly tied up and beaten as the gang members stole trucks and other belongings from the mission. Another armed group arrived shortly after, which escalated to a gun battle where the Lloyds and Montis were killed. The mission, located in Lizon, north of Port-au-Prince, has long been plagued by violent gang activities. In 2005, the Lloyd family faced a similar ordeal when Davy and his siblings were kidnapped, although they were rescued after 21 hours. Recently, former President Donald Trump reached out to the family, offering his condolences. Just got off the phone with Donald J. Trump a bit ago who was just calling to offer condolences for Davy and Natalie to Naomi and I, Baker shared on his Facebook page. Trump expressed his desire for justice against the gangsters responsible for the tragedy, recognizing the couples devotion to their mission. Home Opinion 1 million United Methodists exit in 1 day United Methodisms largest overseas jurisdiction has voted to quit the denomination in response to the churchs divorcing sex from marriage at its governing General Conference earlier this month. The United Methodist Church in the Ivory Coast voted on May 28 to exit the denomination. In 2022, this conference reportedly had over 1.2 million members. So, its departure means over one tenth of United Methodism has in one day left the denomination. Oddly, United Methodist News Service reported the vote very briefly in an emailed news digest but as of today has no article on its website. Perhaps it will post a fuller account later. A European website, La Croix International, offers a fuller account: Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe For reasons of conscience before God and His word, the supreme authority in matters of faith and life, the annual conference of the United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast (EMUCI, Eglise Methodiste Unie Cote dIvoire), gathered for an extraordinary session on May 28 in Abidjan, and decided to leave the United Methodist Church denomination. The Ivorian United Methodists said United Methodism deviates from the Holy Scriptures and prefers to sacrifice its honor and integrity to honor the LGBTQ community. La Croix International quoted Bishop Benjamin Boni saying the United Methodist Church now rests on socio-cultural values that have consumed its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity. Heres the text of the Ivorian resolution. Amazingly, as shared in this video, the decision-making process for the Ivorian Methodists transpired over only a couple of weeks after the United Methodist General Conference concluded on May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. At that General Conference, delegates removed the churchs longtime stance that sex is only for marriage between husband and wife. Adultery and extramarital sex were removed as chargeable offenses for clergy, along with homosexual behavior. The quickness of the Ivorian exit may inspire other United Methodist regions in Africa to act likewise. United Methodism in Africa is overwhelmingly conservative and displeased with United Methodisms new direction set by the recent General Conference. African delegates at the General Conference were widely ignored and already underrepresented, thanks to an unfair representation formula. Plus, over 70-90 delegates, at least one quarter, and perhaps one-third, failed to get U.S. visas. Some African delegates unsuccessfully urged the General Conference to establish a process for their exit, as there had been for U.S. churches 2019-2023. But unlike in the U.S., most African nations dont have clear laws giving the denomination clear ownership of church buildings. If an entire overseas conference votes to exit, theres little to nothing that U.S.-based church officials can do. Ivorian Methodism is different from United Methodism elsewhere in Africa because it originated with British Methodism. It gained independence in the 1980s and joined United Methodism in 2004. Now it returns to its previous independence. There are between 7 million and over 4 million United Methodists in Africa. In 2022, United Methodism reported nearly 7 million members in Africa, where the church often grows by several hundred thousand members annually. This number included 1.3 million in Ivory Coast. But now United Methodism reports 4.6 million members overseas with no explanation of the discrepancy. The recent United Methodist News Service report about Ivory Coasts exit assigns it one million members. United Methodism now reports 5.4 million members in the U.S., presumably based on 2022 figures. It does not include the full impact of 7,700 exiting churches, which combined with closed churches, included 1.5 million church members. U.S. membership is now likely close to 4 million, with Africans outnumbering Americans. But likely not for very long, as the impact of the dramatic General Conference liberalization sinks into African churches. Ivory Coasts example will be instructive for many others. In five years, very probably nearly all of Africa will have exited United Methodism, leaving a rump church of perhaps several million U.S. members. U.S. progressives at the General Conference were celebratory about their huge victories, even as they approved massive budget cuts reflecting the United Methodist membership decline. Maybe they should recall Winston Churchills warning after the Munich agreement: And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour Only divine intervention could restore United Methodism to moral health and martial vigor. In the new age of post-denominational America, likely United Methodism, with other denominations, will not meaningfully exist as a national body in 10 years. But Methodism in Africa, in whatever format, will continue to thrive. Originally published at Juicy Ecumenism. Home Opinion 'Saved'? 'Converted'? For Evangelical media, them's fightin' words Welcome to Christian journalism in 2024, where common biblical phrases are now deemed controversial For whatever reason, Evangelicals love this one quote from Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order, which goes something like this: Preach the Gospel. If necessary, use words. Even as a newborn believer in Christ, I never understood why anyone, pastor or layman, wouldnt want to use language to convey the glory of God, His Word and His salvation. Who would ever suggest such a thing? Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Actually, technically, no one. Because Francis of Assisi never said it. Its actually a poorly paraphrased rendering of his Rule of 1221, which quotes none other than the Apostle Paul, who wrote, Let us love not with word and mouth, but in deed and in truth. Turns out a fabricated quote about words and the Gospel might as well have been a prophetic utterance concerning one of the workshops at the Evangelical Press Associations 2024 Christian Media Convention. Created in 1948, the Evangelical Press Association is the worlds largest professional organization of Christian print and digital publications, from magazines and newspapers to newsletters and content-driven websites. Every year, the EPA holds its annual convention where journalists, photographers and other media creators gather to network, to learn, and, not unlike most other church gatherings, to feast. Its where publications are honored for their work in various media categories, not as the world honors, not like the Golden Globes or something glitzy, but as servants in the work of the Gospel, as co-laborers with Christ. As light and salt in an age of darkness and corruption. Or so we tell ourselves. Amid a dizzying barrage of workshops and meet-and-greets, there was one offering that, at least for me, raised questions as to exactly what was being accomplished at such a gathering, particularly where newbies and aspiring journalists pay good money to attend in the hopes of landing their next gig. Case in point: the Communicating Words and Visuals with Inclusivity workshop from World Vision magazine editor-in-chief Kristy Glaspie, whose presentation looked at ways on how journalists can, as the workshop description stated, eliminate words and images that subconsciously or consciously, in some cases create an us vs. them mindset that places our work and goals in a position of a savior or rescuer mentality. It was this savior mentality, in fact, which, we were told, World Vision, as a matter of policy, actively seeks to avoid by eliminating the use of specific verbiage in its reporting including words that directly or indirectly relate to the Gospel message itself. Glaspie unveiled a slide featuring the World Vision logo and titled Words and phrases we avoid, a list which included nearly two dozen items which any Christian missionary worth his calling would be hard-pressed to avoid. The list included "labels" such as "poor/needy," "desperate," "voiceless," "native," "prostitute/sex worker" and "traumatized." Under the list "Violence and war references," a number of theologically-charged words were listed: "field," "mission," "battle," "fight," "crusade" and "third/first world." But it was the grouping titled "White Savior allusions" that was perhaps the most revealing about World Vision's editorial worldview, with phrases like save/rescue and converted. We are very intentional. We are not saving or rescuing anybody, God does all the saving or rescuing, said Glaspie. We dont want to ever imply that were the ones doing things. While I was certain no one in that room believed themselves and not Jesus of Nazareth to be the Savior of the world, my theological "Spidey sense" had already started tingling. Glaspie went on to offer an explanation for including the word converted a word used by both Jesus and His apostles throughout the New Testament on the list of banned phrases. Oftentimes, because we work in so many different cultures around the world, we work in a lot of places where Christianity is either not allowed or the Christian population is less than two percent, she explained. We are very sensitive to accusations of proselytization, and so, none of our work is conditional on people becoming Christians. None of our work is conditional, [like] Come listen to a Sunday School lesson. We will help anybody and everybody, regardless of their faith. Thats really important. So we never use the word converted ... In fact, Glaspie explained, the reasoning behind such a strategy was best illustrated two years ago during a World Vision clean water effort in Ethiopia, where she said hundreds of people came to faith in Christ without any Gospel presentation. We did the work, we didnt even do any of our Christian witness work in the community, and hundreds of people came to know Jesus, because theyre like, Why are you doing this for us? ... We like to do the work to prompt the question. When I pressed Glaspie further about a policy that some could view as restricting Gospel-adjacent language, she explained that with some 53 denominations represented at World Vision, their goal is to use language that is going to be most appealing to most Christians. I think its one thing to use terminology that Scripture uses, but I think the question to ask is, How are we using it? Were saying, were saving people, are we saving people? she explained. We see in Scripture that every person plays the role in anybody coming to choose to follow Christ. So I might maintain that maybe you might be the last person in the line that, you know, has the conversation with them, and they decide to give their life to Christ, but you, in having that conversation, are not saving them. Its been a long line of people planting seeds along the way. When pressed on whether those restrictions might inhibit the way journalists communicate the message of Christ and Him crucified, Glaspie said it all depends on the intent behind the language. ... I think you can still use those words, but being intentional about how are we using those words and are we assigning more value to us in our role in the work versus God and His role in the work? she said. There we were, at an Evangelical media workshop, Christian journalists being told not to evangelize others for fear of causing offense. That the words of the Gospel arent inclusive enough for the mission field. And we wonder why the mission and the message of the Church is weak in America. And we hand-wring over falling attendance numbers and apostasy. And we scratch our heads when were told that Gen Z wants nothing to do with Evangelicalism. Were too busy telling our own not to use the words of Scripture and, yes, to proclaim salvation to the lost and the Savior to a dying world. In response to a request for comment on the "Communicating Words and Visuals with Inclusivity workshop, the EPA Executive Director Lamar Keener said the organization does not make endorsements. Fair enough, but I couldnt help but wonder what James DeForest Murch would say. Murch, who founded the first EPA convention in Chicago over 75 years ago, led an effort to define the mission of the EPA to promote the cause of Evangelical Christianity and enhance the influence of Christian journalism through Christian fellowship among members of the Association. What would Murch say if he knew that his organization which now boasts over 300 members representing a combined readership of more than 20 million and has the word Evangelical in its masthead would one day offer a workshop in which journalists would be told not to engage in evangelism? The fact is, that language is foundational to the Good News of Jesus Christ. In the beginning was the Word, the logos, the Divine Expression. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." He became One of us, the Man of perfection mingling with the lot of sinners. He taught us language is indeed everything, that its not what goes into the mouth that defiles, but what comes out of it. He used the very language which World Vision now tells us is insensitive and potentially offensive. Jesus said, Unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). In John 4:35, the Messiah tells us, Do you not say, There are still four months until the harvest? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest a verse custom-made to inspire the most weary of missionaries. Romans 10:9 says, If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Paul tells us to fight the good fight of faith. All of these words, says World Vision, are words we as Christians are free to believe but must not say. These are all biblical terms, inspired, as Evangelicals believe, by the Holy Spirit, to describe big-ticket theological concepts such as justification by faith, regeneration, and, yes, conversion. Why, then, are we teaching the next generation of Christian journalists to bite their tongue? To watch what they say? Are we not training them to self-censor at the behest of a dying world that would like nothing more than for Christian media to just shut up already about our King? The first thing we learn as journalists is that accuracy matters. Words matter. And I, for one, refuse to mince words when it comes to getting His Word right. And you can quote me on that. Why is everyone talking about 'narcissism', and should Christians be concerned? Narcissus was a tragic figure in Greek mythology. So transfixed by his own reflection in a pool of water, he fell in love with his handsome image and could not tear himself away. He could not accept genuine offers of love from real human beings, and so endured a life of frustration as his love object was just his own reflection. This tragic story is the inspiration for the term 'narcissism' that is used so readily today. But it is not pity that inspires much of the discourse, but contempt. "How to avoid dating a narcissist" is a regular theme on social media, as is "recovering from a narcissist" and lamenting "the narcissism epidemic", among others. Narcissists are characterised as people who pretend to be nice to get what they want, but will be unconcerned about hurting others or discarding them when it suits, making terrible spouses and family members. Narcissism is blamed for the horrendous scandals committed by church leaders and some of the worst evils of the world. A narcissist is seen as so excessively self-involved, selfish, focused on the self, in a way that can make a person dangerous. It's one of the "dark triad" personality traits that is linked with a lot of nasty human behaviour. And worryingly, some argue that it's becoming more prevalent in society. Growing alarm This graph of Google searches for 'narcissist' over time shows how rapidly interest in the concept has increased since 2013. Related searches that have also increased are 'how to deal with a narcissist' and 'narcissist man.' But the term has been used by psychologists since the turn of the 20th Century, and "narcissistic personality disorder" (NPD) was first classed as a psychiatric diagnosis in 1980 by the American Psychiatric Association, although the organisation discussed scrapping this diagnosis in 2013, arguing it was too simplistic among other things. Currently though definitions can change the APA says symptoms of NPD are "grandiose self-importance", exhibitionism, fantasies of greatness, emotional dysfunctions, and interpersonal problems such as "feeling entitled to special favours, taking advantage of others, and inability to empathize with the feelings of others." A narcissism epidemic? Authors have speculated about a rise in selfishness and narcissism in Western societies. Psychology academic Prof Jean Twenge has written several books on the subject, arguing that since the 1970s, the average person is more narcissistic, which she blames on an excessive focus on encouraging self-esteem and individualism in schools and in our wider culture. Questions on surveys assessing narcissistic traits do show a dramatic increase. For example, Prof Twenge cites research showing that in the early 1950s, only 12% of teens agreed "I am an important person", but by the late 1980s an astonishing 80% did so. However research that compares later generations, from the 1990s to the 2010s, suggests that college students might have actually become less narcissistic in some ways during that time. So the rapid rise in interest in the subject is not due to a very recent "epidemic". But one of the difficulties of the debate is that people often cannot be put in simple boxes, as human behaviour and its motivations are complicated, and more difficult to define than a survey can reveal. Narcissism or self love? Is it a new concept or is it a different term for what was once called egocentrism or selfishness, and long discussed and debated by the church? Reading old devotional books, it can be a shock to the modern reader when "self love" is severely criticised by our Christian forebears. Modern Westerners are taught that it is a very good thing, even mandated by Jesus. Christian therapists and leaders stress the importance of self-esteem and learning to love yourself. It's often pointed out that Jesus's command to love our neighbour adds "as yourself." Yet unless these concepts are very different, which is certainly possible - this was not the interpretation given throughout Christian history. "You must know that self-love is more harmful to you than anything else in the world," wrote Thomas a Kempis in the spiritual classic "The imitation of Christ." Another spiritual giant, Thomas Aquinas, wrote "inordinate love of self is the cause of every sin." Perhaps it is a concept that needs to be considered carefully, certainly because narcissism and its increase has been blamed for a lot of social ills and problems in the church, too. Narcissism in the Church For example, narcissism has been blamed as the cause of many church leader scandals. "Sadly, in recent years we've witnessed too many instances of charismatic Christian leaders gaining a massive following, both within the church and on social media, only to be exposed as manipulative, abusive, and dictatorial," wrote Professor Chuck DeGroat in 'When Narcissism Comes to Church'. When researchers claimed they had discovered that a third of pastors could be defined as having NPD, it provoked much concern. However, the book that this was based on, "Let Us Prey: The Plague of Narcissist Pastors and What We Can Do About It", turned out to have faulty research methods related to the complexity of how narcissism is defined. "I believe malignant narcissism among pastors is a real issue," wrote church abuse campaigner Julie Roys on her blog. "I've witnessed behaviour in pastors that certainly seems similar to the definitions I've read of NPD. And, I've heard from numerous listeners and readers who say they've witnessed narcissistic behaviour in their pastors too. "This leads me to believe that clinical narcissism among pastors is a topic that deserves more attention. But now that this study is largely discredited, it may be easier to dismiss the entire subject." Compassion The problem with the "narcissism" narrative is that it can be nasty and unloving, and implies there is no chance for redemption. While the "narcissism recovery" world offers some useful points to consider when dating, such as whether self-absorbed people will make good fathers or partners, or indeed church leaders and to what extent people are sincere and genuine. However, some of the rhetoric sounds pretty mean. I've certainly observed people who accuse others of narcissism to show narcissistic traits themselves. And our hope of redemption has to be for all, however terrible a person's behaviour is, even if we need to set firm boundaries to prevent them hurting others. Perhaps what's most important for a Christian is to examine ourselves for the log in our own eye, and explore whether the modern approval of "self love," of the kind that the Church has historically warned against, has caused any damage to our own soul. Then, perhaps, we can see clearly enough to try to guide others towards real love. Heather Tomlinson is a freelance journalist. Find her at www.heathertomlinson.substack.com or on twitter @heathertomli A Chinese spacecraft landed on the far side of the moon Sunday to collect soil and rock samples that could provide insights into differences between the less-explored region and the better-known near side. The landing module touched down at 6:23 a.m. Beijing time in a huge crater known as the South Pole-Aitken Basin, the China National Space Administration said. The mission is the sixth in the Chang'e moon exploration program, which is named after a Chinese moon goddess. It is the second designed to bring back samples, following the Chang'e 5, which did so from the near side in 2020. The moon program is part of a growing rivalry with the U.S. still the leader in space exploration and others, including Japan and India. China has put its own space station in orbit and regularly sends crews there. The emerging global power aims to put a person on the moon before 2030, which would make it the second nation after the United States to do so. America is planning to land astronauts on the moon again for the first time in more than 50 years though NASA pushed the target date back to 2026 earlier this year. Online shopping in China is widely expected to grow. It's less clear how much longtime players such as Alibaba and JD.com will benefit. "You have relatively strong insurgent players coming in," James Yang, Hong Kong-based partner at Bain and Company told me last week. "This is going to be not just a two-player game, but a three, four, five-player game," he said. E-commerce's share of China's retail sales climbed to 37.5% in 2023, up from 27.9% in 2019, according to Bain. The data showed that in Asia, the country ranks first by far in e-commerce penetration. In the U.S., official data show e-commerce penetration remains slightly below a pandemic-era high of 16.4% of retail sales. In a bid to boost confidence in Alibaba, the e-commerce giant's co-founder Joe Tsai told CNBC's Emily Tan earlier this year that online shopping is set to reach 40% of retail sales in China in the next five years an opportunity he said the company is poised to capture after its restructuring last year. Yang agreed with Tsai's forecast on rising e-commerce penetration. "There's many folks that I've spoken to in the industry, at some point the guess is 50-50, because at the end of the day there is a role for physical stores," he said. "Who is going to enjoy that growth?" Yang said. "The growth formula and the incremental growth is different from before." Temu parent PDD Holdings recently surpassed Alibaba again in market capitalization . Goldman Sachs analysts on May 24 upgraded PDD to buy from neutral, just two months after a downgrade in March. "We believe China eCommerce is emerging as one of the more undervalued sub-sectors within China internet (against high-single digit industry GMV growth)," Goldman Sachs analysts Ronald Keung and David Ma said in the note. GMV, or gross merchandise value, measures total sales over time. The Goldman analysts pointed to adtech upgrades that can boost advertising revenue, strong free cash flow generation and global expansion that's not yet priced in. They raised their valuation on Temu to $19 billion, from $18 billion, based on a model that excludes the company's U.S. business due to geopolitical concerns. The analysts also increased their price target on PDD from $145 a share to $184 about 21% above the U.S.-listed stock's close on Thursday. China's e-commerce players will get a near-term report card in the next few weeks based on the ongoing 618 shopping festival that's due to wrap up in mid-June. "With a high comp base in 2Q24 as well as intense competition into 6.18, we need more evidence to prove that JD's business has turned around, although the company left its full-year guidance unchanged," Morgan Stanley equity analyst Eddy Wang and a team said in a May 17 report. The firm has an equal-weight rating on JD.com and a price target of $28 a share. That's below the stock's $30.21 close on Thursday. UBS analysts still think JD.com shares can go to $40, according to a note on May 28 that rates the stock a buy. "On a clean base, general merchandise, especially the supermarket category, should be the key driver for 2024, following JD's business optimisation," UBS analyst Kenneth Fong and a team wrote. While JD has yet to significantly expand into e-commerce overseas, Alibaba has ramped up spending on its international business. Last week, the company's AliExpress cross-border e-commerce platform announced it signed David Beckham for its biggest global brand ambassador partnership to date. "We expect Alibaba's share price to stay range-bound in the next 3-6 months as its financials still face uncertainties at the early stage of the investment cycle," JPMorgan China Internet Analyst Alex Yao said in a May 15 report. He rates the stock overweight, with a $100 price target. That's nearly 26% above where shares closed Thursday. "Improving domestic ecommerce market share should lead to better monetization eventually," Yao said. "Taobao/Tmall's GMV grew double digits YoY in March Q, suggesting its market share loss has become very mild vs. nation wide online physical goods GMV growth of 11.6% in the quarter." The company that's really eaten up market share is not publicly traded, however. TikTok parent ByteDance operates a similar version of the app in China called Douyin, which has become a sales portal for brands and influencers, primarily through livestreaming. Douyin is expected to attain a gross GMV market share of 19% in China this year, more than that of JD.com, Alibaba's Taobao or Tmall on an individual basis, according to Goldman Sachs' analysis. The investment firm expects Douyin to match PDD's market share of 21% next year, and surpass it by reaching 22% in 2026. Tencent's WeChat Video Account platform is expected to retain about 2% to 3% of GMV market share through 2026, the Goldman analysis said. Another growing e-commerce play is Hong Kong-listed Kuaishou . The video streaming platform last month reported e-commerce GMV grew by 28.2% year-on-year in the first quarter to 288.1 billion yuan ($40,55 billion). "We remain positive on [Kuaishou's] ads & ecommerce monetization and earnings growth, and forecast total revenue +9.5% YoY in 2Q24E," Sophie Huang, analyst at CMB International, said in a May 23 note. The firm forecasts Kuaishou's e-commerce GMV revenue will grow by 25% this year, although livestreaming revenue which has accounted for about a third of total revenue is expected to drop due to a high base. CMB International has a price target of 97 Hong Kong dollars ($12.41) on Kuaishou shares, or about 70% above Friday's levels. CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report. Online fashion firm Shein is preparing to file a prospectus with Britain's Financial Conduct Authority for approval ahead of a potential London float which could value it around 50 billion pounds ($63.70 billion), Sky News reported on Sunday. The confidential filing could take place as soon as the coming week, the report added, citing sources. Chinese-founded Shein did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. Shein, valued at $66 billion in a fundraising last year, started engaging with the London-based teams of its financial and legal advisors to explore a listing on the London Stock Exchange early this year, sources told Reuters in May. The fast-fashion company stepped up preparations for its London listing after its attempt to float itself in New York faced regulatory hurdles and pushback from U.S. lawmakers. However, senior British lawmakers are also questioning Shein's suitability for a London listing and calling for greater scrutiny of the business. Shein, in response, has said it is strengthening governance and compliance. Former Mexico City mayor Claudia Sheinbaum speaks after being named presidential candidate of the ruling Morena party for next year's presidential election in Mexico City on September 6, 2023. Voters in Mexico are participating in the country's largest election ever casting votes Sunday to fill more than 20,000 local, state and federal positions and almost certainly elect their first female president. But rampant violence has marred the road toward one of the most consequential elections in Mexico's history. Criminal groups have taken over large parts of Mexico as they fight for territory to traffic drugs into the U.S., make money from migrant smuggling, and extort residents to fuel their illicit enterprise. Violence against political figures has also persisted throughout this election cycle, resulting in a 150% increase in the number of victims of political violence since 2021, according to an analysis from Integralia, a public affairs consulting firm that researches political risk and other issues in Mexico. These have greatly dismayed Mexican voters, leading most of them to cite security as a top issue of concern. About 6 in 10 Mexican adults consider the city where they live to be unsafe due to robberies or armed violence, according to a survey by Mexico's National Institute of Statistics and Geography published in April. Both front-running presidential candidates Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico's governing political party, Morena, and Xochitl Galvez, of the opposition coalition Broad Front for Mexico have drastically different ideas on the best way to reduce crime. One of them is expected to make history as Mexico's first female president, considering that Jorge Alvarez Maynez, the Citizen Movement party's presidential candidate, is running a distant third in the polls. Sheinbaum, the former mayor of Mexico City and a physicist and climate scientist, has said she plans to combat violence by continuing the policy of "hugs, not bullets" implemented by her mentor, outgoing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, that does not directly take on the cartels as had been done in previous administrations. Before Lopez Obrador, "there was at least a rhetorical intention by the Mexican government and the local governments to do something" about the violence, said Tony Payan, director for the Center for the U.S. and Mexico at Rice University's Baker Institute for Public Policy. "But ever since Mr. Lopez Obrador took office at the end of 2018, that discourse has completely shifted...These criminals feel that they can do almost anything they want to and the state will not go after them." Lopez Obrador's policy has not significantly reduced killings over the past six years, as Mexican government data shows that at least 102,400 homicides have been reported over that period. But the data also shows that the strategy of Lopez Obrador's predecessors, pursuing drug lords in an all-out war, did not improve safety either. Galvez, a former senator and tech entrepreneur, has been working to convince voters that health care access and economic development have stalled under Morena and crime rates remain high. The center-right candidate has also tried to position her party a coalition of traditional political parties that had long governed Mexico such as the conservative National Action Party, or PAN, the small progressive Democratic Revolution Party, and the old-guard Institutional Revolutionary Party, or PRI as the change Mexico needs to unite an increasingly polarized country. Mexico's next president will have an important role in resolving issues that are a priority to the U.S. such as immigration and foreign affairs, as well as determining the future of the trade deal that has made Mexico the United States' largest trade partner. On Sunday, polls open at 8:00 a.m. local time and close at 6:00 p.m. Israel Prime Minister speaks to CNBC's Sara Eisen (not shown) in Tel Aviv on May 15th, 2024. JERUSALEM President Joe Biden's description of Israel's cease-fire proposal was "not accurate," a senior Israeli official has told NBC News, as doubts grew Monday over the U.S. ally's stance on the deal. Biden said in a surprise announcement Friday that he was outlining a truce proposal that had been made by Israel and passed by mediators to Hamas. But with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu facing competing pressures from Washington and hostage families on one side and right-wing ministers threatening to bring down his government on the other a senior Israeli official called into question Biden's description of the cease-fire offer. The officially specifically disputed that Israel had agreed to fully withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip as part of a deal to free the hostages. "Israel has not changed its conditions to reach a permanent cease-fire. That will only happen after our objectives are met including destroying Hamas's military and governing capabilities," the official said. The official also said that while the White House described the plan as originating from Israel, it was actually a proposal put forward by mediators that Israel had made amendments and changes to. "It's strange that they say it's an Israeli proposal and at the same time that Israel needs to agree to it," the official said. The official added that Israel was awaiting Hamas' formal response to the proposal. Biden said Friday the proposal had been sent to the militant group via Qatar, which has helped to broker talks for months. A spokesperson for Hamas said the group "views positively" what was included in Biden's speech. Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reaffirmed Monday that Hamas viewed the proposal positively and said that everyone was waiting for Israel to respond. Biden said that Israel had offered the "comprehensive new proposal" that would ultimately lead to a permanent cease-fire in Gaza. The three-part plan, Biden said, would include the withdrawal of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and release of a number of hostages being held inside the enclave since the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attack. The first phase of the plan would also see a complete six-week truce. Jensen Huang, co-founder and chief executive officer of Nvidia Corp., during the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in San Jose, California, US, on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Nvidia on Sunday unveiled its next generation of artificial intelligence chips to succeed the previous model, which was announced just months earlier in March. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang announced the new AI chip architecture, dubbed "Rubin," ahead of the COMPUTEX tech conference in Taipei. Rubin comes months after the March announcement of the upcoming "Blackwell" model, which is still in production and expected to ship to customers later in 2024. Huang's announcement of Rubin appears to quicken the company's already-accelerated pace of AI chip advancement. Nvidia has pledged to release new AI chip models on a "one-year rhythm," as Huang put it on Sunday. The company had previously been operating on a slower two-year update timeline for chips. The turnaround from Blackwell to Rubin was a matter of less than three months, underscoring the competitive frenzy in the AI chip market and Nvidia's sprint to preserve its dominant spot. AMD and Intel are two major competitors working to catch up, though their gross margins trailed Nvidia's in the most recent fiscal quarter. Companies like Microsoft , Google and Amazon are also vying for Nvidia's top spot, even as they are simultaneously some of Nvidia's biggest patrons. A flurry of startups are also working to enter the space. "Today, we're at the cusp of a major shift in computing," Huang said Sunday. "With our innovations in AI and accelerated computing, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible and driving the next wave of technological advancement." The Rubin chip platform will have new GPUs, the crucial graphic processing technology that helps train and launch AI systems. It will come with other new features like a central processor called "Vera," though the Sunday announcement did not provide many details. Shares of Nvidia were relatively flat at Friday's market close with shares trading at $1,096. Logo of Aramco, officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Group, Saudi petroleum and natural gas company, seen on the second day of the 24th World Petroleum Congress at the Big 4 Building at Stampede Park, on September 18, 2023, in Calgary, Canada. Saudi state oil giant Aramco commenced its secondary public offering on Sunday as the company looks to raise in the region of $12 billion. Books opened early Sunday morning offering a price range between 26.70 ($7.12) and 29 Saudi riyals per share. Aramco on Thursday announced its plan to sell 1.545 billion shares a stake of around 0.64%. At the midpoint of that range, the sale would total around $11.5 billion but could eventually reach up to $13.1 billion. Four more banks were added to the share offering, Reuters reported on Sunday, including Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia and BNP Paribas. The share sale is the company's second, after Aramco first entered public markets in 2019 and offered 1.5% of the company to investors. That sale raised a record $29.4 billion, history's largest IPO to date. Aramco is the world's largest oil company in terms of both daily crude production and market cap. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue summit at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on June 2, 2024. SINGAPORE Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday accused China of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming peace summit by pressuring other countries not to attend. The peace talks, which focus on the Russia-Ukraine conflict which started in February 2022, are due to take place at the Burgenstock Resort in Switzerland on June 15-16. Zelenskyy, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, said that Russia is using Chinese influence in Asia to disrupt the summit. "Unfortunately, regrettably, Russia, using Chinese influence on the region, using Chinese diplomats, does everything to disrupt the peace summit," he said, according to a translation of his remarks, without giving specific examples. "Regrettably, it is unfortunate that such a big, independent, powerful country as China is an instrument in [the] hands of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin," he added. CNBC has reached out to the Chinese embassy in Singapore for comment. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously indicated that it will not attend the peace conference because it does not meet its expectations. Moscow, meanwhile, has not been invited has dismissed the conference. Zelenskyy also accused Russia of threatening other nations with blockades of goods such as agricultural exports, chemical products and high energy prices. CNBC has reached out to the Russian foreign ministry for comment. As Israels powerbrokers consider the latest ceasefire proposals outlined by US President Joe Biden at the weekend, the reality is that the outcome will ultimately hinge on the self-interest of one man: Benjamin Netanyahu. Corruption charges have hung over the Israeli prime minister for more than four years and they are far more serious than the counts on which Donald Trump was convicted last week. Accusations of fraud and bribery have seen him forced to endure the humiliation of being Israel's first sitting prime minister to appear in court as a defendant. Netanyahus trial has been postponed thanks to the war on Gaza but, to his enemies in the Knesset (Israels parliament) it is very much a case of unfinished business. And a guilty verdict could well mean not only the end of his career and financial ruin, but even imprisonment. As long as Netanyahu retains a majority in the Knesset, however, he has a chance of cutting a deal or perhaps pushing through a change to the way in which judges are chosen a move that would allow him to appoint justices more sympathetic to his cause. Joe Biden announces a proposal for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas on May 31 As long as Netanyahu retains a majority in the Knesset, however, he has a chance of cutting a deal The October 7 attacks by Hamas terrorists conveniently silenced loud protests against his plan to do just that. As things stand, two individuals in particular are keeping him in power. Israels politicians are elected by proportional representation which means governments are always coalitions. This gives huge influence to Netanyahus hardline Right-wing partners such as his security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Jewish Power party, and his finance minister Bezalel Smotrich from the Religious Zionism party. Both men have threatened to withdraw their support if Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire before Hamas has been obliterated and all the hostages taken on October 7 have been returned. What Mr Biden is proposing is quite different: a temporary withdrawal by the Israel Defence Forces [IDF], then a plan for the return of the hostages (or their remains) which would involve a swap of Palestinian prisoners, all leading to a permanent ceasefire and reconstruction plan. These two positions are essentially irreconcilable. But Israels opposition leader, Yair Lapid of the There Is A Future party, has offered a solution: he will back the Netanyahu regime if it adopts Americas plan. READ MORE: DANIEL HANNAN: I find it deeply alarming that a group of lawyers can recommend the arrest of a democratically elected prime minister Advertisement This safety net, as he calls it, comes with one proviso: Ben-Gvir and Smotrich must be ejected from government. To the rest of the world, Lapids proposal seems generous, a selfless and pragmatic initiative put forward for humanitarian reasons. To Netanyahu, though, the plan could look like a trap. He will alienate the Right-wingers who have kept him in power, and winning back their support could be difficult if not impossible. And Lapid is making no promises about long-term support. Netanyahu, who is nothing if not wily, will suspect that his veteran rival is planning to pull the rug from under him once they are sharing power. So, the chances of a ceasefire come down to the survival calculations of one man. How long can Netanyahu cling on to power if he strikes a deal with Lapid? Long enough, perhaps, provided the US presidential election in November goes his way and that means the return of Donald Trump. Trump is making a shrewd appeal to Jewish voters in America, by pledging his unswerving support to Israel. He has nothing to lose and much to gain here: Muslim voters are highly unlikely to back him, and Mr Biden could be hit hard by the loss of some traditionally Democratic Jewish voters. So what will Netanyahu do, stick or twist? He can stick with a narrow majority of arch-Zionist MPs by scorning Mr Bidens ceasefire but lose Americas support which he knows is essential to fighting Hamas. Or he can gamble on a short-term coalition with the moderate Lapid. He writes of watching the first salvos blasting over the heads of the troops in landing craft heading like 'ants' for the French coast. He describes German torpedo attacks 'narrowly' missing his Royal Navy ship three times. But what makes this previously unseen witness account of D-Day so remarkable is that it has been written by a naval officer from China. Lam Ping-yu served in the British battleship HMS Ramillies all through the Normandy landings and beyond. His role in the invasion plus a possible romance with a British girl called Violet has only now come to light thanks to a spot of luck and some diligent detective work by two historians. This week, as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy which followed, we will, rightly, pay tribute to all the Allied nations that played their part. Lam Ping-yu (pictured) served in the British battleship HMS Ramillies all through the Normandy landings and beyond Pictured: The Revenge class battleship HMS Ramillies Lam Ping-yu's diary - which gives a previously unseen witness account of the D Day landings In among more than 150,000 Allied personnel who attacked the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944, however, were also two dozen Chinese naval officers. Their contribution has been largely forgotten, not least because the revolutionary leaders of Communist post-war China preferred to eradicate all traces of this short-lived alliance with the evil capitalist West. How we'll mark 80th anniversary Royals and veterans will mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day this week. Today D-Day veterans will meet schoolchildren in Portsmouth the nerve centre of D-Day operations. Tomorrow: they will go by boat to attend events in France, with Royal Navy vessels to sail past in formation. On Wednesday The King, Queen and Rishi Sunak will attend the UK's commemorative event in Portsmouth. The Red Arrows are set to appear in a flypast. Lightshows will take place on both sides of the Channel in Portsmouth and at Bayeux War Cemetery. On Thursday the anniversary the King, Queen and PM will be at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer. The Prince of Wales will join a ceremony at Omaha Beach. Advertisement However, in 2015, builders preparing to demolish a run-down block of flats in Hong Kong entered an empty apartment where they found a Japanese imperial sword, old bits of uniform and two boxes of memorabilia including letters and a diary. They passed them on to a history enthusiast who realised that here was a unique first-hand Chinese account of the liberation of France. Around 8pm: saw the army's crafts, as numerous as ants, scattered and wriggling all over the sea, moving southwards,' Lam writes on the eve of D-Day, as the vast Allied fleet is crossing the Channel for France. The following dawn, he sees the first shots coming from the British flagship, HMS Warspite, the cue for others to follow suit. 'Around 5am: Warspite was the first to open fire; Ramillies withheld the attack due to low visibility and lack of spotters. 'Before 6am: Ramillies also opened fire. Three torpedoes were fired at us; we managed to dodge them as we were at that moment turning around to adjust our firing position.' The writing is matter-of-fact, much of it technical. Nonetheless, it is just a fascinating extract from the detailed account of a young man who is despatched from his home in China in order to learn the art of warfare from the Royal Navy. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour and the US's entry into the Second World War in 1941, China's nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek made a request to the West on the time-honoured basis that one's enemy's enemy is one's friend: could he send some of his top young naval officers to be trained in Britain and the US? The request was granted. More than 400 Chinese officers applied for the scheme. Just 74 were chosen, of whom 50 were sent to the US and 24 set sail to the UK. Lam ranked in first place. It was an epic journey simply getting to their basic training. In among more than 150,000 Allied personnel who attacked the Normandy coast on June 6, 1944, however, were also two dozen Chinese naval officers A photo of Lam Ping-yu's colleague from the 24 Chinese officers, Huang, reading in his room However, in 2015, builders preparing to demolish a run-down block of flats in Hong Kong entered an empty apartment where they found a Japanese imperial sword, old bits of uniform and two boxes of memorabilia including letters and a diary Lam Ping-yu's colleague officer Huang onboard a vessel looking out They flew to Calcutta, travelled across India by train and then sailed up to the Mediterranean via Egypt. By October 1943, the Chinese cadets had dodged U-boats and dive-bombers to arrive in Liverpool, from where they were sent to study at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, before joining their ships. Lam's departure certainly left one young woman feeling very sad. For among his personal papers was a perfectly-preserved letter from someone called Violet who seems to have met him while working at the China Institute in London's Gordon Square. It is a sweet, innocent letter from another age. 'I must say I had a shock when I came to the institute and Tom said you had left. My feelings became confused,' she writes. The letter suggests that Lam had given her a pin as a token of his affections and some money for safe keeping. 'If anything happens,' she goes on, 'I shall write to your parents and send them the money you can depend on me.' It is signed, simply, 'Yours sincerely Violet. PS more news next time.' Was there a next time? Who was Violet? We don't know for now. These are just a few of the many questions which intrigue two Hong Kong-based historians who have been in Britain piecing the story together. Lams colleagues from the 24 Chinese officers They flew to Calcutta, travelled across India by train and then sailed up to the Mediterranean via Egypt The recruits pictured on route to Britain from China 'It is not every day that one stumbles upon such a story,' says John Mak when we meet for tea, appropriately enough, at London's Raffles Hotel in the Old War Office building on Whitehall. He and fellow researcher, Angus Hui, are preparing a major new exhibition at home, provisionally called Lost and Found in Hong Kong: The Unsung Chinese Heroes at D-Day. 'It's so important to create connections which enable people in Asia to get a deeper understanding of D-Day,' says Hui. 'It is this huge event in Europe but, in Asia, a lot of people, especially young people, don't known anything about it. We want people to connect, just like Lam did back in 1944.' The Seattle-born make-up artist has known Meghan for more than a decade Often described as best friend to Meghan, as well as 'guncle' to Archie and Lilibet, Daniel Martin was by the Duchess of Sussex's side throughout her royal career. The celebrity make-up artist cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan's make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 - and worked alongside her at various events in her two years as a working royal. But it seems Daniel, 51, might now be moving away from Meghan, who did her own hair and make-up during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria. The New York-based beautician is certainly still working with megastars. His recent Instagram posts show collaborations with Rachel McAdams, as well as girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan, Olivia Munn, Ali Wong, Maya Rudolph. So why hasn't he worked with Meghan in two years, despite claiming to be 'in touch with her all the time'? Daniel, 51, might now be moving away from Meghan, who did her own hair and make-up during her recent quasi-royal tour to Nigeria Daniel cemented himself in the history books when he did Meghan's make-up for her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018 - and worked alongside her at various events in her two years as a working royal. Meghan is pictued on her wedding day in 2018 - when he make-up was done by Daniel The pair are believe to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games. But despite a tour of Nigeria, launching a lifestyle brand, and various red carpet and TV appearances, in those last two years, Daniel and Meghan haven't worked together. Speaking to US Weekly earlier this month Daniel said that Meghan has 'more room to play'. 'She's in Nigeria right now. It's just her. There's no stylist, there's no hairdresser. She's doing everything herself and she's so good at it.' 'I mean, she loves some blush. She loves the cheek. She loves a big brow.' Lately, Daniel has formed a friendship with Brigerton star Nicole Coughlan - who he describes as a 'sister'. He recently did her make-up for the Brigerton premiere, the Big Mood premiere and her Town & Country cover. The pair, pictured together, are believe to have last worked together in May 2022, when Meghan and Harry visited the Netherlands for the Invictus Games. Meghan is pictured in Nigeria, where she did he own make-up and worked without a stylist Daniel also worked with Olivia Munn for her Vogue shoot, while he also worked with Maya Rudolph at the Time 100 Gala as well as Dakota Johnson, Michelle Yeoh and Cindy Crawford. Daniel is believed to have known Meghan for over a decade, having met her while the former actress worked on Suits. As Meghan didn't have a publicist, she personally reached out to Daniel's agent at The Wall Group - and he described how they both had an 'instant connection.' 'I knew what she wantedit was one of those things where, she looked at herself in the mirror and was like, 'Oh my God, this is what I always wanted, but I didn't know how to get there,' he told the publication. The pair then kept in touch and while working on her former blog The Tig, Meghan asked Daniel to give her a helping hand. He has remained in contact with the Duchess throughout her life in the royal family and was by Meghan's side on her wedding day as he perfected her make-up. Meghan is seen at the Invictus Games in 2022 when she is believed to have last worked with Martin He also attended her famous baby shower in New York alongside celebrities like Gayle King and Serena Williams. He was one of the first to visit the Duke and Duchess of Sussex when they moved into Frogmore Cottage shortly before Archie's birth. The royal also surprised Daniel in New York for his birthday last September, with the makeup artist revealing the news by sharing a snap on Instagram of a plate of cupcakes. The accompanying message was yet another indication of the closeness of their friendship, with the make-up artist referring to the Duchess of Sussex by her nickname, 'Meg'. Meanwhile, Daniel's worked with a flurry of Hollywood stars - including girl of the moment Nicola Coughlan Maya Rudolph is another client of Daniel's The makeup artist has often spoken about his royal connection previously told Grazia magazine: 'Meghan makes me go on YouTube to learn about things. She'll be like, Oh I follow this person and they did it this way- and I'm like, "Oh OK'."' He previously told Harper's Bazaar he was too busy to travel to London before the Duchess's wedding so they had no opportunity to trial the look beforehand - despite some 17 million people tuning in to watch the big day, so the pair teamed up to plan the make up via Zoom. Daniel opted for a natural look for the Duchess because of different lighting situations throughout the day. And for her evening reception look, a Stella McCartney dress, he chose darker makeup look and did more definition on the eyes. 'If it has been shared I am going to kill myself.' This was the harrowing text sent by Chloe Walklate to close friends just two days before she took her life at home after skipping school. The 13-year-old, from Queensland, had struggled with the transition from primary school to high school, and was bullied relentlessly. The cruel taunts followed her home via Snapchat. Then the rumours about messages she may have sent on the platform started. Chloe died in September 2017, just three days before the end of the school term. Chloe's mum Sam (pictured together above) wishes her 13-year-old daughter had been able to open up about the things worrying her Chloe Walklate took her life in September 2017 when she was aged just 13 Speaking to FEMAIL, her distraught mum Sam said she knew Chloe was unhappy and had been trying to enrol her at a different school. But she had no idea how dark her daughter's life had truly become. In the months leading up to her death, Chloe, a gifted student with an A+ academic record, began skipping school. Her grades slipped and she was put on a performance-management program to try to get her back on track, but her heart wasn't in it. 'She would have gastro symptoms for a week at a time and miss out on school,' her heartbroken mum said. Sam now knows these symptoms likely reflected the intensity of Chloe's anxiety and depression rather than her gut health. Sam had no idea about the rumours and taunts her daughter was being subjected to, or her suicidal thoughts. Chloe went from being bubbly and bright at home to withdrawn and quiet Most of the rumours surrounding Chloe when she took her life in September 2017 centered around Snapchat, an app known for its disappearing messages. A Snapchat spokesperson told FEMAIL there is no place for bullying on the platform and the company continues to develop rules and resources to keep teens safe. Messages from the young teenager had apparently been passed around by Chloe's peers, making her feel isolated, afraid and desperate to escape. She begged her parents for a fresh start, something they both tried to make happen by starting the enrolment process at a new school. But Chloe's inability to escape her bullies proved too much. The first red flag came when Chloe missed the school bus and her grandfather drove her to school. The 13-year-old, who was once a keen student, refused to get out of the car when they arrived. 'She was a mess, so he took her to McDonald's for a heart-to-heart,' Sam recalled. Chloe also opened up to a close family friend two days before she died - but the adult thought they had 'talked her down' so didn't mention it to Sam. Sam wishes her daughter had come to her instead of trying to face her troubles alone. 'I would have told her it doesn't matter what you have done, we can fix it together. Nothing is that bad that you need to deal with it on your own,' Sam said. Sam said she would have done anything to protect her daughter and wants other young people to give their parents the chance to help. 'I know it can be scary for young people to open up to their parents - but if she did, she would still be here,' Sam said. Chloe begged her parents to help her move schools before she took her own life. They had started the process before she ended her life The next time Chloe skipped school would be her last. Sam got the call to say she hadn't caught the bus - but as it was the last Wednesday of the school term, she and her husband decided to let Chloe stay home. 'The last time I spoke to her I told her to catch up on her outstanding school tasks,' Sam said. She was met with resistance, but thought they had settled on finishing up at the old school with everything up-to-date. But when Sam couldn't reach Chloe a few hours later, she panicked. 'I went home. It was so unlike her not to pick up the phone. I was hoping I would find her riding her horse,' she said. The teenager had wanted to be a vet and adored her pets. But she wasn't with the horses. The youngster skipped school on the day she took her own life 'I saw her as soon as I pulled into the driveway,' the devastated mum explained. She had to keep driving up the driveway despite knowing what she would find when she got there. 'She had been dead for two and a half hours. I screamed and a neighbour came. We knew it was too late but tried to revive her,' she said. A full picture of Chloe's mental health came together in the weeks after her death. Police were called in to investigate and friends and family came to Sam with clues which seemed mundane at the time, but in hindsight were significant. She had sent friends the ominous text, 'If it has been shared I am going to kill myself.' She had even decorated the back of her school journal with graffiti about death - something Sam wishes she had seen before it was too late. 'It still upsets me when I see it,' the mum said. Chloe had also spoken with loved ones about funeral arrangements and what she might like. 'She did it so casually. I had grandparents and an aunt pass shortly before so thought it was just her chatting about that,' Sam said. The distraught mum has spoken about her daughter's death to help prevent further tragedies and as part of Lifeline's 'Giving Day' on May 30. Eight Australians die by suicide every day and it remains the leading cause of death for those aged 15 to 44. The impact of one suicide is felt by up to 135 people their family, colleagues, friends and neighbours. If you or a loved one needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 The mother-of-two's 'best' tip has been hailed as 'amazing' by baffled shoppers Gemma Bird, also known as Money Mum, explains secret behind new food codes A mother has shared the secret behind the recent cryptic codes appearing on food packaging in supermarkets, with customers hailing the advice as 'amazing.' Gemma Bird, 42, from Essex, is also known as 'Money Mum,' and regularly shares money-saving tips while encouraging fellow parents to participate in 'No Spend' and 'Make Money' days. The mother-of-two published her first book, Money Mum Official: Save Yourself Happy, in 2022, which became a Sunday Times Bestseller, before going on to launch an Instagram account to help others save cash. Bird's latest money-saving tip, posted to her account @moneymumofficial on May 13, has been applauded by supermarket shoppers as 'amazing' - as the mother explains the mystery behind the new codes printed on produce packaging. The video, which offers viewers a 'hack' for buying fresher food, sees the mother documenting a trip to the chilled aisle of her local Tesco superstore. Gemma Bird, 42, from Essex, also known as 'Money Mum,' regularly shares money-saving tips while encouraging fellow parents to participate in 'No Spend' and 'Make Money' days Bird's latest money-saving tip has been applauded by supermarket shoppers as 'amazing' - as the mother explains the mystery behind the new codes printed on produce packaging Picking up a bunch of Tesco-brand leeks and asparagus, both sealed in plastic packaging, Bird points to a code printed in the location the Best Before Date usually appears in. With the Best Before Date nowhere to be seen, the money-saving expert explains that the cryptic code is now used to indicate when food is due to expire. The product is stamped with "F22," with the mother decoding this as "F" being the month the item is set to expire by, while "22" is the actual day. With "A" meant to represent the first month of the year, January, in this case, the leeks are set to expire by June 22. Bird believes that the new codes can allow for less food waste, while providing shoppers with the opportunity to purchase fresher food. Over 400 people shared their thoughts in the comments, with some once-baffled shoppers finally able to decipher the mystery behind the codes, while others explained the reason behind the new replacement for Best Before Dates. One person wrote, 'I didn't know this wondered what those numbers where for thank you,' while another said, 'Always the best advice.' A third commented: 'This is amazing! Was getting so annoyed not knowing how old the veg was when it doesn't have a date on it!' With the Best Before Date nowhere to be seen, the money-saving expert explains that the new code printed on food packaging is now used to indicate when products are due to expire Over 400 people shared their thoughts in the comments, with some once-baffled shoppers finally able to decipher the mystery behind the codes One person asked: 'Does anybody know why they changed a simple logical system to something where you have to count through the alphabet? Or is that only me standing there doing it.' Another responded: 'It's designed to stop people throwing perfectly good food away because it reaches a date published on the packet. The codes are meant to as an indicator to staff for stock rotation, not the customer.' A second confirmed: 'These dates are to help with stock rotation and reduce waste. Too many people do not use food because of a date on the pack. Fresh produce can last months, especially if stored correctly!' Sharing their own method for detecting 'fresher' produce, one person wrote: 'I always pick the stuff from underneath/the back. It's usually fresher.' Meanwhile, shoppers are being fooled by misleading supermarket signs and labels - such as 'Made in Britain' stamps - that are dressing up imported food as British. A woman on holiday in France has tapped into Britain's obsession with le supermarche with a tongue-in-cheek video that shows her perusing local delicacies. Tatty Macleod, a bilingual comedian who grew up in both Britain and France, shared a tour of French supermarket Carrefour on her Instagram page, prompting fans to comment in their droves about their own joyful experiences of food shopping overseas. French supermarkets have a reputation for being some of the best in the world, often with charming bakeries, fresh and affordable produce and cheap bottles of champagne. 'It's just my happy place it really is,' Macleod exclaims outside the entrance to Carrefour, a popular French supermarket chain that prides itself on stocking a wide range of fresh and local produce. 'Champagne, 13,' Macleod continued, before deliberating over whether to buy 'langue', or 'cow's tongue', concluding: 'I'm sure it's delicious, the French made it.' Tatty Macloud, a bilingual comedian who grew up in both Britain and France, shared a tour of French supermarket Carrefour on her Instagram page French supermarkets have a reputation for offering high-quality products at affordable prices 'Just take a photo of me to send to Julie,' the comedian, whose astute observations of British and French culture have won her legions of fans online, continued. She then concluded: 'Just so civilised - honestly, they know what they're doing. I'm not moving back to England, I love it here.' The video has certainly resonated, amassing over 120K likes on Instagram, with Macleod's followers in full agreement on the allure of French supermarkets. Although Macleod's video is satirical in tone, her followers have responded without a hint of irony over their adoration for supermarket shopping abroad. 'I had a tantrum in a Carrefour last year because my husband insisted he and our 7 year old come along. Me hissing 'YOU'RE SPOILING THIS FOR ME' in the fresh fish section,' wrote @louise.pepper. To which another follower, with the username @familycampingeurope, replied: 'Urgh, the worst. I want to take 4 hours of rest and relaxation in a supermarket not be rushed around by the husband and nagged at by my children.' While another, @rook_lauren, wrote: 'Literally the main reason I go to France - I sympathise hugely.' French supermarkets have a loyal following online according to these Instagram users And another, @peakay81, quipped: 'If Carrefour opened a supermarket in Dover it would have queues back to London.' While @amymaskell wrote: 'I have a cupboard of canned French goods which I know I absolutely will never eat.' Part of the fun of going on holiday is becoming immersed in the local culture - and for many of us Britons that means a trip to the local supermarket to learn more about - and indulge in - regional food. France, in particular, has a reputation for high-quality local foods at inexpensive prices, as social media user @sairzg explains. 'How is it different from an English supermarket? Just curious. I'm French,' asked @at_lottie_s. To which @sairzg replied: 'It's the variety and the quality French food has such a high-quality standard, so much to choose from and inexpensive. 'It's def good fun walking the aisles of Carrefour. And Picard is the best!' Macleod was partcularly glowing about the 13 champagne on offer and told viewers the allure of its supermarkets is enough to keep her in France for good While @dave.love.3990 responded: 'I think it depends where you go, in both countries. I spend a lot of time in France and find odd differences between both. 'I'm still amazed at how expensive meat is in France despite all the farmland you have. 'There are less pre-prepared meals in French supermarkets but you still have huge frozen food sections like the UK.' Macleod does have a point on champagne being more affordable across the channel due to the proximity of production. The average price of a bottle of champagne in French supermarkets in 2023 was 23.60, according to stats from NielsenIQ, the market research group - a sizable discount in comparison with a 35 bottle of Moet & Chandon. Yesterdays Daily Mail published an extract from hospice nurse Julies riveting new book in which she told about an angel that appeared above a patients bed. Here, in the final part of our thought-provoking serialisation, she explains other fascinating phenomena. Juanita was in her mid-80s. She lived with her adult son, Ricky, who was 50 and had an intellectual disability. Their carer, Marianna, lived with them and had taken care of them both for several decades. When I visited them for Juanita's initial assessment, the love between the three of them was palpable. It also was clear to me that Juanita was not dying any time soon. From her experience as a hospice nurse, Julie McFadden believes that certain people can choose when they die So when I received a call the following week to let me know she had died, I was shocked. I mean, I really couldn't believe it. I had just seen her and she'd been doing really well. There had been no signs that she was near death. When I got to the house, Marianna detailed the previous day for me. As they did every Sunday morning, she and Juanita had made blueberry muffins together. After an afternoon nap, Juanita joined Ricky and Marianna for dinner, then they watched TV and Marianna helped Juanita get ready for bed. As she settled down, Juanita became sentimental and asked Marianna to come close to her. 'Thank you so much for caring for me. I love you so much.' 'I love you, too,' Marianna said. Juanita continued: 'I'm really tired. I'm going to leave and go home.' 'What are you talking about?' Marianna asked. 'I'm tired, and I'm going home,' Juanita repeated. Marianna reassured her, 'Everything's fine, Juanita. You are home. I'll see you tomorrow.' 'No, I'm really tired. I'm going home. Promise me that you'll take care of Ricky.' 'Of course! I'll always take care of both of you. Stop talking like this.' Juanita asked Marianna to invite Ricky in to say goodnight. When he bent over to give his mother a goodnight kiss on the cheek, she reached up to squeeze his neck. 'I love you, sweet boy,' she said. 'And I'll always love you.' 'I love you, too, Mum,' he answered. The following morning, when Marianna opened the door to check on Juanita before breakfast, she discovered that she had died peacefully in her sleep. It was as if she chose when she would die. Of course, not everyone appears to have control over their time of death, but when they do, I often see one of three things happen: 1. The person waits to die until every last one of their family members or friends arrives to be present with them. 2. The person waits to die until every last family member or friend leaves the room or the house. 3. The person waits to die until after a milestone a birthday, Christmas, the arrival of a baby. All of these scenarios are so common, in my experience, and I've seen each of them play out many, many times. The person dies when everyone has arrived 'Sometimes a person chooses a date with personal significance a holiday, wedding, birthday or anniversary and dies on that day,' writes Julie Sometimes a person will wait until all of their loved ones have flown or driven in to say goodbye. Or they'll wait for every person to be physically present in the room with them and then they'll let go. This most often happens with a person who's social and extroverted; who thrives off the energy of others. Rachel had turned 100 just five months before I met her at a hospice. On her birthday, a huge crowd of children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren gathered to celebrate the life of the family matriarch. When I evaluated Rachel, it was very evident that she was in the stage of actively dying. All the signs were there. I saw it in the pallor of her skin. I heard it in her breathing. I noticed it in her lack of interest in or ability to eat food. The end was near. 'So,' I explained to Rachel's two daughters who were in the home when I stopped by to do the admission. 'What I'm seeing is that she's actively dying. That means that in the next few days, she'll die. So whoever needs to be here, get them here.' Over the following two or three days, family members flooded into Rachel's home to say goodbye. Although she was unresponsive, I was still glad to see the love that was surrounding her. When one of Rachel's daughters told me that one of the grandchildren couldn't make it until the following week, I knew she'd get there too late to say goodbye. When I came to the house a week after I'd predicted Rachel had just two or three days to live, I met this granddaughter. I was very surprised Rachel had lasted a week. A week later, another grandchild, living some miles away who hadn't even planned on coming, had a three-day weekend and showed up to say his final goodbyes. How Rachel had lasted two weeks, fully unconscious, without food or water, baffled me. Whenever I'd visit, I could hear Rachel's daughters giving her updates about who still wanted to come to say goodbye to her, and Rachel kept living. In the end, she lasted 17 days in that state of actively dying, without food or water. Just hours after the final family member came to say goodbye, Rachel finally let go. I'd never seen anything like it. Rachel absolutely decided when she was going to die. The person dies when everyone has left Conversely, some people wait until their loved ones have left their bedside before dying. Sometimes these family members have kept vigil for hours or days, yet it's when they finally step away that the person dies. Whether they leave to go home and rest for the night or just step out to grab a cup of coffee, that's when the person often someone who's more private or introverted, who prefers time alone dies. When someone chooses to die when no one's around, family members have confessed to me that they feel guilty, as if somehow they've failed their loved one by not being present with them in the actual moment of their death. They might wonder, 'Is he punishing us?' or 'Is she trying to get back at me for something?' No. This is just something they needed to do for their own dying process. Much like in life, in death, a person's behaviour isn't usually about us, but about them and what they need. If we imagine that the person who is dying was 'holding on' in some way for the sake of those in the room, then giving the person the space and solitude they need to let go is the most gracious thing we can do for them. I don't think anyone who's spent any kind of time with the person who's dying should feel guilty for not being present at their last breath. It's likely that that is exactly how the dying person wanted it to be. Take comfort knowing that it's what they needed. The person dies after a milestone Sometimes a person chooses a date with personal significance a holiday, wedding, birthday or anniversary and dies on that day. I've noticed that these people are often the ones who are very wilful or independent (aka stubborn), as well as those who have deep connections to tradition or specific anniversaries that shaped their lives. Mitzy, one of my followers on social media, shared this amazing story with me. Her mother was in hospice-at-home care while Mitzy's daughter was nine months pregnant. Mitzy was sitting in a chair beside her bed, reading, when she received a phone call that her daughter was having contractions. Mitzy was torn. 'Mum, I don't know what to do,' Mitzy told her mother, who was still lucid. 'I don't want to leave you. I'm afraid if I leave, something's going to happen, but I do want to see my grandson being born.' Julie's book Nothing To Fear, which provides extraordinary insight into death and the concept of an afterlife, will be published on June 13 Mitzy's mother assured her: 'Honey, you have to go. If you don't, you're going to regret it. Don't worry about me. I'm going to stay here until your grandson is born.' When Mitzy checked in with her brother from the road a few hours into her trip, he reported that as soon as Mitzy left, their mother seemed to go into a deep sleep. Late that night, after Mitzy arrived at her daughter's home, they discovered the contractions were, in fact, Braxton Hicks meaning it was a false alarm. No labour. No grandson. The following morning, Mitzy drove straight back home to be at her mother's side. Even though her mother was unresponsive, Mitzy narrated the trip for her, explaining that the baby had not yet come. Then she remembered her mother's promise. Gently, with kind assurance, Mitzy whispered in her mother's ear: 'It's OK, Mum. You can go. It's OK.' But her mother held on. A whole week later, her mother was still unresponsive. When Mitzy's daughter went into legitimate active labour, Mitzy repeated her trip to be with her daughter and welcome her grandson. After the birth, Mitzy phoned her mother's home and asked her brother to put the phone to her mother's ear. 'Mum, we have a healthy grandson. He has ten fingers and ten toes! Everything went great.' Mitzy's brother called her back 15 minutes later to let her know that their mother had died. The family would always joke that Mitzy's mother and the baby high-fived each other, one entering this world as the other was exiting. I don't pretend to understand how and why these things happen to those who are near death. If your loved one is having experiences like these, I encourage you to notice how they are affected by it. That's the important thing. Do these experiences real or not, science or science-fiction comfort, soothe, calm, or reassure the dying person? If you're hesitant to believe that something real and meaningful is happening in your loved one who is dying, notice what the effect is on them. If it's positive, then just go with it. Notice how it helps. As much as we'd like to, we simply don't understand everything about these encounters. They're mysteries. For my part, I can say that my own few experiences have given me nothing but confidence that a better world awaits us. I do believe that there's an afterlife because of experiences like these. Having witnessed so many deaths, I feel like I've had the privilege of seeing a veil being lifted as people are on their way to a place that feels like home. Obviously, there's sadness, too, because people are grieving and losing a loved one. But watching the body take care of itself and feeling the energy in the room change after someone dies . . . if you can remain present, it can feel sacred. In many ways, it feels a lot like the wonder of birth. When a baby is born, there's an undeniable feeling of, 'That was magical!' That is how it can feel when you see someone taking their last breath. Since I was a little girl, I've always felt homesick for a place that I couldn't quite remember, and now I think I understand why. I think that when we die, we awaken in a place we've always known but had forgotten. Adapted from Nothing To Fear, by Julie McFadden, to be published by Ebury on June 13 at 16.99. Julie McFadden 2024. To order a copy for 15.29 (offer valid to June 31, 2024; UK P&P free on orders over 25) go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2937. My advice to caregivers: let the dying be boss In the Netflix series From Scratch, Amy's husband Lino is dying from cancer. In one episode, we see Amy's family looking at their calendars and trying to work out how to provide care for Amy, Lino, and their seven-year-old daughter. They've busied themselves with tasks, but no one's talking about the fact that Lino is in the process of dying. After dealing with responsibilities for the next two weeks, someone asks: 'What about next month?' Cautiously, Amy's sister Zora asks: 'Are we sure we should be looking that far ahead?' With anxiety in her voice, her stepmother, Maxine, asks: 'Zora, what are you saying?' Amy's father says, with kindness: 'The doctors haven't given up on him. Lino's beat this thing before. He'll do it again.' Amy's mother adds: 'And once he's stable, there's a treatment I read about.' This is often how it happens in real life. The cheerleader says: 'He's beaten it before. He'll do it again.' The optimist says: 'There's a treatment I read about.' The denier says: 'I can't hear that right now.' Amy with her husband Lino, who is dying from cancer, in the Netflix series From Scratch And yet, Zora was facing reality squarely: 'He just doesn't seem to be getting better.' This is the best advice I can give you, as a caregiver accept what is happening. Fighting for life is what we were built to do, but when a person is near the end of life, the fighting mentality is not helpful. I understand the inclination to make sure the person you love is well hydrated, well fed, and well rested. You may want to line up visitors so they aren't lonely. You may feel cautious about offering too many pain medications. I want to relieve you of these very well-intentioned impulses. Don't waste time arguing about food, drink, exercise or sleep. The person who is dying should be allowed to make their own choices. To the degree that they can express their wishes, they have the right to do any and all of the following: Drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, eat foods high in sugar and fat and take enough medication to control pain. 'But Julie,' you may be saying, 'letting the person who's dying run the show doesn't feel right to me. She can't eat doughnuts she has heart disease!' Or, 'The reason he's in this mess is that his drinking caused cirrhosis of the liver!' Or, 'She has lung cancer because of smoking!' I know, I know. All I can suggest is that this is the time to let that go. When someone is at the end of life, it's not the moment to fight for what would have been healthy in another stage of life. Do you have to hang around and watch them suck in the nicotine? No. But do let the person who is dying make those personal choices for themselves. If you respect your loved one's wishes, you're not being a bad daughter or son. It's their body, so let the person who's dying be the boss. This may help them, and you, find peace. Burst of energy is a last hurrah This phenomenon happens in about 30 per cent of dying patients and can last anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to a few days. It can be referred to as the 'surge' and the technical term is 'terminal lucidity.' I like to think of it as a patient's last hurrah. When it happens, we see a person who's been declining experience a burst of uncharacteristic energy. They may look better, get up and walk around, talk to their family or caregiver, or eat a meal. During the rally, the dying patient may get their old personality back, become their sarcastic self again, make a joke or tell stories. Family members might say: 'He seems like his old self again.' This period is marked by mental alertness that may not have been present in the weeks or even months beforehand. Even in patients who have been affected by degenerative diseases, a return of cognitive functions can happen for a short time. The rally is different from someone who's ill and just happens to have a good day. After the rally, the patient returns to their former condition and soon dies. If this sort of resurgence lasts longer than a few days, it's not a rally, and something else is going on. This is why education about death is so important. If families aren't educated about what might occur, this surge of energy can give families false hope of a recovery. When the person then dies soon afterwards, it can be a shock. Healthcare professionals don't definitively know why the rally happens in so many patients. I find it to be a massive gift. The families get to experience their loved ones one last time, and patients get to put any final things in order or say any last words. When we recognise the rally for what it is, we're able to enjoy it for as long as it lasts. It doesn't happen for everyone, but for many, the rally is a normal part of death and dying. Dogs that feel owners' pain It's not just people who experience seemingly supernatural phenomena. The daughter of a patient told me that as her father was dying, he and his dog both fixated on a particular corner of the room for a week before he died. Just stared at that corner, together. It was as if the dog could see exactly what his owner was seeing, whatever that might have been. Another woman who was caring for her husband as he was dying told me she had to keep taking their dog to the vet. He was lethargic, he no longer wanted to go out on walks and was vomiting. But on visit after visit, the vet could find nothing wrong with the dog. They finally realised the dog was mimicking the husbands symptoms. Although this sort of extreme behaviour isnt common, a pet will often behave in a very protective way around a dying owner. They refuse to leave their side. They may lie on the bed with the person who is dying, or they might lie under it. So, just as people can experience something beyond this world, it appears that our pets can, too. About 30 years ago, the novelist Jilly Cooper and I were in a BBC Radio studio together. As two young tech blokes wrestled with the equipment, Jilly leaned conspiratorially into my ear and, in her gorgeous deep, plummy voice, inquired: 'Which of these chaps would you say was the most f***able?' I was shocked. Back then, the f-word wasn't sprayed around the way it is now. It was a different era, one I think of as BC (Before Clarkson). But, equally, I was delighted by her irresistible sauciness. Jilly was recently made a Dame and described receiving the honour from King Charles as 'orgasmic' proving age cannot wither her, Jilly's still a Very Naughty Girl. A sultry Arabella Tjye in the 1993 film based on Jilly Cooper's novel Riders Of course, Jilly is known as the Queen of the Bonkbuster, with her shamelessly double-entendre book titles Tackle! Mount! Score! They are stories of rich, horsey people who live in Rutshire Jilly's wonderfully unsubtle fictionalised county full of riding whip trysts and bed-hopping, but in fact so obviously her beloved Cotswolds. Later this year, Disney+ is screening an eight-part series based on Jilly's book Rivals. The appeal of her novels crosses the generations even Rishi Sunak is a big fan, having said: 'You need escapism in your life.' For anyone who takes offence at the word 'bonkbuster', I'm afraid I am to blame. A couple of decades ago, I wrote a column in The Guardian under a pseudonym as a writer of sexy historical blockbusters, which I described as 'bonkbusters'. In truth, I hate the word 'bonk' it sounds like a bookcase falling downstairs. Still, it caught on and it's now in the dictionary. Today, the genre seems to be flushed with a second wind. But in the age of the #MeToo movement, can the bonkbuster really reprise its giddy heyday of the 1980s? One of its earliest examples is Forever Amber, by Kathleen Winsor, published in 1944. Set in the reign of Charles II, it is a bodice-ripper, following a beautiful country girl up to London where her bodice is ripped incessantly. But Amber is a survivor, an anti-heroine, savvy and immoral. Fourteen US states banned the book as pornography and, naturally, American soldiers away from home in the war were panting to read it. In Jacqueline Susann's Valley Of The Dolls (1966), three New York girls are determined to make it in showbusiness and to fall in love but the book ends on a downward spiral of drugs and despair. A couple of decades ago, Sue Limb wrote a column in The Guardian under a pseudonym as a writer of sexy historical blockbusters, which she described as 'bonkbusters' Jilly Cooper was recently made a Dame and described receiving the honour from King Charles as 'orgasmic' It was published in a peacetime world where the Sexual Revolution was under way, but still provoked moral outrage from small-town prudes who saw it as a 'dirty book'. Today's young would never believe the deep puritanism in which we Boomers grew up. In 1963, the year in which, according to poet Philip Larkin, 'sexual intercourse began', I was a nerdy schoolgirl writing essays about Shakespeare. Homosexuality was illegal and illegitimacy a shameful secret. When my mother came to my room to tell me a family member 'had to get married', her opening gambit was: 'Switch the light out, I've got something to tell you.' Divorce was shameful, too. Shirley Conran, bonkbuster author and the legendary creator of the Daily Mail's Femail pages who died last month aged 91, had to put up with the corseted views of her parents. Her mother told her: Cecile Paoli in Jilly Cooper's Riders - a story of rich, horsey people who live in Rutshire, her wonderfully unsubtle fictionalised county full of riding whip trysts and bed-hopping Later this year, Disney+ is screening an eight-part series based on Jilly's book Rivals. Alex Hassell and Bella Maclean are photographed on set filming in Tetbury, Gloucestershire 'Perhaps it's as well your father's dead because otherwise you couldn't have got divorced.' Maybe the rising success of bonkbusters in the 1970s and 1980s was the Boomers' celebration of true sexual liberation. As society became more open, tolerant and louche, with the f-word routinely deployed even on cooking shows, so the bonkbuster became more graphic, delving fearlessly into the characters' underwear. As children, my generation had devoured Lady Chatterley's Lover by torchlight under the bedclothes. Now we could boldly read Jackie Collins' Hollywood Wives on the train, and nobody would turn a hair. In fact, many other passengers would probably be reading it, too. Hollywood Wives lets us peep into the glitzy and often sleazy world of the film industry: casting agents, rock stars and the gloriously named Jason Swankle who runs a male escort agency. One female character is quoted as saying: 'I think I'm having an orgasm from your knee.' Billy Orsini, the protagonist of Judith Krantz's book Scruples, starts out modestly as a secretary in New York, then beds the CEO, marries him, moves to Bel Air and becomes the Queen of LA fashion. Scruples is the name of her high-end boutique and the fashion detail is dazzling. A woman walks into a party 'with the glitter of a matador, encased in a vintage, shocking pink-and-black satin Schiaparelli, thickly encrusted with gold braid'. For ordinary women who wear jeans and trainers most of the time, reading this kind of stuff is like secretly sipping a hot chocolate with whipped cream. Bonkbusters are bankbusters, with film and TV rights icing the cake. Jilly Cooper has sold more than 11million books in the UK alone. Jackie Collins has sold 500million worldwide. The writers became glamorous celebs it was fizz and canapes for these lit-chicks, not starving in a garret. But who reads these books? Presumably toffs do because they see their own lives portrayed in Jilly Cooper's case, with verve and humour. Indeed, her most infamous heartbreaker, Rupert Campbell-Black, is said to be based partially on Andrew Parker Bowles, Queen Camilla's ex. (The fact that our new Queen has an ex-husband is a symptom of the revolution our society has been through.) Bonkbusters are bankbusters. Jilly has sold more than 11million books in the UK alone We plebs, however, are drawn to the gilded scenarios of the rich and privileged because it's an escape from our humdrum lives, as our Prime Minister says. We're like Peeping Toms. Of course, it's not great literature. But while radical feminists have deplored the 'trashy' genre, they should cheer the success of energetic go-getting women. Significantly, too, Shirley Conran's novel Lace celebrates the value of female friendship. In recent years, cultural vigilantes intent on hunting down sexism, racism and issues concerning sexual consent have found plenty to infuriate them in literature. But that doesn't mean the bonkbuster is dead. Fifty Shades Of Grey seems to have carried the torch into the 21st Century. I've only ever dipped briefly in to E. L. James's hugely successful sado-masochistic series beloved by millions of women, but an innocent girl abused by a sadistic, powerful man? No thanks. Perhaps its atmosphere of dark obsession belongs with the bloodsucking Twilight sagas, rather than the sunlit worlds of Jackie Collins's Belair or Jilly Cooper's Rutshire. As Disney+ clearly believes, our appetite for saucy escapism is undiminished. In fact, in a darkening world where many of us can't even face watching the news any more, we might need the bonkbuster more than ever. Sue Limb is an author and comedy writer whose work includes the Radio 4 sitcom Gloomsbury. Chester is out in full bloom ahead of the Duke of Westminster's wedding to Olivia Henson - dubbed the most anticipated society event of the year. The city is being decorated with 100,000 flowers planted in displays across the city throughout the summer, paid for by the groom himself to mark his marriage. Afterwards, the couple will donate their wedding flowers to local charities and organisations. Photos shared by the city's Business Improvement District on X showed the behind the scenes of setting up the stunning floral displays this week. Snaps pictured volunteers holding onto the blossoms and distributing them around the streets. Chester is out in full bloom ahead of the Duke of Westminster's wedding to Olivia Henson - dubbed the most anticipated society event of the year 'As part of local celebrations for their wedding, the Duke of Westminster and Olivia Henson are delighted to sponsor this years Chester BID Flower Planting, along with a planting morning with the BID team and Chester Businesses,' the social media caption read. 'The colourful displays which feature vibrant pollinators benefiting biodiversity as well as the amenity of the city, have now been planted and can be enjoyed across Chester high street and historic rows.' The photos were also shared on the organisation's Instagram page. Hugh Grosvenor, 33, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is set to marry his fiancee Olivia, 31, next week. Despite the grandeur of the occasion - a wedding ceremony with some 400 guests in historic Chester Cathedral and reception in the Grosvenors' vast Cheshire home, Eaton Hall, built in the style of a French chateau - the couple are approaching their big day with real equanimity. Perhaps because of the intrigue of the event, which will see many roads between the 11,000-acre estate and the cathedral closed to traffic, they have decided to keep much of the details private. Even the engagement ring, described modestly as 'nothing flashy', summed up this refreshingly unshowy couple. The couple have also issued a strict 'no gifts' instruction. The wedding celebrations will also include two receptions, a main event on Friday following the cathedral service and another more intimate gathering the following day for family and close friends. The city is being decorated with 100,000 flowers planted in displays across the city throughout the summer, paid for by the groom himself to mark his marriage Photos shared by the city's Business Improvement District on X showed the behind the scenes of setting up the stunning floral displays this week Other details are being kept under wraps. 'While they appreciate the interest and are grateful for the many kind messages they have received they want the wedding to remain as private as possible,' says a friend of the couple. 'Chester is important to them and it means a lot to them to marry there.' Last month, the pair had a busy start to their wedding celebrations as they carried out a very regal string of engagements in Chester, where they are due to exchange vows in just days. And as they visited three charities, the pair were very reminiscent of yet another couple renowned for their prowess and easy charisma during public engagements - the Prince and Princess of Wales. Hugh and Olivia channelled William, 41, and Kate, 42, ahead of their wedding next month - the most anticipated society event of the year. They were the mirror image of the future King and his wife, shooting easy smiles and enjoying conversations with attendees, as they made visits to Cheshire Dance, Storyhouse and the Cathedral Music Trust. Prince George's godfather and Olivia, who works at sustainable food company Belazu, chatted with participants at a Young Leaders workshop. They later sat next to each other in the pews at Chester Cathedral, where their wedding will be held. They joined family music programme where Hugh joked: 'Next time we're in here will be slightly more nerve-wracking.' He added: 'But I'm unbelievably excited.' Images showed the couple being mirror images of William and Kate, who are crowd-favourites when it comes to public engagements. Much like the Waleses, Hugh and Olivia appeared chatty, engaging and positive. Snaps from today pictured volunteers holding onto the blossoms and distributing them around the streets Olivia also shares a striking resemblance to Kate, with not only their sleek chestnut tresses and facial features but her elevated yet High Street savvy selections. week, she opted for 249 Sandro floral-print trousers and a chic white cropped jacket, channeling easy elegance. The engagements were a show of support to three charities supported by the Duke's Westminster Foundation. And much like Kate, the future Duchess of Westminster comes from a wealthy background. Olivia descends from the Hoare banking family as well as the Marquesses of Bristol and the Dukes of Rutland, according to the Telegraph. The outlet also says her uncle is the Grand Master of Scottish freemasons and her is father is stockbroker Rupert Henson. Olivia reportedly also has a 29-year-old brother who works in asset management and a 26-year-old sister who's in a brand relationships role. She is also said to speak Spanish and Italian after completing a Hispanic Studies and Italian degree at Trinity College in Dublin. Much like the Princess of Wales, Olivia is understood to have attended the elite Marlborough College, and before that was at the equally revered Dragon School in Oxford along with fellow alum Emma Watson. She has worked at Daily Dose LDN and No1 Rosemary Water before landing a role at Belazu - a B Corp ingredients brand - where she is currently a Key Account Manager, in 2019. Hugh, a godson of King Charles who inherited an estimated fortune of almost 10billion, proposed to Olivia at his family seat, Eaton Hall, in Cheshire. Senior members of the Royal Family are expected to attend the wedding. Hugh Grosvenor, 33, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is set to marry his fiancee Olivia, 31, next week Although Hugh is reportedly a godfather of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's son, Archie, he is said to have excluded the California-based couple from the invitations to avoid 'royal tensions'. However, sources close to Prince Harry subsequently insisted that he had been sent a 'save the date' notice, but decided it would be 'too awkward' to attend. Olivia and Hugh announced their engagement on April 23, 2023, after two years of dating. A statement by the couple said: 'The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson are delighted to announce they are engaged to be married. 'The couple, who have been together for two years, recently became engaged at the Duke's family home at Eaton Hall in Cheshire. 'Members of both their families are absolutely delighted with the news.' The Duke's father Gerald Grosvenor suffered a sudden heart attack while out on a country walk, and died aged 64 in 2016. Hugh succeeded his father, becoming an instant billionaire. As the 7th Duke of Westminster, he inherited a fortune of 9.3billion. He also inherited 300 acres across London's Mayfair and Belgravia two of the most expensive areas in the world as well as estates in Oxford, Scotland and properties around the globe - including the 10,872-acre family estate at Eaton Hall in Cheshire. Once dubbed Britain's most eligible bachelor, Hugh was educated at 6,000-a-term day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire Prince William (R) is greeted by General Timothy Granville-Chapman (2R), Hugh Grosvenor, the Duke of Westminster (2L) and John Peace (L) as he arrives to attend the official handover of the newly built Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre A close friend of the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Westminster is godfather to his eldest son Prince George (Grosvenor pictured in 2018 second from left with then PM Theresa May, far left, Bahrain's Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, second from right, and Prince William, far right) Close friends with the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke is the youngest of Prince George's godparents. He has previously represented the country at Olympic Skeet Shooting competitions both internationally and in the UK. Hugh previously dated property and recruitment consultant Harriet Tomlinson, but the couple, who met at 6,000-a-term day school Ellesmere College in Shropshire, split in 2020. The Duke also supports the rehabilitation of wounded or injured members of the Armed Forces and donated 2.5million to the Health Service when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, but said he was so 'humbled' by the work of doctors and nurses he wanted to give another 10million. It is the stock market success story of the century and one that will shape the rest of our lives. Since going public on the eve of the Millennium, computer chip designer Nvidia has come from nowhere to the cusp of becoming the world's biggest company. In February, Nvidia became the fastest company ever to go from a $1 trillion to a $2 trillion stock market valuation. Astonishingly, it took just eight months. The company whose chips have turbo-charged the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is now worth more than the entire FTSE 100 after its share price rose from $34 in June 2019 to $1,090 today. That's a remarkable 3,000 per cent increase in five years. Jensen Huang, in his trademark leather jacket, displays the new Blackwell chips, which will cost more than $30,000 each With a market value of 2.2 trillion, it is within a whisker of overtaking Apple as the second most valuable enterprise on the planet behind tech giant Microsoft, itself worth 2.5 trillion. So just how did a start-up without a business plan that was founded in a California diner conquer all before it? And can British private investors get a slice of the action? Nvidia is the brainchild of Jensen Huang a Taiwan-born electrical engineering graduate whose parents sent him to the US as a child and two microchip designers, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. They founded Nvidia in 1993 at a Denny's restaurant in San Jose in the heart of Silicon Valley. The plan was to call their company NVision until they found out that name was taken by a toilet paper manufacturer. Huang who once worked as a waiter and dishwasher in a Denny's outlet earning $2.65 a hour suggested Nvidia instead, based on the Latin word invidia meaning 'envy'. Nvidia is the brainchild of Jensen Huang a Taiwan-born electrical engineering graduate - and two microchip designers, Chris Malachowsky, pictured, and Curtis Priem He has run the company ever since becoming one of the world's richest people in the process. Nvidia's main product is a graphics-processing unit (GPU), a wafer-thin circuit board with a powerful microchip at its core. These processors allow lightweight, energy efficient personal computers and laptops to perform a huge number of calculations at high speed. For decades the big microchip maker was Intel. Nvidia differs from its rival in some key ways. Intel and others make industry-standard general purpose chips known as 'central processing units' (CPU), which handle all the main functions of a computer, producing one mathematical calculation at a time. But Nvidia's GPU can complete complex and repetitive tasks much faster, breaking them down into smaller components before processing them in parallel. If CPUs are delivery vehicles dropping off one package at a time, Nvidia's GPUs are more like a fleet of high-speed motorbikes spreading across a city. That made them the perfect processors to power the dawning AI revolution. Unlike Intel, Nvidia doesn't make its own chips that's mainly contracted out to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Crucially, Nvidia not only designs the hardware the chips but also the software on which they run. 'What Nvidia does for a living is not build the chip we build the entire supercomputer, from the chip to the system, to the interconnects, the NVLinks, the networking, but very importantly the software,' says Huang, 61. This secret sauce software package is called Cuda. Nvidia's chips originally set out to improve the computer graphics used by video gamers. Cuda's creation in 2006 allowed other, all-purpose applications to run on Nvidia's chips too. Initially, AI wasn't one of them. In the early 2010s, AI was still a technology backwater where progress in areas such as speech and image recognition was slow. Even less fashionable were 'neural networks' computing structures which mimic the workings of the human brain. Nvidia is now worth more than the entire FTSE 100 after its share price rose from $34 in June 2019 to $1,090 today Nvidia's breakthrough came when the Cuda platform was championed by British-Canadian computer scientist and cognitive psychologist Geoffrey Hinton, dubbed the 'godfather of AI'. Two of his students trained a neural network to identify videos of cats using just two of Nvidia's boards. Google boffins needed 16,000 CPUs to perform the feat. Machine learning had arrived. The stunning results prompted Huang to go all-in on AI in 2013. Nvidia's GPUs were soon to be found in everything from smart cars to robotics and data centres with customers ranging from Tesla to Microsoft and Amazon. One setback was a failed 31 billion bid to buy Cambridge-based chip designer Arm Holdings. But Nvidia really came of age a year ago with news that ChatGPT Open AI's chatbot was powered by its supercomputers. This propelled the shares into orbit. The news led to a frenzy among big tech companies and AI start-ups for Nvidia's processors, leading to shortages that could last into next year. On May 23 bumper results that beat market expectations caused the company's value to increase by $200 billion in just one day. To meet the insatiable demand, Nvidia plans to launch a new generation of AI chips code-named Blackwell later this year, costing more than $30,000 each.sni It can charge so much because of its stranglehold on the AI chip market, with a market share of more than 80 per cent. This near-monopoly has turned Nvidia into a massive money-making machine, fuelling potentially huge future share price rises. Can UK investors still profit from Nvidia Can British investors still make a profit on Nvidia shares, or have you missed the boat if you don't already own them? Experts say that there may be more good gains to be had - though the stock is not for the faint hearted. 'I have no doubt that Nvidia is going to become the biggest company in the world,' says Stephen Yiu, fund manager at the 1.1billion Blue Whale Growth fund. It could take two years - or it could happen a lot sooner, he adds. His fund has made 'over 100million' since Yiu started buying Nvidia's shares three years ago and they remain its largest single holding. Although Nvidia shares don't look ludicrously over-valued at the moment, they 'can't keep going up in a straight line for ever', says Darren Nathan, head of equity research at investment platform Hargreaves Lansdown. One risk is that governments - concerned about the risks to society and even humanity itself - may attempt to clamp down on artificial intelligence (AI) - . Rather than trying to pick individual winners by putting all your chips on one bet, experts suggest that you spread your risk by putting money into a fund with shares in Nvidia or AI more generally. 'Fortunately, there are plenty of AI-themed investment funds on offer,' says Dan Coatsworth, investment analyst at investment platform AJ Bell. As well as the Blue Whale Growth fund, there is Polar Capital's 580million Artificial intelligence Fund, which has Nvidia as its biggest single holding, making up 6.3 per cent of the portfolio. 'The fund provides broad exposure, prioritising companies that are either key enablers or beneficiaries of AI,' says Coatsworth such as Microsoft, Amazon, Micron Technology and Advanced Micro Devices. Nvidia is also the biggest constituent of the technology stock-heavy Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust, on 8 per cent. Experts say other technology funds to consider include Axa Framlington Global Technology, Fidelity Global Technology, Janus Henderson Global Technology Leaders and Allianz Technology Trust. Investing in technology funds is easy through a stocks and shares Isa, self-invested personal pension (Sipp) or a general investment account. British investors can buy American stocks through an online broker, but may pay a higher trading or administration fee. Also UK-based shareholders of US companies must fill in a W-8 BEN form which allows them to pay a reduced tax rate on the investment. Even the US Navy thought that the USS Cowpens was jinxed. The little flattop eventually earned her place in history as the only American aircraft carrier present in Tokyo Bay to witness the final Japanese surrender in September 1945. But her beginnings were far from heroic named for a little-known battle fought in a field full of cows during the Revolutionary War, and with a somewhat explicit bull logo that had to be painted over every time they got to port lest it 'upset the civilians'. Everyone who served aboard her knew it was ridiculous but they latched onto the name with enthusiasm. And soon, some unknown wit coined the nickname she carried throughout her career: The Mighty Moo. Her string of bad luck began with her first captain, Robert McConnell, a naval aviator who himself was plagued with ill fortune. The USS Cowpens was named for a little-known battle fought in a field full of cows during the Revolutionary War Its somewhat explicit bull logo had to be painted over every time they got to port lest it 'upset the civilians' McConnell, who previously commanded the aircraft tender Langley, was sent on a suicide mission in 1942 to deliver warplanes to Java on the eve of its capture by the Japanese. Enemy aircraft caught him a full 100 miles short of his destination and smothered his ship in bombs. With Langley on fire and about to capsize, McConnell and his men abandoned ship. They were rescued and transferred to a fleet oiler, which was in turn also sunk by Japanese bombers. After being recovered at sea twice in four days, McConnell found his career was the next target. His superior officer accused him of prematurely abandoning Langley, and only through intercession by the powerful head of the US Navy, Admiral Ernest King, was his record cleared. McConnells bad luck followed him to Cowpens, whose crew was being assembled in Philadelphia in the summer of 1943. The US was in the midst of a massive mobilization, with the Navy expanding from 300,000 to three million men. Accordingly, most of McConnells crew had been in uniform barely longer than the ship had been afloat. He only had a few weeks to take this mob of former civilians and forge them into an effective team. It was tough going, as demonstrated by a humiliating incident in her shakedown cruise in July 1943. During Typhoon Cobra in December 1944, howling wind and pounding waves brought the ship to the edge of capsizing, closer to disaster than shed ever been On November 24, 1943, Lt. Alfred McGee was on approach for landing when a spray of gasoline from a leaking belly tank ignited a fireball Miraculously, McGee was able to touch down successfully then scampered across the wing as the ship's firemen extinguished the blaze On February 25, 1945, an inexperienced pilot bounced his plane over the crash barrier and plowed into another aircraft. Two crewmen were knocked overboard and lost Returning to Norfolk, Virginia, after several days operating at sea, McConnells green bridge crew made a series of errors that resulted in the ship becoming tangled in an anti-submarine net. She is said to have hung there like a trapped fish for three days until divers cut her loose. McConnell received an official admonishment for the incident the last thing he needed after narrowly dodging allegations of dereliction of duty the previous year. Cowpens pilots werent having much luck, either. Theyd been issued the planes they would fly into combat the F6F Hellcat and the TBF Avenger without any formal training on either. It was up to them to get up to speed, and their first attempt to fly aboard the Moo demonstrated they had a long way to go. One plane collided with a stationary object even before it left the airfield, while the first three planes attempting to land aboard came down so hard they either burst their tires or collapsed a landing gear. The fourth careened over the side and into the drink. Its pilot, recovered unhurt, earned the dubious distinction of being the inaugural member of the ships dunkee club. While the Navy cleaned up the mess, the pilots drowned their sorrows at the Officers Club. After one night of particularly heavy drinking, Air Group Commander Mark Grant reported to the airfield early the next morning for a test flight. He was desperately hungover, and the motion of the aircraft soon made him nauseous. Not having anything to be sick into, he opened his canopy and let fly into the slipstream. While this resolved his immediate crisis, it created another, as he lost his dentures in the process. A full set of teeth was a requirement for sea duty, so he had to rush to get replacements before the ship set sail. The incident generated some much-needed smiles aboard the Moo and set the stage for another incident in combat some months later. Cowpens blooding in combat was at Wake Island in October 1943. The operation was a disaster; her pilots were a dangerous combination of inexperienced and overconfident, and casualties quickly mounted. The first pilot attempting to take off from the Moo that morning misjudged his direction or the edge of the ship in the pre-dawn gloom; he and his plane tumbled into the sea without ever taking flight. While he recovered, two of his colleagues - Bill Stanton and Archibald 'Big Mac' McIlwane - took off and were never seen again; perhaps they collided in mid-air or suffered vertigo and plummeted into the sea. They made pass after pass, giving the enemy gunners plenty of opportunities, and as a result many of the Moos planes came back to the ship with more holes than Swiss cheese. The final butchers bill for the operation was three planes lost in accidents and another three shot down, with four pilots killed. It was a heavy loss, although thankfully two men, including Air Group Commander Mark Grant, were recovered at sea. Grant drifted in his life raft for three days before being picked up by the submarine Skate. Meanwhile, remembering the earlier loss of his dentures, he placed them in one of his shoes, thinking they would be safest there. But Skate snuck up on Grant, who was so surprised by its sudden appearance that he forgot his teeth. Bob Price (left) and his division of fighter pilots from VF-25. Bill Stanton and Archibald 'Big Mac' McIlwane (middle) disappeared after takeoff on their first combat mission to Wake in October 1943. Benny Farber (right) died in a landing accident off the Marianas Islands in February 1944 Burial at sea for four Marines killed on December 4, 1943, when a damaged Hellcat fighter plowed through a gun bucket during an emergency landing. Ten other crewmen were injured in the accident With a whoop, he leaped aboard the sub and was preparing to go below when he realized hed left his dentures in the raft, and had to dive back in to retrieve them. The story improved in subsequent retellings at the Honolulu O-Club, with Grant claiming the sub had fully submerged before he convinced its captain to let him go back to retrieve his dentures. The Cowpens jinx had two last cards to play. Returning to Pearl Harbor, Captain McConnell made several short training cruises to give his green pilots more experience. Late on the night of October 18, during a routine rotation of the Moos escorts, the destroyer USS Abbot misjudged her turn and sliced into Cowpens side. While no one aboard the Moo was killed, she limped back to Pearl for nine days in drydock to repair the damage. While there, someone attempted to drain one of the ships onboard water tanks, but opened the wrong valve and dumped several hundred gallons of aviation fuel into the dry dock, where it settled into a drain. A spark from the repair work above sparked a fire and explosion, which put a black scorch mark on her newly-repainted hull. Cowpens luck finally turned when she returned to sea in November 1943. Her crew and air group gelled as a team and, with every operation, they grew in experience and confidence. By the invasion of the Marianas Islands in June of 1944, Cowpens air group was one of the most experienced in the US task force of fast carriers. There would be triumphs and tragedies for the Moo on her long journey to Tokyo Bay, and the operations came one after another in rapid-fire succession: Wake, Gilberts, Marshalls, New Guinea, Marianas, Formosa, Palau, Leyte, Luzon, South China Sea, Iwo Jima, and Japan itself. In each one, the little carrier routinely punched above her weight. Her pilots engaged in epic dogfights and daring bombing missions, and one - Lt. Commander Clement 'Clem' Craig - even earned the elite status of ace-in-a-day. Others were shot down and weathered long days adrift on a life raft or on the run behind enemy lines. The scene in a squadron ready room aboard Cowpens after the announcement of the Japanese surrender, August 15, 1945 Ace-in-a-day pilot Lt. Commander Clement 'Clem' Craig (left); jinxed captain Robert McConnell The cover of the local Cowpens, South Carolina, newspaper after V-J Day There were costly accidents and lucky escapes. Days like December 4, 1943, when a damaged plane making an emergency landing careened into a gun bucket, killing four and injuring 10. Or November 24, 1943, when Lt. Alfred McGees leaking belly tank became a fireball while he was on approach for landing. He successfully touched down and scampered across the wing as the ships firemen extinguished the blaze. In addition to the Japanese, the Moo at times faced another, deadly enemy - mother nature. During Typhoon Cobra in December 1944, howling wind and pounding waves brought the ship to the edge of capsizing, closer to disaster than shed ever been. Cowpens was in the fight until the very last day, and when the order to cease hostilities came on August 15, 1945, her planes were in the air and headed towards the target. Her aircraft flew 11,275 combat sorties in all, destroying 93 planes in the air and another 512 on the ground and sank 16 ships. As stated by her Navy Unit Commendation, daring and dependable in combat, the Cowpens and her gallant officers and men rendered loyal service in achieving the ultimate defeat of the Japanese Empire. Her heroism is still celebrated every June with a festival in the small South Carolina town of Cowpens (pop: 2,162) that gave her her name. Excerpted from The Mighty Moo: The USS Cowpens and Her Epic World War II Journey from Jinx Ship to the Navys First Carrier into Tokyo Bay 2024 Nathan Canestaro and reprinted by permission from Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group There are 13 presumed victims, but cops said it is likely there are at least 25 A new investigation into one of Indiana's most notorious serial killers has led to the identification of a 12th victim - with cops warning there could be at least 25 in total. The chilling case began in 1996 when the 15-year-old son of businessman Herbert Baumeister discovered a human skull near the family's estate Fox Hollow Farm. Now dubbed 'The Killing Field', cops ultimately unearthed around 10,000 charred bone fragments on the sprawling Indianapolis-area property. Baumeister - a married father of three and then the owner of two Sav-A-Lot thrift stores - quickly became the subject of an investigation and was believed to have snared victims at gay bars. But the 49-year-old fled to Ontario after an arrest warrant was issued and shot himself in a park before he could be tried. Previously, nine victims had been identified. But a new investigation launched in 2022 yielded two more IDs - Allen Livingston, 27, and Manuel Resendez, 34. Now a third new victim - Jeffrey Jones, 31 - has been named, CBS News reported. The remains are the third to be identified in a new investigation after over 10,000 bone fragments were unearthed at Fox Hollow Farm - the old home of Herbert Baumeister. Baumeister - then the owner of two Sav-A-Lot thrift stores - quickly became the subject of an investigation, which within months culminated with a warrant for his arrest. Authorities believed Baumeister frequented gay bars, lured men to his home and killed them Hamilton County Coroner Jeff Jellison revealed in an update on the case that the remains found on the property could represent at least 25 people. 'We know that we have at this point 13 victims found on the Fox Hollow Farm property,' he said. 'Because many of the remains were found burnt and crushed, this investigation is extremely challenging. 'However, the team of law enforcement and forensic specialists working the case remain committed.' He added that the most recent man identified, Jeffrey Jones, went missing in 1993, in Indianapolis - a timeline that coincides with the young men who vanished between the mid-1980s and the mid-90s already named as Baumeister's victims. More DNA samples are now set to be analyzed, which, according to Jellison, remains 'the most efficient way that we'll be able to identify these remains.' So far, that effort has garnered IDs on three new victims, Jones, Livingston, and Resendez. Two of those turned out to be already among the eight men whose remains were found during the initial probe in the 90s - Resendez and now Jones. By 1999, Baumeister had been linked to the disappearance of at least 16 men - with a new investigation starting in 2022 since naming more. The most recent victim identified was 31-year-old Jeffrey Jones, bringing the number of Baumeister's presumed victims to 13 The new search has also yielded IDs on two more victims - Allen Livingston, 27, and Manuel Resendez, 34 - both of whom went missing in Indianapolis in 1993 Other confirmed victims include John Lee 'Johnny' Bayer, 20; Richard Douglas Hamilton Jr., 20; Steven Spurlin Hale, 28; Allen Wayne Broussard, 28; Roger Allen Goodlet, 33; Michael Frederick 'Mike' Keirn, 45; and 34-year-old Jerry Williams-Comer. All were named after DNA was extracted from bones found on Baumeister's expansive compound. The former home and suspected scene of up to 25 murders still stands today, with eerie images showing the first crime scene search. Cops, meanwhile, have already identified twenty additional locations that might yield more excavations in the currently vacant home, with an additional three sets of remains still unidentified. All are believed to be male and the victims of homicide. Hamilton County Coroner's office is appealing to the public to come forward if relatives went missing during the killer's reign of terror across greater Indianapolis. They are being urged to complete a DNA test as the search effort continues. Jones' remains were identified earlier this month through advances in forensic genetic genealogy, and analysis performed by the FBI and Jellison's office. Resendez's remains were identified using the same method in January, after vanishing from the Indianapolis area in 1993. Other confirmed victims include that of John Lee 'Johnny' Bayer, 20; Richard Douglas Hamilton Jr., 20; Steven Spurlin Hale, 28; Allen Wayne Broussard, 28; Roger Allen Goodlet, 33; Michael Frederick 'Mike' Keirn, 45; and 34-year-old Jerry Williams-Comer All were named after DNA was extracted from their bones found on Baumeister's expansive compound Cops have identified twenty additional locations that might yield more excavations in the currently vacant home Hamilton County Coroner's office is appealing to the public to come forward if relatives went missing during the killer's reign of terror across greater Indianapolis A few months earlier, more bone fragments were named as belonging to Livingston, who also went missing in 1993, in Indianapolis. His remains were recovered in the initial search of the farm in 1996, but remained unidentified until October 2023. The initial investigation saw police scour all eight acres of land on the estate. However, due to the sheer scale of the operation, there were some oversights - with a man named Joe LaBlanc finding a bone while walking the dog on the former Baumeister property in 2011, after renting an apartment attached to the main house. At the time, Baumeister attempted to explain away the skull found by his son, claiming it was part of his late father's medical practice. Then, two weeks after the bones were discovered and a warrant was sent out for Baumeister's arrest, he killed himself in Toronto, Canada. Authorities believed Baumeister frequented gay bars, lured men to his home and killed them. By 1999, he had been linked to the disappearance of at least 16 men missing since 1980. This included several whose bodies were dumped in shallow streams in rural central Indiana and western Ohio. They are being urged to complete a DNA test as the search effort continues, during which even more remains could be brought to light A replica of the original sign at Fox Hollow Farm is seen here on Tuesday October 16, 2012 The farm is the suspected scene of up to 25 murders of young men in Indianapolis, officials this week claimed The 1977 Tudor style mansion is no longer owned by Baumeister, and still stands today Joe LaBlanc, shows the Star where he and his dog found a human leg bone during a walk on the property in 2011, while renting an apartment on the property from its then owners He went on to give the star a tour of the Monon rail way tunnels which run along the edge of the property The tac room in Fox Hollow Farm horse stables, as it was Tuesday October 16th, 2012 An air vent where it was alleged suspected serial killer Herb Baumeister, kept a hidden camera above a couch in the basement, uncovered by subsequent homeowners The farm was 'an unusual spot to find bodies,' then-Sheriff Joe Cook told The Indianapolis Star following the discovery of a human skull in June 1996 Authorities believed Baumeister frequented gay bars, lured men to his home and killed them. By 1999, he had been linked to the disappearance of at least 16 men missing since 1980. It is now nearly a dozen more Those who believe they may be a relative of a missing person connected to the case are urged to contact the Hamilton County Coroner's Office. Palm Beach housekeepers are raking in salaries as high as $250,000 after a shortage of workers for wealthy homes and luxury hotels led to a surge in hourly wages. An influx of rich families to the popular Florida city from high-tax areas such as New York has also pushed up demand - with many now seeking help in their mansions. This has led to booming business for butlers, now called 'hospitality managers' or 'estate managers', private chefs, nannies, drivers, security guards and especially housekeepers. It means that while once considered a humble, blue-collar job, those in the cleaning industry are now able to charge staggering sums. A typical salary for a housekeeper used to be $25 an hour in 2020. Today, it's surged to nearly $50 an hour, CNBC reported. Palm Beach housekeepers are living large, making over $150,000, as a shortage of workers for wealthy homes and luxury hotels has led to a surge in hourly wages An influx of rich families to the popular Florida city from high-tax areas such as New York has also pushed up demand - with many now seeking help in their mansions Yearly, housekeepers with experience are making upwards of 150,000 plus benefits - including 401(k) plans, health care insurance and overtime. April Berube, owner and found of the Wellington Agency told DailyMail.com that she has more than 30 years of experience in placing all types of household domestic staff - including private chefs, nannies and housekeepers. 'The highest demand right now we're seeing is in Miami, Palm Beach, and it's still in New York and the Hamptons,' she said - adding that her clients usually have multiple homes. Berube also said there's been a mass migration of clients from California - especially Los Angeles. Berube revealed that when the families relocate, they'll often take a head executive housekeeper with them and find local housekeepers in the new area - which is especially prevalent in areas like the Hamptons, where only summers are spent in the home. She said that there is a huge demand for household workers in Palm Beach - and the work is the best paying - but Berube insists not everyone is cut out for the job. 'We require a minimum of five years experience working in the field that you're applying for. So whether you're a nanny or housekeeper, you have to have a history and background of working in the industry,' Berube said. 'It takes a certain person to work for high net worth, high profile families. So you can't just come from another industry or be a housekeeper or from a cleaning service - there is a lot of experience and training that that is involved when bringing in housekeepers at this level.' April Berube, owner and found of the Wellington Agency told DailyMail.com that she has more than 30 years of experience in placing all types of household domestic staff Marta Magarelli started working in the industry when she was just 25 and has now accumulated over 30 years of experience Berube also stressed that a major requirement for all her staffers is confidentiality. 'They have to sign non disclosure agreements. We have to make sure that when we're calling their references, we call all of the families that they've worked with before,' she revealed. 'We're asking how discreet are these people - are they gossipy? Because our reputation is at stake. We can't put in people who have not worked at this level and are not trustworthy.' Berube said that well-trained housekeepers are currently in control of their own rate because they are in such high demand, and that families are no longer determining what their salary is. She revealed that cleaners are looking for $45 to $50 an hour, as well as benefits and paid vacation. Palm Beach families have especially high standards and expectations for their household staff, which makes sense given the jaw-dropping salaries. According to Berube, housekeepers are required to wear special uniforms and keep the sprawling mansions in tip-top condition, all while staying out of the family's way. Housekeepers and cleaners are growing to be proud of their positions as they become more valued and better paid, Berube said. She revealed that the highest salaries she's seeing are in Florida - specifically Miami and Palm beach, where one of her housekeepers just secured a $250,000 yearly salary. DailyMail.com spoke to an executive housekeeper who was placed with a New York City family with two children through the Wellington Agency. Marta Magarelli started working in the industry when she was just 25 and has now accumulated over 30 years of experience. Her current family are based in NYC, but travel to Palm Beach for four months every winter. After many years of practice and trying multiple different roles, she earns a six-figure salary, annually. The competitive salary comes as demand for household staff has shot up in Palm Beach. Magarelli said that, in order to run a household successfully, you must be incredibly detail-oriented, precise and organized. A typical salary for a housekeeper used to be $25 an hour in 2020. Today, it's surged to nearly $50 an hour. Yearly, housekeepers with experience are making upwards of 150,000 plus benefits - including 401(k) plans, health care insurance and overtime While she said that experience comes with time, Magarelli revealed that she took an organization class to perfect her housekeeping skills. Magarelli said that her favorite part of the job is the people - she loves the family she works for currently and says it's a 'healthy environment,' especially compared to prior households she's worked in. Her top tip for any member of household staff that are in a bad environment is to remember it's just a job, and that you have to deal with the situation and go home and let it go. She stressed that there is a major difference between housekeepers and cleaners. She says that as a housekeeper you have to 'wear many hats' - including nanny, driver, chef. She says you have to be on top of everything and always be two steps ahead. Magarelli said that you have to be ready to drop everything for the family - even if they say 'can you jump on a plane and come to New York City' at a moment's notice. But the shimmer and shine of the Sunshine State may be wearing off with Americans who moved to Florida during the pandemic. But Florida appears to be is losing its shine as disillusioned newcomers find the state less idyllic than they had expected, despite plentiful sunshine and tax breaks With an average of 250 days of sunshine each year, it's easy to see why the state's allure is strong, especially to those from northern climes where the cold and clouds rule - but after a stint in the south, some are giving up on the dream. And it doesn't take long for those packing their backs to list any number of reasons as to why they have had enough. While many who took part in the national migration south have fallen in love with the state, others have had enough of the extreme heat, hurricanes, dangerous native wildlife such as crocodiles and alligators, and rising cost of living. Florida had a population boom during the pandemic, with more than 700,000 people moving there in 2022. The state with the biggest number of transplants was New York with 90,000 leaving the Empire State for Florida in 2022, according to census data, as reviewed by Shannon Pettypiece of NBC News. The weather can also be brutal with hurricanes a common occurrence and ever-present risk. Pictured, an American flag is seen amidst the wreckage of a home after a hurricane in Horseshoe Beach, Florida last August Census Bureau data also reveals Florida was still the second-fastest-growing state as recently as July 2023, but there may soon be a sharp decline in such numbers with more people making a U-turn in their U-Haul trucks. But while hundreds of thousands became Florida residents in 2022 lured by the promise of stunning weather, no income tax and lower costs overall, almost 500,000 left the same year. Some of those who departed blame soaring insurance costs, a hostile political environment, worsening traffic and extreme weather. When it comes to the cost of living, consumer prices in South Florida were up almost 5 percent year on year compared with 3.2 percent across the country. Only a few years ago, Florida's housing market was at bargain basement prices but now it is quite the opposite with with prices up 60 percent since 2020. The average house price is $388,500, according to Zillow. This is slightly above the median U.S. home price which is around $384,000. A former prisoner and drug dealer who was housed among paedophiles and murderers has revealed how she endured living with some of Britain's deadliest women. Francesca Fattore, 44, was placed on the enhanced wing at HMP Bronzefield in Surrey. An addiction to heroin and crack led to drug dealing and Francesca landed a prison sentence of three years and eight months for drug offences. While Francesca had her own cell and shower- the wing came with a catch. The wing of the HMP Bronzefield, called Houseblock 4, was where some of the jail's most dangerous criminals were caged. Now sober and out of prison, Francesca runs an organisation aimed at creating opportunities and safe spaces for former female criminals called UKExFemalePrisoner The wing of the HMP Bronzefield, called Houseblock 4, was where paedophiles and murders were also housed At first, she did not want to know what crimes had been committed by her new neighbours Isolated from the rest of the prison population, Francesca found herself with the most serious prisoners who had to be kept separate from other inmates for their own safety. Revealing how she remained sane among some of the deadliest women in the country, Francesca described how she first wished not to be informed of her neighbour's crimes. However, the 44-year-old from Reading changed her mind, telling The Daily Star: 'I decided I needed to know who those people were. I needed to know because then I won't talk to the people I don't need to.' Among her new neighbours was where child killers such Mairead Philpott, a woman dubbed the 'UK's most hated mum' after she and her husband murdered her six children in 2012. Philpott served 17 years and was released in 2020 after serving only half her sentence for setting fire to her home with her children inside. Another of her neighbours was Joanna Dennehy who killed three men and dumped their bodies in ditches near Peterborough. Recalling the other inmates, Francesca said she faced Lucy Wolfe most days, a nanny who sexually abused a baby. Among her new neighbours was where child killers such Mairead Philpott, a woman dubbed the 'UK's most hated mum' after she and her husband murdered her six children in 2012 Pictured: a cell inside HMP Bronzefield where Francesca had her own cell and shower During a 12-week rehab programme at HMP Send in Surrey, Francesca's life was turned around by a visit from the Princess of Wales Francesca said: 'I would never kick off on the wing because in my head when I went to prison that was it for me, I was going to change so I had to behave. 'I had to take my feelings aside of what you would want to say, what you'd want to do to somebody and just be a better person. 'When I learned my next door neighbour was that woman (Mairead) you just start thinking, "wow I am in with some crazy, evil, nasty people". Throughout her time with the women, Francesca followed the same rule to stay sane. Francesca said: 'Literally you just have to think that if I am spoken to by them then just don't speak back or keep it as minimum as possible. 'You have to switch off (from their crimes) because you have no choice'. During a 12-week rehab programme at HMP Send in Surrey, Francesca's life was turned around by a visit from the Princess of Wales. Francesca said: 'Having the privilege to sit with her inspired me to keep going and made me realise I was on the right path. 'She made me feel worthy and the experience left me on cloud nine. 'The video was also posted on the Kensington Royal social media accounts and I was the talk of the prison for weeks which was a really nice feeling.' Now sober and out of prison, Francesca runs an organisation aimed at creating opportunities and safe spaces for former female criminals called UKExFemalePrisoner. Francesca said: 'It has been amazing, out of this world. I had a woman message me and honestly I was blown away. 'She has never been to prison but she sent me the following: 'Hi Fran, I have never been to prison but my son is always in and out of it. I couldn't stop worrying about him and still do now he is home. 'If it wasn't for you and the other ladies in your group, I wouldn't be here today. It was you who kept me going and all the amazing ladies who turned their lives around. 'I couldn't believe it and we are not just touching prisoners or ex-prisoners it is people who have children who are in prison. 'It is mind blowing and amazing and so many women have thanked us for supporting them. ' EXCLUSIVE A Brazilian tradesman in Australia on a partner visa bashed his estranged wife and threatened she would be taken out of the apartment in a 'black bag' after learning she had become a stripper. Victor Hugo Leao, 31, tormented his ex-partner in a 30-minute campaign of terror at her apartment in Edgecliff, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on April 25, 2023, after she left him. As he held her against the kitchen wall and screamed in her face, his ex-wife - who Daily Mail Australia has chosen not to name - thought she was going to die. Leao's brutal attack was finally interrupted by police officers after they were called by a neighbour who overheard the commotion. Now, Leao's horrendous actions can be laid bare after he pleaded guilty earlier this month to assault, sexual touching without consent, stalking and intimidation, and destroying property. Victor Hugo Leao, 31, has pleaded guilty to domestic violence offences against his estranged wife According to police facts obtained by Daily Mail Australia, Leao and his wife met in Brazil seven years ago before moving to Sydney and marrying in 2020. However, just two years later, in November 2022, their marriage fell apart and his estranged wife moved to Western Australia while he continued to live in their Edgecliff apartment, which was rented in her name. Five months after the separation, she returned to Sydney to clean the apartment after Leao told her he was moving out. But when she arrived at the property at about 1.30am, she realised the keys he had left for her didn't open the front door. She contacted Leao and asked him to come over and give them to her. When he arrived, he tried to force her into a conversation about their relationship while they were in the kitchen, according to the police facts. His estranged wife said she didn't want to talk and was tired and needed to clean - but Leao increasingly persisted, saying, 'We are going to talk about this now.' He then started berating her, claiming she had 'lied to him' and she was a 'bad wife' because she had begun working as a stripper in Perth since their separation. Leao called her a 'whore' and said she had 'no dignity or respect' before cornering her against the wall and slapping her twice across the face. He then began prying about a visit she made to Brisbane and demanded she unlock her phone to show him details about the trip. Court documents reveal he slapped her, cornered her against a wall and called her a 'whore' after learning she had been working as a stripper since they separated The Brazilian tradie, who is in the country on a partner visa, faced court earlier this month As she opened her phone, she quickly texted her boyfriend 'help' at 2.08am before Leao snatched it from her and began reading her messages to her new lover, destroying her screen protector in the process. He then began taunting her about her new profession - grabbing at her breast and shouting: 'Is this how clients touch you in the club?' As he continued yelling, he moved in closer towards her and threatened: 'If the police come today you are going to end up in a black bag.' Another resident in the unit block overheard the chaos and decided to call police, who rushed to the scene and separated Leao from his estranged wife before placing him under arrest. According to the police facts, the victim was 'visibly distraught and crying' and told officers that she thought he was going to kill her. At the time of the arrest, Leao was the subject of an unserved Apprehended Violence Order issued in a Perth court which was served once he was taken into custody in NSW. Appearing in Waverley Local Court earlier this month, Magistrate Michael Barko sentenced Leao to an 18-month Community Correction Order under the condition he comply with the AVO. The order started on May 17, 2024, and will remain in place until November 16, 2025. For confidential support 24/7, contact 1800 RESPECT He said the border and immigration crisis is the worst its been in U.S. history Americans need to get used to migrant deportations again as chaos engulfs the border, Donald Trump's former border boss Chad Wolf told DailyMail.com exclusively. Wolf, who served as the acting head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), wants to reaffirm that removing individuals who are in the U.S. illegally is a 'fundamental' part of the immigration system. Under President Joe Biden, over 7.3 million migrants have unlawfully crossed into the U.S. escalating into a full-blown 'crisis.' 'The ability to remove individuals or deport individuals is just a fundamental part of our immigration system, of any country's immigration system,' Wolf told DailyMail.com in an exclusive interview at the EU-US Forum. 'I think we need to get back to that concept.' 'The idea [is] that if folks come here illegally, and they don't have a legal right to remain, they need to be removed,' Wolf said. 'And if they won't voluntarily remove themselves, then they need to be removed.' But dealing with the number of migrants who have crossed illegally is going to take time and new tactics, which could include the deployment of local law enforcement to deport illegal immigrants. In particular, Wolf suggested using Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE's) 287(g) program, which allows the agency to delegate to state and local law enforcement officials the authority to perform some duties of immigration officers. 'There are programs designed - the 287(g) program that ICE runs - to have local law enforcement help some federal immigration authorities.' According to ICE protocol, the program enhances 'collaboration with state and local law enforcement partners to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of noncitizens who undermine the safety of our nations communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws.' The former DHS Acting Secretary told DailyMail.com: 'I think there's a there's a strong desire to do that.' And that desire emanates from Wolf's former boss, Donald Trump. Former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf told DailyMail.com that the U.S. needs to get back to understanding the concept of deportation for individuals who cross into the country illegally, adding he supports using local and state police to do so Since President Joe Biden came into office in 2021, over 7 million migrants have illegally crossed into the U.S. Migrants spend the night on the floor at Boston's Logan Airport in January Wold told DailyMail.com he supports the idea of tasking local law enforcement with deportation and removal responsibilities, as his former boss Donald Trump has suggested ICE's 287(g) program would be critical in allowing law enforcement personnel to conduct immigration related duties The former president has repeatedly expressed his inclination to crackdown on illegal immigration by expelling many of the migrants who have come into the country unlawfully. 'We have to deport a lot of people, and they have to start immediately,' Trump told Fox News' Sean Hannity during a February interview in Texas on the U.S.-Mexico borer. 'It's going to be the local police are going to turn them over, and we're going to have to move them back to their country,' the former president added. Trump also floated granting police 'immunity' in order 'to give the job what they have to do.' Wolf told DailyMail.com he is in favor of the idea, though he conceded that some local law enforcement officials have pushed back on it. 'You have some elected sheriffs that just don't want to do that because of maybe, perhaps, their community or the district that they represent and they live in.' 'But on the other hand, there are a vast majority that actually want to help. They want to make their communities safer.' 'I think we got to give them the ability to help,' Wolf said, adding that the process to do so may be complicated but 'there is a way to do it.' The former border boss also said the deportation solution is befitting of the immigration problem, which he called the worst in U.S. history. Immigration and border security in the U.S. has never been worse, Wolf said Wolf said that he would be happy to serve Trump 'We're experiencing the worst border security crisis the country's ever experienced,' he told DailyMail.com. 'We're not in a good state.' He noted how the situation along the U.S.-Mexico border has turned into a humanitarian and security crisis under the Biden administration and DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas' leadership. And that problem is now spreading to communities across the country. There's a different way to secure the border and protect Americans, Wolf said, and he noted how the polls show Americans want a new approach to the immigration system. When pressed by DailyMail.com whether he would want to be the man to implement that new approach under a potential second Trump presidency, Wolf smiled. 'Anytime that you're asked to serve any president, but particularly President Trump, you're always happy to serve. So I'm always willing and happy to serve.' Though, Wolf admitted he has not had any discussions with the former president about the possibility of joining his cabinet should Trump get elected. Still, Wolf took the opportunity to heap praise on the former commander-in-chief for bringing immigration and border security to the center stage of politics. 'Look, he brought immigration and border security to the to the forefront of what we are talking about now, and showed that there's a different way to do this.' 'A lot of politicians just never wanted to go there. So to actually be able to serve under someone like that, it's actually really refreshing.' If Wolf does get his hands back on the levers of DHS power, though, he said he has some ideas of what needs to be done to properly address the crisis. 'There's some fundamental things that need to be done that send a signal to the traffickers and the smugglers and to others who are pushing millions of individuals across that border,' he told DailyMail.com. 'You got to restart border wall construction in priority locations, you got to let border officers do their job instead of having them be in processing facilities, you can restart a number of different policies that we knew were effective.' 'I was supportive during the first four years of the Trump administration, and believed his vision on how to secure that border,' Wolf said. Visitors to the bizarre city of Frankenmuth are greeted by a colorful sign bearing the German word for welcome, 'Willkommen'. There's toytown Old World architecture and plenty of beer, bratwurst and lederhosen. Outside Cheese Haus, owned by the same family for generations, locals carve blocks of cheddar into towering sculptures at a festival each June. You'd be forgiven for thinking you've stumbled across a quaint European city. But Cheese Haus is not in rural Germany, it's on Main Street in heartland America because Frankenmuth is slap bang in the middle of key election swing state Michigan. Known as Michigan's Little Bavaria (after the German state) and home to about 5,000 residents, the city is famous for its Oktoberfest - which holds the honor of being the first official celebration of the festival outside Munich. Joe Biden comfortably won Michigan in the 2020 election but Donald Trump holds a narrow lead in the polls there for November's rematch. Frankenmuth is Trump country - and if Trump is to return to the White House he needs the kind of dominant win there that he managed over Hillary Clinton in 2016. The majority of Frankenmuth's residents have voted for Donald Trump in the past two elections - but greater Saginaw County, an electoral bellwether, is far less predictable Frankenmuth is a uniquely German-themed city nestled alongside the Cass River in Michigan The name Frankenmuth itself is distinctly German - with 'Franken' serving as a nod to the region of Franconia and 'mut' meaning 'courage' Biden took 33% of the city's vote against Trump but Clinton managed only 26% - that helped Trump claim the state of Michigan by a tiny 0.23% margin in his 2016 triumph. Saginaw County, where Frankenmuth is based, could barely be tighter in electoral terms. Trump won by about 1,000 votes in 2016 and lost by only 300 votes in 2020. Considering Michigan's history as a swing state, Trump's success in counties with inconsistent voting records could be pivotal to his chances come November. Since 1992, Saginaw County's residents has selected the statewide winner in every election, making it an electoral bellwether. Among the 24 cities in Saginaw, Frankenmuth is arguably the most distinctive. It is nestled on the banks of the Cass River, roughly 90 miles northwest of Detroit, and has taken its history very seriously for centuries. The area was settled in 1845 by a small band of Germans led by the Reverend August Craemer. The municipality is home to the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus and themed events like an annual Oktoberfest celebration and open-air Christmas market The city's architecture features archways, towers and timber frames, all staples of Franconian design The area was settled in 1845 by a small band of Germans and has preserved its rich history ever since Winters also have a cosy German feel, with an enormous Christmas tree adorned with 32,000 lights that blink in time to festive music On January 3, 1854, residents formally organized as a township. The Village of Frankenmuth came into existence in 1904, and the municipality achieved city status on October 1, 1959. Since then, Frankenmuth has preserved its history, including its distinctive name - with 'Franken' serving as a nod to the region of Franconia and 'mut' being the German word for 'courage.' Most striking of all is the city's architecture, featuring archways, towers and timber frames, all staples of Franconian design. 'The City of Frankenmuth is proud of its Bavarian heritage, traditional small town appeal and strong downtown development pattern,' read guidelines laid out in a city ordinance. 'Bavarian architecture is not required, however, incorporating accurate Bavarian architecture in new buildings, renovations or expansions is welcomed and encouraged.' The guidelines dictate that at least half of the front facade of any street-facing 'principal building' must be constructed of brick, stone, or cut concrete block. Frankenmuth is also home to some uniquely German events. Every May, the municipality hosts the World Expo of Beer, Michigan's largest beer sampling event. This is not to be confused with Oktoberfest, which has been celebrated in the city for over 30 years. Following an official proclamation from the German parliament in 1996, Frankenmuth's Oktoberfest became the first to operate with the blessing of the original celebration in Munich. With the proclamation, Munich's Hofbrauhaus brewery also began shipping their beer to the United States for the first time in history. The brewery became the event's official beer sponsor in 1997. Every May, the city hosts the World Expo of Beer, Michigan's largest beer sampling event The Frankenmuth Cheese House celebrated its reopening in 2018 with a 1,375-pound cheese sculpture Frankenmuth is also known for its chicken dinners, and two restaurants - Zehnder's and the Bavarian Inn - turn out more than two million of them each year The chicken is served alongside buttered noodles and old-fashioned German stuffing The municipality of roughly 5,000 residents is billed as Michigan's 'Little Bavaria' Frankenmuth is known for its chicken dinners. At the aptly named Bavarian Inn Restaurant, families crowd in to eat traditional chicken dishes with sauerkraut, gravy, buttered noodles and old-fashioned German stuffing. Frankenmuth's open-air Christmas market, or Christkindlmarkt, is a staple that draws tourists from across the country. It includes more than 80 vendors and gluhwein, warm German spiced wine. For the annual Bavarian Festival, polka bands and costumed entertainers take to the downtown streets. The event features a traditional maypole, which is the centerpiece of many European folk festivals. Attendees people dance around the pole, which is adorned with flowers, tethered by long ribbons affixed to the top of the pole. The Cheese Haus has been in the town since 1968. It has a 1,375-pound cheese sculpture and a 74-foot tower where tours about cheese-making are given by animatronics clad in lederhosen and other traditional attire. Frankenmuth boasts two indoor waterpark hotels and in the winter, a Christmas tree adorned with 32,000 lights that twinkle in time to festive music. 'Willkommen. In German it means welcome. An offer to come and join in,' reads the city's official website. 'When we need to simplify the agenda, when we need to spend the whole day with our kids, instead of just hearing about it right before bed, stop by and feel the warm welcome of Frankenmuth, where you are sure to find the simple joys of life.' A tradie who murdered his pregnant wife then tried to dissolve her body in an acid bath had stalked and threatened her father when he refused to give him permission to marry his teenage daughter. Meraj Zafar, 22, this week entered a last-minute guilty plea to killing Arnima Hayat, 19, on January 29, 2022, in the North Parramatta unit they shared. Only one foot of the aspiring doctor was left after Zafar murdered her and then attempted to dissolve her body in a bath of hydrochloric acid. The facts of the case, tendered to the NSW Supreme Court this week, reveal Zafar killed his young wife 'by applying compression to her neck and/or smothering her'. In January 2023, Zafar pleaded guilty to stalking Armina's father Abu Hayat and threatening him over the phone during a conversation about marriage. Armina's devastated parents Abu (left) and Mahfuza Hayat (right) are pictured at their home in Sydney's west. The couple had a lifelong AVO against their daughter's husband Meraj Zafar, 22, this week entered a last-minute guilty plea to murdering his wife Arnima Hayat, 19, on January 29, 2022, in the North Parramatta unit they shared The court heard the apprentice builder had a fiery argument with Mr Hayat after turning up at his home on the evening of October 8, 2021. Zafar told Mr Hayat he intended to marry his then-18-year-old daughter with the older man requesting to meet the tradie's parents first. When an argument broke out, Arnima and her fiance went to a Hayat family friend and neighbour's flat, Bankstown Local Court was told in January 2023. At about 8.45pm, Mr Hayat started receiving calls from an unknown number. He answered the fourth call and her daughter's boyfriend was 'angry and started abusing' Mr Hayat 'and making threats of harm'. The court heard Zafar said to his girlfriend's father, 'Are you a man or are you a lady? Why can't you make a decision? I want a decision quickly.' Two hours later, Mr Hayat attended Campsie police station, where police told him Zafar had admitted he did swear and abuse the older man over the phone. Zafar received a five-month sentence, effective immediately, for the stalking charge. He also received a lifelong AVO not to approach Mr Hayat or any of his wife's family, including her mother Mahfuza. The couple were married in a secret Islamic ceremony four months before her death. Zafar told Mr Hayat he was going to marry his then-18-year-old daughter (pictured at her graduation) and became angry when he didn't receive the older man's blessing The facts of the case, tendered to the NSW Supreme Court this week, reveal Zafar (pictured) killed his young wife 'by applying compression to her neck and/or smothering her' Arnima Hayat's traumatised family, uncle Abu Saleh (left), father Abu Hayat and mother Mahafuzah (right) said their daughter loved studying and had become a real 'Aussie girl' Ms Hayat's parents previously told Daily Mail Australia their daughter was a studious but fun-loving 'Aussie girl' who weekly took her parents out for sushi and pies until she ceased contact with them six months ago. Mahafuzer said her daughter 'loved movies, music, she liked driving and shopping and buying pretty clothes.' With plenty of friends from school, her job at Kmart in Marrickville and the University of Western Sydney, she had a happy life before she started going out with Zafar. Arnima's parents said she went from being a normal, sociable teenager who regularly told her family how much she loved them to being withdrawn. From October, 2021 - when Zafar and Arnima moved in together in a unit in Parramatta - the family did not even receive phone calls from her. Arnima Hayat lived in this ground floor flat for three months before she died in January 2022 She had sent a desperate message to a friend on the night of her death. 'I have nobody except you,' Ms Hayat wrote to her friend. He replied: 'You have got no choice. You have to stay with him.' In a final message at 9.10pm, Ms Hayat wrote: 'No, I hate him.' Within 45 minutes, she had been murdered by her husband who drove to Bunnings in Northmead to buy a total of 100 litres of hydrochloric acid the following day. Zafar then poured the acid over Ms Hayat's body in a bathtub 'in [an] attempt to dispose of her remains', the facts of the case state. It was not the first time Zafar had attacked his wife. In May 2021, he strangled her unconscious after thinking she had been seen with another man. Zafar will return to court on August 5 for sentencing. Thousands of criminals are getting away with petty crimes because they are simply not bothering to turn up to 'soft justice' community service sentences - and by the time anyone notices, the orders have 'timed out'. In total, convicted criminals have dodged 2,000 years of community service since 2014, the Mail can reveal - with many able to take advantage of lax enforcement. Ministry of Justice figures have revealed that almost 18million hours of community service have been avoided in the last decade - the equivalent of every single prisoner currently locked up in UK prisons skipping over a week of community work. In the past year alone, two million hours of payback were avoided over 5500 hours for every day of the year - an increase of 25 per cent on the previous year. Since 2014, nearly 4 million hours of work were written off after the community payback expired, whilst more than 11 million hours of work were revoked, which can occur when the requirements of the order are breached. Pictured: Charlotte Unwin, who stamped on a woman's head in a late night attack, was handed a prison sentence after failing to carry out her unpaid work Convicted criminals have dodged almost 18million hours, or 2,000 years, of community service since 2014 The government have previously blamed the pandemic for struggling with the backlog of community service orders, but opponents say there is simply not enough enforcement and criminals can get away with not bothering to turn up for their service. Labour have now said that Conservative plans to introduce national service for all 18-year-olds are 'laughable' if they can't even make convicted criminals pay their dues. Community service is regularly handed down by courts to punish criminals whose crimes generally fall short of deserving a full custodial prison sentence. Criminals are sentenced to carry out unpaid work in their area, such as removing graffiti, clearing wasteland, or decorating public buildings. If they fail to carry out their work they can be hauled back in front of the courts and given custodial sentences. Last week thug mother Charlotte Unwin was handed a prison sentence for defying orders to complete 180 hours of unpaid work. She was found to have kicked a woman outside a pub in Selby, North Yorkshire in March 2022. During her trial, the 23-year-old did not react to footage of her kicking the victim, and was even shown grinning in her mugshot. Despite being initially spared jail, Unwin turned up for just 35 out of 82 work appointments, and failed to provide an acceptable explanation for 19 of those absences. Unwin put her failure to attend the appointments down to being intimidated by a man's unwanted actions towards her. But Judge Simon Hickey at York Crown Court ran out of patience and sentenced her to four months in prison. Shabana Mahmood MP, Labour's Shadow Justice Secretary, said the government had 'failed' on its promise to make criminals uphold work orders. She told the Mail: 'Rishi Sunak is desperate to turn the page on his disastrous campaign, but the same Government promised they would force a few thousand offenders to do community payback work and they failed totally to deliver. 'The idea that they can now run compulsory national service for millions of 18-year-olds is laughable. 'This clearly last-ditch fantasy politics from a government that has run out of road.' Community service is routinely handed down by judges for crimes that fall short of warranting a full prison sentence, and require criminals to complete unpaid work in their area, such as clearing waste The region with the most community payback written off was London, with over 3 million hours avoided. In Yorkshire and the Humber criminals skipped nearly 2 million hours, in the East of England nearly 1.7 million hours were avoided, whilst the South West saw over 1.5 million hours of payback going incomplete. On Sunday Home Secretary said teenagers who refuse to take part in the scheme when summoned won't be subject to criminal sanctions - and would not say what the consequences would be. He told Times Radio: 'There will be no criminal sanction for this. And as part of the Royal Commission that we're setting up in parallel to this policy, we want to make sure that we set up something which is sustainable well into the future.' And he told Sky News: 'We want to make this compelling. We are going to compel people, but also we want to make sure that it fits with different people's aptitudes and aspirations.' It is understood that an expert panel will be 'asked to look at sanctions and incentives' to ensure that all 18-year-olds take part in the scheme. She stabbed her ex-boyfriend Malcolm's new partner Janet Newton to death Maria Pearson, now 68, has served 36-years behind bars - one more than Hindley The UK's longest-serving female prisoner who has been behind bars for 37 years could finally be freed this year. Maria Pearson, now 68, stabbed her ex-boyfriend's new partner Janet Newton to death in 1986 and the following year was jailed for life for the murder. She was 31 at the time. Pearson, from Hartlepool, has now spent a year more in prison than notorious Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, who died in November 2002 after 36-years in jail. The mother-of-three plunged a sheaf knife 17 times into building society worker Janet after stalking her in the street in Hartlepool. She was found guilty of murder in 1987 and ordered to serve a minimum 12-years before being considered for parole. So far, Pearson has spent an extra 25-years in prison. Maria Pearson (pictured), now 68, who stabbed her ex-boyfriend's new partner to death, could walk free this year after spending 37 years behind bars Building society worker Janet Newton (pictured) was murdered by Pearson in 1986 She has now been granted her 10th parole hearing and believes her freedom in sight. The Parole Board has confirmed that Pearson's appeal is at the Member Case Assessment (MCA) stage, which is when a board member reads a prisoner's dossier to decide if there is enough information to make a decision. It is likely that the case will move onto an oral appeal to be heard towards the end of the summer. Pearson, who has given evidence before, is expected to address the panel via video from her closed jail. In the past, she has insisted she is 'no danger to society', through her last review, held in April 2022 and January 2023, ruled that Pearson was not fit for release due to the nature of the murder, how she had behaved in custody and evidence at the hearing. The panel also ruled Pearson was not fit to move to an open prison. She has twice been moved to an open prison, only to be returned to a closed one. The new hearing is sure to spark controversy as Pearson has been referred to as 'the UK's forgotten inmate' or the 'forgotten prisoner' by prison reformers who believe she has paid for her violent deed and should be allowed to live out her last years as a free woman. An informed source said: 'Maria believes she is a political prisoner, held at the whim of a number of Justice Secretaries who are courting publicity rather than looking at the facts of the case.' The savage slaying shocked the nation when it emerged Pearson had cold-bloodedly hunted down Janet. Teeside Crown Court was told the knife penetrated 23 year-old Janet's heart and she was left lying in a pool of blood in Grange Road, Hartlepool. It happened two days after Janet and Pearson's ex-lover became engaged. Pearson, from Hartlepool, had married welder Malcolm Pearson bigamously in 1986 - days after the birth of their daughter Rachel. Her 'doomed' relationship with Malcolm Pearson was 'intense and stormy' and their baby was taken into care after a serious incident at their home. After the Pearsons split, Maria's ex got together with Janet. Consumed by jealousy, Maria stalked her rival, abused her in the street and even sent hate letters to Janet's mum just three days before the attack. Pearson has now done another in year jail than notorious Moors Murderer Myra Hindley, who died in November 2002 after 36 years behind bars In 2006 the then Home Secretary, John Reid, rejected a Parole Board recommendation for Pearson to be moved to an open prison and prepared for release. At the time, Pearson said the decision was 'irrational' and 'politically motivated' as a response to public calls for murderers to serve longer sentences. But the judge said the killer was still 'in denial' showing limited sympathy for her victim. A previous stint in an open jail, in 2004, had ended in failure after just three months when Pearson was accused of intimidation and bullying and sent back to a closed prison. The Home Secretary said there were still major concerns over Pearson's history of 'manipulating' prison staff to achieve her own ends. She had shown a negative attitude to authority and an unresponsiveness to treatment and an unwillingness, or inability, to conform. The judge rejected her claim of 'political motivation.' Rejecting her claim of 'political motivation', the judge said he could detect no legal flaw in the Secretary of State's decision. Judge Kay added at London's High Court that, even had she been moved to open conditions, it was a matter of 'pure speculation' whether she would by now have been considered safe enough to release. Pearson's last review in July 2020 was rejected, partly because of her poor behaviour in prison. Pearson's 'doomed' relationship with Malcolm Pearson (pictured) was 'intense and stormy' and their baby was taken into care after a serious incident at their home A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm the parole review of Maria Pearson has been referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice and is following standard processes. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing. 'Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing. 'It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more. Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.' He also said that he was unaware of studies recommending masks for kids Bombshell testimony from Dr. Anthony Fauci reveals he made up the six foot social distancing rule and other measures to 'protect' Americans from covid. Republicans put out the full transcript of their sit down interview with Fauci from January just days before his highly-anticipated public testimony on Monday. They plan to grill him about covid restrictions he put in place, that he admitted didn't do much to 'slow the spread' of the virus. Kids' learning loss and social setbacks have been well documented, with one National Institute of Health (NIH) study calling the impact of mask use on students' literacy and learning 'very negative.' And the impacts from social distancing caused 'depression, generalized anxiety, acute stress, and intrusive thoughts,' another NIH study found. Dr. Anthony Fauci, former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, claimed the six foot social distancing rule 'sort of just appeared' and said that he 'might have' reviewed studied on masking kids but 'that's still up in the air' Speaking to counsel on behalf of the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic earlier this year, Fauci told Republicans that the six foot social distancing rule 'sort of just appeared' and that he did not recall how it came about. 'You know, I don't recall. It sort of just appeared,' he said according to committee transcripts when pressed on how the rule came about. He added he 'was not aware of studies' that supported the social distancing, conceding that such studies 'would be very difficult' to do. In addition to not recalling any evidence supporting social distancing, Fauci also told the committee's counsel that he didn't remember reading anything to support that masking kids would prevent COVID. 'Do you recall reviewing any studies or data supporting masking for children?' he was asked. 'I don't recall,' Dr. Anthony Fauci told the committee when pressed on where the six foot social distancing rule came from 'It sort of just appeared.' When pressed on the forced masking of kids, Fauci could not recall if he read anything to support the fact it would prevent illness 'I might have,' he responded before adding 'but I don't recall specifically that I did.' The pandemic patriarch also testified that he had not followed any studies after the fact regarding the impacts that forced mask wearing had on children, of which there have been many. And his answer was an ironic COVID-esque pun, 'I still think that's up in the air,' Fauci said about whether masking kids was a solid way to prevent transmission. Further, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) told the counsel that he believes the lab leak theory - the idea that COVID began at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) - is a real 'possibility.' 'I think people have made conspiracy aspects from it,' he said, adding 'it could be a lab leak.' 'So I think that in and of itself isn't inherently a conspiracy theory, but some people spin off things from that that are kind of crazy.' His admission that COVID may have began at the WIV comes four years after he backed the publication of a paper which threw cold water on the lab leak theory called the 'Proximal Origin' paper. The former NIAID director gave the committee a suspect answer of whether he was conducting gain-of-function research The former NIAID director said the lab leak theory could be true The coronavirus committee has dedicated months to discovering the origins of the virus that upended so many lives and resulted in the deaths of 6 million people globally. Recently they have discovered that Fauci's former top aide, Dr. David Morens, routinely conducted work on his personal email account and deleted files to avoid government transparency laws under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). His disregard for FOIA requests was so blatant that be bragged in emails to colleagues that he learned how to make official correspondence 'disappear' and that he would delete things he didn't 'want to see in the New York Times.' Emails from Morens uncovered by the committee further revealed that he boasted about having a 'secret back channel' to Fauci where he could clandestinely communicate with the former NIAID director. That revelation shocked the committee's chairman Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, so thoroughly that he demanded Fauci turnover his personal email and phone records to the investigative body. Also shocking, is Fauci's admission to the committee in January that he 'never' looks at the grants that he signed off on, some of which total to millions of taxpayer dollars. 'You know, technically, I sign off on each council, but I don't see the grants and what they are. I never look at what grants are there,' he told the committee's counsel. Further, he said he was 'not certain' that foreign labs that receive U.S. grant money, such as the WIV - which was studying coronaviruses using U.S. taxpayer dollars at the time the pandemic began - operate at the same standards of American labs. Fauci also said that the money he gave out as a part of the NIAID grant process did not go through any national security reviews. Fauci's former top aide, Dr. David Morens, speaks during a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic hearing on Capitol Hill on May 22 Fauci said the money he awards to labs abroad is not reviewed for national security concerns Additionally, the former director said he was unaware of any conflicts of interest among his staff, which included his senior advisor Dr. Morens. However, Morens testified before the committee on May 22 that he helped his 'best friend' EcoHealth Alliance President Dr. Peter Daszak with his nonprofit's work. Morens said he helped edit press releases for EcoHealth and worked to restore grant funding for the nonprofit after it's funding was terminated in the wake of the COVID outbreak in 2020. NIH, which employs Morens, funded Daszak's EcoHealth to the tune of millions of dollars. Still, Fauci said he was unaware that Morens had any conflicts of interests. The committee will surely seek to clarify Fauci and Moren's 'secret back channel' of communication during the June 3 hearing. The insistent melody and repeated snare-drum rhythms have become synonymous with carnal desire. Most famously, the tune is remembered for its key role in the movie 10, when a young Bo Derek explains to a drooling Dudley Moore that Ravel's Bolero is the perfect accompaniment to sex. Lasting more than 15 minutes, the 1928 work by the French composer has an orchestration that slowly and pulsatingly builds to a climax. According to a poll by the digital music service Spotify, Bolero was only pipped by Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing and the Dirty Dancing soundtrack as the most popular music to make love to. Not surprisingly, the tune is reportedly performed somewhere in the world by musicians every 15 minutes. Not surprisingly, too, it has generated royalties from concerts, recordings and film soundtracks of more than $100million not forgetting its accompaniment to Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's Olympic gold medal-winning ice-skating performance on Valentine's Day in 1984. Most famously, the tune is remembered for its key role in the movie 10, when a young Bo Derek explains to a drooling Dudley Moore that Ravel's Bolero is the perfect accompaniment to sex It has generated royalties from concerts, recordings and film soundtracks of more than $100million not forgetting its accompaniment to Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's (pictured) Olympic gold medal-winning ice-skating performance on Valentine's Day in 1984 Now, the fate of its huge royalties is due to be decided later this month in a courtroom in Paris. Maurice Ravel, who died in 1937, had no descendants. On his death, copyright went to his brother, who married his care-giver, who, in turn, left the rights to her first husband, who married his manicurist. Finally, the copyright ended up belonging to that manicurist's daughter from a previous marriage. However, with copyright now deemed to have expired, that woman, Evelyne Pen de Castel, has gone to court to extend the period on the basis that she claims Bolero was jointly written by Ravel and Alexandre Benois, a Russian set designer for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes dance company, who died in 1960. If she wins, copyright would be extended until 2039, and would earn her and her three adult children a multi-million-pound fortune. The descendants of Benois, who are backing her claim, also stand to benefit. Under French law, copyright lasts for a minimum of 70 years after the author's death with extra years added to cover periods such as the Nazi occupation of the Second World War when artists could not claim royalties. She is being challenged by France's Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music, which describes her claim as 'pure fiction' and the result of an 'overflowing imagination'. Pen de Castel, 74, argues that, crucially, Benois introduced Ravel to the dancer Ida Rubinstein, to whom the work is dedicated. How apt that a piece of music that is associated today with one of Hollywood's most famous sex scenes should have started life as a gift to a woman who created roles for herself that often involved nudity and sexually-suggestive scenes. Maurice Ravel (pictured), who died in 1937, had no descendants. On his death, copyright went to his brother, who married his care-giver, who, in turn, left the rights to her first husband, who married his manicurist Pen de Castel, 74, argues that, crucially, Benois introduced Ravel to the dancer Ida Rubinstein (pictured), to whom the work is dedicated Rubinstein's willingness to pose nude in public caused a scandal during the early 1900s. Born into a rich Jewish family in Russia, she was orphaned as a young girl and began travelling across Europe. As a dancer, her modern technique was considered scandalous and her role in a performance of Oscar Wilde's Salome in 1908, in which she stripped nude, led her to be forcefully placed in a mental health institution. Managing to escape and go to Paris, she worked with the Ballets Russes and began a lesbian affair with the American artist Romaine Brooks, becoming her favourite model due to her 'fragile and androgynous beauty'. In one allegorical nude, Rubinstein is pictured on a white bed against a black void that has been described as resting in spent sexual satisfaction. Many decades later, in 1979, it was the turn of Bo Derek to dial up the heat with Bolero. Then aged 22, the image of her running along the beach with her corn row braids in the film 10 is on a level with Ursula Andress emerging from the sea, Raquel Welch's fur bikini and the Farrah Fawcett poster as defining images of Hollywood sex symbols. Movie director Blake Edwards picked Bo Derek for the role after he spotted her at a party. He rated her as a perfect 10. Playing opposite her was Dudley Moore, whose character, George, was suffering a sexually dissatisfied mid-life crisis. The film was called 10, but George, spotting Jenny (played by Derek) on the way to her own wedding, rates her at 11 she's off the scale. They end up in bed trying to make love to the sound of Ravel's Bolero. Five years later, Derek appeared in a low-rent sequel called Bolero a name inspired by her sex scene in 10. It took two years to make, and the plot sees Derek play a graduate who embarks on a journey to lose her virginity. It was not the last critically panned film to feature Bolero. And now such a grubby court case about money signals an unedifying finale to the life story of Maurice Ravel, once described as 'France's greatest living composer'. The Russian composer Igor Stravinsky lauded him as the 'Swiss watchmaker' of music because of his fastidiousness and precision. Towards the end of his life, Ravel suffered a brain disorder which neurologists believe was exacerbated by his obsession with repetitive noises a trademark of Bolero's mesmeric rhythm. He hit his head while getting out of a taxi in 1932 and his mental condition deteriorated. He died five years later following cranial surgery. Some biographers have concluded he was gay, though British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams claimed he took him to a Parisian brothel. Certainly he was a colourful character, dressing like a dandy and occasionally wearing makeup. Ravel remained a bachelor until his death, sparking the battle over his legacy which remains to this day. His estate was left to his brother Edouard, and it seemed to be in safe hands. But in 1954, he and his wife Angele were involved in a car accident, and the couple engaged nurse Jeanne Taverne, 48, to help them. Her husband, Alexandre, a former miner and barber, became Edouard's chauffeur and the couple later moved in with him after his wife's death. The inheritance was estimated to be 400 million and Edouard had originally decided to donate more than 80 per cent of the rights to Ravel's music to the city of Paris. But he changed his mind, naming Jeanne Taverne as his heir. She duly inherited the fortune, sparking the first of a series of legal battles between Ravel's relatives. The case dragged on for ten years until 1970, ending up in France's highest appeal court. By then, Jeanne had died, and Alexandre had remarried a manicurist called Georgette Lerga, mother of Evelyne Pen de Castel, who lived on the proceeds for almost four decades until she died aged 83, in 2012. It was then that Evelyne Pen de Castel became the custodian of the Bolero millions until copyright expired in 2016. Miles Nazaire and Vanessa Bauer pictured during their Bolero performance in March The pair pictured again during their performance on Dancing on Ice, before winning the competition She says, however, that trying to fight off suggestions that she and her mother were gold-diggers meant it was a poisoned chalice. She has been mired in controversy since inheriting an estate which she claims is worth 6 million, and setting up a tax-avoidance scheme which was revealed in the Panama Papers documents that exposed corruption and tax evasion among heads of state, government ministers and celebrities. Moaning about Press headlines such as 'The Bolero Mess' and 'The Unworthy Heirs', Pen de Castel has said her family has been 'undoubtedly despised because they were neither musicians nor notables. Mum was a manicurist; Alexandre was a hairdresser. Small people compared to the intelligentsia'. She added: 'According to the media, we had millions stashed away. No way. Yes, Mum made a lot of money, but she didn't spend it on the high life. 'Mum mainly spent [the cash] on others. She gave a million to allow me to create the Lionel Perrier Fund for brain cancer research, named after my youngest son, who died. And when friends asked her for money, she always helped. 'She had a difficult life and never forgot where she came from. She raised me alone after her divorce from my father. She was aware the inheritance should, above all, be used for music. She made donations to academies, financed scholarships and pianos for students. But she spent little on herself.' But instead of maintaining a low profile, Pen de Castel is set to provoke more controversy with plans to sell the Ravel scores she has secreted in the safe of a bank in Switzerland, valued by auctioneer Christie's in 2008 at $20 million. 'What I would like is for an institution or a Ravel lover to buy the whole thing from me so as not to split up the collection,' she insisted. So, is the Ravel heritage a blessing or a curse? 'A blessing, of course, as long as it doesn't become a curse because of media madness,' Pen de Castel says. 'I'm sad my mother was never recognised as a worthy heir even though she did a lot for music.' While Ravel will be remembered for a piece of music that lasts just over 15 minutes the amount of time Hollywood directors reckoned the ideal duration for perfect sex the battle over his legacy millions still pounds away almost 90 years after his death. If working from home is meant to help cut traffic congestion and carbon emissions, the green lobby should think again, experts claim. The majority of people who spend part of their week logging in remotely actually end up driving more, new research shows. In the wake of the pandemic, WFH has tempted employees to move out of towns and cities so they have longer commutes on days when they're at their desks. And when they're at home, they're also more likely to go to the shops or the gym or take on the school run. The findings by Sussex University suggest WFH could be adding millions of traffic miles to Britain's clogged roads. It states: 'Teleworking will only provide a positive contribution to energy and climate goals if [government can] reduce the attractiveness of long commutes and discourage households from relocating to areas of low population density. The majority of people who spend part of their week logging in remotely actually end up driving more, new research shows (Stock Image) In the wake of the pandemic, WFH has tempted employees to move out of towns and cities so they have longer commutes on days when they're at their desks (Stock Image) 'Most teleworkers travel further each week than non-teleworkers.' The study published in the journal Travel Behaviour & Society analysed data from the National Travel Survey, which tracks the habits of around 13,000 households across England. Researchers detected patterns emerging between 2005 and 2019, as WFH became more popular. Hybrid workers added 15 miles to their weekly travel despite commuting less often. They also made an extra non-work trip, increasing their tally by another six miles, making a total of 21 miles. Almost two-thirds of the additional mileage was by car. Only those who spent most of their working lives at home saw a benefit, cutting their weekly travel by 14 miles, but they made up just a quarter of the WFH workforce. Before the pandemic, only five per cent of workers were based mainly at home. But that figure has now more than doubled, and 39 per cent spend at least some of their week in the house rather than in the office. Diane Abbott won her trial of strength with Sir Keir Starmer with the help of hard-Left activists who talk to each other using bird-based codenames. That is the claim being made by allies of the Labour leader, who are blaming the mysterious Socialist Action group for helping to create such a storm of protest over Abbott's alleged treatment that Starmer was eventually forced to let the veteran politician stand for election again. The Trotskyist group, which has praised hardline communist states, was formed in the 1980s when the Hackney MP was starting her rise to power: as an 'entryist' outfit, members would work within other organisations without revealing their true affiliation. A website is the only visible sign of its existence. 'They are so weird,' said a senior Starmer ally. 'They meet in pubs using codenames based on birds, calling themselves things like 'green kingfisher' and 'song thrush' and idolise awful places such as North Korea. 'We are sure they were whipping up all the outrage and confusion over whether Diane would be allowed to stand again.' Diane Abbott won her trial of strength with Sir Keir Starmer with the help of hard-Left activists who talk to each other using bird-based codenames The row erupted over Labour HQ's very public agonising over whether Abbott should be allowed to run despite a year-long suspension for suggesting that Jewish and Irish people did not experience racism 'all their lives'. It has exposed deep rifts behind the outwardly smooth Starmer operation. In a conspicuously unambiguous report on the front page of The Times last Wednesday, readers were told that although Abbott had just had the party whip restored, 'the Labour leadership has concluded that there are no circumstances in which she will stand under its banner on July 4'. She would be 'allowed' to retire 'with dignity'. Two days later, Starmer announced that Abbott, 70, could stand as a Labour candidate again. Momentum, the Left-wing campaign group which propelled Jeremy Corbyn to the Labour leadership in 2015, responded to the botched hit-job on Abbott by saying: 'You come at the queen, you better not miss. Diane Abbott has been bullied and abused her whole career. Starmer tried to force her out. She held firm and won.' The Times' briefing sparked a fierce 'whodunnit' debate, with insiders convinced that the authoritative tone of the report pointed to the source being Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's feared campaign chief. Allies of Sir Keir Starmer are blaming the mysterious Socialist Action group for helping to create such a storm of protest over Abbott's alleged treatment that the Labour leader was eventually forced to let the veteran politician stand for election again Momentum, the Left-wing campaign group which propelled Jeremy Corbyn to the Labour leadership in 2015, responded to the botched hit-job on Abbott by saying: 'You come at the queen, you better not miss' For more than two years, it is claimed, the 47-year-old from County Cork has been working tirelessy to parachute favoured Right-wing candidates into safe seats, working in close concert with Matt Pound, the former national organiser of the modernising Labour First group, and Matt Faulding, the Parliamentary Labour Party Secretary. A number of Labour candidates believe that these 'boys' as they have been nicknamed to the fury of Starmer effectively run internal party management processes, with the party leader reduced to a rubber-stamping role. And they say the 'boys' have been fighting a turf war with Sir Keir's chief of staff, Sue Gray, the formidable ex-civil servant now trying to exert her own control over the party. It soon became clear that Abbott had no plans to retire or be dignified. Her return to the fold was secured when deputy leader Angela Rayner looking noticably relieved after Manchester Police concluded that her infamously complex living arrangements did not give rise to criminal liability declared: 'I don't see any reason why Diane Abbott can't stand as a Labour MP going forward. I am saying that as the deputy leader of the Labour Party.' Starmer is described as being 'furious' about the entire imbroglio, with the muscle-flexing by the Left reviving fears that the ghost of former leader Jeremy Corbyn who is banned from standing as a Labour candidate is yet to be fully exorcised by Sir Keir's new model army of voter-friendly moderates. When Mr Corbyn was party leader, a number of his allies, including his chief of staff Simon Fletcher, were linked to Socialist Action. Morgan McSweeney, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's feared campaign chief The clash between the two flanks of the party is exemplified in Islington North, where Corbyn is standing in the seat he has represented since 1983, as an independent against the official Labour candidate, Praful Nargund (pictured) a wealthy Starmerite The Starmer ally fumed: 'Diane's had a long association with that Socialist Action lot. They might be strange, but annoyingly they are also very capable'. The clash between the two flanks of the party is exemplified in Islington North, where Corbyn is standing in the seat he has represented since 1983, as an independent against the official Labour candidate, Praful Nargund a wealthy Starmerite. Nargund, a local councillor, is a multi-millionaire behind a chain of family-owned IVF clinics. The Bradford-born private healthcare entrepreneur, who was educated at the now 25,000-per-year King's College School in Wimbledon, holds more than 9.4million worth of shares in his family's holding company. The 'purge' of the party's hard-Left has also swept away Lloyd Russell-Moyle, the former MP for Brighton Kemptown, who was suspended, and Faiza Shaheen, the candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green, who was not endorsed. Ms Shaheen was blocked for liking a series of social media posts that allegedly downplayed anti-Semitism accusations; Mr Russell-Moyle said that he was treated as a 'sacrificial lamb' by the party after he was blocked from standing because of what he called a 'vexatious' complaint about his conduct. Nancy Platts, a former Jeremy Corbyn aide, said she had put herself forward to replace Mr Russell-Moyle, but during her interview it was tweeted that Chris Ward, a former Starmer aide, would be the candidate. Abbott has described it as an 'appalling cull' of the Left. Mr Russell-Moyle said that he was treated as a 'sacrificial lamb' by the party after he was blocked from standing because of what he called a 'vexatious' complaint about his conduct Faiza Shaheen, Labour's candidate for Chingford & Woodford Green in northeast London, told Newsnight that the party was pulling her candidacy for allegedly liking a series of Tweets that downplayed antisemitism accusations Nancy Platts (pictured), a former Jeremy Corbyn aide, said she had put herself forward to replace Mr Russell-Moyle, but during her interview it was tweeted that Chris Ward, a former Starmer aide, would be the candidate Starmer is also struggling to keep a lid on splits in the party over another Corbyn-Abbott grievance: his perceived pro-Israeli stance. Imams across Britain are issuing 'fatwas' to their flocks to vote for independent candidates against Labour incumbents. The clerics are using the pulpits of their mosques and their social media channels to instruct followers to vote only for candidates that support the Palestinian cause, and condemning Starmer's party as 'Zionist'. The Muslim Vote, which was set up earlier this year, is urging the country's 3.9m Muslims to kick out all MPs who voted against a ceasefire in Gaza, or abstained. As Wes Streeting reveals in his MoS interview today, the issue is so inflammatory that, as a Starmer loyalist, he has had stop using public transport because of the risk to his safety. Even if he wins the thumping majority predicted by the polls, Starmer will struggle to contain these widening fissures in his party. If you're eight minutes into a screaming row with your partner, it might be advisable to call an immediate truce. Give it another 60 seconds and things could turn really ugly. Researchers have found that the nine-minute mark is when marital arguments hit fever pitch. Spouses' voices get increasingly shrill up to this point as the row intensifies. After that, they remain at the higher frequency. However the phenomenon was only observed in couples in unhappy relationships. Those in contented marriages maintained their natural timbre, even at the peak of their disagreements. Researchers have found that the nine-minute mark is when marital arguments hit fever pitch (Stock image) Researchers say couples could use the pitch, as opposed to the volume, of a partner's voice to know how irate they are getting. They also found that 'a person's return to normal can be facilitated by their partner they calm down faster if the partner remains calm'. Professor Melanie Fischer, who led the study, said: 'Once partners get more and more upset, they can't communicate well any more and might say things they later regret. 'So it could be helpful for couples to note when they or their partner are getting increasingly upset, and when voice pitch goes up, and take a break from the argument to calm down.' Her team at Philipps University of Marburg in Germany listened to hours of tapes from 404 couples almost all of them married to reach their conclusion. Their ages ranged from 20 to 85 and they were recorded having conversations of up to 15 minutes about concerns within the relationship. Researchers say voice frequency is an indication of how het up or 'emotionally aroused' in their jargon people are getting. Researchers say couples could use the pitch, as opposed to the volume, of a partner's voice to know how irate they are getting (Stock image) They concluded: 'Distressed couples may experience challenges communicating effectively as both partners become increasingly upset, and are only able to stop escalations in emotional arousal quite late. 'Therefore, at least in the time frame explored here, they have little opportunity to address difficult issues while at their baseline of emotional arousal.' The results were published in the scientific journal Behaviour Research And Therapy. They are avid sailors who have jokingly raced each other on royal visits to show off their skills on the water. And now the Prince and Princess of Wales have passed on their love of sailing to their oldest children and have bought a 'shrimper'-style sailboat to enjoy summer afloat on the beautiful North Norfolk coast. While Kate has been recovering from cancer treatment at Anmer Hall, the family's home on the Sandringham estate, ten-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, nine, have been taking sailing lessons at a local club. The area is known as 'Chelsea-on-Sea' and is popular with well-heeled visitors and second-home owners. A villager connected with the sailing club said: 'I have seen Kate bringing George and Charlotte here for lessons. You often see their car arrive. The Prince and Princess of Wales have passed on their love of sailing to their oldest children Prince George and Princess Charlotte Kate sailing in the eight boat regatta at The King's Cup at Crowes off the south coast of England in 2019 The Prince and princess have bought a 'shrimper'-style sailboat to enjoy summer afloat on the beautiful North Norfolk coast (Stock image) 'Someone takes them out so that they can learn the ropes, while Kate stays on shore. She waits in the club and sits on the balcony. She likes reading and sunbathing. 'Sometimes William is here as well, keeping an eye out and watching their boat coming back. It is great that they have a chance to do normal things. 'I know they have their own boat on one of the creeks around here, and a beach hut as well.' The villager said she expects Prince Louis, six, to join in the sailing fun when he is older. Kate learned to sail as a child and worked as a deckhand on luxury yachts in the Solent in her late teens. She has spoken of her love of the ocean and she and William, who also learned to sail as a child, have raced against each other during official duties, including a rain-lashed regatta in the Bahamas two years ago, which ended in victory for the future king. Kate is patron of the sailing charity 1851 Trust. The family's wooden boat has two sails and a small cabin. It is thought to be a 'Cornish Shrimper' type, inspired by traditional fishing boats. It is usually moored on a creek on marshland and is accessible only down a muddy footpath. A source said: 'It is kept out of the way because they like to try to keep a low profile.' Wes Streeting no longer travels on public transport after receiving death threats over his stance on Gaza. The Shadow Health Secretary reveals he has had to put extra security protection in place over his position on Israel and the war. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday Mr Streeting said of the threats: 'I have had to change the way I do things, change my movements, change my routine. It means I don't travel at the moment on public transport alone. 'It's really upset me not so much the fear for my safety, but for the last nine years I have really prided myself on the fact people see me on the Central Line into work; that they can walk up to me in Tesco and have a chat.' The Ilford North MP says that even after the murder of fellow Labour MP Jo Cox, he refused to be cowed and change his approach. Until now. 'I don't mind scrutiny. I don't mind disagreement. That's democracy. But no one should be subjected to threats and intimidation. I've had a death threat since the war in Gaza broke out, and I've had threats of violence. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting no longer travels on public transport after receiving death threats over his stance on Gaza 'The irony is I've been highly critical of Israel. I have been a long-standing advocate for an independent Palestinian state. Where I draw the line is I don't think that to be pro-Palestinian is to excuse or justify in any way the barbarity of October 7.' Mr Streeting is being challenged in his Ilford North constituency by a pro-Palestine candidate. The Shadow Cabinet Minister, 41, said: 'There will be some people in my constituency who don't feel we've been strong enough on Gaza and may not vote for me. But I think there are many more who are voting Labour because they want to bring an end to the chaos.' We meet to talk about his plans for the health service if, as expected, he enters government for the first time on July 5 the day of the NHS's 76th birthday. 'There will be no cake, no more NHS birthday celebrations until there is something to celebrate. 'We can't keep on cutting the cake when patients are dying avoidably when staff are leaving in huge numbers and patient satisfaction is at rock bottom. I am determined to cut through the dewy-eyed nostalgia about the NHS.' Palestinians wave their national flag by a destroyed Israeli tank at the Gaza Strip fence east of Khan Younis southern on October 7, 2023 The 'no cake' threat comes from experience. Mr Streeting once had NHS England call his office and berate him for putting out a negative story about the health service's performance on its birthday. 'They didn't call to complain about the accuracy,' he says. 'They called to complain that we'd ruined the NHS's birthday, as if the NHS was some 74-year-old person crying over their sponge cake. I just thought, this is ludicrous. That is a mild example of a far deeper cultural rot which places protecting the reputation of the NHS and its hallowed status over protecting patients.' Mr Streeting is keen to deliver his 'change' message, praising Sir Keir Starmer's 'steel' while admitting that, at first, he 'seriously underestimated' that the Labour leader could change the party 'from top to bottom, inside out'. He said he started to think Sir Keir was 'the real deal' when he kicked Jeremy Corbyn out of the party and reshaped his Shadow Cabinet after losing the Hartlepool by-election in 2021. A man holding a weapon grabs another man next to a car during the attack by Hamas at the Tribe of Nova Trance music festival near Kibbutz Re'im in southern Israel on October 7, 2023 Of the claims of a Left-wing purge, as several Corbynite candidates were blocked from standing, he said: 'We would rather take tough decisions now than be in a position after the General Election of having to explain why a Labour MP is having to face disciplinary action because of misconduct.' But Starmer's trump card was making Rachel Reeves Shadow Chancellor, creating 'the most powerful partnership in modern British history. The political equivalent of Lennon and McCartney.' More powerful than Blair-Brown, I ask? 'Definitely,' he says. 'It helps that they get along.' High-powered guests including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft are arriving at Rupert Murdoch's wedding to biologist Elena Zhukova. The media mogul, 93, and Zhukova, 67, are thought to be holding their wedding ceremony at the vineyard of his imposing Bel Air estate, Moraga. After his six year marriage to Jerry Hall, which lasted from 2016 to 2022, Saturday's nuptials will be Murdoch's fifth marriage. Kraft arrived with his wife Dana Blumberg and posed for an impromptu couple's snap by the side of an access road after giving their car to valets. Robert Kraft arrived at Rupert Murdoch's wedding with his wife Dana Blumberg and posed for an impromptu couple's snap by the side of an access road after giving their car to valets News Corp chief executive Robert Thompson dutifully attended his boss' wedding with his wife Wang Ping, who arrived in an eye-catching yellow floral shirt over green dress Guests get out of luxury cars as they arrived at Murdoch's imposing Bel Air estate, Moraga The paper and packaging magnate wore a blue suit with a white shirt and matching Nike trainers in both those colors - presumably to be swapped out later. Blumberg opted for a black dress that was partially sheer at the top, a matching handbag, and a glittering necklace. News Corp chief executive Robert Thompson dutifully attended his boss' wedding with his wife Wang Ping, who arrived in an eye-catching yellow floral shirt over green dress. Guests all arrived in luxury cars with brands including Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, and a Chevy SUV. Guests mingle at the spot where they leave their cars with valets and walk inside the estate Blumberg, 50, shows Kraft, 82, something on his phone after they got out of the car Guests all arrived in luxury cars with brands including Audi, Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, and a Chevy SUV Staff in blue vests help guests make their way to the celebration after their arrival Murdoch, whose fortune is about $20 billion, met Zhukova through his third wife, Wendi Deng. Pictures show workers lugging cartloads and buckets of flowers up a flagstone path in the direction of the estate. The flowers - white and delicate - seem suitable for a wedding ceremony. Leafy green flowers in brown paper bags were also removed from the delivery truck and hauled toward the property. Rupert Murdoch, 93, is marrying biologist Elena Zhukova, 67, in what will be his fifth wedding A massive load of flowers was delivered to Rupert Murdoch 's sprawling LA vineyard, where the media mogul is reportedly set to marry biologist Elena Zhukova today Pictures show workers lugging cartloads and buckets of flowers up a flagstone path in the direction of the estate In one picture, two men appear to be standing along the vineyard's perimeter. One of the men is pointing, possibly to make sure some wedding detail isn't overlooked. There also appears to be an enhanced security presence. The pictures show men in dark jackets patrolling the street in front of the Bel Air mansion. In another picture, a member of the security team stands on a balcony and keeps an eye on the activity below him. In other photos, valets in cobalt blue suits with crests stand ready to park the luxurious cars in which the guests are sure to arrive. Tall hedges flank the property, hiding much of the activity happening behind them. In one picture, two men appear to be standing along the vineyard's perimeter. One of the men is pointing, possibly to make sure some wedding detail isn't overlooked Leafy green flowers in brown paper bags were also removed from the delivery truck and hauled toward the property Valets in blue suits with crests stand ready to park the luxurious cars in which the guests are sure to arrive There also appears to be an enhanced security presence. The pictures show men in dark jackets patrolling the street in front of the Bel Air mansion Murdoch and Zhukova seem to be opting for a more intimate ceremony on the vineyard at Moraga, where the tycoon intends to spend his time and enjoy his retirement. After Murdoch announced the surprising news that he would be stepping down as the chairman of Fox. Corp. and News Corp, DailyMail.com confirmed that he would be focusing most of his time on making world-class wines at his vineyard. 'He wants Moraga to be a big part of his legacy,' a Murdoch insider tells DailyMail.com. 'He sees it as his responsibility to make sure the property has a secure future and that more people get to know the wine.' 'He wanted to step down while he knew he had time and enough energy to focus on other things, especially Moraga,' the source added. Murdoch purchased the unique estate in August 2013 via his Moraga Canyon Vineyards LLC from former Northrop Grumman CEO Tom Jones after seeing it listed for sale in the mansions section of the Wall Street Journal, part of the media stable he ran. Security kept a close watch on any activity happening outside the home Two men stand outside Moraga and chat. The man on the right appears to be holding a suit Murdoch met Zhukova (pictured) through his third wife. Zhukova will become the mogul's fifth spouse Los Angeles County property documents reveal the purchase price was $22.3million rather than the $28.8million widely reported an example, perhaps, of Murdoch's ability to broker a good deal. Jones first planted vines on the property in 1980. He made Murdoch promise to keep the property as a working winery and, indeed, he has. The unique estate sits on a 16-acre parcel of land in the center of the LA metropolis. The secluded property, hiding behind a 7ft ivy-clad stone wall and large wooden driveway fence, was first built in 1937 as a horse ranch. The first owner was Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz director Victor Fleming. Back then it used to host Hollywood greats such as Clark Gable, Vivian Leigh, Ingrid Bergman and Spencer Tracy for horse-riding and extravagant parties. Murdoch purchased Moraga for $22.3million in August 2013 The secluded property, hiding behind a 7ft ivy-clad stone wall and large wooden driveway fence, was first built in 1937 as a horse ranch As well as a 7,500 square-foot ranch-style house, there is a guest house, various other outbuildings and a wine cave, the only one in Los Angles County. It is Moraga, located on quiet, tree-lined Moraga Drive in the Santa Monica Mountains, that has captured Murdoch's heart more than any of his other luxury homes. Sources say Hall, 25 years his junior, had hoped to inherit the vineyard and had been taking an online viticulture course before Murdoch's shock announcement to her via email in 2022 that their marriage was over and he wanted a divorce. In between his divorce from Hall and his relationship with Zhukora, Murdoch was engaged to Ann Lesley Smith, a retired dental hygienist, for a matter of weeks. The media tycoon's first marriage was in 1956 to Patricia Booker, from whom he divorced eleven years later in 1967. Sources say Hall, 25 years his junior, had hoped to inherit the vineyard and had been taking an online viticulture course before Murdoch's shock announcement to her via email in 2022 that their marriage was over and he wanted a divorce That same year, Murdoch married his second wife, Anna Maria Torv, with whom he remained for 32 years before ultimately splitting up in 1999. Later that year, Murdoch married Deng, his third wife. They divorced in 2013. Zhukova, Murdoch's soon-to-be fifth wife, emigrated to the United States from Moscow. She was previously married to Alexander Zhukov, a billionaire energy investor. As early as March, Murdoch and Zhukova sent out wedding invitations, which reportedly said that the event would be held in June at the mogul's beloved Moraga. Now that the nuptials are both retired, the pair plan on spending their time at the Bel Air estate, where Murdoch hopes to develop an internationally competitive winery. But unlike the billions made by the media companies money-conscious Murdoch ran, the winery has not been a huge money-maker. Murdoch intends to develop Moraga and turn it into an internationally competitive wine brand The business loses between $2-$3million a year due to taxes, property prices, and since it's located in a residential neighborhood with homes surrounding it all sides, the number of vines cannot be increased to boost production. Fortunately, the wine already has a cult following and Murdoch intends to capitalize on this. A self-professed oenophile, his goal is for 'wine lovers everywhere to have the opportunity to understand the unique nuances of our specific soil at Moraga and how that translates into the amazing wines we create,' according to the Moraga website. 'We are not Napa nor Bordeaux,' Murdoch explains. 'We are Moraga and deserve a place a the table with the rest of the world's top wines.' A prison guard accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate used a girl's name to mask his identity as she spoke about their affair in secret texts with a colleague, police allege. Mother-of-two Amber Clavell, 25, allegedly had a relationship with armed robber Mark Kennedy, 27, at the Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre, near Windsor in Sydney's north-west, between January and April. According to court documents, Clavell allegedly found out she was pregnant with Kennedy's child in April and messaged her close friend and colleague Jessica Elguindy - who was also having an affair with another inmate, Beau Jones. Police will allege Clavell referred to Kennedy as 'Molly' while Elguindy used the code name 'Bella' for Jones. 'I was in denial last night, Ive done three (tests) and theyre all positive I feel like an idiot How did the morning after pill not work,' Clavell allegedly told Elguindy in a text, according to court documents obtained by The Daily Telegraph. Elguindy replied: 'Did you two decide what you guys are doing?' Amber Clavell is pictured outside her home last month while on bail for a string of charges Clavell allegedly struck up a romance with Mark Kennedy (pictured), an inmate at Geoffrey Pearce Correctional Centre in Sydney's north-west 'Not really were gonna have a proper discussion about it tonight Theres a part of both of us right now that don't want to get rid of it He was so caring last night,' the court documents alleged she said. Police will allege that a week after discovering she was pregnant, Kennedy ended the couple's relationship after becoming jealous of her speaking to other inmates. Court documents allege Clavell, who began working at the jail as a uniformed officer in 2022, snuck in 33g grams of methamphetamine to give to Kennedy, which she hid in two balloons 'on her body' along with a pouch of tobacco. It is also alleged in court documents that Clavell abused her access to the internal corrective services systems to check on her prison lovers contact with his wife over the jail telephone and to look up other information. Corrective Services launched an investigation into allegations about Clavell's conduct which led to both her and Elguindy being arrested on April 23. Clavell, who is suspended from her job without pay, was charged with engaging in an intimate relationship with an inmate, two counts of access or modifying restricted data, and bringing prohibited drugs into place of attention and drug supply. Meanwhile, Elguindy, a former facilitator for the Intensive Drug and Alcohol Treatment Programme at Geoffrey Pearce, was charged with engaging in an intimate relationship with an inmate, accessing restricted data and misconducting herself as a holder of public office. The charges against Elguindy relate to not only Jones, but a second inmate - Onefour associate Elijah Sila. According to court documents, the married mother of three sent love letters and photos of her self with sex toys to Jones' contraband phone. Amber Clavell, who has been suspended without pay, had been working at the facility since 2022 The investigation into Clavell led to fellow prison officer and friend Jessica Elguindy (pictured), being charged over an alleged relationship with another inmate at the same prison When his device broke, she texted Clavell saying her 'heart was hurting' because she couldn't risk smuggling 'Bella' a new phone in case she lost her job as she was the only person providing for her kids. In a message found on Jones' illegal device, he bragged to a friend that he and a mate had 'IDAPT teachers in love with us' and the prison officers were bringing the pair 'packets and vapes'. Meanwhile, Elguindy was also engaging in an 'unprofessional friendship' with Sila, by visiting him in segregation, sneaking off to different locations around the jail with him, and looking up his information in restricted databases. She was warned by the Corrective Services Investigation Unit her relationship with Sila was under investigation but continued to engage in inappropriate behaviour. The pair denied having a sexual relationship, however, her name and phone number were found inside Sila's personal diary. Elguindy pleaded guilty to all charges this week and will be sentenced at a later date. Clavell is yet to enter a plea and will return to court next week. Brad Pitts daughter Shiloh hired and paid for her own lawyer when she filed to drop the Pitt name on her 18th birthday. Family sources confirm that Shiloh, who turned 18 on May 27, was in the drivers seat when it came to dropping Pitt from her surname Jolie Pitt. A source close to the matter said: Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself, so Angie doesnt know and cant speak for it. 'But, if youre asking if this is connected to the abuse history or the violation of Shilohs victims rights, yes, thats part of it. Shiloh Jolie, pictured in 2021, paid to have her surname changed from Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, as her estrangement from her father Brad Pitt continues Documents to change Shiloh's name were lodged on Monday when she turned 18 the earliest opportunity she could do so independently. The revelation that Shiloh paid herself suggests that the ugly spat between former couple Brad Pitt, 60, and Angelina Jolie, 48, may still rumble on in the form of legal action from the six children the couple once shared. There were suggestions in supermarket magazines last month that Shiloh was planning to move in with her father as soon as she could. And other stories suggested that movie star Pitt was hopeful of reconciling with her now that she is an adult. However in truth there seems zero prospect that he will reconcile with his children following a notorious and disputed private jet confrontation in 2016. An FBI report into the incident published in 2022 saw Jolie accuse Pitt of physical assault while flying to California. She accused her ex of grabbing her by the head and shoulders and shaking her while yelling 'You're f**king up this family.' Shiloh is pictured with her father, brothers Pax and Maddox, as well as Brad's parents Jane and William Pitt at a December 2014 movie premiere in Los Angeles The report also saw Brad accused of punching the ceiling of the jet four times, snarling at his children and pouring beer on Angelina. Brad was also accused of attacking one of the couple's children on the plane, but was later cleared of wrongdoing by the LAPD. There have been long custody battles which ended eventually in a victory for Pitt, who got 50-50 custody in 2021 only to have it overturned on appeal. Hes had a judge intervene to tell Angelina she mustnt listen in on his mobile phone calls with the children. The judge has also ordered reunification therapy for Pitt and the kids. The actor set up a skate park in his home for Shiloh, and more recently an art studio to reflect their common interest in art. Hes sent cars and security to ferry the children from her home to his whenever there is an allotted custody visit. Sadly, none of it has brought them closer. Angelina Jolie, pictured in April 2024, has been blamed for widening the rift between her daughter and ex-husband In fact son Pax said in an Instagram post in 2016 that all four of the youngest children thats including Shiloh tremble with fear in his presence. The two elder ones were at that point already declining point blank to see him. The current situation has seen the children - Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh 18, and Knox and Vivienne, 15 - form a tight gang of seven with his former wife. Last year Jolie called them 'the closest people to me in my life, and theyre my close friends. We had to heal. There are things we needed to heal from. While Shiloh has repeatedly walked red carpets with her famous actress mother, neither she nor her siblings have done the same for Brad. He will often say how proud he is of Shiloh but clearly the feeling is not mutual. This is the result of textbook parental alienation, and it is a great sadness in him life, I am told. There have been years and years of (Angelina) telling and retelling the same lies about (Brad) and the reality is that she has alienated the kids, and the reality is that it is upsetting to Brad. He cares about all of them. It is devastating. Being a father was hugely important to him. He could now start a family with his serious girlfriend Ines de Ramon who now lives with him. She is 31, he is 60. Shiloh, a creative soul who for some years went by the name of John, is a dance student. Speaking at the premiere of his film Bullet Train in 2022, Brad said of her accomplishments: It brings a tear to the eye, yeah. Im Mr. Two-Left-Feet here. For all that pride though, and despite years of custody visits, there is only rejection. Zahara, a student at Spelman College, Atlanta, no longer uses the name Pitt. Vivienne has been working this spring with Angelina on a musical, The Outsiders in New York and is credited as simply Vivienne Jolie in the programme. Maddox and Pax are openly antipathetic towards their father, having not used the Pitt name for years. It seems he has been totally cut out. The Barefoot Investor has hit back at claims he was a 'right-wing jerk' for advising a landlord with multiple investment properties to not feel guilty about her success. Scott Pape received a letter last week from a woman named Lina, 27, who owns a home in Brisbane, Queensland, and several investment properties. Lina credited her success to following Mr Pape's investment tips, but said her friend had been unsupportive by caling 'all landlords and shareholders scum'. Mr Pape said Lina had no reason to feel guilty about her success and put down her negative friend for behaving like a five-year-old. His response sparked a flurry of outrage a week later with self-confessed 'bitter and twisted Greens' voter Felicity writing in to acccuse him of promoting greed. 'We all thought you were a nice guy who cared about people, but you let the Grinch in,' Felicity wrote in a letter published in the Barefoot Investor's column on Sunday. Scott Pape (pictured) advised multiple investment owner Lina to not feel guilty for her hard work and encouraged her to continue building her wealth despite facing ridicule from freinds 'You told Lina to keep climbing the ladder of success, leaving her friends in the dust, and stomping on Greens voters like me on her way up. 'Way to go, you right-wing jerk. Your words matter.' Felicity added Mr Pape should have encouraged Lina to share her good fortune and suggested she could donate to charity. 'The least you could have done is given Lina some idea of how she could share some of her good fortune, by donating to charity for example,' she wrote. 'But instead you told her it's OK to be greedy in the face of others' hardship.' Mr Pape defended his advice and questioned Felicity on her suggestion that Lina donates to charity. He argued Lina should not be made to feel guilty for working hard and finding success, nor should she have to donate money to absolve her guilt. 'Flick, you do sound bitter and twisted: Do you honestly think Lina should feel bad about working hard, saving, and getting ahead in life?' Mr Pape responded. 'And that she should donate some money to wash away the 'guilt' of her hard work? 'There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting off your rump and achieving success just as long as you don't believe you're 'self-made'. Lina explained she felt guilty for owning multiple-investment properties during a housing crisis and added her friend labels all landlords as 'scum' (stock image) Mr Pape faced backlash for his comments, with one woman labelling him a 'right-wing jerk' Mr Pape added being a good person was far more important than the amount of money they have accumulated and claimed Felicity was the one 'green with envy'. 'Look, no one should have to apologise for their success,' Mr Pape wrote. 'What ultimately matters isn't the size of your bank balance but that you're a kind, considerate and empathetic person. 'And in that sense I think it's you who has the problem. You're green with envy!' Lina explained in her initial letter to Mr Pape that she felt guilty for having multiple investment properties during Australia's cost-of-living crisis. 'My best friend says "all landlords and shareholders are scum",' she wrote. 'I want to build wealth for my family and future children, but I feel bad about getting ahead when others are being left behind. Can I please get some advice?' Mr Pape congratulated Lina on her success and claimed her friend seemed to be frustrated with her own financial security. He added the friend was name-calling like a 'five-year-old' and advised Lina to be kind, but if it continues to possibly find new friends. 'We may all live in the wealthiest country on earth, but there's a growing divide between the haves (home owners) and the have-nots (renters) that is driving deep-seated resentment,' Mr Pape wrote. 'However, calling people names is a five-year-old's way of looking at the world, and it's going to lead her to becoming a bitter and twisted Greens voter. 'If this was a playground tiff, I'd tell you to not take it personally and to try and be kind to your friend as she goes through a rough patch. 'However, if she continues to use you like a cat uses a scratching post, I'd argue it's time to branch out and find some new kittens to play with.' The rental vacancy rate Australia-wide was at 1.1 per cent in April - an increase of 0.1 per cent (stock image) The total number of rental vacancies Australia-wide in April stood at 33,177 residential properties - a 0.1 per cent increase from the previous month, according to SQM Research. Over the past 30 days to May 12, capital city and national asking rents recorded a softer rise compared to recent periods with asking rents rising by just 0.5 per cent. The increase represents one of the slower rises in market rents since the outbreak of the national rental crisis in 2021. Managing Director of SQM Research Louis Christopher said the rental crisis was far from over despite rental vacancy rates easing slightly in April. 'The immediate outlook is vacancy rates are set to rise somewhat into winter,' Mr Christopher said. 'This is the normal seasonality we get at this time of year so one should be a little careful about reading into these rises. 'Nevertheless, it might provide some minor relief to tenants who still have excessive difficulties in finding longer term rental accommodation around the country. 'The full year outlook remains the same in that we expect overall tight vacancy rates to be with us for 2024, driven by a fall in dwelling completions relative to ongoing growing demand.' A missing teenager left a note telling her mother 'this will be the last time youll hear from me for a very long time', then vanished. Geneva Hodge, 17, ran away from her home in Bellville, Texas, sometime on Wednesday morning and left the handwritten note on her pillow. Her mother, Frances Schrader, discovered the note that morning and has not heard from Geneva since, and fears she has been kidnapped. 'I am completely heartbroken. The day she went missing I couldnt breathe. It felt like my heart was ripped out of my chest. I miss my baby so much,' she said. Geneva Hodge, 17, ran away from her home in Bellville, Texas, sometime on Wednesday morning and left the note on her pillow Geneva with her older brothers, who are both in the military. Her family said she planned to join the air force after finishing high school Schrader shared the note with DailyMail.com and said it sounded nothing like her daughter, who was excited for her senior year of school. 'Dear mom, I love you a lot and I know me leaving is going to kill you. I'm alright! It was nobody's decision but my own,' it read. 'I'm going to do online schooling and finish everything. I'm with some people that I trust very much. 'I'm always gonna be your little girl. I've grown up and became this amazing young lady. Just remember mom, I love you so much!! 'This is goodbye for a long time! I'm sorry. Bye mom, I love you! Love, Geneva.' Schrader said the note contained spelling mistakes despite her being a good student, meaning it was written in a hurry. 'It's not my daughter. She just got color guard captain for her senior year, she made As and Bs at school even with her learning disability,' she said. 'It may have been her handwriting on the note, but the words were not her.... There's something wrong with what's going on.' Her mother, Frances Schrader, discovered the note that morning and has not heard from Geneva since, and fears she has been kidnapped Schrader discovered the note that morning and has not heard from her since, and fears she has been kidnapped Schrader said her daughter was a 'good kid' who had never done anything like this before, and she has a bad feeling about what happened to her. Schrader said Geneva factory reset her phone, took the SIM card out, put it in a different phone case and hid it in a drawer with other old phones. Geneva had bought a new phone case from Five Below during a recent girls shopping trip with her brother's fiancee. Geneva also left without any clothes, medicine, her asthma puffer, or even a toothbrush, and her debit card hadn't been used since she disappeared. 'She has poison ivy real bad, she's highly allergic to it, and she didn't even take any medicine for that with her,' he mother said. 'Geneva always likes her hair and makeup done but she didn't take any of that.' Schrader said she was so sick with worry that she had barely eaten or slept since Geneva disappeared, which along with her diabetes meant she lost 10lbs in just a few days. Schrader told DailyMail.com the teenager was spotted with an older man about 26 miles away in Brookshire, Texas, about 8 to 8.30am on Wednesday. 'I'm so scared she's been kidnapped. I think he talked her into leaving with him,' she said. Schrader explained that the owner of D'Lux Donuts on the corner of Bains and S Front streets said the man arrived with Geneva in a white Honda Civic. He was aged 30 to 40, about 5ft, 10in to 6ft tall, skinny and 'dirty looking' with glasses, said the witness, who initially though he was her father. Geneva was a model student and going to be captain of her school's color guard next year Geneva is an A student despite having a learning disability Geneva with her mother and stepfather at her brothers' graduation Schrader said the man was 'rubbing her back and touching her bottom and she looked uncomfortable'. 'She was just standing there still and wouldn't move, like something was really wrong,' she said the witness recalled. The man also had a work name badge on but it was turned around so you couldn't see the name Police are still confirming the girl was Geneva, but the witness identified the missing teenager from a photograph, Schrader said. Schrader said Geneva showed a photo of the man to a colleague at her local Brookshire Brothers, where she has worked for two years, four or five days before she disappeared. 'She said he "looked like he was on drugs" and told my daughter "that man don't look right",' she said. 'Geneva said he was 21 and has says he's going to take care of her.' Schrader said the colleague gave her a detailed description of the man in the photo that matched the one given by the donut shop owner. The man was laying in bed wearing a wife-beater and oval square prescription glasses with a metal frame. He had brunette or dirty-blonde short curly hair, a moustache and a patchy beard and a scruffy face, a skinny nose, and a square chin. His name started with an E, but she couldn't remember exactly what it was. Geneva factory reset her phone, took the SIM card out, put it in a different phone case and hid it in a drawer with other old phones Geneva went to work as normal on Tuesday and was seen speaking to a teenage boy in his truck on her lunch break. Schrader said the pair were just friends and police had interviewed the young man and cleared him of any involvement in Geneva's disappearance. Her mother picked her up from work and the family went to bed about 10.30pm, before which it seemed like nothing was wrong. 'She was happy, she was smiling, she ate supper, she was showing us the poison ivy that was all over her,' she said. Schrader and her husband, Kelly, got up early for work the next morning and she let Geneva sleep as she didn't have work or school that day. She said Geneva must have left even before Kelly got up about 5.45am as her chihuahua named Baby sleeps in her room with the door shut all night - but was on the couch instead. Schrader went home for lunch about 11am and discovered Geneva's note when she went into her room to check on her. Geneva left without any clothes, medicine, her asthma puffer, or even a toothbrush, and her debit card hadn't been used since she disappeared Geneva showed a photo of the man to a colleague at her local Brookshire Brothers, where she has worked for two years, four or five days before she disappeared Her mother believes the man told her what to write in the note, and how to reset and hide her phone to remove trace of their messages. 'My daughter couldn't even set up a phone, somebody told her how to do this,' she said. She said Geneva had to have met him down the road because their other dogs went crazy whenever someone is out the front. Schrader said she was concerned the man would get her daughter hooked on drugs after hearing he looked substance-addled in the photo. She said a truck stop in Brookshire is a notorious human trafficking location and friends were staking it out every night. 'I'm hoping she's still in Brookshire and they can find her before they leave town,' she said. 'Austin County is driving me crazy because they keep saying we don't have any information and they won't put out an Amber Alert because she left on her own and she's 17 - but that shouldn't matter.' Schrader made an emotional appeal in a Facebook post for her daughter to come home. 'Im so worried about her. I love my girl. Everyone is worried about you Geneva. Please call momma. I will come and get you,' she wrote. 'I miss you and I love you very much. Youre my baby girl and I want you to come home. Geneva (center) with her stepfather Kelly, mother Frances, and two brothers 'Both Kelly and I have cried and been staying up outside waiting for you. Kelly stays in chair in living room every night so when you come home. 'Your brothers are worried about you. Calling and texting every hour to see if weve heard anything yet. 'They hate they cant come home to help look for you. But they love you and want you to come home.' Shrader said the family was supposed to float on the river for Father's Day and revealed about their close mother-daughter bond. She is such a beautiful girl inside and out. Everyone I talk to tells me how shes always smiling and shes so caring,' she wrote. 'Every morning on the way to school she would say Ma look at my eyes they are beautiful. Always picking on me cause she has long eyelashes and I dont.' The residents of downtown Seattle are sleepless night after night, terrorized by the sounds of a speeding influencer, racing on by in his muscle car - determined to make as much noise as possible. The alleged culprit is Myles Hudson, a 20-year-old influencer, addicted to the need for speed and who proudly brags that he enjoys keeping locals awake all night, leaving many exhausted and upset. Hudson is fast becoming a victim of his own success, with nearly 800,000 followers on Instagram who love seeing his videos of him revving his Dodge Charger Hellcat, then flooring it through downtown Seattle at speeds up to and over 100mph. There's nothing subtle about Hudson's style. He wears an outfit decked out in flames to signify his speed while his vehicle is also eye-catching, wrapped in a tiger stripe livery. Driver Miles Hudson has been the focus of numerous complaints from residents Hudson has been pulled over by the police a few times, and the city is now suing him over the noise he is creating He's been driving his Dodge Charger Hellcat speeding through Seattle at speeds of up to 107mph Known as the Belltown Hellcat, Hudson has drawn the ire of people living in the area including the Seattle Police who have rarely managed to pull him over. But Hudson's online success is now fueling his dangerous habit, as he continues to produce more extreme videos of himself, tearing through the downtown cityscape. And it seems that Hudson does not intend to slow down. The issue appears to have reared its head at the start of this year when Hudson was pulled over by police just before 2 am one January night. On that occasion, the officer gave him a verbal warning and noted that the car was 'exceedingly loud, equivalent to the decibels of gunshots or fireworks.' In March, Hudson was charged with two counts of reckless driving. Hudson has been driving his Dodge Charger Hellcat speeding through Seattle Hudson has now managed to rack up almost 800,000 followers through his speeding videos He wasn't pulled over on that occasion, but video posted to his Instagram shows him racing another Dodge Charger, this time at speeds of up to 107mph in an area where the speed limit is 25mph. 'The car is loud, whether I'm going 10 miles an hour or 200. It's a muscle car, it's going to be loud regardless,' Hudson said to the Seattle Times. The city is now getting serious and has filed a lawsuit against Hudson, which would see him subject to $83,200 in penalties. Hudson has been ordered by the court to stop driving the Charger after he was issued a notice violation for the excessive noise and an order to remove the car's illegal exhaust system. Hudson believes he is being targeted because of his race. 'There are way bigger issues than a black man with a nice car who makes noise occasionally,' he said. The city attorney alleges how Hudson 'flaunts' his Charger's excessive noise on his Instagram as he sets out to deliberately keep people awake. Known as the Belltown Hellcat, Hudson has drawn the ire of people living in the area including the Seattle Police who have rarely managed to pull him over Hudson's online success is now fueling his need for speed as he continues to produce more extreme videos of himself, tearing through the downtown cityscape Occasionally, Seattle Police have managed to pull Hudson over. Pictured here in March 2024 'Mr. Hudson has cultivated online infamy by flagrantly breaking Seattle's laws and waking his neighbors with excessive noise. It's time for him to face the consequences of his actions. That's why I have requested that the court find Mr. Hudson in default and award the City all applicable penalties,' City attorney Ann Davison wrote in a statement. Court filings show that Hudson was supposed to submit proof that he had fixed his car's exhaust system so that it did not make the same level of noise. He is subject to $1,300 in fines for every day his car is not fixed. 'In the two months since that notice of violation, Mr. Hudson has failed to remove the illegal modifications or address the excessive noise,' the city attorney's statement says. Aside from speeding, Seattle police also issued Hudson with four infractions and note how there have been multiple noise and speed complaints from fed-up locals kept up each night by Hudson's antics. A Seattle police officer, who also has expertise as a car mechanic, said the exhaust of the Charger had illegally been modified to deliberately backfire, creating an 'exceedingly loud' noise. The Charger has a hemi engine, which 'which has a unique exhaust note,' the lawsuit says. 'When the mufflers are modified or removed, the noise is increased, and the 'Hemi' exhaust note changes. The engine also has a control module for which the software code can be re-written to create a series of backfires when the throttle is transitioned.' Hudson presents an intimidating figure as he drives around at high speeds hidden in a face mask Hudson poses in some of the designer clothing he's been able to buy with his fame The officer with specialist vehicle knowledge wrote: 'This audible disturbance made it self-evident that the vehicle was under wide open throttle, with the driver utilizing the maximum performance of the engine in the downtown corridor. The noise would continue to grow louder as the vehicle approached my location(s). Eventually, the same Charger would appear, driving at extremely high speeds, running traffic lights, and making unsafe lane changes as it drove by,' the officer detailed in his report. 'A citizen approached me and informed me that he was a nearby resident, and asked if I could hear 'the hellcat' referring to the edition type of Hudson's Charger. I affirmed that I did hear the vehicle. He went on to explain that the owner of the vehicle was doing this on a regular basis, and that he, and other residents were 'absolutely sick of it'. He described Hudson's vehicle and its unique features saying that officers needed to 'do something'.' When police finally pulled him over and had a conversation with him, it was clear Hudson had no intention of stopping. 'I ended up having a prolonged conversation with him that I captured on my bodyworn video. I asked Hudson why he didn't just go to a racetrack to utilize his vehicle there. He stated that he had "almost 700,000 followers" on his social media, and that the amount of money he makes on filming his videos of him in his vehicle on the street has paid for the car,' the police officer explained. In one video, the lights of Fourth Avenue in Seattle all turn to green encouraging Hudson to put his pedal to the metal reaching triple-digit speeds 'I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing. I'm going to make a career out of this'. Hudson said to the officer. 'No disrespect, but I feel like I'm doing my thing,' he said. 'I've turned it into a career, and the car has paid for itself. 650,000 followers.' But residents are furious and want Seattle Police to take a tougher approach. 'If he's driving 107 miles an hour in downtown, that is putting peoples' lives at risk. What are we waiting for? For him to kill someone?' Chris Allen told KOMO. 'I have actually woken up in the middle of night thinking it's gunshots, but it's just Miles Hudson going by in his Charger. 'But it's still up and running, he's still making money off this. He's affecting thousands of people down here,' Allen added. Online, followers are increasingly fed up with his behavior. 'Miles is the true definition of a sociopath with extreme narcissism. He has a mental illness that shows no concern for others, much like a serial killer or career criminal. It's disturbing that any person has such low integrity to cause others so much discomfort and lack all empathy,' wrote one user. 'If i lived in Seattle, your tires would be knifed all the time,' said another Instagram follower. 'Heh moms car not even your own. Such a kid who cant even take responsibility for himself and own his own life or vehicles. Grow up little kid,' wrote another. Hudson is scheduled to appear in court on reckless driving charges on June 12. A hearing in the city's lawsuit against him is set for June 18. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday appeared to pour cold water on a three-point plan to end the war in Gaza less than 24 hours after Joe Biden had unveiled it. Mr Netanyahu seemed to dismiss the permanent ceasefire proposal as 'a non-starter' despite Mr Biden revealing the plan had originated in Israel. Hamas has reacted positively to the proposal. Mr Netanyahu wrote on X, formerly Twitter: 'Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. 'Under the proposal, Israel will continue to insist these conditions are met before a permanent ceasefire is put in place. Mr Netanyahu seemed to dismiss the permanent ceasefire proposal as 'a non-starter' despite Mr Biden revealing the plan had originated in Israel . Hamas has reacted positively to the proposal If the talks take longer, the ceasefire would continue for as long as it takes to strike a deal. Pictured: Palestinian children sitting near a destroyed house in the southern Gaza strip The notion that Israel will agree to a permanent ceasefire before these conditions are fulfilled is a non-starter.' It is believed the Israeli PM's statement yesterday may have been made to placate hardliners such as security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir within his government who have threatened to bring down the administration if Hamas is not fully destroyed. Experts said the Israeli leader has not said an outright 'no' to the deal, but wants to make it in his terms. Yesterday Mr Biden said: 'I know there are those in Israel who will not agree with this plan and will call for the war to continue indefinitely. Some are even in the government coalition.' The new three-phase deal Mr Biden is backing would see a six-week ceasefire while the two sides negotiate a permanent end to the fighting. The new three-phase deal Mr Biden (pictured) is backing would see a six-week ceasefire while the two sides negotiate a permanent end to the fighting If the talks take longer, the ceasefire would continue for as long as it takes to strike a deal. The second phase would involve Hamas handing over all remaining hostages and Israel withdrawing all forces from Gaza. Mr Biden said the third and final stage would see 'a major reconstruction plan' for civilian areas in Gaza. The families of hostages urged the Netanyahu government to accept the deal. Gili Roman, whose sister, Yarden Roman-Gat, was released in November, said: 'This might be the last chance to save lives.' Israel's opposition leader Yair Lapid urged Mr Netanyahu to accept the deal. He said: 'There is a deal on the table and it should be made.' Donald Trump's former lawyer, Rudy Giuliani celebrated his 80th birthday at an Italian restaurant in New York - weeks after he was served an indictment notice at his other birthday celebration. Two weeks ago, the former mayor was given the notice at his Palm Beach, Florida, celebration by two Arizona attorney general's office officials in the Arizona 'fake electors' case, accusing him and other's of trying to overturn the 2020 election results. But the possible indictment has not seemed to dampen the broke lawyer's spirits as he was seen celebrating again at New York's Amata restaurant soon after. The East 56th Street restaurant is owned by Giuliani's former chief of staff at City Hall Anthony Carbonetti's brother-in-law. He was seen stepping out of a Dodge Durango with a security detail and into the restaurant - known for its moderately priced items, ranging from $19 Calabrese Meatballs to $26 Paccheri Bolognese pasta. Rudy Giuliani (right) pictured with Newsmax's Mandy Del Rio (center) and Jack Thomas Smith (left) at his 80th birthday celebration at New York's Amata restaurant The East 56th Street restaurant is owned by Giuliani's former chief of staff at City Hall Anthony Carbonetti's brother-in-law His lawyer Barry Kamins, stood outside the eatery afterward and told the New York Times: 'He's had great challenges, and I think it's amazing that under the pressure he's been under, he's been able to maintain his sanity in all of this. 'I know that we've tried to get people to come step up for him as character references, and a lot of people disappointed us and he's been disappointed in them as well.' Arthur Aidala, a lawyer who specializes in representing 'tabloid villains', also contributed at the same time: 'Anyone who thinks that Mr. Giuliani is off his game in terms of legal acumen is strongly mistaken. 'He's sharp as a tack. We also represent Mayor Giuliani in his case in Georgia.' A video message wishing the former mayor a happy birthday by the recently convicted ex-president was also played on a flat screen. The eatery is known for its moderately priced items, ranging from $19 Calabrese Meatballs to $26 Paccheri Bolognese pasta A video message wishing the former mayor a happy birthday by the recently convicted ex-President was also played on a flat screen Trump was seen standing with a small crowd behind him as he said: 'They heard I was going to say a little happy birthday salutation to you and they said, "Can we stay? Because we love Rudy Giuliani!" 'You're a special guy, and we love you, Rudy. Just keep fighting. There's nobody like you,' he said in the end. The party was attended by his son, Andrew; daughter, Caroline; Bernard B. Kerik, a former New York City police commissioner who once pleaded guilty to eight felony charges; and Rudy Washington, Giuliani's former deputy mayor. New York Post columnist Miranda Devine, Newsmax's Mandy Del Rio and Jack Thomas Smith were also in attendance. Giuliani has previously filed for bankruptcy and owes two Georgia women a $148 million judgment from a defamation case. Trump was seen standing with a small crowd behind him as he said: 'They heard I was going to say a little happy birthday salutation to you and they said, "Can we stay? Because we love Rudy Giuliani!". You're a special guy, and we love you, Rudy. Just keep fighting. There's nobody like you.' According to the Times, the former mayor is reportedly relying on a 9/11 charity as one of his last financial buyouts. Prosecutors had been trying for weeks to deliver the official indictment notice and tell him that he has to appear in court on May 21. 'The final defendant was served moments ago,' she wrote on X. '@RudyGiuliani nobody is above the law.' It came after guests had watched Giuliani record an hour-long episode of his 'America's Mayor Live' show at the Palm Beach celebration. They sang 'Happy Birthday' and presented Giuliani with a red, white and blue frosted cake. 'It was a wonderful evening celebrating an America hero, Rudy Giuliani,' said Caroline Wren, a top GOP consultant who hosted the birthday party at her home in Palm Beach. Nigel Farage has hinted he is planning a Tory 'takeover' after the general election. The ex-UKIP leader, who is now Reform's honorary president, said he wants to 'reshape the centre right' as he no longer has 'any trust or love' for the Conservatives. His comments come as a new poll gave Labour its biggest lead since Liz Truss was prime minister with the Tories now 20 points behind their rivals. Sir Keir Starmer's party is currently on 45 per cent while the Conservatives have dropped to 25 per cent, according to polling by the Observer on Sunday - in the latest concerning sign for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his election hopes. Farage - who is not currently standing to become an MP - joined Reform leader Richard Tice on the campaign trail in Skegness, Lincolnshire on Saturday. Nigel Farage has said he is planning a 'Tory takeover' after the general election Farage - who is not currently standing to become an MP - joined Reform leader Richard Tice on the campaign trail in Skegness, Lincolnshire on Saturday Nigel Farage previously declared he has 'no interest' in Reform UK striking a pre-election deal with the Tories - just a day after he claimed they 'might have a conversation' Close friends of Farage previously dismissed the idea that he wanted to completely cut ties with the Conservatives, with some hinting he wants the Conservatives to implode so he can swoop in as its saviour. One told The Times: 'He doesn't want to be the person who puts the bullet in the back of their heads, why be seen to alienate Conservative voters?' Another senior Tory described the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher as Farage's 'natural home'. However, when the question of whether he was considering a merger was put directly to Farage himself, he dismissed it, saying it was 'more like a takeover, dear boy'. Earlier this week, Farage also declared he had 'no interest' in Reform UK striking a pre-election deal with the Tories. He dismissed comments he previously made where he said they 'might have a conversation' as 'deeply sarcastic'. 'There is no deal with the Conservatives whatsoever,' Mr Farage told a press conference in central London on May 30. The Prime Minister has also ruled out a deal with Reform, despite the insurgent party putting huge pressure on the Tories over issues such as the Channel migrant crisis. There are widespread fears among Conservative MPs that Reform's pledge to stand in nearly every parliamentary constituency will deliver a massive boost to Labour. Farage explained his decision not to run as a Reform candidate on The Sun's Never Mind The Ballots show, blaming Sunak's decision to go to the polls much earlier than most had expected. He said: 'I had a plan, actually. I'll let you in on a secret. I was going to launch tomorrow - I had a venue booked, I had it all ready to go. The Prime Minister has also ruled out a deal with Reform, despite the insurgent party putting huge pressure on the Tories over issues such as the Channel migrant crisis 'But the problem is, you can't win in a constituency - or it's very difficult to win - without data. 'It's even harder to win when you're Nigel Farage, because the other side will cheat. 'There'll be third party outside influencers, and I needed a really good run at this. And six weeks wasn't enough. 'I thought, well, rather than being stuck for six weeks in a constituency, why not travel around the country. 'Not just supporting Reform candidates, but try and get a proper debate going.' Reform UK is currently polling between 12 and 15 per cent but Farage has said that Tice's party must reach 18 per cent if they are going to win seats in Parliament. The right-wing party is offering tax cuts, the abolition of business rates for small businesses, and tax relief for private healthcare users in the draft of its July 2024 election manifesto. Reform UK are also pledging to launch more public inquiries into Covid-19 and the rollout of the vaccine. Labour MPs including Diane Abbott have been 'offered peerages to step down', it has been claimed, as Sir Kier Starmer said he has more respect for the veteran politician than she realises amid an on-going row over whether Abbott will be allowed stand as a Labour candidate. Several left-wing MPs have claimed that since Rishi Sunak made his surprise general election announcement, they were told they would be raised to the House of Lords if they passed up their seats to allow allies of party leader Starmer to take their place. It comes as Starmer was alleged to have been attempting to fill Labour's safest seats with allies including Josh Simons, head of the Starmerite think tank Labour Together, Luke Akehurst, a centrist member of the executive committee, and Alex Barros-Curtis, Labour's head of legal, according to The Sunday Times. Speaking to the newspaper, one former MP said: 'They offered me a seat in the House of Lords because some little boy wanted my seat.' Another allegedly claimed that the peerages began being offered after the general election was called and 'suddenly there was a flurry of people standing down' who had previously claimed they would be standing. Starmer was alleged to have been attempting to fill Labour's safest seats with allies, according to The Sunday Times Veteran MP Diane Abbott was allegedly offered a seat in the House of Lords as Labour attempted to create a 'peace deal' If Starmer wins the July 4 general election, he is expected to fill the House of Lords with new Labour peers. The Labour leader was also accused of orchestrating a left-wing purge of his party when Dianne Abbott, 70, became the first-ever black woman elected to Parliament, appeared to be stopped from standing. But he heaped praise on the veteran MP in an interview with The Observer. 'Although I disagree with some of what she says, in terms of the battles she has been through and the terrible insults she has had to rise above, I have actually got more respect for Diane than she probably realises,' he said. However, it can now be revealed that Abbott was offered a seat in the House of Lords as Labour attempted to create a 'peace deal'. 'This just goes to show that we wanted her to retire, not be purged. But we haven't been going around talking about it,' one more source told The Sunday Times. After days of speculation about whether Ms Abbott would be able to contest the Hackney North and Stoke Newington seat, Starmer confirmed on Friday that she is 'free' to stand as a Labour candidate on July 4. The Labour leader told reporters: 'The whip has obviously been restored to her now and she is free to go forward as a Labour candidate.' On Friday, Sir Keir praised Ms Abbott as a 'trailblazer', saying: 'Diane Abbott was elected in 1987, the first black woman MP. 'She has carved a path for other people to come into politics and public life.' Labour sources said Ms Abbott will be the Labour candidate in her long-held constituency and the NEC is expected to support her candidacy. In response to the news, Ms Abbott said her local party selected her as their candidate in 2022. 'But I will not be the official candidate until I am endorsed by the Labour National Executive at its meeting on Tuesday. So I am not saying anything until then,' she said. Speaking at the launch of the Conservative Party campaign bus on Saturday, Mr Sunak hit out at Labour for its back-and-forth on the subject. The Tory leader said: 'Just see what's happened over this Diane Abbott situation. And it confirms what we know about him: it's that he doesn't stick by anything he says, just constantly changes his mind. Starmer told The Observer: 'Although I disagree with some of what she says, in terms of the battles she has been through and the terrible insults she has had to rise above, I have actually got more respect for Diane than she probably realises' 'And it's clear that Angela Rayner is in charge of the Labour Party and not him.' It comes as Mr Sunak's election campaign was dealt another hammer blow as a new poll showed Labour's lead is at its highest level since Liz Truss's premiership. A survey carried out by Opinium showed Labour up four points to 45 per cent, with the Tories down two to 25 per cent, putting Labour on course for a landslide victory. The poll was conducted between May 29 to May 31 - at a time of uncertainty in Labour's campaign, suggesting that Mr Sunak's shock announcements on mandatory national service and tax cuts for pensioners have not impressed voters. The family of a widow living with dementia claim she was allowed to withdraw more than $300,000 from a Westpac branch over 24 months before she died. The 89-year-old woman had been a client of a Westpac branch on the North Island of New Zealand right up until her death on July 30, 2020. The elderly woman made more than 70 teller-assisted cash withdrawals between September 2017 and July 2020, totalling a staggering $305,000. Her daughter claimed the bank had allowed the transactions despite making them aware of her dementia and that she was a vulnerable customer. An 89-year-old widow who suffered from dementia withdrew more than $300,000 in cash from her Westpac account in the 34 months before her death (stock image) Concerned about her mother's health, the daughter contacted the Westpac branch in February 2020. The bank added a note to her file which stated she was a 'vulnerable customer' and warned teller's to 'take care with any large or unusual transactions'. Despite the warning, the elderly woman was able to withdraw $50,000 in five separate teller-assisted transactions in the months before her death. The daughter explained she was 'gobsmacked' her mum was able to withdraw such large amounts of money. She added her mum had paid off her home and her car and was not using the money for utility bills or credit card payments. 'What the hell did they think she was spending the money on?' the daughter told NZ Herald. The daughter said she knew 'something was off' about her mum in the months leading up to her death as she was angry and would comment on 'people fleecing her for money'. Relatives tried to track down the total amount of cash the widow withdrew and believe more than $200,000 had just 'disappeared'. 'I can't prove it, but the money is missing. And the $23,000 she withdrew three weeks before she died, that was gone from her house,' the daughter said. The daughter, who was appointed as power of attorney for her mum, checked her mother's bank statements for any suspicious transactions. The woman's family lodged a formal complaint with Westpac and the Banking Ombudsman, claiming the bank failed its duty of care to protect a vulnerable and elderly client (stock image) She was shocked to discover her mother had withdrawn more than $200,000 in cash in the last 18 months of her life. The statements showed the biggest in-branch cash withdrawal was for $24,000 in May 2019. The daughter said she accompanied her mum on her final trip to the bank and watched the teller hand over an envelope containing $23,000 despite her mum not carrying a handbag. She explained she had no idea at the time the amount her mum had withdrawn, but remembered the teller stating it was a large amount of money. 'They let her walk out without a handbag with a Westpac envelope stuffed with cash. It was probably like 8cm thick,' the daughter said. The daughter confronted bank staff about the series of large cash withdrawals and claimed she was told they were 'too scared' to ask the pensioner why she needed the money. They allegedly claimed the mum 'maybe wanted to purchase a mobility scooter' with the cash. The family contacted police suggesting the pensioner was a victim of elder abuse as she lived frugally and there was no indication she spent the money on herself. An investigation was launched and a person of interest was questioned but it was eventually closed as there was no evidence the individual received the money, with police unable to trace the cash. The family has since lodged a formal complaint with the Australian-owned bank, claiming it failed its duty of care to protect a vulnerable and elderly client. The complaint claims Westpac tellers failed to question the cash withdrawals despite a vulnerable customer alert being added to her file. The family has also made a complaint to the Banking Ombudsman. In a letter sent to the daughter in May, Westpac described the widowed pensioner as a woman who was 'very well respected' at the branch. A rundown of some of the transactions made by the widow before her death on July 30, 2020 The bank said its staff did not believe the woman had 'vulnerabilities' and did not suspect any of the withdrawals as suspicious. The letter explained it was common for the mum to withdraw money as it was the way she used her bank account and operated her finances. The bank added staff were of the same opinion as the daughter who indicated her mum was not someone to be questioned about her funds. Westpac said staff questioned the woman on 'several occasions' over the reason for the cash withdrawals and that the woman was 'confident and savvy with money'. 'She was very private about her finances, which was acknowledged by her daughter ... and our staff ultimately acted on her instructions in processing the withdrawals,' Westpac said in a statement to NZ Herald. The bank added tellers asked additional questions about cash withdrawals after February 2020, following the 'extra care' code which was placed on the woman's account at the daughter's request. The elderly woman made three withdrawals were made in March totalling $25,000 and told staff she needed the cash due to Covid-19 lockdowns. Staff also queried her final $23,000 withdrawal and were told she needed the lump sum because she did not know when her next visit to the branch would be. Staff claimed they were 'comfortable' in handing the cash over in an envelope as the woman was with her daughter. In 2023, Australians aged 65 years and over reported more than 72,000 scams, which cost victims almost $121 million, according to the ACCC's Scamwatch. Defence chiefs were plunged into a row over who 'ordered' military personnel at last week's FA Cup Final to take the knee. They faced claims of ignoring Defence Secretary Grant Shapps's to end the 'poisonous' woke culture that had crept into the military. At Wembley last week, personnel from across the Army, Navy and Air Force could be seen making the anti-racism gesture before the start of the match. But senior army officers privately claimed that this contradicted Mr Shapps's anti-woke drive. One officer told the Mail on Sunday: 'The directive from Ministers was clear. Defence chiefs faced claims of ignoring Defence Secretary Grant Shapps's (pictured) to end the 'poisonous' woke culture that had crept into the military 'The military should not take the knee and should not be involved in any public campaigns that are politically motivated. 'Yet they totally ignored the directive this is totally wrong'. Tory candidate Alexander Stafford said last night: 'Members of the military personnel wouldn't have taken the knee without orders from their superiors. Captain Andrew Porter, Director of Music, British Army Band Tidworth conducts the the Combined Bands of His Majesty's Armed Forces prior to the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25 (File image) 'We should be told who gave the order because there's no justification for Armed Forces personnel doing this.' However, the Ministry of Defence said it was unable to provide 'any commentary' on this issue as the general election campaign had now started. Earlier this year, Mr Shapps spoke out against a gradual indoctrination of 'controversial Leftist thinking' in the Armed Forces that threatened to 'distract' from the main job of protecting the country from its enemies. A blood test can predict if breast cancer will return years before it shows up on scans allowing treatment to start before it becomes incurable. The 'ultra-sensitive' test can pick up traces of a tumour's DNA ahead of a full relapse, when it is far harder to treat. It was found to be 100 per cent accurate at predicting which patients would see their cancer come back up to three and a half years ahead of conventional scans. Doctors say it could have a 'transformative effect' on outcomes for breast cancer, saving many of the 11,500 lives a year lost in the UK to the disease. The 'liquid biopsy' uses whole genome sequencing to look for genetic faults in a patient's DNA, which can be a sign of cancer. A blood test can predict if breast cancer will return years before it shows up on scans allowing treatment to start before it becomes incurable (Stock image) Researchers from the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, conducted the trial on 74 women with different types of early breast cancer. The test looks for 1,800 mutations in the blood which are released by cancer cells known as circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA). It successfully spotted this ctDNA in 11 women all of whom went on to see their cancer return. None of the other women relapsed. Blood samples were tested at the point of diagnosis, then again following surgery and chemotherapy. The tests were then repeated every three months for the next year and six-monthly for five years. On average, the blood test detected cancer 15 months before symptoms appeared or it showed up on scans the current method used by the NHS to monitor cancer survivors. The earliest was 41 months before a scan confirmed the diagnosis, according to the results being presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. All those showing signs of tumour DNA at any point after surgery were found to have a higher risk of future relapse and poorer overall survival. Lead researcher Dr Isaac Garcia-Murillas, from the ICR, said the findings 'lay the groundwork for better post-treatment monitoring and potentially life-extending treatment in patients'. Doctors say it could have a 'transformative effect' on outcomes for breast cancer, saving many of the 11,500 lives a year lost in the UK to the disease (Stock image) He added: 'Breast cancer cells can remain in the body after surgery and other treatments, but there can be so few of these cells that they are undetectable on follow-up scans. These cells can cause patients to relapse many years after their initial treatment. 'Ultra-sensitive blood tests could offer a better approach for the long-term monitoring of patients whose cancer is at high risk of returning.' Other blood tests have also been developed that search for DNA evidence of returning cancer. However, these look for only 16 to 50 mutations in regions of genes which are directly related to disease. Developed by US-based company Personalis, this new test is around 100 times more sensitive. Dr Garcia-Murillas added: 'A more sensitive test is very important for this group of early breast cancer patients as they tend to have a very low amount of cancer DNA in their blood.' The women who relapsed in the study survived for an average of just over five years. Researchers said further studies were under way to see if patients could begin treatment as soon as signs of recurrence were detected, potentially preventing the disease spreading and becoming incurable. The wide open spaces of Maine are perfect for those looking to live life off the grid. Large swaths of the state aren't connected to public utilities, making it an ideal location for off-grid properties and for those who enjoy self-sufficiency and living remotely, using alternate sources of power including solar, wind or a generator. Whether it's oceanfront views, wooded seclusion, mountain vistas or lakeside retreats, there's an off-the-grid home in Maine to suit everyone's tastes. There are a number of properties at various price points looking to be snapped up. Maine has several off-grid homes that use solar, wind, or generator power This cottage in Milbridge, a village of a little more than 1,000 people, is priced at $400,000 with a tremendous view overlooking a bluff This cottage in Milbridge, a village of a little more than 1,000 people, is priced at $400,000 with a tremendous view. Perched on a bluff with 500 feet of oceanfront in an area known as the Bold Coast, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom home was built in 1988. The home currently uses propane for power, and a set of solar panels can be reconfigured in order to provide more power by solar. Despite its modern solar power, the home has no access to the electric grid. However, the home does have hot water and a flushable toilet with an in-house septic system. Although the current owner lives there only in the warmer months, the well-insulated 1,500-square-foot home can be operated and live in year-round. 'It feels like you're on an island,' Charlotte Horovitz said to the Bangor Daily News. 'You're disconnected, you don't see anyone. You hear the ocean and the birds, and that's it.' For $319,900, you can purchase this two-bedroom, one-bathroom home situated on 52 acres of woodland in Lincoln - a tiny town of 4,000 residents From above, the sheer isolation of the off-grid property can truly be appreciated The property boasts some home comforts and could be lived in year-round The home is entirely powered by solar and gives the full outdoorsy experience while still having a flat screen TV and stereo hi-fi system For a slightly smaller price tag of $319,900, is a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home situated on 52 acres of woodland in Lincoln - a tiny town of 4,000 residents. Despite being set in the heart of the North Maine Woods, the home, which is entirely powered by solar, is really just 10 minutes from Lincoln. For those staying for the winter months, there's easy access to snowmobile trails. Built in 2017, the 1,500-square-foot home also features a pasture, a wood-burning stove, and breathtaking ocean views. In Stacyville, a hamlet of fewer than 400 people, this log home is for sale at $340,000 Built in 2003, the three-bedroom, one and a half-bathroom home is solar-powered and sits on 33 acres of land, ideal for growing trees or perhaps farming The wooden home makes for a cozy retreat while providing a comfortable place to live The remote location is not far from civilization with grocery stores just 15 minutes away In Stacyville, a hamlet of fewer than 400 people, this log home is for sale at $340,000. Built in 2003, the three-bedroom, one and a half-bathroom home is solar-powered and sits on 33 acres of land. While secluded, the cabin is just 15 minutes away from the nearest grocery store, with the small towns of Millinocket, Houlton and Baxter State Park just an hour's drive away. In addition to the main house, the listing also boasts a fire pit and a barn alongside a shed for the property's solar power. A high school salutatorian and a handful of her classmates have been banned from prom and graduation for what they claim was a 'harmless' prank. About 20 seniors at University of Chicago Charter School's Woodlawn Campus participated in the long-standing tradition of an end-of-year prank on May 6. The prank involved 'decorating' the school's main hallway with silly string, balloons, red solo cups, sticky notes, streamers, and toilet paper. Principal Shavaughn Monson branded the prank an 'egregious act of vandalism' and emailed their parents a day later banning all the students from prom. One of them was salutatorian Krystal Scott, who has a 4.2 GPA and already accepted a scholarship to study biology or math at Boston University next year. Krystal Scott is University of Chicago Charter School's Woodlawn Campus salutatorian with a 4.2 GPA and accepted a scholarship to study biology or math at Boston University next year Her mother Carla Scott, who worked as UC Charter School's Director of Admissions, said when she tried to negotiate her daughter's punishment, she was suspended after Monson filed a misconduct complaint. Krystal and five classmates were later banned from their graduation ceremony for briefly attending the prom after, she claimed, being told the ban was rescinded. 'The punishment we received was very excessive, and now something I worked so hard for has been taken away from me,' Krystal told DailyMail.com. Krystal's older sister Kyra Clark said the prank was harmless and similar to previous years where the seniors involved were not punished. 'There was no excessive damage to the school or staff, and school security even permitted my sister access to the building,' she said. 'Considering the countless videos on platforms like TikTok showcasing truly disruptive senior pranks, it's evident that the punishment does not fit the 'crime' in this case.' Krystal and about 20 seniors at University of Chicago Charter School's Woodlawn Campus participated in the longstanding tradition of an end-of-year prank on May 6 The prank involved 'decorating' the school's main hallway with silly string, balloons, red solo cups, sticky notes, streamers, and toilet paper Principal Shavaughn Monson branded the prank an 'egregious act of vandalism' and emailed their parents a day later banning all the students from prom Krystal said she didn't understand why Monson was coming down so hard on the prank this year, but her classmates had a theory. 'The believe she does not like our class because we have opinions on how things should be run, and she doesn't like to listen to them,' she said. 'They don't like the truth being told to them, they think they know everything and can do whatever they want to us.' Monson wrote in her email that 'this decision is final and no conversations or conferences will be hosted', but agreed to speak with parents individually after they furiously protested. Scott said she spoke to Monson on the phone on May 9 and tried to negotiate with her to have parents pay for the cost of cleaning or have the students do community service. 'She got offended when I told her that this school year hadn't been that great. She said 'that's a dig at me' and I said it's not personal, she's not running the school by herself,' she said. 'I told her I was going to fight this as much as I can.' Krystal (second from right) with her mother Carla Scott (left), sister Kyra Clark (right) and other family The next day at 5.45pm she was put on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into a misconduct complaint against her by Monson. A HR officer later told her it was 'regarding your conduct during a phone call on May 9 concerning discipline imposed against your child'. Scott said HR told her on the phone that the complaint also concerned 'a video' but wouldn't elaborate even at a meeting a week later. 'They asked me point blank if I sent the video out because it went to some people on the board and maybe some staff members? I'm not sure, and I told them I didn't,' she said. The video was later revealed to be an Instagram post by Monson that many parents believed was inappropriate and complained about to the school. DailyMail.com was independently sent an edited version of the video reposted to TikTok and since then obtained the full post. Monson was filming herself at the gym and bragging that women should 'handcuff your broke n***as, b***hes, not that I want them'. She then repeated the phrase 'broke n***as' four times in the space of less than 20 seconds. Scott was accused of sharing this video Monson posted to Instagram of herself using language parents complained was inappropriate Scott's contract ends on June 30 and she is yet to receive a new one. 'I feel like they are going to drag this out until the end of the school year and then probably not renew it, that way they don't have to say they fired me,' she said. Clark said she 'strongly believes that my mother is facing suspension as a form of retaliation for challenging an unjust decision'. Scott claimed in the weeks that followed, some other students were able to get their prom back by doing community service or giving other social events. Krystal claimed Monson told some of the students they were no longer banned from the prom, but 'don't tell anyone'. However, Krystal and a handful of others were never given that opportunity despite repeated attempts to negotiate The night of the prom came on May 24 at the W Hotel in downtown Chicago. Krystal had booked a hotel room nearby with a friend and they decided to spend the evening there anyway since it was paid for. Sometime after 9pm, she claimed she heard from a teacher and other students that the ban had been lifted. 'We heard that they were letting people in to the prom and they didn't care anymore because they wanted people to have fun, so anyone who could make it in time, could come,' she said. 'When we got there, we were welcome in, nobody turned us around, nobody said we weren't supposed to be there they were just happy to see you. 'We didn't sneak in or hide that we were there.' Carla Scott, who has worked for the UC charter system for 12 years, said when she tried to negotiate her daughter's punishment, she was suspended after Monson filed a misconduct complaint Krystal's older sister Kyra Clark said the prank was harmless and similar to previous years where the seniors involved were not punished But the school didn't see it that way, and allegedly suspended one of the prom coordinators for allowing the students in, and banned Krystal and the others from the graduation ceremony this Monday. 'Your scholar still chose to show up to the Prom, a school sanctioned event that they were instructed multiple times not to attend,' the email read. 'Your scholar may not attend the ceremony as a graduate or attendee as their presence is prohibited.' Krystal said she didn't show up until almost 10pm and left well before the event finished at 11pm. 'I wasn't even feeling that well that night, I had a migraine, so I wasn't even there an hour it's ridiculous,' she said. The family wasn't told Krystal couldn't attend graduation rehearsals, and decided to take her to one last Wednesday in case she was eventually allowed to go. When they arrived at the Rockefeller Chapel, uniformed police officers wouldn't even let them approach the building. Monson was outside the graduation practice talking to some of the students but when she saw Krystal she said 'I don't have anything to say to her'. 'Shes you salutatorian, what do you mean you dont have anything to say to her?' Scott fumed. 'Youre not even open to listening? She wanted to apologize and ask if there was anything she could do. 'How do you as a black woman talk to a young black lady like that? Shes so thoroughly disgusted because Krystal made a few mistakes? Kids are going to do that. 'What shes doing is wrong, this is a time in these young peoples lives they will never forget, and these are your star students.' Scott said she felt like Monson had it out for her daughter and was 'dead-set against her participating in anything' because they clashed over the school year. 'It feels personal, not just to me but my daughter they're trying to make an example of her,' she said. Carla said she felt the school was trying to make an example of her daughter Krystal was due to give a speech on 'turning your struggles into positives' but the salutatorian address will instead be omitted from the ceremony. University of Chicago public affairs director Gerald McSwiggan said the school disputed the family's version of events, but provided few specific responses. 'Unfortunately, we had an incident during which students caused significant damage to UCCS property,' he said. 'We take such incidents seriously and have administered discipline to students consistent with our policies. 'We are grateful to our UCCS staff who attempted to stop the destruction and to the UCCS staff who had to remediate the damage that was done.' McSwiggan was also asked if the school had retaliated against Scott's advocacy for her daughter, and about the school using police to prevent Krystal from attending the rehearsal. 'Retaliation is prohibited by UChicago Charter School policy,' he said. 'As part of our typical processes, University of Chicago Police Department officers are present at major UChicago Charter School events, and UCPD officers routinely patrol the UChicago campus.' The Woodlawn campus has endured a year of poor results, falling grades and test scores, and scandal involving fired teachers. US News and World Report gave the school a college readiness score of only a 14.8 out of 100, and noted only 7 per cent of students passed at least on AP exam. The school was in January sued after a special needs teacher and aide berated and cursed at a 14-year-old boy, then assaulted him in front of classmates. Both denied the December 2022 incident until shocking video filmed by a classmate was posted online and they were both fired and the aide convicted of battery. An Aussie renter was left stunned after she was told she would need to pay more than twice the amount of an average bond to secure a property. Erin and her partner, who live in Queensland, found a property they both liked that would cost them around $800 a week to live in. The couple believed they would only have to pay a bond of $3,200. Renters across the country generally have to pay a bond that is the equivalent to around four weeks' worth of rent. Erin (pictured) said she was shocked after being confronted by the huge amount, after she found a rental property along with her partner in Queensland that they pair liked Erin was stunned when she found out she and her partner would have to pay more than twice the amount of money, when they went to apply for the property. She took to TikTok to express her shock after being confronted with the huge amount. 'When we went to apply, there was an amount owing of $6,500,' Erin said. 'I didn't realise that when you move into a rental that's $700 or more [in rent], the owner can charge how much they want to charge upfront.' According to the Residential Tenancies Authority, if the weekly rent is higher than $700, landlords can negotiate the price of the bond. The Residential and Tenancies Accommodation Act (2008), which governs rental and tenancy agreement laws in the Sunshine State, does not specify a maximum amount a tenant can be charged. The property listing had indicated the pair would need to pay $3,200 in bond money however, the amount exceeded this figure because the rent is worth more than $700 a week (pictured stock image) 'You wonder why we have a rental f*****g crisis hun, woah!' Erin said. Hundreds of social media users were left shocked and shared similar experiences. 'We had a bond of $10,000 at the request of a landlord. Our property was $850 a week it was insane,' one wrote. 'Had this happen, they required $7800 for 'bond ' then 2 weeks rent,' another renter wrote. Others expressed their disbelief over the huge amount of bond money tenants will have to fork out, to be able to afford a rental property. 'These prices are insane,' one wrote. 'So wrong that should be illegal,' another person added. Renters who uploaded their comments on social media, shared similar experiences that they encountered about making bond money payments for a rental property (pictured a rental property for lease in Melbourne) Some suggested that the couple should find a cheaper place to rent until they can afford a deposit. 'You might [save enough for a deposit] if you move somewhere for 450 a week for a few years...you can't live in the now and prepare [for] the future it's a sad reality,' one wrote. Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella said these bond rules came into effect a long time ago when the property market was different. 'The $700 threshold was set many years ago at a time when weekly rent values were vastly different to those we are seeing in today's market,' she told Yahoo. Queensland passed new tenancy laws last month to limit the amount of bond to no more than four weeks of rent. Tenants can request a refund on a bond payment if it exceeds the maximum amount prior to the new laws coming into effect. The new laws, which will be implemented in two stages, are yet to be enforced with an official date yet to be announced. Two far-right Israeli ministers have threatened to resigned and collapse Benjamin Netanyahu's already-precarious government if he accepts the Gaza ceasefire deal proposal unveiled by Joe Biden on Friday. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich both said they did not want to see Israel take a deal before Hamas was totally destroyed. But in a surprise twist, opposition leader Yair Lapid said he would back the government if Netanyahu wanted to go through with the plan. Biden unveiled the three-part proposal, which would, if signed by Hamas and Israel, begin with a six-week ceasefire and the full withdrawal of the IDF from populated areas of the Gaza Strip. The deal would also see the eventual release of all the hostages Hamas took on October 7, a permanent 'cessation of hostilities', and a full reconstruction of Gaza, much of which has been destroyed by the war. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (pictured, left) and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich (pictured, right) both said they did not want to see Israel take a deal Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) has seemingly poured cold water on Biden's plan Joe Biden (pictured) unveiled the proposals on Friday The deal infuriated Smotrich, who in April called for the 'total annihilation' of the Gaza Strip, said in a post to X: 'I will not be part of a government that will agree to the proposed outline and end the war without destroying Hamas and returning all the abductees. 'We will not agree to the end of the war before the destruction of Hamas, nor to a serious damage to the achievements of the war so far through the withdrawal of the IDF and the return of Gazans to the north of the Gaza Strip, nor to the wholesale release of terrorists who will return, God forbid, to murder Jews. 'We demand the continuation of the fighting until the destruction of Hamas and the return of all the abductees, the creation of a completely different security reality in Gaza and Lebanon, the return of all residents to their homes in the north and south and a massive investment in the accelerated development of these areas of the country.' Ben-Gvir followed suit, calling the deal 'a victory for terrorism.' He said on X: 'This is a promiscuous deal, which is a victory for terrorism and a security danger to the State of Israel. Agreeing to such a deal is not the absolute victory - but the absolute defeat. Mounted Israeli police try to disperse a demonstration by relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza A woman clad in an Israeli national flag holds a mock torch during a demonstration by relatives and supporters of Israelis held hostage by Palestinian Hamas militants 'We will not allow the end of the war without the complete elimination of Hamas. 'If the prime minister implements the promiscuous deal under the conditions published today, which mean the end of the war and the renouncing of Hamas, Otzma Yehudit will dissolve the government.' Lapid, meanwhile, said the two ministers' threats to resign 'neglects national security, the abductees and the residents of the north and the south.' 'This is the worst and most promiscuous government in the country's history. For them, there will be a war here forever, zero responsibility, zero management, a complete failure', he said on X. He also told Netanyahu that he had 'our safety net for a hostage deal if Ben-Gvir and Smotrich leave the government.' As Netanyahu faces an internal battle for control of his government and his country, as thousands took to the streets to protest the Israeli leader for his failure to get the hostages back home, he is also being forced to fend off more and more detractors on the world stage. Chilean President Gabriel Boric said Saturday his country was joining South Africa in its case at the International Court of Justice accusing Israel of 'genocide' in the war against Hamas. Smoke rises near a makeshift camp for displaced Palestinians in the area of Tel al-Sultan in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 30, 2024 Smoke billows following Israeli bombardment in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on May 31, 2024 Palestinians look at the destruction after an Israeli strike where displaced people were staying in Rafah, Gaza Strip Speaking to the National Congress, Boric decried the 'catastrophic humanitarian situation' in Gaza and called for 'a firm response from the international community.' 'Chile will become a party to and support the case that South Africa presented against Israel before the International Court of Justice in The Hague,' Boric said. The ICJ is considering South Africa's case, but in the interim has brought in 'preliminary measures' ordering Israel do everything it could to prevent acts of genocide during its campaign against Hamas. The top UN court last month ordered Israel to halt military operations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where displaced Palestinians are seeking safety from Israel's military offensive. Before the Rafah offensive began, the United Nations said up to 1.4 million people were sheltering in the city. Since then, one million have fled the area, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has said. Chile has recognized Palestine as a state since 2011, and Boric has previously said the war in Gaza has 'no justification' and is 'unacceptable.' The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 36,379 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. Mexican voters are all set to decide on their next president on Sunday - primarily between a former academic and an ex-senator who is also a tech entrepreneur. About 100 million people are registered to vote in an election that will likely give the country its first woman president and will replace President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The elections are widely seen as a referendum on Lopez Obrador, a populist who has expanded social programs but largely failed to reduce cartel violence in Mexico. Frontrunner and Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum is running with the Morena party. Sheinbaum has promised to continue all of Lopez Obradors populist policies, including a universal pension for the elderly and a program that pays youths to apprentice. Opposition presidential candidate Xochitl Galvez (left) and Presidential frontrunner Claudia Sheinbaum (right) Supporters of Sheinbaum crowd the Zocalo during her closing campaign rally in Mexico City Xochitl Galvez, the opposition presidential candidate, whose father was Indigenous Otomi, rose from selling snacks on the street in her poor hometown to start her own tech firms. A candidate running with a coalition of major opposition parties, she left the Senate last year to focus her ire on Lopez Obrado's decision to avoid confronting the drug cartels through his 'hugs not bullets' policy. She has pledged to go after criminals more aggressively. A third candidate from a smaller party, Jorge Alvarez Maynez, trails far behind. Sheinbaum raises her arms after speaking at her closing campaign rally at the Zocalo in Mexico City Galvez speaks during her closing campaign rally in Los Reyes la Paz, on the outskirts of Mexico City The persistent cartel violence, which has seen scores of local candidates killed in a spate of political violence, along with Mexico's middling economic performance, are the main issues on voters' minds. In this past election season, 145 people with connections to the various races across the country have been murdered. About 675,000 Mexicans living abroad are registered to vote, but in the past, only a small percentage have done so. However, overall voting turnout has hovered around 60 percent in recent elections. Beyond the fight for control of Congress, the race for Mexico City - whose top post is now considered equivalent to a governorship - is also crucial this election. Supporters of Galvez chant her name at her closing campaign rally A supporter of Sheinbaum takes a selfie with a campaign poster during her closing campaign rally Sheinbaum is just the latest of many Mexico City mayors, including Lopez Obrador, who went on to run for president. Several gubernatorial races in large, populous states such as Veracruz and Jalisco are also drawing interest. In addition to the presidential election, a total of 20,000 congressional and local positions are on residents' ballots, NBC News reported. This includes 500 members of congress and 128 senators. Polls open at 8 am and close at 6 pm for most of the country today. The first preliminary, partial results are expected by 9 pm, after the last polls in different time zones close. A nine-year-old girl left fighting for her life following a shooting in Hackney was visiting family on a half-term holiday before she was shot in the head by a motorbike hitman amid a feud between Turkish and Kurdish gangs, it has been claimed. The child, who was caught up in the suspected gangland shooting while having dinner with her family in east London last Wednesday, is said to be 'improving' and squeezed her father's friend yesterday, according to a close family friend. The girl is said to have moved to the UK around two years ago with her parents, both IT workers, and the family live together in Birmingham. Family members attended a church service for her in the Kerala region of India yesterday - but the critical nature of her condition is being kept from her grandmother, with whom she shares a close relationship with. The girl's uncle told The Sun: 'We told her it was a minor injury. We're even keeping her away from local television channels, which are beaming up the news. She had an emotional connection with the girl and they conveyed it over the phone at least every alternate day.' It's understood the family who were visiting relatives for the half-term holiday had not planned to eat at Evin restaurant in Kinglsand High Street, Dalston, and only did so because the child suddenly felt hungry. Police forensic officers at the scene of the shooting at Kingsland High Street, Hackney, east London, Shocking CCTV footage shows the moment a hitman on a stolen motorbike targets three men outside a Turkish restaurant The nine-year-old girl is fighting for her life. Pictured are forensic officers at the scene on Thursday The girl was shot at the Turkish restaurant just after 9pm. The shooter on a Ducati Monster motorbike pulled up and began firing at three men sitting outside, believed to be his targets. The men of Turkish origin, aged 37, 42 and 44, were injured and the girl was caught in the hail of bullets, with one said to have lodged in her head. The Sunday Times reports that Turkish residents nearby said most people were too scared to speak out because the area has become overrun with gangs. Many claimed that the shooting was part of a rivalry between a Turkish and a Kurdish gang, one from Hackney called the 'Bombers' and another called the 'Tottenham Turks'. The restaurant owner, Gazi Degirmenci, told the newspaper that the girl had been 'playing with her family', adding: 'She was really active, really joyful.' He continued: '[Other customers] were trying to stop the bleeding and make them calm. Her parents were shouting, they were crying.' Mr Degirmenci denied that his business was the target amid local speculation, claiming: 'This was something between two gangs. The problem is not with our community or our business. The main problem is with the two gang groups.' One of the men injured has been discharged from hospital and the other two are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Pictured: Forensic officers gather evidence at the scene in Dalston, east London The girl was shot at Evin restaurant in Kingsland High Street just after 9pm on May 29 Pictured: Emergency services at the scene in Dalston, east London Pictured: Police guard the cordon at the scene in Dalston, east London Forensic officers gather evidence at the scene in Dalston, east London The girl has been on a ventilator since Wednesday. Doctors have performed one operation but were unable to remove the bullet, the family friend said. But, he added, on Friday doctors began reducing her sedation to see how she responded and yesterday, her family were delighted when she squeezed her father's hand. The friend said: 'She is on a ventilator but she is responding to some things, which is good. When they [her parents] say something, she responds, like moving her finger. 'Her father spoke with her this morning and she responded, she squeezed his hand, she pressed it.' He said doctors will remove the bullet in another operation but that may be some days away. The friend, who speaks regularly with the girl's father on the phone, said her parents were a lot more optimistic. He said: 'Doctors are saying it will be good.' The motorbike, with red wheels and the registration DP21 OXY, was stolen three years ago from a property in Wembley, north London. Police have appealed to London's Turkish and Kurdish communities for information over the attack. A Met Police spokesman said: 'We retain an open mind as to any motive.' Allegedly killed her in argument then waited until next day to turn herself in Her author protege Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was charged with her murder Potential Donald Trump running mate Tulsi Gabbard's aunt has been beaten and stabbed to death, allegedly by her protege. Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, 78, was found dead at the home of prominent Samoan author and playwright Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, on the Pacific Island. Samoan Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said Sinaviana-Gabbard was killed last Saturday and her alleged murderer turned herself in the next morning. The pair, who were close friends, got into an argument at the home in the village of Vaivase-Uta about a 10-minute drive from the Samoan capital Apia. Potential Donald Trump running mate Tulsi Gabbard 's (pictured) aunt has been beaten and stabbed to death Caroline Sinaviana-Gabbard, 78, was found dead in the village of Vaivase-Uta about a 10-minute drive from the Samoan capital Apia What sparked the fight was not yet known, but Figiel allegedly used a knife and a hammer to kill her - both of which were found at the scene. Figiel then allegedly left the body lying in her house and driven about an hour to a friend's home in the village of Lotofaga and spent the night. 'It wasn't until Sunday morning while they were having breakfast that [Figiel] told her friend what had happened,' Auapaau said. Figiel soon after turned herself in to police in Apia and was arrested and charged with manslaughter, which was upgraded to murder after more evidence was found. Sinaviana-Gabbard was herself a renowned author and poet, whose debut novel Where We Once Belonged was a bestseller. She taught Pacific literature at the University of Hawaii for more than 20 years and was the first Samoan to become a full professor in the US. After her retirement, Sinaviana-Gabbard returned to her native Samoa. Prominent Samoan author and playwright Papalii Sia Figiel, 57, was charged with murder after a knife and hammer were found at the scene Her brother, Tulsi Gabbard's father Mike Gabbard, is a state senator for Hawaii and mourned the death of his 'best friend'. 'She helped me considerably during my rebellious stage of adolescence. She got me hooked on reading,' he told Spectrum News. 'I love her deeply and wish her well as she continues her journey.' Senator Gabbard said he hoped his sister's killer 'will be punished to the full extent of the law'. Tulsi Gabbard, a former congresswoman for Hawaii, had a short-lived campaign for president and is a potential running mate for Trump. The African National Congress party lost its majority in a historic election result Saturday that puts South Africa on a new political path for the first time since the end of the apartheid system of white minority rule 30 years ago. With more than 99% of votes counted, the once-dominant ANC had received just over 40% in Wednesday's parliamentary election, well short of the majority it had held since the all-race vote of 1994 that ended apartheid and brought it to power under Nelson Mandela. The final results are still to be formally declared Sunday by the Independent Electoral Commission, but the ANC cannot pass 50% and an era of coalition government - also a first for South Africa - is looming. The ANC will now likely need to look for a coalition partner or partners to remain in the government and reelect President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second and final term. Parliament must meet to elect the South African president within 14 days after the election result is declared. The ANC remains the largest party despite the damage done by an upstart rival led by former President Jacob Zuma, and is therefore expected to retain the presidency. President Cyril Ramaphosa speaks during the final African National Congress rally before the South African national elections at FNB Stadium in Soweto, South Africa Former president and now leader of the MK Party, Jacob Zuma, arrives at the Results Operation Centre (ROC) in Midrand, Johannesburg The empty African National Congress booth at the National Results Operation Centre of the Electoral Commission of South Africa But as the second biggest political force with 21.8% of votes, the Democratic Alliance is one of three parties with the clout to help it form a new majority and potentially shape the future of the nation. 'The way to rescue South Africa is to break the ANC's majority and we have done that,' said John Steenhuisen, the leader of the main opposition Democratic Alliance party. Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party, said that the ANC's 'entitlement of being the sole dominant party' was over. The way forward could be complicated for Africa's most advanced economy, and there's no coalition on the table yet. The three main opposition parties and many more smaller ones were in the mix as the bargaining begins. 'We can talk to anybody and everybody,' ANC Chairman Gwede Mantashe said on national broadcaster SABC. Steenhuisen's Democratic Alliance received around 21% of the vote. The new MK Party of former President Jacob Zuma, who has turned against the ANC he once led, was third with just over 14% of the vote in the first election it has contested. The Economic Freedom Fighters was fourth with just over 9%. More than 50 parties contested the election, many of them winning tiny shares, but the three main opposition parties appear to be the most obvious for the ANC to approach. Electoral commission Chairman Mosotho Moepya said it was a time for everyone to keep calm 'and for leaders to lead and for voices of reason to continue to prevail.' South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma sits at the booth of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) at the National Results Operation Centre of the IEC The official unemployment rate is 32% and the poverty disproportionately affects Black people 'This is a moment we need to manage and manage well,' he said. Steenhuisen said his party is open to discussions with the ANC, as did Malema. The MK Party said one of their conditions for any agreement was that Ramaphosa is removed as ANC leader and president. That underlined the fierce personal political battle between Zuma, who resigned as South African president under a cloud of corruption allegations in 2018, and Ramaphosa, who replaced him. 'We are willing to negotiate with the ANC, but not the ANC of Cyril Ramaphosa,' MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said. MK and the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters have called for parts of the economy to be nationalized. The centrist Democratic Alliance, or DA, is viewed as business-friendly. Analysts say an ANC-DA coalition would be more welcomed by foreign investors. DA has been the most critical opposition party for years and doesn't share the ANC's pro-Russia and pro-China foreign policy. South Africa takes over the presidency of the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging-market nations next year. An ANC-DA coalition 'would be a marriage of two drunk people in Las Vegas. It will never work,' Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the smaller Patriotic Alliance party, told South African media. DA says an ANC-MK-EFF agreement would be a 'doomsday coalition' given MK and EFF are made up of former ANC figures and would pursue the same failed policies. A woman cleans a pot in the kitchen of a restaurant in Alexandra township on May 31, 2024 in Johannesburg Men joke around as they share a beer outside their houses at an informal settlement in Alexandra township on May 31, 2024 in Johannesburg Women collect clean water at an informal settlement in Alexandra township on May 31, 2024 in Johannesburg The three opposition parties had a combined share that was bigger than the ANC, but they are highly unlikely to all work together. The DA was also part of a preelection agreement with other smaller parties to potentially form a coalition. Amid it all, there was no sense of celebrations from ordinary South Africans, but rather the realization that a rocky political road was ahead. The Daily Maverick newspaper had a South African scratching his head with the words: 'What Does It Mean For Our Future?' on its front page. The Die Burger newspaper led with an image of about a dozen political parties' logos going into a meat grinder. South African opposition parties were united in one thing - something had to change in the country of 62 million, which is Africa's most developed but also one of the most unequal in the world. The official unemployment rate is 32% and the poverty disproportionately affects Black people, who make up 80% of the population and have been the core of the ANC's support for years. The violent crime rate is also high. The ANC has seen a steady decline in its support over the last 20 years, but by around three to five percentage points each election. It dropped 17 percentage points this time from the 57.5% it won in 2019. Nearly 28 million South Africans were registered to vote, and turnout was expected to be around 60%, according to the electoral commission. People lined up on a cold winter night and waited hours after the official poll closing time, with some votes being cast at 3 a.m. the following day. That indicated the desire from many to have their say, but also reflected one of South Africa's inherent problems - some voting stations had delays because of electricity outages plunging them into the dark. The number of Chinese spies in Britain is 'unquantifiable', an ex-Army intelligence officer has warned - with fears it could run to 'hundreds of thousands' Reports say that the number of Chinese agents employed in intelligence gathering in the UK is reaching new heights. Col Philip Ingram, a former Army intelligence officer told The Telegraph: 'Quantifying the number of Chinese intelligence sources in the UK is impossible. 'Article 7 of China's national intelligence law states that all Chinese organisations should 'support assist and cooperate' with the Chinese intelligence efforts, meaning every citizen could be used overtly or without their knowledge by the Chinese state to gather information.' Intelligence sources believe that Chinese agents are active in academia, among both students and lecturers, and in business and the arts. Reports say that the number of Chinese agents employed in intelligence gathering in the UK is new heights. Pictured: Russian president Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese president Xi Jinping on May 16 Reports say that the number of Chinese agents employed in intelligence gathering in the UK is could reach the 'hundreds of thousands'. Pictured: The MI5 HQ in London Col Philip Ingram (pictured), a former Army intelligence officer told The Telegraph: 'Quantifying the number of Chinese intelligence sources in the UK is impossible' But in some cases, the people gathering the information may not even be aware that they are being exploited for intelligence by the Chinese state. In October the head of MI5 Ken McCallum said an estimated 20,000 Britons had been approached by Chinese state actors on LinkedIn in the hope of stealing industrial or technological secrets. He said the industrial espionage was happening at 'real scale', and he estimated that 10,000 UK businesses were at risk, particularly in artificial intelligence, quantum computing or synthetic biology. A government source told defence publication National Security News: 'MI5 has limited resources so resources have to be prioritised. The terrorist threat level remains "substantial" which means an attack is likely but in reality the challenges currently posed by China and Russia are more pressing.' The source believed that as many as 20 Chinese embassy officials in the UK were likely to be operating as spies. Ken McCallum (pictured) revealed Beijing has more than doubled its underhand approaches to UK workers on professional networking sites like LinkedIn The source believed that as many as 20 Chinese embassy (pictured) officials in the UK were likely to be operating as spies Warnings have been issued that Iranian-backed terror attacks in the UK were more likely in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas. Pictured: The Government Communication Headquarters (GCHQ) in Cheltenham He added: 'But the numbers of agents, civilians who have been recruited by the Chinese intelligence services may run into the hundreds of thousands. 'There are probably people in the UK who have no idea that they are supplying intelligence to the Chinese government. These may be Chinese nationals working or studying in the UK or British citizens.' Meanwhile Iran is also believed to be using organised crime gangs to conduct intimidation operations and plot assassinations in the UK. Warnings have been issued that Iranian-backed terror attacks in the UK were more likely in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas. In August, Home Secretary at the time Suella Braverman warned that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was the biggest threat to the UK's national security. She spoke about the group ramping up its activities and amid reports that Iranian spies are trying to recruit organised crime gang members to strike out at regime opponents. In February 2023, then-Security Minister Tom Tugendhat told Parliament that Iran's government has been behind 15 credible threats to kill or kidnap British citizens or people based in the UK people in just over a year. The threat from China and Iran comes as the threat from Russia also remains at large. In August, Home Secretary at the time Suella Braverman warned that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was the biggest threat to the UK's national security Protesters at a march in central London on January 21, 2023 against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaking during a ceremony, in Tehran, Iran, on March 6, 2023 After the 2018 Salisbury Novichok attack, Britain expelled 23 Russian spies as part of its 'full and robust response' to the poisoning of former double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia. It meant Russia lost a large chunk of their intelligence officers overnight and has since been trying to recruit new assets to plug the gaps. Britain's support for Ukraine in the war against Russia has also led to increased spying activity. The threats come after Britain's security services were drafted into a General Election task force to protect MPs and parliamentary candidates from violent attacks, as well as to combat online interference by Russia, China and Iran. Last week The Mail on Sunday revealed the secret Whitehall Joint Election and Security Preparedness (JESP) unit which includes MI5, MI6 and GCHQ will monitor extremist threats candidates may face as they canvass in their constituencies, amid heightened tensions caused by the Israel-Gaza war. JESP will also act to identify and remove fake videos and social media posts by hostile states, which are weaponising AI to spread disinformation to dupe British voters. A Government official said at the time: 'If there are threats against candidates from ideological sources, like extremists, then MI5 and counter-terrorism police will become involved. 'If hostile states become involved in meddling in the election, then this will be flagged by the security services.' JESP is part of the Government's Defending Democracy Taskforce established by Security Minister Tom Tugendhat and which has been given 31 million to protect MPs and electoral processes. The newspaper also revealed the MoD has drafted in the Army's 77th Brigade which specialises in 'information operations' to combat interference and disinformation from abroad. South Koreans have been warned to stay away from Kim Jong Un's trash-filled balloons, after North Korea floated 600 more across the DMZ. Personnel in hazmat suits were seen collecting piles of rubbish containing everything from cigarette butts to bits of cardboard and plastic. South Korea has called the latest provocation from its nuclear-armed neighbour 'irrational' and 'low-class' but, unlike the spate of recent ballistic missile launches, the trash campaign does not violate UN sanctions on Kim Jong Un's isolated regime. Seoul has warned of strong countermeasures unless the North stops the balloon bombardment, saying it runs counter to the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War hostilities. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff called on the public to stay away from the rubbish heaps, though 'no hazardous substances have been found.' Personnel in hazmat suits were seen collecting piles of rubbish containing everything from cigarette butts to bits of cardboard and plastic South Korea has called the latest provocation from its nuclear-armed neighbour 'irrational' and 'low-class' Seoul has warned of strong countermeasures unless the North stops the balloon bombardment Around 900 balloons have been sent southwards by Pyongyang since Tuesday, the JCS said, adding that the latest wave began arriving late Saturday. As of around 10 am (0100 GMT) on Sunday, 'approximately 600 balloons have been identified, with about 20 to 50 balloons per hour moving through the air'. The balloons are landing in northern provinces, including the capital Seoul and the adjacent area of Gyeonggi, which are collectively home to nearly half of South Korea's population. The latest batch of balloons have been full of 'waste such as cigarette butts, scrap paper, fabric pieces and plastic,' JCS said. 'Our military is conducting surveillance and reconnaissance from the launch points of the balloons, tracking them through aerial reconnaissance, and collecting the fallen debris, prioritising public safety,' it said. 'We urge the public to avoid contact with the fallen waste balloons and report them to the nearest military unit or police station,' it added. South Koreans have been warned to stay away from Kim Jong Un's (pictured) trash-filled balloons, after North Korea floated 600 more across the DMZ Around 900 balloons have been sent southwards by Pyongyang since Tuesday, the JCS said, adding that the latest wave began arriving late Saturday As of around 10 am (0100 GMT) on Sunday, 'approximately 600 balloons have been identified, with about 20 to 50 balloons per hour moving through the air' South Korea's National Security Council is expected to meet today to discuss a plan to respond to the balloons by resuming loudspeaker propaganda campaigns along the border with North Korea, Yonhap reported. In the past, South Korea has broadcast anti-Kim propaganda into the North, which infuriates Pyongyang. Activists in the South have also floated their own balloons over the border, filled with leaflets and sometimes cash, rice or USB thumb drives loaded with K-dramas. Earlier this week, Pyongyang described its 'sincere gifts' as a retaliation for the propaganda-laden balloons sent into North Korea. 'If Seoul chooses to resume anti-North broadcast via loudspeakers along the border, which Pyongyang dislikes as much as anti-Kim balloons, it could lead to limited armed conflict along border areas, such as in the West Sea,' said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Korean peninsula strategy at Sejong Institute. In 2018, during a period of improved inter-Korean relations, both leaders agreed to 'completely cease all hostile acts against each other in every domain', including the distribution of leaflets. South Korea's National Security Council is expected to meet today to discuss a plan to respond to the balloons by resuming loudspeaker propaganda campaigns along the border with North Korea Earlier this week, Pyongyang described its 'sincere gifts' as a retaliation for the propaganda-laden balloons sent into North Korea Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong - one of Pyongyang's key spokespeople - mocked South Korea for complaining about the balloons this week South Korea's parliament passed a law in 2020 criminalising sending leaflets into the North, but the law - which did not deter the activists - was struck down last year as a violation of free speech. Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong - one of Pyongyang's key spokespeople - mocked South Korea for complaining about the balloons this week, saying North Koreans were simply exercising their freedom of expression. The two Koreas' propaganda offensives have sometimes escalated into larger tit-for-tats. In June 2020, Pyongyang unilaterally cut off all official military and political communication links with the South and blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border. The trash campaign comes after analysts have warned Kim is testing weapons before sending them to Russia for use in Ukraine, with South Korea's defence minister saying this weekend that Pyongyang has now shipped about 10,000 containers of arms to Moscow, in return for Russian satellite know-how. A decade-long feud over two native title claims is close to an end with First Nations traditional owners aiming to take ownership of 7,800sqkm of Australia. The Barada Kabalbara Yetimalara People are bidding for native titles for two areas in Central Queensland with the Federal Court of Australia set to deliver its verdict soon. It had been reported in local media that they had won the legal battle, but the Federal Court has confirmed a final decision has yet to be made. One plot of land covers more than 7,512sq km between Sarina and Rockhampton while the second encompasses 294sq km of land and water north of Rockhampton. The applications for Indigenous ownership were first filed in July 2013. They are the first to affect the Isaac region, west of Mackay, in a number of years. According to the Australian National University 'native title claims are typically made by those who are described in the application as being the descendants of one or more of those listed as ancestors'. 'These forebears are known commonly as 'apical ancestors', which simply means they are at the apex of the genealogical account.' The people cited in this case are Barada Woman (spouse of Johnny and Charlie Budby), Lucy and/or Jimmy Barber, Kitty aka Kitty Eaglehawk, Yatton Boney, Maggie (mother of Jack Mack and Gypsy Tyson) and King Boco. The Barada Kabalbara Yetimalara People are bidding to take ownership of native titles for two areas in Central Queensland when the Federal Court of Australia is set to deliver its verdict One plot of land covers more than 7,512sqkm between Sarina and Rockhampton while the second (pictured) encompasses 294sqkm of land and water north of Rockhampton Documents submitted to the Federal Court stated the ancestors had 'association within and close to the claim area(s)' around the 'effective date of sovereignty' in 1865. One document from November 1887 included writing from a person named JB Shannon who sold rations to Lucy, Sugar, Kitty and Boco for two shillings before they 'sent the darkies off'. Evidence presented during on-country hearings also provided insight into the Barada Kabalbara Yetimalara People's history with the land. That evidence included testimonies of traditional knowledges passed from generation-to-generation, like warnings to not eat emus as they were ancestors. A Federal Court ruling in their favour would allow the Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala People 'the right to possess, occupy, use and enjoy the lands and waters of the application area(s) as against the whole world, pursuant to the traditional laws and customs of the claim group'. The National Native Title Tribunal states the native titles would allow the Barada Kabalbara People to travel through the areas, camp and erect temporary shelters, hunt, fish, gather and take natural resources for personal, domestic and non-commercial communal purposes. The Barada Kabalabara Yetimarala People could also be able to hold meetings, conduct ceremonies, maintain places of importance, teach, live, and be buried on or bury native title holders on the land. They will also be able to 'speak authoritatively about the areas among other Aboriginal People in accordance with traditional laws and customs', 'make decisions about the use and enjoyment of the area(s) by Aboriginal people who recognise themselves to be governed by the traditional laws and customs acknowledged and observed by the native title holders', as well as 'transmit the cultural heritage of the native title claim group including knowledge of particular sites'. However, the traditional laws and customs practised under the native titles would remain 'subject to and exercisable in accordance with' state and federal government laws Sam Dallachy and Ors on behalf of the Barada Kabalbara Yetimara People filed proceedings for the native titles with the Federal Court in January, 2019. The case was heard at least 50 times and reviewed more than 120 documents, with Justice Sarah Derrington, Justice Darryl Rangiah and Justice John Reeves all involved. Applicants throughout the case have included Lalu Asela, Elizabeth Doyle, Juanita Mason, Skye Muller, Norman Ross, Deborah Santo, Vanessa Saunders, Michael Smith, Davina Tilberoo Snr, Claudine Walsh, Anthony Henry and Margaret Hornagold. More than 30 respondents were named during matters including the Central Highlands, Isaac Regional, Livingstone Shire, Rockhampton Regional, and Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire councils. Several local resource and mining companies have also been involved, including Anglo Coal, Caml Resources, Foxleigh Coal, Nippon Steel Australia, Sumitomo Metal Australia, Orion Gold, Pan Investments, and Peabody, with Telstra, Amplitel, Ergon and the Queensland Government. Queensland has received at least 400 applications for native titles since 1994 with the latest was filed in January by the Djabugay Nation People Queensland has received at least 400 applications for native titles since 1994. Some 180 were granted with the first covering land in the Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire, north of Cooktown. There are currently 39 active claims for native title across Queensland. The latest was filed in January by the Djabugay Nation People for land south of Port Douglas to Cairns and west to Mareeba. Britain's 'laughably' small tank fleet would be wiped out in two weeks by Vladimir Putin's forces in a war with Russia, an ex-senior officer has warned. Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Crawford, who served in the army for 20 years, added that the US no longer saw the UK as a 'Tier One military power' thanks to the precarious nature of its Armed Forces. He told The Telegraph that the new Challenger 3, a tank set to arrive in 2030, was a 'decent vehicle' but that not enough were due to be built. 'We're currently planning to procure only 148 of them, which is embarrassingly few when you remember that at the height of the Cold War, not that long ago, the British Army's Royal Armoured Corps could hope to field around 900 MBTs (main battle tanks),' he said. Writing in the UK Defence Journal, Lt Col Crawford, who is now a defence analyst, added that this number was only enough to support two armoured regiments and reserve and training vehicles. Britain's 'laughably' small tank fleet would be wiped out in two weeks by Vladimir Putin 's forces in a war with Russia , an ex-senior officer has warned (pictured: a Challenger 2 tank in 2003) Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Crawford (pictured, in 2018), who served in the army for 20 years, added that the US no longer saw the UK as a 'Tier One military power' thanks to the precarious nature of its Armed Forces He pointed out that Ukraine had lost around 3,000 tanks in roughly two years meaning that Britain's quota of vehicles might only last a matter of weeks. He said: 'If there's one lesson to come out of the current conflict in Ukraine it's that you need lots of stuff, to use the correct technical term, and clearly 148 tanks ain't going to cut it.' The former senior officer's stern warning comes after General Sir Richard Shirreff said that Britain might not be able to send an army of 5,000 troops into the field due to damaging shortages. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that ten years of cuts had 'decimated' the UK's Armed Forces which, as recently as 1997, could have fielded a war-fighting brigade of 20,000 soldiers. 'Ammunition is in crucial short supply,' the former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe added. 'Among other things, of course, the bottom of the barrel has been scraped to provide everything that can go to Ukraine but it needs to be replaced.' The Ministry of Defence has been approached for comment. Last month, an ex-general warned that Putin could pound Britain with dozens of the same missiles he's using to blitz Ukraine - and there's nothing the UK could do to stop them. The weapons would have the capacity to reach Britain in just 90 minutes, travelling at speeds of 600mph, according to General Sir Richard Barrons. The retired British Army officer estimated that an attack would involve Russia firing over the missiles in waves of 60 to 90 at a time. Speaking to The Sun, General Barrons warned that the UK would currently be unable to fend off such an onslaught. Vladimir Putin pictured in Beijing, China, on May 16. Lt Col Crawford pointed out that Ukraine had lost around 3,000 tanks at the hands of Russia in roughly two years meaning that Britain's quota of vehicles might only last a matter of weeks A Russian Yars missile pictured being launched in October 2022. Putin could pound Britain with dozens of the same missiles he's using to blitz Ukraine - and there's nothing the UK could do to stop them, an ex-general has claimed The weapons would have the capacity to reach Britain in just 90 minutes, travelling at speeds of 600mph, according to General Sir Richard Barrons (pictured) He said: 'The UK does not have the air and missile defence that Ukraine has, for now. We've not needed it. 'The sort of missiles that fall on Kyiv could fall on London. And Kyivs air defences are way, way better. 'Even a quite elderly Russian cruise missile, I'm going to cite Kh-101 released from an aircraft over western Russia, arrives in London 90 minutes later with a 500 kilogram explosive warhead and an accuracy of two meters. So pick your door in Downing Street.' The Duke of Westminster is planning to settle down into a life of farming after his wedding, friends have revealed. Hugh Grosvenor, 33, will marry duchess-to-be Olivia Henson in Chester Cathedral, Cheshire, in what is being dubbed the society wedding of the year next week. Mr Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, is close friends with both the Prince of Wales and Prince Harry. He is godfather to Prince George and to Harry's son Archie and he is the godson of the King. After the ceremony, where Prince William will be an usher, the couple plan to 'lay down the foundations of their future' in Chester, where friends say the duke will nurture his love of 'nature, sustainability and farming'. Friends told The Telegraph that the duke, dubbed the UK's 'most eligible bachelor', has a 'genuine love of the land'. Known as 'Hughie' to friends, the duke became one of the UK's largest landowners when he inherited an estimated 10.13billion portfolio, which includes more than 1,500 properties in 60 countries, after his father died of a heart attack in 2016. Hugh Grosvenor (left), 33, will wed duchess-to-be Olivia Henson (right) in Chester Catheral, Cheshire, in what is being dubbed the society wedding of the year next week Guests will be invited to the duke's sprawling Eaton Hall estate (pictured) in Cheshire after the ceremony The duke is also the president of the Country Trust which encourages disadvantaged children to connect with 'the land that sustains us all' via visits to Britain's farms, including the duke's Grosvenor Farms on his Easton Estate in Cheshire. Around 400 wedding guests will head to the sprawling 11,000-acre estate after the nuptials at Chester Cathedral next Friday. Jill Attenborough, CEO of the Country Trust, told The Telegraph that the duke is a 'very authentic person'. Ms Attenborough added: 'He's really aware of his responsibility as the next generation of farmers and landowners and he gently, certainly not in a sort of pushy way, tries to draw in his network as well of 'next gen' to talk about whether they might also welcome children into their farms and estates and showcase what they're doing for a more sustainable future.' Guests, who have been issued a strict no gifts instruction, will descend upon Chester next Friday. Considering that the duke was named the UK's wealthiest person under 40 for the second year running in the Sunday Times Rich List last month, it's likely to be a very exclusive and lavish affair. Chester is set to be decorated with 100,000 flowers paid for by the duke which will be donated to local charities following the ceremony in keeping with the theme of sustainability. The couple have recently enjoyed a few public charitable visits to Chester, with Miss Henson, the daughter of a banker, insisting they want to 'put down roots' in the north-west. 'Hughie' is good friends with Prince William and Prince Harry but the latter will not be attending Hugh Grosvenor (left), Duke of Westminster, Charlie van Straubenzee and Arthur Landon attend the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 Mr Grosvenor's ceremony will take place at Chester Cathedral (pictured) 'It's obviously a place where we will live,' the bride-to-be said. 'We'll be building our lives together and we're slowly transitioning to move up from London and be much more permanent here and really putting roots down.' She said it was 'an easy decision' for the couple to make, The Telegraph reports. Among the guests is future King Prince William, 41, who will be performing the role of an usher during the ceremony. The Mail on Sunday has reported that alongside his father, Prince George, the duke's godson, is also set to play a prominent role in the wedding. Hugh and William have long enjoyed a close friendship so it is perhaps unsurprising that the Prince of Wales will take on a starring role in the nuptials. The Princess of Wales is not expected to attend the wedding as she continues her recovery from cancer. However, aside from the royal father-of-three, the 400-strong guest list, like many of the details of the wedding, have been kept under wraps. The duke is obviously well connected as the son of Gerald Grosvenor, who died in August 2016. As well as Prince William, Hugh is also close friends with Prince Harry. But Harry and Meghan Markle will remain in the US while Prince Archie's godfather ties the knot. The wedding was announced by the duke's spokesperson in April after the couple got engaged at Eaton Hall Amid reports that the Prince of Wales will be an usher at the wedding, sources told the Mail on Sunday that Harry was 'put out' by the decision because he had always regarded himself as being closer to the Duke. The source claimed: 'William was asked to have a prominent role in the wedding and that's what triggered Harry to decline an invitation. Apparently he [Harry] was put out by the request when he thought it should have been him.' Referencing the lack of public details about the occasion, the source added: 'Both the Palace and Hugh's people decided to hold dear the operational part of the wedding once the leak about Harry not attending made the papers.' The attendance of King Charles and Queen Camilla at the society wedding of the year is still unconfirmed. The wedding was announced by the duke's spokesperson in April after the couple got engaged at Eaton Hall. A photo was shared of the newly engaged couple with a statement, which read: 'The Duke of Westminster and Miss Olivia Henson are delighted to announce they are engaged to be married.' 'The couple, who have been together for two years, recently became engaged at the Duke's family home at Eaton Hall in Cheshire. 'Members of both their families are absolutely delighted with the news. 'Hugh Grosvenor, The Duke of Westminster, is Grosvenor's Chair as well as Chair of the Westminster Foundation.' Mr Grosvenor succeeded his father to become the Duke of Westminster in 2016, inheriting the title and estate when he died aged 64. The husband of a woman who died after a botched breast augmentation procedure has opened up on his anguish in a heartbreaking statement read out in court. Jean Huang, 35, died from an overdose of anaesthetic which was administered by Jie Shao, who was not a registered doctor in Australia, at a beauty clinic in Chippendale in 2017. Ms Shao, 40, was found guilty of manslaughter following a three-week trial held in March in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court and had a sentencing hearing on Friday. The court heard Shao administered Tramadol sourced from Portugal and not approved for use in Australia, the local anaesthetic Lidocaine and a breast filler sourced from Korea and also not approved for use, the Daily Telegraph reported. During the procedure Ms Huang slurred her words, then foamed at the mouth and convulsed before an ambulance was called. Paramedics were able to restart Ms Huang's heart but she was tragically declared brain dead in hospital. Ms Huang's life support was turned off on September 1, 2017. Jie Shao (pictured) was found guilty of manslaughter after a three-week trial in Sydney 's Downing Centre District Court in March A jury found Shao guilty of manslaughter in March. At Shao's sentencing hearing on Friday, crown Prosecutor Sara Gul said the matter was serious and would require a jail sentence. '(The) life a much loved, high achieving and vibrant (woman) was cut short,' she said. She also told the court that Shao, who had flown from China in the days before the operation, had misrepresented her medical credentials on WeChat. The court heard emotional statements from Ms Huang's beloved mother and husband, news.com.au reported. Ms Huang's mother said she will remember her daughter as 'smart, beautiful, kind, generous, and funny'. She also said she was 'haunted' by memories of moment she was told her daughter was dying, saying she never had the chance to say goodbye. Ms Huang's husband also opened up on his anguish. 'Every late night, the quiet of darkness outside prevents me from falling asleep,' he said. 'I can't help but think of everything about my wife and me at any moment.' Jean Huang (pictured) died from an overdose of anaesthetic which was administered during a procedure performed at a beauty clinic in Chippendale Ms Shao, a Chinese national, has expressed deep remorse and acknowledged she was at least partially responsible for Ms Huang's death, the court heard. Shao's barrister, Winston Terracini SC, said his client blamed herself. 'Her passing will stay with me throughout my life,' Mr Terracini read from sections of a psychological report. 'It may not have happened if I had not come to Australia. 'I'm not familiar with Australian ways, and shouldn't have agreed. 'I really regret coming to Australia.' Judge Timothy Gartelmann reserved his judgment. Shao is due to be sentenced on July 4. There has been a reported increase in the number of men working from home compared to their female counterparts who have returned to the office - leading to the rise of the so-called 'WFH husband.' During the Covid-19 lockdowns working from home became the norm for many people. Since the end of the pandemic workers have returned to the office but at the same time a gendered divide between who works from home and who doesn't has emerged. In a lot of households it has become increasingly common for men to remain at home while women have returned to the workplace. This has a lot to do with the type of jobs usually dominated by women compared to men. Since the end of the pandemic workers have returned to the office but at the same time a gendered divide between who works from home and who doesn't has emerged - with men more likely to keep working from home (stock image) The divide is because women are more likely to work in professions where working from home is near impossible. This includes the health sector where one in five women work (stock image) According to figures from the Office for National Statistics, one in five women in the UK work jobs in health and social care while another quarter work in retail and education. Each are sectors where working from home is tricky or near impossible. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph Professor Heejung Chung, a sociologist at the University of Kent, explained why these professions are dominated by women. The Professor said: 'The three big occupations or sectors where remote work is still limited are healthcare, education, not all education but mainly primary and secondary, and then the third is retail. Those are very female-centric occupations, where remote working is not possible. 'Opportunity-wise, I think there are more jobs where it is traditionally more male-dominated where remote working is possible.' Some couples have embraced the new family dynamic of the 'WFH husband.' This includes Sam Evans and her partner Benet Slay. Ms Evans works in an office where she runs Humphreys of Henley, a company which curates countryside activities for visitors. Meanwhile, Mr Slay - who works as a non-executive director in several organisations - works at home in his office. The different work environments suit both them. Ms Evans told the Telegraph that she enjoys coming into the office while Mr Slay enjoys going working on his own. While spending on all his working days at home, Mr Slay does not neglect the house chores. His partner said: 'He is fantastic about just quietly getting on with stuff. I will think of something that needs doing during the day and make a note of it, and I will get home and its been done.' According to Professor Chung, this goes against a wider trend among men who work from home who, despite spending all day in the house, neglect to pick up more housework. Irans hard-line former leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has registered as a possible candidate for the presidential election, seeking to regain the countrys top political position after a helicopter crash killed President Ebrahim Raissi. The populist former leader's registration puts pressure on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In office, Mr Ahmadinejad openly challenged the 85-year-old cleric, and his attempt to run in 2021 was barred by the authorities. The firebrand, Holocaust-questioning politician's return comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme, its arming of Russia in its war on Ukraine, and its wide-reaching crackdowns on dissent. Associated Press journalists in Tehran saw Mr Ahmadinejad arrive at the Interior Ministry and begin the registration process. Before his arrival, his supporters chanted and waved Iranian flags. He descended the stairs at the ministry, showing his passport as is custom to dozens of photographers and video journalists on hand for the registration process. The return of firebrand, Holocaust-questioning Mahmoud Ahmadinejad comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the West over Tehrans rapidly advancing nuclear programme Vahid Salemi/AP) Rescue team members work at the crash site of a helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Varzaghan, in northwestern Iran An aerial view shows Iranian mourners attend the funeral of late president Ebrahim Raisi in the city of Mashhad, Iran on May 23, 2024 As a woman processed his candidacy, he sat, turned to the journalists, nodding and smiling for the cameras. He was expected to give remarks after concluding his registration. An election is planned on June 28 to replace Ayatollah Khamenei's hard-line protege, President Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May along with seven other people. Former parliament speaker Ali Larijani, a conservative with strong ties to Iran's former relatively moderate president Hassan Rouhani, has already registered, as has former Iranian Central Bank chief Abdolnasser Hemmati, who also ran in 2021. Who else will seek to run remains in question. The country's acting president, Mohammad Mokhber, previously a behind-the-scenes bureaucrat, could be the front-runner because he has already been seen meeting Ayatollah Khamenei. Former Central Bank governor Abdolnasser Hemmati leaves the Interior Ministry after registeringas a candidate for the June 28 presidential election A member of staff sits beside a portrait of late Iranian revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini, during the registration of candidates for the June 28 presidential election Also discussed as a possible aspirant is former reformist president Mohammad Khatami, but, as with Mr Ahmadinejad, whether he would be allowed to run is another question. The five-day registration period will close on Tuesday, and the Guardian Council is expected to issue its final list of candidates within 10 days. That will allow for a shortened two-week campaign before the vote in late June. Mr Ahmadinejad previously served two four-year terms from 2005 to 2013. Under Iranian law, he became eligible to run again after four years out of office, but he remains a polarising figure even among fellow hard-liners. His disputed re-election in 2009 sparked massive 'Green Movement' protests and a sweeping crackdown in which thousands of people were detained and dozens were killed. Abroad, he became a caricature of Western perceptions of the Islamic Republic's worst attribute, questioning the Holocaust, insisting Iran had no gay or lesbian citizens, and hinting Iran could build a nuclear weapon if it chose to do so. But he remains popular among the poor for his populist efforts and home-building programmes. Since leaving office, he has raised his profile via social media and written widely publicized letters to world leaders. He has also criticised government corruption, though his own administration faced corruption allegations and two of his former vice presidents were jailed. Ayatollah Khamenei warned Mr Ahmadinejad in 2017 that standing for office again would be a 'polarised situation' which would be 'harmful for the country'. He said nothing during Mr Ahmadinejad's 2021 attempt, when his candidacy was rejected by the 12-member Guardian Council, a panel of clerics and jurists ultimately overseen by Ayatollah Khamenei. That panel has never accepted a woman or anyone calling for radical change to the country's governance. The panel could reject Mr Ahmadinejad again. However, the race to replace Mr Raisi has yet to draw a candidate with clear, overwhelming support from Ayatollah Khamenei. An ACT driver has allegedly recorded a 'near fatal' blood alcohol level nearly nine times the legal limit. The 36-year-old man was pulled over while driving erratically in a Toyota Corolla about 2am on Saturday night, in Strathnairn, Belconnen. While being breath tested by police, the man blew a blood alcohol reading of 0.443. A photo of the reading allegedly blown by a 36-year-old man at 2am Saturday driving a Toyota Corolla in Belconnen just outside Canberra A statement from ACT Police said it was 'one of the highest readings' seen in the jurisdiction, with a high-range blood alcohol concentration considered to be limits more than 0.15. The legal limit is 0.05. The man was issued with an immediate 90-day suspension notice and will appear at court at a later day. A statement from ACT Police urged people to not drink and drive. 'ACT Policing reminds all drivers that impaired driving is one of the 'fatal five' causes of deaths on our roads,' it said. 'If you are going to drink, please don't drive.' To date, five people have died on ACT roads this year. The most recent fatality occurred on May 23, after a 55-year-old motorcycle driver collided with a car on Athllon Dr, Wanniassa. The Torrens man died in hospital two days later on May 25. The death of 78-year-old woman is being treated as a domestic violence homicide with her elderly husband under police guard in hospital and no other suspects being sought. Officers were called to a home in Gordon in Canberra's south for a welfare check after reports of a disturbance about 7.30am on Sunday. They found the body of the woman inside her Togo Place home. Detective Acting Superintendent Stephen Ladd said police arrested the woman's 86-year-old husband at a house about 10km northeast in Fadden. The man remains in hospital under police guard and is being treated for a possible cardiac episode. A police investigation is underway after a 78-year-old woman was found dead in a home in Canberra's south No charges have been laid. 'We are treating this as suspicious and treating it as a homicide investigation,' Superintendent Ladd told reporters. Police declined to detail the crime scene nor the woman's injuries, and said a post-mortem would determine the cause of death. Superintendent Ladd said he didn't believe any other people were involved and the couple was not previously known to police. 'At this stage the husband is obviously helping us with our inquiries and due to that familial relationship, we are treating this as a family violence incident,' he said. 'Incidents like this are tragic and my heartfelt sorrow goes out to the friends and family. 'If you think there are issues with mental or physical health, particularly as people get into their elder years, reach out and talk to someone and get the assistance they need to avoid situations like this.' An 86-year-old man has been arrested and is assisting police It was not revealed how the woman died but police said they are at this stage calling it a domestic violence incident Meanwhile, a 43-year-old man has also been arrested in relation to the death of a woman in Darwin. Northern Territory Police said they received reports of an unresponsive woman at a home in Coconut Grove in the city's north about 12.30pm on Sunday. A 36-year-old woman was declared dead at the scene. A 43-year-old man presented himself to police at the residence and was arrested, NT Police said in a statement on Sunday. He remains in custody. The man and woman are believed to be known to one another. A crime scene has been declared and investigations are ongoing. 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 A Labour party office in northeast London has been covered in anti-Israel graffiti with the Met Police launching a hunt for the vandals. The party's Chingford and Woodford Green HQ was defaced yesterday with the message 'Israel Lobby Out. Work 4 Us. UK MPs Work For UK. Not Israel' scrawled across the office's windows. The attack comes just days after the Labour candidate for the constituency threatened the party with legal action after she was pulled from running at the upcoming election. Faiza Shaheen claimed this week that her 'pro-Palestine' views saw her ousted just over a month before she was set to take on Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith in the seat on July 4. Passersby first noticed the graffiti on Saturday morning with images posted on X, formerly Twitter, showing people working to remove the graffiti by yesterday afternoon. Shama Tatler, who has replaced Ms Shaheen as the candidate for the seat, branded the graffiti 'shameful'. She said: 'This shameful vandalism is not just an attack on our campaign - it's an attack on our whole community. The Labour party's Chingford and Woodford Green HQ pictured defaced with what appears to be a black marker with the message 'Israel Lobby Out. Work 4 Us. UK MPs Work For UK. Not Israel' scrawled across the office's windows Faiza Shaheen has claimed her 'pro-Palestine' views saw her ousted as a Labour general election candidate as the row over Sir Keir Starmer 's 'purge' deepened 'Together, we will defeat the forces of hatred and antisemitism and take our positive message of change to residents here in Chingford and Woodford Green.' The incident was soon reported to the Met and an investigation is underway. Ms Shaheen had been Labour's candidate in the north east London constituency at the 2019 general election, when she came within 1,300 votes of Sir Iain. But she was dramatically blocked by Labour officials from running for the party again in the seat in five weeks' time. The academic, known as the 'Chingford Corbynite', has threatened the party with legal action following her exclusion by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC). In a social media post on Thursday, she attacked Labour's decision to endorse Ms Tatler - who has now been chosen as the party's candidate in Chingford and Woodford Green. Ms Shaheen wrote: 'Really?! Wow a Brent councillor with no history here at all. 'They would rather lose than have a left pro Palestine candidate. This is offensive to my community.' In another post this morning, Ms Shaheen also revealed some of the social media activity she claimed was used to justify the NEC's decision. 'People are asking so here are some of the tweets that were used against me and that I had to answer for in my NEC panel meeting earlier this week,' she wrote. 'They've briefed a different story about what happened, but they wanted me out and used very thin grounds to do it.' Ms Shaheen has threatened the party with legal action following her exclusion by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) The academic, known as the 'Chingford Corbynite', had been preparing to take on Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith in his Chingford and Woodford Green seat on 4 July A spokesperson said: 'Police were called to the premises in Hatch Lane shortly after 09:10hrs on Saturday, 1 June. 'Officers are investigating. There has been no arrest. 'Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers, quoting CAD 2106/01jun.' The SNP has been accused of 'negligence on a remarkable scale' amid claims Scotland faces handing 450million of unspent funding back to the EU. The Scottish government is expected to return 28 per cent of the European structural and investment funding it received in the past six years. The huge blow is apparently a result of failing to allocate the cash to tackling poverty and economic development before a deadline this month. The grim figures emerged as John Swinney launched the SNP's election campaign - with another poll showing the party is on track to lose a swathe of its MPs. John Swinney launched the SNP's election campaign today - as another poll showed the party is on track to lose a swathe of its MPs The Scottish government is expected to return 28 per cent of the European structural and investment funding it received in the past six years (pictured, stock picture of EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen EU data analysed by the Sunday Times indicates that Scotland has already returned 199million euros from the funding pot for the six-year programme. A further 331million euros has not been earmarked, suggesting that the total could be almost 451 million at current exchange rates. Schemes to bolster employment, education, training and small businesses are among the areas feared to be to losing out. It is a huge headache for the SNP after former first minister Humza Yousaf introduced a higher-rate income tax band in April amid a scramble to fill a 1.5billion hole in budgets. EU funding is not typically used up entirely. But in contrast, Wales is projected to return 9 per cent of the EU funding, England 6 per cent and Northern Ireland just 2 per cent. Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: 'This is waste and negligence on an unforgivable scale. 'The SNP have poured half a billion pounds down the drain. Their new slogan should be squander for Scotland. 'This funding could have been spent on vital infrastructure across Scotland, yet SNP incompetence has lost it for good. 'This is up there with the ferries scandal when it comes to the SNP Government wasting taxpayers' cash.' Scottish Labour frontbencher Jackie Baillie said 'This shocking report lays bare the scale of the chaos engulfing Scotland's NHS. 'That so many patients are being left to languish in corridors while in need of urgent help is nothing short of a scandal. 'This is the result of 17 years of SNP failure and 14 years of Tory failure. 'Labour will deliver the change that our NHS desperately needs - starting by boosting funding by 134million a year.' But a Scottish government spokeswoman said: 'These figures do not reflect the totality of spending to date from the 2014-20 European structural funds programmes. Final expenditure figures will not be known until 2025, when the programmes formally close. 'Until then, the Scottish government intends to maximise reimbursement from the European Commission where possible. 'The use of European Structural Funds is bound by strict conditions and all stakeholders of the programmes are responsible for complying with its regulations. Thousands of people, businesses and communities have benefited from the investment of the 2014-20 funds in Scotland to date.' Meanwhile, a Survation survey has revealed 32 per cent of voters intend to back the SNP in the July general election, six percentage points lower than its previous poll two months ago. Labour is on course to establish a clear lead in Scotland with 36 per cent of the vote, according to the poll. The result would mean the SNP would slide from the 48 seats it won in 2019 to just 16, while Labour would see a rise from two MPs in Scotland to 28. The Tories are on 17 per cent of the vote, which would see them win eight seats, while the Liberal Democrats are on 9 per cent, giving them five seats, according to a projection based on the results. Polling expert Sir John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, said: 'The fallout from Humza Yousaf's termination of the Bute House Agreement has enabled the SNP to install a somewhat less unpopular leader in John Swinney. 'However, Mr Swinney's rating is well below what Nicola Sturgeon enjoyed before she resigned as the SNP's head last year, and the downfall of Mr Yousaf has not provided an immediate remedy for the SNP's electoral difficulties. Mr Swinney urged people to 'vote SNP to put Scotland's interests first' as he formally launched the party's election campaign in Glasgow. Labour (pictured, Keir Starmer with leader in Scotland Anas Sarwar) is on course to establish a clear lead in Scotland with 36 per cent of the vote, according to polls Mr Swinney said Scots 'want us to demonstrate the relevance of independence to their lives'. He said: 'If we don't then we are not likely to get much of a hearing in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis and, to be frank, nor would we deserve to. 'So, when we talk about independence we need to demonstrate again, and again, and again, that we are talking about people's core concerns like raising living standards and protecting the NHS. 'That laser-like focus on the daily concerns of people is our guiding star. There are some people telling me to forget about independence at this election. But you know what? 'After looking at Keir Starmer's serial U-turns in the pursuit of power, I think people are crying out for political leadership that sticks to its principles.' Thames Water faces a 40m fine after paying out a shareholder dividend despite its poor performance. Water regulator Ofwat told Britain's biggest water company last month that it would have to pay a penalty for breaching rules on dividend payments, according to Sky News. The fine is another blow to the firm, which was forced to issue a 'do not drink' warning to hundreds of homes in Surrey on Friday after the discovery of hydrocarbons - a chemical compound which forms the basis for crude oil - in the water. The embattled company has the right to appeal the fine before a final decision is made, but a final ruling is unlikely to take place before the general election on July 4. Thames Water's financial situation remains precarious while it struggles under a 15bn debt pile after years of heavy borrowing. Thames Water faces a 40m fine after paying out a shareholder dividend despite its poor performance. Pictured: Woman distributes bottles water in Bramley, Surrey, after the water was polluted Thames Water's financial situation remains precarious while it struggles under a 15bn debt pile after years of heavy borrowing. Pictured: Thames Water staff test the water in Surrey The fine is another blow to the firm, which was forced to issue a 'do not drink' warning to hundreds of homes in Surrey on Friday after the discovery of hydrocarbons - a chemical compound which forms the basis for crude oil - in the water. Pictured: The Asda village petrol station was closed for testing by Thames Water following the leak The firm faces nationalisation by the government unless it can attract fresh capital. Although it has enough money to last it until next year, it requires more than 3bn of equity by 2030 in order to keep operating and upgrade its infrastructure. The fine being considered by Ofwat is notable because it is larger than the 37.5m payout made to shareholders last autumn, a Thames Water insider told Sky News. Thames Water refused to comment when approached by MailOnline about the fine. The company serves more than 15 million customers across London and south-east England. Its shareholders include sovereign wealth funds and pension funds from Australia, Canada, China and Britain. Earlier this week, the Financial Times reported that Ofwat was considering the introduction of a 'recovery regime' for financially troubled water companies to enable them to survive. The company serves more than 15 million customers across London and south-east England (stock image) Thames Water's shareholders include sovereign wealth funds and pension funds from Australia, Canada, China and Britain (stock image) The prospect of nationalisation will be among the most pressing domestic challenges facing the next government. Last summer, there were reports that Whitehall officials had drawn up contingency plans for Thames Water's collapse amid fears that it might not survive. Amidst the financial difficulties of the company, it is also facing pressing matters when it comes to the delivery of clean water. A total of 616 homes in Bramley, south of Guildford, were told on Friday their water is currently unsafe to drink following the discovery of hydrocarbons a chemical compound which forms the basis for crude oil, natural gas and coal. Samples collected on Thursday after a fuel leak from the village petrol station owned by Asda suggested 'a possible deterioration in quality' of drinking water 'in some areas'. Residents said they have been forced to travel to the village library to collect bottled water - including a mother who needs water to feed her disabled daughter. A total of 616 homes in Bramley, (pictured) south of Guildford, have been told their water contains high levels of hydrocarbons, making it unsafe to drink SURREY: Thames Water staff distribute bottles water in Bramley, Surrey where the petrol station is believed to be the source of water pollution in the village SURREY: A local woman speaking to a Thames Water worker at a bottled water station in Bramley SURREY: Residents getting water from a collection point in Bramley today after a fuel a leak A map depicting the village of Bramley, south of Guildford, where the 'do not drink' notice has been issued by Thames Water Sian Jones, 58, said: 'My 20-year-old daughter is disabled and needs to be fed through a feeding tube. 'That requires water, and so this is a pain. 'The concern also is that this was caused by a leak from 2016 - so have we all been drinking water with low levels of petrol for a while? 'We don't know when this started for sure. So it's definitely a worry in terms of the health impact.' Thames Water has been regularly collecting and assessing water samples in Bramley following a historical fuel leak at the petrol station. The warning threatens to be an election setback for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, the MP for the constituency. Residents in Bramley have been forced to travel to the village library to collect bottled water after a fuel leak at a nearby petrol station - including Sian Jones (pictured) who needs water to feed her disabled daughter SURREY: Residents collecting water from a collecting point in the village The Conservative MP on Wednesday had a call with the UKHSA, DEFRA, Thames Water and Asda who acquired the village petrol station. Mr Hunt held a meeting with Thames Water CEO Chris Weston in April to discuss water outages, slow compensation payments and sewage spills. He is due to hold another public meeting in June. A spokesperson for Thames Water said earlier: 'Thames Water would like to reassure its customers that the village water supply has been safe to drink up to this point, as confirmed through its rigorous water testing, which has also been subject to regular review working alongside UKHSA throughout this period.' Tess Fayers, Operations Director for the Thames Valley and Home Counties said earlier: 'We are asking 616 Bramley properties not to drink the tap water following recent water sampling results. 'The health and safety of our customers is our number one priority, and we would like to reassure residents that this is a precautionary measure. We are in the process of delivering letters and bottled water to the affected properties. China was last night accused of secretly moving the body of a British explorer off Mount Everest after he vanished in 1924. George Mallory, 37, and Andrew 'Sandy' Irvine, 22, were part of an ill-fated expedition to climb the world's tallest mountain in 1924, with the pair going missing during their ascent. For more than 80 years mystery surrounded the final resting place of the pair, having last being seen around 800ft from the top during their expedition from the Tibetan side of the peak. When Mallory's body was discovered 2,000ft from the summit in 1999, and researchers said they believed they had located where Irvine's remains were lying, there was renewed hope that more details about the fate of their trip. However, in the years since Mallory's corpse has vanished and multiple attempts to find Irvine have come up empty-handed, sparking rumours that their bodies have been moved. George Mallory and Andrew Irvine were last seen alive around 800ft from the summit of Mount Everest. Pictured: Members of the 1924 Everest expedition Back row (left to right) - Andrew Irvine, George Mallory, Edward Norton, Noel Odell and John Macdonald. Front row (left to right) - Edward Shebbeare, Geoffrey Bruce, Howard Somervell and Bentley Beetham The remains of George Mallory (pictured) were found around 2,000ft from the summit of the mountain by an American climber in 1999 George Mallory (left) and Andrew Irvine (right) attempted to scale Everest from the Tibetan side of the mountain Ahead of the 100th anniversary of the pair's attempts to climb Everest, there have been fresh murmurings that China is involved in the strange disappearance of their bodies. China has long claimed that three of its climbers were the first to make the ascent to the top of Everest - which straddles the border between itself and Nepal - from the north. An expedition by three Chinese mountaineers in 1960 is widely believed to be the first to successfully summit from the Tibetan side, and certainly the first in which the expedition returned alive. Mallory's body - which had a rope around its waist and injuries consistent with the possibility that he and Irvine might have fallen while being roped together - was found by American climber Conrad Anker in 1999. While there was no sign of Irvine, Anker left Mallory where he was but took photographs and marked its location on GPS. However, when climbers returned the spot in years later, it was no longer there. Mark Synnott, who was part of an expedition that searched for their remains told The Observer: 'We had GPS co-ordinates for where the body was. We flew the drone to that spot. We took photos. I feel if Mallorys body was still there, we would have seen it. It doesnt make any sense. Why remove the body?' Jamie McGuinness, who has made it to the top of Everest five times from the Tibetan side and was also involved in the search, says the pairs' remains were almost certainly moved at some point in the 2000s. A plaque commemorating George Mallory and Andrew Irvine placed on Mount Everest by Italian climbers. The inscription reads 'from the glory of the peaks forever in our hearts' He said: 'Irvine's body is almost certainly no longer up there. We gave it a good search with drones, and we spotted several other bodies, so we know we weren't missing anything of the right size.' It has been suggested that authorities in China moved the bodies of Mallory and Irvine in a bid to cover up potential evidence that they may have made it to the summit before they tragically succumbed to the elements. China's claim to have summitted Everest from the north first in 1960 was a big propaganda boost for its then leader Mao Zedong, who took personal interest in the mountain and ensuring that half of it was claimed as Chinese. Jake Norton, who was part of the team who found Mallory in 1999, returned to the mountain in 2001 to try and locate Irvine as well and although they found more artefacts from the expedition, the climber's body remained elusive. He told The Observer that he believes Irvine was 'still there in 2001', as 'the Chinese were worried enough to do anything about it in the early 2000s'. However, this changed in the lead-up to the 2008, when Chinese climbers carried the Olympic torch to the top of Everest ahead of the Beijing games. McGuiness said he was told the publication that he had asked an official at the China Tibet Mountaineering Association (CTMA) whether they had moved Irvine's body ahead of the Olympics and received the response: 'It was thrown off the mountain a lot earlier than that.' In his 2021 book The Third Pole: Mystery, Obsession, and Death on Mount Everest, Synnott said that source at the CTMA told New Zealander McGuiness that they had 'beat us' to the location of Irvine's body. Pictured: Mallory and Irvine are seen leaving North Col on Mount Everest for the last climb to the summit Andrew Irvine, the British climber, is pictured working on an oxygen bottle in the Everest Expedition camp in 1924 An artist's impression of George Mallory (top) and Andrew Irvine climbing up the Second Step on Everest The body was allegedly then taken off the mountain before taking it back to Lhasa, in Tibet, 'where it is kept under lock and key with other Mallory artefacts, including the VPK'. Synnott said the information echoed rumours the 2019 team had heard earlier in the expedition, writing: 'We now have multiple sources all essentially saying the same thing: the Chinese found Irvine, removed the body, and are jealously guarding this information from the rest of the world all to protect the claim that the 1960 Chinese team was the first to reach the summit...' He added that after the publication of his book he was contacted by a former US intelligence officer who had been told by a 'high-ranking official' in the British Embassy in China that the body of a climber was found during China's 1975 expedition to Everest's North Face. He also interviewed an unnamed British diplomat who, in 1984, had interviewed the Chinese female climber Pan Duo - who was only the second woman to reach the summit of Everest and the first to do so from the Tibetan side. Synnott said that the diplomat, who wished to remain anonymous, told him that Pan Duo - had said that on the 1975 expedition, the Chinese team that she was part of found the body of Irvine and his camera. He claimed the diplomat later emailed the Sir Anthony Galsworthy, the then-British ambassador to China just days after Mallory's body was found in 1999. Recounting how Duo had admitted to the camera being recovered, the email said: 'We asked whether it had been possible to develop the film. I seem to recall that we were told there had been nothing on it. 'I also recall that we were told that the camera was in the Mountaineering Association's museum. Someone should speak with the Chinese Mountaineering Association. 'This was all a long time ago and I could have got it wrong, although I don't think so. And that meeting has always stuck in my memory. 'If the film really was mucked up, I imagine it is quite possible that the association [CMA] would deny that the camera had ever been found.' Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay continue to be credited with being the first climbers to reach the top of the Himalayan mountain - which straddles Nepal and China - in their 1953 expedition Edmund Hillary (1919-2008) and Sherpa Tensing, 29 May 1953. Hillary and Tensing on their return to Camp IV, the advanced base, after their successful assault on Mount Everest Hillary and Norgay are seen drinking tea after their successful attempt to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953 Synnott added that it is 'possible, if not likely' that the film was developed successfully and showed Mallory and Irvine on top of Everest. If true, this would mean the Chinese climbers were not the first to ascend the North Face. The claim that Mallory and Irvine might have made it to the top is hotly contested in mountaineering circles, with author Graham Hoyland claiming that the two never did because a sudden drop in atmospheric pressure meant they were walking into an 'invisible death trap'. Lower air pressure means fewer molecules of oxygen in the atmosphere, making hypoxia, which causes confusion and death, significantly more likely. Hoyland, 66, is a descendant of one of Mallory and Irvine fellow expeditioners, the meteorologist on the mission, Howard Somervell, who kept a detailed log in a handwritten diary. 'In thinking about my book I put together all the things I had personally researched and realised just how much Mallory had against him,' he told The Times ahead of his forthcoming book 'First on Everest'. 'Irvine's inexperience, the new route, heavy oxygen, insufficient clothing and finally the killer storm. Any one of these he could have overcome, but not the whole concatenation.' The first confirmed summit of Mount Everest was conducted by New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa climbing partner Tenzing Norgay who reached the top in 1953. Hillary, who was a 33-year-old beekeeper at the time, was paired up with Norgay as part of a British expedition to reach the summit. The British wanted to beat Sweden to the top of the mountain after Swiss climber Raymond Lambert - also accompanied by Norgay - reached 28,210 feet before turning back due to lack of supplies just a year earlier. Hillary was selected out of the British Commonwealth and Norgay was chosen as one of the most experienced Sherpas in Nepal. It took the duo seven weeks to reach the 29,032-foot summit of Everest. Beach hut tenants in Bournemouth have been left devastated after the council closes off access to the cabins indefinitely amid fears a cliff could collapse. The 29 seafront cabins on Bournemouth's famous beach have been declared out of bounds due to concerns a landslip could occur on the 100ft cliff behind them. Tenants have been allowed inside to recover some of their belongings, suggesting the wooden cabins will be out of use for some time. Closure has arrived just in time for the summer season, when the huts would usually be in regular use. On top of the closure, rent for the cabins rose from 1,600 to 1,900 a year in April. The tenants are waiting to find out from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool (BCP) Council how long their huts will be cordoned off for and whether they will be offered alternative ones and if their rental payments will be stopped. The 29 seafront cabins on Bournemouth's famous beach have been declared out of bounds due to concerns a landslip could occur on the 100ft cliff behind them Tenants have been allowed inside to recover some of their belongings, suggesting the wooden cabins will be out of use for some time The tenants are waiting to find out from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Pool (BCP) Council how long their huts will be cordoned off for and whether they will be offered alternative ones and if their rental payments will be stopped Although most of the beach huts on Bournemouth beach are privately owned the plots they stand on belong to the council which charges a rent. One tenant said: 'It's very worrying. The council isn't telling us anything at the moment. 'We don't know if and when we can use them again, whether our direct debits will be suspended or if we will be offered an alternative hut nearby. 'But the fact they gave us a three-hour window to recover our belongings means it doesn't look good and our beach huts will be out of use for some time. 'It's so annoying especially with the summer holidays looming. We pay a lot of money to have a beach hut.' Another beach hut tenant questioned whether the amount of luxury flats being built on the cliff top could be destabilising the cliff. He said: 'If you continuously allow enormous blocks of flats with deep foundations to be built one after another in the same area it is highly likely the terrain in the nearby area will be affected especially when it is a coastal cliff location.' BCP Council is not able to say how long the beach huts will be cordoned off for. Another beach hut tenant questioned whether the amount of luxury flats being built on the cliff top could be destabilising the cliff Bournemouth beach during the summer. Closure has arrived just in time for the summer season, when the huts would usually be in regular use Millie Earl, deputy leader and portfolio holder for connected communities, said: 'As a result of routine monitoring, we have found some movement of the cliff close to Portman Ravine, Southbourne, which will require further assessment. 'As a safety precaution, access to a small number of beach huts has been restricted. This closure will help us to maintain people's safety and enables our geotechnical engineers to inspect the area in greater detail and frequency. 'At this time, we have no reason to believe that the promenade area is at risk. We will update the public once we have completed our review.' There are about 1,000 beach huts along the seven-mile beach in Bournemouth and Poole. Rental fees for the average sized huts will increase to 2,200 a year by 2027 while bigger cabins will be 3,800 compared to 2,600 for 2022. Yvette Cooper today dodged on whether Diane Abbott and other Labour MPs had been offered peerages to make way for Keir Starmer's allies. The shadow home secretary stopped short of completely denying the claim, merely saying she did not 'know anything about that'. Ms Cooper argued that the system included independent vetting of House of Lords appointments - although the watchdog would typically not block a former MP being elevated. Meanwhile, one of Ms Abbott's closest friends suggested this morning that the veteran left-winger has still not decided whether to stand on July 4, despite Sir Keir humiliatingly conceding she will not be prevented from doing so. Left-wing MPs have alleged that since Rishi Sunak called the snap election they have been offered a place in the Upper House if they stepped aside as a candidate. There have been complaints that the leadership is attempting to fill Labour's safest seats with loyalists - including Josh Simons, head of the Starmerite think-tank Labour Together, and Luke Akehurst, a centrist member of the ruling NEC. One outgoing MP told the Sunday Times: 'They offered me a seat in the House of Lords because some little boy wanted my seat.' Yvette Cooper today dodged on whether Diane Abbott (pictured) and other Labour MPs had been offered peerages to make way for Keir Starmer 's allies Sir Keir (pictured with deputy Angela Rayner yesterday) has heaped praise on Ms Abbott as he struggles to move on from the latest bout of factional infighting Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper stopped short of completely denying the claim about peerages, merely saying she did not 'know anything about that'. Baroness Chakrabarti - one of Ms Abbott's closest friends in politics - made clear there was no certainty she would stand Another observed that when the ballot was triggered 'suddenly there was a flurry of people standing down' who had previously claimed they would be standing. If Sir Keir wins the July 4 general election, he is expected to boost the number of Labour peers significantly. The Labour leader has been accused of purging Left-wingers with Ms Abbott at the centre of the row. The 70-year-old, the first-ever black woman elected to Parliament, said she had been stopped from being a candidate after a long-running standards probe. After days of speculation, Sir Keir confirmed on Friday that she is 'free' to stand as a Labour candidate in Hackney North and Stoke Newington on July 4. Asked in interviews today about the claims that peerages were offered, Ms Cooper told Sky News: 'That's not the way the system works.' She said: 'There's a whole process with the independent committee that will vet nominations, there have to be processes in terms of the numbers of nominations, designated by the Prime Minister and so on. 'So, no party can do that or make those sorts of commitments.' Asked if Sir Keir had promised anyone a seat in the Lords, Ms Cooper said: 'That's not the way the system works. 'The thing that we do know is we've seen a series of quite shocking Conservative resignation honours list from Boris Johnson to Liz Truss, and Keir has already said that he would change the way that he approaches all of those things. 'Indeed, he's said that he wouldn't have a resignation honours list as well because it's been so distorted by the way that the Conservatives have done that.' Pressed again on the BBC later she said: 'Not that I know of. I don't think that's the way the system works.' She added: 'I don't know anything about that.' Sir Keir heaped praise on Ms Abbott in an interview with The Observer as he struggles to move on from the latest bout of factional infighting. 'Although I disagree with some of what she says, in terms of the battles she has been through and the terrible insults she has had to rise above, I have actually got more respect for Diane than she probably realises,' he said. Labour sources have said Ms Abbott is free to be the Labour candidate in her long-held constituency, with the NEC expected to endorse her candidacy. In response to the news, Ms Abbott said her local party selected her as their candidate in 2022. 'But I will not be the official candidate until I am endorsed by the Labour National Executive at its meeting on Tuesday. So I am not saying anything until then,' she said. Appearing on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme this morning, Baroness Chakrabarti - one of Ms Abbott's closest friends in politics - made clear there was no certainty she would stand. 'I hope she will take some time to consider what she wants to do. That's literally what I suggested to her as her friend,' she said. Speaking at the launch of the Conservative Party campaign bus on Saturday, Mr Sunak hit out at Labour for its back-and-forth on the subject. The Tory leader said: 'Just see what's happened over this Diane Abbott situation. And it confirms what we know about him: it's that he doesn't stick by anything he says, just constantly changes his mind. Starmer told The Observer: 'Although I disagree with some of what she says, in terms of the battles she has been through and the terrible insults she has had to rise above, I have actually got more respect for Diane than she probably realises' 'And it's clear that Angela Rayner is in charge of the Labour Party and not him.' It comes as Mr Sunak's election campaign was dealt another hammer blow as a new poll showed Labour's lead is at its highest level since Liz Truss's premiership. A survey carried out by Opinium showed Labour up four points to 45 per cent, with the Tories down two to 25 per cent, putting Labour on course for a landslide victory. The poll was conducted between May 29 to May 31 - at a time of uncertainty in Labour's campaign, suggesting that Mr Sunak's shock announcements on mandatory national service and tax cuts for pensioners have not impressed voters. The battle for the Tory soul looks to be getting under way today even with more than a month left of the election campaign. Centrist Conservatives have sounded the alarm about the 'temptation' of a lurch to the right after Nigel Farage suggested he wants to 'take over' following a heavy defeat on July 4. Recently-ousted West Mids mayor Andy Street warned the party can only win from the 'middle ground', saying the idea that Mr Farage should be a leading figure was 'nonsense'. The clashes came as a poll showed Labour extending its lead to 20 points - the biggest advantage since Liz Truss was PM. The Opinium research found Sir Keir's party was on 45 per cent while the Tories had dropped to 25 per cent. A week earlier, before the first stages of campaigning, the firm detected a 14-point gap. Nigel Farage has said he is planning a 'Tory takeover' after the general election Farage - who is not currently standing to become an MP - joined Reform leader Richard Tice on the campaign trail in Skegness, Lincolnshire on Saturday Mr Farage has opted against making another bid to become an MP on July 4, but joined Reform leader Richard Tice on the campaign trail in Skegness, Lincolnshire yesterday. Asked whether he wanted to facilitate a merger with the Tories after the election, he replied that it was 'more like a takeover, dear boy'. There are widespread fears among Conservative MPs that Reform will hand Labour a bigger victory by splitting the right-wing vote. Mr Farage has suggested he wants to engineer a realignment of the Right so Reform can team up with Tory hardliners. Mr Street told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday programme that the fact he came close to keeping his job in traditional Labour territory despite grim national polls demonstrated that the Tories needed to keep to the 'centre ground'. 'Whether we win or lose the general election the point is simple, that you have to have that broad church. You have to be centred in the middle ground,' he said. 'The lesson of history the winners have come from the centre ground.' Mr Street - who decided against standing to become an MP - said that the top echelons of government was dominated by centrists, but added: 'Who knows what the composition might be and the temptation might be in the future.' He dismissed 'nonsense' rumours that Mr Farage will be among the leaders after the election. 'That is not a moderate inclusive Conservative Party with a broad appeal. That's why it's appropriate that we think about this well before we know the oucome of any general election,' he said. Earlier this week, Mr Farage declared he had 'no interest' in striking a pre-election deal with the Tories. He dismissed comments he previously made where he said they 'might have a conversation' as 'deeply sarcastic'. 'There is no deal with the Conservatives whatsoever,' Mr Farage told a press conference. The Prime Minister has also ruled out a deal with Reform, despite the insurgent party putting huge pressure on the Tories over issues such as the Channel migrant crisis. Mr Farage explained his decision not to run as a Reform candidate on The Sun's Never Mind The Ballots show, blaming Sunak's decision to go to the polls much earlier than most had expected. He said: 'I had a plan, actually. I'll let you in on a secret. I was going to launch tomorrow - I had a venue booked, I had it all ready to go. The Prime Minister has also ruled out a deal with Reform, despite the insurgent party putting huge pressure on the Tories over issues such as the Channel migrant crisis 'But the problem is, you can't win in a constituency - or it's very difficult to win - without data. 'It's even harder to win when you're Nigel Farage, because the other side will cheat. 'There'll be third party outside influencers, and I needed a really good run at this. And six weeks wasn't enough. 'I thought, well, rather than being stuck for six weeks in a constituency, why not travel around the country. 'Not just supporting Reform candidates, but try and get a proper debate going.' Reform UK is currently polling between 12 and 15 per cent but Farage has said that Tice's party must reach 18 per cent if they are going to win seats in Parliament. The right-wing party is offering tax cuts, the abolition of business rates for small businesses, and tax relief for private healthcare users in the draft of its July 2024 election manifesto. Reform UK are also pledging to launch more public inquiries into Covid-19 and the rollout of the vaccine. For the last two years, Mariana Checheliuk was kept under lock and key in Russian 'filtration' camps, never knowing when she would ever see her loved ones again. Moved between detention centres in Donetsk, Yelenovka, Taganrog, Kamyshin and Mariupol, the 24-year-old investigator with Ukraine's national police endured relentless physical and mental torture at the hands of her captors. They starved her, and beat her badly for two years, after she was taken while hiding from Russian bombs in the walls of Azovstal steelworks in Mariupol along with her sister, who was thankfully released by her kidnappers. She suffered a litany of health problems, suffering from kidney failures, spine problems and chronic bronchitis. Her hair also started to fall out, and she stopped having periods. In August 2022 human rights activists expressed alarm over her fate in Russian hands. Russian forces also tried to get her to defect, her mother Nataliia Checheliuk, told ZMINA news outlet in January 2024: 'They were trying to lure my daughter to the Russian side with both sweet promises of a big salary and intimidation. But she refused.' For the last two years, Mariana Checheliuk was kept under lock and key in Russian 'filtration' camps On Friday, Mariana was one of the 75 people who were returned to Ukraine as part of an agreed prisoner swap with Russia Mariana Checheliuk breaks down in tears as she is returned to Ukraine During her two years of captivity, she was only allowed to talk to her family once, and sent just a handful of letters detailing her deteriorating health. But on Friday, Mariana was one of the 75 people who were returned to Ukraine as part of an agreed prisoner swap with Russia. The returnees were seen singing a patriotic song led by former PoW Konstantin Mirgorodsky as they were driven to meet their families after release from detention in Russia. Upon arrival, they whooped and cheered as they joined their loved ones in Ukraine. Some knelt and kissed the ground, while many wrapped themselves in yellow-blue flags. They hugged one another, breaking into tears. Many appeared emaciated and poorly dressed. During her two years of captivity, she was only allowed to talk to her family once, and sent just a handful of letters detailing her deteriorating health The 24-year-old investigator with Ukraine 's national police endured relentless physical and mental torture at the hands of her captors During her two years of captivity, she was only allowed to talk to her family once, and sent just a handful of letters detailing her deteriorating health Ukraine returned 75 prisoners, including four civilians, in the latest exchange of POWs with Russia This is only the fourth prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia since the invasion began in February 2022 Many were seen weeping tears of joy upon returning to Ukraine The same number of Russians, 75, were also returned home in a swap brokered by the United Arab Emirates. It was the first PoW exchange since February, and only the fourth prisoner swap this year and the 52nd since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. It included a total of 150 POWs and the United Arab Emirates helped negotiate this latest exchange, the Foreign Ministry in Kyiv said. The two sides have traded blame for what they say is a slowdown in the swaps. Ukraine has in the past urged Russia to swap 'all for all' and rallies calling for the release of POWs take place across Ukraine weekly. A Ukrainian official at the headquarters coordinating the exchanges, Vitalii Matviienko said that 'Ukraine is always ready.' Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia's human rights ombudsperson, said earlier this week that Kyiv was making 'new artificial demands,' without elaborating. Despite the swap, nearly 2,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war still remain in Russian hands. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday: 'Throughout all of this time, we have not stopped working for a single day to bring everyone home from Russian captivity. 'We remember every person. 'We are making every effort to find each and every one of our people. I am grateful to the team responsible for the exchanges.' An anti-Islam campaigner who was stabbed at a far-Right rally in Germany has described the rampage as an 'absolute nightmare' - as he warned the assault was an 'attack against our free democratic state'. Michael Stuerzenberger - a well-known German Islam critic - and five others including a policeman were injured when the knifeman launched a frenzied attack in Mannheim on Friday. Mr Stuerzenberger, who was seen preparing to speak to a small crowd on a livestream earlier in the morning, was rushed to hospital before undergoing a successful surgery for the stabbing injuries to his face. A 25-year-old man from Afghanistan, who was shot and wounded by police, has been released from hospital and remanded in custody on suspicion of attempted murder. Speaking for the first time from his hospital bed, Mr Stuerzenberger told BILD: 'It was like an apocalypse. He was stabbing me, even when I was lying on the floor and was trying to fight him off with my feet. It really was a nightmare.' He added: 'Every attack is an attack against all of us, against our free democratic state and those who ensure our security. Who attacks a police officer launches an attack against all of us.' Anti-Muslim campaigner Michael Stuerzenberger (pictured) has been speaking from his hospital bed after he was stabbed by a knifeman at an anti-Islam rally in Germany The attacker was seen holding a blade several inches long as he carried out a terrifying rampage Mr Stuerzenberger is seen on the YouTube live stream before the attack took place Mr Stuerzenberger yesterday posted this picture from his hospital bed after he was stabbed by a knifeman The aftermath of the stabbing is seen in the German city of Mannheim Describing the attack, he said: 'We were about to start the event when he suddenly came storming at us like a hurricane and stabbed one after the other. It was insane. I guess even the police were surprised.' He explained: 'He stabbed my thigh which someone immediately isolated. One stab wound above the knee, it could have been worse. Another on the side of the chest, my upper arm is injured and three stab wounds to the head. My upper lip was cut and I have a deep cut to my jaw.' 'I'm keeping my fingers crossed [for the police officer] and hope that everything goes well,' he added. The 59-year-old yesterday posted a picture of himself on his Telegram channel from his hospital bed, showing a long, bandaged cut on his upper lip and cheek. In a separate interview with Deutschland-Kurier, he said: 'I'm alright given the circumstances. I'm happy for all involved that yesterday went somewhat mild. There could have been deaths. It was really bad what the Afghan did with his knife. 'I've seen parts of the videos and the stab in the neck, twice, of the police officer. Hope his life is not in danger anymore. It was a clear attempted murder. Seven or eight stab wounds for me, one near lung, a bit closer and that would have been it.' He added: 'He definitely had [combat experience] when you look at the footage. 'It was a strike like lightning, so fast, I obviously got really deep wounds, you can see if from the side of my jaw.' It was around 11.35am local time on Friday when chaos broke out as a man dressed in a dark hooded jacket, green shirt and tracksuit bottoms lashed out with a knife, wounding six people including Mr Stuerzenberger, who was tackled to the ground and stabbed in the face and leg. The other victims were five men aged 25, 36, 42 and 54. Police arrived almost immediately and one officer jumped on one of the victims. There was confusion as to why the officer jumped on the victim, but this gave the aggressor a chance to stab the back of the policeman's neck. The policeman, named as Rouven L. by German media, is in a critical condition and is being kept alive with a heart-lung machine, Bild reports. His colleagues were heard screaming 'throw the knife away!' However, with the knifeman not responding, the officers opened fire from near point blank range. In a follow-up video from the incident, a scramble of people can be seen embroiled in a punch-up next to signs advertising an anti-Israel protest. The group can be seen tackling each other to the ground while one man in a blue coat takes multiple swings at another person on the floor. The rampage began when man dressed in a dark hooded jacket and tracksuit, (seen centre right) tackled a BPE member to the ground and began violently swinging a large blade at him The man believed to be Stuerzenberger (right) tumbles to the ground following the initial attack as other BPE members push the knifeman away During the attack bystanders attempted to drag the knifeman away. One of his victims is seen with wounds to his thigh The savage blade is clearly seen in this grab from the YouTube live stream as the attack goes to stab the officer in the neck Other footage captured the moment German cops tackled a man to the ground after mistaking him for the attacker during a horror stabbing spree in Mannheim, Germany Cops could be seen lunging at the man and dragging him down to the floor after they spotted him swinging punches at another man on the ground After throwing a series of overarm punches, at least two cops are spotted lunging towards the man donning the bright coat until he is knocked to the ground. Officers seemingly tackled the man believing he was the assailant after seeing him beating up the other individual who was already floored. The attack was livestreamed on YouTube. Mr Stuerzenberger has been a part of of several far-right organisations, including the PEGIDA movement that holds regular marches in German cities. A 25-year-old man born in Afghanistan, named locally as Sulaiman A., has been remanded in custody by a German court on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with the knife attack. Officials offered no information regarding the motive for the attack on Friday on the central square in Mannheim. A statement from police and prosecutors said that the suspect had lived in Germany since 2014, was married and has two children. Residents in Mannheim city centre were seen visibly upset while laying flowers and lighting candles 'It is definitely scary, this is our way home. We walk past [the market square] daily and will think about what happened here and that it could happen again any day,' 22-year-old student Emilia, who came to the scene to put down a bouquet, told MailOnline Locals in Mannheim have been left shocked by the frenzied attack and came to the market square to lay down flowers and light candles for the victims Leo, 21, who also brought flowers to express his sympathy for the victims, added: 'To see something like that happen in a place where we spend a lot of time ourselves and to know that could have also been a friend, my girlfriend or myself standing there, that obviously really shocked me' His apartment in the town of Heppenheim was searched on Friday night and police recovered digital devices and the contents are being evaluated. Officials said that the suspect, who was shot and wounded by police, is in hospital and not in a condition to be questioned. They said he had no prior police record. They have not disclosed the suspect's citizenship or immigration status or how he came to Germany. The group, Pax Europa, describes itself as an organization that informs the public about the dangers posed by the 'increasing spread and influence of political Islam'. German interior minister Nancy Faeser called Islamist extremism a 'great danger'. 'I would like to thank the police officers who intervened immediately and the doctors and paramedics who are fighting for the lives of the victims of this terrible crime,' said the minister. A New York City couple got their hands on about $100,000 in cash from a safe they pulled up from a lake while 'magnet fishing' in Corona Park. To pull of this unique feat, James Kane and Barbie Agostini attached a neodymium magnet - which go for as little as $21.99 on Amazon - to a fishing rod and reeled the old safe out from the depths of the water. And at first, it was a mundane discovery because as Kane told NY1: 'We have found plenty of safes before, this is just what a magnet fisher does.' The couple explained that the safes they find are usually empty, save for some plastic baggies that once held cash. But after they wrenched this one open, it became clear that they'd stumbled on quite the score. 'We pulled it out and there were two stacks of freaking hundreds. Big stacks,' Kane said. James Kane, an avid magnet fisher, is seen pulling an old, mud-covered safe out from a lake in Corona Park in Queens Kane holds a soaking wet stack of hundred dollar bills from the safe Agostini thought Kane was joking at first, but when she saw the bills inside plastic baggies, she said she 'lost it.' Unfortunately for them, water did manage to work its way inside the baggies and damage the hundred dollar bills. It's unclear if they'll be able to cash in the bills, but there is a chance that the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing will redeem their money. If more than 50 percent of the currency is identifiable, a lawful holder of the notes 'may receive a redemption at full value,' according to the BEP website. Kane told NY 1 that he's always wanted to become 'a treasure hunter,' and when he and Agostini were bored during the pandemic, they decided to take up magnet fishing. 'We call it the poor man's treasure hunting,' Kane said. The couple created a YouTube channel last June called 'Let's Get Magnetic' where they post their best hauls from various bodies of water throughout the New York City area. Kane and his girlfriend, Barbie Agostini, have been doing magnet fishing since the pandemic to break free from the boredom of lockdowns Kane is pictured holding a small pistol he magnet fished out of park in New York City. The couple later called the police, who took the gun with them for safe keeping In a recent video, they found multiple watches, jewelry pieces, old New York City subway tokens and even a small pistol. The couple said they did research and came to the conclusion that that finding and keeping things such as weapons and safes full of discarded cash could potentially get them into legal hot water. So when they find items that could be tied to criminal activity, they have made a habit of phoning the police to make sure they aren't disturbing anything. Kane said that the New York Police Department conducted an investigation regarding the safe and found there was no issue. 'Obviously, it was a safe that was stolen but there was no crime with us,' Agostini said. 'There was no IDs, no way to find the original person in the safe so they were like "well, congratulations."' The couple also said the top brass of the NYPD were at the scene, including captains, and that many officers were excited to see what they'd found. Kane said that some cops with 18 years under their belt told them that 'they have never ever heard of anything like this.' Donald Trump revealed how is family has been handling his conviction and shared he is prepared to face his sentencing in a new interview. A New York jury found the former president guilty of all 34 counts of falsifying hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels on Thursday and he will be sentenced on July 11 where he faces up to four years in jail. Over the course of the five week trial, his youngest son Barron and wife Melania Trump were noticeably absent from the courtroom. In an interview with Fox & Friends Weekend, the ex-president shared the trial and verdict was difficult for his family. 'It's tougher, I think it's probably in many ways it's tougher on my family than it is on me,' Trump said. Donald Trump revealed how is family has been handling his conviction and shared he is prepared to face his sentencing during an interview with Fox & Friends Weekend Trump said the trial and conviction was tougher on his family than it was on him 'I have a wonderful wife who has to listen to this stuff all the time,' he said. 'I think it's very hard for her, you know she has to read all this c**p.' Trump said his 18-year-old son Barron, who recently graduated from the Oxbridge Academy, has focusing on his future. 'He's amazing. He's tall, good looking, he's a very good student. He's applied to colleges and gets into everywhere he goes, you know? He's very sought after from the standpoint, he's a very smart guy,' the ex-president said. 'He's a very tall guy and he's a great kid. He's cool. He's pretty cool, I'll tell you.' Trump's legal team is expected to appeal, but the unprecedented conviction sets off a process that all convicted criminals face within the Manhattan criminal court system. During the five week long trial, prosecutors told of a plot by Trump to 'corrupt' the 2016 election by hiding a $130,000 hush money payment by his 'fixer' Michael Cohen to porn star Stormy Daniels. Daniels alleged that she and Trump had sex a decade earlier, which he has denied. The case featured explosive evidence by Daniels and lifted the lid on the 'catch and kill' practices of the National Enquirer tabloid, which bought stories that could be damaging to Trump and suppressed them. But the actual criminal charges concern something more prosaic - the reimbursements Trump signed for Cohen for the payment. The reimbursements, paid by Trump in monthly installments, were recorded as being for legal expenses. Prosecutors say that was a fraudulent label designed to conceal the purpose of the hush money transaction and to illicitly interfere in the 2016 election. Defense lawyers argued that Cohen actually did substantive legal work for Trump and his family and was paid for it. Sentencing will kickoff a 30-day clock for the former president to file an appeal - a lengthy process that some legal experts said will be an uphill battle for Trump. 'I did absolutely nothing wrong,' Trump said. 'I paid a legal expense and they say that's a fraud.' 'It was a tough venue. We tried to get out of the venue, we tried to get out of the judge, we tried to get out of both, wouldn't even think about it. We had probably maybe the worst area in the whole country for me.' 'But the good news is that I think we've set a record beyond all records for fundraising,' he said. He said said his 18-year-old son Barron (pictured), who recently graduated from the Oxbridge Academy, has focusing on his future Trump said his wife, Melania Trump, who was noticeably absent from the courtroom has had a tough time reading the news The former president maintained his innocence but said he is prepared to face his sentencing. 'Im okay with it. Dont beg for anything, its just the way it is,' he said. On the possibility he could go to jail, he said: 'Im not sure the public would stand for it. I think itd be tough for the public to take, at a certain point, theres a breaking point. Trump supporters have called for murder in the wake of his criminal conviction, with some saying was 'time to start capping [shooting] some Lefties' and suggested that 'somebody should take care of' the judge who presided over the case. Others have shared pictures of upside down American flags - a symbol used by insurrectionists at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 - prompting many to wondering if a similar event will occur when he is sentenced. A desperate search is underway for two young children who disappeared four days ago. Queensland Police said the 11-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy, who are known to each other, have been missing from Mareeba, just west of Cairns, since Thursday. Police are searching for the two children who are believed to still be in the Cairns or Tablelands area. Police hold concerns for their welfare due to their young age. Two primary school aged children who are known to each other have been missing from Mareeba since Thursday They are Caucasian in appearance and are of slim build. The girl is around 150cm tall with brown hair and green eyes and the boy is 145cm tall with blonde hair and blue eyes. Investigators are asking anyone with information on their whereabouts to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. The sister of a man wrongly convicted for a rape he didn't commit has revealed her guilt after she disowned him while he languished in prison for 17 years. Andrew Malkinson was imprisoned after a jury convicted him of a brutal rape which left a 33-year-old woman near death's door in Little Hulton, Salford, in 2003. Despite a lack of DNA evidence linking him to the crime and key details about him not lining up with the victim's description of her rapist, Andrew was charged and sentenced to life behind bars. He would spend the next 17 years - more than a decade beyond his minimum terms of six-and-a-half years - in prison as he maintained his innocence. For his sister Sarah, however, the potential baggage that came with her younger brother's conviction, along with the thought that he might have committed the horrific crime, was too much to bear. Andrew Malkinson served 17 years in prison after being convicted over a rape he didn't commit. Pictured: Andrew outside the Royal Courts of Justice after being cleared in July 2023 Sarah, who is Andrew's half-sister, has revealed the guilt she feels at disowning him after he was convicted. Pictured: Sarah outside the Royal Courts of Justice after Andrew was cleared in July 2023 Andrew and his loved ones have spoken out in a new BBC2 documentary about his case, titled The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars While their mother Tricia continued to fight to prove Andrew's innocence, Sarah - who hadn't seen him in ten years before the court case - kept her distance fearful that the jury had got it right. Speaking to filmmakers for a new BBC2 documentary, The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars, she said, as first reported by The Sun: 'My brother had been convicted and you kind of like believe that he must be this person that they are saying he is. 'As much as I don't really want to say this, but I am going to say it, like I didn't want anything to do with them. Which affected me. Because it's like, 'I don't want anything to do with him.' I did that. 'My mindset was, I don't want anything to do with him because how can he do that to a woman?' She added that she was 'really, really scared' that people would find out she was related to a man who had been jailed for such a barbaric crime. Sarah said: 'I've got a child, I've got a roof to put over my kid's head. And I didn't want people to know that that was my brother. Andrew found out he had a different dad at 16. 'He actually changed his name when he found his real dad. 'And I was so pleased that he had, because what would happen to me and my mum being on the estate? Mr Malkinson, who was wrongly convicted in 2003 for the rape of a woman in Salford, Greater Manchester 'Would we be spat out in the street? Would we get windows put in for it? We wouldn't want to go out. You become a bit of a recluse.' Sarah said that when they were growing up together her brother had been a 'kind, caring' boy who was always reading. However, they had 'drifted apart' as they got older, with Andrew travelling around the UK and abroad, leaving Sarah wondering if the kind-hearted child she had spent her younger years with had changed. The news that he turned out to be innocent all along was a body blow for Sarah, who said that while she was happy her brother was free she was also wracked with guilt for not believing him. In the documentary, she said: 'All the thoughts that you've got about your brother kind of disappeared. 'Because you know for definite that wasn't him that did it. I've got really bad guilt from it. 'It's really bad to think that my brother was meant to have done what he's done. And I believed that [he was], as much as I didn't want to believe that it was like he must have done it. 'I feel really bad about that.' But there was no doubt in his mother's mind, with Tricia continuing to fight his corner as he languished behind bars. In the BBC documentary, she reflects on the fateful day in court saying: 'It was like I'd been pushed in an abyss. I know that Andrew didn't do that. It didn't enter my head that he would be found guilty.' She adds: 'I didn't speak about it to people. Because the reaction is well, you will believe them because you're his mother. 'It's smarter to save your breath and put it to better use. I spent half my life in the library because I didn't have a computer then. 'I was in the library, that often was my second home. The information that I've gathered, and I had it printed out and sent to Andrew, when you take it on your own, and you're not a legal person, it's very hard.' Andrew was 37 when he was wrongly charged with the rape of a mother-of-two. He fought for 20 years until the court finally overturned his conviction after forensic testing linked another man to the attack. He was finally acquitted by the Court of Appeal on July 25 last year. Following the judgement, he said: 'On August 2, 2003, I was kidnapped by the State. It has taken nearly 20 years to persuade my kidnappers to let me go. 'Seventeen years, four months and 16 days of that time was spent in prison. All that time the real perpetrator, the real dangerous person, was free. 'Now I am left outside this court without an apology, without an explanation, jobless, homeless, expected to simply slip back into the world. 'I spent 17 years on my guard against every threat. I imagined I would die in prison, murdered by another prisoner. I am not a liar. I am not in denial. Greater Manchester Police are liars and they are in denial.' Last month, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) offered Mr Malkinson an unreserved apology following an independent review into the handling of the case. 'The CCRC's delay in apologising to me added significantly to the mental turmoil I am experiencing as I continue to fight for accountability for what was done to me,' Mr Malkinson said. 'The CCRC's failings caused me a world of pain. Even the police apologised straight away. It feels like Helen Pitcher is only apologising now because the CCRC has been found out, and the last escape hatch has now closed on them.' A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: 'The Lord Chancellor has been clear Andrew Malkinson suffered an atrocious miscarriage of justice and he deserves thorough and honest answers as to how and why it took so long to uncover. 'The Criminal Cases Review Commission, Crown Prosecution Service and Greater Manchester Police have all pledged their full cooperation to the independent inquiry into the handling of his conviction and subsequent appeals.' The Wrong Man: 17 Years Behind Bars is on BBC2 on June 6 at 9pm Sajudin sold a debunked story about Trump having an affair with a maid in 2015 The Trump Tower doorman whose testimony was featured in the historic hush money case is now sharing advice for the former president amid his conviction. Dino Sajudin formerly worked as a doorman at Trump's lavish and gold-laden Fifth Avenue tower. He was embroiled in the blockbuster hush money case because he sold dirt on Donald Trump to the tabloid National Enquirer for a handsome sum of $30,000. His story alleged that the billionaire businessman had an affair with a maid - and that resulted in a 'love child.' Despite his story being thoroughly debunked and his credibility being called into question - Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg never contacted Sajudin or asked him to testify - he now has advice for the president-turned-felon. 'I don't think it's a good idea for Trump to be bashing the judge right now, because this is far from over,' the former doorman told the New York Daily News. Dino Sajudin sold his story about Trump's alleged affair - which has been deemed not true - to the National Enquirer's parent company American Media Inc. for $30,000 in 2015. The publisher never went forward with the story and it was referenced in Trump's hush money case as the first instance of a 'catch-and-kill' maneuver used by the future president's legal team On May 30, former President Donald Trump was found guilty of 34 felony counts related to falsifying business documents to conceal hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. Trump's sentencing hearing is slated for July 11, and Sajudin is pleading for the former president to be quiet. 'The judge still has to sentence him, so don't piss off the judge.' 'You know, it doesn't make sense to me Why poke the bear?' 'Wait until they sentence you and then go say what you're gonna say,' Sajudin said. Trump has already been fined for violating a gag order imposed on him by Judge Juan Merchan and the former president could face up to four years in prison. The former doorman sold his story about Trump's alleged affair - which has been deemed not true - to the National Enquirer's parent company American Media Inc. for $30,000 in 2015, before the 45th president took office. Sajudin said that after his 'love child' allegations were covered in the media in 2018 he was swarmed by press, giving him a constant 'headache.' That nuisance prompted him to not follow along with the hush money trial The hush money trial lasted weeks, forcing the former president to appear in court for long days, which he decried as 'election interference' as he was not able to be out campaigning The publisher never went forward with Sajudin's story but it was referenced in the hush money case as the first instance of a 'catch-and-kill' maneuver used by the future-president's legal team and allies to squash negative press about Trump. Manhattan prosecutors said the plan was hatched during an August 2015 meeting between Trump, his former lawyer Michael Cohen and ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Cohen went on to testify that he orchestrated several catch-and-kills, helping prosecutors demonstrate that Trump made several hush money payments. And Sajudin is proud that his was the first. 'I was the first one,' he said. 'I am a part of it, I think I can safely say that the first time a president was convicted of felonies.' 'So, yeah. This is all history here, that's what it is.' The former doorman was first thrust into the spotlight when his story about the debunked affair surfaced in 2018, leading to press following him, which he called a 'headache.' Dino Sajudin, the former Trump doorman claimed the president had a love child He said he was 'paranoid' about following the hush money trial developments because of his past brush ups with the media: 'You always feel like, 'Oh, is someone following you?' 'Your brain runs away with it. I really don't want to go back to the way it was. At the time, it was a nightmare.' Sajudin, who freely offered advice to the former president, also admitted he has not kept close tabs on trial developments. 'I'll watch it when I can, I'll check the news recaps of it, stuff like that.' Still, despite his entanglement in the trial, he has no love lost for former president and told the outlet that he plans to vote for Trump in November, regardless of whether he is in prison. The brother of British girl Cheryl Grimmer who was snatched from an Australian beach 54 years ago claims cops missed key clues to crack the case. Ricki Nash was the last person to see his youngest sibling when she disappeared, aged three, from Fairy Meadow Beach just outside Wollongong in New South Wales in January 1970. And yet, he points out, police only first took a statement from him in 2017 almost five decades on from the tragic day. He told The Sun: 'How much more pain has our family got to get through to get some truth? 'It is frustrating beyond belief. To say the word frustrating doesn't even touch how I feel, let alone how my brothers feel as well.' Ricki Nash (pictured), the brother of British girl Cheryl Grimmer who was snatched from an Australian beach 54 years ago claims cops missed key clues to crack the case Ricki was the last person to see his youngest sibling (pictured) when she disappeared, aged three, from Fairy Meadow Beach just outside Wollongong in New South Wales in January 1970 Cheryl pictured with her brothers Ricki, Paul and Steve. The family had moved to Australia from Bristol towards the end of 1968 The family, which also included brothers Paul and Steve and their parents, had moved to the country from Bristol towards the end of 1968. Cheryl vanished just after lunch on a warm day just yards from the hostel where they were staying. Ricki, then seven, had been tasked with making sure his siblings washed the sand off their bodies after a day at the beach but soon found Cheryl unwilling to leave the ladies' toilet block. He then decided to get their mother to help him but by the time they got back to the showers Cheryl had disappeared. The heartbroken brother says he has always remembered the last moments he had with his sister and that he also recalls seeing a kid larger than him with a 'big nose'. Three days after her disappearance, a 'ransom note' was sent to Bulli Police Station demanding $10,000 and a pardon in exchange for the toddler. An interview with a Superintendent Lynch at the time saw the officer ask anyone who recognised the letter's handwriting, which was judged by experts to be that of a 14 or 15 year old, to get in contact with detectives. The time and place of the exchange were set by police and broadcast on television, which Ricki, now 62, argues was their first key error. Ricki (centre) pictured with Stephen (left) and Paul (right) Cheryl (pictured, left, with father Vince)) vanished just after lunch on a warm day just yards from the hostel where they were staying Cheryl with pictured with Paul (left) and Stephen (right). Three days after her disappearance, a 'ransom note' was sent to Bulli Police Station demanding $10,000 and a pardon in exchange for the toddler Military pictured joining police in the search for Cheryl in January 1970. By 1971, a 17-year-old suspect had confessed to the kidnapping and killing of Cheryl and even showed officers the spot where he had supposedly buried the toddler What resulted was a huge crowd of hundreds of intrigued people desperate to witness the handover. Ricki added that the attention that the potential collection received ruined the possibility of it actually taking place. In 1971, a 17-year-old suspect confessed to the kidnapping and killing of Cheryl and even showed officers the spot where he had supposedly buried the toddler. But police shelved the confession, citing inconsistencies in his account and the case went quiet until March 2017 when the same man was arrested and charged with the young girl's murder in Melbourne. Ricki believes the confession was ignored until an inquest in 2011 but that he was not informed about it until 2016 or 2017, which meant he and his family did not get the chance to corroborate details of the confession. It also ensured that Cheryl's father died before he found out that someone had confessed to killing his young daughter. A trial was then scheduled for May 2019 after the suspect pleaded not guilty at the Supreme of New South Wales in September 2018. But a judge then ruled that a new law, declaring confessions inadmissible if not made in the presence of a parent or guardian, could be imposed retroactively. Cheryl pictured with her three brothers. Police shelved the confession, citing inconsistencies in his account and the case went quiet until March 2017 when the same man was arrested and charged with the young girl's murder in Melbourne Ricki (pictured, centre, with Stephen, second left, and Paul, right, in 2016) believes the confession was ignored until an inquest in 2011 but that he was not informed about it until 2016 or 2017, which meant his family did not get the chance to corroborate details of the confession Cheryl's heartbroken family pictured after her disappearance A trial was then scheduled for May 2019 after the suspect pleaded not guilty at the Supreme of New South Wales in September 2018 But a judge then ruled that a new law, declaring confessions inadmissible if not made in the presence of a parent or guardian, could be imposed retroactively As a result, the charge was dropped in February 2019 and by 2020 police were on the hunt again for new clues, offering a $1million for more information. Ricki claims a senior officer and a prosecutor had both told him that the suspect was responsible for his sister vanishing more than five decades ago. The traumatised brother has vowed to never give up his search for the truth about his sibling's disappearance and added: 'Stop the lies. Let's hear what went wrong, let's challenge this retrospective law.' Jeremy Hunt has promised that the Tories will not raid pensions as he warned that Labour would impose 'back-door taxes'. The Chancellor delivered the message as he unveiled a 'Pensions Tax Guarantee', committing to no new levies on retirement funds - or increases to current ones - in the next Parliament. He also vowed the 25 per cent tax-free lump sum will be maintained, tax relief will be kept on contributions, and national insurance will not be extended to employer contributions. In contrast, Mr Hunt claimed Labour would 'do what they always do and betray pension holders to fill their fiscal blackhole'. The Tories accused Keir Starmer's party of plotting to repeat Gordon Brown's raid on retirement funds from 1997, when he abolished the dividend tax credit. Conservatives have been trying hard to woo the older generation, last week announcing a bolstered 'Triple Lock' on the state pension. That means the personal allowance will go up at the same rate for pensioners as the state payouts - and so will never be hit with tax. Jeremy Hunt has promised that the Tories will not raid pensions as he warned that Labour would impose 'back-door taxes' Mr Hunt claimed Labour (pictured, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer) would 'do what they always do and betray pension holders to fill their fiscal blackhole' 'Conservatives have always looked after people's pensions and our Pension's Tax Guarantee will mean there will be no tax rises or new taxes on workplace pensions for the whole of the next Parliament,' Mr Hunt said. 'Not only have Labour already said they'll introduce a Retirement Tax on the State Pension and bring back the lifetime allowance, but they'll do what they always do and betray pension holders to fill their fiscal blackhole.' In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Hunt said: 'We are worried that, just as Labour did in the past when they have a black hole in their finances, they will go for back-door taxes on pensions. 'We want to send a message to pensioners that there is only one party you can trust. Pensioners know which party introduced the triple lock. 'They know which parties increased the state pension by 3,700. They know which party has lifted nearly a quarter of a million pensioners out of poverty. 'And they know which party has abolished the lifetime allowance on pension pots. So they know that the Conservative Party will always have their back.' The Tories accused Keir Starmer 's party of plotting to repeat Gordon Brown's raid on retirement funds from 1997, when he abolished the dividend tax credit An Idaho bar has opted to counter LGBTQ Pride Month by celebrating 'Heterosexual Awesomeness Month' during the month of June, saying that without them 'none of us would be here.' Old State Saloon in Eagle, Idaho, which is just outside of Boise, announced this past Wednesday that each Monday would be 'Hetero Male Monday.' Any man dressed 'like a heterosexual male' will be entitled to a free draught beer, according to a Facebook post from the bar. In a subsequent comment, the bar also said it was seeking applicants to judge if male patrons that come on Mondays have straight enough clothing - who will be paid $15 an hour plus a free beer. Not only that, but any straight couple that comes into the bar on Wednesdays will get 15 percent off their tab. The Old State Saloon from the outside, where straight men and women can go to discounts on their tabs during LGBTQ pride month The Facebook post got a mix of reactions, with some claiming that the bar is bigoted against LGBTQ people and others commending the bar owners for doing something 'so bold.' Jenna Nash commented below the bar's post, taking issue with the idea of 'Hetero Male Monday.' 'Every day is hetero day. They're not a marginalized group, they're the norm. I don't care if you are glad you're straight but pointing out your hetersexuality [sic] during gay pride month is an affront, is othering and creates separation and discord,' she wrote. Others hinted at the possibility that any man who decides to come to Old State Saloon on Monday were possibly in the closet. 'Whoever wrote this post is so deep in the closet they're having adventures in Narnia with Liberace and Mercury,' one person wrote. 'Its a free country. But tell us more about all those men on Mondays. Getting drunkmaybe a little curiousmaybe a little experimental' another wrote. There were also plenty of comments from people claiming to be in the LGBTQ community who said they didn't have a problem with this. Mark Fitzpatrick, the owner of the Old State Saloon, poses in front of the bar area. He describes himself as 'a Christian, conservative, Constitution supporter, retired police officer, and family man' The Facebook post got a mix of reactions, with some claiming that the bar is bigoted against LGBTQ people and others commending the bar owners for doing something 'so bold.' 'I'm a gay dude and I think this is awesome.. I am an ally to the often stigmatized straight male. I am also grateful for my heterosexual parents that made my life possible,' one user wrote. Old State Saloon said they got comments that had expletives and ones that used the lord's name in vain, which led it to ban about 25 people. The Idaho Statesman, Boise's daily newspaper, put out a column on Friday poking fun at the controversial local watering hole and skewering its owner, Mark Fitzpatrick, for disrespecting Pride Month. 'How exactly does a customer dress like a heterosexual male? Wear one of those The Only Thing I Like More Than Beer Is Twins shirts? Or the one that reads, Cool Babe Now Go Make Me a Sandwich?' columnist Michael Deeds wrote. Fitzpatrick describes himself as 'a Christian, conservative, Constitution supporter, retired police officer, and family man' on his Zillow listing agent profile. Fitzpatrick, pictured, claimed that Michael Deeds, the writer of the Idaho Statesman piece criticizing Old State Saloon, didn't contact him for a quote or interview In response to the Idaho Statesman piece, Fitzpatrick said Deeds didn't 'have the courage' to contact him for an interview. The bar also posted again on Saturday, saying it wouldn't back down. 'We hear lots of people are upset about Heterosexual Awesomeness Month! Please know: 1) We love our LGBTQ+ patrons! 2) We will not be changing our mind and give into the group of those who are responding with vitriol. 3) ALL are welcome to come celebrate heterosexuality with us in June!' the post read. The post added that the bar would be doing all day happy hour prices for straight females on Thursdays, and that T-shirts commemorating heterosexuals would be coming soon. An elite New York City private school has been accused of being a 'hotbed of Jew-hate' by furious parents. Dr. Logan Levkoff said her son experienced anti-Semitism while attending Ethical Culture Fieldston School. The sex and relationship expert claimed her son was called an 'ethnic cleanser' and 'colonizer' during his time as a student. In one instance, two teachers allegedly gave the middle finger to two rabbis at an assembly. 'Fieldston is a hotbed of Jew-hate and these terror-supporting students are the epitome of the "trigger warning" generation,' Levkoff wrote in an Instagram post. Dr. Logan Levkoff (pictured) said her son experienced anti-Semitism while attending Ethical Culture Fieldston School The New York City private school cost $65,540 for the 2024-2025 school year She said her son's Nazi Germany and the Holocaust teacher tried to pass off Soviet Antizionism as a legitimate political movement and claimed one guest speaker compared Jews to Nazis. When her son organized a Holocaust survivor to come speak, Levkoff claimed a group of students tried to 'cancel' the event. According to the school's website, the tuition for all grades for the 2024-25 school year is $65,540. Jewish parents and alumni had sent a like to the school demanding they do more protect students after 'Free Palestine' was spray painted on campus, reported The New York Post. In response, a student letter accused the parents of 'intimidating' them and 'suppressing' ideas not in line with 'Zionist ideology.' 'The Fieldston school's terror-supporting students have responded to the Jewish community's letter with a five-page missive,' Levkoff wrote. 'They've been terrorizing Jewish students for years, forcing them into silence for fear that if they speak up, they'll be called racist.' 'Enough is enough. Some of us have played the 'Good Jew' for too long,' she said. Other school community members commented on Levkoff's post and shared their similar experiences. 'My kids went there. Even then there were swastikas being drawn around the school by "mystery people" and they refused to have Jewish affinity groups but had many other affinity groups. Jewish kids were thrown in the white affinity group,' said one parent. The New York Times reported in 2020 Jewish parents had accused the school of not acting aggressively enough to address anti-Semitic comments from a teacher and guest speaker. Jewish parents and alumni had sent a like to the school demanding they do more protect students after 'Free Palestine' was spray painted on campus In January 2020, teacher J.B. Brager was fired for criticizing Israel in class and on their personal X, formerly Twitter, account. During an assembly in November 2019, guest speaker Kayum Ahmed, a director at the Open Society Foundations philanthropic organization, compared what Jews endured during the Holocaust to violence against Palestinians in Israel. 'I use the same example in talking about the Holocaust. That Jews who suffered in the Holocaust and established the State of Israel today perpetuate violence against Palestinians,' Ahmed said. A spokesperson for Ethical Culture Fieldston School told DailyMail.com: 'We do not tolerate antisemitism and stand against all forms of hate.' 'We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring all members of our community experience dignity and belonging at our school.' The mother of an 18-year-old apprentice who was crushed in a fatal scaffolding collapse has called for new laws laws so no other family loses a child in a similar way. In April 2019, Christopher Cassaniti died after an overloaded perimeter facade - about 18-tonnes over its maximum capacity - caved in, trapping himself and his colleague Khaled Wehbe at a Macquarie Park construction site. Ties which should have connected the scaffolding to a corresponding building also had been removed. Now his mum, Patrizia has called on NSW to catch up with other mainland states to legislate industrial manslaughter as its own offence. 'I'll never get justice for my son and it hurts. It's something that you can't accept but I'm hoping that families in the future won't have to go through this anguish,' said Ms Cassaniti, describing her son as an 'exceptional and kind kid'. 'I want those laws to be a deterrent and stop people doing the wrong thing and putting workers at risk of dying.' Christopher Cassaniti (pictured) died after an overloaded perimeter facade caved in, trapping himself and his colleague Khaled Wehbe at a construction site Christopher had skipped his lunch break and was working alongside his colleague Khaled Wehbe, 39, when 30m of scaffolding above them collapsed Her plea comes as the government prepares to introduce the legislation into parliament this week. It's understood the bill would make industrial manslaughter a criminal offence which would carry penalties of up to 25 years jail time and civil fines of up to $20m - the highest out of any jurisdiction. Ms Cassaniti, who is set to speak alongside NSW Industrial Relations Minister Sophie Cotsis at a rally calling for the changes on Monday, says the new law would change lives. 'I would like to see this law not only put corporations and companies on alert, but also individuals,' she said. 'Managers, officers and workers should all be responsible for safety and if they are found to have done something that caused the death of a person through their negligence and reckless behaviour, I want to see them prosecuted to go to jail. 'We need to have a clear and concise message so that when people look at this law, they will stop unsafe work practices.' According to recent polling by Pyxis Polling & Insights, NSW voters largely support industrial manslaughter becoming a legislated as an offence, with 68 per cent of 2040 interviewees responding positively. Support was higher in regional areas (70 per cent) compared to metropolitan Sydney respondents (66 per cent), and above 60 per cent across the political spectrum. While NSW the only state not that have industrial manslaughter as a specific offence, with the exception of Tasmania, 76 per cent of respondents said they were surprised the state lacked the legislation. Unions NSW secretary Mark Morey urged MPs on all political sides to 'listen to community concern'. The horrific accident happened just days after Christopher's 18th birthday (pictured, Christopher celebrating his birthday with his family) 'When a worker doesn't return home it is a life-altering trauma for their loved ones,' he said. 'The people of NSW want corporations and CEOs held accountable for workplace deaths. 'It is simply unacceptable that workers continue to lose their lives due to negligent and unsafe practices. Industrial manslaughter laws will deliver justice for victims and their families.' Analysis from the organisation also reported that between 2013 to 2022, NSW has on average lost at least one worker in a workplace fatality every week - higher than any other Australian state of territory. Christopher's mum, Patrizia (pictured), has called on NSW to catch up with other mainland states to legislate industrial manslaughter laws as its own offence Following the death of Mr Cassaniti, Synergy Scaffolding Services pleaded guilty to one offence under the Work Health and Safety Act and was fined $2m in November 2022. GN Residential Construction also pleaded guilty to an offence under the act, with NSW Fair Trading permanently disqualifying its contractor licence in June 2023. It was also convicted and fined $900,000 for the breach. The company's director Nicholas Kodomichalo was also hit with a 10-year disqualification from holding any authority under the Home Building Act 1989. A passenger onboard the turbulent Singapore Airlines flight that left a British grandfather dead has heartbreakingly revealed he suffered six neck and spine fractures. Bradley Richards, 29, said he was knocked unconscious and woke up with blood pouring out his head after Flight SQ321, from London to Singapore, hit turbulence over Myanmar. Another passenger, Geoff Kitchen, 73, from Thornbury, near Bristol, died from a suspected heart attack while many more were left with injuries as the plane dropped 178ft in just 4.6 seconds and suffered a rapid change in G-force. Mr Richards, a telecoms engineer from Benfleet, Essex, described the experience as like 'something out of a movie - and fears that he will no longer be able to continue his line of work after suffering life-changing injuries. After using a pillow to stem the blood flow, he says he 'immediately felt spinal pain' and had to be lifted into a wheelchair when the plane landed in Bangkok. Bradley Richards, 29, was knocked unconscious and woke up with blood pouring out his head after Flight SQ321, from London to Singapore, hit turbulence over Myanmar The May 21 flight on a Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing after the plane was buffeted by turbulence Musical theatre director Geoffrey Kitchen, 73, was tragically killed after suffering a suspected heart attack Early findings by The Transport Safety Investigation Bureau (TSIB) show that the plane experienced a rapid change in acceleration upwards and downwards causing injuries to those without seatbelts on. Mr Richards said: 'I was asleep or I think I might have been knocked unconscious when it happened. 'I remember waking up and my head was just pouring with blood, kids were screaming, people running around everywhere, it was so frantic. 'It was like something out of a movie. 'I remember I felt the back pain straight away and blood was just pouring from my head. 'I tried to use my cushion to stem the blood - one of the ones they hand out for on the flights. 'Once we landed, I was near the back of the plane and I remember the medical staff running on and having to step over all the injured people on the floor. 'They couldn't get a stretcher to me so I was supported off the plane. 'I told them about my spinal pain and the workers had to pick me up, support me under my armpits and carry me to a wheelchair. Singapore Airlines said it acknowledged the report and was cooperating fully with the investigation The plane was buffeted by turbulence that flung passengers and crew around the cabin 'I guess they couldn't fit a stretcher right down the back because of the people on the floor or they might not have picked up on it due to all the chaos happening. 'I was just a bit quiet in the aftermath, to be honest - it all felt so surreal. I didn't scream or anything. 'It was just all so traumatic. When I came round and saw people on the floor, being stretchered - like I say, it felt like something from a movie, not real life.' Doctors have told Mr Richards it's unlikely he'll able to return to work in his current role as an engineer. He said: 'It's just gutting - I've worked in that role for seven years and I couldn't imagine doing anything else.' Mr Richards has been receiving treatment in a hospital in Bangkok and is currently unsure when he'll be able to return to the UK. He suffered multiple fractures to the spine and neck, a spinal epidural hematoma and a laceration to his head requiring 20 stitches. He said: 'It's not been pleasant I can assure you that, but I try my best to remain positive and the airline and hospital have been so good to me the health care is second to none.' At the time of writing, he has raised 3,570 on GoFundMe to help pay for 'expenses related to the injury not covered by Singapore Airlines or any other third parties on return home to the UK'. The TSIB preliminary investigation findings reveal that the plane dropped 178ft (54m) in just four seconds. The agency says the likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers. The Boeing 777-300ER plane carrying 211 passengers and 18 crew diverted to Bangkok for an emergency landing after the plane was buffeted by turbulence that flung passengers and crew around the cabin, slamming some into the ceiling. 'The aircraft experienced a rapid change in G (gravitational force). This likely resulted in the occupants who were not belted up to become airborne,' the Singapore Transport Ministry said in a statement. 'The vertical acceleration changed from negative 1.5G to positive 1.5G within 4 seconds. This likely resulted in the occupants who were airborne to fall back down,' it said, citing information extracted from the flight data and cockpit voice recorders. 'The rapid changes in G over the 4.6 seconds duration resulted in an altitude drop of 178 ft, from 37,362 ft to 37,184 ft. This sequence of events likely caused the injuries to the crew and passengers,' it added. This is the moment two asylum-seekers threatened to jump off a building at an ex-RAF base that had been converted to an accommodation site. The shocking scenes come amid warnings of a 'mental health crisis' at the RAF Wethersfield site amidst a rise in self-harm and suicide attempts. There were between five and 10 suicide attempts and 10 incidents of self-harm in January 2024 alone at the site in Essex, according to charities operating on the site. But Home Secretary James Cleverly rejected the claims and suggested the asylum-seekers weren't telling the truth about their mental state in a bid to get relocated. The video of asylum-seekers threatening to jump comes after the site has undergone other controversies including claims fights break out every night with refugees even staging a protest over the 'prison-like' conditions in November. A shocking video showed the moment two asylum-seekers threatened to jump off a building at an ex-RAF base In the video, obtained by ITV News, the asylum-seekers are seen standing on the third floor of a building claiming they are preparing to jump while emergency services surround them Another clip in the video shows security guards arguing with some asylum-seekers Wethersfield is the current home of 580 people and is one of a number of mass accommodation sites being used alongside hotels to house asylum seekers while they wait for their claim to be processed In the video, obtained by ITV News, the asylum-seekers are seen standing on the third floor of a building claiming they are preparing to jump while emergency services surround them. The men are eventually talked down from the ledge by security guards. Another clip in the video shows one man collapse from a hunger strike getting wheeled from the site in a stretcher. Other clips showed security guards arguing with some asylum-seekers. While another shocking scene shows a man claiming to have fled the Taliban tell a reporter 'everyone just wanted to kill themselves'. Wethersfield is the current home of 580 males and is one of a number of mass accommodation sites being used alongside hotels to house asylum seekers while they wait for their claim to be processed. Due to their remote location away from local communities they have proved controversial. Other sites include the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset which has been operating since last summer. In December, asylum seeker Leonard Farruku was found dead on the Bibby Stockholm, with police confirming there were no suspicious circumstances. The Wethersfield asylum seekers previously said the base is 'like a prison' In November about 40 men demonstrated outside MDP Wethersfield in Essex over their living conditions Scuffles between different migrant groups are alleged to be a regular occurrence, an asylum seeker at Wethersfield said Another former RAF base in Scampton will soon open, along with former student accommodation in Huddersfield. Most of the men in the sites have arrived in the UK from small boats, and are currently stuck in limbo, as the governments new Illegal Migration Act means the Home Office wont consider the claims of those who arrive in the UK via small boats. One asylum seeker spent over six months at Wethersfield before being removed because of his deteriorating mental health. The 25-year-old man, who asked to remain anonymous, came over to the UK in a small boat in September 2023 after fleeing the Taliban in Afghanistan. He fled after the Taliban shot him and killed his brother. He told ITV News: 'I was thinking were in prison, were coming to the prison. What did we do wrong?. He told the channel about how his mental health had worsened while he was at the site. Despite never having any previous mental health issues, he was diagnosed with depression at Wethersfield, and even tried to take his own life by jumping from a window. 'I tried because I was very depressed,' he said. Wethersfield's costs have also spiralled to more than 10 times the size that was originally planned. The National Audit Office (NAO) said in March the Home Office originally estimated set-up costs would be 5 million, but they increased to 49 million. Asylum seekers have also been housed in the Bibby Stockholm barge (pictured) Leonard Farruku, a 27-year-old Albanian, was found unresponsive on board the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland Port, Dorset, on December 12 The Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset, where Mr Farruku died in December The report also said there had been 283 incidents relating to 'self-harm and suicide' at large sites like Wethersfield by the end of January 2024. Charity Doctors of the World parks up outside Wethersfield three days a week in medical van to treat residents. The charity said while there are medical services on site, they dont provide adequate care for the vulnerable asylum seekers living there. A survey of 122 patients revealed 70 per cent were presenting with severe psychological distress and 41 per cent were experiencing suicidal thoughts. Clinical Director Becks Kerr told ITV News: 'if you put people in a place like this, youre asking for a mental health crisis.' Meanwhile law firm Duncan Lewis is bringing a case against the Home Office claiming it has failed to properly assess whether vulnerable people should be living at Wethersfield. Home Secretary James Cleverly rejected claims of a mental health crisis at Wethersfield, saying it did not align with the reports his department had been receiving. Pictured is an en-suite included with a bedroom at the asylum accommodation centre Pictured is the canteen inside the base. The Home Office said the food provided meets NHS Eatwell standards and responds to all cultural and dietary requirements Pictured is one of the bedrooms at Wethersfield in Essex Home Secretary James Cleverly rejected claims of a mental health crisis at Wethersfield, saying it did not align with the reports his department had been receiving He said: 'Of course the people in Wethersfield often say things they hope will have them relocated. 'We take conditions at all our facilities incredibly seriously, we want to make sure theyre safe. And of course what we want to do is make sure we no longer need sites like Wethersfield, thats why weve committed to crack down on immigration.' Last week Home Office data showed a record 10,170 people have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel in small boats. The Home Office states Wethersfield has on-site healthcare delivered by a local healthcare provider which is run by health care professionals who are able to prescribe medication. Officials argue Wethersfield is not a detained site and asylum seekers are free to come and go. There is also a regular transport service in place to take residents to larger local cities. Immigration has become a key campaign battleground ahead of the election and could cause a headache for Rishi Sunak, who promised to 'stop the boats'. Pictured, an inflatable dinghy carrying around 65 migrants crosses the English Channel Last week Home Office data showed a record 10,170 people have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel in small boats. Pictured: Migrants await immigration officers after arriving at Dungeness They point out the accommodation meets all relevant housing and health and safety standards. There are also communal spaces, including faith and worship facilities and a large gymnasium to allow for recreational and sporting activity. The food provided meets NHS Eatwell standards and responds to all cultural and dietary requirements. A Home Office spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We take the safety and welfare of those at Wethersfield extremely seriously. 'Welfare officers are on site round the clock and all residents have access to a GP service delivered by a local healthcare provider including mental health support. A 24/7 helpline provided by Migrant Help is available to raise any concerns.' The most recent claims of a mental health crisis at Wethersfield comes after video footage in December reportedly showed fights erupting between men at the asylum centre - with chairs thrown and one man suffering a bloodied face. An anonymous asylum seeker said the centre on the former military base 'has many, many problems', adding that 'no one on the camp is feeling safe'. It comes after migrants housed at the centre staged a recent protest over 'its 'prison-like' conditions, complaining they were freezing due to poor clothing and bedding and didn't have access to doctors. The asylum seeker told the BBC there has been 'almost nightly fighting with another nationality, because the number of people is many'. A few of the minibuses transporting the migrants to the nearby centres of Colchester, Braintree and Chelmsford have allegedly had their windows smashed and damaged on the base. The reports of fighting come after migrants billeted at the former military base held a protest last month over the 'prison-like' conditions. About 40 men demonstrated outside the site, complaining they didn't have access to doctors, were freezing and unable to contact their families. They noisily chanted 'Wrong plan, wrong place' and 'It's like a prison' during the protest. For free, confidential help from Samaritans call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org Thousands of people flocked to the centre of London today to demand Hamas returns the 121 hostages who are still in Gaza, joining nearly two-dozen similar protests taking place across the world 240 days after Hamas' deadly incursion into Israel. The march, organised by Human Chain Organisation and the Hostages' Families Forum, saw scores of people marching from Lincoln's Inn Field Park in Holborn to Richmond Terrace in Whitehall. The procession was attended by family members of hostages, including Merav and Amir Daniel, the parents of Oz Daniel, an IDF soldier who was killed on October 7 and whose body was brought back to Gaza by Hamas. Also in attendance were Osnat and Menachem Getz, the aunt and uncle of Omer Neutra, an IDF tank commander who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7. Neutra, a New Yorker, is still believed to be alive somewhere in Gaza. His uncle, Menachem, told MailOnline that the West cannot afford to forget about him and the other hostages still held by Hamas. He said: 'Everybody needs to remember what happened on October 7. Everybody has already forgotten it was a terror attack. Menachem Getz wore a dog-tag with a Star of David attached The march was organised by Human Chain Organisation and the Hostages' Families Forum The march saw scores of people marching from Lincoln's Inn Field Park in Holborn to Richmond Terrace in Whitehall 'It's not just an Israeli issue, it's something that needs to unite all the nations that are involved. There are two British citizens who are hostages. 'It needs to be a top priority from all over the world to release these hostages. Releasing these hostages, I think, will resolve the humanitarian issue [in Gaza]. 'It's not a local issue. Everybody needs to be involved.' Osnat added: 'It's heartwarming for us to see so many people showing us solidarity by coming here today. It's given us a lot of strength and hope that everything will be okay soon.' 'I'm sure that everyone who has a bit of humanity is with us. But we don't just need to see actions, we need to see results. 'We want our loved ones to be back home with us, so we can hug them and we see them. It's been eight months since October 7, we can't believe it's taken so long already. We are really hoping that this deal, which is very generous, could end this horrible time.' Many people flew both British and Israeli flags at the same time Protesters holding placards, including one of hostage Noa Argamani Osnat and Menachem Getz (pictured), the aunt and uncle of Omer Neutra, an IDF tank commander who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7 Protestor David, who works in financial services, told MailOnline: 'I was horrified by the attack on October 7, but even more horrified by the response I saw in the UK' Protestor David, who works in financial services, told MailOnline: 'I was horrified by the attack on October 7, but even more horrified by the response I saw in the UK. 'Near where I live, there were people out celebrating the pogrom that Hamas committed. Even before the bodies were cold, there people out in the streets of Britain celebrating.' 'It tells us that there's a horrible anti-Semitic trend here in the UK that really needs to be challenged. To do that, we need to stand behind Israel. 'Rhetorically, the British government have signalled their support [for Israel], but as the war against Hamas has progressed we've seen more and more equivocation. It's reprehensible on behalf of the government. 'The government and David Cameron in particular need to stop criticising Israel's actions and double down on its support. More needs to be done politically about the problem of anti-Semitism in the UK.' It doesn't appear that the Israel-Hamas war, the bloodiest conflict in the Middle East in years, will abate any time soon, after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted Israel will pursue the war, which now nears its ninth month, until it has destroyed Hamas and freed the captives. It doesn't appear that the Israel-Hamas war, the bloodiest conflict in the Middle East in years, will abate any time soon Flags fluttered in the wind during the protest Protesters holding placards and waving flags take part in a 'United we Bring Them Home' march Palestinian militant group Hamas, meanwhile, has said it 'views positively' what Biden described as an Israeli proposal. Netanyahu, a hawkish political veteran leading a fragile right-wing coalition government, is under intense domestic pressure from two sides. Opposition leader Yair Lapid has offered Netanyahu political support if the government secures a deal. Netanyahu said on Saturday that 'Israel's conditions for ending the war have not changed: the destruction of Hamas's military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel'. Mediators the United States, Qatar and Egypt later said they 'call on both Hamas and Israel to finalise the agreement embodying the principles outlined by President Joe Biden'. According to Biden, Israel's three-stage offer would begin with a six-week phase that would see Israeli forces withdraw from all populated areas of the Gaza Strip and an initial hostage-prisoner exchange. People take part during a Bring Hostages Home event in central London, to demand the immediate release of Israeli hostages from Gaza The protestors were demanding the immediate release of the 121 hostages still in Gaza Israel's retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive have killed at least 36,439 people in Gaza, mostly civilians Israel and the Palestinians would then negotiate for a lasting ceasefire, with the truce to continue so long as talks are ongoing, Biden said, adding it was 'time for this war to end'. Netanyahu took issue with Biden's presentation, insisting that according to the 'exact outline proposed by Israel' the transition from one stage to the next was 'conditional' and crafted to allow it to maintain its war aims. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, leaders of the two extreme-right parties in parliament, warned they would leave the government if it endorsed the truce proposal - potentially costing Netanyahu's coalition its majority. Ben Gvir said on X his party would 'dissolve the government', while Smotrich said: 'We demand the continuation of the war until Hamas is destroyed and all hostages return.' Smotrich said he also opposed the return of displaced Gazans to the territory's north and the 'wholesale release of terrorists' in a prisoner swap. Hamas took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people Lapid, a centrist former premier, said that the government 'cannot ignore Biden's important speech' and vowed to back Netanyahu if his far-right coalition partners quit. 'I remind Netanyahu that he has our safety net for a hostage deal,' Lapid said on X. The Gaza war was sparked by Hamas's unprecedented October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,189 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Militants also took 252 hostages, 121 of whom remain in Gaza, including 37 the army says are dead. Israel's retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive have killed at least 36,439 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. After previously saying he needed help from Congress to stem the flow of record-breaking illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border, Joe Biden's administration is expected to enact an immigration-related executive order this week. As illegal immigration is top of mind of voters across the country and millions of migrants have illegally crossed into the U.S. in the last 3.5 years, Biden and his team are planning on doing something about it as soon as Tuesday. Previously they have asked Congress to pass new laws to expand Biden's presidential authority over the border, but a bipartisan border deal failed to take off earlier this year. Again in May the Senate voted against the border measure, with both Democrats and Republicans teaming up against it. The plan now, according to several officials familiar with the matter interviewed by the Associated Press, is to enact parts of the Senate deal unilaterally, including denying entrance to migrants after certain thresholds are hit. A group of about 100 migrants is removed by the National Guard back to Mexico near El Paso, Texas on May 30. Under Joe Biden, over 7 million migrants have come into the U.S. in just 3.5 years The sources said that, specifically, the White House is weighing a policy that would cap the number of migrant encounters at 4,000 per day over a week - 28,000 in total. Though what would happen when that threshold is hit is unclear. A similar policy was at the heart of the failed Senate deal, but Republicans slammed the measure for not doing enough to crack down on illegal immigration, which Biden's own Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas claimed was a 'crisis' in April. According to the report, the authority the White House expected to use comes from Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That law provides presidents leeway in blocking entry of certain immigrants if it would be 'detrimental' to national interests. Former President Trump repeatedly leaned on that section of the law to shut-out certain immigrants crossing illegally and seeking asylum at the southern border. Presidents using section 212(f) to restrict migration does not require congressional approval. But Biden has repeatedly said he wants new laws from Congress to fix the border. Pushing for the passage of the twice-defeated Senate bill, Biden said in January 'It would give me, as President, a new emergency authority to shut down the border when it becomes overwhelmed.' 'And if given that authority, I would use it the day I sign the bill into law,' his January statement continued. But it appears that the White House has since decided that they can go it alone, as Republicans have charged, and will enact reform this week, though the timing of the reported executive action is opaque. President Joe Biden's potential plan reportedly would allow a threshold of 28,000 migrants to cross into the U.S. per week before border officials clamp down on the flow of people Biden is apparently thinking of using section 212(f) to restrict migration, which does not require congressional approval The administration has reportedly looking to use this power for months - and now sources say that this week an executive order could come down the pipeline. The White House 'continues to explore a series of policy options and we remain committed to taking action to address our broken immigration system,' spokesperson Angelo Fernandez Hernandez recently. 'While congressional Republicans chose to stand in the way of additional border enforcement, President Biden will not stop fighting to deliver the resources that border and immigration personnel need to secure our border,' he added. But when asked about Biden's election year border policy reversal on Sunday, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson slammed the administration's mulled move, saying it's 'too little too late.' 'He's trying to desperately show the American people that he wants to address the issue that he himself created,' Johnson said. 'We documented 64 specific actions that President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas at DHS took over the course of three and a half years, beginning on the first day that President Biden [took office], to open the border.' 'They did it intentionally, its had catastrophic effects upon our country that well be living with for decades to come.' Despite the increasing deportations and operations of the United States and Mexico, migrants on the border of the Mexican Ciudad Juarez with the American city El Paso keep attempting to cross the Rio Grande border irregularly Speaker Mike Johnson claims that Biden has 'engineered' the migrant crisis Johnson has spent his few months in power lobbying the White House to take an executive action on the border. And now that they are, he claimed that it's only coming because it's an election year. 'He wants to issue some sort of executive order, I guess to show that, oh he really does care about the issue,' Johnson said. 'The only reason hes doing that is because the polls say that its the biggest issue in America.' 'And the first question that comes up in almost every public forum, is what about that open border and why in the world would President Biden allow it? He did more than allow it, he engineered it and everybody knows that.' North Korea has said it will stop sending trash-filled balloons across the border after alleging the 'disgusting' missives had been an effective retaliation against anti-regime propaganda. The North has sent nearly a thousand balloons into South Korea since Tuesday, Seoul's military has said, warning the public to stay away. The balloons reportedly contained everything from cigarette butts to bits of cardboard and plastic. South Korea on Sunday warned it would take strong countermeasures unless the North called off the balloon bombardment, saying it runs counter to the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War hostilities. Seoul called the latest provocation from its nuclear-armed neighbour 'irrational' and 'low-class' but, unlike the spate of recent ballistic missile launches, the trash campaign does not violate UN sanctions on Kim Jong Un's isolated regime. Late Sunday, the North announced it would 'temporarily suspend' the campaign, which it alleged had been a 'pure countermeasure', after scattering what it claimed was '15 tons of waste paper' using thousands of 'devices' to deliver them. North Korea has said it will stop sending trash-filled balloons across the border into South Korea. Pictured is a South Korean soldier checking the trash from a balloon on Sunday North Korea has sent nearly a thousand balloons into South Korea since Tuesday, Seoul's military has said. Pictured are various objects that were found inside the balloons 'We have given the South Koreans a full experience of how disgusting and labor-intensive it is to collect scattered waste paper,' North Korea said in a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency. 'However, if the South Koreans resume the distribution of anti-DPRK leaflets, we will respond by scattering one hundred times the amount of waste paper and filth, as we have already warned, in proportion to the detected quantity and frequency,' it said, using the acronym for the country's official name. Activists in the South have also floated their own balloons over the border, filled with leaflets and sometimes cash, rice or USB thumb drives loaded with K-dramas. Earlier this week, Pyongyang described its 'sincere gifts' as a retaliation for the propaganda-laden balloons sent into North Korea. South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the balloons had been landing in northern provinces, including the capital Seoul and the adjacent area of Gyeonggi, which are collectively home to nearly half of South Korea's population. The latest batch of balloons were full of 'waste such as cigarette butts, scrap paper, fabric pieces and plastic,' the JCS said, adding that military officials and police were collecting them. An officer wearing protective gear collects the trash from a balloon in Siheung, South Korea on Sunday, June 2, 2024 South Korea warned it would take strong countermeasures unless the North called off the balloon bombardment, saying it runs counter to the armistice agreement that ended the 1950-53 Korean War hostilities. Pictured is a balloon in Incheon, South Korea on Sunday The balloons reportedly contained everything from cigarette butts to bits of cardboard and plastic. Pictured is a cigarette butt found from a balloon found in a balloon in Seoul The North on Sunday announced it would 'temporarily suspend' the campaign, which it alleged had been a 'pure countermeasure', after scattering what it claimed was '15 tons of waste paper' using thousands of 'devices' to deliver them. Pictured is a North Korean balloon with trash on a road in Mokdong, western Seoul on Sunday, June 2, 2024 South Korean military officers check unidentified objects believed to be North Korean trash from balloons that crossed the inter-Korea border on a street in Seoul Pictured are balloons filled with rubbish in South Chungcheong Province, South Korea, on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 'Our military is conducting surveillance and reconnaissance from the launch points of the balloons, tracking them through aerial reconnaissance, and collecting the fallen debris, prioritising public safety,' it said. South Korea's National Security Council met Sunday, and a presidential official said Seoul would not rule out responding to the balloons by resuming loudspeaker propaganda campaigns along the border with North Korea. In the past, South Korea has broadcast anti-Kim propaganda into the North, which infuriates Pyongyang. 'If Seoul chooses to resume anti-North broadcast via loudspeakers along the border, which Pyongyang dislikes as much as anti-Kim balloons, it could lead to limited armed conflict along border areas, such as in the West Sea,' said Cheong Seong-chang, director of the Korean peninsula strategy at Sejong Institute. In 2018, during a period of improved inter-Korean relations, both leaders agreed to 'completely cease all hostile acts against each other in every domain', including the distribution of leaflets. South Korea's parliament passed a law in 2020 criminalising sending leaflets into the North, but the law - which did not deter the activists - was struck down last year as a violation of free speech. South Korean soldiers wearing protective gears check the trash from a balloon presumably sent by North Korea, in Incheon, South Korea on Sunday, June 2, 2024 South Korean military officers check unidentified objects believed to be North Korean trash from balloons that crossed the inter-Korea border on a street in Seoul South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said the balloons had been landing in northern provinces, including the capital Seoul and the adjacent area of Gyeonggi, which are collectively home to nearly half of South Korea's population. Pictured is trash from a balloon that was sent to Seoul Trash from a North Korean balloon is scattered across the streets of Seoul on May 29, 2024 South Korean soldiers wearing protective gears check the trash from a North Korean balloon in Incheon, South Korea on Sunday, June 2, 2024 The trash from a balloon presumably sent by North Korea, is seen behind police tape in Incheon, South Korea on Sunday, June 2, 2024 Military personnel collect the debris of balloons sent by North Korea in Incheon, west of Seoul, South Korea on Sunday, June 2, 2024 Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong - one of Pyongyang's key spokespeople - mocked South Korea for complaining about the balloons this week, saying North Koreans were simply exercising their freedom of expression. The two Koreas' propaganda offensives have sometimes escalated into larger tit-for-tats. In June 2020, Pyongyang unilaterally cut off all official military and political communication links with the South and blew up an inter-Korean liaison office on its side of the border. The trash campaign comes after analysts have warned Kim is testing weapons before sending them to Russia for use in Ukraine, with South Korea's defence minister saying this weekend that Pyongyang has now shipped about 10,000 containers of arms to Moscow, in return for Russian satellite know-how. Conservative voters across America are outraged at the abusive, lawless prosecution of Donald Trump. I am among them. But despite many now predicting a Republican landslide in November as someone who has never voted for Trump before, I still wont. This hush-money trial was indeed most indefensible. The prosecution and the judge shattered precedents and in my view as a lawyer violated the law in numerous ways to deceive the jury into a conviction. This should alarm every American and I dont blame anybody who is now feeling more sympathetic to Trump. But hes still unfit for office. Conservative voters across America are outraged at the abusive, lawless prosecution of Donald Trump. I am among them. But, despite many now predicting a Republican landslide in November, as someone who has never voted for Trump before, I still wont. Politicians dont have to be saints, and few of them are. But Trump is a man of uniquely bad character. Thats been obvious since long before he began running for office. Hes been multiply unfaithful to his wives, shafted his investors, and lies as easily as he breathes. Hes crude and a sore loser who always claims the other guy cheated. He treats promises and the law as if everything is negotiable. It's not just his private character, either. After all, one can easily forgive a presidents private misgivings if publicly they are a good and honest man. You need look no further than serial-womanizer JFK. But the Trump we saw in the Oval Office was the same dishonest Donald. He made his big splash in politics pushing conspiracy theories like the one that Barack Obama was born in Kenya. And, talking of JFK, remember when Trump claimed that Ted Cruzs dad was in on his assassination? Trump doesnt respect the lines between personal interests and public duty. Maybe all the foreign cash that poured into his hotels and resorts during his presidency wasnt as naked an influence-peddling scam as the Biden familys, but it still reeks. Certainly, one of the worst things about the current crop of Democrats is how they try to delegitimize Americas institutions every time they lose an election, a court case, or a legislative fight. But Trump hasnt just imitated them, hes taken it to extremes. He goes personally after judges even in simple civil cases about his business affairs. He claimed that elections were rigged against him even in the 2016 primaries. And then, of course, came January 6. Being a lifelong sore loser led to Trumps most unforgivable behavior: His post-election tantrum that nearly tore the country apart, wasted precious public and court time, and ended with a riot at the Capitol. January 6 went beyond political dishonesty and the Senate should have convicted him at his second impeachment, so that he couldnt run again. Simply, Trump is reckless, careless, and constantly running through subordinates whom he then has to insult in public. Who hired them all? Democrats didnt force Trump to pay repeat-fraudster Michael Cohen as his lawyer for over a decade. He didn't have to employ throughly dishonourable people such as Steve Bannon. Politicians dont have to be saints, and few of them are. But Trump is a man of uniquely bad character. Thats been obvious since long before he began running for office. Hes been multiply unfaithful to his wives, shafted his investors, and lies as easily as he breathes. The truth is, many of the bogus criminal charges against Trump this hush-money prosecution included were made possible only by his own ineptitude. In the hush-money trial, he stupidly had his lawyers waste time disputing the Stormy Daniels affair ever happened at all instead of focusing on the obvious weakness in DA Alvin Braggs case. Trumps uniquely toxic personality drives everyone around him nuts not just his friends and employees, but also his enemies. Democrats and the press have broken norm after norm to get at Trump. He keeps giving them the rope, and theyre using it to hang our Constitution. Enough already. Dont get me wrong: Im still a Republican. No way am I voting for Joe Biden. Hes still the same crooked, unprincipled liar he was four decades ago, and hes decrepit now, to boot. But while Trump may not be in quite as bad shape, hed still be 82 by the end of a second term term. There are doubtless millions of conservative voters like me who just cant pull the lever for Trump. Some will now be convinced by the injustices of this past week. But Im holding out. I voted third party in 2016 and wrote in Mike Pences name in 2020. It hardly mattered because I live in deep-blue New York, but Ill be writing in somebody else again. Because Donald Trump is still bad news, even when his enemies are worse. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has criticised US president Joe Biden in a rare rebuke, claiming that the US' decision to allow Ukraine to attack Russia with American weapons doesn't go far enough. While Zelensky, speaking at Asia's top security summit in Singapore, thanked Biden for allowing Ukraine to strike limited Russian territory with US arms, he said restrictions need to be dropped. The US last week gave Ukraine permission to use American missiles to fire in to Kharkiv, where Russian troops have been building up in numbers. But this is the only area they are allowed to fire into, and Ukraine is only allowed to fire certain weapons. Zelensky said: 'Is that sufficient? No. Why? Because I have given you the example of airfields from which Russia is permanently firing, in calm, knowing that Ukraine will not fire back because it has no corresponding systems and no permissions.' He said that Russia has the advantage with the restrictions put on Ukraine, as its armies can carry on using artillery and long-range weapons to hit civilian infrastructure. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) has criticised US president Joe Biden in a rare rebuke Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky gets off his plane as he arrives to attend Shangri-La Dialogue Summit in Singapore While Zelensky thanked Joe Biden (pictured) for allowing Ukraine to strike limited Russian territory with US arms, he said restrictions need to be dropped 'They have these weapons there and they do not remove them because they know that Ukraine cannot target them with Western weaponry even if they fire against us,' he said. Ukraine imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country on Sunday, a day after Russia unleashed large-scale attacks on energy infrastructure and claimed it made gains in the eastern Donetsk province. The shutdowns were in place in all but three regions of Ukraine following Saturday's drone and missile attack on energy targets that injured at least 19 people. Ukraine's state-owned power grid operator Ukrenergo said the shutdowns affected both industrial and household consumers. Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid in recent weeks have forced the government to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. Without adequate air defenses to counter assaults and allow for repairs, though, the shortages could still worsen as need spikes in late summer and the bitter-cold winter. Among the most significant recent strikes were an April barrage that damaged Kyiv's largest thermal power plant and a massive attack on May 8 that targeted power generation and transmission facilities in several regions. A view of damaged residential area after Russian attack with S-300 missiles hit Kharkiv, Ukraine on May 31, 2024 Damaged car lies amid rubble after Russian missile attack on May 31, 2024 in Kharkiv, Ukraine Medics bandage the head of a wounded man after Russian shelling on May 31, 2024 in Kharkiv Following Saturday's barrage, Ukraine's air force said Sunday that air defenses had shot down all 25 drones launched overnight. Russia claimed Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Umanske in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region. Russia's coordinated new offensive has centered on Ukraine's northeastern Kharkiv region, but seems to include testing Ukrainian defenses in Donetsk farther south, while also launching incursions in the northern Sumy and Chernihiv regions. In Russia, six people were injured in shelling in the city of Shebekino in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said Sunday. He also said that a local official, the deputy head of the Korochansky district, had been killed by "detonation of ammunition." He gave no details. In the neighboring Kursk region, three people were injured Sunday when an explosive device was dropped from a drone, according to acting regional head Alexey Smirnov. A frenzied missile strike has left Ukraine's biggest hydro-electric plant in a 'critical' condition as fears mount it could flood and spark an ecological disaster. Putin's second major attack on the Dnipro Hydro-electric Power Plant since March has left a key road above the dam impassable and has crippled its generating capacity. Dramatic footage has revealed the extent of the latest nighttime strikes on the plant, which lies on the Dnipro River, and shows four Kh-101 missiles hit the facility. It is believed that Ukraine is attempting to hide the true scale of the destruction amid concerns that a breach of the 200ft high dam could cause catastrophic flooding downstream. If Russia continues to target the dam, it could produce an uncontrolled water release hitting the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Nikopol and Kherson - an environmental calamity which could impact almost 900,000 people. A frenzied missile strike has left the Dnipro Hydro-electric Power Plant, Ukraine's biggest hydro-electric facility, in a 'critical' condition as fears mount it could flood and spark an ecological disaster (pictured: the plant on fire in March) Putin 's second major attack on the Dnipro Hydro-electric Power Plant since March has left a key road above the dam impassable and has crippled its generating capacity (pictured: the strike in March) The Dnipro dam pictured after being damaged over the weekend. Dramatic footage has revealed the extent of the latest nighttime strikes on the plant, which lies on the Dnipro River, and shows four Kh-101 missiles hit the facility The facility, originally built in the Stalin era, raises the level of the river 121ft between its location in Zaporizhzhia and the city of Dnipro 80 miles upstream. This weekend's incident has echoes of the exploding of the nearby Kakhovka dam last June, which was widely thought to have been a Russian operation. The Dnipro Hydro-electric Power Plant was not the only target on Friday night with more than one hundred Russian missiles and drones fired at energy facilities in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Ivano-Frankivsk. Ukraine has now imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country after the crippling attacks. The shutdowns were in place in all but three regions of Ukraine following Saturday's drone and missile attacks on energy targets that injured at least 19 people. Ukraine's state-owned power grid operator Ukrenergo said the shutdowns affected both industrial and household consumers. 'The Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station is now in a critical condition,' said the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Administration Ivan Fedorov. 'We are no longer even talking about generating electricity. If Russia continues to target the dam, it could produce an uncontrolled water release hitting the cities of Zaporizhzhia, Nikopol and Kherson - an environmental calamity which could impact almost 900,000 people The plant pictured on fire after a March attack. It is believed that Ukraine is attempting to hide the true scale of the destruction of this weekend's strike amid concerns that a breach of the 200ft high dam could cause catastrophic flooding downstream The facility (pictured, after the strike in March), originally built in the Stalin era, raises the level of the river 121ft between its location in Zaporizhzhia and the city of Dnipro 80 miles upstream The dam pictured on fire after attacks on March 22. Ukraine has now imposed emergency power shutdowns in most of the country after the crippling attacks 'As of now, traffic from the left bank to the right is completely blocked so our residents are limited in traffic. 'I can guarantee that all work will be carried out at maximum speed, but the priority will remain the safety of our citizens. It definitely won't break us. 'We will certainly do everything as quickly as possible, and the enemy will answer for all this.' The latest strike comes as Ukraine continues to carry out repairs after the massive March strike on the Dnipro hydro power plant. Such strikes by Russia are seen as a direct hit on the civilian population of Ukraine, who are now suffering debilitating electricity outages. Sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid in recent weeks have forced the government to institute nationwide rolling blackouts. However, without adequate air defences to counter assaults and allow for repairs, the shortages could still worsen as demand increases in late summer and the bitterly cold winter. Among the most significant recent strikes were an April barrage that damaged Kyiv's largest thermal power plant and a massive attack on May 8 that targeted power generation and transmission facilities in several regions. Following Saturday's barrage, Ukraine's air force said on Sunday that air defences had shot down all 25 drones launched overnight. Russia claimed on Sunday that it had taken control of the village of Umanske in the partially Russian-occupied Donetsk region. Putin's co-ordinated new offensive has centred on Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region but seems to include testing Ukrainian defences in Donetsk further south, while also launching incursions in the northern Sumy and Chernihiv regions. In Russia, six people were injured in shelling in the city of Shebekino in the Belgorod region bordering Ukraine, regional Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said on Sunday. Such strikes by Russia are seen as a direct hit on the civilian population of Ukraine, who are now suffering debilitating electricity outages This weekend's incident has echoes of the exploding of the nearby Kakhovka dam last June (pictured), which was widely thought to have been a Russian operation The Kakhovka dam pictured after Russian strikes last summer. More recently, sustained Russian attacks on Ukraine's power grid in recent weeks have forced the government to institute nationwide rolling blackouts He also said that a local official, the deputy head of the Korochansky district, had been killed by 'detonation of ammunition but gave no further details. In the neighbouring Kursk region, three people were injured when an explosive device was dropped from a drone on Sunday, according to acting regional head Alexey Smirnov. Speaking at Asia's premier security conference in Singapore on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of helping Russia to disrupt a forthcoming Swiss-organised peace conference. The US cities with the most dangerous roads have been revealed in a new study on the highest number of car crashes - and three of the top five are in Florida. ConsumerAffairs studied data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to rank the cities by number of crashes and population. In top place with 33 fatal car crashes per 100,000 people was Memphis, Tennessee, with 207 deadly crashes in 2022. Close behind was Daytona Beach, Florida, with 32 fatal crashes per 100,000 people and then Ocala, Florida, with 31 deadly crashes per 100,000. Fort Lauderdale was in fifth place behind Macon, Georgia, meaning there were three Floridian cities in the top five. The report included crashes with cars, light trucks, SUVs and vans in 195 US cities. Memphis came in top with three times the nationwide rate of 11.77 crashes per 100,000 people. ConsumerAffairs said: 'This finding may not surprise ConsumerAffairs readers, as Memphis was the top-ranked city in our worst drivers in America study last year.' Although Memphis came top when adjusted for population size, five cities had more fatal crashes in total. Los Angeles had the most with 341, followed by Houston, Phoenix, New York City, and Dallas. The study also listed the cities with the least crashes. Reading, Pennsylvania, was found to be the city with the lowest rate of car crashes in 2022, with 1.05 accidents per 100,000 residents. Researchers said: 'Reading was one of four with only one fatal car accident the whole year. The others were Passaic, New Jersey; Ames, Iowa; and Iowa City, Iowa.' New York ranked surprisingly low on the list with just 228 deadly accidents across eight million residents. Memphis came in top with three times the nationwide rate of 11.77 crashes per 100,000 people Close behind was Daytona Beach, Florida, with 32 fatal crashes per 100,000 people Megan Cooper, an AAA spokesperson, says there are several contributing factors for deadly crashes. She told WREG: 'Speeding is a huge issue, distracted driving, impaired driving, people not wearing their seatbelts. 'You know those really simple things that takes us back to Traffic Safety 101.' Crashes in the top three cities have made headlines in recent weeks. In Ocala, a crash sent a bus flying off the road and through a fence where it rolled over, killing eight passengers and wounding at least 40 others. In Memphis last week, four people were killed and another was injured in a multi-car accident on I-240. A mother who was so drunk while on the school run that she nearly crashed into the police car that had pulled her over, has been banned from driving for 23 months. Angela Jones, 49, was picking up her sick child from school when she caught the attention of police at the wheel of her Audi A3 on the M20 near Maidstone, Kent. The estate agent was spotted swerving in between lanes, when police asked her to stop on a slip road off the motorway and she almost hit their car. The mother-of-two was more than three times over the limit, giving a reading of 115 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. Jones was later charged with drink driving and admitted the offence when she appeared at Medway Magistrates Court on May 16, KentOnline reported. Angela Jones (pictured) was picking up her sick child from school when she caught the attention of police at the wheel of her Audi A3 on the M20 near Maidstone, Kent James Nichols prosecuting said: 'It was about midday and she was seen driving on the M20 and on the slip road between junctions five and six she was seen swerving in the lanes and almost hit the police car. 'She was pulled over and gave a positive reading at the roadside and gave a reading of 115 back at the station.' Andrew Main, defending, told the court that it had been Jones' day off and that is why she had been drinking, but received a call from her son's school that he was unwell with a migraine and needed picking up. Mr Main said: 'She initially refused but he has autism and got upset. She didn't feel that bad (to drive), it was a poor decision,' according to the newspaper. Mr Main went on to say that she is 'embarrassed' and 'ashamed' by her actions and will be resigning from her job because 'she can't face the shame'. Jones was later charged with drink driving and admitted the offence when she appeared at Medway Magistrates Court (pictured) Magistrates banned Jones from driving for 23 months on account of previous good character and that she had admitted her guilt on the first opportunity, showing remorse. If Jones undertakes a drink driving course, her ban will be reduced by five months. Jones was also placed on a 12-month community order which will see her complete 60 hours of unpaid work. She was ordered to pay 85 in court costs and a victim surcharge of 114. A Massachusetts fifth-grade teacher has been placed on administrative leave after they allegedly held a mock slave auction with students, then used the N-word in a lesson months later. Parents of the students at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School in Southborough told Superintendent Gregory Martineau about both alleged incidents on April 24. In a May 29 statement, Martineau explained that the 'impromptu' slave auction occurred in January during a history lesson on the economy of southern US colonies and the triangle slave trade. 'The educator asked two children sitting in front of the room, who were of color, to stand, and the educator and class discussed physical attributes (i.e., teeth and strength),' Martineau wrote. The second alleged incident happened in April, when the same unnamed educator read a book not part of the fifth-grade curriculum. The educator apparently used the N-word while discussing this book, even though it didn't appear in the text at all. A class of fifth-graders at Margaret A. Neary Elementary School, pictured, allegedly had two problematic lessons, one involving a mock slave trade and another where the teacher reportedly said the N-word Martineau claimed he didn't know any of this happened until he was told by parents in April and condemned both incidents. While he didn't call them racist, he described what happened as 'unacceptable' and 'dehumanizing.' 'Holding a mock slave auction is unacceptable and violates the District's core values', Martineau wrote. 'Simulations or role plays when teaching about historical atrocities or trauma are not appropriate, and these teaching methods are not to be used.' Nagma Casey, a parent of a student at the school, told CBS News she didn't know about the mock slave auction until recently. 'It is shocking to hear this just last night. We didn't know about the incident.' After this all came out, the parents of the students in that class met with the teacher and the principal, Kathleen Valenti. Just a day after that meeting, the teacher 'inappropriately called out the student who had reported the educator's use of the racial slur,' according to Martineau's statement. Pictured: The school's principal, Kathleen Valenti, was placed on a temporary paid leave in May and parents expressed their anger at her for not taking 'any action' when the teacher allegedly engaged in a second racist lesson in April After an investigation by the school district, both the teacher and Valenti were placed on leave. Valenti was paid during her 10-day absence from May 6 to May 16 and remains the principal of the school. 'It was appalling to see that the principal stood by and didn't take any action the second time the same teacher did that,' an anonymous parent told CBS News. 'I am worried for my kid getting to that school, how the school system would protect them from bullying and racism.' The unidentified teacher who allegedly engaged in these racist lessons remains on leave and is undergoing due process measures with the school district. Shocked neighbours of the Afghan knifeman who stabbed six and killed a police officer in Germany as the attack was livestreamed online said he has 'radicalised' over the last year. The police announced that the officer, who was stabbed in the neck and back during Friday's attack, died in hospital today while his killer is still alive after being shot at the scene. The attacker has been identified as Sulaiman Ataee, 25, who immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15. He lives with his German wife and their two children, aged almost 1 and 3, in a flat in Heppenheim - just a 25-minute drive from the market square where he stabbed six people. 'He used to be normal,' 31-year-old Abdul, who lives in the same building, told MailOnline after another resident said to local media that Ataee 'has radicalised' over the last few months. The attacker has been identified as Sulaiman Ataee, who immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15 Chaos broke out at the anti-Islam rally on Friday when a man dressed in a dark hooded jacket and tracksuit tackled a BPE member to the ground and began violently swinging a large blade at him He lives with his German wife and their two children, aged almost 1 and 3, in a flat in Heppenheim - just a 25-minute drive from the market square where he stabbed six people (block of flat the attacker lives in pictured above) German police officers commemorate a colleague in Mannheim Germany, after learning that a police officer, who was stabbed two days ago there has died on Sunday, June 2, 2024 When MailOnline rings the doorbell for his flat in the high-rise southwest of the city centre, no one answers. The flat is deserted and the curtains are drawn 'I have seen him sometimes with his wife and his children, but I don't know that much about him,' Abdul added. 'He was inconspicuous, we greeted each other usually,' one neighbour told Bild. 'But recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold. He suddenly became more reserved - and also more aggressive.' 'He has changed,' another confirmed to Focus, adding that Ataee appeared 'slightly more aggressive', which they said caused friction in the building. When MailOnline rings the doorbell for his flat in the high-rise southwest of the city centre, no one answers. The flat is deserted and the curtains are drawn. Ataee, who police said has a valid residence permit for Germany, is said to have lived in the estate for three years, in a flat on the ninth floor of the 14-storey building. Ataee rented his two-bedroom flat of just under 1000 square feet for roughly 800 euros a month. It is not yet known whether he was gainfully employed or whether he survived on benefits. Ataee, who police said has a valid residence permit for Germany, is said to have lived in the estate for three years, in a flat on the ninth floor of the 14-storey building Knifeman Ataee, who is said to own a VW Passat car, 'didn't look like a bad guy', a neighbour said. 'I would have never expected him to do something like that' The attacker's flat is located in a populated area of Heppenheim, with a bus stop right outside the estate and several shops and restaurants in walking distance Locals in Mannheim have been left shocked by the frenzied attack and came to the market square to lay down flowers and light candles for the victims Residents in Mannheim city centre were seen visibly upset while laying flowers and lighting candles at the seen of yesterday's stabbing incident 'I was flabbergasted when I heard that the man who stabbed people in Mannheim lived in our house,' a resident said in a conversation with local newspaper Echo The killer's flat is located in a populated area, with a bus stop right outside the estate and several shops and restaurants in walking distance. There are also two playgrounds nearby. 'I saw him on the playground with the children just a few days ago,' a resident told outlet Focus. 'I was flabbergasted when I heard that the man who stabbed people in Mannheim lived in our house,' another said in a conversation with local newspaper Echo. Knifeman Ataee, who is said to own a VW Passat car, 'didn't look like a bad guy'. The man added: 'I would have never expected him to do something like that.' 'In hindsight you have to be glad that nothing happened to you,' a neighbour said to Bild. In a building with 14 residential flats, it's easy to keep to oneself, which Ataee mostly did, according to a man living in the area. The 35-year-old, whose parents live in the same high-rise as the knifeman, told MailOnline: 'None of the residents who I know or my parents know have seen the police even raid the flat on Friday night - let alone the attacker.' One neighbour told Focus about Ataee's wife: 'She was cold, not as friendly as him.' Another added that while both were quiet and appeared friendly, they never really spoke to anyone at all. 'I just feel sorry for his wife and kids. They have to suffer now because of what that man did,' a woman, who lives on the same floor as the killer, said. Some living in the estate said the wife, who always wore a hijab and glasses, disappeared before police searched the family home late Friday and her current whereabouts are not known. It is also unclear whether she knew about the attack beforehand. But a member of the building's board told local Mannheimer Morgenpost: 'They probably knew what he was planning to do.' Ataee was not known to be a member in the local Anas Ibn Malik Mosque and didn't regularly come to pray there, insiders told local media. Officials from the mosque said they were horrified by the attack and emphasized that they 'condemn any form of violence and clearly distance themselves from extremist views'. During the search of the attacker's home - which lasted only two hours - investigators seized several data carriers for analysis. 'It is definitely scary, this is our way home. We walk past [the market square] daily and will think about what happened here and that it could happen again any day,' 22-year-old student Emilia, who came to the scene to put down a bouquet, told MailOnline Tensions are high as far-right campaigners claim the stabbing would not have happened if Ataee was made to 'remigrate' back to Afghanistan Heavy police presence in Mannheim city centre today as left and right wing parties came together to voice there views But chaos broke out when far-left Antifa activists started their chants as they pushed forward, which caused dozens of armed police officers run to their group and herd them together as they aimed pepper spray at the group At least one man was arrested and led one of the many police vans at the scene in handcuffs Heavy police presence in the city centre today as two protesting groups came together following Friday's attack This is the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, 15 minutes from the scene of the stabbing. The victims and the attacker are said to be receiving treatment in this hospital German police officers take off their caps in Mannheim Germany, after learning that a police officer, who was stabbed two days ago there has died on Sunday, June 2, 2024 The city of Mannheim has been in deep shock since the attack, as locals have revealed. Tensions are high as far-right campaigners claim the stabbing would not have happened if Ataee was made to 'remigrate' back to Afghanistan. Members of the right-wing AfD and Junge Freiheit parties held a protest on Mannheim's market square on Sunday afternoon, as pro-peace activists held a counter protest. But chaos broke out when far-left Antifa activists started their chants as they pushed forward, which caused dozens of armed police officers run to their group and herd them together as they aimed pepper spray at the group. At least one man was arrested and led one of the many police vans at the scene in handcuffs. A British schoolgirl has tragically died after being found unconscious in an Florida theme park pool. Anna Beaumont, 13, died just two days after she was found at Discovery Cove around 11.25am on Tuesday. Deputies from the Orange County Sheriff's Office rushed to the theme park, which is a sister park to SeaWorld. The Welsh teenager was taken to a local hospital in critical condition but a medical examiner's report concluded after her death that she had died in a drowning accident. Staff at her school Radyr Comprehensive in Cardiff paid tribute today, with headteacher Andrew Williams calling Anna 'a cherished member of our school family'. Anna Beaumont, 13, was found unresponsive at the Discovery Cove theme park in Orlando Anna Beaumont, 13, died just two days after she was found at Discovery Cove Mr Williams said: 'The very thought of losing a child is an unimaginable journey and I know I speak on behalf of the whole school community when I say that our thoughts are with Anna's family as they try to come to terms with their loss. 'Anna was a cherished member of our school family, and her absence will be profoundly felt by pupils, staff and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her spirit, kindness and presence touched so many lives.' In an email to parents, the school said it would be briefing staff on how best to support pupils in the coming weeks after the loss of the Year 8 pupil. He urged them to 'listen and encourage them to talk about their feelings'. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: 'We are in touch with the family following the death of a child in the United States, and are providing consular support during this difficult time.' Discovery Cove describes itself as an 'all-inclusive day resort' on its website, and says it offers opportunities to swim with dolphins and snorkel among tropical fish. It is a sister park of SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando. In a statement, police said: 'We are sorry to report that on May 29, 2024, 13-year-old Anna Beaumont was pronounced deceased at the hospital. Any information about the cause and manner of her death will need to come from the Medical Examiner's Office.' A spokesperson for the site stated that its 'staff responded to an emergency involving a guest' and that they contacted Orange County Fire & Rescue. 'When emergency personnel arrived, they took over care and transported the guest to a nearby hospital. Our thoughts are with this family, and out of respect for their privacy, we won't be commenting further.' The drowning tragedy comes after fellow pupil Aryan Ghoniya, also 13, died while playing in the River Taff with friends after class two years ago. Aryan - known as the 'little Professor' to his family - was found in the water 55 minutes later by emergency services Aryan had a following on TikTok after posting a video naming 109 countries which gained more than a million hits. An overnight shooting in Akron, Ohio, has left a 27-year-old man dead and at least 24 others injured. The shooting occurred just after midnight after a party, where 911 dispatchers were told multiple people were fired upon, police said. Soon after, many of the surviving victims were transported to nearby hospitals in private vehicles, USA Today reported. Police have not released the identity of the man who was killed, nor have they released any information about a possible suspect or motive. Dozens of shots can be heard ringing out on chilling black and white surveillance video from a home nearby. A car with a loud engine is also seen pulling away in the corner of the frame. Akron Mayor Shammas Malik and police chief Brian Harding released a joint statement calling on anyone who witnessed the shooting to come forward and give all the information they have so the perpetrator can be apprehended. Police have not released the identity of the man who was killed, nor have they released any information about a possible suspect or motive. Police are seen roping off the area where the shooting took place and investigating. Officers discovered multiple bullet casings at the scene, as well as a single firearm but no shooter BREAKING: One man is dead and more than 20 others left injured following an overnight mass shooting at a block party early Sunday morning. The shooting happened just after midnight in the city of Akron, OH. No one has been arrested or identified as a suspect and an pic.twitter.com/ZDWkY5mmcg Larry (@LarryDJonesJr) June 2, 2024 'This morning, our city is reeling after the devastation of senseless violence. With more than two dozen victims, the pain and trauma reverberates across all of Akron today as we search for answers,' they said in the statement. No arrests have been made at this time. Officers discovered multiple bullet casings at the scene, as well as a single firearm, but the shooter was already gone. A witness told News 5 Cleveland that there were hundreds of people at the party near Kelly Street and 8th Avenue where the shooting took place. 'Everyone was wearing white T-shirts; there were women on top of vehicles dancing. It looked like a scene from a spring break movie. It looked like everyone was having a good time. On our way back it was a completely different scene,' the witness told the Ohio outlet. Former city councilwoman Tara Mosley Weems said this party was celebrating a local man's birthday who she said she's known since she was a small child, USA Today reported. Seven patients were admitted to the Cleveland Clinic and one of those patients is in critical condition. The hospital was in a lockdown from just after midnight - when the shooting first erupted - until 3:30am. A separate clinic, Summa Health, said it received 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom don't have life-threatening injuries. Some of them have been released, but one of them is in critical condition Police are seen locking down this clinic to protect the shooting victims Leftover bottles and cups are seen near the scene of the early morning shooting on Sunday Ohio elected officials and the Cleveland Cavaliers shared condolence statements for the victims of the shooting A separate clinic, Summa Health, said it received 15 patients Sunday morning, 13 of whom don't have life-threatening injuries. Some of them have been released, but one of them is in critical condition, News 5 Cleveland reported. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb also released a statement this morning sympathizing and praying for the victims, while also striking a note on gun control policy. 'My heart is with Akron today. Im incredibly frustrated to see another community in painespecially one so close to home. No one deserves this violence or to live in fear. I am confident that every resource is being deployed to bring those responsible to justice. This is yet another reminder that we must never give up the fight to get guns off our streets and out of the hands of harmful actors,' Bibb said. Ohio Representative Shontel Brown, who represents the Cleveland area in Congress, also released a statement following this shooting, saying that the country needs 'comprehensive gun safety legislation.' 'People cant live like this, fearful they wont be safe at a block party, church, school or work. While we await more details on this shooting, it is abundantly clear we have a national problem,' Brown said. Anyone with information about the case is being told to contact detectives at 330-375-2490 or Summit County Crime Stoppers at 330-434-COPS. Charges against a Colorado man accused of killing his girlfriend's baby have been dropped after a prosecutor made disparaging remarks about him during an interview. William Jacobs, 22, was accused of shaking 10-month-old Edward Hayes to death at the Motel 6 in Canon City the three of them were living at on May 21, 2023. Police said he was looking after Hayes while the baby's 21-year-old mother, Brook Crawford, was at work and had previously admitted to abusing him. One year after Hayes death, the charges against Jacobs have been dismissed by a Fremont County judge because of comments 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley made during an interview, reported the Canon City Daily Record. 'I'm going to be very blunt here. He has zero investment in this child. Zero. He's watching that baby so he can get laid. That's it. And have a place to sleep,' Stanley told KRDO in August. William Jacobs (pictured), 22, was accused of shaking 10-month-old Edward Hayes to death at the Motel 6 in Canon City the three of them were living at on May 21, 2023 The charges against Jacobs have been dropped because of disparaging comments 11th Judicial District Attorney Linda Stanley (pictured) made during an interview 'I had just had so many buzzers going off when they said the boyfriend was watching him. There was a whole lot of things indicative of a prior incident with that baby.' Jacobs was reportedly staying at the Motel 6 where Crawford worked at the front desk, then moved into her room shortly after they met. On May 21, 2023, police were called to the Motel 6 where Hayes was found unresponsive and transported to Children's Hospital in Colorado Springs, where he died two days later. According to an arrest affidavit, Jacobs said he was changing the baby's diaper when 'he went stiff and began making gargling noises.' He admitted to biting Hayes arm while playing with him and hitting the baby's head on the bathroom door frame while trying to make him throw up. Jacobs also explained to cops he would discipline the baby in the same way he would discipline his dog and 'demonstrated throwing his dog, but used an infant-sized doll to demonstrate lightly throwing [Edward] onto the bed.' Police records said Jacobs admitted to discipling 10-month-old Hayes (pictured) like his dog The El Paso County Coroner's officer ruled Hayes cause of death was blunt-force head trauma. Jacobs was charged with first-degree murder and Crawford was charged with child abuse. On July 12, 2023 Stanley appeared on behalf of the People at an in person setting conference for Jacobs, which was the only time she participated in the case. Then in August, she did a sit-down interview with KRDO where she she accused Jacobs of getting with Crawford to 'get laid' and have somewhere to sleep. Stanley claimed she thought she was speaking 'off the record,' but a judge dismissed the case against Crawford in September after her lawyers argued Stanley's comments were 'highly prejudicial.' The dismissal against Crawford has been appealed and is pending review before the Colorado Court of Appeals. A judge dismissed the case against Crawford (pictured) in September after her lawyers argued Stanley's comments were 'highly prejudicial' Jacobs was reportedly staying at the Motel 6 (pictured) where Hayes mother, Brook Crawford, worked at the front desk On Wednesday, Fremont County District Court Judge Kaitlin Turner dismissed the case against Jacobs for similar reasons. 'Having reviewed the totality of the facts, the Court concluded that DA Stanley's actions reflect knowing and intentional outrageous government conduct,' a copy of the order to dismiss obtained by KKTV said. 'As a result, dismissal of the charges is an appropriate remedy.' The document does not specify if the charges were dismissed with prejudice and he may be able to be charged again. Jacobs was released from jail on a personal recognizance bond on April 9. Before his bond hearing, Crawford wrote a note to the judge stating he could live with her if he gets released. Stanley is facing an ethics complaint and potential disbarment, which a two-week hearing is scheduled for in June. The Donald Trump campaign has raised a staggering $200 million since the former president was found guilty of 34 felonies last Thursday, his son Eric Trump said Sunday. Eric, who is married to The Republican National Committee (RNC) Co-Chair Lara Trump, said she told him the figure was comprised of over $70 million in small donor fundraising in the three days since his father was found guilty of 34 felonies related to falsifying business records. 'This might be a little inside information, but as I was leaving my house about 37 seconds ago, I asked my wife, what are we up to now?' Eric Trump told Fox News' Maria Bartiromo on her show Sunday Morning Futures. 'And [Lara] said, just in terms of small dollar, we're well over $70 million. This is $21 donations, $43 donations, right, small dollar donations.' The former president's son continued: 'If you add the large dollar donations to it, you're over $200 million.' Today exclusively on @SundayFutures with @MariaBartiromo, Trump Organization Executive Vice President @EricTrump spoke about the surge in donations to his father's campaign following the verdict in New York.@FoxNews pic.twitter.com/WTOMfqRMZm SundayMorningFutures (@SundayFutures) June 2, 2024 'And by the way, Maria 30 percent of those people have never been seen before by a political party.' The numbers that Eric Trump cited appear to show that the support is not just coming from Republican voters. The free flow of fundraising to the campaign indicates a groundswell of aid for the former president after his historic trial. 'I mean, these are Americans who are pissed off. They're coming out of the woodwork and they want to support a guy that they just believe he's getting bamboozled by a system.' On Friday, Eric Trump posted on his social media that the campaign had received $52.8 million in donations in the 24 hours since the hush money trial verdict was delivered. A little over a day later that has ballooned to over $200 million, largely from the help of a single major donation. Eric Trump said the incoming campaign cash is a result of the hush money trial Former US President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump holds up a fist as he arrives back at Trump Tower after being convicted in his criminal trial Israeli-American Miriam Adelson, the wife of the late casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, has reportedly pledged $100 million to the Trump campaign in the days since his criminal conviction, according to The Forward, a Jewish outlet. She and her late husband gave over $200 million to Republican causes in 2020 - and appears poised to dole out the dough again for 2024. Her fortune is estimated to be nearly $30 billion in total. She is the latest of a number of billionaires that have pledged to help the former president regain his grasp on power. Last week, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman similarly decided to make public his support of Trump. The private equity behemoth said his decision to back the ex-president was in part motivated by the anti-semitism seen on college campuses in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war. Miriam Adelson, wife of late Las Vegas Sands Corporation Chief Executive and Republican mega donor Sheldon Adelson, listens as President Donald Trump speaks at the Israeli American Council National Summit in Hollywood, Florida US President Donald Trump awards the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Doctor Miriam Adelson at the White House in 2018 Schwarzman (center) briefly served as White House Director of Strategic Initiatives 'The dramatic rise of antisemitism has led me to focus on the consequences of upcoming elections with greater urgency,' he told Axios in a statement. 'I share the concern of most Americans that our economic, immigration and foreign policies are taking the country in the wrong direction.' 'In addition, I will be supporting Republican Senate candidates and other Republicans up and down the ticket,' his statement continued. Schwarzman said his bid to back Trump in 2023 is a 'vote for change.' The RNC and Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. One pilot was killed and another injured after two small planes collided midair during an air show performance in southern Portugal today. The accident occurred above an air base in Beja, located about 180 km south of Lisbon, on Sunday as six aircraft belonging to an aerobatic group called the 'Yak Stars' were performing. One plane collided into another and then exploded into flames, killing its Spanish pilot, the Portuguese Air Force (PAF) said. The second involved in the accident managed to land on the airport tarmac, with no victims among the spectators, the air force said. After the accident, the PAF decided to cancel the Beja AirShow, Portugal's biggest air festival. A video filmed by a spectator and posted online showed a formation of six planes in flight, with one of them ascending, apparently touching one of the others and then crashing to the ground One of the planes crashed above an air base in Beja on Sunday and exploded into flames, killing its Spanish pilot, the Portuguese Air Force has said A video filmed by a spectator and posted on social media showed a formation of six planes in flight, with one of them ascending, apparently touching one of the others and then crashing to the ground in a cloud of smoke. One plane crashed outside the airbase's grounds and the other managed to land on the airport tarmac. Emergency services rushed to the scene. 'The air force regrets to announce that at 4:05 pm (1505 GMT), at the Beja Air Show, two planes were the victim of an accident during an aerial demonstration' involving six aircraft, PAF said in a short statement. A Spanish national died, it added. An air force spokeswoman said the victim was the pilot of one of the aircraft involved in the collision. Another pilot with Portuguese nationality was lightly injured and received emergency treatment before being rushed to Beja hospital. Portugal's Defence Minister Nuno Melo called it a 'tragic accident' and told reporters an investigation would be opened 'to determine the exact cause' of the collision. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said: 'It was meant to be a moment of leisure and shared enjoyment. It turned into a moment of pain.' One of the planes is seen apparently touching another in the formation before the crash The accident occurred above an air base in Beja, located about 180 km south of Lisbon, on Sunday. Pictured is footage of the air base filmed by a spectator The air force said the six aircraft belonged to an aerobatic group made of up Spanish and Portuguese pilots named the 'Yak Stars'. The planes that collided were Yakovlev Yak-52, a Soviet-designed aerobatic training model. According to the Beja Air Show's website, the 'Yak Stars' were participating with around 30 other European aerobatic groups. Organisers billed them as southern Europe's largest civil aerobatics group. The air force said organisers of the show at Beja airport had suspended the event, which began on Saturday. The force expressed its 'most sincere condolences' to the relatives of the pilot who died. The group clashed with members of their own community at the kickoff event Free Palestine protestors clashed with members of the LGBTQ+ community in Philadelphia, who were attempting to kick off Pride month Sunday with a parade. In one of many videos posted online documenting the incident, a wave of Pride marchers in colorful outfits banging on drums were halted along their parade route by a group of pro-Palestinian members of the LGBTQ+ community. Some donning keffiyehs, other donning leather straps and vests, the pro-Palestinian crowd halted the parade route to scream and yell at members of their own community. One rainbow flag painted poster read: 'No Pride in Genocide,' the implication of which may have been that it is not appropriate to be celebrating Pride month as normal while the conflict in the Middle East still rages. The protest was executed by Queers4Palestine, a minority faction within the queer community who have been extremely vocal these last eight months about the intersection of what they believe is the structural oppression of Palestinians and the historic prejudice faced by their community. Some donning keffiyehs, other donning leather straps and vests, the pro-Palestinian crowd halted the parade route to scream and yell at members of their own community Reports of the disrupted Philly parade indicate that the protestors were chanting, 'The more you try to silence us, the louder we will be!' in addition to the more standard 'From the River to the Sea' phrases. One protest leader, who wore a very short crop top, cargo pants that exposed his undergarments, and a keffiyeh, said to the crowd: 'Pride as we know it cannot be separated from our current political and economic climate. Pride celebrations have merely become a public relations instrument.' A relatively common question hurled at the queer pro-Palestinian protestors is why they so loudly voice support for a culture and people who reject their ways of life entirely. LGBTQ+ people and sexual activity between men remain criminalized in Gaza. Observers of these protests, especially ones that have seemingly pitted various members of one community against one another, are always quick to question the logic of LGBTQ+ support for the Palestinian cause. 'I'd love to see them put on a pride parade in Gaza ... stunning cognitive dissonance,' one X user responded to footage of the clash. 'You should march in Gaza,' wrote another. And another said: 'QueersforPalestine had a change of heart,' followed by laughing faces. Conservative commentator Clay Travis broke down the situation by saying: 'Pro Palestine protesters blocking the Philly pride parade from continuing is a perfect distillation of left wing politics. This is where it inevitably ends: with two left wing interest groups colliding in an oppression Olympics standoff.' Queers4Palestine is a minority faction within the queer community who have been extremely vocal these last eight months about the intersection of what they believe is the structural oppression of Palestinians and the historic prejudice faced by their community One large man in a leather vest and cap halted a large group of women in colorful outfits playing the drums as they attempted to continue on their parade route One rainbow flag painted poster read: 'No Pride in Genocide,' the implication of which may have been that it is not appropriate to be celebrating Pride month as normal while the conflict in the middle east still rages PHILLY: hundreds marching and rallying in the Gayborhood with "No Pride In Genocide," hosted by Queers4Palestine. pic.twitter.com/qczxYluU7G PRO_NYC (@protest_nyc) June 2, 2024 Meanwhile, as Pride month kicked off in the Big Apple, the Israel Parade was largely unaffected by pro-Palestinian protestors. Extra security was provided for the march up Fifth Avenue, though no specific or credible threats were made ahead of the annual parade. NYC Mayor Eric Adams, who has been an unwavering voice of support for Israel since the outbreak of the war with Hamas on October 7, attended the parade and said: 'Our message is extremely clear. Destroy Hamas, bring home the hostages. Lets bring peace, so we dont lose lives of innocent people.' He also noted that the loudest voices, meaning the pro-Palestinian demonstrators who have caused varying degrees of chaos across his city over the last eight months, are not the majority. Most people, he said, support Israel and support the Jewish community. A 29-year-old police officer who was repeatedly stabbed during a frenzied attack at an anti-Islam rally in Germany has died. Five others - including a well-known German Islam critic - were wounded when a knifeman launched the rampage in the city of Mannheim on Friday. The policeman was 'stabbed several times in the area of the head' while trying to intervene, local police said in a statement. He underwent emergency surgery following the attack and was put in an artifical coma but died of his injuries on Sunday. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said he was 'deeply saddened' by the death of the police officer. 'His commitment to the safety of all of us deserves the highest recognition,' Scholz said on X, formerly Twitter. The policeman was previously identified as Rouven L. by German media and was being kept alive by a heart-lung machine. He reportedly donated his organs and had his parents as well as his partner by his side when he died. The policeman was previously identified as Rouven L. by German media and was being kept alive by a heart-lung machine The attacker has been identified as Sulaiman Ataee (pictured), 25, who immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15 German police officers pay respect to their colleague who died after being stabbed Flowers and candles are left in Mannheim city centre as tributes to the victims of the attack Chaos broke out at the anti-Islam rally on Friday when a man dressed in a dark hooded jacket and tracksuit tackled began violently swinging a large blade His colleagues were heard screaming 'throw the knife away!' However, with the knifeman not responding, the officers opened fire from near point blank range. The attacker has been identified as Sulaiman Ataee, 25, who immigrated to Germany from Afghanistan in 2014 when he was just 15. Ataee - who lived with his German wife and their two children, aged almost 1 and 3, - is still alive despite being shot at the scene. Finance Minister Christian Lindner told the German newspaper, BILD that the death of the police officer 'moves me deeply and makes me angry about what is happening in our country'. 'We must defend ourselves against Islamist terrorism with determination, and we will also strengthen the security authorities financially,' Lindner said. Michael Stuerzenberger, an anti-Islam campaigner who was stabbed at the rally organised by Pax Europa, described the attack as an 'absolute nightmare'. After hearing about Rouven's death, Mr Stuerzenberger said: 'I had hoped he would make it. This is dreadful, horrible. I can't find any words for this.' 'I want to say the greatest condolences to the family, to the loved ones he leaves behind. I give all of them my sympathies. It is terrible.' Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Stuerzenberger told BILD: 'It was like an apocalypse. He was stabbing me, even when I was lying on the floor and was trying to fight him off with my feet. It really was a nightmare.' He added: 'Every attack is an attack against all of us, against our free democratic state and those who ensure our security. Who attacks a police officer launches an attack against all of us.' Anti-Muslim campaigner Michael Stuerzenberger (pictured) has been speaking from his hospital bed after he was stabbed by a knifeman at an anti-Islam rally in Germany Residents in Mannheim city centre were seen visibly upset while laying flowers and lighting candles at the seen of yesterday's stabbing incident People come to lay flowers and other tributes to the victims of the attack The block of flats where the 25-year-old attacker lived in Heppenheim Describing the attack, he said: 'We were about to start the event when he suddenly came storming at us like a hurricane and stabbed one after the other. It was insane. I guess even the police were surprised.' He explained: 'He stabbed my thigh which someone immediately isolated. One stab wound above the knee, it could have been worse. Another on the side of the chest, my upper arm is injured and three stab wounds to the head. My upper lip was cut and I have a deep cut to my jaw.' The 59-year-old yesterday posted a picture of himself on his Telegram channel from his hospital bed, showing a long, bandaged cut on his upper lip and cheek. In a separate interview with Deutschland-Kurier, he said: 'I'm alright given the circumstances. I'm happy for all involved that yesterday went somewhat mild. There could have been deaths. It was really bad what the Afghan did with his knife. 'I've seen parts of the videos and the stab in the neck, twice, of the police officer. Hope his life is not in danger anymore. It was a clear attempted murder. Seven or eight stab wounds for me, one near lung, a bit closer and that would have been it.' Interior Minister Nancy Faeser on Friday called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the attack. 'If the investigations reveal an Islamist motive, this would be a further confirmation of the great danger posed by Islamist acts of violence,' she said in a statement. Germany has been on high alert for possible Islamist attacks since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, with the country's domestic intelligence chief warning that the risk of such assaults is 'real and higher than it has been for a long time'. The country had also seen a spate of attacks on politicians at work or on the campaign trail ahead of EU elections on June 9. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said last week that he was worried by the growing trend and said Germans 'must never get used to violence in the battle of political opinions'. Police officers arrived at the scene of the attack - which took place in the city's market square - almost immediately. Neighbours of the attacker told MailOnline of their shock at what had happened. The aftermath of the stabbing is seen in the German city of Mannheim During the attack bystanders attempted to drag the knifeman away. One of his victims is seen with wounds to his thigh The savage blade is clearly seen in this grab from the YouTube live stream as the attack goes to stab the officer in the neck Leo, 21, who also brought flowers to express his sympathy for the victims, added: 'To see something like that happen in a place where we spend a lot of time ourselves and to know that could have also been a friend, my girlfriend or myself standing there, that obviously really shocked me' 'He used to be normal,' said 31-year-old Abdul, who lives in the same building. 'I have seen him sometimes with his wife and his children, but I don't know that much about him,' Abdul added. 'He was inconspicuous, we greeted each other usually,' one neighbour told Bild. 'But recently, about a year ago, I noticed that he had changed. He was helpful before, then suddenly he turned cold. He suddenly became more reserved - and also more aggressive.' 'He has changed,' another confirmed to Focus, adding that Ataee appeared 'slightly more aggressive', which they said caused friction in the building. In a building with 14 residential flats, it's easy to keep to oneself, which Ataee mostly did, according to a man living in the area. The 35-year-old, whose parents live in the same high-rise as the knifeman, told MailOnline: 'None of the residents who I know or my parents know have seen the police even raid the flat on Friday night - let alone the attacker.' One neighbour told Focus about Ataee's wife: 'She was cold, not as friendly as him.' Another added that while both were quiet and appeared friendly, they never really spoke to anyone at all. 'I just feel sorry for his wife and kids. They have to suffer now because of what that man did,' a woman, who lives on the same floor as the killer, said. New drug treatments have offered incredible hope for lung cancer patients as doctors say they can add years to eligible people's lives. The new set of targeted and immune-boosting drugs can add months or even years to life expectancy according to results released this weekend at the American Society of Clinical Oncology conference in Chicago. Dr. Angela DeMichele, a medical oncologist at Penn Medicine, told The Wall Street Journal: 'It had such an abysmal prognosis. And now we have people who are being cured who we never thought would be cured.' Among the new treatment options are AstraZeneca's Tagrisso and Imfinzi and Pfizer's Lorbrena. The drugs are all approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are in use to treat even the most notoriously resistant forms of lung cancer. Matt Hiznay was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in 2011 and has been on Lorbrena for nine years Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among men and women in the US, killing some 125,000 Americans each year. For decades it has been considered a death sentence, but the new treatments suggest that is changing. Tagrisso can contain lung cancer for nearly three years longer than chemotherapy and radiation alone for some stage-three patients, according to one of the new studies. Immunotherapy drug Imfinzi can extend some patients with aggressive lung cancer lives by nearly two years. And a third study presented at the conference found that 60 percent of advanced patients were still alive five years after taking Lorbrena compared to just 8 percent of patients on an older drug. Dr. David Spigel, chief scientific officer at Sarah Cannon Research Institute in Tennessee, said: 'These results are really outstanding. A really major step forward in lung-cancer care.' Matt Hiznay, from Ohio, was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer in 2011 and has been on Lorbrena for nine years. After trying a series of older treatments, he joined a trial for Lorbrena in 2015 and has been on it ever since. A study presented at the conference found that 60 percent of advanced patients were still alive five years after taking Lorbrena compared to just 8 percent of patients on an older drug Tagrisso can contain lung cancer nearly three years longer than chemotherapy and radiation alone for some stage-three patients, according to one of the new studies He has earned his doctorate, got married and had a daughter. He told The Journal: 'It became a bit easier to see the future again.' Dr. Lecia Sequist, a lung-cancer specialist at Mass General Cancer Center, said the results show how far cancer treatment has come. She said: 'Its like Dorothy looking around and saying were not in Kansas anymore.' Despite the progress, researchers say there is still a long way to go. Often the cancer comes back and becomes incurable, or the cancer is caught too late to be treatable in the first place. But Dr. Lauren Averett Byers, a lung-cancer oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, told The Journal: 'To see something where were measuring benefit in years versus months is a huge step in the right direction.' READ MORE: White House is planning election year action on the border Hundreds of thousands of cases were dropped as a result Migrants who don't have criminal records were given amnesty, report says Over 350,000 migrants who entered the U.S. illegally have had their immigration court cases dismissed, allowing them to go free without a verdict on the merits of their entry, a bombshell new report indicates. A top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) adviser, Kerry Doyle, circulated a memo in 2022 instructing prosecutors to dismiss cases for migrants who are not found to be national security threats, the New York Post first reported. As a result, that year nearly 103,000 migrants had their cases dismissed - allowing them to walk free into the U.S. without an immigration court judge's verdict on the merits of their asylum claim. Later in 2023, that number of dismissed cases skyrocketed to 149,000. So far in fiscal year 2024, 114,00 cases have been terminated without a verdict, according to the report. U.S. Border Patrol agent supervises as immigrants walk into the United States after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas. The agent had cut coils of razor wire to let them pass through for processing Under Biden's leadership, a whopping 77 percent of migrants who claim asylum have been allowed to stay in the U.S., according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), a non-profit that scours immigration court filings. In fact, under Biden's tenure the most popular way for migrants to be allowed to remain in the country under formal asylum proceedings is not by being granted relief by a judge, but rather having that judge dismiss the case entirely - following the guidance of Doyle's 2022 memo. 'This is just a massive amnesty under the guise of prosecutorial discretion,' a former immigration judge now working for the Center for Immigration Studies, Andrew Arthur, told The Post. 'You're basically allowing people who don't have a right to be in the United States to be here indefinitely,' he continued. ICE officers who spoke to The Post indicated that though these migrants' cases are dismissed after being found without criminal records, they still commit crimes after being released into the U.S. interior. This forces these officers to then start removal proceedings anew, sometimes taking years and surely costing taxpayer-provided resources. ICE legal adviser Kerry Doyle, a longtime immigration lawyer, instructed immigration courts to not render verdicts on asylum cases where the individuals were found to have no national security flags, according to the report ICE officers who spoke to The Post pleaded with them to 'let everyone know' this type of mass case dismissal is occurring, and subsequently making their jobs harder Migrants who recently arrived in Chicago receive food during a winter storm 'If the migrants, who ICE no longer controls or monitors, commit crimes after the dismissal, ICE will have to start all over and issue a new Notice to Appear in court and start the clock all over again,' an ICE official said in the report. 'Please let everyone know what's really going on,' an ICE officer pleaded to The Post. Currently, the backlog of asylum cases in the U.S. is around 3.5 million, the sources told the outlet. They highlighted how annually removing over 100,000 cases from the system without rendering a verdict helps with optics for the Biden administration. After the cases are closed the migrants are cleared from their 'removal proceedings,' which is the automatic classification for all migrants admitted at the border. Once their removal proceedings are closed, these migrants are no longer subject to deportation, meaning they can stay within the U.S. These migrants are also excused from ICE oversight and will no longer be monitored, unlike those who are still undergoing asylum proceedings in court. Still, after the cases are dismissed migrants can re-apply for asylum while in the U.S. Trying to get granted asylum is helpful for migrants because it enables them to get work permits and U.S.-provided benefits. Migrants rest in Mexico on May 31 before continuing on their journey to the U.S.-Mexico border Meanwhile, Biden is expected to move forward with an executive order regarding immigration this week. The White House is weighing a policy that would cap the number of migrant encounters at 4,000 per day over a week - 28,000 in total. After that threshold is hit, authorities reportedly would close the U.S.-Mexico border. The executive action could come as early as Tuesday, though the exact timing remains unclear. The most powerful person in this country today is not the citizen or the lawmaker, the corporate executive or media tycoon. It is the activist. By 'activist', I don't mean someone who takes an interest in their community or the wider world and gets involved through campaigning or protesting. That is a healthy part of liberal democracy and long may it continue. By 'activist', I mean a certain type. Their politics are invariably Leftist or progressive. They either have sufficient means to subsidise their latest political hobby horse or hold a job where promoting their ideological preferences counts as work. Activists are driven by an unholy mix of anti-capitalist ideology and performative purity Their activism seldom involves making people's lives freer or more convenient and rarely does it reflect the popular will or the priorities of the masses. No, the sorts of activists we're talking about are those whose time is spent trying to impose their will on others. Although they prate in Leftish-sounding blather about social justice and 'the right side of history', they are inevitably drawn from privileged walks of life and their political objectives reflect that. The activist is powerful because he cloaks himself in whatever is the most sacrosanct cause of the day, so that to oppose him or his methods is to risk being accused of indifference towards pressing injustices. Most people in positions of power are weak and cowardly. They want their titles, status and pensions. They wish to avoid any controversy that might threaten these things. There is almost nothing they won't do for an easy life. The activist preys on this. It is why pernicious gender ideology has insinuated itself into every facet of public life. It is why political parties and corporate brands are so easily herded onto the latest bandwagon without stopping to think whether it is in their interests or those of the people they serve. And it is why the Edinburgh International Book Festival is no longer sponsored by Baillie Gifford. The arts organisation and the investment management firm parted ways on Thursday, ending a 20-year relationship that has underwritten Scotland's leading literary festival. Why? Because of activists who objected to Baillie Gifford's supposed ties to fossil fuels and the State of Israel. They mounted a fierce campaign and got what they wanted. And not for the first time. The investment management firm sponsors literary gatherings across the UK. In May, the Hay Festival ended its relationship with the company following pressure from activists and some authors billed to appear on the programme. The Edinburgh International Book Festival says 'the pressure on our team has simply become intolerable'. Severing ties with Baillie Gifford was, it says, 'a pragmatic response to that reality'. Baillie Gifford accuses activists of an 'anonymous campaign of coercion and misinformation'. It points out that its connections to Israel amount to investing in global brands such as Amazon and Meta, which have minor commercial dealings with that country, and investing in others such as Airbnb which operate in the West Bank, the subject of a territorial dispute between the Israelis and Palestinians. As for fossil fuels, Baillie Gifford invests just two per cent of its clients' wealth in companies with any connection to those energy sources. It's worth making a few points before we go any further. Investing in fossil fuels is a good thing. It supports the energy that heats our homes and fuels our cars. However diligently we work towards Net Zero, we will still need fossil fuels for decades to come. Were they to disappear overnight, supermarket shelves would lie empty, ambulances would never leave their depots and our economy would come to a standstill. Don't assume activists don't know this. These people are neither stupid nor misguided. Present them with a button that would eliminate all fossil fuels, but explain clearly and carefully the harm that would be wrought, and many would press it anyway. These characters are driven by an unholy alloy of anti-capitalist ideology, religious self-righteousness and performative purity. While we're at it, doing business with Israel is a good thing. UK trading with the Jewish state is worth 6billion annually. One in every seven prescriptions issued in the NHS is supplied by an Israeli pharmaceutical company, Teva. Companies that invest in Israel not only help their own bottom line, they help keep open these important trade links. Progressive activists have a very keen and specific interest in the tiny, embattled State of Israel, one that is curiously not replicated with other, more powerful countries with grim human rights records and significant investments in UK finance, higher education and other sectors. That's their prerogative but when they accuse Israel of imposing apartheid or conducting a genocide, it's my prerogative to call them liars. None of those matters should come into this since, as Baillie Gifford points out, its relationship to both carbon-based energy and Israel is negligible. But for the ideological purity police, this is not good enough, and so Baillie Gifford is a target for them. A Scottish success story that gives children access to books and the chance to meet authors. If that is your idea of a villain, you have an odd definition of virtue. You might regard Lefty activists attacking a book festival as unconcerning. But the arts belong to all of us and there is every reason to assert our collective ownership of Scotland's literary and creative traditions. Driving out philanthropic companies like Baillie Gifford is exactly what you would expect privileged activists to do. Their access to literature and that of their children will not be impeded by ruining the Edinburgh Book Festival. They have the means and motivation to keep their book shelves well-stocked. It is those for whom the literary world seems remote and elitist who will suffer. As Baillie Gifford partner Nick Thomas states: 'We hold the activists squarely responsible for the inhibiting effect their action will have on funding for the arts in this country.' I fear he is correct. After the treatment his firm has been dealt, who would want to fund an arts festival in this country? Who would expose their brand to reputational risk from activists hell bent on hijacking their philanthropy for their own ideological ends? We must stand up to activists and refuse to allow them to place their political fixations at the centre of every aspect of our lives. Culture belongs to everyone. Those who seek to monopolise it out of intolerance for neutrality should feel our intolerance in return. As the war on tourists wages on, British holidaymakers in Spain could be forced to pay 170 fines if they buy souvenirs from unlicensed sellers on the beaches and streets. Plain-clothed cops will patrol the streets of Costa Blanca in south-east Spain to dish out penalties to unsuspecting tourists. The popular holiday destination is cracking down on illegal street sellers, known locally as 'manteros' or top mantas, because they typically display their goods on a blanket. From fake 'designer' handbags to knock-off watches, tourists buying products from unlicensed 'manteros' will be slapped with an immediate fine of up to 200 which works out at around 170. The mayor of Torrevieja has called for more police officers during the summer to enforce the new rules. A crowded beach in Benidorm, part of the Costa Blance in Spain The mayor of Torrevieja has called for more police officers during the summer to enforce the crackdown on unlicensed sellers (Stock Image) During peak season Torrevieja's population swells to more than 500,000, according to The Mirror. There has also been calls from the nearby southern region of Costa del Sol for stricter penalities against tourists who buy from wandering street vendors, known as 'looky looky men'. They are notorious for peddling knock-off merchandise to beachgoers in Spain, often operating without a license. Local shop owners in the coastal town of Benalmadena are thought to lose between 20 and 30 per cent of their profits to these unlicensed sellers, according to the local Association of Traders and Businessman. The move comes after a series of crackdowns across several Spanish islands as they battle overcrowding and immense spikes in tourism. New plans for alcohol free streets were unveiled by the conservative Partido Popular government. Boozy holidaymakers will be unable to drink on public streets in Magaluf. Penalties for non-compliance with the prohibition of alcohol consumption on public roads will range from 500 to 1,500 (430 to 1,290). These new measures were fully supported by the Mayor of Calvia, Juan Antonio Amengual, who stated they would make the island a safer place to be enjoyed by all. The new laws will be enforced until at least December 2027. Magaluf's mayor has welcomed a series of measures that stops drinking booze in the streets Crackdowns on over-tourism have been erupting across a series of Spanish islands as they face severe overcrowding and immense spikes in the numbers of boozy holidaymakers Boozy holidaymakers will be unable to drink on public streets in Magaluf A view of Palma Beach stuffed full of tourists and locals in Majorca Last week, a Menorca holiday village dubbed the 'Spanish Mykonos' threatened to ban all tourists after previously telling them to only visit between 11am and 8pm so they can enjoy their breakfasts. In Menorca, graffiti has also sprung up on walls telling tourists to 'go home', while in Marbella last year, tyres on cars with British number plates were slashed. Ibiza also became the latest Spanish holidaymaker hotspot to join in with growing anti-tourism protests that have erupted around the country. 'We are only against the massification of the type of tourism attracted to our island. 'The island is saturated, especially with illegal renting and our 572 square kilometres cannot take anymore,' she added. Similar protesting has been seen in other popular destinations. Furious locals in Tenerife went on hunger strike in an effort to voice their anger. On April 20, thousands of protestors took to the streets of the Canary Islands to protest against the problems caused by mass tourism and demand their politicians take action. The words 'Go Home Tourist' were scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Mallorca Graffiti reading 'My misery, your paradise' is seen in the Balearic Islands Protestors hold a banner reading 'Mallorca is not for sale' during a protest against the massification of tourism in Mallorca A woman shouts next to a banner with the word 'tourism' during a anti-tourist demonstration in Santa Cruz de Tenerife Majorcan-based hotel chief Joan Pla warned recently the mass tourism protests in the Canary Islands could be repeated in the Balearics. He claimed the number of homes built for local residents that were being purchased instead by foreigners as holiday properties was a problem. And he complained islands like Majorca where he is based were having to cope with the influx of too many people at certain times of the year. Mallorcan families have filled beaches in protest against tourists in the latest efforts to drive out holidaymakers. Protesters occupied a beach in Mallorca yesterday in a demonstration against the flood of tourists who flock to the area every summer. They claim that mass tourism is pushing up rental prices for local people and putting pressure on their public services. The angry Mallorcans gathered on the resort of Colonia De Sant Jordi, east of the island's capital, Palma de Mallorca. The campaign group Mallorca Platja Tour (Mallorca Beach Tour) appealed for residents to reclaim the beaches from tourists on social media under the hashtag 'OcupemLesNostresPlatges' - translating to 'Catalan for Occupy Our Beaches'. Mallorcan families have filled beaches in protest against tourists in the latest efforts to drive out holidaymakers Protesters occupied a beach in Mallorca yesterday in a demonstration against the flood of tourists who flock to the area every summer They claim that mass tourism is pushing up rental prices for local people and putting pressure on their public services The Mallorca Platja Tour protest group took to social media to call on locals, writing on X: 'Call for residents to fill the beaches of Mallorca as a protest against overcrowding.' The group, who said it is organising a mobilisation for the middle of next month, added: 'We invite all the residents who live near the beaches to go there to recover our beaches and enjoy them as before.' The group described itself as 'a civic, peaceful and family response' to mass tourism, adding: 'We will simply go swimming, to show that the beaches belong to everyone, they are a public asset and we are not going to resign ourselves.' The angry Mallorcans gathered on the resort of Colonia De Sant Jordi, east of the island's capital, Palma de Mallorca The campaign group Mallorca Platja Tour (Mallorca Beach Tour) appealed for residents to reclaim the beaches from tourists on social media under the hashtag 'OcupemLesNostresPlatges' - translating to 'Catalan for Occupy Our Beaches' It comes as TUI announced the Balearic Islands have 'reached capacity' as they urge holidaymakers to look elsewhere when booking their sunny getaways following recent anti-tourism protests across Spain. It comes after a wave of protests against mass tourism in Mallorca with as many as 10,000 people taking to the streets of the capital, Palma, last weekend to demand limits on the number of visitors. The CEO of TUI, Sebastian Ebel, 61, said the company had reached its 'capacity limits' in the Balearics and is looking to other Mediterranean destinations for growth. Less crowded destinations include Egypt and Turkey, with Algeria also being a potential option, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. Protesters hold a banner reading 'Mallorca is not for sale' during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism and housing prices As many as 10,000 people took to the streets of Mallorca's capital, Palma (pictured), last weekend to demand limits on the number of visitors The CEO of TUI, Sebastian Ebel, 61, said the company had reached its 'capacity limits' in the Balearics and is looking to other Mediterranean destinations for growth The travel company claimed it had accepted the Spanish archipelago can not host an increasing number of holidaymakers, with TUI already expecting to bring around two million tourists to the Balearics this summer, five per cent more than last year. But despite the pause on the Balearics, the TUI boss revealed he had recently discussed opening up Algeria for beach holidays. Amid a spate of mass anti-tourism protests and calls for boozy Brits to 'go home', Ebel made a surprise pledge to invest in residential housing on the Canary Islands rather than build new hotels as angry locals continue to rally against the overcrowding. File photo: Camp de Mar, Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain Thousands of residents protested in Tenerife, Canary Islands, last month to demand the government temporarily limit tourist arrivals TUI announced the Balearic Islands have 'reached capacity' He said: 'We are offering to create living spaces for employees and other residents; we are happy to tackle the issue head-on.' The decision follows the large-scale demonstrations in the Canary Islands on April 20 which saw over 50,000 people taking to the streets of Tenerife in protest against tourism on the island, brandishing 'you enjoy, we suffer' placards as locals fight poverty and housing shortages. The campaigners claimed that the huge influx of tourists to the island is causing major environmental damage, driving down wages and squeezing locals out of cheap affordable housing, forcing dozens to live in tents and cars instead. One female protestor at the march held up a sign which read: 'Fourteen million tourists a year but 36 per cent of Canarians at risk of poverty.' Tenerife locals also carried out hunger strikes for over a week as part of a wider protest campaign. Graffiti reading 'My misery, your paradise' is seen in the Balearic Islands Spanish islands are threatened by sea pollution, traffic gridlock and lack of cheap affordable housing linked to the pushing-up of property prices because of Airbnb-style holiday lets The words 'Go Home Tourist' were scrawled in English over a wall underneath a real estate promotion billboard in Nou Llevant, Mallorca, a neighbourhood that has seen a massive influx of foreign buyers over the past few years Demonstrators packed into Weyler Square in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz, the start point for a march on the Brit-popular holiday island, on April 20 Campaigners have been quick to distance themselves from anti-tourist graffiti which appeared on walls and benches in and around Palm Mar in southern Tenerife at the start of the month However, Ebel was keen to note that it was for policy-makers to determine how to regulate tourism, not the bosses of travel firms. Ebel added: 'It is not our place to dictate how many tourists a destination can accommodate; that is the responsibility of local politicians'. The German travel boss attributed the island's rising house prices primarily to the influx of foreign property buyers and the increased rental of holiday homes to tourists, rather than to package holidays. In response, TUI has decided against investing in new hotels in the Canary Islands. It comes as Mallorca's anti-tourism campaign urged locals to not reveal the island's beauty spots on their social media in its latest bid to discourage rowdy visitors. Earlier this month, stickers sporting the tagline 'Don't tag this beach, b**ch!' were spotted plastered around beach entrances following an initial launch of the campaign by the Mallorcan communication agency La Indis last year. A local told Ultima Hora: 'Overcrowding affects us residents first by making it more expensive and worsening our quality of life, but tourists are also harmed. 'For this reason, our campaign seeks to involve them in the search for solutions to alleviate this problem'. A man and a woman have been found dead at a house in a suspected murder-suicide. A man in his 40s and a woman in her 70s were found with gunshot wounds on Jambaroo Street at Albany Creek, north of Brisbane, at 5.30pm on Sunday. 'A crime scene remains at the property and investigations into the circumstances of their deaths are ongoing,' a Queensland Police spokesman said. 'Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything in the vicinity of Jambaroo Street before 5.30pm to come forward. 'There is no threat to the community.' A man and a woman have been found dead at a house in a suspected murder-suicide The pair were known to each other. A neighbour said the man and woman had been longtime residents on the street. 'They have been here as long as I've been here, for at least 20 years,' he said. 'I always walk past the house, but I've never spoken to them, there is always someone at the front. 'One is always yelling at one another.' The house had been bordered up with the neighbour describing it as weird. 'There is always junk everywhere,' he said. 'The air conditioner is always running and there was foil on the windows.' Police forces could be left defenceless because the monopoly supplier of Tasers is driving prices up so aggressively, policing leaders have warned. US-based tech giant Axon, which has the only Home Office licence to supply Tasers, has the UK 'over a barrel' with its stranglehold over the market, a police and crime commissioner said. And its latest model has proved so unreliable in training that Thames Valley Police had to scrap it and negotiate a new deal for older devices, the Mail can reveal. As a crisis looms, chief constables are discussing cheaper alternatives such as a 'bolawrap', a device that discharges a Kevlar tether which wraps up a suspect's limbs at a range of up to 25ft. A former minister said the Home Office had 'failed completely' in its obligation to protect taxpayers from corporate intimidation. Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber (pictured) said this meant forces had no choice but to move on to the newer models Police forces could be left defenceless because the monopoly supplier of Tasers is driving prices up so aggressively, policing leaders have warned The concerns come following calls for all frontline officers to be armed with Tasers after two first responders equipped with only CS spray were severely injured during a sword attack in Hainault in April. London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently agreed a deal with Axon that will increase the number of Scotland Yard officers who carry Tasers from 7,500 to 10,000 by 2030. Axon routinely releases new models that use different cartridges, which it initially offers at discount rates while drastically increasing prices for older equipment, which is eventually withdrawn from the market. Thames Valley PCC Matthew Barber said this meant forces had no choice but to move on to the newer models even when their existing ones worked fine and pay bloated prices for the compatible cartridges. The cost of continuing to equip officers with the same X2 model Thames Valley had used for years increased by 1,200 per Taser in just one year, while the newer T7 was 900 cheaper per plan. The force began training officers with the T7 Tasers but they were so unreliable, upgrade plans had to be abandoned. 'Where they have us over a barrel is that there is nothing wrong with the old Tasers but they are only under warranty for five years,' Mr Barber said. 'If you bought something like a toaster then the warranty doesn't matter much you use it until it dies but the same isn't true for a Taser, because it is potentially very dangerous if it malfunctions.' Mr Barber said if the company's pricing model continued with no rivals to keep costs competitive, Tasers would soon become unaffordable for smaller police forces. 'The Home Office needs to build the marketplace for Taser,' he added. 'They should make it clear that they are looking to license other suppliers, otherwise Axon will be able to continue to do whatever it likes.' Ex-Home Office minister David Mellor said: 'It seems we are being ripped off by our friends and allies. London Mayor Sadiq Khan recently agreed a deal with Axon that will increase the number of Scotland Yard officers who carry Tasers from 7,500 to 10,000 by 2030 The concerns come following calls for all frontline officers to be armed with Tasers after two first responders equipped with only CS spray were severely injured during a sword attack in Hainault in April (pictured) Footage from a doorbell camera of police officers tasering a sword-wielding man in Hainault, north east London The failure to protect the taxpayer against the deprivations of a monopoly supplier is yet another reason why we need to be very sceptical about how the Home Office is being managed.' Axon said: 'Our pricing strategy balances affordability with the need for continuous innovation and we work closely with agencies to ensure we meet their budgetary needs.' The Home Office said it sent out a call to market to suppliers in the past 12 months but Axon was the only company to respond. The BBC will host the final election debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer a week before polling day. The Tory and Labour leaders will face off on June 26 in Nottingham from 9pm in an hour-long clash in front of a studio audience chaired by Sophie Raworth. A seven-party debate in London hosted by Mishal Husain will be broadcast on the BBC on Friday from 7.30pm. Leading figures from the Tories, Labour, SNP, Lib Dems, Plaid Cymru, the Greens and Reform will face audience questions. A two-hour Question Time special featuring the leaders of the four biggest parties will follow on Thursday, June 20, in York. Fiona Bruce will chair this event with questions from the studio audience for the leaders of the Tories, Labour, SNP and Lib Dems from 8pm. The Today programme host Nick Robinson has invited each of the leaders of the seven biggest political parties to be interviewed for Panorama specials over the next four weeks. Rishi Sunak will go head to head with the Labour leader in a televised BBC debate Keir Starmer will face tough questions alongside the Conservative leader in a debate just a week before the public heads to the polls The special hour-long BBC programme will be chaired by Sophie Raworth (pictured) The Prime Minister and Labour leader are today gearing up for their first head-to-head debate of the General Election. The pair will take to the stage tomorrow night on ITV for an hour-long live programme hosted by Julie Etchingham in front of a studio audience from 9pm. Sky News has invited both Mr Sunak and Sir Keir to a leaders' event in Grimsby on June 12 in front of a live audience. Sir Keir has agreed to take part, but a Conservative spokesman said the PM would only participate if he and the Labour leader 'take questions on stage together'. At the beginning of the campaign, Mr Sunak challenged Sir Keir to a record six television election debates before polling day on July 4. But the Labour leader said he wants to 'get out on the ground' and is likely only to agree to head-to-heads with ITV and the BBC. Q: The opening credits of Keeping Up Appearances feature a Daily Mail book. What is it? Hyacinth Bucket's bookshelf was armed with a series of manuals for the all-important business of social climbing. Titles included: How To Become Absurdly Well-Informed About The Famous And Infamous by E. O. Parrott, Modern Etiquette by Moyra Bremner, and The Daily Mail Book Of Household Hints And Tips by Barty Phillips. Barty Phillips (b.1933) is the doyenne of British house care. She has written countless articles and published books such as How To Clean Absolutely Everything and The Country House Book. Pictured: Hyacinth Bucket played by Patricia Routledge Keeping up Appearances (Patricia Routledge as Hyacinth Bucket and Clive Swift as Richard Bucket) The Book Of Household Hints contains information on how to do just about anything: cut and dry flowers, clean windows, unblock sinks, entertain children (while minimising mess), train cats and dogs, and even save lives. Alison Smart, Warwick. QUESTION What was Queen Elizabeth II's favourite perfume? We know Queen Elizabeth II wore Guerlain L'Heure Bleue on her wedding day and beyond. This was in tribute to her mother Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon who favoured it. L'Heure Bleue ('blue hour' in French) was reportedly inspired by the gentle blue-hued twilight of Belle Epoque Paris. Conceived by Jacques Guerlain in 1912, it features notes of carnation, violet and vanilla. Queen Elizabeth II arriving at the Canadian Museum of Nature on June 30, 2010 According to Jan Moran, in her book Vintage Perfume: Classic Fragrances From The 19th And 20th Centuries, the Queen also wore Fleurissimo by Creed. This high-end scent was created for the wedding of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956 and is a fresh floral perfume with notes of iris and tuberose, refreshed by bergamot and violet leaves. Zoe Evans, London SW10. QUESTION What stunts were pulled by the director Alfred Hitchcock? Further to the earlier answer, another famous victim was the actor Sir Gerald du Maurier (father of Daphne). The shower scene from the film Psycho, featuring Marion Crane played by Janet Leigh Pictured: Alfred Hitchcock In 1932, after the first act of Behold, We Live, at the St James's Theatre in London, du Maurier found his dressing room occupied by a grocer's nag. Hitchcock wanted to see how du Maurier reacted and to critique theatre snobbery. Sir Gerald gave the horse a pat, said 'Hello, old fellow,' and sat down at his dressing table. Peter Whitehead, Ombersley, Worcestershire. Is there a question to which you want to know the answer? Or do you know the answer to a question here? Write to: Charles Legge, Answers To Correspondents, Daily Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY; or email charles.legge@dailymail.co.uk. A selection is published, but we're unable to enter into individual correspondence. At first glance, Jeremy Hunt's pension tax guarantee may look like another pitch to the 'grey vote'. It is far more than that. The Chancellor promises that, if re-elected, the Conservatives would not increase existing taxes on pensions or introduce new ones in the next five years. This reassurance is designed to give workers confidence that if they save prudently for retirement, the avaricious taxman will not pillage those savings. And it is as important for people in their twenties as for those approaching or past retirement age arguably more so. A pension fund is accumulated across the whole of a working lifetime. Those who have built up a nest-egg have paid their dues over decades. The Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt (pictured), has promised that if re-elected, the Conservatives would not increase existing taxes on pensions or introduce new ones in the next five years Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has said Labour would not raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT Younger generations must be encouraged to do the same, otherwise many will be forced to fall back on the state at pension age at immense cost to the country. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said Labour would not raise income tax, National Insurance, or VAT. Unlike Mr Hunt, however, she has made no such commitment over private pensions. If history is any guide, that should make savers very afraid. In 1997, one of New Labour's first acts was to abolish tax-relief on the dividends pension funds received on investments. This raid, not mentioned in its manifesto, sucked 5.6billion a year out of the system, leading to the demise of final salary-based pensions in the private sector. Previously, almost all sizeable firms had offered them. Today they are almost extinct, except in the public sector, where defined benefit schemes backed at huge expense by the state are still the norm. So, will Ms Reeves target private pensions again? We already know she plans to reimpose the lifetime cap on the tax-free amount savers can put into their fund. But there are other drastic measures she has not ruled out. Would she slash tax relief on employee pension contributions? Lower the ceiling on how much can be put into a fund each year? Raise taxes on the share dealings that pension funds rely on? Reduce the lifetime cap further? Make pensioners pay National Insurance? Cut the tax-free lump sum entitlement on pension pots from its current 25 per cent? These are questions Labour has a moral duty to answer before July 4, to prove they aren't plotting a Gordon Brown-style ambush. The party's silence is ominous. They would, of course, try to couch any new raid in terms of generational fairness. But the young will eventually become old themselves. To ravage the pension system for short-term gain would be a betrayal of their future as much as anyone's. A lesson in cruelty When Labour decided to impose VAT on independent schools, they no doubt saw it as a blow against great bastions of wealth and privilege. As we report today, the reality is very different. Downham preparatory school, in Norfolk, caters for pupils with complex needs ranging from autism to emotional problems, making them unable to cope in large classes. Downham preparatory school (pictured) has said they are being forced to close because of Labour's plans to impose VAT on schools According to its principal, their parents are working people 'like plumbers and electricians' making sacrifices for the sake of their children's well-being. That the school is being forced to close because of this tax hike shows how cruel and spiteful it is. As many thousands of other private pupils are thrown into the state sector, it could also end up costing the country a great deal of money. ABC News' George Stephanopoulos clashed with Trump attorney Will Scharf over his hush money conviction on Sunday, with the anchor threatening to cut the lawyer's mic. Scharf appeared as Trump and his team went on a media blitz Sunday in the wake of the ex-president being found guilty on 34 counts Thursday. The attorney pushed a familiar line for the defense on ABC's This Week, that the conviction is the result of collusion between Joe Biden and the progressive Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted the case. Stephanopoulos dismissed this line of thinking: 'Of course, the attorney general of Manhattan has nothing to do with the Department of Justice.' 'I vehemently disagree that the district attorney in New York was not politically motivated here, and I vehemently disagree that President Biden and his political allies aren't up to their necks in this prosecution,' Scharf responded. ABC News' George Stephanopoulos clashed with Trump attorney Will Scharf over his hush money conviction on Sunday, with the anchor threatening to cut the lawyer's mic Stephanopoulos was ready to cancel Scharf from the entire show, saying: 'There's no evidence here of that sir... I'm not going to let you continue to say that there's zero evidence of that.' The former White House Communications Director for Bill Clinton demanded Scharf respond to his questions about the sentencing, which is scheduled for July 11. 'This has nothing to do with President Biden,' he said. 'Do you want to answer the question about the sentencing process or not?' 'I completely disagree that this has nothing to do with President Biden,' Scharf responded. 'With respect to sentencing, as I said before, we're going to vigorously challenge this case on appeal. I don't think President Trump is going to end up being subject to any sentence whatsoever.' He then linked the sentencing back to making accusations Biden's corruption. 'I think: Hope for the best, plan for the worst, George,' Scharf said. 'But I think when you look at the totality of the circumstances in this case, this is a prosecution that should have never been brought. This was a case tried in front of a judge that clearly should have recused.' Scharf appeared as Trump and his team went on a full media blitz Sunday in the wake of the ex-president being found guilty on 34 counts Thursday, with the president giving his first interview Trump said he would accept home confinement or jail time after his historic conviction by a New York jury last week but that it would be tough for the public to accept 'I think we have a lot of fair complaints with the way this trial was conducted and I think ultimately, President Trump will be vindicated on appeal.' Trump still faces three other criminal cases, including two over alleged efforts to overturn his 2020 loss, although they are not likely to come to trial or conclude before the election. He denies wrongdoing in all the cases and has called the charges a Democratic conspiracy to prevent him from competing. Biden, meanwhile, has sought to defend the nation's justice system, saying it is 'reckless' and 'dangerous' to call the verdict 'rigged.' The U.S. Justice Department denies any political interference. Trump said he would accept home confinement or jail time after his historic conviction by a New York jury last week but that it would be tough for the public to accept. 'I'm not sure the public would stand for it,' the Republican presidential candidate told Fox News in an interview that aired on Sunday. 'I think it'd be tough for the public to take. You know, at a certain point, there's a breaking point.' Trump did not elaborate on what he thought might happen if that point is reached. He is scheduled to be sentenced July 11, four days before Republicans gather to formally choose their presidential nominee to face Democratic President Joe Biden in November's election. The attorney pushed a familiar line for the defense on ABC's This Week, that the conviction is the result of collusion between Joe Biden and the progressive Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted the case 'I vehemently disagree that the district attorney in New York was not politically motivated here, and I vehemently disagree that President Biden and his political allies aren't up to their necks in this prosecution,' Scharf said, referring to Alvin Bragg (pictured) Asked what Trump supporters should do if he were jailed, Republic National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump told CNN: 'Well, they're gonna do what they've done from the beginning, which is remain calm and protest at the ballot box on November 5th. 'There's nothing to do other than make your voices heard loud and clear and speak out against this.' Trump has used his conviction to step up his fundraising efforts but has not otherwise sought to mobilize his supporters, in contrast to his comments protesting his 2020 loss to Biden that were followed by an attack by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021 on the U.S. Capitol. The SNP was yesterday accused of a desperate attempt to relaunch its ailing election campaign as John Swinney doubled down on the partys independence obsession. The SNP leader joined his UK election candidates at a Glasgow hotel where he claimed that Westminster decision- making had meant austerity, Brexit and a cost of living crisis being imposed on Scotland. Mr Swinney said he had ignored the suggestion that independence should be abandoned, telling campaigners: People want us to demonstrate the relevance of independence to their lives. But he was accused of putting party before country by the Scottish Tories who claimed he should be focusing on the peoples real priorities fixing our ailing public services and growing the economy. Pensive: John Swinney yesterday, just before his address to the party faithful Mr Swinney admitted that if his party did not show independence was relevant then it was not likely to get much of a hearing in the midst of a cost of living crisis and, to be frank, nor would we deserve to. He added: So, when we talk about independence we need to demonstrate again, and again, and again, that we are talking about peoples core concerns like raising living standards and protecting the NHS. That laser-like focus on the daily concerns of people is our guiding star. After looking at Keir Starmers serial U-turns in the pursuit of power, I think people are crying out for political leadership that sticks to its principles. Asked what more he can say that has not already been said to sway the independence argument, Mr Swinney said: What Ive been trying to do over the last couple of weeks is relate independence to the everyday lives of people. He said the message would focus on ABC austerity, Brexit and the cost of living crisis, and added: We can deliver, we can take the right decisions here in Scotland. But if the powers lie at Westminster then we are liable to get more of the standard of decision-making, if I can call it that, of austerity, Brexit and the cost of living crisis. At this election, my priority is to protect Scotland. Lets ensure the decade of destructive decisions at Westminster is never again visited upon the Scottish people. I ask people to vote SNP so that decisions can be made in Scotland, for Scotland. The SNP leader did not deny the event was his partys third campaign launch of the year the first being in January with Humza Yousaf as leader and the second taking place the day following the General Election announcement. He said: Folk can muck about with whatever terminology they want. This is a gathering; a gathering of good, solid folk who want to work together to achieve success for the SNP and for Scottish independence. The relaunch follows the ongoing controversy around Michael Mathesons expenses scandal and the failure of Mr Swinney to vote for the sanctions that were handed to him last week. He claimed he was unable to vote for them because he believed that the process was flawed. It also came in the wake of a poll for Scotland on Sunday which showed that 59 per cent of Scots think the case for breaking with the Union has not strengthened since the 2014 referendum. Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross said: This was a desperate attempt by John Swinney to relaunch the SNPs election campaign in the wake of his shameful mishandling of the Michael Matheson scandal. Predictably, he used it to double down on the SNPs independence obsession, instead of focusing on the peoples real priorities fixing our ailing public services and growing the economy. As he showed in the Matheson scandal, John Swinney will always put party before country. He had the brass neck to say he wants to bring people together, when he is pandering to his nationalist base and pitting Scot against Scot in a bid to break up the UK. In a frosty question and answer session with the media following the launch, Mr Swinney was forced to ask activists not to heckle the media after they booed a BBC Scotland journalist who asked a question about independence. Labour candidate Ian Murray, who is fighting to retain the Edinburgh South seat, said: Mere minutes into the SNPs chaotic relaunch, it was clear that it was shaping up to be a crash landing. This is a dysfunctional party that is desperately clutching at straws as they await the reckoning of the Scottish people. Labour was yesterday accused of plotting to raid pensions by overhauling tax relief on retirement funds. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the party would betray retirees as he warned of a repeat of 1997 when Gordon Brown targeted pensions. The Conservatives highlighted that Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves has repeatedly said pensions tax relief should be restricted for the wealthiest. While Labour has explicitly ruled out increasing taxes such as VAT, the party has said only that raiding pensions 'is not Labour policy and will not feature in our manifesto'. The Tories say this leaves the door open to the party introducing the tax at another stage, for instance in an emergency budget. Mr Hunt told The Sunday Telegraph that voters will 'never forget' Mr Brown's 118 billion raid on pension funds. The Conservatives highlighted that Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) has repeatedly said pensions tax relief should be restricted for the wealthiest Chancellor Jeremy Hunt (pictured) said the party would betray retirees as he warned of a repeat of 1997 when Gordon Brown targeted pensions 'Labour betrayed pensioners before,' he said. 'We will never allow it to happen again. We are worried that, just as Labour did in the past when they have a black hole in their finances, they will go for back-door taxes on pensions.' He made the comments as he vowed to protect retirement funds with a 'pensions tax guarantee' to prevent levies being raised or new ones introduced. Mr Hunt also said he would keep the right to draw down 25 per cent as a tax-free lump sum and ensure tax relief stays at the marginal rate. At present, all workers enjoy tax relief on pensions contributions at the same percentage rate, regardless of whether they are a basic or higher-rate taxpayer. The Tories highlighted 12 times when Ms Reeves appeared to speak in favour of changing tax relief on pensions contributions for the highest earners. In one example from 2018, in a speech to the New Economics Foundation, she said: 'Forty per cent of UK wealth is in private pension funds. 'We could restrict higher-rate pensions contribution relief.' She made similar comments in the same year in The Everyday Economy, saying of the 40 per cent figure: 'To combat this inequality, higher rate pensions contribution reliefs could be restricted.' And in The Independent in 2016, she said: 'Let's replace the 34 billion pensions tax relief system with a simple savings bonus.' Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the party would betray retirees as he warned of a repeat of 1997 when Gordon Brown targeted pensions, with Ms Reeves dismissing it as a 'desperate gimmick'. Experts have also noted that the party has made several commitments that it is yet to set out funding for. Paul Johnson, director of the influential Institute for Fiscal Studies, tweeted: 'Some punchy "promises" from Labour. Last week promised to end NHS waiting lists over 18 weeks. Yesterday said they'd get the employment rate to 80 per cent. The former was achieved only via huge spending increases in the 2000s. We have never got close to the latter. Time will tell.' At present, all workers enjoy tax relief on pensions contributions at the same percentage rate, regardless of whether they are a basic or higher-rate taxpayer (Stock Image) The Tories highlighted 12 times when Ms Reeves appeared to speak in favour of changing tax relief on pensions contributions for the highest earners (Stock Image) Mr Brown scrapped tax relief on dividends paid into pension funds in his first Budget in 1997 at a time when many funds were in surplus. His policy sprung on the public weeks after the election landslide was blamed for killing off private-sector defined benefit pension schemes. The Tories are now warning that Labour could be planning a similar ruse, after Sir Tony Blair and Mr Brown kept the plans under wraps during the campaign. Mr Hunt claimed that a Labour government would 'try to increase taxes wherever they think it won't be noticed'. Jonathan Gullis, deputy chairman of the Conservative Party, said: 'When they run out of money, as every Labour government does, you can be sure they'll have their hand in your pockets and in your pensions.' She committed suicide at Lumbee River State Park in North Carolina on April 27 A pastor who gave an interview wearing a woman's necklace eerily similar to the one his wife donned the day of her suicide has revealed it was, in fact, the same pendant. The admission comes from 44-year-old John-Paul Miller, whose wife Mica Miller, 30, was found dead at Lumbee River State Park in North Carolina on April 27 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Days earlier, she hit him with divorce papers due to an alleged tumultuous relationship, leading to intrigue around the case. He was cleared of her murder, but some internet sleuths scattered across the country remain unconvinced. Some have pointed to the interview John-Paul gave to ABC15 just days later as supposed proof - citing a necklace similar to the one his wife was wearing in surveillance footage filmed of her buying a gun the day of her suicide. In an Instagram live with one of these sleuths Thursday, John-Paul made a surprise appearance to confirm the necklets were one and the same. John-Paul Miller, 44, gave an interview with ABC15 a few days ago, wearing a necklace many pointed out was a similar to the one his wife Mica wore the day - and the days before - she was found dead Images taken at a pawn shop prior to her death show Mica purchasing a gun the day of he suicide, seemingly wearing the same necklace 'We'll say big deal [of the talk about you being a possible suspect] was a necklace that you were wearing in the interview after she passed away,' asked true crime influencer JustinOnTikTok during the impromptu interview of the suspicious detail. 'Was that actually hers or did you just have a similar one?' A stoic John-Paul - a popular pastor with a criminal record that includes multiple counts of aggravated assault and battery - replied coolly, 'No that was definitely hers. 'I got it - so um she passed away on a on the Saturday, and then Sunday when I went and saw her, um, they handed me some stuff - and that was one of the things that handed me. 'That necklace was, um, for some reason,' John-Paul went on, before trailing off. He went on to offer an emotional anecdote that explained why he wore the same article days after his soon-to-be-ex's suicide. 'She heard a story - Micah was very, um, she could hear something or see a commercial and then immediately want to act on it,' he began. 'And so, she heard about these lab diamonds, uh, last year. 'Even though she loved her her her wedding engagement band, um, she wanted the diamond - the real diamond - taken out. 'She wanted a lab diamond put in. but she didn't want to get rid of that diamond,' he said. 'We'll say big deal [of the talk about you being a possible suspect] was a necklace that you were wearing in the interview after she passed away,' asked true crime influencer JustinOnTikTok during the interview. 'Was that actually hers or did you just have a similar one?' A stoic John-Paul - a popular pastor with a criminal record that includes multiple counts of aggravated assault and battery - replied coolly, 'No that was definitely hers' 'So, she wanted to put it inside of a necklace, and... had it made into a necklace 'The, um, nurse gave me that on that Sunday, and so, before I even left the hospital, I already, already had it on. 'I just had not taken it off and actually I forgotten it was on on the next day or two - or whenever the interview was. 'But yeah - it's a girl necklace, so I I just wanted to feel close to her.' The exchanged ended there - with the true crime talker thanking the non-suspect for being forthcoming. During the interview in question, Miller broke down in tears upon being asked about his spouse, saying: 'She was the greatest wife anyone could ever ask for. We spent every night together just talking and talking.' Images taken at a pawn shop prior to her death show Mica purchasing a gun wearing that same necklace - hours before taking her own life. days before, she served John-Paul, also known as 'JP', with divorce papers, with previous filings filed in October citing adultery. Her death came days after serving her husband with divorce papers following a tumultuous relationship Around that time, John-Paul told his congregation at Solid Rock Church that her death was 'self-induced', before abruptly ending proceedings for the day demanding he not be questioned. 'You all know she wasn't well mentally and that she needed her medicine and it was hard to get to her,' he told worshipers at the time. Just prior, he asked his flock to stand - instructing them to, 'leave church quietly and don't talk about the announcement here in the building.' In a statement released earlier this month via his lawyers, he insisted the fierce speculation surrounding him due was unfounded and false, as podcasters like JustinonTikTok - who has more than a million followers - cover the case. The statement said: 'Following the untimely death of Mica Miller, unfounded rumors and false accusations began circulating on social media and in various media outlets, suggesting Pastor Miller's involvement in her demise. 'This created a buzz, causing local and national media outlets to begin proliferating these falsehoods, on a mammoth proportion. In the days after her death, her friends and family held a rally calling for 'justice for Mica' outside the Solid Rock Church where Pastor Miller worked Police have released images Miller in the lead up to her death - amid conjecture about the circumstances. Pictured: Miller at her South Carolina home the day she died 'Our client refutes any report that suggests he ever abused his wife. Recent reports claim that Pastor Miller 'groomed' his wife from the age of 10 years old couldn't be farther from the truth. 'She moved to Myrtle Beach at the age of 15, was married to another man at the age of 18, and divorced at the age of, 21.' It continued: ' It has come to light that Mica Miller struggled with mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, which, when not properly managed, led to paranoid episodes and self-destructive behavior. 'Again, Mica suffered from mental illness and some reports made by her in the recent past are nonsensical. 'This unfortunate reality underscores the importance of destigmatizing mental health issues and ensuring those affected receive appropriate support and treatment. 'We wish to emphasize that, after a thorough investigation by the Robeson County, North Carolina Sheriffs Office, it has been conclusively determined that Ms. Miller's death was the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 'This finding completely exonerates Pastor Miller of any wrongdoing. These baseless claims and false reporting have caused immense distress and harm to Pastor Miller and his family and needs to stop immediately.' His lawyers also warned that any 'defamatory and libelous statements' made would be met with legal action. A police report over the alleged auto theft of her silver Honda Accord shows how far their marital problems stretched back. 'When the complainant was discharged from the hospital, hospital staff informed her that her husband picked up her purse and her keys,' the report from February 2023 states. 'The complainant believed that her husband fraudulently initiated her involuntary hospitalization and "stole" her care while she was in the hospital.' Miller met with the cops at Coastal Grand Mall and told them she and her husband had been separated since January of that year. 'The complainant stated that she has known her husband since she was ten-years-old and that he "groomed" her while she worked for him at Solid Rock Church until they were married,' the report adds. When investigators contacted her husband, he told them that his wife had been suffering from a 'reckless episode' due to poor mental health. The former pastor told the officer he had seized the vehicle to prevent it being sold and would not give it back for a month to allow the episode to pass. Miller (right), 30, died by suicide suicide on April 27, after citing alleged adulterous behavior on the part of the pastor He, however, was cleared, after the victim told cops she had known him since she was 10 years-old, and that he groomed her 'for years' before they wed a few years ago As both parties stated they were legally married, the investigator had to consider the car as marital property and therefore 'could not establish a criminal offense'. Weeks before her passing, she shared a video speaking about abuse within marriage as claims emerge she was being harassed and was 'afraid for her life'. She said: 'Today my heart's a little heavy. I've had lots of women that have reached out to me about situations of abuse, and I just want to tell you what a lot of people have told me lately, because I think I forgot. 'But you are the bride of Christ before anybody else's, male or female, it doesn't matter what gender you are, abuse is abuse.' Court records hint at the tumult within the marriage with Mica first filing for divorce back in October 2023 before withdrawing the filing February 12. Later that same month Miller filed against his wife for Separate Support and Maintenance in a motion withdrawn March 11. But on April 15, just 12 days before she was found dead, Mica filed once more and, according to friends, also sought a no contact order against her husband. A police reported obtained by DailyMail.com shows that Miller also contacted officers accusing her husband of sharing an indecent photo of herself on a Facebook group called 'big boobs and nice curves'. An obituary penned by him also described his wife as 'a great stepmother, and an amazing wife and helpmate' and portrayed her as his biggest cheerleader. Miller had called authorities before taking her own life, telling them: 'I'm about to kill myself and I just want my family to know where to find me'. Family and friends have insisted that Miller did not take her own life, her sister Sierra Brown previously told DailyMail.com that 'there's still an open investigation'. Miller is observed on store surveillance walking into Dicks Pawn Shop in Myrtle Beach, SC Mica (pictured) died just weeks after a cop filed a report claiming she told him she was afraid for her life Mica's friends Kenn and Allicia Young spoke out on NewsNation and said they do not believe the pastor's wife took her own life Millers black Honda is observed traveling on Highway 501 near Four Mile Rd., Conway, South Carolina on April 27 hours before her death Friend Allicia Young, who is a member of the Solid Rock Church alongside her husband Kenn, said: 'I absolutely do not believe that she took her own life.' 'I absolutely do not believe that she took her own life because she was energetic and her faith in God was unwavering,' Allicia said on Banfield. 'She was always quick to encourage somebody else, including myself. We went to lunches together, we worked out together.' Evidence released by Robeson County Sheriff's Office as part of their investigation conclusively shows Miller plotting to end her life. A still from a Ring doorbell shows her on her front porch at 11am on the day of her death. Just over an hour later, a surveillance image shows her entering Dick's Pawn Shop where she purchases a fire arm. A waitress told how the pastor had been sending her flirty messages, including calling her 'super hot' and asking for 'bikini pics' while still married Shortly after, Miller's black Honda was observed traveling on Highway 501 near Four Mile Rd., Conway, South Carolina on the way to the state park. Once there she called 911 to provide instructions to a dispatcher on where her body could be found. Meanwhile a waitress claims Pastor Miller was sending her flirty messages while his wife planned to kill herself, including calling her 'super hot' and asking for 'bikini pics.' 'I asked him if anything was new, and he more or less said yes, lots new, LOL, I'll text later,' she told NewsNation's Elizabeth Vargas, confirming LOL stands for 'laugh out loud'. The waitress explained she had engaged with the pastor in a bid to expose his behavior after becoming 'suspicious' he might be married. Pastor Miller has since been released of his ministerial functions at Solid Rock at Market Common Church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Solid Rock Church pastor JP Miller having dinner with another woman, identified as Suzie Skinner, on May 1 The two were seen dining at a sushi restaurant in Myrtle Beach together four days after Miller's wife Mica's suicide Moreover, shocking photos obtained by DailyMail.com show the pastor laughing while on an apparent date with another woman, identified as Suzie Skinner, 49, four days after Mica's death. The case, as of writing, is closed. Speculation, however, continues. Nigel Farage wants to stage a 'takeover' of the Tory party in the event of a heavy defeat for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The honorary president of the Reform UK party said he hoped key figures on the Right could unite under one banner if Labour wins big on July 4. Asked if he was proposing a merger, he responded: 'More like a takeover.' There has been growing speculation about Mr Farage's future and him potentially re-joining the Tories after the election in a bid to rebuild the party and drag them away from the centre and more to the Right. Senior Tory MPs including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, ex-PM Liz Truss and Dame Priti Patel have backed him re-joining the Tory fold after he quit the party 32 years ago over its stance on the European Union. Nigel Farage wants to stage a 'takeover' of the Tory party in the event of a heavy defeat for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Mr Sunak has also said that he 'respects' Mr Farage. Asked directly if the rumours are right and he wants to join the Tories, Mr Farage told The Sunday Times: 'Why do you think I called it Reform? Because of what happened in Canada - the 1992-93 precedent in Canada, where Reform comes from the outside, because the Canadian Conservatives had become social democrats, like our mob here. 'It took them time, it took them two elections, they became the biggest party on the centre-right. 'They then absorbed what was left of the Conservative Party into them and rebranded.' Asked if he was floating a merger, he said: 'More like a takeover, dear boy.' One senior Tory said: 'Our party needs to be able to come back with people like Nigel, where we basically go back to being that authentic Thatcherite party - his natural home.' Senior Tory MPs including former Home Secretary Suella Braverman , ex-PM Liz Truss and Dame Priti Patel have backed him re-joining the Tory fold after he quit the party 32 years ago over its stance on the European Union. Rishi Sunak has also said that he 'respects' Nigel Farage Mr Farage also dismissed rumours that he could yet become a Reform UK candidate and run for Parliament again, saying: 'I've said no. I believe I can add more doing what I'm doing.' He will instead tour the country with party leader Richard Tice to help raise its profile. It is currently polling at around 10 to 12 percentage points but needs to climb closer to 20 to win seats. Asked what victory would mean, he said 'millions of votes but also getting some seats in parliament. It has to be both.' Last week Mr Farage appeared to dangle the prospect of an electoral pact with the Tories to prevent the Right-leaning vote from being split. But Mr Sunak rejected the prospect, with Mr Farage later saying there was no chance 'whatsoever' of a deal with the Tories. Jacon Rees-Mogg in talks for family reality TV show Jacob Rees-Mogg, formerly Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, poses with his family, wife Helena, children Mary, Thomas (L) and Peter Former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg is in talks about he and his family having their own reality TV series. Mr Rees-Mogg, 55, lives in a 17th century mansion in Somerset with his heiress wife and their six children. He said he had been approached by Discovery+ about the family starring in a fly-on-the-wall reality show, similar to Netflixs At Home With The Furys which follows boxer Tyson Fury. He told the Sun on Sunday: Its very flattering. I am thinking about it. I may be talking to them in reasonably short order. The remains of a young woman who vanished in the Blue Mountains 23 years ago have been found. Kellie Ann Carmichael, 24, checked out of a hostel in Katoomba, west of Sydney, on April 29, 2001. She told staff she would collect her belongings after going for a walk but was never seen again. However, bones discovered by NSW Police in Katoomba last week have been confirmed to belong to her. 'During an unrelated police operation on Tuesday 30 April 2024 officers attached to Blue Mountains Police Area Command located human remains, in bushland near Katoomba,' a NSW Police spokeswoman said. Kellie Ann Carmichael, 24, checked out of a hostel in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains on April 29, 2001 She told staff she would collect her belongings after going for a walk but was never seen again 'Following inquires police attended the same location on Monday 27 May 2024, where they located further remains. 'The human remains initially located and seized have now been formally identified as that of missing person Kellie Ann Carmichael and her family have now been notified. 'The investigation is being conducted by the Unsolved Homicide Team and a brief of evidence is to be prepared for the Coroner.' Ms Carmichael's parents, who live in Geelong in Victoria, have always believed their daughter may have been murdered. They were were told of the find by officers from the Unsolved Homicide Team. A post-mortem examination will now try to determine how Ms Carmichael died. The discovery only happened by chance after an officer abseiling down a cliff face as part of an unrelated search spotted the bones among bushland in late April. Police returned to the same spot in May where they found more remains. However, bones discovered by NSW Police in Katoomba last week have been confirmed as those of Ms Carmichael's Ms Carmichael's parents (pictured), who live in Geelong in Victoria, have always believed their daughter may have been murdered Ms Carmichael's parents reported her missing after not hearing from her for six days. Her case gripped the nation and resulted in many theories about her disappearance, including whether she had been a victim of a serial killer. But a police investigation came to the conclusion she had committed suicide because she suffered from schizophrenia. In 2011, the NSW government issued a $200,00 reward for information about her disappearance. 'I feel like we've been robbed of having our daughter, grandchildren,' Margaret Carmichael told reporters at the time. 'We've never had the chance to have our daughter... our family has never been the same.' Labour has vowed to cut immigration 'significantly' but refused to say by how much or by when. Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the party expected to see a 'swift' fall in the number of arrivals. But she refused to set specific targets, arguing there must be flexibility for events such as the war in Ukraine. Ms Cooper told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: 'We're not setting a target and the reason for that is partly because, to be honest, every time the Conservatives have done this, they have just ended up being totally all over the place, ripping it up and discrediting the whole system. 'Also, from one year to another, there are variations. So, for example, the pandemic means the net migration figures, of course, fell, but the Homes For Ukraine visa rightly meant that the figures increased because of the war.' Labour has vowed to cut immigration 'significantly' but refused to say by how much or by when. Pictured: Yvette Cooper Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the party expected to see a 'swift' fall in the number of arrivals Pushed to commit to a target, she said: 'We clearly want to see significant changes in place because we have seen the numbers treble.' Net migration to the UK was 685,000 in 2023 the second highest on record. In 2022 it was 745,000. Yesterday Sir Keir Starmer said reducing net migration would be a Labour manifesto commitment, telling The Sun on Sunday: 'Read my lips, I will bring immigration numbers down.' However their position prompted mockery from Conservatives, who said Labour would make the UK a 'magnet' for illegal migrants. Home Secretary James Cleverly said: 'This is yet another day where Starmer will say what he thinks people want to hear during an election because he lacks conviction to say what he believes. 'A Labour government would allow open door immigration, making the UK a magnet for illegal migrants.' Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick tweeted: 'He [Sir Keir] doesn't want to reduce immigration or stop the boats. Never did. Never will.' Yesterday Sir Keir vowed to get migration down by banning law-breaking bosses from hiring foreign workers, and increasing training for British workers Their position prompted mockery from Conservatives, who said Labour would make the UK a 'magnet' for illegal migrants The Conservatives have repeatedly vowed to reduce net migration to the tens of thousands a target that has not been met. As part of its pledge, the party has said it will send Channel boat migrants to Rwanda a move Labour has said it will scrap. However Ms Cooper declined to rule out offshore processing of asylum seekers. Yesterday Sir Keir vowed to get migration down by banning law-breaking bosses from hiring foreign workers, and increasing training for British workers. He said last year's figures had to come down, adding that a Labour government would 'control our borders and make sure British businesses are helped to hire Brits first'. Today Sir Keir will make a renewed pitch for Tory voters, saying Labour is the 'party of national security'. The Labour leader is expected to meet Armed Forces veterans when he campaigns in the North West. The richest man in Britain - and by far the nastiest. Not Hugh, the 7th Duke of Westminster - who marries in grand style at Chester Cathedral next month - but his great-uncle Bendor, the 2nd duke. He was, according to one biographer, 'a womanising jealous bully' - a man who cared only about making himself even richer, and having a good time at everybody else's expense. Such was his sense of entitlement that he was ready to divorce his wife at the drop of a coronet - just because she read a book. And he conspired to have his brother-in-law, the Liberal politician Earl Beauchamp, thrown out of Britain because he was secretly gay. The distraught Earl, who had been a key part of King George V's inner circle, was driven to the brink of suicide. Beauchamp's flight from Britain inspired Evelyn Waugh to write his iconic novel Brideshead Revisited. The richest man in Britain - and by far the nastiest. Not Hugh, the Duke of Westminster, who marries in grand style at Chester Cathedral next month - but his great-uncle Bendor Hugh, godson of King Charles and besties with Prince William , is a generous-hearted soul whose charitable activities include supporting vulnerable children and young people Bendor's great-nephew Hugh, godson of King Charles and besties with Prince William, is a million miles from his ancestor in every possible way. His charitable activities include supporting vulnerable children and young people, working with organisations that support families, schools and local communities, and leading a fundraising campaign for the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre. And in his role as CEO of Family Action, he works with children from families impacted by poverty, addiction, food insecurity, mental and physical ill health, poor housing and domestic violence. Bendor, whose real name was also Hugh, got his nickname from the family's Derby-winning racehorse Bend Or. He sailed yachts and bedded women and was born into everything he could wish for. But he was an 'angry unfulfilled man - nothing but a fatuous, spoilt, ageing playboy' according to a family member. And he was a man accused of callously hastening the death of his only son and heir, aged five. The Duke loved hating people. Most of all he hated his sister's husband. Bendor was deeply jealous of Beauchamp's closeness to the throne in his roles as Knight of the Garter and Lord Steward of the Household. While he had all the riches, he had no Garter. So he launched his conspiracy to have Beauchamp - who had a colourful homosexual life despite a happy marriage and seven children - arrested and thrown out of Britain. 'Dear Bugger-in-Law,' he wrote, having succeeded in his treacherous mission, 'you got what you deserved!' Bendor conspired to have his brother-in-law, the Liberal politician Earl Beauchamp (above), thrown out of Britain because he was secretly gay Earl Beauchamp became the inspiration for Evelyn Waugh's character Lord Marchmain in his celebrated novel Brideshead Revisited. Above: Anthony Andrews, Laurence Olivier and Jeremy Irons as Lord Sebastian Flyte, Lord Marchmain and Charles Ryder in the 1981 TV adapation of Waugh's novel Bendor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, with his fiancee Loelia Ponsonby in February 1930. The couple married a week later Constance 'Shelagh' Edwina Lewes was the first wife of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster The character of Lord Marchmain is based on the refugee earl, and Brideshead Castle is a portrait, in part, of the Beauchamp family home, Madresfield. So what made the Duke such a brute? Born to colossal wealth the family owned huge tracts of London's Belgravia and Mayfair by the age of 20 he was already known as one of the richest men in the world. He had a 10-year affair with the fashion queen Coco Chanel before marrying a succession of wives - four in total. Bendor could have what and who he wanted. That included not one but two private yachts, and a fleet of 17 Rolls Royces which followed him around the world wherever he went. He had a personal train built to carry him from the family estate, Eaton Hall in Cheshire, into London where his main home was Grosvenor House in Grosvenor Square - later the site of the US Embassy. 'He was a man who enjoyed hiding diamonds under the pillows of his mistresses, and there were many, many mistresses,' recalled one biographer. But Bendor's affections came at a price a very high price. His third wife, Loelia Ponsonby, didn't hold back when she wrote about him after their divorce. 'He got drunk every night,' she recalled. 'Raging scenes would go on and on through the long hours of the night objects would fly through the air.' Convincing himself Loelia was cheating on him (who could blame her?), the Duke smashed her priceless diamond Cartier clock into a thousand pieces, then sifted through the debris to pick up and pocket the diamonds so she wouldn't have them. 'Despite all his marriages, he sired only one male heir Edward, Earl Grosvenor,' wrote biographer Jane Mulvagh. 'When Edward was just five his father insisted that he ride out with the hunt, despite the child's complaints of severe stomach pains. Edward died of peritonitis while out in the hunting field that day.' Bendor's wife left him instantly and it was then that he turned his unsuppressed anger on the unsuspecting Beauchamp, who'd married his sister some years before. Earl Beauchamp's wife Lettice - the sister of the 2nd Duke of Westminster - with her three eldest daughters, Lettice, Sybil and Mary Lady Lettice Lygon was the eldest daughter of Earl Beauchamp. She is pictured above in The Sketch in 1929. The publication described the tall beauty as 'six foot or so of loveliness' In setting out to get him, Bendor let King George V know that his precious courtier had broken every rule in the book. The King allegedly blurted out on hearing the news, 'I thought men like that shot themselves.' It was a ridiculous response. But Beauchamp had ignored the rules of discretion which governed the upper classes, and just as a warrant for his arrest was about to be issued homosexuality still being illegal he issued a statement saying 'ill-health' had required him to take a spa cure in Germany. He fled the country. That's when Westminster sent his brother-in-law his scathing, triumphant, letter. Beauchamp was bereft, his position and standing in society ruined. But his seven children all of whom adored him dissuaded him from taking his own life. In exile for more than five years, he longed daily for his beautiful home. But when the dust finally settled over the scandal and he was allowed back into Britain, he had a mere two years left to live. 'The problem with Bendor is he had too much money, and not enough self-control,' wrote a friend after the Duke died in 1953. When Rachel Riley first saw nine-month-old Prince George wearing her Sailboat Smocked Dungarees, she couldn't have foreseen the fame that would follow. George was accompanying his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales, on a three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 when he wore a total of four outfits from her brand. Recalling the pivotal moment, the designer told MailOnline: 'They were such momentous occasions in the world's press and it was so fun to see Prince George looking adorable wearing our outfits on the front page of every newspaper. 'The press described him as "Gorgeous George" and "Prince Charming"!' Fast forward ten years, and George's younger siblings, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, have worn Rachel's brand countless times, winning her global recognition. Charlotte's sixth birthday dress - which was characterised by pink and navy tones and contrasting ric-rac, buttons and bloomers - became an instant hit among royal enthusiasts. The 79 dress was the fastest-selling item in the brand's history, vanishing from stock within 12 hours. Prince George, then nine-months-old, wore Rachel Riley's Sailboat Smocked Dungarees on his first official royal engagement in 2014. The smart dungarees, which are currently priced at 74, were decorated with a hand-embroidered sailboat Charlotte captivated the world with her sixth birthday portrait in 2021, when she was seen wearing Rachel Riley's Floral Button-Front Dress. The garment now costs 69 The company, which comprises a team of 20, initially experienced the 'George effect' as customers swarmed to purchase his debut outfit, causing it to sell out almost instantly. Fortunately, the team managed to place the dungarees on backorder, preventing any disappointment among shoppers. It was some years earlier, in 1998, that Rachel Riley established her label and began designing all her pieces in the UK. Rachel infuses her passion for 50s and 60s fashion into her childrenswear, aiming to create heirloom keepsakes that can be passed down the generations. She takes pride in traditional craftsmanship techniques, such as hand embroidery, smocking and intarsia, incorporating the finest fabrics and yarns to ensure that her young customers look and feel their best. Perhaps it is her endearing vintage-inspired aesthetic that attracted the Prince and Princess of Wales to the brand. Over the years, William and Catherine have dressed their three children in various traditional garments sourced from Rachel Riley. Prince George often wears striped polo shirts and shorts, while William and Kate favour ditsy floral tea dresses for Charlotte. Prince George wore the brand's Striped Polo (now only available in the US at $49) and Pocket Shorts during a family trip to Toronga Zoo on Easter Sunday in 2014 George was also seen wearing Rachel Riley's Moss Stitch Cardigan while touring Australia and New Zealand in 2014. The garment now costs 34.50 George was seen wearing a Smocked Set for Charlotte's christening in 2015, reminiscent of an outfit his father wore when meeting his newborn brother, Harry, for the first time more than thirty years earlier. The outfit now costs 94 Prince William leaves the Lindo Wing of St. Mary's Hospital with his nanny Barbara Barnes after visiting his newborn brother Prince Harry on September 15, 1984. His outfit inspired Rachel Riley's creation In his early years, George's parents favoured co-ordinating sets for him, such as the Cord Shirt and Short set, which was featured on the commemorative stamp for Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday. He notably wore a red and white Smocked Set for Charlotte's christening in 2015, reminiscent of an outfit his father wore when meeting his newborn brother, Harry, for the first time more than thirty years earlier. Unsurprisingly, the adorable outfit, featuring hand-smocking, sold out within hours of Prince George's appearance. Meanwhile, nine-year-old Charlotte has been seen in at least five bloomy designs on significant occasions, including her sixth birthday portrait and the Easter Sunday church service in 2023. Most of these dresses feature a classic collar, button-front and flared skirt, predominantly in shades of blue, which may point to Charlotte's favorite colour. This signature style was one of the first designs created by Rachel, as she explained: 'Princess Charlotte is a fan of our button-front dress style, which was actually the first item I designed when I began my company 30 years ago. 'I love to see our timeless dresses enjoyed across the years. 'We now have customers buying our designs for their own children, similar to ones they wore themselves when they were small. 'It brings me great joy to see clothes loved and enjoying longevity, and of course creating picture-perfect moments!' With demand soaring, Rachel and her team swiftly organised a pre-order system, a process with which she was now thoroughly acquainted. Princess Charlotte bloomed in the brand's Navy Mini Floral Dress for the Easter Sunday church service in 2023. The garment now costs 79 It seems that the brand's considered blend of timeless style, comfort and practicality creates a winning formula for the Wales children during official engagements. Prince Louis, who recently turned six, has, naturally, followed in his siblings' stylish footsteps. He sported a Rachel Riley polo shirt for the family Christmas card in 2021 and, last year, wore a pair of tailored shorts by the quintessentially British brand. Ms Riley said: 'It has been wonderful for me to see Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis wearing our clothes for both formal and casual occasions, from official engagements to visits to the zoo and Chelsea Flower Show. 'As with every milestone in a child's life, each and every moment brings such pride and joy.' With the brand catering for newborns and children up to the age of 14, it is inevitable that George, Charlotte and Louis will outgrow its designs. However, the humble designer doesn't linger on the matter. In fact, she views growth as a positive development. 'The great joy of childhood is that it is ever evolving! You can't keep them small forever and that is why we enjoy every moment and cherish the memories made,' she explained. 'We design clothing that changes and adapts as children grow up, so it is always fun for me to see them in babysuits when they are babies, dungarees when they are crawling, shirt and short sets and cute dresses when they are walking. The aptly named Forget-Me-Not Smocked Dress was worn by Charlotte when she attended the Easter Sunday church service at St George's Chapel, Windsor, in 2022. The dress is priced at 119 Prince Louis, who recently turned six, has, naturally, followed in his siblings' stylish footsteps. Louis was dressed in Rachel Riley Blue Tailored Shorts when he attended the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel with his family last year. The shorts cost 49 'Then, as they head to pre-teen, we have designs which suit that age as well - whether it be a shift dress or top and skirt set for girls, or trousers, shirt and jacket for boys.' Other members of the Royal Family - such as Lady Louise Windsor, and Isla and Savannah Philips - have also worn her designs. Rachel by the support from the Royal Family and the broader popularity their purchases have brought her brand. She said: 'It is such an honour for me to see the royal children wearing my clothing. They always look so happy, comfortable and smart. 'Of course me and my team are excited each time it makes headline news across the world. 'I am proud to see all of our customers wearing our outfits and the joy that it brings them in the photos they share,' she added. I can't help but wonder - am I the only person who loves plane food? I've taken trips of all kinds, from speedy short haul hops with Ryanair and easyJet to premium economy jaunts with Virgin Atlantic to the U.S and even some luxury business class flights with British Airways, Qatar and EVA Air. I've also been able to serve-up first-class food at British Airways' training school - so I know plane food intimately from creation to serving and, of course, eating. I've chowed down on every calibre of plane food and yet I'm constantly hearing others complain and whine about how unpleasant it is. I can't help but disagree. Sophie Foster defends her love of in-flight meals, describing them as 'nectar' (stock image) I have had an illicit love affair with in-flight food since my first-ever flight - from floppy paninis to pre-heated kormas. It's easy to enjoy business-class food, whether that's EVA Air's midnight ramen bowls and fried crab snacks, dinnertime beef cheeks with rich gravy on European flights or Qatar's delightful mezze plates. However, I'm also a big fan of re-heated metal trays of stodgy pasta, plastic cups filled with couscous and undeterminable dressing and, perhaps shockingly to some, even those 6 cheese and ham toasties that are served at a similar temperature to magma. I'll admit that my love of a sad English breakfast, often served in a metal tub, might come from my memories of flights as a child Sophie Foster, Deputy Travel Editor I do know that plane food is not healthy, unless you're opting for fruit or salad and that perhaps I should avoid it... but I won't. Our senses are dulled when flying in a pressurised cabin so that tasting the food is more difficult than when on the ground. According to research for Lufthansa by the Fraunhofer Institute, Artemis Aerospace noted in a blog post, salt is perceived to be between 20 and 30 per cent less intense and sugar 15 to 20 per cent less intense at high altitude, and overall almost 70 per cent of passengers' sense of taste is lost. To make up for this, the meals are packed with added salt and sugar to ensure passengers can taste them. According to some studies, the average plane meal has around 360-400 calories per food item (so roughly 1,500 calories in total) and high quantities of fat, salt and sugar. Sophie admits that her love of 'a sad breakfast served in a metal tub' might come from nostalgic memories of flights as a child Peter Jones, a retired professor of travel catering from Surrey University, noted: 'Airlines are not hugely concerned about nutrition because their view is that one meal consumed by a passenger will not make the slightest bit of difference to them out of the thousands of meals they consume.' Other ways of adding flavour to in-flight food include adding spice; nasal, astringent flavours such as wasabi and mustard; and the fifth taste (after salty, sweet, bitter and sour), umami, which is found in foods such as tomatoes, mushrooms, seaweed and cured meats. It is perhaps my deep love for both umami and salt that means plane food tastes like nectar to me - I've never much liked sweet things so salty, spicy pasta, a rich beef curry or even a mustard-filled, mushroom risotto are much more to my taste. My other theory is that my appetite for in-flight meals is partly a reprieve from boredom. I see it this way: when you're stuck at 35,000ft, there's not much to break up the journey. That's where the airplane food comes in, in all its glory. An hour or so after take-off you're being offered a choice of dishes, your hot drinks are served and, eventually, your tray is placed on your table for you to unwrap and discover the treasure that lies under the tin foil. It makes an hour feel like minutes as you happily tuck in before the tray is taken away and you're bored again (and wish there was another plane meal to come). Sometimes, on extra-long flights, there is! Such joy. 'But it's so bland,' I hear you shout. 'And the bread is dry and the meat... mysterious'. Well, I've never thought so - especially if you have ever tried the options that are served when flying long-haul far from home. I'll admit that my love of a sad English breakfast, often served in a metal tub, might also come from my memories of flights as a child and a misplaced nostalgia for family holidays. But, I doubt many would turn their noses up at Thai basil chicken from Thai Airways, vegetable crepes on an Emirates jet or crab and shrimp glass noodles with VietJet. You might disagree with me, but at the end of the flight I'm always full and happy. Plus, you can always pass your tray over and I'll finish that off, too. Now, admit it... I can't be the only person to love plane food. The sole inhabitant of Europe's highest and most isolated village has revealed that it is a powerful sense of duty that keeps him living there. Irakl Khvedaguridze, 84, is the only licensed doctor in the remote Tusheti region of Georgia, which covers about 380 square miles. While everyone has left his village, Bochorna, Irakl has remained put with his trusty horse, Bichola, serving as his only round-year companion. In a YouTube documentary by filmmakers Yes Theory, the octogenarian explains how he is dedicated to keeping the last pockets of life in the mountains alive. When asked if he has ever considered leaving Bochorna - which sits at 7,694 feet above sea level - he responds: 'You have to think about the well-being of others as well. Irakli Khvedaguridze, 84, is the only licensed doctor in the remote Tusheti region of Georgia, which covers about 380 square miles While everyone has left his village, Bochorna, Irakl has remained put with his trusty horse, Bichola, serving as his only round-year companion In a YouTube documentary by filmmakers Yes Theory, the octogenarian explains how he is dedicated to keeping the last pockets of life in the mountains alive When asked if he has ever considered leaving Bochorna - which sits at 7,694 feet above sea level - he responds: 'You have to think about the well-being of others as well' 'I go to help people who are ill. Even when I am ill myself, I still put my hat on and get on that horse.' Tusheti has been inhabited for thousands of years, with the main industry being sheep farming. However, with traditions steadily dying out, many people have left the mountainous region. According to the Georgian Travel Guide, there are 40 deserted villages and 10 villages that are very sparsely populated. Of the communities that are left, the majority only have one or two full-time residents like Bochorna. Most villagers leave Tusheti in late September, as the conditions during winter at altitude can be brutal with the temperatures plummeting well below freezing and more than six feet of snow lasting for months at a time. However, Irakli remains in his simple farmhouse in Bochorna with the wood stove burning so he can respond to any emergency calls. The dedicated doctor was born in the lofty village and in a 2022 interview with National Geographic, he explained the hold that the ancient enclave has on him. He told the publication: 'My father, my grandfather, all my ancestors were born here. This area belonged to us.' In another short film about his life called Irakli's Lantern, Irakli reveals when he was in first grade in 1949, he remembers nine families living in Bochorna but over time they have disappeared and even his own children have left to seek more modern lifestyles. Irakli did leave his home to study medicine in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and he went on to take his first job at a hospital in another part of the country. However, when the previous doctor serving Bochorna and the Tusheti region left in 1979, he started doing rotations and he relocated there full time in 2009 instead of retiring. Touching on what the future holds for Georgia's mountain communities, Irakli says in the new YouTube documentary that 'it's going in a bad direction.' He continues: 'The lifestyle [has] changed. Nobody wants to work in the villages anymore. 'If this keeps up, then there's no more winter tourism either.' Tusheti and the villages in the region have been inhabited for thousands of years, with the main industry being sheep farming Irakli did leave his home to study medicine in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi and he went on to take his first job at a hospital in another part of the country Touching on what the future holds for Georgia's mountain communities, Irakli says in the new YouTube documentary that 'it's going in a bad direction' Irakli, who is partially blind, does not state if there is anyone lined up as his replacement Yes Theory filmmaker Thomas Brag says: 'Part of me hopes younger generations will see the beauty here and reverse what seems like the inevitable disappearance of villages like these' Irakli says the hardest thing about his line of work and being somewhere so remote is 'when you have a really ill patient, you want to help but you can't.' He reveals: 'I've had a few cases like that. A 14-year-old boy's palm was cut in the middle - there was blood everywhere, pouring like a fountain from the artery. 'We were holding his palm very tightly so it would stop bleeding and thank God, Shamila the pilot flew right away and took the kid. 'It was really critical for me, when you want to help a dying kid but you can't.' Irakli, who is partially blind, does not state if there is anyone lined up as his replacement. After sharing some wine and food with the Yes Theory camera team, the medic walks them to a church next to his home. In the stone structure, which dates to the 1800s, he lights some candles and says some prayers 'for my family's glory.' After bidding him goodbye, the Yes Theory team head to a few more villages in the area, navigating treacherous roads as they go. In one tumble down village they find a couple who live there alone. They explain that their son is a pilot, so occasionally he helps transport supplies to them but mainly they are self sufficient. After exploring the dwindling Georgian communities, Yes Theory team member Thomas Brag concludes: 'A part of me hopes that some of us in the younger generations will see the beauty that is here and reverse what currently seems like the inevitable disappearance of villages like these. 'But maybe that's just me holding on to a romanticized view of what life in places like these must be like. Time is inevitable and it may be a hopeless quest to attempt to resist it.' You may feel it's time to relax when you have booked your holiday, having managed to avoid the ever-increasing glut of fake online deals, bogus tour operators and flight payment scams. But once you have arrived, you still need to be on your guard against a variety of old-fashioned confidence tricks designed to part you and your hard-earned cash. Having visited 157 countries over the past 20 years, I've been faced with just about every travel hustle under the sun and even fallen foul of them once or twice. Here are some of the most common ones to watch out for. Rip-off airport taxis Incredibly, many major airports, such as Istanbul and Auckland, do not have non-stop rail links into the city centre. Taxi drivers know you are tired and just want to get to your accommodation, and that there's a good chance you may not yet have figured out the exchange rate. The result? Crazy fares. TOP TIPS TO AVOID THE SCAMMERS Never let your credit/debit card out of your sight, it could be cloned. Watch out for fake holidays on social media. Instead, use firms connected to reputable groups such as ABTA and AITO, with an ATOL (Air Travel Organisers' Licence), if flights are included. Beware prices that seem low, but not ridiculously so, sold via unfamiliar websites. If there's great availability at peak times, be cautious. Avoid companies requiring payment by bank transfer. Never click through to a third-party website via an email or text. Be wary of online reviews. Be suspicious of a small number of glowing reviews. When booking tickets to an attraction, always go through the official website. Advertisement The solution: First, know the exchange rate check on xe.com. Next, book your taxi in advance. This can easily be done now thanks to a new wave of companies such as Welcome Pickups (welcomepickups.com) or Taxi2airport (taxi2airport.com) two of the most reputable firms with reasonable rates. Drivers meet you in the arrivals hall. Restaurant extras That lovely waiter who waved you in from the street did not tell you about the cabaret show happening later in a far corner and there's a charge for that. He also didn't inform you that the 'catch of the day' will leave you with an eye-watering bill. The solution: Regarding live music, look out for a stage, however tiny, or whether street musicians are nearby as there's a chance they will pop in, with a commission to the diner. If in doubt, pick the smallest restaurant off the main drag. With seafood restaurants, simply never order the 'catch of the day' until the waiter has told you the price and shown you a menu. Useless tour guides You have paid for an 'experience' that doesn't deliver what was promised and maybe even had to pay for admission to attractions you thought were included. Or your tour has been little more than a succession of dreadful souvenir shops. The solution: Do your research by checking Trustpilot and Tripadvisor ratings and make sure you scroll down a few pages as the first ones may be placed by the owner. If it's too late and you're already on a useless tour, never leave early as a refund will be very unlikely. Grit your teeth and complain immediately afterwards. Beware camera thieves This one is hardly sophisticated: a friendly local volunteers to take a photo for you or your group. Your new acquaintance, however, then runs off with your phone/camera. The solution: If anyone offers to take your photo, politely decline. If you do want a picture, however, use your instincts as to who to ask. It's best to wait until a parent with a child, and who doesn't seem too busy, comes along. Dodgy hire car firms You are charged for causing damage to the vehicle but it was already there when you hired the car. It's your word against theirs. The solution: Never fail to go around the hire car taking pictures of the interior and exterior before driving it away. This is your proof that, for example, the drinks stain on the rear seat was there before you set foot inside. Exchange rate cons Everyone knows hotel reception desks offer dismal exchange rates. But surely a (seemingly) reputable airport exchange-rate service can't be that bad? Do the maths after you've changed your holiday money and you may well be in for a rather nasty surprise. The solution: Using an ATM once to draw out holiday cash is very unlikely to cost you more than four or five pounds though those in airport arrivals halls almost always have a higher charge. Better still, exchange your money before you go. Decent rates are usually to be had at the Post Office. Safety on the streets Pickpockets or muggers use distraction techniques in busy tourist areas. Beware if you are asked for spare change, the time or directions to a place. Look out for criminals working in small groups two distract you while another opens your rucksack. The solution: Don't wear a rucksack on your front instead of your back, it makes you look more vulnerable and gives off the idea that you're carrying stuff that's really worth stealing. Also, if you do find yourself in some iffy places, always have a decoy wallet with just enough cash to satisfy a mugger. Hand this over rather than your actual wallet, which should be in an inside pocket. If it's T-shirt weather, don't feel silly putting cash inside your socks. 'Can you sponsor me?' Someone approaches you with a pen and paper to sign a sponsorship form and hand over cash for a school, hospital or similar. The solution: Most such approaches are a scam. If a refusal results in persistence, ask where the school/hospital/whatever is so you can give money in person. This will usually put them off. He told DailyMail.com that he doesn't need Kim's money but her voice The former zookeeper has tried relentlessly to capture Kim's attention Tiger King's Joe Exotic has questioned whether he is 'too white' for Kim Kardashian's help in getting out of prison while unleashing a furious rant against the reality star - with the jailed zookeeper also taking aim at Justin Bieber for failing to use his platform for good. The former Netflix star, 61, is serving a 21-year sentence for conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire - and risks dying behind bars after being told by doctors that he may have lung cancer. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com from Santa Rosa County jail in Florida, Exotic went on a tirade against Kim, 43, for failing to answer his pleas for help in securing his freedom, insisting that he does not need the businesswoman's money, but rather her voice. At the same time, he heaped praise on Cardi B for showing her support - while also targeting Kendall Jenner on Instagram in a bid to contact Kim. Joe Exotic, who is currently in Santa Rosa County jail in Florida, has questioned whether he is 'too white' for Kim Kardashian's help in getting out of prison The former zookeeper, 61, has begged wannabe lawyer Kim, 43, to help his case, all to no avail 'I've called Kim Kardashian plain out,' he said. 'Am I too white for her help? Because all I need is her voice. I don't need her money. 'I don't need her to spend her whole life helping me do this. All I need is for her to pick up a phone and call the White House and say, "Look, I'm behind Joe's movement. This is good. The system is messed up."' In 2020, Exotic begged Kim 43, to 'call President Donald Trump to pardon me' in an open letter. In February he also pleaded with Kourtney Kardashian to bring his case to Kim's attention. 'Please have your sister help me get out of this hell hole,' he wrote on Instagram Within five days, his comment received more than 10,495 likes, and hundreds of responses. On Monday he used the same tactic, this time reaching out to Kendall Jenner on her Instagram account. 'Have your sister reach out please,' he begged. 'I want to show her the videos of them all admitting to perjury. She helps those wrongfully incarcerated right?' In recent years, Kim has become a force in criminal justice and prison reform. Exotic attempted to reach out to the reality star through her sister Kourtney on social media earlier this year (Kim and Kourtney pictured in 2018) 'Please have your sister help me get out of this hell hole,' Exotic penned to Kourtney In 2017, she fought for clemency for Alice Johnson, and first reached out to Ivanka Trump about the case before later meeting with former President Trump to campaign on Johnson's behalf. This move led to Trump pardoning Johnson for a non-violent drug trafficking offense, and her release from prison in summer 2018. Since then, Kim has gone on to fight for others in similar situations, including Kevin Cooper and Julius Jones. But it's not just the Kardashians who have left Exotic feeling frustrated. Turning his attention to Bieber, 30, he continued: 'He has some 269million followers. 'Do you realize that's four times the amount of votes that the President of the United States gets to run the most powerful country in the world? 'Why don't people like Justin Bieber use their influence to help fix our problems? 'They don't have to they don't have to run for office, all they have to do is be a voice and to say, "Look, the American people can't afford you people anymore. So, either we're gonna have to vote y'all at office, or you're gonna have to straighten up." 'Who do we have to look up to? Who?' Justin Bieber (pictured here with his wife Hailey) has also come under fire from Exotic for failing to use his 'influence to help fix our problems' Exotic, however, heaped praise on rapper Cardi B for being 'my voice on and off out there this whole time' Exotic did point out that he has received help from Cardi B, who set up a GoFundMe page in his honor after he was first arrested so that he could afford lawyers. 'She's been my voice on and off out there this whole time,' he said. 'And you know, out of Lil Wayne, Kodak Black and Kim Kardashian or anybody else, Cardi B is the only one that you have seen on the internet calling out the White House for funding two wars at one time and not taking care of American people that can't afford food. 'At least the woman has got some guts to face what the problem really is in this country.' In his interview with DailyMail.com, Exotic also confirmed he has not heard from Machine Gun Kelly despite shooting his shot with the rapper in February when he insisted he could turn him gay with a tiger and meth. 'I gave Machine Gun Kelly a hard time when he got that new tattoo,' Exotic said. 'That was a joke, and it went viral. I felt sorry for him because everybody in the world started picking on him, but I did write an apology.' Exotic has been trying to get pardoned since 2020, when in May that year his legal team attempted to get a presidential pardon from Trump. They were so confident that this would happen that they even had a limo waiting outside his jail to pick him up. In recent weeks, however, Exotic has shifted tactics. Rather than being pardoned, he has now filed a petition of clemency. He said: 'I will let them keep the stupid conviction if it means that much to them. I would take some time served and walk away from all of this and move on.' Besides trying to get himself freed from prison, Exotic is also campaigning in the 2024 election to become president of the United States. Exotic, who shot to fame in Netflix's Tiger King: Murder, Mystery, and Mayhem, is running as an 'unaffiliated' candidate in this year's presidential bid When asked what he would do on his first day in the White House, Exotic said: 'Everyone that has ever filed a pardon or clemency that has served over five years of their sentence I would release' 'It's going great,' Exotic said of his efforts. 'You know, I had to change my political status to unaffiliated because the Democrats figured out how to kick me off the ballot. 'What we're doing is we're using me as the "no" vote, the "we're just sick and tired of voting for you people" vote. 'I don't want people to just not go and vote. I want people to go and vote and write in Joe Exotic and make a statement: we would rather have somebody in prison that has their head on straight and got solutions for this country, than all you corrupt people who keep moving this country backwards.' When asked what he would do on his first day in the White House, Exotic said: 'Everyone that has ever filed a pardon or clemency that has served over five years of their sentence I would release. 'Then I would close down half of the federal prisons in America, because they need to be demolished. We don't need to refill them.' He continued: 'I would close the border and I have the best border policy anybody does.' Exotic is currently being held at Santa Rosa County jail in Florida while he awaits court for a civil case Revealing how he's spending his days behind bars in Florida, he said: 'I get to use a phone and I get to do video visits... right now I'm watching three seasons of Chicago Med' When he's not calling out celebrities online, vying for his release from prison, or working on his presidential campaign, Exotic is laughing and joking with his fellow inmates or enjoying television something he didn't have the privilege of being able to do behind bars in Texas. He shared: 'Here at this county jail, let me tell you, if I could go outside, I would stay here until I went home. 'The food is not that good, but they have this thing here called fresh favorites on Friday where people can order you a cheeseburger or pizza from the outside world. I had my first cheeseburger in six years! 'And I get to use a phone and I get to do video visits. And then they have tablets, so right now I'm watching three seasons of Chicago Med. 'Now when I'm in prison in Fort Worth, Texas, I spend most of my time outside on the track or playing horseshoes or bocce ball or something like that.' At the time of writing, Exotic is locked up with 50 other inmates in his 'pod'. He continued: 'We laid here last night till two o'clock in the morning laughing and cutting up jokes. 'Everywhere I've ever been I've gotten along with everyone. No one has ever given me a problem - and it's not just because of who I am. It's because they know that I am fighting for their rights, too.' Actor says the group was 'pioneering' and participants were 'grateful' for it Andrew, 45, was the founder of Full Circle in Los Angeles from 2014 to 2017 Hollywood actor Andrew Keegan has laughed off accusations that he was the leader of a Los Angeles cult formed 10 years ago and has admitted that he actually finds the 'unique title' rather amusing. In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, the 45-year-old actor - perhaps best known for playing Joey Donner in 1999 teen rom-com 10 Things I Hate About You, starring Health Ledger - addressed the claims that Full Circle, which operated out of an old Hare Krishna temple in Venice Beach from 2014 to 2017, was a cult. When asked about the rumors, father-of-one Andrew said: 'I'm kind of just happy to just take it in my stride like, "Okay I know who I am, I know my life, it's not as it's been written about, but you know it is what it is, what are you going to do?"' 'I mean, you just live a good life as much as you can and the most recent viral thing, I actually said what I needed to say, I sort of dismissed it because it's not true,' he added, referring to comments he made on the Pod Meets World podcast back in February. Andrew continued: 'I kind of understand, and I also accept my part of responsibility for putting myself in that situation, but I don't apologize for it. But it is what it is and it's not going to cloud up my day. Hollywood actor Andrew Keegan has laughed off accusations that he was the leader of a Los Angeles cult formed 10 years ago Full Circle was formed in Venice Beach in 2014, with meetings taking place in an old Hare Krishna temple 'We did our part to just bring awareness to it, even if it's at the expense of being called funny names. But, it's funny too, because I've never met anybody else that either is or has been accused of being a cult leader, so I have a unique title in that sense!' he laughed, before adding: 'You can't take life too seriously.' He then claimed: 'There's a bit of pioneering in it because I can't tell you how many times people have felt more comfortable in their spiritual endeavors or quest, if you will, by knowing like, "Okay, well it's something I should look into." 'Many people came with having read the nonsense and discovered something, and are so grateful for it, and I will say this, during that particular period of time when it was currently happening, it actually provided a pathway for other places to do things like meditation and sound healing. 'So, since then those actual things that we were doing that were under this "cult activity" are more normalized now. 'It's good stuff, you should meditate, you should take some time and think about doing things that are healthy for yourself, not just working and going to the bar. Do something outside of that... societal stuff.' Andrew, who also played the role of Ronnie 'Lips' Waterman in a 1996 episode of Boy Meets World, joined former stars of the show Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong and Will Friedle, on their podcast earlier this year and addressed the 'cult' claims. Opening up about the beginnings of Full Circle, Andrew explained that he was living in Venice Beach at the time and became 'immersed in the culture and the community.' 'There was this interesting group of hippie types, if you will, in Venice. I'm sure if you went on the west side, there's definitely a lot of spirituality,' he said. Andrew said people would visit Full Circle and went on to feel 'more comfortable in their spiritual endeavors or quest' The actor explained how Full Circle 'provided a pathway for other places to do things like meditation and sound healing' Andrew is perhaps best known for starring alongside Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger in the 1999 film 10 Things I Hate About You 'I was connected with some folks and we had this opportunity. This old Hare Krishna Temple, it was sitting there empty and we were like, "Why don't we get some people together and let's open this place up?" 'Looking back, it was insane. I was putting down tens of thousands of dollars, but we opened it up and spent three years and really did build an amazing friend group.' 'We went through something really significant from 2014 to 2017,' Andrew added, before discussing the much-publicized Vice article. The profile, which was published in August 2014, referred to Full Circle as a 'temple and spiritual movement,' after paying the temple a visit, but Andrew and his members insisted that it wasn't a cult. 'I probably should have had a little bit more media training at the time. They just really created a very interesting, colorful story... we really just got together and did a Sunday thing,' he said. 'We did almost 1,000 events in three years and it was actually really hard. It was really beneficial to a lot of people, I still hear about it now, where people are like, "That was such a great time."' Andrew still lives in Venice Beach and has been working in real estate, but is also still taking on acting jobs. 'I did two pilots. That's what's great about this industry, there's always opportunities and if one of these shows goes, I would much rather be on a set than doing real estate, so I'm crossing my fingers that one or both of them gets picked up,' he said. Kylie Jenner's friends and family fear she will get her heart broken by Timothee Chalamet, who is failing to prioritize her, according to insiders who claim the reality star isn't ready to walk away. The couple - who first sparked dating rumors when Kylie, 26, was photographed at the actor's Beverly Hills home in June - went public with their romance last September at a Beyonce concert. But despite a very loved up display at this year's Golden Globe Awards in January, the pair have not been pictured together since, sparking a frenzy of speculation over whether or not they secretly pulled the plug on their romance. Now, insiders have told DailyMail.com that despite still being together, Kylie's loved ones fear Timothee, 28, who is shooting the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic in New Jersey, isn't making time for the make-up mogul, who lives on the west coast. 'Kylie is trying to hold onto her relationship with Timothee, but those around her fear it is becoming evident that he's just not as invested in their relationship as she is anymore,' an source told DailyMail.com exclusively. Kylie Jenner is still 'madly in love' with actor Timothee Chalamet, according to insiders, despite not being photographed together in months (pictured at the Met Gala in May) Timothee, 28, and Kylie, 26, were last photographed together at the Golden Globes in January (pictured) 'Kylie is madly in love with Timothee and she put so much into this relationship. She went so public with their romance because she was sure it would last. 'But those closest to her feel he doesnt make her a priority and her sisters are now telling her to walk away, but she cant.' Aside from their love fest at Beyonce's LA concert, they have been pictured several times packing on the PDA, from being affectionate at a New York Fashion Week event, to holding hands at Paris Fashion week and struggling to separate at the U.S. Open, before sharing several kisses at the Globes. For months fans have questioned whether they are together or have split, with insiders previously telling DailyMail.com the two were simply taking time away from the limelight while Timothee focused on promoting sci-fi blockbuster Dune 2. 'His career is taking off and he wants to protect it and let it thrive based on his talent not who he is or isn't dating,' a source said in March. 'He also wants to protect his relationship with Kylie. 'They are still dating. But Timothee has decided to keep a low profile with Kylie, mainly because he wants Dune 2 to get all the attention and for the movie to speak for itself.' They continued: 'Zendaya and others from the film have also refrained from flaunting their relationships during the press tour, because they want the movie to be its own thing and not have any outside drama or distractions ruining that.' A second source at the time added that Kylie, who has two children with her ex Travis Scott, was enjoying the privacy. Kylie is 'trying to hold onto her relationship with Timothee, but those around her fear he is just not as invested,' the insider tells DailyMail.com Timothee is currently filming A Complete Unknown - the Bob Dylan biopic in New Jersey (pictured) with sources claiming he 'is not prioritizing' her 'Kylie's family feel she is a much more humble and real person when she is around Timothee,' they said. 'She loves him so much and she's said she believes he is the one.' Last month the pair were the subject of pregnancy rumors, which were first sparked by comedian Daniel Tosh. He alleged on his podcast that a grocery store in Malibu had been shut down for use in filming The Kardashians - with a scene dedicated to Kylie announcing she is expecting her third child. 'Spoiler alert. This random grocery store person is telling me that they rented out the entire store, shut it down and then, they acted like they were grocery shopping,' he said. 'This was the scene that apparently happened Kylie reveals that she's pregnant again with Timothee's kid. What a bombshell.' He added that he wasn't validating the story: 'I'm not verifying anything. This is what an employee at a grocery store in Malibu told me.' But multiple sources quashed the claim, with insiders telling Us Weekly: 'Kylie is not pregnant.' Timothee and Kylie were reportedly first acquainted after meeting at Paris Fashion week in January 2023, but they went public in September at a Beyonce concert (pictured) The couple proved they were not shy about displaying their affection for one another as they shared kisses at the US Open Men's final (pictured) Kylie and Timothee's very public make-out session at the Golden Globes caused a social media frenzy at the start of the year Kylie, who recently launched her new energy drink Sprinter, previously dated rapper Travis Scott. Their split was officially announced the same month she was pictured with Timothee. Travis, 33, appeared to slam his ex's new romance on his track Meltdown back in July. The rapper's lyrics made reference to Wonka - the film that Timothee was nominated for a Golden Globe award in the best actor category. 'Chocolate AP and chocolate the Vs, got the Willy Wonka factory / Burn a athlete like its calories, find another flame hot as me,' he raps on the track. A source close to Travis told DailyMail.com Travis believed Kylie was only dating Timothee to 'get at him' for reasons related to their acrimonious breakup. The voice on the other end of the phone was indignant, coming from a woman with an awful lot to say and who couldnt have been angrier. Last Sunday, I took a call from the actress and former Strictly star Amanda Abbington, who has launched legal action against the BBC and her professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, over her torrid time on the show. Her voice raised, she was clearly feeling a huge sense of injustice. The purpose of her call was to put across her side of the story in the saga surrounding the Italian heartthrobs teaching methods and whether his behaviour had ever crossed a line. Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing last year. The actress clearly feels a huge sense of injustice about what happened Ms Abbington, pictured in Strictly rehearsals, is one of three women who have hired 700-an-hour lawyers at leading London law firm Carter Ruck to pursue claims against Giovanni and the BBC The latest twist had been over who had asked the BBC to record their rehearsal sessions. Last week, I had reported how Giovanni made the request as he grew concerned about Amandas behaviour an assertion the actress was now taking strong objection to. Youre wrong! she shouted. I asked for them to be recorded, it was me. Giovanni is nasty. He was awful to a few of us, a group of us. had reported how Giovanni made the request as he grew concerned about Amandas behaviou Amanda went on to describe how her life had been devastated by the experience, which has exploded since she quit the show abruptly in the middle of the last series. In January, she claimed she had suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after working with Giovanni, and later complained of sustaining a bruised foot in training. Last month, it was confirmed that three women, including Amanda, had hired 700-an-hour lawyers at leading London law firm Carter Ruck to pursue claims against Giovanni and the BBC. You dont understand how awful this all is, Amanda told me. Giovannis fans have started trolling me now. I have had to come off social media and Im getting death threats. The call, which lasted seven-and-a-half minutes, was significant. After months of merely hinting that Giovanni was to blame for her early exit, this was the first time that Amanda had been so candid on the record. Whats more, the actress also insisted to me that she had complained of Giovannis behaviour soon into the series. I went to producers early on and told them about Giovanni, she said. And she lamented of the fallout: All of this because I didnt enjoy a television programme. I didnt enjoy it because of all of this. No details of how Giovanni is alleged to have behaved have yet been released. But days after her phone call, the BBC put out an unprecedented statement about the dispute. After weeks of silence, when their press office would either ignore my questions or simply reply no comment, a spokesman vowed that the broadcaster would carry out its investigation with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned. The spokesman said: If a complaint is made to the BBC, we assess and take any necessary steps to establish the facts, whether there is a case to answer, and, if appropriate, what action should be taken. This is all within the context of the BBC having duties of care to everyone linked to a complaint that applies to those that have raised the complaint and to those that have been complained about. The actress also insisted to Katie Hind that she had complained of Giovannis behaviour soon into the series The dancer, who quit Strictly in April, has launched a fightback by hiring rival law firm Schillings Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for many of those who have taken part, we will always look at any issues raised with care, fairness and sensitivity to everyone concerned. Sources familiar with the situation say the BBC came under pressure from Amandas team to say publicly that it was she who asked for the rehearsals to be taped. A source said: Its terrible, really. Amanda wanted the BBC to set her record straight, to confirm her version of events. But of course they cant. It just shows that if she doesnt like what is being said, she shouts loudly about it. But in what is fast becoming a he-said, she-said in sequins, Team Giovanni still insist it was he who asked for the rehearsals to be filmed, not her, and say the footage was reviewed on a daily basis. One friend tells me: Why should everyone believe her and nobody believe Gio? It feels like she wants to finish him off and ensure the BBC is on her side. Giovanni wants a fair hearing. He has said all along that he will take part in any investigation when asked. Ten days ago, the dancer, who quit Strictly in April, launched a fightback by hiring rival law firm Schillings. His case is being handled by Joelle Rich, 39, who represented Johnny Depp in his libel trial in 2020. Whatever the outcome, the next few months are likely to be heated. As for her phone call to me, Amanda sent a follow-up message 20 minutes afterwards saying: I must apologise again for getting cross, Im very sorry. Of course the main loser in this affair is the show itself. Later this year, Strictly will mark its 20th anniversary a landmark producers will want to be a celebration, not mired in controversy. But with Giovanni, 33, now absent, some of the shows 10 million viewers feel the show has been tarnished. Even some senior insiders at the BBC are dismayed that the dancer is no longer part of the line-up after nine years. As one put it to me: Everything would be so much better if Gio was in it. As the socialite daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton, Nico Parker has enjoyed some high-profile roles. Now she is set for huge global success after landing a part on the new Bridget Jones movie, Mad About The Boy. Ms Parker, 19, whose father is screenwriter Ol Parker, was seen filming at Bridget's home in Hampstead, London, in a scene where, with some trepidation, she knocks on her door. While her character hasn't been confirmed, sources say she could be the girlfriend of Bridget's toyboy, Rockstar. Dressed in a crop top and jeans, Ms Parker was seen with Renee Zellweger, 56, who is portraying the heroine for the fourth and final time. Nico Parker was seen filming at Bridget Jones's home in Hampstead, London In the scene, she knocks on the character's door with some trepidation Ms Parker, 19, is the daughter of screenwriter Ol Parker While her character hasn't been confirmed, sources say she could be the girlfriend of Bridget's toyboy, Rockstar A film source said: 'Nico is a great signing hopefully it will bring in a younger audience.' Mad About The Boy - which is based on the novel of the same name - follows Bridget as she battles motherhood after the tragic death of Mark, who was played in the previous films by Colin Firth, 63. American actress Zellweger was also spotted filming the movie in London this week as she took her character and late husband Mark Darcy's children to school. She donned jeans and a cream padded jacket for the shoot while her young co-stars, who play daughter Mabel and son Billy, wore school uniforms. Zellweger later slipped into Bridget's iconic mini skirt. Actress Leila Farzad was also on set and appeared chic in a cream woollen coat which she teamed with a matching skirt and brown leather boots. Dressed in a crop top and jeans, Ms Parker was seen with Renee Zellweger, 56, who is portraying the heroine for the fourth and final time Mad About The Boy - which is based on the novel of the same name - follows Bridget as she battles motherhood after the tragic death of Mark As the socialite daughter of actress Thandiwe Newton, Nico Parker has enjoyed some high-profile roles The return of Bridget's mini-skirt will no doubt remind fans of Bridget's exchange with Daniel in the original film, when the sexist love rat emailed her after spotting her in a very short garment. He famously wrote: 'Where is skirt? Is skirt off sick?' And she replied: 'Am appalled by message. Skirt is demonstrably neither sick nor absent. Appalled by management's blatantly size-ist attitude... to skirt. Suggest management sick, not skirt!' He replied: 'If walking past office... was attempt to demonstrate presence of skirt... can only say that it has failed parlously. Cleave.' She then hit back with: 'Shut up,please. I'm very busy and important. P.S. How dare you sexually harass me... in this impertinent manner.' Daniel concluded: 'Mortified to have caused offense. Will avoid all non-P.C. overtones in future. Deeply apologetic. P.S. Like your t**s in that top.' Nico Parker and Thandiwe Newton attend the premiere of Reminiscence in 2021 Pictured: Nico Parker attends the BAFTA Television Awards 2024 with P&O Cruises Renee Zellweger, 55, continued filming Bridget Jones' fourth outing Mad About The Boy in London this week Renne donned jeans and a cream padded jacket for the shoot The actress later slipped into Bridget's iconic mini skirt and cardigan to film scenes set on a different day In the new film, Bridget enjoys a fling with Rockstar and PE teacher Mr Walker, as played by 12 Years A Slave actor Chiwetel Ejiofor as well as reviving her on-off relationship with Hugh Grant's Daniel Cleaver. Chiwetel, 46, was seen shooting scenes last week which means only Hugh and Colin Firth who has a small role in the movie as the late Mark Darcy are yet to be spotted in character. The fourth Bridget Jones movie was officially confirmed last month and is set to be released on Valentine's Day next year. Amanda Holden has admitted she didn't expect her feud with Sharon Osbourne to 'blow up in the way that it did'. The Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, did an interview with the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine where she waded into the row between Simon Cowell and Sharon and Louis Walsh after the pair's appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. At the time, she branded Sharon, 71, as 'bitter and pathetic' but the former X Factor judge took to social media to fire back and accused her of being an 'ill informed sycophantic'. But now, Amanda has claimed that she 'wasn't bothered' in the slightest by the feud and she would do it all again because she was only 'sticking up' for her friend Simon. She told The Sun: 'I really wasn't expecting it to all blow up the way it did, but I also can't explain how much it didn't bother me at all, either. Amanda Holden has admitted she didn't expect her feud with Sharon Osbourne to 'blow up in the way that it did The Britain's Got Talent judge, 53, branded Sharon, 71 (pictured) as 'bitter and pathetic' but the former X Factor star soon fired back on social media 'I was just sticking up for a friend and I know she would stick up for a friend. I would do it all again. And honestly, I wasn't phased.' The former Wild At Heart actress hailed Sharon as a 'tough cookie' in the world of showbiz and insisted that the pair are still fond of each other despite the feud. She said: 'Sharon's a tough cookie who's a survivor in this industry, and I look up to her. We have a lot in common, and I know she likes me and I like her.' Amanda is also certain that the pair of them will cross paths again at some point soon. But the former West End star did admit that she didn't read any of Sharon's tirade and even cut her husband Chris off when he started to cut him off. Composing the post as you would a letter, Sharon, 71, began: 'Amanda, I am responding to your interview with the Daily Mail on April 12th, I respect the fact that you feel the need to defend your good friend and employer, Simon Cowell, who is also your husband's employer, or so I've read. 'However, a couple of your statements regarding myself are factually incorrect.' Amanda (centre) had acted in programmes such as Cutting It and Wild At Heart but came to wide public attention when she joined the Britain's Got Talent panel in 2007 (pictured alongside Piers Morgan, left, and Simon Cowell, right) Sharon savagely pointed out: 'Amanda, I think you're missing the point here, no disrespect to Simon Cowell, but he NEEDED ME for musical credibility on X Factor and I delivered for him and together all of us made a great team' (pictured on X Factor in 2004) Not afraid to speak her mind and spill behind the scenes secrets about the showbiz industry, Sharon and Louis didn't hold back during their time on Celebrity Big Brother last month Sharon went on to list her career accolades and those of her husband as she made a case as to why she didn't need Simon Cowell And Sharon hasn't taken the remarks lying down, as she took to Twitter to issue the presenter with a full statement and accused her of being an 'ill informed sycophantic,' and blasted her statement as 'factually incorrect' Sharon insisted: 'The truth is, you don't know me, Amanda or any of my close friends. You know nothing about my family history in the music industry, my achievements, the artists I have worked with, the shows that I've produced and my global celebrity. 'Unlike you, the brand of Sharon Osbourne is known worldwide. There are many countries that I could work in if I choose to, however, I don't have the ambition or time to do so.' Sharon went on to flaunt her wealth and luxurious lifestyle as she quipped: 'Our worlds are totally different. I have been blessed with an amazing lifestyle throughout my entire life. 'Before you were born, I was living in a mansion in Beverly Hills and continue to do so today and continue to have my country estate in England as well. 'But there is something you should know. I never discuss money, lifestyle or positions of power. I find it to be classless and crude. 'However you've now forced my hand to divulge these things to you and I honestly don't want to seem like I'm bragging, but the truth is my money and success were not due to doing a couple of Simon Cowell talent shows. 'Don't get me wrong I enjoyed doing them at the time as they were great fun. Yes, Simon paid me very well. Probably more than what you're receiving today, but all of that my darling went on a few handbags.' Listing her career accolades, Sharon continued: 'At the time that I worked on X Factor, I was the only judge who had global accomplishments with multiple million-selling artists, Grammy Award winner and arena and stadium headliners. Sharon also wrote in the letter: ''It's demeaning to me and my husband and all the achievements I have made in my life' (pictured with husband Ozzy in 2017) 'I was also a very successful festival producer with Ozfest which ran for 24 years, as well as a best-selling author and producer of the hit show 'The Osbournes' for which I received an Emmy Award. 'Amanda, I think you're missing the point here, no disrespect to Simon Cowell, but he NEEDED ME for musical credibility on X Factor and I delivered for him and together all of us made a great team. 'It was only after several seasons of X Factor that Simon started to build his music empire and I give him much kudos for what he built. When I met my husband I was already very well established in the music industry. 'It's demeaning to me and my husband and all the achievements I have made in my life as you're making yourself look like an ill informed sycophantic. 'Sincerely, Sharon Osbourne.' Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly signed blind comedian Chris McCausland to compete in their 2024 season. The signing is a first for the dance competition which previously featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis who won the glitterball trophy alongside Giovanni Pearce in 2021. Comedian and CBeebies actor Chris, 46, lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa. Show producers are said to be sure the TV personality's fun-loving personality will capture the nation's hearts and according to the Sun, he cannot wait to embrace the challenge. A source told the publication: 'Strictly Come Dancing bosses are delighted by the signing and think Chris will be great on the show. He has a hilarious sense of humour and an infectious personality. Strictly Come Dancing has reportedly signed blind comedian Chris McCausland to compete in their 2024 season. The comedian and CBeebies actor, 46, lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa The signing is a first for the dance competition which previously featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis who won the glitterball trophy alongside Giovanni Pearce in 2021 'Producers are really keen to showcase disability on TV and are conscious of how important it is.' The Liverpool-born star, who shares his daughter Sophie with wife Patricia, has spoken openly of his sight issues in the past and according to sources, 'is determined to show it won't hold him back on the ballroom dance floor'. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing and Chris McCausland for a comment. His appearance on this year's series will be another first for the boundary-pushing competition after Rose triumphed in 2021. Rose previously revealed that the secret to her success with dance partner Giovanni was partly down to his Italian mannerisms. The actress, 28, who is profoundly deaf, said his 'expressive' and 'direct' approach made it easy to communicate directly with him, rather than through an interpreter. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, she said: 'The reason why I wanted [Giovanni] is because, in the deaf culture we all know that Italians are the most expressive people... 'They are very open and very direct. The Liverpool-born star, who shares his daughter Sophie with wife Patricia, has spoken openly of his sight issues in the past and according to sources, 'is determined to show it won't hold him back on the ballroom dance floor' His appearance on this year's series will be another first for the boundary-pushing competition after Rose triumphed in 2021 Rose previously r evealed that the secret to her success with dance partner Giovanni wa s partly down to his Italian mannerisms 'That's what I wanted and I think it works really well because people in deaf culture are very blunt, so he tells me directly what it is rather than waffle, or try and talk politely around things. 'He says, 'This is wrong, do it better' and then it's easier for me to do it correctly because it's clearer for me to understand him.' She added: 'You know some people are, 'Oh a deaf person, I'll have to be very careful and delicate around them [as] they are so vulnerable', but he's not like that, he's strict.' But while Rose had previously applauded Giovanni's teaching technique, the professional dancer has recently been in the center of a media storm. Following the allegations, Rose said she will 'not be getting involved' while he fights 'to clear his name' amid a probe into his workplace conduct. In recent weeks, 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. Yet it was believed Giovanni was still on good terms with Rose. Now though, it's been claimed by sources that Rose is 'shocked' by the allegations but 'believes what the others are saying'. In recent weeks, the professional dancer, 33, has come under fire for his 'militant' training style, with the BBC forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims' 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. MailOnline contacted Rose's representatives for comment at the time. The reports come as Giovanni could face more mounting trouble as 'at least one or two more celebrities are considering legal action' against him. According to The Sun, several women who have danced with the 33-year-old 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 Giovanni'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.' 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 Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies The 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 Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh 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. He said in a statement: 'You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. 'Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name. 'Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. 'I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners. 'Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!' Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him. But while fans were quick to offer their support none of his Strictly co-stars have yet offered any comments on the post. And none yet appear to have commented on what has happened or offered support on the statement he made. In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram 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 One notably quiet Strictly star is head judge Shirley Ballas who previously came out in his defence. In January she called him an 'absolute gentleman' amid his feud with his former partner on the series Amanda. Speaking on Lorraine, Shirley said in response to the revelations: 'I've known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher. 'My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100 percent. 'Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It's quite difficult to do the show.' Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling 'scared' of the Italian. Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson unfollowed him on Instagram. Some 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. Shortly after Amanda's allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. 'Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,' she said in the caption. Heidi Klum marked her 51st birthday in style on social media, posting a heartwarming throwback on her Instagram page. Her photo showed little Heidi as an infant in 1970s West Germany, being breastfed by her doppelganger mother Erna Klum. For background music, Heidi selected the 1976 Stevie Wonder song Isn't She Lovely, which he wrote in honor of the birth of his own daughter Aisha Morris. She also revealed on Instagram that day that she was treated to a family picnic for her big day, surrounded by festive pink balloons including two that read '51.' The world-famous supermodel was joined by her husband Tom Kaulitz, 34, as well as her children Leni, 20, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14. Heidi Klum marked her 51st birthday in style on social media, posting a heartwarming throwback of herself being breastfed by her mother Erna Klum Heidi and Erna pictured Heidi had her three younger children with her ex-husband Seal, who also adopted Leni, the product of Heidi's dalliance with Italian businessman Flavio Briatore. Posting a sweet picture of her loved ones gathered around the table for her alfresco birthday lunch, Heidi wrote: 'All I could wish for.' She also uploaded a joyful snapshot of herself and Tom, the guitarist for the German band Tokio Hotel, sharing a romantic kiss while toasting each other. Heidi was also treated to social media tributes from her celebrity friends, including Paris Hilton, who posted an Insta Stories snap of the two of them dancing. Sofia Vergara, who is Heidi's fellow judge on America's Got Talent and also a close gal pal, effusively expressed her affection for the birthday girl on Instagram. 'Feliz cumpleanos to the most fun and beautifull girl in the world!!!!' wrote the Modern Family bombshell, alongside a picture of herself kissing Heidi's shoulder on America's Got Talent. 'Luv so much @heidiklum.' Heidi has taken a good-humored approach to aging, joking recently: 'The good thing is that my eyesight is getting worse and I can't see everything so clearly anymore.' More sincerely, she explained the way she copes with getting older: 'I just accept it there's nothing you can do about it anyway. Why overthink it? It is what it is.' The world-famous supermodel was joined by her husband Tom Kaulitz , 34, as well as her children Leni, 20, Henry, 18, Johan, 17, and Lou, 14 She also uploaded a joyful snapshot of herself and Tom, the guitarist for the German band Tokio Hotel, sharing a romantic kiss while toasting each other Heidi was also treated to social media tributes from her celebrity friends, including Paris Hilton, who posted an Insta Stories snap of the two of them dancing Sofia Vergara, who is Heidi's fellow judge on America's Got Talent and also a close gal pal, effusively expressed her affection for the birthday girl on Instagram Heidi's age has drawn particular scrutiny because her husband, who like her hails from Germany, is a quarter-century younger than she is. 'I'm 50 and no longer 20. I'm not a young girl who hasn't experienced anything yet or has no idea about life,' she acknowledged to Glamour UK last year. 'Time won't stand still for me and Tom will never catch up with me. I'll always be 16 years older, and I'm aware of that,' Heidi continued. 'I know that I will look older than him sooner. Maybe it will be a problem for me in ten years' time, maybe he won't like it then,' she reflected. 'In 20 years, I'll be 70. I usually plan for the future but with my husband, I live in the here and now,' the Teutonic blonde shared. Jennifer Lawrence was accompanied by her husband, Cooke Maroney, while arriving at JFK Airport in New York City on Saturday morning. The 33-year-old performer and her spouse kept it very casual as they made their way into the travel hub as they prepared to catch their flight. The actress opted for an oversized denim shirt and a pair of baggy blue jeans, both of which were contrasted with red sneakers. Lawrence accessorized with a pair of dark sunglasses, and her bright blonde hair cascaded onto her shoulders. Maroney stayed comfortable while wearing a black crewneck sweater, matching jeans and dual-tone Vans Old Skool sneakers. Jennifer Lawrence was accompanied by her husband, Cooke Maroney, while arriving at JFK Airport in New York City on Saturday morning The actress and the art dealer initially began dating in 2018 after they were introduced by a mutual friend. Lawrence was formerly linked to various individuals, including her former collaborators Nicholas Hoult and Darren Aronofsky. She eventually moved on with Maroney, and they became engaged in February of 2019 before tying the knot in Rhode Island that April. The performer revealed that she was pregnant in September of 2021, and she gave birth to a son named Cy, two, the following February. Lawrence is currently preparing for the wide release of the documentary Bread & Roses, for which she served as an executive producer. The Sahra Mani-directed film is centered on several Afghan women dealing with the rise of the Taliban. The feature was also produced by the actress' business partner, Justine Ciarrocchi, as well as Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. The documentary premiered during last year's Cannes Film Festival, where it received widespread acclaim from critics. The actress opted for an oversized denim shirt and a pair of baggy blue jeans, both of which were contrasted with red sneakers Lawrence is currently preparing for the wide release of the documentary Bread & Roses, for which she served as an executive producer; seen in May The documentary premiered during last year's Cannes Film Festival, where it received widespread acclaim from critics; Lawrence is seen in April Lawrence spoke about the feature during an interview with Deadline, where she spoke about how she was enthusiastic about bringing attention to the plight of modern Afghan women. 'I was watching the fall of Kabul on the news in 2021 and I told Justine, you know, we need to find somebody on the ground, that can get a camera in there,' she said. The performer also spoke highly of Mani, whom she described as the 'perfect' director for the film. Bread & Roses is currently scheduled to debut on the Apple TV+ streaming service on June 21. Elsa Pataky revealed her initial doubts about her marriage to Chris Hemsworth in a candid interview from 2018 that has recently resurfaced. The couple, who were set up by their agent in 2010, wed within just three monthsa whirlwind romance that often spells doom for celebrities but turned out to be a chance to solidify their love and grow together. 'It was beautiful in the beginning,' Pataky, 47, told Vogue Australia. 'When I met him, he wasn't known at all and I grew with him and experienced all his successes and changes, and then he became just so huge and I've been sharing that too.' Pataky opened up about the unique challenges of transitioning from obscurity to fame, especially while managing the pressures of marriage and raising children. Elsa Pataky revealed her initial doubts about the longevity of her marriage to Chris Hemsworth in a candid interview from 2018 that has recently resurfaced 'We did everything very quicklyI don't know how we survived as a couple. We were married and then a year after we had kids,' she said. 'It puts a lot of pressure on a marriage, but we came out good because there is a lot of love between us and we are very strong personalities but love each other so much. We make it work.' Hemsworth, known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has also spoken about their instant connection. The couple, who were set up by their agent in 2010, wed within just three monthsa whirlwind romance that often spells doom for celebrities but turned out to be a chance to solidify their love and grow together. (Pictured together in 2011) 'When I met him, he wasn't known at all and I grew with him and experienced all his successes and changes, and then he became just so huge and I've been sharing that too,' Elsa told Vogue Australia. (Pictured together in 2011) 'We did everything very quicklyI don't know how we survived as a couple. We were married and then a year after we had kids, she said. (Pictured together in 2012) 'From the first time we met, we just made sense,' he said. The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named India, in May 2012. In March 2014, their family expanded with the birth of twin boys, Sasha and Tristan. The Hemsworths have since settled in the picturesque coastal town of Byron Bay, making it their permanent home in 2014. Hemsworth also reflected on the challenges of their early years in a 2017 interview with GQ Magazine. 'My wife and I fell in love, had kids, didn't really see each other for a few years, then fell back in love,' he said, acknowledging the strain of balancing a burgeoning career with family life. Coronation Street legend Ken Barlow is believed to be overcome with health woes after he takes a nasty fall down a flight of stairs in upcoming episodes. Bill Roache, 92, who has played the character for 64 years, will take a serious tumble on the soap which will lead to him needing a carer, according to the Sun. The new storyline will reportedly mean that Bill will be able to boost his earnings as actors on the ITV soap are paid per episode. But the character's health woes has sparked concern that this could be the beginning of the end for Ken. A TV source told the publication: 'It's going to knock the wind out of him. Coronation Street legend Ken Barlow is believed to be over come with health woes after he is believed to take a nasty fall in upcoming episodes Cobbles veteran Bill Roache, 92, who has played the character for 64 years, will take a serious tumble down the stairs which will lead to him needing a carer, according to the Sun 'Bosses are also hoping it will highlight the plight of older people and the care they need from family members when something like this happens. 'And of course it gives Bill a much needed lifeline with all his financial problems. Finances are a sore topic for Bill because while he earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken on the long-running soap, he has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman. He entered an agreement in 2018 to clear the 588,015.18 bill, but according to reports in February he has only paid 41,666.65 so far. Bill is looking to sell off some property to clear the debt with The Sun reporting in February a prospective buyer had pulled out of a deal. The High Court has now given him a 12-week adjournment in order to 'allow for the sale of property'. Bill did not appear at a specialist hearing, where lawyers for HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) said the sum the actor owes - which was not disclosed in court - has been reduced due to payments made. Jacquille Jarrett, for HMRC, said Mr Roache had asked for a 12-week adjournment, which was unopposed, to 'allow for the sale of property'. The new storyline also means that Bill will be able to boost his earnings as actors on the ITV soap are paid per episode Retired Insolvency and Companies Court judge Stephen Baister granted the adjournment and said Roache's case will return in June. 'Splendid,' Dr Baister said at the end of the hearing, which lasted less than a minute, at the High Court in London. Bill is best known for his portrayal of Ken Barlow in the ITV soap for more than 60 years after making his debut in its first episode in 1960. The actor, who holds the Guinness World Record for the longest serving TV soap star in the world, was made an OBE in the Queen's New Year Honours list in December 2021 for his services to drama and charity. In February, friends from Bill's spiritual group claimed he was 'doing fine' as he 'faces bankruptcy' for a second time, according to The Mirror. At a Stride for Truth group meeting, one member said they were '100% supporting' Bill. The organisation, which strives for world peace and enlightenment, meets in a room above a foot clinic in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. Bill, who is now the highest paid member of the cast, earning around 250k a year, 'owes the taxman nearly 550,000'. The Sun published his six-figure debt, just weeks after it was revealed he's facing bankruptcy for a second time. Finances are a sore topic for Bill because while he earns a reported 250,000 a year playing Ken on the long-running soap, he has racked up a half-a-million debt to the taxman He entered an agreement in 2018 to clear the 588,015.18 bill, but according to reports in February he has only paid 41,666.65 so far Bill initially owed 588,015.18 and entered a 2018 agreement to clear it, but the High Court papers obtained by the publication claim he has only paid 41,666.65. He had until February to pay the full amount of 546,348.53, and now faces a High Court battle in March. Bill's interest payments come to 14,699, while he also faces late-payment fines of more than 8,000, which are both included in the total. A spokesperson for Coronation Street told the Mirror: 'We're really sorry to hear of Bill's financial situation. Bill has an ongoing contract with Coronation Street and remains a much loved member of the cast.' Advertisement Bianca Censori flashed her cleavage while donning a very skimpy ensemble as she arrived to meeting in Prato, Italy on Saturday alongside husband, Kanye West. The architectural designer, 29 - who was recently seen clutching a pillow to her chest with the rapper upon their return to Italy - stepped out of a vehicle as she followed the music artist, 46, into a building. Earlier this week on Monday, the couple - who tied the knot in December 2022 - were seen arriving to Florence less than a year after they were embroiled in controversy following accusations of indecent exposure in a Venice boat ride. Upon arriving to the production meeting, Censori was seen leaving very little to the imagination in a skimpy, white bodysuit that was held up with halter-styled straps. Large cutouts could be seen on both the left and right portions of the outfit, exposing her bare sides for a sultry flare. Bianca Censori, 29, flashed her cleavage while donning a very skimpy ensemble as she arrived to meeting in Prato, Italy on Saturday alongside husband, Kanye West, 46 Upon arriving to the production meeting, Censori was seen leaving very little to the imagination in a skimpy, white bodysuit that was held up with halter-styled straps The architectural designer stepped out of a vehicle as she followed Kanye into a building Her dark locks were pulled back and styled into a sleek up do, preventing any loose strands from falling onto her face. The Australian-born designer additionally slipped into a pair of open-toed, nude-colored heels. Bianca opted to not add any flashy pieces of jewelry to allow the outfit to be the main focal point during the outing. As she climbed out of a taxi, Censori easily held a notebook in her hand that had various designs sketched out on the pages. The Heartless rapper notably oversees the production of his Yeezy clothing brand in the Italian city. West also donned an all-white ensemble that comprised of a pair of loose-fitting trousers as well as a matching hoodie on top. For a final touch, the star wore a pair of white shoes. The pair were greeted by another individual that was waiting outside and led both Kanye - also known as Ye - and his wife inside. A few months ago in March, West had shared a snap that seemingly teased a possible clothing line inspired by Bianca's racy outfits. Large cutouts could be seen on both the left and right portions of the outfit, exposing her bare sides for a sultry flare The Australian-born designer additionally slipped into a pair of open-toed, nude-colored heels As she climbed out of a taxi, Censori easily held a notebook in her hand that had various designs drawn on the pages Bianca opted to not add any flashy pieces of jewelry to allow the outfit to be the main focal point during the outing Her brunette hair was slicked back in a bun On Monday, the two were spotted as they made their arrival to Florence - with Censori turning heads in a white, thong bodysuit as she held a pillow to her chest. She completed the overall look by slipping into a pair of black, over-the-knee heeled boots. Bianca appeared to be channeling a similar outfit she wore while in Florence last year where she clutched a purple pillow to her chest while roaming the city streets. During the previous Italian trip in 2023, Censori wore a slew of eccentric outfits during the couple's getaway. No strangers to scandal, West and Censori continuously raised eyebrows over their choices in clothing, with Bianca's barely-there looks sparking fury from locals. At the time her sheer and mesh outfits, which left her breasts clearly visible, were described by social media users as 'disrespectful' in a country known for its conservative Catholic heritage. There were even calls are being made for Kanye and Bianca to be arrested, after they were spotted enjoying an amorous moment on a boat, with West exposing his bare buttocks in front of gawking tourists. Images of the couple showed the American rapper seated at the back of the river taxi while Bianca placed her head in his lap. Online critics have argued that the flesh-baring display constituted 'public indecency.' The Heartless rapper notably oversees the production of his Yeezy clothing brand in the Italian city The pair were greeted by another individual that was waiting outside and led both Kanye - also known as Ye - and his wife inside A few months ago in March, West had shared a snap that seemingly teased a possible clothing line inspired by Bianca's racy outfits The trip comes after Bianca's solo getaway to her native Australia. On Saturday she was spotted back home without West. The model was seen eating lunch at the trendy Mario's Cafe in Fitzroy, Melbourne with her parents, per the Herald Sun. In contrast to her usually racy get ups, Bianca, who works as the head of architecture at Kanye's Yeezy brand, was wearing a khaki Miu Miu sweater dress and 'blended in with the lunch crowd' the Herald Sun claims. In May, Censori's family and friends expressed concern that the rapper would drag Bianca 'into the adult film world' following Kanye's latest Yeezy Porn venture. A source told DailyMail.com, 'Bianca's family was willing to give Kanye the benefit of the doubt after her mom's recent visit to LA.' 'For Bianca's sake they were willing to overlook his anti-Semitic remarks and inappropriate behavior.' 'They were even trying to accept that he was not forcing Bianca to do anything. They were aware of Kanye and Bianca's project to create and sell their own brand of clothing,' the insider added. 'But with two feminist sisters and an equally feminist mother, it is hard to rationalize or accept her involvement in this new venture.' Earlier this week on Monday, the two were spotted as they made their arrival to Florence - with Censori turning heads in a white, thong bodysuit and clutched a pillow to her chest; seen in February in Milan There were even calls are being made for Kanye and Bianca to be arrested, after they were spotted enjoying an amorous moment on a boat, with West exposing his bare buttocks in front of gawking tourists 'The fact that he is dragging her into the adult film world with him and using her as a billboard already to promote sexual indecency is absolutely appalling and very worrying. 'They feel he has convinced her that this is a good idea because it will make them wealthier.' The source continued, 'Her family and friends are aware of Kanye's history with pornography which makes it even more concerning. What is it going to do to his marriage with Bianca? He is already using her as a walking billboard for indecency.' Kanye and Bianca's return to Italy also comes shortly after the rapper went silent amid a battery investigation following an alleged incident at the Chateau Marmont involving his wife and twins Mark and Jonnie Houston. The star allegedly punched one of twins due to claims that Censori had been 'physically and sexually' by one of them in April at the iconic hotel in Los Angeles. The music artist became a suspect in the battery case, and it was later revealed that he got physical with the 'wrong' twin. However, just one month after the altercation allegedly took place, both West and the twins - who own various restaurants and bars in L.A. - have gone completely quiet, law enforcement told TMZ last month in May. The trip comes after Bianca's solo getaway to her native Australia . On Saturday she was spotted back home without West Kanye and Bianca's return to Italy also comes shortly after the rapper went silent amid a battery investigation following an alleged incident at the Chateau Marmont involving his wife and twins Mark and Jonnie Houston; seen in February in Milan Police informed the outlet that there isn't clear evidence of the alleged assault and added that Kanye and the twins need to cooperate with cops for the investigation. But the trio have not been responding when law enforcement reach out. Law enforcement told TMZ that they speculate Kanye - who also goes by Ye - as well as the Houston twins have privately worked out the problem. And due to lack of evidence as well as receiving no responses from the trio, the police are not able to send the case to the L.A. City Attorney's office - although the case does remain open. Jon Hamm was joined by Jennifer Jason Leigh during an FYC event for the fifth season of the FX crime comedy Fargo in Los Angeles on Saturday. The 51-year-old actor kept his arm around his 62-year-old co-star as they posed for a snap during the promotional event for the acclaimed series. They were also joined by Fargo's creator, Noah Hawley, as well as the show's executive producer Warren Littlefield. Hamm - who recently brought his wife to a red carpet event - looked sharp while wearing a dark blue suit, as well as a white button-up shirt and dark brown shoes. Meanwhile, Leigh stunned in a short-sleeve black dress that she paired with a matching set of high-heeled shoes. Jon Hamm was joined by Jennifer Jason Leigh during an FYC event for the fifth season of the FX crime comedy Fargo in Los Angeles on Saturday Hamm - who recently brought his wife to a red carpet event - looked sharp while wearing a dark blue suit, as well as a white button-up shirt and dark brown shoes The actress accessorized with various pieces of gold jewelry, and threw on a bright yellow belt for a pop of color. Hawley wore a plaid blue suit, white shirt and dark brown leather shoes as he spent time with the actors. Littlefield kept it classy in a black jacket, matching slim-fitting pants and leather boots as he posed for a few photos. Fargo is based on the 1996 crime-comedy film of the same name, which was directed by the Coen Brothers. The filmmaking duo also serve as executive producers for the adaptation of their film. Each of the show's five seasons has focused on a separate cast of characters, although each takes place in the American Midwest. The fifth and most recent run of episodes was centered on a housewife whose turbulent past returned to haunt her after an encounter with the authorities. Hamm portrayed a corrupt rancher named Sheriff Roy Tillman, while Leigh filled the role of billionaire Lorraine Lyon. They were also joined by Fargo's creator, Noah Hawley, as well as the show's executive producer Warren Littlefield Missing from the action was Hamm's wife Anna Osceola, 36 The Mad Men star posed up a storm for the cameras on the red carpet Meanwhile, Leigh stunned in a short-sleeve black dress that she paired with a matching set of high-heeled shoes The actress accessorized with various pieces of gold jewelry, and threw on a bright yellow belt for a pop of color Leigh's gorgeous blonde locks fell onto her shoulders and contrasted perfectly with the dark tone of her clothing The actress portrayed billionaire Lorraine Lyon in the new season of the crime-comedy series Noah Hawley wore a plaid blue suit, white shirt and dark brown leather shoes as he spent time with the actors Warren Littlefield kept it classy in a black jacket, matching slim-fitting pants and leather boots as he posed for a few photos Performers such as Juno Temple, Joe Keery and Lukas Gage filled out the cast of the new season. Fargo's fifth season debuted in November of last year, and its finale aired this past January. The show's newest set of episodes received widespread critical acclaim, and it currently holds a rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast and crew of the program have since been put up for various awards for their work on the fifth season of the show. Shelly Horton has shared her controversial views about parenthood and the choice to have pets instead of kids. The Talking Married host, 50, owns two dogs with her husband Darren Robinson and describes herself as 'proudly childfree by choice'. In an article published in 9Honey on Saturday, Shelly said she believes' fur kids' are better than 'skin kids', while claiming pet owners' love for their animals is 'equal' to a parent's love for a child. While Shelly emphasised that she isn't 'comparing the complexities of human life with that of our pets', she believes the 'emotional investment' she puts into her dogs is on par with parenthood. 'For some, pets provide a presence that soothes anxiety and loneliness, offers joy, and yes, demands a lot of responsibility qualities not unlike those required in raising children,' she argued. Shelly Horton, 50, (pictured) has shared her controversial views about parenthood and the choice to have pets instead of kids Shelly also hit back at Sydney Morning Herald journalist Hannah Vanderheide, who recently published an opinion piece about how raising a child is vastly more difficult than having a pet. In it, she argued that pet owners shouldn't think of themselves as mothers or fathers, especially given that a dog's lifespan is significantly shorter than that of a human. Shelly said Hannah's statements 'felt like a slap' and 'lacked empathy'. The Talking Married host owns two dogs with her husband Darren Robinson (left) and describes herself as 'proudly childfree by choice' 'To dismiss their choice of emotional investment by saying "it's just a dog" or "it's not the same as having a kid" feels not only dismissive but also judgmentally oversimplified,' Shelly wrote. 'While our fur babies might not require school uniforms or uni funds, they demand something just as valuable: a piece of our hearts,' she later added. Shelly has been open in the past about why she doesn't want to have children with her husband, and they are perfectly content to be raising a family that includes two dogs instead. In an article published in 9Honey on Saturday, Shelly said she believes' fur kids' are better than 'skin kids', while claiming pet owners' love for their animals is 'equal' to a parent's love for a child In January 2024, Shelly admitted she was devastated when her doctor told her she will need to have a hysterectomy. Shelly had required the surgical procedure, which removes a woman's uterus, due to severe perimenopausal symptoms and heavy bleeding. 'I'm shocked at how overwhelmed and teary I feel about it' she wrote in an article for 9Honey at the time. In January 2024, Shelly admitted she was devastated when her doctor told her she will need to have a hysterectomy Shelly said that while she has never wanted children, she's still felt some 'grief' over losing the reproductive organ. 'I'm proudly childfree by choice, so I am furious this organ that I haven't ever needed gives me so much misery' she wrote. 'I've joked to friends I want to sell my uterus on eBay "One uterus. Never used. Still in box!" Yet, just as I laugh, I also feel a mix of anger, sadness and a sense of betrayal by my own body' she wrote. Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor is heading Down Under to star in an Australian shark thriller film later this year, reports claim. The English star, 29, is apparently 'in talks' to star in the Sony Pictures project from Norwegian writer-director Tommy Wirkola, with filming set to take place at Docklands Studios, Melbourne, in July, Deadline reports. So far the title and plot of the film is said to be 'under wraps', but it has been confirmed the film will be produced by Hyperobject Industries, a production company founded by Adam McKay. Hyperobject Industries has previously been behind popular dramas Succession, The Menu and Don't Look Up. The production will reportedly inject $30million into the local economy. Bridgerton actress Phoebe Dynevor, 29, (pictured) is heading Down Under to star in an Australian shark thriller film later this year, reports claim According to Victorian creative industries minister Colin Brooks, the film has received state government support through the Victorian Screen Incentive Program and will create around 700 local jobs. It comes after Phoebe confirmed her engagement to American actor turned influencer Cameron Fuller. Cameron , 28, is the son of US horror film director Brad Fuller and was first seen with Phoebe in March last year. The English star is apparently 'in talks' to star in the Sony Pictures project from Norwegian writer-director Tommy Wirkola (pictured), with filming set to take place at Docklands Studios, Melbourne , in July, Deadline reports Phoebe (left) is engaged to Cameron Fuller (right), the son of US horror film director Brad Fuller Phoebe first revealed her oval engagement ring, reported to be worth 100,000 ($190,000), at last month's Met Ball in New York, although the engagement was not confirmed until several days later. Her mother Sally Dynevor, who has played Sally Webster on ITV soap Coronation Street for an astonishing 38 years, spoke of her happiness at her daughter's news last month. Sally, 61, told ITV daytime show Loose Women: 'My daughter just got engaged. He's gorgeous, he's such a lovely man.' She added: 'I'm so, so happy. I'm thrilled, it's actually made my year.' Phoebe is best known for portraying Daphne in Netflix period drama Bridgerton. Former Bachelor star Anna Heinrich was all smiles as she attended her sister Andrea's air hostess themed hens night on Saturday night. The celebration, which took place at Pink Flamingo venue on the Gold Coast, saw the sisters and their friends dressed to the nines in playful, sky-blue air hostess outfits. Taking to her Instagram account on Sunday, Anna shared a gallery of photos from the weekend. In the first photo, Anna is seen striking a pose with her sisters Charlotte and Andrea. The trio looked stunning in their matching costumes, which featured tailored blue jackets with gold buttons, knee-length skirts, and coordinating hats. Former Bachelor star Anna Heinrich (right) was all smiles as she attended her sister Andrea's air hostess themed hens night on Saturday night Completing their looks with black heels, the sisters radiated joy and excitement as they celebrated Andrea's upcoming nuptials. Another snapshot captures the girls up close, showcasing their radiant smiles and flawless makeup. Andrea, the bride-to-be, stood in the middle, looking particularly gleeful in her chic ensemble. The celebration, which took place at Pink Flamingo venue on the Gold Coast, saw the sisters and their friends dressed to the nines in playful, sky-blue air hostess outfits Taking to her Instagram account on Sunday, Anna shared a gallery of photos from the weekend. In the first photo, Anna is seen striking a pose with her sisters Charlotte and Andrea Guesdts looked stunning in their matching costumes, which featured tailored blue jackets with gold buttons, knee-length skirts, and coordinating hats Anna and Charlotte flanked her, all three exuding sisterly love and camaraderie. The group of ladies, all dressed in their air hostess uniforms, were seated at a table adorned with drinks and accessories. The atmosphere was electric, with laughter and merriment filling the air as they enjoyed the night. The group of ladies, all dressed in their air hostess uniforms, were seated at a table adorned with drinks and accessories The sighting comes after Anna shared a precious photo of her newborn baby girl Ruby. The former Bachelor Australia star, who found love on the very first season with Tim Robards, posted a black and white snap of her bundle of joy to Instagram. In it, her eldest daughter Elle, two, could be seen lying on her back with her baby sister resting on her stomach for some quality 'tummy time'. 'Home with my girls,' Anna captioned the adorable image, putting in the hashtags #bigsisterduties and #tummytime. The sighting comes after Anna shared a precious photo of her newborn baby girl Ruby. Pictured with husband Tim Robards, 41, and eldest daughter Elle, two Sophie Delezio gave followers a '22 week bumpdate' on Sunday as she prepares to welcome her first child with fiance Joseph Salerno. The miracle double car crash survivor, 23, took to Instagram to share a video of her growing baby bump along with an update on her pregnancy journey. Gushing over her little bundle of joy, the mum-to-be said she has recently learned to 'slow down and nurture her body more than ever before' since becoming pregnant. 'My gosh, what a journey it has been until now. This little bundle is moving around so much and definitely keeping their mama awake at night!' she began. 'To feel the movement inside is a feeling of pure love and joy. It is a feeling that I will forever treasure.' Sophie Delezio, 23, (right) gave followers a '22 week bumpdate' on Sunday as she prepares to welcome her first child with fiance Joseph Salerno (left) Sophie continued: 'This recent part of the journey has taught me how to slow down and nurture my body more than ever before. 'I am loving all that you have already changed in me, my little one. Less than half way until we meet.' It comes after Sophie revealed she is pregnant with her first child back in early April when she shared the wonderful news on social media. The inspirational Aussie and her partner were seen in a gallery of photos which featured the couple proudly posing on the beach in Sydney's Manly. The miracle double car crash survivor took to Instagram to share a video of her growing baby bump along with an update on her pregnancy journey The lovebirds looked elated as they both cradled Sophie's growing baby bump before giving a close-up look of Sophie's ultrasound. Australia rallied around Sophie in 2003 when she was two after a car crashed through the window of her daycare, trapping her underneath with severe burns. Burns covered 85 per cent of her body after the tragedy, which also took both of her feet, several fingers and her right ear. Three years later tragedy struck again when the five year old was hit by a car near her home in Sydney's northern beaches while out with her nanny. Gushing over her little bundle of joy, the mum-to-be said she has recently learned to 'slow down and nurture her body more than ever before' since becoming pregnant The impact launched her 18 metres out of her wheelchair, leaving her with a broken jaw, broken collarbone, nine broken ribs, punctured lungs, two fractured vertebrae and a brain injury. Sophie suffered a heart attack during the ordeal and doctors at Sydney Children's Hospital in Randwick asked her family - twice - if they would like to turn off her life support. She made another remarkable recovery and only a month later she left the hospital and went back to school. In 2023, she became engaged to childhood friend Joseph. Strictly Come Dancing fans have praised the show for signing a blind contestant but have urged BBC to do even more to increase disability representation. On Saturday reports emerged that comedian and CBeebies actor Chris McCausland, 46, who will be the show's first ever blind celebrity, having lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa. After hearing the incredible news fans were in full admiration of the Strictly for increasing disability representation in the programme. They flooded X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their excitement, admitting they 'can't wait' to watch Chris in the show. Tweets read: 'Comedian Chris Mccausland has apparently signed up for this years #Strictly good signing him. Big name.' Strictly Come Dancing fans have praised the show for signing a blind contestant but have urged BBC to do even more to increase disability representation (pictured: Chris McCausland) Comedian CBeebies actor Chris, who will be the shows first ever blind celebrity to join the line-up, lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa '@chrismccausland You'll be wonderful on Strictly. I can't wait.' 'If this is true @chrismccausland, youre gonna force me to watch #Strictly' 'Oh brilliant, well his show we were going to see later in the year was moved to next year, so that ties in.. fantastic!' 'This is a good move Strictly. The show has demonstrated in the past it's more than capable of adapting for celebs with disabilities the most memorable being Rose Ayling Ellis - the shows first deaf contestant who won that year'. However, on fan warned: 'This is great. It should also come as a wider push from the BBC to increase disability representation in their shows. Stand alone it can feel like a check box exercise.' The signing is a first for the dance competition which previously featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis who won the glitterball trophy alongside Giovanni Pearce in 2021. Show producers are said to be sure the TV personality's fun-loving personality will capture the nation's hearts and according to the Sun, he cannot wait to embrace the challenge. A source told the publication: 'Strictly Come Dancing bosses are delighted by the signing and think Chris will be great on the show. He has a hilarious sense of humour and an infectious personality. After hearing the incredible news fans were in full admiration of the BBC for increasing disability representation in the programme The signing is a first for the dance competition which previously featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis who won the glitterball trophy alongside Giovanni Pearce in 2021 The Liverpool-born star, who shares his daughter Sophie with wife Patricia, has spoken openly of his sight issues in the past and according to sources, 'is determined to show it won't hold him back on the ballroom dance floor' 'Producers are really keen to showcase disability on TV and are conscious of how important it is.' The Liverpool-born star, who shares his daughter Sophie with wife Patricia, has spoken openly of his sight issues in the past and according to sources, 'is determined to show it won't hold him back on the ballroom dance floor'. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Strictly Come Dancing and Chris McCausland for a comment. His appearance on this year's series will be another first for the boundary-pushing competition after Rose triumphed in 2021. Rose previously revealed that the secret to her success with dance partner Giovanni was partly down to his Italian mannerisms. The actress, 28, who is profoundly deaf, said his 'expressive' and 'direct' approach made it easy to communicate directly with him, rather than through an interpreter. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, she said: 'The reason why I wanted [Giovanni] is because, in the deaf culture we all know that Italians are the most expressive people... 'They are very open and very direct. His appearance on this year's series will be another first for the boundary-pushing competition after Rose triumphed in 2021 Rose previously r evealed that the secret to her success with dance partner Giovanni wa s partly down to his Italian mannerisms 'That's what I wanted and I think it works really well because people in deaf culture are very blunt, so he tells me directly what it is rather than waffle, or try and talk politely around things. 'He says, 'This is wrong, do it better' and then it's easier for me to do it correctly because it's clearer for me to understand him.' She added: 'You know some people are, 'Oh a deaf person, I'll have to be very careful and delicate around them [as] they are so vulnerable', but he's not like that, he's strict.' But while Rose had previously applauded Giovanni's teaching technique, the professional dancer has recently been in the center of a media storm. Following the allegations, Rose said she will 'not be getting involved' while he fights 'to clear his name' amid a probe into his workplace conduct. In recent weeks, 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. Yet it was believed Giovanni was still on good terms with Rose. Now though, it's been claimed by sources that Rose is 'shocked' by the allegations but 'believes what the others are saying'. In recent weeks, the professional dancer, 33, has come under fire for his 'militant' training style, with the BBC forced to investigate 'serious workplace misconduct claims' 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. MailOnline contacted Rose's representatives for comment at the time. The reports come as Giovanni could face more mounting trouble as 'at least one or two more celebrities are considering legal action' against him. According to The Sun, several women who have danced with the 33-year-old 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 Giovanni'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.' 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 Giovanni has faced a wave of scrutiny ever since Amanda (pictured) dramatically quit last year The professional dancer shared a post to Instagram detailing that he was 'totally surprised' by the allegations, which he denies The 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 Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh 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. He said in a statement: 'You will be as surprised as I am that allegations have been made about my dance teaching methods in the media this week. 'Of course, I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name. 'Those who have followed my journey on Strictly Come Dancing over the last decade will know that I am passionate and competitive. No-one is more ambitious for my dance partners than me. 'I have always striven to help them be the very best dancers they can be. This has always come from a place of love and wanting to win - for me and my dance partners. 'Thank you all once again for your continued love and support!' Following his post, fans rushed to the comments to share their thoughts with the professional dancer as many of them confessed their love for him. But while fans were quick to offer their support none of his Strictly co-stars have yet offered any comments on the post. And none yet appear to have commented on what has happened or offered support on the statement he made. In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with him The Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson has unfollowed him on Instagram 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 One notably quiet Strictly star is head judge Shirley Ballas who previously came out in his defence. In January she called him an 'absolute gentleman' amid his feud with his former partner on the series Amanda. Speaking on Lorraine, Shirley said in response to the revelations: 'I've known Giovanni for many years and he is an absolutely splendid teacher. 'My only ever experience with him is he is an absolute gentlemen. He gives 100 percent. 'Strictly and shows like that they are tough shows so you know when you sign up for that kind of thing. It's quite difficult to do the show.' Good Morning Britain host Ranvir, who reportedly made a complaint against Giovanni to the BBC in 2020, admitted to feeling 'scared' of the Italian. Meanwhile his 2022 partner Richie Anderson unfollowed him on Instagram. Some 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. Shortly after Amanda's allegations, Debbie shared a beaming throwback picture of her and Giovanni taken backstage during their stint together. 'Happy memories, Giovanni and I had the best of times on Strictly,' she said in the caption. Alex Horne has become one of the richest hosts on television since the huge success of his comedy show creation, Taskmaster. The 45-year-old created the concept for the notorious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2010 and managed to score a deal with Dave TV to create a show from 2015. Alex might co-host alongside the well-known actor Greg Davies but accounts posted by his company, Shakey Productions Ltd, show that he has greatly benefited from the show, leaving him earning 7.5 million in a year. The father-of-three is now said to be in the same league as household names Ant & Dec and Jack Whitehall. In 2019, Taskmaster was scooped up by Channel 4 and has since completed 17 successful seasons, with the latest having aired its final on Thursday. Alex Horne has become one of the richest hosts on television since the huge success of his comedy show creation, Taskmaster The contestants for season 18 have just been announced including comedic geniuses Babatunde Aleshe, 37, Jack Dee, 62, and Rosie Jones, 33. The show has been nominated for a BAFTA four times, winning in 2020 after beating The Last Leg, The Graham Norton Show and The Ranganation. At the time the country was still facing lockdown restrictions, causing most of the award ceremony to be hosted via Zoom calls. Greg also presented an award but was subjected to a taunt by host Richard Ayoade. The former Inbetweeners star was attempting to speak to nominees including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Sian Gifford, Sarah Kendall and Gbemisola Ikumelo over Zoom. But Greg struggled to converse with the stars, leading Richard to joke: 'Zoom is great for banter isn't it Greg.' He replied: 'I'm going to go straight to the scripted stuff.' Taskmaster provides lots of laughs by making five famous contestants take part in head scratching challenges in order to win their forfeited possessions. Alex might co-host alongside actor Greg Davies however according to reports Alex takes home approximately 7.5 million a year The show has seen a wide variety of celebrities including Iain Stirling, Joe Thomas, Katherine Ryan and Joe Wilkinson. Despite the huge success in the UK, the show flopped when a US version was created. Shortly after winning the 2020 BAFTA the show was cancelled after only one episode aired leaving ratings extremely low. The comedy show debuted to a 0.1 rating among adults 18-49 and only 212,000 viewers, according to Variety. The total viewership number is the lowest of CW's offerings so far that summer. Anna Maxwell Martin has opened up on the aftermath of the sudden death of her ex-husband Roger Michell in 2021. The actress, 47, met the late Notting Hill director in 2004 and they went on to tie the knot in 2010, welcoming two daughters together, Maggie, 15, and Nancy, 13. They announced their separation in 2020, before Roger passed away the following year at the age of 65. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Anna revealed that her and her daughters' grief was compounded by the lack of empathy from others. The Line Of Duty star explained that acquaintances crossed the road to avoid them and avoided talking about Roger's death, saying she felt 'sorry' for them and saying they had 'cocked up' by not showing any sensitivity. Anna Maxwell Martin has opened up on the aftermath of the sudden death of her ex-husband Roger Michell in 2021 (pictured in April) The actress, 47, met the late Notting Hill director in 2004 and they went on to tie the knot in 2010, welcoming two daughters together, Maggie, 15, and Nancy, 13 (pictured with Roger in 2013) They announced their separation in 2020, before Roger passed away the following year at the age of 65 (pictured September 2021) She said: 'We make these broad, sweeping statements about "Were much better now" but I havent found that. Schools certainly arent any better. 'And then there are those who talk to me as if nothings happened. Weve experienced a whole load of that. The girls thank God are very deft at processing it, so they will bring their daddy into conversation, but even members of Rogers generation, people my age, cant have [his death] mentioned.' She continued: 'People are very bad at acknowledging pain or death or difficulty. I find it really odd. Is it a cultural thing? Im really glad Im not one of those people because when it happens I think I feel sorry for you. 'Youve cocked up. I know youre scared but its about showing care, saying to someone, "How are you? Was that difficult? How are you feeling?"' Anna - who lost her own father, Ivan, when she was 24 years old - stressed the value of talking about a lost loved one after they've gone, calling it 'so important. I know but I still want to hear that Roger was important to people and an incredibly talented person.' She added how vital it had been for her daughters to be able to still watch the huge amount of archive footage of their dad. She said: 'Its really important. With my dad I forgot very quickly what he sounded like, then after 20 years I found a recording and heard his voice again. It was a shock and really hard. 'My girls miss [their father] all the time but they wont have that "Oh my God!" moment they can see him whenever they want. I go on the internet and listen to Roger often.' Speaking to The Sunday Times , Anna revealed that her and her daughters' grief was compounded by the lack of empathy from others (pictured in 2022) The Line Of Duty star explained that acquaintances crossed the road to avoid them and avoided talking about Roger's death, saying she felt 'sorry' for them and saying they had 'cocked up' by not showing any sensitivity (pictured with Roger in 2008) Anna - who lost her own father, Ivan, when she was 24 years old - stressed the value of talking about a lost loved one after they've gone (pictured in 2022) Anna has been dating millionaire record boss Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, 52, since 2022 and described him as 'very sensible, rocklike, level and practical' (pictured in 2017) Anna has been dating millionaire record boss Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, 52, since 2022 and described him as 'very sensible, rocklike, level and practical'. The Motherland star is set to return to the stage this summer in The Constituent at London's Old Vic theatre. Anna is starring opposite James Corden in his first West End role in over a decade, last starring in One Man, Two Guvnors in 2011. She 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 from June 13 to August 10. Playwright Joe also wrote Olivier award-winning play Blue/Orange, which Roger directed at the National 24 years ago. Anna admitted that their long-standing connection meant that starring in his play felt like 'a weirdly important part of my grief', saying it was like 'a comfort blanket'. 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. The Motherland star is set to return to the stage this summer in The Constituent at London's Old Vic theatre as as a hard-working opposition backbencher whose ideals of public office are tested by the demands of a man in crisis Heidi Klum celebrated part of her birthday in nothing but her birthday suit. The model marked her 51st birthday on Saturday with a risque video leaving little to the imagination. Mixed among all the birthday wishes in the America's Got Talent judge's Instagram Stories was a short selfie video of Klum enjoying time by the pool, sans most of her clothing. The revealing look for fans came after she posted some sweet photos of a birthday brunch in which she was feted by her children and her husband Tom Kaulitz. In her clip, the runway veteran placed one hand strategically across her chest as she used the other to shoot the clip with her phone. Heidi Klum celebrated part of her 51st birthday in the nude on Saturday Pink balloon bouquets could be seen in the background, placed around the pool at her palatial mansion. Her face was one of the few body parts protected from the bright afternoon rays, as she wore a billed cap and sunglasses. Her long, blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail to complete the sleek look. The mother of four who shares Leni, 20; Henry, 18; Johan, 17; and Lou, 14, with ex-husband Seal, 61, told People in 2023: 'Im super comfortable naked today. To the point where my kids are like, "Mom, I have a friend coming over."' The Germany's Top Model host said if she knows someone is coming over, she'll put her top on, but if it's just family, 'sun's out, bum's out.' 'I just dont like tan lines because I wear so many different outfits. I dont want to have straps anywhere from tan lines. Its very strategic.' 'Im also probably going to be the girl on the beach with no top on when Im 60,' she prophesied. 'Maybe my stomach and my boobs are not going to be the same way they are now. But its just who I am. I am more of a free person.' Mixed among all the birthday wishes in the America's Got Talent judge's Instagram Stories was a short selfie video of Klum enjoying time by the pool, sans most of her clothing The runway veteran placed one hand strategically across her chest as she used the other to shoot the clip with her phone It appeared Klum wasn't completely nude. She shared bottoms down photo of her and husband Tom Kaulitz, 34, touching feet while lying in lounge chairs. The model was wearing a multi-toned string bikini bottom The Making the Cut host has always been comfortable in the buff. 'I grew up going to nude beaches with my parents, so Im a nudist,' she told Ocean Drive magazine in 2016. 'I have no problems with nudity at all. Im very free. When I go to the beach, its in a very remote place where there are not a lot of people, and I like to go topless.' It appeared Klum wasn't completely nude at the pool. She shared bottoms down photo of her and husband Tom Kaulitz, 34, touching feet while lying in lounge chairs. The model was wearing a multi-toned string bikini bottom. Klum covered up in a watermelon pink sweater with seafoam green stars to enjoy a family dinner that included daughter Leni's boyfriend, Aris Rachevsky, and her husband's twin brother, Bill Kaulitz. The table was adorned with a long centerpiece consisting of pink and lavender roses. Klum covered up in a watermelon pink sweater with seafoam green stars to enjoy a family dinner that included daughter Leni's boyfriend, Aris Rachevsky, and her husband's twin brother, Bill Kaulitz. 'All I could wish for,' she posted by the snap Another photo included a sweet smooch with her rocker husband as they toasted Klum's 51st birthday Klum began the day posting this intimate photo. 'Woke up to this beautiful present,' she wrote. 'I feel lucky and blessed' 'All I could wish for,' she posted by the snap. Another included a sweet smooch shared with her rocker husband as they toasted the birthday girl. The fashionista also posted a more intimate photo, this one black and white, in which she and Kaulitz are lying in bed and kisses her still-sleeping husband. 'Woke up to this beautiful present,' she wrote. 'I feel lucky and blessed.' Southern Charm alum Kathryn Dennis reportedly is not out of the woods yet for an alleged hit-and-run incident from October. The reality star, 32, was identified as a suspect after her car was captured on surveillance video blowing through a stop sign at an elementary school and hitting an officer in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Police never arrested Dennis, and law enforcement sources indicate that they are still not ready to take that step, even at this time, sources told TMZ on Sunday. However, the authorities remain receptive to new leads and are ready to follow up on them, meaning Dennis is not yet in the clear, per the outlet. The report comes nearly two weeks after Dennis was arrested in South Carolina for driving under the influence following a three-car collision. Southern Charm alum Kathryn Dennis reportedly is not out of the woods yet for an alleged hit-and-run incident from October; (pictured 2021) Police never arrested Dennis, and law enforcement sources indicate that they are still not ready to take that step, even at this time, sources told TMZ on Sunday; (mug shot from DUI in May) The former model seemingly addressed the DUI with a cryptic message via her Instagram Stories on Wednesday, writing 'You can literally be here today and gone tomorrow. Be grateful, be humble, be appreciative, be kind, be loving.' Last week, DailyMail.com obtained video captured by Whitesville Elementary School's surveillance camera in which Dennis' black Ford Bronco SUV can be seen blowing through a police officer directing traffic during the busy morning drop-off at the school on October 20, 2023. The vehicle can be seen speeding across the screen, blasting past 40-year-old Berkeley County Sheriff's Office corporal Michelle Ward and knocking her stop-sign from her hand. The officer sustained minor injuries from the shocking incident after which Dennis did not stop but instead fled the scene. The footage has emerged just days after it was revealed Dennis was arrested for driving under the influence following a three-car-collision in Goose Creek, South Carolina on Monday. According to booking documents Dennis appeared to be impaired and had 'glossy eyes and an odor of alcohol coming from her person.' The troubled former Bravo reality show star was also booked for driving with an open container. Dennis was not arrested for the earlier incident which took place last fall, but images obtained by DailyMail.com show that she was later named as a suspect in the hit-and-run. Police officers visited her home in Monck's Corner, South Carolina, where they took pictures of her dirty and damaged Bronco. According to Ward she was, 'directing traffic at the entrance of the school,' when she noticed a vehicle traveling through the school zone and 'not slowing down.' However, the authorities remain receptive to new leads and are ready to follow up on them, meaning Dennis is not yet in the clear, per the outlet (pictured October 3) Now, footage of a hit-and-run incident Dennis was allegedly involved in last October, when her car was seen speeding through a school crossing in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, has been revealed for the first time by DailyMail.com Dennis's car was seen zooming through a school zone and striking Berkeley County Sheriff's Office corporal Michelle Ward, 40, (pictured) who was directing traffic at the time The short clip captured the moment Dennis's black Ford Bronco fails to stop after knocking a stop sign out of Ward's hand School resource officer deputy Michelle Ward confirmed she was the victim of the hit-and-run by reposting the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office accident report on her Facebook account at the time In a statement taken by the South Caroline Highway Patrol investigator, Ward said: 'I blew on my whistle and stepped to the left to get out of the vehicle's way. 'As I stepped to the left, the vehicle drove past me, striking me on the right side. The stop sign broke in my hand and landed in the roadway.' The officer added that the driver identified as a female with dirty blonde hair neither slowed down nor attempted to avoid her as she careened in her direction. Ward took to Facebook in the aftermath of the incident to confirm her involvement and told followers that she was 'sore but good' after the SUV 'hurt my hand.' She told one commenter: 'It wasn't part of the plan for my day. I was a bit p***ed as well.' She was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police images show several large dents caused by her collision with officer Ward's stop sign as well as a wing-mirror shorn of its casing. All, clear evidence of the force with which Dennis's vehicle hit the cop. According to the incident report filed Dennis's vehicle was 'traveling South [when] a traffic control officer was directing traffic for an elementary school.' Images obtained by DailyMail.com reveal police officers later visited her home in Monck's Corner, South Carolina, where they took pictures of her dirty and damaged Bronco Police images show several large dents caused by her collision with officer Ward's stop sign The vehicle's sideview mirrors were shorn of their casings, the photos reveal The hit-and-run incident took place outside Whitesville Elementary School and was captured by its surveillance cameras An incident report obtained by DailyMail.com lists Dennis as the owner of the vehicle but the driver as 'unknown' since she was not stopped nor arrested at the time of the collision It notes: 'The driverdisregarded the traffic officer's stop sign and struck [it].' She then 'failed to stop.' Dennis first appeared on Southern Charm as the on-again-off again partner of Thomas Ravenel with whom she ultimately had two children, Kensington 'Kensie' Calhoun, 9, and St Julien 'Saint' Rembert, 7. The couple were notorious for their tumultuous relationship which ended in 2018 when he was struck with sexual assault charges by three different women. A protracted custody dispute followed which saw Dennis lose custody last February and her alleged substance abuse issues come to the forefront, along with other ugly allegations. Dennis, 32, entered rehab in 2016 after failing a drug test during her custody battle with her ex. Acknowledging a dependence on marijuana to deal with stress and depression, Dennis entered a 30-day rehab program in Malibu in June of 2016, according to court papers. According to court filings, she was suffering from cannabis abuse, alcoholism, amphetamine use disorder, self-harm and major depression. In July 2018, following a recovery period, she was granted 50/50 custody. But in October 2018 she filed for sole custody of the children in the wake of sexual assault allegations made against Ravenel by the couple's former nanny, Dawn Ledwell. He ultimately plead guilty to third-degree assault charges. The granddaughter of Senator Rembert Coney Dennis, Kathryn joined Southern Charm in 2014 and left the series in early 2023 Dennis first appeared on the show as the on-again-off again partner of Thomas Ravenel with whom she ultimately had two children, Kensington 'Kensie' Calhoun, 9, and St Julien 'Saint' Rembert, 7 (pictured) As Dennis fought for custody against Ravenel, ugly allegations against her emerged. In January 2019 court documents, Ravenel claimed Dennis 'abuses prescription drugs, is engaged in the use of illegal drugs, and consumes alcohol in combination thereof regularly. Dennis also had another brush with the law at age 20, when she was arrested for underage drinking and disorderly conduct. The star, an original cast member who announced her departure from the show after eight seasons in January 2023, now has supervised visitation every other Saturday and Sunday. Kate Garraway has revealed her 'amazing friends' have helped her a loan a brand new car as she sets off on a family trip to Cornwall, amid her 1.5million debt. The Good Morning Britain presenter, 57, took to her Instagram on Saturday to share a video of her new Volvo all packed up ready for her holiday. She panned over to show her father and explain that she was heading off with 'about 30 other Garraways' on their annual getaway. Kate gushed that she 'absolutely loved' her new car, but added that it was 'bittersweet' as she explained it would have been 'perfect' for carrying her late husband Derek Draper. The political lobbyist tragically passed away in January after a four-year battle with Covid at the age of 56. Kate Garraway has revealed her 'amazing friends' have helped her a loan a brand new car as she sets off on a family trip to Cornwall, amid her 1.5million debt The Good Morning Britain presenter, 57, took to her Instagram on Saturday to share a video of her new Volvo all packed up ready for her holiday She panned over to show her father and explain that she was heading off with 'about 30 other Garraways' on their annual getaway Captioning the video, Kate wrote: 'We havent had a car since Vickie Volvo was stolen and Percy Peugeot had to go back but thanks to some amazing friends whove helped me loan a brand new @volvocaruk C90 - I absolutely love it!!!!! 'Not an advert just a passion! Feels like old times with hands on an @volvocars wheel, although bitter sweet as this would have been the perfect car to carry Derek in and out of with plenty of room for a hoist and wheelchair in the back. 'But I know he would approve and its come just in time to take my mum and Dad away on our annual Cornwall trip with ALL the Garraways!' She concluded the message, by quipping that her dad was worried about her driving skills and asking her followers for name suggestions for her new wheels. She penned: 'Dad slightly tense about me driving but relieved that it beeps everytime near an obstacle! Now just have to find a name for it?! Hope everyone is having a lovely Saturday xxx'. It comes as Kate has been hit with a 32,000 bill from liquidators for closing Derek's psychotherapy company after being crippled by a 700,000 tax bill. The star has been ordered to pay the 32,000 flat fee as well as 40 per cent of assets recovered from psychotherapeutic company Astra Aspera. Kate has already been left 1.5million in debt from the cost of Derek's care and money owed to the taxman. Kate gushed that she 'absolutely loved' her new car, but added that it was 'bittersweet' as she explained it would have been 'perfect' for carrying her late husband Derek Draper (pictured) The political lobbyist tragically passed away in January after a four-year battle with Covid at the age of 56 (pictured with Kate) She concluded the message, by quipping that her dad was worried about her driving skills and asking her followers for name suggestions for her new wheels Now the liquidators are investigating the possibility of any other assets which could be used to pay off company debts, The Sun reported. Kate previously revealed she resorted to withdrawing money from her pension pot to pay the huge bills from Derek's medical care. In an ITV documentary in April, the star admitted she couldn't even afford to have the heating on in October. Kate revealed that she's taken money out of her pension to pay for Derek's belated medical bills, after sharing the results of a GMB survey, which revealed one in five Brits are getting themselves into debt while funding private medical care. She said: 'I am doing something similar myself. 'I have had to withdraw the bit you can tax free from my pension to pay for belated bills for my husband, who has now passed away. 'People are having to do things - it wasn't a huge pension in the first place - which aren't what they saved for.' It comes as Kate has been hit with a 32,000 bill from liquidators for closing Derek's psychotherapy company after being crippled by a 700,000 tax bill Now the liquidators are investigating the possibility of any other assets which could be used to pay off company debts, The Sun reported (pictured in March) Kate previously shared that she researched accessing her pension fund early to try and fund Derek's care. In a recent episode of Good Morning Britain, she said: 'It's only when a crisis hits you suddenly think hmm. 'I have experience of this, Derek fell very ill in March 2020. I was aware that he had some pensions, I had a small one that I knew.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Kate Garraway for comment. Joey King showed off her naturally long locks at Disney's FYC event held at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on Saturday - one week after fooling fans into thinking she cut her hair into a short bob at the Cannes Film Festival in France. 'We used a high-quality, waist-length wig for the transformation,' hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos revealed to People last Friday. 'By cutting and styling the wig into a sleek bob, we achieved the dramatic change without any permanent commitment. It's all about versatility and playing with different looks.' Hairstylist Rena Calhoun gave the 24-year-old Emmy nominee's dark-rooted mane a wet slicked-back look for the industry event, and she wore a collared Alessandro Vigilante crop-top and matching trousers selected by stylist Jared Eng. Make-up artist Allan Avendano applied white winged eyeliner on Joey - who accessorized her all-white outfit with a Patou clutch as well as jewelry from DJULA, Simone, and My Dearest World. Joey King showed off her naturally long locks at Disney's FYC event held at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles on Saturday - one week after fooling fans into thinking she cut her hair into a short bob at the Cannes Film Festival in France Hairstylist Dimitris Giannetos (R) revealed to People last Friday: 'We used a high-quality, waist-length wig for the transformation. By cutting and styling the wig into a sleek bob, we achieved the dramatic change without any permanent commitment. It's all about versatility and playing with different looks' King was vying for Emmy gold by discussing her new Hulu series We Were the Lucky Ones with her onscreen mother from Hulu's The Act, Oscar winner Patricia Arquette. It was on the Georgia set of Nick Antosca and Michelle Dean's critically-acclaimed 2019 biopic on Gypsy Rose Blanchard where the former child star first met her husband of nine months, Steven Piet. At 40, the News & Documentary Emmy-nominated DP is 16 years older than Joey, who employs him as her personal photographer on social media. Steven's last IMDb-credited gig was directing two episodes of Peacock's A Friend of the Family, which aired in 2022. King portrayed Jewish lab assistant Halina Kurc in Erica Lipez's critically-acclaimed limited series We Were the Lucky Ones, which premiered March 28 on Hulu. The eight-episode adaptation of Georgia Hunter's 2017 novel about a Jewish family determined to survive and reunite after being separated in World War II. 'It's a beautiful story. I love Georgia Hunter's book so much and I found it to be so compelling. I'm of Jewish background. And it's very special to be able to find material that you feel so connected to,' the L'Oreal Paris brand ambassador said in her Natural Diamonds cover story. 'Because the best part about what we do is that we play characters and a lot of those times we don't have anything in common with those characters and that's really cool because you have to really just pretend fully. But then it's very rare to find something that you actually have a connection of some kind to, that makes you feel so much in your heart and soul. 'This was a challenging role, so challenging to dive into this material and become this person and do the dialect work and also the emotional nature of these scenes. It's also so special to have that connection even though this role was so hard. But when you feel that personal tie, the way you get into character is so emotional and so immersive.' Hairstylist Rena Calhoun gave the 24-year-old Emmy nominee's dark-rooted mane a wet slicked-back look for the industry event, and she wore a collared Alessandro Vigilante crop-top and matching trousers selected by stylist Jared Eng Make-up artist Allan Avendano applied white winged eyeliner on Joey - who accessorized her all-white outfit with a Patou clutch as well as jewelry from DJULA, Simone, and My Dearest World King was vying for Emmy gold by discussing her new Hulu series We Were the Lucky Ones with her onscreen mother from Hulu's The Act, Oscar winner Patricia Arquette (L) It was on the Georgia set of Nick Antosca and Michelle Dean's critically-acclaimed 2019 biopic on Gypsy Rose Blanchard where the former child star first met her husband of nine months, Steven Piet (R) At 40, the News & Documentary Emmy-nominated DP (R, pictured May 25) is 16 years older than Joey, who employs him as her personal photographer on social media King portrayed Jewish lab assistant Halina Kurc in Erica Lipez's critically-acclaimed limited series We Were the Lucky Ones, which premiered March 28 on Hulu The L'Oreal Paris brand ambassador said in her Natural Diamonds cover story: 'It's a beautiful story. I love Georgia Hunter's book so much and I found it to be so compelling. I'm of Jewish background. And it's very special to be able to find material that you feel so connected to' Audiences can next catch Joey as Nicole Kidman's onscreen daughter and Zac Efron's onscreen personal assistant Zara Ford in Richard LaGravenese's May-December rom-com A Family Affair, which premieres June 28 on Netflix Audiences can next catch Joey as Nicole Kidman's onscreen daughter and Zac Efron's onscreen personal assistant Zara Ford in Richard LaGravenese's May-December rom-com A Family Affair, which premieres June 28 on Netflix. A Family Affair also stars Oscar winner Kathy Bates, Oscar winner Shirley MacLaine, and YouTuber Liza Koshy. King will then voice aspiring supervillain Poppy Prescott in Chris Renaud and Patrick Delage's animated four-quel comedy Despicable Me 4, which hits US theaters July 3 and UK theaters July 12. The Universal Pictures family flick also features Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Stephen Colbert, Steve Coogan, Sofia Vergara, Chloe Fineman, and Will Ferrell. She is known for her racy displays and leaving little to the imagination. And Katie Price didn't hold back in recent snaps as she flaunted her surgically enhanced assets in a pale pink silk lingerie set and red lacy one piece. Posing on her bed as she knelt down, the star, 46, showcased her impressive collection of tattoos in the snaps which were a partnership with Love Honey. However fans noticed all wasn't as it seemed as they accused the star of a major photoshop fail after zooming in on the star's leg. There appeared to be a clear indentation in Katie's outer thigh suggesting the image had been tampered with as fans took to the comments section to share their thoughts. Katie Price fans accused the star of a MAJOR photoshop fail after they spotted an editing mishap in her racy lingerie snap posted on Instagram The former glamour model, 46, flaunted her surgically enhanced assets in a pale pink silk lingerie set and showcased her impressive collection of tattoos in the snaps which were a partnership with Love Honey One wrote: 'Looks lovely but what is going on with the leg, Doesn't look right?' Others then replied: 'edited into oblivion'; 'Deffo photoshop, love her tats though'; 'Can we see pictures which haven't been so airbrushed?' 'Something wonky going on with your right leg and foot there lol'; 'Your knee looks wider than your thigh, how is that even possible??'; 'And the Academy Award for the best photoshop goes to.' 'Shout out to the photoshopper'; 'She needs to realise she's to old for this ,you can't keep photoshopping every picture'; 'Looks as though shes been well air brushed !' Another user pointed out that Katie's belly button also appeared to be nowhere to be seen as they asked: 'no belly button katie? must be a medical mystery'. However others complimented Katie on the snaps as she also wowed in a red lingerie dress. They penned: 'You look amazing @katieprice'; 'Thats my Jordan!!!!'; 'Unreal can't wait to see youuu'. Elsewhere Katie took to Instagram on Saturday to show off an emotional moment between her and her son Harvey, 21, during her podcast show. However fans noticed all wasn't as it seemed as they accused the star of a major photoshop fail after zooming in on the star's leg where there appeared to be a clear indentation in Katie's outer thigh suggesting the image had been tampered with Fans took to the comments section to share their thoughts as one wrote: 'Looks lovely but what is going on with the leg, Doesn't look right?' Another user pointed out that Katie's belly button also appeared to be nowhere to be seen as they asked: 'no belly button katie? must be a medical mystery' However others complimented Katie on the snaps as she also wowed in a red lingerie dress Elsewhere Katie took to Instagram on Saturday to show off an emotional moment between her and her son Harvey, 21, during her live podcast show Meanwhile, Katie put on a busty display in a jumpsuit patterned with her own face at Mighty Hoopla in London on Saturday The former glamour model brought Harvey on stage to help her belt out the iconic track I Got You. Harvey, who has been diagnosed with multiple disorders including autism, septo-optic dysplasia, Prader-Willi syndrome and blindness, made fans go wild in the crowd as he showed off his dance moves whilst his mother was singing the beloved song. Meanwhile, Katie put on a busty display in a jumpsuit patterned with her own face at Mighty Hoopla in London on Saturday. She took to the stage at the Brockwell Park festival where she performed some of the tracks from her sporadic pop career including the 2017 track I Got U. Katie looked to be in good spirits at the event, as she threw her thumbs up and pouted. The jumpsuit displayed her ample chest size and clung to her slender waist. The Page 3 legend secured her dark locks up into a high ponytail and styled the whole look out with an over-the-top tiara. The former Loose Women panellist wasn't afraid to poke fun at herself either, with a backdrop that billed her as The Artist Formally Known As Jordan (sic) in a nod to the pseudonym she used during her heyday. The backdrop listed all of her career achievements as a TV star, author of multiple autobiographies and a businesswoman. At one point, the I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! star was joined by her son Harvey, who sang along with her live on stage. Katie seemed impressed with how her performance had gone, and she took to social media straight after to thank her fans. She wrote: 'Thank you so much @MightyHoopla for letting me sing for you all. I loved it!!!' and emblazoned her post with a string of heart emojis. Brittany Cartwright was seen without her wedding ring amid her split with Jax Taylor as she showcased her curves as she celebrated Pride Month Sunday in Los Angeles. The reality star, 35, who admitted on The Valley she could foresee a future without husband Jax, 44, left her wedding ring at home for the outing. The Jenny Craig spokesperson put on a busty display in a bright green romper for her appearance at the annual West Hollywood Pride Festival Parade. The Kentucky native showcased her shapely legs in the short outfit, and she complemented the sporty outfit with white-and-black Nike sneakers. She added a touch of glamour by styling her long brunette locks in waves that flowed down her shoulders. Brittany Cartwright was seen without her wedding ring as she showcased her curves as she celebrated Pride Month Sunday in Los Angeles. She put on a busty display in a green romper for her appearance at the annual West Hollywood Pride Festival Parade She appeared to be wearing natural looking makeup with a pinkgold lip. The makeup artist accessorized with large hoop earrings, and she took an oversize denim jacket with her, which she sometimes draped around her shoulders. Cartwright was spotted walking with a male friend who was dressed in black from head to toe. The pair were seen doing some window shopping at Pretty Little Thing on Melrose Avenue, where she had purchased her romper, on their way to the parade. Cartwright and Taylor announced their separation in February. The pair share their three-year-old son Cruz. Following the split, Cartwright left the home she shared with her estranged husband and moved into an Airbnb with her best friend from college, Zack Wickham, who also happens to be the a cast member on The Valley. Cartwright and Taylor have said they are 'trying to exhaust everything' before considering divorcing on their When Reality Hits podcast. The reality star, 35, who is separated from husband Jax Taylor, 44, wore black-and-white Nike sneakers but left her wedding ring about home for the outing Cartwright was spotted walking with an unidentified male companion, who was dressed in black from head to toe Cartwright and her husband Jax Taylor, 44, separated in February. They share a three year old son, Cruz The bar owner said his recent outing with model Paige Woolen was not romantic. 'I am not I repeat not dating anybody. I was seen out with someone and it was strictly lunch.' The cracks in their marriage were also highlighted in episodes of The Valley, which premiered on Bravo weeks after Cartwright first announced their separation. 'I'm the one that's living elsewhere and I feel like I'm the one that's taking all the hard hits even though I was the one who had to leave,' she told former Vanderpump Rules costar Tom Schwartz on Friday's episode of the podcast. D-Day: The Unheard Tapes (BBC2) Rating: When Rishi Sunak announced plans to bring back National Service last month, a chorus of Jeremiah voices proclaimed it impossible. The youthful spirit of duty and sacrifice no longer exists, they moaned. But listening to the testimonies of ex-soldiers in D-Day: The Unheard Tapes, what made these young men (and they were all men) sound so different from today's Generation Z was not their courage or their patriotism. It was their innocence. Wally Parr, a former private with the 6th Airborne Division, served in the unit that struck the first blow of the Allied invasion of northern France, the surprise attack on an inland canal crossing known as Pegasus Bridge. They landed in total darkness by glider. Wally had wry memories of the camaraderie and the rumours that were rife before the orders for battle came. Royal Marine Commandos on Sword Beach in D-Day: The Unheard Tapes But his favourite story was how he took a piece of chalk and christened their aircraft, scrawling the name Lady Irene along its flank. Wally was 22, and Irene was his beloved wife. They had already been married four years. Wally hung on to that piece of chalk, determined that no other women would share Irene's honour. But he agreed to lend it to his childhood mate, Jack Bailey. Across the other side of the glider, Jack wrote, 'Lewisham Special' as though the plane were an omnibus on the South London streets where they grew up. Think of a world where couples married in their teens and stayed devoted for life, and where schoolpals stuck together like brothers, always loyal to those same few streets. That's the world Wally and Jack thought they were fighting to save, though it disappeared long ago. Scenes on Sword Beach as soldiers are under fire from bombs and bullets in D-Day: The Unheard Tapes Archive footage of the German defenders hinted that Hitler's doomed troops were, if anything, even more innocent. The soldiers in one column, grinning and larking about for the camera in their outsize helmets, looked no more than 16 years old almost children. No doubt some were. This three-part documentary, continuing tonight and tomorrow, uses actors who lip-synch as reel-to-reel recordings of interviews with veterans play, the sound digitally enhanced. It's a technique we've seen before but never better than it is done here. The cast are chosen for their resemblance to the real soldiers, as well as their uncanny ability to mouth their lines in perfect synchronisation with the tapes. Their demob suits, haircuts and moustaches are all convincingly 1940s, as are the backdrops a pub table, a front room, a spartan office. Even their faces were hollow-cheeked, with the gaunt look of men under rationing. Daniel Tuite, who played Major John Howard, commander of the Pegasus Bridge assault troops, could almost have been the ghost of the man himself. Wally (played by Samuel Lawrence) worked as a window cleaner for 35 years after the war. He died in 2005 in Lewisham hospital . . . round the corner from the streets where he and Jack Bailey once played. Temperatures are already rising across the US - and all signs point towards the summer of 2024 being the hottest on record. Over the Memorial Day weekend 11 cities in Florida broke their own heat records, while soaring temperatures fueled violent thunderstorms in Houston and Dallas. And an extreme heat wave is heading for the US next month, the National Weather Service has warned, and is likely to hit Texas, Florida, Arizona, California and Nevada. But there are steps that you can take to keep your home cool in the summer, according to supplier Octopus Energy. And for Michael Lee, CEO of the Houston-based supplier, this also involves rethinking how we view energy efficiency and usage. There are steps that you can take to keep your home cool in the summer, according to supplier Octopus Energy Michael Lee, CEO of Octopus Energy US, recommends shutting your blinds and windows to keep out sunlight and keep your home cool According to Octopus Energy, the first step is making sure cold air is kept inside the home and hot air is kept out. 'If it's drafty in the winter, then it's definitely drafty in the summer,' Lee told DailyMail.com. The easiest way to weather proof your home is to seal up any cracks, gaps or holes on exterior doors and windows. Also be sure to check any doors leading to non-air conditioned spaces - such as an interior door leading to a garage. Replace your AC filter once a month, and unplug any unused appliances as these are still able to suck energy through the power cord when you are not using them - pushing up your bill. During the summer, the supplier recommends turning your ceiling fan blades counter clockwise. 'Fan blades spinning in a counter clockwise direction will push air down and create a refreshing breeze throughout the room while maximizing energy efficiency,' it said. Cook outside if you have a grill to avoid heating up your kitchen, it recommends, and invest in a cooling mattress topper if you can to keep your temperature down at night. Materials known for moisture wicking and breathability are cotton, silk, tencel, and rayon made from bamboo. Sunlight entering through windows can significantly heat up a room, Octopus said, so having dark-colored curtains helps block out light. 'Shut your blinds and your windows - especially the south and west-facing windows - because those are the ones where the sunlight comes in during the afternoon,' Lee added. Alongside these tips, Lee also thinks it is crucial for customers and energy suppliers to think about timing and how they optimize their energy usage - not just how they reduce it. 'We need to rethink the products that are offered to customers, because I think a lot of energy companies and customers are a little asleep at the switch and thinking about the old way of saving money,' he said, 'which is just reducing your usage instead of intelligently thinking about your usage.' Largely to avoid federal regulation, independently-minded Texas - where Octopus Energy is based - is the only state in the US with its own energy grid. The rest of the country is covered by two grids - one in the east and one in the west. The Texas grid is operated by nonprofit corporation Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which is overseen by the state's utility regulator and the Texas legislature. While supporters of the so-called 'energy island' say it is a lure to business, others argue it puts the state's 30 million residents at risk of blackouts when the grid is stressed at times of extreme demand. For Lee, the unique environment in Texas is an opportunity to reconsider the role renewable energy can play - while also keeping costs down for customers. An extreme heat wave is heading towards the US next month, the National Weather Service has warned Experts recommend turning your ceiling fan blades counter clockwise, and making sure you replace the filter in your AC For example, the supplier introduced a 'Fan Club' program, which gives customers discount windows during the day when they can save on their energy unit rate. A 20 percent discount is applied to any electricity which is used when wind energy makes up more than 30 percent of the grid's energy supply. 'We have more wind than anywhere else in the US, and we have more solar energy production now than anywhere else in the grid,' he said. 'And it's not because of government mandates, it's just because we have such low cost renewable energy coming off these projects, we can build them really fast and cut through the red tape.' Lee hopes that the rest of the country could look toward Texas as a model for the future, with a focus on using renewable energy at optimum times. 'If one of the biggest problems is how we keep bills low, then ultimately the best way to take cost out for customers is to use power when renewables are really abundant,' Lee told DailyMail.com. It was a glamourous affair at the exclusive preview of Nine Wests latest collection in the Capital hosted by Bata India! This event marks a significant moment as Bata India introduces New Yorks renowned footwear and accessories brand, Nine West, to the Indian market. Actor Chitrangda Singh alongside Delhis top fashion influencers indulged in a stylishly curated evening as they adorned NINE WESTs latest styles, brought to India exclusively by Bata. Speaking at the grand unveiling of the Nine West collection, Deepika Deepti, Head of Marketing, Bata India said, At Bata, our aim is to bring the best of worlds fashion to India for our discerning customers. Nine West, born in New York City and thriving globally, is one of the most recognisable brands in the world. With its entry in India exclusively in partnership with Bata, we are proud to continue to make truly high fashion & premium styles accessible to all. The latest collection is inspired by empowered women who dream, lead & slay. Iconic silhouettes & dainty designs ranging from sleek metallic stilettos to famed monogram style bags, each article is crafted to complement the fashion-forward women. The latest Nine West collection is now available exclusively at Bata.Com and your nearest Bata stores! Strengthening its portfolio of fashion footwear and accessories, Bata India had announced in November 2023 licensing and manufacturing deal with Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) for Nine West winning rights to manufacture, market and distribute Nine West footwear and accessories across India. For close to a century, Bata India has been a symbol of trust and quality for the Indian consumers, serving 250,000 customers every day in 2022. Throughout this journey, Bata has continuously evolved to cater to the diverse needs and preferences of its customers to become the largest footwear retailer and manufacturer in the country. Its expansive retail network consists of 2,100 stores (Company Owned, Franchise and Store in store point of sales). Augmented by thousands of Multi Brand Outlets and a robust omni-channel presence across D2C and marketplaces, Bata India sells close to 50 million pairs annually. Bata Indias mission is to make global trends and premium fashion accessible to all consumers through its extensive retail network. It is redefining the intersection of fashion and comfort through its various brands Bata Red Label for in trend global styles, Bata Comfit for technology enabled comfort in daily wear, athleisure brand Power for fitness sneakers and apparel, NorthStar for sneakers inspired by global youth trends, fashionable range of clogs and slip-ons under Floatz, kids brand Bubblegummers that has won the trust of parents while inspiring fun, and Hush Puppies the global brand that epitomises comfort and elegance to name a few. Matrimony.com and Sharechat are among four companies that have written to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, saying they do not agree with the submissions on draft digital competition bill made by industry association IAMAI, of which they are members. IAMAIs submission, they claim, is not reflective of the entire digital startup ecosystem or its diverse membership of over 540 companies. According to them, while only a small fraction of members have opposed the ex-ante provisions introduced by the Draft Digital Competition Bill (DCB), yet the submission made by the association predominantly echoes this minority perspective. Any opposition to ex ante regulations and continuation of the ex post regime will allow entrenched players to continue exploiting regulatory gaps to stifle competition and innovation, they argued. The letter sent to Corporate Affairs Secretary Manoj Govil earlier this week was signed by Murugavel Janakiraman, Founder and MD of Matrimony.Com; Vishnu Moha, Co-founder of Hoichoi; Morgan Cauvin, Head, Government Relations, India and Europe, Middle East, Africa, Match Group; and Manohar Singh Charan, Chief Financial Officer, Sharechat. ...Signatories, all members of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), write to express our diverging views to IAMAIs recent submission on the Draft Digital Competition Bill (DCB) and the Report of the Committee on Digital Competition Law. We state that IAMAIs submission is not reflective of the entire digital startup ecosystem or IAMAIs diverse membership of over 540 companies as only a miniscule percentage of these members have opposed the ex-ante provisions introduced by the DCB, yet the submission predominantly echoes this minority perspective, the letter said. Put simply, the ex-ante provision aims to ensure that the behaviours of large digital enterprises are proactively monitored and that the CCI intervenes before instances of anti-competitive conduct transpire. Currently, the Competition Act primarily envisages an ex-post framework of intervention, wherein the CCI intervenes after the occurrence of an anti-competitive conduct. The dissenting companies, in their letter, said they believe that opposition of ex ante regulations and continuation of the ex post regime, will lead to status quo being maintained and allow entrenched players to continue exploiting regulatory gaps to stifle competition and innovation. The invocation of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance conveniently ignores the reality of market distortions and abuses that necessitate targeted regulatory interventions, they said. While we share similar concerns over the thresholds for designation of Systemically Significant Digital Enterprise (SSDEs), IAMAIs submission on the rest of the draft DCB seems to present obtuse concerns which go against the broader imperative of fostering fair competition across all core digital services in India, supporting the growth of startups and protecting consumer welfare in Indias digital economy, the letter said. The thresholds for designation of an SSDE may require revision to ensure that only those entities which are sufficiently large and having substantial presence in digital markets in India are subject to the ex-ante regulations proposed in the DCB. This ensures that financial strength and user spread thresholds outlined in the DCB do not inadvertently encompass startups and other digital enterprises which are not true digital gatekeepers. This issue can also be effectively addressed by advocating for higher thresholds, so nascent digital services /products remain protected...By revisiting thresholds, it can be ensured that only the largest digital gatekeepers (or Big Tech companies), which have benefitted from network effects, fall within the DCBs scope, it said. The letter exhorted the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to move forward with the draft DCB at the earliest. We believe that any lingering apprehensions can be effectively addressed during the drafting of the regulations under the draft DCB, ensuring that the Indian digital ecosystem benefits from a clear regulatory framework that fosters fair competition and incentivises innovation among startups and smaller businesses without fear of suppression by larger dominant gatekeepers, it said. Maruti Suzuki India on Saturday reported 2 per cent year-on-year dip in total wholesales at 1,74,551 units in May 2024. The company had dispatched a total of 1,78,083 units to its dealers in the same month last year, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) said in a statement. Total domestic passenger vehicle sales rose marginally to 1,44,002 units last month from 1,43,708 units in the year-ago period, it added. Sales of mini segment cars, comprising Alto and S-Presso, declined to 9,902 units from 12,236 units in May 2023. Sales of compact cars, including Baleno, Celerio, Dzire, Ignis, Swift, Tour S and WagonR, also fell to 68,206 units from 71,419 units in the year-ago month. Utility vehicles, including Brezza, Grand Vitara, Ertiga, S-Cross and XL6, clocked sales of 54,204 units last month as against 46,243 units earlier. Sales of vans were at 10,960 units in May 2024 as against 12,818 units a year ago, while that of light commercial vehicle Super Carry stood at 2,692 units as against 2,888 units in May 2023. MSI said its exports last month declined to 17,367 units from 26,477 units in the same period last year. Criticism has arisen over the demand for bar owners to pay `2.5 lakh each to circumvent a Government-mandated monthly closure The demand that all bar owners in the State should pay Rs 2.5 lakh per establishment instead of cancelling a Government order that makes it mandatory for all watering holes to down shutters on the first of every month and restrictions on opening more bar hotels underscore the opinion that it is time for the Kerala Government to come out of liquor business. The latest controversy about the demand made by the powers that be to the bar owners to pay exorbitant money as a bribe for altering the excise departments laws establishes that the CPI(M)-led LDF and Congress-led UDF are swindling the State alternately, a charge made time and again by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his campaign speeches in the State. The Government has no business to be in business and is more so in the case of the liquor business. Unlike other States, Kerala and Tamil Nadu follow liquor policies that promote high-level corruption. The Governments in these two States are the monopolies in the liquor trade. The Beverages Corporation of Kerala (BEVCO) and Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC), the State-owned entities are the only bodies that can buy and sell liquor. Bar restaurants owned by the private sector should procure the liquor supplied by these two bodies. Long back there were private liquor outlets in these States doing roaring business. After the nationnalisation of the liquor business in Kerala, the tipplers face severe hardship in getting their daily quota of spirits and they are also forced to consume what the brands that BEVCO impose on them. Earlier, the tipplers had the choice of getting their favourite brands and drinking too. After the taking over of the liquor business by the Government, the brands to be sold in the States are decided by the party in power and there is no transparency in the selection of liquor to be traded through the outlets or restaurants(bars). The liquor manufacturers who pay the ruling parties get the contract and laugh at the banks. The Government claims that the nationalization is the prelude to the introduction of total prohibition in Kerala. This is a dream that will never materialise unless other States bring in legislation banning liquor. Neighboring Karnataka is a tipplers paradise as the private outlets sell all popular brands patronized by the consumers. While arrack, the country spirit is banned in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the same is available in the rest of the country much to the delight of the working class. Those who toil in farmlands from morning to evening need a bit of relaxation after a hard days work and hence it is not proper on the part of the Government to ban the stuff. Pinarayi Vijayan, chief minister of Kerala, is on record stating that toddy is a most nutritious drink and not alcohol. Tamil Nadu has banned toddy tapping forcing the poor workers to rush to TASMAC with their hard-earned wages to buy the spirit for the evening. If arrack is not banned in these States (where spurious arrack is available from bootleggers) the workers need not have spent the days earnings in State-owned liquor outlets. The notion that liquor would imperil health has to go. Many findings have been confirmed through scientific research that a moderate quantity of liquor is good for health. There is a Chinese adage about liquor: A man takes a drink. The drink takes more drinks . Finally, the drinks take the man. If the authorities could make the man consume fewer drinks, that would be the best solution to alcoholism. But it should not be by killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. We live in an era when Indian-made scotches have beaten the spirits brewed in Scotland and the USA to emerge as their rivals in the global market. Colombo and suburbs, hardly an hour of air journey from Kochi is a study in contrast. Though there are many liquor outlets in Sri Lanka, one cannot come across long queues of tipplers in front of these shops. Devan Ramachandran, a judge of the Kerala High Court, said recently that the drinkers need much better treatment from the BEVCO outlets. He was drawing the attention of the Government to the plight of tipplers who have to wait for hours in the queue braving the scorching sun and heavy downpours to get their daily evening quota. Sunil Kumar, a fellow journalist, said that the Governments stringent and outdated regulations alone are responsible for making people consume more and more liquor. He says that the decision to down the shutters of liquor outlets on the first day of every month is a regressive measure as it forces the drinkers to buy an additional bottle in the previous evening to stock for the next day. But what happens is that they consume that extra bottle on the same evening leaving them high and dry on the day of shutdown. Let the tipplers have the freedom to gulp down their quota. It is impossible to have total prohibition in the country. Piloo Modi, the veteran parliamentarian said during a debate on prohibition that he could stay away from alcohol for any number of years. But I cannot live even for a minute without the right to consume liquor, Piloo Modi had said. Let better sense prevail. (The writer is a special correspondent with the Pioneer, views are personal) With 24 per cent of children under 16 already using tobacco, the urgency for immediate intervention and education cannot be overstated The escalating trend of addiction among the youth in India is a serious challenge to public health. Each year, tobacco consumption claims the lives of 1.2 million people in the country. The theme of World No Tobacco Day 2024, Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference, underscores the urgent need to shield the younger generation from the harmful influence of the tobacco industry. Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable deaths and diseases worldwide. It significantly contributes to heart disease, cardiovascular issues and brain strokes. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey 2016-17 revealed that approximately 29 per cent (270 million) of Indian adults use tobacco products, including cigarettes, gutkha, supari tobacco, jarda, bidi and hookah. Alarmingly, about 24 per cent of children under 16 years old in India consume tobacco in some form, leading to devastating health outcomes. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) indicates that about 38 per cent of Indian men are addicted to tobacco. Notably, tobacco consumption is higher in rural areas (42.7 per cent) compared to urban regions (28.8 per cent). Among women, tobacco use stands at approximately 8.9 per cent, with rural women showing higher consumption rates than their urban counterparts. These statistics are a cause for significant concern. World No Tobacco Day, celebrated by the World Health Organization and global partners, aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of tobacco use and promote cessation. The 2024 theme focuses on protecting children, as the majority of regular smokers start before the age of 18. This highlights the necessity of safeguarding adolescents from the perils of tobacco. Smoking damages the alveoli in the lungs, leading to lung diseases, with most lung cancer cases linked to cigarette smoking. Tobacco increases the risk of cancers such as oral, throat, oesophagal, bladder, kidney and lung cancer. It also leads to chronic diseases like COPD, heart attacks and strokes. Smoking is responsible for approximately 90 per cent of cancer deaths. The risk of death from heart disease and strokes rises significantly among tobacco users. Smokers are prone to numerous diseases, with a general decline in overall health. Additionally, tobacco use reduces fertility in both men and women and can cause severe complications during pregnancy. Smoking and use of tobacco can lead to severe lung diseases, including COPD, Asthma, TB and Lung Cancer causing significant suffering. Smokers are significantly more likely to die from COPD and are at a higher risk of developing TB. People should avoid tobacco products and seek medical help if addicted. Various resources, including nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medications, counselling services, support groups and smartphone apps, are available to help individuals quit tobacco. Among youth, smoking is often wrongly perceived as a sign of masculinity. Additionally, tobacco use is not universally seen as a vice. The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) 2003 aims to protect consumers, reduce tobacco use and prevent related diseases. It includes measures such as banning smoking in public places, regulating sales near educational institutions and issuing health warnings to inform the public. The Telangana Government in May 2024 has recently banned all tobacco products for one year, realising the grave consequences of tobacco usage. The rising addiction among youth threatens their future health. Young people must resist industry influences that target youth and promote e-cigarettes and flavoured nicotine pouches and candy which are also harmful and lay the foundation for tobacco use later on. (The author is a public health expert working as an Assistant Professor at MLB. Medical College, Jhansi UP, views are personal) In a fresh arrest in the sensational Porsche hit-and run-case, the Pune police on Saturday took into custody the mother of the minor accused who ran over two techies in an alleged inebriated state, for allegedly giving her blood sample to swap with that of the 17-year-old boy. Confirming the arrest of the mother of the minor accused, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar said the accident investigation had revealed that the minor's blood sample was replaced with that of his mother. The sample was replaced to prove that the minor accused was not in a drunken condition at the time of mishap. With the latest development, four members from the family of the minor accused the 17-year-old boy himself, his father Vishal Agrawal, grandfather Surendra Kumar Agarwal and now the mother have been arrested ever since the mishap took place in the small hours of May 19. It may be recalled that in the small hours of May 19, the 17-year-old boy after partying with his friends at a Pune bar -- who had driven off in his Porsche car in his inebriated state at a speed of some 200 kmph and rammed into a motorcycle killing killing Ashwini Koshta and Aneesh Awadhiya (both aged 24 years) who were returning home after a reunion with friends.After her arrest, the minor accused who is currently in Juvenile Observation Home was questioned by the police for an hour in the presence of his mother. Earlier the police had arrested the Dr. Ajay Taware, Head of the Forensics Department, Dr. Shrihari Halnor Halnor, the chief medical officer of the hospital, and a peon for allegedly manipulating the blood sample of the accused. Dr Taware and Dr Halnor, who have been suspended from their service by the Maharashtra government, have been charged with the alleged manipulation of blood samples and destruction of evidence in the case. The police have recovered Rs 3 lakh during the raid conducted on the homes of Dr. Halnor and another hospital poen Atul Ghatkamble. The money had allegedly been paid by the family of the accused boy for manipulating the blood sample. Vishal Agarwal the father of the minor boy -- is being investigated for offences registered under sections 75 (wilful neglect of a child, or exposing a child to mental or physical illnesses) and 77 of the Juvenile Justice Act (supplying a child with intoxicating liquor or drugs. The boys grandfather Surendra Kumar Agarwal has been booked for allegedly threatening and confining the family driver Gangaram Poojari and forcing him to take the blame for the Porsche car accident on his head in return for a monetary consideration. Poojari is a witness in the case. Meanwhile, a three-member committee of senior doctors headed by Dr Pallavi Saple, Dean of Sir J. J. Hospital in Mumbai which was appointed by the Maharashtra government to look into the alleged manipulation of crucial blood sample of the accused boy has completed its inquiry. A voter turnout of 66.56 per cent was recorded till 5 pm on Saturday in the four Lok Sabha constituencies of Himachal Pradesh where polling was held in the last phase of the general election, officials said here. They said the Kangra parliamentary seat recorded 64.07 per cent polling, Mandi 69.07 per cent, Hamirpur 65.90 per cent and the Shimla (SC) seat 67.50 per cent. Of the six Assembly constituencies where bypolls are being held simultaneously, Dharamshala recorded a turnout of 66.27 per cent, Lahaul and Spiti 73.72 per cent, Sujanpur 63 per cent, Barsar 50 per cent, Gagret 68.28 per cent and Kutlehar 71.40 per cent. The BJP has filed a complaint against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu with the chief electoral officer of Himachal Pradesh alleging a violation of the model code of conduct. The complaint said Sukhu wore a scarf of the National Students' Union of India - the student wing of the Congress - while voting in Nadaun which was objectionable and demanded action against the CM and the election agent. In Chamba district's Churah subdivision, residents of the Makhan-Chachul area falling under the Sanval gram panchayat and Juri under Chadra Gram Panchayat boycotted the Lok Sabha polls over road connectivity. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will have to return to Tihar jail as the Rouse Avenue court reserved the order, observing that the application was for grant of interim bail on medical grounds and not for the extension of the interim bail granted by the Supreme Court. During the proceedings, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday opposed an application moved by Kejriwal before a court here seeking interim bail in a money laundering case related to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja deferred the bail petition after hearing both sides. After the judge reserved the order, Kejriwal's counsel Hariharan urged the court to pass the order on Saturday itself, considering that he has to surrender on Sunday. "It will become infructuous. I will require it by tomorrow. Otherwise I will have to surrender," Hariharan said. "You have said you are not asking for an extension of interim bail," the judge replied, while reiterating that the order would be pronounced only on June 5. Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain and Special Public Prosecutor NK Matta representing the ED were present in court and ASG SV Raju joined the proceedings via Video Conferencing (VC) . Soliciter General Tushar Mehta also joined via VC. During the proceedings, Mehta, appearing for the ED, told the court that Kejriwal made misleading claims at a Press conference on Friday that he would surrender on June 2 on his own. He said the interim bail application was not maintainable as the trial court cannot modify the order of the Supreme Court mandating Kejriwal to surrender tomorrow. Mehta said, "Kejriwal yesterday declared that he is going to surrender. Is he taking a chance and then surrendering? ... I want to ask if his statement was genuine? ... We have preliminary objections. False statements have been made about his health, there is suppression ... We have objections to filing of interim bail as well. This court cannot modify the Supreme Court order." Mehta said, "Kejriwal campaigned throughout his interim bail period and, now, he suddenly claims he is ill. Kejriwal suppressed facts and made false statements, including about his health." Kejriwal's counsel told the court that he was ill and needed treatment. SG Mehta said Kejriwal is lying about experiencing health problems. Notably, in his plea for interim bail, Kejriwal had claimed that he lost 6-7 kilograms during his arrest, which he could not regain even after his release. The sudden weight loss, coupled with high ketone levels, could be indicative of kidney damage, serious cardiac ailments and even cancer, Kejriwal had submitted. Mehta made it a point to refute this claim today, saying: "His claim that he has lost 7 kilograms is false. He has, in fact, gained 1 kilogram," he said. Later in the hearing, senior Advocate N Hariharan (Kejriwal's counsel) stood by Kejriwal's claim "His weight today is 64 kilogram. When he was taken into custody, it was 69 kg." "A person who is saying his condition is serious, look at his conduct. From the day he was released, he is campaigning everywhere and not like one minute or two minutes, it's for hours. At that time, nothing happened to his health," he said. The ED alleged that Kejriwal wants to cheat the court by delaying medical tests. "If any tests are required, we'll provide all facilities in jail. If required we will take (Kejriwal) to AIIMS or any hospital," it said. The ED's counsel said, "A person who claims on TV that I may die, kidney failure etc, didn't go for a basic test since May 25? The entire system cannot be taken for a joy ride. It is a game being played by the litigant with the system. The prayers may not be granted." Additional Solicitor General SV Raju submitted that Kejriwal is asking for extension of the Supreme Court's order which is not permissible. Seeking the relief, Kejriwal's counsel told the court that despite his ill health, the AAP leader campaigned because that was the purpose for which the interim bail was granted by the Supreme Court. As the Special Judge Kaveri Baweja asked Kejriwal's counsel how long the tests will take, Hariharan said the holter test will require at least 72 hours. "The PET scan has to be done after the holter test. The PET scan will require 24 hours. LFT, KFT, CBC -- are all blood tests. If my lady thinks these tests can be done in 5 days, then I will have no problem. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a fatal disease... the man may not be there. What is the harm if the apprehensions are eliminated from his (the CM's) mind? No prejudice will be caused... let us have some empathy for the patient." he said. ASG Raju then referred to the holter rest: "The holter doesn't require 7 days... it's just a monitor put on the neck..." "It was not a case of sudden illness... a person who is seriously ill can't campaign for such a long time. He would have otherwise visited/consulted a doctor. The jail authorities can take care of him...," he said. The largest festival of democracy concluded on Saturday that began on April 19, with 60 per cent voters turnout after the seventh round of polls on 57 seats, including Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha. The voter turnout percentage is likely to be upgraded by the Election Commission. As per the Election Commission's voter turnout app till 7 pm, West Bengal took back the lead with almost 70 per cent voter turnout, while Bihar continues to be at the lowest with 49.12 per cent voting turnout. Modi's constituency Varanasi recorded 54.83 per cent voting. Jharkhand recorded 68.16 per cent voting, Himachal Pradesh 66.91 per cent, Odisha 62.55 per cent, Punjab 55.58 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 55.53 per cent and Chandigarh 62.80 per cent . Violence broke out between TMC and BJP supporters in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal, and complaints of EVM glitches and rigging at some booths were lodged. Barring incidents of clashes in Odisha, voting was almost peaceful. The counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. In Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, the counting for the Assembly polls will be held on June 2. Modi also appealed to people to exercise their franchise."Together, let's make our democracy more vibrant and participative," the Prime Minister wrote on X. "Today is the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. As 57 seats across 8 States and UTs go to the polls, calling upon the voters to turnout in large numbers and vote. I hope young and women voters exercise their franchise in record numbers," he said. The counting of votes on June 4 will decide how close the BJP or NDA finishes its target of "Ab ki baar 400 paar". As the exit polls numbers trickle in, multiple pollsters are predicting a return of the Narendra Modi-led NDA Government, winning over 350 seats, with the Opposition's INDIA Bloc managing somewhere between 125 and 150. After the exit polls result, BJP chief JP Nadda exuded confidence that his party will win more than 370 Lok Sabha seats and the NDA more than 400. After the meeting with its alliance parties, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge claimed INDIA Bloc parties will get more than 295 seats. The BJP is hoping for a historic third term for Modi. The 2024 Lok Sabha elections witnessed how Modi himself used 'Brand Modi', during the campaign while the Opposition also chanted 'Brand Modi' to corner him. The BJP carried out a sustained campaign in southern States besides its traditional stronghold in the Hindi heartland. The INDIA Bloc also made a determined effort to garner votes to make a dent in BJP's backyard and prevent the saffron party from gaining seats in its citadel. Data showed highest polling of 76.56 per cent was registered in West Bengal's Basirhat, followed by Mathurapur (74.13), Jaynagar (73.44), Diamond Harbour (72.87), Barasat (71.80), Jadavpur (70.41), Dum Dum (67.60), Kolkata Dakshin (60.88) and Kolkata Uttar (59.23),. Voter turnout in Baranagar bypoll till 5 pm was 66.70 per cent. The polling percentage in UP till 7 pm recorded at Ballia 50.56, Bansgaon 50.06, Chandauli 58.19, Deoria 54.13, Ghazipur 53.53, Ghosi 53.19, Gorakhpur 52.53, Kushinagar 56.04, Maharajganj 58.66, Mirzapur 55.83, Robertsganj 54.25, Salempur 50.21 and Varanasi 54.83. In Odisha, the Jagatsinghpur Lok Sabha seat recorded the highest voter turnout of 65.93 per cent, followed by Mayurbhanj (64.17), Jajpur (62.92), Kendrapara (62.02), Balasore (61.91) and Bhadrak (58.21) In Himachal Pradesh, highest polling of 69.47 per cent was registered in Mandi, followed by Shimla 67.61 per cent, while Kangra recorded lowest at 64.92 per cent In Punjab, highest polling of 60.84 per cent was registered in Bathinda, followed by Gurdaspur 58.56 per cent and lowest 50.33 per cent in Amritsar. The poll body said Jammu and Kashmir shone bright with a voter turnout of 58.58 per cent which is highest in the last 35 years. 102 villages in LWE affected Bastar also had polling stations in their villages and saw unprecedented voting. The EC on Saturday said it was "deeply humbled" by the voters who made it to polling stations overcoming many challenges and dilemmas they might have. The commission's remarks came after the votes were cast for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections which were announced on March 16. The first phase was held on April 19. "Indian voters have given their most cherished right to vote for the Constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha. Indian democracy and Indian elections have again done the magic. The great Indian voters, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, socio-economic and educational background have done it once again," the poll watchdog said in a statement. The real winner, EC said, is the Indian voter. According to the EC, the voter turnout in the sixth phase of polling held on May 25 was 63.37 per cent, which is a slight dip from the 2019 turnout of 64.4 per cent. The fifth phase held on May 20 witnessed 62.15 per cent, which is higher than the polling in the same seats in 2019 when it was 61.82 per cent. The fourth phase of polling held on May 13 recorded a turnout of 69.16 per cent while the third phase held on 7 recorded 65.68 per cent voter turnout. The second phase held on April 26 saw 66.71 per cent turnout and the first phase of polling held on April 19 saw 66.1 turnout. An estimated 55.60 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 6 pm in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday. Poll officials said the turnout figure could increase as data was being compiled. The Election Commission of India will release the final data of voting by 5 pm on Sunday. Voting ended at 6 pm sealing the fate of 144 candidates in 13 constituencies of the state, including Varanasi, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third consecutive term in the Lok Sabha. As voting concluded in the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh will be in focus. The outcome in UP will be key to the 400 Paar target the Bharatiya Janata Party has set for the National Democratic Alliances return. The bypoll for the Duddhi (ST) assembly constituency in Sonbhadra district was also held on Saturday where 54.48 per cent voter turnout was recorded. Six candidates are contesting from the Duddhi assembly seat that fell vacant after BJP MLA Ram Dulars disqualification following his conviction in a rape case. UP sends 80 members to the lower house of Parliament and the polling was spread over all seven phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Besides Varanasi, the other constituencies where polling took place on Saturday were Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC) spread across 11 districts. UP Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said here on Saturday that by 5 pm, 58.66 per cent voting was recorded in Maharajganj, 52.53 per cent in Gorakhpur, 56.04 per cent in Kushinagar, 54.13 per cent in Deoria, 50.06 per cent in Bansgaon (SC), 53.19 per cent in Ghosi, 50.21 per cent in Salempur, 50.56 per cent in Ballia, 53.53 per cent in Ghazipur, 58.19 per cent in Chandauli, 54.58 per cent in Varanasi, 55.83 per cent in Mirzapur and 54.25 per cent in Robertsganj (ST). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath exercised his franchise in Gorakhpur, while Union minister Anupriya Patel, a candidate from Mirzapur, cast her vote in Mirzapur. UPs chief electoral officer said the polling was peaceful across 13 Lok Sabha constituencies and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. He said 236 complaints relating to polling were received and they were immediately disposed of. He said the maximum 41 complaints were received from Ballia constituency, followed by 34 in Deoria, and 28 each in Varanasi and Ghazipur. He said on different social media platforms 180 complaints were received. The CEO said for effective monitoring of the polling process, the Election Commission of India had made arrangements for webcasting at 13,092 polling booths while videography was done at 2,304 polling booths. Rinwa said one voter, Rambachan Chauhan, died at polling booth number 257 in Sikandarpur assembly segment of Ballia Lok Sabha constituency. The 70-year-old man collapsed and died at the polling booth set up in a primary school in Chak Bahuddin village. Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Sikandarpur, Ravi Kumar, said Rambachan Chauhan fell ill before he could join the queue of voters at the booth. Local residents claimed that he experienced dizziness while standing in the queue and fainted. According to reports, voters in Ballia's Math Dhajju Giri village boycotted the polls over their demand for road connectivity and electricity supply. Local SHO Dharamveer Singh said there are about 900 voters in the village. In Rasulpur village of Ballia, several voters boycotted the Lok Sabha polls and raised their demand for an underpass, saying they were facing great difficulties in its absence. In Maharajganj district, voters were given a sapling each at the polling centre set up at a primary school in Nagar Panchayat Chowk. In the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections, Uttar Pradesh is witnessing direct contest between the BJP-led NDA and INDIA bloc members Samajwadi Party and Congress. Among the prominent Lok Sabha seats in this phase are Modis Varanasi, Gorakhpur, which has been represented by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath five times, and Chandauli, Maharajganj and Mirzapur from where Union ministers Mahendra Nath Pandey, Pankaj Chaudhary and Anupriya Patel are contesting. Taking a swipe at the opposition bloc meeting at Delhi on Saturday Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, INDI Alliance will hold its final meeting today. After the election, everyone will blame each other; they will make fun of each other. EVM (electronic voting machine) accusers will make new accusations. Those who patronise the mafia should not be talking about this. From Ghazipur, mafia-turned-politician late Mukhtar Ansaris brother Afzal Ansari is in the fray and from Ballia, former prime minister Chandrashekhars son Neeraj Shekhar is contesting the poll. Campaigning for the 13 Lok Sabha seats ended on Thursday evening. Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were among the star campaigners for the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) besides Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. With most of the exit polls showing a comfortable win for the BJP in the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, vedic scientist and a doctorate holder in astrology and vedic science from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) Dr. Shesh Narayan Vajpayee has affirmed a thunderous win to the BJP led NDA Government. His predictions through "varn vigyan" hit the bullseye for the saffron party fulfilling their "abki bar 400 par" slogan, forecasting NDA 432 seats. His predictions suggest that the BJP will secure 368 seats in the highly anticipated general elections of 2024 where on one side the saffron party is looking comfortable enough to secure a third term as per to exit polls and the INDIA Bloc is denying all predictions awaiting the actual results on June 4. The scientist, who predicted corona early on in 2018, has also predicted the date for the next wave of a variant of Covid on May 25, 2025 which will hit people worldwide. However, he said, "I do not have the knowledge of the impact vaccines will create. If it proves to be effective it will decrease the impact of the wave. However, if it proves to be ineffective, the effect would be devastating." Vajpayee in a letter to the Prime Minister's Office and the United Nations early on in 2018 wrote that a big disease that causes difficulty in breathing, dry cough, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and other such serious issues is just around the corner. "While I didn't write about the pandemic, I informed them that a big disease is coming. But no one paid heed to me," he said. He has been warning the Government of India about this virus turning into an epidemic since January 2020, even before the first wave of Corona started. On March 19, he had predicted to the PMO through email that the vaccine might be more detrimental in curing virus infection than help. Citing vedic science, he had suggested that no medicine can be made for the epidemic as they start at their own time and end at their own time and with the scientists in the world not having the means to predict the future, Government should use vedic science to predict the future and deal with it adequate information. "On 23rd December, 2020, I have mailed to the PMO that if possible, do not get the vaccine because the claims of making the vaccine are not credible. On 8th December, in Britain, the vaccine was given to a 90-year-old woman. She was in a bad condition from 14 December. I wrote at this time, applying the vaccine is taking a risk." He added that the subject was not if the vaccine was effective or not, it meant that the time was not right. Dr. Vajpayee has been regularly sharing forecasts of weather-related natural disasters, earthquakes and terrorist incidents with the government for the last few years. He claims that he shares his forecasts based on vedic science with the Prime Minister's Office, Meteorological Department and Ministry of Earth Sciences every month. He also said that he not only predicted the days when the pandemic will start, he also informed about the peak of a Covid wave. Vajpayee claimed that he was in constant touch with Government officials in the Central Government and Delhi Government, informing them of his predictions, many of which did match in hindsight. However, most seemed hesitant to accept that vedic science could be used to do such forecasts regarding pandemic and weather. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday claimed that INDIA Bloc coalition will register a win over 295 plus Lok Sabha seats in the seven-phase general elections 2024 that concluded on Saturday. Kharge, along with top leaders of the Bloc including former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, met at the residence of Congress president to discuss their strategy for the counting of votes on June 4. "INDIA Bloc will get a big majority, we have a people's survey with us," Kharge said after the Opposition meeting. He said the parties have also sought time from the Election Commission of India on Sunday for steps to be taken during counting of votes besides having conveyed their workers not to leave the counting hall till all formalities are over on June 4. Senior leaders of the Congress, Samajwadi Party, CPI-M, CPI, DMK, JMM, AAP, RJD, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar) held discussions, even as the last phase of polling was underway. Opposition leaders who attended the meeting included Sharad Pawar, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav, Anil Desai, Sitaram Yechury, Arvind Kejriwal, Bhagwat Mann, Sanjay Singh and Raghav Chadha, Champai Soren, Kalpana Soren, TR Baalu, Farooq Abdullah, D Raja and Mukesh Sahani. DMK was represented by party treasurer and leader of DMK's Parliamentary Party, Thiru. T.R. Baalu. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was also present in the meeting, said INDIA Bloc is getting 295+ seats and the BJP will win around 220 seats and the NDA Bloc will win 235 seats. "INDIA alliance will form a strong and stable Government on its own. (The PM face) will be decided on June 4...," said Kejriwal who formed an alliance with Congress elsewhere including Delhi except for Punjab where the parties fought against each other. Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said in Uttar Pradesh, all seats of the BJP will be lost and the INDIA Bloc will win the most seats. "There was an earthquake of unemployment, price rise, GST, CBI, ED and Income Tax. All of these earthquakes will end," Yadav said after the same meeting. While former Bihar Dy CM and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav too exuded confidence of securing 295+ in the Lok Sabha polls. "INDIA (alliance) is winning. We will decide later (on PM's face)... Their (BJP's) film of '400 paar' became a flop in the first phase itself," said Tejashwi. Udhhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena faction leader, Anil Desai who too was present in the meeting said the INDIA Bloc partners, including Congress and Sharad Pawar-led NCP, will win between 30-35 seats from Maharashtra and will be a major contributor in the 295 plus survey. TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already said they would not attend the meeting as there were elections in the State, while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti did not attend the meeting due to some medical reasons in family. Interestingly a day after the Congress announced not to participate in the exit poll debates, Kharge said the members of INDIA Bloc decided in the meeting to participate in the debates on television. Congress's media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said INDIA Bloc parties met and decided to expose the BJP and its ecosystem on the prefixed exit polls. On Friday, Khera had said people have cast their votes and their verdict has been secured. Kharge had earlier said this was an informal meeting where they would only discuss what kind of preparations they should have on the day of counting and how people should be alert, whether it is about the EVMs or the use of Form 17C. The meeting was only for discussing the counting preparations and the Congress has already told its State units to be alert about form 17C, he had said. As the droplets of respite fell after dust storm in Delhi on sparsely populated area of northwest Delhi's Mungeshpur, residents breathed a sigh relief from temperature that soared above 50 degrees Celsius, water scarcity and power cuts with some of them in the area not even having a fan. Residents have been having difficult time in the past 15 days as they grapple with severe water shortages as water is coming for only 10 minutes in the day and tankers hardly makes an appearance to the area. Many told The Pioneer about filling water from the tube wells in the field. Adding to their woes, residents said they had to walk a kilometer to fill water from tankers available in the nearby areas or turn to the tube wells. As the rainfall brought some comfort, many were seen sitting on the pavements of their homes to feel the cold air, where they generally take refuge due to the power cutoffs. On Wednesday, when they faced a 12 hours cut in the night. Santoshi Devi, 56 years said, "raat ko 11 baje gyi thi light aur subah 11 baje aayi, 12 ghante mein halat kharab ho gyi" (the electricity was cut from 11 pm to 11 am. In these 12 hours it was very difficult to survive in such hot time). Children rushed out of their home to rejoice in the rainfall which was preceded by a dust-storm. Four kids playing in the rain shared how only one of them had a fan in their home. So eager were they to take to the streets, many responded to questions with "please ask fast. We have to go and play". Varsha, an eight year old girl, playing barefoot with four of her friends had a grin on her face and said, "This is the first time I have come to play in afternoon since the summer vacations started." Another 13 years old boy, playing along, added that, "papa lohar hain, itni garmi mein paseene mein bheege rehte hain" (my father is a blacksmith, he keeps sweating while working the whole day due to heat). A father and a son duo, including a 65 year old Arman and a 27 year old Subhash, who have their own junk shop, brave heat, dust and rain daily to work for nonstop 12 hours without a fan in their shop. 'Papi paet ka sawal hai' says the duo when asked about working in such conditions without any precautions to safeguard them from the heatstroke that has claimed two lives, which has been reported, in Delhi. A 20 years old Suresh, lying on a charpai in the rain told that the water supply was down for 15 days in between and at that time their only support was the water from the tube wells in the fields. He further added that the water supply has been back on track in the last 3 days but the water still comes for only 2 hours in the morning. A mother of two children shared her ordeals of feeding her baby. "I feel uneasy while feeding my two years old girl. In fact she has been unwell too and has been vomiting for the past two days due to the scorching heat." Many, who have spent their whole life in this place, stated that while summers are usually very hot but this time around, temperatures are soaring very high. The stage is set for the June 4 counting of votes polled in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, with authorities deploying 179 observers, 80 returning officers, and making multi-layer security arrangements at 81 centres set up across the state. Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Navdeep Rinwa said here on Sunday that the counting of votes for Lok Sabha general election-2024 would commence from 8 am on June 4 in 81 counting centres in 75 districts of the state. The counting and sealing proceedings will be conducted under CCTV surveillance. Counting of votes will take place at two centres each in Agra, Meerut, Azamgarh, Deoria, Sitapur, Kushinagar districts. Counting of votes of eight Lok Sabha constituencies will take place in three districts, counting of votes of 37 Lok Sabha constituencies will take place in two districts and counting of votes of 35 Lok Sabha constituencies will take place in one district. The CEO said that the counting of postal ballots will take place at the counting venue of returning officer/district headquarters of the district. The votes will be counted assembly constituency wise. Thereafter, the result of the Lok Sabha constituency will be declared by adding up the results of the assembly constituencies. The counting of votes in Ghaziabad Lok Sabha constituency and Sahibabad assembly constituency will be completed within 41 rounds and they have a maximum number of 1,127 polling booths. According to Navdeep Rinwa, the Election Commission of India has deployed 179 observers for counting of votes. Fifteen observers will be deployed in one assembly constituency, 104 observers will be deployed in two assembly constituencies and 60 in three assembly constituencies. The counting of votes in 80 Lok Sabha constituencies will be supervised by 80 returning officers and 1,581 assistant returning officers. Counting of votes in assembly seats where bypoll was held will be supervised by the returning officer and assistant returning officer under the watchful eyes of the CCTV. A total of 851 candidates are in the fray in the Lok Sabha general elections 2024, out of which 771 are men and 80 are women. Maximum 28 candidates are in Ghosi Lok Sabha constituency and least four candidates are in Kaiserganj Lok Sabha constituency. Adequate deployment of central paramilitary forces has also been done to ensure safe counting of votes. The CEO said for appointment as polling agent, the candidate or his election agent has to apply to the returning officer on Form-18 three days before the date of commencement of counting of votes. There is no prescribed qualification for appointing a counting agent. Candidates above 18 years of age can be made counting agents. The Election Commission of India has prohibited the appointment of members of the council of ministers, MPs, MLAs, mayor, chairperson of municipal council/nagar panchayat as counting agents. There is a ban on appointing persons protected by the central/state government as counting agents However, there is no restriction on appointing village heads, sarpanch, panchayat members, councillors etc. as counting agents, who are residents of the constituency. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also be made counting agents. For security at the counting centres, a three-tier security system has been put in place to protect the counting venue. The first level of security will be at a radius of 100 metres from the counting site, where the state police force will be deployed. The second level of security will be at the gate of the counting venue, where the state police force will be deployed. The third level of security will be for the counting hall which will be under the supervision of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). The chief electoral officer said district election officers had been instructed to lay special emphasis on the dos and donts for counting personnel in view of the heatwave conditions. The counting personnel should use light cotton clothes and wear a cap, or carry an umbrella or cotton towel or any other cloth to cover the head, he advised. They should keep a water bottle, drink lemonade or ORS to keep themselves hydrated, he said. Instructions have also been given to ensure fans, coolers and sitting arrangements for candidates, their agents, counting personnel and other employees. Senior AAP leader and Delhi Water Minister Atishi wrote letters to two Chief Ministers, including Uttar Pradeshs Yogi Adityanath and Haryanas Naib Singh Saini, urging them to release additional water to Delhi amid water shortage and prevailing heatwave condition in the national Capital on Friday. Delhi gets 90 per cent of its water from the two neighbouring statesaround 65 per cent from Haryana and 25 per cent from Uttar Pradesh. Several parts across the capital city including Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Mehrauli, Badarpur, Tughlaqabad, Bijwasan, Ghitorni, Kanjhawala, Malviya Nagar, Seema Puri, Mangolpuri, Chanakya puri, Yamuna Vihar, are among those areas, facing short supply of water for the past few days. The Supreme Court will hear a plea from the Delhi government on Monday, requesting Haryana to release surplus water supplied by Himachal Pradesh to alleviate Delhi's current water crisis. Meanwhile, in a letter to Saini and Yogi, she appealed, I am writing this letter to draw your immediate attention to the water crises that Delhi is facing at the moment. With temperatures soaring beyond 50 degrees Celsius, the demand for water is at an all-time high in Delhi. This is one of the worst summers that Delhi has witnessed so far. The government of NCT of Delhi is doing its maximum best to increase the production capacity of its water treatment plants. She added that despite this the intensity of the heatwave is such that the national capital would require help from all quarters to cater to the people of Delhi. As a neighbouring state, we therefore request Uttar Pradesh lend a helping hand to Delhi in this time of crisis, and release additional water to Delhi for a period of one month till the arrival of the monsoons, she said to UP Chief Minister. Further, she stated to him, Water is one commodity which is essential for the existence of all human beings. Clean drinking water is the right of each and every citizen of this country. In-fact, all our ancient texts teach us that giving water to the thirsty is a very noble act. Through this letter I wish to appeal to you to kindly consider our request and provide additional water to Delhi for the next one month so that people living in Delhi can comfortably surpass these peak summers. The Delhi Government and people living in the national capital will be anxiously waiting for a positive response. In her letter to Haryana Chief Minister, Atishi reiterated that the water level of Yamuna river has fallen and hence creating a water shortage in the city. Yesterday, on a visit to Wazirabad Barrage, I found that the water level at the pond was 670.3 feet as against the normal of 674.50 feet. This reduction in water level has adversely affected water production capacity of our water treatment plants. This has led to severe water shortage in many parts of the national capital. The Government of NCT of Delhi has taken several steps to ensure that there is no water wastage in the national capital, going to the extent of rationalising water, she stated. Atishi appealed to Saini to release additional water and said, Through this letter I wish to appeal to you to kindly consider our request and release additional water in Yamuna at least for the next one month so that people living in Delhi can comfortably surpass this peak summer. The Delhi Government and people living in the national capital will be anxiously waiting for a positive response. Last week, the government announced a fine of Rs 2,000 for those who waste water by washing their vehicles using hoses and those who let their water tanks overflow. In its summer bulletin, the Delhi Jal Board on Saturday has claimed that it has produced 993.76 MGD water which is 37.76 MGD more than its actual capacity. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva has condemned Water Minister Ms. Atishi for playing politics in the name of water crisis.Sachdeva has said that there is no shortage of raw water in Delhi as both Haryana & Uttarakhand are giving excess water on daily basis which can be verified from Delhi Jal Board record. Senior BJP leader Vijay Goel on Saturday sent an ambulance to take Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to hospital for medical tests after the AAP leader claimed he might be suffering from some serious ailments. Kejriwal moved the Supreme Court on May 26 seeking extension of his interim bail by seven days on grounds that he has to undergo some medical tests, including a PET-CT scan. He claimed in his plea that he lost seven kg in the jail and that his ketone levels are "too high", a possible indicator of a serious ailment. The police, however, stopped the ambulance and Goel en route to the chief minister's official residence in Civil Lines here. The top court had on May 10 granted 21-day interim bail to Kejriwal, who was arrested in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam, to enable him to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. It had directed that Kejriwal, who is also the AAP national convenor, shall surrender on June 2, a day after the last phase of the seven-phase polls. Goel alleged that Kejriwal was "creating drama" by citing health issues to gain people's sympathy. "This ambulance was to take Kejriwal to any hospital where all his tests can be done within two to four hours," he told reporters. The former Union minister said the chief minister should stop "drama" and go with him for tests if he was concerned about his health. Previously, AAP leader and minister Atishi in a press conference had claimed that Kejriwal lost seven kg and his ketone level was also high and doctors said it could be symptom of problem with his kidneys or even cancer. A Delhi court is likely to hear later in the day an application moved by the chief minister seeking interim bail. The Supreme Court registry on Wednesday refused urgent listing of his plea seeking extension of his interim bail by seven days for undergoing the medical tests, saying since Kejriwal was given liberty to move the trial court for regular bail, the plea was not maintainable. A bullion trader of Sarafa Chowk Bazar of the state capital was attacked with a sharp edged weapon near Halalpur cracker market and tried to rob his valuables he was carrying; the victim got injured in his neck. Police said at around 10 in the night on Friday 3 miscreants on a bike first attacked him with a sharp edged weapon on his neck and then went ahead. After the sudden attack, the businessman somehow managed to control himself. Then the miscreants returned again and tried to snatch his bag by attacking his hand. The businessman raised an alert and when passersby started gathering, the miscreants fled. At the time of the attack, the businessman was returning home from his shop with a bag containing 20 rings and Rs 1 lakh in cash. The businessman's friend Vinay Dadlani said an attempt was made to rob Jitendra Valecha's bag near Halalpur cracker market in Lalghati. There were 20 rings worth Rs 4 lakh and Rs 1 lakh in cash in that bag. Due to the attack of the miscreants, a big cut was made in the bag containing the rings, due to which the rings and cash could have fallen. But, Jitendra immediately after the attack had turned the bag towards the bike's tank. This saved the rings and cash from falling. Jitendra informed his friend who informed the Kohefiza police, and quickly rushed towards the spot. Meanwhile, as soon as the miscreants left, Jitendra rode his bike to his relative's house in Bairagarh. From there he was taken to LBS hospital, where he is being treated. Kohefiza police station in-charge Brijendra Merskole said statements of the complainant have been taken. The incident took place between 10 and 11 at night. Some people had attacked. At present, investigation is being done. Hundreds of Delhi BJP workers were arrested on Sunday for protesting outside Rajghat against Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for visiting Mahatma Gandhi's memorial before surrendering to Tihar jail after his interim bail granted by the Supreme Court in the excise policy-linked money laundering case ended on June 1. About 50 women workers were taken to I.P. Estate Police Station, while Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, along with 100 workers, were taken to Kamla Market Police Station from where they were let off with warning after an hour. Around 100 BJP workers, including Sachdeva, have been detained at the police station, BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said. As a part of a flash protest, Sachdeva along with hundreds of workers blocked the passage of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwals cavalcade by sitting on Rajghat traffic intersection on Ring Road. Another group of over 50 women workers raised slogans at Rajghat's VIP exit gate towards Delhi Secretariat side forcing the cavalcade to go towards Rajghat intersection where it was stopped and shown black flags by BJP workers. Sachdeva, while talking to media, said, It is shocking to see Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a man arrested for liquor scam shamelessly visiting the pious Samadhi (memorial) of Mahatma Gandhi who all his life worked for prohibition.Stating that the AAP chief tried to play victim car in front of the people of Delhi, he claimed, Kejriwal by going to Rajghat & Hanuman Mandir before surrendering at Tihar Jail tried to play his old victim card but people of Delhi now well know that Gandhian ideology has no place in Kejriwal's lifestyle. Infact Kejriwal has removed Mahatma Gandhi's photos from his office, residence and media conference backdrops, he claimed, adding that for 20 days Kejriwal was out on bail but did nothing to solve the water and power crisis being faced by Delhiites. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his family bid adieu to each other on Sunday before he left the CM's residence to surrender at Tihar jail after his interim bail in the excise policy case ended on June 1. Kejriwal hugged his children and touched his parents' feet before leaving in a car for a scheduled visit to the Rajghat and the Hanuman temple at Connaught Place. He waved a final goodbye to his parents before his car sped alongside a long trail of vehicles carrying AAP leaders who accompanied the chief minister for his surrender. Kejriwal's wife Sunita, son Pulkit and daughter Harshita also accompanied him for his surrender. Sharing visuals of the family's last moments together, the AAP wrote in a post on X, "Bharat Mata's brave son Arvind Kejriwal ji took blessings from his parents and hugged his children before going to jail to save democracy. Kejriwal will not bow down to dictatorship." In another post, the party wrote, "It is this feeling that scares the dictator. With a smile on his face, Delhi CM Kejriwal headed towards Rajghat to pay homage to father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Today, Kejriwal ji will go to jail in this fight to save democracy." In a display of unity and support, Kejriwal's family and AAP leaders accompanied the chief minister as he paid homage at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial at the Rajghat and offered prayers at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. Kejriwal later addressed a large gathering of workers and leaders of the AAP before leaving for Tihar jail. AAP leaders, including Atishi, Kailash Gahlot and Saurabh Bharadwaj, Rajya Sabha MPs Sanjay Singh and Sandeep Pathak, and party leaders Durgesh Pathak, Rakhi Birla and Reena Gupta were also present. Patriotic songs and slogans of "Kejriwal Zindabaad" filled the air at the party headquarters. Addressing the gathering, Kejriwal said, "I am going back to jail not because I was involved in corruption but because I raised voice against dictatorship... I campaigned for the Lok Sabha polls to save the country." Kejriwal said that the BJP will not form the next government at the Centre, saying the exit polls were "fake" and "mind games" by the BJP. Several exit polls, which were aired on Saturday evening, predicated a comfortable majority for the BJP-led NDA. Counting of votes for the Lok Sabha polls will be held on Tuesday. The address at the party headquarters was summed up with the national anthem and Kejriwal left for Tihar amid a sea of Indian flags. Minutes before the chief minister's surrender, security arrangements were beefed up at Tihar jail with heavy police deployment. Traffic was also restricted in the area. The chief minister surrendered to the Tihar authorities after 21 days of bail granted by the Supreme Court for the election campaign. Lohardaga Sub-Divisional Officer cum Sub-Divisional Magistrate Amit Kumar has issued an order related to prohibitory order on Sunday evening. In which he has said that as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, New Delhi, the Model Code of Conduct is in force in the district till 06.06.2024 for the Lok Sabha (General Elections-2024). It is noteworthy that the counting of votes for Lok Sabha (General) election is pre-determined on 04.06.2024 at the counting center Polytechnic College, Chandali, Gumla. In the above context, in order to conduct the counting process of Lok Sabha General Election-2024 in a peaceful manner, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gumla has issued memorandum No. 432/Go., dated 01.06.2024, regarding the counting center of Polytechnic College, Chandali, around Gumla and the entire Gumla urban area. To maintain public peace in the area, Section 144 prohibitory order has been imposed from 1:00 am on 04.06.2024 to 12:00 am on 05.06.2024. In this context, in the 72-Lohardaga (SC) assembly constituency, I, Amit Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Lohardaga, using the powers conferred under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, from 01:00 pm on 04.06.2024 to 05.06.2024 I impose prohibitory order in Lohardaga sub-division area till 12:00 midnight with the following conditions. 1. There will be a complete ban on bringing and carrying any kind of deadly weapon, firearm or explosive material in the entire Lohardaga urban area, which will be effective on arms license holders. But this prohibition will not apply to Khukri and Kirpan traditionally worn by government officials, employees, police officers and police forces on duty, Nepalese and Sikhs respectively. 2. No person, organization, group will spread fake news or any other type of misleading news, messages, photos etc. either through social media or through any other electronic means. 3. No candidate or political party should do anything that hurts the sentiments of people of any religion, sect or caste or creates hatred or tension among them. 4. Prohibition of publishing any statement or news regarding the personal conduct and character or candidature of any candidate or political party, which is false or which is not believed to be true, with the aim of adversely affecting the election chances of any candidate or political party. Will remain. 5. We will ensure to strictly follow the prohibition order issued under Section 144 CrPC for following the Model Code of Conduct vide this office's Memorandum No. 21/Law, dated 16.03.2024. A massive fire broke out in an IT company in Uttar Pradesh's Noida Sector 63 on Saturday afternoon. According to officials, the fire broke out due to a blast in the indoor unit of an air conditioner Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar Choubey informed that no casualty has happened. No person suffered any injuries in the fire that broke out on the second floor of the company's building around 2 pm, Choubey stated. Six water tenders were pressed into service to douse off the fire. "When the fire service unit were alerted about the blaze, six water tenders were immediately sent to the spot. Additionally, four more vehicles were sent to meet any requirement. However, the fire was doused using the service of three vehicles only. The fire broke out due to a blast in the indoor unit of an AC in the company," the CFO said. He said some company workers were on duty at the time of the incident but nobody suffered any injuries in the episode. In a viral video on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), fire gutted the upper floors of the building, leaving it charred. An "AC blast" generally refers to an explosion or fire involving an air conditioning (AC) unit. Such incidents can occur due to various factors, often related to electrical or mechanical failures, according to officials. The officials have also urged people to not run their ACs continuously for long durations in order to prevent any mishap in the prevailing extreme hot weather conditions. Tension prevails at Kharkhari and Behrakudar villages under Madhuban police station of the district following clash between the villagers over power supply from BCCL feeder at Kharkhari and surrounding area. An irate mob of villagers from Kharkhari pelted stones at the villagers sitting before Madhuban PS, demanding power, as well as on the police officials. Locals alleged that someone opened fire in the air though police were yet to recover any empty cartridge from the spot. According to reports, villagers of Kharkhari disconnected power supply of villager Behrakudar on Friday evening saying they were not getting enough voltage due to the illegal connections in the village. This led to a minor clash between the villagers late Friday evening after which the power connection to the village was restored. Villagers of Behrakudar reached Madhuban police station on Saturday morning demanding arrest of some villagers who allegedly disconnect their power supply frequently. Jaiprakash. inspector in-charge of Madhuban police station said, while villagers from Behrakudar were still sitting before the PS, a mob from village Kharkhari reached there and started pelting stones on them and beat them up with lathis.. They also damaged some bikes and four wheelers parked outside the police station. When the police interfered, they did not even spare the police and started pelting stones at the police also. The police then resorted to lathi charge to disperse the irate mob and brought the situation under control, informing the inspector. The police are in the process of lodging different named FIRs against villagers of Kharkhari, said SP (rural) Kapil Choudhary, who also visited the spot along with Baghmara SDPO Anand Jyoti Minz following the incident . It includes an FIR by the police for disturbing the government officials from discharging their duty and attack on the police station besides two cases on the statement of villagers of Behrakudar- one for assaulting them on Friday evening and the other for attacking them before the police station, said Rural SP. Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju has said a team from the weather department investigated the Delhi Mungeshpur weather station and found that a sensor there was working with a three degrees Celsius error. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday clarified that the weather station in Delhi which recorded 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29 was not functioning correctly due to a sensor error. In a post on X, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences said a team of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) investigated Delhi's Mungeshpur weather station, which recorded the city's highest ever temperature, and "found a 3 degrees Celsius sensor error". "On 29th May 2024, Mungeshpur's AWS reported a temperature of 52.9C, our @Indiametdept team quickly investigated and found a 3C sensor error. Corrective measures are now in place. Thanks to our brilliant scientists for their relentless dedication as together, we're making sure you get the most accurate weather information," Rijiju said in a post on X. The India Meteorological Department(IMD)on Saturday said the temperature reading of 52.9 degrees Celsius by an automatic weather station (AWS) at Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi was due to a "malfunctioning sensor" and said such devices deployed for weather observations will be examined. The weather office had dispatched a team of experts to Mungeshpur after an AWS deployed there recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29 to examine the device for errors, if any. "The temperature sensor of AWS Mungeshpur is found to report about three degrees Celsius higher maximum temperature than the maximum temperature reported by the standard instrument," the IMD said and attributed the readings to "malfunctioning of the sensor" of the AWS. "We will examine AWS, course corrections, if any, will be carried out on an individual basis," said IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, adding that the faulty sensor of the Mungeshpur AWS would be replaced in a few days. Rijiju shared a draft report on the Mungeshpur incident, which said the maximum temperature recorded by the AWS was three degrees higher than the standard instruments. The report recommended that the surface instrument division at IMD Pune may examine and calibrate the AWS temperature sensors at periodic intervals of all the AWS. It also recommended that a Factory Acceptance Test should be carried out in different temperatures before the installation of an AWS and called for routine maintenance of such devices installed across the country in a planned manner. The IMD said AWS reading at Mungeshpur was an outlier compared to the temperature measured by other AWS and manual observatories in Delhi. "Also, it exceeded the earlier all-time highest maximum temperature of 48.4 degrees Celsius at Palam on May 26, 1998," the weather office said. On Friday, the IMD had said a faulty sensor had led to higher temperature readings at the AWS installed by the Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth in Nagpur. The maximum temperature in Delhi NCR is being monitored through five surface observatories and automatic weather stations. Staff Reporter n New Delhi Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju has said a team from the weather department investigated the Delhi Mungeshpur weather station and found that a sensor there was working with a three degrees Celsius error. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday clarified that the weather station in Delhi which recorded 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29 was not functioning correctly due to a sensor error. In a post on X, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences said a team of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) investigated Delhi's Mungeshpur weather station, which recorded the city's highest ever temperature, and "found a 3 degrees Celsius sensor error". "On 29th May 2024, Mungeshpur's AWS reported a temperature of 52.9C, our @Indiametdept team quickly investigated and found a 3C sensor error. Corrective measures are now in place. Thanks to our brilliant scientists for their relentless dedication as together, we're making sure you get the most accurate weather information," Rijiju said in a post on X. The India Meteorological Department(IMD)on Saturday said the temperature reading of 52.9 degrees Celsius by an automatic weather station (AWS) at Mungeshpur in northwest Delhi was due to a "malfunctioning sensor" and said such devices deployed for weather observations will be examined. The weather office had dispatched a team of experts to Mungeshpur after an AWS deployed there recorded a maximum temperature of 52.9 degrees Celsius on May 29 to examine the device for errors, if any. "The temperature sensor of AWS Mungeshpur is found to report about three degrees Celsius higher maximum temperature than the maximum temperature reported by the standard instrument," the IMD said and attributed the readings to "malfunctioning of the sensor" of the AWS. "We will examine AWS, course corrections, if any, will be carried out on an individual basis," said IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, adding that the faulty sensor of the Mungeshpur AWS would be replaced in a few days. Rijiju shared a draft report on the Mungeshpur incident, which said the maximum temperature recorded by the AWS was three degrees higher than the standard instruments. The report recommended that the surface instrument division at IMD Pune may examine and calibrate the AWS temperature sensors at periodic intervals of all the AWS. It also recommended that a Factory Acceptance Test should be carried out in different temperatures before the installation of an AWS and called for routine maintenance of such devices installed across the country in a planned manner. The IMD said AWS reading at Mungeshpur was an outlier compared to the temperature measured by other AWS and manual observatories in Delhi. "Also, it exceeded the earlier all-time highest maximum temperature of 48.4 degrees Celsius at Palam on May 26, 1998," the weather office said. On Friday, the IMD had said a faulty sensor had led to higher temperature readings at the AWS installed by the Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth in Nagpur. The maximum temperature in Delhi NCR is being monitored through five surface observatories and automatic weather stations. Police has raided a spa center in Ranchi. Around 8 to 10 people have been caught in objectionable condition during the raid. According to the news received, police raided a spa center under Lalpur police station area late Saturday night and found 8 or 10 people in objectionable condition and they were taken into custody. Police has also seized many types of objectionable material from the spa center. Police has taken this action on the basis of secret information received from the local people. Someone had informed the police that wrong work is going on in Bombo International Spa Center on the fourth floor of Le Desire Complex in front of Hariom Tower on Circular Road. After this, the police team raided the spa center late Saturday night and achieved success. As soon as the police reached there, there was chaos. People present in the spa started running here and there. During this, the police detained many people. The people taken into custody have been kept in Lalpur police station. Everyone is being questioned. Police station in-charge Adikant Mahato said that at present the police is investigating the whole matter. Meanwhile, incidents of firing are happening every day. In the same sequence, an incident of firing has happened in Mistri Mohalla of Doranda area on Saturday. In which a child has been injured. The child has been shot in the leg. He is undergoing treatment in RIMS. It is being told that there was a clash between two people over an old rivalry. During this, firing was done by one side, in which a ten-year-old child playing nearby was shot in the leg. The injured child is free from danger. First he was sent to Sadar Hospital for treatment where the doctors have removed the bullet from the child's leg. After that he was taken to RIMS for better treatment. Doranda police has identified the criminals who fired. The names of Saif, Shakib and Sanjar are coming up among those who fired. Police is conducting raids to arrest all three. Local people have told the police that all three criminals had weapons in their hands and all three had fired once each. In this firing, 10-year-old Akdas Mirza, who was playing nearby, got shot. Currently, the child is undergoing treatment at RIMS. On the other hand, the police is conducting raids to arrest the criminals. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear on Monday a Delhi government plea seeking a direction to Haryana to release surplus water provided by Himachal Pradesh to the national capital to mitigate its ongoing water crisis. According to the cause list of the top court, a vacation bench of justices P K Mishra and K V Viswanathan is likely to hear the matter. The plea filed by Delhi's Water Minister Atishi has made the Centre, the BJP-governed Haryana and the Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh parties to the petition, saying that access to water is essential for survival and is one of the basic human rights. "Access to water is one of the basic human rights of an individual. Not only is water essential for sustenance, but access to water also forms an essential component of the guarantee of dignity and a quality of life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution," the plea said. "The current water crisis, which may only get worse given peak summers and ongoing water shortage, violates the right to a dignified and quality life of the people of the NCT of Delhi, who are unable to access even adequate clean drinking water," it added. The plea has sought a direction to the Haryana government for immediate and continuous release of water at the Wazirabad barrage, including but not limited to the full surplus water provided by the Respondent No. 2 (Himachal Pradesh) for the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, in order to mitigate the water crisis in the NCT of Delhi. The city government said it was constrained to file the plea on account of acute shortage of water being faced by the citizens due to the ongoing severe heat conditions in north India, particularly Delhi. "The record-high temperatures and heat wave in Delhi, which have resulted in maximum temperature rising up to around 50 degrees Celsius at some places, have caused an extraordinary and excessive surge in water demand in the city. "As a result, the national capital is dealing with a water shortage which has led to frequent supply cuts in many parts of the NCT, and has disrupted the daily life of the ordinary residents, the plea said. The AAP government said it has taken all measures to ensure optimisation, rationing and targeted supply of water, yet the shortage remains acute and it is clear by all indicators that the NCT of Delhi is in dire need of additional water. It said all treatment plants in the national capital are treating and supplying the water being sent. It is necessary to augment the water supply to address the present crisis, it added. The city government said it has sought the direction as a one-time measure and not filed the plea for resolving any outstanding inter-state water dispute. With all the seven phases of Lok Sabha elections 2024 having concluded, all eyes are on the results to be announced on June 4. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party and all other constituents of the National Democratic Alliance are upbeat over the exit poll results, which were announced on Saturday, based on reports from various survey agencies. An official spokesman of the government claimed here on Sunday that on one hand, the Narendra Modi government is poised to surpass the magical figure of 400 seats and assume power for the third time, on the other, excellent results are expected in Uttar Pradesh as well. Discussions are also on about the Prime Minister Modi-Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath duo once again proving to be a super hit in Uttar Pradesh. During the Lok Sabha elections, the chemistry between the two leaders appeared very strong, he said. The impressive results in UP as predicted by the exit polls have also provided concrete evidence of excellent teamwork between Modi and Yogi. From Meerut to Mirzapur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended nearly 21 events together. During this time, they participated in 13 public meetings, five roadshows, a nomination event in Varanasi, and a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Everywhere, the respect and mutual trust demonstrated by the two leaders were evident. Additionally, several videos from these events went viral on social media, further solidifying the growing trust between Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi. One particular viral video was from a public meeting in Pilibhit, where Chief Minister Yogi hesitated to cross in front of the prime minister to approach the dais. However, the prime minister took his hand and encouraged him to proceed ahead. Another widely shared video featured the prime minister receiving a Trishul at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. This clip captivated internet users, keeping it trending for an extended period. Out of the 21 events with Prime Minister Modi, 15 were public meetings where Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi openly demonstrated their trust in each other. Referring to Yogi Adityanath as his chief minister, the prime minister expressed pride in having a companion like Chief Minister Yogi by his side. He praised Chief Minister Yogis actions everywhere he went, especially applauding the remarkable improvements in the states law and order situation during every rally. In addition, phrases like Hamare Yogi Ji and Mere Yogi Ji in the prime ministers speeches also highlighted the strong bond between the two leaders. The public also embraced the duo in UP with slogans like Modi hai toh mumkin hai and Yogi hai to yakeen hai. Once again, in alignment with Fir Ek Baar Modi Sarkar, Abki Baar 400 Paar, Chief Minister Yogi, tirelessly engaged in campaigning across all 80 Lok Sabha seats of UP over the past two months. In many constituencies, Yogi held public meetings twice or thrice. Additionally, he held public meetings in a total of 12 states and two Union territories, appealing for votes in favour of the prime minister. Alongside, he stood by the prime minister on every major platform in the state, like a shadow. Whether it was roadshows or public meetings, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was consistently seen on the right side of Prime Minister Modi, conveying a significant message to the public. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath appeared alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi at several public meetings, including those in Meerut (March 31), Saharanpur (April 6), Pilibhit (April 9), Amroha (April 19), Aligarh (April 22), Agra (April 25), Etawah (May 5), Lalganj (May 16), Barabanki (May 17), a womens empowerment dialogue in Varanasi (May 21), Basti (May 22), Ghazipur (May 25) and Mirzapur/Robertsganj (May 26). Additionally, in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi held five major roadshows with the chief minister, including roadshows in Ghaziabad (April 6), Bareilly (April 26), Kanpur (May 4), Ayodhya (May 5) and Varanasi (May 13). Furthermore, in Varanasi, Chief Minister Yogi remained alongside the prime minister during the latters visit to the Kaal Bhairav temple and Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham for worship (May 13) and nomination in Varanasi (May 14). The house of the absconding accused Tanjil alias Shooter in the murder of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) leader in Bhopal was demolished on Saturday. The three-storey building was built illegally and was razed at 9 am, the administration and municipal corporation team took action in Panchsheel Nagar in the presence of police force. The accused's shop was also sealed a day earlier. In the evening of May 17, BJYM divisional vice president Surendra Kushwaha was murdered outside Bhopal Central Jail. So far 8 accused have been arrested in this case. The accused Tanjil alias Shooter, whose house was demolished today, is absconding. Tanjil had a three-storey house in Panchsheel Nagar. There was also a shed in front of it. There was no permission to build the house. TT Nagar SDM, ACP, corporation officials reached the spot. Police force was deployed to deal with any ruckus. First of all, the sheds in front of the house were removed. After this, the action of demolishing the three-storey concrete house started. Police also sealed the surrounding area. SIT was formed to investigate the murder. So far, a total of 8 accused have been arrested including Raghvendra alias Chhotu father Shyamlal Sen resident of Bhim Nagar Arera Hills, Faizal Khan father Mohammad Ashfaq is a resident of Hasnath Nagar, Deepanshu alias Tannu resident of Panchsheel Nagar, Raj father Anil Som Kunwar resident of Panchsheel Nagar and Ajay father Sanjay Paswan resident of Panchsheel Nagar. The incident is at 5.30 pm on May 17. BJP Yuva Morcha leader Surendra Kushwaha had come to Central Jail to leave his friend Ishu Khare's brother Satish Khare after his parole ended. Ishu and another friend Vikas Verma were also with him. Accused Sandesh Narware, Akash, Chhota Faizal and Deepanshu Sen and others attacked him in front of Central Jail. Surendra and Ishu were seriously injured. Surendra died in the hospital. Mukesh Kamli was murdered in 2011. Satish Khare is convicted in the same murder case. The attackers are from Mukesh's gang. They had beaten up BJP Yuva Morcha leader Surendra a few days ago. He did not complain to the police then. The divisional vice president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha was stabbed to death at the gate of Bhopal Central Jail. The next day, on May 18 after the postmortem, at 1 pm, the family blocked the road and protested by keeping the body on Link Road No. 2. The family wanted Tanjil and Bhura Haddi to be named in the murder case. They had given these names to the police at night.